Weekly Taxol for Stage 4
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Anita,
I hope the AI's work for you. I took them after my primary DX and they are so much easier than chemo.
So far so good with my Xeloda but I have only had one cycle. I go in tomorrow for my bisphosphonate IV and pick up my tablets for the next cycle.
I am still keeping my fingers crossed that the neuropathy from the taxol will get better. There has been some improvement but it is definitely not gone.
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spring,
I also hope and pray the neuropathy takes a hike. A long one. You know, I have been on AI before, so...
Love across the miles,
Anita
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I am reading through posts I will never get caught up. Sometimes I am discouraged and don't know what to say so I just cruise. I am feeling that way now as my back/hip pain has been really acting up. I feel as if my onc is not paying attention to it. I am on my week off now and am going to be a little more insistent when I go next week.
I have a histamine reaction to opiates. They make me itch. Benadryl doesn't help and so I avoid them. It happens with Tramadol too, though I understand that is not an opiate. Maybe it still produces histamines.
Does anyone else have that problem?
If one more person tells me how good I look I may scream!!! My DH minimizes any problem I have by identifying with it as if it is just a normal part of aging (which it could be but I think not). I am tired of that too!
Moan and groan. (Sorry)
On the positive side, this is the most beautiful fall we have had in some time. Our weather has been getting warmer over the years and it has drawn the fall out so that we have dead leaves before the color comes on. Not this year.
Last night it rained all night so we missed the lunar eclipse BUT when I woke up this morning and looked outside this is what I saw.
(Benjinate - we don't live on a mountain but our property slopes down to Lake Champlain. The mountains in the distance are the Adirondacks in NY. Behind us are the Green Mountains which divide the State.)
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Brigadoon, beautiful to wake up to. I have only had one taxol treatment and feel pretty good. I have had to stomp my feet to get any other issue investigated, such as hip pain and constant diahrea. The hip turned out to be arthritis, and I have appointment with gastroenterologist on the 20th . I hope it's not cancer related, but in any case, need it fixed, it is messing up my life I am afraid to leave the house aLmost every day hopefully I will get some relief
Hope your issues are tended to and that you will feel better Wilsie
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taxol peeps
Brigadoon
Love the colors we don't get those beautiful colors in the desert
I want to let you newbies know taxol is a good chemo I am on number 11 next week number 12 finish in December my TM have dropped and my initial problem of kidney failure has resolved almost normal Hang in there my crash day is tomorrow day 3 never give up there are options for us be strong keep on
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Anita, I do hope the AIs work and you don't have to go back onto chemo. I presume they are going to scan again in a couple of months to see how it is working.
Wilsie, I hope the gastroenterolgist can find an answer to your diarrhea. The taxol can make it worse. I had a lot of it on my first 6 cycles but my body seemed to adjust to it after that and things improved.
diana, Hope you got plenty of rest yesterday (crash day). One of my chemo nurses tried to tell me that my bloods were at their lowest on Day 6. I was at my worst on day 4. It was always a complete write off. Good news on the kidney function.
Brigadoon, I do think that when you are in pain your thoughts become more negative. Do you have a palliative care specialist you can talk to about pain management? I have had good pain relief with naproxen, an anti-inflammatory. It is my 'turn to' medication when my pelvic and spine mets are playing up. I am allowed to take up to 1000mg a day with no more than 500mg taken in a single dose. My doctors let me adjust my dose according to how I am feeling. I have paracetamol, tramadol and oramorph in the medicine cabinet, too. I have never touched the oramorph but have taken the tramadol on a few occasions. I steer clear of the codeine based meds as they give me bad constipation. I've never had a problem with itchy skin from my meds.
Please keep the photos coming. I do look forward to seeing the changing colours.
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Brigadoon - beautiful pics. Soon you will be showing us winter pics. I have mixed feelings on that
I hope your pain is lessening for whatever reason this weekend. I'm glad you see the Onc this week.Diana - So happy for you on Taxol. One question, why are you done in December? I don't leave Taxol until it stops working, even if it goes on longer than a year or two (please let that be, lol!) Maybe I missed something from your earlier posts, just curious.
My crash day is tomorrow afternoon into Monday. I always make dinner in the morning then have the best afternoon nap ever. Bummer its a Sunday though. Sometimes there are some nice festivals and events going on and I just can't do it. Wishing everyone a good weekend!
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good morning, all,
Spring, thanks for your friendship, I, too, am hoping for good results on the AI, and that your weekend is a good one.
I know there are fall festivals going on, but I can't get to them. On a better note, I was taken to lunch at a local tea room/bakery earlier this week by some ladies I had enjoyed singing in the choir with. Really enjoyed the chat over memories. Oh, but then our well pump went out, left my DH fully lathered in the shower without any water to rinse with! Three days later we were back in business. I did cancel a visit from one of my 5 sisters plus bil. Too much going on here. Our son worked diligently with and for me on my pension paperwork. I invited him in but it still was a challenge. Would love a 9 hour car ride back home to visit with not just family but our baby sis has flown in from Seattle! There was a day where I would not miss this for the world. Now it takes a village plus no one has a home without stairs.
Love across the miles,
Anita
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Anita, What a pain to not have any water for three days! We had a water supply main go a few years back and were not reconnected for 4 days. It is amazing how much you rely on something as simple as water pumped into your home. Our water company provided bottled drinking water that we had to collect form the church car park and a water bowser for water to use when washing. Sounds like you had a good time with your friends from choir.
Diana, I wondered the same as Benjinate. Why are you stopping in Dec? I would still be on it if it had carried on working for me.
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hi taxol peeps
pretty much spent yesterday in bed resting; when i started the taxol i really didn't have stomach ache or big D but the last couple of taxols have been affecting my intestines. blah. it only lasts one day. today is much better; however, i think there is some kind of accumulative affect the more chemo we get. this coming wednesday is taxol 12. it seems to take me longer to recover on the off week too. not complaining; as the taxol is really working right now for that i am grateful. i chuckle looking at my white "duck fluff" for hair. so soft; everyone wants to touch my head. cracks me up.
laura...;my mets showed up august 2012. i had almost 2 years on letrozole/zometa before the mets on my ureters and kidneys. because i responsed so quickly to taxol (within two infusions...saved my ass from kidney stents) my onc and i am hoping for remission/NED after 6 months on taxol. maybe move me back to AI. it all depends on TM;s and i will have scan after 6 months to see what is there. but, my markers just really dropped. i can tell the cancer (tumor burden ) is less as i don';t feel sick like i did before when my kidneys were failing and my belly was full of cancer. the only icky feeling i have now is from the taxol on my down days. so, like with anything; you really never know. i live in the moment; and when things are good; i say to myself "right now things are good" but also know stuff can change very very fast. i think that is the hard part.
i live in the desert;' and we have finally cooled off. our summers are miserable with the high temps (115+) for three months. snowbirds from colder parts of the US are starting to arrive...our desert is empty all summer and then once snowbirds start to come in we get very busy around here. lol
at any rate;' best to all. yogurt seems to help settle digestive issues .
diana
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Hi Ladies! Thanks Spring and Benjnate for your thoughts. I wrapped up the rads and the first round of chemo, Taxol and Xeloda, and it knocked me flat on my arse. When I went for round 2 of chemo, I was sent home because all my blood counts were below the minimums! No wonder I was so wiped out! I started the 2nd round now, and Doc is dropping the dosage on the Xeloda part, so we will see how this round goes. I'm officially bald, but with all that I have going on, hair is the least of my worries. Right now, I'd trade hair for energy. I'm wearing the "buffs" that were suggested on another thread, on my bald head. I may get a lavender wig (why not have some fun with it) and only because I can't stand pink! Hope everyone is having a good weekend!
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skylotus I'm sorry to hear you had a rough time with the Xeloda/taxol combo. Hopefully they can get the dose sorted so you have a better time next round.
I went to a friends wedding on the weekend and passed out during the vows. A ambulance was called and I spent the evening in A&E instead of enjoying myself at the reception. So disappointed
I saw my oncologist today and they can see no reason for the fainting. I've never done it before, I'd eaten, it wasn't hot, my bloods are fine so who knows. I'm still not quite right. A bit light headed and nauseous but hopefully that will settle soon. They are going to add a head CT to my next lot of scans just incase but think most likely its a viral infection. Hope everyone else is going well. It's been pretty quite lately. I'm off to Taxol 55 tomorrow morning.
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Skylotus sorry you have been laid low by your chemo combo. I am interested that your doctor has decided to drop the dose of Xeloda. I have found I am more fatigued on Xeloda than I was on taxol. I hope the reduced dose helps.
Shazza, what a disappointment to have missed the wedding reception. I bet you caused a bit of drama! I hope your symptoms pass soon and you feel better. The whole thing must have been very unsettling.
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Shazza, so sorry to hear about your experience, how disappointing & scary!!! Damn. However, glad to hear you are on the mend from whatever it was.
On another note, your new pic shows a head full of hair, wow!! Good for you.
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having round 3 taxol now how long do you think before hair starts falling out? I am ready, still have head gear from the last time.
Shazza, Sky, sorry you aren't feeling well I am just soooo tired finally have gastro dr this afternoon, maybe he can fix something
Wilsie
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shazza cute hair Sorry you passed out at the wedding BTW taxol can give you low blood pressure and also lower magnesium levels in your body magnesium regulates heart and muscles last week my level was dangerously low and I was given IV magnesium Now I take slow mag (over the counter) I would ask if they check your magnesium levels
Wilsie once your scalp starts to tingle your hair is going to come out Mine started 2 infusion but after 3 when I showered it was coming out in handfuls then I had it shaved now I have taxol hair white and very sparse and fluffy lol
This is my week off my stomach has been bothering with DiareahhA . Glad to have a week off everyone take care
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Hi all, I had taxol no 44 & zometa yesterday, flu jab today and am flattened. Scans in 3 weeks time and anxiety is bubbling up as pain and fatigue have been increasing but then again it could just be the cumulative effects of taxol and that i'm becoming immune to my current dose of painkillers. Oh how I wish there was some instantaneous way of tracking how we are doing instead of watching and waiting.
Shazza, hope you're feeling better now and that no 55 went well for you. Did they check your magnesium levels? Btw are you having taxol fortnightly or is it still weekly? Forgive me, my memory is gone.
Spring, sorry to hear about your fatigue. That is so hard. I hope you have help.
Hugs
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I'm didn't get my magnesium checked but I do take a magnesium supplement so I would have thought my levels were ok. My blood pressure has always sat at about 110/70 and that was what it was when the ambulance guys took it. The oncologist I saw on Monday is pretty relaxed about things as am I but my lead oncologist has decided I need a head CT as soon as possible so Im having that today.
Everyone seems to be worn out and so am I. Here's hoping we all feel better by the week end. I've got a day off today and the scans not till 1 so I am being soooo lazy today
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Good luck with your scan, Shazza! Lazy is good!
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scan over with so just the waiting game now, my least favourite part. I'm sure everything is fine but you know that scan anxiety. It's a long holiday weekend here so either way it will be Tuesday before I hear anything. A long shift at work today then 3 days off. Yay I may do absolutely nothing
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I have logged on a couple of times in order to post but I still have my grandson visiting and he is very time consuming.
Shazza, good luck with your scan results and enjoy your 3 day break. I hope you can push the scan anxiety the background and enjoy your Labour Day. If you put taxol and fainting into the forum search engines, there are a couple of other people who experienced what you had.
Wilsie, My hair came out on a similar time frame to Diana's. Between treatments 2 and 3 it started shedding and before the 4th treatment I shaved it off. By that time I didn't have enough left for a good comb over.
Aoibheann, I do so hope they can give you some help with your pain medication. Good luck with your scans.
I wear scarf if I feel the top I have on will show my port. Some people stare, they can't help it. Anyway, I met a friend for coffee last week and she spotted it and said I had a bad bruise on my chest. I replied that it was my port. She looked at me blankly. You went with me when I had it put in. Still no reaction. You asked to look at it when I came back from the radiology OR. The lights finally came on. I may have to cut her loose. Her constant questions are wearing me down. I still have to explain to her on a regular basis that I will not be cured and why. Good example, she asked when I was finishing chemo. Just once, I would like to have a cup of coffee that didn't involve a discussion about my health.
Got to go now and find the vacuum cleaner. My daughter has taken my grandson out and I have the opportunity to clean floor.
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Hi everyone - Just checking in. This week is my 'off' week from Taxol and I seem to lie around more on that week, I guess my body is just catching up. I've been reading through the posts, it does seem like we all are feeling a little tired and run down. I'm going on a overnight trip with 6 women and we leave tomorrow morning and come home Sunday around dinner. I've been looking forward to this for so long, but I could easily sleep all day I think. Brigadoon, come out of hiding girlfriend, and share with us what is going on. You had an Onc appt as you weren't feeling well? I know a few on here are waiting for test results - scanxiety - the worst. Here in PA, the weather is supposed to be in the low 60's and pretty. Wishing all of you nice weather and relaxing weekends!
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Heading out to get my head shaved. What's left of my hair actually hurts, like it's been in a tight pony tail .i am lucky that it's cool now, and I won't be so hot in wigs and hats Wilsie
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I had forgotten what it's like to go in public bald with scarf on . Surprisingly, people looked me in the eye, smiled, and gave a short greeting . I went to mall to get eyebrow stencil, and had sort of put it off, but felt just fine. Maybe it is my attitude, but I don't remember it being this easy. Now on the hunt for more head gear!
Wilsie
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Glad it all went well wilsie. I went everywhere but work bald and found it a pretty positive experience. I go to a lot of music gigs and got a lot of people coming up to chat. I also enjoyed not having to worry about having my colour touched up and all the drama that goes with women's hair. Having said that I quite like my new short white hair do. I'm just not going to get too attached to it as I'm sure some other chemo will take it away in the future
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Your hair looks great, wish mine did, although it's the least of my worries. Good luck with the scan results, the waiting is the hardest part.
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I am not brave enough for completely bald, even though I have been told my head has a nice shape I did go to Sephora to get eyebrow stencils, and I have to say it makes a huge difference to have brows. I have never worn much makeup, so need lessons . Since I don't have to fool with my hair, I will work on my brows!
Shazza, if I ever get hair again, it will remain short and white, like yours you look great.
Wilsie
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I chuckle people tell me my head has a nice shape. What does that mean? Lol
The white fluffy hair is rather interesting. Three people I know are on taxol and we all look the same. I am thinking of shaving the sides and letting the white fluff continue to grow. No eyebrows or lashes haven't checked out options for eyebrows
I wear baseball cap wherever I go. I have a lot of people at the grocery store always wanting to help me.
I have taxol #13 this Wednesday. Hit the wall after the last one. Body aches; feel like crap. My week off is spent trying to recover to go again. Food tastes bad. This isn't easy; the more you do the harder it gets. Reminds me of TAC back in 2002
Thinking about taxol peeps. Hang in I hope days get better. You all do well good scans and blood work . This is hard stuff . Yes it is
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Diana I don't know if this will make you feel better but I found taxol very tiring to start with. They had only thought i would do 18 weeks and then when I didn't have neuropathy decided to press on. I remember thinking i won't be able to get out of bed if I do this for much longer. But then I guess my body just got used to it because things settled down. The fatigue while still there isn't nearly as bad at 55 weeks as it was at 18. I'm happy to take the fatigue if it keeps me stable. I wish I knew the longest anyone has stayed on taxol so I could aim to beat it
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Thanks Shazza for the insight. The taxol just got really hard the last cycle. My # 14 is Wednesday and we go again. The neuropathy had started but I see my onc Wednesday 👍 and I am going to ask her to increase my cymbaltA from 30 mg to 60 mg. Makes sense that the body can adjust to the taxol the more you do . Thank you
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