Newly Diagnosed And Frankly, It's Scary

Well. That was anti-climactic. I saw the doctor and he canceled my chemo AGAIN today; he is determined to see the echo-cardiogram results before any more AC is administered. So the echo is tomorrow, then chemo rescheduled for Thursday.

If there is any reduction in my heart function the chemo will be canceled. Not sure what will happen at that point; I should have asked him. I get the feeling that he doesn't believe I have any damage to my heart but that the accelerated heart rate is just a reaction to the chemo drugs, steroids, and other crap I get dumped in when they do the infusion. He says my heart sounds fine; just beating fast.

Also, he is reducing the amount of AC that I will get. He explained that it might be age-related and that I am simply not able to handle the amount of drug that a young woman could. He also said the reduction would not affect the outcome so I have to wonder why he didn't reduce it from the get-go.

So we got home and I immediately took a nap.

 

Yes, one would think they would give you the least they could that would still be effective. Hopefully, you will tolerate the lesser amount better. I wonder if they considered that your heart rate may be more anxiety-related? It seems doctors like to play the age card when they are fresh out of other ideas. Anyhow, glad to see your doctor is taking extra precautions. If they cancel the chemo, I would guess they will go ahead with surgery and radiation. Maybe these last 2 chemos are just good measure treatments. It might be worth asking him and skipping them if not really necessary. Love you girl so keep on kicking butt and taking names.

 

I don't believe the heart rate is anxiety-related because it is constant, and I seldom have anxiety these days except for the day before and the day of chemo. I can be sitting for an hour, reading, and my heart is beating at 93 BPM. Back when I was first diagnosed and having super-anxiety, my heart rate was normal. I'm convinced the increase is the drug or drugs; too many other women taking chemo have the exact same symptoms and most of them report the symptoms abated within a couple of months after chemo.

Since a known side-effect of AC is heart damage, I think my doctor is just being cautious since he knows I had PVCs prior to cancer treatment. And of course... my age.

I know that many women have to stop chemo that is causing them health issues, so it wouldn't be unheard of for him to cancel my remaining chemo and move forward with the remaining treatment. I'd like to be able to complete the chemo since there are only 2 left, and I want to do everything I can to stop this cancer from spreading.

 

I am with you on that. Do everything that doesn't kill you to stop it. So glad your doc is staying on top of the heart situation. Heart failure is still the #1 killer of women although cancer is closing in on it. As an old female, I feel like I am caught between two pro wrestlers, Cancer and Heartfail and every time I duck and try to escape, I am either slammed to the floor or bounced off the ropes. So far asking the guys to play nicely hasn't worked.

 

He had told me from the beginning that since I was in good physical condition with no co-morbidities that my age would not be a factor in treatment. Typically chemo is administered based on body mass and that's how it has gone so far... no "age" consideration until now. I agree with you that he is erring on the side of caution and I'm glad.

 

I had the echo-cardiogram earlier this afternoon and apparently my heart is still doing fine. The ejection fraction is a bit lower (from 58 in February to 55 now). So it appears that chemo is going to happen tomorrow. Good news is, it's the next-to-last one.

I wish I could stop obsessing about my heart rate; it is really bugging me. What bothers me most is that it has been a month since my last AC treatment and it is still high. I'm wondering if I'll end up on some beta-blocker or something to help regulate my heartbeat.

 

i am doctor, but i am on beta blockers.. i do not see you having to do that -least long tem

 

So I had the chemo today (#15); only ONE MORE OF THOSE HELL VISITS TO GO!! I also got a bag of IV fluids to help with dehydration though I'm drinking about 68 oz of water a day plus other beverages. My onc reduced the dose of AC and I'm actually feeling pretty good tonight. I ate a big dinner and then couldn't hold my eyes open so got a 3-hour nap. Since typically the day of chemo I'm still pumped full of anti-nausea meds, a tranquilizer, and steroids, the bad side effects don't usually hit until tomorrow.

The highlight of my day was a call from my oncologist. He's on an international trip for 3 weeks and he called me from Tokyo! He was very excited to get my echo-cardiogram results that shows no damage to my heart. What a guy.

 

Awesome news and hope you don't get hit hard today as you expect based on previous dates with the devil. So happy your heart is ok. You got this girl!!!

 

Good luck Beth!!

 

Tony--I wanted to check and see how you're doing. I hope things have continued to improve.

 

I was doing good until yesterday and now. I'm getting about a half hour sleep, then I wake up in pain. I just took four Advil that should help. I have an appointment with the doctor today in the afternoon I'll see what he says. Up until recently I had pain but it was bearable. Another problem is my walking, I've had a problem keeping my balance on occasion. Now I constantly use a cane, inside I'm holding onto furniture or walls whatever I can grab. I Fallen twice in the last two weeks fortunately I didn't break anything just some bumps and bruises. I've been going to a chiropractor he thinks my mattress is not good, I'm in the process of looking for a new one.
Enough about me how are you been doing I've been reading your comments, if I recall correctly your doctor reduce your chemo amount, has this been helpful in reducing the after effects?

 

Sorry to hear that you are in pain and having balance problems. I hope the doctor will be able to do something to help you today.

I'm hanging in there. The reduced dose was much easier on me to tolerate, thank goodness. It was still unpleasant as hell but not nearly as bad. Just ONE MORE TO GO!!!

Hope you can get some pain relief from the Advil and get some rest.

 

Thanks,
I did fall asleep after my last response, so I got a few hours sleep, feels good.