Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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My second round with breast cancer. First time didn't have chemo nor radiation, mastectomy and reconstruction only. 3 years later now, needing chemo and radiation. 1st infusion with Cytoxan and taxotere last Thursday.
I did fine with infusion and all the IV pre cocktails ( pepcid, benadryl, steroids, ?something else). Took my steroids day before/of/after chemo. Nauseous the next day. Took compazine which helped. Took claritin and advil day before and day of after neulasta injection.
Finally felt somewhat human yesterday, day 5, but my tummy is so uncomfortable. Bloating, gas, belching, sour stomach...
Any suggestions? Gotten some good ones from the prior posts.
Tori
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tbayer- As i recall, the burping was one of my side effects. Those burps were so loud that I often beat my son in burping contests!!! I used to drink ginger ale which seemed to help a little. I know that after my round of chemo, my tummy wasn't quite right. However, the other rounds of chemo, my body tolerated those rounds much better. I did eat on a schedule 5-6 times a day.... small meals/snacks. Having a little something in the tummy may help. You may to make sure that you eat something bland. I usually ate what I called "white meals" which consisted of mashed potatoes, mac n cheese and baked chicken. Sometimes some boiled rice with extra water helped my tummy. Hope you start to feeling better soon!!!!
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Tori, To add to Melrose's suggestions... Food selection helped, but didn't solve the problem for me. I'm now taking Prilosec and it's making a world of difference.
Redhead, Hope you feel better quickly!
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Hi Tori. Welcome and we are glad that you are here. You will find a supportive and informed group of others with shared experiences here. Keep us posted on how things go for you. The Mods
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Tbayer, My best friends became my crackers, my ginger ale and my Zofran. As Melrose said, don't let yourself get hungry, always have something in your stomach, preferably something bland. Spicy food was my worst enemy and even now after I eat spicy food, I follow it with a milk shake or some form of ice cream.Redhead, I hope you are feeling better. Hugs to you!!!!!
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How long after finishing your infusions did you keep your port in? At my last appointment, my MO stated she wanted to schedule the port removal after my final infusion... which is Tuesday.
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I am getting mine out today - woohoo! My MO said I could have it out 2 weeks after my last infusion - today is actually about 2 1/2 weeks.
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glad I found this board ... did anyone have an allergic/negative reaction to Taxotere?? I did on my first round ... deep pressure in my chest, hot/red flushed face, terrible pain in abdomen (low/right side). They stopped administering it immediately, switched it for more bendryl and everything eased up. They flushed it w/saline for about 30min and tried again. They slowed the dose drip down for the second go of it and my body seemed to accept it. But I was completely preoccupied w/worry for several days later thinking I was a ticking time bomb, ready to have another reaction to it. Can that happen (days later)??
I was told this sometimes happens and that even some patients do fine the first round, only to have issues with the 2nd round. I hope I'm past any major issues but can't help to worry - very concerned for next weeks treatment #2
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KiLin, How did the port removal go? Hope it was easy for you!
Midlife, I know there are women here who have had reactions. Hope they speak up to share their experiences with you. Do you have a port? My first infusion was without a port and was difficult (unbearable, burning pain). They stopped it, changed the dilution and so on and I continued. Not as severe a reaction as yours. My port was used with the next two chemo days.... no problem.
Final chemo day tomorrow! Not looking forward to it.... but I'm going to kick cancer's ass tomorrow anyway!
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Poppy, YOU GO GIRL!!!!! CONGRATS It has been a long time coming. I hope you get to ring the bell!! Are you going to join us on the rads board? I got my port out 2-2 1/2 weeks after I was finished. It was an outpatient procedure at the hospital.
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I'll join the rads board once I hear from my RO! Usually my docs are responsive, but I haven't received a call back. At my last appt with the RO, she said to call her office prior to my last infusion to set the rads appts. I'm going to enlist my MO to help me get a call back. I don't know what the issue is... unusual for my treatment center.
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Poppy - Port removal was a piece of cake. It took a while to get through all the paperwork and prep, but the procedure itself was quick. The incision is a little sore, but nothing requiring painkillers. I'm thrilled to have it out!
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PoppyK: Just wanted to say congratulations! on your last day of chemo. Hope all goes smoothly.
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I AM DONE WITH CHEMO! SO HAPPY! I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH WITHOUT ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
Everything went smoothly. Hoping for minimal side effects!
Talked to my MO. She said that since I'm going from chemo to rads, she recommends waiting until I finish rads to remove the port. Since chemo has knocked my immune system for a loop, she doesn't want to schedule procedures that could wait until I bounce back.
I will probably start rads sometime the last two weeks of Dec. I am hoping for after Christmas... one less thing to have to deal with while trying to prepare for Christmas.
I am thankful for each of you and your kindness and support through this most difficult time.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Poppy
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Poppy, I am so happy for you!!!! Welcome to the other side!!! When you go for your sim and tattoos, a tip -- take a Xanax. I didn't and laid there, not being able to move, with my arms above my head in a criss-cross position on a hard as cement table for about an hour. By the time I was done, the tech had to help me move my arms and get help to get me up off that table. Also, wear an old shirt and bra, so the sharpie drawings don't ruin your clothes. Congrats again, I hope you celebrate and enjoy your time off!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!
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PoppyK- Congrats!!!! So happy you have finished the chemo. Hoping that you have an easy time with the rads. You may want to check out Miaderm radiation cream to help your skin with the rads. For now, it is recovery time from the chemo. Wishing you the best.
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Congrats Poppy! I saw you on Winter Rad forum. It's nice you get to take a break from treatments for the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Congratulations Poppy!!! My understanding is that rads is a piece of cake compared to chemo. You've almost got this thing liked! I'll be seeing you on the Winter 2014-2015 board.
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Congratulations Poppy! The best feeling ever! So happy for you...Rosie
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Yay PoppyK
We're delighted for you! Congrats and big hugs :-)
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MidLife - I had the same type of reaction to the chemo drugs as you did - but after my second infusion started. I thought I would hit the roof when the pain in my back started to esculate. Within seconds of hitting the button, they were there with the benedryl and flushing out the system. Once the benedryl kicked in - I was in happyland. Anyways, from then on, with the following infusions I would get my happy drug (benedryl) before any chemo drugs, worked like a charm. All that to say, I did not have any of those problems between the infusions. So, I do not think you will either. Now, keep in mind or should say keep OUT OF your mind - do not over think things; just leads to worry and anxiety when neither is worth it. So, take each day as it comes. Some will be good, some you sleep a lot. REST - let your body heal between infusions. I am telling you my 'hindsights'; one year later and I am still trying to learn to rest. LOL Drink lots of water, eat whatever you can stomach. I lost my tastebuds to most foods and could only taste vinegary stuff. So ate a lot of bruschetta, saurkraut and pickles. I think everyone is different. Do you have a local Cancer Support Group - where someone could come and visit you, encourage you like we do on here. Sometimes it is nice to visit with someone with 'flesh on', who has been down this road. In the meantime, stay strong and of good courage. Many have gone before you and we are here to tell you that in the blink of an eye - it will be over and a year later.
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Hi. I am new to this forum, although I have been reading it for the past few weeks as my diagnosis has unfolded and I have found your posts extremely helpful. I will be starting chemo (Cytoxan Taxotere) on Dec 8 and would appreciate any and all advise.
My question now is: What has been your experience using the cold mitts/cold booties during this chemo? Please let me know your positive, negative, and neutral responses. Did it work? Not work? I think this chemo is about 2.5 hours (?)- did you bring multiple sets of mitts/booties? These are quite expensive, and if I am going to order them I need to do it quickly to have them for the first chemo.
Many thanks in advance!
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Ratherbecooking - Welcome to the group. I had 4 rounds of TC every three weeks. I am sure you have read lots of things on this board to help you. The two most important things are to drink, drink and drink some more, so the chemo drugs run through your body faster, and make sure you take your nausea meds as prescribed and before each heavy meal you eat. For me, taking my Zofran and keeping ahead of the nausea, even at night, helped me function during the next week at work. I took Claritin and Aleve for about one week after chemo day to ease the aches and pains. I had my chemo on Thursday, Neulasta shot on Friday, felt icky on Saturday and Sunday and was good to go back to work on Monday morning.
When you go to the center take things that can entertain you. I took my laptop, crossword puzzles, blanket, husband and they had TV's to watch, people to talk with and volunteers to get you whatever you needed. I made sure I had mints, lots of ice to suck on during the Taxotere and also made sure my nails had polish on them. I did not use the frozen mitts or booties. I wear my wig to work and hats when I go out, otherwise, I pretty much go bald here at home. Please take care of yourself first and foremost, but we are here when you need us.
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Ratherbecooking- I iced during the Taxotere portion of my 6 chemo rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere. I purchased some neoprene wine bags and put small ziploc bags of ice in the bottom of each of the bags. I was able to slide my feet into each bag and have the ice bag sitting on the top of my toe nails. I wore a pair of thin athletic socks to help keep the rest of my foot warm. As for my hands, I did the same thing and was able to move the ice around that it was on top of my fingernails. I wore a pair of fingerless gloves that i got from Target to keep the rest of my hands warm. I monitored the ice throughtout the infusion to make sure that the ice had not melted and if it was a little too melty, I would switch the ice bag out with a new one. Some people opt to use frozen peas but I found that they defrosted too quickly for me. The use of bags of ice or bags of frozen peas is an alternative to ice gel gloves/feet booties. If I hadn't used the neoprene wine bags, I would have used some neoprene lunch carriers that can be purchased at Target or insulated lunch bags.
The icing is done during the Taxotere infusion. One ices for a total of 1 1/2 hours ---- 15 minutes before the infusion, 1 hour during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion. You may also want to drink some icy cold water and/or suck on ice during the chemo round to help prevent mouth sores.
I know I posted some brief instructions earlier on this thread and if you are unable to find them, I will try to repost them for you. Just let me know.
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Nomatterwhat:
Thank you for the quick reply and all of the information - much appreciated! Did you have problems with your nails?
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Carren thanks. good to hear there were no related issues between treatments - that has been my biggest scare. I do, thankfuIly, have a wonderful support system beside me made up of family, friends and new aquaintances who have walked in similar shoes. I'm fortunate in that respect. Love coming to these boards for additional "been there, done that" kind of support though Everyone on here has been so kind and supportive.
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I have not had any problems with my fingernails. My MO suggested that I use Sallly Hansen Hard as Nails. I would put a coat on every night starting about two nights before chemo and for a week after chemo. I took it off when it started to curl up and peel off. I let my nails rest for about two nights and started putting it on again. My toenails, a different story. I have so many foot problems to begin with that the toenails on the toes next to the big toes do not grow correctly and those two toenails did turn black. My podiatrist told me they were bleeding underneath due to the chemo and I should have polished them. NO KIDDING!!!!! He filed the nails off and they have been growing like normal. If you do polish, my suggestion is to polish both fingernails and toenails. My DH took over washing dishes, because he didn't want me to get my hands wet and take any chances on my fingernails turning black. Maybe someday I should tell him I am through that part of our journey, or maybe not. LOL!!!!
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I am not icing and I am not having any trouble with finger or toe nails after two rounds. I am using OPI Nail Envy on my fingernails.
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hi there - can anyone tell me the reason for putting nail polish on? i see some are doing it and some aren't and i don't know why...
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Chemo may effect your nails. I kept clear polish on my fingernails and colored on my toes. No problems. I notice I have "growth rings" on my fingernails that coincide with my chemo rounds. My nurse said that it's not uncommon.
I didn't ice or cold cap. Cold capping just seemed like too much trouble to me when my main problem is nausea.
I would type more, but this fatigue is kicking me in the butt!
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