Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Pamelajo- Thank you for the beautiful post. We all needed it
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Once again I am blown away by the strength, support, and hope each of you bring to the forum. I don't post too much, but I read everyday.
For myself, things are going well. I'm day 4 after my first treatment. I feel like I'm waiting for the Sword of Damocles to fall. So far, no SE that are too troublesome. I do feel tired and alittle irritiable - but that may be due to just the waiting! I don't regret cutting my hair early - its very liberating. I may keep ultra short hair even when this is over! DH is dealing with some health concerns of his own, so that is also adding to the stress. Its like we each are worried about and want to be there for the other, but we also have our own "stuff" to deal with. Luckily we have found some good support. I receive a lot of comfort from this site.
Best of luck to all of you!
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Tttenacious P... ohhhhhhhh my goodness!!! I was reading your post and couldn't believe it! My dh had to TIA's a few months ago...(minor strokes). I think he was just soooo worried about me and then I had to worry about him! I hope and pray you both continue to mend...
Pamelajo...enjoyed your post!
I just made all my appointments for the next couple of weeks...colonoscopy, 9/30, radiation orientation 10/2, and port removal 10/6. Sooooooooo I've been cleaning like a mad woman!!!
Hope you all have a blessed night...with minimal or NO se's!!!
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Pamelajo -- thanks for the great post.
So, this is day 2 for me after my first treatment and I can tell I'm flying high from the steroids administered yesterday. Aside from dry mouth, dry eyes, sore legs and a crampy tummy, all is well. But, this steroid buzz is out of control. I cut the grass, bathed the dogs, did lots of housework, office work, went to an appointment, worked some more and did tons of laundry. My face is nice and rosy and I can tell I'm retaining fluid. I've taken steroids for rheumatoid arthritis in the past but never via IV and nothing so powerful. When am I going to crash? I'm thinking this is related to what I've been reading here about day #4 being difficult - it must be when the anti-nausea med and the steroids are finally out of your system, and .. thud! Of course, I'm still drinking and drinking lots of fluids ...
This is a marvelous thread. You're all so kind and encouraging.
Have a wonderful night everyone
Lottie
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I think we should rent ourselves on the days we are on steroid highs to those of us crashing! That way no ones house would be messy, we'd have something to do beside bench press the cat at 3 a.m. and when we crash, someone would be right along to pick up the load!
It would be fabulous.
Lottie, my highs last about 5 days. The rosy color faded about day 3, and my tummy was pretty upset with me on day 4. After the crash, things progressively got better each day.
Keep drinking, and rest when you can. Lots of love to you 0 -
Lottie... lol at all you got done!!! I agree with Pamelajo... My steroid high would last about 3-4 days...during those days I did alot too, but then I'd crash. I agree to that you should rest when you can!
Pamelajo...luv the bench press the cat at 3 a.m. lol My animals would keep me company when I was up all by myself at night...wishing I could be sleeping like the boys!!!
Ok...gotta get off of here...Survivor is coming on in a little bit...
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I haven't been on this site in what seems like FOREVER. Lots of new names and faces for me. I finished my tax and cytox x4 about 3 months ago. The 3rd treatment was the worst, but I found out from another poster to this topic that if you handle the 1st 2 fairly OK, they push the meds a bit faster on the 3rd to see how you'll do. So a heads up to those coming up on tx 3, tell the nurse, "please take it slow". If anyone wants to chat or has a question, I'm open to anything, just be aware that I still know nothing, and the chemo brain has me a bit confused with facts and dates, but I'll do my best to give you my 2 cents if you want it (which by the way is probably only worth a 1/2 cent!)
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Bench pressing the cat at 3 a.m. LOL Pamelajo you are a riot!
Yup, here I am up since 6. I'm thinking of weed whacking today and of course doing some office work. Thanks so much for the info on how long this steroid buzz will last. I figured a few days. I slept ok last night after an ativan. So I'll crash this weekend when the weather coincidentally will get lousy.
I bought tickets to see my all time favorite perfomer Emmy Lou Harris on 10/17 ... that'll be day 4 of 2nd cycle - next tx is 10/14. I hope things go well that time around, I'd hate to miss her but I didn't want to assume I wouldn't be able to go, so I went for it. Last time I saw her I was able to be back stage and spoke to her for a moment. She and I share the same hair color and we talked about how gray was "the new blonde."
Have a great day everyone and please take care!
Lottie
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Lottie, I hope you get to go to the concert. The only advice I have to to protect yourself against infection. Crowds can create difficult situations when your immune system is so compromised and that nasty little flu bug is going around.
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Thanks Helen. That's a great point and one of the reasons why I'm working remotely until treatment is over. Otherwise I'd be traveling more than an hour each way on an Amtrak train and the a subway. Yeeek
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lottie -- gray is the new blonde, love it!! Wow you got to meet ELH? We saw her in concert and it was great. Hope you can go.
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Hi Madge24, Thanks! We saw her with Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller up in Vermont in June and I purchased the tix through Tickets for Charity & paid a little bit more. That got us first dibs at lawn seating and access to the VIP tent for food and drink. All the performers came back to the tent after the show but Emmy Lou and Buddy Miller were the most gracious and hung around the longest. I was too shy to get my pic with her, but here's one we took of her ...
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Hello All my TC friends !
Hope you are all having a great day with minimal SE' s !!
Thanks you to those of you who answered me about bloating. I am not sure if it is due to the steroids in my case since I only take them for 3 days each time. It would seem it should get better after a couple of days or does that SE stay with you for a while ?
I have another concern albeit it sounds quite selfish and superficial of me considering some who are suffering much worse SE's but for me, mentally, this is a huge issue and I really worry about it. I have gained about 7 pounds since the beginning of my tx. (done 3 have 1 to go ). Has anyone else else experienced weight gain and for those of you who are done your treatments does it go away after we are done and how long does it take ??
Any advice would be appreciated !!
Have a great day !
Marie
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Hi Everyone
I had my first T/C on Sept. 22 - the actual treatment went really well and I felt fine that day and very well until today. Only having minor aches and pains but the bloating- ugg - I have gained 6 pounds even though I am walking for exercise and not over-eating too much. I think I notice a change in the texture of my hair today but maybe it is my imagination. I, too, only took the steroids for three days so not sure why I am so bloated. The steroid high must have passed me by because my house is still a mess.
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Hi Everyone!
Today I had my first or four rounds of TC, so this has been extremely helpful to know how I might respond...I feel like this has just been another day at the zoo; other than not being able to sleep. Is it possible to be tired and pumped at the same time? I have been up since 3:45 this morning:)
Bless each and every one of you on this journey!
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I see some familiar names in here...just wanted to say that I wish I was in this group!! I share 1/3 with you...the Taxotere part!!! My "C" is Carboplatin, and I have an "H" in there (herceptin). Lottie, you make me laugh so hard!! Bench pressing your kitty at 3 a.m. !!! LOL!! Oh my gosh! So funny! I can completely relate. I "crashed and burned" on Sunday, 72 hours after taking 48 (yes forty-eight!) mg of the Decadron, plus I had the dratted IV before the Taxotere. My gosh...I have drank enough water to make my own river to swim in...the steriod buzz is crazy! I pulled up all my area rugs and got out my Hoover hard floor cleaner...cleaned all my hard wood floors. Did laundry, dusted, rearranged my closets...and, get this, I scrubbed my fridge top to bottom, took out all the drawers, everything. Hasn't been that clean since it was new in October 2008!!! LOL. I am working full time, too...I didn't cut the grass though...and didn't wash my puppies. Everyone is telling me I look better than I did before chemo...yes, it's the steriod flush,...hilarious. The crash is worse than a Mack truck. I explained what happened to me in another board. It was AWFUL and I found out on Thursday I had been prescribed way too much steriods (really). The second opinion doctor could not believe I had an IV on top of 48 mg... let's just say that on Sunday, 72 hours after my IV, the walls came down. Whoa... I have never done drugs, but I would almost venture that if there is such a thing as a "bad" steriod trip, that was pretty much it! I am back...still working...happier than anything to be here and next round of chemo will not include a Decadron IV, and a completely different dosage of steriods xoxo Hell with chemo, I say there's life after steriods!!!
. I hope if you are "crashing and burning" today, you are doing okay. I understand how it feels 
Drink lots and lots of water...pee lots and lots!!! I think that's what saved me (plus my daughter's hugs). 
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Well, Pamelajo gets the credit for the reference to bench pressing the cat at 3 a.m. She's a riot.
Hope everyone had a good day. Today was my day to crash I guess. I feel hung over, sore and tired. A friend of mine who has had way way way too much experience with cancer advises that we try to hold back on those steroid-filled days or we pay for it later.
I'll remember that next time ;-)
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Did the same thing Lottie...bless your heart.. I hope the crash doesn't last long for you. Hope all you ladies have a blessed night of sleep... ((((((((((hugs))))))))))0
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Hi all, i am 17 days out from first treatment, second one is october 1st, i know a few of us are on the same schedule. i started to lose some hair today a few strands here and there and most of my hair "down there" which i dont mind. the hair on the head was already short so i am adjusting but i did wear my wig out tonight for first time and will go to work with it on monday. the other side effects have been mild. very little nausea, still have an appetite and taste for food and no mouth dryness. a little tingling here and there but the alpha lipoic acid and L glutamine help. getting bummed that the hair falling out is a reality but hopefully i wont lose all of it but if i do, we are prepared. i took a swim today which was so nice! im sending lots of kudos out to everyone of you and hoping you all have an easy sunday and rest of week
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Hi dogsaver - I'll look around on the forums, but what are the advantages of L glutamine and alpha lipoic acid? My mouth is definately changing and I had some tingling, very mild, on day 1 and 3.
Bless every one of you who has to go to work through this. I am working remotely from home and normally would be commuting 1+ hour each way on trains and subways. I feel so lucky and wonder how I'd manage if I had to trek in and out of the city every day.
Lottie
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Be thinkin of you dogsaver, on the 1st. Thats my next treatment too.
I lost all my hair down there on Wednesday. It was more of a bummer than the hair on my head, simply because I hadn't thought about it going bye bye! Time OUT! This was NOT part of the deal!
This didn't happen the last time I took chemo. I'm wondering if my lashes and brows will fall out.
I'm hoping I start puberty soon. I want hair down there, I want to shave my legs, and I hope I grow really nice boobies this time LOL
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Wow, I missed a lot this week! For starters, Pamelajo- the post you put out earlier said so much. Here I've been feeling bad for myself and you really put it in perspective. Thank you for that.
I finished 2of 4 treatments. SEs not as bad I guess. The Claritin must have worked because the bone pain was much better, it was there, but it was tolerable this time. Mostly just knocked down couldn't really function well. I was weak and tired. I still am, but I could get out to go to my son's flag football game yesterday, and my little girl cheers today and I'll be there. My big problem was constipation. Oh yea, and really bad acid reflux!!!!!
marie11- I'm also gaining weight and bloated. It's annoying, I'm trying to ignore it for now, I'll be healthy soon enough and I'll deal with it then! I am walking when I can tho, just to try to stay as active as possible.
dogsaver- Everyone is different, but I wondered if my hair would just thin, too. We shaved it day 17 down to like a 5 O'Clock shadow. Since then, the little nubby hairs have been coming out like crazy and driving me nuts. Today we finally shaved it down to nothing at all and it feels sooo much better.
To everyone else- Hello! For some reason I am not staying very focused today, but your posts are awesome and I am really glad to be part of this thread.
Take care and have a great day!
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hi all thanks for the good wishes. the L glutamine is for healing and energy and the alpha lipoic acid is to prevent and control neuropathy. there is a thread under complementary and holistic treatment called natural girls and there is a lot of good info. as for the hair, it just started to come out a bit in strands. Im prepared with the wig and started wearing it out last night but still have 90 percent of my head hair but definately shedding. other than that the side effects have been mild, i hope they stay do able! everyone i am thinking of you
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Pamelajo ...Really Inspirering Post. Thank You
I was finally able to add a picture to my profile. I am one of those people who realy hate having my picture taken. Wanted to share my baldness with all of you along with the saying the I have in my hallway (We Create our Tomorrows by what we Dream today).
My Fourth and Final treatment was Sep 16th. Yaaaa! I am sooo looking forward to Oct 5th and returning to work. Praying that life can begin to be "normal" or some what anyway. Each treatment were very similiar with the SE. (strange shooting pains all over, watery eyes, heartburn, not sleeping and my teeth hurt) Today my eyes are water and my feet have been hurting. Go Away! So far the heartburn is holding off.
Went to Rehab. this week and they OK that I can return to the gym. Before all this started, I was enjoying water aerobics and beginning to loose some weight. Can't fit into my big cloths so I really need to get back.
My school district implemented a dress code this year and jeans are not acceptable. The school that I work in voted to have donate to BC once a month by giving $ to wear jeans on that day. I have been very blessed to have a super support team at home and at work.
Time to go take my ambian so that I can get a few hours sleep. I wake up serval times a night. Will be nice to sleep through the night some day.
Bless You All and Remember Pamelajo's Inspirering Words.
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Speaking of hair loss... One area of hair loss that I hadn't really thought about was nose hair! The hair is there for a reason--to filter out debris and allergens before we breathe it in. Many of us had frequent runny noses or sinus problems due to this.
I bought a small tube of stuff made by Allergan that you put on your upper lip that is supposed to stop the junk in the air from going into your nose. I can't remember what it was called--it's a really teeny tube that wasn't cheap. It seemed to help me, but who knows... or who nose...
Jo Anne
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Hi Ladies,
Not only nose hair, if you are unfortunate enough to loose your lashes I've been told to you really need to protect your eyes.
One week since my first treatment...the SE were not bad. Physically I seem OK, but emotionally I feel like a wreck. I feel like my moods are swinging and I don't know how many times I've wanted to or have snapped at my DH. (And he had been nothing but supportive and nice!) I'm not sure if its the chemo, or is it related to potential chemo induced menopause? I'm also getting worried about work. I work 12 hour shifts and go back on Thursday. (I'm a RN and work Thurs, Sat, and Sun.) I'm worried I won't be able to handle the long days or emotional stress. Fatigue wise I do great then seem to hit a wall - thats when I get more irritiable. I know lots of people work during chemo and I plan on it, but I am worried. (I'm also the weekend supervisor of the OR and no one likes covering that shift.) Has any one else had trouble concentrating and does it interfer with work. I heard "chemo brain" makes it hard to multitask...thats required in my job!
Guess I just need some reasurarance it will all work out.
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I went back to 10 hour days on day 5 after treatment. I handled it ok, but I was wore out when I got home. You should be ok......just rest when you can.
Legally in Indiana, your workplace has to accomodate you on a reduced work schedule or whatever you need if it causes no undo harm to their business. I work for the army, and they have been very accomodating
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I found ... and still find....the emotional se's to be an ongoing challenge
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Hey all, I haven't been on this thread for awhile. I missed you all.
Dogsaver, and Pamelajo, I will be thinking of you on the 1st. Go second treatment! At least we are that much closer to being done! I go on the 2nd. My hair is going fast. The hair, "down there" was the first to go. I was shocked because I thought that if it went at all it would be later. But nope, it was ridiculous how fast it came out. In terms of the hair on my head, I went to the barber shop where my husband gets his hair cut. It's a total good 'ol boy kinda place. I had them shave it down, and yes I shed a tear or two. I think it was at least as hard for the gal who did it as it was for me. But in the end I put on my pink, "Fight Like a Girl" hat and all was good. I am over the fuzz that is left, and am having my hubby shave it down tonight.
jenw, I am so glad you are able to go to the kids activities. My kids are in marching band, and they played pep tunes at the football game Thur. I made it through the first score of the 2nd half, and then headed home. Our team won, they were state champs last year and are undefeated so far this year, so they are pretty fun to watch. Keep on keeping on!
marielf, thank you for posting your great picture. I just changed to my picture too. Not sure I like it, but I'm owning it. Maybe next time I'll be more brave and lose the hat.
jaelsne, I hear you about the nose hair. Who knew? The dripping really gets old after awhile.
Tenacious-P, I am working full time too, well I'm supposed to be working. Shhh, don't tell! It is hard, and leaves you very little energy for anything else. I am trying to take it easy, and I do have an understanding boss. I will keep a good thought for you. I know you will be okay.
Marie, I understand what you are saying about the weight. I have worked really hard this year to lose weight, and I still have more to go. I am terrified to gain too much. So far I am holding my own, but it is taking a lot of control. I was doing really good with walking last week, but this weekend I didn't, and I can tell. I think we just have to do our best, and try to be careful as we get through this, and then work on it after. I PM'd you awhile back, just wondering if you ever saw that. I hope all is good with you.
Okay, Lottie, delaine, and everyone else, you are very much in my thoughts but I have run out of time, and I need to get back to work.
Take care, and take it easy!
Susan
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oh my gosh...so sorry Pamelajo...I saw the bench pressing kitty reference next to Lottie's name and gave her the credit. Can I blame it on the chemo/steriods? I love your reference to you nether-regions...that was my first hair loss! I was hoping that would be it...but nooooooo! The stuff on my head went next... haven't had to shave the legs for three weeks...but I had to shave the underarms!? What gives around here?
You guys are a blast in here... I had to miss my concerts that I had pre-purchased tickets for due to the need to avoid the crowds. I missed the "Waive Good-Bye" tour here in LA with NIN on the 5th, Dave Matthew's Band on the 13th and missed Wheezer on the 17th (had chemo that day!!) ~ the Doc told me to isolate the weekend of the 5th as my WBC counts were dangerously low and the "mortality" rate that came with an exposure to an infection was too high... So sad...no more concerts until I finish this whole chemo business. Can someone think of a funny for missing concerts!
I have been working full time through this, too...only days I have missed are on my chemo days (Thursdays)...I work from home on the Friday following and have only missed one other day due to the "steriod OD"... (taking a late lunch break right now!!).
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