Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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mercedes, your brows look fantastic! I would never guess they weren't natural! SyrMom, the info sheet I received from the hospital lists 'swelling of hands, feet or lower legs' as a common side effect of taxol. Only recommendation is to elevate your feet and avoid any tight clothing. Hope it subsides soon!
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Hello Ladies,
Mercedes - congratulations on finishing! Yaay!
I did have a fever yesterday but it went away. I stayed home from work and relaxed. I was able to get my 6th taxol today! So relieved. It should have been #7 but I got shingles and one got postponed.
I don't respond much but do read everyone's posts daily. You ladies are such an awesome bunch always giving such support and encouragement.
I also have lost my taste buds. Everything tastes funny. Maybe the day before taxol food sometimes starts to taste a bit better but not that much. Can't wait to start tasting food again. Even though I am really at 7 weeks into taxol, I still don't have any fuzz growth going on. I am thinking I might not get any fuzz growth on taxol. Let's see. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Good idea about chocolates and body lotions for the nurses. I plan on doing that too.
After taxol I will have my masectomy. I saw my PS the other day. I will most likely have surgery anytime between may 5 -16. If my taxol stays on track I should finish taxol on April 4th. I had a lumpectomy but have decided I need to have the masectomy done. My breast surgeon says I am making a hood choice since I have dense fibrous tissue and I keep getting fluid filled cysts. It's hard to follow with mammograms. The surgery makes me a bit nervous. But it's the right choice for me. I will get expanders pit in and get implants about 5 months after the initial surgery. Most likely I will not need radiation.
I have an eyebrow/eyelash question. I gave lost most of my lower lashes, about half of my upper lashes and have big gaps in my eyebrows. Just wondering if more will fall. I also use Anastasia eyebrow makeup and use eyeliner and it looks okay. Hubby says it looks fine and you can't tell. But I think he will tell me what I want to hear. I am hoping I don't loose any more. I hardy wore makeup and now I need more of it. I bought paraben, pthalate free face primer and foundation from sephora. It is pretty good.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Summer ... thanks so much for this info ... first I've heard of this and haven't seen it written anywhere.
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SeptMom
My taste buds went wonky for awhile during A&C. I lost my taste on Taxol too, somethings still taste bland 2.5 weeks post chemo. What was weird was the after taste I got right about the last chemo #12....I could even taste it on my lips. Ick.
I got the date for my surgery (BMX) today...March 13th. I had hoped for TEs but though my surgeon said OK the plastic surgeon said NO & my option is the Dorsi Flap. I already had a lumpectomy & nodes removed & need radiation. I wasn't ready to make that decision about the flap procedure so I will be flat through Summer then revisit the whole recon thing. Who knows what I will decide?!
It's ok to be nervous, but we also can be happy we are making progress. Each step is a milestone to being well & getting through this journey.
Enjoy your weekend.
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Hey all. Im two Taxol treatments in and I am doing so much better than I did on the A/C. I feel more myself and have more energy. Im knocked out the day of chemo due to the fact that Im getting IV Benadryl but after coming home and sleeping all afternoon, I feel much much better. I know Im jumping the gun a little bit and I might feel worse the further into treatment I go but Im just glad I feel OK. I have felt like crap for so long even before the A/C that its nice to finally feel like myself a little bit. I am still throwing up but Im OK with that. I had hyperemesis gravidum with both of my pregnancies so I have been throwing up for the last 3 years. By now it just a part of my life. Haha. So far my taste buds have returned so Im eating all that I can now before they go away again. Keep it up ladies!!!!
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ive been reading everyones post for a while and as much as I hate that you are all in the same boat as me, I'm glad to read that my struggles and fears are not alone.
I did well with A&C just tired and hurt on day 3 after.
I just finished #4 of 12 this tuesday. I had been feeling good so far on taxol but this week has kicked my butt. I rest and sleep but my body doesnt feel like it is rested. I have decided to give up another day at work and only work 3 days a week. I hate too bc working keeps my mind off all that is going on. Plus I work with some hilarious people!
I lost all my hair on my head, legs, and underarm with AC. I kept my eyebrows and lashes. Then they told me my hair would probably grow back on taxol, which it is and it looks white, but after #3 my lower lashes and brows started coming out. Oh well, just means its all working, right?
TGIF!
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I usually feel quite tired on day 4 after taxol. That has been the trend the last 3 weeks. Maybe I do too much on days 2 and 3 as I feel energetic ? Today is day 2 so I am going to rest more and see if that helps on day 4. Unfortunately day 4 is Monday and I have to go to work. The last 2 Mondays have been quite rough at work.
Mrsparsley- nice your hair started growing so quickly on taxol! I finished 6 but really am at week 7 and I don't see any fuzz growth yet. I am so disappointed! I hope to see some growth soon. I was so sure to see hair growth on taxol as normally my hair grows really fast.
Just wondering if I will see hair growth on taxol at all since there is nothing yet on week 7.
I was hoping to have some hair coverage before my surgery which is going to be anywhere from May 5 - 16. I finish taxol on 4/4 if all goes per schedule.
Vintage gal - the taste buds are the worst aren't they? I can't wait to start tasting food again. I guess it will take a few more weeks after treatment for things to start tasting normal again. Why did your PS say no to TE? Why does he say the dorsi flap is your only option? Is it because of radiation? Isn't that the procedure where they take tissue from another area and use that for reconstruction? I know two gals who did that and are very happy with it. I am not a candidate for it as I am skinny. I am 5' 3 and weigh barely 102 lbs. I am 34B cup. But the right side which had the lumpectomy is noticeably smaller now. My bras fit funny. I guess it will be nice when I am all done with reconstruction to have a matched set. Just seems like a long process. But we have to focus on what we have already accomplished. We can get through this!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs to all
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I have figured out how to explain to friends and family how my body feels. My legs feel like I have pushed a stroller full of toddlers all over Walt Disney world up hill all day! My arms feel like I have carried those same toddlers all day too at WDW!
Happy Saturday!
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mrsparsely- great way of explaining how your body feels! I feel like an old woman!
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Great photos.
I was told to go weekly as it would be easier to handle and no neulasta shots. That is what I did. It was still no walk in the park. I was worn out by the end. I am over a year out and am not myself. I am okay though. I just ache a lot and have neuropathy. I live with it.
Talk to your oncologist about it.
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mrsparsley- great explaination on how I'm feeling.
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I feel like I have weights tied around my hips that drag along my feet. So hard to move and I am over a year out.
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hi ladies, yes i hear ya about the heavy legs, yesterday was the worst, of course i finished #12 on wednesday and it was relentless, hard time walking yesterday, my taste was ughhhhhhhh, and tired. Today my taste is still off and achy legs.
Heres a tip for eyebrows, i use the eyebrow kit from sephora, the trick is to use a powder rather than a pencil eyeliner for brows, and very important use an angled brush so you can shape the wider from corner of eye then angle it to shape the arch. I think sephora may have a tutorial on their site.
I have a hard time putting eyeliner on it seems my lash lid is swollen and itchy a lot, so i dont always wear eyeliner, but the brows yes, cause i'm too scary without LOL
Vintage. I'm right behind you for surgery, i'll know more on mar. 11 i will keep everyone posted.
Yay for Canada winning gold in hockey this am.
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As I am heading to the "end" of my Taxol (#12 is Thursday) I am starting to wonder how quickly (or not) the body returns to normal. Can anyone speak to...how long does it take for taste to come back? energy to improve? bloody noses to stop? skin and hair to get healthy again?
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Hi Denise
I am 2.5 weeks post Taxol. I think my taste is ok. Right about #12 I got a weird after taste, ick, could even taste it on my lips. But yesterday that seemed to be gone.
My runny/bloody nose seems to be a little better. But I have had that since the first month of A&C back in October.
My skin is so dry & finger nails are a disaster. I never went 100% bald, just 95% LOL had a very fine stick up white buzz very very sparse. Now hubby says there are a few random white hairs here & there that are longer! But my head is virtually bald, it shines.
And my legs ache just walking around the grocery store! But that said, I know the SEs are subsiding, things are getting better! Hang in there!
VintageGal
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upsetting that after my second Low dose taxol on thurs I could no longer taste my favorite spicy blackened salmon tonight, just tastes bland and somewhat salmon like. Also peanuts and almonds are now tasteless. At least I can still taste cheese. If taste is going so much now I hate to think what it will be like by the 12 th dose. The only good thing is if nothing taste good I hope to just eat less and lose weight.
Walking about 1.5 miles a day but my thighs feel much more tired then they should. Counting down until last Rx on May 1.
Barbara
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Getting Taxol #12 on Friday. Can't wait to be able to taste again. But even worse than no taste is that I hate the feel of food in my mouth. Bread is the worst. My fear is that once I can taste again I'll gain a bunch of weight.
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Hi,
My taste buds improved two months out from chemo. My bloody noses stopped after a week. My legs still hurt and I still am tired. I ended chemo Dec.26th, 2012. I am not as fatigued, but I am slower then I used to be. I started to walk 1/2 mile at the rec center last week. Trying to do it 3-5 times a week. My Onc says exercising will help fatigue; I have neuropathy in my hands and feet. Seems awe bit better but worse when I am really tired.
Have a good evening.
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Woo Hoo! Half way through Taxol today! Just finished number six, six more to go and then on to Rads!
Yay me!
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I had my last weekly Taxol yesterday-wohoo! It's a relief, but we all know I'm a long way from feeling okay. I have so many body aches & my armpits hurt which always worries me, but I'm mostly having a hard time with not getting any scans. It feels weird to just make assumptions that everything is A-okay. I wish there was more reassurance. Can anyone relate?
To everyone still in treatment, these 5 months of chemo were very difficult for me physically & mentally, but if I got through it all of you can. We are all warriors, fighters, & brave women! Good luck to you all!
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OMG! Lot of you finishing taxol! Yahoo!
Denise, congrats to you on finishing today, now its time for thebody to heal. I was told it takes about 4 weeks for the chemo to leave our system. I am still very tired especially in the afternoon and if i exert like walking fast i get out of breath. Legs still weak i have to start excercising very soon.
Vintage i hear ya, things are improving beside the physical such as my taste is coming back on certain things like today i had some of thise sweet pickles with my sandwich and they tasted normal yay! I love pickles lol. And my hair well straight up and white and yes i am losing some of it again, weird, my skin is not normal, it is not dry at all, which is strange, buti stillhave these red and brown freckle like spots all over, i hope they go away, i look like some drug experiment gone wrong!
Northwinds, yahoo halfway through, i know i was very excited when i reached that bench mark! Be prepared your side effects may worsen as you reach #8 or so.
Suckitbc, congrats to you also for finishing, it does feel weird and as i mentioned give your yourself time to heal, yes chemo was hard on me physically and mentally, i cried a lot especially when i was on AC. It f**ked me up big time, hallucinations, dehydration, couldn't walk some days, almost passing out and that horrible taste absolutely no enery etc. yes we are warriors to live thru it and we did fir us and our families. And a little shopping trip is always good for the morale my friend!
Maryfox, way to go for tommorrow,
Crazyrabbit how many more taxols?
Mareluna, i agree we have to excercise. I lost so much muscle tone and my legs were already skinny but in shape before this f-cancer, so yah and its cold here can't walk outside either, so i fo the mall walks LOL yes i am a shopaholic too. But at least i get to excercise.
Take care ladies
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SuckitBC,
My armpit also so hurts. My doctor isn't concerned but I am. It is the opposite side of where my cancer was. I get sharp pains that run through it at times. Sometimes it just aches. He feels it is from the port.
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Mercdes60
Just came back from taxol 3/12 today. Taste about stable. I add a strong aged Parmesan cheese to a lot of blander foods to get some flavor. Helps some. I did lose a pound at weigh in this week from last week.
Barbara
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for your reports and comments. I finished my Taxol with #12 today. ONC says 3-6 weeks for the Taxol to be completely out of my body. At that point no more hair loss or blood count effects. I have to do Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year, so I would appreciate hearing everyone's experience with that. And then there is the tamoxifen or the post menopausal one (forgot the name) for 5 years. My family and friends all want to celebrate with me but all I want to do is sleep.
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Hi Denise
yay on the Taxol being done! I am 3 weeks post Taxol & feel pretty good, taste has come back, no overwhelming fatigue. My labs were ok this week.
I check my shiny bald head every day, I still have the weird bit of white mini buzz on the top & hubby says he sees a few hairs that are a tad longer. Sure would like to see some lashes & brows but none so far. The runny bloody nose that has plagued me since October just might be calming down, I hope. My nails, well, some look horrible but I don't think I will lose them.
I also have Herceptin every 3 weeks through November. I had the dense dose on Tuesday & all went well, no SEs that I noticed. (I was getting it with Taxol before)
Hang in there, you will start feeling better soon!
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Hi Ladies~
So happy to find this group...my prayers for all are a complete recovery!
I just returned home from my 6th of 12 taxol treatments, and I thank God every day that I am doing fairly well. It is so nice to read about others going through this.
I plan on reading through and posting regularly
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Hi Mersee!
We are on the same cycle, I just had my 6 the Taxol Wednesday. This is a great place to ask questions, vent, research and get support from. We are all in this together and I know I draw strength from all the ladies on the board.
Pam
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Hi Pam,
I can't tell you how comforting it is to read about women who are going through almost exactly what I am going through. I am so fortunate that I have come out of my AC treatments with minimal side effects and the Taxol, even better. I even asked my oc if I should be concerned that the chemo is working...he smiled and said ..it is definitely working. I will have surgery after chemo due to the size of the tumor and it has been shrinking, thankfully. I just want to get this bump in the road over with and move on. I am so looking forward to being on this board...thank you so much for the quick reply : )
Maria
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Has anyone else had an itchy rash? It started on the back of my left hand the my right. I thought just dry skin bc I wash my hands so much, but now its on my ankles too. I go tomorrow for taxol #6 And will ask them then, but I just want to scratch my ankles with a wire brush!!
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I've had itching on my hands and bottom of my feet since my 6th Taxol treatment. It is the absolute worst. I have a cream that the doctor prescribed which helps but when the itching starts it is hard to control for at least 30 minutes. It has gotten worse with each treatment and is a known SE. ugh!!!!! I've got three more to go......can't wait to be done.
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