kelly1215

I have had both Taxol and Taxotere.

I had 4 rounds of Taxol after 4 rounds of AC, and it seemed easier to me than AC. No nausea, more body aches. Unlike with AC, the Taxol symptoms would not hit immediately, they would hit 2-3 days after each treatment for me...after the steroids wore off.

I have had 39 rounds of Taxotere (every 3 weeks) and the symptoms are much the same as Taxol. I have had problems with my nails, my eyes and nose watering, stomach issues on and off (mostly around treatment time due to the steroids). 

I eventually figured out that it was best for me to get treatment on Wednesday, that way the worst of the symptoms will hit over the weekend while I am at home and can just rest as much as my body wants.

I also figured out that while I am on steroids it helps me to sleep better if I take Benedryl.

I am tired, but still work full-time and try to have some semblence of a social life, but my life is definitely a lot more limited now than ever. 

Good luck with the Taxanes...I really do think they're milder than AC.

I've been wondering about liver mets symptoms lately too.

Do they have specific liver function tests or can they tell by your CBC numbers? If so, which CBC number indicates problems with your liver?

I haven't noticed the bloated/full feeling others have described, but I have been experiencing some weird pains in my right side near the bottom of my ribcage, and sort of into my side. It feels deeper than the rib...under it.

I am scheduled for a CT on 11/28. My last one didn't say anything about my liver other than, "No interval change in the low density area in the anterior/inferior aspect of the right lobe of the liver is seen adjacent to the gallbladder bed. No new hepatic lesions are detected."

Whatever the heck all that means.

Anyway, wishing everyone the best with their treatment! 

I'm no expert, but it sounds like it might be caused by the morphine and/or other drugs she has in her system.

NO. Just...no. This f-ing disease infuriates me. Leave her alone, you big bully, let her be...she's been through enough.

Hoping, wishing, praying, sending good thoughts, and lighting a candle tonight for Deb.

Wishing our sweet friend respite from this storm, peace...and no more pain.

Love & Hugs,

~Kelly

One of "our" songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8

NO. Just...no. This f-ing disease infuriates me. Leave her alone, let her be...she's been through enough.

Hoping, wishing, praying, sending good thoughts, and lighting a candle tonight for Deb.

Wishing our sweet friend respite from this storm, peace...and no more pain.

Love & Hugs,

~Kelly

bumpity bump

Oh, and my onc. and I have decided that I should go back to the tried and true Taxotere. Minus the Avastin this time. I can't get back on the trial since over 60 days have passed, and it probably wouldn't be a good mix w/my blood issues now anyway.

My first (37th) treatment will be next Wednesday, 10/01/08.

Still no port. I might have to have my first treatment w/o it unless they can get me scheduled to have it put in between now and then.

I've never had chemo w/o a port. 

when my friends say that they miss me, i tell them that i miss me too.

cuz i really really do miss the old me. i don't miss my periods, but i DO miss my sex drive.

i am 43, but feel like i am 80. i walk slowly, lose my breath easily.

i do not think the pains i have are from normal aging. my friends are all my age, and none of them have the symptoms i have. my parents are in their 60's and they don't have the symptoms i have.

cancer in 2000, recurrence in 2006, 44 lifetime chemo treatments, plantar fasciitis, blood clot, and coumadin have all made me what i am today. a big, fat, bald, achy menopausal MESS!

my port is on the right side (original cancer was on the left side).

i am also a right-side sleeper, it doesn't affect my sleeping in that position. i can only feel it if i bump it or move a certain way. i have an extra pillow in bed with me to sorta cushion/shield the port area.

i'm a smaller-boned person (read: short), and don't have a lot of fat in that area (my butt is a different story), so it does stick out a bit (as does my butt). 

good luck on wednesday! 

when i was diagnosed with mets i remember wanting to just run away, but then automatically thinking that no matter where i went my problems would go with me because my own stupid f-ed up body would be with me. i can't get away from ME.

i try to stay away from extra pharmacueticals when/if i can just because of extra side effects and fact that they all pretty much just knock me out, which isn't good during the day/at work. i do take benedryl at night sometimes, and it seems to help me sleep.

a friend gave me xanax today. i haven't taken it yet (and now it's too late...1:35am...steroids, agh!). supposedly it's good stuff, i might need to get my doc to write me a scrip for some.

oh, and yesterday my doc gave me prescriptions for: 1) ritalin - for energy, and 2) viagra - for libido (ha!).

i haven't filled them yet though. they're stuck away with my unfilled scrip for hydrocodone.

a druggie would love to find my stash of unfilled scrips!

i say do whatever helps you get thru.

i've been doing ct scans every third cycle, and bone scans every sixth. the first few are the worst/scariest, then it just becomes part of your routine.

hang in there, girl!

hugs & love,

~k 

with my taxotere/avastin combo, my hair came out about the same time it did with my a/c combo back in 2000, which was about 14-17 days after my first treatment. both times i shaved mine off. i have had hair growing back in the entire 1.75 years i've been doing this again, but not enough to do anything with, so i have to keep shaving it. i've always had thin, fine hair though...so it might be different for someone with thicker hair.

i've got a ton of bandanas, hats, and two wigs. i mostly wear the bandanas though. this time around i'm more focused on what makes me most comfortable and not what makes others more comfortable. i figure if i'm doing this for, like, the rest of my life then i deserve to do it my way.

i wish i could be there for your party, it sounds like fun....and i could shave my head with you!