TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Kate, I had very little nausea with Chemo, but horrible acid reflux/ heartburn. Like Lago, I added carafate to my regime which included prevecid morning and evening and zantac at bedtime. All of this helped, but by the 4th chemo it got so bad I couldn't finish my last day dose of the steroids. 5th and 6th Chemo, my MO cut back on the steroid and I finally had more significant relief. It sounds like you're only having 4 infusions though, so not that much more to get through!

musosgirl, you're bringing something valid to the table, here: how we treat mental health during cancer treatments. From a purely scientific perspective, it seems to me that it's overlooked to a pretty large degree; from an empathetic, human perspective, it seems like more should be done to address it. The good news is that it sounds like your MO is doing what he can. Here's the thing: from what I understand, BC pills and Tamox/hormone suppression are different animals (not quite opposites, but close), so there's no reason to assume that you'll have the same reaction to Tamoxifen as you did to BC pills. That said, have you/your doc investigated tricyclic antidepressants? They're old-school, but they might be worth a try. And, maybe more importantly, do you have a therapist that you trust? I'm sorry if that's a stupid or overly-invasive question; I just can't imagine where I'd be with this without mine.

amylsp and lago, I've actually got three rounds left, for a total of six. So far, the Protonix is working great. My mom has taken Carafate in the past for reflux, and my doc is monitoring what's going on with me. After round 2, it was so bad that it was causing chest pains, and we certainly don't want a trip to cardiac care. This round, I've found that I can eat pretty much whatever I want (thank goodness), but I'm prepared to go back to a bland diet if need be. I'm going to ask if we can reduce the Carboplatin. I don't know why I have it in my head that the Carbo is/was the culprit, since it could just as easily be the Taxotere, Perjeta, or--even more likely--the Decadron (for which I've had every side effect in the book--now I only take 8mg a day for three days with no infusion pre-med, instead of 16mg per day plus a pre-med). . . .

Before all of this, I balked at taking ibuprofen for a headache. Now I feel like I'm swallowing fistfuls of pills! Alas. If it gets me through all six treatments, I'll do it.

Here's a question: did any of you change your diets or start taking supplements after chemo was over, to boost bone marrow or cleanse your bodies? I can't wait to get my strength back (powerlifting); I've lost almost 10 lbs of muscle mass already. I've gone from deadlifting 185 lbs for reps to having a hard time walking two miles. But I guess that's the trade-off for annihilating this bulls*** cancer, isn't it?

I vow, in this semi-public forum, not to worry about the second echocardiogram. I'll get the results next Thursday. I feel about Herceptin/Perjeta the exact opposite as I feel about Carbo: if they're the miracle drugs they're touted to be, I want them at all costs.

Thanks for reading my rambling. Happy Friday, everyone!

KateB79 I have always eaten pretty healthy. To be honest I think I eat a bit more red meat now than I did before diagnosis. You gotta live. Most important is keep a healthy weight and exercise daily

lago and SpecialK, duly noted.

Has anyone been following the GP2 vaccine clinical trial saga? How about Neuvax? It looks like there are some promising immunological treatments on the horizon. . . .

Kate - GP2 saga, as in the argument between the maker and Dr People's? I participated in the GP2 trial in Washington DC, and fluff queen did the trial in Wake Forest

SpecialK, I thought I read yesterday that the phase III trial is almost fully enrolled; of course I can't find the link now, so I can't share it here (I've got to start bookmarking these things). My new search tells me that I may have been mistaken--it looks like Neuvax is the one that's into the phase III testing period. I apologize for sharing bad information. I'd blame it on chemo brain, but I haven't had that problem--I honestly think I just misread the data (I'm not that kind of doctor).

Either way, I wasn't thinking that GP2 would be approved in less than a year (and, frankly, I wouldn't want it to be--these things take time for a reason), but that it might be possible for high-risk women to get it before it's approved, a la the early days of Herceptin. It might be a pipe dream.

Phase II Neuvax/Herceptin link: http://www.cancerinsight.com/active/phase-ii-trial...

There are quite a few trials enrolling for more advanced HER2+ BC. Here's a link to a list, for anyone who might be interested: https://www.breastcancertrials.org/bct_nation/brow...

Again, I do apologize for misinterpreting data. That's kind of embarrassing.

Gretagirl, we're on a similar schedule. I had my second echo last week (still waiting for results) and, assuming my ticker is ticking in an impressive way, will get Herceptin through next August.

Glad the links were of interest!

Thank you everyone for making me feel welcome

Lago, I discussed it with MO, just got some painkillers but the pain is still there and its been a whole week and half. Think tomorrow I shall see a physio.

Think that neulasta really had a bad effect! Thank you specialK, I'm gonna start claritin before the next one for sure!

Oh, thank god. I was starting to think I was never going to get a good night's sleep again. . . .

Elaine, I had a feeling. Alas. Perhaps hot flashes are a part of the new normal.

So I finally looked at all of the reports from surgery, which was back in July. On the chest X-ray, the radiologist noticed what is "consistent with calcified granuloma," and didn't seem overly alarmed. Of course I took to Google, and learned that almost 30% of people, young and old, in my part of the U.S. have these things. Something about air quality and fungal infections.

I'm trying not to stress about this (even though it's tiny and calcification is usually a good sign, of course my first thought is mets). Anyone ever have anything similar? Should I be alarmed, or just let it go?

Kate,

Effexor is used off-label for the hot flashes caused by the treatment to kill the cancer With the lovely side-effect of helping with depression.

I started at 37.5 mg/day and slowly increased to 150 mg/day of Effexor ER. I almost never have a hot flash or a warm flush or anything. My prescribing therapist recommended. Probably because I was leaving every chair I sat in drenched in salty sweat. I do not plan to stop this drug. Ever.

Ang, my gyn's office orders the mammo. I go have it done and they send me a letter in the mail. Maybe your MO orders it because you had a LX instead of MX. I don't understand why they can't send a letter or make a quick phone call. I'd ask why it has to be done that way. Who wants to continue paying all these medical bills!?

Mommato3- Thank you . I think I will call and just ask to send my results.

ashla-- Thank you. I plain on canceling the appointment and just wait for it in the mail. Will save me some money.