Taxotere Carboplatin Herceptin TCH

loricar3 · 09-03-2009, 06:56 PM

I will start this regimen (TCH) on 9/16/09. 6 rounds of Taxotere and Carboplatin in 3 week intervals, Herceptin 1 week apart for the first 18 weeks. After that, Herceptin 3 weeks apart until 52 weeks are up.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Did life continue? What was your biggest challenge with it?

Yes, I know there will be hair loss, so I'm seeing a Wig Lady next week. Here's hoping.

Jackie07 · 09-03-2009, 08:24 PM

Lori,

Sounded like you are undergoing a new kind of schedule - because your Herceptin is every other week. Be sure to take care of your heart by exercising as much as you can.

Life definitely continues. There are many antiemetic medicine available, you shouldn't have too much problem during or after chemo. I actually gained weight during chemo. Be sure to let your doctors and nurses know exactly how you are feeling, so they can give you the right stuff.

Rest well, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly (walking is the best) My biggest challenge was to juggle with my work schedule. Since I had had a couple of brain surgeries before, the hair thing was never an issue during my chemo for breat cancer. Find a wig that fits your personality - I used a thin, small silk hankerchief to cushion the inside because I have very oily skin.

Good luck in picking your wig!

Gerri · 09-03-2009, 08:25 PM

Hi Lori,

I responded to your other post, but thought I would give my 2 cents here too.

I had a different chemo regimen, but thought I would share my experience. I had chemo every two weeks, and Herceptin every three weeks once chemo was over. I was fortunate to feel well enough to work full time during treatment. Keep in mind that everyone is different so be sure to pay attention to how you feel and do whatever is necessary to make it through. The hair loss is tough, but was less devastating than I imagined. I chose to wear a wig everyday, but that is what was comfortable for me in my situation. The American Cancer Society offers a program called 'Look Good, Feel Better'. You will be shown how to apply make-up and will given free products such as MAC, and other high end products. You will also be fit for a wig of your choice - all of this at no cost to you. Contact them via their website www.cancer.org or call 1800 ACS-2345.

Hang in there, this actually passes quicker than you think. I'm sure you will have more questions as you move through treatment. Don't hesitate to come here and ask anything you want. We have all been there and can share our experiences and show you that you are not alone in this battle.

loricar3 · 09-04-2009, 02:02 AM

Thank you all on this post and on the other. Gerri, I was surprised to see that your cancer is very much like mine. But I'm very happy about this. I did go ahead and update my profile on this website, so I'm getting the hang of it.

I have lived a pretty "clean" life all along. I don't eat red meat, I've never smoked, I don't drink. I try very hard to hydrate every day. I also exercise between 4 and 5 times a week. Since my lumpectomy I've been able to walk but will add back aerobics with light weights today and see how that goes. If it works, great, if not, I'll walk. Physically I feel very good.

I was shocked by the cancer diagnoses as no one in my family has ever had it. My parents are still alive. No cancer. The clean living...well cancer doesn't care about all that apparently.

The only surgeries I ever had were a Tonsilectomy at age 10 and a DNC 14 years ago. But I did really well with the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I was encouraged by that. My left arm feels great. I worked on raising it so much that it is better than the no-surgery arm now.

I'm not a big medicine person at all. I only take a tylenol or motrin if I really need it, so all this chemo and medicine talk flipped me out and put me on a new planet for sure. Then my oncologist was talking about a medicine to control the medicine. Yikes.

I saw my oncologist on Tuesday. She was tough with me, but I needed that. She said that I would be making a huge mistake if I didn't include chemo as part of my regimen. I was pretty upset, so I didn't commit right then. Instead, my husband and I went home, and I "slept" on it. Then I committed the next day and set all the appointments for all the "stuff".

I'm VERY encouraged to hear that people were able to work during treatment. I work out of the house, so that will likely help a lot. My other job...mommy job starts at 2:30 each day, and we'll see how that goes. My boys are very active and we're trying to keep their lives as normal as possible. So homework still happens and activities do too. I hope that we can continue to make that work. I'm learning how to ask for help.

My boys know that I have Breast Cancer. They know that I will loose my hair, and they've been very cool about it. Kids don't seem to care about things like that. They also know that it grows back, so no big deal. (I'll keep telling myself that--I can learn a lot from them).

Thank you again for all the good information. I'm learning, and I have a feeling that there is ALOT more to learn.

Sheila · 09-04-2009, 04:51 AM

Lori
I also get my Herceptin every other week...first it was with Taxol, Avastin, now it is with Navelbine....the meds are different because I am metastatic.
Just remember to be kind to yourself, if you are tired, rest, feel free to say NO, and above all, avoid sick people...kinda hard to do with kids I know! Chemo affects everyone differently....or maybe our tolerances are different. My friend was on TC for 8 months and worked everyday...never had a problem. Just remember to take the premeds, the anti nauseas...they have come a long way with avoiding or at least minimizing side effects. You can also email www.heavenlyhats.com and they will send you 6 hats / scarves. After being bald the last 2 years, I found that Anokhi scarves (i found them on the internet) were the softest and most comfy, and Raquel Welch hand tied wigs, if you are a wig person. Go to the American Cancer society first, you can get one for free! Another place that will send you a free silk head wrap for asking is : www.franceluxe.com and click on the good wishes icon in the upper right hand corner.
This was in "O" magazine and these are amazing headware...I think they sell for 75.00...and its free to cancer patients, along with a card and good wishes for a recovery signed by all of them.
Hope this helps......stay strong, this will be behind you before you know it.
Sending a big hug!

Lori R · 09-04-2009, 06:23 AM

Lori,
Another Lori chiming in.

I am so glad that you decided to pursue an aggressive form of treatment. With this disease there are so many unknowns. It will be a source of comfort in the future that you know you did all you could to battle the cancer.

I only had T&H (no C) and was very much able to go about my business. Like many of the women on the site, we have families and being there for our husbands and children is very important.

I was able to work, attend school functions and be there for my daughter in most ways.

It seems that many of us find comfort in routine and by my 2nd chemo, I had a VERY clear routine that I could set my watch by. It will be interesting to see if yours are similar;

Lori R · 09-04-2009, 06:27 AM

OOPS...I must have hit a magic button.

Wednesday - premeds - lots of "energy" busy at work
Thursday - treatment - came home felt well enough to eat dinner etc.
I pampered myself and took friends up on offers to make dinner
Friday - Whee...more of a buzz on steroids...went to work
Saturday - went about my business in the a.m.
Became "weepy" at 3 p.m....set your watch to it
Sunday - Emotional day - really had to be aware and manage the mood
Went to be early to get away from my emotions
Monday - Woke up a completely new person - Back to work

So...had an emotionally rough weekend every 3 weeks. Physically felt good enough to go about my business. Seems those steroids caused the emotional swings. BLEH.

You will beat this and this experience will be behind you soon.

loricar3 · 09-04-2009, 06:32 AM

Peeps!
This web site is so full of knowledge and love! You all walk the walk and talk the talk. Thank you for all the encouragement, great web sites. I'll be busy with them. Only those who walk in it know. Such courageous men and women! I'm all choked up by it! God bless you all!!!

loricar3 · 09-04-2009, 03:32 PM

Sheila/Gerri,

I went to both of the suggested web sites and they are sending me hats, and a wrap from the other one. The wraps are gorgeous and do sell for about 72.00 dollars or so. Thanks so much for the tip!

I'll research the makeup class next as I need to look good through it all. False lashes anyone?? I know, a little superficial. But fun nontheless.