Who has started herceptin and taxol regemin in October 2016?

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Hi ladies, I appreciate all the support and ideas. I had my 2nd partial mastectomy and sentinel node mapping yesterday. I also had my port placed during the surgery. My MO wants me to start Herceptin and Taxol the week before Christmas. I was hoping to start the following week. Did you guys have a lot of side effects after the first treatment? Lris

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    kmk40, I felt really good, and carried on all my normal activities. Started to lose hair around #3, but no fatigue or other side effects except for low blood counts, which I continue to deal with. Let us know how you do.

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    kmk40.........minor fatigue here. Main things I released is lawn moving at my out of town place and less of the community events like chamber of commerce functions. Still doing real estate work but the season slows end Oct to Jan. So if a Raeltor has to do chemo and surgery this is the time to do it. Best advise is to pay attn to your highs and lows of energy and plan the more eneregy required tasks during the highs.

    I am awaiting pharmacy meds now at 6th of 12 infusions. Funny thing they just asked if I was pregnant. That was a first ? 59 next week boy that would be a surprise.....my humor for the morning.

    Keep it up ladies.....victory is ours!

    Terry (aka whistlestop)

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Here's a little something I wanted to pass along as from my infusion nurse yesterday....( number 6 of 12 done - 1/2 way home )

    Healthy vibrant hugs and energy to all. Happy Weekend.

    image

    Terry ( aka Whistlestop )

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Love that t shirt!

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Thanks everyone! I'm scheduled to start taxol and herceptin on December 21st. I'll keep you posted

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Taxol and herceptin #9 today. Darn wbc and anc staying low, but feeling good. Bought a new Christmas tree after chemo, and spent the afternoon decorating it. Will see what side effects decide to pop up this week. Hope everyone has a good week.

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  • Anyr1954
    Anyr1954 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    hi, I have been following this forum with interest. I started Taxol and Herceptin on November 22nd. Yesterday was my 3rd infusion. I am 62-years old, had a mastectomy on Sept.29. Thus far, the main complaint is how it's affecting my digestive system, mainly the mucous membrane of mouth and nose and some intestinal issues also. I am doing mouth rinses eith warm water, baking soda and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil several times per day and that's helping with the burning and sores in mouth, for the nose, I am applying vaseline at times and using a humififier, high quality lavender essential oil applied directly to the mouth sores help also. Staying active and walking. My infusion day is Tuesday, thst day I am okay but very drowsy from Benadryl. My worse days are Thursday and Friday so far. Hair starting falling out yesterday so today I will get a really short cut. Keep the spirits up, everyone!!!!!!

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Hi everyone! I'm having the same Taxol and Herceptin starting here shortly in about 2 weeks. Do you guys bring a chemo buddy with you? Are the infusions long? I hope everyone has the fewest side effects possible this week. Good luck!


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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Good news at MO appointment yesterday. #1 echo all normal, in fact ef actually better than baseline. #2 last txol and herceptin infusion will be 12/19, so only 2 left...woohoo! #3 moving on to radiation in January. Feeling really good, no new side effects.

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  • Anyr1954
    Anyr1954 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    that is such good news. I had my 3rd infusion on Tuesday and have felt pretty good this week. Started losing my hair so I shaved it down. Going to start on the lGlutamine today. Does anybody know the amount I should take daily?

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Anyr54, glad you are feeling good. Take 30grams of glutamine divided into 3 doses. I use the Now brand, and 10 grams is 2 teaspoons. It dissolves easily, I usually mix it in an ounce or so of juice. You might also want to take vitamin b6 100mg. Both were used and recommended in dana farber cancer institute study. Good luck!

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  • Anyr1954
    Anyr1954 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    tha.k you for the advice on the Lglutamine and vitamin. One if ny nails started coming off today. Has anybody experienced that?

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Are you icing your hands/fingers and feet/toes during taxol infusion? It helps prevent the nail problem you're experiencing, and also helps prevent neuropathy. I have done this for all of my treatments, and haven't had any issues with my nails. Some have also recommended black or very dark nail polish to prevent losing nails. I've done the dark polish too, can't hurt.

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  • Anyr1954
    Anyr1954 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    no, didn't know about the icing of hands and feet, will do that on my next one as well as tge dark nail polish. I am so excited for you Germangirl1, you are almost at the finish line!!!!!

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Hi everyone. My first chemo was moved to December 27th because of scheduling. I had my chemotherapy teaching and they gave me scripts for Zofran and prochlorperazine. Do you guys go ahead and take nausea meds preemptively? I also got a script for a wig, I'm going to get one before chemo starts! So, I'm working with my work schedule and I just wanted to take a poll. What are your worst days after the treatment? The day after, two days after? I won't be working the day of treatment and can take up to two other days off. I work in health care and share a job with others, so my days off affect my coworker's days off. I realize everyone will react differently, just thought I'd make the best educated guess I can at this point! Good luck everyone!

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  • Anyr1954
    Anyr1954 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    kmk40, tomorrow will be my 4th treatment. On the day of the treatment (tuesdays), I feel okay but drowsy from the Benadryl. Wednesday and Thursday are pretty good then Friday is the worse day and Saturday is so-so, still very tired. Sundays and Mondays are the best days thus far. Good luck with your treatment!!

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Thanks Anyr1954! I appreciate your feedback on how you're feeling and thanks for the well wishes. I'm anxious but ready to start and get through it.

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Thanks so much KB870!

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    I feel fortunate to say I'm one of those who got through feeling pretty darn good. During first 6 treatments, only off day was Thursdays (infusions on Monday), but not enough to slow me down. I expected to feel more side effects for the final 6, but just the opposite, I had no bad days at all. This coming Monday will be my last taxol/herceptin, these 12 weeks went really fast.

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  • bkwells2003
    bkwells2003 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    Where did you find this shirt?!?

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  • bkwells2003
    bkwells2003 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    I started in September. I finished my Taxol last week. I had a repeat echo yesterday and my EF has decreased to 45, so my Herceptin is on hold for 4 weeks. Has anyone else had this problem? My EF was 60 prior to Herceptin. I'm bummed. I've been so fortunate to have hardly any side effects (minus losing hair). I had 12 weeks of weekly Taxol/Herceptin. I start Tamoxifen today.

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    Germangirl16, I'm so excited you're almost done! And glad to hear how well and fast the 12 weeks went by!

    Bkwells2003, my doctor mentioned the EF decreasing as a side effect and that it's transient... should recover once off the Herceptin. I haven't started yet, so can't weigh in personally. Good luck

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited December 2016

    hi bkwells,

    I am on a different chemo regimen, but my LVEF has dropped from 59 to 51 since starting Herceptin. My doctor has put me on a beta blocker and ACE inhibitor. I am feeling a bit better since starting these meds. The nurse practitioner told me that exercise is beneficial. I have been on the treadmill every day trying to strengthenmy heart muscle (going faster than I normally do).

    So sorry to hear that you have to take a break from Herceptin. Hope your lvef increases quickly.

    Stephanie

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Had my last taxol & herceptin on Monday, woo-hoo! I even gave myself a break from the icing, and steroid dose was only 2.5mg. Looking forward to enjoying the holidays, and allowing my body to heal and get back to normal. Meet with RO next week for radiation plan. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2016

    BKWells and StephinCanada - just wanted to jump in here about EF and heart -almost 5 years ago

    I had to quit Herceptin after only 3 months because my EF dropped from 65 to 29. Not good.

    The bad news is it never went back up - only 1 or 2 points - the good news is I live with it

    on a Beta Blocker and ACE inhibitor - my heart is stable. I do not have symptoms. And I love my

    cardiologist and only have to go once a year now. Do not be afraid of meds and consult the

    best cardiologist you can!!

    Sending my best!

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Germangirl1…Congrats on your last.

    My last Taxol, Herceptin, Perjeta is this Friday the 23rd...and then it's just the 3 remaining Taxol only days, completing on Friday Jan.13th. How appropriate right ?

    Onco appt. last Friday at end of infusion and the manual exam appears the area has reduced likely to the cyst only. Next weeks imagery / MRI / Ultrasound will confirm . And no visible manual exam evidence of anything remaining in node. Definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Ready to meet with surgeon to discuss options. I look ahead to an end of Feb. cruise and a new grandbaby mid March. Ready to move back into the feelings of productivity. I am getting things done, just a 1/3 - 1/2 of my personal norm, which is more than many of my comrades say most people accomplish. This is a bit of my chemo funk I guess. Did get lots of holiday baking done and readying for an easier holiday Wondering if the lower energy is cumulative and contributing to my feeling less productive. At least for myself as a Realtor holidays are my slower market time.

    Merry Christmas...Happy Holidays and to a fabulous 2017 with Cancer behind all of us.


    Terry ( aka Whistlestop )

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  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2016

    Amen Terry! 2017 has got to be better! Merry Christmas!

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    KB870based on your Taxol start that's about rt. Just an FYI, I went to a pixie and then did a buzz but kept a section on the top I could use of bangs out of my hats and scarves. That was a month ago and still have a portion ( 50%) left for that little touch of bangs. Great idea being proactive..

    Terry ( aka whistlestop )

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  • kmk40
    kmk40 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    There goes my dream of not losing my hair! My first chemo treatment is in 4 days. I've already bought one wig, just so I'll be prepared. Although it's a little different than my usual hairstyle, so thinking about getting another wig too, or cutting my hair shorter. Happy holidays to everyone!

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