Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
-
NoMatter - when you do get your flu shot, be sure you request it in the "rump". None of the drug stores or grocery stores that offer it here will do it except in your arm, but I had SNB on both sides. I ended up at a clinic to get a bottom shot.
0 -
Do you know whether we can do the nasal mist vaccines?
0 -
I did ask about icing my nails and my MO nurse had never heard of such a thing. She also told me that with such little chemo as I am having, I should not have a problem. I have one hour of taxotere and 1/2 hour of Cytoxan every three weeks for four times. I am halfway done and really have not had to many problems. However, neuropathy is a different story. I have such bad feet and have had neuropathy after all my surgeries, so I could feel it coming and got on medicine quickly.
Minustwo (cute name, I love it!!!) I do believe that my doctor recommends that if I get a flu shot that he will be the one to give it. I wonder if giving it in the belly would work. That is where my next neulasta shot will be given.
0 -
PoppyK- You need to ask your onco about whether you can have the nasal mist flu vaccine. I know I can't have it because of my age.
0 -
NoMatter - I always got Neulasta in the belly too at my request. But I think the butt or thigh are better for the flu vaccine.
0 -
minus.....should I ask for shot in belly? Why? Sorry, newbie starting next week
0 -
Toby - I found better disbursal of the drug & less local pain with the Neulasta in the belly. And it helps if either you or the nurse holds & warms the drug before injection.
0 -
Toby, don't be sorry for any questions you have. We have all been the "newbie" and I can't speak for other ladies, but I am here for you anytime you need me. I look forward to helping you through this journey. Think positive, things really do get better.
Minus, I always ask my nurse to make sure to warm up the drug before injection and it really does help. I did not know the disbursal was better in the belly. I will have to try that next round. As for the flu shot, I guess I will wait and see what my MO says. Thanks for the tip.
0 -
I also had my Neulasta shot in the tummy, mainly because I had a little tummy fat and I just didn't want a sore arm after the injection. The nurse always had me hold the shot injection in my hand for several minutes before she actually administered the shot. The reason for this is that the drug is refrigerated. After the shot was warmed up, she injected the drug in my tummy, slow and steady. The shot stung a little but I never experienced any lingering soreness. When I received the Neulasta for the first time, I had to wait 30 minutes before I could leave. This was because the nurse wanted to watch and make sure that I did not have any immediate reaction to the shot. The wait and see time was only 15 minutes for the subsequent Neulasta shots. I also took my Claritin ( one 24 hour regular Claritin, ( not Claritin D) the morning that I received my afternoon shot of Neulasta. I took the Claritin for 9 days and never experienced any bone pain associated with the Neulasta shot. However, I did experience joint pain and muscles aches which I attributed to the chemo itself and not the Neulasta. FYI: I received the Neulasta shot after chemo rounds 3-6. This was because my onco wanted to wait to make sure I actually needed the Neulasta shot. After 10 days after round 2 of chemo, I developed a high spiking fever and chills episode. I was lucky that I didn't have to go into the ER; instead my onco called in 2 strong antibiotics in hopes that those would knock out the cause of the fever/chills episode. Fortunately, the fever/chills went away within 24 hours of my taking the antibiotics and I was able to have my 3rd round of chemo on schedule.
NEWBIES-- If you are new here, please ask whatever questions you may have. We are here to help you and support you through chemo land.
0 -
how is everyone? Getting nervous for first go round Friday morning
0 -
Tobycc, wish you the best on your first treatment on Friday. Hope it will go smoothly and you won't get much SEs. Start drinking a lots of water now and during the treatment.
I had my second infusion today. Only SE so far is dry month and fatigue. Last time, other SE (fever, D, and bone pain) didn't hit until Day 3. I have a support group meeting tomorrow and Neulasta shot after. On Friday I'm getting acupuncture. Hope SE is more manageable than last time.
0 -
Tobycc...My thoughts are with you. Make sure if you are nervous have them give you something either oral or in your IV. Bring a bag of things that make you feel comfortable. A blanket, music, books, pictures. Sucking on ice during chemo also really helped me with mouth sores. Biotene toothpaste and rinse also was great. You will do great.0 -
Hello ladies, may I join your group? I just found out yesterday that I'll be starting my chemo treatments next Fri. The Onco originally told me I was going to be on Taxol but he now switched me to Taxotere a and cytoxan. Are these more aggressive treatment? Thanks for the great tips. I hope I don't get too many odd stares as I bring in a small ice chest filled with ice and sorts.
0 -
Toby - you will be fine. Bosco is right, bring things that make you comfortable. The things that helped me the most were sucking on ice during the taxotere and eating crackers. I also had a heavy breakfast and made sure I took a Zofran that morning. I had chemo on Thursday morning and continued to drink an enormous amount and continued to take my Zofran about 15 minutes before I ate every meal for the next week. Please let us know how you are doing over the weekend, we are here for you.
HockeyCat--Hope your SE's are much better this time around. I'll be thinking about you, as my next chemo is on October 2.
Mulligan- Welcome to our group!!!!! I too, have questioned why only the 2 drug treatment X4 and have been told that since my Bilateral Mastectomy got all of the cancer that the chemo I am having is preventive maintenance. I still plan to have a PET/CT scan at the end of October when I am finished with treatment to satisfy myself. Carrying in an ice chest and snacks is perfectly normal and acceptable in my treatment center. They even have blankets, a break room with all sorts of things for you to eat and drink and serve you lunch if you are there during lunchtime. If you need anything we are here for you. HUGS
0 -
Mulligan - do take your cooler. All infusion centers are different. If you're not too far away you may want to do a tour before your start date. Mine has ice and drinks and snacks like pretzels & peanuts - but serves no other food so I took lunches. They do have hot blankets - the best!!! I never got nausea but always had Kytril or Emend given w/my infusion.
0 -
Thanks nomatterwhat and MinusTwo, good idea on the tour. I think I'll go early before my port surgery and see about a tour.
0 -
Hello everyone,
I have round 3 tomorrow. These boards have been so very helpful. Sure makes you not feel alone. There's good days and rough days with SEs but all pretty manageable. I'm hoping round 3 will be about like the others.
Everyone keep fighting! We will beat this!
0 -
Have you checked out the thread for September chemo. There are a lot of suggestions on what to bring with you. My DH was carrying a cooler bag, and two bags of snacks, books, magazines, a movie. You might want to bring paper plates, too.
Wishing you the best and minimal SE.
0 -
Hello, fellow warriors! I was diagnosed Aug. 5, 2014, and had a bilateral mastectomy with TE placement on Aug. 15. Originally thought that would be the end of my BC journey, but due to lymph node mets, was told I would have to undergo chemo. Scheduled for four cycles of TC beginning Sept. 23. I am a single mom of a 6 year old (my husband filed for divorce four days following my MX), so have been so proactive in doing so much research to anticipate any and all side effects. I even read all 116 pages of this thread, and learned so much from all of your personal experiences. Thank you all so much for sharing.
Sadly, I arrived to the big girl chair on Tuesday, and within moments of the Taxotere going in, suffered anaphylaxis. So scary! So, T is out of the equation for me. I did the Cytoxan portion of my treatment, and received Neulasta shot yesterday. Now scheduled for heart tests, so that T can be replaced with Adriamycin my next cycle. Feeling so lost and so defeated. I felt so informed and ready for the TC, and now feel completely lost and like I have to start over. I have so many questions, and now have no idea where to turn for help. Any suggestions?
0 -
badhairday- Take some deep calming breaths...... you are okay. Some people do have an allergic reaction to the Taxotere. It happens. I've read where some oncos give the patient Benedryl in the pre-chemo IV drug cocktail and run the Taxotere slower. However, I also know that some cannot tolerate the solvent in Taxotere and as a precaution, are not given Taxotere again. With that being said, try not to feel defeated or down because your body cannot tolerate the Taxotere. You are still having chemo which means there are other chemo drugs out there for you to take. Since your onco is putting you on the AC chemo cocktail, the heart tests are adminstered to those patients receiving the AC regimen because the Adriamycin aka the Red Devil can affect the heart. You may want to find out from your onco how often you will receive the chemo infusions ( 3 weeks versus 2 weeks which is also known as dense dose). Check out the main BCO.org section on Adriamycin ( http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/druglist/adriamycin) and also you may want to check out the chemocare.com website ( http://chemocare.com/) ( that website was founded by Scott Hamiliton the former Olympic ice skater and cancer survivor. Hang in there..... I know you are going through a rough time but you are not alone. There may be some cancer organizations where you live that can provide you extra support and help. You may want to check out one of the other chemo threads for the month of September 2014 to find others with this same chemo regimen. However, if you want, please stay here. We will continue to support you and help you....... hugs.......
0 -
Oh, badhairday, I feel for you. The Taxotere caused me agony when it started. Below is what they did to help me, but it sounds like your reaction was much stronger than mine. You might want to check out the September chemo thread to meet ladies going through treatment at the same time.
Melrose, you continue to be a blessing! Thanks for helping us!
Well first round of TC was Tuesday. The soreness, redness and white spots around my port site are believed to be a reaction to the Dermabond used to close the site. This meant they couldn't use my port.
Labs were great... starting an iv... not so great. Poking and prodding went on for a while... I actually had tears running down my face. Very un-warrior like. Second nurse finally got an iv started in my wrist. Lots of nerves in this area and hard to keep it still. When the T infusion started, the pain was unbelievable. They stopped it and tried to start another iv. No luck. Adjusted the original iv, and the dilution of the T and continued on. Alternating heat and ice packs on my entire arm. Finally made it through.... a little over 6 hours start to finish.
So far side effects are manageable, I know it's still early. Heartburn is pretty bad (taking OTC meds for that), dry mouth, red flush on chest and neck. My arm is feeling a bit less sore today. Nausea is mild so far.
My DH surprised me at the infusion center with a giant heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie he made and decorated it himself. It said "Beautiful Warrior, I love you!". I am very surprised and touched. He also gave me a lovely pink sapphire pendant and told me thank you for going through all of this for me and our children. Usually I'm not the soft, mushy kind of girl...but I must say, I've got a keeper. At the birth of each of our children, my DH gave me a piece of jewelry; usually including the birthstone of our new infant. He told me this fight is longer and harder and he is so thankful that I'm fighting so hard.
Thanks for listening to me.
0 -
Badhairday -- Calm down, take a few deep breaths, you will be fine. I understand the feeling of being lost and defeated, and I am sure you have had the same pity party that we have all had. Now it is time to pull up your boot straps and get strong. Your 6 year old needs you and there is nothing better than hugs and kisses and "I love you" from your child (I have a 26 year old and still love to hear the "I love you" and get kisses and bear hugs from him). If nothing else, that child is worth doing what you have to do to get through this. Try not to look at the whole picture, only one puzzle piece at a time. When I get out of bed in the morning, I have a calendar that tells me what is in store for me that day, and I don't worry about anything but what I am doing that day. Do you have a nurse navigator? They are a great resource of information. Perhaps you have a local cancer center where you live. I got a lot of free scarves, hats and even a wig from them. Hang in there, we are here for you...HUGS
0 -
Hope50 -- Did things go well with your infusion today? How are you feeling?
Poppy -- Sorry you had such a hard time today. Things will get better. Your husband definitely sounds like a keeper. What a nice guy!!!!
0 -
bad hair......I am praying for you right now. I can't imagine. You have gotten great loving advice from others
Hugs, and a prayerful heart for you
0 -
Nomatterwhat, yes my infusion went ok. I'm am mouth more tired and the metal taste has already hit. Trying to drink lots. I go for neupogen shot tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday and to get fluids as needed.
Had good meeting with MO. I will start 7 weeks of daily radiation first week of November.
MO said the fatigue and "chemo flu" feeling gets stronger each round as it's cumulative. I can deal with that. She wants me walking each day but just do the best I can. Take good care of me. When your so use to taking care of others it's so hard when it's you now.
I'm really feeling good, just really tired. I don't have the bad headache I've had in the past. That is a plus. Already started the different mouthwashes. Mouth and lips very dry. Want to fight off all mouth sores, etc.
Hope everyone is doing well. So glad I have kind and caring people here who understand. We can do this and are doing it.
Go fighters!! May you all have a good nights rest!!
0 -
Thanks so much to all of you for the words of encouragement! I am trying so hard to remain positive and optimistic and tough. It was so difficult to work myself up to going into that treatment by myself, and when it went so poorly, it really knocked me for a loop! Picking myself up off the floor today, and heading for a wig fitting. Then will spend the weekend learning everything I can about the new chemo regimen, and what to expect, so I can kick this, and get on with living my life. Thanks for being here, and sharing your journeys--it helps so much to know none of us is alone in this battle.
0 -
badhairday- Glad you are doing your best to pick yourself up. We all know it isn't easy to have a change in chemo regimens. The bottom line, there is treatment available for you and the side effects may not be that different than what you already have experienced. If you have problems with the nausea after the A, ask your onco about Emend or Aloxi in your prechemo IV cocktail. That may help. You do have it right.... you are not alone. We will hang with you for as long as you want us to. If you have a friend, ask her/him to go with you to the infusions. Yes, I know it may be hard for you to ask for help, but do so. You may be somewhat surprised to learn that you may have friends who want to help but don't know how to help you. If you need some help, call the local American Cancer Society and/or contact the hospital social services or ask at church to see what kind of help is available to you. The American Cancer Society has the Look Good Feel Good program which may be able to help you get a free wig and a free makeup session where you will receive a free bag of makeup.. Check to see if there is a local chapter where you live. Hang in there..... thinking of you and hoping you have a restful weekend.
0 -
Hope50- Sorry about the dry mouth and lips. Make sure you keep that mouth moist because you don't want to have dental problems later on. Biotene also has gum and other products besides the mouthwash that can help. For mouth sores, you may want to try the salt water/baking soda/ warm water solution to swish in your mouth. The recipe is for one swishing session..... 1/4 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp baking soda and + 1 cup of warm water. Try to swish several times a day. When I did have mouth sores, i used this solution and sometimes increased the amount of salt to 1/2 tsp. Yes, it is hard to put yourself as the Number One priority when one is so use to taking care of everyone else. However, at this time, you come first and so everything and everyone else can just wait. Keep checking in...... always good to hear how you are doing.
0 -
wanted to check in and give some hope....for now anyway! First infusion today. Not even a mark where IV was.
Tolerated nausea and decadron well..on to taxotere. Also no reactions. Finally cytoxen. They did take 45 minutes to put it in instead of usual 30 as first time
Had my collier with me....water, watermelon, grapes and crackers. Follow team mates were great. One man rang the big bell since he was done with treatment. Lots of clapping, etc
Came home, ate oatmeal and headed to work for a meeting. Minimal metal taste. Brief hot flashes
Rice for dinner, and loving my sugar free Popsicles. No other SE at all
MO said they think Sunday will be my couch day. Also said how I react this time should stay the course
Rinsing, started Prilosec yesterday.
N shot tomorrow morning. Half Claritin early evening. Full in morning.
Hugs and love to everyone
God is so darn good
0 -
Toby - Great report. Keep up w/the Claritin for at least a week.
0
