|
07-09-2008, 07:05 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
|
Fishing for experiences....
Hi everyone...
I am currently halfway through my first round of chemo. Week 6 of 12 taxol/herceptin. Compared to what i've heard here, it has been a walk in the park. With the exception of being sleepy most of the time, i have no complaints. AND i still have a full head of hair (although a heavy shed going on).
My second round will be 5-FU, Epirubicin & Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. I have that familiar feeling of dread approaching. Like someone is about to wipe the smile off my face.
Can you guys give me some input on the above regimen? Thanks!
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
|
|
|
07-09-2008, 10:14 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
|
Hi Terri...I wish I could tell you what to expect but I can't. Sorry for using this space to post anyway. I just wanted to say how happy I am that your chemo experience, thus far, has been uneventful. Praise the Lord.
I, too, found chemo fairly doable (I did 4 dose dense A/C and 4 dose dense taxol w/herceptin starting at that time - I received herceptin every 3 weeks for one year).
I was able to exercise (not as vigoursly but exercise nonetheless) and work (I work part-time) throughout. I did take off a few days after each chemo cycle (mainly the a/c) but for the most part, held up well. As for my head of hair......................BALD AS A BABY'S BEHIND HONEY. I also gained about 15 pounds but did loose all of that when treatment had ended.
Hope your new chemo regimen is just as uneventful for you.....praying for that (keep us posted, will you?)
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
|
|
|
07-09-2008, 01:17 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 78
|
Hi Terri,
Great to hear your first round of chemo had minimal side effects although being "sleepy most of the time" is not easy. I did not have the same regimen and hope someone who has gone through your type chemo sends a response. I think the sense of dread is pretty common for most of us. Keep in touch and hope your smile remains through the next round.
__________________
G. Ann
DX 2/04, mastectomy, 2.5 cm tumor, grade 3
Her 2 positive, 60%, 3+/strong, ER/PR-
Stage 2, 0/18 nodes
TX 4 AC (no taxanes, no radiation)
Hysterectomy 10/04
Began Herceptin 1/06, finished 1/07
|
|
|
07-09-2008, 09:02 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
|
Epirubicin is very much like adriamycin (the "A" in AC). Rhonda H had 6 rounds of FEC but no taxol and took Herceptin alone. She could probably tell you what to expect on FEC. I would privately email her and ask. I would expect fatigue from the Epirubicin as it works much like adriamycin.
Will you continue Herceptin again after your rounds of FEC are completed?
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
|
|
|
07-09-2008, 09:19 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
|
Do you also have mitral valve prolapse or other kind of heart-related condition? I was given FEC back in 2003 during my first bout of breast cancer. The C was Cytoxan for me back then.
I remember they always had to give me plenty of tylenol, some kind of anti-emetic pills, and something else. I took them while I was just being hooked up to the IV. Epirubison is orange yellow color. With those pre-meds, the process was not too bad.
__________________
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
|
|
|
07-10-2008, 09:19 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
|
Hi Terri,
I had 3 rounds of FEC, then 3 rounds of Taxotere, then one year of every 3 wks of Herceptin. I was very fatigued with the FEC, my hair all fell out on the 12th day after the first infusion. Epirubicin will turn your pee red.
I was very nauseous with the FEC, but never threw up. The trick is to take the anti-nausea meds regularly the first few days after the infusion, whether you think you need to or not. You don't want to play "catch up" with the nausea.
My diet for the first week after the infusion consisted mainly of vegetable soups, soda crackers, bananas, applesauce. It is important to drink alot. If you can't stand plain water, throw some lemon and lime slices into a pitcher of ice water and let those slices infuse the water. Add some stevia (a natural sweetener).
By week 2 I was getting stronger, and of course the third week I was at my best (as good as that can be when in chemo).
Taxotere was much harder on me, but it sounds like you are not getting it.
good luck, you will get through it.
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
|
|
|
07-11-2008, 06:01 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
|
Great responses... just as i expected from you guys!
Looks like A lot more of the same, just a little different. I will try to be prepared for any changes. Thanks to you all, i know what to expect.
Yes, my herceptin will stop during the FEC, but pick back up again for 11 more times every three weeks.
My daughter brought home a cold, and i'm trying to get over that. Ugh.
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:41 PM.
|