Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

1…105106108110111…160

Comments

  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2014

    Melrosemelrose I will definetly ask about the other meds if she decides to take me off taxotere and just see what she says. Never know as they say..

    Jmg58 I am so glad your test came back all clear. Good news!

    Hugs and love to all

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    My daughter found this site...specifically geared to my upcoming Cytoxan/Taxotere chemo treatments!

    We have noticed your name on so many posts with such great information!

    I was diagnosed in February 2014, and it's been a journey. Ended up having a double mastectomy on May 15, 2014.

    My chemo treatments should start next week.

    I am nervous, yet do not feel like I am showing the qualities of a true Christian...by turning it over to the Lord.

    My treatments will be a total of 6, 1 every 3 weeks.

    I am scared and nervous and would love for you to maybe guide me to one of your posts that might answer most of these

    questions that I have circling in my head!

    Breast cancer is not in my family and this took me by complete surprise. I would appreciatae any tips or information. Do's or Don'ts!

    Thank you,

    tsugarek, Victoria, Texas

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    tsugarek...sorry you have to come here, but glad you found the good support for you...I came on this board about 3 months after I started treatment...I learned many things and it helped to be aware of certain side effects .  We are all scared of the unknown of chemo.  I ended my treatments of TAC on June 2 and I have to say now, it was yuck on some days but mostly the 6 treatments were doable.  The meds they give to offset nausea helped a lot.  You get to see the pattern of side effects and it helps to know what to expect...I made sure to drink a lot especially the few days before treatment, during and the week after...tried to get 100oz....it was hard for me but really helped.  I never needed fluids.  I was always told to tell the doc of any side effects ...it's important to do that and there is no " stupid" question when it comes to treatment and side effects.  This board has lots of threads...you may also find your particular cancer thread as well to learn more.  The ladies on here are awesome!  Good luck and hang in there...I found so many blessings throughout this journey...I am sure you will too...Rosie

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

     Tsugarek - Welcome..... I am glad you have found the BCO.org website and discussion board,  Hopefully you will find great support and comfort and information to help you through your time in chemoland.  I had 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere and had minimal side effects.  I also received Herceptin because I participated in a clinical trial.  

    I know that you are probably feeling a little anxious and scared about the chemo.  Just remember you are not alone and never will be. There are many who have travelled this way before you and are here to give you support.  I know you have read about side effects.  Everyone's body is different and reacts differently to the chemo.  You may want to read some of the chemo threads for Newbies..... Here is the link: Important Links for Newbies About Chemotherapy  From there, you will find the links that will give you some insight.  If you have questions, please post them here.  One of us will come on and respond.  Please feel free to private message if you would like.  I will be checking this site off and on over the weekend.

    Wishing you the best and sending many hugs and postive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy.....

  • chknfeet
    chknfeet Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2014

    Hi ladies, I have a question about taxotere. I just had by 3rd treatment on Wed. I use the icing gloves during the taxotere infusion. This time around the nurse had issues hitting my veins on my arm so went through the top part of my hand. We secured it tightly and put on the icing gloves over the iv site. My question is, does the icing over the iv site kill off the taxotere entering my body? I noticed that this time around my side effects have been really easy. It looks like Taxotere can be stored at 36 deg F.  The gloves were much colder than this.  I'm hoping I'm just being paranoid.  I sent an email to my MO asking.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    chknfeet-  I don't the answer to your question.  However, you may want to ice the IV hand not using the ice glove on the IV hand this next time.  You can always put a ziploc bag of ice where your fingernails.  You can get a square pocket oven mitt from Ross/ TJMaxx/Target and place the ice bag in there and then carefully put your hand in the mitt so that only the ice bag is on your fingernails.  I know it may look a little quirky but it will serve it's purpose.

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

    chknfeet - consider using frozen peas in the ziplock bag.  I found them much easier to use than plain ice.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    chknfeet-  Just remember to take an extra ice bag/frozen pea ziploc bag with you.  You may need to change out the bag because of melting.  I had an ice tray that would make small ball shaped ice.  Now I am wonderfing if one could use frozen grapes as the ice component in the ziploc bag.

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    Good Morning!

    I got my last drain tube out from my surgery last Thursday. I was called on Friday to say that they are ready to start me chemo treatments! I knew it would be soon but...I don't even have my port in! They said I have the option of waiting until my port is in or I could just have it done through IV for the first round...do you have a thought on this?

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    tsurgarek- Some have their port put in and then a few days later start chemo.   I think it is up to you as to how you want to proceed.  Do the nurses have an easy time accessing veins for blood draws?  If so, then you just need to decide whether you want the port now or want to get it before the next round of chemo.  I had my port placed when I had my UMX.  I am glad I had it because my veins seem to bury themselves when they know there is a needle approaching.  BTW: Will you be receiving your chemo in Victoria?

  • chknfeet
    chknfeet Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2014

    Thanks for the suggestion, Melrose!  MO said it shouldn't impact effectiveness but will use your suggestion next time around to be safe.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    Thinking of each of you still in chemoland....... Hope you have a restful weekend with minimal side effects.  We are still here supporting each you and know that you will get through this time.  Sending many hugs and positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!!  Have a wonderful weekend.... 

  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2014

    I went to see my onc. yesterday because I was having some SE earlier in the week and she wanted to check on me and while I was there we decided it will be best for me to end my chemo treatments so I will not be taking my last one. I will do Rads but I have to wait to be cleared for that from another doctor because I have a couple medical issues that need to stabalized first so not sure when it will happen. I am gald it is done and a little ancious about Rads but I am sure that can't be as crazy on me as the chemo was. ( I hope anyways)Hope you all have a great weekend! hugs and love to all 

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    Debster- Thanks for your update on the side effects issues you've been having.  I am glad that you and your onco came to a decision about not having the last round of chemo.  Your body said "No more chemo" and now to move on to rads.  Keep us posted and hang in there..... !!!

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    Good Morning....

     

    I had my first round of T/C Friday. Thankful to say I feel I escaped any major side effects.

    I do have questions..

    I am about 4 days out of chemo, is there a chance I could still experience side effects before next round or basically have I escaped it this go around?

    I have no appetite and nothing tastes the same. Any suggestions?

    I am really sad today, is this normal?

  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2014

    Hi tsugarek, glad your sideeffects are minimal at this point. I just kept trying different foods and finally pudding, boost, watermelon, and fresh peaches were ones I could eat without getting that weird taste. Peaches had no taste at all to me but were so cool and refreshing with the juice off of them. I still have a sad day once in a while i just make sure I don't let myself stay there. Hang in there you are doing great!! Hugs and happiness sent your way!! :-)

  • Cceandme
    Cceandme Member Posts: 18
    edited June 2014

    Tsugarek. I hate to be downer but I didn't get any real SE until Thursday ( had chemo Monday) thir through Saturday were the worst days for me. A little better by Sunday and today I'm not 100% but defiantly tolerable.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    tsurgarek- Here is what the timing of my side effects were like..... I had chemo on Tuesdays.  I felt fine Wednesday and Thursday.  On Friday I would start to feel the downhill slide.  I probably felt the weakest and a little yucky on Saturday and Sunday.  By Monday, I was fine and good to go.  I can tell you that the side effects are cumulative which means the fatigue and tired feeling may increase after each round of chemo.  The drop in the red blood cell counts can cause the fatigue.  As for those taste buds going on vacation, mine would go wonky a few days after chemo and would be gone during week 1 and week 2 post chemo.  However, the 3rd week before the next round, everything tasted normal again.  As for having an appetite, one thing I did was look at food magazines.  I kept hoping that the pictures would help stimulate me to eat.  I ate 5-6 small meals every day while I was in chemoland.  I also kept a food diary so I could keep track of what foods I tolerated or didn't mind eating right after I had chemo.  My viewpoint on food is that I didn't eat for comfort but viewed food as body fuel.  When the food didn't seem appetizing to me, I still ate.  I ate bland foods after the chemo round like baked chicken, baked fish, mac n cheese and potatoes ( baked, mashed, etc.)  I know it's hard to eat but it is important to try to eat healthy during chemo.  I had two cookbooks to help me figure out what to eat--- Eating Well Through Cancer by Gerald Miletello, MD and Holly Clegg and the Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz.  Both books had tips on how to get through chemo and what to eat.  

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    hi ladies,

    would appreciate if you can share the sequence of your chemo w herceptin? eg which one was infused first?

    I had bearable/minimal side effects and was given Taxotere, followed by Cytoxan, followed by HErceptin. Then I read some canadian guidelines, and realised they suggest Herceptin first, then cytoxan to precede Taxotere (to minimise side effects). Am wondering if i should show it to my dr and insist on that sequence, but before i make a big deal out of possibly nothing, would love to know how it went for you ladies!

    and oh, i took Zinc consistently and didn't have any taste-buds issue.. everything tasted fine.. besides the first couple of days in which i avoided supplements because i thought it might affect my chemo.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    yensmiles- My chemo infusions were in this order ---- Taxotere, Cytoxan and Herceptin.  Fortunately, I had minimal side effects.  I did ask for my Herceptin to be run over an hour time period to help minimize any possible side effects ( head ache, etc.) throughout the time that I received the Herceptin ( whether it was with the chemo infusion or after I had finished all of my rounds of chemo.)  As for taking supplements, I never took any.  I did ask my onco what kinds I could take to be on the safe side when I thought I might want to take some since I wanted to make sure they would not adversely affect the chemo.

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    thanks Melrosemelrose, looks like we've the same sequencing of drugs... :)

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2014

    yensmiles- If you are doing fine with the current sequencing of the chemo and Herceptin. you may not want to mess with the sequencing.  Just remember that the study you are referring to is just one study and one really doesn't know how each individual handled their chemo to begin with.    Hang in there..... you will be done with the chemo before you know it!!!!

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    So interesting....I thought I had escaped the nausea but, yesterday and today seem to be proving that wrong!

    If I had my first round of chemo Friday and yesterday and today I have nausea...guess that answers my question..it can still creep up! II just want to say thank you for your reply...makes me feel not alone! Truly helps me!

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    I absolutely LOVE your detailed reply! Thank you for everything you took the time to share...I appreciate each thought so much!

    I don't know you, but I can tell you...I love you and I thank you for taking the time to help so many of "us" out here!

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    Crazy that you mentioned pudding! That's what I have been talking about! Like the fresh peach idea too! Thanks!

  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2014

    tsugarek....take that nausea pill at the first thought of feeling yuck!  It always put me to sleep but worked...and it was usually only the 3 rd day after chemo I needed it...except on my 5 th one...then it was a couple of days but nothing unbearable.

    I always ate ok during chemo...but favored chocolate pudding and baked chicken!  

    For me, I didn't trust when I started feeling better cause usually the very next day I was super exhausted!  But I was on TAC...3 strong drugs every 3 weeks...I think everyone is different with SEs, drugs they are given and dosage...you will learn how your body reacts...and before you know it you will be done!!! Good luck! Rosie

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    Thank you Rosie! So appreciative...yummmm baked chicken sounds amazing!

    I guess "that pill" is going to be my best friend!

  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2014

    tsugarek, my nausea pills were my best friends for the first 4 days after my treatment.  You will learn your body and what it is going to do during this time and please let your doctor know if you have any SE because they can help you with them if you tell them about it. I hope the fresh peaches and pudding are things you can really enjoy and keep trying different foods because you will find things you can eat just takes time....Have a great day!

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    thanks Melrosemelrose and thanks for the well-wishes for those of us still going through chemo! :)

    wishing everyone a fabulous day! :) just positive thoughts and the encouragement here makes me know i'd have a good day today at the hospital! comfy bed, nice doctor, attentive nurses! :)

  • tsugarek
    tsugarek Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2014


    If I said, "you can't imagine how good it is to know there are people out there that have been there...done that!"

    It's one of the things (besides the Lord and my family and friends) that keep me going!

    So thank you!

    Thank all of you out there that continue to support people like me an others...the "newbies!"

     I read and "take in" any tips people have!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.