Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
How is everybody? Wanted to wish everybody a wonderful holiday weekend.
In looking at the chart there is such a variety of doses. Meaning legnth (4 or 6) and DD's. Would like to know the docs protocol between 4 and 6 and DD 4 and 6. I have to go through 6 but I really really feel bad for the ones doing DD x 6 and 4. I am not feeling good about the 6 (every 3weeks that I have to go through)I can't imagine doing dose dense x 6 or 4. My se's have been minimal. I feel bad for the ones suffering more. Hang in there girls you have my prayers.
Robink ....love the run down on the treatment day.. Cocktails anyone???
Otter on the fever thing.. I do not get the shots and I do develop a fever 5-7 days out from treatment. My normal temp is 97.8 - 98.2 or so and I run a fever of about 99 - 100. I do get a lot of bone pain starting about day 3 and ending around day 9-10.
Anybody having trouble sleeping? Night sweats, tossing and turning? I am good for the first 4-5 hours and then I wake up every hour after that.
Everybody have a good weekend. I will be on tomorrow but Saturday thru Monday afternoon I will be up enjoying the holiday up at a friends on the lake.
0 -
Okay I had to come back and complain. The nurse just called and told me my WBC count is 2.3 and my Neutrophil ABS is 0.4. I know that is low....Real low. I do not get the shots. Are they waiting until I am in the hospital sick with god knows what infection before they give me the shots. I have had 2 treatments and both times my WBC and neutrphil have bee extremely low. My DR will not give me the shot. unless I get to 1.0 or 0.
Ok On another note do I really want the shots? I have plenty of bone pain now. If I receive the shot will the pain be worse... stronger pain meds? I already take vicadin for 3-4 days. I am not to keen on going with something stronger.
I am worried I will get an infection and land in the hospital. The last time I went through this in 2000. (No shots then either) I had pnemonia, bladder infection, bronchits, ear infection, staff, sudamundas. You name it I probably had it and I was in the hospital a couple of times and I didn't work the last time. I am working through this now and it has me nervous.
Sorry for the rant just worried.
0 -
Otter- Great chart. Treatment # 5 will be June 27. Treatment # 6 will be determined later because me and DH will be going on vacation to Myrtle Beach. Onc said it's okay to wait til we get back- postpone a week or two.
Kfalls- I did have that reaction in my vein after Treatment #2. Bright red/ purple. Skin later peeled. Painless though, and now totally gone.
Today is day 6 after Treatment # 3. Feeling more tired than usual- I guess it's accumulating. Need to exercise- will walk tomorrow. It's going to be a beautiful weekend. So far, this was NOT my worst treatment, # 1 was. Back myalgia not as bad. I hope it gets better as it goes.
Will be thinking about you all and reading.
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Has anyone had back pain as a side effect? I have had mid to lower back and hip pain on and off over the last few days. Only mild but I'm wondering if it is anything to worry about.
This thread is getting quite long!
Debbie
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Has anyone had back pain as a side effect? I have had mid to lower back and hip pain on and off over the last few days. Only mild but I'm wondering if it is anything to worry about.
This thread is getting quite long!
Debbie
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Has anyone had back pain as a side effect? I have had mid to lower back and hip pain on and off over the last few days. Only mild, but I'm wondering if it is anything to worry about.
This thread is getting quite long!
Debbie
0 -
Otter - chart looks great - one small change for me - may last chemo cocktail is 5/27 - cancer center is not "open" on holidays
(5/26). Couldn't talk my oncologist and chemo nurses to come in special for me - can you believe that!!!
5 days out from my last chemo and I get a cold and ear infection - going to see nurse practioner at cancer center tomorrow to get antibiotic and make sure I can kick this thing and still get my last cocktail on Tues.
Safe and happy holiday weekend to all.
Deb
0 -
Otter - what great work and keeping up with everyone! I know it is hard to keep track of so many people. You have my dates correct which means I am finished (TC x4) !!!! Yeah!!
I see my onc on June 2 for "completion" - going over final chemo blood counts, scheduling regular checkups, discussing Tamoxifen, and hopefully removing my catheter. Then on to rads!! Probably starting that sometime in June. Not looking forward to that any more than I did chemo, but you do what you gotta do!
Good luck to all you ladies still going thru chemo or just starting chemo. Side effects do add to the misery of it all, but they are manageable. Be good to yourself, pamper yourself... there will be good days and bad days. Some suggestions to help manage s/e's will work for you and some won't. We are all different and yet so much alike. And if you are anything like me, by the time you are finished chemo - you finally know what works for you and have all the s/e's figured out!! So be strong, think positive, and know how special you are to be part of such an awesome group of SURVIVORS! Hugs to you all!!
0 -
Debap- I've had back pain as a se since treatment# 1 which was severe. Mine is thoracic spine and rib cage in the back. Not much seems to help in the terms of medications. The heating pad is soothing. It comes and goes- so weird.
0 -
debap, I get back and hip (and shoulder and thigh) pain, but it comes earlier than yours is. Mine hits around day 4 or 5 and lasts for about 3 days, max. I've been blaming it on the Neulasta shot I get on the day of each infusion (gotta blame it on something), but it could be the Taxotere instead (or both).
My "pain" starts out as an ache but transitions into little (sometime big) stabs, like someone is poking me with a sharp stick. I just use Advil (per onco's recommendation); I have permission to graduate to Percocet if needed but I just tough it out on the Advil.
Today (day 10 of round #3), my biggest complaint is sore feet. The soles of my feet are ouchy, mostly along the edges of my heel calluses. There are big red areas appearing there at the ouchy places. I'm thinking (and remembering) that this is a form of hand/foot syndrome. Drat. I asked my onco about that before I started chemo, and she said, Oh, that's really uncommon on TC--it's more likely on some of the other drugs. Great. I'm in the "uncommon" group again.
I see no blisters or peeling--just redness and soreness. Why do these things always happen on a Friday, or over a weekend (a holiday weekend, no less)? So, I'm taking it easy and slathering on Aquaphor (and trying not to get that on everything), and keeping my feet cool.
anna47, that must be great to be looking at a "completion" appt! My onco talked with me at my last appt (on the day of tx #3) about most of that stuff. She wrote me a script for Arimidex, which I'm supposed to start taking 2 wks after my last TC tx which will be on June 4. So I guess I'm progressing toward "completion" too, although it doesn't seem like it yet.
Hugs to everybody, and have a comfortable/peaceful/lazy weekend (or whatever you choose).
otter
0 -
RJ62 -- I'm also having the same sleep problems you described. I fall asleep fine but wake up 4-5 hours later and then stay in that "half-awake, half-asleep" mode until I get up for work. But I've never really been a good sleeper, so I just assumed it was my regular bad habits. I also recently started getting more night sweats (and hot flashes during the day).
As for the WBC counts, mine have been good throughout my treatments so far. But my onc didn't give me a choice about getting the neulasta. I was just told to come to the office the day after my tx to get the shot. It is strange how the docs seem to vary so much on this. You'd think there would be a standard protocol.
Sue K.0 -
Otter
Thanks for adding me to the list. You can take the (?) mark away. I'm a go for the 28th. I will stop by later this weekend to introduce myself to all.
Karin
0 -
Otter
Thanks for adding me to the list. You can take the (?) mark away. I'm a go for the 28th. I will stop by later this weekend to introduce myself to all.
Karin
0 -
Thanks for adding me to the list. You have mine correct. I feel much better this week. Every day has been an improvement (days 8 - 10). I almost feel normal today (day 10 after 1tx). I had a bout with a sinus infection and possibly an intestinal infection (days 4 - 9). They have started the antibiotics. So, treatment #2 this Wednesday is scheduled but may have to be postponed (I hope not I want to get this over with). Still having the low grade fever and cough but the severe stomach pains and headaches have stopped.
I talked to my onc about why he wanted me to take 6x every two weeks and he said it was because of my Ocatype DX score (21). He said that if my body could only tolerate 4 we would stop there but his goal was 6. So my goal is 4 for now.
Worried now about the hair loss (wig and hats ready) and weight gain (already have a problem with that)and have never been good with the exercise. But all of this has made me put into perspective work, family, health, and God. Someone just gave me the song "It won't rain forever" and it helped me get through the rough weekend. It is a short song and I will be glad to type the words for you guys sometime next week.
I am continuing to work full time. I usually do extensive travel with public speaches but I have put those on hold for the summer. I am going to just hang out in my office and at my desk. I've told my staff not to even consider coming into my office if they are sick--use the phone or email even though I may just be next door.
I am sending my son on a mission trip in the morning that I was suppose to go on but God had another plan for me. Going down to the lake with the DH. Everyone have a restful weekend.
0 -
Hi everyone
I tried to read through all the posts but I just couldn't concentrate - maybe I'll try to read a few pages each day. I had my first chemo of C & T yesterday followed by a Neulasta shot this morning. I went to work after that but was home resting by 2. What have you all been doing about work?
I already have my wig ready to go. I splurged for real hair as I live in FL and it felt so much lighter. My insurance covered a bit more then half although when I called they originally said they would cover 90%. I am not planning to cut my hair in preparation as my wig looks exactly like my hair except it also has highlights. I have always been too cheap for highlights but now I don't have to pay to maintain them! I do need to get scarfs for when I am home but I am having a hard time with that - I am not a scarf lover. Any suggestions on where to find nice ones.
Not happy to be going through chemo but I am happy to have found this group!
0 -
Anyone have any tips for getting through the first TC tx? I know I need all the advice I can get.
0 -
Darn, Lenny, you're having to do TC x 6 dd because of an Oncotype score of 21? Mine was 26 and I'm only doing TC x 4 (3 wk intervals). You must be really young... or I'm really old.
Debbiem, I found a really great solution to the work problem, but it won't "work" for everyone. I retired last year after 25 years in my job. My dh and I planned to spend spring, summer, and fall, traveling; but my BC dx has slowed that down at least for now. I think there's a thread on the Chemo board about working during chemo. I'll try to find it and bump it to the top.
Oh, beergirl, here we were all talking about playing this weekend and you have to go to chemo camp! Getting through the first TC tx is much, much easier than you'll ever expect...at least it has been for most of us. I was terrified the chemo nurse wouldn't be able to hit a vein, but she used a small needle and everything went fine. (Your port will make that even easier.) I thought for sure I'd have some awful allergic reaction to the Taxotere, but I didn't react at all. In fact, I had to ask the nurse if she was sure she'd switched the drip from saline to Taxotere! So, it's odd, but for most of us, the scariest part of chemo--the infusions--end up being the easiest part. There is a great thread on "getting through chemo" that's not specific to TC but it's very helpful anyway. Write when you get a chance tomorrow, and let us know how it goes. Then you can curl up on the porch and take a nice nap (I hope).
otter
0 -
Hello all,
Otter: Thanks for including me on your list. I feel like I've joined a club and enjoy the company while it lasts. You have my first 3 dates correct. My 4th tx, if I make it, will be 6/24/08. Day #9 after tx #1, I developed an eye condition- scleritis. I've had it many times before, unknown etiology, but this time it ballooned. My eye was swollen shut for a week. I just finished 2 weeks on Prednisone and it's much better but not totally cleared up. I had t/c tx #2 as scheduled on 5/13 but my onco is considering stopping tx if I can't go without the prednisone. The alternative would be to try Adriamycin instead of Taxotere. Since my hair is gone, I would like to see this thing through the 4th tx. Has anyone experienced any eye problems?
Otter, sorry to hear about your hand/foot syndrome. I hope there's some improvment. I think you mentioned using Aquaphor. My skin is so dry now so I slather the Aquaphor on my feet at night and then wear socks to bed. I smooth it on my hands too then blot some of the extra. Seems to help when I remember to do it.
Thrush: I started with white areas in my mouth and my onco nurse rx clotrimazole troches. It cleared up in 2 days. My mouth still feels like it's recovering from a full mouth scalding but no sores. I also use the recommended rinse, 1 tsp each salt and baking soda in a quart of boiling water. Change the solution every 48 hours.
Jisman: I bought a brow powder kit at a Sally's Beauty Supply. There are stencils and powder. The powder is supposed to be more natural than just pencil alone. I haven't tried it yet as I still have my brows. I wonder, does everyone loose their brows?
Benadryl: Someone asked if she would be awake enough from the Benadryl after tx to drive home. I get very sleepy after it's introduced but seem to come out of it before I'm ready to leave. I don't have to drive but I could.
Prayers for a wonderful holiday weekend.
sandym
0 -
This will be a long post since I just caught up on reading! Thanks to all for the comments on drawing eyebrows. I actually still have enough of my own to give me the shape yet they are so thin that from a distance they don't really appear. Started using the eye brow powder this past week. Major improvement - at least from a distance, not really sure about up-close since my brow hair is basically black and I am using a dark brown powder ....
Dawn - Your local American Cancer Society might have a transportation service available through their volunteers to help you get to and from treatment. I wasn't given Benadryl as part of my chemo treatment so can't speak directly to how you might feel. I did find having company during the treatment made the time pass by faster so I had dh or a friend drive me and stay with me each time.
Otter - I made it through all my treatments with the nurses using the veins in the back of my hand with no problems or bruising. Of course, they started the very first time with my arm, had problems there and then moved to the back of my hand. Oh well.... Hope all works out well for you through the remainder of your treatments. Sorry to hear that you have a 2-hr ride to get to the chemo treatment center; makes for a long day; glad you hubby is able to be your driver.
Lilwebb - I lost most of my hair in the shower while shampooing. It took about 4 days to go from "thinning" to 90% gone.
SharonS - believe it or not, I won't start actual radiation treatments until June 2. My rad oncs office needs a week after the original simulation to do their "planning" and then needs to confirm things and fit me in the schedule. Although it is only 4 work days later than I was expecting, I'm annoyed by the delay. I am ready to have treatments behind me rather than all still ahead.
Robink - what's involved with the cancer exercise program? Is it a special exercise plan?
RJ62 - I'm now almost 4 weeks past my last treatment and I wake up between 4 and 4:30 every morning and usually take almost an hour before I can get back to sleep. Good thing I am not working so I can sleep till 9 or later before getting up for the day. Seem to alternate between hot flashes and being cold (not really chills though). Covers off, covers on, covers on with foot hanging out, I do it many times each night. Hope you have an easier time. My onco takes the same approach on the WBC count and neupogen/neulasta shots. I made it through all treatments with no shots and no colds/infections. WBC dropped to as low as 2.1. I did get some antibiotics prescribed and filled for when I was traveling just in case they were needed but fortunately there was no need. Hope your weekend at the lake is terrific.
Debbiem - I chose to wear caps around the house rather than scarves and found that my cancer center offered a variety (jersey material, knitted, crotched) to all patients. Now that I have fuzz growing, I sometimes will go around the house "topless". Others have recommended http://www.headcovers.com/ and http://www.hatsscarvesandmore.com/ .
I'm headed back to sleep now. Have a great weekend everyone. Let's say an extra prayer for those presently serving in the military.
0 -
Good morning all - hope everyone has at least one thing fun planned for the weekend.
Jisman - I had rad #2 yesterday and will go Mon for #3, they didn't want me taking 3 days off since I just started. So far all is going fine. The last two weeks I have felt the most tired of all this journey...and my legs feel heavy if I run or walk up hills. This morning, I did get in 6 miles with my best running buddy, but it was mostly walking...I am so bummed that I feel my fitness is the worst it has been through all of this...and my biggest fear is that I will never get it back....or that something else is wrong with me
and then I have these big dark circles under my eyes, and really look the worst that I have...anyone know what to do about that? I tried hooking up with look good feel better, it is in harrisonburg...but they never call me back?
So enough complaining, no one more Jisman and RJ - yes the hot flashes have been awful...about 6-7 a night, and I don't know how many during the day
Dh says we are going to do something special today...so I have that to look forward to...for now some reading...
Sharon
0 -
I highly recommend "the beaubeau". They are a bit pricey but I just bought 2 scarves from www.4women.com . I love them and plan on buying more. They are designed specifically for women with medical hair loss.
Karin
0 -
Karin - I just checked out that site and saw some lovely scarves. Did you purchase the rayon or silk?
0 -
robink,
Actually I purchased cotton ones in the sale section. Because I really do love them I am going to a store that carries them to check out the look and feel of the rayon and silk ones. I am lucky in that I only live about 35 minutes away from a boutique that carries the beaubeau.
Did you check out the testimonials section? Did you see the picture of a women named Megan from Pa? She wore what appears to be a silk one to a wedding and looks classy and elegant.
I will be starting to wear my scarves to work next week even though I still have my hair. My hair fallout might happen before the last day of school. ( I'm a P/T teacher's aide ). I don't want to freak out the kids. I will let them get use to seeing me with scarve and hair, near end of following week will pull hair up so they see scarve with no hair showing. This way if hair does fall out before end of year, kids won't notice. Happy scarve shopping.
Karin
0 -
I just noticed that they're all lined with cotton, no matter what the scarf fabric is:
"These stunning unique scarves are made out of sensuous fabrics, alluring colors and captivating designs; unique and luxurious in look and feel. Each scarf is lined with exquisitely soft cotton, preventing slippage and acting as a wicking layer, never hot."
That's been my main problem. I have a lot of silk scarves, but they're all too slippery and won't stay on. A lightweight cotton lining might make all the difference. Thanks for letting us know about these.
otter
0 -
Thanks for everyone's responses.
Otter - I wish I could retire! My second daughter starts college in the fall so there are lots of bills to pay!
Jisman & Karin - thanks so the links for the scarves. I like the idea of the ones that are cotton lined.
I am nervous about when my hair will start to fall out - we have my daughter's graduation and lots of graduation parties coming up.
Hoping tomorrow and Monday are not too bad, the oncologist said those would be my worst days.
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!
0 -
I have several of the beaubeau scarfs. They are a bit pricey, but I am not so good with things like tying scarfs, and I look funny in hats, and I hate my (perfectly nice) wig, so they are what I found myself wearing and I ordered a few more. Mine are all rayon, but it's not a slippery kind of fabric and the cotton next to the scalp is comfortable. My one complaint is that the tail are pretty long and a short tail version might be a nice option. They do kind of say "cancer patient" but they are lightweight and pretty.
One more thing -- I have kind of a big head and the beaubeau larges actually fit, unlike some other hat/scarf places I have tried on the web.
0 -
Jisman: re cancer exercise program - it's an offering from the rehab center at my hospital, includes stretching, strengthening, walking, relaxation; goal is to decrease SE and increase function; meet with personal trainer optimally twice weekly for one hour session. Bottom line for me, helps keep me going while on medical LOA and insurance covers with a low co-pay.
It's one of many complementary therapies available at this hospital/cancer center and I figured I'd take advantage of whatever I could (especially the free ones like yoga and healing touch)
Thanks for the feed back on the beaubeau scarves. I have 2 wigs, don't like them. Plan to order two scarves that will go with many colors.
0 -
BOO!
Hello to all the oldies and newbies, and congrats to the fresh graduates!!! Hope you're all doing well.
Hope you still remember me hehe. I graduated on April 10 and now fulltime in the Hormone Therapy section
. Well my dear sisters, just want to let you know there's light at the end of the tunnel. My hair is starting to grow back!!!! You will be done with your treatments soon, and you'll be on your way to normalcy.
Stay strong and keep the faith!
God bless you all,
Aurora
0 -
Blessed Sunday to all! For me it's day 4, cycle #2. Feeling tired and the beginning for the taxotere pains. Onco says stay on top of it with Ibuprofen,L-Carnitine and even slip in a Percocet if necessary. Above all, get up and move around. After the pains got strong 1st cycle I started walking daily and truly believe it helps. Today the weather is pleasant so a walk with our trusty black lab will be in order.
Find peace and joy in your weekend ladies...it's always there but sometimes we have to search hard for it.
0 -
Thanks Aurora - It is so nice to hear the encouragment from someone on the other side.
I am day 11 our from TX 2 and I just can't seem to bounce back the way I did with one. I am walking daily, but it's more like pulling myself this time. I am trying to figure out if it is physical or emotional. Are any of you on the same schedule experiencing this? Feel fine - just very tired. They cut my Neulasta in half because I had such terrible bone pain round one so when they check my counts that might shed some light on it.
Otter - yes, my veins are jinxed. So swollen and purple this time, they are going to put a pic line in next week. Not sure what to expect there, but my friend who is a nurse said they won't have to stick me anymore because they can do everything through this line. Maybe it will be a blessing.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!
Karen0
