Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
Okay Denise,
Thanks for my crying jag for the day!
What a wonderful gift YOU are to those children! They are lucky to have you!God Bless,
Lauren
0 -
Hi All,
I have a question?? I start TC with Herceptin on 12/22. Has anyone wore or had problems wearing contact lenses while receiving treatment. I just thought today that I should invest in a pair of glasses.
Thanks,
ENFENETEE
0 -
Your eyes may either tear alot or be extremely dry. Also, your vision may change back and forth. I find some days I can see well with my glasses and other days, I almost see better without them. I had my yearly eye exam during chemo and my vision showed a slight change. My eye doctor said he wouldn't change anything while I'm doing chemo. Good luck with what you decide.
0 -
One half,
I, too, teach...3rd grade....Isat down with my kids before I had my first chemo and told them about the hair, and used video game stuff to tell them how it would attack the cancer and then laser swords like for radiation. I had planned to teach and do chemo, but I had a hospital stay after the first chemo and have had trouble with my white counts each time....even with shots....so......I took a leave and will wait to return after rads.... my immune system is kinda fried and I am really anemic....so at age 58, I will go back prob. 1st of March. I have taught 32 years and it has killed me to only have had 2 wks with them.....have had an awesome sub. Can't wait to get back ....
oh, i love it that they have "scarfed you!" My room mom has fed me the whole time. She has had dinners scheduled MWF since Sept. 12....my parents from this and from last year(when I had bc the first time) have brought and brought......
Good luck to you....I just finished my last chemo on the 4th....white count went down to 1.o, so I am isolated away from "sick" people... who's not this time of year in Texas when it is 75 one day and 32 the next!!!! The kids are so resilient....they are just precious........
Hugs,
Nannie
0 -
Hi Ladies - I start TC on Tuesday. Anything I need to be doing tomorrow to be proactive to prepare for SEs? I start Decadron tomorrow night. Do I start drinking tons of water tomorrow or does it not make a difference? Should I take a stool softener before I go to bed to be proactive about that or should I just wait to see if it's a problem? I feel like I've read this board over and over again but I still feel very unprepared!!
0 -
You're right on the mark. I took a nap early evening before taking the steroids and I'm glad I did. Apfuentes, the anticipation is worse than the treatment itself. You will do just fine and we'll be holding your virtual hand the entire time. I'm sorry you have to deal with this at 34.
{{{{{{{{{{Big hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}
0 -
Apfuentes - start today with lots and lots of water and continue that tomorrow during treatment and the day after (to get rid of the Cytoxan as soon as you can flush it out of your system). Don't be surprised if the Decadron (and anticipation) leave you sleepless tomorrow, so plan something to do if you can't sleep (maybe Christmas cards or wrapping presents) rather than lay there unable to sleep and worrying. Do you have your chemo bag packed? I didn't take a stool softener before but did take one the night after tx (can't hurt you!).
Big hugs --good luck!
0 -
Brenny and ReneeS...thank you so much. What should I put in my chemo bag?? I was planning on snacks and something to do (Christmas cards), but what else do you suggest?
0 -
Oh my chemo bag.....it is all packed. First and most important were the kids pictures (the reason that I am fighting the good fight), my lucky sock monkey, hard sugarless candy, tea tree oil for my nails, udder cream that I slathered and re-slathered on my hands and feet and then put on my aloe socks and gloves for a little pampering, slippers for the bathroom breaks, a lap blanket, my movie, dvd player, ipod and earlplugs, my id and insurance cards and Visa (okay, honestly, maybe there is a gift shop somewhere in the bldg) so I didnt have to fool with a purse, water (but they had bottled water and snacks and lunch!), notepad and pen (so I could write down what I wanted to add next time), a book (in case the movie was a dud), my blackberry (duh!)....I think that was about it. Your cards are a great idea - don't forget your address list and a pen! I also use my notepad to write down anything I want to remember if you meet with your onc or the vitals folks for bloodcount, etc - funny how I remember what I want to remember.... Maybe you'll want to do your nails - it's kind of like being on a long airplane flight and stuck in your seat..... you will do fine. And btw, you have a beautiful smile!
Bren
0 -
Hi, apfuentes... Also be sure to check if your center provides ice mitts or ice for your nails. If not, you'll want to bring some along to protect your nails during the Taxotere infusion. I used a package of frozen peas.
ENFENETEE... I had a problem getting my contacts in first thing in the morning while on chemo. My eyes just did not want them -- too sore and dry. I'd also purchased several extra boxes of contacts prior to starting chemo -- just so that I could change them more frequently, to be sure to avoid any infection. But early a.m. it was almost impossible to get them in.
Denise... LOVED your heartwarming story! Thank you so much for sharing it! Like Lauren, I cried when I read it.
Since I am done with my TC, although I am still dealing with a few SE's, I think it's time to take a break from the TC board. I'll still check in occasionally to see how you're all doing and to cheer you on, and I hope to see some of you on a January rads board. I must say, after being away for a few days, it's crystal clear what a beautiful, strong group of women you all are, and I am so grateful to have shared my TC journey with you.
Merry Christmas ~ Happy Holidays ~ and don't hesitate to PM me any time. Deanna
0 -
Bren covered just about everything. I brought popsicles and I wouldn't do it again without them.
Best wishes.
Renee
0 -
Brenny - Wow I have my work cut out for me tonight. At least when I'm up all night because of the Decadron, I'll have something to do! Thanks so much for all the tips. I did buy tea tree oil and read something about bringing ice for my nails, so I'll definitely do that. That is just during the Taxotere, right? Because I'm thinking, how do I do Christmas cards with ice on my nails?! :-)
Aw, so sweet about my smile. Thank you! My parents will say they spent a good fortune on it (braces) so it better look good, haha! Well hopefully the smile will deter from my bald head...I didn't look so hot in the stocking cap when I was trying on wigs, so I started thinking I won't like my bald head at all. :-\
0 -
apfuentes,
My mom and I spent about 4 hours in the infusion center for her first tx. She was sitting on that chair during the whole time except the few min when she went to bathroom with the pump (the pump was on a wheeled stand). The nurse will start with some tutorial about chemo if you haven't taken any classes. It took about 45 min since I have to translate for my mom. Then she had her decadron via IV because we didn't have that before the tx. Followed with Taxotere, my mom had allergic reaction to it about 5 min after start, so the nurses had to stop and put two shots of whatever (I was too nervous when they mention the drug name, benadryl and something) in my mom's IV. We sat for about 30 min before it's restarted in a slower rate. You may want to bring something to entertain yourself. Perhaps a nice comfy cushion will help as well. Also a nice blanket in case you fall asleep it could be a good accessory. I spent most of my time running up and down the building to get all the med for her (it's Kaiser.... so many dept), so it wasn't that bad, but in case you have company, you may want to ask him/her/them to prepare a bit. Just my 2 cents. Have a good night and good luck for tomorrow~
0 -
dlb823 - Congrats on completing your chemo! Glad you are graduating and don't need to go for your "masters degree"
0 -
Hi Brenny & Apfuentes ~
Let me second about the water!!! I can't drink too much at any one time but carry a large sports bottle everywhere and just sip. The more I sip the better I've felt. About not sleeping - my onc said I could use Ativan if not sleeping - so after every round I have taken a little bit (1/2 tab) every evening and not had any trouble sleeping.
I am all done I hope - seeing an expert Thursday to make sure I don't need 6 rounds. Keep me in your thoughts, okay?
0 -
unique - yay on being done! You are in my thoughts and I hope on Thursday you can start working on putting this whole thing behind you.
0 -
It is interesting that some of us are on 4xTC and others are on 6xTC. Is more better?? Is less just as effective?? Don't understand -- unique -- are you seeing your same onc about perhaps doing two more or are you seeing someone else? Has anyone else had this conversation with their onc?
0 -
My onc said 4 because I'm node neg.
0 -
My onc also said 4 rounds because I'm node negative. Annie - I'm interested in hearing what Fox tells you as I see you had two positive nodes. But, if you're done - yay!!
Question - on what day do you start to lose your hair? I'm on day 11 with lunch plans etc coming up this week for the holidays. Am I going to be sitting at lunch and have my hair start to fall out?? Just curious when others started to lose..
thanks, Bobbi
0 -
Day 14 it started and by day 16...it was serious!
0 -
Hi Bobbi,
I had real long hair so before it wanted to fall out I cut it short like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby then on day16 is started to come out. I'm doing 4 rounds of TC and I go for the second tom. and the last 2 days it has been coming out really bad. I went to my hair dresser today and I'm Officially Bald and Beautiful! Gotta Roll with it!
Jerri
0 -
Ohh - thanks for the quick response. So I may make it through till Friday - that's day 14 and definitely by Sunday. I wear my hair very short so when it starts to go I'm getting it buzzed off - I've got my sweet barber on speed dial 24/7.
thanks ladies - you rock
Bobbi
0 -
bobcat ~ I'm sure you'll make through Friday. My hair started falling out on day 14 and the first I noticed was in the shower. I could feel something sliding down my back, not realizing it was clumps of hair. I never found much on the pillow case. I treated it gently through day 17 although always shampooed. I probably could have washed it less but doubt it would have mattered. I wanted to get through day 17 for my grandchildren but always had some hair on my shoulder that had to be brushed off that day. Day 18, I had it buzzed. I was told to leave 1/4 -1/2 inch to be more comfortable.
Now it's almost 6 months since last chemo and I haven't worn the wig since Thanksgiving. My hair is kind of curly. Last May, it seemed like the hardest thing but now, not so bad. Just wish you didn't have to go this route but before long it will all be behind you.
0 -
Apfuentes-
My suggestion on the stool softner.....
I would not be so quick to take it.
I am having my 3rd treatment of 4 tomorrow (Wedneday 12-17)
So far my side effects have been the same..... for me day 5-6, I had diarreha. My oncologist said do NOT take the stool softner as the diarreha will come when the decadron wears off. I followed her directions the second time and had a little easier time. Her message was by the time you get conspitation from the decadron, the side effect from the taxotere which is diarreha will take care of it. But as always check with your oncologist.
0 -
Brenny & Planktankr ~ My local onc, who I adore, said 4 rounds, as TC has only been tested with 4 rounds. He sez the only reason some do 6 is because some of the older treatments were done with 6. One of my local 2nd opinions said no reason to do 6, he just feels more comfy with 6 if you are node positive, but no scientific basis for it. I am also interested to see what Dr. Fox says about it. I had micromets in 2 of my nodes, not visible to naked eye, also not outside of the nodes, I think 1mm in size. So my node involvement, while obviously there, is on the minimal end of it.
Apfuentes ~ I didn't take any laxative until I felt things were too hard to deal with, and I think I only took one dose. By hard to deal with, I mean feeling like cement in the insides, and then a huffing and puffing session to get it out. That was 2nd Round. After my 1st Round I had an amusing and not uncomfortable phenomenon - rabbit turds. Little marbles. But then in the middle of the week, loose stuff that made me want to stay close to the porcelain! Ate bread for this.
There are a number of newbies, have we had the Decadron Taper conversation yet?
Many of us have found that a DECADRON TAPER helps keep things from crashing all at once on Day 3. By taper I mean instead of taking the last 4 tabs of the 10 given on that last day, take 2 on Day 2 and then 1 on Day 3 and 1 on Day 4. Ask your onc, we all did and got the okay to go ahead with taking it this way, altho I think the oncs think it's in our minds that it works better.
About HAIR - it starts around Day 20 I think to really fall out in earnest -
Good luck to you all on your treatments - One Half, good luck tomorrow!
0 -
Unique-
Thanks, and about the decadron taper...I will ask my oncology tomorrow.
day 4-5 I feel I crash and burn, I am wondering if this is a decadron side effect and not a Chemo side effect. My doseage is take 2 tab , twice an day starting one day before treatment. And to do this for 3 days....Day for 4-5 I just feel like zoning...I don't have an interest to really pay attention to whats on T.V. And I don't have an interest in being on the computer (which what I normally love to do) I end up just staring, thinking and taking many cat naps. Day 5, I feel fatique, but can deal with it. I still go to work, but have ALOT of sitting breaks....this I think is Chemo side effect. Then I start feeliing better on day 6 except the diarreha hits...this day I take off from work. This I feel too is Chemo related. Day 7- to next treatment I feel back to normal.
So do you think those day between 4 and 5 zoning days could be related to the decadron?
Denise
0 -
I only get the Decadron for three days. Two pills the day before, 2 the day of treatment and 2 the day after. My worst day was day 4 for fatigue.
0 -
Annie and Deanna, congrats on graduating. Hard to believe you're through already! Like will get back to normal.
Ms. Fuentes, you are asking great questions and you will be well prepared. The women on this thread will help you with stuff you haven't read about. Everyone's different, and nobody gets all the SEs, thank God!
0 -
Take a look at this. Kelly is the author of "The middle place" a great book about her experience with BC. She's very funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfpTchv15Xs&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q
Renee
0
