@wendy_h67 ....... can you help me calm down???... this abraxane thing, I need you advice.... I saw you have gone down this road a couple of times... CateOR... can anyone else offer me some wisdom???

Hi Cate, so good to hear from you. Sorry to hear you are starting Abraxane, it can tie you down a bit going back to IV. chemo., but in saying that you can still feel well enough to get away for a holiday. You are such a strong person, running all thoes marathons while on Xeloda so you can do this. The chemo does not take that long to give. I think that I was in and out within 45 minutes. I coped fairly well on it , but the anti nausea drug they give you in the drip , may cause constipation. I think I should have shares in the Coloxy company. A good healthy diet with plenty of fibre helps. I didn't feel nauseated may be a little tired. It didn't stop me from going out for coffee or lunch with friends. I'm an old lady of 72 ,so if I coped so will you . At present I'm . On Eribulin IV which is easy to cope with.Have been on it since February but my recent scans show a couple of new bone mets.in the skull bones and pelvic area. My oncologist is giving me a few more months before repeating the scans. She said I might have to change chemo treatment again. What a bummer.! If so I plan to have a holiday first. Hope things go well for you . When do you start your treatment and have you got a port. ..? Sending you hugs .

Hi @wendy_h67 and @cate64, so sorry to hear cate that you are now having to have abraxane, I have not had it so cannot comment,although it is something I will have to look forward later up the track, I guess that the anxiety that you are feeling cate, would go a long way to why you are feeling tired, just something new that you have to get your head around, a holiday to hawaii sounds just what you need, and I really really hope that all is okay for that, your oncologist must know how much this means and perhaps there is a way around it for a short period of time so you can enjoy yourself,and wendy hello,so pleased to hear that you also are chugging along nicely,and I read that you are planning a trip to Tassie again,and as for being an old lady of 72, rubbish,I want to get to 72 so have 9 years to go and then you will be a grand old lady of 81, like you, my time is spent just living life in the slow lane, its my new normal, I enjoy coffee with friends and family functions, I am waiting to have scans on the 16th of October, this time they are including my brain, good luck with that!, I have enlarged lymph nodes in my chest wall and belly, not what I wanted to hear, but will know more on the 18th of October when I get the results, my oncologist has already prepared me for this and that I finally will have to give up on the xeloda,he is talking about changing me to Vinoralbine it comes both as an IV infusion and a tablet form, yippee for me he will try the tablet form, its a hard road that we travel, and we are all in the same boat, just travelling at different speeds!!!,and never mind about xena she is allowed some time off too, so ladies, its bloody windy outside, it would blow the hairs out of my nose if I had any! my partner has just gone shopping, and I will make myself comfy on the lounge,take care, both of you,wendy55

@wendy_h67 thank you :) I started 25/07, have had 3 cycles, mine is every 3 weeks & to be totally honest I am finding this more difficult than the AC.Im not sure if its the Abraxance thats making me feel tired or whether in suffering anxiety/depression thats making me so hysterical at the moment.My tm's were increased 2 weeks after first infusion but... having said that the oncologist did say dont be surprised if they are because there was more than 2 weeks between the last test & first chemo.& as I have an oncology appointment this week & I am terrified my bloods wont be good & they will tell me I cant go to Hawaii next month.I am so not Xena at this very moment.oh, yes, I have a port..

Hi Cate, don't worry too much about tumour markers. Mine are up and down like a roller coaster at the moment. They use to be a good guide as to what was going on but now they seem to be not very helpful. My oncologist explained that sometimes when they are up it can be that the bones are trying to rebuild. It's a bit hard to explain but it sounded good when she was telling me. I hope you get your holiday. My friend was told by her onc ,that holidays are just as important as treatment, when you have metastatic breast cancer . I'm planning a visit to Tasmania to see my daughter and grandchildren. Hopefully I can go before the next lot of scans.

So, just to update you lovelies, tm's might be all over but scans show no new mets, all looks same as last scan.Has helped my mental state immensely so Hawaii here I come 😀😀@Fiona2 you are awesome.. thank you, will be in touch soon - head wasnt in right place before, hope you understand.

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LMK74
Member
7 years ago
Have a fantastic holiday @Cate64.
Cate64
Member
7 years ago
@Fiona2 I am registered for Melb Mara 5km but its the same day as I fly to Hawaii so now cant run it. My son is doing his first Full @ MM.... watch for the bearded one wearing a bra as he raises money for BC research... Cate
Fiona2
Member
7 years ago
hey Cate, so happy to hear that things are looking a lot brighter. You go and enjoy Hawaii and in the meantime, I will keep the running track warm for you (a few kms in the Melb Marathon). Looking forward to catching up some time on your return.
Fiona
wendy_h67
Member
7 years ago
Great news Cate64 hope you have a fantastic holiday !
JeanMargaret
Member
7 years ago
@Cate64 I'm in awe of anybody running (Xeloda reduces me to a shuffle), it must be so good to get the body moving. Hawaii sounds fantastic, lava flows excepted. I hope you have a decent holiday. Good luck with your new treatment.
Cate64
Member
7 years ago
So, just to update you lovelies, tm's might be all over but scans show no new mets, all looks same as last scan.

Has helped my mental state immensely so Hawaii here I come 😀😀
@Fiona2 you are awesome.. thank you, will be in touch soon - head wasnt in right place before, hope you understand.
Cate64
Member
7 years ago
@Fiona2 my my most amazing running friend, thank you for reaching out 😀
I am still on the running track albeit that i am a bit slow at the moment. I am trying to catry on as usual though i am not finding it very easy, thinking maybe a touch of depression might gave set in. I must fjnd a way out of it.... thinking Hawaii!!
Would love a catch up oiver coffee one day.
Cate
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago

Best wishes to all going through this! It's a so and so! Hopefully the drug regime will allow the body to adjust and bring comfort
Take care and rest assured the rest of us are willing you all along to a better outcome
Cate, hope you find energy to continue the running
Fiona2
Member
7 years ago
Dear Cate-my running pal and inspiration-so sorry to hear that you are having to crank up your treatment again, which is no doubt making you pretty cranky, possibly scared and probably keeping you away from the running track.
I don't have the experience of your current situation from which to offer any wisdom but I do recall, and am eternally grateful, to a few friends of mine who used to throw me in the car on the weekends after chemotherapy and take me up bush for some nature therapy. Not sure if it was the trees and waterfalls or the thoughtfulness and care but something worked a treat after these little expeditions. If you'd like to join me on a little trip up to the forest, you've just got to pm or text me (or perhaps I will text you if I don't hear). Loving thoughts and vibes. Fiona
wendy_h67
Member
7 years ago
Hi Cate, don't worry too much about tumour markers. Mine are up and down like a roller coaster at the moment. They use to be a good guide as to what was going on but now they seem to be not very helpful. My oncologist explained that sometimes when they are up it can be that the bones are trying to rebuild. It's a bit hard to explain but it sounded good when she was telling me. I hope you get your holiday. My friend was told by her onc ,that holidays are just as important as treatment, when you have metastatic breast cancer . I'm planning a visit to Tasmania to see my daughter and grandchildren. Hopefully I can go before the next lot of scans.