Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Tonda... (((Hug)))... Feel free to vent here all you need to. We all have our rough days and totally understand where you're coming from. Sometimes it just seems overwhelming. But you have so much of your tx behind you, and I do think that chemo is the worst. So, hang in there! You're almost done with it. Since you can't take Neulasta, I wonder if there isn't something else your onc can give you to boost your WBC? Does Neupogen also give you headaches? Even a good quality (health food store, natural) multivitamin should help some, unless your onc specifically says no to it.
Are you attending a bc support group? That might also give you a safe place to vent, as would possibly meeting with a hospital clinical psychologist who deals with bc. There's just so much stress and fear connected to this dx, you really need some places to vent and share.
Keep us posted on your situation ~ Thinking of you ~ Deanna
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Tonda,
I really feel for you. As close as you are to the end of the chemo road, having these hurdles still in front of you takes a lot of energy to face. The best advice I've been given is to focus on just what you need to make each period of time what it needs to be for your health. So if that means taking it each hour or half day at a time, be more focused on yourself than you are used to being for that time. Keep conversations brief with people that you can't be as honest with as you'd like. I'm pretty new to this group, but it seems that there are many wonderful women here to help you with the all important venting you need to do. Maybe a little time off of work can be a good thing for you to take care of yourself so that you remain strong and ready to get to the chemo finish line. I'll be pulling for you.
Diane
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Thanks for all the encouraging words, I am feeling better today. I hate being stuck at home (my 17 year old says I am too hyper for this) but I know that the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. The past two tx are the only ones where my WBC has been an issue but I have been working more and that could have something to do with it. I have been trying to do more protien and even bought a cookbook called "Eating well through cancer" and try to have at least 2-3 meals from that each week, my big concern is the weight gain. I have gained 7 pounds since chemo started and I wasn't small to begin with lol
Deanna, I have not joined a support group but have thought about it. Wondering now if since I am almost done with chemo if it is a lost cause or since I still have radiation to go if it would be worth it. I know there are questions/concerns that always pop into my head and they would probably be a great source of information.
Tonda
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Hi Everyone,
Well yesterday was treatment #1 for me. I am happy that I made it through and now have just three more to face. I know that I have much in store, but I am just happy that I made it through the first infusion. It took two hours, no problems with the vein. The gave benadryl and ativan iv prior to the drips. Felt fine yesterday, and so far feel okay this morning. I will keep you posted. It was not as bad as I was afraid of. Thanks for your supportive words,
Love,
Elizabeth
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Good for you Elizabeth. I think the worst part is fear of the unknown. I hope the SE are minimal. Mine have been. I go Friday for my 3rd treatment.
Karen
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Elizabeth... I was thinking about you so much yesterday! Thanks for letting us know how you did. I'm so proud of you! Now just hunker down and don't be surprised if you end up feeling crappy for a few days; but you'll do fine with that, too.
Tonda ... I had no interest in support groups initially either. My attitude was, why in the world would I want to sit around with women less positive than myself, wallowing in their bc dx's? Besides, I'll be done with it in a few weeks (ha!), so why would I want to reinforce the fact that I'm a cancer patient? What changed my mind was the Look Good Feel Better Class, because I realized that other women going through this had plenty of positive information and strength to share. What I ended up joining is an art class for cancer patients, which is not only helping me see art from another perspective, but is encouraging me to slow down and focus on one thing at a time. So, I'd say check out what's available wherever you're being treated. It can't hurt to try something out. If you don't like it, you don't have to stick with it.
Well, ladies, I spoke too soon about my 4th & last tx (last Wed.) being kind of easy. I must have slacked off somewhere in the hand washing, etc., because I ended up with a killer sore throat, cold, and fever of 102 (which is gone now). On top of that, the chemo seems to be doing a number on my digestive track this time, including really severe heartburn last night (which I never had pre-chemo). I'm just so tired from not sleeping well for several nights.
Thinking of you all ~ Deanna
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Good Morning All,
Today is Day 17 for me. For some reason I decided to check out a wig outlet yesterday and decided on and purchased an ok one. I am DEFINITELY NOT a hat person, so my compromise was to wear a wig instead. Somehow I felt I would tolerate a wig, so I went ahead and purchased and had it trimmed. I wore it to pick up my sons from school and they said it was good, but why did I need it if I still had my own hair? Well, when we got home, I removed the wig and took the comb to my head and lo and behold I was left with at least one third of my hair in my hand! WOW, something just told me to drive to that store yesterday!!! So glad I did.
Someone here suggested to wear a hairnet to help control the "shedding", that was a great idea. My 16 year old said my shirt looked like a cat had shed on me, and he was right.
My head started feeling strange on Monday, but nothing fell out till yesterday. I am feeling so much better this week, just in time for my next tx this following Monday!!!
This time I will start the Claritan 24 plus Aleve on Sunday and hope it will kick in by the time I get my Nuelasta shot on Tuesday!
God bless you all for being here and listening to my ramble.
Eileen
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Deanna, sorry you had a hard time with this one. I hope you're on the mend now. Was that your last tx, or are you on the 6 tx regimen?
Eileen, I'm glad you found a wig that you like. I ordered one online, and then had my hair stylist thin and trim, but I'm still not very happy with it. It just isn't me, so I'm doing hats and scarves. It's hard to tell ahead of time what will work for you!
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Eileen - I know what you mean; I had my 2nd tx on Oct 2; I'm starting to feel pretty good now and getting some of my energy back - just in time for my next tx a week from tomorrow.
Lani - I feel so conspicuious wearing a wig - but I'm not really a hat or scarf person, and a turban just screams "cancer" in my opinion.
Deanna - so sorry about the infection, I'm glad that your fever is gone now. My SEs from my 2nd tx were so much different than the 1st (2nd time had horrible heartburn & headache); makes me wonder what #3 has in store for me. Oh well, it's like Oscar Wilde said, "Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative".
Tonda - I too joined the local ACS support group after going to a Look Good, Feel Better class. Some of the girls in the class encouraged me to go and I'm glad that I did. We just got a digital mammography machine here at the hospital and it was the subject of the first meeting I went to. There were not only cancer patients present, we had 2 caretakers and 1 widower. I think that we all just need to be around someone who's "been there, done that", at least I do.
Donna
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Donna,
I too am looking at Tx #3 on Friday and I'm getting a little antsy. I see you are from NC also.
I'm in Marion.
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Hi Karen - I've been through Marion many times driving up 221 to Banner Elk (adoptive parents had a place on Sugar Mt). Nice to meet you! Do you have a 4 tx course? Have you been approached to be part of a study after your treatments? There is a study involving bisphophonates (sp?) which are the group of bone strengthening drug such as Boniva. They found that women with mets were responding to the drugs (given in much higher doses) and their tumors were shrinking. The study is to see if women who do not have mets and take the drug will have a reduced occurrence of bone mets. I see a onc who is with a group in Asheville and he's the one that recommended the study. If you are interested, I can get the information for you and the ph# of the coordinator.
Donna
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Karen - forgot this item- my onc said that this study is especially good for triple negatives as there is no other treatment available after the course of chemo.
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Well today I had treatment #3. It was pretty uneventful. My bloodwork showed anemia (this was no surprise given my current issue with bleeding combined with the effects of the chemo), but it wasn't bad enough to stop treatment, thank goodness. I do have to start on iron supplements though. I'm on a steroid taper which I started last treatment. I took 20 mg. of decadron pretreatment and none in my IV. I will take 4 mg tomorrow, 2 Friday, and 2 Saturday if needed. I found that this helped me with avoiding that huge crash I got on day 2 of my first treatment. I also received, Benedryl, Aloxi, and Pepcid as premeds. I of course feel fine now......but hopefully there won't be any surprises with this one.
Tonda - I know what you mean about the Pollyanna thing. I read something on these boards somewhere that many of us find ourselves being in the position of being the "caretaker" instead of being in the "cared for" position. I have found that has been the case with me with several family members and one friend. It's not the best arrangement but I think we all know too well how hard it is for others to really be on the same plane with this diagnosis as we are and they just don't know what to expect or how to do deal with it. Still, it's difficult to be optimistic all the time, after all we are the ones living through this so it's okay to let it all hang out when we need to. My DH gets most of my nastiness when I'm on that kick. Thank goodness he seems to know when and what to block out or we might not be married anymore after all of this!
Annie - good luck with treatment #2 tomorrow! Your hair looks great! Thanks for posting all the tips. I find the salt water gargle especially useful for mouth and throat issues. Also - for those of us who can tolerate seltzer water, I like the Polar brand Lime seltzer as an alternative to plain water sometimes. It has a small resemblance to soda, since I used to like a Diet Coke now and then, but haven't been drinking since I've almost eliminated caffeine from my diet.
Karen - we're almost on the same schedule. Good luck with Treatment #3 on Friday!
Deanna - Sorry to hear about the infection, but I'm glad that you've got it under control.
Best to all -
Sherrie
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Nice to meet you too Donna. Yes, 4 tx and tomorrow is my third. My onc is also in Asheville but hasn't mentioned any study. But, I wasn't triple negative. I would have to look but I'm pretty sure I was HER2+.
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Karen - I don't think that you have to be TN to be in the study.
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Wink:
I feel the same way, that a turban screams cancer. I hate my wig, feels like a bird's nest sitting on my head and it gives me a headache. I'm only going to use it locally at the drug store or supermarket and for holidays. Now that it's getting dark early and cold, I can just wear winter hats while walking the neighborhood. I think if you project that you're ok with being fuzzy or bald, family and friends take the cue.
When I'm away from home, I don't care about being bald under the hat, I'll never see those people again anyays.
Peeps
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Hi everyone...
I had a better TX#3 - fewer headaches by not taking Zofran or Kytril....and I expected to bounce up aftr a few days but am feeling low energy. I don't get the Neulasta, but each day gets a little better.I just have to get my energy back for a big seminar I'm giving in a week! Wish there was a magic pill - or apple - for that!
Deanna - so sorry you were hit with a cold. I think the changing temperature may have contributed.
Tonda - I sure contribute to trying to "take care" of my friends and know what you mean. But sometimes I think I scare them with reality- they want to assure me it's all gonna be fine an aggresive grade is hard to talk about.
Also, has anyone got any ideas for oils or creams for my bald head? It feels tight sometimes and I wondered if there was a product that I should apply? Maybe I just want to rub it for luck!
Gail
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hey all!
I am feeling really ticked today. I was feeling so good and now I have this darn headache I can't seem to kick. I am 7 days past my first treatment. I am (or was) a heavy pepsi drinker, like from morning til night. I got sick my the night of my first treatment so I didn't drink any pop until Monday, when I broke down and had a can. I had a LITTLE glass last night and could only drink half cuz the carbonation KILLED my tongue. Today, this headache makes me want to CHOP MY HEAD OFF!!!!! What I really want to know is if this is related to the caffiene or is it side effects from the TC or Neulasta shot I got last Thursday?? Can someone help me?...whew, I feel better, Thanks!
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Here I am, home from TX#2, and not feeling as good as I did after #1. Funky feeling, slight headache, sweats and chills. It's not real bad though. Oh well. I did miss one pre-tx decadron dose because I forgot to take the script with me when I left the dr. office after having my bloods done. I only remembered later that night while at my son's art class waiting for him to finish and go home. Duh. The onco is very responsive, the put me right thru and I was able to pick it up on the way home and take one with an extra meal, then another at breakfast. Got another one in this evening. So we'll see.
The infusion itself went without a hitch, I can't even see where the put the IV in now. Amazing. I have very poppy veins on my hands, they decided I don't need the port. And so far so good. One vein near the thumb and now one down off my ring finger. I do envy the port gals a bit because they can use two hands, I could do my beading :@(
I'm already taking Claritin every morning, by the way you can get generic Loratidine, it's the same thing. Then I take Benadryl every night, for my allergies. Didn't know they were good for the SE's! Know about the Ativan, maybe should continue to take over the weekend - I need to skip tomorrow if I want to get to that stupid bank. Everything in my town is walkable, even my regular bank, so if I feel ok I can just walk even with the Ativan in me. But this is the Credit Union, and it's in another town. But it has a CD deal at 5%! So I gotta go there!
Tonda ~ Hang in there, you sound like such a trooper! I too think you should take some time off from work to rest. Maybe until your treatments are over? Please vent as much as you need to, goodness this cancer is a beast!
Gail ~ I just love Suave body lotion, it's not pricy and has aloe vera in it. Anything with aloe is great for skin, and you can actually get a plant and cut a piece off and squeeze the aloe gel right on your skin. This is also great for bug bites or burns.I have to update my hair picture. Most of the top has fallen off, so it's kind of like Friar Tuck now. I've suddenly realized my hats and stuff are way too high for the moment, we've been having 75-78 degrees for the past few days. So I've been wearing these 20" square napkins like bandannas and they are very comfy, so I ordered a couple from anokiusa.com. These are 30" square and will give me more cover in back than the napkins. I don't like the 36" size of the one I got from tlcdirect.com, it's just too large!
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3girls - it could be all three - I had a really bad headache after tx 2 and when I finally was able to, I had a cup of coffee in the morning and it went away! I know that they talk about giving surgical patients IV caffeine to keep them from having a headache when they wake up. Maybe try a caffeine pill? Or, let your pepsi go flat before you try to drink it.
Gail - I just use my facial moisturizer on my head after showering; seems to work pretty good.
Peeps - I just hate it when it starts getting dark early; when I lived in N Idaho it would get dark at 4pm! I wish that we would stay on Daylight Savings Time year round. I've been wearing my wig to work everyday, but it's the first thing I fling off when I get home from work.
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Hi 3 girls mom,
I've read several books and as a result will not drink any soft drinks again, sugar or carbonated. If you want to have healthy cells that don't become inflamed and invite cancer back, you should seriously not drink pop again. Yes,I too loved the stuff but I will NEVER, drink it again. Also, cutting down on sugar is a must ,it is a place where cancer is attracted and thrives. Food is a drug that works in different ways in our body and the American diet is the most cancer friendly that there is. Sorry for this news. I've really become educated since my diagnoses. Birdsong
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Hi:
Well, I haven't drank soda in years and hardly ever use sugar after having followed the sugarbusters diet for a while and being diabetic so it didn't work for me.
Wink, I used to hate the early nights too, now I like them so people won't be gawking at me when I do my neighborhood walks.
Peeps
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threegirlsmom... No way of telling exactly what's causing your headache (although I suspect it's caffeine withdrawl), but I wanted to share something related to caffeine. I monitored my caffeine intake when I drank coffee, but still used to get headaches frequently, which I never associated with the coffee because I don't like it strong and never drank that much of it. But I had to go off caffeine prior to my mastectomy in May, and it's never really appealed again. Other than when I was in the hospital, I have not had a headache since then -- even through chemo. I'm relating this because, since you're just about off Pepsi now -- and if you've ever thought about cutting down or wanting to get off it -- you might want to rethink going back on it now, as you're probably going through the hard withdrawal part now. I don't want to sound critical (we all have our favorite vices!), but I doubt any nutritionist would recommend it as a daily part of a diet for anyone.
Gail... Be careful about choosing any skin cream with a scent during chemo. I've always found that ones with shea butter work really well, but I haven't been able to stand the one I normally love due to its citrusy-floral scent. Same for those pump handsoaps. The herbal ones are okay (like lemon), but anything floral is horrible.
Finally getting back to feeling better, thanks to an antibiotic. Should have asked for it sooner.
Take care all ~ Thinking of you ~ Deanna
(edited to relay more of what I was really trying to say)
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Gail, isn't it funny we learn what works a little more with each treatment, and by the last one we're experts. Not that I'm volunteering for another treatment just to use my knowledge...
threegirlsmom, the headaches could be caffeine, though I kept that away with just a half cup of weak tea on my worst days (coming off 3-4 cups strong coffee a day!). But I found that I had bad sinus headaches, worse each time, until I started taking ibuprofen for them. Seemed to work better than aleve for me. Some people use pseudafed, but it didn't seem to make much difference for me.
birdsong, I think during chemo is probably not the best time to make huge dietary changes unless you have too. It's hard enough just to get through chemo, for some of us, and we aren't ready to hear sermons right now! We feel guilty enough for everything we already know about without new stuff... --Lani
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Hello Everyone, I'm new to this group. I'm on just Taxotere and Cytoxan x4. I had my first treatment on Oct 2nd and will have the 2nd treatment on the 23rd. It has been relatively easy on me so far.Can anyone explain to me what the Neulasta is and why you take Claritan?Eileen, This is day 14 for me and my scalp feels very strange almost painful. I wonder if that means I have just a few days left with hair. I have a wig. I also ordered several hats from tlc but they sure are taking their time getting here.Tonda, It's comforting to know that I'm not the only person gaining weight during chemo. Since I got my sense of taste back last Saturday, I've been grazing all day and never feeling full. Is this common?Penny0
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DesertRider - do you mind me askng what your docs gave you for nausea since you aren't using zofran or kytril? I'm having a hard time w/ headaches. They switched the zofran to kytril for tx 2 for me, but I still got (and still have) a headache! Thank you!!
Susan
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Susan - the only thing I take is Emend (other than Aloxi, which is given IV just prior to Taxotere). I didn't have a headache with the first tx, but had a fierce one with the second - I wonder if it was the Neulasta, I've only had one dose after tx #2?
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Hi Susan,
I too took the Emend for 3 days after treatment along with the Aloxi given in my IV pre-treatment. For Treatment #2 I was given Phenergan (sp?) which made me totally out of it. For treatment #3 (on day 3 now), I'm trying compazine. It still makes me pretty sleepy, but not quite as out of it as the first one.
No headaches though. As Wink mentioned, maybe it's the Neulasta. Another thought is checking your fluid intake?
Feel Better - Sherrie
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Thanks Sherrie and Wink. I'm not getting the neulasta shot and am drinking lots of water still. Seems like I read/heard that taxotere causes bone pain (like neulasta etc.), so I wonder if my darn skull is just aching! I took 600mg of ibuprofin this morning, and that seems to have helped so far today.
Susan
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3girls mom and Sue,
I too have had terrible headaches post treatments. Here are some things that have worked for me:
a half cup of tea in the morning
not taking Zofran - took Compazine instead and overall didn't need much nausea medication
taking either Ativan or Tylenol PM at night those first nights on the steroid to help sleep since lack of sleep is a huge headache trigger for me
staying more hydrated than you think you possibly could
600 mg. of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours during the worst times
exercise - walking at least 30 minutes every day even if getting off of the couch is the last thing you can think of doing
try not to wear my wig for too many hours a day since it also causes headaches for me
This tx my chemo dose was reduced and Neulasta cut in half and I'm doing better but still having some headaches and after the first several days of flu like stuff, now have energy for only about half of the day. Definitely felt that low red blood cell thing a couple of days ago where I felt dizzy and lightheaded and short of breath at times, but it didn't really stop me from living life.
Best to all,
Diane
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