Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi all,
I met with my rads doctor and learned some good information.
1. If your cancer in the lymph nodes has not gone outside the cell wall, you don't need radiation on that cite.The lymph area is best attacked by chemo since it is done through the blood system. This helps prevent the risk of lymphodema in the future to not have it radiated.
2.One reason they give radiation to the breast after surgery is because of the scar tissue. The blood doesn't penetrate the scar tissue . Blood is where the chemo does it's job so the radiation addresses the scarring problem, and insurance on the tissues in general that may have been missed or in beginning developing stages.
3. She said the doses are pretty universal and based on a lot of data etc. so I hope that is true. The machines are certainly better than a few years ago, ours here are about 2 years old.
So that is what I gathered on my first visit, and I'll let you know what I learn in the future. Love Birdsong
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bobcat...just a thought...I am going in for my fourth tx and each time, I take a cup of ice(little ice from the gas station pop machine
) and suck on it the whole time I am there. I also brush and rinse religiously with Biotene. I have not had one problem with mouth sores. Good luck to you! My journey through chemo has been pretty mild. I have a good day Thursday, crash and burn by bedtime, wake up Saturday...hey where DID Friday go?! Then I can usually get out and do a little bit on Saturday. Another crash and burn Saturday night and whoaa...it's Monday morning and I am ready to go to school! I feel a little yucky until around Wednesday. Mostly constipated and lack of appetite. Overall, I have not been overly plagued and feel pretty blessed. I am considering not doing TX 5 & 6 because I do feel so fatigued afterwards but I am concerned about the consequences of NOT doing them?! I am worried that down the road, should I have a recurrence, I will be kicking myself for not doing 5 & 6...any thoughts about this?
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Hi Bobcat,
IMy doctor would have given me 4 treatments if i had not had 2 positive nodes. The extra 2 were for the nodes. I thought the standard was 4 without nodes and 6 with. LOve Birdsong
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Hi All -
Just had my first of four on Friday and so far no SE's that are glaring. I was exhausted Friday night because of the emotional preparation and the mystery of "will I have a reaction?", "will I have a seizure?" - you know, all this stuff swirling in your head and then couldn't sleep. Thank God for atavan! Had difficulty sleeping the second night also but just had a great night's sleep last night. I went spinning on Saturday and Sunday at the Y and plan to go this morning. I know I will probably crash at some point this week but have made plans for meals and friends and family to help out. My man is out of town all week so everyone is on call
) Threegirlsmom - I am having 4 treatments because I did not have any node involvement yet but it was invasive - that's good, it means they caught it early. I would talk to your onc if you have any questions about number of treatments and why they chose 6 treatments over 4. I see you had DCIS - this is another factor - no invasion. Just ask - that's our job!! Good luck.Bobcat
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One more thing - any suggestions for constipation?? Has anyone used Miralax?? UGH!!
Bobcat
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Several women on my July thread had A/C and didn't seem to have too hard a time of it. Good luck to you. --Lani
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Hello,
I met with my oncologist today and got my treatment plan: 4 rounds Taxotere and Cytoxan.
I had mentally prepared myself into having chemo, but to sit down and hear it from the doctor, schedule my first session, and read about all the side effects made it real now. I cried while the doctor was talking to me.
I guess my biggest thing right now is the vanity issue. I have 2 beautiful wigs ready, but looking in the mirror and knowing my long hair will be gone shortly is sooo depressing. I know it's just hair, and it will grow back, but in my mind, this is just the hardest part of the whole cancer journey.
I know I will "buck up" by tomorrow, go shopping for my chemo bag and home items from the list, and fall into line, but I am having so much trouble with this step!
My hairdresser is a friend, so I plan on getting my hair cut short this week and give it to locks of love. I think the shorter the hair is, the easier it will be to lose it. Does that seem right?
Thanks for letting me have my mini melt down here! This forum is priceless!
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Hi Everyone!
I was away from the keyboard for a day or so with this abysmal cold! I got it right before my 3rd Round and never got rid of it. Then it flared up right before 4th Round and I've just been so achey and itchy and coughing and my chest sore. The Cipro helped but didn't knock it out completely. My bronchial tubes have been soooo itchy. But I guess I'll live, huh?
Symptoms - for me mostly the fluey feeling Days 3 & 4, some constipation and metal mouth Days 5-8, then some diarrhea Days 9-12, but not bad. No mouth sores. Miscellaneous annoying symptoms that varied - #1 pimples!!! low fever for 2 days #2 got a fever of 101, took antibiotic #3 bad cold, bruises #4 really horrible cold from the black lagoon, coughing and gurgling, took another antibiotic. No seizures, bad fingernails, red hands, tingling of hands or feet, nothing like that :@D
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Hi, Iktracey ~ I just thought I'd welcome you to the TC board! I know how you felt when you were talking to your onc. The reality of it can be so scary and surreal. But hang in there! Waiting to start chemo is the worst part, but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. I think it's great that you're going to donate your hair to Locks of Love. And, yes, I think it's probably easier to lose it in steps, although I know cutting it will be hard for you. But dealing with very long hair when it starts to shed would be a real pain -- both physically (I think your scalp would hurt more), as well as figuratively. And feel free to vent here as much as you need to! We all do it, and we totally understand!
Annie ~ Wow, girl, that cold has been brutal on you! Hope you'll start to feel much better very soon. Did you get your car fixed?
Well, I had my rad planning session today and got my tattoos. Due to the holidays, my trial run isn't until 12/30, and then I'll actually start on 1/6. I'm anxious to get it started and over with, but also glad to have the extra time to get really strong again after chemo, which wiped me out at the end.
DH and I are off tomorrow for Las Vegas and the NFR (rodeo), a family tradition for us. It will be great to get away and have some fun for a change!
I'll catch up with you all over the weekend. In the mean time, wishing everyone smooth tx's and minimal SE's ~ Deanna
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Hi lktracey -
Know just how you are feeling and think getting your hair cut short now is probably better too! I just slept 12 hours straight(potty breaks) and heading into day 5 after first treatment. The anticipation is the worst - last Friday night after my first treatment I looked at my SO and just said Now what? Well, between the constipation and hydration I'm ready to explode but this too will pass. My scalp is tingly although I know it's too early to lose the hair. My imagination is runnning wild!
Annie - so sorry about your cold - I do hope you feel better soon.
Deanna - woo hoo on the tats!! Have fun at the rodeo - sounds like fun. It's cold and cloudy here in the east today but the kitties are cozy and the heat is on. Have a good day all.
Bobbi
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lktracey,
Everything you are feeling is normal. Honestly, you will be better when you actually start chemo. Now you have a plan and once it commences you know you are making progress and working toward the goal of finishing chemo.
I have said before, anticipation is really the hardest hurdle for me. Fortunately, every single time things were always less to deal with than I anticipated. I try to prepare myself, and in doing so I often project the worst.
No one can predict how this will go, not even the doctors. You take it one day at a time and you deal with any issues that MAY come up, as they come up.
I started four rounds of TC October 13th. Really had very little side effects that you hear about. Never had stomach problems, never had metal mouth, never got so very tired. But, after my second tx I developed a severe reaction on my hands called glove syndrome or sometimes hand and feet. My hands turned in some areas a purplish red and began to peel. The only other bothersome thing I have had is mouth thrush that is kept under control with special mouth rinses.
My onco did not want me to continue on the TC because the taxotere could make my hands very bad, ulcerated, etc., and there is no way to predict. I was swithched to a cousin of the drug called TAXOL and now I get that in a lower dose weekly for six sessions. Today will be number two and I did fine last week.
You will hear a lot about attitude, and it is all true. No one likes to be in this club, but we have some mighty fine members and we work so well together. You can do anything and everything that you feel you can do during treatment. I have continued to walk 3.5 miles at least five times a week and I am still playing tennis. Of course all this exercise helps me deal with things too. Just listen to your body. Today I slept in and will not get my walk in because now the sun is too strong for me to be in ( I live in Florida). I have treatment this afternoon, and I guess I needed the rest.
You will be fine. You will have some ups and downs but you will be okay, really you will. Everyone here will hold your hand and get your through things, and then you will hold the hands of others. We are strong.
One more thing , the hair. It was a little easier for me because I wear my hair short. But I can tell you this, once again the anticipation is really the killer. You will be okay once it is done. It is the getting there that is tough. You will be okay, just keep remembering that.
Good luck to you and remember, you are not alone.
Caren
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On second thought, I have been inspired while writing the reply above and I am going to go for my walk right now even though it will be shorter than usual, I know it will make me stronger for treatment later.
Have a great day everyone!!!
Caren
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Hi Bobcat, Iktracey and Diane, welcome although I wish you had no reason to be here!
About Hair - I do think it must be harder when you have long hair. I have had long hair in the past and was looking at photos and going oh, oh! But it was shorter when I got diagnosed, and then I got a really short pixie cut that was adorable. Now pretty bald, a few wispies left that are MOST UNATTRACTIVE but oh well. I have put the energy into buying the greatest hats and I have a little collection.
Again, the chemo has not been too horrible, I think the worst thing has been this horrible bronchitis I have been dealing with since Halloween. It's just so uncomfortable and so much mucus and coughing. So I encourage you all to be hermits and avoid crowds if you are so inclined, maybe avoid my fate.
As you see from my sig, I should be done, but if my expert (see next week) thinks I should do two more rounds maybe I'll do that. Plus I have to check on radiation as well. Then on to Arimidex ...
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14 days after the first treatment my mom is almost free of any SE. She still has some funky taste on some food. Hair loss today (day15) .Except some mild GI uncomfy my mom has been doing well. She cooked almost everyday although she didn't eat much during day 3 - 8. I'm still very worried since my mom's lump is recurrence and triple neg. I'm hopeful and optimistic, just feel the same ups and downs everyone of you would have (my mom doesn't know exactly what she has and probably it's better to know less). Hang in there, beauties~
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Bobcat,
My only experience with miralax was for colonoscopy prep. Before going that route have you tried plumjuice, like prune juice but much more pleasant and they even have a lite version if that interests you. I find 4 ounces morning and night work great. Also dried fruit, especially apricots seem to do the trick. Of course I am fussy about the quality of apricots, so I have my daughter send me those she can buy at Trader Joes which are really great. I do not have a Trader Joes near me.
Hope you are feeling better now................also don't forget, water, water and more water...........it really helps.
Caren
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Caren -
Thanks for the plum juice tip - I did try prunes and they seemed to have helped. I also have apricots in the house. I am a crazy camel drinking all this water! Thank goodness for Poise pads. Took this whole day off to lay about, sleep, read and cuddle with the cats. Back to the grind tomorrow but it was good to have the day.
Bobbi
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Any advice for heart burn? This is so painful it goes through to my back. Apparently I made the mistake of saying (out loud) that the 2 of 6 treatments was a piece of cake. I also have a itchy rash welts any place that is warm. I now have big itchy welts on my wrists just from typing. I hate chemo!!!!!!0
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Hi Renee,
I had heartburn Tx's 2 & 3, but took GasX or Zantac and that helped. It's like teeth grinding away in your stomach, right? I also learned what not to eat during chemo, it was the salty/greasy things that tasted so good on the metal mouth :@( Fortunately I could still have a little salt as long as I stayed away from the fried.
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ReneeS...I had an itchy rash with welts on about the 7th day of my 3rd treatment. It was all over my back, neck and the back of my bald head. My onc. wanted to put me on more steroids but I talked them into letting me just try Benadryl first. I took 50 mg of Benadryl which made me sleepy but by the next morning the rash was gone. Hang in there. I didn't get the rash the next treatment. Each one is different.
L
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Hi Renee,
I had a mild rash over my back, chest, under my arms, and on my lower back. This was on day 10-12,. My onc said it could be the Taxotere, but it might also be from mild fever that I had from day 5-11. She said we willl have to wait and see if it comes back with my seconnd treatment. On her advice I tried benadryl. I took it once, and it made me really sleepy so I didn't use it again, but the rash has mostly gone away along with the fever. I am having my second treatment tomorrow so we shall see how it goes.
Mary
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ilovemykids wrote:
Thanks everyone for the information on the WBC's I go in to see the onc in about an hour. I will ask her about the shot and hopefully it will bring my counts to normal before next Tuesday. I do not want to miss my last treatment. I want to get back to my old life now! Will that ever happen? I am soooooo depressed! I cry all the time! Please tell me that this is normal. I am sick of it all. Thanks guys
Hey Renee I HATE CHEMO TOO! HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!
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Renee, ask your onc for an rx for omeprazole. It's the generic for Prilosec and works even better than the over the counter remedies for heartburn. It made a big difference for me in being able to eat.
Elizabeth and Renee, people will try to get you to be positive, but it's really OK to hate it. I hated it as you could see from some of my posts in July and August, and now that it's a fading memory I'm glad I did it. Try to find whatever you can to treat yourself nice during this hard time, whether it's shopping therapy or favorite foods or good movies. Your old life will come back soon, and you are really normal now. --Lani
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Annie - I am sending you the best get-over-your-bronchitis- vibes. I am so sorry that you are still sick. I finally am over my cold and getting back to life after my last chemo.
lktracey - I remember going to the grocery store the day I had left the onc visit when I learned I really did need chemo. I made it to the store parking lot when my best friend called. I cried on the phone with her and never made it into the store. Now, just a few months later, chemo is all done. You will get to this place before you know it. We will all help.
Ilovemykids- I am pulling for you that your WBCs rebound. I understand how much you want your normal life back. I hope everything goes well for you for next week.
Deanna - I got my radiation tatoos and will start on 1/5 - looks like we're on the same schedule. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Diane
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Thanks to all of you who responded to my melt down! Again, I will say that it just makes me feel so good to be able to have such incredible, strong women to commiserate with.
I go tomorrow morning for my PET scan, then off with the hair at 1:00. I picked out a cute little cut, so I will take a picture and make it my avatar by my name. My daughter measured and I will have the required 10 inches for the Locks of Love donation, plus enough to give me a little above the shoulder length.
My daughter's class mate died of cancer a year and a half ago (he was 8). This has been hard on her because she equates cancer with death. But, she does remember seeing him without hair, and she is glad I am able to give my hair for a good cause.
It is sad, but pretty profound that my daughter has to deal with all this at her age. I worry more about her at times than me. She is very mature for her age, intellectually, so I forget that emotionally she is still 9 and this whole thing can be quite scary.
Lauren
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Elizabeth I Love My Kids I am rooting for you! I am kinda down myself altho today the sun is out so I will take a short walk and this morning is the first day I did not have to have a coughing hacking gurgling honking up phlegm fit first thing when I woke up. A little stuffy, well a lot stuffy if you want the truth but at least everything just hung in there where it was instead of trying to drip down come up and strangle me.
It is okay to HATE CHEMO and okay to BE MISERABLE if you feel that way. If you have to go through something at least give yourself permission to feel the way you want to about it.
I was very cheerful but that all stopped about a week ago and I feel rather unhappy about everything for the moment. Am coughing right now again if you want to know! Plus I felt awful yesterday and fell asleep for a couple hours (not watching my kid on the internet - boo) and then woke up with a low fever - 99.4. Bummers. Should have prolly taken a nap the other days this week but was focused on getting stuff done! I remember Monday falling asleep at the keyboard a couple times.
Yesterday all I got done was to spend two hours on the phone chasing down all my slides and scans. I will have to visit three places to gather them all in advance of my appointment at UPenn on Thursday. If my car is still in the shop my Mom will drive me.
All I can say to make myself feel a little better is THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
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Hi All -
Been reading everyone's posts about hating chemo - of course, it's OK to hate chemo!! No one wants to go through it and all my "well" friends are so sweet telling me this will be over by Spring and I'll be feeling back to normal. I know that!! but in the meantime, we do hate chemo and they just don't know how it feels to anticipate all the SE's, and look for the right treatments, and plan your meals, and fatigue issues while working and caring for ourselves and our families, and bathroom issues, and hair issues, and immunity issues(unique - hope you are feeling better). So this is our space to share, laugh at ourselves and to complain too!! This has been a lifesaver for me. We are strong but we break down and cry too!!
Unique - I go to UPenn - who are you seeing??
Bobbi
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Hi, Bobby ~ I have appt. with Dr. Kevin Fox.
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Hi Annie -
He is my onc - you will love him. He's cute, gruff, direct and dry humor - kind of like a bull in a china shop. Ask him any and everything - he'll give you all you need from him.
good wishes, Bobbi
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Just wanted to share a little story with all of you.......
I work with Preschool/Kindergarten children. I have done this for 20 years and I love my job.
When I found out I had breast Cancer I wrote a letter to my parents explaining my medical condition and my plans.....I wanted my parents to know that I was not leaving my job. I planned on working through my treatments. I planned on being there as much as I could...not only did I plan this but I needed too, as being there would keep me feeling strong.
In the beginning I had not planned on telling the children anything. I also planned on not telling them about hair loss. But as the time came when my hair came out I soon realized that I was more stressed by trying to hide my hair loss as I could not exactly duplicate my own hair (and style).....so with the parents permission I explained to my class that "I had a sickness"...we then discussed all types of sicknesses ( following the childrens leads) right down to colds...I then explained that "with each sickness the body has to go through a process to make it self better". I told them that for me "I would lose my hair, but that it would grow back". Then we talked about how every part of the body has a special job...."eyes for seeing. ears for hearing, etc....and the hair keeps your body warm. Because I would not have hair I would need to wear hats, scarves, and wigs".....they laughed when I said wigs....one child asked me if I would wear a blue wig to school. I responded with "well, we'll have to see"
One thing I did not tell the children was that I was losing my hair because of taking a medicine....
I could to just see a parent trying to give their child cough syrup.....the vision that comes to my mind is the child covering their mouth saying " no, I don't want to lose my hair like Denise!"
So the medicine ( the truth ) I left out.........
Well all this took place almost four weeks ago.......
Today a parent walked in with arm fulls of packages...each package had a scarf or hat in it.
The parents got together and wanted to thank me for my "courage, love for the children and the care I used in explaining things to the children"......one parent said they "were all touched about how I thought about how the children would take the information and understand it "(they were impressed with my worries about the children mis-understanding the medicine effects) A parent was visiting my classroom the day I talked to the children and told all the other parents. ( Lesson here....watch what you say
)I now have over twenty hats and scarves....with from what I understand more coming in.....Yikes!
My only problem is to learn of a way of how to wear the long rectangle scarves on the head....oh well! If I don't figure it out, they will look good around the neck.
I wanted to share this with you as it really touched me, that so many could think of me. I am greatful for the warm thoughts but also a little embarrassed as I am not used ( or like) getting so much attention.
My next plan for the evening is to match a hat with the clothes in my closet.....who knows maybe I might have to go clothes shopping this weekend....what a nice change from my recent hobby of worrying about how I'm going to cover my head.
See not all bad comes with Breast Cancer...
Denise/Onehalf
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Denise, someone has just posted a link on the Hair, hair, hair, thread with great instructions for tying the rectangular scarves and a couple of them are very secure for wearing all day or when working with children.
Chris
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