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09-26-2014, 03:55 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 27
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Is this true? Getting sick question
I have really not worried too much about getting sick. Of course I try not to but I don't stay at home all the time. My friend told me that the problem is not derailing treatment but that if I were to get sick that it would be really hard for them to treat and could be life treating while on chemo.
She is on the other side of chemo/surgery and was fussing at me for being in the school. I guess all kinds of bugs are going around and first flus are out.
Is that what you have heard about getting sick?
__________________
Eva
Age 41: IDC Stage 2B - Left Breast Only
Two tumors 4.5 CM & 2 CM, 2 Nodes Positive
ER/PR Negative, Her2 Positive, Ki-67-80%
DX - Early May 2014, MD Anderson
A/C X4 Chemo Started May 28, 2014 - Done!
Ultrasound after A/C shows small tumor gone, Nodes Clear!
Taxol x 12 Weeks - Halfway Done!
Herceptin & Perjeta X 4 With Taxol - Halfway Done!
Herceptin X 9 months every 3 weeks after surgery
Double Mastectomy w/ Tissue Exp 11/15/14
Will wait for pathology report to determine rads! Hopefully not!
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09-26-2014, 04:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
Please, don't listen to downers, she might be your dear friend but knows nothing about your body, whether you will be able to go trough all the treatments without side effects-- like a lot of us-- time will tell.
You don't mention feeling sick or anything, and if your blood test (s) are within normal range, there is nothing to worry about.
Stay away from negative people. It's not nice of your friend to have made that
comment.
Stay healthy.
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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09-26-2014, 08:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 184
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
My onc told me I could be out and in any public places I wanted, including schools. As long as you are not neutropenic you should be fine. Do try to avoid obvious sick people,and frequent hand washing is always a good idea especially in flu season. No. Need to lock yourself away. Breast ca tx is hard enough without isolating ourselves.
Take care
Lisa
__________________
[SIGPIC]Lisa
Routine mammogram 12/20/2013
Call back with repeat films on12/31/2013 Ultrasound with core needle biopsy same day
Dx 1/2/2014 IDC ER/PR+
1/10/14 HER2 +
2/14/14 BRCA results negative
2/17/2014 skin & nipple sparing BMX with reconstruction Tissue expanders placed
IDC Stage 2A left breast. 9mm tumor no other CA 1/4 nodes positive
ER + PR + Her2 +(by FISH)
Right breast no cancer, sclerosing adenosis
3/13/14 Round 1 AC minimal side effects
3/27/14 Round 2 AC
4/10/14 Round 3 a little more nausea
4/24/14 round 4 hurray! Done with phase 1!
5/8/14 THP ( taxol weekly x12, Herceptin & perjeta every 3 weeks x 4)
7/24/14 done with chemo
Continue of Herceptin every 3 wks x 1 yr
5/14 start Tamoxifen x 5 years
8/18/14 removal of TEs silicone implants placed
9/14/14 Cellulitis Right Breast, suspect infected implant. Managed with Oral antibiotics, avoided surgery to remove implant. Whew!
12/17/14 nip & tuck revision of Left breast
We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, not in daring to come to grips with it. We must do that which we think we cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt
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09-27-2014, 03:58 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
I didn't understand your question too well, but its best to take anti nausea meds as its easier to prevent nausea than stop once it starts. Its also best to avoid public places while on chemo if possible,this is a given buit if I misunderstood your question I'm sorry. I'd like to add your friend is correct in that a simple cold can leave you in hospital with pneumonia once your white cell count is low from chemo.
__________________
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!
Last edited by tricia keegan; 09-27-2014 at 04:00 PM..
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09-28-2014, 12:28 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 44
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
I work in a hospital and am certified in infection control. I stay home if my CBC blood tests are low. My oncologist told me he usually advises nurses and teachers to stay home from work while on chemo. When I'm at work I try not to leave my office and avoid the cafeteria and meetings in small rooms. I wash my hands ALOT! I have one more chemo to go and fortunately I have not had any viruses or infections. I am going to get a flu shot this week. I am also going to ask my doc if it is safe to get the pneumonia and shingles vaccines.
__________________
Laurie in Idaho
IDC, Her2+++, PR- ER- diagnosed Feb 2014 1 month before 53rd bday
2.6 cm mass right breast with lymph node involvement
THP-FEC neoadjuvant chemo regimen
THP (taxotere, Herceptin, perjcta) every 3 weeks for 4 doses started 3/27/14
BRCA negative
bilateral mastectomy with lymph node dissection done June 2014 15 lymph nodes removed all negative for cancer, breast tumor gone
FEC (5-FU, epriubicin, Cytoxan) every 3 weeks for 4 doses, Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year, then
radiation for 6 weeks
New Years Eve 2014 completed radiation
September 2015 Latissimus Dorsi Flap reconstruction
March 2016 rib fractures under implant
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09-28-2014, 03:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: California
Posts: 439
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
There is a chance of derailment of treatment if you get to sick
and yes some illness that aren't usually life threatening can indeed become life threatening if your WBC counts are low then you are at higher risk for infection and fighting it off. If your labs are normal then your at no greater risk than the next person. Your oncologist will do frequent labs to monitor your WBC and risks for infection. There where a few times when I was on lockdown at home because of Neutropenia . I also took extra precautions during treatment. Shopped on off hours and stayed away from public places. I would also ask your doctor about getting your flu shot.
I was in the beginnings of flu season when I had to deal with chemo and it was a nerve racking time for me. I did worry about my son bringing any school illnesses home but we took good care not to put me at additional risk. Good hand washing by all does wonders in infection control.
__________________
]11/13 Dx IDC left breast
11/19/2013 Inflammatory Breast Cancer stage 3c grade 2 Er- Pr- her2+++
Node involvement suspected based on CT
12/13 port placed
12/13 neoadjuvant DD AC xs 4 rounds started
02/14 taxol/herceptin started every week xs 12 rounds
Herceptin for 1 year
Ki67=23%
BRCA1&2 negative
5/06/14 last round taxol/herceptin. Chemo done!!!
5/07/14 clear CT scan
6/11/14 Bilateral Mastectomy Done
6/15/14 8mm tumor post chemo. Removed by bmx
6/15/14 lymph nodes 0/9
6/15/14 officially Cancer Free
7/11/14 emergency surgery to left breast . Wound refused to heal and broke open. New TE placed
7/28/14 emergency medical procedure now to right breast( post op 6 weeks mastectomy ) wound opens.
8/25/14 - 10/07/14 Radiation
11/24/14 CT of Brain clear
01/23/15 One year Herceptin Complete
02/04/15 Diep done
5/01/15 1 year Ct scan- mass in thymus
6/23/15 repeat CT mass in thymus still present
6/30/15 biopsy thymus 7/03/15 mass Benign! Diagnoses Thymic hyperplasia rebound ( chemo at fault, no long term health effects)
7/08/15 phase 2 diep
11/23/15 phase 2b ( reconstructive surgery with lipo)
03/05/18 Vinnie Myer 3 D nipple tattoos complete.
11/19/2018 5 years since Dx of IBC stage 3c remain NED.
11/19/21- 8 years today I officially remain NED and in 12 days I will be having a lymphnode transfer to help decrease some mild lymphedema! Still working, living life and soon to see a day I thought never would happen and that’s becoming a grandparent June 22nd.
11/19/2023 - 10 years since diagnosis and I remain NED
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09-28-2014, 09:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 129
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
My onco also said to live my life...Don't sit by the sick people at church...do what you feel like doing... ![Wink](http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/smilies/wink.gif)
__________________
Age 54, married farm wife/school nurse/mom of 5 adult children...March 2012- found 2.5cm hard, non-painful mass on bse. It was not there, and then it was. Yikes.
Biopsy- DCIS, IDC, er-/pr-/her2+++, grade3. 1 node suspicious on us. Biopsy +.
Plan was for Neoadjuvant TCH x6, Herceptin q3w x a year.
May1- first chemo.
May 5- I could no longer feel the mass. Really. Neither could my oncologist.
July 2- 4th TCH- Oncologist cancels last 2 tx due to "complete response"
August6- lumpectomy with axillary node dissection. No disease present in breast. 1 out of 14 nodes + (4mm)
MUGA #2- 72%
Finished 30 rads Oct '12. Mild lymphedema noticed when I had 2 rads left.
Continue Herceptin q3w until next May
April '13- first mammo since surgery- calcium deposits that are " not concerning." Well, they are concerning to ME! Turned loose from surgeon for 6 months! One more Vit H, will make plans then for port removal.
Oct '13- no change in calcium deposits. "See ya in 6 months!" Keeping port for now.
March '14- oncologist says return in 6 mo.
April '14- mammo unchanged. Surgeon will see me in 6 months but no mammo for a year unless something changes. Its getting easier, but oh, boydo i hate that scanxiety! Keeping port until 2 year anniversary of last Herceptin.
Sept'14- bloodwork good, return to onco in 8 months.
Oct'14- surgeon will see me in April '15. Moving on.
May '15- mammo unchanged, keeping same schedule. Tumor markers soon and if all is well port comes out.
July '15-tumor markers normal. See onco in a year. Appt. for port end of month. First grandchild born July 1st- for today, life is good.
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09-29-2014, 06:16 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Is this true? Getting sick question
I worked as an inclusion teacher during chemo+ Herceptin in 2007. I gargled with salt water 4 times a day (after each meal and before bed time) and washed my hands with soap as frequently as possible when I was around students.
Didn't get sick, but couldn't continue after 22 weeks due to reduced heart function (could have been related to a genetic problem called Mitral valve prolapse.) tested by MUGA.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
Last edited by Jackie07; 09-29-2014 at 06:18 AM..
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