Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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sfbaer-
After my chemo day ( week following treatment) I crave cool, wet, food as my mouth always seems dry. I also want a bland diet, I think it's my body taking care of it's self, because it knows whats coming in the GI area in a few days. Lots of good suggestions above about types of food.....(Yoplait Yogurts in the fridge is my personal favorite)...the only thing I would add...is after Mom has her treatment make sure there is a lot of different easy to get food (she likes) in the fridge/cabinet....even thou your Mom seems to having an easy time with SE...I think we all go thorugh where we don't want to hassell for anything, you just want to reach and grab. I know this is the case for me....At first I seem wired off of the decadron, I want to move fast and not take the time, then I'm coming off the wire and I'm tired...again not wanting to take the time. Mom may go through this without you knowing it.
All others-
For me personally....Those pimples are calming down. as thegoodfight said they are all around where my hairline would be. It was the suggested to use my regular shampoo or Baby Shampoo. I think I will give the Baby Shampoo a try. My neighbor who is a 25year plus stylist brought me some special shampoo...She said it was for Chemo patients. It's suppose to encourage hair growth below the folliculitis...you are suppose to use it before chemo....the shampoo is called Nioxian(2). Have any of you heard it? I haven't done a search or anything....I was just going to trust her, But of course I will not start this shampoo till those bumps tone down, and especially not till the weekend. That way I can be home to rinse if there is a reaction.
You know the first time I did my treatment...they did the Taxotere slow for 15minutes....this time I don't think she did. I will request a slow start for the next one....thanks! (you're right we do get shy, but I got to remember, it's my body, my suffering, my comfort)
About hair growth....Ok hair was falling out, or should I say being combed out....I got to the point and had my husband shave my head....when he buzzed me, I did not get the smooth no hair all over...in fact there was short stubbles all over my head.... the thinking was, that what was left would rub off. Wellllll....it hasn't. In fact my hair seems to growing back. The stubbles are taller and where I had shaved by my ears (sideburns) I now have new stubbles growing. Have you guys experienced this? So whats up? What should I expect? I do not have second thoughts (well I did for a few minutes) if I shaved my head too soon....but both my husband and I agreed that if I did not then I would be looking like Beattle Juice's sister. This is not a contest I want to enter!
Until later...Denise/Onehalf
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Thanks everyone for your kind response. My mom actually hasn't experienced much soreness or pain since the treatment. According to her the feeling is rather funky than sore. She tries hard to eat and has been having multiple small meals each day. Sometimes she breaks down emotionally when she thinks about her situation and how she'll be later. I'm trying all my best to be positive. I kind of scared to go into the Metastatic/Recurrence section in this forum. I really hope TC can kill all the cancer cells though I've heard it's unlikely.
Anyway, to those of you who's finished or had multiple treatment, will the appetite come back after certains days from adminstration?
Again, thanks for all your support and info!
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sfbaer...Yes, the appetite does come back. Mine came back by day 10 and the week before my next treatment I had it back with a vengence. I was in the mood to cook and eat at that point. No need to go to the Metastatic/Recurrence site right now. Stay positive for mom. She's on Taxotere to help reduce her risk of recurrence along with kill those cancer cells.
Denise...I had stubble throughout my whole treatment. I am 3 weeks out now and my stubble is growing...mainly on the top and back of my head, not on the sides yet. My hair started growing back before my last treatment. I have been using Nioxin shampoo. I heard from other women at the cancer treatment center I go to and on this site that it expedited their hair growth and that it grew in thicker than ever. It can't hurt so what the h@**.
L
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Hi All - There is lots of activity on here lately - I have been reading and not posting because I am increasingly anxious about my first round this Friday!! Yikes. My sister gave me Carnation Instant Breakfast and Milk of Magnesia(just to rinse, coat the mouth and then spit out). Today is my 52nd birthday so will take a long walk and have a nice swim. I do have my new tatas and they feel nice! - my birthday present
) I'll keep checking in and be back next week after round one. Good luck and love to all!Bobbi
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Hi All - There is lots of activity on here lately - I have been reading and not posting because I am increasingly anxious about my first round this Friday!! Yikes. My sister gave me Carnation Instant Breakfast and Milk of Magnesia(just to rinse, coat the mouth and then spit out). Today is my 52nd birthday so will take a long walk and have a nice swim. I do have my new tatas and they feel nice! - my birthday present
) I'll keep checking in and be back next week after round one. Good luck and love to all!Bobbi
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Onehalf:
I too purchased Nioxin, but then read the insert which stated very clearly that it will not assist hair growth which has been lost due to chemotherapy. So I took it back!
Once tx have finished, try using biotin + silica for your hair and nails. My recommended dosage is 2 mg biotin and 4.7 mg silica. Can't really tell whether or not it's actually made my hair grow any faster or thicker but, since I also started Femara (which can cause hair thinning), I do think it's helping. It has certainly helped my nails (I lost a thumbnail and the others had become soft and were peeling -- not any more!).
Cheers, Linda
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Hello Everybody ~
WELL!!! I feel so much better today, a MIRACLE!!! I am still coughing and stuff but my chest feels so much better and I feel less achy and all that. I've been miserable with the bronchitis. I'm feeling the Cipro did the job because I've had this since the week before chemo #3 really, never completely got rid of it.
To answer Lili, I think TC does stay in your system for awhile, I've forgotten in what context my onc told me this, but I think it gives you cancer-killing oomph for a certain period after you end.
sfbaer, good luck with your Mom, and it is terrific that you are helping her. No one should go through this alone.
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Hi, Annie ~ Glad to hear you're feeling better.
About how long TC stays in your system, my local onc told me something interesting. He said that the chemo is actually out of our bodies in 15 hours, but the damage it does is what we deal with in the following days/weeks. He equated it to getting punched in the nose. The punch only lasts a second, but the damage it causes takes weeks to heal. And, if you get punched a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time in the same place (like you're whole body!) -- well, you get the picture. By the end, the cumulative damage is far worse than any single punch.
On the Nioxin, I think I personally would be leery of putting anything that chemical on my head (skin), which absorbs everything. If you're interested, you can check it and any other beauty care products out at www.ewg.org, which has a link to a cosmetics safety database. There is other good environmental info' on that site (Environmental Working Group), so I'm giving you that instead of the direct link to the cosmetics listings.
sfbaer ~ Just wanted to comment on your Mom occasionally breaking down. That is so normal, and okay to do. As Lili said, definitely do not go to the pages here where women are dealing with more serious situations. It will worry you needlessly. It sounds like your Mom is being treated for a local recurrence (perhaps they just missed a tiny spec the first time); that she didn't get chemo the first time around; and that she can have every expectation of the chemo totally taking care of her present situation. Her bc hasn't metastized anywhere else (thank God), so deal only with what you have, and allow your Mom some time to cry if she needs to, but be sure she springs back within a day and doesn't begin to get depressed. Eating well (or not) affects emotional well-being too. If she's not already taking one, you may want to pick up a multivitamin for her at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, etc., to help fill in any nutrition gaps. And also be aware that not only will her appetite come and go, but so will what appeals or even smells good. Chemo does strange things to your sense of taste & smell, as well as often makes you too tired to cook. So, having a variety of easy to prepare bland foods on hand is probably your best shot at getting her to eat on those off days. Take care ~ Deanna
P.S. Happy Birthday, Bobbi!
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Hi Everyone:
I haven't posted in a while. I had bad reaction to Taxotere/Cytoxan... heart issues... heart pounding, shortness of breath, rash, IBS, etc. I think the Decadron was causing the heart problems. I was three weeks late for my third dose of T/C and when I was ready to take the 3rd dose (3 weeks after it was due) I took only 4 mg of Decadron by mouth and the heart started the pounding/racing again. I am taking Abraxane now in single weekly doses x12. It is Taxol without the preservative so no Decadron is required and no Neulasta unless the WBC's go down.
Take care.... Katie
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Unique,
I am glad to hear you are feeling better. Hope the cough goes soon too.
I had my first tx of the taxol yesterday, changing from TC after two tx's. I was so happy to be back on the train and heading to the station again. I am supposed to be on this weekly for six doses, so 5 to go. I was really feeling great and now I see there is some redness redeveloping on my hands,so I hope we are not going to have the same problem again. My cheeks are a little flushed too, and of courst the mouth thrush is threatening. But with all this, I feel great.
Last night I had a great night's sleep, didn't even wake up for the usual middle of the night pee. Looking forward to rest again tonight.
I had some fun today. We have an outlet mall here that has a QVC that is going out of business and now everything is 80% off so of course I had to go in. Well I hit the jackpot....................in wonderful hats that are sun protection 50%. I was never a hat wearer pre-diagnosis and now they thrill me. I got four beautiful hats and I saved a bundle. Now I can just toss a hat on to run to the store or whatever..................so easy, and actually really cute. Little things make me happy these days.
I can tell from your picture that you enjoy a good hat too.
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Well, hopefully again, my last tx is tomorrow! Still running a low grade temp with cellulitis, but they don't want to have to delay again....soo.....with the steroids, hopefully I will decorate my tree after midnight since I can't sleep! Hugs and minimal se's to those doing txs this week.....this will be my best Christmas present,,, then on to rads....Happy New Year:)
Nannie
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For the ones who wear hats....
How do you wear the hats...meaning do you wear something under? My hair halos have not come in from ltcdirect. which I am getting a little bothered by....My wig would be uncomfortable to wear to work all day with children....so I have just been wearing a scarf type hat.Problem is it fits well around by my forehead and sides, but more is exposed at the base of my skull/neck then I would like to show with no hair. A scarf under it does not work.
At work I do not mind so much as the kids love us adults as we are....parents understand, in fact I get comments about how good I look....guess they thought chemo paitents might look like death....Boy! don't we all surprise them!
Anyways it's when I go to the store right now I feel a little insecure....I know even with the hat on people can tell chemo there.... I do want to have some pricvacy.
Suggesstion on styles? I do have a class the Feel Good, Look Good on Dec. 10th, but I need ideas till then ( and the grand arrival of my halos).
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Onehalf, it sounds like you're usually happy with your hats, but if you would wear your wig to the store, etc if it were more comfortable, I'd suggest trying to wear the wig all day for a few days. It gets much more comfortable, especially after any rashes on your head resolves. Mine started off feeling itchy and sometimes hot, but after a while of wearing it all day I got totally used to it and now am not conscious of it at all.
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Hair, hair, hair...I looked into the ingredients in the Nioxin shampoo. It has parabens in it which have estrogen-like properties. They are used as preservatives in cosmetics. The FDA allows them because the studies that have been done on them don't prove that they contribute to breast cancer at such low levels although they have been found in breast tumors. Many cosmetics (facial cleansers, moisturizers, shampoo, conditioners, etc...) have several different parabens in them. I'm pitching my Nioxin and looking for paraben-free shampoo. I'd rather not add any more estrogen-like chemicals to my body at this point. Here's the link to the FDA report on parabens if anyone would like to read it http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-para.html. Thanks Deanna for prompting me to look into this more.
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Onehalf, I have some hats also which do not give as much coverage as I would like in the back. I got some of the 3" wide headbands from the TLC site and they work pretty well under a hat. They have quite a few colors, so I can usually find one that's a pretty close match to the hat. I just find it a more secure feeling with the headband under the hat covering the back of my neck a bit.
Chris
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Hi all,
Just need a moment to vent. My last tx was Nov 20th. I've been sick pretty much ever since. Had a low grade fever and felt lousy all over for days 1-7 (several of you kindly provided advice for me), felt o.k. for days 8,9 and then got hit with a nasty virus. High fever and horrible cough (sounds like your cough, Unique). I was at the hospital Tuesday for my radiation planning appointment, and decided to see if my oncologist or NP would see me because I felt so sick. They did and the good news is my blood count is o.k and my lungs sounded o.k. I'm on an antibiotic (Leavatrin), but I'm not feeling better because it looks like it's a nasty virus that just has to run its course. My daughter is sick with the same virus and we were a pretty pair Monday - me with a 102 fever rushing her having a full blown asthma attack to the doctor. She's on the mend, thankfully. I wanted to be able to celebrate being done with chemo, but haven't felt well enough to get off of the couch. I guess like many of you have explained, after 4 rounds of chemo it's hard to bounce back from being sick.
Thanks for caring.
Diane
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Its hard at holiday season but stay away from children with colds you can't afford to catch acold or flu right now. A fever delays chemo treatment and just makes it drag on longer. I talk from experience.
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One Half ~ I'm pretty much a hat wearer, I didn't feel well for my wig appointments and then finally just got disgusted and gave it up. I do love my hats. I got several from headcovers.com and they have enough coverage in back. The only one that doesn't quite is a newboy cap and it's a little tight as well. I also have the Comfy Caps from them which are pretty cheap and great for around the house. I have scarves also but I don't like the look as much. I combine everything - scarf around hat brim, scarf around Comfy Cap (turban look, cute but I'm ambivalent about the "cancer look.") Also when I go out and it's cold but I want to wear one of my nice looking brimmed hats I can wear the Comfy Cap *UNDER* the brimmed hat so it covers my ears.
I have a hat liner cap from tlc-direct.com and I often wear it under things to give a little more volume to my smaller head without hair.
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Diane,
So sorry to hear of your virus....I had my last tx today....my granddaughters were both around me the past two days and both of them have ended up with fever....I guess my days are numbered!!! Hope you are feeling better soon.....Rejoice was a word that came to mind as she unhooked me.....It has been doable, just want to stay well for Christmas....I have been taking neupogen shots,but they told me that I would get nuelasta tomorrow since I was finished with chemo....Any thing I should be prepared for....the neupogen had no se/s whatsoever.
Thanks,
Nannie
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Nannie96, I recieved my Neulast shot on 22nd of Nov. the day after my Chemo. I have felt great ever since no aches or pains, compared to my 1st treatment w/no Neulast. I developed a bad infection. Everyone reacts different. But my experience so far is it didn't hurt and I haven't been sick . Congrats on your last tx. I have 2 to go.
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Patricia, thanks for the info.....Hope mine does well like yours!!! Good luck on the last 2 tx.....It will fly........
Hugs,
Nannie0 -
Just wondering about the side effects of Taxotere and Cytoxan....
What is the worst or more bothersome side effect you have experienced?
Do you see a pattern with the side effects or is each treatment different?
Do you feel the side effects you have experienced are tolerable?
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Hi One half,
Not much for the treatment itself. I take it you will be taking Decadron for a few days?? Also take Claritin the day before and the day after when you will probably get that Neulasta Shot because of the possible bone pain from it. Some other take some form of Motrin or Aleeve with the Claritin.
I myself had constipation so make sure you drink LOTS of water to flush out the Chemo and eat high fiber foods. Trust me I learned the hard way.
I had my first treatment last week and feeling better now but everyone is different. I also cut my hair to get ready for it to fall out in the next week or 2.
I'm sure you will Breeze right through it. My Nurses said the SE are different each time.
The day of Chemo I had someone take me because of possible drowsiness from some of the medications.
I hope I'm not scaring you but if you do feel anxious just know We are here for you!
Jerri
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Hi Onehalf, I think that the worst side effect that I had was pain in my stomach, most bothersome were diarrhea and the fact that food didn't taste like it was supposed to.
I found the side effects to be similar each time, but a little worse and lasting longer after each treatment. I had four treatments, 3 weeks apart. Side effects lasted the whole 3 weeks before the last treatment.
It was no picnic, but certainly tolerable.
Chris
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Onehalf- I took Decadron the night before and the day after. I was great for 3 days and would crash the fourth with flu like systems. I got diarrhea anywhere from 3-5 days which I could control with Immodium. I never got Neulasta and did fine without it. I had my last round today. I also didn't have a port for my 4 treatments.
Linda
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Onehalf... For most of us, SE's were a bit different with each tx, although the general pattern was the same -- a few days of feeling really achy and exhausted (much like the flu) around days 3 to 5 (give or take a day), which makes the first week of each tx the worst. Then, barring complications (like a cold), the 2nd week you will probably feel better, and by the 3rd week you'll feel pretty good -- just in time for your next tx. Hard to say what the worst SE was for me. When you're in the midst of them, they all seem unpleasant, but definitely tolerable.
But why focus on everyone's worst SE? No way will you get them all, so why worry about ones you may never get? Just be prepared by having all the little comfort things on hand (see the thread about Getting Through Chemo that's anchored at the top of the treatment section) to treat anything that does come along, and hope for the best. Some women have very few and/or very mild SE's. Deanna
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Hi Ladies,
Well went for tx 2 on Wednesday and had that same reaction. So they stopped the Taxotere:(
On Thursday went for a base line heart scan, and yesterday had a port put in, cuz I guess that now they are going to give me AC. Not to sure what to expect but I have to tell you I was really frustrated with the whole process. My body just didn't like Taxotere, some get it and no reaction except for the SE. With AC who knows! Has anyone here heard of it or had the tx with it, I am so apprehensive, driving myself and probably my family crazy! One-half, the SE i had were the bone pain, flu symptoms and the hair loss for sure! But you can do it, no worries that is why we are all here together!
Look forward to hearing if anyone has had the AC, or if you can point me in the right direction.!
Love to you all
Linda
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Linda, Im so sorry to hear of your bad time with tax. My 2nd treatment went fine. Though I'm throughly tired, I am not in pain like I was last time. I have no experience with AC, but I want to wish you the best and hope you tolerate that better.
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The ac is alot easier to handle for me. I kept the nausea undercontrol with apoprochlorazine never threw up at all.Only major side effect was hairloss and of course lack of energy.
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Nannie - thanks for your nice thoughts. I am feeling better, finally. Don't have my full energy back, but at least I'm up and about! I hope you stay away from any viruses. My reaction to Neulasta wasn't too bad. Some bone pain and headache, but it's always hard to tell whether it's the Neulasta or the chemo. Only lasted a few days each time. The important thing for me was the Neulasta helped me have wbc's to fight the infection this last time around (Neupogen probably would have done the same - I don't really understand the difference in the drugs).
Linda - I'm so sorry about your reaction to Taxotere. Maybe you can get some advice on the AC thread of this board?
One half - I echo what Deanna said, and said so well. Be prepared, but try not to be worried. It will most likely be a few months of your life that you have some tough days, and many o.k. days, and some really good days. Use your support system as much as you feel comfortable doing. I never thought I'd allow friends to make me dinner, but once I started saying an occasional yes to the offer, I was amazed at how helpful it was and how o.k. I was with accepting it. My family would look forward to the meals on my treatment nights, and also a group of friends took turns making us dinner every Tuesday night. Best of luck to you.
Diane
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