Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
Hello Ladies
I got out of the hospital Sun. night and was back to work Mon. morning. Things didn't go as well as planned. Had to leave after a few hours. Stayed home tues. and back ever since. I saw my PS and he said the drain has to stay in until next week and no surgery for 6 months due to the staph infection. Really not what i wanted to hear but things could be worse. I am thankful we caught it early and everything is ok now.
jaelsne- Thanks for the post. It is nice to know I am not alone. I will have the expander put back in but not until March. Hopefully the inplants will be put in in May. Ready for the summer.
marielf- Hope all is well with you. I saw my onc. yesterday and he said ok for chemo on Thrus. the 8th. That will be my second tx.
arnie-My onc. highly recommends a colonoscopy. He said there is a high correlation between early stage bc and colon cancer in young women. I will be getting one early next year.
dogsaver- Good luck with tx. I will keep youin my positive thoughts. Sorry to hear about the steroids.
Keeping all of you in my prayers and thoughts
THINK POSITIVE
Catheirne
0 -
I'm in Mass in the Merrimack Valley. When I was first diagnosed I got lots of pressure from friends and family to see doctors in Boston. I chose to stay local and I'm very happy I did.
I have my tx at my oncologist's office, 5 minutes away. It's very comfortable and the care is great. My onc has a reputation for being a little surly, but, I like him emmensely and I can tell he knows his stuff. My surgeon is local too, a great woman, a general surgeon ... she was the 1st doctor I saw after discovering the lump and she really went above and beyond the call of duty for me. If you're in the Merrimack Valley and need to see a surgeon (I hope you don't!), send me a message and I'll give you her name.
Best wishes
0 -
I'm ok w/ the loss of my hair --my scalp hurts much less w/o hair bending every which way and I now the whole stress about wondering when it would start coming out in clumps is gone. But, now that the hair is gone, I've found something else to obsess about -- lol -- my skin, which was always sensitive anyway, looks awful. Especially on my face -- blotchy redness -- like it is very "angry" -- I have some Eurcerin "calming" cream I'm going to try.
Best to everyone!
Lottie
0 -
Hi all,
Day 12 post tx #1 and I still have my hair. Any chance it won't fall out? SE were OK. The most distressing is the emotional roller coaster that I seem to be on. I mentioned the Claritin trick to my chemo nurse and she said that studies are being done so that may become a "medically" sound treatment in the future. Meanwhile I'm glad to have learned about it (haven't had to use it yet).
Positiveme and Jaelnse; So sorry you had to deal with infections and expander removal. Monday I popped into my ps office just to be reassured that everything looked OK. I hadn't hear of a correlation between bcand colon ca. What's concidered a young woman?
My thoughts and best wishes are with all of you.
0 -
Hi Lottie -- I found the chemo really dried out the skin on my face (to the point of flaking and scaling) but switching to Eucerin has made a world of difference! After a few days the skin is soft again and scales/flakes are gone... so hope that will also be the result you get.
Re: Wigs... I love mine. It looks better than my real hair ever did, clothes look great, and I wear a wig cap under it so it doesn't itch. Just my two cents. I think it's whatever you feel comfortable with -- I'm not a hat/scarf person, never have been, so for me that would be more annoying. That said, I do often feel like the feeling of wearing the wig is a lot like the feeling of wearing a hat.
Cheers,
Lilah
0 -
Reporting in on day 4 of treatment 3. So far, same SEs, just a little more intense. Very tired after this tx. Steriod weight gain was wild this time - gained 5 lbs with pre-tx steriods, then lost 7 lbs the day after. All over the place. Foggy head. The last 2 tx did not really make me feel bad until days 3 and 4. This time, it happened earlier. by the end of day 2, I was out of it. Was in bed almost all day yesterday. Seem to be pulling out of it now. Those of you who are trying work after treataments may want to give yourselves a little more downtime as treatments progress. Hope to submit a perkier post next time. Take care, ladies. Mary
0 -
hello everyone thanks for the positive wishes for treatment yesterday and to all who have had recent treatments i hope you are recovering okay. treatment 2 yesterday went pretty good, they wanted to speed up the taxotere since i tolerated it well last time but i made them go the same pace. why ruin a good rythym. i certainly didnt have plans the rest of the day. they said my blood counts were good, over 20000 so didnt need neulasta. i told them i couldnt tolerate the steroids so we are down to one a day versus 12. today feeling tired and a bit more nausea but much better than the steroid jitters and dont feel like my blood pressure going to kill me. got the head shaved today, i look better than brittney spears but not as good as the lady from star wars. i think if i had a bit of color via some self tanner, i would look better. sure feels better. im definately a wig person and i too like my wigs better than i liked my real hair. please everyone have a relaxing weekend with minimal SEs. and thanks again for all the support to each other. oh, and about the skin, i use aquafor all over now. first just started with radiation and lumpectomy spot now i use it on face body and now head
0 -
Hi Ladies - hereditary bc FORCE pioneer needs our votes:
The Jewish Community Hero Award honors those making strides to repair the world, starting in their own communities. Our very own Sue Friedman, founder of FORCE, has been nominated as a Jewish Hero. One hero will have a chance to win up to $25,000 in funding for their project. However, simply making it into the finals will help us raise much needed awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in this very important community. Please vote between now and October 8th to help make this happen AND to thank Sue for creating the FORCE community for us and our families.
So, VOTE, forward to a friend, post to your facebook page... help get the word out. You may vote from each email address once per day.
http://www.jewishcommunityheroes.org/nominees/profile/sue-friedman/
0 -
Hi Lottie--I'm in Massachusetts too. What hospital are you being treated at?
Lorrie
0 -
Hi Lorrie, I go to Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology in Haverhill. You?
0 -
Hi Lilah and everyone - now, on top of the dry skin on my face, I have a giant dry red/purple blotch, looks like a thumbprint, on my forehead. I'm going to a Look Good Feel Good workshop this afternoon - perfect timing!
Otherwise, by the way, I think I've tolerated the 1st tx pretty well. Like most, I was ramped up on steroids the 1st few days. Then I crashed the 1st weekend and experienced a little nausea. I took Miralax at the 1st sign of constipation and then had the opposite for 3 or 4 days. End of the week last week was fine, exhaustion on Saturday, lots of energy yesterday and today looks good. Next tx is 10/14. Once I buzzed my hair off last Wednesday my painful scalp got much better and the itchiness disappeared. I think I still have a full head of hair even tho it's on 1/16" long. The constant side effect, all through this, has been dry mouth, chapped lips ... I'm still drinking tons of fluids.
Good luck to everyone this week
Lottie
0 -
Hi Lottie--
I go to Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology in Concord. Wow, what a small world! I love my oncologist, he is the best!
Remember to drink 3 quarts of water a day!
Lorrie
0 -
Lottie - you will love the LGFB program - I did it right at the beginning of my chemo and it was such a morale booster. Anyone should check out www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org and find a program in their community. Helps with skin care issues, how to put your brows back on when they fall out (not exactly like I wrote that!), what do to with headwraps, etc. Really nice goody bags too and it's free!!
Lottie, try Claritan for pain - it helped for both chemo and neulasta shot bone pain. We don't know why it works, but it does.
Remember ladies, do not use scrubs or harsh cleansers during chemo - your skin is different as the skin cells turnover, and you don't want to risk an infection. No body scrubs either. Take it gently and treat it like baby skin until you are finished. Same for the nails - if you get pedis /manis, make sure they do not clip cuticles or use any scraping tools - tell them you are in chemo treatment and to be very gentle. you don't want rips or tears on your skin that can become infected - your tolerance for infection is very low!!
Good luck and you can do this!
0 -
Hello Everyone!
I am now on day 13 of round 2! #2 hit me quite a bit harder and faster than the first round did. I am wondering what round #3 will bring???
Re : wigs vs hats and scarves. I did the wig thing for over 2 weeks once I lost my hair. I liked the look, but couldn't take the itch and uncomfortable feeling it gave my head. So this past weekend I switched to scarves and hats and feel very good. To me the scarves feel so good I almost forget I have them on. Today was the first day to wear them to the school I work at,and I have had lots of looks and a couple pirate comments, but nothing too crazy, and kids don't mean any harm, it's just different for them to see. Now that I have made the change, I'm very glad that I did.
dogsaver- I'm glad you didn't let them speed up your taxotere. They sped mine up and it caused all kinds of crazy things until they slowed it way down--- then it took FOREVER to finish the bad because it was going very very slow. Also good idea on the aquaphore for the head, my scalp gets so dry!
Tenacious_P- I remember thinking the same thing on day 15 about my hair maybe staying put. On day 16 it started coming out. Trust me, the worst part is the not knowing, once it is done you will feel much better about it. Good Luck!!!
Positiveme- I am sorry to hear of all your troubles. I hope things start getting easier for you.
I had not heard that early stage BC and colon cancer are connected. That is not good news. I DREAD a colonoscopy.
Everyone else- I hope you are all doing well!
Take care!!!!!
0 -
I'm having a good week & feel great on day #18 since tx #1. No side effects at all - but that will all change on Thurs. with my #2 tx. Hair started coming out over weekend so got is buzzed off today and wore my wig to work. Everyone loved it and most couldn't tell it is so much like my own. I really laughed when I saw my bald head! Wasn't really what I expected - much easier than I anticipated! Glad that one is over! Hope all of you are doing much better!
0 -
Hello Ladies
Just reporting in. Thrus. is my second tx and not looking forward to it but after it I will be half way done. I got my drain removed yesterday and feel great. I am just starting to feel good and #2 is on the way. Oh well just have to get through it. Hope everone is feeling well.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
0 -
I'm with you Catherine since this will be my chemo day, too! I'll be thinking about you and I'm so hoping mine is better than the 1st. At least, I know now that I did come out of the "funk" and feel good again....even if it is only a week.Good luck to everyone on this journey!!!
0 -
I am headed to my 4th (and final!) TC treatment tomorrow. I wanted to find out if anyone else has been having the types of side effects I have had, all of which have become progressively worse. Has anyone had substantial muscle aches/weakness/fatigue? These have been with me since my 2nd treatment. Also, anyone gaining weight (me--15 lb in 2 weeks) and/or having probs with fluid retention? My onc did a chest xray which was 'normal' and gave me a diuretic for the excess fluid. He does not seem concerned with my talk of muscle aches. Is anyone else having these side effects? Do you know if they go away once treatment is over? I am so ready to begin putting the pieces of my life back together after tomorrow!! Thanks everyone.
0 -
Mickey21, I had similar se's. I finished my tx at the end of June. I'm feeling much better but the weight gain is not going away by itself. I think the Arimidex is complicating things. Good luck with your last tx and I hope you start to feel better very soon.
0 -
It's the same here. muscle weakness to the bone. I hear it's the cytoxan and derivative of mustard....
yea, what doesn't poison us to death will help us??? is that how it goes?
0 -
Pamelajo - when I read the material my onc gave me about cytoxan, I had to laugh. It said something like, "Cytoxan, a derivative of mustard gas, is ...." I sounded so matter of fact to me, I had to read it twice.
Anyway, it's day 14 for me of my 1st cycle and today is the first day I've really felt wiped out. Days 3 and 4 were a little similar but I had nausea then so it seemed to make sense to lay low and rest. Today I'm just dragging myself around in a sort of a stupor. Ugggg. It's pouring outside, I guess that doesn't help.
I'm experiencing a little neuropathy ... tingly feet, just mildly uncomfortable. I signed up to do a fundraising walk for BC in May. I'm determined to not to let this chemo mess with my walking. I also have rheumtoid arthritis but luckily the chemo is beating those symptoms back hard.
Mickey32 - congratulations on your last treatment!
Have a wonderful day everyone
Lottie
0 -
Hello Ladies
I hope everyone is having a se free day!
Torona- I will be sending positive thoughts to you tomorrow. It is my second tx also. I wound up in the hospital after my first due to 10 lb. fluid gain in a 36 hr period. Luckily the fluid went where it was suppose to and out it came. We are changing the decadron dose the avoid that. The first 8 days seem to be crappy for me than I am back to normal.
Mickey- Congratulations!! I can wait until I can post those words.
Pamelajo- Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. When is your walk? Hopefully it will be a better day for you. I am walking on the 18th with my mom and sister.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
0 -
Catherine, I was also down for 9 days, then I snapped out and have felt great since. Guess it's to give us a second wind for the next one. Sure hope you don't have the problems like before and that you and I both breeze through this one! Will certainly be thinking about you!
Hope the rest of you are having a good week. Will try to post as soon after my tx tomorrow - but my D-day is Friday when the horrible nausea set in!
0 -
Hi Ladies! I stopped posting on this thread because my SEs were SO BAD I didnt want to scare anyone.
I just wanted to let you know I made it through! I did 6 TX, 3 weeks apart. Tx #5 and 6 they droped my TX in half because of how bad my SEs were. If it was a possible SE I think I got it. From thrush to neuropathy.
Make sure you talk to your onc. about your SEs, all of them. They cant tweek your TX and give you meds for stuff. I am so sick of meds.
Hugs to everyone! Best of luck if you are just starting. Best of luck if you are in the middle. Best of luck if you are done.
I really didnt think I was going to make it through, trust me I almost quit with how bad it was. But I made it!
If I can make it so can you!
0 -
cherneski, I know you had a tough time so I am so glad to hear that you are finally done. I had 4 tx and that was bad enough. I'm so proud of you for hanging in despite all the se's. And even though it will take a few weeks to start to feel more like yourself, it is a relief to know it's done and that the days ahead will be better ones.
0 -
EIt would be interesting to know dosages of taxotere people are getting, I weigh 127lbs and I was told my dosage is 340 for each of my four treatments, this is my 6th day after 2nd tx, side effects have been manageable but today I had tummy issues but the work cafeteria food could be blamed too,
0 -
EIt would be interesting to know dosages of taxotere people are getting, I weigh 127lbs and I was told my dosage is 340 for each of my four treatments, this is my 6th day after 2nd tx, side effects have been manageable but today I had tummy issues but the work cafeteria food could be blamed too,
0 -
Mickey32 - Yep. Sure do have muscle soreness. Tightness, really - If I stretch or bend down or do anything that makes a muscle move, it HURTS. Even a sneeze or cough can make the abs scream for a few seconds. My onc knows about it, and says it can be a side effect. Weakness is getting more intense with each treatment. TX 4 - the last one - is scheduled for the 20th. I am concerned about my side effects. The central nervous system is getting hammered. Have a headache that sends shooting pains from my temples to my feet, mostly at night. Have a new prescription today, and hope it will help. Anyone taking tramadol for headache pain? Also have sensitivity to hot and cold on hands and feet. Feeling burning sensation on my face. Ears ringing and humming. Chemo brain so bad I did not know what day it was today, and I'm not exaggerating. Crap - did a TRAIN hit me? Not to mention all the other "normal" se's. And if anyone has a good recipe for a Mirilax cocktail, I'd love to know. Tired of mixing that stuff in water and juice. Who has a creative concoction to share?
0 -
I weigh 138 at this exact second, but a few more cheese curds and I'll pork out at 140. I don't know my dosage, but I'll find out........we'll compare notes.
oh, I'm 5'9".......shrunk from a lanky 6' even over the last few years.
MAGOB.... I mixed it in chocolate milk
0 -
cherneski - congratulations on making it through 6x!
I will have #2 of 6 on the 14th. I'm hoping that although I know things get progressively worse with each TX, since my 1st cycle has been relatively bearable, I'll be able to tolerate the ones that follow. I mean to say that I'd be terrified if I'd experienced really really bad SEs with tx #1. I think, as I've said before, I've had a little bit of every SE but none have floored me. I will take your advise though and mention every SE I experienced when I see my doc prior to tx #2.
dogsaver - have you tried a probiotic for the tummy issues?
0
