Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Here's the list for the week of Nov 3rd.
11/3:
11/4: Ilovemykids #2/4; iowagirl #4/4
11/5: Sherrie1964 #4/4; samiam #4/4; reseaw22 #3/4
11/6: unique #3/6; Rickster #4/4
11/7; Karen62 #4/4
Congratulations to Iowagirl, Sherrie1964, samiam, Rickster, & Karen62 - Wahoo - last treatment this week!
Please let me know if I've missed anyone for this week (or have the wrong date). I wish minimal or no SE's for everyone this week.
XXOO,
Donna
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HI Everyone:
You are all so brave. I feel like chicken little. I haven't had my third treatment yet because I was having shortness of breath on exertion and my heart would go between fast and rapid to bounding. I'm afraid I'm going to wind up with congestive heart failure from this. I'm seeing a cardiologist in the morning. My oncologist started yelling at me over the phone when I told him I didn't feel comfortable with taking another treatment until I knew what was happening with my heart. Can you imagine? I told him to read the Taxotere website and see that I am having what is considered to be possibly serious side effects. He demanded an apology and told me that if I didn't think he could take care of me to find someone else! Can you believe it? I think he doesn't like my insurance and since I am divorced he thinks he can talk to me anyway he likes. I'll bet he wouldn't do that if I walked in with a man. Makes me mad!
Katie
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Katie... Run, don't walk, away from that oncologist!!! Dealing with stressed out patients goes with the territory, and his retort to your concerns sounds like it's all about him. I'm sure the nurses here will have plenty to say about his behavior! Shame on him, and good for you for doing what you feel needs to be done to give you the peace of mind that he obviously can't. I hope you can find another oncologist you can trust. Deanna
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Hi everyone, I am still reading these threads although I am going through radiation right now. I completed 8 sessions so far. I thought I was getting more relaxed at it, but the last 2 sessions I kind of paniced for some reason. I may have to take something to relax me the next sessions. I am starting to feel a little fatigued also. Lani I have never heard of IP 6 Do you think I can start taking it now while doing Rads? Also are you taking it now? Be congrats!, I am also interested in the chinese herbs you are taking?
Thank you,
Audrey
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Be and Lani ~
So interested in what you report about Chinese herbs and other lifestyle changes that may help. Katie, that's awful! Don't feel guilty about running off to another oncologist right away if you feel like it.
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Be, congrats on finishing. I have been very frustrated by the lack of nutritional guidance during tx - my onc said most women gain weight, so not to worry...well - seems to me it would be benefical to know what we should be aiming for. The best I've seen is that we should be focusing on protein during tx because our bodies are doing a lot of re-building... As to guidance in avoiding recurrence - I think the biggest obstacle is that they still don't know what causes cancer. They are trying to use overall statistics to draw conclusions - of which, I'd guess many are valid...the healthier the diet, weight, and lack of chemicals - the better shot you have...but last week I found out my yoga instructor was diagnosed with BC...
Susan, I've excercised through tx so far. My main priority is getting outdoors every day and drinking a lot of water. I think that gives me a tremendous amount of mental help in dealing with everything. My SE have been fairly minimal, but from reading the boards, I'm not convinced that is totally related. I don't believe excercise helps prevent mouth sores, diarhea, etc - but I do think it probably helps a little with recovering from the fatigue. The mental help has been huge - just pretending to be normal and strong - or stronger than the day before - or the moment before...
It's awesome to see how many of you are finishing up tx - so exciting. Congrats to all.
Ruth
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HI Deanna:
I am a critical care nurse so I am appauled by his lack of concern. I haven't switched because I think that is exactly what he wants. But I will begin looking this week. Thanks!
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Katie ~ my only thought would be that you want to think about your treatment plan and it going smoothly before you switch. Although the heart check has to come first, so maybe this *IS* a good time to switch. Good luck with however you do it. I do think once we're on a treatment plan any good oncologist can implement it.
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Katie:
I am also appalled. I hope you switch, this is YOUR life and your body and you are the expert. We are all different as is so evident by the side effects we experience and how the cancer does or does not spread, etc. No one should be treated like that or have their serious, valid concerns brushed under the rug. My blood is boiling after reading what you wrote about the onc.!
I hope you find the dr. you deserve. Don't give up. We are all here for you.
Peeps
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Katie,
You are in charge of your life. You need a doctor that will listen to you and help you! I hope that you get this resolved. We are here for you! Let us know. Don't you ever let a doctor yell at you, some of them are just IDIOTS. You are not a specimen, or a number. You are a human being, and you deserve respect and consideration. I am disgusted at how you were treated! Hang in there and fight like the fighter that YOU ARE!
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Katie, sorry you ended up with such ain insecure oncologist. It should be easier to find a better one! And I hope your heart issues are not serious.
Audrey and Annie, here is info on IP6, melatonin and vitamin
Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) enhances the anti-proliferative effects of adriamycin and tamoxifen in breast cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12846414
Hormone Melatonin Slows Breast Cancer... It also slows breast cancer growth by 70%: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20030714/hormone-melatonin-slows-breast-cancer
Study Sees Link Between Vitamin D, Breast Cancer Prognosis: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Study_Sees_Link_Between_Vitamin_D_Breast_Cancer_Prognosis.asp
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Katie - don't put up with any abuse. You're fighting enough with the cancer and the doctor's job is to first do no harm, which he is failing at. Hold your head high because he is the one with the attitude problem, not you. You have the medical problem. If he cannot help you, move on to another because there are good doctors out there.
Peeps and Unique - I bought the book 'Ancient Herbs, Modern Medicine' which was co-authored by three writers including my local Chinese doctor Henry Han. In the back of the book are resources including a couple of associations, namely AAOM - American Association of Oriental Medicine www.aaom.org and National Alliance www.acupuncturealliance.org . The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices. They set up the NCCAM www.nccam.nih.gov. That's about as reputable as you can get. Dr. Han points out there is a substantial difference between acupuncturists trained in the US and Chinese and Western doctors trained in China in their understanding of herbology. According to the book, the Top Seven Schools within Mainland China known for producing highly trained herbalists are:
- Beijing Univ of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
- Shanghai Univ of TCM
- Guangzhou Univ of TCM
- Chendu Univ of TCM
- Nanjing Univ of TCM
- Shenyang Univ of TCM
- Hei Long Jiang Univ of TCM
Hope that helps.
Be
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Hiyas ~
I've caught a cold - sneezing, coughing, tight chest, scratchy throat, funny feeling in head. Clear mucus, no fever. My onc office sez go to my GP if I like, don't have to unless there's a fever, but if a fever I MUST go in. I have chemo on Thursday, and they say if no fever I will still get chemo. But as much as I want to stay on schedule I somehow can't picture feeling sick and doing chemo, while there's a virus in my body doing chemo, or coughing and hacking in the infusion room with the other patients.
What do you all think about this? Hopefully I'll be better in a day or two.
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Geez Annie, Today is Monday, so lets pray that you are over this by Thursday. I think that you will be, and get LOTS of rest and fluids. I will keep the positive energy for you! Elizabeth
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ok, today is day five after treatment 2. I have felt better overall this time around. Today, however, I have felt queasy. Not really sick, just yucky. Anyone else experience this or could it be something else?
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Hi Everyone:
Thank you for your support through this. Would you believe my onc told me that my original echo was "normal" and today when I saw the typed report at my cardiologist's office it said that I have a diastolic dysfunction. This is something the cardiologist wants me to take medication for. I had a repeat echocardiogram done today and waiting for the results. I think the results are the same and they are going to encourage me to continue with chemo. I'm so worried about residual effects.... I'm still getting twitching in my calves and fingers at times. I wonder if 2 treatments are as good as 4. I guess not.. wishful thinking.
THREEGIRLSMOM: I had less side effects with treatment #2 because they were better controlled but I felt yucky too... and it lasted longer.... probably 10 - 11 days or so. I hope you feel better soon.
Hugs to all.
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Be:
Thank you so much for the information. I greatly appreciate it. I do constant research and anything that shortens the search is wonderful.
Unique: I had a cold before my 2nd chemo too but it was ok, no fever. I had no problems and my 2nd chemo out of 3 was the one with the least side effects so try not to worry. The old saying is a cold lasts a week or 7 days so you will be almost done and in my experience the 3rd day is always the worst with a cold. Good luck.
Peeps
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Annie... DO NOT underestimate a cold while you are on chemo. I would strongly suggest getting an antibiotic now. I felt like you do now on Day 3 of tx #4. By Day 5 I was terribly sick -- and stayed very sick for 2 weeks, even though my onc gave me an antibiotic around Day 6. I was really miserable. You just do not have the WBC to fight off any infection, so it won't run its course the way it would if you weren't on chemo. Trust me. If you are hesitant to ask for an antibiotic now, be sure to take your temperature every few hours, and if it goes up even the slightest, call your doctor immediately.
threegirlsmom... I was much queasier with tx #2 than tx #1. As I recall, I had cut back a bit on my anti-nausea meds because I suspected they were contributing to how awful (zombie-like) I felt on my worst SE days. But I still think the queasiness came on much stronger with #2. And my fatique lasted a lot longer with #2 than it did with #1 or #3. Deanna
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I had my first round of T/C today and I'm feeling just fine. I am on Decadron, Ativan & Zofran to deal with any side effects. So far so good - I feel great. On day 5-9 I have to inject Neupogen to raise my white cells. I'm curious as to what everyone's hair loss experience as been with T/C treatment? Total loss - or just patchy loss?
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Hi Everyone,
Well, just as I was celebrating finishing #4 - feeling lousy on day 4, but recovering. Tonight I felt a definite lump on my left collarbone ( I've had a left mast.). It's hard, not painful - but is scaring me. Anyone had this?
Strength,
Gail
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Gail:
You should call your onc about the lump. Perhaps you can get some reassurance or some answers.
Peeps
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Deanna ~ I'll keep an eye on it. Part of it is that the onc nurse said I can go or not go as I choose, and the fact of going to my GP, they usually don't give an antibiotic if they think it's a virus. And I'll end up paying for the visit as I'm out of visits with my insurance for this year. That said, I'm checking my temp frequently and it was 99.5 last night and 98.9 this morning. It's better today. I see them tomorrow for bloodwork so I'll be there, they can check me out then.
WB ~ I have partial loss and I'm in the middle of treatment, going for Round #3 of 4 on Thursday. I have my eyebrows and eyelashes still. It is just VERY THIN, and like chick fuzz, altho as I didn't shave it yet (don't have the heart) the 1" wispies all over do kinda stick out as bang fringe under my hat and I'm enjoying that. My onc said I will lose it all though.
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Annie... Glad your cold isn't any worse today. I think something that played into my getting so sick was the fact that I'd stopped taking my 500 mg. Vitamin C and also stopped drinking orange juice or using an occasional Emergen-C before my last tx -- after that discussion we were all having a few weeks ago regarding the new research on Vitamin C and chemo. In retrospect, that surely exacerbated my problem, as I've always taken a lot of Vitamin C.
I don't understand why your onc would send you to your GP for a cold when you are under his care right now. That seemed a bit strange to me.
Speaking of colds, I wanted to pass along a tip to everyone. With cold season starting, if you haven't already, put a container of antibacterial wipes in your car. I was out shopping yesterday, and a clerk with a bad cold coughed into her hands just before pulling out my change. (Ewww!!!) Thankfully, I had those wipes in the car for my hands and the money she'd handed me. I actually try to remember to use them after each store I'm in, 'cause you never know who's touched what.
Gail... I agree with Peeps. Chances are what you feel is something residual from your surgery, but why worry about it any longer than necessary? Get it checked out. If you don't feel up to driving, call or PM me.
wblibrary... Welcome to our group. The literature for T & C both say you will loose all your hair. Most of us lost so much of it that it made sense to buzz it rather than deal with thin patchy wisps and the discomfort of it falling out, which includes a mildly painful tingling or pulling sensation when it's doing that. But I don't think anyone really gets a totally shiny bald head. Most of us (I think) keep some fuzz if we've buzzed or wisps if we haven't. Deanna
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Deanna what was the report about on vitamin C? I don't remember seeing that. I stopped extra C also during Chemo, but I am back to drinking my 0.J. now I have noticed more heartburn when I drink it though.
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Amann... I think someone had started a separate discussion thread about it a few weeks ago, and there were some comments here about it, as well. Without looking through past posts, here's a link to an article about the study, which was out of Memorial Sloan Kettering:
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20081001/vitamin-c-chemotherapy-bad-combo
And here's another link I just found that refutes MSK's findings:
http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/1,14843,00.htm
Seems like they never make these decisions easy! Deanna
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Thanks Peeps and Deanna - I did call my onc re the lump on my collarbone. I can't beleive I'm still feeling the bad effects of my LAST TX and I'm finding weird stuff on my body. Wasn't I suppose to get a few weeks off without thinking about this stuff? Will let you know what they say.
Thanks,
Gail
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HI Everyone:
Has anyone had problems with neuropathy? A couple of fingers on my right hand are twitching involuntarily and my calves are twitching too. I'm concerned about this getting worse with my third treatment and wonder if it will be a permanent side effect.
Thanks for your input. Katie
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Are there any good websites which have the SE for TC with a schedule for what to expect on which day. I know we are all affected differently by chemo, so just looking for sort of a basic timeline??
Mary
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Goldendragonlady, if you read through some of the 125 pages on this thread you should get a good idea as to what SEs you might possibly expect. There is not going to be a schedule as such because it affects everyone differently. As a general rule, using treatment day as day 1, many people have found days 3 to 6 to be the worst for things like stomach issues and fatigue. There are nearly 4,000 posts on this topic, it should give you an idea.
Chris
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wblibrary - my hair fell out somewhere between second and third week but there were parts that didn't fully fall out till chemo ended. I did have to shave some parts of my head - around the neck the most.
susan
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