OK, 7 years ago, when I went through this the first time, they put me on chemo therapy which consisted of Taxol, Cytoxin and Adrimiacin (not sure of any of those spellings). One was called the red devil because it was red, and got "pushed." This means while you were getting saline solution they push a syringe of the red devil into another access on the tubing.
I also got Herceptin, considered adjuvant therapy, for 2 treatments less than a year.
This time around, since the Taxol apparently didn't get rid of it, they did Taxitere for the chemo therapy along with Zometa (calcium suppressor) and the Herceptin. They have always given Benidryl with my Herceptin, but after a while on it I suggested we try it without the Benidryl, since I hadn't had a reaction. Besides the Benidryl is the reason I feel bad, or at least mostly. But after a few times, I got an all over body itch, so we had to go back on it. Then I had the thick tongue feeling. So I decided to cut myself off the Herceptin. I had been taking it from mid January, 2011 until mid June, 2012, so close to a year and a half. So far it hasn't interfered with heart function, which is why I had to quit last time. But, how can something with so many side effects help? There has to be a better option.
I'm now 2 weeks (maybe slightly more, as Tuesday would be time for my next treatment) off schedule for taking the Herceptin. I've noticed an increase in my sex drive (which my husband appreciates). I had stopped sweating before being put back on Herceptin, even living in Texas. I'm still sweating, but I suppose that's good. After just 2-1/2 weeks off schedule, I think the night sweats have stopped. I was basically post menopausal, or at least not having "monthly visits" since April, 2005. The problem is, my back (the osteoarthritis part) had quit hurting until I got the Zometa shot. Now I'm in excruciating pain again. One of the side effects of Zometa is joint pain. The spot of cancer doesn't hurt, just the "degeneration" on my upper back
I see my oncologist on July 3rd, but I may see if we can stop the Zometa, too. There comes a point where I have to consider quality of life, over longivity. What difference does it make if I can eek out a couple more years, but it's spent feeling like crap and in pain? I'd rather have the energy to do things with my children. I also get a shot (hormone blocker that I forget the name of...starts with an F) on Tuesday. We'll see if I feel like crap after that one.
My diet hasn't altered dramatically so far. I try to eat an apple a day, seeds and all. If I don't eat the apple, I'll eat a few apricot kernels (the book said don't eat more kernels than you could whole fruit in a sitting, so about 4-5). I feel like my immunity is up, but who can tell, right? I'm trying to include green tea instead of coffee during the day. I like green tea with a little honey. I'm also trying to cut back on heavily processed foods, and include breakfast.
It's really hard for me to eat breakfast. I get up at about 4:45 AM to make my husband coffee and bring it to him. And before some women's libber calls my husband a slave driver, it's something I choose to do. He can't carry anything being still on crutches, and we like French Press. He doesn't know how to make it (OK, he SAYS he doesn't know how to make it), so if he did make coffee, it would be drip. But, I can't eat that early, and prefer not to eat until time to take my meds, around 7-8:00 AM. I've been trying to eat a piece of fruit with my first cup of coffee, and then fix oatmeal or some other cereal (buckwheat, or even boiled rice) later. I've been trying to eat lentils with either rice or noodles for lunch. That alone increases my B17 intake.
I'm also eating more fresh veggies. We have the cucumbers from our garden, as well as zucchini and green beans, though I'm getting tired of the last two. I'm really eying that single canteloupe, waiting for it to ripen. I've also been buying more watermelon, and making relish with the rind. At least we'll have watermelon rind relish if the appocolypse comes.
Now it's a waiting game, to see how the hormone blocker shot effects me, and to see my doctor and discuss alternatives with him.
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