Weekly Taxol group
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Mpv459 and wheatscapes, will your final treatments be the last week of September?
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hi notdefined- I am so glad surgery went well and that your SE are resolving. Yay for baby eyelashes and brows!! It's wonderful to see everyone who has finished coming back and share their progress. I love that we are genuinely interested in helping each other.
jk0106 - I missed taxol #5. My MO did not make me make that one up. So I had 11 taxol treatments. I asked in a HER-2 positive thread about it and got the reply that the main thing for us HER-2 positives is the Herceptin or our targeted therapy. And welcome
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I had Taxol #10 today and with about 15 min to go, my toenails started really aching from the icing. It was so painful that I pulled the socks off my feet. My big toenails are gross--grayish/white like maybe a fungus underneath. They aren't loose, but look like they're dead. No tingly neuropathy feelings, but they still kind of ache now, 7 hours later. I hope it doesn't affect my walking schedule. Last week was the worst week for me so far. I guess they are right about the cumulative effects. I was lethargic and most all foods are off-putting. Those steroids are really messing with my sleep, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. I added a Pepcid to the pills I take to help with uncomfortable burping. My chemo nurse today was just the best. She continues to cheer me on. Told me to start taking the nausea medications regularly. Should help with both sleep and stomach problems. I definitely can keep it up for 2 more weeks, although I'm disappointed in myself for stopping the icing. That pain was real!
I do love reading all your posts. They are so helpful! Thank you, to all, for your openness and honesty.
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BAMR
My fingernails look just as you described your toenails. I am 5 weeks out of taxol. I iced the whole 12 infusions. I never had neuropathy, but my nails are awful. I keep them painted with Zoya nail polish (because I am so embarrassed by the fungus look). You have 2 more to go, you can do it! 5 weeks out and I feel like myself more everyday!
Lauren
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Happy Anyway... Yes we will be done the last week of September and then on to radiation for me... When are you done?? I have coldcapped and lost 80% or so of my hair but keep on to protect the regrowth. Has everyone noticed in the last weeks of taxol that your hair is growing back.. It is so exciting.
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I had # 3 taxol today, so far so good. Took a nap this afternoon, sat out on deck down at ocean and watched sun set with great friends. So I felt pretty good. More energy this time around, just hopefully not up at 3 am like last time. My hair which is med. length is falling out in sheets. I have put off cutting it but tomorrow is the day. I can't stand the hair everywhere and my scalp hurts like I've had it back in a ponytail for a long time. Sink, tub, floors covered with my locks. My wigs are in, my hairdresser who is just wonderful is coming to my house tomorrow to cut my hair and fit the wigs with cut so I will still look like me. I have a great baseball cap with hair on it that looks like me when I'm out on boat and having a bad hair day. Onward and upward they say. So 3 out of 12 taxol completed. Next Friday will be a long day being that I get Taxol, Carboplatin and either atezolizumab/placebo. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm going to try too. Day #4 after treatments are my worse for being tired and cranky. My support group which is very big, Love each and everyone of them, someone always leaves something on my porch so when I come home from chemo I have something happy to look forward too. My extended family is wonderful. My nails are okay right now, as are my toenails. Get shaky at times from the pre meds they give you before chemo. But I'm remaining positive. Blood work still good. Take care all, rest, stay hydrated, (which I personally feels helps greatly). have a good weekend. Marta
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BAMR, I'm sorry about your nails. I hope they heal and don't give you any problems. I had a dream a couple of nights ago that my thumbnail fell off. I'm living vicariously through you, as we were originally on the same schedule. Keep your eyes on the prize!
Mpv459, September 27th! After chemo, BMX. I meet with my PS on the 9th. Hopefully I will be a good candidate for DIEP reconstruction. Yes to the white peach fuzz! Super soft and so happy to have it.
Martaj, how nice that you are close to the ocean! I have ocean sounds playing all night. It's relaxing. I am comfortable going bald everywhere, but got a real hair wig yesterday. I, too, am going to have it cut. The reason I decided to get one is because I need to renew my driver's license in October. For some reason I don't want to have a bald photo for that. 🤔 Yay for the doorstep surprises! So thoughtful.
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I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my last Taxol. It's gone so fast. My hair is filling in. The texture is changing. It's coming in grey but not as soft as the white fuzz I had initially.
My eyelashes are growing like crazy but still too short for mascara. My right eyebrow is almost filled in. Left isn't growing as fast. I noticed hair on my right leg yesterday. There's enough there to shave. Left leg not so much. So strange that one side is growing faster than the other.
Everything else seems to be getting back to normal. My nose doesn't run any longer, my intestinal distress is gone (woohoo! That was the worst and constant since AC), the foggy brain is lifting and my energy is coming back. The nail on my right big toe is a dark grey. It doesn't hurt and I keep it polished so it's not noticable. My finger nails were discolored but they have mostly grown out.
For everyone still getting Taxol, I hope your SE are minimal and for those who just finished, congratulations! You'll be back to normal soon.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
🤗🤗
Dawn
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Dawn: Thank you so much for checking in and giving hope to us still chugging through taxol. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better and hair and eyelashes and eyebrows are coming in strong. So looking to getting rid of the foggy feeling and not feeling so tired. Only 5 more weeks to go... Please check back in and keep us updated. Hope!
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Hi everyone! Notdefined, glad surgery went well for you! My toenails were awful as well as someone said above, but the last time I had the polish off they were looking a little better. Hang in there everyone!!
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Hello everyone,
Had my 3rd taxol this past Friday, 9 more to go, YUK. My hair is gone everywhere, new do's, but biggest thing is I woke up this morning with a horrible sore throat. I will be using the salt water rinses but I sure hope this goes away. Yesterday was extremely emotional. What hair I had left was coming out in sheets so I just had it all buzzed off. My head feels alot better. But now it is real!!! I really am a cancer patient or should I say victim. Kinda down today and it has just begun. Cried myself to sleep last night. Only person who has seen me bald is my hairdresser and my husband. I didn't want to show him but can't sleep with a hat on too hot. He has been very supportive. This down right sucks. I will put my happy face on and try to think positive, this is only temporary but sure is hard when I look like this. When sun comes up will walk my dog and that always perks me up. Have a great Sunday. I will try inbetween the tears.
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Thanking everyone for the well wishes. You are all beautiful souls, and I would love to keep in touch with you all.
Martaj - Sending hugs. I was/am very bothered by how the cancer look takes over us. I thought I was okay losing my hair, because I found a wig that made me feel somewhat like myself. BUT losing my eyebrows and eyelashes was not something I mentally prepared for, and that made it harder to deal with. I joked to family and friends that the cancer look is like a cartoon caricature in the way that it makes me look similar, but still not like myself. I feel like I always looked worse than I really felt inside. I say do whatever you have to do get through this. Being positive all the time is impossible. Honestly I try to stay away from mirrors as much as possible. Have a great weekend.
Melissa
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Martaj,
Loosing my hair was HARD! I sobbed when my friend shaved my head. I am 5 weeks out of Taxol and I still have not shown anyone in my family my head. I always wear a wig or hat. I know they would be supportive, I am just not comfortable letting them see me . You have every right to be sad and that will come and go. My MO told me that when I had bad moments, to remind myself that I was doing the best thing I could do (chemo) to take care of myself and get this out of my life. My hair is starting to grow back, yours will too and we will get this out of our lives!
Lauren
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BAMR - I only had Taxol but agree about the cumulative effects. I have actually felt worse the past two weeks than I did the rest of the treatments (with the exception of the first). My big toes are occasionally numb or tingling but the nails are doing ok. You're almost done with the Taxol!
Martaj - I got rid of the hair around #3. It was emotional for me but after a week or two, it actually felt better to not have it. I'm sorry that you are going through this though and do not feel that you are alone. Walking with my dog tends to make me feel better too. I hope that your Sunday is good today
Hi Laurencl, Dawn, and loiswb- thank you for coming back in here with updates!
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Martaj, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Cancer sucks. These boards are amazing though. The support of others who honestly understand what you're going through is priceless.
I'm sure it doesn't feel like it now, but you will get through this. The hair loss was awful but it will grow back. I'm 6 weeks post Taxol and I'm starting to feel like myself again. You will too. Remember we're all here to support one another. I don't know how I would have made it without these wonderful women.
You're a quarter of the way through. You can do this!
🤗🤗
Dawn
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I want to thank everyone for the posts. It really helped me with the new baldness, that I can't even look in mirror. Hair pieces and cute hats have helped. My good friend who went through this 13 years ago took me for a little (or should I say big) retail therapy yesterday. Really helped. I hadn't bought clothes in a long time being that I used to wear scrubs most of the time to work, and shorts and tops through out the year. I Live in Florida 6 months and RI the other 6 months. Being I won't be in Florida this winter due to treatments, surgery and such I needed some fall/winter clothes. Even though I was really tired afterward, seeing my new duds helped. I may feel terrible but will be styling. I've never been a vain person, but like to dress nice. Today will be a better day, I can feel it. Still don't sleep well, fall asleep without a problem, but up at 4-5am. Walking dog helps when sun comes up. Cool here this am. only 50 out with a nice breeze. I love the fall with the turning of leaves and such. I meet with social security this am for early retirement and possible disability. I worked as and ED nurse for over 45 years and can't do that anymore. Too great chance of infection. This will be a busy week for me. Meet with my doc on Wednesday, and breast surgeon, Chemo again on Friday, my husbands birthday is on Wednesday. My grandboys are coming over on Tuesday to help make him a cake and decorate it. Love doing that with them. No store bought cake for him. I love to cook. Reading everyone posts has helped me try and get through this. Still trying to keep positive. Knowing I have a great support system really helps. Thanks everyone. I just keep telling myself I'll get through this, I'll get through this.
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Dawn, My son and family lives in Suffolk VA. I love to visit them down there. Beautiful area.
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ByUmom2 Thanks for your words of encouragement I’m told so often how strong I am that was the past These days I feel like Sybil with all the personalities that lived with in her 😀
So glad you have a little break to start feeling better and to spend with family
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Divergent Wonderful idea spending money on your bucket list. None of us knows the future. I have come to a place of acceptance. Reading all the encouraging messages here helps so much. There are so many BC Warriors that have such courage and strength. I wake up daily with the resolve of just living this day.
So glad you over half way! I heard it gets better going over that hump. Are you finding that’s true?
Thanks for advice on the ice. I’m determined to suffer through the cold. I have people that will go weekly with me. Maybe watch a movie on IPad with headphones since my hands will not be free.
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Martaj Our lives have many things in common. I love the Port Charlotte area. Hugs to you and thank you for your encouraging words
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Taxol #1 starts September 5. I have been preparing my body for the fight and it helps keep my mind on what is coming. I am 5 weeks past my double mastectomy so I can really just walk for now. Goal is 7000 to 10,000 steps per day.
I am working on fear of the unknown. I guess after first infusion it will be not as scary. Just cannot imagine how it’s going to feel putting that stuff into my body first time 😢. I have always eaten clean. Working on imagining all of that stuff getting cancer kicked to the curb.
Martaj I so have such empathy for you looking at yourself first time bald. I think I am vain as it’s another terror I feel. Last week I cut my shoulder length hair to really short. To prepare mentally.
Hugs to everyone on this journey 😘. So many amazing BC warriors
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mpv - Taxol #7 went without any complications. Still cold-capping. Biggest SE’s right now are night time bone pain and horrific constipation. I have changed my diet to more Whole Foods, including lots of fruits and veggies, and I get constipated? 🤷🏻♀️ My taste is a bit off, but nothing bad. Some lethargy, but not enough to keep me from Zumba twice a week. Tiny bit of numbness in my feet, but transient. Sinuses dry and nose bleeds galore.
Tomorrow is #8. Strange, in some ways it seems like chemo is taking forever. In other ways it seems just like a week ago that I was doing my first infusion. But yeah...I will be sooooo glad when these Taxol infusions are done. Just have a year of Herceptin after that 😬
Happy - Yes! I finish Taxol September 24th, if all goes as planned. Already have my reconstruction surgery scheduled for November, and 3D areola tattooing scheduled in late January. I’m going to try to squeeze-in a oophorectomy (sp?) in December, given that my out of pocket has been satisfied for the year. I have a mutated ATM gene (oh joy!) that places me at higher risk for ovarian and pancreatic cancer, so that’s why I want my ovaries out. There’s a pancreatic cancer screening program in my city that I will be enrolled in in September. This merry go round ain’t stopping anytime soon for me, at least in terms of screening. I’m still having fun. I’m not going to let cancer or chemo take that from me. My schedule is full of fun stuff and I think I’m coping better as a result.
Marta - gentle hugs to you, dear. I will keep you in my thoughts. Just remember that your hair will grow back.
Hope everyone is doing good. Keep up the good fight
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Love Florida,
1st infusion isn't so bad. I had no problems. They monitor you for reactions, you get premeds. Prepare for a long day. 1st infusion is. I pretty much slept because of the benadryl on board. The first few days after you don't feel like your self. I didn't have nausea and such but was extremely hyper and couldn't calm down because of the decadron after. They no longer require me to take it after infusions. Bring a good book or tablet and watch a movie. I've never met a nicer crew of nurses than oncology ones.
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Wheatscapes,
Doing better yesterday and today. I had genetic workup also, waiting for results. The counselor stated I may have to have my ovaries and tubes out also. To think I begged for a hysterectomy years ago after I had my children, and being that I had nothing wrong of course was told no. Grandboys coming over today to help make Grampa's birthday cake. Can't wait. Have a great day everyone
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LoveFlorida - as Martaj said the first infusion will be a long one. They will want to make sure you have no reaction to the Taxol or the Herceptin. I had to use the bathroom every 15-20 minutes with all the fluids they pumped into me. If you are icing hands/feet you can start with your first and just see what works for you. I did not ice the first infusion and have had minimal neuropathy. Wear something that is comfortable (I wore scrub pants and a tank that buttoned up the front. Make sure if you have a port that it is accessible for the nurses. Take water and snacks and whatever electronic device(s) you need to entertain yourself. I was nervous the first time but now I love the place. It's the only place that I feel totally comfortable.
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DogMomRunner, isn't that strange? I remember getting a tour of the facility where I get my infusions when this journey first started. I distinctly remember getting a feeling of being overwhelmed when I walked into the infusion room. So many chairs... so many people hooked up to pumps, some sleeping, some walking about. I wanted to cry. Now, I pop around in there like I own the place. :P Well, not quite, but I get what you mean when you say it's the one place where you feel comfortable.
I had Taxol #7 last week. Still no real SE besides growing tiredness each week, a significant lack of eyelashes/ eyebrows, the Day 4 weepiness, and this week, my taste buds are wreaking havoc on me. Imagine my grumpiness today as I can't even drink a cup of coffee without turning up my nose. It's so gross! I hope this doesn't last forever, because I really don't know if I can let coffee go!
LoveFlorida- good luck as you prepare. You will be in my thoughts. Wheatscapes- I'm right behind you! I hope your infusion goes well today. Martaj- have fun cake making!
Also, for those of you who talk about the baldness, I saw a super-powerful photo shoot on Facebook. I had always *thought* I was vain, but I rock my bald head proudly because it's a symbol of my fighting spirit, which I find (and others, I may add) beautiful. This beautiful lady and her husband (and photographer) definitely captured that spirit we've all got. You may have to scroll a bit to find it on her page, but it's magnificent! https://www.facebook.com/mandyparksphotography/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARAu7w2a2BsuV3_2II3iuTTqUREP88LSLANGxy-nT1plbcsuQxNQ80v3NdQzKAZ6XUTS4iM6Zu8Hwfir&hc_ref=ARS8MT34-Bqpwn-NnvYvZFqv_whHWhvqkOX5qePkXhnovGxct9fxot26mbwBMM0Vw-c&__xts__[0]=68.ARA4dVlB1Zvz1f8o1x2FX8lB-W_vU863pUf2b5_-SIS08C04ltiuIgcG3tA9Vku7L3Xl30vnzrMmC8o-9Q_dLthK7Guq6KYIuSWlS6xeFDevZCQfR2DV-b_cur4sXnUIjyniKTdwR3GpgeHL2wXUKkRVj-TCWQlrcMDD2biUu1-zQrF_W67mvn5fCqhrIPdBdIqODQL6xgmvM0tJTOFt0uxvAPE1cKoSrhMKo1B0Ry63O3cIFaoRf6bXDYUg_XZdfPSCVh0LirYF9viOttLoDcbFhyW6r4m9eh9KnhSTMoDgxr7eMbYvNHvOUu3UTjktCRGejZN4SQJ8n1haImUuPQ
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Couple thoughts--my center has little TV's at each station. I generally watched that since my hands were tied up with the ice pack/mittens. I am 6 1/2 weeks out from finishing and I bit the bullet this week and am going hatless/wigless. Hair is really gray and shorter (of course) than I would generally be comfortable with. However, the hats/scarfs scream "cancer" to everyone. So I figured the short hair does not do that quite as much though to me it still does somewhat. I have a high forehead and the front is not yet long enough to look natural to me but I have gotten compliments. Someone told me the gray does not darken to your normal (which was already significantly grayed but not nearly like now) for a year! So will have to adjust to that. Both eyelashes and eyebrows are coming along. I am trying mascara but can't really tell it's doing much yet. Still wearing a bit of eyebrow pencil but starting to think I might go without it before too much longer. So hooping this encourages those dealing with the hair loss. It is very hard. Even if you do a wig when you are out it shakes your identity. Then you just get semi-adjusted to no hair and the eyelashes and eyebrows go. Glad everyone is progressing and adjusting.
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loiswb, yesterday was the first time I went out wigless in public. My daughter and I went to Ikea. I was extremely self conscious, thinking I would be stared at but that didn't happen. No one stared and it felt so good not to wear my wig. I had to run to my local grocery store today and did wear my wig. I guess baby steps for me.
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I am getting ahead of myself here but I have an appointment with my oncologist tomorrow and I am so nervous, My original biopsy came back as HER2 negative, after my surgery it came back as HER2 positive so now I am expecting to be put on Taxol/Herceptin. (my tumor was 7mm, ER 95% positive, negative nodes) Please tell me how bad weekly Taxol will be? Will I be able to work and what would be the best day of the week for treatment as not to disrupt my work schedule too much (I have a desk job and can work from home once in awhile). Thank you all so much.
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ik—the good news is Taxol is sometimes referred to as “chemo lite”—not a walk in the park but for many people not as bad as the stronger chemo drugs. I think mine was a typical pattern—if you call treatment day Day 1, I was good Days 1 and 2, would start flagging a bit late Day 3, and by Day 5 was coming around. I’d read enough here to know that I’d feel pretty good for the first few days each week, so scheduled my infusions for Fridays because I wanted my weekends. I work from home so feeling a little off late Sun/Mon/early Tue was okay. Some women want to protect their work week so might schedule infusions Wednesdays.
I never felt nauseous but took the anti-nausea meds for two days because I figured why not, plus I think they helped me sleep. You’ll likely get a steroid with your pre-meds and that can cause sleep issues for a night or two. I never felt terrible on chemo—just low energy, and like my body was super heavy—like it was a big effort to get up out of a chair.
I have preached on many threads protein protein protein. I really pushed it, which kept my blood levels good, which I think helped with SEs.
I only took 3-4 hours off on infusion days. It really was not hard on my work schedule.
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