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Weekly Taxol group

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  • Georgetta
    Georgetta Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2013

    Today is my last round of taxol - 12/12.  It is also my 21st wedding anniversary.  What a day of celebration.

    For all you ladies out there going through chemo, hang in there.  For me the Neuropathy has been/is the worse.  I'm taking Neuronton and am hoping it will help.  My feet and hands are tingling/numb and I have some pain in my right foot.  Hope it goes away - but if that's what it takes to get rid of cancer, I'll live with it.  I ran 3 miles on Saturday so it wasn't that bad.

    I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes but they are thinner.  I'm tired, but not that bad.  Muscle/bone aches - sometimes.  I'm looking forward to the next stages, surgery on Apr 22 and then radiation. 

    Good luck everyone.

  • elliejdan
    elliejdan Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2013

    Hey all. Just had my second dose of taxol and have developed nail infections. Im not sure itts not nueropathy but they started me on antibiotics. Any nueropathy stories out there would be apreciated. On a positive, im thrilled to be done with ac treatments

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Ellie,

    Can't agree more about the AC being done.... Same here.



    Are you doing weekly or dose dense? How often?



    Have u tried vitamin b6 and 12?



    Hang in there....



    Colleen

  • debbiej
    debbiej Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2013

    Hi everyone, I only have two weekly taxols left and am on my 2nd bladder infection in 3 weeks.  I had never had a problem with them before.  I think I have had or have every SE there is.  I start ACF following my last Taxol and with everything I have read on these boards I am not looking forward to it.  I am hoping my doc will give me the amend from the get go.  Last time I asked about it, he said you had to be vomiting to get it.  I really don't want to wait until then.  Doesn't everyone get sick on this one?

    Lots of hugs to all, Debbiej

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    You should be getting emend with AC. Wait till you are vomiting??????? Sounds a little barbaric don't you think? That would not be acceptable to me. I would insist on it. It is an expensive med (mine was $475 for 3 pills, mostly covered by insurance). All the others I know on AC received emend automatically.

    I had my first taxol on Monday and I have some aches and pains mostly in my joints. I am tired and I am not sleeping well due to these hot flashes. Going to attempt a nap today anyway.

    Have a great day ladies!

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Debbie, I had emmend from the start on all my AC treatments. No questions asked... I think it is fairly standard.

    In MY oncology office, they do not want u to vomit at all, so keeping vomiting at bay is the goal. I also struggled so much with nausea, that I received a script for SANCUSO, which is a patch that you wear for a week at a time.... It worked wonders for me once I started it. It reallllly helped put nausea at bay!



    Don't wait till vomiting... Ask for it ahead of time. Sometimes going through a nurse works better. My doc is awesome but sometimes I can get the nurse to go ask him for something.... Give it a try through someone....

    You should not have to be vomiting to get meds! If u need to, many Onc. Offices also are connected with palliative care.... That is how I started getting the info about SANCUSO.



    Hang in there.



    Ski girl....modding weekly taxol? Can't recall. Hope the sleep comes quickly for u!

    Wish u could get rid of those hot flashes! Drats.

    Peace,

    C

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    damn things are a pain in the ass.... I am managing so far. I guess if that's the worst for me I'm doing ok. I have ambien. I take half a pill every other day to sleep or I am a zombie. Only 11 more to do... I've started the countdown...

  • nicole503
    nicole503 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

     elliejdan ~ You might want to consider painting your nails with tea tree oil nightly in addition to the antibiotic.  I have been using tea tree nightly and have not had any infections, although my nails have bruising/discoloration.  It's stinky stuff but dries relatively quickly  ~ I put it on in the bathroom so as not to overpower my husband with smell in our room.

    Skigirl72 ~ Do you have some Ativan to help you with sleep?  For me, it's a must for my first week out from Taxol.  I get restless legs in addition to the hot flashes and it really seems to help.  For me, the aches/pains really only last 2 -3 days and then I wake up and they are WAYYYYY better! Good luck staying ahead of the fatigue! Glad you are only working 20 hours/week!

    I'm on my way out to my last Taxol infusion. Just finished my thank you card and picking up some flowers for my oncology nursing/pharmacy crew. They have been awesome and focusing my energy on thanking them (since I NEVER plan to see them again) helps with the odd case of nerves I have. 

    I'm not sure if I'm nervous because this last dose could tip me into some unpleasant neuropathy (my worry) OR because it is my LAST dose and it feels weird to give up the chemo fight without knowing the outcome (since my tumor was removed before chemo) OR because this is yet another big transition and I don't feel like I've fully come to peace with all the transitions that got me to here OR because the steroid dose I took last night tends to make me a litle emotionally unstable OR.......??? At any rate, I've got some nerves this morning and focusing on gratitude is a nice way to calm them.

    Wishing everyone a good day.

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Ativan used to work... not anymore. I still have some though. At least I have an opportunity to nap most days. I am trying to adjust to my new normal. I'm getting there.

    WOO HOO Nicole for your last battle with Taxol!!!! Ring that Bell!!! (we have a bell at the cancer center. You get to ring it when you are all done with chemo). I'm going to ring it so hard it's gonna crack!

  • colt45
    colt45 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2013

    My awesome, beautiful wife just completed Taxol #9 today!



    She is hydrating a lot and is icing fingers and toes with frozen peas! It seems to be helping. Knock on wood, no neuropathy and nails are still intact.

  • jwlindakay
    jwlindakay Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2013

    I'm halfway thru with Taxol. Just had 6 of 12. I got them to completely stop the Benadry because of restless legs and stop the steroids becausee they kept me awake all night. Only getting Zofran as a premed now. Main SEs are fatigue, hair loss...although I still have eyebrows and lashes. Just started this week with numbness and tingling in my fingertips. My scalp still hurts some every day. My blood counts are slightly off and liver function slightly off but not bad enough to stop anything. My vision is acting weird and my eyes are watering a lot...thank you Taxol. Beer and wine both taste funny...DRAT!! It seems something new happens every week , not terrible but just adds to the aggravation. Still, after what some of you have been through, I am grateful to put  with this stuff. Today is my birthday #68 so I hope to be able to go out to eat this evening. Hope I can read the menu.

  • Zorina
    Zorina Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2013

    Nicole - A fine Oregon Pinot...what a way to celebrate!  Hope your last day at the chemo lounge turns into a spa day just like a previous one did.

    Had my second to last treatment today and am high on Benadryl and Dexa and waiting for the Dexa cold sweat/hot flashes to kick in. But, I am smiling!

  • nicole503
    nicole503 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

    I'm smiling too Zorina!!!  It wasn't quite a "spa day" but it was relaxing and straightforward and sweetly celebratory at its end.  I decided at the last minute to get a big breakfast pastry instead of flowers for the staff that supported me and I really enjoyed the obvious delight of not only my nurses but others as well.

    It made today's news about Roger Ebert, and one of his recent quotes really resonate with me:

    "I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out." — Roger Ebert

  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 713
    edited April 2013

    Nicole - congratulations on finishing up with Taxol - yeah!!! It is so liberating not having to go to the chemo unit to get the infusion - I do not miss it at all.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited April 2013

    Colt45~~It's good to know your wife is doing well, and is almost done with chemo. She is very blessed to have such an incredible, loving man at her side thru this valley.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • denvergal99
    denvergal99 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    I am on weekly taxol and herceptin for my new BC diagnosins (2/13), it had been so mild that I have not had much side effects. My hair is starting to go, not falling out but combing out. After the first treatment, I felt fatigue-y but nothing a good movie and laying on the couch didn't fix!

    my taste hasn't been afftected that I know of except white wine tastes a bit off. Luckily my food tastes the same.

  • nicole503
    nicole503 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

     denvergal99  Welcome denvergal!  Glad your taxol experience has started well.  The most significant possible side effect is neuropathy. Has your MO talked to you about vitamins and supplements that may help prevent this??  Feel free to ask questions!  The women on this board have a wealth of information!

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited April 2013

    I'm getting ready to go for Taxol #6 today. During AC which was 4 tx every three weeks, the time just dragged, but I'm amazed at how wuickly time seems to move along with Taxol.



    I did have nose bleeds yesterday & today for the first times. Today's was pretty significant. I packed one nostril with tissue for an hour & 45 minutes.



    I'm hoping my counts are all better today.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Soteria were your counts low with AC? Have they started to come up a bit?

  • 5thSib
    5thSib Member Posts: 119
    edited April 2013

    Paula -- my NP recommended sleeping with a humidifier for the nose bleeds. It does seem to help.

    jwlindakay -- I have the eye problems also. Usually hits the day after my treatment with running eyes and blurred vision. It started right after my treatment yesterday (#11). My nose starts running several days after also. My NP told me yesterday to go back on a daily Zyrtec pill. My eyes and nose are dryer today, but vision is blurred (especially right eye). Headaches have been an issue with Taxol (as they were with A/C). I have a terrible headache this morning. It may be related to premeds though. I still get Benedryl, Pepsid, steroid, and nausea meds before each treatment -- although they have decreased the Benedryl twice (decreased it yesterday but upped the Pepsid to compensate). They decreased the steroid about half way though also). I have some nausea this morning, but I think it's due to the headache.

    Only one more taxol to go next Thursday. I started crying when I got in the car after my treatment -- just releif that I had only one more left. I still have to do rads, but was told it would be 4 weeks before they start. I see the RO next week.

    I hope everyone has a great weekend. Looking forward to sunny and 70's in North Alabama.

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    I have heard mixed info about radiation after chemo regarding WHEN it starts.

    Wondering if anyone else is being told it is longer than a week or two. I realize I could go on the radiation ovum to ask, but am tring to stat focused on this day by day.



    Have been totally off work since mud December, and still have 11 taxols and six weeks of radiation to go. The AC caused so many problems that weakened me so I cannot drive or walk far still. Hoping the taxol allows some energy to build up.



    Colt...

    I to tears for you and your wife as u announced for her how she is doing.n how wonderful! You are sweet.



    Nicole...

    Congrats on being done. Way to go kiddo!!!

    Keep on moving on!!



    C.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited April 2013

    Skigirl~~My counts were ok during AC. I didn't get Neulasta, but treatments were every 3 weeks, giving me time to bounce back. Actually, they've been harder to maintain on weekly Taxol. My neutrophils were less than 1 last Friday, but the onc gave the go ahead for chemo because my temperature, and everything else was good, and I had no complaints. I'm amazed at how much better I feel on Taxol.



    Shirley~~Thanks for the suggestion to use a humidifier. I'm taking 2 blood thinning injections daily, due to a blood clot I developed during AC. I think the nose bleed, which were pretty heavy are related to the Taxol & Lovenox injections.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Mine AC was every 3 weeks too. They hovered around 1.1, 1.7... they were 1.1 last Monday for taxol #1. I am hoping they come up a bit each week. I guess if I have to postpone a week for that to happen I can live with that. My platelets are good, so my MO is just watching the white count closely. She said nothing to get too worried about as long as my platelets stay in the healthy range. But, She did say if it falls below 1 then they wait a week. So fingers crossed and I am being a good patient.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited April 2013

    Skigirl~~Mine did fall a little below 1 last week. Got my treatment because everything else was good, temp, bp, and I was feeling fine.



    Today, they are 1. but my port is accessed and I'm getting saline. Taxol #6 is on the way.



    How long was it before your tastebuds went? I can always count on mine leaving on Sunday afternoon and returning on Tuesday. I don't taste food as strongly as usual, but its nothing like the Ass Covered Ass taste with AC.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    My tx is on Mondays. My taste buds went Tuesday night and are back this morning (friday). Not as pronounced as with AC though. Things just didn't taste right or it was a dull taste. Definitely not the AC 'ass covered ass' taste as one of the ladies on here so eloquently described it...

  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2013

    Nicole: You are there!!!! Great job and enjoy this being your last one! Just enjoy!!!!!! You derserve it!

    Skigirl: good luck with your counts. I hope they stay within a range so you can stay on schedule with your treatments. I would give you some of mine if I could! WBC at 18.5! I have some to spare!

    I had my first Taxol on Wednesday. Today is day 3 (Friday). I am tired and a bit achey/groggy feeling. My tastebuds were yucky yesterday day 2 (Thursday) but seem okay right now. My stomach was a bit off so I took a Zofran Thursday morning and evening and right now, my stomach feels fine. So far I still have eye brows and lashes, though I feel like the lashes are a little thin. My minion peach fuzz on my head is still there, no changes for better or worse. No tingling or numbness. I am doing the tea tree oil, vitamins B6 & 12, and L-glutamine powder. Hoping that will keep working for the final 3 tx's.

    I am anxious to see how long this fatigue/slight ache lasts. Will it still be here day 4 (Saturday) or will I be lucky and start to feel better? All in all, this is far better than AC. Of course I did not have the Nuelasta shot, which is a big plus, as long as my counts stay good. I am not sure if I should jump the gun and say if this is it for Taxol, I will be fine because it is only my first of four. Does it get worse with each tx? Or is it about the same each time? Guess I will find out!

  • colt45
    colt45 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2013

    @Soteria & Emily'smom:



    You're very kind and thoughtful. Our hearts are with you as you get treatment and recover.



    Bless everyone here.

  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2013

    Eric, I had a break in my Taxol when my father passed away and I was spending a lot of time with him at hospice. I got too overwhelmed and rundown and my counts crashed. My onc agreed. We then started up again and started the rest of the treatment a few weeks later. I stayed well from that point on. Canceling the next one is likely just for a break. It is really best to finish the Taxol if you can. The studies show that weekly Taxol puts 5 year survival rates close to 90%. It is worth finishing if things clear up.

  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2013

    I finished Taxol yesterday.  No bell, but the nurses make and sign you a certificate and lots of cheers.  We went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate on the way home.  I am wiped out today.  It's 2 and I am still in my jammeis.  Not sure if it is the chemo, or the mental exhaustion of knowing that chemo is done. 

    I go for my planning CT on Wednesday and expect to start Rads the first week of May.  

    Paula, I had nosebleeds too, and sleeping with the humidfier helped.  

    Prayers to each of you.

  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2013

    I also had nose bleeds throughout chemo. Once chemo was over they went away quickly and never came back.