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Comments

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    Hi Linda, when this happened to me after #10 I told my MO right away as requested.

  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    jean and ladyB ! You are done! How does it feel? I expect I'll have a good long cry in the shower afterwards. Now you can rest, and begin to get stronger. Bless you both, and big hugs

  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 196
    edited January 2015


    Nancy and Ladyb - thank you for your quick responses. I swear all common sense and knowledge flies out of my head when something BC related comes up! My MO has advised the same thing. I will leave message with nurse and see MO next week for #9! In the meantime I am back to wearing good walking shoes inside and out. I'm a barefoot girl and flip flops when I can. Thus the big old ugly feet!

    Congrats on finishing Taxol and thanks for sticking around and giving us a hand! XO Linda

  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2015

    wait..... not sure I heard the BELL???? CONGRATS !!!!!

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 1,541
    edited January 2015

    Well it is starting to sink in slowly that I actually finished chemo! Strange I don't feel celebratory, just more relieved I guess. I am looking forward to the neuropathy leaving, actually tasting food again and not having to stress about every germ that flies by as my immune system recovers. Still facing ALND surgery and rads but I'm about half done I figure. Hang in there those still in chemo, it's worth it and you will make it. I'll be checking in as I recover to let you know how it progresses. Love, Jean

  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2015

    Jean- I'm with you! I only finished chemo December 6th, and I didn't feel celebratory either. I finished with FAC (had Taxol first), so knowing I was headed home to be sick for about 5 days, I didn't bring the family like so many people do... My husband and I quietly rang the bell with the staff, then I headed home. As I said, I just had my ANLD (feel free to ask questions), and I'll begin radiation early February. I'll also have my ovaries removed soon, then start Femara as soon as Rads are done. I'm having very, very aggressive radiation, so I may have another reconstruction of some sort in the future too. I guess I'm about ½ way done too, though I'm starting to realize "living to stay healthy" afterwards is going to be a lifetime commitment.

    Gatomal- When I finished chemo, I burst into tears once I got to the car, then cried for a really long time again at home, and I think most of the following day too! Even though I knew I was still going to feel bad for awhile, finishing was SUCH an enormous relief. It felt as if I'd gotten out of prison. I ended up in the hospital for a week mid-December with unexplained high fever and a white blood cell count near zero, yet I STILL kept thinking, "At least I'm done with chemo!"

    Good news for everyone- I'm 2 weeks out of my Axillary Dissection and 6 weeks past 12 weeks of Taxol, plus 12 weeks of FAC, and over the past few days especially, I've starting feeling GREAT. I am SO encouraged after many months of feeling I'd never be the same. To all of you still struggling, HANG IN THERE!

  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    thanks for the encouragement Texas, and to you Jean...A big congrats! Yes it does feel a bit like prison. Especially when you are trapped across from a know it all husband of a patient that's just trying to sleep, and he won't stop talking as you are getting your first extremely painful cold cap on. Weird dynamic today, but overall really efficient for premeds, taxol, and cold capping. I even slept for the first time between cold cap changes, got maybe two hours. Really passes the time! Six more taxols to go, then a break before surg/ recon. Silver lining alert...excited for breast lift and lump at same time. Waiting on tummy makeover for three yrs clear so I don't need that skin for recon if I need a mx. So I get half a mommy makeover, a mommy make under, I guess

  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2015

    Texas, may I ask why axillary dissection was needed? This has never been discussed with me and I don't know if I can handle anymore surprises. I had sentinel dissection with my mastectomy.

  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    ilovecoasters, not to jump in, but I have one node that is palpable upon external exam, so we're assuming I'm nose positive. In my case that means we r doing both SNB and ALND to see the extent of nodal involvement. Not happy about the ALND, but I want to get it all in one shot

  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2015

    Ilovecoasters- I was diagnosed in June with a recurrence in my axillary lymph nodes plus 1 small tumor on the side of my breast, so I needed an ALND to remove all local nodes (and my surgeon removed a large pieces of my implant pocket to clear the breast tumor margins... then my plastic surgeon patched it back up so I could keep the implant). I had a BMX plus sentinel node biopsy 7 years ago, but the node was clear, so they didn't go further. The decision to do one is based either on initial diagnosis or post surgery pathology, so I really think your doctor would have mentioned an ALND by now if he thinks it's necessary.

    I hope that helps ease your mind!

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    ilovecoasters, will jump in here to share my experience. I had an ALND, as like Gatomal, I had one node that was palpable upon external exam, which meant that I was node positive. In my case the decision to preform an ALND was determined upon initial diagnosis based results of US and MRI -- I didn't present with a primary tumor (i.e. no lump in the breast nor evidence of any BC in the breast) but had a "juicy" node to use my BS words. Based on my experience (yours may be different) and discussions with BS and MO the decision to do an ALND is based either on initial diagnosis or post surgery pathology. Also as mentioned by Gatomal an ALND determines the number of nodes involved if the Drs believe the cancer mayhave gone beyond the sentinel node. The decision to do an ALND on me was made pretty quickly after my dx, it took 3 weeks from dx to surgery due to all the scan's and work-up that had to be done to ensure no Mets. I agree with Texas94, please talk to your BS as I think they would have mentioned an ALND to you. If not please ask for your peace of mind.

    Jean, please PM me if you have questions on ALND that I maybe able to answer.

    Hope this helps.

  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2015

    Thank you friends. I am scared of needing more chemo, more surgery,and lymphedema. I still have 8 Taxol to go, but when I mentiomed being done on 3/16/14, my onco commented with an ominous "We will see". Huh? What's? No, my sentence was 16 chemo. At the time of my mastectomy, my Breast surgeon really thought my nodes were clear. My path report was a shock to all of us. I had two micromets, .2mm and .4mm, each on the outside of a node.

  • birdlady222
    birdlady222 Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2015

    Ilovecoasters, I have 8 more Taxol treatments to go too.  This is my second round of chemo in a year and a half.  I understand what you are saying.  In July all of my scans were clear, and then in Dec the scans showed lung cancer and some spots on the liver....Surprise!  More chemo.  After 4 treatments, most of my hair is gone.  I am hoping and praying that I don't get neuropathy.  So far, the side effects have been very minimal, but this darn disease has a way of popping up with unwanted surprises.   Ilovecoasters, feel free to message me.  I am alone a lot and would enjoy having someone to talk to.

    Best wishes on your treatment,

    Birdlady

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    Hi All, how long after finishing Taxol did your joint/muscle pain go away? I am 10 days PFC and still feel the pain but it is not as bad or constant. I am also still pretty fatigued and wondering does this also take a while to go away? I have been given 4 weeks between PFC and start of Rads due to the level of fatigue I had on Taxol, so I am guessing the fatigue may last quite a few weeks?

    Silverlining, my taste buds seem to be on the mend. Can't quite taste yet but everything is not tasting like cardboard/metalic.

    Thanks for sharing your experience.

  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2015

    Ladyb, when did you start to notice taste bud issues? I had it all through AC, but none yet with Taxol.

  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2015

    Hi ladies! Try holding ice in your mouth as much you can manage during the 45min Taxol drip. I did this and the only time I had taste bud issues was the one week I forgot the ice (no mouth sores either).

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    ilovecoaster, I have had taste-bud issues since AC which have continue throughout Taxol, along with GI tract issues. I have been on prescription medicine for the GI tract issues since AC.

    Texas94, the ice did stop me from getting mouth sores, but my taste-buds just never recovered. I can't wait until I can actually distinguish the taste of different foods (big smile).

    I was one of the rare ones that had more issues on Taxol than AC.

  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2015

    ladyb1234- I'm with you I was utterly miserable on Taxol. It was constant and unforgiving from dose 1 to dose 11 (I was in such bad shape after 11 I didn't get the 12th). Oh I could go on and on about how much I hated Taxol. Of course, I didn't love FAC or anything (AC + fluorouracil), but I SO appreciated having days I felt at least halfway decent in between doses.

    As for the pains, I noticed real relief and the start of a very slow improvement 2-3 weeks after I finished Taxol (the pains AND all my other side effects). Now at 3 months out I'm starting to feel very good and only notice every once in awhile my side effects are still improving. However, I had FAC after Taxol, so it's possible I'd have felt better more quickly had I not been getting more chemo.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    Texas94, thanks for the information. I can't wait for my side effects to improve just so ready for the pain to go away (big smile).

  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2015

    Good morning. I'm curious how many of you are taking Glutamine powder and Claritin to help with the pain? I had #5 of 12 yesterday. Both my whites and reds have improved which surprised the doctor. He asked what I am eating since I am still losing weight. I told him nothing processed, fried, no soy, no caffeine, and limited sugar. Since they've told me to avoid anything with soy we've been reading labels and calling restaurants. It's in everything! Very frustrating and I'm craving some lo mein like crazy! Lol.

    Hoping you all have a good day.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited January 2015

    Ilovecoaster, I am taking Clartin for the pain. My MO did not approve Glutamine.



  • Tabbygirl521
    Tabbygirl521 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2015
    I took L-glutamine throughout treatment, which ended 10/31, and still take it off and on. I had no real issues with neuropathy - just occasional and brief tingles in my fingers and the tip of my tongue. If I skip the l-glut, even now, I sometimes notice the tingle. I pop an l-glut and things improve. My onc said there are no studies to support these outcomes, but acknowledged that there is a ton of anecdotal evidence like mine.
  • birdlady222
    birdlady222 Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2015


    I just finished treatment #5 and my MO said I can take L-Glutamine, and suggested sprinkling whey powder on anything I can to help increase protein intake. So far, my nails look good, and I don't notice any extra pain.  I take Phenergan every morning due to mild nausea, and that has helped me.  I need a wig.  Does anyone have suggestions for purchasing one at a reasonable price online?  I live in a rural area and can't shop. I don't drive because of the pain meds that I take.  Please help  with suggestions.

    Thank you!  Praying for a pain free day for each of you...

    Birdlady

  • nancy2581
    nancy2581 Member Posts: 408
    edited January 2015

    birdlady - go to tlcdirect.org. It's the American Cancer Society's website for wigs and such. Reasonably priced too. My sister in law bought 4. Hope this helps

    Nancy

  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2015

    Birdlady,

    I used Voguewigs.com for mine. Found an online coupon for buy one get one half off plus free shipping. There are a ton of YouTube videos with wig reviews. I have the "Jackson" from Noriko and the "Scorpio" from Revlon. My friends can't believe they are not real hair. I think it was around $170 for both. I also bought one from TLC. It is so cheap looking. Haven't worm it once. Probably should haven returned it. Will likely donate to my oncology center.

  • birdlady222
    birdlady222 Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2015


    Thank you Nancy and Ilovecoasters for your quick replies.  I can't believe how fast my hair has come out, and for some reason it is really bothering me.  I will get online right away and start shopping.  Ilovecoasters, thanks for naming the wigs to look at.   I love coming to this site because you have the same experiences I have and I don't feel so alone.

    Thanks!

  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2015

    Birdlady, I posted on Calling All TNs yesterday with a picture of my wig: another person (Greenae) also posted a pic: may want to look there too

  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 317
    edited February 2015

    hi bird lady,

    I got one in Amazon just for fun for $20 from melody wigs. I have to say it looks awesome. Try Amazon.

    I'm a month out of taxol, I was feeling more sore after chemo than during! I can say that maybe now I'm starting to feel better but I still feel like an old lady. I ran on a treadmill for the first time my bum was hurting from the skin bouncing up and down! Crazy. Eyebrows finally comings back

  • dera104
    dera104 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2015

    Hi... thnx for starting this topic... I finished my AC dosage.. didn't do very well.. My doses got cancelled 3 times and my Hemoglobin levels were very low.. Started Taxol... Far more relaxed with it but had to get a blood transfusion. Since I started Taxol I've been searching online and was overwhelmed by it's side effects.. I've just had my 7th weekly session and I'm started to have minor nose bleeds, feel my nose is always stuffed and when blowing, kleenex is bloated with red blotches. Also been having irregular vaginal bleeding since session 3..Start feeling bone aches & dizziness around day 3 or 4.. Don't know when the more serious side effects will start to kick in, but it's manageable till now..

  • dera104
    dera104 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2015

    Hey there.... Hang in there... I can relate to ur message... I do have bad mood swings around the 3rd or 4th day... I feel I just wanna be left alone, don't want to talk or argue.. every word I hear seems offensive, cry a lot... And my kids are another story, so like u I just let them do whatever they want.... they can tear up the house, don't care as long as they're not bothering me... Or I just send them to my mom for a couple of days, and just sit in bed all day... Anyway it will get better and we're gonna get through this :)

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