Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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schoolcounselor, good to hear from you and that things are going in the right direction. I was just thinkin g of you yesterday and wondering how you were doing.
I have just finished rads #9 today and got my port removed this morning! I am a bit tired now...I had twilight sedation, but my BS nurse told me it would be a local anesthetic. Gheez. BP was kind of slow to come back up and they gave me a little oxygen, but all went well. Glad to have that over with! RO says Miaderm or California Baby-they both contain Calendula.
Have a little dull pain now and then from rads but nothing really; slight pink sometimes, but it goes away.
Looking forward to the week-end. Kids/grandkids coming over tomorrow to celebrate my b-day. My DD reminds me it's my last year in the 50's, but that's okay by me! "My next 30 yrs!"
Have a great week-end ladies. What a crazy ride! Glad to be on the ride with wonderful people like you!
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KeeptheFaith - Happy Birthday. I LOVED turning 60. To me it meant I'd earned it, I deserved it, and I could do pretty much whatever I wanted.
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Keepthefaith....Happy birthday; enjoy those kids (and the cake!)
So now a week after chemo #2 I seem to be developing very painful heels, maybe blisters all over my heels. Anyone else suffer this? If so, what did you/they do about it? Thanks!
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jmg58 - Sorry you have developed that side effect. I have read a few times on these boards that some develop what is known as "Hand Foot Syndrome" on this chemo regimen although the info I have read indicates that otherwise. Here is a link to the bco.org main website on this syndrome.... http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/hand_foot_synd . Hopefully, that info will help you. You may want to contact your onco about this side effect to see if he/she has suggestions on how to make this more bearable.0 -
Thanks for the birthday wishes. Had a great time! My DS and DIL announced that they are expecting their second child at the end of November! Whoo-hoo!
I hope you all are feeling good.
I am ready to kick this BC to the curb!
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Thank you melrose, melrose. The nurse practitioner told me to apply cream vs. lotion....wear white socks covering it all up at night. So far it hasn't done that much good, but its only been 2 nights. Went back to work yesterday and today for first days since first chemo on 3/13. Felt good to be normal, but now I remember how much I HATE THAT JOB. They're supposed to be paying me long-term disability thru an outside company but instead used up all my vacation time. I have to use a $1500 ticket I had to Europe by September (that's when I first got sick last year). I had three weeks saved up and now it's gone and so's what I was looking forward to when this was finally all over. You know what? If I get an all clear two months after treatment, like July or August: I QUIT. SCREW EM.
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jmg58- Hope you start feeling better soon. Ugh.... on the job situation. I'm sure you will figure out what to do and when the time is right to make an exit. Hang in there!!!!
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Anyone on TC have trouble with headache on infusion day? I had my first infusion today and have a headache that won't quit. They talked to me about a lot of side effects but not this (that I remember with my stress brain). No nausea, or anything else….just a metal fast in my mouth.
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Nana - I didn't have a headache but I'm sure someone else will pop up. Do note though that you can have different SEs each separate infusion. Good luck going forward.
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Thank you MinusTwo.
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Nana, I had my first infusion on Tuesday but did not have a headache. However, today which is day 4 I cannot bend over to pick up something without getting a very painful headache at the top of my head that pierces my scalp. When I stand up straight the pain goes away. Wondering if this might be the start of the hair fall out?
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mmta - hair loss usually happens sometime around day 16.
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I did not experience headaches, but my sister-in-law did. They slowed down the infusion and that stopped them....something to ask about?
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So glad I found this topic.... I start my first C/T chemo a week from today. A bit nervous but ready to get this going. I guess the most thing I'm nervous about is getting sick (I hate throwing up!!!). Onco says this combo is a 'well-tolorated' type. I work full-time and only plan on taking off the days I have my infusions (every 3 weeks). Any comments on others and how it went or how its going during chemo and working?
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yes1924, I finished 4 TC's on Feb 11th. I tolerated it very well. I am self-employed so worked around my appts and "bad days". I found that days 4-8 after chemo were the worst for me, in terms of achiness, fatigue, etc. I never had nausea, but had heartburn after #3. Whatever SE's you do experience, be sure to tell your MO right away, so you can stay ahead of them. Most of them will probably be very minor, but when you have 5 minor SE's at the same time, they may seem major!!!:). There will be many people here that can help you through whatever you experience. I found that my fears were worse than the reality. Make sure you get plenty of rest and stay hydrated! Eat small meals/snacks throughout the day. Stay away from spicey and acidic foods, at least until you know how well you will tolerate them. Try to stay active, but don't over-do it. Good luck!
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marley - Thanks for bringing up the slow down. I'd forgotten that slowing down the infusions helps with many SEs. I always did 90 minutes for the taxotere and 60 for the others. I've now moved on to Herceptin only and insist that the infusion is given over 90 minutes. Some do 30 or 60 minutes but I have much less joint pain with a slower infusion.
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Received third TC on Wednesday. Did have headaches first infusion from steroids and probably the chemo. Took tylenol and ibuprofen which helped some. First infusion brought severe bone pain in legs about three days out, requiring narcotics for pain control. Haven't had that as severely since, thank goodness. Both times, about a week out got severe sinus congestion. Now using Nasacort daily hoping to lessen this SE for next week and my last infusion. Have some tolerable GI issues day 1-3. Taste is really off 1st week. Use mints. No nausea or throwing up ever. Working full time? Might plan on days off third, fourth, and fifth day after infusion if you can. Good luck everyone. XOXO
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Hi, all....been laying low trying to get myself together. Ugh. Lovebeingnana, I did not ever have a headache that I can remember after the infusion (although I've had a lot of other things). Ready for #3 on Thursday, sort of. I'm really nervous about this one for some reason; I feel like I didn't bounce back so well this time and I am really worried about the heart/breathing issues. That was really bad for about 6 days after #2. If it gets worse than that, I'll end up back in the ER, so I'm hoping it doesn't.
Yes, 1924, welcome. Even though I've had some SE, chemo still hasn't been as bad as I feared and the wonderful people here have been a real Godsend for advice and comfort. I can tell you I have NEVER been nauseous, except from nerves...not from chemo. I only took a nausea pill once the day after first infusion just because I thought I was supposed to. Have eaten spicy foods, too....that doesn't seem to bother me which is good because I'm totally hooked on having some salsa every day!
Going in for pre-chemo fluids on Monday; hoping it'll carry me through. Wishing all those celebrating Easter this weekend a lovely day....it's supposed to be 75 degrees and sunny here in Chicago! Wow! I cant remember an Easter that nice in years!
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Thanks so much ladies, headache was better today and overall I was ok today. A couple bouts of dizziness but I think that was because I hadn't eaten in a while….I have to do better with that. I use don't really have an appetite.
mmtagirl sometimes I have pain like that when I have sinus congestion/headache.
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Welcome to those who are still in chemoland!!! You will get through this time even though at times, you will wonder if you will. You are not alone and keep posting questions and letting us know how you are doing. Don't hesistate to come here because there is always someone who has been this way before, ready to give you some encouragement.
As for the eating and loss of appetite or your taste buds go on vacation, I know it isn't easy to keep eating. Try to view eating as fuel and nutrition for your body which is necessary to help heal your body and give you energy. I used two cookbooks which helped me through chemo..... Eating Well Through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD and The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz. The first one had menus, recipes, shopping lists and tips on how to handle certain side effects. The second has some good recipes and pics. I went out to eat and did not eat every meal at home. I'm so glad that my onco said it was okay for me to do that because I think I would have gone nuts eating at home all of the time. Just remember if you do go out, avoid buffets and to those "help yourself" condiment bars.
Wishing each of you still in chemoland the best.
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yes1924 - FYI: I used to have my chemo on Tuesdays and felt fine Wednesday and Thursday. Friday was the day that I would feel the downhill slide and would recover over the weekend. By Monday, I was feeling fine. Make sure you take your anti-nausea meds on schedule with plenty of water and food. You will want to hydrate the day before chemo so that your veins are plump and ready to go. It is fine to eat breakfast before you go to chemo since the pre-chemo IV drugs are tolerated better with food in your tummy. The infusion nurses prefer to give you those drugs when you have food on your stomach rather than on an empty stomach since those drugs can cause nausea on their own. As for getting nausea, let's keep our fingers crossed that you will be fortunate like some of us have been and had no or minimal nausea. In the event the anti-nausea meds that your onco prescribes for you don't work, you just need to call your onco. Don't be afraid to call if it is after hours or on the weekends; there should be an onco available to help you 24/7.
During the infusion, make sure you continue to hydrate by drinking ice water/sucking on ice. The ice will help prevent possible mouth sores from the chemo. I don't know if you are planning to ice your fingernails/toe nails. If you are and not sure what to do, let me know and I will repost some info I previously have posted.
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Thank you so much MelroseMelrose, I love this thread and over the last few weeks have read all of it! You are such an inspiration and such a help….I am so thankful!! Headaches have by far been my worst SE. Today is the first day Tylenol has been able to help. This is day 4.
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LovebeingNana- You may want to call your onco and let him/her know about that headache. Make sure at the next infusion that you tell your onco and the infusion nurses about the headache so the infusion time can be slowed down. Here is a link to chemocare.com website section on drugs which was founded by the former Olympic ice skater and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton which you may find helpful http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/default.aspx . I found that website as well as the main BCO.org website helpful. You may also want to see if the anti-nausea drugs or the pre-chemo IV drugs are causing your headache. The website drugs.com has info about each medication you are taking and you can look up each drug to see what the side effects of each drug. Also here is a link to a prior chemo discussion thread you may want to read.... http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/735089?page=1#idx_4 .
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Thank you all who responded to my post and all the good advice. I will definatley keep reading through all these posts and will update as my chemo journey begins.
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Hello everyone. I was thinking about all of you today and wanted to say hello and see how everyone is doing. As some of you know, I finished chemo early February. I finished radiation April 1 as I was in a trial of higher doses of rads for 4 weeks rather than 6. Wednesday, my port will be removed.
Yesterday, I walked my first mile and a half since my cancer dx. Not exactly Rocky, but I was happy. My hair is slowly sprouting though I still wear a headscarf out most of the time. I am hoping to have enough hair by my daughter's college graduation May 10 to go without a hat or scarf. I still feel tired, at times, and have a few other subtle side effects, but am really feeling better. Most of the effects seem to be cognitive. I notice I make more mistakes, am more forgetful, and can deal with limited stress, but am hoping that too will begin to improve. All and all, I can feel myself moving out of the darkness. I know that bc is stealth and I know it can return, but for now, I am good. I guess this is my way of saying that there is hope and to hang in there, please. I am thinking of you. Love, momat927
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mona927, what good news and what a lovely post. I hope you continue to feel stronger each day and are walking a marathon soon! "-) I appreciate your post...I have my third treatment Thursday and am really dreading this one for some reason. I have undefined issues that need to be addressed after the chemo is over, too, but glad to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continued success and health to you.....thanks for posting!
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jmg58, Hello! I remember dreading each treatment and toward the end, the third and fourth, dreading even more. It is understandable. I remember feeling a bit more in control as I knew what to expect I thought and then new side effects surfaced and surprised me. In other words, dreading your third is pretty normal I believe. Still, I found I could handle certain parts of the side effects better than I imagined. Other side effects, well, I did it though not always as grace under fire. Bottom line: Just know your experience is very normal. You mentioned "undefined" issues. I don't want to pry, but I learned that this site helped to clarify even the most atypical situations for me. I am glad I visited here again to check in. I remember when I was most terrified. This site was my life boat. Good luck, momat927
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Well its been three weeks and next week is when I go in for blood work and find out if I am cancer free or at least responded well to treatment. I did have a question my hair how long does it take to grow back? I am noticing new growth but, its slow. Also did any of your leg, arm hair come back? Just wondering. I have noticed it hasn't come back. I will let you know how next week goes.
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ccduke, my last Chemo was 2/11. I noticed hair growth towards the end of March. It is just now filled in on my head where I don't have bald spots. I am post-meno, so never had much hair anywhere else anyway. I am anxious to get rid of the wig and scarves, too. Seems like it's taking forever! I guess my hair is about 1/4" long now. My goal is to go "topless" by the first of June, unless I am meeting with a client; then, I will wear my wig. I hope you get good news on your blood work!
I hope the rest of you are able to enjoy the week-end with few SE's! Hang in there:)
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A big thanks for this thread. I survived my first TC tx yesterday with no issues. I had a very slight headache at the end, but that went away soon. The only SE I have had so far (besides not sleeping) is heartburn/reflux. I see others have dealt with it, even though it may not be the most common SE.
Tums didn't help much. I took a Pepcid at 4am, it gave relief and worked pretty well. Called in today and the nurse recommended OTC Prilosec, which she said is stronger than Pepcid. If I need more, they will write a script for something else.
Thought I'd add this to this thread, since I was surprised by how annoying this SE is. And, even though it is mentioned, it's easy to forget what all might come at you when you've been doing all the last minute cramming for Chemo Prep
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