Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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kmmd - I hear ya.... I'm day 7 after the first treatment and I sort of feel like a big wuss... it seemed more difficult for me than most....working at the same time? forgettaboutit! lol. Whoever can do that... omg...kudos! They told me I was borderline anemic on tx day and then I got a monster period on day 3 so maybe that knocked me down worse than normal... Hey... maybe tx 2 will be better... I'm going with that! Happy to report I'm crawling out of the dark hole I think... but now having weird throbbing pain in my spine and butt bone... wth!
Lashon - I'm so glad you came back in here... I've been thinking about ya... I know exactly what you went through... and feel your pain.... you made the right decision... and... just to tell ya I couldn't even look at my chest until after they took the drains out.. so you are doing great....it's all very disturbing but you did it....and once you get the drains out you will feel better day by day... keep us posted and hang tough, you can get through this....
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Lashon2008
You have another person thinkiing of you.
You can do this!
xoxox
Mimi
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Great to hear from you Lashon - it will get better each day. When the drains come out it is a relief and you will heal.
hugs,
Bobbi
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Oh, Lashon! Don't even look at your chest! I didn't look for a whole week, and I still don't like how it looks. I did not do reconstruction - too complicated, too risky, too scared LOL. But I'm going to tattoo or something until I like myself again!!! But I'm not there yet, still dealing. You just have to take it one day at a time, be glad for life and no pain, okay? Do something each day that brings your spirits up a bit. Come in here, cry on our shoulders. You can do this!!! I may have to do the other boob at some point ... you can hold my hand then.
Decorate those cups you put the drain stuff in with magic markers today. Smiley faces or something. Ya gotta do something to make it fun!!! Ya gotta!!! What else ya gonna do?
XOXOXO
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Holt, the weird throbbing is typical, either from Taxotere or Neulasta, my nurse said the two companies that make those, each argues the other one causes the symptom LOL! Anyway Tylenol took care of my throbbing completely - altho I had to get the 8 hour Tylenol so the throbbing didn't wake me up at 3am when the Tylenol wore off.
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So good to hear from you Lashon, and to know the surgery is behind you!!! For now, try to look at those scars as battle scars, because you are battling the bc with everything you have, which is incredibly courageous. Without looking back at your earlier posts, I'm guessing maybe you aren't doing reconstruction right now. But there are wonderful reconstruction options for you in the future, so please keep that in mind. You'd be surprised at how nice reconstructed breasts can look when done by a good PS. Have you gotten your surgical pathology yet? Please keep us posted. We're all pulling for you!!!!!
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Sandra ~ Thanks for the info. I read on the internet inner ear is usually viral. I did see the doc yesterday just to check, as it's been a week. I prolly wasted my money going too early, heh heh, but several times I've gone too late. Meaning usually there's one appt. where they say something's prolly viral, and see if it gets better. Doing this first appt. later means you're sicker later ...
I do like Sudafed, use it for headaches I think are congestion related. Often take it with Benadryl which is an antihistamine (Suda is a decongestant). Think of the Suda as powerful and perhaps a little dangerous so usually start with the Bena alone. The Bena keeps stuff from being generated, whereas the Suda dries it up once it's already there.
I can't take Suda for recurring headaches as it causes headaches if I take it too often :@*
Well thanks for listening to all this about an issue that has nothing to do with breast cancer!!!
Altho many oncs suggest Benadryl to help with chemo SEs - it has an anti-allergenic effect.
For the drippy stuffy folks maybe add the Suda if things are getting TOO stuffy. I kind of think when you've got goop in all your nasal passages and sinuses it's a grand place for bacteria to live, maybe keep things drier there and less chance of catching something.
Has anyone tried the Phener ... whatever it is they put in the OTC cold remedies instead of Sudafed? Does it work for you? I don't think it works as well as the Sudafed.
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Oh, Sandra -
Wanted to say your hair is really getting cute!!!
For those wondering about hair, there's a whole thread going on about this subject at http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/707348?page=37
That's where I put my pix of before/during/now with regards to losing the hair and starting to get it back.
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Hi Ladies
I am so thankful for this forum that we are allowed to laugh and gripe and everyone understands. I also suffer with bad bone pain from the chemo or the shot and praying that it is better this second tx next week but the nurses told me to ask for a Rx for something strong. I tried the Aleve every 8 hours and it did not help much and I have a very high pain tolerence so I am thinking about it. The claritin deal is new to me, never heard anything like that.
Lashon, my heart goes out to you and your family and I will add you to my prayer list.
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Misty - I am not taking the Neulasta shot so I don't know from experience but many on this forum say that Claritin (not Claritin-D) helps with the bone pain. I am not sure when to begin taking it or how often you need to take them. Maybe someone with first hand experience will respond. If not, check the December 2008 thread. Good Luck!
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Hi Misty. I do get the Neulasta shot and it kills me. I tried plain Claritin the first time I had the shot. It did nothing to help with the bone pain. The second shot I ended up taking percoset. Don't like to do the narcotics tho. This last time, I tried Claritin-D, actually the Wal-mart generic, Equate. It helped a lot. They're the 24 hour caplets. I take one the day before the shot. That would be the day of chemo. Then I take one every day for about 4 days. I did have to take some Ibuprofen because there still was some achiness. But nothing like the wrenching bone pain with the first two shots. The Claritin is expensive. The generic works as well. Try either one ( D or not D) to see which one works for you. The D you have to get from the pharmacist and sign your life away. You know they want to make sure you aren't going to make meth with it. You don't need an Rx for it, just sign for it.
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Hi Group,
Firni--- thought about the claritin but I am too afraid to just try something I had the bone pain for 5 days so I think I an going to ask for a RX for something strong. I won't mind being drowsy because the steriods keep me so wired I can't sleep maybe that will cancel it out.
I am glad to see some feeling better and some still as scared as me. This group is the best therapy to me, sharing fears and stories with others in your battle does a lot for recovery in my book, The road might be long and a little bumpy along the way but to have friends at your side makes it so much easier.
Good health to all.
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Hi Ladies,
Woke up this AM and combed out fist full hair, small bald spots springing up across my scalp and the tingles are fierce today. I truly don't feel horrible just trying to decide to shave it or see how long it takes to fall out,
I have a question for the group, I had my mast 12/17 and have not seen a PS even though I did the skin sparing for recon. I keep hearing these horror stories about TE, does everyone need TE and has anyone else put off the recon until after chemo is complete. I thought your body had to be healed to go thru with chemo but it seems like a lot of ladies are getting filled and going thru chemo at the ame time. Am I the only one with a prost breast during chemo.
Good health and high spirits to all.
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Hi Misty,
My left mast with tissue expander was October 21 and I had a revision on November 11 to correct some skin necrosis. After that I had an infection at the surgery site for 3 weeks, so chemo didn't start until December 17th. I have been getting fills during chemo and both will be done at about the same time in mid-February. After that it will be 4-8 weeks before the exchange surgery and then rads. Doctors are different in their approaches and I'm sure yours is doing what will work best for your individual situation.
Take care and good luck with deciding what to do about your hair. Mine started coming out a couple of weeks after the first treatment and my husband buzzed it off on New Years Eve. It wasn't nearly as traumatic as I had thought it would be -- hats and scarves have just become my new "do".
~Bonnie
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Misty ~ I can't address your recon questions except to say I did not do recon yet, I finished chemo and am now getting ready for rads. I had a surface tumor so they did not have enough skin anyway, and I didn't want to do the tram, just too much surgery for me.
About hair, I finished chemo Dec. 18th and I now have a quarter inch. The last tx on Nov. 26 knocked out the rest of my hair, and I was quite bald for about a month, then specks of dark appeared all at once on my skull.
Here it is as of now - not bad, eh? I'm expecting some cuteness in a week or two, altho there's a bit of problem with cold, I still need a hat for warmth.
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Unique, you are such an inspiration to me and I thank you so much for your posts. I am one week away from TX #3 of 4 and really appreciate knowing more about what I can look forward to. I've already marked my calendar for when I hope to see my hair start to regrow! I haven't lost it all (yet?), but still, I'd like to have back what's now gone!!!
To all you gals that are behind me, I found the second round was soooo much easier than the first. Even the neulasta "pain" was reduced to a very brief, and very minor ache which needed nothing more than a couple of tylenol. I'm hoping that rounds #3 and #4 will be just as "tolerable"... The only "cumulative" effect my onc warned of was fatigue, and if that's the only thing that gets worse over time, and as long as I have enough energy to mark the days off the calendar, then I'm already feeling "home free"...
Sure wish there was a way to know for sure that this stuff is really working, though... Sigh. OK. Done with that downer. Shake it off... Whatever... gotta do it anyway because if it does work, then I want it!!! So bring it on, sisters, and remember, EVERYTHING's temporary... Hang in and have a great day, everyone...
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Unique.. thanks for posting ... so 2 months out pretty much and you have 1/4 inch? That doesn't seem too bad... and somewhat encouraging... what chemo regimen did u do.. TC, AC? And, did you lose your eyebrows/lashes?
Snowbird - thank you SO much for your post just now... for all of us like me who are approaching TX #2 and crossing our fingers... we thank you!
Question for everyone.... are the SE's you have pretty much the same SE's with every treatment or do new ones pop up that you didn't have with previous treatments.... just looking for things I can count on... lol
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Hi Holtbolt.
I'm doing 6 TC treatments. I've had 3 so far. I do get the "normal" SEs. Some nausea ( well controlled), fatigue, muscle aches (well controlled) ,altered tasted buds and of course my hair fell out. Each Tx SE is either the same or easier as this is going on. None of them seem to be getting worse. I do get at least one odd SE with each Tx. and each time it's different. I had some neuropathy after the first Tx. Hand/foot syndrome after the 2nd. After the 3rd Tx, I have some edema pretty much all over. Each time my Onc. just tells me to take some steroids and it goes away. My edema is almost gone now. The odd stuff seems to show up about 7 days after Tx. I don't know that you can really "count" on anything with chemo. Everyone reacts differently and everyone's tolerance is different. When do you start and how many are you doing?
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Hi Firni, Thanks...I'm glad to hear someone say that they are the "same or easier"... I am doing 4 rounds of TC ( I think.)... .... I've only done one so far... next one is on 2/10. Why are you doing 6?. My onc says we are either doing 4 or 6... that we would consider 6 if I'm doing well but she said there are no studies that say 6 is better than 4... and that 6 may very well be overtreatment... does your onc feel differently about that? Just curious.
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Hi Holtbolt: I learned on this board that some women were getting six TC. I'm scheduled for 4. When I pressed my oncologist for six, she wasn't happy since she doesn't like to prescribe off protocol and since there are not yet any studies for the six, doesn't prescribe it. But she was willing to take it to the tumor board so I'm waiting to hear. I'd rather risk overtreatment rather than undertreatment.
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My onc told me that the cardiologists are trying to get the oncologists to stop using "A". The standard treatment with TAC or AC/T or what ever is 6. The standard for TC is 4. (Apples to oranges) As a result there are no studies that show TC is as good or better than TAC. So, my onc wants me to do 6 Tx to help create some of these studies. We know it's probably over-treatment. I don't necessarily want to get more chemo than I need, but I feel somewhat obligated to the women who pioneered before me so I could have easier treatments. I want to help those coming after me. If I can help in the smallest way to get rid of heart damaging treatments, I will.
There are also some onc's that will do 6 TC if there is node involvement or micro mets in the nodes. Mine didn't bring that up as a reason to do 6 Tx's, but I did have a 2mm micro met in one node, So that makes it a little easier for me to be noble.
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Interesting... ptjen - let me know what the board says... I think alot of us are doing 4 but I wonder how many of our oncs have thrown out 6 as an alternative... the way it was put to me is... "if I'm doing well, we might go another 2 rounds" but they can't tell me for sure that another 2 are necessary... anybody else in this dilemma?0
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I'm doing 4 rounds of TC and just completed #3 this past Wednesday. SEs have been a little different each time, but fatigue seems to be cumulative. Nausea has gotten worse and neuropathy started after #2. If it gets worse in the next week or two, my chemo will be stopped after 3 treatments, so I'm hoping it stays the same or gets better. I have a diminished Achilles reflex and it is hard to step down on my heels or walk uphill. After chemo will be exchange surgery and then 33 rad treatments.
Hope everyone is having a good Superbowl Sunday. DH will watch the game and I will nap -- a good deal all around.
~Bonnie
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Hi, I haven't been there yet, but I start taxotere and cytoxan at the end of February. I'm looking to learn all I can about what to expect--whether I can still work, function as a mom, etc. I'll send you my best thoughts! Good luck!
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holtbolt - looks like we are on the same schedule. My second round of TC is also scheduled for 2/10. Glad to have someone going through this with me.
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hockeymom - hi! How did you do with round 1? I'm happy to report I feel pretty normal.. hoping to have a good week before the 10th .... hockeymom... are you from up north? I lived in Minnesota for a few years... just curious 0
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holtbolt-round #1 pretty much kicked my butt for the first week. I feel good now. My blood pressure is a little high and my hair is starting to come out. Head shaving and wig appt. scheduled for Thurs. I'm from the Chicago suburbs, treatment at Loyola.
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Oh.. you're close.. I'm in Indiana, just north of Indianapolis... yeah first week was rough for me too. No hair loss here yet but I have an appointment for my stylist to "cut and style my wigs" (never thought I'd use that phrase) on Thursday too...
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holtbolt - I am not looking forward to round#2-I had every side effect in the book after round #1. I feel like such a wimp. Sounds like things get better as we go. I am looking forward to a good week this week before I'm down and out again. I have to take my daughter shopping for a turnabout dance dress. 0
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unique~ I think the cuteness is already here, love your hair. I am starting to shed a lot in the back, minimal on top and sides *weird. I will most likely shave this week depends on how I feel after tx #2 on 2/3 I am so dreading it but I have hope since some of us on the board faired a little better after the first one.
Bkokie~ I was just curious because my ong would not even start my chemo until my mast scar had healed so I was wondering how people were doing PS and chemo at the same time, this is probably a stupid question but how do they fill them, isn't there and opening to the outside of your body somewhere or is it more like a port that they inject into, just curious because I am also scared *hitless about the recon surgery also
Good health to all.
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