Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
PS for the last treatment (number 4) my onc let me wait an extra week so i had 4 weeks between number 3 and number 4. it helped!
0 -
Thanks for your replies. I think I will stay off the site now until I had my first treatment. It appears that everyone is different and experiences are vast. I am finally getting comfortable that this is happening and that it will be ok, but not something I will want to repeat (that's why I am doing it in the first place). I am finished with radiation - I joined a study and had external radiation 2 times a day for 1 week. Once this chemo is done I should be home free - hopefully forever.
I now know I can come here to get answers and interact with others in the same situation. Maybe I can help someone too. For now I need to get ready and stop worrying about what might happen. In 4 days it will happen and then I will know.
0 -
Hi everyone,
I haven't been here for awhile. I am now exactly one month post chemo. I started my rad and have had 6 treatments so far. So far it doesn't seem to be giving me any trouble. My hair started to grow back, but then has really slowed down. I even had hair falling out in the shower this morning, so I don't know what that's all about. I'm a little tired of hats and scarves, but they are better than the wig, so I guess I'll suck it up and stop complaining!
Today I had a follow up apt with my onc. He had run blood work, including the ca 27.29 It is a tumor marker. Mine came back 49. Normal is 38 or lower. So now I have to go for a pet scan and ct scan, and had to get my blood checked again because my bilirubin was also high. I am trying not to freak out, but so fresh off chemo, it's hard not to worry that I could have to go thru this crap again. I have been told that these tests are not always accurate and not to worry yet, but oh my gosh that's hard! Anyone else have anything like this, or have any info about this that may help ease my mind?
Once again, I thank goodness for this wonderful website!
0 -
Susan, I had a rash all across my belly and back and some on my hands after tx #1...I took Benadryl just in case, but it never itched or hurt, it was just...there. It popped up about 6 days before tx #2 and had faded for the most part before I went in for the next tx. I am two days away from tx #3, and no rash this time around. I do have an allergic reaction to Taxotere during infusion, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it.
0 -
Susan, I have the rash on the backs of my fingers, hands and forearms that started after my 2nd tx that my onco said was from taxotere - my face is also red which she said came from taxotere too. I use Aquafor (sp?) with gloves at night which seems to have helped keep it in check.
Right now I'm fighting a cold or flu and I think I am losing. I had a sore throat when I went in for my tx on Friday and it has just gotten progressively worse. All my onco nurses tell me is to take tylonol (sp?) products, but does anyone have any other tips for me to fight this thing? I've had to cancel two classes this week and have been in and out of bed all day.
0 -
Hi Wanda,
You are not alone.
I had my last of 4 TC on 25th September. I sailed through treatment with minimal side effects. I noticed a dark green band in the middle of my nail on my right thumb about 2 weeks after my last treatment. No pain just a bit ugly. I now have that green band on all my fingernails. They have all lifted from the nail bed starting at the green band to the tip. I have lost two of my nails from the dark band but the base of the nails are healthy and intact. I guess I should be happy I didn't lose the entire nail. It doesn't hurt as i said, it just looks ugly.
I also lost my big toenail on Sunday. It was completely green and dead so I just clipped it right down to the base and filed it clean. It was not attached to the nailbed anyway and a nail had already started forming underneath.
I am also just now loosing my eyelashes. Funny because I figured I was all done with chemo side effects.
0 -
I have had 2 txs and have not had any rashes any where. Maybe I am just lucky. I say that and I will be all red by Saturday after by tx on Friday.
I am wearing black polish on my nails, trying not to lose them. I hope it works. I guess I will have to finish all my tx, then see what happens.
Sido, sorry you have a cold, just what you need, when you are fighting chemo SEs. Hope you get to feeling better.
I am back to work this week, get really tired in the afternoon, but I am sticking it out till the end of the day. I had to get sunflower seeds to eat on the way home, so I wont go to sleep. That would be bad.
Wishing everyone a good week, with minimal side effects.
Juannelle
0 -
Well, my final chemo tomorrow (or I guess this morning, since it's 1:15 in the morning). I'm probably in for a long night. The decadron keeps me wide awake ALL night every night before chemo. I've given up even trying to go to bed. On the bright side, my bills are paid, my rooms are clean, and I'm doing my nails. They had started cracking badly. I go next week for my radiation mapping. What's that like? Can anyone tell me? So glad I'm having my final TC. I know I'll have a week of really not feeling well followed by another week of just kind of icky, but then I should start coming out of it. I just can't wait to get my stamina back. I get so tired soooo easily.
Jenw - My prayers are with you. Keep us posted on what they find. I pray you don't have to go through any more treatments or surgeries.
A young lady from my church just found out she has breast cancer. I always felt bad when someone was diagnosed, but after having it myself, it really touches me. I wish no one had to go throug this. But I must say, there have been many blessings too. So many wonderful people praying for me, bringing me meals, wanting to help. And the peace God's put in my heart is truly remarkable. I picked up my Bible when it started looking like I really was going to have something wrong with me. This particular scripture jumped out at me: Romans 5:3-5..We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. When I read that, I knew God was telling me I had cancer, but that he would be right there with me through it all. And that evening on the way down this enormous hill I have to go down from work, a bird flew right in front of my van and would not leave. He swerved and swayed as he needed to to stay right there in front of me. It suddenly dawned on me that he was a little messenger from God to really bring home his message of being with me. And as soon as I acknowledged that, he flew off! Consequently, I've been emotionally pretty strong through this whole thing. No matter how it ends, I'm in God's hands.
one-L make sure you rest when you get too tired. I found the more I push through it, the worse it is. But if I give myself even 15 minutes to doze, I feel so much better. Preferably not when you're behind the wheel of a car! hehehe Don't want you in any car accidents!
Kimby - your post is interesting. Makes me wonder what I have ahead of me in the next few months after this final chemo. Hang in there, though. I'm sure your body's just getting rid of the damaged trimmings getting ready for a whole, new, beautiful you!
Well, back to my nails and my loooong night. Have a great week everyone. Take care of yourselves!
0 -
NOW I'm officially scared! I just got a call from my oncologist that I have to go in for the Nuetropene (spelled incorrecty, for sure!) shot. I've head such bad stuff! I'm off to get my Claritin and an anxiety tablet. PLEASE someone, tell me what to expect. I'm sooo afraid of the bone pain. Should I take a pain med in advance?!
0 -
SLV - don't panic yet - it really varies as to how the shots affect people. Some women have a lot of trouble with it and others don't have that much trouble. I had the Neulasta shot after each tx and ibuprofen took care of the achiness I had. I didn't have specific bone pain in specific bones - just general body aches - like the flu. I was lucky - I didn't want to have to take the Claritin because antihistimines knock me out and turn me into a zombie - well, more of a zombie than I already am. But I was glad to know that Claritin worked so well for so many others if I needed it. So, you can take the Claritin in advance just in case - or wait to see how the shot affects you and take something at that point. Once I was lazy and didn't take the ibuprofen at the first sign of achiness and I really felt like crap - but fortunately when I took the ibuprofen, it kicked in right away and worked well for me. I didn't wait after that. Hoping for minimal SE's for you.
0 -
SLV - I have had 2 neulasta shots, so far. The bone pain is really intense. But, the good news is only 10% of people get the bone pain. So, chances are really good that you will not get this side effect. I tried claritin but it didn't help at all. My onc prescribed pain medicine for those three days when I need it. It takes some of the edge off. Don't be affraid to ask if you need it! Best wishes!
0 -
My WBC is 2.0 before the injection. Oncologist has put me under "house arrest" isolation until Saturday morning, aside from a trip to the blood lab for a CBC on Friday.
I asked about going to have lunch after dr. appt. this a.m. and she wouldn't even allow that or a drop in at Target.
What is a GOOD white blood count?
0 -
Hi Ladies - just checking in. Well, #4 knocked me on my a$$. It was one week ago today. Nausea hit early so thanksgiving was ruined. I got a little reprieve on Friday and sick again through Monday. Tuesday was 1st day I didn't need the anti-nausea pill. And, just like last time, here I am on day 7 and my entire body is covered in a nasty angry rash, I have burns from the taxotere on my knuckles and fingers and other angry places were there's previous damage from the sun. Saw the oncologist today and we agreed that there are 3 skin reactions going on ... the "burns" which are common from Taxotere, the reactions in areas where I have sun-damaged skin (a sort of chemo benefit, according to the onc., and this bumpy itchy rash which is everywhere including the backs of my knees. The oncologist put me on a short course of prednisone, so I ought to be fat, hungry and cranky by the weekend, plus a prescription antihistimine. I have two tx left ... this is going to happen every time. I can handle it but hope next time to have the medication on hand and not to have to go see the onc on day 7 as I have the last two tx.
Well, that's my rant for tonight. Off to scratch. Everyone be well!
Lottie
0 -
Hi Ladies - just checking in. Well, #4 knocked me on my a$$. It was one week ago today. Nausea hit early so thanksgiving was ruined. I got a little reprieve on Friday and sick again through Monday. Tuesday was 1st day I didn't need the anti-nausea pill. And, just like last time, here I am on day 7 and my entire body is covered in a nasty angry rash, I have burns from the taxotere on my knuckles and fingers and other angry places were there's previous damage from the sun. Saw the oncologist today and we agreed that there are 3 skin reactions going on ... the "burns" which are common from Taxotere, the reactions in areas where I have sun-damaged skin (a sort of chemo benefit, according to the onc.) and this bumpy itchy rash which is everywhere including the backs of my knees. The oncologist put me on a short course of prednisone, so I ought to be fat, hungry and cranky by the weekend, plus a prescription antihistimine. I have two tx left ... this is going to happen every time. I can handle it but hope next time to have the medication on hand and not to have to go see the onc on day 7 as I have the last two tx.
Well, that's my rant for tonight. Off to scratch. Everyone be well!
Lottie
0 -
SLV - my lab report shows a reference range of 4.1 - 10.9 K/uL (thousand/microliter) as normal.
0 -
chybadollsmom,I have been going to bed earlier and trying to get more sleep, so I haven't been sleepy on the way home the last couple of days. I hope I do better after my tx on Friday and get more rest while I am off of work.
SLV, I am right there with you on the house arrest. I had to spend 5 days at home after my last tx and my WBC dropped. A good count is 10.5, I think that means you have about 10,000 per, I am not sure of the units. Mine was 50,000 after my 4 Neuprogens and 1 Neulasta, I was supercharged.
lottie,sorry to hear you are all broken out. I haven't had any rashes yet, but that doesn't mean that I wont. I go Friday for TX 3 and it could happen then. Hope you get to feeling better.
Have a great evening.
Juannelle
0 -
Juanelle,
Let's hope your good streak continues and tx3 is a piece of cake. I'm nervous about my first treatment on Monday and seeing how well you've tolerated it gives me a little piece of mind!
Sherri
0 -
Hello All, I am kinda new here myself. I have been reading a lot of the messages over the last few weeks but this is my first post. I have had 3 surgeries to right breast: biop, lumpect, and then to my dismay a knot was under my arm and the surgeon said it had to be removed. I asked what it could be, he said he did not know, seems it was scar tissue or fluid filled cavity and he also took more nodes. Seems the first ones had mysteriously never been tested in the lab????Had cath vent installed and now am 2 days out from 1st TC dose. Have felt pretty good, just kinda draggy and flu like feeling. I really do get a lot of useful info from reading everyone's comments even if they do not all apply to me. It is GREAT the way some of you have such strength and humor. That is how I feel about this whole experience............It is what it is and I just have to deal with it. Good Luck to all!
0 -
Welcome Gumbogirl -Good luck w/ first dose, is this just first TC dose or first chemo? Let us know how it goes - hope it is smooth! Valerie0
-
Sherri, I am always nervous about my treatments. Just do everything you can to minimize the SEs and you should be OK. I hope this tx is about the same as tx #2 and I will consider myself lucky.
Welcome Gumbogirl, I hope you have minimal SEs. I also felt like I had the flu after my first TC. No fever, just aches and pains and I was so fatigued. I just couldn't get enough sleep. Be sure to drink lots of fluids, constipation was the worst thing for me. Get you some Benefiber and some Fiber One Cereal, I think those work the best. Good luck to you. You may already know all of this, I am just trying to help, just in case.
Juannelle
0 -
Sherri, I am always nervous about my treatments. Just do everything you can to minimize the SEs and you should be OK. I hope this tx is about the same as tx #2 and I will consider myself lucky.
Welcome Gumbogirl, I hope you have minimial SEs. I also felt like I had the flu after my first TC. No fever, just aches and pains and I was so fatigued. I just couldn't get enough sleep. Be sure to drink lots of fluids, consitpation was the worst thing for me. Get you some Benefiber and some Fiber One Cereal, I think those work the best. Good luck to you. You may already know all of this, I am just trying to help, just in case.
Juannelle
0 -
Gumbogirl - So glad to hear you're keeping positive about all this. That will help you get through this so much better. I'm one day out from my final TC. While the whole thing has definitely not been fun, it's also not been as bad as I was fearing when I started this whole thing. Even the hair loss hasn't been so bad. I bought some pretty scarves and hats. Had to log onto the internet to figure out how to wear the scarves, but now I think they look nice. Sometimes I layer them, for added color and just do whatever I think looks pretty. When my daughter visited from South Carolina for Thanksgiving, we had a fun evening of "playing dress up" with them. She ended up wearing one to the movies with her friends! hehehe Just take care of yourself, let your family and friends give you the help they want to, and get plenty of rest. The treatments will fly by quicker than you can imagine. May you feel God's presence and strength in your walk down this path.0
-
Valerie: I had my 1st of 6 chemo treatments and it consisted of 4 bags of meds for SE's, zantac ,benedryl, decadron and anzamet then a bag of cytoxan and then the taxotere. It took about 4 1/2 hrs for all to finish. I think most of my side effects are from the decadron, the aches and goofy head feeling.I will probably follow up with radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks after this. I am looking forward to Summer and Fall of 2010!!
OneL: No information is too much. It is ok to repeat because there is so very much to absord and think about that things do escape the mind. I have googled and learned a lot and it is GREAT to hear of others experiences, it gives insight on what to expect and be forewarned about. THANKS!!
Chynadollsm:Congrats on your final!! I am looking at the hair loss thing as a chance to become "someone else" and that is a good thing for me at this point in my life. My ex left me just little over a year ago for a much younger lady (lady??) anyway I have had to cope with a lot and I am trying to redefine just who and what I am and this "C" thing has made me step back and take a much closer look at myself. I have a lot to be thankful for and I am enjoying life as I have not in many years and just see this as a bump in the road that I will get over and be better for having made the journey. Thanks for you thoughts!
Does anyone have like tooth pain, or is this just sort of like the bone ache thing?? Teeth are in good shape, maybe it's just the jaws aching.
0 -
gumbogirl8: Yes, my teeth ache! It feels like chewing anything will bother me. My sister asked if she could bring over some food and suggested chicken. I thought chewing chicken would be too much work! I asked for anything SOFT. It's not that uncommon ... just be gentle. And decadron makes me stupid!0
-
OK - I swear my ears have changed. Have any of you noticed that your ears are softer, more flexible? Of all the things I've written in life, that line is one I never expected to write! My nose seems softer, too. I know, I know - maybe I just have too much time between treatments to contemplate these things. Doggone it, it's just weird to move my head on the pillow at night and get those ears caught and all bent up. Don't laugh at me! Please tell me they go back the way they used to be after a little while!
Good news, though. Eyebrows grow FAST, ladies. Week 10 pfc, and the eyebrows are almost all filled in. Hair covers most of the scalp, although it is thin. Kind of like a closely clipped schnauzer. Can tell that it is getting thicker, though. And stairs are not so hard to climb anymore. Steroid weight went away all of a sudden - maybe around week 8. Life gets better - hang in there! XO, Mary
0 -
Thanks Mary, reading your post came just in time. I just finished 4 of six and the eyebrows are starting to look a little shaky ... for me, losing them will be worse than losing my hair.
Lottie
0 -
I totally agree, Lottie!
I think they grow back quickly...at least I hope so
0 -
They DO grow fast, indeed. They were the last to go and the first to come back. The brows thinned toward the end, but they stayed on. Then chemo ended, and after about six weeks they fell out in just about one day - no kidding. They came back just as fast, so take heart. Once you get used to yourself without them, they come back and you think, "I am so HAIRY! These brows make me look like a caveman!"
0 -
Had first CBC today , wbc was down slightly but not enough to get script for antibiotics. Why do some have 4 treatments and some 6?? Is it like maybe less strength and longer time?? I felt really good until the nurse told me that this week is my "nadir" and I really need to watch who I am around. I really think the mental stress is worse that the actual side effects. But, hey.........that's easy for me to say, I've only had my first round. Five more to go and I might be singing a different tune.
0 -
Hi all, I'm 3 weeks out from last TC treatment and i can say that yesterday i felt myself again. got my mojo back. wasnt tired, no cold, and depression and anxiety have subsided (besides my normal anxiety) hair is starting to grow and didnt lose brows, they just thinned. it was do-able.
side effect i did have were hair loss, slight tingling in feet but happens less often now, depression, anxiety, some nausea, tummy problems, fatigue, dry eyes, headache from steroids
didnt have rash, pain, mouth issues, nail problems, dry skin
i dont know how they figure out who gets 4 versus 6 and what kind of chemo. I was told that i will only get 4 and that no more is needed. i certainly wasnt going to challenge it. ladies you can do this!
0
