Cancer Survivors Network - Caling all adriamycin gals.... - Comments

Eco and MUGA

jennytwist — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:29:24 -0500

Hi Kathi,
I had a MUGA before I started on the A/C - an eco after, as I ended up in the hospital with a totally different issue after my first round on taxol. (nothing to do with heart problems) No tests when I was done with chemo however. It's amazing to me how many different protocols there are when we all have a similar disease.
take care and keep us posted -
-Jenny

That sounds more like what my cardiologist said....

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:14:23 -0500

...and he was even more irritated when I told him that I couldn't have my 4th AC because I was having irregular heartbeats, etc...

Especially after my first chemo round for the rectal cancer with cisplatin...also known for stressing the heart...

I will keep you posted, maybe all it will take is a bit of babying... with baby aspirin...ROFL!

Hugs, Kathi

Hi Kathi, Wow, I have had 3

Kat11 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:43:25 -0500

Hi Kathi, Wow, I have had 3 echo's so far. One before starting treatment. Another before starting Taxol & Herceptin and another just a few weeks ago. It was my understanding that the heart must be watched and anyone on herceptin it must be watched often.

I agree, Lynn!!!

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:06:27 -0500

It's one of the best sources for information around!!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Thank you, believe, for the info....

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:05:33 -0500

I know that many women are misdiagnosed with heart attacks because the symptoms are different. That is why I'm not messing with this....let the cardiologist tell me I'm just a bit too cautious!!! ROFL!

I hope everything is smooth sailing for you now....thank you for sharing!

Hugs, Kathi

Smart lady, Margo!

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:02:52 -0500

WOW! I can't tell you I was the same, because it's 4 years later...but I sure hope we can clear it now....having just gone thru the cardiac mess with Hans...

Hugs, Kathi

Thank you, dear Stef!

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:40 -0500

I sometimes lose my footing, but I always find my way back to you all!

I, too, hope this is nothing a good cruise can't fix...lol...

And thank you for your warm encouraging words!
Hugs, Kathi

Thank you, my friend Moopy!

KathiM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:58:13 -0500

I'm keeping the faith that it is nothing, but I won't make the mistake I made the last time, with cancer, of just laughing the whole thing off....

And thank you for the supportive words about my posts...I hope to be able to go more places so I can post from there, too!

Hugs, Kathi

Call to Action

lynn1950 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:59:34 -0500

One of the reasons I love this site. Thanks for the well-written "call to action." I will be sure to talk to my oncologist at my 3 month checkup in a couple of weeks. xoxoxoxo Lynn

PLEASE

BELIEVEx3 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:45:55 -0500

ALL of us should have a baseline cardiac evaluation. You are never too young to have cardiac problems regardless of cancer treatment!
As I have posted previously, listen to your body and report nagging symptoms no matter how seemingly benign. Cardiac symptoms can be subtle discomfort between the shoulders, arm heaviness, jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea, increased fatigue, and may not be mid-sternal crushing chest pain. Physicians often dismiss these symptoms and blame it on stress especially the stress of a cancer diagnosis. Coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy can come early or late. It is essential to have an annual cardiac evaluation from a cardiologist as a part of your long term follow-up.
I had some of the above symptoms, was told I was too young, too fit and not at risk. MY TREATMENT placed me at risk. and not until my heart attack did anyone listen. We are teaching our physicians as we go along on this journey........and we must inform one another so that we can be our own best advocate. And the heart can be as insidious as cancer.......GET CHECKED EVERYONE! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
(I also speak as a cardiac nurse)

Kathi

tommaseena — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:57:43 -0500

Kathi,
I had an echocardiogram before I started A/C and then one after I finished A/C and then another after I finished Taxol w/Herceptin and I developed chemo induce cardiomyopathy so they gave me echos every three weeks until my ejection fraction was back to normal. Now that my ejection fraction is 60% my oncologist will have me have an echo every three months unless something comes up and then she will do one sooner.

Margo

Kathi You are one of our

fauxma — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:42:51 -0500

Kathi
You are one of our true angels. My prayers are that this is stress related (with all you have had going on that wouldn't be surprising). And you are indeed one of the best guides to the newbies and to all of us. You have had much on your plate and I hope that this will not be something new to deal with because gosh knows enough is enough. Positive thoughts and hugs are beaming your way. I have always admired your strength and your support for all of us.
Stef

Sending Best Wishes and Hopes for Good Heart Health

Moopy23 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:26:06 -0500

Kathi, after all you went through earlier this year, you and Hans, you are way overdue for good luck! I will be thinking of you and hoping for good test results.

Thank you for sharing, as you always have, so that others can benefit from your experiences. My second opinion onc. did tell me I would need to be monitored by a cardiologist familiar with chemo-related heart issues. I have been too distracted and busy with work and just getting my stamina up to even think about yet another round of testing.

Please keep us updated as you can. I always enjoy your vacation posts and pics and informative posts even though I may not post myself.

Takes a Lickin and keeps on tickin

chenheart — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:14:14 -0500

RIGHT! hahahahaha! Well, I did do the Santa Barbara Half Marathon today, so if my heart was going to stop, today would have been a good day! So far, so good.....

Hugs,
C♥

You are such a young thing....

KathiM — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:07:30 -0500

It's probably a non-issue...lol...

Thanks, dear soul, for the warm words!

Hugs, Kathi

Caling all adriamycin gals....

KathiM — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:46:54 -0500

I just saw a cardiologist yesterday for increasing palpitations and heart troubles...sigh...

He said "So, how often did you have an echo cardiogram during the period you were infused with adriamycin?" He was horrified with my answer "None". "They should have been monitoring better", he said. (I LOVE this man, very reserved, but has become a good friend during my beau's treatment).

I will now (4 years later) have an echo, a holter monitor, a stress test, and a corrotid artery scan.

We are hoping for the best here, that it is old injury and not a decline. I'm also older now...of course, my beau says "You know, you don't need to do EVERYTHING just like me!" (His cardiac failure journey started when he was 55....) ROFL!