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Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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Comments

  • jmg58
    jmg58 Member Posts: 104
    edited June 2014

    Congrats on the last chemo, Rosie, that's wonderful news!  Go girl!

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    Thanks jmg58...my whole family is beyond happy!!  They have been my great support system as well as so many friends...friends I haven't seen in 20 years, new friends, old friends...just so many people...it's humbling...my school family where I teach have just been amazing...so very many blessings from this beast we call cancer...it did not win!!  Now I will pray round 6 treats me gently without too many SEs...Rosie

    image

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,746
    edited June 2014

    What a great pic and inspiring words Rosie! 

    Congrats on your last treatment 

    from all the mods. 

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    You look fabulous in that picture Rosie! :) What an uplifting and encouraging picture! 

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    thanks mods...and thanks for your support as well!  I am beyond thrilled to be finished...life is good...tonight anyway, with minimal side effects!! Rosie

  • boobieprized
    boobieprized Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2014

    I am due for round three on Friday, but I have a pretty bad cold.  Stuffed up and coughing up a bit (sorry if tmi!).  Will they proceed with chemo?  Do I call now to see what they say?  I *really* don't want to postpone this.  

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    if you haven't called yet, I would tomorrow! Rosie

  • boobieprized
    boobieprized Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2014

    Thanks, rosie!  I did end up calling and they said no fever, no problem.  Phew!!  ;)

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    Boobieprized...Yey!  I hated when I had to delay treatments...just wanted to get it done!  Hope you get to feeling better!  I seem to get congested with a lot of coughing and blowing my nose about the 2nd week after chemo...I even felt like I had asthma at one point...called him and had him listen to my chest...it's important to tell them about symptoms even if you think it's just how it is...I had my doses tweaked 2 times...once with TAXOTERE due to peeling hands and a red rash on my feet...and my last dose this past Monday was cut more due to symptoms of neuropathy...I am afraid of long term ailments!  Good luck dear! Rosie

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    how many of you ladies have a hard time trying to drink the recommended 100 oz around treatment time??  Any advice on this?  I am so full right now and it's 8 pm and I only have 62 oz in me! Am I being anal about this?. AHHHHH....ROSIE

  • jmg58
    jmg58 Member Posts: 104
    edited June 2014

    Rosie, it's interesting....I'm glad I read at this site, because my doctor never told me anything about the 100 oz...there's so many things and recommendations I learned only here!  I did drink at least 5 17 oz. bottles of water each day, and some days 6 or 7.  I always ended up having at least 1 infusion of saline each week, no matter how much I drank and often the first week, I'd go twice for fluids.  Even now almost three weeks later, I can tell I'm still dehydrated.  Getting the fluids really helped; it seemed I couldn't keep up no matter how much I drank.  I'm sure everyone is different; it all depends on your system.  How do you feel; how is your skin and what color (sorry to be gross) is your urine?  I ended chemo on the 15th and have had three bags of fluid since.  If you fall far behind and don't feel hydrated, you might consider this? There were times I couldn't stand to drink anymore water (that's 95% of what I drank) but I forced myself with an occasional gatorade thrown in.   Have a good night! 

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    jmg58...the 100 oz was the first thing chemo nurse told us at training...so my husband leaves notes all over especially around chemo time....I never had iv  fluids...my skin actually has never looked better, but after I had a horrible rash the first time, I started using 1/2 coconut oil and 1/2 avacado oil and it's so smooth...I track my fluids...especially the week after chemo and the few days before and try for 100oz...but you seem to have had enough with 85 oz!!  And still needed fluids?  I just feel super exhausted...thought it was anemia, but no...maybe if I feel really exhausted it's cause of dehydration?  But urine is good, skin looks good I guess...jello legs...but always think that's just how it is!  So that's why I track my fluids...I try to drink my 4 cups of chai tea ( but it's usually only 28 oz)in a.m.....then just keep track thru the day...and by 9pm I usually have about 80 oz....but it's my last time to go thru this...I will keep in mind about iv fluids...

    Do you take biotin for nails and hair during chemo? I wanted to start now that I am done but not sure if it's ok...thanks ! Rosie

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    boobieprized...could that cough be from the TAXOTERE?  I think that is why my doc lowered my dose at one treatment...maybe ask about that...he also gave me hydrocodone cough syrup and it helped...Rosie 

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    just a quick note to those on TAXOTERE ...I thought I was having some neuropathy, so I told my doc and I was concerned of long term effects...he lowered the dosing on my last treatment of my TAXOTERE...so I feel it is important to voice concerns and tell them of any side effects that worry you!  I hope my SEs are not super bad this last time around!  Good luck ladies!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,398
    edited June 2014

    Rosie - no one ever told me how much to drink - just keep drinking.  I was lucky if I could get down 70 oz per day all through treatment and I REALLY tried.  Most times I got an extra liter of fluid between infusions in addition to a full liter with the chemo since I lost so much with the constant "big D".  Even now on Herceptin only, I have an extra liter of fluid with the Herceptin.  The center is not happy about the time it takes, but the extra fluid along with running the Herceptin at 90 minutes cuts my SEs tremendously.

  • hikermom
    hikermom Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2014


    Hello a

    This is my first post - I was diagnosed in January 2014 with what they thought was just DCIS - BMX in February with pathology that showed IDC Stage 1 with LVI. I was horrified to learn that I needed chemo - I am more afraid of the long term effects of chemo than I was of the surgery. Friday is my last infusion of TC and I'm having the hardest time this week - feeling very anxious, blue and afraid to go back in for that last infusion. I developed neuropathy with the 3rd dose and I'm completely freaking out about it. My husband, son and I are very fitness/sports oriented and passionate about the outdoors - we are avid hiker/skiers etc. I can't imagine not being able to do the things that I love with my family. Rosie I'm glad to hear that your doctor lowered your dose of Taxotere and I'm hoping that my doctor will do the same.

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    hiker mom ...I wondered if the benefit of the last TAXOTERE treatment outweighed the chance of my getting severe neuropathy ...if that makes sense...in other words I was super concerned about long term, he realized it, but just dropped the dose, not the whole drug!  I trust my MO so I was happy he lowered it at least...we have come this far with getting those drugs to do their job of killing the cells...but at least voicing your concerns may change the dose...good luck and I am right there with you on the long term and limitations it may cause. Rosie

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    Hi everyone! I've "officially" joined the club, as in I had my first chemo session today.. and am still in the hospital.. finished infusion an hour ago, and waiting for my sister to pick me up after work! :) I am in a mood for celebration. Reading heaps prior to chemo made me chickened out of chemo last week, and today i was supposed to go for chemo in a different hospital, yet had a change of heart in the morning, when i woke up at 5:30am and did some last minute googling before having to leave at 7:30am for the hospital.. managed to whatsapp my oncologist (at this hospital where i am) and he agreed to fit me in, and I'm HERE!! Finally, i've had my session, and the only pain i felt was when the needle went in! :) So happy i just feel like sharing to everyone! :) Of course, it might be premature..the side effects don't hit so fast.. LOL! Already i feel i've gastritis .some pain in the stomach though i've been snacking throughout chemo.. on fresh and dried fruit and nuts.. which erm.. i read on Taxotere's handout that too high fibre food isn't good.. and yet (okay, this might be too much information), I just went to the toilet 20 mins ago to.. erm.. have a big one along with a small one.. :) LOL!!!! hoping that i'll feel good for the rest of the weeks to come.. :)

    and i did ice my hands and feet.. thanks to all the "Veterans" here for sharing.. though it wasn't a very good icing session, as i didn't prepare to have this chemo .. was preparing for FEC-TH at another hospital, but decided the less sessions for me will be better as i positively don't want another surgery for chemoport! :) Praying God will protect and strenghten my veins! took the nurse quite a while to find the right position today.

  • sharonde
    sharonde Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014

    Good Luck, yensmiles.  Sounds like you made it through no problem.

    Do you have medication for heartburn / reflux, as that can be a surprise if you aren't ready for it? Prilosec works for me, 

    Congrats on getting through Treatment No. 1 

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Sharon, I do have medication for the stomach.. can't remember what's the name right now! :) it's to prevent gastric and something which they infused into my body prior to the chemo drugs too! :) 

  • jmg58
    jmg58 Member Posts: 104
    edited June 2014

    I have to post and run, so I apologize for not answering anyone above...quick question:  I'm three weeks out from last treatment, still exhausted, still some trouble breathing, still weak heavy legs.  Normal in anyone's experience?  Thought I'd feel better by now!  Thanks!

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    jmg...that's how I felt after my 5 th treatment...now I had my last one Monday...I am just planning to feel like that again!  Expect the worst hope for the best I guess!!

    Yensmiles...the anxiety before the first treatment is bad!  Now you know what to expect! Just be sure to drink a lot...I was told 100. Oz a day and I tried and I think it helped...Claritin after my neulesta shot ( if you get that) does help with pain...so one down! Yeyey!  Good luck dear!!

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Rosiesride, I'm definitley drinking over 100oz a day.. :) of just water.. and then there's also veggie juices and fruit smoothies, coconut water.. all to help slightly "cool" the heat in the mouth.. 

    I do have mild swelling which is much better today, probably cos i somehow didn't really pee much after the chemo despite drinking heaps! It was only in the middle of the night that i started to pee, and because of the parched throat, i keep drinking throughout the night and keep going to the toilet! LOL!!! and also woke up with a flushed face.. thought i had fever with very hot forehead and neck, but the thermometer showed 36.6 celcius, so am okay! :) and it went away after my morning juice and some light activities around the house and maybe also the dexamethasone. 

    Not looking forward to the day 5-8 where our blood levels are supposed to be at it's lowest.. :( hope somehow i will pass through this storm easily..dont' well all wish so?!?

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    I also had "swelling" ...just bloated feeling...red neck and face but it went away...I did well in the beginning with fluids, tea, soups, etc...I also ate a lot!  Towards the end my rbc seemed on the low side so I made sure to try and eat high iron foods with vitamin c rich foods for absorption ....not a meat eater but ate red meat more...dried apricots, raisins fortified cereal and bread..maybe it will help!!  So much to know!! Mouth sores were taken care of by mouthwash prescription nystatin ...i rinsed with that...good luck!

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Rosiesride! :) shall be snacking on dried apricots, figs and nuts too! :) Thus far, no mouth sores, when does it happen if it should happen? I stopped eating meat 3 years ago, though now having fish almost everyday for the protein and healthy omegas! Thankfully, my red blood was on the high side, a bit higher than normal upper limit to begin with..so hoping it'd at least be high enough for the whole treatment! :)

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    hmm.. did anyone feel backache (middle back where the kidneys are).. it's my 2nd day after chemo, and i do feel backpains.. just a bit..a tired feeling there.. and i think my orientation is a bit off, on the 1st night back from chemo, i did a couple of times sat rather clumsily on the toilet bowl (nearly mis-sat and fell) and today I broke a glass bottle while trying to lift it up!!! My face was a bit flushed at that times.. am wondering if it's the chemo effects, or just general stress over chemo... do share!

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    yensmiles...did you get neulesta shot?  My first 2!treatments did give middle back pain but I think it was the shot...made sure I took a Claritin 2 days before shot and a few days after...AND...I asked doc if I could take an extra 1/2 Claritin at night to see if it helped and it did for me...Tylenol as well and stay ahead of the pain...

    I do think the tiredness gets worse each treatment...the 4 th and 5 th lasted longer for me...5 th treatment my WBC was low and I had a fever and was put on  cipro...red blood count was lower at 5 th treatment too...this is  day 5 after my 6th and last treatment. 

    (Pic of my flowers that keep me busy during my down days)....

    image

    It's  harder for me to drink a lot and I am tired...but still eating well...and cooking as it keeps me occupied!!  The worst for me is the stir crazy feeling of not being strong enough to be active...by day 6 I have had it!!! I pick up various hobbies...even tried whittling walking sticks during one round of treatment ( they are next to my door) I keep busy with my flowers on my porch...first time ever I had nice flowers that didn't die after a week! Lol...so I guess there is an upside?? Ha! Rosie

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    Your flower look gorgeous Rosiesride! :) and I see a black dog too! :) It's good to hear you're spirited and kept active throughout. 

    My oncologist didn't schedule any neulesta shots for me.. only if needed.. so i guess that's if I've a fever.. he mentioned that it'd cause the bone pains to be worse, so if can, he avoids giving the shots. So, truly hoping I can get by without the shots. He did mention ciproflaxin if i get an infection too..

    Am pretty much avoiding EVERYTHING now.. and hardly even touching my dogs.. minimal work around the house (in case i break anything or cut myself). I'm not really feeling tired though.. just rather aimless!!! LOL! from doing practically nothing the whole day besides very light cooking and eating.. just aiming to go through these 3 months WITHOUT hospitalisation!!! 

    and somehow, with loads of water, veggie juice and coconut juice, parched throat is gone.. didn't have to wake up every hour in the middle of the night to drink last night! :) Throat feels good today. Tomorrow will be the 5th day.. and I've visiting relatives coming today and staying for a few days.. sure hope I hold up well enough.. 

  • sharonde
    sharonde Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014

    yensmiles - everyone reacts differently, but I can tell you my experience so far with no neulasta shots.  Same as yours, my onc said they will wait to see if I needed it.

    I had a slight fever at Days 8-10 after my first treatment.  It never went over 100 degrees so I didn't call.  I was careful what I ate, and did a lot of hand washing.

    After the second treatment, I also had a temp Days 8-11.  This one hovered around 100 degrees, and definitely slipped above 101.  It was the middle of the night, I popped a Tylenol and want back to sleep - all I felt like doing was sleeping.  I was going to call the doc the next day, but temp was down.  I was exhausted the rest of the cycle.

    I am now on Day 4 of treatment 3.  If the temperatures start, I will call even if it doesn't get to 100.4. The onc said she will prescribe antibiotics initially.  

    I should add that my blood counts have bounced back on their own for each treatment, even with no shot.

    Good Luck!

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    yensmiles- My onco did not prescribe the Neulasta shots after the first infusion.  I started receiving the Neulasta shots for rounds 3-6 and only after I developed a high spiking fever/chills 10 days after my second round of chemo.  The fever/chills were treated with 2 antibiotics.  I knew before having chemo that I would receive the Neulasta shots only if my situation warranted the shots.  Every onco is different in how he/she treats his/her patients.  Some give the shots initially while others may administer antibotics and yet others, like mine, wait until the patient demonstrates the need for the Neulasta.  

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