Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
Hi Everyone,
I haven't been on my computer in a while and on the Forum. I have been busy traveling for "Girls Week End and to Baltimore to help my mother in law with her back surgery.
I could sit here all day and read your comments. Very addicting.
On Sep 16th, I will have my fourth and last TC treatment
I teach kindergarten. My fear going back to school was that I would return to school and get very sick like I usually do when going back to all the germs, and not be able to have my last treatment. My Dr. suggested that I take the first month of school off. I went into school for the Open House and for the first day to meet my class. Feeling very nervous about the germs. So far, I haven't caught any colds.
I am very fortunate I have a great team of Dr. that I can trust with my medical condition. Having the biopsy and lumpectomy was an easy decision for me. It took me 3 visits to Oncology Drs to say OK to Chemo. The team of Dr. at the Cancer Center is outstanding.
When thinking about my cancer and what was the worst part of it. I think that the unknown is what comes to my mind and how to go past that.
My answer is to live my life with a better understanding of my body and health. To value my life , family, friends, work and pets. Since the day that I announced that I have Cancer, people see me different. It still is difficult to have that label but I am learning that I can be a stronger and better person because of this whole experience.
It was New Years Eve that I married my prince and was on top of the world. I recall thinking that things have been going so well in my life and eventually something will happen. Three months after our wedding, I got Breast Cancer and a month later, my husband had kidney cancer and had his kidney removed. All in one summer! Everyone, including us, was shocked by the events. I recall my new mother-in-law who works in a hospital, tellin me that having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE will help. It wasn't always easy to keep my attitude up but I do believe it is what kept us going in the right direction in healing. Not that I don't have my moments.
My new husband & I have both fought our cancer and look forward to each day together.
I hope and pray that you all can find someone in your life who will be supportive and hold your hand through this fight for life.
0 -
DENVERDIVA....Counting the day of treatment as day one.....my worse days with all four treatments were days four and five. I did not need a Neulasta shot so I did not have to contend with those side effects. However, with the first round you don't have the accumulation of chemicals so if you tolerate the TC well, you might do really great and not have many se at all. Hopefully you will be taking Emend along with steroids the first three days. I think that is why the following two days were harder for me because the Emend and steroids were out of my system. I did not need the additional anti nausea meds (Companzine and Zofran) for the first two rounds but did need them for the third and fourth. Has your husband gone with you to your oncology appointments to hear about the potential side effects? I hope he will be with you tomorrow for treatment. Maybe if he hears from the doctors and nurses he will be more supportive. Good luck tomorrow and please let us know how it goes for you. Embrace the treatment as "magic juice" getting rid of any lingering cancer cells and think about it as a positive thing. It really helped me to sail through the treatments. Patti
0 -
Denver, every one is different so you need to be prepared for everything from "no/minor side effects" to "this is a living hell". I've had chemo 2 times (2 different breast cancers) and there is no way to predict how you will feel. Just be prepared and if necessary, speak up for yourself and what YOU need - not what others want. Chemo is much harder than surgery IMHO. The other thing is that, even if you feel well, stay away from crowds and minimize your exposure to any viruses or bacteria. The chemo kills your immune system and you have no defences to fight off disease. During my first time, I ended up in hospital because of illness. This time I protected myself much better. Good luck.
0 -
Hi Friends! Reporting in after TX 2 today. It went well. Tired tonight and oh so pale, but otherwise good. I aced my blood test - white count, red count, and platelets in normal range. Hooray! The Neulasta shot is worth it. Yasmin - how are you doing? TX2 treating you nicely? Dogsaver, we're all there with you tomorrow. Keep us posted, will you? Toni, how are you doing? We'll help you if we can, just ask if you need some answers. O2BHealthy - how did you do today? Only one more to go, you champion! Denver Diva - Oh, you are in my prayers. So is your husband. I agree with the others - he may be in a little bit of denial, or he may be stuffing anger, or it could be shock - there are lots of feelings that come with the territory. This may even be his way of shoring you up for this next challenge. But you must be you own advocate. When you need something, ASK FOR IT. Get over the fear of disappointing ANYONE. Learn this as fast as you can. This is a process, you'll figure it out. If there are folks who are offering help, TAKE IT. Have them get groceries, laundry, whatever. You will find that you have everything it takes to get through this. And KNOW that you are not failing or weak if you have side effects. Sorry for the speech but I love you from afar and want you to feel peace, even if you feel puny. Now, about that trip to visit your daughter. I do well treatment day - day one, and the day after. Day three is a tougher day. I would not want to be on a road trip at that time. You just won't know about your very own, unique side effects until you've gone through the first round. There are a lot of unknowns until you get this first treatment under your belt. And H1N1 is a legitimate concern. Campusus are indeed a worry. Even if your daughter's school has not had an outbreak, another school will be visiting for the game - the stuff is passed around easily with so many students in close quarters. The advice from others to talk to your onc is right on. Keep us inthe loop, will you? and MarieF - There is no way to imagine what you and your husband are going through. You'll get trhough this. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you both. How are you doing with your treatments? We are here for you.
Signing off for the night - Hang tough, ladies. And remember that our bodies are so amazing. Even through all of this, we will manage to repair and renew. New life is beginning for each of us. We will emerge from our cocoons as magnificent butterflies when this is over. Iron butterflies, at that. Love you all and praying for you. XO, Mary0 -
TX #3 went well, as usual, 5 hours in a chair hooked up to the drip. For #1 my SE's started on Fri after TX (day 3 counting tx)...TX #2 SE's started on Thursday...today so far only heartburn and extreme emotional mood swings...
Onc said today I am officially in chemical menopause. She prescribed Effexor XR and I am freaked out about some of the SE's but I cannot continue to live in this whacked out emotional state. My marriage is suffering and I feel like I am spiraling out of control (not that I have had any control in the last three months!) Has any else been prescribed Effexor in the past, the pharmacist and doc swears it is awesome, really helps with improving mood (in 7-10 days) and can help with hot flashes...anyone have any input to pass on?
Thank you!
0 -
Oh my gosh! You are the most amazing group of ladies ever. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts. I hadn't even thought of the H1N1 concern. I will defiantly talk to them at the doctors office, and see what they say. I know my husband and kids are struggling with denial and anger and all. Maybe the social worker at the oncologists office can help. My mom died when I was 17 after being sick for 18 mo. and I know I had those feelings too, and I am sure I took it out on her. It still hurts though. And in some ways I feel worse, because I don't know how to help them feel better. They are really a great family, and we are really close, which maybe makes this all the harder. My husband can't go with me tomorrow, I have a good friend going and I know I will be okay. He hasn't been able to go to the oncologists and I tried to show him the papers they gave me from the chemo class, but we were busy, and it didn't work out. He may have looked at them on his own. He is really worried about costs because we have to pay 20% of the chemo up to $2000.00 which means the first 2 treatments, so soon. I bought a couple of hats, and all he could say was "How much did you spend?", which isn't the norm, but he is stressed. My oldest wrecked my car before she left for college, and it needed major repairs, and then today it didn't pass emissions. Sometimes, when it rains it pours.
You are all my heroes, and I know that I will make the best decisions for me. I have been hiding items that I got to help get through (just a few things from the basic list) and I am going to get that stuff out, and put together my "chemo kit" and just deal. I know when they see that I am okay they will be better.
Thank you all for your positive words and support, knowing that you are all out there makes this so much easier.
Susan
0 -
Oh, one more thing. Has anyone started their period within the first few days after a treatment? I am due on Sun. or Mon. and I wonder if it will be pretty much normal, or if it will be off. I started my period a couple of days after surgery while I was still in the hospital too. I just can't get away from the damn thing!
Any thoughts on this would be welcome.
Susan
0 -
Ironically I got my period the exact day a procedure was being done. The day of each surgery, day of radiation tube placement, and just got it in time to start chemo tomorrow. Lucky me. Well I'm glad not pregnant that's for sure. Since I had to stop my estrogen contain birth control, the other methods just aren't as reliable so the period is actually a blessing. Anyone get bad headache the day of starting the steroid? I have a rager right now? Best remedy? Will it go away? Ugh!
0 -
Denver Diva, will echo what the others said on crowds, and hrf hit the nail on the head with her advice. Yes, periods with every chemo until went into chempause at the end. Our insurance had large co-pays with chemo also. Taxotere was 10,000 for each infusion, so with a high co-pay we went over our catastrophic out of pocket limit very quickly. DH was stressed also. Don't hesitate to talk to the social worker about finances. Stick up for yourself, now and after treatment. Prepare them now for the fact that even after the infusions are over it will take you months to recuperate. It may sound crazy to be thinking of it right now, and sorry for others if it is TMI, but find time for you and DH alone and for maintaining some sex life as much as possible. They're scared and need a connection too. Help with feelings and support through social workers is a good idea, but I think men sometimes just need the up close reassurance and time when they are what all your attention is on.
Cancer affects the whole family. DD may be disappointed if you don't make it, but then again, she's old enough to understand the seriousness of this and as hard as it is, you'll all be making sacrifices and affected by it. Maybe its not good for them to think normal life can continue and you'll keep giving in to it. If you're lucky with SE's that would be wonderful. But, this is the time to be a little selfish and make sure you're getting what you need to nourish your body, mind, and well being through this time so you can be healthy in the long run.
0 -
Thank you Dogsaver, and KMMD, I am going to take care of me, and they will get on board. I will talk to the social worker, and see if DH will too. I have a good friend how is a therapist for my insurance company and knows my younger daughter well, and I think she is going to do a bit of informal talking with her. It will be okay! Women are made of iron you know!
Of course I started my period first thing this morning,GRRRRRRRR! No it is a blessing, I'm not pregnant and my body is mostly functioning like it should, just inconvenient timing.
Okay, I am on my way....
Susan
0 -
Good morning everyone, lots of Kudos to all of you for engaging and sharing, getting ready to take the dogs out for walk with hubby and eat a hearty breakfast then put the battle helmet on and charge in to my first TC treatment, let's hope all goes well, will keep posted and sendinggreat thoughts to those at the front lines already
I'm just glad I feel better today. Had a raging headache fron steroids yesterday. Benedryl and ambien helped me sleep it off. Love to you all and iill write in later thanks for you all!!0 -
Michelle - At check-in yesterday, my blood pressure was up. The onc said this is a classic side effect of steriods. So it stands to reason that steriods might also be causing your headache. Hope it goes away soon. And sorry about the hormone upheaval - sounds crummy. Just hold on tight to your rollercoaster handlebar, this is part of the ride. You can do it. This, too, in time shall pass. You aren't a bad person for having these SEs, this is just how we are hard-wired as women. Wonderful women at that. You're almost done, you can do it. By the way, exercise has been of help for me. Even when I feel crummy and weak. It chases the blues away, makes me feel like a human being again. Take care. XO, Mary
0 -
Good morning everyone, lots of Kudos to all of you for engaging and sharing, getting ready to take the dogs out for walk with hubby and eat a hearty breakfast then put the battle helmet on and charge in to my first TC treatment, let's hope all goes well, will keep posted and sendinggreat thoughts to those at the front lines already
I'm just glad I feel better today. Had a raging headache fron steroids yesterday. Benedryl and ambien helped me sleep it off. Love to you all and iill write in later thanks for you all!!0 -
Hello Ladies
Can I join? I am new to this site but have been on one very similar(Hi Toni & Susan). I am 44 year dx on 6/12 had R masec. on 7/28 with recon. (great results) and no problems with surgery. Our family had one rotten summmer. My husband is a quadrapalegic and I am the only caretaker. On July 2 he went into renal failure and spent 18 days in the hospital. Four of them in ICU. I spent 15 hours a day with him and my best friend stayed while I went home to sleep. He go out 5 days before my surgery. My best friend learn how to care for him and is doing until i can. I start my chemo tomorrow. 4X CT and neulesta shot on Sun. I have read pages and pages on info and this site is worth more then any money in the world. All of you are inspirations and will get though this. I have a son who is 16 and my daughter is 15. I have been totally honest with them and seen to be ok. My family support and friends is TERRIFIC. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sharing. I will keep everyone informed and hopefully help someone along the way
Take Care-THINK POSITIVE
Chat with you soon
0 -
((((Positiveme))))
0 -
Shame on me Ladies !
First I am so very proud of each and everyone of you that had your txs this week. (hello susan and positiveme) well, proud of all of you that have had any treatment of any kind. I just knew so many of us were starting again this very week.
Michelle_ posted you earlier sweetheart. Thinking and praying for you. Again, I am hopeful for the Effexor miracle for you that it gave to my friend. I more to go - you are a hero!
Miss Susan - so nice to see you. TX today so I hope you feel us all there w/ you. Your hubby is definetely stressed but Im afraid for right now Im going to put him on my thought list and then just say ...YOU are very important right now. Everyone is right, I know its hard but you have to be careful in crowds, you dont know how you are going to feel even. Bacteria and infection are at the top of the issues. You have to be #1 for you to be there for them as a wife, mohther, friend and especially for you. WE have been thru ALOT. Each and everyone of us. If I ramble or if I am a little bold I do apologize (Ativan !) and I do feel sorry for him and your family but along the way they knew how hard this was going to be for you - and them. Take Care my dear.
dogsaver - you go today too ! Be thinking of you.
Magob - you and Michelle did it again. Hope your days to come will be very well.
Everyone I forgot or didnt mention I am very sorry. Love and Hugs to you all and I send positive thoughts and prayers to you.
My first TX was yesterday. Had terrible hearburn arounf 12:00am and legs a little weak. I was starving ! Ate a protein bar, took a pepsid and sat up in bed more. Doing OK today, just exhausted from so many family and friends care and well wishes to me today . It wore me out !! Had neulasta shot right after Tx. I am having Tx in hospital and not clinic (cheaper for me) and it is posh! My own private room,bed, flat screen TV, room service lunch before TX, recliner for DH and own potty. Takes a little longer for infusion but if I gotta do it may as well relax for the day, watcha movie, ect.
So many gentle hugs to you all,
Toni
0 -
Just got home from first treatment. blood work looked great, blood pressure was up but i run high anyways. took blood pressure meds and xanax. I packed an overnight bag for hospital and brought advanced directives. luckily didnt need either. hope for the best, prepare for whatever! i drank lots of water and had pudding and yogurt. no bad reactions. a bit tired. they say some side effects could creep up in a few days. hope everyone doing well and you breeze through tx too
0 -
Toni - you get a blue star in the book next to your name today. Sounds like you did TX 1 up in style! Love your good attitude - it is serving you well. Michelle, Dogsaver - How are you doing? Day 2 was kind and gentle for me. Drove myself to get my Nuelasta shot - it was a nice sunny day. Love being independent enough to get out on my own. Went to a meeting after that - good to be out. Steriods making my back feel oh so good. Just starting to run out of pep. Round two is less scarey - it's all about managing SE's now. To all of the TX 1 ladies - try to keep a journal every day. What medecine you take, what helps, what does not. It will be helpful for your next treatment. If you get a foggy head like some of us do, you will not remember all of this later. It may even help to write down your mood. Positive Me - Glad to know you. Will be thtinking about you tomorrow. Drink lots of water! XO, Mary
0 -
Hey all you T/C babes, I posted, took a nap, and now I am ready to post again. I appreciate all of you so much!
I made it through treatment number 1, and it went well. Weird taste in my mouth, weird sensation in my reconstructed breasts, which have almost no sensation ever, hmmm? But over all not bad. My friend who took me and I went out to lunch after, and that was nice. I found out that one of the onc nurses has a daughter in the marching band at my daughters school, and she is going up for the thing on Saturday. They all said if I feel good enough I can go, just take it easy. They said my numbers won't have started to drop yet, so I should be okay as long as I wash hands a lot, and use hand sanitizer. The nurse who is going said she would find me and make sure I was okay. I'm leaning towards going if I feel good, I can sleep in the car, and we can leave early if I poop out.
I am drinking my water! Thank you and welcome Mary! I hope that your SE's subside soon.
Oh and one other thing, I started my period first thing this morning. Seriously!!!! Well maybe it will be my last one. I guess I should tell it goodbye.
Hugs to all,
Susan
0 -
I have my 1st taxotere/cytoxan tx of 4 on 9/17. Am very anxious about it but have learned so much from this thread. I appreciate all the info about se's and possible tx and feel much more prepared. Hope I will do as well as some of you with my 1st - but have to admit I'm scared to death. Go to look for wigs tomorrow so hopefully that will not be so depressing but I really dread it! Work full time in hospital as dept.director so I hope to continue working and am worried about that as well.
0 -
Torona -- Don't be scared, they will take good care of you. I was also very scared, but they gave me a bed, my own bathroom, a sandwich and pudding and juice, and I worked the crosswords like crazy and read gossipy magazines to distract me. By my last one, I didn't even notice when they started treatment! I had 6 infusions total. So don't worry, you will be okay!!! You can do it. Be sure and drink water during infusion and after, that's what everyone tells you.
I will keep you all in my prayers. Hugs all around!
0 -
Magob - yes it sure was oddly comfortable. So glad yesterday went well. All day I hope, was thinking of you.I try to be upbeat and I can be a little sassy so look out !
Susan - I had a firend had a nurse tell her that when she felt the Taxotere going in (especially Taxotere) she felt it was attacking those unwanted cells. Especially if we felt it in the breast area. So, my friend just smiles and thinks of that now. She knows in her heart its working she says ! Neat huh? Dont know if true but it sure calmed her and put her at ease. Hey - who knows right ?
Will be thinking of all you new ladies and Im sorry if I forgot anyone. Didnt sleep well. No SE's but didnt sleep. Although that 3rd day is a doozy I hear so thats tomorrow. If I drink anymore water Im gonna float away.
Maybe they wont be able to find me for my next TX, HUH?
((HUGS))
Toni
0 -
Hello All
I am going in a few hours for my first tx so i thought i would catch up on everyone and hopefully post when I am home.
Toni, Susan & dogsaver-I am happy the first tx was not to eventful and it seems the se's are doable. Thank you so much for sharing it makes this alittle less scary. Just a note- my period was 1 week late and I got it this morning maybe it is stress induced. Just a thought
Magob- I am concerned about the pain and burning they say the neulesta shot can give How much did it hurt?
I was wonder if anyone on this site had isolated tumor cells in their lymph nodes? I did and was wonder if anyone got information different than me
Hello Torona- Glad you can join and share info.
Well let me get back to work clean off my desk. I will be thinking of all of you and taking your strength with me
THINK POSITIVE
chat with you soon
0 -
Welcome Torona. Just you wait and see - you CAN do this. And we're all here for you. Denver Diva, it sounds like everything is just falling right in to place for you. I luh-hove that your nurse is going to be on the lookout for you this weekend! It has happened for me that way so far, too. Ladies, have faith. Everything we need will arrive right on time - not early, NEVER late, and just enough. Rest in this wonderful truth during treatment. Madge24 - You are a champ! Sounds like you are doing well. PositiveMe - the Neulasta shot has not been a big deal. My nurse takes it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before I arrive, so it burns less. No discomfort. Hey, we've gone through surgeries, IVs, and ports. You can do the Neulasta shot - piece of cake. And claritin does help to ease bone discomfort. Gma Toni - you go, girl. You're going to do well with your treatments. The restless sleep in the first few days can be from the steroids. Don't worry too much about crashing - the bod has to renew. Just put yourself into a soft cocoon and rest.
How about you other ladies? What have you been up to? Hope you have been having good days. Yasmin - are the SEs easier this time? Have you been going to work? Michelle, how are you doing? Hope you will have a nice weekend.
And we gotta have some period talk. Seriously. I started mine the day of my lumpectomy. Also started the first day of chemo. This cannot be a coincidence for so many of us. I'd like to think it's a sign that we are women - no matter what is cut away or put into our bodies. I also believe that what is taken away in this process WILL be restored double. Been thinking that estrogen will be on its way out. But something, I don't know what to call it, will replace that part of me. We will shine no matter what. Perserverence, friends. Good days ahead for all of us.
0 -
Hi everyone! Glad to hear all is well with most! To all who just had #1 treatment- Yipee! One down! My SE started after my Neulesta shot on day 2, then were at there worst on days 3 and 4. I had trouble getting thru them, but I think I tried too hard to keep going, when I really should have just rested. That's what I ended up doing anyhow, so why fight it!? Now I'm on day 11 and feeling really well besides a chest cold that's scaring me! We are watching close that it doesn't turn into Pneumonia . I work in an elementary school, so if I can't handle it, I won't be able to work, and that would kill me! Also, still waiting for my hair to fall out. I'm so anxious about it- everyday I wonder if it'll start today........ugggghhhhhh!
positiveme- My neulesta shot was the worst thing for me, but I didn't prepare for it. I didn't realize I should take anything before it. Next time it'll be pain killers all the way! Also, I keep reading that Claritin works with that- does anyone know why? It doesn't seem related, but maybe there is something I don't know about that? Anyhow, good luck with it!
Torona- Welcome! The wig shopping for me was depressing, wanted to be excited and have fun with it, but I still struggled- it just made me sad to be doing it. The lady in the wig shop helped me a lot and explained the benefits of real hair and the benefits of synthetic (went with synthetic in the end). I had my sister and good friend with me, then went to lunch and ate more than I should- that cheered me up! Good luck to you!
You are all so incredible and strong- I can't imagine going through this without all your words and wisdom!!!! Its great to not be alone in all of this.
0 -
Sorry - forgot about a few of you. Dogsaver, it sounds like you did a great job with TX1. You are going to do pretty darned well. Keep us posted. PositiveMe, I did have isolated cells in the first lymph node. Went ahead and had the other nodes removed, 7 in all. None of the others had any of the cells in them. There is new information, brand new, on this subject. If you go to the search engine on this site, you will find good articles and good dialogue on the subject. Since my oncotype score was just barely in the midrange - 20 , with a 13% chance of recurrence, this new information helped reconfirm that chemo was the right decision for me. The new information out suggests that even with micro traces, the node should be considered positive. I have opted to wipe out any and all renegade cells with chemo.
0 -
Hi ladies, just checking in. Welcome to the new members of our club, and HI to all you "old timers". All is well 4 weeks after last treatment. My hair is almost filled in enough to cover my head and it's about 1/2 inch long where I have hair. It grows insanely fast, so I'm hoping to lose the scarves by the end of the month. My students are awesome - they comment on how cute my scarves are, and one girl commented on how many different ones I have. I am still a bit more tired than normal, but think that's because my classroom still doesn't have AC - been out for over 3 weeks - and it's miserable. Anyone else suffer from swollen feet? I stand up all day, and never had this happen before. Can't tell if it's the chemo or the heat. Suggestions?
Good luck to everyone still in treatment. It really does get better!
0 -
positiveme - You will be fine I know it. Keep drinking water, lots and lots and I have been swishing my mouth out since tx w/ 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 baking powder in about 20-24oz water to ward away mouth sores. The mouth gets very dry from the taxotere (Cytoxan?)(which one) Anyhoo we are all there w/you.
greytmom- you are doing so good and you are so pretty ! grow hair grow! I did read somewhere about swollen feet. Sounds mabe from being on your feet and it being hot but just in case, drink, drink, drink H2O ! Prop feet up when you can.
Magob - Hello!
Everyone I missed Sorry - Kinda in and out on day 3 today post TX ! Thinking of each and everyone of you and hoping SE's are all tolerable and you can kick their butts ! My husband wants me to watcha movie and relax so better go.
((HUGS))
Toni
PS Tylenol , pn pills, claritin have all been used for bone pn from neulasta. I took a 5/500 vicodin and a .5 lorazepam.
0 -
Hello Ladies
I made it!!! The only problem was having to get stuck 3 times. The one in the hand really hurt. I will not let that happen again. No problem during treatment. When finished just alittle foggy and slight headache. Resting on the couch and drinking, drinking & drinking (water that is). My daughter is with me any just being terrific. Tomorrow is another day. THINKING POSITIVE.
Have a good night.
chat with you soon
0 -
Goodmorning All !
positiveme - Hi again. Again, hope today brings you peace and relaxation. Drink drink drink, girl. Take Care.
Just hello to all you sweet gals and lets wish for a beautiful sweet breeze today that blows thru our hair. AAhhhh... isnt that nice. Best day ever today to you all !
((Hugs))
Toni
0
