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Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

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Comments

  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2010

    Rachel: Are you feeling any better?

    I am getting my blood checked every week.  Is anyone else getting it that often?   My onc is also having me come in each week for a check up.  Is that normal? 

    I'm day 8 post tx1 and just now able to get through the day without a nap and severe bone pain. I read about people only taking a day or two off of work and I feel like such a wimp.  I'm on Christmas Break, but there is no way I could have worked on days 3-7. 

    Anyway, I hope everyone is feeling as well as possible and will be able to enjoy the holidays!

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited December 2010

    AnnetteS I jsut finished TC 4 17 days ago and there is no way i could have worked other than week 3 of each cycle. I did work at home but not much.

  • Rachel1966
    Rachel1966 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2010

    I am feeling better in regards to the back pain. That was just weird how it can on suddenly then left. Yesterday was a bad day but I slept a lot and today feels ok, not good but ok. I've been doing Advils.  My onc does  not make me come in for check ups or blood work unless it's chemo time.

    I also would never have been able to work during chemo except for the last week (3rd).

    I'm having a lot of thrush issue this time around, more than before. Using Difflucan, Nyastatin, salt water gargle, biotene and brushing my tongue. It's so pasty, yuck.

    Happy Holidays to all - may you all be side effect free, cancer free and healthy 2011.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited December 2010

    rachel glad to hear you are feeling better. I had thrush every time tx. It usually went away by week 3 but i kept using the nystatin all 12 weeks of my chemo and I am still taking it even though my tongue is pink. I have had a sore throat for two weeks now could be thrush, sores or just a virus no way to know. The salt water gargles seem to help. Trying to do those almost every hour and its getting better. I use the biotene when i remember after i eat.

    Just got back form delivering cookies to all the neighbors who cooked meals and brought me treats and offered to help out.

    I hope you can all try to enjoy the holiday through the side effects. Staying positive is half the battle.  

  • DancerMel28
    DancerMel28 Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2010

    Hi Girls,

    Just dropping in and noticed there's lots of you having TC at the moment.  I finished in July and most SEs have disappeared.  I thought I felt great in week 3 of the cycle but it's amazing how much better I'm feeling these days!!!

    Be kind to yourself - rest when you need to and don't forget to drink lots of fluids. Oh and for those worried about work - I don't think there was anyway I could've worked during chemo! Gettign through those cycles is the most important thing and if you can take the time off do so.

    Mel

  • patty61
    patty61 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2010

    Rachel1966,  You will get your taste buds back.  When I had leukemia it took me about 4 months after chemo to get them back though now I like things that i disliked before (coconut, blue cheese, oatmeal). The metallic taste is what i dislike and use plastic as much as possible.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited December 2010

    Day 20 of my final chemo. I do feel a lot better, but not 100%. Still have thrush i think it's in my throat cause im coughing a bit. My eyes are still tearing at times and are watery. I also get really tired by about 3:00.

    Going on a strenuous road trip in 2 weeks. Driving shot gun but still in the truck all the way from KC to Corpus Christi, TX for a car show then a week later straight from there to Pittsburgh, PA. then a week later back home to KC. I am sure I will be exhausted but it will be good to be doing something other than chemo that is for sure.

  • arubajan05
    arubajan05 Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2010

    Hey Carrol2, You can do it!  Enjoy!  My final Chemo was June 30 and the end of July I went to 4 days of ComicCon here in San Diego with my two teenagers... I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Just listen to your body and if it says "take a break!" then do so.  But getting back into life was great "medicine" for me!

    Hugs and Happy New Year.  Here's to a better 2011!

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited December 2010

    arubajan05 I think you are right, it will be good to be getting back to life. This trip is going to be tough. I did this kind of thing last year before BC and it was a lot of work, and exhausting. It's 8 days of driving in a 3 week time frame albeit shotgun. Then working two car shows which is setting up the car and selling merchandise. We I can sit in the booth all day but it's long days. The convention Halls are connected to our hotel so if I need to I could probably go back to the room and take a nap during the show.

    Looking forward to a better 2011 that is for sure. 

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2011

    I had it 6 times and its 2.5 years later and my hair looks like I still have cancer so good luck ladies and I really hope your hair comes back I worked all through it accept for a day here or there but never got my energy up I tire easy but I will be 60 in Novemeber so that might be part of it its enough to tear you up and I hope for our childrens 50.s if they get this they wont have chemo they will be able to give you a pill like for a sore throat ..

    Maura

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited January 2011

    Enjoylife- I hope for the same thing. My kids are 5 and 8. I am waiting on the BRCA genetic results-I pray for negative. I had my last chemo 12/30. I am happy for that, but still have an exchange surgery to do, possibly more depending on the BRCA result.

    Tiffany

  • Blindsided
    Blindsided Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2011

    last TC treatment today- so glad to be through!

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited January 2011
    Congrats Blindsided!!! This last one has been tough for me-I hope it goes easy for you!!
  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited January 2011

    Congrats Blindsided!!  I'm sure you are doing the "happy dance"!  I get to join you on Friday!

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • Blindsided
    Blindsided Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2011

    TIFJ & Torigirl: Thanks, I am still feeling great and so thrilled to have the poisoning ended.  Headed out to see Jersey Boys tonight to celebrate!  Congratulations to both of you too.  TifJ, hopefully you will recover from this final round soon!  At least its over.

    Next adventure, radiation!  Other than the hassle of going there every day that shouldn't be a problem!

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited January 2011

    Off to the Dr. Looks like either my port catheter or the skin around it is infected. Just when i thought i was done!

  • Blindsided
    Blindsided Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2011
    Tifj: so sorry to hear about this complication when you should be celebrating the completion of your chemo!  I had my chemo via IV so I don't know anything about ports. Since you have completed chemo, when does the port usually get taken out?
  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2011

    I had my second TC tx today, through an IV.  For the first one, the top of my  hand hurt a little. This time my whole hand, fingers and almost to my elbow hurt, and are slightly swollen.  Has anyone else experienced this?

    I am hoping it is just a reaction to the IV and not the begining of lymphedema.  I only had two nodes taken out on that side.

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited January 2011

    Annette,

    Sorry to hear that you are having a problem with your arm...but, are you saying they they gave you chemo through an IV on the arm you got your nodes taken out of?  If so, forgive me for asking, but why are they doing your chemo on that arm?  I was always under the impression that no matter how many nodes were taken out you were not supposed to use that arm for any needle pricks, IVs, or blood pressure.... that may be the reason you are having an issue.  

    However, If I misread your post and they gave you the chemo in the arm that didn't have the nodes taken out of, I really don't see any correlation between the chemo and the LE.  You probably wouldn't get LE in the arm that didn't have the nodes out, but I could be wrong.  I would definitely call your onc or the nurse and ask about it, just to be on the safe side....

    I'm sure others will chime in as well.

    I hope I didn't confuse you...  :) 

    At any rate, I hope it resolves itself for you...having to deal with LE on top of chemo is something you definitely want to avoid if you can...

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited January 2011

    Sisters,

    Here I sit...up late letting steroids have their fun with me....last chemo (#6) in about 10 hours!  :) Just checking in to see what is going on with you all.  It's pretty quiet, so I'm hoping you are all resting comfortably and have a SE free night!

    Sleep well all...

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

    P.S.  Did anyone have their eyes twitch as an SE?  Both of mine do it and it drives me crazy...hope it subsides.   

  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2011

    Tori Girl,

    I do get my blood drawn and my IV in the arm that had two nodes out.  The other arm had 22 nodes out, so that is my better choice.  I asked for a port, so I wouldn't have to have the IV, but the doctors are not as concerned about my risk of lymphemea as they are my lack of healing.  

    I had bmx in October then a debridement(sp) in December before they could start the chemo.  I am still not completely healed from the October incisions, so they are not wanting to do another surgery for the port unless absolutely necessary.  It is kinda a catch 22, I guess.

    But on a good note, My arm and hand are MUCH better today.  They are sore but not painful :-)

    Everyone:

    Do most of you get your blood work done at your oncologists office? Because of my insurance I have to go to a Quest lab a couple of days before chemo (well actually he has me going every week) .  The girl at the lab told me that they can't draw blood from a port, that has to be done in the hospital. So, even if I got a port, it would just be for the IV not the blood work. Does that make sense?

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2011

    I had twitching and eyes and nose and eye running but it all passes I still after 2.5 years have that numbness when my feet get cold or if I am restless. Ladies anyone with Lymphdema I go to curves and it helped allot with the swelling. Just a tip for it not a tip on hiar coming back but PRAY allot and cry when you want to

    Maura

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited January 2011

    Sisters!

    Last chemo is over!  I'm done!  Just so happy for it be over!  Definitely doing some kind of dance that is for sure!  Wow...can't believe all 6 are done...never thought this day would get here...

    Now, I wait for this to get through my system and start to feel good again...then on to rads.  I'm already hoping that it will be a smooth ride...

    Thanks for all your good thoughts and vibes!

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • Blindsided
    Blindsided Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2011
    ToriGirl: congratulations- what a wonderful feeling!
  • sunflowerE152
    sunflowerE152 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2011

    Started TC December 30, and had shots of leukine days 2 - 6.  I am trying to work through the chemo, but thinking this might be harder than I thought.  Has anyone else had this combination?

  • mommafluff61
    mommafluff61 Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2011

    sunflowerE152...

    I had my first TC on Dec. 30th! I didn't have any shots after. I felt great on Thursday and Friday, even went into work on Friday for 2 hours to finish up month/year end stuff. Sat thru Wed, I felt queasy/indigestion. Thursday, I felt great...pretty much back to normal. What SE's are you having, if any?

  • dawney
    dawney Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2011

    Yay Torigirl!!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited January 2011

    I am starting TC on Jan 18th... after reading I am a bit concerned about side effects.  I was hoping to continue working and even have a trip planned to St John for 10 days in March... My oncologist says I'll be fine... Has anyone been just fine? I will be having my infusion every three weeks 6x, with neulasta.

  • navywife7181
    navywife7181 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2011

    Everyone is different. I started 1/6/11. I felt fine when i had all my pre drugs. Now one thing i can tell you if drink as much fluids and eat small meals every 2 hours if you can. Oh you need to urinate alot too. That is what my onco suggested to flush the meds out. You will be fine. Right now the only thing that bothers me is headaches i have learned to deal with the nausea with fluids and the meds they gave me. Ask for the nausea med Zofran. works great and doesnt make you sleepy. Before you go to chemo they will give you the drug Decadron so you will be fine. Chin up and smile dont let it drag you down. :-) We all can beat this !

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited January 2011

    I have my Decaron and Zofran meds all waiting and have made a spreadsheet to keep track of everything

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