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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2014

    Hi Septmom~

    I too have the puffy face and hope it goes down..I am curious, how much steroids are they giving you? I am down to 4 mg per taxol for the last 3 weeks and I still get the blochy red puffy cheeks. The day after taxol is the worst. My MO won't go any lower thank 4 mg : (

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2014

    Completed #20 taxol today, so far, so good.  The day following is always the best as my se are still masked by the decadron.  Although I get a very red face on day 2 (can hide it with makeup), I really don't mind because it's the one day any pain I have is masked & I have more energy.  By evening of day 3, the fatigue & other se set in. 

  • Diamond_lil
    Diamond_lil Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2014

    Hi, I started 12 weekly paclitaxol yesterday. I have steroid red face today but already feel far less toxic than on the A/C. My onc told me that I will only have steroids for the first 2 weeks if all goes well. 

    LIL

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014

    Mersee , I have to take 4mg -2 tablets twice a day the day before taxol, the day of taxol and the day after. 

    Just now I noticed that my feet are slightly swollen. I never had this issue with my feet. I called my ONC's office but they are gone for the day. The chemo nurse always checks my feet for swelling when I go for the weekly taxol.  Do you have any feet swelling? I don't know if I should be too concerned. I will call the nurse tomorrow.,

    I hope all of loose the face puffiness soon. I feel as my face is distorted. 

    Good luck to everyone!

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2014

    stepmom, yes, swelling is a side effect of taxol; I started getting it just recently.  The ladies here tell me it will go away once we are off it.  Mine goes up and down.

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2014

    Thanks Syrmom. I guess it will take time for the face swelling to go away. 

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    SyrMom- #20! Wow, you are a warrior!

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2014

    Septmom~I don't notice any swelling of my feet, just occasionally a little numb. My fingers do feel a little puffy on occasion but it doesn't seem to be progressing. My MO and the nurses always ask. I would call tomorrow and take it easy tonight...feet up! I hear you on the puffy face..., my family tells me "no your not puffy".. I appreciate it, but I know I am. 

    I don't take any oral steriods, it is given to me in my iv with taxol..nothing the day before or after either. I also get a regular dose of benedryl and pepcid. I always look at my meds when they are hanging on the iv pole.

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 575
    edited April 2014

    Summer - thanks.  You'll find others that have had far more than me, on this site!

    Mersee & stepmom - I don't get steroids the day before either, only in my iv.  One thing to keep in mind with swelling is it can be anywhere on the body.  Therefore, for those that have had surgery, to be aware of potential for lymphedema.


  • Nicole32
    Nicole32 Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2014

    Hey all.  I haven't had time to be here for awhile and its been great reading that so many of you are either done or almost done.  It gives me so much to look forward to.  My docs have decided to give me Neupogen shots every Monday and Tuesday to keep my counts up.  Every week it was a guessing game as to whether I was going to get my treatment or not.  After missing 3 treatments due to my counts being low and pushing my treatments back, my doc decided that Neupogen was the way to go.  This is week number 3 of the shots and so far so good.  Before Neupogen, my neutrophils were never above a 2 and now they are 5 or 6 so Im back on track.  My schedule goes like this, Neupogen shot on Monday and Tuesday then chemo on Thursday.  Recuperate over the weekend then back to the shots.  Im feeling better other than some body aches but Im fine with that.

    Im really tired now due to both the shots and the chemo but Im still working full time and plugging along.  Coffee has now become my best friend.  Other than fatigue, I have not really had any other side effects on the Taxol.  Im only on 6 out of 12 though so it might get worse as I go along.  

    I will keep you all updated as I go along.  Keep it up girls!!!!!

  • mercedes60
    mercedes60 Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2014

    Hi ladies, i am now 6 weeks post chemo (taxol), i had all kind of sides with taxol,achy legs were the worse this started at #8, i also had blotchey skin on face and my legs and arms were covered with red and brown spots, i also had puffiness everywhere.

    My onco told me these sides effects would disappear and hes right, most of the spots and blotchey face are gone, however, i still feel puffy at times, my achy legs well some days its ok and other days its ughhhhhhh like dragging weights lol. The steroids that were pumped into us for the last months will disappear about 2 months post chemo and yes i too gained weight! Thank god for jeggings

    Anyway all this to say hang in there it will get better......

    I am scheduled for a mastectomy apr. 22 then rads. Just hope my bod is up to the next round. 

    Take care guys.  Xxxxxxxx

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Mercedes for posting. It's good to hear how people are doing after taxol with the SE. Guess it takes time to start feeling normal again. I think I may be getting more steriods than most. I will have to ask my MO about when I see him next week. 

    I hope to be done April 11th with taxol. I lost weight on AC and now seem to have gained a 3-4 lbs the last two weeks. I am still a few lbs lighter than before chemo. But my face is quite puffy. 

    Good luck to everyone! 

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2014

    Hi Mercedes60~

    Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am glad some of the side effects have gone...I can't wait. I  have 2 taxol treatments left...hopefully. I just saw my surgeon today, as I want to get this over with as soon as possible. I had an MRI and hopefully my tumor has shrunk. I had a 4cm tumor also and will have surgery after. I am curious, why are you having a mastectomy instead of lumpectomy. We haven't talked about specifics or recommendations with my surgeon so I have no clue as to what I will do. 

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited April 2014

    I had puffy face , hands and feet. On occasion I took Lasix. I have noticed that has improved. :)

    It takes time to recover from all we have been through.

  • mercedes60
    mercedes60 Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2014

    mersee, hi! When i duscussed surgery with my BS a couple of weeks ago, due to the fact that i had 2 tumors total approx 5 plus cm and even though the chemo killed off the cancer in the tumors, the area that would have to be removed would leave me with a little deformed boobie, I am a full C cup and dense, so having the mastectomy was the best choice and my onco also agreed and u know what, good riddance! Take it off i think i would be paranoid if they decided on a lumpectomy. Just saying...

    You will be duscussing I'm sure  surgery with your surgeon and onco so i'm sure they will tell you if you have an option also. Your tumor 4cm is pretty big, i hope the chemo shrunk and killed the cancer. Good luck.

    Your right behind me, i guess you will have rads also after surgery. I will have min 25 sessions, oh joy!

    Today i went to a specialty lingerie shop to che k out the prothesis, wow $400 for one! However the goverment pays back $200 and my insurance should cover the rest. Yikes,bras are like$60 plus, but they have some reallynice looking bras with the pockets to put the foob in (fake boob) lol. Gotta get use to that i guess and deal with it. 

    Take care. Cheryl

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Cheryl..I am good with whatever my onc and bs think would be best. Are you thinking about reconstruction at all? I have no idea what to expect, we decided to start the chemo as soon as I could after diagnosis and would discuss surgery down the road, which is very soon for me. I have an appt with the bs in 2 weeks to discuss results of mri and I am sure what surgery is recommended. Good luck to you : )

    Maria

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited April 2014

    Just finished my final taxol today!! Actually feels kind of anti-climactic, I think I would like to curl up in a hammock on a  sunny beach somewhere & not move for the next month or two! Good luck to everybody else, just starting and those close to the finish line. Also a huge thanks for all the women on here who shared their experiences, When I started reading this thread back in Jan it was such a comfort to know so many women were using their intelligence & humour to get through a less than ideal time and managing just fine. I'm sending healing thoughts to all of you, in particular the women who are undergoing extended treatments. I'm here if anyone ever wants to talk. If you're just starting out & contemplating cold caps. I can tell you they worked for me- I still have a full head of hair.  Now I'm moving on to 9mnths of herceptin (about as difficult as a coffee break, the nurses tell me :)). Big hugs- Laura

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Ccongratulations Summer70! Must feel great to be d 

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Ccongratulations Summer70! Must feel great to be done!  Wish I had the option of cold caps. My MO was against it.

    I have my 11th taxol tomorrow. I hope to stay on track and finish next week. I was supposed to be done on March 28th but my taxol got pushed back twice. Once due to getting shingles and another time as my WBC were too low. I am so ready to be done.

  • mercedes60
    mercedes60 Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2014

    Mersee, hi Maria, I have no plans for reconstruction at this time and my BS said I have to wait a year.  I would have a choice of implant or they can use some of the tummy fat to fill, well a tummy tuck n perky boobs would be nice at my age (60 yrs) LOL. I just want to recover from this rough journey that we are all experiencing and let my body breathe without being hurt again. 

    If I were younger maybe the matter would be more pressing, but for now one thing at a time. My husband knows how I feel at this time and supports my decision all the way. 

    Summer70  congrats to you and yes I have beach dreams after this is over also.

    Heres me an my 6:00 o'clock shadow,  6weeks plc.

    image

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    I am scheduled to have surgery BMX on May 9th if my taxol gets done in time next week April 11th. I had a lumpectomy in September. After thinking it through I decided I would go ahead with the mastectomy. I met with the BS yesterday. She said she wouldn't take out any nodes and I wouldn't need radiation. She said it will be a simple skin sparring masectomy. I don't think there is anything simple about a masectomy. I will be getting TE and reconstruction. Thanks for all your support ladies! Good luck!

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Mercedes60 - you look terrific! Hair is growing nicely!

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Here is my hair fuzz growth - this was taken a few days ago. It's more grey than I thought it would be. I have more growth on the sides compared to the back. But I do see more growth every week.,it's been about 3 wks since I first noticed growth. image

  • Mersee
    Mersee Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2014

    OMG Cheryl...first of all, you do NOT look 60 and you just went through 5 months of chemo! You look fabulous. I just turned 50 and I have been blessed with most people thinking I am younger..probably because I am only 5'1" and petite. I hated it when I was younger, but like it now : )

    I love the 6:00 shadow..I told my daughter that I want to rock a bald head in a few weeks! Probably won't have the guts, but I have to say, I am so sick of something on my head. I have a pretty decent amount of white fuzz on most of my head, less on the top. Is this real hair or will this be replaced by less fuzzy hair? I have been going gray since I am 30, so I expect nothing but white hair.

    I have no idea about reconstruction at this time..never discussed with surgeon or MO, but I will in 2 weeks...kinda scared.

    Congrats summer70! I hope to join you in 2 weeks.

    Septmom~ I will be thinking you tomorrow during my 11th taxol : )  My fuzz is completely white..I always wanted to be a blond : /

  • mercedes60
    mercedes60 Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2014

    mersee, thank you, but believe me i look better now than i did during chemo, wow there were days when i looked so old you know drawn like, my skin was terrible. Make up sure does wonders. I do feel better every day, but the energy is not up to par. I also had thick dark hair with little gray hair, lucky i guess. 

    Sepmom and Mersee, my hair started to come in very white and fuzzy like, and most of the white fuzz fell out and just 2 weeks ago started the dark shadow, yay! But its still downy soft and i cannot wait til it grows more and it gets warmer here so i can go without wig,hats scarves so fed up of wearing something on my head.

    Thinking of nice warm turquoise waters white soft sandy beach......oh well gotta dream. Lol

  • summer70
    summer70 Member Posts: 41
    edited April 2014

    Thanks, ladies!  Mersee & Sept Mom, you're almost there! mercedes- if I had your fabulous bone structure I wouldn't worry about having hair!

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    Mersee - I will be thinking about you today as we both get our 11th taxol. Good luck! One more to go after today!

    Mercedes - you are absolutely gorgeous! No one would say you are 60! You have a very pretty face and look lovely in short hair. I am 44 years old and quite petite. But I don't think my face has the bone structure to pull off short hair. But I know in the summer I will get tired of wearing my wig. I do have a nice shoulder length human hair wig that is quite light and comfortable. Let's see how that goes. My hubby says to ditch the wig when my hair fills out. 

    Happy Friday Ladies! 

  • MaryFox
    MaryFox Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2014

    5 weeks PFC and things are getting better. Head fuzz grows slowly and unevenly. Energy level is pretty good.  Haven't needed  a nap in a few days.  Taste seems to be returning slowly. But best of all MY BRAIN IS COMING BACK!   I've started rads so I know I'll have to deal with fatigue again, but it is so nice to be able to think again. 

    It does get better!!!

  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2014

    MaryFox so encouraging to hear this. I'm halfway through, 6 to go, and seem to get new side effects every week. Now have pain in fingers, mouth sores and I was already finding it difficult to eat due to no appetite. I don't know if I should be worried that I am not eating much. Next week I will start counting DOWN to the end.

  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 87
    edited April 2014

    MaryFox - so good to hear you are doing well after taxol. So encouraging. Energy levels is one thing I have been worried about. I have my mastectomy surgery 4 wks after taxol and it has me a bit worried. I am hoping to be physically ready for the surgery. I hear that most doctors prefer to get the surgery done 4-5 wks after chemo. 

    Thanks  Maryfox!

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