Weekly Taxol group
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denise, so sorry to hear about that, i also have worries if i have a masectomy and recon that i may encounter problems, i have dense breasts, C cup so am i more prone to problems?
Warrior, your too funny, chemo high game watcher, so yah! Go 49ers all the way, my daughter watched the game also for different reasons a guy called Kapernick. Lol.
Have a good day guys. Going for taxol #7 on wednesday.
Cheryl
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Mercedes...your daughter has good taste! Colin is a hottie
Google his tortoise, Sammy. He will make you smile!Hope everyone is having a great, SE-free day.
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#12 taxol completed today. Had tumor makers done today; as they were missed last month; however, today they were down over 10 points from November, so I'm happy. My markers aren't real reliable except to see a trend. They are trending down, thank goodness. What was real weird was my WBC was under the cut off for chemo, but up .2 from last week. Week off next week, yippee.
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On my way to hospital to have my port put in. Just in time for #4 taxol on Thursday.
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patsback hope you are recovering from having port put in.
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Hi ladies-
I had my last Taxol treatment on Dec 11, so I am 4 weeks post final chemo. Here are a couple of hair pics. It is really growing:) I use the 3 step Nioxin and take the Biotin supplement every day. I return to teaching after taking the semester off for chemotherapy, and I am going wigless. I wear a lot of headbands these days!
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DXat32, you look great! I like the headband (and the hair!) What grade do you teach?
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Got home last night at 9:00 pm from having the port put in. Was sick several times throughout the night, but that has subsided. The pain and swelling is what's getting me now. I know it should go away (in time), but am I really going to use the port tomorrow for chemo? It just hurts so much right now.
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DXat32 you look great! Hair is really growing! Thanks for posting the pics.
I really love your purple nails too
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patsback, I'm sorry your port insertion was such a pain.
I had mine placed and then started chemo the next day, and I was worried about that too. For me at least, the incision (and sore part) was below the port itself, and I didn't have any problems when they accessed the port. The chemo nurses were universally wonderful, and from others' comments that seems to be the case pretty much everywhere, so they will be gentle and take care when accessing your port.0 -
Hey all. Im new to the forum but I have been reading what all you have had to say. I am going for my last A/C treatment tomorrow. I will be starting weekly Taxol treatments on Feb 6th for 12 doses. Im really nervous and anxious about it. The A/C has been terrible for me. I am continuing to work full time. I am a physician assistant for an Orthopedic Surgeon so my days are long and very physical. I work in both the operating room and in the office. I have 2 small children (10 months and 2 years old) and am trying my best to take care of them. My husband is a CPA and with tax season now underway, he will be unable to help as much as he would like. Im am very nervous and anxious about how I am going to handle receiving weekly treatments and keep up with my normal life. I have had a terrible time with A/C. Nausea with vomting, panic attacks, severe fatigue, headaches...the list goes on. I am unable to take most of the meds that I am prescribed because they make me too tired to function. So I am mostly just putting up with the chemo side effects and doing the best that I can. Any tips or tricks to cut down on Taxol side effects would be greatly appreciated. I really dont know how I am going to handle all of this. Feeling very frustrated and overwhelmed!!
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hi Nicole32 and welcome. Boy i cannot believe that you are still working doing chemo esp AC and for a physican.
I am retired but even if i still worked which was for a large aircraft corp i would hAve had one year off as did my friend who is still working and had gone thru breast cancer treatment also. Mind you we had execellent insurance coverage.
AC was very hard on me slso 3 and 4 especially. Nicole, taxol will be much better nothing like AC you will still feel fatigued and may have other side effects but manageable.
First and foremost dont push yourself, you need to and get some help, your body is inflammed with this poison that is killing your cancer and its weakened soooooooo take care of you. Sirry if im sounded off gitta be chemo brain today. Lol. Xxxx
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This week I've seemed to lose my taste for foods, everything seems bland. Anyone have that happen? Does it last long?
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Nicole- I had Taxol first and am just on my second FAC but I never had to take any meds with the Taxol and I take Zofran constantly with the FAC so if you aren't taking medicine I think the Taxol will be much easier for you. Also I didn't get tired on the Taxol until maybe #9 and with the FAC I have been sleeping 12 hours a day so hopefully you will see some improvement there also.
Syrmom- so glad the Taxol is working for you. That is great news!
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Hi Warrior50! Love your screen name!
So just 2 more FAC and you're done? Are you neoadjuvant? Keep on keeping on!
Syrmom, I had taste bud issues with AC but not with Taxol. And it went in and out...some days may be better than others, so when food tastes good, eat up! Best wishes to you.
And, I've said this on the other threads I'm active on...on my Facebook I have a weekly update on chemo, hair, etc. Please PM me here and I'll add you as a friend. The more the merrier!
Keep on keeping on!
Love,
Michelle (Warrior 70)
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I have taste issues with Taxol, the food doesn't taste bad just bland. Basically, food has absolutely no flavor. I've lost over 25 pounds since starting Taxol because of this. The taste does come and go. I use to get it about 2 days after tx and it would last a couple of days. Now that I've been on Taxol for so long, it lasts longer and longer. I agree with what others have said, eat up when you can. On the days I can eat I enjoy whatever I want. I hope it gets betters for you.
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Hello everyone!
Hi Nicole!
I had my last AC two weeks ago, start weekly Taxol Wednesday. I also have been working through the AC. Tough but I have somehow made it through. I work as a CNA in a group home. Do job coaching and life skills along with daily routines with our clients.
I am praying Taxol is easier on us. My hubby and I have a small hobby farm and so far this winter he has been taking care of all the outdoor and many indoor chores. I make it through work and once I get home I am pretty much done for the day. We just found out DH has a tumor in his spine and needs surgery ASAP to remove it before it grows more and endangers his well being. After surgery he will be off work for at least three months and won't be able to do chores for a couple months. This leaves me to work my job as my insurance is through them and I can't loose it, then come home and feed/clean after 5 horses and do the wood stove, and take care of him as he will be pretty much bed ridden. Then get up in the morning and redo all before going to work.
The AC left me pretty fatigued most of the time. My counts were usually on the lower side. Doc said with the Taxol I won't need the Neulasta shot so hopefully I will have more energy.
I am Very scared and hard for me to believe we both have cancer at the same time. Husbands neurologist is thinking the tumor is benign but still calls it cancer as it is a abnormal growth of cells.
Reading everyone's posts on their experience with weekly Taxol has me hopeful that I can do this. Sounds like the majority of you ladies have had a easier time once on Taxol and I hope I have a similar experience. Would also love to have my hair start to grow back while on this........I could use a little positive right now!
Thanks for listening! Love this site.........
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hi everyone, well taxol #7 down, 5 more to go. Yes my hemo red count up again yahoo! I saw my onco on tuesday, he confirmed that my swollen knee, red and briwn spots on my legs were all sude effects if taxol and will disappear after treatment. I look so weird naked really, with the fuzz on my head mo eyebriws, lashes. Spots all over my legs, swollen knee. Oh yeah next cover girl. LOL. Just saying we gotta laugh right?
However, my onco did warn me that 9 taxol will worsen my fatigue and joints as the chemo accumes in my system, you know what i say "bring it on, Cancer you picked the wrong bitch to mess with"
Hoping everyone is managing, anyone getting fed up of going to the hospital, i do not have a port cath, so my infusions are in my hand and boy i cringe everytime thst needle goes in. Didnt bother me at the beginning but now ughhhhhhh.
Cheryl
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Hi all,
My Taxol #6 was today and pretty uneventful. Halfway done, yay!
Cheryl - I don't have a port either so I offer my nurses a gold star if they get a vein with one stick and a silver star if they get it with 2 sticks. So far it's been 1 silver and 5 golds. Today's nurse said "By any chance are you a teacher?" How did she know?
If not for my large open wounds from losing my TE's I think I would have been able to work through this. But with daily nursing visits and so many appointments, I have been out since September.
Hoping for a nice peaceful side-effect free night for all.
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Mercedes ... hadn't heard of the red and brown spots before, but I do have the swollen knee! My skin sometimes burns, but so far don't see anything. I wonder if the sun affects it (thinking ahead to summer).
Northwinds ... is there anyone you can think of that can help you and your husband out? You both need your rest, esp. working through this. No way I could imagine that. Family, friends, hire a younger person? Thoughts are with you and wish you the best.
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Warrior & aaoaao, thanks for the feedback on the taste issue. Noticing it lets up alittle, then returns ... something new. Hmm ... we shall see. My weight has stayed fairly stable, but cannot afford to lose as I'm only around 118-120# to start with.
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Had Taxol #5 yesterday. Much easier than A/C. I, too, have red spots mostly on my arms. Signs of fingernail problems starting. Taste is still 98% gone but does fluctuate some. I'm always surprised when I can taste something.
I'm starting to feel that I can begin to take my life back. sure hope that doesn't fall apart when I'm farther into treatment.
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had Taxol #4 yesterday....didn't use the port. They said it should be good to go next week. My phosphorus (sp?) is low, so they gave me 3 days worth of a powder mix I'm to use 4x a day. My cheeks are flushed, but I also got my xgeva yesterday, and that seems to be a normal event the day after I get the injection. Anyone else have this occur? It usually only lasts a day... so I'm not really worried (yet)
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denise, love the star thing with the nurses. Actually there is only two nurses that are a little rough with the needle so hoping next week they are in vacation lol.
Srymom, my skin is also very sensitive to hot and cold and sun, but dont have too much of that now, i also wonder what it will be like this summer. Will our skin still be sensitive to sun even though we finish treatment?
Maryfox, taxol much better, however the more treatments you get you can expect to feel a little more fatigued muscle joint pain, i guess thats all dependent on our age also.
Taste is not 100% depends on the days like mentioned if its a good day eat, eat. Nails hurt also.
Went to the mall this am with hubby he was off today. Had lunch junk food ! Then bought a couple of cute caps for the summer, cause dont think i will have my long locks back. LOL.
I have a probable 5 week window to re-coop after treatment and before surgery, thinking of heading to florida fir a week has anyone done any travelling after treatment before surgery is it a good idea?
Cheryl
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I am hoping you lovely ladies can answer a question we have. I have noticed several ladies mention that the night before receiving their Taxol the doc prescribed meds, I think steroids or Benadryl as well as the morning of their Taxol. I asked my chemo nurse and she stated my doc doesn't do any pre meds, just what I will receive just prior to my Taxol infusion. Do you get pre medication and if so what kind?
TY
Pam
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patsback, I always had flushed cheeks the day after Taxol - it's from the steroid in the pre-meds. Made me look really healthy the day after chemo.
Northwinds, I know some docs prescribe steroids in pill form to be taken the night before Taxol, but mine didn't - I just got the steroid in my infusion of pre-meds, along with Benadryl, an anti-nausea med and something else I can't remember. I did get my doc to cut the steroid dose in half after the first 3 treatments, because it was seriously interfering with my ability to sleep!
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I have to take Decadron the night before Taxol...4 of them. I HATE them, they mess with my sleep for days, but I've never had a problem, reaction, anything, so it's just a necessary evil. Boo.
Had Taxol #10 yesterday and I feel good. Two more to go! 13 days! Yay! I've got this!
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I take 4 pills of decadron the day before taxol, the day of taxol and the day after taxol. Also get it during infusion. It does prevent me from getting a good nights sleep. I felt a bit fatigued on day 3 and 4 after taxol. I think it may be due to me being off of the steroids that made me feel a bit tired. Today I had taxol #2. I feel good today. But I am sure to feel fatigue again on day 3 when I am off the decadron.
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patsback ... the flushing I get the day after infusion is the decadron. I usually have a bright red face for the day - looks healthy.
mercedes ... I hope not to have much skin sensitivity in the summer, went through an awful time with Xeloda and the hand/foot last summer; couldn't take walks, had swelling and skin pain and breadkdown - it was awful.
The taste returned in time for dinner out tonight. On the way home, my one eye started tearing, like a facucet. Trade one thing for another!
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My oncologist doesn't give any steroids at all. I get Benadryl infusion right before I get the Taxol infusion. Other than that I don't get any premeds.
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