Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
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I'm pretty sure most of you have already commented on this but can't search all the prior pages .... I am on day 16 after my first tx. When did most of yu experience most of your hair loss. Figure it likely is any time now but few signs other than a bit of scalp tenderness.
Joan
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Hi Joan, hair started to fall on Day 14, so we buzzed it (2"). Then more shedding each day, so Day 21, we buzzed it again (1"). Now it's day 15 after 2nd chemo, and I am bald with some stragglers hehe. Yep, my scalp was so tender during the shedding phase, but it's better now. If you're getting a wig, this is the time to get one so you can match your hair color. Have fun!
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Goldilocks: So sorry dh is not better - I'm sure him being sick when YOU need him doesn't help matters. My dh has had sinus infections since Thanksgiving on and off - 3 rounds of antibiotics before he was rid of them. Good luck.
bdatlanta: Bummer being so depressed....and it'll take a few weeks for those mood elevators to kick in so I hope can get thru without killing anyone. Hide the sharp objects. I've been down since my last tx and like you have to go to a dinner tonight when I really just want to crawl into bed.....I'm only going because it's a benefit for kids. I'm happy that your last tx is coming up........I know you're tired of being a science project like I am.
It must be spring all over the country......you don't even need more than a light jacket today up here.......enjoy.
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Joan: everyone is different - my scalp got tender after day 15 and everyday I was looking for more and more hair shedding...got tired of that so I just went ahead and shaved it. Actually, it is very liberating - there are many pluses to being bald. And taking things into your own hands gives you a little control in a situation that you don't have much control in.
good luck.....Trina
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Well girls, I made it - I AM DONE WITH CHEMO!!! I had my last TC tx on Monday and am just now coming up for air! The ususal SEs kicked in, but I am really trying to power thru - lots of walking and water! The worst SE I still suffer from is dead taste buds and an intense sense of smell - verything smells bad! I know these will pass and I am so grateful for no neuropathy or debilitating ses. I would say I am moving onto rads, but in all honesty I am reconsidering skin sparing/sub-cutaneous mastectomies - with all of the research I have done on radiation, I am not sure I want to go that route. What are your thoughts? sharonw
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Joan - mine started to go on Day 13....shaved it Day 16 with the #1 guard. The buzz look isn't too bad just put on some big earrings..a hat if it is cold and on my way...The little hairs are going fast...the lint roller suggestion works good. I did notice a change in my hair texture a couple days after chemo #1.
So all you ladies...I am doing something crazy Sunday...I signed up for a 1/2 marathon months before the diagnosis and I am still going through with it. The relay for life at our college is this weekend, and I told them I was still doing the 1/2 instead of the relay...anyway raised over 1000.00 for the ACS....I leave tomorrow...I am with a big group and feel sure that I can run the first 6 and then after that just run/walk. I have all your names on a piece of paper...so you are all going with me! It is in VA Bch. One of my friends gave me a crazy green wig to wear...it is a Shamrock run. I did the whole marathon there two years ago...but this will certainly mean more. So it begins at 0700 on Sunday, hope to be done by 1200.. won't be home to report til Monday. The race fell at a good time...I feel great and my only SE now is the hair falling out...next chemo on wed and I will be wearing my medal! A good weekend to all, and Happy St. Patricks Day on Monday...
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So I skipped the political event and went to "happy hour" with some friends. Got there around 6:15 pm and left by 8:00 pm. I still have no control over my body temp and we were sitting outside so I was having too many hot and cold flashes. Yeah, not so "happy hour" for me.
Had a couple of funny chemo moments:
-- a couple of women that I haven't seen since December (before txs)were there and I was wearing a baseball cap (total St. Jude's look). One of them asked "did you get your hair cut". So I whipped off my baseball cap and said "sorta. chemo kinda cut it for me".
-- I forgot to pay for my dinner. Yes. I can't believe I forgot. I just got up from the table and said goodbye to everyone and didn't remember that I forgot to pay until I was all the home - freaking 30 minutes later. I can believe that I forgot (chemo fog) but I can't believe that I forgot to pay.
SharonS - congrats on the marathon!! That is so cool. Don't overdo it but have fun.
Sharonw - congrats on ending chemo. I hope to be where you are sister!
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Here is the ultimate photo to make all you ladies laugh your butts off. Only cancer can bring this much humor!
Check out my photo.
No, that's not my hair. My friend gave me this as a present. It's a HAT!!
OMG - why do I look like the Black Little Orphan Annie??
Lessons learned:
1. not every hat given to you is a "gift",
2. not every hat must be worn in public.
3. there is a strong likelihood that you will scare your dog and small children by wearing a hat like this.
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bdatlanta: glad you are getting the anti-depressants. When they start helping is different for different people - for me it only takes a coupe of days and I can literally feel it click on. And great lessons learned - I've got some I'd trade you for if I lived closer.
goldilocks: belated happy birthday
I'm in Florida visiting my parents so I haven't been reading that much. So for all of you I forgot, consider chemo brain and don't hold it against me. Too much to remember!!! Feeling goo, but I'm still not totally bald - it's been 5 weeks now. The eyelashes on one I fell out, but not the other. This is a cruel cosmic joke.
susan0 -
Haven't posted for a while but just wanted to update. The last of my second set of chemo was the day before CHristmas Eve...lost my nails a few daysa later. Well they just reach the ends of my fingers and starting to look good when....you got it...off they are coming again! I guess the healthy nails were just those that grew in between the pre surgical and post surgical chemos. My toenail didn't appear to be coming off, but now it looks like they will also.
My hair s now about 3/4 of an inch...about what it was the last time it feel out. Iam hoping my hair and nails will be back in by June. I am hoping that both my hair and nails are back by summer.
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a damn tornado hit downtown Atlanta - who would have thunk that one. I live about 5-7 minutes from downtown and it was pretty scary. Heard the freight train sound and everything. Doggie and I hid in the closet.
Just did my morning light assessment and no major damage to my home or car. Lots of branches all over the place. My neighbor's tree fell across our dividing fence in the backyard. Don't know what it is like at the bottom of my hill.
Can't sleep because the fire trucks are blaring their sirens like crazy. We're expecting to get more crazy showers/possible tornadoes later this afternoon.
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Sharon W- our diagnosis is very similar I had a very hard time with this decision, I consider myself lucky to have discussed this a few times with a plastic surgeon before my initial surgery. He informed me that the lumpectomy with size of my tumor vs breast and rads could significantly reduce my reconstruction options I opted for the sparing mastectomy. I have very dense breasts (not stupid=just dense) and still have benign tumors on my other side, so am considering mastectomy on other side -----decisions are the worse part of all of this!! lucky no node & no rad--I am still not sure what type of reconstruction-- researching
SharonS-- You Go Girl--made me cry to read our names will be with you, I am lying here with a headache feeling sorry for myself & your comment turned my mood around, i plan to hit the gym this week after all these SE
bdatlanta- I'm also lying here watching the tornado coverage-glad to hear you are safe- Your wig story cracks me up
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Hello everyone!
sharonw - Congrats on the last chemo!!
sharons - You are a motivator!!! Good luck on the marathon!
goldilocks - Belated happy birthday!
bdatlanta - I almost busted a gut!! Love the hat!! My brother and sister in-law live in Atlanta. Glad you all made it thru the storm!
I head in for tx #2 on Monday. My port is clear of the clot and my blood work came back good! So, I guess I am set. I know next week is going to be challenging, but it too shall pass.
Hope everyone will have a great weekend!
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Good Morning All! Hope everyone is doing well this sunny Saturday morning (in Maryland at least!) -- wel so far anyway.
As I mentioned earlier, I had my first tx on Thursday. When counting days in relation to se's, do you count your tx day as day 1?
If so, today will be day 3 for me. So far, so good. Very slight headache after taking the decadron (steroid) and slightly flushed cheeks. Chemo nurse said flushing is from the decadron. Finished that up last night so it should start to go away soon.
Happy to report no nausea yet. Took last Emend capsule this morning. Dry mouth at times but not too troublesome.
Had Neulasta shot yesterday morning at 9:00 a.m. So far no bone pain.
One day at a time......
Have a great Saturday everyone,
Vickie
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Good Morning:
SharonW: Congratulations on completing chemo - hope your s/e's are over by now. And good luck on your decision - whichever one it'll be.
Guitar: When did your eyelashes fall out on the one eye? My eyebrows and lashes have thinned but they are still there....not that I am CONVINCED that it still cannot happen. All my nails are doing fine, they're still growing but I keep watching for those "ridges".
bdatlanta - I almost fell off my chair when I saw the new picture with the wig. OMG - thanks for the laughs.
SharonS - You go girl.....I'm so proud that you're doing this marathon.....I hope you have a wonderful run....you're doing this for all of us. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
Have a wonderful day....((hugs)) Trina
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Vickie - yes, count tx day as day 1. Glad you are doing OK so far! Hang in there!
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Had the 2nd round yesterday. Dh didn't stay, just dropped me off and picked me up. I did ok, the place was full so he really won't have had a place to sit anyway. The nurses prepped my IV's will all the nausea, benedryl prior to the infusions and it well fine. No headaches, or nausea during the whole deal. Got a bit cold, but that didn't last long. I did start feel a bit of hip and leg pain, twinges and "neurapathy" in my feet. It helped some by putting Absorbine JR, and a couple of darvaset. After some tossing/turning I did manage to get some sleep. I was so thirsty before I went to bed that I drank 2/20oz bottles of water. Of course that had me up a few times
. So today is a new day with new se. I didn't feel this way the first time. I have NO energy and am achy. Plan on just "being" today. I did take all the fiber, Miralex, stool softener prior to bed and didn't have any problems this morning. At least that is one good thing. Whew! Don't like not going. Also, there little bit of fuzz that was growing in near the temples is not there today. Amazing how somethings happen so quickly. Have taken the steroids and nausea already, but fighting to keep breakfast down. Had an eggo so I could take the steroid. Ugh, guess I best go lay down. Talk later, all. Have a good Saturday.
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I've had a busy week. I try to cram a lot in when I'm feeling good. Last tx is Wednesday this week! I'm happy to be almost done, but not looking forward to all the SEs again, and for Easter nonetheless! I just keep telling myself that in 3 weeks I'll be feeling good and won't have to backslide again. Still have to finish reconstruction next (nipple), and do herceptin until Jan. '09.
Goldilocks: Sorry I missed your b-day somehow (chemo brain?). Sending belated well wishes!! Hope your SEs stay manageable this weekend. Next weekend will be my "bad" weekend.
Believer: I was so excited when I could wear a bra, too. It's a great moment! Check out Victoria's Secret's Ipex with out underwires. I LOVE them and have 3 now. Va Va Voom!
BDAtlanta: LOL at your recent post and picture! You have such a great sense of humor. I am doing my last tx on Wednesday. I'll be thinking of you! Hoping you are OK this weekend. My bro lives in Smyrna above Atlanta and I read today about the tornadoes. Hope you're safe and sound. My bro is fine, but he said the sirens have been going off all day. He's done some work at Grady (he's in PA school at Emory), and I understand it has some damage. Be safe.
OK, I just read your last post, and you're OK. Thank God! Keep us posted on you.
Joan: I started having major hair "fallout" day 19 after round #1. My scalp was tender, but I honestly can't remember how long-maybe a week or two? By round 2, I was pretty bare. Interestingly, I started growing hair back after round #3, and I have about ¼" now. Round 4 (my last) is Wednesday. I'll be curious to see if hair falls out, or keeps growing. I still have my brows, but they are thinner. Eyelashes are OK, except for one spot that fell out.
SharonW: Congrats on being done! Hard to answer your question, rads depends a lot on your stage and lymph node status and I don't know yours. I can tell you that rads can affect your skin elasticity, so it can hinder healing with a mastectomy.
SharonS: Good luck with your run. We'll be with you in spirit-and thanks for putting our names on your card! So cool.
Guitar: I'm with you on the eye thing. I woke up one morning this past week and noticed a whole clump of eyelashes gone on one eye. It looks so weird. No way to hide it either since it's in the middle of the lash line.
Vickie: Yes, tx day is day 1 as Trumpet said. Glad you are doing well so far... got my fingers crossed for you!
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Hi all
I will be starting taxotere and cytoxan tomorrow. Already I've gotten a lot of help by reading a few of the conversation threads on this site (just discovered it today). I like to be as prepared as possible and to know it all (good, bad, ugly) even if it doesn't happen to me.
I'm sure I'll be logging on frequently to help me get through this. I've already gotten a lot of confidence just reading the comments from all you brave ladies!
Any suggestions on how to prepare for my first session tomorrow? Anything I should (or shouldn't) do today - or for the first few days afterward?
BarbH
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Barb: Good luck tomorrow....you'll find the anticipation much worse than the actual tx. I always swam for an hour before my tx so if you are an exerciser, get a good session in before you go.
Don't have any major plans for the first couple of days - everyone is different and you may or may not experience any s/e's but just in case have a back up plan where you can just rest.
I always took a small cooler with snacks - grapes, yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese w/fruit.....things refreshing. Drink tons of water today and tomorrow during your tx and after. It's important to keep flushing. Wear comfy clothes and have an extra sweater or something in case you get cold. I always got cold during my tx's. Bring something good to read.
Eat small meals after chemo for the first few days and stay away from anything spicy.....the blander, the better. Hopefully you have your laxatives just in case - most gals get constipated but there are a few who don't...hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones.
Have a good mouthwash like Prevention on hand and swish 5/6x's a day to avoid mouthsores.
Be good to yourself and let everyone treat you like a princess the next few days....you deserve it.
Good luck.....((hugs))
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Welcome Barb. I find it useful to have a cold drink with lots of ice. It has really minimized the mouth sores. For me, I can't have anything anymore that has spices, my mouth can't handle to burn. The onc doesn't think it funny that I wish to also have salsa fed through the IV. Hot spices was a main staple so this has really been a challenge. I did have the same situation the first time I went through chemo and it took several months for me to be able to start with spices again. Dh says that I will just have to start over when this is all done, and I know he's right. Sometimes you just miss the stuff you are accustom to eating. I can taste salt in everything, even when I haven't put anything on it. Potatoes of all sorts are now like cardboard. I still enjoy cheese and Wine. Thank goodness for that!
Everything is running fine. Have not had any bathroom issues. It seems like I am taking an entire pharmacy to stay flushed, but I suppose since it works I best not fuss. Miralax, stool softener, fish oil Omega 3 and a fiber pill...did the job. After the first treatment, this is going better thanks to all of you giving me tips for what to expect. I love you guys.
Believer & KathyL: You have inspired me to go out and look for real bras. Thanks. I saw that JC Penney has them on sale and I will also check at Victoria Secret for the Ipex. Still have not had the nipples put on, am will be having my implants replaced for better shaping so may only purchase a couple of bras. PS says I will never be the say size I once was, but I will have perky tits! So, when I'm 90 that may be the only thing still standing tall.
I feel pretty decent today, don't want to push it. I will start my neupogen(spelling) shots tomorrow. I know their good for me, just that they hurt so bad. Want to keep the positive attitude, so I'll just get them and move forward.
Thanks all for the wonderful Birthday wishes. When I went for the chemo I asked if they were giving me anything for my birthday. They asked what do you want? I asked for a box of gloves. They use purple gloves for each person, and purple is my favorite color. The office manager asked why I would want gloves, I explained that I am now using gloves everyday to prevent germs, and paper cuts. She said she'd see. When I was ready to go, she handed me a bag with a brand new box of 100 Purple gloves. Great surprise. It's the little things that count. I wasn't going to ask for something I didn't have a chance to get and figured the gloves were the most dueable.
Have a good Palm Sunday, and take care of yourselves.
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BarbH - I ditto everything Guggerty just said. I had my first tx this past Thursday. So far, so good. Feeling a little extra sleepy today. I was in the chair for 6 hrs. 10 mins. my first time - but I also had anti-nausea and steroids infused first, followed by an Herceptin infusion before the TC. They will run the meds very slowly at first to avoid severe reactions.
I, too, have been rinsing my mouth often with Biotene mouthwash and so far no issues with mouth sores.
Good luck tomorrow....
Vickie
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Lady...Day 4,5+6 are probably be the downers a little bit. Nothing you cant handle. My problem was my head was in a fog. Never was fatigued and I think the 30 min. walk every day says a lot.Keep drinking! Pee those ugly cells out.
Goldilocks...You are one lucky gal getting those gloves. I think I'll tell them it's my birthday as well. I could use them. I wash my hands so often that they are VERY chapped and red.
Blessings, Artsee
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Happy Sunday to all! (Palm Sunday for some). It's gray and rainy here... good day to stay inside and get some stuff done before my big day Wednesday (last round!).
Vickie: Good to hear from you and glad you're doing well.
Goldilocks: I love those purple gloves, too. Nice that you got some for your b-day-- I'll bet it really will help with your hands.
Barb: Welcome to the group. Sorry this is how you had to find us. Everyone has already given you some great tips. I'll add, while your strength and energy are up, make some meals ahead of time and freeze them-- that way you can just defrost when you're feeling low and have no energy to cook. Or better yet, when people ask how they can help-- have them make you stuff! My kids' preschool has been making a meal or two for us each week since I started chemo-- it has been wonderful! I've avoided tomato sauces during the week of chemo (too hard on the mouth and belly potentially)-- so I save these meals for the third week. Think bland foods as the others have already said for chemo week and even into the week after-- chicken soup, chicken pot pie (lo-cal version-- one of my faves), rice dishes, meatloaf (good for the RBCs!, use lo-fat meat or turkey). Also stock up on a lot of snack type foods, you may not have much or any of an appetite at first, so you may just eat little things throughout the day. I like: soups, pretzels, yogurt, crackers, eggs, smoothies. And have lots to drink: juices, teas (no caffeine), flavored waters, crystal light, etc. Some things (food and drink) will taste funny, so you may have to see what turns you off. Take round one as a learning experience. I'd recommend jotting down things like a diary: symptoms and when they occur, what works/doesn't work to alleviate them, etc. I liked being able to refer back to this with each round b/c chemo-brain does set in and make it hard to remember. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Hi Barb, I'll be having treatment three of four tomorrow. I will think of you. Everyone pretty much covered everything. I will add that the baking soda, salt and water rinse helped me a lot. My onc. office recommended it. Has kept my mouth sores to a min.
Sorry you have to be part of the club. But I'm glad you found us.
Tammy
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Hello, hope everyone had a beautiful Sunday!!! Today at church I wore a headthingy that I made myself, and everybody loved it!!! I got some 1/2 yd fabrics of different patterns from Walmart for 50 cents or dollar each. I cranked up my sewing machine and there you go!
Hi Barb, welcome!!! Try to drink 8 glasses of fluids a day, starting the day before chemo, and keep doing that to flush the medicine out of the bladder. On chemo days, I always bring my hubby, a small blankie and mittens to keep me warm. Crackers and some juice, too. Just take it easy the next couple days after treatment. If you're getting Neulasta shot (wbc booster), your bones may hurt around 4-5th day after that shot. Get some prescription for pain if you don't have any, because tylenols for me weren't strong enough. You may have difficulty sleeping also. I take ambien or sleepmd and it helps sometimes.
Hope everything goes well, please keep us posted ok?
Good night y'all! Sleep tight!
God bless,
Aurora
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Hey Ladies -- I DID IT!!
I went to the supermarket today and didn't wear a hat or scarf. Nothing but the nudeness on top of the head. It was quite liberating!!
I took my nephew along in case anyone gave me weird looks
plus he had to push the shopping cart. No weird looks or not that I noticed and the joint was packed. Got one weird look from someone in the parking lot...trust me she was in no "prettier" position to be shooting weird looks. So my advice if you're going to try the bald look then first do it in a supermarket because everyone is too busy to look at your head because they are shopping and you're too busy to care about their staring.So let's give a big "yeah" to those anti-depressant pills - they are working. That was one of the biggest things that was depressing me - looking into the mirror and thinking I looked like a newborn duckling. Don't ask where I got that image in my head, but the pirate image wasn't working for me
I think I'm going to go "bald" more often. Hell, if you don't like me because I have no hair then you really didn't like me anyway. If people get uncomfortable then that's their problem because I have been uncomfortable since Oct. 11, 2007.
Barbh: do as the other ladies prescribed. Don't forget to jot your symptoms down and tell your docs. Don't be afraid to complain about every symptom - hell they authorized the chemo into your system. After you go through your first set of se's, you will be able to know your pattern and be able to plan more accordingly. Ok I lied, cancer takes away all ability to plan your life outside of taking care of the cancer. But, you'll know when the fatigued days are versus the pain days. Good Luck!
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Good luck to all of you having treatments this week. I'm now on day 6 after tx 2. Yesterday I was pretty wiped out, but that's the way I planned it. Today the waste management finally seems to be kicking in. Taking 2 tylenol/PM and 1 gas gel helped me sleep last night.
Has anyone found a hand cream/lotion that works well? I went to the NP on Friday because my right hand is really dry and the thumb joints are red (no pain though). That's the same side where I get the IV and shots, but those are given above the hand, so... She gave me some samples of "udderly smooth" cream, but it hasn't helped a lot.
Sharonw - good to hear that you're finished with the chemo, and good luck with the next decisions. Stay in touch!
Hope you all have a sunny day!
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Good Morning:
Beegirl: The dryness is yet another s/e - ain't if fun being a science project? The important thing with applying a cream is that you have to KEEP applying it. I have a tube in my car, in my purse, next to my recliner, on the nightstand and at every sink in the house. I have a form of dermatitis that I've had for years and the chemo has exacerbated it......a doctor told me years ago the trick was to keep applying the cream and he was correct. When my hand(s) get really bad, like crack and bleed, I apply neosporin and wear a white glove to bed - that really helps.
bdatlanta: Congrautulations on going topless. I found the same thing when I wore a baseball cap shopping....very few people really look at you. I now wear a baseball cap more than my wig and I love the "freedom" of it.
Good luck to all having their tx's today - one more down. yea.
Have a wonderful day ((hugs)) Trina
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Hi All
Well, started losing body hair on day 17 after Tx 1 and started losing hair from my head on day 19. I already had gotten my hair cut short though not a buzz cut. Also had chosen three wigs (one curly & short like my normal self, and two short and more straight - in different colors) and started a small hat collection so I guess I'm fairly ready. Scalp has been a bit sensitive. Doing the ACS "Look good, feel better" program today.
Tx 2 is Wednesday. Will have to prep to better handle the "waste management system" since I had some challenges with constipation. Got a recipe for an all natural mix that's supposed to help. Haven't yet tried it but here it is for anyone that's interested:
Mix together 1 1/4 cup unprocessed bran, 1 cup prune juice, 1 cup applesauce, and 1 tablespoon molasses or honey. Take 2 to 4 tablespoons each night followed by water.
For hand cream, I find Ahava to work well. Also enjoy Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Orange Ginger.
Wishing all a comfortable day!
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