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06-16-2014, 03:44 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
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depression?
Hello,
I am a new member in need of some insight. I am the primary caregiver for my mother, who at 50 years old was diagnosed with her 2+ breast ca with mets to the liver and bone. After a grueling 7 months of taxol (with herception and pertuzumab) the doctors have decided to give her "a break" from the taxol due to the many side effects she was experiencing. It has been about a month since her last taxol treatment, yet she still seems very fatigued. I know the doctors say the most recent ct scans showed improvement. However, I am concerned. Could her fatigue/weakness be due to the taxol still?
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06-16-2014, 07:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Madison, Connecticut
Posts: 638
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Re: depression?
Hi BusyBee - Welcome -and I am so sad to hear that your mom has been tired through her treatment time and even now, a month later. It must be hard on you as well. I have never been on taxol (although other members have and I am sure a few will chime in) - but I was fatigued for a few months after I finished with my Navelbine. Slowly I got out…walked…walked my dog….took the kids to their various events….and slowly strength came back. I also think there is a psychological hit that is certainly fatiguing; and may even lead to an understandable depression. Has she told her oncologist how she is feeling? Please hang in there and keep us posted.
Love
Kim (from CT)
__________________
2001 - Stage 0, lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen
2004 - Stage 4, mets to 4 lobes of lungs and liver, lumpectomy, er/pr -, her2 neu+++, Herceptin and Navelbine then Herceptin only.
2005 - Breast Ca vaccinations with the Tumor Vaccine Group in Seattle
2011 - Still Herceptin only and NED
2011, June - STOPPED Herceptin and kicked up my heels!
2012, February - 1 small tumor came back to haunt me in my lungs - back on Herceptin only, tumor stable.
2015, November - tumor on lungs removed (Segmentectomy), back on Herceptin only
Received U of W vaccine clinical "booster" Vaccine
2022 On Herceptin and NED continues - WOOT WOOT!
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06-16-2014, 07:16 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: California
Posts: 439
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Re: depression?
Dear busy bee,
I was on taxol and even once I stopped it I still found myself tired and I imagine with out admitting it probably a little depression in there . Maybe encourage a small walk outside just don't push to hard about it.
Best wishes
__________________
]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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06-17-2014, 06:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 184
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Re: depression?
Sometimes it can take a couple of months to recover from the chemo fatigue. Regular activity helps.
Good luck to you both
__________________
[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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06-24-2014, 12:55 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
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Re: depression?
Thank you all for your advice. Its really nice to be able to talk to someone about this. I spoke to my mother and she did hint that she misses work and doing some of things she used to do (without feeling so sick). So I think it is a combination of the two, but we have been getting out of the house more, and hopefully her strength will come back in a few months and she will be able to go back to work ( : Thanks again!!!
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06-24-2014, 01:58 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Lakeville, Minnesota
Posts: 199
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Re: depression?
I assume she is still on herceptin and perjeta? While these are much easier than chemo, the severity of side effects can vary a lot from person to person. I was on perjeta and herceptin and ended up dropping the perjeta because of the side effects I was having, including fatigue, diarhea, etc.
__________________
diagnosed stage 2- 3/2005
4.5 cm & 2+ nodes , er/pr- & HER2+
4 AC
12 taxol/Herceptin
Year of Herceptin
liver mets- July-2010
7 taxotere/Herceptin
RFA- Feb.2011
NED
U of Wa vaccine trial-oct 2011-Feb 2012
Herceptin/tykerb
Ned - 2 1/2 years
Herceptin & perjeta
Ned 3 years
Herceptin- reducing treatments , due to s/e, to 5-6 a year
NED- 3 1/2 years
Ned - 4 years
2/15- stopped herceptin - on no treatment
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06-27-2014, 08:17 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
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Re: depression?
Yes, she is. Thank you again for all your replies and help. She complains a lot about fatigue, and loss of appetite/taste. But it's no where as bad as when she was on Taxol. I know she really misses going to work, but hopefully she'll be back soon.
Thanks~ Bee
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06-27-2014, 04:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: depression?
Hi, it took me months to recover from Taxol and a/c, some Dr's say it takes the same time as the treatment took so think this is very normal, we ask a lot of our bodies and they need to recover fully, tell your Mom to rest when she needs to and listen to what her body is telling her.
__________________
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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07-01-2014, 11:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: depression?
Hi,
Stories shared in the following thread http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...+stage+sisters
might cheer her up. A lot of the stage IV sisters have gone through similar treatment and long fight to get to NED (No Evidence of Diease).
Exercise helps the brain to release endorphin, aks Happy Hormone, which also boost our immune system. So try get her to do regular exercise such as a daily 30-minute walk (start slow ...)
In the meanwhile, be sure to take good care of yourself so you can take good care of her. Sending you both good vibes.
__________________
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
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07-02-2014, 03:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 113
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Re: depression?
Others have much more experience (unfortunately) than I do since I'm just starting out with chemo (4th treatment today). I have found that I actually, for the first time really, crave my daily walk or exercise at the gym. I also do need a nap here or there, but so far not anything too bad. I feel fortunate that, so far, I am physically and mentally able to do it. Not sure if it's because I started doing it and got a boost, or if the SE's are just not fully hitting me yet. That said, I find the exercise to be so beneficial in so many ways - especially mentally. Your mom is lucky to have you watching over her. I hope that things improve for her soon.
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07-15-2014, 02:07 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
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Re: depression?
Thank you ladies for all your help. I've been trying to get my mom out more, and it does seem to help. Once again thank you for all your support
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