Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hello All!
I just finished my taxotere/cytoxan on Jan 7th (4 treatments every 3 weeks). I found your posts when I was almost finished with my treatments. You are a wonderful group of ladies and I wanted to share my thoughts about breakouts and acne with you. I had a major breakout after my 1st treatment, really ugly!! Face, neck, scalp, upper back....believe me, it was awful!! Oh, and fever blisters. Onc called in meds for fever blisters (Acyclivor, sp?) which was great.
In addition to the breakout, my skin was really dry and flaky. I got some Neutrogena Visibly Even Foaming Face Cleanser and some little square face cleansing pads. I figured my skin needed exfoliating to get rid of dry skin and cleanse the pores. This cleanser worked beautifully! Highly recommend it! I have not had not one breakout since that 1st treatment, and I use my cleanser every morning in the shower. My husband even commented on how smooth my face is....my feet, of course are another story!! Also, change pillowcases frequently. Good luck, ladies, gotta go, but I'll check in later!!
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catori, I can't imagine how you must feel. Nothing is worse than someone judging how you are 'supposed' to feel when they haven't walked a mile in your shoes. A few days after my bi-lat mast the physician's assistant came to check on me and made a condescending remark about the additional heaviness I was having on my chest from my pain meds. I wanted to reach out strangle him.
I hope you feel better soon and good luck with your last treatment.
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Oh, this sounds perfectly WONDERFUL!! /endsarcasm
I am to start on 4 infusions of Taxotere and Cytoxan on Feb 18.
::already shuddering::
When my onc came in the room after doing the work up, he said, "And now is when I get to torture you!"
It actually made me crack up because he looks like a doppleganger for Bruce Campbell from the Evil Dead movies! Right down to the cleft in the chin!
He and his staff seem very nice and kept telling me that at any point if I think I need more help with the nausea or vomiting, that they will set me up with an IV of some sort of anti-nausea "stuff," and he did say that I might feel great after the first 2 or 3, but to not get too used to that, it may be the 3rd or 4th one that knocks me on my ass, and not feel at all bad about it. He's had some patients who do fine, others who have problems, but he wants to make it as comfortable and easy as he possibly can.
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I have just registered and would like to ask a question but can't find a place to ask ----only a place to reply. Can anyone help?
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Haismyhope - you can ask your question here in the form of a reply. That's what many ladies do and then others reply answering or responding to your question. If your question is unrelated to the TC regimen in general or it's side effects, etc...you might want to consider setting up a totally new topic thread. Most times, though, an already existing thread such as this will work to pose your question.
Sherri
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Ezscriiibe, it seems many have had the experience your Dr. described. Going through the first 2 or 3 treatments fairly well then being slammed on the next. I am so disappointed in the reaction of my Dr. and his staff.
I have been doing extensive reading since my dx about cancer , treatments and research etc. and have sadly come away from this experiene feeling very jaded. I was searching for hope in the Medical establishment but from what I am finding they don't really seek a cure, they only seek more drugs and treatments, more expensive testing etc. It is a business, simply put. A cure would be the downfall of a powerful empire and they would not want that.
I will complete my chemo and after that I will strive to detox my body and become as healthy as possible. I think that is all I can do.
Wishing everyone here the best ~
Peace and Blessings to you all
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Catori - #3 was a real whopper for lots of us. I was hurtin for certain! Don't put up with that kind of nonsense from your med team. Oh that makes me mad to hear ANYONE working in the chemo arena saying something like that to a patient. It 's going to get better, just you wait and see.
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catori, my #3 was my worst also. I was fatigue for the whole 3 weeks until my last tx. I started retaining fluid and could barely make it up a flight of stairs. I dreaded my 4th tx so bad, but after it was done, it was probably my best tx. I was sick for fewer days than any other. I am now 6 weeks PFC and have had 13 of 33 rads. I am feeling much better and just about every thing is back to normal. I am just patiently waiting for my hair to come back.
I do find that the doctors dismiss what you are telling them. I tried to talk to my Med Onc about lymphedema and she just said that I would never have to worry about it. I do know better, I had 3 nodes removed and there is a chance that I could get it. It didn't make me mad, I just knew from then on if I had a problem, I would probably consult with someone else.
Good evening to everyone and I hope everyone has a very relaxing weekend.
Juannelle
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Daysone - I believe the Aromatase Therapy you are asking about is actually the Aromatase Inhibiter drugs. There are 3 different ones - Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin. The Aromasin Inhibiter drugs are only given to post menaposual women.
Here is a link for some additional information regarding aromatase inhibitors. You may have to copy and paste the link.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aromatase_inhibitors/
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Magob and one-L, Thank you so much. My Dr. had me second guessing myself and thinking maybe It was just me when I know very well it is not. Like I had said previously , none of the prior tx were THIS bad. I have been totally depleted of all energy and the bone /muscle pain has been so severe not to mention the nausea. Any thing I do requires so much effort and then I am winded and out of breath. It frightens me to think of what the final tx will be like.
I find it hurtful and unacceptable for a ONC to dismiss such complaints from a patient and to try to lay the blame elsewhere . As you said... Until they walk a mile in my shoes.
Thank you to those of you who responded to this , you helped me alot. I am very thankful to you all. It is nice to have a soft place to fall when it is needed. Huggs to all of you.
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Can anyone explain to me why... some cycles of chemo have a more intense side effects ? I mean if it is the same drug and the same dose each time.... what is it that would make lets say cylce # 3 have such intense side effects in comparison to the last 2 cycles? I know that my ONC had told me previously that chemo is out of your system in about 3 days, but the side effects linger much longer. But I am really curious as to why the intensity of side effects differ from one cycle to the next. Anyone have any ideas on this?
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I think some of it is the roids that we take. We take different amounts and I think some of the SEs are from the withdrawal from them. I do think they help, but they have SEs of their own. I could be all wrong about this, but it sounds reasonable to me. My Onc told me the SEs were cumulative and with each tx they would be a little worse than before. The drugs may be out of your system in 3 days, but the damage that they have done is still there. Your body has to repair itself.
It could also be if you are not rested enough going into the next tx, did you drink enough water, maybe your body was fighting an infection and couldn't repair itself. I think there are probably many reasons and the doctors may not know for sure themselves.
This is all a guess on my part, but I think these things would have an effect you.
Juannelle
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catori: I remember my number 3 to be very bad. I'd like to add that it's taking me longer to bounce back from the fatigue, which did not hit me until number 4. My 6th and final one will be on Monday. I am expecting the fatigue to linger a bit longer. The loss of appetite has been replaced by unusual cravings. Still no nausea, but always diarrhea. Chemo is bad for our bodies, period. Its effects are cumulative, and the sooner these effects leave our bodies, the better. I'm figuring it will take me about a month to feel normal again. Maybe longer.0
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I'm getting ready for my 2nd TC, with the first I had heartburn starting on day 2 and was thinking if I took something starting before chemo it might help. Has anyone taken Prilosec or previcid? Any suggestions?
#1 TC went better then I thought it would, except for heartburn and then bad diarrhea on day 5. Plus, the 4 huge pimples on my chin. LOL
Limegreen: I'm 49 and premenopausal and my dr didn't do the oncotype, he suggested chemo because my tumor was 1.2cm and I had a few isolated tumor cells in 1 of my 2 sentinel nodes (still node negative.) He said the oncotype wouldn't change his recommendation (because I'm premenopausal and the tumor was over 1 cm) I'm doing 4 rounds once every 3 weeks.
Deb
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Catori,
I've been thinking about your experience with your Dr. and his staff. Can you imagine if researchers expected the same outcome everytime they gave someone medicine? There would be no discoveries, NOR would there be any room to examine other possibilities. e.g. Hum...she said she was short of breath, let's take a closer look at what might be causing this...Rarely is anyone "textbook," and it is incredibly important for medical practitioners to keep an open mind and not feel the need to explain away everything. Some things just are. Listening and gathering evidence is their JOB!
I am frustrated for you and disappointed in your experience. I hope you have some leeway in the future for your follow ups?
That is all. ( a line from M*A*S*H)
Traci
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Hi Diane,
I had taxotere and cytoxan for four treatments. My second treatment went poorly--had a reaction and was told by my onc that if it happened again they would have to stop taxotere altogether. As it turned out, they ran the infusion at a slower rate and everything was fine. My hands and feet were mottled and itchy. I was itchy all over. I was given steroids to take a couple of days before and the morning of my chemo infusions. Are you doing that too? Good luck!
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Catori, my SE's got worse with each treatment. Your body is a little more beaten down each time you have your treatment and you have more and more chemo building up in your system. They told me that the chemo will not be totally out of my system for up to a year. The 3rd and 4th treatments were by far much worse than the first two. Also like Juannelle said, drink plenty of fluids to keep your system flushed. Hang in there girl. You'll be through it soon! You can do it. And you'll be stronger for having lived through it. And if that doctor acts like an @$$ again, just remember we're all here for you, and we totally understand!
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Good Morning Ladies,
Thank you so much to all of you who responded to my questions. I am so thankful to have all of you here to go to and to learn from your own experiences.
It makes perfect sense to me that the SE are cumulative, and also the steroids play their part as well.
I will be having a heart to heart talk with my ONC next tx. It will be my last tx and I plan to leave him with a few thoughts of my own.
Thank you again to all of you, your kindness and understanding means more than you can know.
Hugggs to each of you.
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catori - as you and others have said, chemo effects are cumulative. I did 6 tx (everyone's heard my complaints of SEs and fatigue), and I finished a month ago ... I'm still exhausted. Don't discount the effect of steroids, I just took my last dose today given to me to combat edema and skins rashes. And, I wish I'd mustered the energy to do some exercise during cycles 4 - 6. I'm paying the price now.
On that note, lots of ladies complain on leg and hip pain after chemo ends. I have it and it is very clear to me that in my case it's from trying to return to "normal" activity that includes LOTS more walking, stair climbing and movement that I was doing working from home ... I got a stern warning from my oncologist to start more exercise. Although I didn't appreciate it, I know he's right.
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catori, lottie is right about the exercise. If I just layed around for a week, then the fatigue was worse, than when I got up and moved around. I know how hard it is to get up and move around, when you can barely move. I have a tendency to not even get up and move around the house, but on the days that I got out and walked I felt much better.
I only had to do 4 treatments, so I can only imagine how bad it is to do 6 or 8. Good luck to you and hope you get to feeling better.
Juannelle
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Catori - I attended a seminar last last week put on by a Canadian support organization called Rethink Breast Cancer. It was excellent and discussed the benefits of exercise during treatment and beyond. The speaker is a leading doctor and director of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. I've pasted a link below to the blog that sums up the event:
http://rethinkbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2010/02/live-laugh-learn-toronto.html
On a personal note, I've tried to walk at a brisk pace on my treadmill at least 4-5 days a week. Enough to get my heart rate into at least the 65 - 75 % zone. During chemo week, I go slower and don't do much on an incline. As I begin feeing better I do a harder "workout." I'm still tired all the time but I really do think it's helping.
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Thank You again to everyone, and yes I do agree it is best to keep moving and get in what ever amount of exercise you can make yourself do. I have gone out to the beach with my doggie to walk, as well as gone to the mall and walked with the mallwalkers before the mall opens and today I did a 2 mile walk around the neighborhood with my sister. I am not as fast paced as I would normally be but I do what I can just to be moving.
So yes I do understand what you all are saying and I do do that.
I will get through this thing... one day at a time.
Thanks again for everyones input. * Huggs*
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Sherri - Good luck with your final treatment tomorrow!
I hope the nurses are able to get your IV in with one poke! Let us know how your day goes! I see that I'm not alone dealing with being so tired all the time. My third treatment has really thrown me out of whack. With my other treatments, I pretty much felt back to normal by the time my next treatment came around. Boy, not this time! I can hardly stay awake until 7:00...I am just dreading my treatment on Wednesday. I can't imagine being more tired than I am now.
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Today is my one year anniversary PFC!! Still dealing with lingering se's but not complaining - some are from arimidex. I exercised in some for or another all throughout chemo and I know it helped trememdously. I think everyone on here is brave and we're so fortunate to have all the support of each other. Good luck to everyone with treatments this week.
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Mommaof2 - thanks! I've got lots of energy today thanks to the steroids. Just had a big meal at a Chinese buffet restaurant, which had a crab leg festival going on. I got my money's worth!! Good luck to you on Wednesday.
Sherri
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Hello. Thanks Limegreen for recommending this forum. My oncotype score came back 46 and I will begin T/C treatments Feb. 12th. I am trying to stay positive, but it seems so weird to have chemo when, at this time, I have no cancer. (I had a bilat masec. in January as both breasts were positive for cancer.) At any rate, I have been reading your posts and think you are all brave. I am writing down advice and things I may need so thank you in advance for your help.
I just read Anti Cancer - A New Way Of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, MD. PhD. There is good info about foods, stress, different cancers, etc.
I am a little scared today thinking about all the side effects and poison going into my body, but I know I need to be mentally positive too. Anyway, thanks for letting me share.
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I was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me about how long it takes for your hair to start growing back after the last TC treatment? Does your hair grow during radiation?
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It's day 13, and that is my hair-falling-out day. It's also digging out from 6 inches of snow, wind, and ice day here in Minnesota. I'm not doing the digging, but support the team! So later today after we retrieve the other car from where it's plowed in, I'll go get buzzed. I think the recommendation is for 1/4 inch, which the guys call a #4. Last time, I made a ritual of hair-falling-out day, letting it drift away from me down a stream. (that was summertime). Today I'm just going to Great Clips, ask to sit in the back-most chair. I have a selection of hats and scarves, but haven't decidid if I'm getting a wig yet.
The best decision I made in this process yet is to take the full disability that was available. I can't imagine doing all this cancer stuff and parenting and doing any kind of an effective job at work. Sometimes I am just loopy - meds, fatigue, stress, who knows? Or weepy. Couldn't have that happen at work... and keep my reputation. They'd WANT me to go home.
Thanks, Sisters, I'm glad you're here! Kit
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Vegas, my hair never fell completely out. The hair that was still on my head during chemo did grow, slowly, but it grew. I am now 2 months past my final chemo and I have hair all over my head. It's still short, you can still see scalp, and I'm still wearing scarves, but it's growing. Getting hair "down there" again too! I'd say by a month after my final chemo I was getting stubble on my head.
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Chnyadollsmom - I was wondering if you shaved your head after your treatments or just let it grow back at different rates? I still have hair that is growing after three treatments and was debating shaving it all off after my last treatment so it might all grow back at the same rate. I don't know if that makes a difference in how it ends up growing back or not. I still have my eyelashes and eyebrows and am just hoping that they make it through this last treatment. I sure didn't expect to have my hair grow during treatments!
Sherrie - I'm glad you went out for a great dinner last night - I'm trying to decide where I'd like to go out tonight. Thai food sounds really yummy, but I know my kids won't like that so much! Sure hope all goes well for you today.
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