Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I started TC 10 days ago. At what point does your hair start to fall out? Last time I think it took 13 days but I don't know if it's different on the TC regimen.
E
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Mine started coming out on day 17. i had it shaved on day 22. i remember my head was very sore and then it wasnt when the hair started shedding. i had a wig ready. im used to the look now but will be glad when it grows back! as for supplements, i still take all of them just not four days before during and after. i was interested if people have received some wierd comments, i mean good meaning people but no filters? i had someone tell me cancer is a gift. really? where is the return gift department? someone else told me i can look at cancer as a way to get a free boob job. i know they are good hearted but i just wanted to sock em. someone else told me my wig is too dark. really? its the same color as my natural hair was. 90 percent of people are kind and appropriate.
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Thanks, dogsaver. People just don't THINK when they open their mouth. Surely then don't mean to be hurtful but JEEZ some of the things they say. I sure hope I never said such things in my other life (before cancer).
E
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dogsaver -- my breast surgeon, who I really think is wonderful, really went overboard about the "free tummy tuck" I'd get if I chose reconstruction immediately after mastectomy. That's one of those stupid things that people say. One of my dearest friends talks about how breast cancer, mastectomy and chemo will give me a unique "perspective" about appearance, sexuality, etc., ... Sometimes I want to say "perspective be damned, I want my boob back (and my hair)" But, they both of these women mean well. Oh, here's another one, "if anyone can pull off one boob, you can!" ...
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Hi, all i am mathew with you. Actually today i am not share with you on breast infection or cause of cancer but i am here to tell about jewellery like gold ring and such new fashions are introduced in market.Certain ruby ring like items are also in the fahion of teen age. But older people are using more frequently in functions mens rings due to their luxury style and favourable prices. Any how best of luck.0
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Hello all! I am preparing to join the TC club on Thursday with a port insertion and my first chemo Tx. I pretty much breezed through my lumpectomy and was hoping to not do chemo, but my oncotype DX score came back as a 22. I just decided that I need to do what I can to reduce the rish of recurrence. That said ... I'm *scared*! I am not good with things being inserted into my veins -- pass out every time I give blood and fainted during the blood draw before my PET Scan. I've been trying to work on relaxation techniques, but my oncologist also prescribed some lorezapam for me to help forestall my anxiety attacks. I wish I could say I'm tough as nails ... maybe after I have the first one under my belt ...
Reading everyone else's stories has helped. Thanks to everyone who is sharing from someone who is just starting this stage of the journey!
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Ok - maybe its the bottle of wine I had this evening, but Dogsaver - you really made me laugh. I am going to the Return Department too! Everyone tells me I look thinner without boobs! I say, "Sorry, I think I'm going to get them put back on!" And Please! I do not need anything more in PINK! I am the Poster Child for CANCER in my little social group.
Laura 2009 - Just curious why they say you need a port. I have bad veins, and am doing TC x 6, but so far no suggestion of port. I have had 1 tx so far (on 10/5). Not too bad, and certainly no vein issues. I really don't want a port and would let them hit my feet/legs before that. That said, my dear friends who have ports say they are painless and make the whole process easier. Maybe its just a preference?
Good luck and hugs for Thursday! TC, from my perspective of 1tx (!), is not too bad. Aridamycin (sp?) seems to be the one with bad SEs. But I think I'm about 5 days away from hair loss. Seems like no one on chemo is spared from that!
Love to All
Laura
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Laura 2009 - sorry you're headed for your first tx but it is manageable as you can see from all the posts here. One piece of advice I can think of is to not overdo the days following your treatment. You may get steroids via IV, or in pill form before and they can make you feel energetic, almost too energetic. I went crazy with chores and more chores the 2 days after my 1st treatment and crashed on day 3. A friend of mine who, unfortunately, is stage IV and has had more chemo than anyone cautioned me and I didn't listen.
I am also doing TC x6 and did not get a port. They tell me that my veins are good but also that at least in my oncologist's practice, they don't port patients getting TC unless there's an issue. Same thing with the neulasta injections - it seems some women get them routinely. My oncologist doesn't prescribe them unless blood counts warrant.
azdiva - I'm sick of pink too. As far as hair is concerned, I'm a little surprised. I buzzed my head 1 week after my 1st tx and now, 6 days after 2nd tx I'm definitely bald in some patches but lots of the hair on my head is still hanging on, other places too. This makes me optimistic that maybe I won't loose my eyebrows, but, with 6 treatments it's pretty likely. Damn.
Lottie
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Hey everyone! Haven't posted in awhile but I'm doing well 12 days after 2nd TC tx. Had fewer se's this time. I too buzzed my head at day 18 but still have lots of fuzz. Will I be "slick" bald? If so, when? Just wondering because I hate the feel of the prickly stubble and would rather not have any. I don't have a port so they're using my veins but this time I have a mean, red, itchy, swollen rash up my arm about 2 inches where they put in the infusion. Anyone else have that happen? I am using cortisone cream and it helps but am afraid of next time and wondering what happened. Hope everyone has a great day! Take really good care of yourselves!!!
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Torona- My head didn't go slick bald. I keep getting stubble, which really is annoying. Right now, day 7 post tx#3, I have some long (maybe 1/8" long) hairs, then some tiny stubble that keeps falling out. I shaved it slick once, and am considering doing it again, I would just hate to shave hair off that might decide to stick around! I only have to do 4 treatments, so I'm hoping for the best on the eyebrow and lash subject. They are thin, but not gone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
No port for me. My onc said my veins are good, and T/C is not harsh on the heart, so they usually do not give ports in this case. I am very happy.
I do however get the dreaded Neulasta shot. I do not like it, it makes my bones hurt (less with the Claritin, but they still hurt) I had tried to talk my Onc out of the shot, but I work in a school, and my husband is a firefighter/medic at the airport and could bring home who knows what, so he said he would not feel comfortable forgoing it. Turns out my WBC has been pretty low even with the shot, my nurse said it would have probably bottomed out at 0 without it. Whatever it takes I guess.
My se are getting better, but I am extremely weak. I feel like my legs could give out on me at any moment. Even my arms feel weak from typing. I'm not really tired, but very very weak. Normal? I guess?
Laura2009- Good luck. It's not a fun journey, but you can do it! Remember you can always come here for support.
On the subject of stupid comments- I actually had a friend bring me over some of her old shirts that were now too small for her, thinking that I could fit into them. (I only had a lumpectomy, it's not like I'm really any smaller anyhow). Just weird how people think, or don't! I am tired of the stares and the pity. They don't need to pity me- I'm beating this damn thing!
Lotties right- Rest and don't do too much. In my head I feel like I can get up and go like always, but when I do I really pay the price. I learn slow though! I keep trying to go go go.....Maybe that's why I feel so weak. I really just don't have time for cancer or chemo.
Revricki- Are you doing ok? Haven't heard from you in awhile.
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Good Morning Ladies
I has been a few days since I posted but I have been trying to keep up. On Sunday day 9 after my second tx I was for the first time totally wipe out. It came out of the blue and I couldn't get out of bed. It just caught me by surprise. Monday was better and today even alittle more energy.
NewportLori-Sorry to hear about the rash. I had not heard of anyone else with that so far. Really gald to hear those tumors are disappearing.
enjoyful- My head starting really itching on day 10 and starting falling our on day 13(alittle earlier than most) I had it shaved on day 14
dogsaver- I have heard some weird comments but cancer is a gift is REALLY out there.
Laura- Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Take the anti-anxiety drugs they really make a difference. My veins are not good either but my dr said no port that we could work with them. So far tx 1 & 2 have gone okay. I think you could go either way.
Torona- I had my girlfriend shave my head with a razor after I buzzed it. The little hairs were driving me crazy. After the shave it was smooth and much much better. Did you tell the dr about your arm. They may want to see it. Do you have a fever?
Wishing everyone a se free day
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
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Thanks for the info. about the stubble! Maybe I'll get someone to shave it for me! Catherine, I called the onc office on Friday and she said to put heat compresses on it. I thought that would make it worse so I didn't. It's getting better with the coritsone cream and I haven't had a fever so maybe I was allergic to something. It looks more like poison ivy. Sorry to hear about your wipe out! I'm due for my 3rd next week (10/29) so wondering what will happen this time! Hang in there!
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i am glad to hear im not the only one who is ready for "pink" month to be over. or the whole experience. again most people have been really sweet and appropriate but if anyone wants an oversize pink ribbon coffee mug, its yours
Laura, i live in AZ too! going through all this with 120 degree weather was awful. my best advice to anyone is find a provider in a cool state or one with large bodies of water. Oh, and a final story, the clerk at safeway today asked if i wanted to donate to breast cancer. while its a lovely program, i declined. i didnt go into how much "ive already donated" such as copays, supplies, time and lump. hope all you are having a decent week. i have number 3 on Thursday. and as a final note, lorazapam and ambien rock. 0 -
Well then, Dogsaver, I gotta ask: Are you in Phoenix area? I am in Chandler. Who's your doc? Mine is Cavalcant at Desert Oncology. And hasn't the weather been absolutely great the last few days? Bad for allergies, but good for all else.
And I am totally interested in the holistic oncologist. I am having a debate with myself about whether to do tamoxifen. It was all so clear this morning . . .
Still have a cold. Still have hair. Didn't make it to the fair because my friends were babies about food on a stick!!
Love to All -
Laura
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hi laura! ill send you a PM later with the names of the doctors. I truly believe in the integrative stuff. i was going to go all holistic but then reading the boards and input from all doctors and my fam history and node involvement convinced me to do chemo. even the holistic onc wouldnt treat me unless i was doing conventional medicine too. when i was struggling with chemo he asked me if i would be the kind who would always wonder if i passed it up and i said yes. also i know several people now who had large tumors and did chemo before surgery and shrunk it to 1cm or less so they were able to have options on treatment and what surgery to do. anyways, i am hoping to get to the fair or some haunted houses
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Hi y'all, one thing I learned with this whole BC experience is that medical people sure pay a lot of attention to you! In all my years, I've never had docs call me to see how I'm doing, or when I call they actually call back and tell me to come in right away. It's been pretty amazing. Don't know if this is just the clinic where I get my chemo, or is this typical with you all? After my first TC infusion I had a terrible week. When on day 5 I could hardly get out of bed and was running a low grade fever, I called my doc and they went into high gear. My counts were way low and I had an infection, so got the Neulasta and antibiotics and felt great by day 8--still do on day12. I guess I'm just not used to such quick responses from medical people, but I feel much more confident now that I know it's okay--well good, really--to call and ask for help.
PS--thanks for all the hints about the hair deal--still looing forward to that one!
have a peaceful sleep, all.
Querida
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Hey Ladies
Today is a good day. Feel good and got alot of things done around the house yesterday.
Tornona- I guess we are chemo buddies. My 3rd tx is also on the 29th. Hopefully we can share some noneventful news after tx.
dogsaver- Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinkin of you.
Querida- I think most onc's don' fool around when you are on chemo. I guess they better pay close attention since they are the ones that put the poison in our bodies. I am glad to hear that they stayed on top of things and they are better.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
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Hi, All - After 3tx, my onc says I am officially finished. She feels confident that we have done a lot of good with the first three tx. She is also not sure if my se's will reverse themselves. Before any of you newcomers freak out, you need to know that I went into treatment with an underlying condition. The drugs have hit my central nervous system kind of hard. Constant ringing and humming in the ears, muscle stiffness and weakness, bladder problems - to name a few. Thought it would be hard no matter what we decided to do - it was scary to think of doing another tx, and scary to think of NOT doing another one. But I am surprised - no anxiety. My onc is certain about this decision. My oncotype score is 20 - it would have been easy to avoid chemo all together. I'm glad I did it. Did a second genetic test yesterday - it will take 2 weeks. Depending on the outcome, I will do a bmx or go on to radiation for 6 1/2 weeks. I will also do zometa and tamoxifen. All of this can wait until the test results come in. For now, all I have to do is repair. And grow hair.
I'm with those of you who don't like all of the pink stuff. When I was diagnosed, I had a real hard core reaction to all of it. Was adamant about not wanting baseball caps and buttons and t-shirts. I just did not think I belonged in "that" club. But an interesting thing happened yesterday after I knew chemo was over. There were ribbons at the hospital, and I went right over to the basket and picked one out. Got enough for my friends, too. We have been wearaning them happily. Not to say that the oversized mug with a big ribbon will ever be appealing - but perhaps you will reach a place and time where you can celebrate what you have been able to do in these very difficult days. Better days ahead for all of us, I am certain. Hang in there. XO, Mary
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Mary,
All of the decisions we have to make are scary. Do we, don't we, what if, why me, and on and on. There are certainly not easy solutions to what we have to do to know that we have done all we can.
I would be scared also, but with an Oncotype of 20, your onco is probably correct and you have done enough. Mine was 25, so I just felt that it was something that I needed to do.
I have been lucky and haven's succumbed to the pink. Someone did give me a pin on a prayer card, so I have worn it some, but no shirts, hats or mugs.
I had my port put in this morning, so I am good to go on Friday. Good luck with your next step, radiation, it couldn't possibly be as hard has chemo.
Juannelle
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Thanks, Juanelle. You're going to do just great. Start drinking lots and lots of water the day before you go in for chemo. Give it he##, sister!
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I have already started the water and the laxatives. I have been having some problems lately with constipation, so I certainly don't want to start out plugged.
I have to tell a story of my grandson. I have already posted it on another thread, so if you read it again I am sorry for repeating myself, but you know how us MAW MAWs are.
He came to see me today to see how I was doing after my surgery. He includes me in his prayers, but he doesn't understand what the treatments are. He just knows that I will lose my hair. He was asking about my surgery and then he said "Maw Maw it is a good thing those treatments don't make you lose your arms and legs, we wouldn't want that to happen. You will only be bolt (sic)" lol
Children put everything into prospective and know what is important. I think I can face my chemo with a different attitude, because it is only hair, so I think I can face that "bolt" thing.
Count down to Friday.
Juannelle
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Hey Mary! We'll grow hair together. I'm in that "can't take no more" boat with you
I won't know for sure till the 29th though, but I have a feeling my onc will stick to her guns.....lol, she's a toughie.The rest of you WILL make it. We will all come out of this stronger inside.....maybe not outside, but inside for sure! I love you all
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Hi there. Haven't posted in a while. I had TX#3 on 10/14 so today is day 9. This round was almost a repeat of #2. To avoid feeling crazy hyper from steroids we cut the last dose in half and although I was less hyper I had more nausea which I took Zofran for on day 6 which left me with a 2 day headache. I'm so sick of all this sh@t! More drugs here, less drugs there.....UGH! I want my body back! Ok, deep breath. Just like last time I started to feel stronger and more myself yesterday so now I hope to sail through until my LAST round on Nov 4. My pattern seems to be that days 3 through 7 are my worst days.
One thing that is very upsetting is my eyebrows are thinning. I don't want to look like cancer girl and the eyebrow/eyelashes are such a giveaway. I have three bald spots that I may need to start filling in, but I'm gonna hold out on doing that as long as I can. Eyelashes are thinning very little. The head on my hair is growing oddly...very patchy, kinda feels like sandpaper in some areas and fuzzy in others and bald smooth in other areas. I think I may shave it smooth two weeks after last round so that it grows back evenly...I hope.
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revricki-Glad to see you back! I am glad to hear #3 went well. One more, then on to the next step. My eyebrows have bald spots too, I fill them in with brow pencil and try not to touch them. Eyelashes are thin, but not noticeable to others, I'm hoping they stick around. On a positive note, I have read many times that if they do come out, they will return quickly. My head hair is exactly the same as yours. Good idea to shave it after the last treatment so it will come back even. Do you wear scarves? Some of my hair pokes through some of my thinner scarves, very annoying. Anyhow, glad your doing ok.
Good luck to everyone with treatments this week.
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Good morning -
revricki - I'm on day 9 as well, but after tx #2, not 3. No doses changes for me in any of the chemo drugs, but your comment about a headache from Zofran makes me wonder -- the nausea lasted longer for me this time. I was taking compazine once or 2x daily for the first 5 days or so and I've had a dull, pounding headache for the last 3 days.
Juannelle - sounds like your port placement went well. Good luck tomorrow. Remember to drink lots and lots of fluids today and continue that through the next few days after your 1st treatment -- you want to be peeing every hour or even every 1/2 for the 1st 24 hours after treatment. This is to clear the cytoxan out ASAP. My onc says you shouldn't have "that stuff sitting in your bladder."
I'm definitely experiencing more fatigue this time around. Yesterday was horrible. I got winded walking from the bedroom to the kitchen and it was also the 1st day since my mastectomy back in July where I didn't get out of my pajamas all day. I work from home and managed to put in a 1/2 day but it wasn't easy. I walked 20 minutes to an appointment on Tuesday morning and had to call my SO to come and get me for a ride home. So much for exercise. I expecting to perk up this weekend ... day 10 is supposed to be when you blood counts go their lowest in the 21 day cycle.
I still have eyebrows but my lashes are thinning, I think. They were never especially "lush" -- As far as my head -- I have the patchy bald spots, smooth spots and sandpaper-like spots that revricki describes too. I like the idea of shaving it smooth at the end of treatment to give the hair a chance to grow back evenly.
Hang in everyone. I read these posts every day. You're all wonderful women and I'm so glad I found this thread. I hope we all end up on a "done with chemo, looking gorgeous and won the lottery" thread in the months to come.
Lottie
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Lottie,
I am drinking water and gatorade, with some laxative, since I have been having a problem anyway. Trying to eat right and all that.
Thanks for the support.
Juannelle
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Well, Pamelajo, let the hair growing BEGIN! Be sure to post when you see the first wisp.
Laughing aboout the "bolt" story. That I AM. Bolt as can be. Trying to repair and renew the body the best way I know how. Right now, it practically takes a tank of oxygen and a defribulator just to get up the stairs. But this will pass. Jenw, Revricki, Juanelle and Lottie - hang in there and give it all you've got. Thinking about you in these days to come. Catherine - what a pretty photo! You look great! Nice to put a face with the name "positiveme." Dogsaver, AZDIVA, Torona - Keep up the good fight. Thinking about all of you - sorry I can't put all of your names here.
Much Love, Mary
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Jenw- At home I either wear nothing or scarves and when I go out either the halo and scarf, baseball cap with the hair sewn in or my wig. My wig was crazy expensive and I like it, but my natural hair is so fine and I had no bangs, the wig is thicker hair and bangs, so it's taking getting used to. As soon as my hair grows in and looks somewhat like Mia Farrow in the 60's/pixie boyish look then I'm ditching everything. Do you remove the eyebrow pencil at night? Doesn't that pull out more hairs?
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Hi Ladies, i just got back from chemo number 3. my side effects from chemo have been minimal but the steroids really mess up my system. Even this time i dropped the dose to only 2 per day and it still caused me issues with sleep and blood pressure. they dont want to take me off completely but i may take my self to just one per day for number 4. And my correct dosages are 115 for taxotere and 940 for cytoxan. the relief nurse last time told me i was on 340 of taxotere so i had been obsessing about that thinking i was over taxified. the doctor was like you poor thing thinking such a high dose. anyways ill be in haze land for the next few days. the nurse wanted to speed taxotere up but i insisted we remain at snails pace telling her i didnt really have anywhere else i needed to be! hope all of you are doing okay!
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revricki- I actually avoid my brow area when washing my face. It comes off on it's own by night time anyhow and I don't want to take chances. Even when I apply the pencil, I try not to touch the hairs, It's impossible to not touch them all together, but I avoid them as much as I can. I am fortunate that I started out with really thick brows that always needed waxed, so even though I've lost a lot, it's not really noticeable. (Except for the bald spots) I had to ditch the wig all together cuz it bugged me so much. I feel much better in scarves and hats. I feel bad because I spent $300 on the wig and insurance doesn't cover it. But with all the changes I am going thru right now, I have to go with what feels best. I have a wedding to go to tomorrow, and it's someone my husband works with, so no one really knows me so I will wear the wig just so I don't have to answer a bunch of questions, but other than that, I'm wigless. I just feel like we all have to do what's best for us individually. I am looking forward to the spikey look though- I think I can pull it off, and it will feel SO wonderful!
Dogsaver- Congrat's on finishing #3, and good for you to tell them not to speed you up! I don't remember, are you doing 4 or 6 rounds? Take care this week, I know it stinks. I'll be thinking about you.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Feel good!
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