Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Holy Cow!! It's been a week and a half since I've been able to get online and check the thread and I've got 3 pages to read!! Don't have time--but just wanted to check in and say WOOOOHOOOO!! I had my 4th and final tx today.
They couldn't aspirate blood from my port before the start of tx, and tried all kinds of stuff, including injecting activase, and when nothing worked they started talking about dye studies, etc. and I panicked! NO WAY, I said....I am getting this tx today...I want this over with!! Even if you have to start an IV!! The port was free flowing normal saline very well, so they went ahead and used it...all went well and they there able to aspirate blood afterward, so I guess all is well. I know I'm in for my normal 10 days or so of yuckiness, but just knowing I don't have to do it again is so nice.
I'm on steroids for the next 5 days, so I'll have plenty of awake time to catch up on everyone...in the meantime, welcome to all newbies....you can do this!!
Blessings to all!
Sherri
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Shari, I finished my 4 treatments of Taxotere & Cytoxan this past June. I have to shake my head and smile at comments like the one you got from your nurse: "...my hair MAY thin with 4 TC treatments."
Well, in a way, she's right: your hair may thin. That is possible.
However, it's far more likely that your hair will go totally AWOL on Taxotere & Cytoxan, and won't be seen again until 4 to 6 weeks after your last treatment. My med onco didn't pull any punches--she told me "You'll lose all your hair," and she was absolutely right. She just forgot to explain that "hair" meant eyelashes and eyebrows, as well as leg hair, under-arm hair, pubic hair, arm hair, and of course scalp hair.
I have proof that all my scalp hair fell out: I didn't shave my head; I just clipped it short (to about 1 inch long) as it got thinner. By the time it started to grow back, I had maybe a dozen individual, 1-inch hairs left on my head, scattered among the new fuzz. Those 1-inch hairs pulled out really easily within the next week, so they're gone now, too.
Hair loss is probably the thing we wail about the most, because it's a public disclosure that we're being treated for cancer. Being lazy, I never bought a wig--I just get by with caps and scarves. That has worked out fine for me, although sometimes I do feel a little vulnerable (like at a meeting I attended yesterday).
You can get through this. We all do, and eventually our lives get back to normal. I'm trying for the "original" normal, not the weird, distorted, "new" normal I keep hearing about.
otter
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Amann, I have had it about 2 years and went from a mask over my nose to a nose pillow which I like a lot better, not as clostrophic. Wearing a cap at night helps keep it in place with no hair and having the straps tight but comfortable plus a soft down pillow helps a lot.I also run a low fan to drown out machine noice and feel like I can feel fresh air coming in and wear eye masks That all helps a lot. Birdsong
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Hi Otter, I love the amazing wealth of knowledge that you have. Are you a nurse? My other question is why do some people get tamoxifen and others femara? My doctor is recommending tamoxifen. Are the side effectc about the same?
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Birdsong,
I don't know that much about the differences, but last fall I was put on femara after mammosite radiation. no chemo.....then they found a cancer in the other breast...she immed, took me off fem, I asked why it didn't work, but she thinks the cancer was there last year...just too small to detect. So tamoxifen is my new med after chemo/rads...I, too, would like to know the difference and I am post menopausal by about 6 years naturally.start chemo in 7hours!!!!
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Hi all -
Well, it's day 8 after treatment #1 for me and I must say that today has been my best day so far. Still having a few stomach issues - and oh - I got my period today, 4 days early......I was hoping I'd be one of those who wouldn't get it. Hopefully the next trreatment will do the trick. I called my Onc's office to ask about tampon use and I was surprised that the nurse really didn't seem to have a definite answer. She said something like "Well it's up to you", but agreed with me that it's probably not a good idea. I opted not to use them.
Funny the hair subject came up because I went looking for wigs today. I was told by the "wig lady" that I shouldn't buy into the idea that I will lose all my hair. She said that her SIL went through treatment and only lost about 30% of her hair and never needed a wig. My hairdresser told me a similar story. I think that like Otter said, there are probably people out there that haven't lost all of their hair, but they are in the minority. I'm preparing to lose all of my hair, and if it so happens that I don't, it will be a small blessing in all of this.
Anyway on the subject of wigs, I did find a few that I actually liked today. The one I especially liked was in the Raquel Welch line and was very close to my own texture and style. I didn't expect to like it so much. I'm relieved because right now I'm on disability and I won't mind doing the "au natural" thing, but when I go back to the office in November, I know that would be a too big a distraction.
Just realized it's 3:30 am and I probably should be getting some sleep. I don't know where I'm getting all of this late night energy......
Sherrie
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Sherrie, your late night energy maybe from steroids if they are still in your body. I finally got some sleep last night. Not much pain and no sleep the night before to speak of. I had to skip a chemo and they are thinking about putting me on Cytoxan for the next treatment unless my platelets are still down and if they are down enough I will get either platelets or a shot. I have been trying to figure out what the different in the Cytoxan and the Carboplatin will be side effect wise. I wasted a lot of time with that yesterday! He said it might be better with my arthritis and fibromyalgia. Better to kill cells or better on my blood platelet retention? I hope the se would not be worse!
Carolyn
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Hey Audrey,
I am a nurse practitioner in Florida and run our sleep apnea clinic. What kind of mask are you using? Maybe I can help you find the right one to fit you! Barb
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Hello Birdsong, and Barb, I am currently using a comfortgel nasal mask. at first I had the Ultra mirage nasal, it worked for a while but that gave me more neck pains. I also tried the Activa nasal mask, that one doesn't give me enough air, its very comfortable but in the morning I don't feel rested. Last night I slept a whole lot better thank God! I tighten my comfortgel mask and made sure I felt no leeks when I turn to my side. I think what happens is sometimes if I have a headache that night, I reajust the straps because it's too tight, then I can't get them back to the right postition. Thank you for your help. and Barb if you know of any other mask you think I should try let me know. I am thinking about a full face but not sure which one would fit me right.
Audrey
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Sherrie, everyone on taxotere loses most or all of their hair. People on other chemical may lose less. The wig lady is probably not familiar with taxotere.
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Hi Everyone:
I'm getting ready to start my first T/C treatment this week. Did most of you have this every 3 weeks x4 or did anyone go dose dense and how often would that be? I got a tip from one of the nurses that if you keep your hands and feet on ice (frozen vegetables bags) or similar, you won't have a problem with the numbness or tingling associated with Taxotere. I'm not sure if it works. I will let you know. I'm dreading the Neulasta shot.... has anyone done Neupogen daily and had less side effects of bone pain? Thanks for all of your wonderful information!
Katie
DX 6/08 DCIS, DX after surgery with additional 1.1 cm IDC, Grade 3, T1,N0M0, ER +100%, PR + 5%, HER2 negative.
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I had my first TC treatment September 4. My infusion was Thursday and I went back on Friday morning to have IV hydration and the Neulasta shot. So far I have had ZERO side effects. Except for the actual treatment time, I did not miss any work. I've been hesitant to report on my treatment as I don't want to jinx it! I keep thinking the other shoe is bound to drop. I had blood drawn on day 7 and counts were good. Hopefully I'm out of the woods on this one!
You ladies have been so helpful in letting me know what can be expected. I'm already starting to prepare for round 2!
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Hi all,
I just finished my 3rd treatment. I have been using ice on my head, feet and hands during chemo.. I have noticed that I haven't felt chemo brain and am grateful for that. I don't know when and if numbness sets in but so far so good. I have been amazed at how much better the 2nd and 3rd treatment has been, no nausea, sore mouth and gums, and even my energy level on day 3 seems to still be good. I have a doctor that only does steroids orally on the 1st treatment and only in the port on a scale of 8 compared to a scale of 20 by the other doctors. Losing my hair is the very least of what I consider doable.. Feeling good is much better I have found that I am at a place where cancer doesn't dominate my thoughts , I feel positive about my outcome and really happy. It is wonderful to be at this place. There are a lot of books about cancer survivors and check with your center to see if they have a library where you can borrow some of them. Staying positive and happy really helps with the journey, even though it takes time to arrive at this place. I started in early June so I hope you all can find this in your journey also. I , like many of you have faith which is so important for me. There is "divine help and strength" that we can draw upon to add to our strength in this challening time. Hope you have a great week. Love, Birdsong
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Hi Katie,
Yes, I am on the 4 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks, and I give myself the neupogen shots on day 3 after treatments for 5 days. The first 2 txs didn't have any bone pain. This 3rd tx I did. I asked the nurse for this last treatment if I can cut back and she says if my counts are good I can just do 3 of the 5 shots. So far my WBC have been pretty good. and I haven't tried the ice thing. I think I will this last tx.because I have notice tingling in my fingers and toes.
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Katie,
Welcome aboard. I hope your trip is an easy one. With regard to your question: I think that if you are node negative, the usual schedule for T-C is 4 treatments, one every 3 weeks. I just finished my fourth and final one. With regard to the Neulasta--I haven't experienced the terrible bone pain, however the Neulasta also hasn't been that effective in bringing up the WBC count with me, so don't know if that's related. Most people do seem to have a lot of pain.
I keep the schedule for the group right now, so if you have a chance, could you let me know what day you are starting?
Thanks!
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Having tx #3 on Tuesday. Hope it goes as well as #1 and #2. I've lost most of my hair but not all of it. I have not worn my wig yet, but do wear a baseball cap, just looks like I have a very short hair cut. But at home and even with clients I go sans and it does not bother me or the people around me. STill have my eyebrows and no numbness in feet or hands.
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Katie, I take vitamin B6 to prevent neuropathy, 100mg tab three times a day. (The clinical study used 50 mg TID).
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Hi,
I will be joining you on Monday, the 15th. Have my chemo class at 8:30 in the morning and the first treatment at 10:30. I had the port placed yesterday.
It is good to hear from a few of you that you are doing so well.
Chris
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Well, number one down and 3 more to go!
It was much better than I thought! The chemo room was not crowded at all , so my sister got to stay with me the whole time. My port was "christened" with a blood draw, then they started my premeds Aloxi and benadryl. I had taken steroids by mouth in the a.m. and on Thurs. I was nervous about the taxotere, but had no reaction--thank you Jesus! I had prayed really hard for no allergic reaction. Then an hour later came thecytoxan. all was well and I was good to go. My sis and I had a light lunch and went in search of the perfect wig. My chemo nurse said that I may not lose all my hair, but I am going with the consensus of my "chemo sisters" and I am gonna be prepared! Then we drove 30 miles home from Fort Worth and ran by the grocery in case we get bad weather tomorrow from Ike.....There was a ton of traffic on I-35 with evacuees from S. Texas. Please pray for the people who will be affected by this storm! Then I ran to the drug store to get some stuff and my butt is draggin! I ate a baked potatoe and piece of ribeye (small) and hope it all stays in place....I have take 2 more steroids and have a compazine to take before bed. Will update tomorrow....Only got 3 hours of sleep last night.....steroids...so at 3:00 I took a small xanax and overslept for my first chemo!!!!My sister called on the cell and said open the door....It was 6:45 and I was sound asleep! But we made it on time.... I can't believe I did that! Tomorrow I am sleeping , sleeping, sleeping. Hugs to all of you who have taken the time to tell us newcomers what to expect. You all have been a blessing to me....Nex tx Oct. 3.....can I do the ice on feet tonight???? Nannie
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oops should have previewed... an hour later came the cytoxan! Chemo brain already!!!!
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Dear hopefullady and Diane1214--Welcome aboard. Hope your first treatments go well next week. I will add your dates to the list I keep. Hopefullady, will you be doing 4 treatments or ?????.
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Thanks again Sandra for keeping up with everyone. My 4th and final tx will be this Wed 09/17! Wow almost done!
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Do any of you get Neulasta shots the same day as your chemo? For my first treatment, I returned on day 2 for hydration and the shot. I felt good and my counts were good when my blood was tested a week later.
For TXs 2 and 3, my onc suggested that I could just get the Neulasta shot the day of treatment and save a second visit. Will this work OK? I'm inclined to call back and say "Let's not rock the boat."
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Sandra,
Yes, 4 treatments. Three weeks apart. Wish me luck!
Chris
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Hi all, I have a question about the neulasta shots. I have never had one. Are they given only when your blood is tested before chemo and your count is too low?I am on treatment 3, have my blood tested just before treatment, and the numbers have always been in the normal range.Thanks, Birdsong
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Amann, congratulations!
Samiam, I get the shot on the day of treatment because I live 2 hours away. Seems to work fine.
Birdsong, different oncs have different opinions on whether to give Neulasta automatically. The majority seem to do it. Others wait to see how the WBC count goes. Most people with or without Neulasta will have normal counts by the time of the next treatment. Neulasta causes the WBC to rebound quicker, so you would have a shorter period of time that you can catch nasty bugs.
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Birdsong,
As Lani said, all oncs are different. My Dr. gives them automatically. If I had had the bone pain that many experience, I would have considered asking him to forgo the Neulasta next time. However, since it worked well, I'm opting for more of the same.
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Audrey,
There is a full face mask called the Liberty,,,it has nasal pillows and covers your mouth. Most of my patients who need a full face mask like it way better than the ones that look like a pilot's mask. How much pressure are you on and do you like the pillows? PM me if you want me to see what I have in my stash at work and I will sent it to you! Nothing too good for my fellow "sister"! Barb
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My Onc gave me the shot 24 hrs after my first treatment. I did have bone pain for several days which really kicked in on day 6. When I went to get my blood counts checked on day 8, my WBC's were 16,000, way above normal. So apparantly the shot worked, but I was told that my ONC may do something different for my next treatment. The other option is that I get the shot and manage the pain with meds better than I did last time. When I took an Alleve and an Ativan, it helped quite a bit. Because it was my first treatment I didn't know how the shot was going to affect me, but now I do.
Gramma23 - I think you mentioned in a post above that my late night energy might still be due to the steroids. I guess that's possible, but I was off the steroids the morning after my treatment which was on the 3rd. I would have expected that they would have been out of my system several days ago. Can they stay in your system that long?
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