Kate,

I already PM you. I just want to add that I will be praying for you on Thursday too.
A big hug,

KarlaV.

I was on TCH 3 years ago and had a very positive result. My CA15 tumor markers, which were 345 at diagnosis were normal after 4 months of tx.. I also had the same weekly schedule which was easier on my body. I didn't lose all my hair and it started to grow back the 5th month of treatment. I also didn't have as much aches and pains. I'll continue to pray that you will have healing. Love and Blessings, Lu Ann.

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement.

Alice, it was determined to be lung mets via the amount of uptake in the nodes. No biopsy is scheduled at this time - thank God, as I understand that's not too comfortable a thing.

The "big guns" as my oncologist put it refers to the Tykerb, Xeloda combo. Hopefully I won't need them.

I'm just hoping that Taxol will be esier on me than the Taxatore!

But, whatever the side effects I'm ready for the fight!

Kate- Taxol was MUCH easier for me than Taxotere. (though I had Taxotere with Big Red and Cytoxan, so it's hard to determine which was the most evil of all...)

My only noticeable side effects on Taxol were fatigue and the periperal neuropathy of numb fingertips and numb toes and balls of my feet. That has already pretty much cleared up for me after only 4 months off of Taxol. And glutamine is very helpful for mitigating the numbness, and no interference with the chemo. (one scoop glut. powder in a shot of juice 3xday). B6/BComplex are also very helpful, but I believe you can't take it 24 hours prior to Carbo or 5 days post Carbo due to interference.

The Carbo gave me the mildest form of queasiness for about 2 days after a treatment, but totally tolerable. Oh and the ever popular baldie renaldie look. (and with Carbo in the mix, my hair didn't grow at all like the sprigs that came in on Taxol alone)

The Herceptin caused the hallmark drippy nose and drippy eyes. (Patanol eyedrops seemed to help)

Hi Kate!
I found that Taxol was much easier on me than Taxotere!!!! Much!
I did Taxol with Carboplatin and herceptin and it wasn't too bad. I did do all the prep stuff to make it easier and I did have stomach problems, but got a "magic little blue pill" (sorry, I don't know what it was) that took care of it in minutes!!! That's one thing I didn't play games with. It taught me to "take care of business" quickly! Well, anyway, I do think that you will find the Taxol doable.
It was when I started the taxol combo that I decided that "attitude is everything"! I walked faithfully each day and treated myself well. I bought eyelashes that never came out of the box, but made me feel better just knowing they were there, just incase I got invited to the "Cinderella's Ball"!!!
Kate, I'm pulling for you to do super well on the treatment and to get the results you need. You deserve the best life possible!
I think my appreciation for all the huge "little things" in life has been my reward for fighting BC.
Have a marvelous day and know that you are loved and prayed for daily.
mary anne

Brenda, I too had "big red" and cytoxan with the Taxatore so maybe that's why I had such problems. All I know is that it did it's job.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement -- I'm going to kick these mets to the curb! I don't mind if I lose my hair as I think I secretly have a hat fetish.

I have my first treatment of my chemo "cocktail" Friday morning. I'll keep you posted.

I can't express how much your support and words of encouragement mean to me. You are a greoup of very special women and I'm lucky to have you in my life.

And we are lucky to have you! Dig in and grit your teeth... you will do fine!

Best wishes Kate. I'll be looking for updates on your progress. Bev

Sending prayers your way
 

Hi Kate.

I wanted you to know that I have been praying for you and your family and I will continue to keep you in my daily prayers.

I think that you are displaying great courage as you face this newest development and I am believing that your new chemo treatment will get you back to NED.

Blessings.

Kicking Butt and Kicking Mules
 

Kate,

I have this image of all of us standing in a line and kicking like mules. Really makes me smile.

I am glad that "our team." agrees with your doctor's recommendation for the TCH. I am also glad to hear that some say TCH is easier to tolerate than A/C.

I agree, a margarita would taste better than all the cocktails they give us.

You go girl, Hugs, Catherine

If we could invent Vanilla Latte flavored barium and convince the nurses to drip Margaritas along with our chemo, we might be on to something!

Kate, You have such a beautiful spirit, I know you will pull through this one. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad I have found this site as you all are so knowlegable and have such a fighting spirit. It is what keeps me fighting. God Bless!
Debbie, North Carolina

Kate,
Now you have a plan of attack and I know that is just what you will do. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I was thinking about all day. I hope this treatment is easy on you and that you remain as optimistic as you sound.
Postive thoughts coming your way,
Emelie