Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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Hi all! Hope everyone is doing alright! I'm posting from the infusion chair and have zonked out sleeping through it. LOL This is Taxol #7. Wish it was 12 and I was done. I am done with this nasty fatigue!
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MomMom - What an experience it must have been to hear Piper's message. I would love to hear her speak. I am glad that she has turned her experience into a fight for positive change.
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Just woke up from a 2 1/2 hour nap. Finally feel like a functioning human being! LOL
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Hi All-
Just had weekly Taxol (#4) yesterday, along with Herceptin and Pertuzamab. Took a 2 hour nap when I got home yesterday and felt so much better. Those pre-meds make me so sleepy (I take hydroxyzine instead of Beandryl because of a reaction I had to Benadryl, but it works the same way and makes me very drowsy!) Feeling pretty good today. My face is flushed and my eyes are swollen but it only happens during Herceptin and Pertuzamab weeks (every 3rd week) so it must be because of one of those. So far, I'm finding Taxol much easier than AC. My Onc said that people who don't tolerate AC well (I found AC incredibly hard) typically have an easier time with Taxol and those who tolerate AC well have a harder time with Taxol. Interesting.
So far no neuropathy or nail issues.Even fatigue is better than on AC. But, I only just had #4 and from these boards, it looks like the issues sometimes start around #6, so I'm bracing myself for what's to come, including increased fatigue. I have one toe nail that started to discolor while I was on AC, but not sure if it was related to AC or if I bruised the toe wearing a pair of high heels one day. However it happened, it hasn't worsened yet.
Stay strong everyone!
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cmp how are you doing on hercep/pertuz? It does a number on my GI tract. I will be getting tax #7 and hercep/pertuz #3 on Friday. My MO mentioned putting me on lomotil for the big D since Imodium doesn't help.
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SyrMom...
I have had floaters before treatment, but with the Taxol, I have a lot if bluriness. Hard to focus in on this iPhone for typing! Was sent home without an additional taxol treatment yesterday due to increased Neuro symptoms... Can't say I'll miss it now that I'm off for good. Do worry about missing the last few. Started hormone therapy today.. Not sure I'm going to agree to radiation due to separate immune disorder ..
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Number 8 of 12 is in the books. I basically laid down and was out when I got home for 3 hours. The fatigue on Taxol since 6 is really kicking my a$$. But I'm sure the steroid will kick in around 8 or 9p tonight so that I can get some stuff done
JulesNY: I just called for a scrip for D, not sure what he's getting me. I seem to be getting it earlier and earlier after the infusion and it lasts longer. Although, I'm also on doxycyclene for acne, so it could be that is not helping. I tried to go off it, but my scalp, face and chest erupted, so I guess I'm stuck on it for now. I heard Geranium Seed oil could help, but haven't tried it yet.
Fortunately, no neuro symptoms for me and my nails are still doing fine. I guess I'll take the fatigue, D and acne. I can do 4 more (I think I can I think I can I think I can. LOL)
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Well, good news, the brain scan was negative for mets or any other problem; so off to the eye doc tomorrow regarding the floaters!! Whew, dodged the bullet this time! Thank goodness.
As usual, thanks for all of your support!
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Syrmom - Such good news. On to floaters. Will be waiting for that good news too.
I am in the chair today. Hoping for a good WBC and no SE's.
Good day everyone. Another opportunity to enjoy life.
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Reporting from the north window chair at the chemo suite, things look good outdoors, and have yet to get the report from inside. Seeing doc today, hope the news is good. Hugs to all.
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Syrmom- Great news about the scan! Hopefully you get the floaters figured out.
JulesNY- I seem to be doing ok on herceptin/pertuz. I definitely have D the day of, but after I've had the treatment. On other days, it doesn't seem to be quite as bad and isn't more than 1x per day, so my Onc isn't too worried. She said if I were having D 3x or more per day then it would be an issue. I haven't taken imodium yet but would start there if I need it.
This was only my second treatment of perception/pertuz so we'll see how things go. I did notice the day after my treatment that my face was flushed and my eyes were really swollen. After my first treatment of Taxol/herceptin/pertuz I noticed it too, and I mentioned it to the nurse and she said it was the steroids. But, on my taxol only weeks, it doesn't happen and it never happened during AC (when steroid dose was even stronger) so I think the reaction is due to either the perception/pertuz or both. Oh well.
Hope the lomotil works for you!
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MameMe - I was in the chair at the same time and wrote a long post on my Kindle but hit the wrong something and it all disappeared. Too lazy to put it back in using hunt and peck.
My chemo #6 went very well and I am off for two weeks!! Still losing hair but it is still not noticeable to a casual observer.
Hope your chemo went well too.
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Syrmom, excellent news on the scan! I hope you celebrated as you need to celebrate all victories, from smallest to big!
Jhodro, I hear you on the fatigue! The past two infusion I have slept through and if it weren't for the steroids, I'd be like that all week. Starting tomorrow the steroids will be wearing off and the fatigue will start setting in again. Ugh!
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cmp106: I have the face flush after every infusion - even my taxol free weeks. So I'm chalking that one up to the Herceptin. I don't do the Perjeta (not sure why)…but I get it for the morning after, it lasts a few hours. I look like I have a serious sunburn on my face and chest. I'm super fair, so it really stands out. It doesn't hurt or anything. The MO wasn't concerned.
Sinsin: I'm still on my steroid high - - I didn't sleep last night with 2 ativans, and still going. Although I feel the fade coming on.
Brigadoon: enjoy your break. The good weeks are THE BEST!!
Mame: Hope you got some great news today!!!
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hello all,
I am familiar with many of you from other threads but thought I would introduce myself and let you know that I will be joining you all. Finished my last round of AC yesterday and will start weekly taxol for 12 weeks on July 1. I have learned a lot from you gals already from my previous lurking.
I am more nervous about taxol than the AC which I found much easier than the first round of TC. I had to switch from TC to AC because the Taxotere landed me in the hospital on Easter and gave me chemo indused colitis. My MO is telling me that low-dose taxol will be much easier on my system. I sure hope so.
Do many of you have that metallic or cardboard tast with taxol? I had that with Taxotere but my taste buds were not impacted by adriamycin. I was hoping to have limited fatigue but I think I am wishfully thinking....thanks for all your help.
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First off I have to say to all the ladies that are going through this for the second time or more, God bless ya!!!!! No one should have to do this even once in their lives!!!!!
My face is flushed the day of and the day after too with every infusion. for me I think it's the steroids. Seeing a different MO on Friday which I'm a little upset about but I guess they can get sick too. I just don't want to deal with someone who is not familiar with me.
Syrmom glad to hear the scan was ok, I hope everyone gets some good news this week.
Mmt I have a metallic taste, and can't really taste food. I made dinner too salty the other night and would have put more in if I didn't ask my husband to taste it, lol. So far for me Taxol is much better than AC for me. I will be getting # 7 on Friday and these last 2 weeks I've actually felt ok. It's a lil creepy actually, makes me wonder if they have just been giving me pre-meds
. Hope it's gentle on you!0 -
I did get decent news today! Chest CT showed stability, slight regressions and no new lesions in lungs or chest wall or bone they could see in that set of images. PHEWY! I will take it. Tumor markers, CA15-3 were 78 at dx in April, and are down to 45 now. Its only one indicator, but it happens to be correlating with the state of things seen in CT scan.
Jules and MMTA, I get an offensive, strong metallic garbage-y taste in my mouth starting the day of chemo, eventually fading by about day six, only to get chemo again the next day. Yucky. At its worst, I have trouble with food tastes. Usually its not obliterating most tastes, just affecting them noticeably.
Sin, I sleep thru chemo too. The premeds are strong enough to almost put me out. Or I am swayed by set and setting and just think they do. Ironically, after about chemo # 7 I felt like they skipped everything, because I felt so normal afterwards. I called and asked about it and they laughed at me( imagine!) and said it was the normal mixture. Interesting. That was not as dramatic the next sessions.
I will be maintained on Taxol, the onc said, for another three months and scanned again. She will stop it if I get too much neuropathy or blood levels that are too low. Eye exam again in a month, chest CT in three months, at this point. Taxol world for another season anyway. Meanwhile the wigs I have get custom cuts on Friday, and they will be ready to use if I need them. At the rate the hair is falling, that will be fairly soon.
Nighty night!
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Woohoo! Mameme, I hope you poured yourself a glass of champagne and are celebrating!! I'm a firm believer that in this battle you need to celebrate every victory, from smallest to biggest! Hell, I'm celebrating for you!! I don't have any champagne but I do have wine.
Mmtagirl, I have the metallic bland taste unfortunately. Food has been ruined for me and it's just finding what I can tolerate to eat better than others.
Jhodro, talk to your doc about getting some Seroquel. My psychiatrist gave me that for sleep (back before chemo fatigue) and it knocks me right out. She says that psychiatrists love prescribing it for sleep because it's not habit forming like the anti-anxiety meds (Xanax and Ativan) and sleep meds especially and has no bad side effects really. I use to take Ambien and it stopped working for me but the Seroquel has always worked.
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Mameme - Good news from the Doctor. It is time to celebrate. I will celebrate with a rice pudding.
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Thanks, SinSin! I will definitely ask.
And same for me, food just doesn't taste the same (if at all) so I want salt salt salt and bread, cheese. That's about it. I usually make a smoothie once or twice a week, because of the D, I hesitate to eat too much fruit. Fortunately I've been able to keep up with walking generally, so I haven't gained additional weight since the 20 or so pounds I put on during the course of the 3 surgeries I had!!
Congrats Mame!! Excellent news!!
And, I wish I could celebrate with a glass of wine or some other form or liquor, however, it burns all the way down to the tummy, so it's not really worth it at this point! I will raise a glass of icy water up in your honor!!
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Thank you all for the kind, supportive toasts! I have also cut down on alcohol due to taste and a sensitive stomach. I know it may help with reducing inflammation, too, so that motivates me as well. Now rice pudding, there's a toast! Yum.
I heard from Soc. Security yesterday, and am really relieved to know that there is a way to have a check monthly from now on. My short term leave is ending soon, and I was unsure of what else I was eligible for. Maybe I can actually retire now, and focus on my physical conditioning and some other pursuits that can be done according to energy levels. I am 63, so was not planning on retirement til at least 66 to 70. Things are so different now, and I want to make the most of what time I have left before I get affected by the cancer itself, and or by treatments that may be harsher than weekly Taxol.
Brigadoon, you were up in the wee hours last night? Are you ok?
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Mameme - I think it was the steroids and maybe the fitful nap I took when I got home. Sitting always makes my legs restless and as we all know treatment days are sitting days. Two soaking baths and some housework and some mid and some Ambien I finally fell asleep around 3:30 AM. Hate those nights!!!
If you start collecting at your age it takes about 15 years before you lose money. Can you collect on your husband's first? If you can then you can declare on your own at 70 or even 66. Just make sure they explain all of that.
I discovered retirement was my true calling and I made money by not having on gas, lunches, shopping, contributing to everyone's cause, clothes, make-up AND I lost weight. It was really a win win. With FB you can still stay current with the work friends you care about and don't feel isolated.
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Way to go, MameMe; very happy for you!
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Hello neuropathy, goodbye eyebrows.......cancer can suck it!!!!!.....sigh
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Jules_NY- My eyebrows are going (almost gone), too. What number are you on? I have #5 on Monday...no neuropathy...yet.
Mameme- Excellent news! So happy for you!
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Eyebrows and eyelashes. I saw a medical study stating that Latrisse was being used to preserve eyebrows and eyelashes for cancer patients.
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I'm getting #7 as I type.
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say it ain't so, Jules! I was hoping to keep what I have left if brows and lashes with my last AC this past Tuesday. Taxol starts July 1
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I have 5 left to go and have nearly lost all my bottom lashes. LOL My top lashes still look good though and my brows aren't bad either. The brows have thinned out some but it doesn't look bad. I am hesitant of Latrisse as I have heard of some nasty side effects from it that can be permanent.
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I had taxol #5 yesterday. My lashes are fine, my brows are very thin. But the hair on my head is growing! Soft, fuzzy and white.
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