Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi Goodfight - I developed a rash on my chest and neck. couple of days later it started on my left hand. It is pinkish red and gets redder the more I scratch it. No peeling like you describe. Not sure if it is the same thing as you, but probably worth mentioning to the onc at your next vist.
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Hi Everyone,
Sandra, LOVE Attitude! Did you write that? I want to send it out to my friends, but want to give credit where credit is due.
Brenny, you are not alone. You do have us. We understand, and will not leave you. Find some ladies nearby who have been dx'd with BC. Even tho we are here for you, F2F is always wonderful!
Unique - Funny you should bring up the wardrobe issues w/head coverings. Starting chemo 12/2, I was looking at some head covers online, wondering "hmmmmm...what color should I get?" How many do I need? Being winter, I don't think that I'll go about the house bare-headed. Don't want to wear the wig all the time either.
Well, I'm ready for the chemo. I have Decadron, and Compazine. Jim's mother is coming to help out for a week. Interesting about the Decadron taper. I'll bring that up with the onc. Someone here wrote that it's like being 8.5 mos pregnant for the first time! TRUE!! The fear of the unknown is sometimes the worst! I'm glad that I have found you ladies!
{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}} Carol
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HI Everyone:
For those of you starting treatment.... good luck. I had a problem after the first treatment with a bad rash on my chest and forehead and also bad IBS. Benadryl took care of it. With my second treatment I took Benadryl every 6 hours for the first few days after treatment and avoided any rash or IBS. I had a problem with my heart racing through my chest and palpitations a day or so after treatment and lasting several days and shortness of breath two weeks after my second treatment.
I figured out that I am having a bad reaction to the Decadron. I took a 4 mg tablet prior to what was supposed to be my third treatment and when I felt the heart issue, I decided to refuse the third treatment and saw a cardiologist and another oncologist. I am now doing weekly doses of Abraxane because I cannot tolerate any chemo that requires Decadron beforehand. Abraxane is only approved for metastatic breast cancer but if you are allergic to the Taxotere or Taxol it may be covered by the insurance company.
Remember that the side effects may not necessarily be related to the chemo but may be due to the Decadron. The Decadron is given because the chemotherapy is dissolved in a preservative type fluid that cannot be tolerated without a steriod. Abraxane is protein bound Taxol that is dissolved in a small amount of saline and given over 30 minutes with no steriods or Neulasta given unless needed.
TNT: I've been having hot flashes but can't complain. I want these ovaries to shut down.
Brenny and Monee: I used a lint brush on my hair after I had it shaved down to remove the small hairs that were falling out each day. I kept tearing off the tape and went through several pieces each night before bed. OUCH. Brenny... I am going through this ordeal without a husband too. I haven't worked a day since late June because I am a nurse and am afraid of picking up an illness in the hospital. I also was a travel nurse so no disability benefits. I am fortunate to have a wonderful daughter who has been by my side every minute and two fantastic sons.
Ladies: Please try and eat organic red meat if any during your treatment. You want to avoid those hormones if you have ER + breast cancer. Same with the milk although from what I hear it should be avoided.. if not, drink organic.
Neuropathies: I was told to take L-Glutamine Powder, one tablespoon in juice before and each day after chemo. It really does help eliminate the neuropathy pain.
Elizabeth: Your hair is coming in nicely!
Diane: Congratulations on your last treatment! Yeah!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Katie2u
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To Everyone on this message board---
I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! As bad as some of the SEs are, we have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for all of you....I may not post often, but read every day. I have learned so many tricks for surviving chemo....my last one is Wed. That way I can cook for Thanksgiving and hopefully feel well......I will have to get up early Thanksgiving morning and drive 30 miles for a neupogen shot. I just feel blessed to be able to be with my family. Next stop will be rads....do any of you know how long before they start rads? Any tips on that? Thanks to all and God bless
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I Loved your Note and yes we ALL have Lots to be Thankful for! I'm starting Chemo for the first time on Tuesday and Freaking out but Trying to think of the end and Family!!
I'm in Tears now!
Jerri
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Hair falling, hair falling, hair gone!...
I was first told that I would lose my hair and expect it come to come out 7-14 days after the first treatment. This oncology nurse was right.
I had my first treatment on November 5th. I am one of those lucky ones....My first treatment and side effects went pretty easy.
As for the hair....hair started to show signs of coming out on Monday Nov. 17th (12 days later) By friday Nov. 21, I knew that all my hair would be gone by Monday....I did not shower on Firday morning before work because I did not want to deal with the worries of how to go to work. Saturday morning (17 days after first treatment) I combed my hair and handfuls came out.....I took my shower with washing my hair last.....and more handfuls in the drain.....I dried my hair in a towel, lightly combed my hair, and more handfuls of hair left in the comb. So my husband got the razor ( on my request) and shaved my head.....
I thought that when he was done I would need to go lay down and cry.....nope, I have been having fun trying on my wig and other hair items with no hair now.....It's amazing because I have been trying to plan for this and I could not really get the real feel of these hair items before.
As funny as it may sound, but the items are more comfortable now. I'm a little more at peace now that the hair is finally gone....yes I know now I look like a Chemo patient, but oh well! I just figure if I run into someone that is stupid enough and needs to be educated then I will gladly spend the time and EDUCATE them....
I'm kind of waiting to go back to my bank as they now have a new policy that hats/caps need to be removed in the bank ( because of increased of robberies) I have already spoke of my situation and about wearing caps with hair velcroed inside....they say I can wear a cap ( I have special permission...whoppdeedo!) Now I might change my mind and PROUDLY take off my cap with the hair attached....who knows maybe the tellers manager will be the embarrassed one instead of me. I'll have to ask her if she will rub my head or help me put lotion on...LOL LOL!
Well now I need to go to my new hobby and do some googles and look for more hats and scarves for my new look....I only hope my bank card can handle it!
Denise
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Jerri, I know that you are scared of the unknown....I was too....but the treatment itself went great....Be sure to eat or suck on ice while you are getting your infusion. I read that on this site and I have not had any neuropathy........I do it each time! I will say a special prayer for you and think good thoughts on Tuesday. Thursday should be okay for you....The first two days are okay......just keep the meds handy that they give you.
Denise, I felt like you...getting rid of the hair and onto to wigs and caps felt good....I was determined not to let me grandkids (12, 6, 5, ) see me without hair....but they all have and it is okay! It really felt good to get rid of all that mess.....However, it has been a little chilly here in Texas and I wore a little cap today...my head was cold....still have soft peach fuzz on top.....It has never come completely out!!
Hugs and hang in there....Nannie
Hugs, Nannie
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I thank my lucky stars for finding this discussion board - you all are great and thank you for sharing!
Start on Dec 3 with first of four - someone mentioned ice mittens -- is that something your center provided or did you buy them somewhere? If so, where? I really want to protect my nails also. Did you take a cooler with chipped ice or did they provide for you?
Nannie96 - I (at this point) am also committed to not letting the grandkids (or pretty much anyone) see me bald -- I have a large, round, not-particularly-good-complexion face and it is NOT going to be a pretty sight. I have told them that the medicine may make my hair fall out, so I had to pick up some headcovers for when I actually take the wig off. From headcovers.com I got the velco wide bangs that you can put under a baseball cap or a turban or a night cap.
I get my port placed on Monday - have butterflies thinking about it because up until now I can kind of pretend that this chemo is not really going to happen....but it is.
You are an inspiration!
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Brenny:
Do you have to get a port placed? I know that Taxotere/Cytoxan are not vesicants they are irritants. I had my every 3 week treatment through a #24 peripheral line that was removed after each treatment. It worked well and places like the University of Pa. are not even using ports or central lines for this treatment. You might save yourself two surgeries. I packed ice pouches and rested my feet on two and held each one in my hands (with a towel over it to avoid freezer burn.)
Jerry: Good luck with your chemo on Tuesday. I probably would have gone totally holistic but every time I look at a picture of my children I know that I don't want to have anything to kick myself over for not having done it.
I am grateful for having found this message board too. My first oncologist told me I was "reading too much." Well thank God I did because he didn't know how to control my side effects. Thanks to this board I got the information I needed.
Katie
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Brenny,
I actually bought a "halo" with bangs, and hair. It is open on the top. I have worn it almost as much as the wig. I just had to have some hair around my face. I have never been one to pull my hair back. This is just bangs and hair all around. They come in short, med, long...I got the med. My grandson 6 loves it with a hat. He says it looks like my real hair. One funny story. My 5 yr. old granddaughter spent the night with me a few wks back. I had worn a little cotton sleep cap to bed. She woke me up in the middle of the night and said (with her eyes shut tightly), "Nan, you've lost your cap." I felt and sure enough it had come off.....I frantically felt around for it. You know, it is just little things like that...that make you laugh. And you have to laugh to get thru this!!!
The Center where I go has snacks, ice, etc. Have you had your chemo class? They should tell you what they provide.......if not call ahead and ask. Mine is wonderful...it is in Ft. Worth, TX.
I will keep good thoughts for you.......
Hugs, Nannie
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Hi Brenny,
Yes, the cancer center provided the "mittens",. They really need to get ones designed just for feet though
!!! You should ask if your treatment center has them. I was told that they're a new product(don't remember the name), so I don't know if every cancer center will have them yet. Just what can one take for a painful back while on chemo?? It seems to me just about all of the "usual" otc pain pills are no no's.
Mary
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Hi, all... Brenny just thought I'd tell you that I did not get a port either. My local onc, he said he'd hate to put me through another surgery (I'd already had a lump & a mast) if he didn't have to, so had an onc nurse look at the veins in my hands, and she said they should be fine. I easily had 4 tx's without a port.
Also, you'll have to ask if your center has ice. Mine did not, so I just brought a bag of frozen veggies, after learning about the ice here because after 2 tx's some of my nailbeds had started to discolor. When I asked my onc about ice, he laughed and said I could use it if I wanted to, but it wouldn't make a difference. However, it clearly halted the damage for me. Deanna
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Hi Deanna, How long after treatment did your nails start to get discolored??? I'm not paranoid about my nails
, just want to know if the mittens did or didn't work. I know that there will still be lines across my nails, but they aren't supposed to darken or falll off with the cold treatment. The mitttens "might" not be needed for only 4 tx, but I'm not going to take any chances.Mary
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I too would like more information about ice mittens or even applying cold/ice to the nails.
I had an Chemo class and asked about the ice mittens. They knew nothing about it.
Where are you gals getting this information? And where did you get the ice mittens from?
I keep my nails short....but I sure do not want to lose any?
Oh! another question....Do you just apply ice to the nails why you are getting the chemicals pump into you?
Thanks ahead of time for answering my questions.
Denise
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Mary, Denise ... I Iearned about icing on these boards in the August 08 Chemo Group when some of us observed that our nails were starting to look bruised or bluish in the nail bed area after our first or 2nd tx. It seems like the ice, which you just do during the infusion, must slow down the blood (chemo) circulation to your nailbeds. After I started using my bag of frozen peas as an ice pack, the discoloration remained, but did not worsen. Now, 6-weeks out, it's starting to fade.
There are a few reports within these discussion groups of women losing their nails, although I don't recall what chemo they were on or for how long, so would not fear that happening with a normal regimen of TC. But I would definitely heed the advice to ice to prevent damage.
My onc told me that years ago they used big ice contraptions on patients' heads to try to prevent hair loss. It never worked, so I gathered he felt icing your nails would be similarly useless.
By the way, your nails stop growing during chemo, so it's good to protect what you have. I've also read that using dark polish is good, but I'm not sure why. Maybe someone else does and can comment on it. Deanna
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To add to Deanna's suggestions on nail remedies, I used Tea Tree Oil and then painted nails with a formaldehyde-free nail enamel. My nailbeds also started to turn dark after the second treatment and my left thumbnail also developed some lengthwise ridges in it. After doing the above, this never got any worse.
Deanna - I would think nail growth would stop with chemo, but I noticed today that my nails had noticeably grown. I'm just shy of three weeks out from my last chemo. I had to cut them once during the past 12 weeks. hmmmm.......my nails have always grown very quickly, I hope that's a good thing.
Starting to get back to feeling more like myself since my last TC treatment on Nov 5th. The indigestion/gassiness is still hanging on with the fatigue of course. I started rads on Nov 13th and I'm told that will add to fatigue, so that might not get better for a while.
On the hot flash subject, I have episodes where I feel really hot at night and have to throw off the covers, then moments later I'm cold again. I'm not sweating when this happens. Could these be hot flashes? My onc told me when I have a hot flash, I'll know it, but this never happend before chemo.
Hang in there everyone! Here's to a positive, mild side-effect week for all!
Sherrie
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My mom is on taxotere, cytoxan and herceptin. She said that she too felt "blah", was gassy, everything tasted like it was burnt and has pretty bad bone pain. She really thought it was going to be horrible but has told me that other than feeling tired she is pretty much ok. She had her 1st round two weeks ago and doesn't have to get another until next week. Oh and food is tasting great again and she is eating VERY well. I hope you all are doing well.
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This group is going to be a lifesaver, I just know it! I like the idea about a hair halo for hats - going to look into that. Ordered my wig on Friday - now I am obsessing about carrying it through the airport when I fly (before I actually have to wear it) and someone from work picks me up. Just don't want to explain why I'm travelling with a wig box....I did go with the synthetic monofiliment lace cap thing -- insurance only pays $150 I think and only that after a fight.
My port is not due to the chemicals - it is because I just have lousy veins -- major problem for blood draws also.
I go for chemo class on Monday armed with all my board questions, concerns.
Turkey day is kind of becoming the 'last meal' before execution in my mind!
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For Jerri and anyone else who's freaking out about starting chemo... I've mentioned this before on this board, but there's a wonderful guided imagery CD (or MP3 download if you need it fast) available from Health Journeys that I highly recommend. One of my sisters-in-law had given me one for surgery, and I was so impressed, that I bought the one for chemotherapy. There are audio clips on the website that give you an idea of what they're like, but they totally reframe chemo in a positive light. They helped me immensely. As I recall, there are two for chemo. The one I used is by Belleruth Naparstek. http://www.healthjourneys.com/
Sherrie ... Yes, tea tree oil! Definitely a help for nails. If you can find it in the paste form, it's not quite as messy or smelly as the oil.
Praying for smooth sailing for everyone scheduled for tx's this week! Remember, you are strong and you CAN do this! Deanna
P.S. Sherrie... Yep! That sounds like a hot flash to me! You may not recognize it if you've been asleep, but when it happens during the day, you'll know -- sort of like a flush of heat sweeping through your body and face, then just as quickly leaving.
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Brenny-
Purchase a hair halo.
I have a beautiful wig, paid $200.00 for it, but I now know that I will not be able to wear this to work. It will be too much for me....I work with small children and I have to bend down too much. But what the purchase of this wig did for me was give me confidence that I had something nice looking and ready to go for when the hair came out. I will probably wear the wig when my husband and I go out.
I did buy a hair attachment that I can velcro to caps and scarves....I like this. It is very comfortable. But today I did order out of the American Cancer Society tlc catalog (www.tlcdirect.org) two halos, I am going to really like these as I can place them under any of the caps or scarves.....after wearing the hair attached to the cap....oh! so much comfortable then a full wig.
Everybody else....Thankyou for all the upbeat additude. It really helps....Thanks for the info on the nails....Looks like I will be showing up on this Wednesday (my second treatment) with a frozen bag of peas....LOL! Tree oil, I guess you can get that at a natural store? When do you apply the tree oil? and how often?
Many thanks....and remember this is just another path in our lives.
Denise
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Hi Everyone,
End of day 4(tx is day 1). Felt pretty yucky today
. Woke up early with moderate back pain that didn't go away, no matter what position I tried to lay in. I have had tweaky, crampy, sharp pains today all over my body, hips, legs, even my jaw. Sore muscles in my neck. Really feels like I've got the flu, even down to chills (no temp thought). Tylenol didn't help much. I hope I don't have this next tx as I will be working day 4 next time. Anybody else notice that coke just dosen't seem(taste)very fizzy??? Maybe I just have a bad batch of cans, 
LOL!!!Mary
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Goldendragonlady/Mary-
Just wondering are you getting just the Taxotere and Cytoxan, or are you also getting anything to boost WBC(white blood count)?
I noticed that you are a second time survivor.....good for you! Things always get better the second time around, right! Hang in there you know better days are coming.
Denise
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Goldlen - funny you should mention the taste of coke. I am an avid diet pepsi drinker. I love the stuff and used to joke that if diet pepsi caused cancer, I'd be the first to know. Well I've had bc twice. So maybe it does. Anyway, pepsi and coke does taste funny. But I still drink it, just not as much.
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Denise-- I just had my first tx on Thursday and they want me to come back on the 1st to have my blood levels checked. So no Neulasta ...yet. I don't know about things being "Better The Second Time Around", but I think monee would agree, we could definitly do without the "Third Times The Charm"!!!!
monee--I'm a Coke drinker, the "real thing" not diet. I don't drink coffee. It's where I get my caffine from, but I don't drink it in the am usually. Just in the pm as pick me up.
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Well third time was definitely NOT a charm for me. I was supposed to have tx3 today, but after consultation with the onc we did not go forward. If you all remember, I was the one with the red hands and peeling skin. Also an ongoing mouth thrush problem. Both se's definitely form the taxotere. So, where do we go from here? He suggested the following three choices
1. Stop treatment completely because I was a candidate that they were not even sure I would benefit from chemo but we decided to do it as an insurance. My tumor was sent for an oncotype dx and came back that I did not need chemo, but after a mri, they discovered a second separate malignant tumor in the same breast so we decided to go forward with chemo and then radiation. So they are saying that I did get some protection from two treatments and I could consider stopping.
2. Take the Taxotere away and add the Adriamycin. I did not want this because of the potential hearr se's and I would now have to have an echocardiogram and a pic line put in since I did not get a port. I would need two cycles of this added to what I have already had of TC.
3. I could go to another cocktail that was widely used before the new drugs came about. It is called CMF and I would need four additional treatments of this. It has less side effects, and get this, it does not cause you to lose your hair..........oops, too late for me from the taxotere...........bummer.
I am completely at a loss in making this decision. Has anyone out there dealt with any curveballs like this during their treatment. Even the chemo nurses said to come to this site and see if anyone can shed some light. I appreciate anything you can add.
I originally had a second opinion at Moffitt Cancer Center in TAmpa and my local onc did try to reach that onc today but he is on vacation this week. Hopefully they will get to consult on Monday and maybe can be a little more definite in what to do and what my risks are.
In the mean time if any of you wonderful ladies can shed some light on this I would be most thankful.
Caren
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Hi Caren,
Wow, at least you have some choices. I can only tell you that I had AC last time for chemo, and I DID NOT have a port or pic line. The onc nurses just put in a regular IV line and gave me the drugs. Now, I am fairly young for this (45 now 41 when I had the AC) and have good viens. I did have a MUGA scan first, but I believe that the heart problems are rare. What sort of Surgery did you have???
Mary
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Caren ~ Well I think we have all been thru the treatment decision wringer. I thought BC would be a no brainer, it would be one suggested treatment, but because of all the different kinds of BC, it turned out to be a crazy merry go round anyway. The CMF sounds interesting, maybe see what the Moffitt onc says. Or, you could quit chemo and get on your hormone therapy - are you doing that? They think that's where we'll really get our boost if we are ER/PR+ HER2-. Or, I am hearing the Avastin has efficacy, the Genentech stock is up. Although if I had done an Avastin trial, it would still be going on? So I don't know what's up with that.
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Plus Avastin is horribly, horribly expensive. See interesting article here http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/health/06avastin.html
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Mary,
I too have great veins and that is why I do not have a port for now. They did say I would need a picc line if I chose the AC. I had a lumpectomy for the first tumor and then what supposed to be a biopsy from an additional mri ended up being a small lumpectomy. Both were malignant, but both had clean margins and my neg sentinal node. As I said at first they were only recommending radiation following the surgery and then five years of one of the AI inhibitors.
Annie,
I agree that it is a roller coaster making treament decisions. It took us over three months, lots of tests and second opinions. But finally we settled on four rounds of TC and everyone was in agreement. Today was supposed to be number three........but now they have decided I cannot tolerate the taxotere. It is hard to go back to the decision making process at this point.
I have to wait until at least Monday when the Moffitt onc is back and he and my local onc can consult. They may still say they are comfortable with me just stopping treatment, since like I said before, they were never really sure I needed it and just went with the better safe than sorry mode.
Thank you both for such quick responses.
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Hi, Caren ... Boy, you have been thrown a curveball, but let's believe that it's all going to work out for the best. First, I'm curious to know if you're doing chemo pre-surgery, or if you've already had surgery. I wasn't quite sure if you've had both lesions removed or still have surgery ahead.
Also, I was glad to see that you have been seen by a top bc center. I think they will hold the key as to what you should do now. As you probably know, NCI-approved cancer centers like Moffitt are where local oncs turn for advice when they run into more complex situations, mostly because they see far more bc than other places. If you hadn't already gone to one, that would have been my next suggestion for you, to see what they would advise.
As far as Adriamycin and the long range risk of congestive heart failure, I believe the most recent statistics (from my onc @ UCLA) are in the 20%-25% range, which is much higher than previously thought, and one reason TC is becoming a preferred alternative. I would be very leery of Adriamycin if you have other options.
Interesting that the chemo nurses told you to come here. I wonder if they meant the professional section, or just us gals who, as Gail/DesertRider says, have earned our masters in bc in a very short time!
Hope these few thoughts help. Please keep us posted! Deanna
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