Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Nadine: I am so proud of you, good luck.
JoAnn: Happy 4th to you too, so sorry you're going through this. Hope soon you can come to an agreement with your chest and don't have to shower with a towel on. Can't imagine how hard that is.
c2bhealthy: good luck, you'll find lots of good support here
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Nadine,
I started smoking again last year-after being quit for like 20 years! I had my last cig the day before my chemo started-3 weeks ago. I had bad cravings at first, but then yuck, I was so weird feeling, just the thought of the taste made me ill. Now that I feel good-especially today, I am craving, but I refuse to do it. I did go to the smoking thread-they are a good buncha girls there-lotsa support. Good luck to you-we are all on your side-YOU CAN DO IT!
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TCGGAL: Thank you for your support. I am not sure about the smoking thread. I guess I feel more comfortable here but then I know so many ladies. This thread has been my lifeline. I will continue on here for the support and to give support. I guess the smoking thread is a wait and see...like anything one step at a time.
On another note...do they have to make the pills so darn big. Cut them in half and you still choke. Looking foward to the day of less pills.
Hope everyone had a nice and safe July 4th. Hard to believe the summer is going by so fast.
Nadine
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Hope everyone who celebrates the 4th had a happy one! I went to a bbq and had a great time eating, visiting, and watching fireworks. Took a lot out of me, though. Today I'm exhausted. It's amazing how little it takes to tire me these days.
Chemo on Tuesday--3rd out of 6. Enjoying these last two days...
Jo Anne
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Back from 4th of July away with family who made me laugh a lot, perfect therapy. I had chemo #2 last Tuesday so I was not feeling so great but SE's were manageable. I've had a low-grade headache for the past few days that I didn't get the first time around. I'm drinking plenty of water and 32 oz gatorade each day. I haven't had coffee for 3 days and I'm wondering if it's the caffeine withdrawal, but think not since I only have 1 cup a day anyway. Any quick fixes for the headaches?
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DIMC....Headaches were my biggest problem as well. The first few days the gatorade seemed to help. After that I kept eating Tylenol. The only thing that helped was acupuncture for about 12 hours, then the headache came back. Going to see if my onc has any suggestions this time for round 2 tomorrow. Patti
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Patti - how did round 2 go for you yesterday? I'm sure your muddling through, hang in there, the better days aren't far off. Are you getting headaches again? Cyber hugs to you....
Diane
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DIMC: I do tend to get headaches too. I feel is from the heat that I constantly feel radiating from my head. For the first 3 days after TC I drank Gatorade with water, used Tylenol and had an ice bag on my head when I felt a headache coming and it was not to bad. Good luck!
I hope everyone has a good night and gets some rest!
Diana 0 -
hey everyone!! I had my 1ST tx a week ago today, and so far, not so bad!! The 1st 4 days, I was just flu like, very tired and queasy all day, but yesterday and today I feel good!! Just GI(and not nausea) everyday, but as long as there is a bathroom near, I am fine. I get very tired in the afternoon, but that is to be expected.
I am feeling a lot of guilt. I have a 7 month old, and have had to rely on my very supportave husband alot for the last 3 months.I finally started felling better after my surgeries and all their complications,and BAM!Chemo starts!!! I seems like I felt bad all weekend while they were here. I do as much as I can when they get home in the evenings, but I get so tired so easily. My husband hasn't complained once, and my friends tell me I am being silly,but I can't help the feelings!
Well, I am off to the hairdresser to have my hair cut short, it is long now and I think this will help me adjust, plus it is a chance to do something I would never do before, so it is kinda exciting.Thanks to everyone for letting me vent, I know Guilt is apart of the process, but it is tough part. Have a great day.
Pam
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DIMC....Second round went well although the port was somewhat uncomfortable for the blood an initial infusion...then settled down. Don't know why as I had no previous problem with it. This time I started Gatorade in the afternoon after we got home and added some sugarfree electrolytes to my water in the evening and have not had any headaches. I didn't start that until day three or four last time, so that might be making a difference. I did have some nausea yesterday so took additional anti-nausea med over and above the Emend. Today, so far, feel good. Last time days four and five were my worse, so I'll see how they go this time. I think it will be better.
PJCRN....Guilt is built into our genes, unfortunately. However, this cancer thing is out of your control, so take a deep breath and let the guilt go and embrace the love and support of your hubby, family and friends. There will be a day when you will return the same support.
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Oh Pam, what mother wouldn't feel guilty about not being able to care for their baby. It's built in. But you can only do as much as you can. A 7 month old can be pretty busy. It's obvious that your husband loves you and wants you to be able to get the rest you need to heal your body. You are blessed to have a DH that has stepped up and taken over much of your baby's care. It's good bonding for them. You can still feed your baby, rock him or her? and let baby sleep in your arms. There are plenty of opportunities for your baby to feel your love. Take this time to rest, heal and become well. You need that to be able to get back to caring for your child.
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Hi Everyone: I hope everyone is doing good today.
I got my prosthesis and new bra on Tuesday. My insurance will only pay for one of each and then no more. So far I like the prosthesis and the bra is really nice. I/we had went to anothr place a few weeks ago and the customer service really sucked...it was like basically pic something out of a catalog. This place was so wonderful and had the items in stock. They really took the time and made me feel so good about myself. The lady told me to take my baseball cap off which I did. This was one of the best places for customer service in a long while. Even though I have to buy my own bras from now on I will for sure go to Brownfields in Boise Idaho.
My feet and lower legs continue to stay swollen.
Each day I can feel an improvement over all so now I know there really is light at the end of the tunnel.
We lost one of our dogs yesterday to cancer which was very difficult. Sure glad I had the anti-depressant because since I cried so much without the drug it could have been far worse.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Nadine
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Hi Nadine. I'm so sorry about the loss of your dog. I know I cried for weeks when I lost mine to a brain tumor a few years back. They are family members.
On a brighter note, I'm glad your insurance at least paid for something. And that the bra and pros. are both comfortable. It's so important for retailers helping BC women to make us feel good about ourselves. There is enough to deal with without being treated like a non person by someone who is supposed to be helping in a very sensitive area.
It's been in the upper 90's here and I've found out that 90 degrees is my heat limit. After that, my LE hand/arm swells up and my foot swells worse. Yes the foot is still swollen. It was good for about a week. But I think the heat has a lot to do with it. So, now I watch the weather and if it's going to be over 90 I put on the sleeve and gauntlet, and the support sock over taped toes. Nothing like wearing lots of ultra tight elastic in 90+ heat. Not to mention the fact that I look like some kind of car wreck and feel like bloated road kill. I've always just loved summer, but now I'm looking forward to fall.
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Hi Everyone-
I want to thank you all for your words and thoughts of support. I am feeling MUCH better and am now on what I consider "holiday" until my 2nd tx on 7/15. After day 10, the GI SE's went away and I began to feel human again. Actually got out of the house for the 4th and even though it wiped me out for the next day, it was worth it.
Jo Anne - I hope you are doing OK after Tuesday's tx.
Nadine - I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I have 2 dogs myself and they are very much my companions. My heart goes out to you.
Pam - it is not always easy accepting help but it is what you need to do to get better - tell your DH how you feel - I am sure he understands. Maybe there is a friend or grandparent who can give him a "night off" sometime?
Patti - thanks for mentioning the gatorade - I'm going to buy some before next week's tx - I'll have to hide it from my daughter, though (or, better yet, buy her her own bottle
)My hair is starting to come out - not in clumps but I'm certainly "shedding". I got my hair cut shorter today to make things easier. I'm not sure what to expect, really - I've had chemo twice before (not TC) but never completely lost my hair either time - it just thinned out a lot. We'll see.
Thanks again, everyone. This TC thing seems doable now.
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Oh Nadine,
I am so sorry for you...losing a member of the family anytime, but now especially is difficult. I hope you can find peace in knowing she had a great life and will be waiting at the Rainbow bridge for you someday-long away....
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Nadine - I am so sorry to hear that your 'best friend' passed away...it is so hard losing a pet especially right now. I am thinking of you and you are in my prayers...
BIG Gentle HUGS
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Firni, Tcggal, O2bhealthy, Ippuni: Thank you for understanding about our dog children. Sure reminded me how life sucks sometimes.
Firni: I hope it cools off for you. I am with you thinking that fall may be better. But then that means snow and I am not ready for that yet. I want a re-wind of spring and summer so we can have an do over.
I must not be the norm...was told the darn Lasix would make me drop pounds...only lost 5 lbs. Is this why they call a doctors practice...practice???? Are we just being practiced on? Crazy how a bra and pros can make me feel so darn good. Been a long time since I felt like a woman...fake or not. Now if the hair would grow faster that would be wonderful.
Hope everyone is having a good day!
Nadine
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Onc had Annabelle skip the Neulasta shot after her 4th and last T/C a week ago. Blood test today showed extremely low WBC count, as well as everything else; so she had to have the Neupogen shot today and also will tomorrow and Sunday. Another blood test is scheduled for Monday. Arrggghhhh!
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Hi thank you for your post its helping me feel better i start chemo on the july 21 oh im scared but my life is much more important to me ...i think most of my thoughts are about loseing my hair ....hope i can find a wig .........eliz
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Nadine, sorry you are having ongoing issues. I also want to let you know you are in my thoughts since I know th apin of losing a beloved pet.
Eliz, wishing you well as you start this journey. I hope that your SEs are as minimal as mine have been so far. The big thing is staying well hydrated and using the tips from the ladies here who have gone through this before us.
Dutch, so sorry Annabelle's CBC was not good. I get Neupogen for 5 days following tx since ins will not pay for Neulasta. It's a nuisance to run back and forth but .... My onc recommended Advil or Aleve for the bone pain. I have been taking Aleve (well storebrand of it) and I have not had the back pain I had after the first round at all. She's almost there.
Hubby declared me half way done as of today since I finished my shots and do not have to go back until day prior to #3! If all is same as 1st tx, from now until then should be good.
I know without doubt that my SEs were easily managed due to the info I got here so I thank each and every one of you.
Hope you all have a decent weekend.
Hugs
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Hi Eliz- I haven't posted here in this site to much but I do read it alot. I mostly post on May chemo with the May Marvels. Iam on Taxotere and Cytoxin too. I just finished my 3rd tx. on Thursday. I read your post and I just wanted to share something.
I to was worried about loosing my hair but more worried about growing it out after I was done with my th tx. It seemed to take so long for others. To make a long story short, you can read about this on May chemo starters, my post that I just wrote today if your interested or you can Pm me if you want more information.
Anyways I've been using the Penguin Cold Caps for hair lose. The results with Taxotere and Cytoxin are really good. You use the cold caps while you are getting your infusion and 3 hours after. I have been using them and I still have my hair with this regimin. I thinned very little. Only strands come out for a few days on day 14-21. Not much more than when I a brush it. I still have the next 3 weeks plus 1 more tx to get thru so I don't want to broadcast this until I know for sure how it works when Iam done with my tx. but so far it has been working for me with great results!
If you or anyone else want more information you can read my other post on May Chemo or you can PM me. I would love to share more if you are interested. Good Luck and take care--Geri
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This is the regimen my oncologist wants me to do X 6. I think my size is why she choose 6 tx instead of 4.
I definately will do the penguin caps!
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Beach2Read - Thanks for the thoughts. Biggest pain in this one is having to make three extra trips of 30-45 minutes each way to get the shots and followup
So far, the generic "Claritin" seems to be holding the bone aches at bay, just as it did with the Neulasta What's really funny in a sad way is that each and every nurse we've mentioned the Claritin solution too, has either dispayed lack of knowledge, disbelief and/or ridicule Whatever! It works for Annabelle; and that's the bottom line.
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Dutch, sorry about the long trip. I lucked out with my onc only a few miles away. Trust me I thank the Lord every trip. It's one of the few perks of living in the Metro area. The generic Claritan and naproxen are working quite well for me also, so the medical staff can look at me strange all they want. I am not in bed with an aching back for a week and that is all that matters to me. How or why, who cares, as long as it works.
My CBC was good so I am free of the onc office until the 22nd for my pre-treatment dr visit. What to do with all that free time, hmmmm.
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It's funny how the medical establishment doesn't pay attention to the remedies we have found (such as Claritin for bone pain). The infusion nurse had convinced me that t/c doesn't produce mouth sores any more--could have fooled me--I got em. T/C #3 had me using the popsicle/ice sucking routine. Lo and behold--no mouth sores!
By the way, my mouth sores tended to be swollen taste buds on my tongue.
Chemo #3 done on Tuesday. So far doing pretty okay, but waiting to see what my hemoglobin count turns out to be.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Jo Anne
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JoAnne, I hear you. We don't say "sure and the checks in the mail.." anymore in my house we say "..TC doesn't cause that"
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I haven't had a hard time with the Taxotere or Cytoxin but that Neulasta shot put me to bed with the worse Skull/Jaw ache I have ever experienced, and this is from a girl who got kicked in the face by a horse! (Don't try vaulting on a Mustang) How does the Claritan work? Do I take it before treatment or after the shot? I am willing to try anything before the next shot. It only lasted two days, but that was to days of bad pain, that only Darvacit (sp) doubled up, could ease. Of course then I was in la la land.
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PauldingMom, I had the same kind of pain you describe during my first cycle of TC. The next time I started the Claritin the day before chemo and took one every morning for the following week. It made a huge difference. While I had a little bit of discomfort in my jaw, hands and legs, a dose of Tylenol took care of it.
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PauldingMom:I take the Claritin and the Tylenol arthritis before I go to get my shot and continue taking the Tylenol throughout the day. Diana 0
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PauldingMom - Take the Claritin - generic works just fine - starting the morning of your Neulasta shot. Then one in the evening that day; and then morning and evening of the next 4-5 days, or until the bone pain subsides.
It doesn't work for everyone, but the percentage of those for whom it does is pretty high.
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