Had my 1st infusion...

[Chelee]

of Navelbine Monday. I had my chemo canceled 3 times since Sept...I never thought I was going to start. But my onc almost canceled my chemo again. Since I had the femur surgery the incision is healed up nicely but there is one open "hole" from where the "JP" drain was. It's an open wound and she is concerned it won't heal once I start Navy Beans. But I can't keep putting off chemo! This is ridiculous.

She wanted to wait till that healed up bit but said if I wanted to start she would ok it. I said it's been over 70 days since I was told I recurred and I WANT to start now. She said fine...and said she would keep an eye on that wound and if need be put me on anti-biotics if it starts to look bad.

I only did a wkly dose of Navy Beans to start. I know its hard on counts so want to make sure I don't end up in the hospital like the first time I did chemo. So far just major constipation, and I have had a super red face that's been hot to touch all day. But they did give me decadron in the IV so maybe that is lingering today? Also a little tired but that was to be expected. Haven't really had nausea...so that's good so far.

Chelee

[Ellie F]

Hi Chelee
The red face again,drat. maybe it was the decadron all along. Hope it settles soon. Glad you have started your chemo, it's been a long slog to get it.I am thinking of you and hoping that it does the job and quickly gets you in remission again.
Ellie

[Carolyns]

Hi Chelee,

Well, I am going to say it sounds like so far so good. I hope that you keep a box of prunes near by that constipation can really be bad.

I hope that Navy Bean really does the job for you and that your leg heals quickly.

Sincerely, Carolyn

[MJo]

My first thought was the same as Elie's -- the Red Face again. How well I remember thinking I looked like an Australian life guard! Take care of yourself Chelee and a quick remisison for you. Keep chronicaling your experiences for us.

[caya]

Glad you got started Chelee. Hoping for a complete and speedy recovery for you.

all the best
caya

[Sheila]

Chelee
Glad to hear there were no problems with the navy Beans....I did not take Decadron with it and did fine, see if you can take it without!!!
Hope we get some good info for you here in San Antonio

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hey Navy Bean Girl! You're doing it!
So glad you got it started. I didn't do anything with the herceptin and navelbine either and it made it so much easier. Maybe you could ask.
ma

[Shobha]

Good to hear you got your first infusion, Chelee! Wishing you speedy recovery and back to NED status soon!

hugs,
shobha

[schoolteacher]

Chelee,

Glad your operation incision has healed up, except for where the drain was. Hopeful, taking the navy beans on a weekly basis will allow this to heal. Glad you got to do your lst infusion.

Amelia

[ElaineM]

Congratulations on finally getting started with your treatment !!!!!!!! I am very happy about that.
I took Herceptin and Navelbine every week while I was healing from the hip surgery. I even had stitches and staples halfway down my leg the first two weeks and a hole near my new hip from the drain. No problems !! I didn't take premeds either.
The Decadron might be causing the constipation and flushed face. You can probably find a list of Decadron side effects on the internet. I usually try www.thedrugname.com (http://www.thedrugname.com) first and then go to the well known sites about chemo if I don't find what I am looking for by typing the drug name plus the www. prefix and the com suffix.
We are all looking forward to the news from San Antonio to find out what the latest information is about breast cancer.

[Rich66]

I agree with Sheila. Almost no one here on the board had premeds with Navelbine. My understanding is that it has no benefit in terms of wbc counts. If you want to be really proactive in preventing Vomiting/Nausea, there are non-steroidal alternatives and there seems to be a possibility Dex/Decadron could hamper the chemo:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=41877

You might investigate ways to get the infusion in the evening:
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/reprint/289/1/231.pdf
Some hospitals can administer chemo on a hospital floor or in ER for after hour needs.

There may not be any advantage beyond convenience to going to a 2 or 3 week schedule. Plenty of suggestion that less more often has benefits in terms of toxicity/tolerance and often efficacy:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24729

[lexigirl]

Hi Chelee,

I am happy that you got through your 1st infusion fine!! You are on your way to killing the nasty ca. I hope that each tx goes smoothly and your se's will be minimal.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[tricia keegan]

So glad you finally got started Chelee, and hope you have a great response:)

[WomanofSteel]

I did not have premeds with the navelbine either. Good luck to you with this treatment and stay ahead of the constipation coz it is bad.

[alicem]

I am so glad that you finally got your chemo treatments underway. I hope all continues to go well.

[Jackie07]

Chelee,

Hope the treatment will do its trick and won't interfere with the healing.

Yes, sometimes we just have to hold our grounds. I remember the horror of waiting for my mastectomy. Had I allowed them to delay my surgery, my right pectoralis (chest muscle connected to the arm) could have gotten cut and caused paralysis of my right arm.

Instead, an oncologist friend helped me to move it up 5 days and I had a margin of 0.5 mm (hair-thin)

There might be some tough days ahead (wound healing, etc.) Please know that you are in our prayers...

[Jean]

Chelee,
Well Finally! Great news to read :)
You have been so ready. Sending you best best wishes for a fast response to those nasty cells. Slap them down and out.

If you visit a health store there is a tea that I buy which helps keep you normal. It is called Dieters Tea (strangly enough) but it works. If you can't find it let me know.

Big Strong Hug being sent!
Jean

[Believe51]

Loving you and holding you close, hope you can feel it Love!

[Ruth]

Hi Chelee ~ I'm glad you finally got to start your treatment. I hope it goes well for you and you don't have too many side effects. Been thinking about you and hoping you were healing well from the surgery.
Lots of love & hugs ~ Ruth

[Lien]

Good! I'm glad. Now may that hole heal, may the Navy Beans kick butt and may you feel better soon. Tell that onc of yours that there's no stopping you and that she'd better do her homework or else... You've got all of us behind you and together we are going to beat this recurrence. Right? Right!

Love ya

Jacqueline

[Chelee]

Yes Ellie and MJO...that wonderful red face. (Fun...not!) I really thought it was the Taxotere the first time around...but now I wonder? My face doesn't just get red...it actually gets hot to touch. (Hurts!)

I see many of you didn't get pre-meds for Navy Beans...I'm pretty sure my onc gave them to me because of my severe reactions my first go around with TCH. (Compromised lungs and all.) As much as I hate the decadron...I'd rather be safe then sorry. I don't take any steroids before the infusion or after...just in the IV right before the Navy beans...so it's not too bad.

ElaineM, That's good to know your hip healed up even after starting the chemo. I'm sure hoping mine does. The incision looks pretty good but that darned hole from the JP drain is still there and looks a little concerning? But I'm keeping a close eye on it. So far the side affects this week haven't been too bad...mainly as mentioned the constipation, mouth seems a bit sensitive...and more tired then normal...but nothing close to what TCH was like. But I only had a one wk dose to start...lets see what happens next week?

Chelee

[michka]

Hi Chelee. I am sending you cyber hugs. I am so happy you could start the new treatment. Waiting during the surgery was so difficult. Well, you did it. You are courageous. I am now hoping you will not have too many side effects and that this treatment will work fast. Michka