Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi Janice/Craftygal - I'm just a little ahead of you. My second tx is the 14th. Don't lose too much sleep over the hair. I did at first, but now that it's gone (except for a few stragglers) I don't miss it that much. Here are some positives for you to think about
You can ride in the car with the windows open and not worry about your hair style.
You don't' need something to hold your hair back when washing your face before bed.
When you get night sweats your hair is not soaked.
You save a lot of money at the beauty salon and on products.
I did get a wig for special things, but it itches so don't wear it long. A baseball cap has become my best friend because I look awful in other hats. Scarves once in a while. Just remeber it's temporary!!!
Keep smiling.
Karen0 -
Rosario - Most of the gals felt relatively good for the first two days after each treatment (perhaps because of the steroid effects). Many even worked those days. The next two days after Tx (day 4 and 5) were a different story for most. I slept almost all day and night on day 4 after each TX. Regarding Neulasta ... I went through all 4 tx without ever getting the shot; WBC dropped but never into the region that would have been a problem.
Janice - My cancer center supplies a variety of caps made from jersey material that could be good under a bike helmet. Fabric is donated and stitching is by volunteers so they are free to patients.
Goldilocks - I just gently remind people that while the treatment itself is done, I need to get through its full cycle. None-the-less, I am happy to be able to say the treatments themselves are OVER. Congrats on your anniversary - and for having a great dh.
Lasik takers - what have been your experiences with its success? I've been taking it for about almost 3 weeks and still have gained more weight. Not Fair! Of course I did have a chemo treatment in the middle, complete with the steroids, so they likely were competing.
Tip on wigs ... if you haven't already had this done, consider taking it to a hair stylist that has worked with wigs for a trim or shaping. Made a huge difference - took a wig that I liked reasonably well to one that I really like. Made the one I loved, even better. Be sure the person knows what they are doing.
Happy Mother's Day to all. Have great weekends!
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Artsee,
Well, my onc's office told me that it was ok to drink, occasionally, and just maybe one drink a day, during chemo. I didn't drink very much, but since they told me it was ok... they should know... right? Besides, I only had ONE glass!!
Congratulations, anyway!
Harley
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Ok girls...
Here is a strange question...
I have a new development. It has been six months since my last tx, and I looked in the mirror, and OMG! My front tooth is darkened...it's kind of brown!! WTH?
So, I haven't been to the dentist in awhile... I moved to NC, and I've been kind of busy with moving, and then the bc dx...Did anyone else have this?? I don't know if it's from the chemo, or the Tamoxifen I started in November... My dh says that some medications can cause your teeth to discolor, as he had that happen once.
Thanks for all the help... I sure hope someone can tell me what's going on...
Harley
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Morning,
Harley: I don't think any of us right now are out as far as you from the treatment. So, I myself don't know. Everyone seems to have one or two different things that happens along the way. Hang in there, and check with a friend/coworker to recommend a dentist. Hopefully, you can find your answer.
Thank you everyone that wished me a happy anniversary. Brought all the flowers home from work. I have them in different locations around the house. The house smells wonderful. Sure would be nice to have this all the time. Reality check...a not a florist, so probably $$ for a weekly thing. I plan to enjoy the fragrance for as long as they last. Dh enjoys roses so it is wonderful to share this great gift. He also loves candles, so I bought him this wonderful smelling Rose candle that also has filled the air with an aroma of roses. It is great to have sense of smell!
With all that we go through, I never have lost an smell. No smells ever made me nauseous. Still fighting the swelling, but hey...I here and a Survivor!
Ladies, hope everyone has a se-free weekend.
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Well, still having a hard time keeping up with everybody. Being a repeater to all of this there is not a lot of info here I can give that hasn't already been said. I do alot to keep busy. I work full time take the dog for a 2 mile walk everyday ... weather permitting (it really helps to sleep at night) drink lots of water and take loads of vitamins. This time with chemo is not that bad. I take streroids the day before and the morning of chemo and it seems to help alot. I did not do that last time I went through this and I felt awful for a full week.
Otter.... I have read a lot of your threads and you are a wealth of information, Thank you for all your research.
Kfalls.... great postitives on the no hair. Love the open windows myself. I will also have my 2nd treatment the 15th
Happy mothers day everbody.
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Artsee - congrats on finishing! And thank God your insurance is covering!
CHJ - best thoughts for your down weekend. Mine is next weekend after I get #3 on Tues. When do you move???
Goldie - Happy Anniversary! These are moments that get us through the BC nonsense.
Otter - how was the boat?
Happy Mother's Day to all!
Amy
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Therese: Thanks for your comments on 2+ months out from this. It's discouraging to think that the eyebrows and eyelashes come out 6-8 weeks after the end of chemo, though I guess it's good to know that can happen. My last tx was April 23, and I'm still struggling with shortness of breath going up stairs and even low inclines. My thighs feel so heavy. I'm still hydrating and exercising and so far haven't had any swelling.
Goldilocks: Congrats on the anniversary-and the thoughtful DH with the roses!
Artsee: Congrats on finishing! It‘s a good feeling to know we don't have to do that anymore, even though the SE's linger. I've been wondering about the cost of the follow-up meds since I have to submit my health flexible spending account estimate by the end of the month. Hopefully my insurance won't change the co-pay in January. I haven't heard of anyone starting a follow-up med before/while doing radiation. Is aromatase the same as arimidex? I've been told I'll get the latter or femara. The onc will switch if I get SE's from what I start on, but it won't be until after I finish radiations.
Welcome to the newbies-you can learn a lot from this forum.
I see my rad onc on Monday and hope to get scheduled to start the next week so I'll be moving over to follow the posts on the Rad forum.
Happy Mother's Day to all of us, no matter whom/what we've mothered!
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algw - we move a week from Monday (the 19th). I'm freaked out a bit because I feel so awful. I did some packing today and overdid, I think. Hopefully I'll bounce back in the next day or two. There is still so much to do. But it will happen one way or another.
Sorry so short, I've been in bed most of the afternoon. Best wishes to you all and Happy Mother's Day to the moms among us.
CHJ
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CHJ - I hope you get your energy back soon. Wasn't this your last treatment??!! Good luck with the move. Hope you love your new home.
Artsee - congrats on being done! That was a shocker about your new medication. I would have wet my pants...well, almost. Glad the insurance came through for you. I believe I'll be on the same stuff so you are paving the way.
beegirl - congrats on moving forward. you've been through the worst of it now.
Goldilocks - Happy Anniversary!
Kfalls- thanks for the good outlook re: no hair. This week will be my week for the fall out. My dd and bff have a game plan - to go GI Jane short the day it starts then go wig shopping. DD brought me some beautiful fabric from a recent trip to africa and it will be a lovely head wrap.
Happy, Warm Mothers's day to all
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Hi all - Artsee glad all went well. My onc didn't talk about hormone treatment yet, but I see him again week after next. Next week the lympedema therapist appt and blood work.
Did the Komen 5K in Richmond today with 3 GREAT friends. I ran with one and the other two walked. We had a wonderful time...amazing all the people there. Ate last night at the Tobacco House which was incredible food...if you are ever in Richmond, don't miss that one.
Went to the mtns with dh when I got home. We burned some brush and sat by the fire...had smore's for supper...beautiful night...off to bed for me.
Sharon
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Sharon - sounds like you had a wonderful Saturday! Hope ya sleep well and your Sunday is a blessed one.
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Hi, I'm Carmen. I start my first round of TC on Tuesday, May 13. After reading all that has been written about Neulasta would anyone tell me what it is for and why you should take it????? My Oncologist hasn't mentioned it to me yet, should he have already said something if he was going to give it to me? Frankly, all I know about it is what I've seen on commercials, which isn't much.
I am really getting scared at this point. All I have ever heard is the horrors of chemo and now here I am, about to be living in one of those horrors. I have already got my wig, a couple of sleep caps and I also ordered a couple turbans.....And after looking at some other posts on things I should buy ahead, I guess I'll go shopping tomorrow. I haven't been able to go to sleep tonight, and I took an Ambien CR already. I hope everyone has a lot of patience with me and I would certainly appreciate any help given.
I'm a 58 years old and totally terrified of what is about to happen in my life.
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Robink - You should go wig shopping before you lose your hair. That way you are prepared and can also better match your current hair color and/or style. It is great that your dd and bff are there to support you.
Carmen - Sorry you have to join us but know that you are in the right place. You will find a lot of great information here to help you through chemo. We are all making it through this and YOU CAN TOO. Remember that everyone is different and just because someone else has a certain side effect or reaction, it does not necessarily mean that you will have the same experience. I looked for general themes and prepared accordingly for those; some others prepared for all potential side effects. Your doctor may want you to take steroids starting the day before your treatment; if he/she hasn't already mentioned this, call them and ask. The steroids help to reduce some of the potential side effects (SE). You will likely also get additional meds at you chemo session itself before receiving TC - possibly more steroids and a long-lasting anti-emetic to combat nausea/vomiting. (Fortunately, these worked well for me and I had no nausea/vomiting during my 4 treatments.) As for Neulasta ... it is one of the drugs that can stimulate the production of white blood cells (WBC). With chemo attacking, your WBC count will drop which means you will be immunity-compromised and more likely to catch something if exposed to illnesses. Neulasta (1 shot) or neupogen (a series of shots) can help. Many oncos give this as standard treatment; mine makes the decision based on the individual. I'm 46, was otherwise healthy, and had taken off from work so was fairly buffered from others with illnesses, so my onco said let's wait and see; while my WBC did drop, it never dropped so low to be a concern. The first week after the actual chemo treatment will generally be your worst, the second week is when your WBC will be low so be cautious about being around anyone who is sick, and the third week should be your best week. If not already done, find your support network to help you through - friends, family, neighbors and many church groups will want to help. This is the time to say YES to the offers of assistance. For me, the anticipation and unknown of the first treatment was actually worse than the treatment itself. I hope you find that as well. Good luck on the 13th.
All - I likely will be off-line for awhile. All is well. Treating myself to a break now that chemo is done and before radiation starts.
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Hi Carmen,
My first t/c was 5/5, so I'm not far ahead of you. Like you, I like to know what's ahead and was in panic before first tx. These gals really helped. And my tx went smoother than I expected. Hope yours does too.
Neulasta is WBC booster. Docs have many opinions on it. Ask yours for his plan. Doc will probably adjust meds as txs continue and they see what (if any) se's you get. Drink lots, eat small/often, rest, and light exercise seem common to all.
The wig is a personal choice. I feel most comfortable in hat, but have wig and scarfs for special occasions. Having wig styled by my hairdresser friend helped too. From readings here, that transition isn't as huge an obstacle as we worry about. I'm not looking forward to it, but feel better being ready. Do whatever YOU feel best with.
My best beginner advice is take help from family/friends. (Pets help too if you have them.) Now isn't time to be a fearless superwoman. "This too shall pass" Until then, visit here often and unload fears and ask any questions. None of us expected to be here, but its great to be here with such a great group of new friends.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress thru txs.
Janice
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Hi, Carmen. I'm just a few days behind you. My first Tx is May 19 and I, too, am very apprehensive. I am ordering my wig tomorrow. My wonderful hair stylist who has struggled with my awful hair for many many years, volunteered to take me to her favorite wig place and guide me through the process and trim it for me . She's also told me to call her the minute I decide I want her to shave my own hair so I can make the least traumatic change possible. She has been so supportive and has gone through this with many clients over her career. I have my chemo class tomorrow and am hoping to get many questions answered. I don't know what the chemo room looks like and can't even picture how this process works. This site is helping me to get prepared. Still feel like I'll wake up from this nightmare and it will all be behind me.
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Well, I had #3 on thursday at the new center closer to home. It went pretty good.. I was anxious about it, but turned out fine. They do things a little differently. Turns out I wasn't suppose to take the pre-meds from my original doc (dex) which no one told me. So they dosed me again, after I told them I had taken 8mg .. so with the 12 additional, I was awake all darn night. First time thats happened to me, so that was an eye opener. They have 8 chairs for treatment in their lounge, so if your appointment isn't first thing, you have a long wait. Thankfully, mine was the first one. Still took over 2 hours to get it started, but it beats driving the 3 hours each way I was doing, right?
I've felt pretty good with this one. Bone pain started in lastnight, about like first time. They gave me vicodan this time, so hopefully that will help some with it. I had some issues getting my zofram from the pharmacy. Apparrantly insurance only allows 15 pills per 30 days and I had had 8 rx'd from tx2 .. So I went the first night after chemo in a panic of getting sick. Got the doctor to call first thing Friday and got an pre-authorization for the full rx. So got that taken care of pretty promptly. Got out yesterday and helped hubby was and wax our cars, not too tiring. Which made me feel very productive. I needed that!
Oh, I am still in shock. I loss the hair on my head, as did we all, right? Why, oh why do I have hair on my freaking legs? And my face, my little blonde mustache laughed at me last night, I mean, it laughed at me! Thankfully, no underarm hair, but still. With all the crap that accompanies chemo, give me a break we shouldn't have to shave our legs! The hair on my arms has held out, as have my eye lashes and brows. But, I did finally get the break with the menses...its gone, oh, it is gone, gone, gone! And I am so stinking happy about it! If I'm good, will it stay gone, do you think?
Hugs and Happy Mothers Day to everyone!
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Morning, Day three after final tx and things are busy in the bathroom. :< Getting a little foggy so this one will probably play out like the other three.
Went back to Walgreen's yesterday to get a print out of my meds and the tech put in for Aromasin again, and it came back, "not covered" again. I don't know what to do. I am bummed. Why do they tell my dh when he calls the insurance, that it's covered and when the pharmacy calls they get a different answer????? GRRRRRR!!
Hope everyone has a better mothers day than I'm having.
Take care, Evie
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Welcome Carmen - I'm very close to you in age (56), and have my second tx May 14. All of us know how you feel and will be here to support you. Just like you I was terrified before I started (and still am to some point), but it was no where near as bad as I anticipated. I didn't sleep for several nights befoe the first tx, but as soon as it was over, I had no problems sleeping. Stay ahead of the nausea and constipation. My dr. gave me a total of 5 different meds for nausea. Aloxi in the pretreatment iv, Emend to take when I sat in the chair and for the next3 days and Zofran to take for six doses beginning the night of treatment. I also got compazine and ativan as "rescue" meds. I didn't need either of these. I also began take senokot S the day of infusion and didn't have any problems. I felt fine until Day 4 and then I slept and slept and slept (15-17hours a day), then I felt pretty good again, but I do tire more easily. My dr. doesn't routinely give neulasta, but checks blood counts a week later and makes a decision then. I did need it and will continue to get it the day after each tx. I had some bone pain in the evenings only on Thurs. and Fri. Aleve took care of it, and again I slept. This is scary, but you can do it. We all do and we are all here to support you.
Began losing my hair on day 14 and by the night of day 15 it was pretty much all gone. I was really surprised how nervous I was the first time I went out. My hair was already short - it has been for 30+ years and I wear a ball cap in the summer, so I donned it. With the big of fringe around my ears and nape, it looked like any other summer trip. I was really surprised how nervous I was the first time I went out and we were just going to my parents. I have 2 wigs, but just am not comfortable wearing them. I am much more comfortable with the hats.
I wish everyone the best of Sunday's and happy mother's day to all of the mom's.
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re: leg hair
I'm sure everyone is different, but I was bummed that my leg hair wasn't falling out and finally I went ahead and shaved it last week. The good news, no new hair! Same is true for the arm pits. So, even if it doesn't fall out, perhaps it will not regrow, or at least not as rapidly. And, I am pleased to report, the chin hairs have stopped coming in. I should add that to the positives of chemo thread.
Happy Mother's Day to all.
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Revkat - glad to hear about the chin hairs because they seem to be the only thing growing right now.
Harley - let me know what you find out about your tooth. Weird!
Evie - I really hope you get that insurance straightened out because that is what I will be taking so now I a worried. Let us know.
Carmen - I know how awful you feel right now - I actually thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Listen to the advice all of the others have given you and know that it will not be as bad as you imagine. I go for my second next week and I am not excited about it, but it was not near as bad as I had imagined. I have had two good weeks out of three since my first treatment. I know it is hard to believe what we are saying, but just get through the first and then you will feel better about the unknown. I will keep you in my prayers this weekend.
Karen0 -
Hi, everybody, I'm back from my mini-vacation on the boat! It was great to be away from home and BC-related things, if only for 3 days. The only problem was that everything--BC and chemo in particular--was waiting for me when I came back to earth (or dry land, in this case). Maybe it's a good sign that my mind can blot out all the BC-related stuff so easily. When I'm finished with chemo and I switch to a daily pill (AI) for 5+ years, it will seem like life is back to normal.
I read throught the posts I've missed but there is so much; so I'll just comment on a few things.
Evie, I don't know why your insurance is being so weird about your Aromasin (or maybe it's your pharmacy that's being weird). I got worried, so I checked my coverage for the AI's; and apparently, my coverage is the same whether I'm taking Aromasin, Arimidex, or Femara. It's a pretty hefty co-pay, but I get a discount because all 3 are considered "maintenance" drugs. I don't know which one I'll be on yet. That info will come when I meet with my onco after my 4th and last TC tx in June. I know she is already thinking about it, because last visit she asked me how long I had been menopausal. Did your onco explain why he/she wants you to take Aromasin (a steroidal AI) rather than Arimidex or Femara (nonsteroidal)? Just curious.
Harley, I have no idea why your tooth is discolored. Have you been chewing betel nuts? There are a whole bunch of reasons why teeth can discolor (I googled it), and I even found several websites that state, "For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration."
There was one eMedicine article on tooth discoloration that had quite a bit of relevant information: http://www.emedicine.com/derm/byname/Tooth-Discoloration.htm
According to that article, a decrease in saliva production (perhaps as in the dry mouth we get from TC?) and less aggressive brushing (perhaps as in what we might do when our mouths are sore and we brush gently with something like Biotene?) can lead to "extrinsic" staining with things that would normally be rubbed off. I guess it's time to go to the dentist, huh?....
Re: the hair stuff. It's amazing, but I still have some hair. Not much--just a bit of thin, wispy bangs and a thin layer covering the rest of my head except for the top which is pretty much bald. This is day 19 of my 2nd round of TC, so I thought it would all be gone by now. The advantage of having a little bit left is that I can wear 20 x 20 inch scarves and let my fringe of bangs stick out the front. It just looks like I have very short hair under the scarf. That size scarf is fairly easy to find in department stores, compared with the 35 x 35 inch scarf that covers the entire head with all the corners tied in back. I like the scarves because they don't shade my face like a ball cap does. (I have lots of those, too.) Around the house I've become used to not wearing anything on my head. I did the same thing while on our boat, and I accidentally went outside and onto the dock bare-headed a few times, not meaning to do so. No wonder I heard small children screaming.
As for the "other" hair, the report is mixed. I still have hair on my arms, but it is thinner than before. My leg hair is not growing, or if it is, it is growing very slowly. There is tiny stubble there, so it hasn't fallen out. My pubic hair is almost all gone--about the same as on my head. I thought I was still OK with respect to eyelashes and eyebrows, but I scratched an itch yesterday and came away with 2 eyebrow hairs on my fingertip. Looks like they're thinning, too.
I am fine-tuning the TC calendar, and adding all the new names. As soon as I recheck it, I'll post the names of everybody getting chemo (TC) next week. I gave up on the non-chemo regimens; there are just too many names to keep track of. It's sad that there are so many of us.
otter
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OK, here's the Taxotere/Cytoxan schedule for May 12-16:
Mon, May 12: anna47 (#4--done!), Senora (#3 dd), clcady (#1 with unusual schedule)
Tues, May 13: revkat (#3), dellmonica (#3), algw (#3), sandym (#2), danismom (#1)
Wed, May 14: otter (me! #3), beachmom13 (#2), Kfalls (#2)
Thurs, May 15: SQK (#3), RJ62 (#2), annie39 (#2)
Fri, May 16: cinlee (#3), RNKaren (#3)
Tigwin, whom we have adopted (are you getting TAC?), is also on for Thurs, May 15.
Did I miss anyone, or get any dates or treatments wrong? Please post a correction or send me a pm so I can update the schedule. Also, I will be working on May 19-26 pretty soon.
otter
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Thanks, Karen... I hope your tx is going well. I am trying to keep up with this thread, but I didn't post much while I was going through my tx. I don't know why.
I'll let you know what my dentist says.
Otter, Glad you made it back to dry land, even if it ended your vacation. It is always nice to get away from reality if even for a few days.
Thanks for googling it... I guess I should have, but I have been kind of busy, doing family stuff this weekend. I'm hoping that things will settle down for a while. Hmmm... I continued to use Biotene toothpaste, even after my chemo ended. Maybe I should go back to another more mainstream toothpaste.
I will call and get an appt. at the dentist my friend at the coffee shopt recommended. Geez, I hate going to the dentist!
I'll let you know what the dentist says.
Hugs
Harley
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Oh, please, could I be added to this list? My first T/C is May 19. I am making copious lists of how to be prepared and questions to ask at my chemo class tomorrow. Thank you.
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Hi all...My onco is giving me Aromesin because early studies have shown that the recurrence rate of BC is significantly lower with this drug that Tamox. and Arimidex. It also doesn't have the side affects the other two have such as blood clots, etc. He said this one you may have some hot flashes and joint pain. He then suggests Femera after the first 5 years.Not right away and I don't know why.I don't look forward to taking any, and if this insurance thing doesn't pan out I just may not. That price is ridiculous.
Otter...These drugs don't have anything to do with Osteoporosis do they? I have Osteoporosis. and because I had the preexisting condition they said they were not covering anything that had to do with that. I'm just trying to wrack my brains. Well, tomorrow I'm calling and we will see.
It sounds like the hair thing is just about the same for all, over the board. I too think the legs and head hair stop growing. They just sit there...damn things!
I think the 4th tx is a lot milder than the rest. No fog this time and no heavy feeling in the gut.
no body pain..wish I could say life is good. But rads are around the corner....Have a good night Moms,Hugs, Evie
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Please add me to your list as well. I have my 3rd TC tx tomorrow. I am hoping all goes well. I am having dose dense treatments every two weeks. With the first treatment I had so many problems. With the second my oncologist decided to reduce the dosage 15% which helped with some of the side effects. It seems like with each treatment I have a different set of side effects, so I guess we will see what tomorrow brings. I just want to thank you all for the wonderful comments and insights into these drugs and all of the side effects that come with them. It is unbelievable just how many things I have experienced that many of you have as well. It is so comforting to know that there is so much support from this wonderful group.
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Otter - thanks for doing the list - it just makes you feel good to know how many people are right there with me.
Karen0 -
Welcome collector and Senora,
I know that the ladies here will be able to keep you updated on what to expect. I had 4 tx of Taxotere and Cytoxan, and my last was on Oct. 9th. My hair did grow back, but it's still very short, maybe about 4 inches long, and curly!
Good luck with you on tx #3 tomorrow, Senora! I'll be thinking about you, and hope that all goes well. Are you getting 4 txs, total?
HugsHarley
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Harley, thank you so much for your support. My oncologist said that I would get 4 perhaps 6 depending on well I tolerated the treatments. This is a question which is definitely on my list for him tomorrow. I had a very small tumor (4mm), but I also have triple negative breast cancer and I have also found out that I am BRCA1, so we are treating things very aggressively. I will let you all know how things go tomorrow. Again, thank you so much for your warm welcome.
Senora
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