Hi Girls,
Looking for help/answers/suggestions. I am on my second round of Taxotere/Carblotin combo. Stage lV triple negative. First round wasn't too bad, little nausea a lot of fatigue. Second round worse. (they told me it would get better) 3 days off of work so far and feeling miserable.
My first concern is my oldest, senior in high school is running Cross Country in the state meet this weekend. He is in the top 5 of runners. They have won every meet this year and if they win Saturday at State they go to the Nationals. I don't think I will be able to go to the State meet on Saturday.
Second, with the Holidays coming up if things continue this trend I don't know if I will enjoy the Holidays that much either. I usually host Christmas Eve and am getting help from everyone I'm just not ready to give it up yet. I know I am venting and feeling sorry for myself but I guess I am looking for some support/answers anything than just dredding what should be a glorious time ahead.
Has anyone quit treatments after just 2 and taken time off for the Holidays. Does this hurt?
Like I said I know I am just venting and crying but I know you girls will come up with some nice words that will help me go on. This is a rough time for everyone and I hope we all enjoy it as we should.
Thanks for Listening.
Hugs and Prayers out to everyone.
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HELP!!!! L00KING FOR ANSWERS/SUGGGESTIONS
- By IWILLBEATTHIS
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 1:25 pm · 9 replies
- In Treatment options
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- By stuartrose
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 1:53 pm
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Do you have good faith in your oncologist? I am also triple neg/BRCA1+. I am getting ready for a new treatment as I have some 'lit up' nodes and will be doing a CT scan and finding out exactly what we're dealing with. My question about your onc is presented because she/he should be able to tell you if it would be alright to 'lighten' your load or restructure your treatment. I am scared right now too. I am sending prayers to you through this message. If you can try to remember every day something changes and new ideas and situations will present themselves.
I hope this gives you some kind of comfort. Do you think you can tell your sweet child that you will be thinking of them every minute while the race goes on? I have missed some races/concerts/etc. But somehow after sitting and talking openly (as much as is comfortable for you) can seem hard but seems to clear the air a little (?).
I am thinking of you and send you blessings.
Kris
- By chainsawz
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 6:02 pm
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I had 6 rounds of TCH (taxotere, carboplatin & herceptin) and each round got a little harder for me but I got thru it. If you are having problems please talk with your onc, there are lots of things they can do to help you with the SE (side effects). You can go back in for hydration and IV nausea meds, or they can adjust your dose. I do know at times they will delay a treatment if your blood counts are down, but they do not like to because you don't want to give the cancer any time to catch its breath!
Talk with your onc about this and maybe he\she will be open to the idea or maybe if you know your worst days you can talk to them about adjusting your schedule so your infusion is after a major holiday and not right before? Hang in there!! lisa
- By margaret27217
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 6:54 pm
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Sweet precious one,
As I read your post, I noticed the phrase "I don't know" recurring. You're crying for exactly that reason: YOU DON'T KNOW! Boy how overwhelming that feels.
Living with the 'not knowing' is so painful. Because I know exactly how you feel, I hope you won't throw tomatoes at me when I tell you that this will never change. We will all have to just 'live' our way through it and living is the most important thing!
I've had some crappy cancer holidays and some beautiful ones. I've missed games, concerts, and special events too numerous to mention, but I've found that the folks that love me most are the ones that want me to LIVE, and so for them - I do!
Thinking of you and praying for some peace and a settled heart!
- By crazygracie
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 7:48 pm
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Hi,
I know exactly what you mean regarding the Holidays. I was not ready to give them up either, however, I decided that it might be nice for a change to let the other family members share in the work. Last year, I decided to let one of the others do Thanksgiving . . .and it FELT good for a change! This year, I am still going to have Christmas at the house, but am having a little restaurant cater most of the food and it really is not going to cost very much more than buying all the expensive groceries.
We should not feel guilty about things like this . . . it is just hard to give things up sometimes.
I hope you work something out that you will be happy with.
crazy gracie
- By 2xnow
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 8:14 pm
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Do the things that you can do, push yourself to do the things you don't think you can do. As far as the holidays, aren't they really about getting together with family and friends. So you don't think you can do all the cooking - have the rest of them cook and bring over the food. I am sure they won't mind and if they know what is going on with you I am sure they would be more than happy to do the work. I cannot do all the work by myself anymore so when family comes over for dinner with their kids, if I can't cook , they bring over the food and clean up afterwards and sometimes I just order in. It's about being together that counts. The treatments are no fun. For Thanksgiving I will be on my way home from treatment that week - a four hour drive from Minnesota to Illinois. So much for the holiday - I'll catch dessert on the way home. Don't get yourself down about what you can't do, think positive!!
- By ious1Tjed6247
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 11:02 am
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THOUGHTS: IF you're feeling 'ok' now.....take advantage of this time. Managing your time is important and keeps you from stressing out.
Make and freeze a dish/dishes that friends/family have all come to LOVE and it will keep the trend/ambience which will make you feel good without giving something up...because CA got in the way!
These days so many things can be cooked and frozen and ready for your guests. Be it your fudge, pumpkin rolls, etc.
Planning in advance helps eliminate thinking about cooking something when you're feeling crappy or having an 'off' day! Ohhh...& also don't forget to go ON-Line: Best Frozen Recipe's for additional insight. Google It.
Amost.....everyone has some family recipe (usually) their family looks forward to. I am sure b/cause you host Christmas Eve.....(& do not want to give it up)...you could make a few dishes in advance and then would not have to stress over it! Hope this is an eye opener or an idea.
((Hugs))
- By sr2603
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 11:09 am
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Ask oncologist about meds for nausea etc. Also you need pelnty of rest. If doctor cant give you any meds to help you combat the side effects and you really want to enjoy the holidays, ask for time off! As stage IV's some of us are on chemo for life and that is not easy. We deserve a break now and again. We get to the stage where quality of life has to be considered and achieving a balance. If that means a well earned couple of weeks or month off then so be it!
If fatigue is your big issue, why dont you host the party and ask everyone to bring a dish. I am sure they wont mind.
Sending you a hug and hope it all works out.
- By JillAline
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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Yes, please do talk with your oncologist. Ask him/her for some coping mechanisms and also as if he/she can refer you to someone else for some coping mechanisms.
My first time through cancer I just did everything my oncologist said. This time I'm seeing a naturopath who works with oncologists, and it's made a world of difference as far as how I'm coping. The naturopath is all about studying side effects and finding ways to minimize them. Everything she recommends I run by the oncologist -- he has the final yes/no vote but he hasn't vetoed anything yet.
Counselors can also help, though I think if you're down physically you should address that first. For example, a very low red blood count can make you think you're depressed when you're actually anemic.
I'm a great one for pity parties and I believe they're healthy and necessary sometimes, especially when you reach out to others during them.
Big hug from me!!
- By momx4TNBC
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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Depending on your side-effects, your treatment may be able to be tweaked a little. I started with weekly taxol/carbo/avastin, then he changed me to taxotere/carbo/avastin because it is supposed to be more tolerable....Bout killed me.....I took it twice thinking it was just my burden to bear but once I really told him the extent of my side-effects, he changed me back to the taxol......I finished it out fairly well, during the tgiving/christmas holidays....had family at my house but everybody brought stuff and cleaned up afterwards...both at stage II and IV have hit heavy chemo at holidays and skipping was not an option for either of my oncs....I can related to the teen boys as well, I have 3 and had to miss several big events...They really do understand more than we think....Hang in there..........Christi
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