Weekly Taxol group
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Hi alli, Its planned for 12 weeks. I didn't do chemo the last two episodes of bc, just this one, and it is an attempt to knock back the mets in my eye, and hopefully other places as well. I had a low oncotype score, in 2013, believe it or not, so did minimal tx. I am doing pretty well, as long as I can crash if overtired. I think this stage was caught early enough so that I am otherwise in good health. That allows me to tolerate tx. The first three weeks were heavily colored by tests and procedures, which left me wiped out. I started chemo and got all the scans, tests and procedures at the same time. Pretty overwhelming, but I am a little more adjusted now.
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Mameme ... mets in your eye? Did you have any symptoms before they found it? Haven't heard of mets there.
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Mame, do you have bone pain from your none mets? If so, how does yours feel and do you take anything that helps ease it? Mine doesn't go away completely and it moved up my spine as the day goes on. By bedtime, I'm hurting. And I don't think my percocets are helping anymore.
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Syrmom, I know, the eye as a site for mets is not common. I had a sudden change in my vision in my left eye, and it was like an amber lens over half the visual field. It was preceded by technicolor floaters, different from ones I had had before. I can see out of that eye, but it is distorted partially. I went to the eye doc the next day, thinking it was a torn retina. The tumor is in the choroid membrane, along the back of the eyeball.
SinSin, I have had some pain that is in the areas affected, but its not constant or severe. The worst was when I started chemo last month. Yuck! I had just learned that I had mets, and then my bones ached from tx. I thought I was a goner. Lo and behold, its much better now. I have been pushing myself to walk as often as possible, even twenty minutes: out the door for 10" and back. Some days I just don't go. There is something about the circulation and the muscle involvement that moves the crud out of the system more quickly. That,s my theory, anyway! Ibuprofen helped almost as much as percs. I am cautious with those (percs) because I want them to work when I really need them. Heat felt really good when I was achey. I feel for you.
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MameMe- I live in Maine, too
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Yeah, I bought a box of Thermacare heat wraps and wore one yesterday and that helped. I need to look into finding a reusable heating pad because $7.50 for two throwaway one use pads is pricey. I've been using the ibruprofen now instead of the percocets as they're not helping as much and I want to save and use them when I really need them too.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend and Happy Mom's Day to all our moms!
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you can combine ibuprofen with paracetamol if needed. This combo covers 2 different pain pathways and usually gives good analgesic relief. Hope this helps
LIL
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Thanks for info, MameMe.
Had my 3 month scan today (have had a total of 23 taxol infusions); results were "STABLE." Yes, I'll take that.
Very slight reduction in 2 out of 3 liver mets, in mm; bone mets appear stable. After a long stretch of constant progression, this is defin. good news. So far, have had stable scans since beginning taxol at end of Sept. See MO tomorrow; little concerned cause of some neuropathy, not sure if there will be any tx/dose changes or not. Hate to "fix it" when it's working.
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Syrmom - It is such good news. I am at the beginning of this. Just two treatments. Same affected areas. Thank you for the hope.
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Diamond, what is paracetamol and is it a prescription?
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paracetamol = tylenol
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Hey to the Taxol gang, I am wondering how you are all doing, would love to hear from Alli, SinSin, Syrmom, Brigadoon, et al. I did my sixth chemo on Wed. this week, was better the first couple of days, but pretty wiped out yesterday and today. Why is it that the metallic taste and the heartburn happens days after having the actual treatment? I don't understand that. Its been pouring rain here today, even a little hail here and there. My wonderful niece came and helped me get and plant some annuals and herbs yesterday in a little garden patch by the front door. What a good feeling, having that little area spruced up! The rain is helping that project get established, right?!
Hugs to all,
Mame
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Mameme - We had that yesterday too, (Vermont) but today we had BEAUTIFUL sunshine. Really revives the spirit. I had an attack of the Taxol blues this morning. Just felt overwhelmed by all the work that Spring brings on; garden, flower beds, setting the porch again along with the extra household things. Don't have enough energy for it all. Can barely get the clothes on the line and the bird feeders filled.
I have had three treatments and next week is my off week !!!!!!. I have done pretty well. I have had occasional taste changes but it comes and goes. I had some of the sores in my throat and (I think my esophagus). I tell myself that that is just my liver clearing up all the toxins it has accumulated over the years. (Liver mets). Still have my hair but I check the undies every night as I have read here that is the first place to go. (Sorry if that sounds gross.) I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop but hoping it holds out until 3rd round after my Grands go home.I actually got in two hours of gardening today too. Now I can see the tulips and daffodils. Maybe I'll take pictures. Glad you got to get some plants in the ground. Herbs are especially rewarding because they just make you feel healthy. Also glad you had the time with your niece.
Good wishes back at ya!
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I'm hanging in there. Back pain comes and goes and varies in frequency. I go Monday for my 4th Taxol infusion. I still have the horrible taste in my mouth where absolutely nothing tastes right or good and the fatigue but I can't complain. I took an hour nap today. Haha! I wake in the am feeling heavy and kind of as if my legs are made of cement but I just push myself to go and it eases as the day goes on. My OB/GYN informed me that I am officially in menopause and I am not complaining. It's helped with the emotional roller coaster. I informed her I want my ovaries out and she looked at me like I was crazy, especially since I am not BRCA positive and am young. LOL But I thought about it from the beginning of all this and it is truly what I want, especially if it helps stabilize my mood.
Hope everyone is faring well and having a side effect free weekend!
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Hello all. Number 24 taxol infusion coming up tomorrow!! I find the fatigue is cumulative; however, some weeks are better than others. I continue to ice my hands/feet with bags of peas during the actual infusion; so far it's saved my nails, but I'm losing the battle of neuropathy and it's freaking me out. I was offered 2 weeks on/2 off, but so far have declined because I'm continuing to responds to the tx. The liver mets are either stable or smaller (by millimeters). I'm taking supplements to help ward off the neuropathy, but as I said am losing the battle. I've very concerned as to what shape this will leave me in. My daughter is getting married in a couple of months, I sure hope I can still walk! As far as the weird taste or lack of taste; that started more recently for me. More often than not, it's the first 4 days or so after the infusion and then returns to normal. As far as pain, that will set in at approx. day 3/4, bone pain, a known s/e of taxol. It varies in intensity; I've tried Claritin too to see if it minimizes it, sometimes seems to. Usually my lower back is where I feel it the most. The last few months I've had some lower extremity edema, which is not something I have ever had. Read it's capillary leakage of the chemo; the decadron helps to control it, so we are experimenting with a very small oral dose of decadron on my week off; seems to help minimize it. Water pills do nothing for me other than make me dizzy and weak. So, there you have it - my experience so far. Oh, I lost my beautiful hair after about 6 weeks; that's been the most difficult for me. I have a scalp full of fuzz, turned white; does seem to be growing lately, but not uniformly; the eyebrows and lashes went too. The brows are easy now as I've learned how to use the makeup to make them look real. I use eyeliner (first time in my life) to help make my eyes look more normal and avoid the "chemo look." My wig is similar to my hairstyle and I'm always being told by others how they like my "haircut." Personally, I rip the thing off as soon as I get in the house. I live alone, so I just keep the curtains drawn or wear buffs and keep the curtains open!
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Just checking in to encourage the ladies who are just starting. I have just completed 12 of 12 weekly taxols+herceptin and it seemed to go by very fast. It was MUCH easier and manageable than AC. It actually got easier the more I did. Major SE's were fatigue, low RBC and loss of appetite which got better midway, diarrhea/constipation, neuropathy (tingling, stiffness of hands, no numbness, no problems with nails) which also got better after my MO cut down my dose after #8. All in all, very manageable.
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Deb. CONGRATS on finishing! Color the rest of us jealous!
Syrmom, hang in there! I didn't lose all my hair either and it's been growing. Thankfully, my brows and lashes seem to want to stay. I looked into fake lashes before I started chemo, just in case, and was going to get some either from Sephora or Ulta. Easiest way to put them on is to dab the lashes edge on the glue from your finger.
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Hi everyone, beautiful day in Maine today. I completed #10 this week, belly pain, fatigue. Taste in my mouth is not too bad but the neuropathy is awful, right now my fingertips are burning. This morning I woke up so nauseous that I didn't dare move. I fell back asleep for an hour and that seemed to help. Weird, the nausea just appears out of nowhere. I've also had a migraine today....so not feeling my best today.
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Sorry to hear about the neuropathy for those who are suffering.
Has anyone been neutropenic on weekly taxol? I was just admitted over weekend for a neutropenic fever. My counts were really low. They were surprised that this happened on weekly taxol. I got a dose of neupogen and missed a taxol dose. I'm just curious about the next dose, if it needs to be postponed or anything. I have to call in the morning to see what's going on.
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Good Morning,Never had neutropenia on Taxol. Sure did on AC.
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Xrayalli, sorry to hear you're struggling some but hope you start feeling better soon!
Jules, I am currently getting my 4th weekly Taxol infusion and so far, have been getting g-shots the day after infusion for each dose because my WBC counts have been low. So you should be good for your next infusion if they gave you a Neutropenia shot. I haven't missed a weekly infusion yet and I get the shot to get my counts up. Your counts should get up in time and you'll be feeling better soon!
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Xrayalli, hope you are feeling better.
No Neutropenia shot as yet.
Finished #24 taxol today. Know I will feel good tomorrow from decadron, also know by Wed. evening will feel the fatigue & possible back pain. Taste is off, but hope by end of week it will be normal again. Worried about increasing neuropathy. All & all, not too bad. Just keep remembering I'm STABLE!
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Hi guys, today I feel great, I always do on the last 2 days before chemo, except for being really tired. Migraine is gone....hey, anybody feel bloated? I think it's the steroids but this gaining weight during chemo is for the birds! Today I noticed one eyebrow really thin compared to the other, might have to start using eyebrow makeup. 2 more weekly Taxol, wish that was all I had left, sigh.
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I have the bloatedness but I'm not gaining weight. I wish. I need to gain back the weight I lost. On infusion days I have trouble falling asleep thanks to the steroids. So annoying. Is anyone having issues with their eyesight, like fuzziness? I'm not seeing double but I get fuzziness like my eyes are having trouble focusing sometimes. Really weird.
Hope everyone is going alright!
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Sinsin- I get that fuzziness too in my eyesight. I slept really well last night, thank god for Ambien, I usually don't sleep well the night of chemo infusion because of the steroid. And I'm gonna veg all day, so excited about that!
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Had #17 yesterday...always hard to sleep the night of infusion...same problem with the eyes though. I know I need a new eye prescription, but one of the nurses told me not to get it until chemo was finished....anyone ever hear that?
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Hi patsback, I wear multifocal glasses and I feel that my eyesight has worsened during chemo. I too have been told to wait until chemo is finished to get a new script. Only 4 more weekly taxols to go!
LIL
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my eyes are fuzzy too. And I don't sleep well night of chemo either....though I nap when I get home, I suppose from the Benadryl. Love my Ativan for sleeping, I take two at night, usually gets me through.
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Definitely fuzzy vision at times since Taxol. Also sleep problems the nights right after chemo. Sometimes all week. Not good, because I get withdrawn and cranky without enough sleep recently. I feel that the least I can do for DH and fam is to be civil and warm while being sort of laid up with this treatment. Glad to hear you have a veg. day, Alli. I think those are essential for people working through treatment.
I had chemo on Wed., then Thursday felt like driving and went to the foodstore for the first time in over a week. Last week I was a mess. It is hard to predict my response to the Taxol. 7 down, 5 to go. Not too bad. I still have enough hair to wear the pixie cut I got three weeks ago. Amazing. It is continuing to fall out, so I think that will soon not work. The nurses at chemo were sort of perplexed that it is still looking like normal, tho thin, hair.
Best to all, Mame
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Mame: I had Taxol Tuesday and I too can't sleep the day of the infusion and the next day…this week that went into a third night last night. I had Ambien, but it didn't work, so for next time (I have a break week coming up) I have Ativan. We'll see. I've had a crazy busy (end of the school year for the kids) last few days, so haven't been able to nap, but I'm just sitting down getting ready to nap and wanted to see how things are going for everyone.
Glad to hear your hair fall-out is less - hopefully you'll get to keep it!! I seem to have lost eyebrows this week, but more prominently on the left than the right. Thankfully a little eyebrow pencil evens them out, or I think I'd be plucking the rest!
Happy long weekend!!
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