SueH58 - PHT is Perjeta, Herceptin, Taxotere

It's my understanding that this combination has had a much greater success rate against HER2 coming back than some of the other regimens.

The oncologist in my group conferred with other Drs throughout the country and they decided this would be the best regimen for my situation. I did a little research on my own and was excited with the statistics.

As we all do, I just want to be cancer free and be able to go on with my life. I will do whatever it takes to reach that goal.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Rockerwife I hope your resting comfortably, positive thoughts your way.

Ladies I'm getting a power port put in on the 20th - I have a picc line now and hate showering with it plus I want to go swimming this summer. Is there any leeway to where they place it so it won't be so noticeable or is it governed by anatomy? Any tips?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mothers Day filled with love!

rockermom, so sorry your in the hospital!!!! What happened?! Ugh. Hope u r home soon. Xo

slv58 - Power port.  My doctor said right side at clavicle is preferable, as it's a shorter route to artery.  That suited me, as I'm left-handed, and I do notice it when I move my arm to the left.  But when I signed the release, I also signed for left side if right was not possible.  No explanation as to what constituted "not possible" . 

Hi Ladies!

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all of us! So sorry to hear about those in hospital and having major SEs. Praying that you recover quickly!

I have made it 8 days past TC #2. First time I ended up in ER & hospital from days 4-6 due to high fever. I stayed well hydrated and kept track on my Fitbit this time around. So far so good.

But I am having a few common side effects this time around (brittle nails, tender fingertips and toes,) but also a few weird symptoms that I wanted to share with others:

-mouth pain/sores plus SORE TEETH: I knew about mouth issues and have been rinsing with salt water, but hadn't heard about sore teeth. It hurts to eat crunchy things. Anybody else?

-rash on head: I shaved my head (or rather my DD20 ;-) ) on day 15 after TC#1 because hair was falling out in chunks. But there's still a stubble there and it ITCHES. Looked in mirror and there's a rash of small red bumps... I only wear wigs on occasion and am mostly home going commando. Anybody else with an itchy head?

Anyway, just wanted to check with ya'll.... have a great weekend and take care!!

Allison

allicat

Wash your scalp with Dove Liquid Soap. I use extra moisture. Scrub and it will feel so good and loosen hairs that need to go. Dont buzz or shave too short. I just finished TC #3 and the little hair I have is about 3/4", and no more itching or tingling. If ur scalp is red and bumpy, def call MO.

My teeth felt weird, too. I was afraid to wear my nightguard, thought it might pull my teeth out. Put a water bottle in bathroom with 1tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt. Rinse every time u go in There. It really helps. Use Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. And Brachs Lemon drops will make the metal taste go away.

Good luck and hugs to all!

SEs SUCK!

Love

Arlene

Same on the head...just a short hair cut, but I have a couple of super sensitive spots.  My hair hasn't started to fall out, but it hurts to brush, so I'm thinking it's about to start shedding. 

Also scratched the roof of my mouth with a piece of toast [seriously...toast?? Potato chips I would understand] and now my whole mouth seems to be very sensitive.  I'm swishing salt and baking soda water every time I go to the bathroom, so hopefully things will settle down.

How are you doing Rocker? Hope they let you go home...praying for you right now!

To all the moms out there, enjoy your day tomorrow! I don't know what I'd do without my wonderful mother and mother in law taking care of me through this, I love them so much! I hope some day I can have children to love and raise as well. Thank you, mothers, for all you do.

hi all. I haven't been here for a while so I figured I'd stop in to say hello and update on me. I had ac#3 on Monday and it's been a rough week for me. I felt like I had a bad hangover that night and slept a lot. Tuesday morning wasn't too bad but sunk into the headache yuck by evening. Got my shot then came home to bed. I had broken sleep for the next 3 days. Sleeping about 2 hours then up for 2. Body pain for the first 24 hours was horrible! And I even took Claritin! Then it was icky stomach, heartburn, unable to eat much or sleep despite my feeling of exhaustion. It's now Sunday morning and I'm just now feeling ok. At this point I have no idea how I can go through this again even if it is ONLY 1 more time before moving onto weekly Taxol. I'm petrified about getting Taxol, and the though of more side effects. It's hard to remember that cancer is the enemy and not the Chemotherapy at this point. I know I really shouldn't complain compared to some of your SE but this sucks! Today is Mother's Day and I should be in a great mood (5 kids and a granddaughter I'm blessed with) but I'm all weepy today. (Sigh)

Port placement, slv58.  Talk to your doctor about the placement.  Obviously it can go on the left, although that requires a little more surgical effort to get where they want it to go.  Things I've learned since my port installation 3 weeks ago.   No one really discussed these prior to the installation, but if you have time to think about it....

1.  Depending the side of your port and your seat in the car, your seatbelt almost always falls over it just enough to be annoying.   If you drive a lot, the left side port will be more of annoyance.  If you are mostly in the passenger seat, the right side port is more of an annoyance.   Maybe that eases with time.  I'm planning to concoct a "seatbelt pillow" to cushion my port.  Here's a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHp3ZJUMQxE 

2.  Placement is high and right on my chest, close to my shoulder, so it isn't visible under t-shirts, even V-necks.   Side shouldn't make a difference.  My bra strap doesn't bother it, but my bathing suit strap drives it crazy.  Right now, I skip the bathing suit and just wear an spf50 long-sleeved swim tee and swim shorts in the pool.

3.  My port is on the same side as my current mastectomy, BUT I'm left handed and I've had a double mx.  I was concerned that anything could add to my risk of lymphedema, and I want to do everything I can to keep the issue on the non-dominant side.  Maybe an unnecessary concern.  However, the tender flesh made the port installation a little more painful. 

4.  I can't sleep on the port side as it's uncomfortable.  I still can't sleep on the mx side.  For me that's the same side, but if the surgery is on one side and the port on the other, you may be sleeping on your back for a while...my least favorite way to sleep.

Hope this helps.  I'm sure others who have had ports longer have some additional thoughts.

Mamajen, I am right there with you sister. Its getting to me as well, all the side effects, exaustion, tummy upset, being bald....ugh. I hate cancer so much! I love my sisters here though....thank you all....

Thank you ladies, last time I had a picc with no problems but had it during the winter mo the. After finding out I could swim with a port ( I didn't know) I was quickly granted one. I'm a bit nervous of the possibility of it being constantly uncomfortable but the thought of loosing another summer because of cancer bugs me more. I guess I'm a bit worried of them putting it on the right dude because I just had diep there and font want yo compromise my flap. I'm going to ask on wed. when I'm there for chemo

Shari, I didn't mean to imply the port is uncomfortable all the time, because it isn't.  Just in specific situations.  For me, minor annoyance is worth being able to swim [more like paddle, but still relaxing].   I was able to get in the pool two weeks after installation.  That's just a ten days ago, but that was "BC" [before chemo], so everything before that seems like it happened in the distant past. 

Beachbum 1023, I like the "port puppy" for the car.  Maybe that's a better solution than pulling out the sewing machine.

Also want to say the baking soda/salt solution seems to do the trick for sore/tender mouth.  I woke up this morning with a normal mouth.  So I'll continue swishing and spitting every trip through the bathroom.