Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Daysone - I am also scheduled for four rounds of TC - I thought I was being aggressive treating my BC (because of tumor size and no lymph node involment), but at my last appt. with my ONC, he mentioned doing six rounds instead of four . I'm planning on sticking with just the four because he really couldn't say that there would be a big(if any) benefit in adding two more rounds.
FaithfulC - I haven't had the neulasta shot for my treatments(I've had three) and while my WBC get REALLY, REALLY low, I haven't picked up any infections. I do have to keep a low profile and stay home for 5-6 days, but I'd rather do that then have the awful pain from the shot.
Sherri - I just can't get over how different you look in your picture. Has your taste come back Mine is almost back - hopefully by this weekend.
Hope everyone has a good day!
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mslrh - you were smart to get the port placed, I'm a week out from my last treatment and my arm is a bruised mess....if I had it do all over again, I'd definetly get a port placed too.
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Hang in there, mslrg. I finished my last round a few weeks ago and am preparing to start rad tx next week. I had a port placed, and I think it was very helpful for me -- I used to get dizzy just having blood draws!
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Daysone, I'm getting 6 rounds of TC. Tumor was 1.5cm but I had positive nodes. My oncologist did not feel that 4 rounds will be enough. Fine, bring it on! I start next Wednesday (2/3/2010).
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chynadollsmom, I do think my oncologist listens to me well. I refused to have my blood drawn by the nurse from my arm yesterday. The oncologist had no problem with that even though he was the one who ordered it. They just automatically order this, but I was really only going to see him to finalize chemo plans so there was no need to test my blood then and there.
Hope your pains go away soon!
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Lottie, no, they didn't give me any difficulty about delaying tamoxifen for hot flashes, but that was 10 years ago.
Chynasdollsmom, I'm okay this time about hot flashes, cross my fingers. What I wore last time for jammies that made it tolerable was "wicking" long underwear from RAI, made for hiking, and a hat.
Juannelle: one thing they didn't tell me at the time of radiation is that the rads will shrink the tissues in the e radiated breast. So when I went for my artistic/ritual body cast, I could clearly see after ten years how different they had become. The surgeon said do you want them to match this one or that one when we're done. Apparently the larger one would have required a larger football-shaped scar so I went with the smaller. I hope it was the right choice.
Tuesday was chemo, Wednesday Neulasta, today acupuncture. Feeling okay except for loopy and fatigued. Taking advil and atavan to stay ahead of the bone pain and nausea. So far so good.
Wishing a peaceful day to you all. Kit0 -
Receiving tx #4 of 6 next Tues. Then neulasta shot on Wed. Last tx, I'm not sure if it was from the steroids or because I had not slept AT ALL the night bwfore but a few days after, I felt like I had been slammed into a steel wall. I heard these tx are cumulative as far as fatigue and such. If that's the case, by tx 6, I won't be able to raise my eyelids.
My onc wants to go with 6 tx because I cannot take the other (adriamycin)sp? due to other lung issues so instead of 4 rounds of AC/T doing 2 extra of CT. Hope the 2 make a difference.
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Hi everyone - just sharing my experience but of course everyone needs to do what they need to do. My onc is a big shot breast onc in Boston and is very nice and well-respected-he is director of his unit and does only breast CA. He initially scheduled me for 6 but after 5 my lungs got inflamed and I asked him if i had to do the final b/c it felt like damage was being done. He said there are no tests that state six is better then five or even four (but four is better than 3)- alot is still being figured out. His first patient from NY got 30 txs=1 every month!!!!!!!!!!! ( 12 years ago). He Said "don't lose any sleep, the difference is minimal if any at all." soooooooooooo if you have distressing side effects discuss it with your doctor!
Be well and good luck! Valerie
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Hi Valerie - so it sounds like you're all done w/ your chemo too? And that you skipped #6 because of lung inflamation? Are you feeling better now? Congratulations on finishing up and I'm sorry you had problems.
I wish I'd asked if I could stop after #5 -- I would've avoided anaphylaxis during my final infusion and the other "final parting gifts" I received ....
Great advice for everyone to not minimize side effects with their doctors!
Lottie
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Hi Lottie! There u r w/ hair! Don't u wonder what the new hair will look like? Man, yes - I thought I had pneumonia but no just chemo s/e but he said it could turn into pneumonia and was not at all worth the risk and then congratulated me on being done! Still sinking in and tears off and on all day.
No regrets-happy as a clam but this whole thing is so damn emotional!
Hope your doing well! Valerie
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Valeriekd - thanks for sharing the comments of your ONC about no tests showing 6 treatments are better than 4, that was pretty much what my ONC said as well. Hearing someone else say it as well, sure made me feel a lot better about sticking to 4 treatments. Thanks again and have a good weekend!
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Mommaof2 - hi...sorry I meant to answer your question about taste buds. Yes, thank goodness, the yucky taste has been gone most of this week. I started feeling normal on Monday but my bruises from all the attempts to get the IV line in are still quite visible. I'm requesting the same nurse I had for the first and second treatments. I'm enjoying these "good" days but am also anxiously awaiting the final chemo on Feb. 8th!!! I'm sure you're feeling he same way for your's on the 10th.
Sherri
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Hey Valerie - Yes, I wonder what my "new" hair will look like and I can't wait for it get here. the bald spots i had are filling in and it seems to be growing fast at the nape of my neck.
You're right about this being super-emotional. I credit most of it to the fact that I'm still tapering off steroids -- the downs are tough and my patience is thin. I've told a few people "I may be done with chemo, but chemo isn't done with me." I'm headed to Boston today for an event related to a BC fundraising walk I'm dong in May -- I'm concerned about the walk, right now I can hardly walk from No. Station in Boston to the subway without getting winded. Maybe I can ride my motorcycle instead, I'd be happy to carry a banner or something ...
Anyway, so happy you're done!
Lottie
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Hi Lottie_ my family and I r doing the same walk but I KNOW ours will be abbreviated. Maybe we can meet up and say howdy- i'd like that V.
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Valerie, congratulations on being done. You DID it, friend. Rest and repair and be good to your self. Sending lots of love your way.
Chynadollsmom - hope the aches are going away. I'm battling them with my new best friend, the gel pack. Got them at the drug store. You can cool them in the fridge or heat them in the microwave. Every time a storm or a cold front blows in, I start to move like a turtle. Those hot packs are oh so divooooone! Routine is as follows: make a cup of tea, nuke a gel pack or two, move to sofa, watch trashy TV. I highly recommend it. Best to you.
To those of you going through chemo - stay strong. You can do it. And there are better days ahead - PROMISE.
Mary
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Interesting about 4 vs 6 cyles of TC, anyones onc comment on why the 4 treatments are done every other week and the 6 cyles are done every 3 weeks? I meet with my onc 2/11 before my next tx (TC x6 every 3 weeks) and I am going to ask. I'm at day 10 and feel really good and it feels like a long time before I go back again on 2/11 and I won't finisht until 5/6!
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Hi! I had four rounds of TC every 3 weeks. I think the 4 vs. 6 depends on your onc recommendations and your tolerance level too. I was initially not willing to do chemo (I'm glad I did) so my onc got me to agree to 4 and she felt that would suffice.I tolerated the first 2 well and the last two were harder. My onc felt I was done with chemo. I finished on NoV 17th and happy to report that this week I colored my hair and got eyebrows plucked and eyelashes are back. It wasn't s bad as I had expected and I'm back to myself with energy level. Hang in there. From someone who never thought that they would do chemo, I'm glad I got it done and over with minimal side effects and no permanent problems. I combined traditional and holistic. Best wishes!
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Now (day 7) the Neulasta is really kicking in. like bad menstrual cramps, in my thighs and pelvis. I am visualizing energy going to the bone marrow do ramp up production, and taking advil. Any other suggestions?
Blessings, Kit
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Hang in there, Kit. You are doing the right things. It is likely this will pass.
If the pain starts to ramp up any more, consider calling your doctor. I had a Sunday night like the one you're having. Took tylenol, but the pain kept increasing. Talked to the doctor on call, and we came up with the idea of taking some pain meds left over from surgery. There is a point where you'll have to decide if you want to stick with your current plan or move things to the next level. Just be careful - you can't take the pain meds if you have taken a lot of Advil or Tylenol. This is why it is important to speak with a doctor. Take care. XO, Mary
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Mary, you crack me up! That sounds like really good advice for handling my aches! Truthfully I keep longing for my hot tub, but I can't get in there right now because of my radiation treatments. They warned against hot water .... not that I would want to get in with as burnt as my breast now is. But as soon as I can -- a nice glass of wine and a good long soak in the bubbling hot tub! Too bad you're in Texas you could join me! It's so fun being in there, especially on a really starry night or when it begins to gently snow...... deep sigh. I miss my hot tub!
Only 9 more days of rads, but they are going to be the worst. I'm now burnt a deep red and very sore. Oh well. One day at a time. One day at a time for all of us!
Prayers for everyone. Anne
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Kit - on this thread I learned about taking Claritin to help avoid or alleviate the Nuelasta bone pain. Not sure if you've tried this but I haven't had a lot of pain with the shot. I've been taking the 24-hour Claritin the day of the shot and one each day for the next five days. For any pain, I've been taking Tylenol. My Onc had prescribed Tylenol 3 (with Codeine) in case I get bad bone pain but I've not needed to take any of them. I hope you start to feel better.
Sherri
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Thanks, Mary. I had forgotten about the Advil/ pain med connection. I think I'll make it thru the night without hospital pain meds, but will call if I have to.
Sherri, thanks. I didn't know how long to continue the claritin.. Today would be my 5th day of Neulasta. I'll go have some now!
Blessings, Kit
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mslrg: You are brave to get a port, but I hear that is the way to go. I have an irrational fear of the port. Just seeing it on other people makes me lightheaded. I'm so glad my veins have behaved when they needed to. Your hair will grow back, thank goodness.
Sherri: I have been celebrating myself. I put out the word that I am having good days, so I have 3 lunch dates and one dinner lined up already. Make sure you are hydrated and warm on the 8th. That helps with the veins, I am told.
faithfulc: I got my neulasta automatically during rounds 2 to 5. After the first round, they did bloodwork first to see if I needed it. I guess I did. Neulasta really works on the wbc. My rbc has been low, but not low enough to discontinue treatment, I guess. I am cheering you on and wishing you the very best next week!!
Take care...
Brenda
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I am going to go in to talk to my doctor about having an extra two t/c treatments. I have completed four and he wants me to do two more. The questions that I have are: does it increase your chances for additional side effects such as heart problems, leukemia, kidney problems, numbness in feet and hands, etc. the more treatments you receive? I have also had a lot of problems with my sinuses and coughing. I have done pretty well but it seems to get harder every treatment I receive. The only fear I have is will I regret not having an extra two treatments if I have recurrence. Are the percentages worth having the extra two to be safe. According to what your doctor said it doesn't make a lot of difference. The next step is going into see a radiation oncologist. I am just going to discuss the options with him. Not sure if I have to do it or not? Not sure if I want to. I will be so happy to put all this behind me. Get very tired of the whole thing, especially making all these hard decisions as I am sure all of you are. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions it has helped.
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Mommaof2 I do understand what you mean about the advantages. That is also my question. I am going to talk to him about the percentages when I see him next time.
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daysone - I did 6 treatments but my oncologist could never really give me percentages. He implied that my oncotype score and tumor size were part of his recommendation. He also gave me this awkward explanation about women treated with TAC chemo, (taxotere, adriamycin, cytoxan) -- and that the regimen is always 6 treatments & since adriamycin wasn't part of the TC treatment, 6 infusions makes sense. For what it's worth, I'm about 4 weeks PFC and starting to feel better. My feet are a little numb and I'm tired, but, it's slowly improving, except for watering eyes that I'm seeing an eye doctor about today -- but I've had that SE since tx #4. I was very allergic to the taxotere though, and had anaphylaxis during my last treatment.0
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Sherri - I'm glad to hear the awful taste is gone - it's gone for me too, but food still doesn't taste quite right. I told my husband last night that the only thing that tastes really normal are sweet foods, is it the same for you? I know what you mean about the bruises from the IV...my arm is still a mess too. One of the nurses told me to drink hot tea before my next treatment, she said it "plumps" up the veins and makes it easier to get the IV in. I'm definitely going to give it a try.
Daysone - When do you meet with your ONC? I'm interested in hearing what he has to say about the 4vs6 treatments. I really wish my ONC hadn't brought it up at all because now I'll have it in the back of my head...hmmm...maybe I should've done 6, although it really doesn't make sense to me, to put your body through more chemo if there is no proof 6 is better. ARRRG!
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Mommaof2 - regarding extra treatments, my SIL went through chemo two years ago for endometrial cancer. She had Taxol/Carboplatin x4. Anyway, she was to get four treatments and her regular Onc was on holidays nearing the end of her treatment and the replacement told her she would need two more. She was devastated as she had her sights set on the four only. When her regular doctor returned he said, "No, she didn't need any more." With that in mind, before Tx3, I asked my Onc if I was going to get any surprises and find he wanted me to do more than the original four. He said, "No, four is the treatment plan and no more than that is required." Sometimes I feel like they coax you along to get you started and then spring things on you afterward so I wanted to be clear fairly early on. My tumor was very small but he offered the option of doing it because it was hormone negative/grade 3 and there is nothing else afterward that works on this subtype (i.e., no Tamoxifen). So he was being very conservative by having me do it in the first place.
Great suggestion about drinking the hot tea. I will try that. I think the Advil I'd been taking for a number of days ahead of my last Tx for a tooth concussion didn't help my veins any. I know for sure it contributed to a lot of the bruising.
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hi everyone
it has been quite a while since I have posted. I just had my 3rd of 4 chemo treatmets of cytoxan and taxotere,and the neulesta shot the following day.
My experience through this has not been easy,but as I saw someone else on here say...I just show up.
In my first month of chemo...I have gained 26 pounds ( and counting ) I had no idea as it was never mentioned to me that this could happen,needless to say it has added to the depression.
I lost my breast and hair but did not know the weight would be added as well....*sighs*
Not to metion I have been catapulted into menapause and was not warned of this either.
A day after my 2nd treatment I broke out in bright red rash? looked more like a burn...on my hand, it then spread to my knucles and in between my fingers.Apparently this is from the Taxotere.
I think the worst,aside from weight gain has been the intense bone/muscle pain It seems to be at its worst with this treatment..Ican only hope it gets better and that all of this has been for my best health interest.
Anyone else having a similar experience? If so
...how do you handle it all?
Thanks for allowing me to ramble...
Catori
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I'm happy to report that the worst impact on my sleeping last night was the WONDERFUL double chocolate heart-tarts that my dear friends brought over for dinner. Who knew there was caffeine in such bliss?
Now I am realizing that I can only do one "thing" per day, if that, in my fatigue week. Such a drag! But all in all, happy to be here.
Who else is in Minnesota? watching workers climb on neighbors roofs to chip off the ice is even more exciting that watching ice-fishing!
Wonderful meals and help from church and friends. I am so blessed to be able to pick up the phone and ask for a ride.. I don't want to drive even 2 miles today.
May you all be well.. Kit
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