Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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My ony dr. is from Europe and has been in several write ups for all types of cancer and the chemo process. He is the one that suggested that a glass of wine could help with mood and relaxation. He is a firm believer in good health, eating right and maintaining some sort of exercise; even if it is minimal. He also said to do whatever helps to get through the treatment. He monitors constantly and has been very matter of fact for each shot/chemo/dr visit/bloodwk. If he is not in contact with me, his office is. So, back to the theory on "alcohol", I guess it varies, but I won't do anything to jeopardize my treatment. This is not my first time around and I plan it to be my last.
Still having to take the neupogen shots. Hopefully today is my last one. I feel like I have been beaten by a boxer. My ribs hurt extensively, but surprisingly my legs are functioning with less pain. I'll take that, at least I'm not as stiff. Go to the PS tomorrow for a followup and progress report. I have healing well, and am so looking forward to being done with chemo so as to move forward with completing the reconstruction. I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, just can't yet see it. I am only half done with chemo, and if round 3 is like what most of you have experienced, I am asking for volunteers to go take the treatment for me. So far I haven't had anyone volunteers to take my neupogen shots. Darn that pain.
If everything goes will, I should be done with seeing the onc until round 3. Have a happy day.
Cynthia
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Goldie, got another confirmation call from Baylor yesterday, did you? So we're both in the class - yey!!!
Joan, I had my 3TC last week, and still have some eyebrows and lashes. They've definitely thinned out though.
Welcome Winnie!!!
Susan, cheer up my friend. We're here for you, and we're all in this together.
Artsee, yea, I've stopped the mascara too. I hope the lashes grow back thick and curly, because I don't have much to begin with hehe.
So far, no problems with my toes/nails. I cut them really short and put lotion constantly.
Have a great day everyone!!!
Aurora
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aurora/goldilocks, I'm starting to feel like a left out school girl--I want to go to the FGLG or is it LGFG?? class with you all too! oh well I'll be going by myself next week
day after tx hopefully I'll feel good enough to get there
Artsee I have been meaning to mention your pic is pretty just like your paintings--
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40somethingMom; we'll have you with us in spirit. You're getting to go to your class before us, so you will need to share. We are scheduled for the class after my 3 round, so I hope that I am feeling good by the time we go. I usually feel pretty good, fine the day after the tx, I hope you do as well.
Believer: yes, I did get a confirmation call.
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Thank you 40smething. Your very sweet and cute yourself!!
Is that a golf cart you're in? My DH is retired from law enforcment and works part time at "Whistling Straights".(Kohler, WI) FREE golf on a professional course. It was so cool working at the PGA a few years back. I want to see all new pictures after you guys go to the Looking Good classes.You'll knock em over....
Hugs to all, Artsee
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Complementary (rather than alternative) therapies ...
I've started both yoga and rekai sessions since being diagnosed. Both are offered at a local Cancer support organization for free (for limited number of sessions). Figured it can't hurt and can help! I think the (once weekly) yoga actually helped me recover from surgery faster - although when I first started there were some positions that I couldn't do very well. I find the rekai sessions very relaxing and have scheduled one session during my first week after each chemo. Looking to augment the weekly yoga class with an at home video yet haven't made a lot of progress on that front yet. Challenge will be fitting these in when I go back to working full-time.
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Jisman: Tell me more about reiki. I've heard of it but know nothing about it other than it's complementary/alternative like yoga.
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Rekai is light touch energy work. Literally all I do is lie down on my back on a massage table, fully clothed and try to relax. The Rekai professional does the work. She/he can either lightly touch or just hover her hands above key energy points (top of head, shoulders, ankles, abdomen, etc). It's supposed to help channel the energy in a positive manner. Not sure I fully believe yet there are certain positions where I definitely feel more heat than I would normally have expected from a light touch. And worse case it is 30 minutes of relaxation. I've tried two different Rekai people - one likes to have gentle music in the background while the other prefers quiet. We added in a bit of guided relaxation last session ("imagine that you are on a river with the water supporting you ...").
A note on complementary vs alternate ... alternate is general used to describe treatments that are done INSTEAD of the recommended medical procedures whereas complementary is used when you augment the medical procedures with incremental therapies.
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Lurking around - sorry I haven't posted. It sounds like you guys are doing good, though. That the thing that I love about this board is that when I am down I can come and vent and when I feel good people are genuinely glad that I am doing well.
Have mostly moved to the Rad board but just can't give you ladies up yet. Haven't started rads yet. Will go to meet with doc tomorrow and then hope to start next week.
Was very overwhelmed earlier this week - almost depressed to the point where I didn't want to get up, shower, go to work, etc. Took some time and now I am feeling better. I think it was the fear of the unknown with rads, bills, bills and more bills, flower gardens needing weeding, house needed cleaning, son won't do anything to help, work piling up at work.......and so on and so on. Just plain overwhelmed! I think I've got it in perspective again. Hope so anyway.
Hope all your se's are quick to vacate the premises!
Love you guys and May God Bless you ALL for everything you have done for me!
Cheers!
Wendy
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Jisman-Yes, I meant "integrative" not alternative--oops-I am going to call tomorrow and try to set something up, the 'myofascial release' sounds good to me or the 'craniosacral therapy'
Wendy, so sorry to hear you are down, so many of us have been having the bouts of depression, I have not mentioned this but last tx #3 was a downer for me as well, it comes and goes-- I hope spring will bring some fresh perspective on all of this for us
Artsee- my pic was the day I picked my wig up it was in my car, I love to golf though, I plan to get out more this year
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Wendy and Patricia,
I have struggled with the depression aspects of tx as well... I am recently widowed (right before dx) and when the bad days hit, I'm thinking, "is this REALLY my LIFE?" But then I feel better a day later and the world looks bright again. Just have to make it through the final tx in two weeks, and move on to radiation and hormone therapy. I can do this.
Thanks for sharing....
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Hi everyone,
I've been lurking on this thread for awhile now - just thought I'd check in & let those of you still in treatment know what the se's are like 3 1/2 weeks after completing 4 rounds of TC ( I realize that everyone is different with their response to TC ).
I turned the corner on the fatigue last week - but it definitely got worse before it got better. I still need to rest & put my feet up but I'm not having to take midday naps anymore. The main se right now is the muscle & joint aches - they're getting a little better each day but I'm still having to take Alleve.
As far as my GI system goes - only an occasional residual indigestion for which I'm still taking Pepcid.
The few hairs left on my head are starting to grow, but it's not filling in yet ( I know it's too soon ) & I"m still bare from the neck down.
My nails are hanging in there so far.
Saw my onc on Monday - I go back for a follow-up in July - Yay! plus he said I could have my port taken out at anytime. I see the ps next week to schedule my implant exchange surgery...I am so ready to move onward & upward....
For the most part I feel pretty good. I'm getting back on track with my full life...I have 3 kids & I'll be returning to work next week.
So in case anyone is wondering - YES, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!
Therese
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Wine, etc. - RETRACT WHAT I WROTE MARCH 25! My onc Dr says it's okay to drink wine, etc., as long as it's in moderation. I guess that also means that your liver function is normal, and that it tastes okay (that's my criteria). So I'll indulge now and then--usually only 2 glasses of wine a week anyway.
She is going to check with the taxotere people about the fact that just one of my hands got red and rough around the joints (the honey-calendula cream seems to help). Today I wrapped both little toes in moleskin, which seemed to help, and I managed to walk 30 minutes yesterday and today.
Tea tree oil--do you use the 70% type that comes with a brush? The 100% type seems to be for skin.
Sleep well all!
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Question for any of the TC graduates who are still visiting - one of the gals in my support group is wondering how long it takes for hair to grow back after the end of chemo and if it comes in uniform or more patchy initially. Appreciate hearing people's experience.
Have to share my DH story. Came home tonight from my support group meeting and found that DH had put together a hat stand for me. On each of the little foam pads (intended for a hat) was a little beany baby animal. I was planning to put the stand together tomorrow. How nice to have it in position ready to go. Of course the animals will need to be relocated.... DH is definitely a keeper.
Joan
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Good Morning:
Jisman: I just finished chemo on March 7th so I cannot give you the answer as to when hair grows in...I think we are all so different that hair growth will also be person to person. I can tell you this tho....I did not lose all my hair, only areas so we have kept it shaved and will keep it shaved until the areas where all growth stopped starts again. And I think this'll be interesting....they say hair that has fallen out will grow back curly - so I'll have sections of curly hair and secions of straight hair? I may be bald for a while. Also, I only lost half of one eyebrow and the eyelashes thinned, didn't come completely out (thank you God for small favors)
Beegirl: I used the TTO 100% on nails and once during chemo I started growing a huge oil cycst under the skin.....I put TTO on it and dried it up before it ever hit the surface.....look it up online, it has many uses.
Good luck to all......Trina
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Trina: Was the oil cyst under your skin near your nails? I have a painful bump on my back that may be a cyst and that I'm having checked today by my PCP. Yesterday I showed it to my onc Dr who didn't think it was related to the chemo. I see that you also have ILC--one of the few in this group. I'm curious why you had chemo with no nodes and low stage and grade. I had one positive node (with 2 negative ones branching off it) and an oncotype score of 12, so my Dr recommended chemo.
Hope everyone has a minimal se day!
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Hello all - Have to say the #2 has not been as bad as #1 so far....however I do feel that my RBC are starting to tank...blood work tomorrow so we will see. And then last week the onc said something about my insurance not paying for procrit anymore...b/c of a recent study that ties it to relapse? So what happens if my RBC take the dive they did last time? Guess I can't worry about that til tomorrow...my dog hurt her foot and it is no better...so will take her to the vet this afternoon....
Hope everyone has a SE free day
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Jisman: Having gone through chemo in the past, my experience was that my hair grew back in baby fine and still straight. My hair was very thick, straight and coarse before chemo, and then after-very fine, thin and hard to manage. It took about 6 months before there was much there to style, however I was able to "punk-out" my hair so it looked like there was more there. When we are children we are taught how to take care of our hair. How to style it, how to get it looking presentable. When we go through chemo and lose our hair, it comes in different and there is no one there to help us Re-learn how to do our hair. Sure our hair designers will cut, color and style our new hair, but when I got home I would be lost. Finally, I decided to just grow it out. When I was diagnosed again I had to cut my shoulder length hair off, but hopefully this time it will come back thicker, or at least more of it. Everyone is definitely different, and each experience is unique. Be patient, you have made it through this far, there is no place but up!
I am continually having red bumps come up all over my head. Parts of my head are extremely tender. The avacado oil is helping, but I may consider the tea tree oil on my head. Has anyone tried it on their head?
Feeling a bit more mobile today. Only 7 days left before round 3. I am not looking forward to it, since I have read several people have had a time with it. Round 2 was somewhat a challenge. Just did finish taking the neupogen, and still somewhat low energy. Any words of wisdom for going into this?
Have a happy se-free day.
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I hate to mention this to all of you using tea tree oil, but I was told and just looked it up and TTO is connected with altering hormone levels and is not recommended for people who have hormone sensitive cancers, I also read there was a study linking boys and enlarged breast with TTO--anyone concerned should look this up
Jismin- Love the hat rack story, he's a keeper-- I have been having such a time trying to find my hats- as I keep setting them in places around the house I forgetting where I left them, chemo fog I think- I love the rack idea
My Liver enzymes have dropped into the 200's(would like to see more drop) but yeah, I will have my final tx #4 on schedule next Tuesday, I just hope it goes better than #3
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Wendy: I've also had some "blue" moments. Like a lot of us, it seemed to hit me worst after round 3. Hang in there.
TexRN: Nice to see you here, too. My PS says she takes out a lot of ports when she does the exchange surgery-a two-for-one deal. You could ask your PS if they'd do the same--would save you some anesthesia time. I had my exchange in Dec. before chemo, so I can't take advantage of it-will have my port until Jan. 2009 when herceptin's done-but my PS did say she'll take it out for me anyway and "clean up" the area.
Beegirl: I use the 100% TTO on my nails. I use a Q-tip or cotton ball to put it on. I've had no problems with it and my nails look pretty good. Some faint horizontal lines are all I see, but the nails are strong. I have also used it on zits-I think guggerty may have told me that trick-worked like a charm overnight!
Jisman: How nice of your dh-def. a keeper!
SharonS: My RBCs are low also, but not "low enough" yet. I've been eating lots of iron rich foods to help boost them. If you don't get procrit, they can put you on iron supplements (nice, another thing to constipate!).
Goldilocks: Hope #3 goes well. Only words of wisdom I have are keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take it one day at a time. Rest as much as you can, and seek out our support when you need it! You can do this!
Hope everyone has a good day. Our sun is gone today-cloudy and sprinkles. The kids are still home and testing my patience-and energy!
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Hi all! On the Hair note, I had last TX on 1/24. I have about 1/4 inch of fuzz right now! It is kind of sparce looking, but I am thrilled! I have stopped wearing the wigs and people think that has helped in getting more growth!
good luck all!
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Jisman - about hair growth, like Goldilocks, I've been down this road before, but I had AC the first time, so I don't know what it will be with TC. My first time around, my hair started coming in curly, but ended up straight exactly like it had been before. Now, I keep it shaved down, but when I get "sprouts", they seem to be heavily gray. I hope that's not an omen of what's to come!! It does seem like there is no "standard", and everyone has a different experience.
I have red bumps on my head, also, but they seem to be worse right after treatment, and then fade...
Goldilocks - my tx#3 was the easiest for me, se-wise, but I did get the blues about then as Kathy said. Hang in there!!
I had tx #4 (out of 6) yesterday, and just got back from my Neulasta shot. I'm starting to feel the indigestion coming on, and am doing the Pepcid and also the Senokot, which seemed to work really well the last time. It will be a quiet weekend for me, I'm sure.
Have a great day, everyone!!
CHJ
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Had TC #2 yesterday. Went well except for having two tries for the IV. I can see why the port would be a great thing, especially when they will only use my left arm because of having the lymph node removed on the right. Now very tired and waiting for s/e's. Get Neulasta this afternoon. Oh boy. Hair just about all gone now. Sure saves time every morning!
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Awwww, Joan, you're dh is definitely a keeper! I cried reading your cute story
. Texrn, indeed, there's light after all these! For me I see the tunnel gets wider and brighter each day, and there's no other way but onward and upward.
I was talking to my health advocate (case manager) today and she said that I have become her hero and inspiration. Waaah, brought the waterworks to my eyes!!!
My friends, we'll all get through this with flying colors - we have got to believe that we will. For me, life just started, and there's so much in the future to enjoy. Maybe someday, we can all have a reunion somewhere by the beach???
I pray that you're all feeling well!!!
God bless,
Aurora
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Hey guys - good to be back here with all our complaints and our successes.
goldilocks: glad I'm not the only one with red bumps on their head. I was at the dermatologist yesterday & wanted to ask her, but she was too queasy to see my bald head. What do they teach these people in medical school??? She was asking all these simplistic questions about what chemo was like!
Anyway - the thought of putting TTO on my head makes me want to do what I've wanted to do since the last TX anyway. GAG! I've been trying to use on my head what I've been using on my face - clean it with the same stuff & use the same moisturizer.
40something: so cool your last TX is almost here - good luck & let us know how it goes.
PAlady - glad to know that 4 was easier for you. I've already cancelled a trip I had for 2 weeks after#4 was over thinking I'd never make it. It's ok - we have baseball tickets for that weekend anyway.
C-babe - boy you got a double dose of awful this year. If virtual hugs help, a big one is being sent out in your direction.
TTO: at the last TX, the onc nurse really encouraged me to use it. When I told her my reaction to the smell she said then just use it on the toe nails and put socks on to keep the smell in. Haven't had the courage to do that yet.
Question for those of you who have graduated chemo: how long does it take for taste to come back. This time around I haven't even been able to drink water because it tastes so bad (not just San Diego water - bottled water or filtered water too). I'm thirsty all the time too.
Is it just me, or is the next transition also scaring you guys? When I left the surgeon's PA for the onc. staff it was traumatic. Now that I've spent so much time with the onc & chemo room nurses, I can't imagine leaving them too. I have a feeling I will like leaving the radiiology people though - going to see way too much of them.
susan
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C- how awful you are going through this after the recent loss of your husband, I am so sorry to hear that. I pray that your final tx goes smooth and you are cancer free for life!
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Thanks, Patricia and Susan....
This cancer journey has been surreal... I was definitely still in shock from the death of my husband when I was diagnosed. In a way, that's made it easier to just focus on putting one foot in front of the other, not thinking too much (because I just can't). What a strange universe we live in.
I get a lot of strength from all the posts here, am constantly amazed by the fortitude of so many women (and men) who are affected by cancer. Keep it up everybody!
Best wishes to all....
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GuitarGrl: I've found that my taste returned about 7-10 days after each round. I'm 9 days after last tx and taste is almost back. Water takes a little longer-- I'm not liking it yet.
CHJ and JT: Hope the SEs go easy on you.
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Morning all,
My experience with water is consuming it as hot teas.(non-caffiene) This way I am consuming fluids pretty much all day long. Peach right now is my favorite. If it gets cold I am still able to drink it.The colder the water when I do drink it, the better. Just a few days out before the next round, but am finally feeling a bit better.
New se is not common, my top of my left foot is swollen and extremely painful. Onc said to keep an eye on it. He says most people have nail issues. Informed him that I had that last time. Even had to have my big toenail on my left foot perm. removed. So, hoping this isn't more than it is. Did call the onc nurse, they need me to go get it checked out. Could possibly be a blood clot. Great;)
So wishing everyone a good day, wish me luck.
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Already back for the dr. They checked out the top of my foot and the onc said that it could be either the start of celluitous(spelling?) or a blood clot. Either way the prescribed some antibiotics, ice and keep the foot elevated. If it worsens to call, otherwise call them on Monday to update them. It was kinda neat how the dr's office handled it. The onc nurse examed me, then got the dr,he came out to the waiting area to exam me. He did a quick exam and sent me on my way. All the patients waiting got to see doc in"action". Pretty cool. Spoke with dh and he said if it continues to hurt for me to go home. Well, if I went home I'd probably still be in front of the computer, so might as well stay at work. Have my foot propped up on a step stool. No big deal. Just remembered what everyone said about letting the dr know about any changes. I realized that this was probably a big one to report. Thanks everyone.
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