Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Welcome Dublin,sorry you have to join us,but since you do ,you'll find lots of good info here.I'm done with my chemo finished up 6 sessions of T&C in Feb of 09,and i'm here to tell you that each one of mine was different,no 2 were the same,but all were doable.
My hair is back,but is very thin,and it used to be super full,i've got something i hoped i'd never have and that is what i call "an old lady bald spot in the back".No offense to anyone,because i am an older lady(72) i just never wanted that spot on my head.
My hair dresser gave me a pretty good cut that helps cover it somewhat,and i always check it before i leave the house,and hairspray has become my friend.
Good luck on all your next sessions,hope the SE'S are few.
Kathi
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Hi Dublin,
I finished four rounds of TC last May. I was one of the lucky ones and had no real lingering SE's. I also tolerated the chemo well. Yes I had strange sensations in my mouth, a little stomach upset, but nothing that bad. It is definitely doable. I did have withdrawel from the steroids and always felt bad four days after . . I also had a hard time dealing with the lack of hair which does take a while to come back.
To me it is just a thing which I chose to do , due to my oncotype score and at this point is becoming a distant memory.
You can do it.
Stay strong.
Hugs,
Francine
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I finished my 6th & final round of Taxotere last Weds, March 31. I know I should be very happy about being done with chemo, and I AM. But for some reason, I also feel somewhat let down. My side effects from this last treatment were tolerable -- dry mouth, heartburn, constipation, gas cramps, hot flashes at night, sore mouth, etc. I meet with my radiation oncologist on April 22 to get set up for the rads, which will start April 26. I will have 33 daily radiation treatments. Since I live in "the sticks," I have 67 miles one-way to drive each day to the closest cancer center for the radiation treatments. Several people have volunteered to trade off riding with me for the treatments, which I appreciate. I hope the rads will be easier to do.
I am grateful for all you ladies who post to these Boards for the encouragement and support throughout all of my journey. Now if I can just start to grow some hair again!! God bless!!
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Thank you all so much for the information. I have found this web site to be so helpful and such a wonderful support.
Sugar77 - funny you should mention the Nixon, a friend already bought it for me and swearers by it. She said her sister who had cancer used it and her hair did grow in better and faster. So lets hope it works. Keep us posted.0 -
New Bride_ Welcome to a world of beautiful sisters.... They are full of information, and I see you are well informed... Good for you... I hope you are feeling okay with little or no SE. Today is your 5th day after..... You should be feeling fine. Yes!!!!!! I sure hope so.. Keep in touch lets us know... Enjoy your day. 2 more days of feeling good and then all hell breaks loose for me.....
Hugs,
Donna
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Here we go/ Round 3.. Hopefully with no SE this time... Up all night from the dex... Hopefully I will rest with all the benadryl they need to give me... Will let you know how it goes.... Wishing everyone NO SE.....
HUGS,
Donna
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ariesrottie, you are probably just finishing your infusion as I write this. I'm praying for you that all went well and you have NO SEs. Thank you for your welcome. I wish none of us had to be here but we couldnt't be in better company. I never thought I'd have mad love for a bunch of women I've never even met but I'm so grateful for each and every one.
My SEs continue to be minor. I have an appt. with my OC tomorrow. Jeez, I hope he doesn't try to sign me up for 2 extra rounds. I guess I'll just take it one round at a time. I would be interested to know if there are any of you out there who did 6 rounds and escaped the build up of SEs.
Here's my tip for the day: Cinnamon for diarrhea. Had a problem yesterday. 2 pieces of cinnamon toast. No more problem and a treat for me besides. 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp sugar, 2 pieces buttered toast. Old school remedy that DH's mom gave him as a kid for the "runs".
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Had my fourth and final tx today. It was a sunny, spring day (we had a snowstorm earlier in the week), and it sure felt good coming outside afterwards. I don't like how the dex makes me feel--all jittery--but I was able to do things this afternoon and am looking forward to some dog training again tomorrow. From past tx, I realize I will be low by Sun, and feel mentally prepared. My bloodwork showed more anemia this time than the last. That fits with the fatigue I've experienced. Still, trying to do some exercise regularly.
I have an appt with the rad onc at the end of the month, so should start rads (7 weeks) by early May. Where in NE do you live, Bev? My former in-laws live in Norfolk. I feel fortunate for my 10 min drive to treatments. Glad to hear you've had offers of help with the travel. It's good to have a chat. Otherwise, how about audio-books?
Staying up for awhile sorting photos tonight, due to the dex. I feel consumed with thinking about BC, so it was nice to look back at fun times. Here's to minimal SEs for all and brighter days ahead.
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retrievermom you did it! Yes, you still do have to get through all the ickyness of this 'cycle,' but you do not have to go to "the chair" every again. CONGRATS!! Here's to no SEs for you this time. I hope you feel well enough to celebrate very very soon.
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retrievermom......YEA for you!!!!! Congrats and you did it!!!!!! I can't wait until I can type 4th and final treatment. I hope you do well and bounce back quickly!
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Thanks for the encouragement. No sleep last night, but maybe I'll get those photos sorted! My birthday is coming up in a week, and I'm hoping I'll feel up to celebrating the end of the fourth cycle and a new stage of life then.
Took a boatload of OTCs this morning, plus the anti-nausea stuff, now heading off for neulasta and some outdoor dog fun. Vision's blurry, so I guess I'll be starting that eye-twitching again, darn.
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Hello retrievermom: Best wishes to you as you recover from your 4th & FINAL treatment. Yeah!! Isn't it a good feeling to have those nasties behind us??? I am in McCook, Nebraska, (southwest part of state) and my cancer center is in North Platte - 67 miles north. Just a long stretch of lonely highway with no small towns between here & there. Yes, I do like audio-books to pass the driving time. We have a huge deer population, so that can be a problem on that lonely highway. I have been to Norfolk, Nebraska, many times. It is about 5 hrs from us. Nebraska is such a small state in population that it is interesting when I hear of people with relatives from here.
I start my rads Apr 26. Come the 1st part of June, I will be officially DONE with all of this, which does seem to consume us as the months go by. I want my life back, don't you??!!!! But I also count my blessings, as I have had very good care.
Working on photos is a great way to get through the chemo side effects. Good for you! And have a very Happy Birthday!!! God bless!
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Hi girls!!! I am so proud of everyone... retrievermom--- You did good... Hope everything else goes smooth... Try to get some sleep.. I finally did last night... The dex and the ambien finally became friends.,.. We will see how it goes tonight....
Newbride- Hope things are going good for you and that you. How did it go with the onco and the amount of treatments??? Let us know keep in touch... and thanks for the tip on cinnamon...
Hope everyone is feeling ok.... With little or NO SE.
Donna
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Emegram, I haven't been on here in a while. I finished chemo December 2nd and my radiation a month or so ago. I saw you mentioned about knowing you should be happy to be done with chemo, but you also feel let down. I went through that too, especially right after the radiation ended. I think that while I was going to appointments every day or every week, I felt like nothing could happen that went unnoticed. Then when I wasn't seeing anyone anymore, I felt adrift and exposed. The feeling has passed in large part. I think I'll worry on and off for a long time to come, but for the most part that dazed and confused feeling is gone.
I'm 4 months post chemo and I have enough hair for a short spiky do. Everyone loves it. I wish it were a little fuller, but it will be in time. Hang in there ladies. You are all very brave to face what you're going through and still lovingly support each other. This forum is a life-line. I'm glad you all found it. I know it helped me through the TC journey. And for those of you starting radiation, if you burn, use Bacitracin, not Nosporin.
God bless you all.
Anne
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Anne - thanks for the tip on the Bacitracin. Today is my last full breast rads treatment and I start boosts tomorrow. I am beginning to get itchy. I'm going to ask about Bacitracin today. I've been told to use Glaxol Base cream twice daily. Glad to hear the sense of let down will pass because I'm starting to get tothe point where I'm realzing treatment is nearly over and, like you, I"m triple negative and there is really no other treatment or pill to take. I've enjoyed hearing from you and all the other TC ladies these past few months, too,
Sherri
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Hi, guys. Hanging in there after a rough patch over the weekend. Took yesterday off work to rest a bit more and woke up this morning to more snow. I know it won't be on the ground long, but it sure doesn't help my mood. I understand the comments about moving on after treatments are over. I'm TN, too. I'll be seeing the rad onc at the end of the month and start rads early May. Thanks for the pointers.
Bev: I haven't been to McCook, but have made the drive along I-80 through NE countless times, including stops in North Platte. Isn't that where the train lines split?
Sending all positive vibes to those getting tx for energy and minimal se's.
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Hello all..
I finished my last round 31th of March and my body is still subsiding...the twitching of the eyes hasn't quit and I caught a hell of a cold (this is what I get for thinking that I was so well prepared when I went back to school). My onc told me not to start with the hormal therapy until I feel less crappy, which I still don't know what she meant. I do find that even tho my taste is coming back slowly, I still can't seem to keep things down or without having cramps. Anyone else or does it take time for your body to 'get back to earth'?
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Flmgkat - I had the eye twitching and thought it would never end. It did go away eventually. I'm nine weeks out now and it's been gone for a few weeks now. It takes time because your body's been through a lot. Be kind to yourself.
Sherri
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Chynadollsmom (Anne) - It is so good to know that others have experienced a "let-down" after finishing the chemo (or rads). I thought I'm be so happy, and I AM -- but can't really explain my depressed feelings!! Anyway, on to radiation. Congrats on your short "spiky" hair-do. I'm glad you have that much hair, and I'll be glad to join you as soon as my hair growth kicks into gear. Bet you look good!! And thanks for the tip about Bacitracin for help with burning from rads. I wrote it down to ask for it.
Retrievermom: You are right about North Platte, Nebraska & the trains. That is where the HUGE Union Pacific railway yard is located. Lots of railroad employees live & work there. As I travel to & fro for treatments, I'm getting to know that little city quite well. Take care!!!
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Hi Ladies,
I have not been on here to post in several weeks. Just as others have mentioned I too have gone through the dazed period after chemo ends and it really has just been a roller coaster of a ride emotionally.
As some of you already know, I was not able to finish my chemo treatments due to a reaction. I got 3 out of four treatments and my Onc did not want me to do the last one. He sent me to a Nuerologist and I was diagnosed with Nueropathy as a direct result of the Taxotere. He also ran some other testing and found my body will no longer absorb B12 so now I am getting the B12 shots.
I just returned back to work today for the first time in 7 months. I felt like a Kid on her first day of school lol. It was nice to get back to some normalcy and I was welcomed with open arms , they threw me a party and everyone brought a dish of food... it was sooo nice. I think this bit of getting back to normalcy will help alot with that dazed feeling now that chemo is over.
I just can not wait to have hair!!!! Omg I have these little sprigs that look like they want to grow into hair but they are just sitting there not growing....ughhhhh ... it makes me crazy lol. The eye twitching thing finally stopped ( at least for the most part) . It still happens once in a while but not constantly like it was. The neuropathy pain is the worst part to deal with now.
Then on May 5th I go for my reconstruction surgery to trade the expanders for implants... I will be happy to have these things out.... they are becoming a pain, so it will be great to get that done and I am looking forward to it.
I pray that all of you are staying strong on this journey. You have truely been a life line for me ( as someone else also said) it is true... when you get hit with this type of thing... it is nice to have the wonderful souls here who relate and understand. Nice to have a soft place to fall. I thank you all for your words of wisdom, your laughs, your comfort, your support and so much more.You all are beautiful women. Stay Strong !!
Peace and Blessings ~
Catori
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HI - new here. I will be starting TC late PAril or early May. Just waiting for clearance form my PS after my March 26th left mx with DIEP and right lumpectomy. I am nervous about tx but am so glad it will be just 4 rounds, I think I can DO that!
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Welcome and good luck, fotopet!
Brenda
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Catori--
Welcome back to the real world! I was just as excited to return to work, too. I got all teary-eyed walking into the building that first morning. The building was quiet and noone else was there and all I could think about was the last day I'd walked out (Sept 11, 09) before mastectomy. I felt just so proud to be there and had decided long before I returned that I would not be taking work for granted anymore. I'm so happy you were welcomed so lovingly...sounds like a great group of co-workers! I started noticing a pattern as my co-workers arrived....everyone had on pink scrubs and honored me with their thoughtfulness and caring.
I also wanted to let you know, I too had/have neuropathy. I say "had" because it's not as bad as it was and "have" 'cause I'm not sure it's completely gone yet! (Last chemo was Jan 7th, 2010). If you are familiar with "Bio-Freeze Gel" I recommend it for your feet. It's available at chiropractor's office and some pharmacies. I put it on my feet at bedtime and also before I put my sock/shoes on. It gives immediate relief and then I started noticing that in between applications, I wasn't suffering as I had been. And right now, my feet feel more normal than they have since November! Someone else had recommended "capsaicin creme" (sp?)....I tried that and it did NOT help me at all. So, it may just be an individual type thing and different things help each of us differently.
Best wishes to you and again, I'm so happy to hear from someone else that is happy to be back with their co-worker buds!!! Mine are the best and I'm so blessed.!
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Psalm121
Did you get any blisters? I have not had a blister on my foot in years (or at least in a long time). I would ususally only get them with new running shoes.
I am going to get the Bio Freeze gel. It can't hurt. I am walking daily expect for a few day last round due to the blister on my foot. I have to walk or I will go CRAZY.Thanks for the tip!
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Hi Dublin!
I did NOT get blisters with the BioFreeze and have even been able to walk, too! So far, 2miles every couple days and no problems!! Wore my best feeling pair of shoes, ones I usually save for work to keep them looking nice (with scrubs, per dress code) and absolutely rejoiced in the very normalcy of it; walking, sweating, breathing, FEELING very healthy and energetic. ALIVE!!!
When I started using the BioFreeze, I thought the same thing "can't hurt" and if it helps wonderful! And it has!! I sooooo hope it helps you as well. The shoes I walk in are NewBalance, the shoes I work in are EasySpirit slides---very comfy & great arch support. I find my feet feel better with the EasySpirits on....when I take them off and walk sock-footed or bare-footed in the the house, my arches feel achy and the backs of my heels miss the cushion-support!
Nice to meet you!
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Psalm121
Thank you...Nice t meet you as well. I am going to guy the Biofreeze tomorrow. Stop at a store after my treatment. #2 for me. Where did you buy yours?
I wear Asicis gels to run in and have always used them to walk and I got a blister...healing and with a blister band aid I only missed a few days and continue my 4 + mile daily walk. I need it!
Thanks again!!!!
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Hey there Dublin:
you are so welcome....I love the support here and am so thankful for all the advice I have received along the way. Glad you're healing....my son double-socks when he plays basketball to prevent blisters....don't know if that would help you much now...but he doesn't get blisters anymore!
I had the BioFreeze already from a chiropractor visit early last year, a friend of mine says she buys it at a local family-owned pharmacy, too. Chiropractor might be the best first place to call or look. If you can't find any....PM me and I'll mail some to you. Nobody should suffer when there is options to help ease these side-effects!! I've never worn Asics but have always loved their styles and colors.
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, best wishes for treatment day and minimal side-effects!
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Psalm121,
Thank you!!!!! Half way done! almost home!
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Congrats on finishing TC!
I had my followup with the onco yesterday. My last TC was 3/25. My blood counts were all normal, except I'm a little anemic. He said that would return to normal with time. Funny, I don't feel anemic! But, I do feel out of shape!
I'm having surgery next week to remove a few more lymph nodes (they want to make sure they didn't miss anything) Then I'll start rads two weeks after. I'm happy that are doing rads, but bummed that I'll have to wait at least 6 mos for my exchange surgery. I can't seem to get a good nights sleep with these expanders!
I was feeling down after my last chemo and the dr said it's normal. He said that when the worrying comes back for many and told me to keep those thoughts out of my head, it's not easy.
I'm ready for hair. My wig looks good, but it's going to be hot here in Texas! I'm using rogaine for women and have about 1/8 inch stubble on my head. I'm just tired of seeing my shiney head in the mirror.
Deb
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Deb - congrats on finishing TC. Sounds like you're starting to get in "hair mode." There is a really good thread on this website called Hair, Hair, Hair. You might want to check it out as you'll get a lot of tips and can share with others. Many of us on the thread have also had TC. I finished on Feb. 8th and mine is growing in...just waiting for the crown to fill in.
Sherri
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