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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • swimgal
    swimgal Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2021

    LoverOfJesus, I had my fourth weekly Taxol this morning. This is the steroid I get: dexamethasone (DECADRON). I'm sorry, I don't know the dose. The only reaction I had was the first week they gave it to me a little too quickly and I had a weird sensation/tingling in my groin area, but that only lasted maybe ten seconds. For subsequent doses I make sure to tell them to give it to me slowly and I have not had any reaction to it. Other than being tired on the day of Taxol, I have been blessed with no SE - able to work the following day and maintain my normal routine. I know this can change down the road, but I'm so grateful for four infusions with no SE. I hope you have an easy time with Taxol and I will keep you in my prayers.

    Aram, I have not had any constipation or diarrhea with Taxol. I was fully expecting that possibility, but thankfully normal bowel movements. Fingers crossed. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Not fun at all! I hope it improves for you.

    Blessings to all!

  • btwnstars
    btwnstars Member Posts: 81
    edited August 2021

    I see many of the June Chemo group making their way here…

    Mle42 - that’s what I was researching too, the dose dense taxol. I am hoping it will be easier than AC, but a little nervous.

    My doctor have not really encouraged anything related to the ice gloves/booties, so not sure on that.

    I am being prescribed a ton of steroid to take within the 12 hours before my treatment. As I understand this may help prevent allergic reaction.

    Any other dose dense can share their experience

  • txlorelei
    txlorelei Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2021

    11 of 12 Taxol now done. Will start AC on the 27th

    3 weeks ago, the MO removed the steroid from my pre-meds because I wasn’t having any nausea symptoms. However, I then developed a weird rash on my ankles which she blames on the Taxol. So today, the steroid was back in my pre-med list.

    Overall, Taxol has been very “tolerable” for me. I’ve been able to work full time (mostly from home) and as long as I don’t over-eat, the GI symptoms are extremely minor. The neuropathy in my fingertips has greatly improved so hopefully it will go away entirely once I’m done.

    Good luck to everyone else!

  • AMG2
    AMG2 Member Posts: 90
    edited August 2021

    Lorelei, Congrats on being almost through the Taxol, and I'm glad it has been mostly tolerable. I'm sorry about the steroid coming back on your list, but hope the rash resolved, and also that #12 goes smoothly. Hope AC is not too bad.

    Swimgal, I'm glad to see you're still tolerating it well, too.

    Aram, yikes, I'm so sorry! How are you doing now? Was that the 10th round or the 11th for you? I'm just wondering how much more you have to get through.
  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    AMG2, fortunately, this time it got resolved by Imodium! I have only one treatment left before surgery. Hopefully if I get PCR, the chemo part is done! Otherwise more chemo (Kadcyla) after surgery.

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,636
    edited August 2021

    Hello Everyone, just letting you know about this!

    TODAY: Zoom virtual meet-up for people going through chemotherapy (caregivers welcome)

    Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Register in advance for this meeting

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    I had my last weekly Taxol yesterday! I am really happy I am done with it. I am waiting to get a surgery date for BMX. By the way we no bell ringing here. I am not sure if it is a US thing. I was happy about not having to ring the bell specially considering my BRCA gene.

    Does anyone know how long it takes for blood counts to recover? Quebec is expected to announce Covid vaccine booster dose in the next weeks for cancer patients and I was hoping my blood counts have recovered by then so I might get more protection.


  • claire1973
    claire1973 Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2021

    hi! Yay!!

    My BMX was 4 weeks after last chemo dose. My blood count was healthy at the three week mark post chemo when I went in for first 3wk dose of Herceptin.

    Congrats!!!

  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Thank you Claire :)

  • HopeHeal
    HopeHeal Member Posts: 137
    edited August 2021

    Congrats Aram! There was no bell in my ward either.

  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Thanks HopeHeal! Are you done? Congrats!

  • mamacure
    mamacure Member Posts: 256
    edited August 2021

    congrats Aram! Best wishes for your surgery!

  • swimgal
    swimgal Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2021

    Congrats, Aram! That's great. Sending prayers for a good surgery.

    Swimgal

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi ladies,

    Aram, congrats on finishing taxol! I finished my 8th today. Can’t wait til chemo isover.

    Swimgal, great to know you don’t have any side effects!

    I got my genetic test results and learned that I’m BRCA2 positive so my previous lumpectomy with radiation treatment plan after chemo will now be a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Apprehensive about that, but apparently it offers the lowest risk for me. Let’s see.

    Take care, ladies.


  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Thanks everyone.

    Amary, I am sorry to hear your BRCA result. My result was BRCA1 positive and took me a couple of days to take it in. I am having BMX as well.

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,636
    edited August 2021

    In case you want to join Medicating

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    Join us for the discussion every Tuesday from 1-2pm ET. Register ahead of the meeting to receive access details via email the day of the meeting.

  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Ughhhhhh, I was very happy I didn't get mouth sores with either AC or Taxol. Bam! A week after my last Taxol two big sores erupted in my mouth! Ughhhhhhhhhh

  • mamacure
    mamacure Member Posts: 256
    edited August 2021

    ask doc for a prescription of magic mouth wash. It works great

  • HopeHeal
    HopeHeal Member Posts: 137
    edited August 2021

    Aram, yes I finished last week. Sorry to hear about your BRCA result, wishing you an easy surgery.

  • swimgal
    swimgal Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2021

    Aram, can you tell me if you used any kind of mouth rinse during your Taxol? I have been using Biotine, but I'm going to switch to a recipe of baking soda and salt because I want to avoid the parabens in the Biotine. I hope the baking soda and salt mixture will keep the mouth sores away. Thanks for any info you can give me and I hope your mouth sores heal quickly. Not fun!

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi Aram,

    Thanks for the thoughts. I understand you, it took a while to sink in..wish you all the best with your BMX!

    Take care, everyone.


  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Thanks mamacure. That is what I am using right now. I hope it start helping because they are really painful.

    Swimgal, at the beginning I was doing baking soda and salt one couple of times a day. At the end I was doing it morning and night. I stopped after last infusion, bad idea! I should have continued for another week or two it seems.

  • swimgal
    swimgal Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2021

    Thanks, Aram. I'll be sure to keep it up for a while after last infusion. Appreciate the advice!

  • movingsoccermom
    movingsoccermom Member Posts: 164
    edited August 2021

    Hello everyone. I start Abraxane 13 Septmber, so will be checking in here and there. Cold cap fitting on 30 August and cold mitts/socks on order.

    Best wishes

    Movingsoccermom

  • Forever_fitt
    Forever_fitt Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2021

    Hi swimgal: I start chemo in September and will be using DigniCap. If I may, I have 2 questions:

    1. I have my DigniCap kit and have tried on the cap without the liner. I was planning on using wired earbuds to listen to movies on my iPad (and not disturb the other patients). (Everyone says that Netflix saves the day during their sessions, and I assume that each patient doesn't blast the volume on their personal device or the TV in front of their chair). The buckles on the DigniCap are inconveniently placed over the earholes, and the buckles may put undue pressure on the earbuds (even though my earbuds have very soft cushions). How did you listen? (Or did you use closed-caption). I've heard that the refrigeration machine can be loud and annoying, so that's why I'm approaching it this way.

    2. Can I use dry shampoo while going thru chemo while using Dignicap? If yes, would the use of dry shampoo count as one of the 2 allowable washings per week (per DigniCap guidelines)

    Thank you!, in advance

  • kotchaj
    kotchaj Member Posts: 216
    edited August 2021

    I start 12 weeks of Taxol tomorrow. I've just finished my 4 bi-weekly treatments of dense dose AC. I'm nervous. I was so nervous that my stomach was upset all day yesterday. I managed through AC and clinically did well until the last treatment, which kicked my behind. I even went in for fluids the Thursday afterwards. It was rough.

    What can I expect? Does it build up and get worse as you go along as the AC did?

    What type of SE did you all experience?

    Thank you all so very much

    Amanda

  • aram
    aram Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2021

    Amanda، I am sorry you are stressed. Yes, Taxol has an accumulative affect as well but in its worse days was not comparable with best days of AC. I hope you get few SEs with it.

  • swimgal
    swimgal Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2021

    KotchAJ, I did not have AC, so I cannot give you a comparison with Taxol, but I have done 6 of 12 Taxol treatments and other than fatigue the day of treatment I have had very minimal SE - maybe a short lived headache here and there or an upset stomach for a short time, but that's about it. I have been religious about drinking the minimum 64 ounces of water every day and exercising at least 3 times per week and watching my diet - no alcohol, minimum processed foods. I think it really makes a difference in tolerating the Taxol.

    I'm sorry that you're feeling so nervous about it and I hope it goes as smooth as possible for you.

    All the best!

  • Tiffany214
    Tiffany214 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2021

    Hello, I am newly diagnosed, 7/23/2021, and I am on my 4th week of taxol. I haven't had any of the serious side effects, although I know that can change at any time. I am currently on taxol, perjeta, herceptin and Aredia ( once a month ). I am also on my 2nd week of radiation due to bone mets in my spine. Hope you are having a good day, we have to stay positive and strong

  • Debbiek345
    Debbiek345 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2021

    I have had 4 weekly Taxols and this week I could not because of low neutrophils…This has bummed me out. Has anyone else dealt with this

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