Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Weekly Taxol group

1…4748505253…426

Comments

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Peggy, thanks so much for the info about wigs..l yeah I have a store like that here... And I need to finds friendship will go with me. I kept hearing people say to get the wig effort chemo but I never had a chance.. I plan to go this weekend.





    Sandy, omgosh girl... Take a break!!!! I have weekly taxol .(wasn't sure if u r doing weekly or DD), but even with weekly, it hits me onthe3rd and 4th days and I don't just feel tired, I am succumbed to sleeping!!!! I teach junior high... Can't do it,haven't been able to beat school since I left there shortly after thanksgiving. Had to do FMLA... Using it all year but I can't worry about work when every molecule needs to go toward healing. I hope u will bealeto find away to take off more work so u can just HEAL.... Seems like the ore sleep I get,there's side effects I have. Did four doses of AC in 8 weeks, and it knocked me on my butt, to use the nicest words.



    Try resting more and see if our SEs get less.... Plus, ask your doc for something stronger for pain..l doesn't have to be Vicodin... Can jus be 800 mg Motrin, which u could always take yourself as it is the same as four Advil.

    Rest,rest,rest!!!!



    And hang inthere!!!



    Zorina, is that a new pic of you??? Nice pic.



    Wow, it really takes months for hair to grow back?!?! Yowza.

    Got bigger fish to fry. Gotta keep focused on that and just wear the hats or wigs. ;)

    I will get over it.



    Night everyone. Have a great week with all u r doing!



    Hang in there!!!!

    C.

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Emilysmom,

    I am going to talk to doc tomorrow. Not sure how much time I can take off but I got to get some more rest. I am going to have to push my family to help me more. They do try but its just not obvious to them what i need help with. It is hard because I have always been the one to do everything and they don't understand what its like. I know that this is day five for me with pain almost everyday since treatment last Wednesday and now a new dose tomorrow and will start all over again. My only day without pain now is Thursday after treatment but sure that is due to the steroids. Then Friday it starts in again. Guess I will see what doc says tomorrow. Thanks for listening to me complain. I appreciate it.

    Take care everyone,

    Sandy

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

    Colt45~~Here's a chart from Facebook to show the rate of hair growth after chemo. Each picture represents 1 week. Keep in mind, some people start growing hair during Taxol and some people's hair just grows faster than others.



    I'm going to start taking Biotin (great for hair & nails) and pre-natal vitamins. Pregnant women's hair & nails grow really great while they're on those.



    Blessings

    Paula



    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151553069781281&set=o.376348539128695&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

  • Zorina
    Zorina Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2013

    Sandy, hang in there.  You gotta do what your body tells you to.  Do check with your MO to see what they can do to help.  Once pain gets a hold on you,  it's hard to break the cycle.  Hang in there, you are going to get through this.  You are part of our Warrior Clan!

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Soteria.... I can't open the link to the Facebook page....



    Is it the same page that was posted that we can join?



    If so, who do we contact to get on the Facebook page?.



    Thanks for any help that u or others can give....



    Thanks!

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

    Emilysmom~~You can friend Bryona Golding or Debbie Inzana. Either one of them can get you into Ciao Bellas.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Zorina,

    I am going to get more rest. MO says she wants me to hold off on the STD till later. Not sure if that means she suspects worse se's later that I may need it for or what. I didn't ask, was afraid to. She did put me on steroids for three days after chemo to see if that helps. My legs have been swelling every now and then so have to drink more water she says. Also put me on gas x to see if that helps with cramping I am having. Blood work was good, so that is a plus. All in all, I guess it was an OK day. Now for a night of probably no sleep due to steroids today. Oh yay (sarcasm). I hope all of you great people are doing okay. I want to thank you all for the caring and support. You have no idea how much I appreciate ALL of you.

    YWheels, hope you are okay girl! Worried about you!

    Take care everyone,

    Sandy

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2013

    Hi Ladies,



    I'm new to the site. No fun to be in this boat but I know I'm not alone. I'm 36 yrs old, happily taken and mother to 6. My mom had BC in 2011, her cancer saved my life. I never would have had mammogram at this stage in my life. I thank her often.



    Just had my 2nd infusion of DD adryomicin and cytoxin 8 days ago. Today was the first day I feel like myself. Although not quite. My tummy isnt quite right, energy level is ok but im achy in my bones from my Nupegen shots. 600 Motrin helps. Anyone get headaches day 2-4? My treatments are every 2 weeks. I have 4 total of this combo and then 4 of DD Taxol.

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Welcome, rosina... Sucks to be here for this reason,but its a great place to come to get support and vent.

    AC is a tough road but you will make it through!!!! Hang in there!



    Hope u have the best results with minimal SEs.



    Peace,

    C

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Rosina0015,

    No, you are not alone. Unfortunately we have all come to this site for an unfair circumstance. But we welcome you wholeheartedly. I had a lot of headaches on AC treatment. It sucks but they do go away eventually. I took vicodin for mine but I know a lot of the girls use other OTC pain meds for these. Mine got so bad I would feel like I was getting a migraine. Neupogen shots hurt but I was lucky that they weren't too bad for me. I dreaded the actual shot more than the pain from it. Hope some of this helps. You have reached out to a great group of ladies here that can help you.

    Take care,

    Sandy

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

    Rosina~~Usually if you ask the nurses to slow down the infusions, you won't have the headache. I had it with my first to Adria/cytoxan, so the nurses told me they would run them a bit slower. NO MORE HEADACHE!!!!



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2013

    Thanks so much for the feedback an support ladies!



    I did ask the nurses to slow the infusions because my veins were hurting. They felt like they were going to blow. Ouch. But once it was slowed all was well.



    Hope you all have a good evening. G'night.



    Rosina

  • lmcclure4477
    lmcclure4477 Member Posts: 37
    edited April 2013

    Does anyone else get low grade fevers after a taxol infusion? I get dose dense every two weeks and on my bad days I get a low grade fever. I had treatment Monday, nulesta shot Tuesday and this morning I had the chills so I took my temp. 99.8. Is this normal? This happened last time as well.

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    I am weekly taxol so no shot for me. I have heard of a low grade fever with from the neulesta shot.

  • colt45
    colt45 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2013

    My awesome and beautiful wife just finished her 12th and final Taxol!



    DD Adriamycin & Cytoxan... Done.

    Weekly Taxol... Done.



    Ice your fingers and toes with frozen peas, everyone. It worked for my wife.



    Bless you all and continued recovery for all!



    I'll be hanging around to offer support. This is DOABLE.

  • colt45
    colt45 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2013

    @Soteria:



    I could not open the Facebook page for the hair growth, but I appreciate your effort.



    Thanks.

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Colt45- try this link.

    http://365project.org/discuss/articles/4115/hair-stories-sequential-hair-growth-photos

    I had taxol #4 this past monday. I stopped shaving my head at my last AC which was 3/11. I have white peach fuzz now. I also take B6/B12. I think biotin helps hair health too... Hope this helps.

  • colt45
    colt45 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2013

    @Skigirl72:



    Thanks for the link and tips. Are those regrowth pics done weekly? Is the 1st pic after 1 week post chemo? Do you know?



    Thanks.

  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    I think it was stated that each picture is one week. I would assume it would start at 1 week post chemo. Anyway, that gives a good idea of what to expect. Hair grows at a rate of 1/2 inch a month, so be patient. It will come back.

    on a side note... I was feeling very ugly last week. My eyelashes and brows are so thin. I didn't even like to look in the mirror. I've never been really vain. I would have no issues rolling out of bed and running to the store without makeup/hair being done before. Now, I find that I am trying to 'hide'. I dont want to go out. I am covering my head more than I used to. Maybe the final shed of the brows and lashes did it for me. Anyway, my DH has seen me like this and knows it bothers me.

    We need a bit the fluff... "honey you are beautiful", buy her roses for no reason... or a card. Give her a little extra these days... she needs it Hang in there Colt45.

  • EmilysMom
    EmilysMom Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2013

    Colt45.....

    Awesome news for your wife!!!!

    Please share my congrats with her....



    She is so lucky that she has yu!!!!!



    Congrats for hanging in....

    Thanks for the peas info!



    Peace,

    C

  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2013

    Tales from three weeks out...

    I took a little break from posting, but today marks 3 weeks past my final chemo.  I got some nasty upper respitory crap  one week post chemo, and I still have a small cough from that.  Each week I notice that I am starting to feel better.  I am by no means my old self.  I still get tired at the end of work day and into the evening.  

    I do have a nice little dusting of hair all over my head.  

    I noticed someone mentioned headaches while on AC.  Like Soteria mentioned you can ask them to slow the Cytoxan drip.  The Zofran they were giving me also caused cruddy heachaces too, so we switched to Aloxi. 

    Colt, glad to read your wife is done! 

    I start radiation on May 7th.  Enjoying each day in the mean time!

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

    Colt45~~The site I tried to post from Facebook is the exact one skigirl posted.



    Congratulations to your lovely wife and to you for standing by her through this. WHAT A MAN!!!



    Blessings

    Paula

  • Lee100
    Lee100 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2013

    Hi I am new to the group and am having number 10 taxol tomorrow, this last 2 weeks have been rough, the numbness in fingers started and by stomach is so sore and swollen which is scary, read through the logs and can not find if anyone else has had the stomach concern, is there anyone that has suffered.  Find that towards the end I am not as brave as I was in the beginning.

    However knowing that we are all on a plan to get well keeps me going :)

    You ladies seem very chatting and supportive I am looking forward to the chats

  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2013

    Rosina: I am on Taxol #3 DD. I did ACx4DD. AC sucks!!! You will feel bad for about 4-6 post treatment day. Take your anti-nausea meds and tell your MO about anything and everything. I took vicadin during the first two bad days because the Nuelasta shot really was hard on me.

    Taxol is much easier. I did get a crappy cold, cough congestion thing during AC 4 that held on through Taxol 1 so that made things worse for me. That is finally gone and Taxol #2 was much better. About two days of tired and some minor aches that Tylenol took care of and by day 3 better and day 4 pretty much fine. I have #3 and 4 left and I am done. I am hoping those last two are the same as #2.

    Do not suffer through anything. Tell your MO and they usually have a pill for that. Also rest, sleep and drink water. If you can, don't work or work only part time. I highly recommend putting work on the back burner. I know for some it is hard because of finaces or not have leave but your life isn't worth any job.

    You are with a great group of women who can offer advice and be here for you when you are hurting as we all have. Good luck!

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Colt45,

    Happy for your wife. Congrats.

    YWheels,

    Glad to see you posted. Hope everything is OK.

    Lee100,

    I have had stomach issue from taxol on 1st tx. I have to take 4 senna-s stool softeners a day and mirolax if needed daily. I was still having issue and seen MO yesterday. She said to take gas-x daily too. I was having a lot of bloating, raw feeling in my intestines and it hurt so bad to even have a bm or pass gas. I started the gas-x this morning and it was the first time I could go without any pain. This is embarrassing to post on here but if I can help anyone, I will do it. Anyway, hoping the gas-x does the trick for me. I was diagnosed young with irritable bowel syndrome and that may be why I am having issues. My MO did say if the gas-x doesnt work we may have to change course in treatment so watch yourself and ask your MO about your concerns. I have also read that constipation and excess gas is a side effect of taxol. Hope this helps.



    Take care everyone,

    Sandy

  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2013

    Sandy: yes everything is good. Counts are good so no shot. I am doing fine now and have been able to workout, walk, go to work and I will ride a horse for the first time tomorrow since my surgery in January. Plan to do spin classes this weekend and another workout with my trainer on Tuesday, then Taxol #3 on Wednesday. I am praying it goes fine and is similar to Taxol #2. My bad days are Friday and Saturday with some of Sunday then okay on Monday with each day getting better. Prayers this continues through the final 2 treatments. I get worried when things seem fine, because it's almost like you shouldn't think you will be okay because then you won't, if that makes sense. It's like just because one treatment goes okay, doesn't mean you'll be fortunate enough to have that for the following ones.

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Ywheels,

    Good to hear. I was concerned about you. I hope your next tx goes well for you. Really glad your counts are good. You said you would post how your blood work went then didn't hear so I assumed maybe they didn't go well. Guess I shouldn't assume but glad they were good.

    Take care,

    Sandy

  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2013

    Sandy: I forgot to post here but posted on the Bella's Facebook page. All is on track. Hope you are well too!

  • Sandy65
    Sandy65 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2013

    Ywheels,

    Good to hear. I am starting to have some pain but not too bad yet. At least stomach and lower end are feeling better so far. Good to hear from you. Have a good night.

    Sandy

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited April 2013

    Hi Friends,

       Colt 45 congratulations to your wifes last chemo! I am sure she is happy about that.

    Lee my stomach would bother me and they would give pepcid in my iv during chemo. And I would take nexium or pantroprazole daily.

    I went to my 3 Month check-up with my oncologist today. She was pleased and said she was not going to tinker with anything. I go back in 4 months. She said blood  looks good but if anything shows up in what was not in yet she'd call me.

    Well I started work last week subbing at a day care I worked at forever. And it looks like I'm not subbing but will be on part-time regularly from 1pm to 5:30pm. Not full time right now, which is fine as I am still recovering.  Ok for me as I like to sleep until 8am. I lose about 60-90 min sleep each night. So this is good.

    Sweet dreams...

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.