Weekly Taxol group
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Mmt congrats on last AC forgot to say that last time. My brows aren't completely gone about half way on my nose side on both, I've been drawing them in for awhile so it's not terrible my bottom lashes are gone almost. Tops are hanging on but may be thinning they weren't very thick before BC. the neuropathy isn't that bad either- Hopefully it doesn't get worse- it's only my right foot. It feels like in wearing a tight shoe all the time. Even if I am not wearing shoes. Weird
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Hey all! I have almost no brows left, but did find a nice product (decent) that colors them in and darkens any few hairs you have left - - it's called "Gimme Brow"…My eyelashes are about 2/3's gone, but I had someone recommend a mix of 1/2 coconut oil, 1/2 castor oil and a few drops of avocado oil and they'll grow in thick. (Not sure I buy it, but what the hell, why not try?)
I have also heard Latisse can have side effects, the primary one being that it can darken the color of your eyes - - so I have light green eyes, didn't want to take that risk.
Hope you're all going to have a great weekend.
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Sorry Sinsin!! 8 - doesn't it sound so much better than 5 or 6?? You're almost there. You can do it! I agree though - so ready to be done with all of this. I've spent the last few days trying to find an appropriate bra for my new non-linear size - - I know I shouldn't complain, but if another A cup (i'm a DD one side, D the other) chick tells me it's not big deal to use a wireless (no underwire bra) I'm going to lose it. I've tried a bunch. Hate them all, like wearing nothing, the girls are not where they should be. Maybe I'm just complaining about how ugly they all are. We can't have something pretty without the wire? GRRRRRRR!! Ok, I'll stop now.
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Try Nordstrom, Jhodro. They actually sell prosthesis, bras, and camis for breast cancer ladies. The bras aren't cheap BUT you can get pretty ones and your insurance might reimburse you.
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BTW, I am experiencing a new possible side effect. . . my face gets red and splotchy. It's not flushing as I know when I am experiencing that, but my face, especially my cheeks are all red and splotchy. Anyone else experiencing this with Taxol??
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Sinsin: my PT didn't like the Nordstrom options - since they all had underwire, but they were comfortable. I'm on the edge of lymphedema, so I have been told to avoid underwires. So I went back to Nordstrom and they had one option that was wireless - it was more like a vest. Bleh. So I tried Soma - they had a couple which I'm trying. Next stop the place where I got my wig, going to go there - they have special fittings in case you want to add a prothesis to even things out. I feel very frustrated by this process - I know that I'm grateful that I have this problem - but it's still really frustrating to have to work so hard to find a few bras that fit, don't hurt my 3 scars, my port, and that fit. I think this is the chemo/steroid/no patience for anything/emotional me just about to lose it over something stupid.
And my sleep schedule this entire week has been awful, and I'm back for another taxol tomorrow. Thankfully, I'll have a two week break, one for H only, one while we go on vacation. I'm just not sure how much more I can take.0 -
SinSin, The red face seems to be intermittent. Recently I started getting deep discoloration of the radiation field (from a year ago). It looks terrible for a few days, brown and weird, then wears away, so to speak. Radiation recall, its called, a side effect of Taxol.
Jhodro, Hang in there, sweetie. This stuff is just SO HARD. Its amazing to me how game you usually are. Bad sleep is the pits. That the medical people are legislating what you should wear for a bra, well, that is really awful! You did not sign up for that! Needless to say, I hear you.
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Jhodro, I got bought this cheap from the store at my hospital and it's a one size fit all and brand seems to be Coobie. LOL It came in a variety of awesome colors. I don't love it (my cheap prosthesis doesn't fit well in it) but it's comfy and I bought it to try. I liked the colors it came in. The straps can come off which I find odd as I don't think it would stay on without straps and it's had liner inserts in the cups to help prevent nipple showing. LOL
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And I got this one for free from our boutique at the hospital. No underwire and it fits much better. No clue on the brand as the tag was cut off but the little leaf décolletage in the center is distinct so maybe you can search it. I recommend this one, especially if it's available in other colors.
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They both are for use with inserts and prosthesis but I see no reason why they can't be worn with out. My port is on my right side high up and beside the strap area and I have no issues with either bra bothering it.
I hear you on the irritability. I think lack of sleep is NOT helping you. My chemo days are Mondays so my steroid keeps me up on those nights (like right now LOL) but I sleep like a damn rock now when I do sleep. Have you tried Melatonin or Zzzquil? Or ask your doc for a prescription for Seroquel. I used that for sleep for awhile until chemo fatigue started. My psychiatrist says shrinks love prescribing it for sleep because it's safer. It's not habit forming and less chance of side effects, except for the fact that it makes you tired and fall asleep. LOL Where Ambien failed me Seroquel did not. After a few days on Ambien it stopped working but the Seroquel has always worked. I'm debating taking one now because between the steroid and my hisband's snoring, there's no way I'm getting to sleep. LOL
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So.......A/C done; 12 taxols done. Yahoo!!!!! A rang that bell pretty hard yesterday and was surprised how good it felt! Flowers from friends, co workers and gorgeous hubby making the day even better. I had to come home from work early today cause I am pretty fatigued, but I am ready for the next phase, 25 radios starting July 7 th.
And those steroids are horrible sinsin, they were the worst part of the whole chemo trip for me. Luckily my onc stopped them after 2 weeks of taxol at my request. It meant I didn't have to take any other meds ( no sleepers , no anti D's, no anti nausea).....I'm very grateful for that .
Peace and sleep to you all
LIL
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Woohoo! Big congrats Diamond!! Hope you popped some bubbly and celebrated properly! Keep in touch and good luck with rads!
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Thanks Mame and Sinsin!! So appreciate the encouragement. Everyone here is soooo helpful!!
Diamond: Congrats!! Fantastic to be on the other side!! I'll be right behind you on the rads, starting 33 on 7/30.
I'll look for that at the specialty store. It look a LOT better than what I've found so far.
In the chair today: just started Taxol #9 . Round 3 of 4 rounds DONE!!
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I've done #7 Taxol and am so tired this past week that I may need a blood transfusion. Has anyone had one and can let me know how it is? I've been anemic for a while, but have no stamina the past week.
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My numbers didn't require it so far, Megomendy, however, starting with taxol #7 and #8, I found myself noticeably more fatigued. I have to sleep every day at some point. Good luck with the transfusion if you have to get one!! Are you doing 12 infusions of Taxol?
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Went for my last weekly blood work today. All set and ready for my last taxol (and hopefully last chemo ever) tomorrow. I can't wait. Next up...to finish reconstruction and get on with my life. My kids will be so happy to have their
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Yes, 12 taxol, jhodro. And the first 6 were so easy!!!!
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Megomendy: Hopefully you'll get back to the easier space!! I have just gotten into a chemo fog, or something like that, so I feel like the last few are going to be the hardest. Plus I'm out of short term disability - so I'm headed back to the office tomorrow. I'll be working from home sometimes, but the afternoon naps are going to be a little harder to come by.
Best of luck on your remaining treatments!! When do you find out if you need a transfusion? I get my bloodwork every Friday and I can go online Monday or Tuesday to see where I'm at. I see my MO once a month, basically. The nurses have been great throughout, I think.
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Megomindy, I haven't needed any transfusions but if you're anemic then you would feel much better after a transfusion. I know others on a stomach cancer forum that have received transfusions and they start feeling better almost immediately.
As to fatigue, everyone is different. The chemo is accumulative so the fatigue can get worse. However, I just had transfusion #8 and have been doing pretty good whereas with #5 and #6 the fatigue was so bad, I was needing naps everyday and crashing early. Also very little stamina. Haven't had that problem lately. I also take D3 and B12 supplements.
Jhodro, good luck with going back to work! Just take it one day at a time and drink lots of coffee! 😉 I get my transfusions every Monday and they always do a CBC (total blood count) before they start my chemo and I get my results then. Then I always get my g-shot on Tuesdays unless I forget to go in like I did today. LOL So I'll be going tomorrow. I don't know what it is about the stupid white cell boost shot that I always forget about it and am always either running in late to get it or completely spacing out and forgetting to go get it. I never forget the damn chemo! LOL
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So have any of you hormone positive ladies thought about getting your ovaries removed? I'm seriously debating it even though I am not BRCA positive.
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Ok, so for the past couple of weeks I have been experiencing redness in my face and it's not from flushing. Anyone else experiencing this?
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I am BRCA1 and triple negative. I had ovaries and tubes removed last April. I am glad I did it. My mom died of ovarian cancer. I ran a 40% risk of having ovarian cancer. So now I am about 5%.0 -
Sinsin, You look about 12 years old in that picture! Adorable. Does the redness itch or burn? I had some that did not, but it looked odd. Good luck getting a lead on that.
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jhodro, I am supposed to go in tomorrow for bloodwork and to get cross matched for a transfusion, probably I'll probably get on Friday. Not sure if I will get my regular chemo Fri also, but it sounded like I would be. Waiting for them to call with an appt.
I am on intermittent FMLA, which means, I get my 12 weeks of days off w/o pay but go in when I feel okay. It's been working out fine. How does short term disability work? Not sure if I'd be eligible for that after FMLA is over. I've probably used 30 of my 60 days so far. But I didnt plan on this week off.
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My FMLA runs concurrent with short-term and is paid at 67% for 3 months, so I took advantage of that so I could finish school and get through the bulk of chemo (plus the surgeries). I am now going back f/t but working from home as needed. It should be ok. I will hopefully not have too rough a time. I'm in advertising, so I can be online for much of what i do, our creative teams are out of town, my client I can just meet by phone if I need to. I've been working with the same clients for 3 years, so hopefully they'll be decent.
Good luck with your chemo and transfusion. Hopefully it improves the SEs!!
SinSin - I don't get the g-shot. It's never been brought up. My numbers this week seem to be teetering on the edge, so we'll see how things go. Since I'm going into a break, maybe it'll be ok. Great pic by the way - except the redness. Could it be a steroid thing? I am red today too - but all over face, chest, head. Tomorrow all my redness turns into raging acne. But I'm not going back on the doxcyclene, way to harsh on the belly. I'd rather have acne than a double dose of D.
Oh - and I didn't sleep at all last night and have a message in to the doc about seroquel. I haven't heard from them yet today. I need to follow up.0 -
Haha! MameMe, thanks! The redness doesn't bother me whatsoever, it just looks weird.
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I'm usually red in the cheeks/face the day after I get my taxol/herceptin/pertuzamab protocol but hadn't noticed any redness on my taxol-only weeks....until this week. Had taxol only on Monday and yesterday my cheeks were red. Its gone today though.
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Hi Jules, I am also in NY - have the same chemo schedule as you but I start next Thursday and I am terrified. How has your experience been? Thanks, VeraAnn
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Hi VeraAnn, funny that you said that, cause I remember the first time I got called into the treatment room and the woman said how are you and I said "ummmmm, TERRIFIED" lol! The fear of the unknown is extremely terrifying! I know you probably know that everyone is different. Let me start by saying that I've been working throughout all the treatments, I cut back my hours and was able to work on my good days. There will be good days!!! AC was worse than taxol overall, but taxol has it's downfalls. With AC I mostly had nausea, and extreme indescribable fatigue for a few days. Premeds and prescriptions really help. For both AC and tax The day of and the day after chemo are usually ok for me, then it got worse before it got better. I usually feel like myself again the morning of every treatment. The hardest part for me with AC was that I just wouldn't let myself be taken care of. I felt guilty that my husband took care of the kids and I wouldn't let myself just rest and sleep as much as I should have during the rough days. With tax I can function everyday just not completely myself. I hope this didn't make you more terrified.
Where in NY are you? I'm on LI.
Hang in there. And we are here for you every step of the way!!!!!
Jules
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