Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Rosie: I had Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin & Perjeta before recurrent surgery. There was not a complete response dissolving the tumors so after surgery I had Adriamycin/Cytoxan. Then rads. Now I'm back on Herceptin for the rest of the year. Ugh!! Hang in there. I visit this thread and the Taxotere thread.
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Rosiesride- My case went several times before the hospital tumor board. My case was presented when I was initially diagnosed and then at my 5th round of chemo to help determine and recommend whether I would have rads or not. Up to that point, I had been told at my first onco appointment that I would probably have the deluxe treatment plan-- a UMX, 6 rounds of chemo, radiation and Tamoxifen.
As for your questions about achiness and feeling like a Mac Truck just ran over you,...... yes.... the muscle aches and pains and joint pains are side effects of the chemo. If you are finding yourself a little winded and out of breathe, that also is a side effect of the chemo. I did notice that as I got further along with my chemo treatments, the more winded I got and got more easily tired. This was in part due to my red blood cell count continual decline. My RBC did not get so low that I required a blood transfusion. Instead, my onco told me to eat foods to help keep that count from declining further. That meant eating red meat, beans, iron enriched cereals, etc. Here is a link to the chemocare.org website ( http://chemocare.com/ ) which you can look up the chemo drugs you are taking. That website was founded by Scott Hamilton, the former Olympic ice skater and cancer survivor. That website along with the main BCO.org website have been very helpful to find out information about chemo. Does that pain go away....... yes it does. After you complete all of your chemo, your body can recover from the chemo. Although it will not be instantaneous, little by little, day by day, things do get better..... you move a little faster, you breathe a little better and generally feel better.
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I was glad to read your post melrosemelrose. I am two weeks out from #3 and still can't breathe well. Had fluids 3x already and am drinking 5-6 bottles of water a day. I am getting worried about #4, I picture myself not being able to breathe at all. Today I was winded from carrying my purse about a block from the hospital parking lot to visit my mother. Have to sit down after climbing stairs to second floor of condo; out of breath; racing heart. After #2 at this point I was fine and making desserts for Easter. Am really worried about #4...I am really afraid I won't be able to breathe at all to tell you the truth. I went in to doctor's two yesterday with this complaint and they didn't test my blood, rbc. At least I know they will before chemo Thursday.
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jmg58- As I recall, I saw my internist while I was still in chemoland since he wanted to check me out before he renewed my blood pressure medication. I think this was after my 3rd round of chemo that I had that appointment. I told him that I was out of breathe and seemed to need to stop and rest a lot more often. He took my vitals and decided to do a thyroid blood panel on me plus the regular CBC to see what was up. The blood work came back fine. My onco and all of the infusion nurses that i spoke to about this breathing issue told me that I was okay and that it was within the normal range. I have one flight of stairs in my house and I know there were days that it took me some time just get walk up the stairs. Take your time when moving around but keep moving around. The exercise even if it is a small walk helps the red blood cells reproduce. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well. with the next infusion. Just remember that the side effects are cumulative which means it is not surprising that you feel more tired and more winded. Hang in there.... !!!!!
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jmg, I've also notice a cumulative fatigue after each round. Where just going up a few stairs makes me really winded, even after the three weeks are over. My doctor said that is to be expected. Now that I'm done he said that it may be even a few months before I feel up to speed again. Just think, you have round #4 and then it will be OVER!!!
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shanitis,
it's a bummer, but it gets easier. Do the short haircut, also get some pretty scarves to tie. I ended up not using my wig, cuz it was soooo itchy. May the force be with you.
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jmg58, I had low stamina, shortness of breath, heavy legs and fatigue after #3 as well. Try not to over-do it! Take it easy...You will have to listen to your body. It is annoying and frustrating, but it will get better. It's not your new normal. If you can walk for just a few minutes, that will help get your energy back and make the chemo work through your system. Rest when you need to, keep hydrating and eating iron rich foods as well. I hope you feel better soon!
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jmg, Blood Builder helped me a lot during chemo. They are vegetable iron supplements you can take even with an empty stomach. It helped me with the shortness of breath and fatigue due to low RBC.
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Thank you all so much for your encouragement, reassurance and tips about this!
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Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend and minimal side effects!!!! Just remember your time in chemoland is brief even though it may not feel like it. Better days are ahead for each of you!!! HUGS!!!!
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ladies, a friend is having chemo and her plastic surgeon has scheduled her exchange a month after the last infusion. Mine was 58 days after the last infusion.
I am questioning that a month is too short of a period for her to be ready for surgery.
Can you tell me if a month is ok? How many days after your last infusion did you have the exchange?
Thank you in advance.
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Headeast- No recon here. I do recall having an onco appointment 3 weeks after my final round of chemo. I would think at that time, your friend should discuss the recon surgery with her onco and also have her blood counts checked to make sure she is physically at a point to have the surgery. If your friend thinks that she isn't ready for the exchange at that time, she should call the plastic surgeon and schedule it for later. When one feels too rushed, it is probably better to take a step back and ask for a time out so that the mind and body get in sync.
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Hi there!
Well, on Friday I had my "chemo class". Very weird. There was only one other person, a man. I said hi. I wanted to ask, "So why are you in here?" but I didn't. He looked really scared. We watched the required video, went through some handouts, got our free thermometer. (score!) The nurse asked me if I was getting a port. I said no, since it's only four rounds. She talked about the burns and asked if I'm a hard stick. Apparently the more irritation from a difficult stick increases the likelihood of burns. Hmmm actually yes I am difficult. The last 2 or 3 times they've had a really difficult time getting blood draws done or IVs into me. She took a look at my veins then brought me down to have one of the other infusion nurses take a look. They all agreed, a port for me it is! Lucky me! I'm assuming this will be done on Tues or Weds since I'm supposed to start chemo on Thursday. I don't want another hold up. I just want this to get going already so I can get it behind me.
Last night I had a "Kick'in Cancer's Ass" party with my good friends. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. I was going to have them shave my head because I would rather have little bits fall out than big lumps of hair (and I have an event coming up and I don't want hair in my motorcycle helmet!) As it turned out, it didn't feel right to have them do it. Later after they left I did it myself, alone in the privacy of my bathroom. When I was done my 25 year old son came in to do some touch ups. Oddly, I think I look better without hair!
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lespring, I had a port and it was nice to have it. I think you will be glad, if you get one. They can use it for blood draws also and it makes it much easier for chemo. After a wk or so, you won't even notice it's there. Nice that you had a "party" with your friends!
headeast, No exchange either, but I agree with Melrose, ck with MO before getting that done to be sure blood counts are good, etc. Before my MO would release me for rads, she checked blood, etc. Your body can really take a hit during chemo and there is an increased risk of infection if WBC's aren't up to par. Nice to make sure all Dr's are on the same page also!
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Thank you for the advice, Melrose and keepthefaith. I spoke to my friend and she agrees to let PS know to reschedule if after last chemo she still feels weak.
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Headeast- Glad to hear that your friend is willing to reschedule if she feels that she is not physically where she needs to be. Just remind that that there shouldn't be any pressure placed on her to hurry up and get it done asap after the chemo. She needs to feel good enough after that final chemo's immediate side effects have subside. As we all know, surgery is hard on the body and having surgery post chemo may even be harder. Keep us posted on her progress!!!!
Lespring- You need one of those "I am bad" do rags to wear with your motorcycle helmet!!! Lol Yay for getting a port. Your viens will thank you later on !!!! Once the port sutures heal, you can put on that EMLA lidocaine cream prior to the chemo round and you won't feel the poke. If you don't know about the EMLA cream, make sure you ask your onco for a prescription for it. You apply it at least one hour before you have your infusion at home. Then you put a a 2 inch by 2 inch square of Press N Seal plastic wrap on top of it or a Nexcare Tegaderm covering on it. The Press N Seal plastic wrap is much cheaper than the Tegaderm coverings ( which come 8 to box $10). Make sure you do not use your finger to spread the EMLA cream over the port area as you will end up numbing your finger as well. You keep us posted as you get ready for the port and your first round of chemo. We are here to help you and support.
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thank you, Melrose. I will keep you posted!
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Lespring...yeah on the port! It seems everyone is very glad they have it! I must be the only one in the world with a PICC line and I asked for a port, too. The Mayo was going to give me one; for some reason NW went with a PICC and even this week the nurse practitioner asked me why. How do I Know? I can't believe I'm the only one this doctor gave a PICC line to. Weird!
Well, #4 is Thursday, and I'm really nervous about it. Does anyone else have "heavy legs" after a few rounds? My legs feel like lead....this is something new. Could be because my heart isn't pumping as hard and my BP is lower, maybe. My ankles aren't swollen, but I've had this problem in the past with low BP and fluid in the legs.
Anyway, I hope all of you that are mothers had a great mother's day or a great time with your own mother!
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jmg, during chemo I had that problem. It is because you are weaker than normal.
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Ok, getting my port tomorrow morning. A tiny bit nervous. It took quite a bit of creative planning to get the morning with kids figured out and me to the hospital simultaneously. LOL Also, kind of liking this no hair business! Ok, when the stubble falls out and I'm bald as a cue ball I will probably think differently, but for now? I'm liking wash and wear!
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lespring--- You are a cutie in your new pic!!!!! Good luck with the "im-port-tation" tomorrow. If you are wondering if that area will be a little sore for a while, the answer is yes and you won't want to be picking up anything heavy. Wishing you the best..... we are with you!!!!!
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I like the no hair thing! The stubble stage was annoying so I did take an electric shaver for a smooth head...never go bald though...although I like it but I see myself daily...kind of a shock for others...no biggie...I have awesome caps and little silk ties!!
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You rock Rosie!!!! It is hard to have a bad hair day once the hair is on vacation!!!
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@ jmg58...I have those heavy legs..No fluid retention though, my MO said it is from lower RBC and is fatgue, though I thought fatigue meant something entirely different! My legs feel like I am walking knee deep through wet sand. I have done PT off and on for the last eight years for a back problem, and learned to use my legs instead of my back...and now I have neither! Thank God it will get better after chemo wears off a bit and those numbers come back up.Also, I have noticed that I've lost a lot of muscle tone through chemo...I am sure that contributes to the heavy leg feeling too.
@ lespring...There are some silver linings in this whole bc stuff...we have to pull the good out of the bad...The no hair thing is good for me too especially when a hot flash hits! And I think you look great...I have completed six rounds of TC, and I still have some hair...(like a baby chicken), so you may not be bald like a cue ball...One of my best friends has gone without hair because of other medical issues...and she is a beautiful person inside and out. It gets easier with time, though it is hard for some people to see me without hair for the first time. My hubby likes it, and that is all that really matters at the end of the day. My granddaughters think it's neat that I don't have hair and are always asking me questions about it...but they haven't seen me without it yet..lol! You will be so glad you got the port, but it takes a couple days to heal, so plan on taking it easy.
~God bless~
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Hello everyone, I get my second round of chemo Monday so taking this weekend and enjoy it because this stuff hits me pretty good for about 2 1/2 weeks. I had such muscle aches and even some bone pain in my joints for the first week and taking a walk for 30 minutes felt like hours of walking for me so I backed off that a bit. My doc. said I dont need a port either since I am only doing 4 times so I guess I will see how it goes. It was not to bad last time so we will see how this one goes. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and hugs to all till next time......
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Debster- Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Glad you a get a break from feeling those side effects. As for the port, I do know of some who did not get a port because they were having only 4 rounds. Just keep hydrating the day before to help those veins be ready for the next chemo round. As for the walking, I know it hurts and you are probably moving at a snail's pace when you do. I also know that you may not feel steady on your feet when you first stand up from sitting down or lying down. Just take your time. No hurry and no worry. When getting out of a car, I always try to put my feet on the ground, wait a sec or two before I actually stand up. I remember being a little tight in the joints and unsteady when i would stand up. Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted on how you are feeling.
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Debster, I finished my fourth round of TC on Dec 4 and didn't have a port . One less surgery to worry about. As for the fatigue, yes, I felt the same. I only walked on week three of each round.
Today I gad my nipple reconstruction, surgery started at 7.30am and was a two hours procedure. I got home at 4.30pm and slept all the way until now that woke up.
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Today my port feels SO much better! Clearly the problem was the allergic reaction to the tegaderm. I had a blister all the way around the edge of it, plus some blistering underneath. Now the only tenderness I have is in my neck where the tubing runs. Almost nonexistent.
Today I got my Neulasta injection. My clinic encourages taking claratin before hand, which I did. So far other than being a bit tired from the anti-nausea drugs, I'm doing ok! Praying tomorrow (day 3) is much the same. Preparing for the worst, hoping for the best, figuring I'll be somewhere in between.
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Had 2nd tc yesterday and am feeling much better, so far
, than I did after my first. The hiccups. My goodness, why the hiccups?? Most annoying part of my first two days this time around. Other than the three tries to get an IV in. Naturally my good vein arm is the node arm and I tried all tips to get them plump. The veins were hit, but not enough came out for the first two. I am thinking aspirin for next one so if it is clotting too easily, this will help. I'm just thankful that side effects haven't hit just yet!0 -
My name is Zizi. I live in Florida. I am Estrogen Receptor positive. My tumor was diagnosed as infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I had my mastectomy in Madurai, India. I begin Cytoxan Taxotere chemotherapy on June 2, 2014.
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