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Calling all TNs

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Comments

  • Stupidboob
    Stupidboob Member Posts: 330
    edited July 2011

    Riley702 what a cutie you have there............I have 2 indoor cats and 3 ferals outside. 

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited July 2011

    Hey Stupidboob, I'm sorry your having such a rough time.  I'm not on the same tx as you but from what I've heard the Taxol is easier than the AC.  Have you considered talking to your dr about anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds?  It was one of first things I did when I was diagnosed.  There was no way I was going to lose my hair and not be on something.  I think they really work, my onco put me on a low dose of Lexapro (anti-depressant) and I also have a script for xanax which I only take once a day sometimes.  I don't think I've really had any breakdowns since they've really kicked in.  I'm still terrified and think about it almost constantly but I feel like my depression has gotten a bit better.

  • tnbcRuth
    tnbcRuth Member Posts: 338
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob, I had crying jags in the middle of treatment that lasted for about a month.  Its normal.  Just go ahead and weep.  Wipe your eyes, blow your nose and go back to the farming :)  Get stoic and just wait this S**t out.  There is a thread called Moan, Groan and Complain or something like that and you can post your brains out.  Response will be limited to "That Sucks!"

    BTDT,

    Hugs 

    edited to add:  Forum Index → Forum: Moving Beyond Cancer → Topic: I'm bitchy, I moan, I groan.....anyway

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob - how you are feeling is exactly the reason to come on the boards, vent like mad, and get some support, not to stay away. We're all big girls here who UNDERSTAND. I'm sorry you are having a rough time with the AC, but you are almost done. Don't be scared of moving on to taxol, You don't know how it will affect you - it might be better than AC for SEs. Hang in there. This too shall pass.

  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 504
    edited July 2011

    Ruth - I was told taxotere is dosed by individual weight, so there is no average dose.  Everyone is different. 

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob:  So sorry for what you're going through - cancer sucks! and so does the treatment! I remember feeling quite isolated too, especially emotionally. One thing that helped me, was just to get out and walk each day... even if it was only half a block. It just put me out in the world - like I belonged - and made me feel better to see a bit of nature. Hopefully you can feel up to that on some of your better days.

    I did taxol on a weekly basis, and had no problems (except some nail issues). I really felt much better than on the AC, and even my hair started growing. Fingers crossed you have a similar experience! ((((((hugs)))))))

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob:  So sorry for what you're going through - cancer sucks! and so does the treatment! I remember feeling quite isolated too, especially emotionally. One thing that helped me, was just to get out and walk each day... even if it was only half a block. It just put me out in the world - like I belonged - and made me feel better to see a bit of nature. Hopefully you can feel up to that on some of your better days.

    I did taxol on a weekly basis, and had no problems (except some nail issues). I really felt much better than on the AC, and even my hair started growing. Fingers crossed you have a similar experience! ((((((hugs)))))))

  • Stupidboob
    Stupidboob Member Posts: 330
    edited July 2011

    mccrimmon324..............I am glad that the anti-depressant is working for you.   I have my xanax which the doctor told me I could not more regularly yesterday.   I may have to go with the anti-depressant too.    I think with me I just have to much alone time, but it may actually be depression setting in due to the situation and the meds wiping our feel good stuff out........:)

    tnruth.......I am sorry you got the weepies too, but glad you dealt with it.   Stoic is something that I have never been good at.  That is one thing I am having issues with, as people act like I am not suppose to have the feelings I am having.   I feel if I keep it hidden it will just get worse.  Now farming I am good at......:) :):)

    thanks gillyone

    Luah thanks for info and I am glad to hear you had no problems with the Taxol.  The guy who gives me some of my treatments said that Taxol was a piece of cake compared to the AC but I worry about that Allergic reaction that alot of people have with it and then the extreme fatigue and bone pain.   The good thing is that the doctor said he might not make me take the Neulasta with the Taxol.   That Neulasta is some nasty stuff in my book.   I really think it has caused alot of my issues.   Yeah it has kept my numbers up but wow it makes me feel horrible.  

    Thanks for the support ladies....................it means alot to me, and one day I hope to be as much support to others as you ladies are.

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited July 2011

    Stupidbood, I spent alot of time at home by myself waiting for my incision to heal before I could start chemo and I can definitely tell you I'm not good by myself at all.  I was really in a bad funk.  My husband is working this weekend too so I know I'm going to be alone a lot and I bet my anxiety will get worse.  I do find that staying on these boards do help, I over googled in the beginning and freaked myself out now I don't stray from this website. 

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob...!  Here's a hug for you kiddo!   I'm sitting here a little weepy for you becuase I know you feel like **Slll*..and want this to be all over with and done...and you are tired of being strong and getting through it and you want to quit...believe me..been there, done that.

    Hey I'm a computer farmer too!  I started it during radiation!

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2011
    Stupidboob- If there is something good coming here on this board is that we all can relate to what you are going through. I too had the feeling that I had to put on my "smiling face" because people just thought that if I cried, it was because I didn't believe or that I stopped fighting when that was nothing like that. It's good to let it out and have a good cry. We are all going through a very hard time physically and mentally when we have cancer. And add chemo on top of it all, it's crazy hard. I did 4 DD AC with neupogen shots. The Neupogen shots were the hardest on me. Then I had 12 weekly Taxol and that was much better on me. And no Neupogen shots with Taxol, YEH!!!Laughing I know you heard it before but it does get better with time. Last year, at this time, I was watching everybody go about their lives, planning vacations, having summer fun plans and I thought to myself :" I will never be able to plan vacations with my family anymore" or see next summer for that matter! But I am still here this summer and I did get to plan another vacation this year. You will feel good again and soon!  So hang in there. I know it's hard but we all get through it one way or the other. But it takes time........ Big Hugs to you. 
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited July 2011

    All I have is my iPhone, and I desperately want to post darnit!!



    Titan - thanks for checking on me, I got so annoyed by that other thread, what I really wanted to say was pretty rude, lol. So I just backed away for a day. I am at this moment sipping a glass of wine in a cute little bar on 45th and Park waiting for DH...ahhhhh.



    Stupidboob - soo much I want to say, but most of all, there is no right way to do this. You just simpl get through he only way YOU know how. My DH sometimes felt I was "giving up" if I was in a funk, which is BS. You are still processing everything and that means the bad as well as the good. So do what you have to, act how you want, and I truly believe that is he best way to cope. As a side note, AC totally sucked for me, and weekly Taxol was so much better.



    mwillams - I'm glad to hear your team is working so hard. I had full 4 field rads and then some, with no regrets. Anything to reduce my risk. Keep us posts on her chemo - keep in mInd that AC is not always indicated, even thouh it is the most aggressive. Studies are showing the Taxanes are more effective. And talk to your doctors about doing Taxol first, new studies are showing order of chemo makes a difference.



    Can't believe I got that all on my phone, lol. Thinking of you all!!

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2011
    Have fun Suze. You deserve it!!! (((Hugs)))
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited July 2011

    Thanks Babs!!!



    I forgot to say...



    I am DONE with rads. Donedonedonedonedone!!! Yayyy!

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited July 2011

    Suze...I think I'm going to leave work, go home, get some wine and sit on my front porch and JOIN YOU!  Why don't you come to Stupidboob...you can farm later...I will too..

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited July 2011

    *CLINK* - slainte!

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited July 2011

    Congrats Suze35!  Was rads bad?  Was SE low?

  • tnbcRuth
    tnbcRuth Member Posts: 338
    edited July 2011

    I had to look up Taxotere dosage because I talked to my clinical trial RN and she said that's the one that probably made me so sick.  So...The recommended dose of TAXOTERE is 75 mg/m2 administered intravenously over 1 hour  .For locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy, the recommended dose of TAXOTERE is 60 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 3 weeks...from http://www.drugs.com/dosage/taxotere.html. 

    Maybe the m2 is like your body weight squared or something...anyway I got 100mg/m2, and that is the max.  I wish I had had someone running interference for me when I signed up for the trial:(  Will the SE's ever go away?  Its been 9 months!! Grrrrrr  

  • mamachick
    mamachick Member Posts: 154
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob-  I don't post much on here, but I had A/c with taxatere at the same time for 6 cycles and I have been told that most of my side effects that I had came from the A/C.  I also worried about allergic reaction too, but that did not happen.  I also had to go on an antidepressant because all I wanted to do all the time is cry.  I cried over the marshmallow not melting my chocolate on my smore.  Once on Lexapro I have to say that helped a whole lot.  I came off of it about a month after treatments and doing fine without it.  P.S.  I like to farm too, but my DH always yells at me for wasting time, but on chemo sometimes that is all you can do.  Don't think about what you can't do, focus on what you can do and go with that, the rest will be there when you are finished. Will be praying for you, sorry if that is offensive to some, but it helped me to know that someone had me on their mind.

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2011

    Stupidboob...this is the sucky part of cancer isn't it. Hang in there, we are all out there giving you a cyberspace hug.

    I just started TC today @ Mt. Auburn in Boston. felt very very well cared for. They gave me an antinausea med beside zofran that they said is newer and lasts 3 days.  It started with an A. I went with 2 chemo buddies and while anxious at first, the nurse was so nice and professonal and did whatever I asked. My 2 friends kept me busy telling stories...It was well better than I thought. I am tired now. I was wired there...I think the extra dose of steroids pre chemo had me gittery.I kept ice on my fingernails the whole time...may not do what the cooling mitts do but they didn't have them. Will see how tired I get. I am supposed to take compazine starting tonight as a precaution and then zofran on day 4 through 8 as needed.

    Odd to be home alone.

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited July 2011

    Ladies just go through it you are HUMANN after all. I have my days and moments all the time.

    Suze35 congrats on being halfway done. Hang in there. I am heading up to NYC next week for my co-workers B-day! I want to have FUN FUN FUN!!!

    Heidi- thinking maybe a swollen muscle from that lovely horse ride. You have VERY beautiful horses. 

    Hi newbies and here's to a LONG new friendship!

    Have a great weekend ladies!

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited July 2011

    @ Painting me too it took awhile for me to feel comfortable w/ being home all the time. I am so use to being on the go. LIFE.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited July 2011

    Just the fact that you are bored at home is a good thing...go do something even if it is to take a walk...or out to eat or something....if you have lost your hair you can freak people out by removing your wig at stoplights...there are alot of things you can do...rest when you have too though...

  • Maria_Malta
    Maria_Malta Member Posts: 667
    edited July 2011

    Dear Stupidboob....there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to be... ignore stiff upper lip comments and reassuring noises from people who are trying to be nice but who have no idea...none of us who are going/have gone through the shock of dx, followed by chemo and the rest would EVER expect you to be in control of this rollercoaster... 

    I had FECx4 and now have had 2 of 4 Taxotere, so I can't talk to you about my SEs from A/C.  But Taxotere is the same family as Taxol...people seem to say different things about them, some saying one is tougher than the other, but I think, as usual, it's all down to individuals...what I can say about the Taxotere is the steroids keep me high for 3 days, and then I kind of come down abruptly. I don't really get sickness or nausea, but I've found it helpful to eat very lightly during the 'high' days, as my digestion then seems to cease up on day 4.  Taste is an issue by this time, and I go off my food, but at least I don't get nauseous. I got achy bones the first time, but controlled the pain with Nurofen. The second time was easier for some reason.  The main SE was tiredness both times..but I found the second time better to deal with because I was expecting to collapse and be unable to do anything..in the really exhausting days I can't seem to do anything at all..not even read. It is now day 8 and I'm pretty much back to normal.

    Don't worry too much about allergic reactions...Taxotere, and I imagine Taxol as well, is administered very slowly, and you will be checked continually...and if you do react it will be pretty obvious and happen quite quickly... many women do react (not always in their first cycle, could be in later ones), but many do not... and the nurses are prepared and know exactly what to do...

    Like all of this experience, it is beyond your control, so try and concentrate on the harm this stuff causing the cancer cells...Best best wishes coming your way...

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited July 2011

    Paint- the A is probably Aloxi, a strong anti-nausea drug that works on the (vagus?) nerve to keep you from feeling nauseated.

    My back is getting better. The cramping has subsided and now it's just tired and achy. Xray and MRI were typical of someone my age. I'll take it, compared to the 24/7 charly horse. Always something about horses...lol.

  • Pattismiles
    Pattismiles Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2011

    I am SO glad to find this discussion group.  I am 55 and went for my regular mammogram which I have never missed since age 35.  I was shocked when they called me back in to retest and then do ultrasound.  I was told then by the radiologists that biospy was a must. I had a "oversized" lumpectomy due to two separate things to check. Turns out it was IDC, 1.4 cm.  My surgeon explained about the hormone situation and told me I was triple neg. which he explained the oral meds would not be offered.  Then I was on other sights and got really scared that I was one of the very few that was neg. and did not know if there was help for it!  Thank goodness I found out here that there IS help for us! I am still having test run (lymph node biospy next week) and them my first oncology appt. after results get back.  Thank you all for letting me join your group to talk about all of this!  Blessings and friendship!

  • Maria_Malta
    Maria_Malta Member Posts: 667
    edited July 2011

    Hello and welcome Pattismiles..I'm 56 and and have been having neo-adjuvant chemo since March.

  • Pattismiles
    Pattismiles Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2011

    Helo Maria_Malta!  Pardon my little knowlege of the terms, but does neo-adjuvant chemo mean done before surgery?  How is it going?

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2011

    Pattismiles..I was just diagnosed MAy 26th and had my first chemo today..We are all her to support one another. There is a wealth of information form these wonderful woman and it is a great palce to share your fears, vent, anyhing.

    HeidiToo you are right it was aloxi. So hopefully I will feel Ok for a bit.

  • Maria_Malta
    Maria_Malta Member Posts: 667
    edited July 2011

    Yes precisely Pattismiles...Most women with TNBC usually have chemo before surgery to shrink the tumour as well as to be able to judge how well it is reacting to the particular combination of chemo drugs chosen.

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