Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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greytmom_17 -- if they won't cover a wig, will they cover a "cranial prosthesis"? Mine had to be submitted with that language. But ACS does have really nice wigs for free, so great if you are able to find a wig bank. And I really enjoyed the Look Good Feel Better class as well (although I think the time I used to spend doing my hair has now gone to doing my makeup - and I always hated makeup!).
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I registered for the ACS class, but the first one isn't until July 13th here and I will probably by WAY bald by then. I'm actually not so good at makeup so maybe I'll learn something I can use after the hair grows back. Oh, well, looks like I will be rocking the bald look for a few weeks anyway. Thanks for the suggestions. Good luck ladies!
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My onc prescribed Dalacin*T which is a non greasy antibacterial solution for the folliculitis. It helped a lot.
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greytmom_17
I registered for the LGFG class and due to my chemo being the same day the nurse in charge of the class, offered to let me come in and she would show me everything one on one and give me my makeup kit and wig. So I did and she had a cosmetologist their too. You could ask if they would do that for you since you need it now. All they can say is no and it's worth a shot. Good Luck-Geri
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greytmom_17, Do you have the TLC catalog from ACS? It has all kinds of hats, scarves and wigs. Many of the wigs are only $45 and pretty decent. You might have to have your hair dresser do some styling but the quality is pretty good. You can find them on line at tlcdirect.org
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Nadine--congratulations on finishing! You did it! May your side effects be minimal this time.
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Dutch - if Annabelle has this recur, take her to the dermatologist. They put me on antibiotics and also I have an antibiotic foam that I use 2x a day. Had a very very servere case following my last tx on April 23 - all of May was devoted to this as it got worse and spread from all different remedies. Sometimes the oncs don't understand how to treat it and they had me using something that actually helped it spread. If what your family doc recommended is working, that's great - but keep an eye on it - I think I may have a permanent bald spot where it was really really bad - I've got hair coming in (7 weeks post chemo) all over but not that spot. You are taking fabulous care of Annabelle!
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chelev - Will do. Right now her scalp is looking better than it has for several days. Thanks for the tip. We'll keep a close eye on it.
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Nadine,
I loved your post about the nurse and the lecture she gave you. I think it's the same nurse I had for my first chemo!!! lol...she too was a piece of work. I hope I do not see her again...I'll get my 3rd of 6 T/C in a couple weeks. Hang in there!!
Madge24
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Hope everyone is doing well...seems pretty quiet here.
The swelling in my feet, ankles and hands has went down again...never seems to last long with luck it will this time. Still having severe chapping on the bottom of the feet but at least there is only tingling and no pain with the swelling gone. Over did it today decided to take the weed eater and lawnmower to our small yard...way to much for one day...looks nice, but pooped me out. Thought I was getting hip bone pain earlier today but so far its just doing a tease on me and not setting in full force, thank goodness. Doing pretty good over all, just so darn tired all of the time. Had to go back on the anxiety meds with the sleeping pills to sleep at night however and then the constant up and down to the bathroom...nothing like falling asleep on the toilet.
Was looking at my scalp and I have hairs about a half an inch long which is light in color and the others are shorter and dark. Keep using baby shampoo and no more recurrences of breakouts since I switched to baby shampoo.
Many ((HUGS)) to everyone,
Nadine
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Thank you all for sharing your experiences good and bad. I am starting TC x 4 on Thursday.
I registered for the LGFB class today (thank you for that tip) and the ACS rep said they will give e a "buddy" who has been there done that. He also said I need to check with insurance about wig first. If they will not cover or not enough of it, they will assist me.
I also contacted heavenlyhats.org and franceluxe.com. Laurie sent back the kindest email. Thanks for all these tips. I passed clean for a reason on to my sis-in-law (stage 4 uterine) as she is so wiped after extended chemo, and I only have a teeny, tiny apartment with pretty helpful hubby.
Thanks to you all I was prepared to ask nurse about the Neulasta, hoping against hope, but they have sent pre-approval to ins so may be in for that. She said in causes some discomfort managed by tylenol. I think y'all know more than her there.
She did tell me to take my Cimetedine the morning of tx.
Praying for easy week for you all. You are angels.
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Welcome Beach2read-- sorry you have to join us but these forums are a god send to us all. Ask as many questions as you can, it is such good advice--Make sure you get some anti anxiety meds in your IV or prescribed before hand. It makes all the difference in the world.
Nadine-- I am drinking water all day long-- lots and lots (3 liters or so a day) and I arrived for my chemo yesterday (2 down, 2 to go!) and I was severly dehydrated--low pulse low blood pressure!!! Can you imagine? So I had to have 2 bags of saline before I could even start the chemo. They sent me home after and told me to drink all day which I did, and like you I was up all night literally every hour. Frustrating! I came close to falling asleep on toilet too:)
I am going to Look Good Feel Better today-- I need it!
Best wishes to all of you for as good of a day as we can have under the cirsumstances
Helen
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Hello Ladies! My mother had her 2nd tx on June 5. Yesterday, the top her hands started cracking and her palms look burnt. She is having a lot of pain with it. I got her Eucerin and have been applying vaseline as well. Has any of you ever experienced this and what did you find that helped? Many Blessing to each of you and hope your SE's are mild today!
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I had that happen on my neck following my first tx. I used Lubriderm intense dry skin repair cream and it helped.
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Hello Hemen
,My friend went to a health doctor a while back and he said that most people are walking around dehydrated! That the water that we drink has so many chemicals and impurities in it , that if you look under a microscope it is like a clump of grapes and our cells and/or bodies does not absorb it. He said to drink water that has been treated by reverse osmosis. You can either get a filter in your home or buy bottled water that says on the lable-"reverse osmosis". The only bottled water I know that does that is Aquafina. If you don't have that by you then just read some labels. Maybe that will help next time. Hope all is well!--Geri
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Formymother, when I went through the chemo treatments, the heels of my feet cracked and peeled and I could hardly walk, it was so bad. I soaked my feet in every cream I could find, and there is a thing called "crack cream". It really helped a lot. And yes, drink A LOT!
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Just a followup on Annabelle's Folliculitis - severe head rash and pimples.
The combination of washing with anti-bacterial soap, applying generic Neosporin (antibiotic) creme and leaving it uncovered as much as practical has made all the difference in the world. The folliculitis is all but gone and her scalp is a nice clean skin color with just a bit of "down" or "peach fuzz". Most importantly, she's not complaining of pain and itch.
One other thing is to keep any head gear - scarfs, hats, wigs - completely clean She's been using some of my "farmer handkerchiefs" as bandana head coverings; and throws them in the wash after each use.
It's now the calm before the storm, as she starts taking the steroids again tomorrow in preparation for T/C #3 on the 11th.
This whole deal is definitely a One Day At A Time proposition!
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Hi. I've been reading posts for weeks now, and this is my first foray into it myself. The advice has been great and much appreciated. I'm at the end of day 6 after my first tx, and is some ways it hasn't been as bad as I thought it might, but my head keeps spinning around terribly. Went to the onc today for FBC, and it's nice that all is still in the normal range. Just wish I could do something about this head of mine--can't hardly turn around without almost falling over. Onc gave me something today, but thus far hasn't helped.
Also, I found out that this swollen, red, itchy patch on my arm is from a leaking of the chemo drugs--it's feeling worse. The onc did give me some cream to rub on, but it hasn't helped much either. Any advice would be appreciated, both for the arm and the head. Thanks so much.
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Well, one down three to go. I can SO do this! I know some fatigue and aches will probably set in by friday, but am planning a trip to the beach on Tuesday, so SE be dam**ed! I even had my nurse take a pic of me getting my chemo so I can post it on my Facebook page with the caption: me kicking cancer's a**!
The anticipation of today was worse than actual, so for you ladies starting later, it's totally doable. More to follow....
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Wow did I learn a hard lesson. I had told everyone no matter what, my last treatment all of the SE's could hit me because I was ready to be done. Wrong words...after my last posting severe bone pain set in the hips...thought I had willed it away and the medicines wasn't doing any good. Then to add to misery yesterday I felt like I could just curl up and die. I never felt such exhaustion, even going to the bathroom was a major chore. Full body melt downs came one after another...the hot-flashes were a welcome change because at least they would leave for a while. I told DH that nothing was working and I felt like total s**t. I have had all of the SE's this time except the mouth thrush. I couldn't sleep for two days with pain and meltdowns. I just kept saying I can do this...like I had a choice. Today is better, energy is low but a huge jump from the last two days. And I can drink without feeling like I could vomit and no heartburn. What a trip those two days were....like all of the medicines decided to take a leave of absence and not work. So glad I am on depression medicine because the moaning was even driving me nuts. I took my temp and it was normal which I was real surprised of. Hope its all going to get better now...certainly going to watch what I say from now on...I believe in mind over matter...the damn mind didn't matter this time I guess.
Hope everyone is drinking up and getting plenty of rest. Best wishes to all of my dear friends.
Nadine
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Nadine, I'm so sorry that last chemo was the one from H*LL. It's good you're feeling better. My last one was bad too. But it does get better. Some improvements you notice right away and some you just realize, I haven't had any muscle spasms for awhile and wonder when they really ended. Anyway, I'm glad you're on the up-swing however slight. Every day gets better and better. Soon, when people ask how you are and you say "pretty good", you'll really mean it.
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BorneoMom, I don't know what to tell you about the dizziness. Never had that. I did have the chemo seep out into the tissue of my hands and feet. Use the cream, don't put your arm in hot water, Yes, luke warm showers, and drink lots of water. I only had it happen once. Do you have a port or are you using your veins?
Greytmom, glad your first round was quite tolerable and hope you really enjoy the beach.
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Sure holding on to the fact it gets better. DH has been such a champ with all of this I told him we need to take a day trip to Boise tomorrow. Haven't taken a day trip that far since all of this started. Could wipe me out but will be good for him to get some things done that I know he has put on the back burner for a long while. Plus he is back to work the next day and I can just sleep if needed to recuperate from the day trip.
How blessed we are to have wonderful people in our lives to help us make this more tolerable and listen to us when we just think we can't do anymore. What a way to see the very worst side of someone thats for sure...sure has helped me see the wonderful DH I have.
Nadine
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BorneoMom,
I also had a seepage into the tissue of my arm and got a red, itchy blotch about 1/2 inch up my vein from my infusion site (where the end of the needle would hit). The itch went away in about 2 weeks after the treatment (it started itching about 5 days after) and now it is fading. So hopefully the itch will start to subside for your soon. I used an over the counter cortisone spray and that helped the itching, but if your onc has given you something hopefully that is better.
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Nadine--You hang in there, girl! Tis is the last one, and it just wants to give you something to remember. But you're stronger than those SE's, and with each passing day you'll know that to be true!
That last tx...what a lot of nerve making you go through this!
Catherine
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Firni and aoandrews43, thanks for your replies. It seems the area isn't quite as red this morning, and perhaps not quite as big, so I'll pray this cream from the dr. is working. Didn't think about hot water, so cool is the order of the day. Actually, since we live in the tropics at the moment and don't have a water heater, it is what it is, but in the evening the water is a decent temp for bathing. But I'll make sure to avoid hotter water.
No, I don't have a chemo port--might have been a good idea, especially since my veins are small. However, since my insurance is ditching me (they found a way to do it legally), our whole family is having to move back to Canada between treatments 2 & 3. A dr. here wasn't sure I could get on a plane with a chemo port, and don't know if the type they use here is the same as in Toronto, etc., so for now I don't think I have a choice about it. Just hoping and praying I don't have a repeat for tx #2.
Nadine, so sorry to hear of your troubles. Praying you'll soon put this whole thing behind you!
- Lois
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Diane,
I'll be starting that regimen later this month. My aunt was on it 3 years ago, what she did for her nails (fingers and toes) was to soak them on and off during the chemo in ice water so that is what I was going to try. The one thing about cytoxan and taxotere that is good is that it is not cardiotoxic so it won't give you heart failure or cardiomyopathy where some of them are. Hope it gets easier for you, I'm definitely not looking forward to it...Paula
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I am also starting TC next Monday...I find this thread so helpful. what can I expect the week after my first treatment? I want to go wig shopping...
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I don't know if soaking in ice water during infusion will help the chemo seepage, but it will help keep your fingernails on. And toe nails. Also use Hard as Nails. On your fingers and toes. It really does help keep your nails attached. Check with your treatment center. Some of them have ice mitts you can use. Otherwise, those clay freezer things are good and a bag of frozen peas works well also.
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TCGgal, everyone is so different in how they experience SEs and react to the tx. It does seem that the first tx is pretty mild with SEs. I felt fine for about 3 days after tx and then I felt not so good for about a week to 10 days. If you buy a wig before your hair falls out, remember it will fit differently from when you have hair to when you don't.
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