Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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For icing, I bought gel packs that are mostly used for sports injuries. They are cheap and reusable. I brought the frozen packs to the c-centre in an insulated picknick bag (Ikea). I used a few packs for my hands, I had very light gloves on and wrapped my hands with the frozen packs in a small blanket or in a sweatshirt. For the feet, that was easy - I just put my feet into the insulated picknick bag with the remaining gel packs. I had light socks on (don't forget to bring a spare pair as these can become wet).
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And do you feel the icing works for all of you??
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boo girl—good thing you’re bringing your hubby! You’re going to be packing quite a load of icey products. I brought a huge soft sided Yeti cooler with me to my Taxols loaded with my ice packs for my hands and feet. I looked nuts hauling this cooler through the cancer center. I got lots of questions from other patients. Mostly them asking for a beer 🍺
Interestingly, the first Taxol they gave me Benadryl IV and I almost had an anaphylactic reaction. In my throat—a tight and tickling feeling. Like I needed a racemic epinephrine breathing treatment. Not great, but it didn’t progress. The next Taxol I had PO Benadryl and I had absolutely no reaction in my throat so I opted for oral Benadryl for the remaining Taxols. I got sleepy-ish but only really got sleepy when they added in the Ativan IV. That really helps take the edge off icing otherwise it’s quite annoying to have no hands available to work the iPad. So I listened to soothing meditation music on YouTube. And drooled.
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tina_marie - I used these for my hands https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QFZL1Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
just folded it on itself with the velcro strap to make a muff to put my hands into. It stayed nearly frozen during my entire infusion. I did wear thin cotton gloves to keep from getting frostbitten. I used these for my feet https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L4WONS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1 and bought extra gel inserts to swap out every 30 minutes or so as they do not stay frozen quite as long. I also did wear thin socks.
I did still get some neuropathy in both my fingertips and feet. Pretty mild in my right index finger and thumb. A little more in both feet, primarily toes. I am 12 weeks PFC tomorrow and the neuropathy seems to be taking its time resolving. Still hopeful that it will recede in my toes, but it is not really painful, just a bit tingly once in a while. Mostly it feels a bit numb and like my socks are bunched up under my toes.
Best of luck completing your Tx without any more SEs!
Kim
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boogirl - It depends on if you have a port or not, and how well you tolerate the taxol. I had a port, and had only a slight allergy to taxol (like a stuffy nose for a couple months). I was in and out in an hour and a half including the bloodwork and exam, because they could give it to me at a greater volume with few pre-meds.
I did AC afterward and that took a good bit longer.
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Has anyone discussed toenails recently? 3 months after the end of Taxol, I have lost my big toenails! Boo, taxol, boo!
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I did not have a port and didn't ice--just kept my body pretty cool (wore sandals, didn't take any of the blankets that were offered), and ended up with only a little neuropathy on the bottoms of my feet.
yellowb--my one thumbnail is still kind of detached at the top. I'm hoping it'll be all grown out in a few weeks. Both of my big toenails got weird but didn't exactly fall off. I'm nowhere near getting a professional pedi so I figure I'm saving some $$ by doing it myself?
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Yesterday I was so very ill. Nausea hit me hard at 830 am. By noon I was running for the bathroom with vomiting! Between the runs and the vomiting it was a very draining day to say the least. I did manage to nap between bathroom trips. Around 230 PM i called DH and asked him to come home because I felt so weak. Honestly i was afraid of being home alone in such a weakened state. I don't recall being that sick in many many years. I did some ice chips in the middle of the night and it helped my mouth feel more hydrated. This morning it was weak green tea and a few crackers and I've progressed to a little bit of pasta with more green tea. I can keep down my zofran for nausea which I'm sure is a big help too!
I'm saddened that my onco office never replied to the secure messages I sent the day before when I first was feeling out of sorts. Why do we have this of they never reply?? I'm so glad I'm feeling better today... still feel weak but no more massive runs or vomiting. I have week #7 treatment tomorrow with Dr visit so I will discuss the sickness I went through.
So DH and I believe when his daughter and her family came on Saturday SOMEONE was sick or recently had been sick for me to have gotten so ill and out of no where. Be forewarned as for me I have a box of disposable masks sitting at the front door. Either people who come and I don't see often will wear one when here or they can leave and call/text me or DH.
Here's to praying we ALL stay healthy during our chemo!
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I am new to this community. I have been stressing over just about everything. Has anyone had their platelet counts go up during taxol and herceptin .
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Nanette—I'm so sorry you got so sick. Sounds awful. I barfed myself into the ER on New Years Day right after I finished chemo. We had gone out to dinner so I'm convinced I picked up the virus at the restaurant. They said it was just a virus that caused gastritis. I really kept everyone out of my house during chemo. No way would I have visitors or have my daughters friends over. I kept my house my safe zone. I thought that everyone would give me Ebola.
Drs offices make me crazy. I'm still waiting on a return call to get my port flushed. I've called twice already, once last week and on Monday also🤬
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Ladybyrd52, first, welcome to our community. Many people report low platelet counts when on chemotherapy. Have you discussed it with your treatment team?
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Sorry, I did not make myself clear. My platelet counts are at 348. Is this something that I should be worried abount.
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Ladybird no your platelet count is just fine and Welcome to the group 8) How long have you been in treatment? You will find that your CBC counts may be all over the place up and down .... I have to believe that our treatment nurses and our MO will let us know when things are beginning to become a concern .
MoonGirl... it does make the "outside" world seem oblivious to the fact that we're immune compromised and that sniffles could land us in the hospital. I saw your starting Rads in a few weeks. I'll be praying for you and hope those SE won't be too bad.
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Thank you for your response. I am on taxol and Herceptin. Just had my 6th taxol. Maybe I need to just calm myself down. I know that staying anxious is not good for me. Thank you again for answering me.
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I did Taxol #1 yesterday and so far so good. I'm amazed by how good I feel today. My AC side effects usually hit immediately and didn't let up for the whole first week. It was really nice to wake up feeling normal. I guess I'll start figuring out what my taxol side effects will be over the next few days. I'm hoping next week I can talk them into lowering the benadryl dose so I'm not such a sloppy, drooling mess.
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tina marie-- My hair started growing during taxol and abraxane (both paclitaxol)peach fuzz then dark shadow lining whole head, but it really took off fast after the chemo was stopped. I had very short even (I shaved my head during AC as I preferred the complete smooth bald over patchy wispy) hair all around head about 4 wks pfc. Do you know how many doses you will do, I know sometimes they use abraxane 3 weeks on 1 week off for longer term tx for more advanced Ca. I also had to do 3 weeks on one week off on abraxane instead of all 12 in row since that was what my insurance would approve. PS I only completed 8/12 due to neuro &muscular SE's. Wishing you well
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Hazelnut - My thoughts exactly - I feel great with the taxol. The AC was brutal and left me very sick for 5-6 days. I am back to work today after Taxol #2 yesterday!
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woowhooooo I just finished week #7!! The end is in sight!! I met with MO today he was concerned that I was ill and said it probably was the grandkids that got me sick. He gave me the option of passing this week but I told him I feel well enough to continue. So I'm cleared for today's TX and 2 more and last meeting. He does want me to schedule meeting the PS & BS so we can discuss the dreaded mastectomy 8((
I got so many compliments on my cotton turban "do: today too. Wasn't the one I wanted to wear as that silk one kept moving on without me! And it was also nice to put on my eyelashes, earrings and a necklace too 8) I was snazzy !
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mLghtn: That's just it, I'm stage IV, Triple Negative BC.. I will be on some sort of treatment for the rest of my life. I'm doing well right now.. taxol is the first thing that halted the progression.. but this is an aggressive cancer. So i'm getting a little sad that I may not have hair for a while.
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tina marie I'm sorry about your situation, that is definitely really rough. I'm glad the taxol is working for you though. My hair did grow on it in comparison to the AC, maybe its just slower so if you stay on it longer, you may grow enough still to go topless. That was really all I wanted at first. I did sort of embrace the bald after a while, it felt good during the summer (i always went bald at home even around my kids, everyone got used to it) and i really liked the wigs I had.Even had people ask about my haircut and color frequently with one of the wigs! I sort of liked shocking them at times and told them the truth since they were strangers I would never see again
. The hardest part for me with the taxol was I lost all body hair and the no eyebrows and lashes made me really self conscious, so I spent considerable time doing make-up and/or false lashes to go out in public everyday--also felt that made me look more sick than being bald. Hang in there, sending positive vibes...0 -
hey everyone! I have this terrible itchy rash on my knuckles, elbows and ankles. Itches like crazy!! No blistering. Just rough bumps. Finished Taxol #6 out of 12. Any ideas?
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Sadlynew, talk to your doctor about that rash. It could be allergic, or it could be something you caught from a pet. A skin scraping should tell it.
My Mary Kay friend is coming through with free samples. Paying more attention to skin will distract from hair. I get some really strong lines around my eyes when I laugh, and never knew it. I thought a light brown eyebrow pencil would be better, but she sent me a blond one-- to match my silver hair. I will be calling the Cancer Society lady to trade some of my knit hats for a grey or ash blonde wig. So many of the quilting club ladies dye their hair. The naturally fair ones do OK, but but the dark hair looks strange, especially one with thin hair. I have a favorite blush that is more that thirty years old. I crumbled it up and wipe it in to blend.
In the Wiscosnsin cold, I prefer my hats. Especially the ugly one I wear to bed.
I would think artificial eye lashes would put stress on weakened natural ones.
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mLghtn: Thanks for your thoughts... Like you... i am bald most of the time at home or just wear baseball caps.. I've acquired a look for work & out and about that i'm happy with.. but would just love hair again!
My fav beanie (and my daughter)
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Tina Marie Thats such a cute picture! You guys look almost the same age, that beanie color looks great on you! My daughter is 16. The first pic is with my fav wig which is actually like rose gold ombre --hard to tell in pic. Other is my hair now (more than a couple inches long but has curl so it looks shorter than it is. I had long blonde hair like my daughters one year ago, was sad about it for a while, had to get a grip on "its just hair", but feeling pretty good about it now (never had short hair before)
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You look great! I was thinking I may go and get a wig fitted and done properly... I have a couple of wigs but they bounce around when I wear them.
Oh and yes we do look the same age (just like you and your daughter). For me thank goodness for SNAPCHAT FILTERS!!
lol
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Did any of you take B6 or B12 and Glutamine during Taxol infusions?
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Go to the cancer society wig shop. Wigs for the hairless are sized smaller, but they do have some sizers that might help. https://www.tlcdirect.org/cuddle-shop-soft-bamboo-chemo-scarves-turbans
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HopeBry, yes, I took B6 (100 mg per day) and l-glutamine (30 grams per day, divided into two servings). I took the B6 every day, and the l-glutamine the day of chemo and subsequent three days each week of my weekly taxol. It seemed to help ward off neuropathy.
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HopeBry I took B-vitamins with alpha-lipoic acid in one pill, it's a product here that is meant for any nerve damage (like in diabetics). My MO as well as my neurologist specifically told me to take it for neuropathy during Taxol.
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