Weekly Taxol for Stage 4
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Pat...wishing you the best of luck. I don't know about Herceptin, but I found Navelbine very doable. Big hugs!
Robin
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I was on Taxol for 8 weekly infusions. I never completely lost my hair.I did have a lot of diarrhea in the beginning.The fatigue was worse on the 3rd day out. My mo changed me to Abraxane indefinitely because of the neurothopy and dark finger and toe nails. I will be on it for a while according to my mo.
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Just catching up after a 2 week family vacation. Lots of fun but I am exhausted. Sounds like lots of changes going on. I wish everyone well with new treatments. I have a pet scan tomorrow's s chemo Wednesday. Back to the grind. Will do more catching up this week. Have missed you all.
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welome back Glenna!
Robin
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OMG, I just typed a book and lost it all! Hate when that happens. Tried to navigate to another page so I could respond to everyone's recent posts and lost it all. Drats! Anyway, I'll try again but this will definitely be shorter! Thanks Robin, for the welcme home. It is always good to be back in my own bed. Had a PET scan this a.m. and anxiously awaiting results. Thank goodness I'll see the oncologist tomorrow so don't have to stress out too long.
Had a wonderful beach week with my sister, her three granddaughters, my grandson, and a niece. Then we left my grandson behind (he was definitely not interested in Justin Bieber's hometown) and went to Niagra Falls and London and Stratford, Ontario. Saw Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Festival and did all touristy things related to Niagra Falls. Lots of beautiful pictures Hoping my sis and I helped the kids make some memories to treasure. Thankful that I have that chemo free week to plan fun activities.
Did notice how very white my hair has become when I looked at pictures. It was a much darker gray after taxotere. Glad to be here, though, so not complaining. Did have to take my best friend, imodium, with me on the trip but other than that (and fatigue) no SE's interrupted my great time! I am blessed to have a wonderful sister! Posting this before I lose it again!! Hugs, Glenna0 -
Welcome back Glenna - so hoping your pet scan will bring you good news!! Sounds like you had a great trip - I know what you mean, you come back exhausted, but would not have missed a moment!! I have 2 older sisters that I just adore - whatever I need, they'll see I have, they are great venting boards, just don't often join my pity parties - which makes them less attractive, parties with no one else there just aren't parties! We wind up laughing about my latest party, which is a good thing. They both have medical backgrounds so are a huge help with se and solid info etc. We're all going to be up in Johannesburg for Christmas together this year, which is so cool - my Jhb sister has 3 daughters and 4 (soon to be 5) grandkids, who are just lovely. So that's another big treat to look forward to.
I started a migraine on the trip through to chemo yesterday, so had chemo on top of that - it's always something - did someone say that someone who has a history of migraines will get them more often on Taxol? That's certainly been the case for me. So it's noon, and I'm in my bed - cold and wet outside, so my electric blanket and 2 dogs and I are all snuggled together, just lovely. Am feeling so exhausted, my head is thick, still sore and stooopid. Am a bit nauseous, and had a birthday breakfast for a dear friend that I didn't want to miss. Got some scrambled egg and toast down - my mouth is also inflamed and sore. But the company was good, just 4 of us, close friends. My friends are also a great support and comfort to me. Bryan (birthday boy) has nicknames for me - my surname is Schwartz and he calls me Schwartzenegger. The lastest one is Bigger C - and he seems to do this just when I need a pick up and it does make me remember, "I can do this", which is also my new mantra.
I'm jabbering on - that's the steroids - make me into a total motormouth! I'm going to have a massage tomorrow morning, which is always such a treat. I have a friend who is excellent and she gives me good rates, or we barter - I do sewing for her, she gives me massages.
I only have 4 more Taxols to go, will finish beginning of August, and my body has just taken such a beating. Since last May I've had 3 months without treatment of one kind or another. Am looking forward to a break after the Taxol, my body needs it, and my mind! I shouldn't complain cos so many have had years of chemo, but if there is one place I feel comfortable complaining is right here, cos you've all been here.
So my plan for today is sleep - have a good book to read, tho I know whatever I read now, I'll just have to read again tomorrow, chemo brain.
Hugs and strength to all
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Well, it's 3:35 a.m. so you know I'm experiencing the steroid high! Would love to get some sleep. Have taken 3 clonazepam and NOTHING. Looks like an all nighter. Thank goodness I don't have to get up and do anything special tomorrow.
The PET scan results weren't as good as I had hoped but could've been worse. Onc says the lung tumor is stable with insignificant progression. He's always pretty optimistic but it looks to me like the tumor has doubled. Having a CT scan next Wednesday to more fully analyze the size. Still, no sign of measureable metastatic activity anywhere else so I am thankful for that.
I am also really thankful that my SE's have been so mild. Still have hair, though thinned, no migraines (thankfully), neuropathy that hasn't gotten too much worse, diarrhea which i can control with imodium. Mostly the fatigue and someone said 3rd day .... that's about right. I think I crash from the steroid high on day 3. I feel for those of you who suffer so much from the treatment. I'm praying my onc leaves me on it.
Well, too much jabbering going on so I will close, try to close my eyes, and get some sleep. Yeah, right!!0 -
Glenna, did you have mx, lumpectomy ? What is the size and location of your bc?
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Macyhen, had two lumpectomies back in 1987. They didn't get clear margins either time so had the right mastectomy. Chemo protocol then was an experimental protocol out of Hopkins. 16 treatments in 16 weeks. Kept me cancer free for 20 years. Also took tamoxifen and evista for about 5 years each. In may of 2008 during a routine check up and ct scan, they found the breast cancer in my right lung. I had cancer in this lung in 1989 that was NOT breast cancer and had had the lower lobe removed. The PET scan from tuesday found SUV of 13.7 and 10.6. Compared to pet results a year ago of 6.2. I will be having a ct scan next Wednesday so they can more accurately measure the tumor. It has stayed right there in my right lung since 2008 and though I have pleural effusion and diminished lung volume, I get along pretty well. Stairs and vacuuming are rough but I can do lots of walking at my own pace (as long as I don't try to talk at the same time). LOL!
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Glenna good luck with the ct scan. Sounds like you had a great vacation,
Pat hope your trial works for you. Navelbine was the easiest chemo I've been on.
I 'm back in hospital with breathing problems. Fluid has built up again so getting it drained tomorrow. Worried at how quickly it has come back but have only had 3 doses of taxol so may need more time to work.0 -
Gail...sorry to hear you are back in the hospital. Hope the draining gives you some relief!
Hang in there!
Hugs
Robin
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Glenna - Hope all is well.
Gail - Hope you are feeling better this eve.
Luv
Aoibheann
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For those of you who aren't on the lung mets thread, wanted to share my great CT scan report .... stable, stable, stable. There was just the tiniest bit of growth since the last scan in March but the final impression was stable! Yeah! Worried a week since the PET scan showed larger tracer activity but my onc told me then that the CT scan was a abetter tool for measuring tumor size. So glad he ordered it so quickly or I would've been a wreck. So, happy days again!! Thanks for all your concern!
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Such good news, Glenna and it is good too that the oncologist was so quick to order the CT and give you the results (our imaginations are our own worst enemies).
I hope you do something to celebrate your good news.
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Awesome Glenna! So happy for you!
Robin
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So Happy for you Glenna!! I have my PET scan tomorrow morning, could you all keep me in your prayers. The last one I had showed mets. I have been on chemo since Dec. Hoping and praying for good results. Thanks, Cynthia
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Absolutely Cynthia! Scans are so nerve wracking! Sending prayers for a great scan tomorrow!
Robin
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Thank you RobinNy.
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Great news! Delighted for you, Glenna.
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Thanks for all the congratulatory wishes! I'm still feeling high from my good news (and the decadron). I need sleep!!
Cynthia, will be praying for good results from your scan as well!
Gail .... how are you doing??0 -
Glenna, good to hear you're still in a celebratory mood.
Cynthia fingers crossed for your scan. Hope chemo is working for you.
I've had the drain out and chemo yesterday so hoping to get home today.0 -
Thanks ladies for the well wishes. From your mouths to Gods Ears!!! :-)
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JillThut, what did they switch you to?
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Gail, hoping you got home today! After hospital time, there's no place like home!
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Gail, hope you're home and resting comfortably!
Robin
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Hey Glenna, have already commented to you and Gail on another thread, so ditto that. Hope you are at home now, Gail - I hate being in hospital!
You mention migraines, Glenna - I've been getting 1 or 2 a week - heard Taxol aggravates them if you do have a history of migraines? I get the classic aura in my eyes, and some days I can see this aura just under the surface and know it'll be a migraine soon, it's not nice.
Did you get the results of your PET scan yet Cynthia? Am so hoping you will get good news!
I shaved my hair off when it got too thin and patchy and it's growing back already. Hope it comes in thick and curly again! Only have 3 more chemo sessions left, can't wait to get to my chemo holiday!!
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No results yet. I talked to my blood drawer lady and she said the results are in. I will see my pcp in the am and my mo after that. I just wish I could get over this gloom and doom attitude. But it's hard when everyone that I know with cancer are having rough times. 2 are in hospice and 1 passed away today!!! Excuse my language but I HATE THIS EFFING DISEASE. OKAY that made me feel a little bit better, sigh.
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Carolben,
Someone else must have mentioned migraines .... I have been lucky and not had that problem. I have had a couple of migraines in my entire life and would NOT want to have them on a regular basis. I remember I wanted to die ....
It's funny .... I didn't lose my hair on taxol. It's thinned out some but I can do a combover in the back and cover the bald spot and then spray like heck to keep my hair in place. I did get another wig (now that my hair is white) but haven't used it yet. I lost my hair on taxotere but that was two years ago.
How long of a chemo break do you get? I've been on taxol since last December and onc has not mentioned a chemo break yet. I get lose dose, 3 weeks on, 1 week off.
Macyhen, gloom and doom is a natural place to be in this cancer world. You will have days that you will feel like crap and like you say, hate this effing disease. Then there will be days that you are feeling good, staying busy, and can actually forget about it for a while. Meanwhile, know you can come here and vent, anytime! We do get it!!0 -
Glenna, am also 3 weeks on, 1 off. We decided when they found the mets in my lungs to do 6 months of Taxol. My onc and I haven't even discussed what after that - think a lot depends on the ct scan results after the 6 month period (big duh!). My body is tired and I want to have a break from chemo. At the moment I feel like I don't care what they see in the scan, I don't want any more chemo this year. If it's spread or grown, it'll just have to wait for January for more chemo. Of course, I may change my mind, but right now, I'll wait to see what the scan shows.
Can you do Taxol more than once? I get so mixed up these days with my chemo brain, that I can't remember who said what, or even if I maybe dreamt it! But I seem to remember reading somewhere that Taxol is one of the few chemos that you can go back onto a second time?
Hang in there Maychen, hope you'll get good news. This bc really does suck - was in a coffee shop with a friend yesterday, and there were 4 of us with bc in there at one time. And this is a small town I live in!!
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Hey Glenna and Carol. I got the best news ever. My PET Scan came out great. I have no lesions and the mets I had in my right hip is GONE!!!! I am so thankful. My mo hugged and cried with me and my family when she gave us the results. No matter where this journey takes me that will always be a special moment in time to me that I will cherish. All I can say is Thank You Lord for this Blessing!!!
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