Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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Hi Ladies,
I will be starting herceptin only on 9/2. There will be no pre-meds. My only issue with herceptin only is the triple dose with a 1/2 hour infusion. I am hoping that they will give me a longer infusion time - like 1 hour. I am 62! They should take it a little easy!! LOL How is everyone doing with the 1/2 hour infusion?
My eye doctor appointment is this coming Wednesday for my newly found floater in the other eye. Wonder if this is caused by the great and powerful "taxol".
Dermatologist appointment went well yesterday. He checked the "going away" rash on my hand and said it was improving. He is not concerned about the numbness sensation on my head. He thinks its from the hair folicles etc. He also said the numbing in the face is taxol related. I have a neurologist appointment coming up in mid-September. I hope it's history by then or at least showing signs of improving.
Have a great and se-free weekend!
Mary
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Mary, I asked them to give me herceptin over an hour instead of a half hour. I had read of some ill effects (aches and pains, weakness, stuff like that) with the shorter infusion time so decided to request it. I had to remind them every time. No problems.
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PatinMN,
I will do the same.
Thank you for sharing.
Mary
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#3 down - just one more to go! I feel totally normal and should fee that way tomorrow- good think since I need to go to the office and show three clients the community. We are getting into the busy season.
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congrats Homemom! Good luck with your clients tomorrow
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Hi all! I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry I've been amiss but it's been hectic lately and I'm still adjusting to my rads schedule. I just completed week 2 and have 4 1/2 weeks left to go. I already struggle with fatigue and have scarlet skin. 😔
Oh well! Hope everyone has a side effect free weekend!
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Thank you mmtagirl - Still feeling energy, I hope I can make it to the end of the day! Have a great weekend everyone!
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Working myself up for Taxol this coming Thursday! So afraid of an allergic reaction - once again the unknown! My oncologist says it's 3% that get a reaction? As far as watery eyes - OMG it's non-stop coming off of the A/C for me. So annoying! Wishing everyone a good week!
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Hi, sinsin, I did rads twice. Not to preach to the choir because I am sure you got the same advice I did, to try to stay active. I just wanted to let you know that it really seemed to help me. But I had not done chemo prior, and I imagine that makes a huge difference in what you can handle. I just wanted to share my experience in case it is encouraging.
I am also in Seattle; every day I would hike up to Virginia Mason from my office at 6th and Pike. So I was basically forced to walk every day and it did seem to help my energy level. I am not sure I would have been that active if i'd not had to be, but it paid off. Just wanted to pass that on.
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I went to the beach condo yesterday and probably shouldn't have, or should have depending on how you look at it. We just bought it so we are setting it up and went to Wal-Mart for some stuff and Home Depot. Had bar b que for lunch - of course I couldn't taste it. I was so exhausted when I got home at 7pm I ate and went to bed to lay down. Slept 8 hours and feel much better today but staying home from work. ONE MORE TO GO!
My MO told me that most people who have gone through Chemo have an easier time with rads then those who did not.
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HomeMom,
I know what you are talking about. We went for dinner Saturday night to a fabulous Italian restaurant. It has a "high" Zagat rating. My husband and son said it was delicous! I couldn't taste a thing!
My son ordered what I usually order linguine with white clam sauce. My tongue was hanging out. I'll order it when my taste buds come back. On radiation, my friend's mother had about 25 radiation treatments at 83 yrs old. She said it was nothing! I'm wondering what the simulation will be like. I don't hear much people complaining. So it must be okay. Today is my last Taxol infusion! Yay!! Still have facial numbness.
Simulation is Thursday already. Moving right along.Have a SE- free week!
Mary
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This is almost like being pregnant, you have a short memory. My taste buds will start coming back later this week and will be almost normal a couple days before the last treatment. I forget how frustrating it is to not be able to taste. I just eat to stop my stomach from growling.
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Congratulations, Mary!
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mary- I have new floaters too- in general my eyesight has tanked since chemo started, I'm blaming it on the extreme dryness.
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Mary1234...I had simulation a few weeks ago. Basically you're on the table and they take a bunch of measurements and they put some chemical concoction in plastic that you lay back on and they make a mold of where your arms/head/back go. (I did read that some of the ladies are laying face down, but that isn't the case for me) I also got 6 tattoos, pin point size - the only one that hurt was the one right on my breast bone. But it was minor and only for a second. I know some people don't get tattoos, they get stickers or markers, but either way, the whole process took about 30 minutes. I am on 4 of 33 and each treatment, I'm usually in and out in about 30 minutes, including changing into the lovely gray gown.
I have had 3 delays due to the machine problems so far, hopefully that will be it for a while. Good luck to you!! There is also a summer rads board that I've been hanging out on to see the SE's and general info.0 -
Hi all!
Have Taxol #12 this week...last one! I am having watery eyes and also neuropathy. Has anyone had their neuropathy go away after finishing Taxol? My MO is worried that mine is getting worse and may become permanent. Yikes. My toes are numb all the time now and since my last infusion it seems to be creeping up the sides of my feet.
I was told I could skip my last infusion, but I really want to make sure that I've done all I can to kill those stinking cancer cells. So that's my dilemma. Just want to finish treatment and move on with my life!0 -
Lily, I am off to taxol#9 today and it is my final infusion. I was prepared for 12 but my Mo told me a few weeks ago he didn't think the final cycle of 3 would provide any added benefit for me. I trusted his judgment on this so if you trust your MO and he says you can stop then go for it. I am sure all those fuc$ing cancer cells are gone!
Will check in later ladies when I can officially say I am PFC!
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mscaruso - I can bet these floaters came from the dry eyes. I've been putting Thera Tears in now. It helps. Did you make an appointment with your opthalmologist? I'm going tomorrow. They make a big deal about these floaters. They want to make sure we don't have a detached retina. Once they see it's okay - there is nothing they can do about floaters.
Jhodro - It sounds pretty easy. Thanks for sharing your experience. It really helps all of us who are heading to radiation.
Lilyrose - I have neuropathy and asked the chemo nurse yesterday about when should I expect it to all go away. She said aches and pains etc go away pretty quickly. Neuropathy could take longer. I do have it in my feet and hands. As I said in my post, I'm also experiencing it in around my face. A woman I met in the office (who is a old timer to bc) said physical therapy really helps with the neuropathy. I'm seeing a neurologist mid-September. Maybe you should do the same. I feel like you - I would finish my last treatment.
I had my last taxol treatment yesterday. YAY!! Looking forward to the disappearance (in time) of the se's of steroids and taxol. Time will heal the wounds. It has to get better! Continuing to drink my 8-10 glasses of water a day and walking 30 minutes on the treadmill.
Enjoy your week girls. It's going to be a hot one here in NJ!
Mary
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Today I am 5 weeks PFC. I experienced neuropathy in my feet and it is 90% gone. I started acupuncture when the symptoms began and did that once a week until last week. I still have the feeling/pain every once in a while, but as long as I wear decent shoes (not heels or wedges), I'm in good shape. I started walking for exercise again a couple weeks ago but as of this week, I am able to do about the same distance (3 mi) but just not as quick, I have to work up to that I guess. Good luck to you that your SEs go away very quickly!!
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I need to walk again. Both my husband and I need to lose weight and we used to walk 3-4 mi 4 times a week. I have allowed myself to be a prisoner in my home because of my lack of hair. I thought about putting on a scarf and my baseball cap or just the cap itself. Makes me nervous I might run into a neighbor that doesn't know about the bc. I live in Florida but where I live has hills and our subdivision has two streets with steep hills. Nice bit of a workout, but I'm not sure how much I can do and for some reason I am concerned about sweating. Maybe I should quit thinking and just try it again. lol
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#11 today! Also dealing with neuropathy so on a reduced dose the last couple of times. If it gets worse I won't get the last infusion. Got a lovely hematoma under 2 nails on my LE arm. No one wanted to drain it because of the LE so I am on day 5 of the painful throbbing. Hope it goes away or the nails fall off soon
At least I don't have to do the dishes for a bit 
But otherwise pretty good except for tired. Must get out and walk today. Hope you all are doing well!
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I've been done with chemo since 8/4... my teeth hurt - like the enamel is wearing away - like I might jump out of my skin if something cold hits them. Anyone else experience this?
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mmtagirl - Glad you got to finish early. My MO wasn't as clear on that. With triple neg they like to throw the kitchen sink at you because there is no targeted therapy for us. It's so dang aggressive, so once I finish rads it's a wait and see game. I sure hope you are feeling better now that you are finished with chemo!
Mary1234 - I did #12 today. Feel good that I saw it through...now just hoping my neuropathy doesn't get worse. I will ask about the physical therapy at my next appt. I am trying to drink as much water as I can. My RO also told me to stay hydrated during rads. Hope you're feeling better each day!
jhodro - Glad to hear your neuropathy is almost gone! My DH suggested acupuncture...maybe it would help me too. I can't wait to be able to walk for a mile! You are doing awesome!
HomeMom - I have been mostly house bound too. But I was told to stay out of the sun while on chemo. The heat and sun are just too much for me here in AZ.
clarrn - Sorry you are dealing with neuropathy on top of everything else. I have the same problem with six of my nails. The best way to describe it is it feels like I had my fingers slammed in a car door! The pressure on my nails is awful...they throb so bad sometimes. I am probably going to lose a few nails. Oh well.
Jenwith4kids - I hear ya on the teeth! I had that feeling for awhile. Switched to crest for sensitive teeth. It has helped quite a bit. Hope you find relief.
Saw my RO on Monday. Will be strong rads in about three weeks. Also will be getting a CT scan and blood work in two weeks. MO wants to check some iffy spots on my lungs. If all goes well, he will see me every three months for awhile. Also told me I need to keep my port at least until after I finish rads.
Hope you are all doing well, lilyrose
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lilyrose53 I have thought about asking my MO about sun exposure and never did. We just bought a TINY place on the beach but not sure I can fully enjoy it this year. It's going to be a bit of a pain in the butt if I have to deal with morning rush hour into Orlando M-F for 6.5 weeks then drive down I-4 to my office another 30 min. All those tourists not sure where they are going!
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Jen -
I also feel a sensitivity to cold/hot on my 1 tooth. I'm not so sure it had anything to do with taxol, but I wouldn't be surprised. I am done with taxol now and have a dentist appointment for just x-rays in September. Still not allowed to have work done on my teeth, but at least the dentist can see what is going on with it. Bring it up to your MO when you see her next time.
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I have a dental cleaning scheduled for the first week of October - I will be one month past my last Taxol. Has anyone been told there are dental restrictions?
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I am only 4 days past the completion of taxol. I was scheduled for a cleaning in Sept, but my MO said only x-rays. I'm sure you will be fine, but check with your MO first.
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I was told two months post chemo I could have my teeth cleaned - also get immunizations, eg, flu shot, pneumonia shot, booster for whooping cough, etc.
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Here are my taxol nails... I think I will just lose the one I am trying to keep on with tape! Soaking with 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water everyday and twice a week with tea tree oil. Anything else I might be missing?
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clarrn ouch. Your fingers look painful. I hope that they start feeling better soon.
So I finished my 12th taxol and it left me with presents. I have had a rash on my hand for a while but now it is creeping up my forearms.
. It itches and burns at the same time. I wasn't happy when it kept me up last night. I tried hydrocortisone but it just made my hands peel. 0
