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Old 09-18-2016, 07:01 AM   #1
deevee903
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Can these treatments get any worse?

Hi all.

This is my first post. I need help!
I have had 4 rounds of TCH so far. 1 & 2 were manageable. 3 was bad so onc tweeked my steroids in hopes it would help....NOT!
Round 4...thought they were trying to kill me. I was down for 10 days with every side effect including neutropenia and anemia. It was ugly.

Please share with me your experience of cumulative side effects for subsequent rounds of chemo.

I just cant wrap my head around rounds 5 and 6.
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Dee

Dx 3/1/2016 on routine mammo, DCIS/IDC, Left, 1.2cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ (IHC) BRCA neg
Surgery 4/5/2016 Mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction w/silicone implant
Chemotherapy 7/6/2016 TCH 4 rounds
1 year total Herceptin
Arimidex 5 year plan (stopped after 1 year due to unmanageable SEs)
Tamoxifen started 10/2017
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Old 09-18-2016, 07:57 AM   #2
IrvineFriend
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

Hey Dee,

So sorry to hear. I had a similar experience but it didn't hit until round 4 which I never recovered from until I had to face round 5. I was like the poster child that chemo isn't really hard until that round. I still worked but after that, I could have been cast on Walking Dead (zombie show).

Round 5 obviously wasn't fun because I was expecting the worst. I took vacation time for round 6 because I expected it to suck just as bad but round 5 and 6 were not too bad. When round 4 was so horrific I used this site and found that it was common. Now you had serious issues with round 3, but I'm guessing you're going to do better than you think.

Think positive. I think it knocks us all down at a point. Remember, chemo was developed as such a harsh treatment that it's super bad, but they backed it down so we don't die from it, just feels like we're going to.

I was pleasantly surprised that 6 was not too bad. But for my sister it was the worst and she convinced me to take a week off to recover. I just watched movies and hung out and didn't feel like you're feeling now (and most of us know that "I'm going to die" from chemo feeling).

Hang in there, the chemo is there to kill those fast growing cells but also hits our good cells so your body is taking the hit of your life. You will recover but it's hell being in there. Just want to bring some hope that it may not continue for each round. I think the body at some point realizes it's being so poisoned it shuts down and then somehow gets used to it. Or it does well until the last round.

Just hang in there!!!! And use this site and our stories to get you through it. I don't think I'd be here if not for this site.

XOXO
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA

Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012

Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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Old 09-18-2016, 12:08 PM   #3
tricia keegan
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

Hi Dee, I had A/C before Taxol so found that far harder to tolerate than the Taxol which goes to show how we all are different and react differently. I'm sorry you're finding this so tough, I assume you're getting a Neulasta shot a day after chemo to boost your white cell count? if not ask for one. I know you feel like there's no end in sight but take one day at a time, you'll get there and hoping these side effects ease, rest as often as you need to.
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Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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Old 09-18-2016, 06:43 PM   #4
Kkmom
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

DeeVee,
All I can say is hang on. You will get through it. I had 6 rounds of taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. After treatment, I was typically down for the count on day 3 and never really recovered until around day 18. On day 21, it was time to have another treatment. I took all the rx's, drank tons of water and rested, but it was still terrible. The one thing that helped was after chemo 2, they offered additional fluids via IV. It did help some, without the additional fluids, I would have been a mess. Just think you only have 2 more chemo's. Let us know how you are doing. We all will be sending you good chemo vibes. Pam
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[FONT=Tahoma]Dx 12/14/2012, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 4/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+[SIZE=2][COLOR=Blue]
Surgery 12/28/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)
Chemotherapy 02/06/2013
Herceptin, Carboplatin, Taxotere Started 6 rounds on 02/06/2013 Herceptin
Finished chemo - May 22, 2013
Radiation Therapy 06/12/2013 - 36X External
TM Marker - 13 October, 2013
TM Marker - 15 November, 2013
Annual Mammagram - 3D - Both Breast - CLEAR!!!
Colonscopy - 1st-Clear - November 18, 2013
CT Scan-Results-Clear - November 27, 2013
BC Diagnosis-1 Year - December 14, 2013
TM - holding steady at 15 - December 24, 2014
TM - 24.2 - January 12
Herceptin Treatment - Last One-February 4, 2014!!!
TM - 3.7 - February 4, 2014
MRI & CT - February 21, 2014 - All Clear
NED - and my doctor said - "well, it looks like you are NED - your MRI and CT are clear - Febuary 25, 2014
TM - 18.2 - February 21, 2014
Port Removed - Scheduled for Wed, March 19, 2014
Port Removed - Yeah!!! I feel lighter already!!!
TM - 15.3 - March 25, 2014
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram - Rt Breast - All Clear!!! - Tuesday, May 13, 2014
TM-15.5 - June 25, 2014
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram - Nov. 2014 All Clear!!!
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram-Rt Only-May,2015-All Clear!!!
Diagnostic 3D Mammo-Annual-Nov 2015-Right Clear!!! - Left Breast-found 5 mm CYST. Aspirated - all clear!!
TM - Nov 2015 - 18.2
NED-December, 2015 - 3 Years NED!!!
TM-Feb 2016 - 13.7
TM-June 2016 - 13.3
TM-Oct 2016-10.0
Annual 3D Mammo-Nov, 2016-All Clear!!!

Annual Mammogram - November 2017 - ALL CLEAR. i AM 5 (YES) YEARS OUT!!!

NED - 10 Years Out!! - December, 2022
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Old 09-23-2016, 07:20 AM   #5
jra40
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

Devee - The first rounds of chemo are always the hardest but once your body adjusts and they tweak some of the drugs, things should get better. My oncologist always had a solution for me if I had severe effects so hopefully yours will help you too.

I had Taxol too and that was harder for me with the side effects. I had a lot of digestive issues on that drug and it wreaked havoc even when I was done. I also took the shot of Neulasta which helped me but it always gave me a day of flu like systems.

Hope you get better and hold on, you will get through! Prayers and Hugs,

Jessica
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11/17/10 - Diagnosed with 4.5cm tumor in right breast, IDC, Stage 2, Nuclear grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER2+
12/13/10 - Lymph node biopsy - negative
12/28/10 - Started neo-adjuvant treatment along with clinical trial with 4 rounds of AC chemo every 3 weeks
3/15/11 - Began weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions along with 750mg of Tykerb taken by mouth daily
6/28/11 - Finished last cycle of Taxol
7/27/11 - Breast MRI shows tumor has dissolved, remarkable reaction to chemo
8/31/11 - Lumpectomy, Sentinel Node biopsy. Node negative, clear margins, 7mm of cancer left over from chemo.
10/05/11 - Started radiation, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.
11/8/11 - Finished radiation
3/21/12 - Last Herceptin!
3/26/12 - Port removed!
Tamoxifen for 5 years
8/4/15 - Hysterectomy & bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Due to large fibroids. No cancer!
8/8/15 - Started Arimidex
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Old 11-11-2016, 06:57 AM   #6
deevee903
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

Well Ive answered my own question.....I may never know. After 4 rounds my MO cancelled any further chemotherapy. Just on to Herceptin for the rest of my year. I pray I never have to do chemo again. Thanks for your responses and I wish everyone well.....hugs.
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Dee

Dx 3/1/2016 on routine mammo, DCIS/IDC, Left, 1.2cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ (IHC) BRCA neg
Surgery 4/5/2016 Mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction w/silicone implant
Chemotherapy 7/6/2016 TCH 4 rounds
1 year total Herceptin
Arimidex 5 year plan (stopped after 1 year due to unmanageable SEs)
Tamoxifen started 10/2017
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Old 11-11-2016, 10:38 AM   #7
MaineRottweilers
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Re: Can these treatments get any worse?

I hope you start healing and feel better each day.
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Tracy Arcari
___________________________________________
11/12 BSE ignored the lump for SIX months.
5/1/13 IDC ER/PR- HER2/neu+++
5/14/13 Mastectomy and SN biopsy
5/20/13 IDC Stage IIb Grade 3 Nodes 1/4 also IDC and DCIS multi focal in remaining dissected tissue.
5/30/13 MUGA and CT thorax, abdomen & pelvis, establish baseline.
6/4/13 Installed my little purple power port.
6/14/13 Chemo started TCH
6/14/13 Informed of suspicious ares on scans scheduled PET.
7/1/13 PET Scan NED!
9/27/13 FINAL CHEMO taken! ----well, maybe not.
10/15/13 Three little tattoos.
10/24/13 Radiation begins and fourth tattoo placed.
11/27/13 Perfectly radiant! Radiation completed the day before Thanksgiving and so, so much to be thankful for this year and every day hereafter.
1/2/14 Happy New Year, you have a Goiter? Muga down to 59%.
1/17/14 Hashimoto's Dz Dx'd. Now maybe I'll feel BETTER!
5/2/14 Herceptin completed! New kitten!
8/19/14 Prophylactic mastectomy (right) and PORT OUT! I'm DONE and now I really am a SURVIVOR.
2/15 Started not feeling so swell. Memory lapses and GI issues with nausea and blurry vision.
4/30/15 U/S cystic gallbladder, cyst on right ovary and mass in my uterus. GYN consult scheduled---and cancelled. I'm not ready.
5/4/15 Brain MRI clear (big sigh of relief)
7/30/15 Back Pain
8/31/15 Radiograph: compression fracture L2
9/10/15 Bone Scan positive
9/21/15 CT scan conclusive for tumor
10/1/15 CT guided biopsy & Brain to Pelvis MRI reveal additional lesions on spine C6, T10, T11 and L2 is collapsing.
10/8/15 Abbreviated pathology: new tumor(s) poorly differentiated carcinoma consistent with known breast primary.
ER-/PR+ (40%)
HER2/neu+++ Ki-67 4% Pancytokeratin AE1/3 Strong Positivity in all malignant cells.
10/13/15 Abnormal Dexa: moderate risk of fracture to both femoral head/neck R&L. Significant risk to lumbar spine.
10/14/15 Radiation consult back to the cooker.
10/20/15 MUGA 50% down from 54% after a year off Herceptin (???)
10/21/15 Kyphoplasty L2
10/22/15 Re-start Chemo: Perjeta, Herceptin & Taxotere
10/26/15 PET Scan confirms C6, T10-11, L2, new lesion noted at L4 but no visceral involvement---Happy dance!!!
10//29/15 Xgeva
10/29/15 Radiation Simulation--three new tattoos to add to my collection. Just call me Dotty.
10/30/15 CA27-29 63 U/mol (<38 U/mol)
11/3/15 First Trip to see Dr. E. Mayer at DFCI
11/4/15 Surgical consult to re-install my little purple power port.
11/9/15 Radiation treatment one of five.
11/10/15 Installed my little purple power port and not a moment too soon, took them four tries to get an IV started today.
Yes, we really are going down this road again.
12/5/15 CT for suspected pulmonary embolism demonstrates increase in T10-11 mets.
12/8/15 Bone Scan uptake at T10-11 (not seen 9/17/15) & Right 8th Rib (not evident on PET 10/26/15)
12/10/15 Consult Re: PROGRESSION. Halt THP due today. Schedule PET and order TDM1 for next week. PLAN B.
12/14/15 PET scan: NO PROGRESSION! THP is working, metabolic activity minimal. Merry Christmas to me! Sticking with PLAN A, it's working.
1/7/16 Start Taxol weekly instead of Taxotere (has been too taxing and not rebounding between txs.) Zometa instead of Xgeva.
3/28/16 CT shows new sclerotic lesions on T12, L3, L5, L6, right ilium and head of right femur. No uptake on Bone Scan (progression????)
3/31/16 Discontinue Taxol start Arimidex, still getting H&P.
6/2/16 Discontinue Arimidex and start Exemestane.
6/18/16 PET is NEAD!!
7/1/16 Discontinue Exemestane and restart Armidex (SEs)
8/29/16 CT/Bone Scan Stable (still uptake at T10-11)
10/3/16 BSO pathology negative
10/10/16 MRI: Brain clear!
10/14/16 Switched care to Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care
11/24/16 Xgeva, New MO preference to Zometa
12/12/16 CT/Bone scan Mostly stable significant uptake at L2 plan to PET
1/12/17 PET shows NEAD celebrate with a new puppy!
3/29/17 CT & BS = NEAD
7/31/17 Aetna denies access to H&P <gearing up for a fight>
8/4/17 CT& BS= STABLE
8/9/17 No treatment, Aetna still denying H&P
8/14/17 Aetna appeal approved H&P through February 2018!
2/5/18 CT & BS = STABLE

//
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