Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi everyone!
Thanks for all your great support helping me get through this hair loss. So far, it's not as traumatic as I thought it would be, although when I look in the mirror I do get a bit of a shock, and it's not even gone yet. Just really, really, GI Joe short! I hate the feeling of waking up to that slightly painful tingling sensation all over my head. I am still holding out on shaving my head, but I'll have to pretty soon, or the drains are going to get clogged. The best part is I bought this fantastic wig that makes my original hair style look awful, so it's the makeover I always wanted.
I just told my oncologist about Claritin, and he knew nothing about it but said go for it. I am so glad to get all this good advice from all of you ladies re: when and how much to take. My next treatment is next week so I'll be all set. I seem to have an uncanny amount of energy this week. I hiked for a few miles in the hills near my home yesterday. Today I cleaned windows. I raked my neighbours leaves on the weekend. What's going on? Could it be the steroids? But I only took them for 3 days at the time of the first treatment. I am also craving carbs but that's a whole other thing.....
Hope everyone has a symptom free Friday !
Shari
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Shari, I am doing about the same thing. Last night I got down on my hands and knees and cleaned the grout in the bathroom. It looks soooo much better. I am so hungry I eat all the time, haven't seemed to gain weight, but it wont take long at this rate. I get my tx #2 tomorrow so, maybe I will lay off food for a week.
Have a good weekend.
Juannelle
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thanks for the tips on the eyedrops. genteal and systane have solved the problem. on a humorous note, i called my onc because i thought i was having bloody stool. i told her it was bright red and i was freaking out really really bad. well i went in and had it tested, she said its not blood at all but food coloring. she asked what i had to eat in the past couple of days. i was sooo embarrased because the day before i had red velvet cake at a new soul food restaurant, didnt even think that would be why. i havent shared this story with anyone yet, just now just here. i felt like such a dork and then laughed the whole drive home. hope all who had treatments this week are doing okay and the ones who have had it rough will feel better soon.
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Juannelle
It's too bad we live so far from each other. We could clean each other's homes from top to bottom. It's 12:15am here in Ottawa and I'm looking for something to clean or reorganize.
Have a good evening
Shari
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Dogsaver,
You just made laugh! That is truly a great story. You were probably over the top with fear. Funny how one minute we are overcome with fear, the next minute, we're laughing at the situation. Mind you, I don't blame you for panicking, that's for sure.
I personally, was the poster child for anxiety when I was diagnosed during the summer. I believe I hold the record for passing out eight times on the floor of my GP's office when I got my diagnosis. They couldn't get me up off the floor, so they had to call an ambulance and take me to the hospital for observation for a few hours. Not funny then, but a little funny now, sort of. Ah, the stories we'll all be able to tell for years to come. S.
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Hi Valerie - I don't take any Neulasta shots, at least not yet. I'm sure you've read here that lots of ladies take Claritin prior to the shot to prevent the pain. A keyword search should pull up plenty. Hope you're doing well
Lottie
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dogsaver - you cracked me up! i would've panicked too and the last thing I'd be thinking about would've been what I'd eat the night before. I'm glad you're ok!
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im hoping everyone who had treatment this week is doing okay? last one is tuesday. part of me wants to charge in and do it the other wants to forget its supposed to happen. but not to fear, i will go. its been manageable. just burnt out from doctors visits and such. i love my oncologist but her nurse has personality and bedside manner of a doorknob. dont want to say anything to the onc since nurse ratchet has another chance at me. the nurse is good at what she does but definately she is apathetic
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Juannelle that would be a great idea to clean each others homes while one is on the steroid high and the other is on the chemo lull---
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Shari41 and Dogsaver,
Cleaning others houses would be a good idea, it would be a great service, only problem would be the distance. I guess we could try to get together with others in our general area and see what we could do for each other. I plan on being on my roids high tomorrow, but have plans and it doesn't include cleaning house.
Dogsaver, I guess you did have an anxiety attack. I got the call at my office and had a complete meltdown. It took about 3 hours for me to get it all back together, then I went and taught 3 classes and made it through the rest of the day. I am not a teacher in a school, but I work at a Nuclear Power Plant and I am an instructor, so I am the System Expert on a computer program and that is what was teaching. I am the only one qualified to teach it and I couldn't get out of it. So I had to put on my "big girl panties" and get on with life.
Juannelle
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Its dogSAVER
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Thank you, girls, for this awesome site.
Began T/C regime on 11/10. Took decadron for day before, during chemo, and the two days following treatment, and had benadryl and ativan in chemo treatment. No reactions to chemo on that day, but didn't sleep the night before due to the steroids. WIDE awake!
Here is how I've felt so far...
Day 1 - Tuesday - no side effects - went home and relaxed.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Veteran's Day - did stuff at home and felt pretty well.
Day 3 - Thursday - went to work. Felt good until late afternoon, then felt drowsy. Belly ache in the evening.
Day 4 - Friday - nauseous in a.m., but not awfully so. Fatigue hit me like a load of bricks at about 11:30 so that my boss was worried that I would be able to drive home safely. Went home early and took a nap. Mouth feels "furry" inside, and foods taste a little off, but eating actually makes the nausea feel better, especially salty things. This was the day the doctors said I might start feeling off.
I get blood drawn next week on Day 10 (which is supposed to be the nadir for my blood counts), so we'll see how that goes.
Girls, we can get thru this. It is hard, but not too hard. Be positive!
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Dogsaver, I am so sorry, I can't believe that is what I typed. I had chemo today, so I am going to chalk it up to chemobrain. I apologize, apologize, apologize to you for that bad mistake.
I have corrected my post, so I won't look like a complete idiot. I apologize again and will try to watch what I type in the future and make sure the names are correct.
Juannelle
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Its all good Juannelle
I hope you have a mild weekend. Rest a lot and get fresh air 0 -
Dogsaver, what kind of dogs do you have? We have two Jack Russells that we rescued from the Jack Russell Rescue Society. We also have a part Jack that someone dumped on our road, she was about 3 months old at the time. Then we have a Tea Cup Poodle that thinks she is a Doberman.
The Jacks are named Ellie, Rambo and Mollie. The Tea Cup is Phoebe. Phoebe tries to protect me from the other dogs, but a 4 lb dog does not have a chance when the other dogs weigh above 14 lbs.
Ellie is the Alpha female and tries to keep all the other dogs in check. She punishes Molly when she thinks she has gotten out of line. She will not let Molly play ball, because Ellie is the only one that can play. So Molly plays with a blue stuffed bear and that is alright with her. Ellie doesn't like the bear. Ellie is my DH's dog and she goes everywhere with him. She loves to ride with him on his motorcycle and she has doggles and everything. She is a mess.
Rambo is a nervous ninny, he breaks out in hives and we have to give him meds. He was abused in his other home and still will not come to you if you call him by name, because the other owners, would offer him a treat, call him by name and then punish him. So he doesn't do any of those things, but we do have him were he will take a treat from us now. It has been 4 years. He is a really good dog, I just wish he had not been so miss treated.
Phoebe was given to us, because her owner just didn't like dogs. She is so cute, I can't imagine why anyone couldn't love her.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Juannelle
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Hi Ladies. The question I posted before and was asking for feedback around was having bone pain -stabbing and aching w/ JUST the TC - have not had any neulasta but hAve bone pain anyway. Anyone else? Thanks = Valerie
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Hi everyone
I had a severe attack of bone pain about 4 days after the injection of neulastin. The only thing that saved me was Tylenol 3 which has codeine in it. I have learned for next time to use the painkillers more as preventative, before the pain gets overwhelming.
Valerie, I've heard of others getting bone pain from chemo without the neulastin. Who knows why, but if it starts to happen again, go for the codeine. I also have a narcotic painkiller from after my surgery that I plan to take if the pain gets too much again. Not to mention the Claritin that I plan on buying today.
oh, and my hubbie razored my head last night. I have been colouring my hair for years, and had no idea how white my hair was. I have a little fuzz all over and I look like a Q tip. I went out last night to a concert with my wig on and felt kind of strange but ok. Shari
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I began my TC regimen on 11/10 also, and am having similar experiences. I know we can do it but it's not great. thanks for the sypport.
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The Claritin works amazingly well. I did ask my onc and while she didn't think it would help, she didn't think it would interfere with anything. So I started taking claritin the day before chemo and took it for about a week. By taking Claritin, I found I didn't get the bone pain.
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Juannelle, we have four dogs, all rescued. all wonderful. in my spare time i volunteer with animal rescue groups who get dogs in from pounds or from people affected by economy or heartless people (dog doesnt match our new carpet, dog has to go) it is amazing how therapeutic they are. the day i was told i had cancer, i had a volunteer shift that night. i was so thankful because i cant imagine if i had to go straight home. my dogs are extra attentive now, and we have never missed a walk (well, after my surgeries my family members walked them) but i try to get them out every day
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Shari, you and I had our first TC the same day. Looks like our hair is on the same schedule also. Mine started coming out on Tuesday. Unfortunately I was in the hospital for an infection. I felt like my whole world was out of control.
I have been home for a couple of days and feel better. now I really have to deal with this hair thing. I have patches missing and it's really thin. How bad was buzzing it? I dread the thought of looking in the mirror and seeing it totally bald....but must say I am not so cute with this thin stuff on my head!!!!!
Val - sorry to hear you are having back pain
Jean
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hi Jean - don't forget u have to put the razor on setting #1 or you can get cut9 another infection problem!) so you end up looking like GI Jane - not an egghead! (I think that comes later
.Thanks for your thoughts on the bone pain ! Valerie
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Hi there Jean
Nice to know someone out there in the world is on exactly the same track as I am. Amazing. Glad to hear your infection has cleared up. As for the hair, it was really like an "out of body" experience. I don't know why, but for some reason I didn't cry or get upset. I think I found the whole thing fascinating in a very strange way. Also, My head is far less itchy now, and I feel like I have gotten over a big hurdle now that it is all gone.
I am continually surprised lately by my reactions to everything. Considering how completely devasted I was throughout the summer prior to my surgery (it took almost 2 and half months from the time I found the lump until the time of the surgery), I find it really odd that I am not still in the depths of despair and terrified. Instead, I feel like an observer to the whole thing at this point. Maybe it's because I truly believe the chemo is simply for preventative purposes, and this insanity will be over very, very soon. Shaving my head was shocking but not upsetting. Just one more difficult step before the whole thing is over and I get on with my life.
You can do it Jean. I never thought I could and like everything else with this crazy experience, you just get through it somehow. Hang in there!
Shari
Shari
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valerie, I have not had any pain from the Chemo or the Nuelasta, but I did have a Neutprogen after 1st chemo and about 4 hours later, I was taking my pain meds. It was like an army of soldiers was marching across my back. After that I took the pain meds about every 4 hours for awhile and all was good. I had my Neulasta shot yesterday and so far no pain.
Shari, so you have joined by buzzing your head. I know it is strange, and I almost had a nervous breakdown when I shaved mine, but once it was gone it has been OK. I still have lots of hair attached, but if you can grab it, it will come out. Good luck to you.
dogsaver,I am glad you find such comfort with the dogs. I feel about the same way, they love you so completely and even though it does take lots of time to care for them, it is worth it.
jean, buzzing you hair isn't bad, but do be careful with how short you cut it first. I think we used a #1 or 2 on mine and I have not had any trouble with infected hairs on my scalp. I went over it the other night with my electric razer and still have had no problem.
I 2 days past tx #2 and am still feeling very well, no bad SEs yet. I started on the laxatives sooner this time and so far everything is working as expect. I think tomorrow will be the day for me to show some symptoms. But maybe they wont be bad.
Hope everyone had a good weekend and if you didn't have a tx this week, then I hope you have a really good week.
Juannelle
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Valerie - I understand that your bone pain isn't from Neulasta shots, it's just nasty bone pain. I'm writing to say don't forget to mention the pain to your oncologist. Mine told me that they would definitely want to know about any type of bone pain when it occurs. I hope you're feeling better. Also, if you have an vicodin or similar pain med, you can take it w/ ibuprofen for better coverage -- that's what my surgeon told me.
Lottie
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Hi Girls - Reporting that I finally have an appointment scheduled for consultation on radiation - Thursday. I am in my 7th week pfc and have soft fuzzy hair covering almost my entire head. Can still see the scalp, though - scarves are certainly in the picture for weeks to come. On the bright side, clean up is a snap. I have a nasty case of scoliosis - if the radiation will not hit the spine, then I will probably go in that direction. If the spine will get radiation, then I will have to switch to a BMX. Need to keep the bones strong for surgery to fix the back. This all seems like a dream - can't believe it. But you know what - I've made it this far. And I will keep right on going. Best to all of you. XO, Mary
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I had my 2nd dose this past Thursday, and it kicked my butt more than the first one did, mainly in terms of fatigue. I've just felt like I'm underwater and that even the simplest tasks require huge reservoirs of energy. My first treatment, I didn't really get the fatigue until day #5, and it only lasted a day or so. I'm finally starting to rebound this evening.
I joined the buzzcut club this evening. I kept putting it off, but I realized that I've been wearing a hat almost nonstop the past couple of days because of thinning hair. My scalp was feeling sore, too ... buzzing it did make the soreness go away. So now I have a 1/8" buzz cut ... I guess I will try the lint rollers or maybe an electronic razor to get rid of the spikies ...
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Mary, congrats on getting to radiation. I am a ways away but will be there someday in the not so distant future. I still have lots of hair, I am not sure it will ever all come out. But is is itchy.
I hope everyone getting a tx this week is doing fine. I know that I am still feeling good and life is easy now.
Juannelle
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Hi Ladies, I just found this site! I will be going on my 4 treatment, hopefully nothing else will show up it will be my last!
My 1st and 2 nd treatment wasn't bad but my 3rd one kick my butt. I was very tired for a few days. I will let you know how the 4 th one goes. Just hang in there.Wanda
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I am on day 6 post T/C, 2nd round. My next round will be on Dec. 3rd. I was able to go to the bank really quickly, then got a couple of things from the supermarket.
I'm thinking that the second round is not as bad as the first, or it might me the nice weather.
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