CC, SIROD, Bella Luna: thinking of you all and waiting to hear

I did see my oncologist and for now, am giving hormonal therapy drugs a pause.  My oncologist did offer Afinitor with Aromasin (which is the only one I have not used).  I felt it was to soon after two failures of Femara, 2011, 2012 and then Faslodex 2013.  Tamoxifen which I used for 4 years while a tumor grew and nearly gave me endometrial cancer was not a consideration.  Though the number of years since then might have.  I believe those renegade cells understand how to deactivate hormonal drugs.   I didn't want to risk it. 

Xeloda is out.    I am on Methotrexate, a chemo drug that I use to help my uveitis.   Each week, I take Folic Acid to alleviate some of the side effects of Methotrexate.   Folic acid is not compatible with Xeloda.  I mentioned Halotestin, a sort of older testosterone type drug but it was vetoed.  

I have been very vocal about never doing chemotherapy.   I did it once, it didn't work and strongly believe that my slower growing cancer would not be helped by chemo.   However, unless I want to let nature take it's course, I had no choice but to say yes to my oncologist recommendation of Taxol.

Please give me your input on it, the mean, the ugly and .... whatever.

A port-a-cath needs to be placed back as I do not have any veins at all.  

When I finally agreed, I burst out crying.  Now I have had a lot of medical issues in the last 19 years when a minor surgery turned into a staph infection that nearly cost me my life.   I have had more surgeries than I care to remember, more infections than any healthy person should have, more medical issues that now require 25 medical prescriptions and I have never, not once cried.  I felt like a fool, why now but ....

Anyway, I just can't think about it.  I have no right to complain because when I think about all those women who went before me, how can I?  When I have known in real life and online more women who have had no other options as I have.  

So for me that isn't what I really want, but there isn't any other options.

Doris

SIROD said:

Not Good News For Me

I did see my oncologist and for now, am giving hormonal therapy drugs a pause.  My oncologist did offer Afinitor with Aromasin (which is the only one I have not used).  I felt it was to soon after two failures of Femara, 2011, 2012 and then Faslodex 2013.  Tamoxifen which I used for 4 years while a tumor grew and nearly gave me endometrial cancer was not a consideration.  Though the number of years since then might have.  I believe those renegade cells understand how to deactivate hormonal drugs.   I didn't want to risk it. 

Xeloda is out.    I am on Methotrexate, a chemo drug that I use to help my uveitis.   Each week, I take Folic Acid to alleviate some of the side effects of Methotrexate.   Folic acid is not compatible with Xeloda.  I mentioned Halotestin, a sort of older testosterone type drug but it was vetoed.  

I have been very vocal about never doing chemotherapy.   I did it once, it didn't work and strongly believe that my slower growing cancer would not be helped by chemo.   However, unless I want to let nature take it's course, I had no choice but to say yes to my oncologist recommendation of Taxol.

Please give me your input on it, the mean, the ugly and .... whatever.

A port-a-cath needs to be placed back as I do not have any veins at all.  

When I finally agreed, I burst out crying.  Now I have had a lot of medical issues in the last 19 years when a minor surgery turned into a staph infection that nearly cost me my life.   I have had more surgeries than I care to remember, more infections than any healthy person should have, more medical issues that now require 25 medical prescriptions and I have never, not once cried.  I felt like a fool, why now but ....

Anyway, I just can't think about it.  I have no right to complain because when I think about all those women who went before me, how can I?  When I have known in real life and online more women who have had no other options as I have.  

So for me that isn't what I really want, but there isn't any other options.

Doris

Similar compound

Albumin-bound paclitaxel (trade name Abraxane, also called nab-paclitaxel) is an alternative formulation where paclitaxel is bound to albumin nano-particles. Much of the clinical toxicity of paclitaxel is associated with the solvent Cremophor EL in which it is dissolved for delivery.Abraxis BioScience developed Abraxane, in which paclitaxel is bonded to albumin as an alternative delivery agent to the often toxic solvent delivery method. This was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2005 for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within six months of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Yes, you can do it we will help you taking this route. I am glad that you have decided to try.

hugs

camul said:

Doris
I am so sorry that you did not get better news.... and I bet it was good for you to cry. I was on Abraxane and it was easiest as far as side effects that I have been on to date. I was really tired but was also getting radiation at the same time. I lost my hair but had very little nausea and my mind was clear. I was on it for about 4 months b4 it stopped working, but it did slow the growth some.
I know you really did not want chemo again and with your past experience it was not an easy decision but an educated one. When are you having the port placed? Tried to send a pm but it wouldn't send.

I am hoping for the best...
Hugs and prayers,
Carol

Doris... sorry to hear the news wasn't what you were hoping for.  It has not been an easy road for you.  But I think part of reason why you are here with us is because of your smarts.  You are an educated woman who has advocated for herself since the beginning.  I know your decision to do chemo was an informed one.  Now that we support you 100%.  Big hugs to you.

camul said:

Doris
I am so sorry that you did not get better news.... and I bet it was good for you to cry. I was on Abraxane and it was easiest as far as side effects that I have been on to date. I was really tired but was also getting radiation at the same time. I lost my hair but had very little nausea and my mind was clear. I was on it for about 4 months b4 it stopped working, but it did slow the growth some.
I know you really did not want chemo again and with your past experience it was not an easy decision but an educated one. When are you having the port placed? Tried to send a pm but it wouldn't send.

I am hoping for the best...
Hugs and prayers,
Carol

Hi Carol,

I do hope you receive my email.  If you don't then I will ask CSN to figure out what the problem is.  Port will be in on Friday.  It has been a long time since I have had one.  I had it removed one month after finishing chemo in April 1995.   I didn't like it.  Now it will also make it easier for those phlebotomist to draw blood.  I have my favorites but even she had a hard time last week.   I had avoided caffeine and drank of 24 oz of water, she warmed my arm and it took over 4 sticks.  She wanted to find someone else.  It had to be done, so I told her to keep trying.  The few veins that are there are worn out..  

Wheezing is still a problem and I've had the Advair and inhaler since last Wednesday night.  The only reason I can think why my oncologist suggested Taxol might be due to drug interaction with all my prescriptions.  I wasn't on any meds the last time I did chemotherapy, I hardly ever even took an aspirin.  I was so healthy when I began but then I had many good years in between.  

How are you doing?

Very best to you and a very gentle hug,

Doris

Kat11 said:

Doris

I did not have to many problems with Taxol. However I was on AC for 4 rounds before this, but did 12 rounds of taxol. Food taste funny medal like taste, tired at times, Lost my hair with AC so can not help you there. Finger nails turned black & blue/ lost toe nails. All doable LOL no kidding it is or it was for me. Never got sick. Good luck

Just heard from the onc's office.  My breast MRI is good!  Glad that is out of the way.  I will be seeing my onc come June.  In the meanwhile, I am going to get busy living!  Thank you all.