Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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I also begin my first round on Tuesday. Have a feeling I will be spending alot of time on these boards. I plan on spending the weekend preparing as best I can. I just am scared of how my body is going to respond to all of this! !
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Speechmom22 & Cholesmom: Your story is similar to mine...thought I'd be skipping chemo...was EVEN at the hospital, on the radiation table getting set up to mark me for that....then got YANKED off to be told my onc score just came in....34. Off to chemo I went, my last of 4 was 2 wks ago.
The advice that worked for me: Hydrate the day of, and two days after chemo...I mean really hydrate...drink 100 oz of fluid (doesn't have to be all water---I flavored water with POM juices). Get that chemo OUTTA there ASAP. It will reduce side effects.
Take your nausea meds first thing in the mornings after chemo...whether you feel it or not...stay ahead of the game. At least for the 1st week.
Prepare a mixture of 1 cup water--1/2 tsp baking soda--1/2 tsp salt....to rinse your mouth out often for the first week---to prevent mouth sores (I never got any).
Each round brought a new "adventure"....hives, facial rashes, etc. Everyone is different. This last round brought the loss of my eyebrows...damn it...so close to the end.
The Nuelasta shot was my own personal hell....made me feel worse than the chemo. Take a claritan and advils, every day for a week (I ended up needing vicodin and compelte bed rest for 2 days each time). A heating pad also helps. Not everyone has a hard time with this shot. Hope you are lucky.
It's doable, survivable...sucks alot of the time....but you're killing cancer cells that could kill you. I've had my share of pity-parties and melt-downs...have a good cry here & there. Then get back into the fight. This too shall pass....just not fast enough! Hugs and blessings to you newbies.
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Thanks everyone for the advice! Still working through the SE but I *feel* like I'm getting a handle on it. Of course something else pops up so it is an ongoing battle.
I've been keeping a journal since my diagnosis and it has been helpful to keep track of all the SE after chemo. At least I can keep track of everything between infusions.
Hugs to you all! Keep on kicking and knocking this chemo out!
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speechmom and cholesmos: this is a great site with amazing advise and support. redhead has great advise and I've basically done most of what she wrote above.
In addition what worked for me: I've iced my fingers and toes during the taxotere to try to prevent nail changes, so far it is working. Before chemo I put Sally Hansen hard as nails on my nails, then a dark polish, then more sally hansen. I add sally hansen each day for a few days. then take it all off in a few days and just use the sally hansen between infusions. During the taxotere part of the infusion I ice fingers and toes: we make up quart size zip lock bags with 1/3 chopped ice a few days before and put them in freezer. Also put those ice things you use for lunch bags in freezer. At the infusion I wear fingerless gloves and slip my hands into square potholders, put the crushed ice inside on top of fingers and the ice thing on the outside of the square potholder and keep it on with paper medical tape. For my toes I do the same thing but wear athletic socks. My daughter changes up the crushed ice if it gets warm. It sounds like a lot to do, but my daughter starts it all for me 15 minutes before taxotere starts and keeps it on for 15 minutes after. Much less a big deal than it sounds. Bring a comfy warm blanket and a comfy sweater and you won't be cold.
I also suck on ice chips all thru the taxotere infusion to help prevent mouth sores - my daughter feeds them to me on a plastic spoon since my hands are in ice - pretty funny actually. She calls me the "ice lady". We bring those ice chips in two insulated mugs.
During the cytoxan I drink continuously - water mixed with cranberry juice. I'd read that the cytoxan can cause bladder issues and that drinking during the infusion and continuing to hydrate for days after is helpful. So far that is working too.
My MO gives me steroids orally starting day before infusion and continuing for three days, and also in the pre-tx IV meds. He also puts two kinds of antinausea meds and stomach meds in the pre-tresatment IV. I asked him to add ativan to that and he agreed - my goal is to be relaxed during the infusion since I am anxious before, and since my "team" (daughter, husband, friend) can run the show I am much happier spacing out.
I hydrate the day before chemo also - a lot. The nurses said it helps plump the veins. You will see in my previous posts I've had some vein issues. Putting warm compresses on the veins after the infusion for a few days has helped with that.
I too had a lot of bone and joint pain with the neulasta. For CT #2 I had no neulasta, then my numbers dropped too much, so I had two neupogen shots instead of the neulastsa. the neupogen is less potent and shorter acting - and caused me only minimal pain (yea!). So this time I will have the neulasta shots on day 4 and 5 after infusion and hope that keeps the numbers up with minimal pain.
I used the Biotene mouthwash - found it at target - and use it at least three times a day the weeks after infusion. seems to help. I did get one mouth sore last time but my MO thought it was because my numbers were so low. It healed when my numbers came back up.
During the infusions my daughter keeps a log of every medicine and the time it went in and my reaction. I keep a log of all the meds I take at home and the SEs in the same journal - it really helps to have it all in one place.
Wishing you both an easy first infusion and minimal SEs. Know that all of us are walking this tunnel and will come out at the other end.
I'm back down the rabbit hole tomorrow for CT #3 - then I will be 75% done so I am trying to focus on that.
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hugs ratherbecooking! Wonderful advice. Have an easy time of it.
Susan
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I would have been in deep doo doo. Was getting dropped off at hospital now will keep family with me!
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Chloesmom, Don't go alone. It's a long day and you will want company. I recommend someone who is calm and helpful. My hubby went with me and was very understanding when I just wanted quiet... no talking. He would adjust my blankets, rub my feet and look out for me, especially when I experienced a bad reaction during infusion. We would bring light reading material, laptops, a DVD for a movie, snacks. Whatever will make you comfortable. I got chemo brain and had a hard time concentrating, thus the light reading material. My food and drink preferences changed, too. The center had lunch for us; other times my DH would run out and bring food back for us. To drink, I preferred water with fruit in it. Frozen fruit ices were good, too. I did not ice my hands, just used hard as nails, and did not lose my nails. My hair was another story; I lost most of it. It's growing back now, but was never the biggest issue for me.
You've got this!
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speechmom and who ever is starting chemo. I had no nausea or the big D. I had the big C. I did a large glass of warm prune juice every night. Drink, drink, drink.
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Poppy: I drove myself and was really glad I did. No one to entertain or hover. Drove myself to 6 TCHP sessions usually lasting 7 hours - and then 3 AC. Took a rolling cooler w/my frozen peas & lunch. Took books or my Kindle and an MP3. The chemo center had drinks & chips & crackers. After that I drove myself to rads every day. Maybe it's just me but I did not want any company.
Edited to say that my son took me to the very first chemo because they were putting Benedryl in the infusion. After that I didn't need it.
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Were the frozen peas for your hands
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Frozen peas in zip lock bags were for finger AND toe nails - all during taxotere plus 15 minutes before & 15 min after. I used peas instead of crushed ice and enclosed my hands & feet in insulated lunch bags & changed out at least once. I have some nail problems but haven't lost a nail.
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I am not usually anxious but nauseous already and it's 5 days away. Guess it's nerves. Might want to start the Ativan sooner! Have been cleaning to take my mind off of it. Might be so exhausted from cleaning that I will sleep in the chair? Just joking i could only wish that was apossibility
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Chloe's Mom - I never had any nausea. But oh the diarrhea. Try this link - More tips & and shopping list
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...
I prepared by having EVERYTHING that I might possibly need. Over kill!! Didn't need 90% of the stuff. you can do this.
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Chloesmom and speechmom: do try to eat a healthy light meal before you go - scrambled eggs and toast and tea worked for me. I too clean and tidy each time before infusion - does give me something to do before infusion, and then everything is in place for the week. If you can, cook and freeze some meals ahead. I did some, as did family and friends. Made it much easier for the first week or so to just have something to pop in the microwave that was healthy and sure to please.
You can do this!
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For the Newbies
If you need some help trying to figure out what to eat, you may want to check out these two cookbooks. I was given both books when I had chemo and it was wonderful to have info hand. The first book is "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD. This book has recipes, shopping lists, helpful tips and is divided into chapters by what to eat when ( ie what to eat before chemo, what to eat when you are having certain side effects ( diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, etc). The second book is "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz. This book has wonderful recipes ( Miracle Broth is my favorite) and great color pictures. I used to get food magazines to just look at the pictures to help stimulate me to eat.
I kept a daily food diary which helped me figure out what foods I tolerated when. I ate small meals 5-6 times a day. By keeping something in one's tummy, one is less apt to become nauseous. I usually ate what I call "White Foods" the days after chemo--- mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes and baked chicken or baked fish. Try to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in water content such as watermelon, grapes, jello, popscicles, broth since these also count for fluids. One can also drink gatorade, juices, tea, ginger ale etc in addition to water, I used to put orange slices in my water to give the water some flavor.
As to eating morning of chemo, eat a light breakfast ( eggs, toast, etc). The infusion nurses prefer that patients eat before the patients are administered their pre-chemo IV cocktails since some of those drugs can cause nausea.
Yes, your taste buds may go on vacation after you receive your chemo round. It happens. Try to not eat your favorite comfort foods at this time so you can keep those foods as your favorites once you finish your chemo. I developed adversions to salt and butter while having chemo. ( Of course now, those things are back in my diet and maybe shouldn't be.). My taste buds usually went on vacation a few days after receiving chemo but returned the 3rd week before I received my next round of chemo.
As many have suggested, take your anti-nausea meds on schedule. You want to stay ahead of that possible side effect. Make sure you drink plenty of water when taking the drugs and also make sure you have eaten a little something. Those meds can cause nausea on their own if taken on an empty stomach. If your side effects start to escalate, call your MO asap. it doesn't matter what time of day it is or whether it is a weekend or not. There should be an MO on call. You just need to know that it is their job to help you get through chemo and that you need to let them know when you are having issues. In short, don't try to ride the side effect out without getting help.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. One needs to hydrate before chemo to help make vein/port access a little easier and post chemo infusion to help flush the chemo through the body. I used to drink daily from 2 large Nalgene bottles ( 32 ounces each) so I could make sure I drank enough fluids. Do drink other things in addition to water so you don't get water intoxification.
No matter what, you can and will get through chemoland. Be easy on yourselves and rest and get a daily walk in. Wishing the best and for minimal side effect for each of those starting in chemoland and those in the midst of things. If you have quiestions or need to vent, please post. Waiting for you on the other side........
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Ladies who are starting the journey through chemoland, Melrose saved my sanity many times during this journey. She and my chemo sisters are a blessing!
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Amen Poppy! You are all a blessing, especially Melrose!
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Hello Tommytoo and others who have recently finished chemo...woohoo for all of you! I finished my chemo on June 2, 2014....then rads ended august 13....returned to my job as kindergarten teacher the next week and kids came august 25th....sooooo, I also was still very tired ( and yes, beginning of school always hits us hard) BUT...the strength in my legs did not really come back for a long time...I was unable to get on the rug with my students and I was walking at a much slower pace than normal. I would say, for me, it wasn't untilNovember that I was able to move easier...very slow getting strength back in legs. I am also on tamoxifen.
I can honestly say, that for me, I am only now getting back to walking at my fast pace like I used to before bc! So that is about 6 months after chemo...you really can't put a time on when you will feel stronger and "normal". I started walking every day mid Januaryfor at least 30 minutes and it is fast paced. I thought after 8 weeks, I would be stronger...but it took much longer for me...set small goals for yourself and just know you WILL get stronger and feel better! It is a long process...but we are here...
Good luck and peace to you all...Rosie
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Hello Tommytoo and others who have recently finished chemo...woohoo for all of you! I finished my chemo on June 2, 2014....then rads ended august 13....returned to my job as kindergarten teacher the next week and kids came august 25th....sooooo, I also was still very tired ( and yes, beginning of school always hits us hard) BUT...the strength in my legs did not really come back for a long time...I was unable to get on the rug with my students and I was walking at a much slower pace than normal. I would say, for me, it wasn't untilNovember that I was able to move easier...very slow getting strength back in legs. I am also on tamoxifen.
I can honestly say, that for me, I am only now getting back to walking at my fast pace like I used to before bc! So that is about 6 months after chemo...you really can't put a time on when you will feel stronger and "normal". I started walking every day mid Januaryfor at least 30 minutes and it is fast paced. I thought after 8 weeks, I would be stronger...but it took much longer for me...set small goals for yourself and just know you WILL get stronger and feel better! It is a long process...but we are here...
Good luck and peace to you all...Rosie
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Thanks for the update, Rosie. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel strong again. It's nice to know baby steps will get me there.... even if it takes longer than I want it to!
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PoppyK- It takes time for the body to heal after one is finished with chemo. Little by little, day by day, things do improve but may not be as quickly as one wishes. Unfortunately, there isn't a on/off switch that we can flip and we are feeling good and strong immediately after chemo. The good days that you feel well will start to increase as the days of not feeling so great will lessen. Just have to view those good days as glimpses of what will be later on. I remember moving so slowly and sometimes achey and unsteady on my feet for at least 4-5 months post chemo. I tried to stay positive since I knew that in time, I would feel strong and able again. Just keep pushing forward...... eat well..... rest/sleep well and get exercise/walk in daily. No matter what, just have to make the best of what we have with the good days and not so good days..
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Poppyk - I too feel shaky and achy all the time. My last TC treatment is on Thursday. I have asked if my MO thinks that maybe I can do another two treatments, since I have heard that some do 6 and the fact that I did not do AC-T makes me want to do as much as I can. My MO told me that the only reason we do adjuvant chemo is to try to prevent recurrence and to clean up any cells that might be out there in the body. He told me that they request oncotype test but based on my pathology it would come back with high number and the fact that I had node positive I should do the chemo, followed by radiation (possibly) and hormonal drugs which I would get the biggest bang for my buck. Does anyone know why the hormonal drugs would be the biggest bang for my buck vs. chemo? I have gone back to work few hours few days a week to keep my mind from thinking. Some weird side effects which I am not even sure are related to the chemo...back of my heals are red and sore, I have floaters in my eyes, (just noticed that) my skin is very dry on my face, have gotten peach fuzz on my face..anyone experience any of these?
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Thanks Melrose and Thinkingpositive. I have two more radiation treatments to go. Surprisingly, my skin is very burned and black in several area. I'm just so tire of feeling weak and sore.
Good news is my hair is growing back nicely, my nails are in good shape and finally my eyelashes are growing back.
Thinkingpositive, the anti-hormone therapy is key to my treatment because my cancer is nearly 100% ER+/PR+. Perhaps your numbers are similar to mine. The skin on my face was drier on chemo than ever before. I used a moisturizing cream at night, which took care of the problem. My eyes got blurry and teary, but no increase in floaters. I've seen posts from others who had skin issues with their feet and hands. Call your MO or nurse and discuss your SE.
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Poppyk..it really worries me that I did not lose my eyelashes or eyebrows...nor had very many side effects from the chemo. I often thought to myself, could I be resistent? Is the chemo working? My ER was 100% and PR was 68% HER2 -. The thing that worries me is Grade 3, LVI present and One node positive. I always say it could be worse. and I have been told chemo works better on quickly dividing cells....but does all chemo work that way? I just doubt everything that I have been told. When do you start the hormonal drugs - after chemo or after radiation.
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thinking positive...I had all the symptoms you mentioned....red itchy heals ( cortisone cream helped), watery , blurry eyes and peach fuzzy face...very dry and rashy skin and avacado oil mixed with pure refined coconut oil healed all that (I still use it!)....when my heals were so bad, I saw the MO. And he lowered my TAXOTERE dose...good luck! Rosie
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Thanks Rosiesride.. I see you are doing ACT... did you MO give you a choice of regimens? I am doing just TC...was a little scared of the ACT since I have very high blood pressure and a few other minor heart issues.
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Thinkingpositive, I didn't start losing my eyelashes or eyebrows until after my last infusion. I lost all but one eyelash and my eyebrows thinned quite a bit. Chemo works on rapidly dividing cells. Some meds destroy the genetic material of the cancer cells, others interfere with cell division. I will start the anti-hormonal treatment once I finish radiation. My MO wanted to ensure we could determine what was causing any SE- radiation or Tamoxifen.
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chloesmom and speechmom: Thinking of you yesterday - how did your first CT go? I hope you are doing alright and all went smoothly. rest up!
update from down the rabbit hole: Had CT #3 Friday. Good news was the vein worked out fine (yea!). I did have the allergic reaction to the Taxotere. Part way through I started feeling flushed. They stopped it, called the doctor who came over. They gave me more benedryl and restarted the Taxotere which I was able to finish. For others who have had the taxotere allergy reaction - did it happen every time after the first time you had it? what else did your MO do about it? I am concerned about CT #4....
this time I definitely feel much more tired and brain fuzzy - like in a fog. I try to keep remembering that this forum says the tired gets worse each time but it is disheartening. I am concerned about how I will feel after the fourth infusion if I am this tired now. word to the wise: I did hydrate well day before, day of and day after, then slacked off. that was a mistake as my blood pressure went way down. I will be better about continuing to hydrate next time.
on the positive again the neupogen shots are better than the neulasta again, much less joint pain than neulasta. still not fun but certainly better. blood counts on Friday so hopefully they stayed up this time.
hope all out in chemo land are holding up!
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Ratherbecooking, I don't have a definitive answer about the Taxotere. I had a bad reaction the first time, but the other infusions were through my port. I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I had no reaction with those infusions.
The fatigue did get worse. Days 3-5 I slept about 12 hours a day.... or more. The good news is I slept better at night than I did with the first infusions, so that kind of balanced things out. I got better at managing my SE and eating became easier.
The chemo brain thing stinks. Yesterday I was trying to let the school know that my youngest son has all of his immunizations up to date and I said "shot, needle, injection" before I finally came up with the word immunization.
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Ratherbecooking and PoppyK,
Hi I just found out this page is still active and started following it recently. If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me more about what you experienced with these Taxotere allergic reactions? Thanks.
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