Weekly Taxol group
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Hi everyone. I start next week. Kind of nervous but I'm ready to get things started. I'll be anxious to see how things go and if I have any problems. Hope you all are doing well.
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Getting my energy back finally. All well here. Don't look at this site much anymore since I am more involved with the grandchildren. It was wonderful when need. How about you?
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finished chemo yesterday! Hooray! Had last taxol, just a bit of muscle pain in my legs and hopefully all should be good, just in time for my birthday tomorrow 😀😀. Another mountain climbed, bring on the next- rads in a month. Getting there.
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Hi all;
Taxol #4 today. My biggest complaint has to be the leg/hip pain. Its really annoying as its just this constant ache. I am not taking anything for it....just kinda dealing....I haven't had any nausea until yesterday and it hit hard in the morning but i took the meds and then just had a day in bed.
I am sorry to hear Marg that you have so much swelling
that is tough. i have only had some swelling in my left arm which they say could be very early lymphadema so I am going to see a specialized physical therapist on Friday for that. I have had weight gain but they tell me its from the steroids and that it should fall off once I am done. that is frustrating as weight gain and cancer just seems mean really.....Oh well this is all temporary.Lottemarine yeah for being done!!!!
Cindi glad you are getting your energy back!
Missing my old life as i used to be a go go go girl and this is just a hard transition to being tired and achy.....I know its temporary and try to focus on that.
I hope everyone has a great day and keeps their thoughts positive! We are strong amazing women and we can fight this!
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The hip/leg pain is a royal pain. Mine has been my knees and hips, with muscle pain at times as well.
I got to have Taxol #11 yesterday after my MO agreed the neuropathy had improved enough. The final one is up to me depending on how I do this week.
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I was curious to see how many of you have been working through your treatments? I know everyone is different. I have a job working as a desk, so I am hoping to be able to tolerate enough to only miss time away for the actual chemo.
Thanks!
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I have a office job and worked part time (just mornings- mon to fri) throughout my chemo, sometimes at home and also in the office. My work was really supportive and gave me flexibility on days I didn't feel well enough to work- sometimes- 2-3 days after having chemo adminstered.
Although I think it's good to work if you can, it's also important not to overdo it. This is the time, when you need to focus on your body and getting better.
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Thank you Lottemarine. I would like to work from home if possible, just not sure if it will be allowed. I have options of Tuesdays or Thursdays for chemo. Thursdays may work better since I can rest on the weekend.
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Hi ladies, I have the last of 12 Taxol treatments next week. I have worked throughout and have had minimal SEs besides constipation and bloody noses. I telework on treatment days and on my tired day which is two days later but otherwise I'm working in a fast-pace and high stress environment. But truth be told besides paying the bills and providing excellent health insurance, the job, has kept me from going absolutely stir crazy thinking about my diagnosis and treatment. I am not looking forward to the 4 rounds of AC which I'm told will be tougher than Taxol, but I am not dreading it like I once was either. Now if I could only get rid of the 16 lbs that I've gained.....some major bloat going on here.
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I work in a school district seeing groups of students. Some days I have to leave early but mostly I only take off afternoons for chemo and some mornings for fills of my expanders. I agree. It keeps me sane and helps me to give my daughters a sense of normalcy. Only 6 more taxol to go!
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I start Chemo tomorrow. As I said before, very scared...
As far as work, I will discuss with MO tomorrow. MY BS did not think I should work because I work with K kids and they cough, sneeze, etc. on you all the time. Sometimes Mom sends them to school sick. He felt that my immunity would be down. Last year we had to close the school for a couple of days because of a flu outbreak.
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hey deaconlady, I had my chemo on Tuesday's and was given anti sickness pills for the first few days, i always found that Friday through Sunday would be the worst days, and by Monday I'll pick up again. Best of luck with it and yeah working from home a couple times a week is great, if you can. I found not having to deal with a 40 min commute each way and sick people on the train, so much easier.
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Deaconlady - I have managed to work full time thru my Taxol. I have completed 10 of my 12 infusions so far. It's tiring but doable. I have adjusted my schedule so that I work more from home, my employer has been very flexible. I would go crazy if I was home all day. I chose Wednesday for my infusion, by Friday afternoon I am starting to crash and have the weekend to rest. Monday and Tuesday I felt fairly normal
Cyndi
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Hi ladies. Thank you so much for your help! My first 2 are on Tuesdays, so I should get a good feeling for which days I have more energy! LOL
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Hi all - I've been reading along sending good thoughts everyone's way, but I don't really post much. I just finished 12 of 12 Taxol's on Monday, and wondering if anyone else got hit by a mack truck at the end? Throughout Taxol i've had some exhaustion and GI issues, but nothing like this. I feel like I'm back on AC - extreme exhaustion, feeling completely depleted, bouts of nausea early on. I'm doing a number in my head, worrying that I'll never feel better. Which I know is not true (right?!?!?) but because I wasn't expecting this, I'm completely thrown. Can someone tell me that they were knocked down at the end of Taxol, and how long it took to feel better? I start rads in a month, and have a growing sense of dread of starting this all over again...
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I went back to work when I started Taxol and felt pretty good the first couple of weeks. Now, I guess the cumulative effect of the Taxol is catching up with me. I'm exhausted. I get my chemo on Mondays and by Wednesday afternoon, I'm tired and by Friday I am totally exhausted. I end up laying on the couch all weekend. Also, I am having major GI issues. I can't get far from the bathroom out of fear of an accident, which has happened. This past week, I started with cramps and even spiked a fever, so my MO started me on Cipro, again, and I do feel better today. I don't know if I am picking up a bug or if this is just part of the journey of Taxol. My MO and I have discussed limiting my work hours and the amount that I travel. I've got 5 more Taxols to go. Someone said that work can be a good focus, but we have to remember to take care of ourselves. I'm at the point that I think giving my body time to rest and recoup is more important than working 8 hour days. Taxol has been such an up and down journey for me. Sometimes I feel pretty good and then I have a week like I did this week where I felt so sick and couldn't do anything but sleep. But I'm getting close to the end....power on!
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Praline- I made the decision before even starting my treatment to go on STD. I work at a private school for children with disabilities who also have severe behavior problems. It involves a lot of physical interventions which I didn't want to have to deal with while feeling crappy. And also, the sicknesses that they bring to school, I didn't want to catch anything! It is nice being home,but I have had emotional days where I wish I were at work just for the distraction.
Don't be scared, it will be fine..
Hugs to ya!
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I just thought of another question. On average, after how many treatments did you notice you were losing hair?
Thanks!
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I did my first Taxol treatment yesterday. It went really well. A bit of an ouch to get the IV in the vein. She said she had it and the vein rolled. But is wasn't that bad... As soon as she started the treatment I started feeling light headed. She said it was the Benadryl. It lasted until later that night then it went away. I felt fine today except my tummy felt rumbly for lack of a better word. Thanks for all the encouragement.
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Deaconlady: Hair starts to come out after 3-4 treatments (though mine never did because I cold-capped).
Praline: YEAY! Stay positive. It's lousy but not hell.
I did my 12 weekly taxols a few months back, and I pop in here occasionally. I didn't get any really bad effects but was very tired towards the end.
Hang in there everyone!
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Deaconlady: my hair started to come out in clumps between week 4-5. I shaved afterweek 5.
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I second that Tesla. Week five did my hair in. I still have a substantial bit of this buzz cut though and I just finished #9. It seems to be growing in spots. So weird. I have my brows and lashes. Using the Brian Joseph gel though.
AC makes you go completely bald right? I have that next.
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Thanks, ladies!
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"Fluid Retention".............Update to my Feb 4, 2016 post. Hello to all. First thank you to those who responded to me especially since this seems to be somewhat of an uncommon problem, at least to the degree that I have. After many tests, ultrasounds, heart tests, vascular, blood, etc it was confirmed that my extensive fluid retention was indeed a result of my Taxol (the steroids in it) treatments. I had retained almost 50 lbs by the end of my 12 Taxol treatments. Following extensive blood tests on my kidney function (no kidney problems just precautionary) it was decided to up my Lasix to 80mg a day (40mg twice a day). Since that began I have happily shed 25lbs. However this was not without side effects. Just yesterday I experienced one of the worse days of this entire process. I suspect it was caused by the sudden loss of all that fluid. The vascular surgeon I had seen mentioned that the Lasix could have a negative effect on my blood due to the fact that some of the fluids I would be losing would in fact be coming out of my bloodstream. As of today I have cut back to 20mg twice a day until I see my oncologist Tues.
I hope this may help any others who may be having any fluid retention issues. I had considered starting a separate thread regarding fluid retention but after finding out it was Taxol related I decided i would just continue my thread here.
Just an FYI to some other posts. I had my 8 weeks of A/C treatments first, followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. My hair started falling out in the 3rd week and my husband just went ahead and shaved it off as it was coming out in clumps, my choice. I did purchase a very nice wig, but have only wore it once as I prefer just wearing one of the many beautiful head wraps and covers. Much easier and in my opinion more comfortable.
Lastly I am also receiving Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks. That started on the first day of chemo and will continue for 32 more weeks after chemo was completed. Note, the Pergeta will stop after receiving a total of 10 infusions of it. The Herceptin will continue for the full 32 weeks.
Thanks to all of you for your valuable information.
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I just looked back at my post a few minutes ago and wanted to apologize for being so long winded. I guess I got caught up in maybe to much detail for those few that might experience my problem. Again I apologize, I should have tried to shorten my post.
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Actually, marg52, I found your post to be informative and important. I recently started Taxol and Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks and am having issues with the massive steroid infusion I get with my tx. Thanks for the info and best wishes.
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Marg52 Thanks so much for the update, you never know who it may help. I hope your issues are resolved quickly. I'm wondering if you were able to start radiation yet? Or did you have to delay?
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Birdie56.......Thank you so much for your positive response. Being new at this I don't want to over do it. Sounds like you getting ready for treatment similar to mine although I had Perjeta along with the Taxol and Herceptin. I wish you all the best and hope you do fine. Remember as I said mine seems to be an extreme condition and everyone is different.
ladyhumps...Yes I was able to start my radiation though I need help getting up on the table. All that water retention is very painful, something I never would have thought of.
Everyone, I only posted here to find if anyone else experienced an issue this bad with fluid retention. The FR is fairly common but I've read very little about the severity in some cases. Please don't let my experience frighten you. From everything I've read and discussed with my doctors I'm the exception rather than the rule, so the speak.
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Marg52, nothing can scare me now after my first chemo infusion experience! I started on December 22 with Taxotere, Carboplatin, Perjeta, and Herceptin all at once. By Christmas Eve I was admitted to the hospital for 5 days then in bed for almost 2 weeks. I insisted NEVER again will I voluntarily sit in that chair! I lost all my hair 2 weeks after the FIRST tx! However, I got a 2nd opinion and had a sincere discussion with my ONC and he dialed back my meds to Taxol and Herceptin. My tumor has already shrunk from about 4cm to 6mm
! Side effects are minimal and manageable. Hoping to cut back a bit on the steroids at infusion now. Good luck you, and everyone else on this crazy journey. Remember to speak up and always be your own advocate! ♡ 0 -
Hi all;
I will now comment.....Taxol is getting taxing
At first I found it so much easier than my 8 wks of AC; but now I am tired, having some GI issues, bloody noses, hip/thigh pain, and I am really really tired..... I am thinking its was / is just a cummulative effect of the taxol.re: work and the question raised above. My treatments are on Wednesday afternoons so I word on Monday/Tuesday and Wednesday morning and take the rest of the week off to recover. It seems to be working although I feel tired most days and that is becoming increasingly frustrating. I have taxol #5 this week.
I plan to have a more serious talk with the MO this week; I feel like I am very honest re: the SE but at the same time I always say; but its ok I am sure it could be worse......and then I don't think they think I am feeling all that bad.....
re: hair - mine fell out 13 days into AC so I shaved it that day as it came out in handfuls.
Does anyone know how soon after Taxol radiation starts?
Have a great day and I am thinking positive thoughts for all.
Sawyer
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