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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2014

    septmom,

    I too am extremely exhausted.  It got worse with every taxol treatment.  My last one is this Friday and I can't wait. I will admit that this SE is a walk in the park compared to everything that I experienced with AC. I'll take fatigue any day.  You can do it. You've already proven that you can do more than you think.  You got this!!

    My Rads start mid April, yet another set of SE's to deal with.

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014


    Thanks Ladies,

    I know you all are facing the same thing or been through the same thing and that I am not alone.  Thanks for letting me vent. I know I have to accept the fatigue and deal with it. I have four more left. Hopefully if all goes well with my counts I get number 9 this number friday and I can finaly say I have three more left. 

    Thanks everyone. Have a good week.

    Hugs!! 

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    Hi Stepmom~

    I am having taxol #9 Friday too! I am praying that you feel better, this journey is tough and when you need support and encouragement, this place seems to be wonderful. I will be thinking of you Friday : )

    Maria

  • lgoldie
    lgoldie Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2014

    That is great news for me since I will be doing Taxol next!   Thanks

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014

    Hi Maria! So me and you are on the same schedule. Let's pray we both finish on our scheduled day. Had my blood work done today and my counts are okay. So I will be getting taxol #9 on Friday. Take care. I will be thinking of you too!

    Hugs 

  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2014

    I had my last taxol today!  No more chemo.....woot woot! Rads simulation done, I start on 4/16.  Sooooooo looking forward to this 3.5 week break.  Have a great weekend everyone. 

    All the best to those who have just started or have a few to go.  You got this!

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited March 2014

    Lonnie congratulations on end of chemo :)

  • alycallie
    alycallie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014

    Is there anyone else that has had Taxol as their first and only chemo? it seems like everyone else has had something else before taxol...

  • alycallie
    alycallie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014

    I had 3rd treatment on Monday and hadn't had any hair loss. It started falling out majorly on Tuesday... yuck! Should I just buzz it off?!? 

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    Hey alycallie- I am starting wk 11 of 12 taxol with no other agents. PatinMN was just taxol as well. Are you weekly or dose dense? Sorry to hear about the hair- I hear a lot of women say just buzz it because it allows you to keep some control of the situation.

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    sorry- probably a dumb question seeing as this is the 'weekly' taxol thread….Happy

  • alycallie
    alycallie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014

    Hi summer 70, I'm going to get 12 weekly taxol and then 4 more treatments of a combination of 3 drugs. That one will be every 3 weeks. The hair thing is not bad during the day as long as I don't run my hands through it but during my shower it's gross! Can't get it off of my hands or body!

  • alycallie
    alycallie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014

    Congratulations lonnie713! I look forward to saying those words!

  • alycallie
    alycallie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014

    Summer70, I haven't had many side effects so far.... was this the case with you? I've been tired but I think that is because I can't sleep for 3 days after because of the steroid...Hopefully they will lower the dose on Monday's treatment.

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    After a week of my hair falling out more and more, I just buzzed it! Looking back, I guess it was me having control of the situation. I had come to grips with losing my hair shortly after my MO said I would, so I have to say, it felt good to make the decision. Plus the hair falling out on my shoulders, my pillow, sometimes while I cooked dinner just grossed me out, not to mention the shower scoop I did everytime I took a shower. I would love to have my hair back instantly, but I must say, the low maintenance part of it is awesome.I did purchase a really good wig, and I get compliments on "my new hair cut" all the time. On the flip side, I will never where a hat again after this (God willing)....I was never a hat person anyway and it is just annoying to me.

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    lonnie713--congrats on the last taxol...I should be uttering those same words in 3 weeks as I just had #9 of 12 today. Enjoy you break and have a great weekend too!

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    Hi Stepmom~ I hope all went well for you today...I was in and out in a record time for my infusion center..got there at 10:00 am and walked out at around 12:00, but I did not need to see my MO, he gives me a week off here and there as long as I am doing well. Although our office visits are usually on 10 min if I don't ask him 100 questions. Most of the time is waiting. My infusion nurse said my counts were great...she even said they were better than her own. I am not sure what I am doing differently or not doing for them to be so good. I am just thankful, but I do get bouts of guilt when I read about others who are suffering. I just want to hug them all...I even asked my MO if there was any reason for me to be concerned it wasn't working. All I do is pray for those who are going through this and be thankful that I am tolerating well and realize it could change. Have a great weekend!

    Maria

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014

    Hi Maria,

    My taxol 9 went well for me today. I have to go for blood work on Monday. They will monitor my counts and give me shots to keep me on track. I didn't have any problem with counts until after my 7th taxol. Don't know what happened. I really thought that I would be not have an issue. Oh well. You are right we just have 3 left and we can do this! Glad to hear you are doing well. Here is to number 10 next week! Let the count down begin! 

    Take care.

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    #11 for me next Wed & I can't wait to start the countdown to being taxol-free!

    Septmom- glad things are back on track for you. You're on the final stretch, too! Yay! I remember in January I thought this would never end :)

    ally, I haven't found side effects to be too bad. No nausea, neuropathy or bone aches. No nail issues either. I certainly don't feel like a million bucks but I have been able to keep up with my daily life- dealing w. my kids' activities, visiting with clients, trying to do some yoga daily. I remember feeling particularly tired and generally yucky around wks 6 or 7 but the SE's seem to have tapered off or maybe I'm just used to them. It's all bearable & it really has gone fast. Wishing the same for you!

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    ally, I can't sleep after treatment either. That's great if they will lower your steroids- I asked but was told it was an all or nothing dose. I rely on sleeping pills the first few nights. It's all about survival mode for 12 weeks!

  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2014

    Hi all,

    Glad to have found this group, I don't start until the end of April. Just finished my second A/C with 2 to go. I was wondering is anyone working during weekly taxol. I'm hoping I can but seems like it is going to be tough. You guys are my heroes!

    Thanks in advance

    Jules

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2014

    Jules - see Shazzakelly, she's amazing.  Has been working through it and with no S/E other than fatigue!

  • northwindsgs
    northwindsgs Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    Hi Jules,

    I have been working through my weekly Taxol.  It hasn't been to bad.  I worked through my AC also which was a little tougher.  Taxol has been easier workwise.  I have three taxol left to go and then in to Rads.

    Pam

  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2014

    Hi All! 

     Newbie here! I'm currently on Epirubicin and Cytoxan for 2 more cycles and then will be on Taxol for 12 infusions, one each week. Really nervous about it as my current treatment is kicking my ass. I just had my first infusion Monday and today I actually feel like a human being. However, I have zero interest in food and barely eat (no nausea, thankfully.) Something of which I can't afford. I'm really nervous that since my current treatment is kicking my butt, that I'll never have a "recovery time" with Taxol since that will be every week. Anyone been in a similar boat??

  • mmb1234
    mmb1234 Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2014

    Hi there weekly taxol group,

    I am 8 treatments in to 12 weekly doses of taxol. I had 4 rounds of AC (1x every three weeks for 12 weeks) first. So far Taxol has not been too bad.   I am taking L-GLutamine and a B Complex on the advice of nutritionist to avoid neuropathy and so far have had only very minimal  tingling in my feet, but it does not last more than a few minutes. My appetite is fine. I do not sleep well on treatment days, due to the steroids, so I just figure that in to my week. And although my eyebrows disappeared about week 6, i think i have some new stubble on my head which is thrilling..... I cannot wait for the treatment to be finished, and then to decide about radiation.  I am happy to join this group! 

  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2014

    Thanks syrmom and Pam! I am working now on A/C also but have cut back my hours a little by using sporadic vacation and personal days, figured I'm not taking any trips this year anyway. so far I'm pretty good on my "off" week, am worried about not having that extra week while on Taxol. But now I have a little hope!

    Thanks so much for the inspiration!

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    Hi mmb1234~I just had #9 of 12 this past Friday after 4 treatments of AC. Same here with eyebrows and sleeping issues...my MO has my Decadron (steroids) down to 4mg and won't go lower, but it has been better with lower dose. I have white peach fuzz for hair and not sure if it is here to stay or will my regular hair grow after chemo is done. I have been gray since age 30, so I am not expecting my natural dark locks, but that would be a wonderful surprise. My appetite is ok but tastebuds are off, which is not a huge deal to me. I have had minor numbing of my finger tips, but no tingling. I wasn't advised to take any supplements but I will ask when I go this week...anything to help. Good luck to you!

    Maria

  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2014

    Hi ladies, did anybody develop diarrhea while on taxol? Since #4 I've been having it every day. Told my MO and she said that's not a side effect of taxol, even though it clearly says "tell your doctor" on the paclitaxel PUBMED side effects listing. I got it again today immediately after taxol #5 (yesterday). I don't want to "correct" my doctor. I was only taking Pepto-Bismol to treat it. Do you think I should tell my doctor it IS listed as a side effect, or just keep taking OTC drugs ? 

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014

    Deblc,
    I didn't have that issue but my MO always asks me if I have any issues every time I see him.  You should tell your MO.

     

       

  • patsback
    patsback Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2014

    Deblc-

    I will be getting Taxol #11 tomorrow, and I've had diarrhea from the onset.  The MO asks when I see her, and the nurses ask me each week what the symptoms are.  THey tell me to make sure I'm hydrated, and to take immodium.

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