Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Indenial, I'm sorry you are going through any of this at your age. Thirty is way to young for BC
Praying for the best possible outcome for you and that you'll be able to have more kids when this is all over. A friend of mine recently sent me a picture of her "little sister" family. Her little sister went through chemo in her early twenties and went on to have three beautiful children.Speaking of way too young, we are reeling after learning that my granddaughter had one margin that was not clear after her 2nd lumpectomy, which means a third surgery. This raises all kinds of hard questions for my daughter and son-in-law. Do they stick with the same surgeon or consult with someone else? How many times do you put a teenager through lumpectomy before you consider mastectomy and reconstruction? This is so very hard. Phyllodes tumors are so rare and almost unheard of at her age that there aren't a lot of doctors with much experience with them, although this surgeon has had another teen patient with one.
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AnnieLane- My heart is just breaking reading about what your sweet granddaughter is having to go through. I'm sure that your granddaughter, daughter and son in law will make the best decision for your granddaughter. Hope you are taking good care of yourself. I know you are worried. Sending many many hugs and positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy to you and yours.
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Hi there, I am currently having my 4th and last chemo on Thursday. I noticed in your blog you mentioned eyebrows and eyelashes. Im actually surprised I havent lost all mine yet, but it sounds as if I still might. Do they continue to fall out post chemo or did I luck out on that one. So far I still also have stubble on my head but no hair anywhere else...
This blog has been great for me and I know it has made all of us stronger.
Nancy
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Hi Milo, I am almost 3 weeks post my last TC. Lashes and brows have thinned considerable- about 50% gone, but I am not seeing any further loss- knock wood. I've been letting my shaved head grow since the beginning of April. I have about 1/4- 1/2 of gray hair growth all over (longer on top and sides than forehead and back- where it rubbed on my pillow and headcovers?) . I just noticed last week that I have some very short stubble starting to come in on my legs. Hopefully, Spring has Sprung and so has my new hair growth! I still really love that avatar picture of you rockin' that newsboy cap!
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Hello All - At just about 52 years old. I stopped getting my period after my first T/C infusion and it has never returned. But now that I am done with Chemo/Neulasta and headed to RADS next month - who knows???????
I do know this however:, I am writing this post from the Flower Mound Presbyterian Hospital while getting 2 units of blood transfused as my MO told me yesterday I am anemic. I went to see him under duress though because the first thing that happened on Saturday when I was planting my Sister's garden I tripped in a large whole and BROKE my left foot. Now finally, as the trifecta to the bad news, I had an hour long ultrasound of my left broken foot's LEG to rule out a blood clot. OH LORD, can things get any worse. YES - they can - I cannot use the crutches they gave ne in the ER to save my life! Ugggggg! And to make matter worse, I drive a new Jeta stick shift which will not accomodate a broken left foot. So, I guess I will be looking for rides!
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I am sending virtual (((hugs))) to you, Carolyn. I just can't believe what has happened to you! Not fair!
Also sending prayers for your granddaughter, AnnieLane. It is completely not fair for that to happen to such a young girl!
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I'm almost two weeks out from final treatment and still have a great set of lashes, but my eyebrow on one side is pretty thin. Not sure if I want one eyebrow vs none. Praying my eyelashes hang on!
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@ melody46
I finished 4 treatments of 4 T/C and Nuelasta shots and my eyebrows are still intact and threaded beautifully (because I got them threaded 4 weeks ago) and they are still arched beautifully.
And just in case you did not ALL read my 3:30pm Post - yes, something else CAN go wrong in this trifecta of bad luck. I drive a new Jetta and it is a stick shift. So I'm gonna be looking for rides. Mama Mia!
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The last hurrah! I like that! I wouldn't mind if mine never came back!
Is anyone else experiencing pain in their fingers? Both of my thumb nails are getting darker, they look like they've been hit with a hammer and the finger pads are so sore. It really hurts to put any pressure on them. I know loosing fingernails can be a SE but it feels like I'm going to loose the whole last joint of my thumb!0 -
Will have my 3rd out of 4 cycles of TC tom.... I was really achy and tired after the 1st maybe from the neulasta shot... I dint get the shot after the 2nd cycle but my WBC sent down to 2.3 so my MO said he will give the shot to me this time. Im very anxious and anyicipating the possible sideeffects of chemo and neulasta... During the 2nd cycle while taxotere was infusing I felt so warm/flushed and short of breath... It was stopped and I was given benadryl IV and restarted the taxotere after 30 minutes. It was kinda scary... So now thats making me nervous.... I dont know what supplements to take before chemo to minimize the sideeffects... I also read that neulasta can enlarge the spleen and it could rupture and cause death. Im not trying to scare anyone but its good to know the possible sideeffects so we can report to our doctor if we start feeling some left upper abdominal pain.... To those of you who are done with chemo, im so happy for you and congratulations you made it.. Good luck and god bless... To us who are still going through chemo, i pray gor more strength and courage and no major side effects... God Bless us all 🙏🙏🙏
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Milo5- Glad to hear that your eyelashes/eyebrows have hung in there!!! The eyelashes and eyebrows may start falling out after you finish your 4th round of chemo so don't be too shocked by the fall out. My eyebrows and bottom eyelashes started to fall out after Round 4 and were gone right after Round 6. My top lashes never left and are still here; I'm 9 months PFC). The eyelashes and eyebrows are on a different growth cycle than the head hair and can fall out and grow back several times during the first year of post chemo. Try not to get too upset with lack of eyebrows and eyelashes; your body has to recover and get back in sync after chemo. Some gals use eyelash/eyebrow growth serums. I also had a prescription for Latisse but never filled it. I was tempted to use the serum or Latisse but decided it was more $$$ than I wanted to spend and decided to wait and see what happened. As for the rest of the body hair ( arm hair, leg hair, nose and down south), that hair will start to come back a few weeks after being PFC. (My arm pit hair has not returned though.) As for the head hair, that hair can't come back fast enough. I had that duck fuzz grey/white phase and then my regular head hair started to return. It seems to grow faster on the sides than the hair on the top of my head ( male balding pattern). I have been using Nioxin shampoo ever since I finished chemo. I always put a little of the suds on my eyebrows. Do I think that shampoo works; who knows. I just like the smell of it so I keep using it. Please try to be easy and patient with yourself after you finish chemo. It just takes time to recover.
LW0919- Sorry to hear about the nails. I had occasional pain in my fingers/hands. I also got finger cramps too ( aka trigger finger) when I held things a certain way. I usually just used my other hand fingers to uncramp my crampy fingers.
cmbernardi- Wowsers!!! Hope you feel better soon!!!
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misshopeful- Wishing you the best tomorrow with 3rd infusion!!! As for the Taxotere part of the infusion, just make sure you remind the infusion staff that you have had a reaction to the Taxotere during Round 2. Let them know what happened. Yes, I know it is probably written down in your records but better to tell them again. I did not take any supplements or vitamins when I was having chemo and still don't take any now. My onco and I agreed that I would get whatever nutrients I need by eating a healthy well balanced diet. I'm one of those people who doesn't like to take any extra meds/supplements unless I absolutely have to. As for the Neulasta shot, I took regular 24 hour Claritin beginning the morning that I would receive my afternoon shot of Neulasta and continued to take it for 8 more days. I was fortunate that I did not experience the bone pain from that shot. However, I did have occasional muscle aches and joint pain which is a side effect of our chemo. I also had my Neulasta shot given to me in my tummy fat rather than in my arm. You will get through all of this.
Wishing everyone easy times in the Big Girl Chair and minimal side effects. Sending out many many hugs to all of you and positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!!!
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Carolyn, oh my goodness Girl! I am so, so sorry to hear of all you've been through just when you thought you could celebrate finishing chemo and your birth month!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I think you are going to have to pick another month this year and declare it your unbirthmonth and celebrate when all this is behind you. Maybe when you're through with rads? My mother was buried on my birthday in 2010. My mother-in-law had triple bipass on by birthday in 2011. This year I will be in the dog days after my last chemo infusion on my Bday. I'm ready to pick a new Bday myself!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for my granddaughter, everyone. On Monday, my daughter & son-in-law will be taking her for a consultation with an oncology surgeon at Baylor Med Center in Dallas. They live north of Dallas. I feel so much better about this than having her go under the knife a third time with the same surgeon. Not that I feel good about any of it, but this give me more hope that her third surgery, whatever kind it is, will be her last at least for many years to come.
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Great advice....I actually had my eyebrows tattoed before chemo started by a friend, who will also tatoo my new nipples eventually, so im not to worried. i also have about 1/2 inch of hair, gray, mre on top than sides. Im 52 but and surgically postmenpausal after ovaries were removed (one 10 years ago and other one last june) .
Have axillary lymph node dissection (11 nodes) with double mastectomy and having some, not sure how serious, lymphedema, and now wearing arm sleeve and hand (glove) sleeve, which I HATE... Uncomfortable, embarassing, inconviencent....
anyone have any thoughts, experience, advice on this...... Weird but this is the thing I am MOST bummed about....
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Indenial--I had my period about 5 days after 1st TC. Again heavy period started a day after 2nd chemo and lasted 8days. My Dr. says chemo tend to interfere with mentsral cycle and refered for ultra sound to eliminate other issues. I am not sure if Lupron would help, it was recommended by MO but I was not given. My 3rd chemo is next week and I just have to see what happens. Best of luck to you.
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Milo5, I had the eyebrows tattoed pre-chemo also along with upper eyeliner. For anyone who has time to do this and heal up before chemo, I recommend it - if you can have it done by someone you KNOW does good work. I'm sorry to hear you're having the lymphodema. I can understand being so bummed about it, because it's one of the things you worry that you might have to deal with for life. All I've heard about it is to get medical attention and therapy for it sooner rather than later and to be very pro-active about it.
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Milo5- So sorry to hear about the LE. Check out the LE Discussion forum here because there are great ladies who know the latest. You can also check out the Step Up-Speak Out website about lymphedma. Here is the link: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/ . Hopefully you are getting PT to help teach you what exercises to do and how to help you take care of that arm. The Step up-Speak Out has info how to find a qualified LE physical therapist. You may also need to get a referral from your onco or breast surgeon to get more PT and to learn exercises to help with the LE. Don't wait too long to get some help. I don't have LE but since I had nodes removed, I've learned that one is always at risk. So I wear an off the shelf Jobst sleeve and hand gauntlet when I fly or change elevations. Yes, one needs to wear both since just wearing the sleeve alone can cause LE. I know how uncomfortable the sleeve and gauntlet are; however, I'd rather wear them than risk developing LE. Hope you feel better soon!!!
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Hi Everybody, I went to the Dr. today and he's having me go in for an ultrasound on Friday due to pain I've been having in my breast. Its the side w/ lymph and tumor surgery. Has anyone else been experiencing pain in their surgery breast since starting chemo? Really like some feedback plz. I've actually been having pain in my ribs on that side too but that was going on before chemo.
On the plus side I was surprised to hear from him that I shouldn't lose my lashes or eyebrows. I thought that was strange but he said the CT cocktail shouldn't cause it. My eyebrows have thinned out though but eyelashes hanging strong.
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I have been reading all of your posts here and have gotten some great advise. Thank you! I had my first TC treatment on April 29th. I did okay but really did not feel well until 1 week after my treatment. I went to see my oncologist yesterday and he is reducing my steroids for the next round and will give me saline for 2 to 3 days after it as well. Can anyone tell me what the saline will do to help? Do any of you get saline routinely in this manner?
My worst problem has been clenching, terrible pain in my stomach with no let up. This did not stop until 1 week after as well. If anyone has any suggestions to help me with that I would really appreciate it.
Thank you for all of your help and suggestions.0 -
I think the saline will help you stay better hydrated. The more liquids you can get in (via drinking or IV!), the better you should feel. I think it is "normal" to feel yucky for the first 1-2 weeks after treatment.
I have been getting a similar pain in my stomach. Sometimes antacids (TUMS) seem to help for some reason, though I can't figure out why!
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AnnieLane et al,
I am having a bit of a time of it but I will survive. Thank goodness, no blood clot in the leg, got transfused with 2 units of blood and then fluids so feeling a little better. Broken foot is still quite swolllen but cannot get on an Ortho doc's schedule until Monday! Funny tho, my Mom is having fun driving my stick shift. She seems very proud of herself! And yes, I LOVE the idea of extending the Birthday Month. No one would DARE deny me that!
Also - AnnieLane - I had my surgery at Baylor Grapevine just outside of Dallas with Dr Clifford. He was a wizard! Hugs and prayers to you all too!
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Stomach pains come from the chemo hitting that part of the body. Those particular cells in the body can become irritated from the chemo and your tummy just feels acidy as the chemo circulates through the body. As to getting that heartburn/tummy ache/acid feeling under control, call your onco as ask if it is okay to take some OTC anti acid meds ( Prilosec, Tums, Zantac). I had that acidy tummy feeling after the first round of chemo and was given the okay to take some OTC meds. Fortunately, that not wonderful tummy feeling was better after that first round and I didn't take anything. I will also tell you that I made an effort to eat bland the few days after getting chemo ( like potatoes, mac n cheese, baked chicken, baked fish --- aka my white meals).
As for the saline post chemo, I know that it helped some of my gal pals to get those IV fluids a few days after the chemo round. The ones who got the IV fluids said they felt much better. One does need to hydrate well before and after having the chemo round for a few days.
Hope everyone is feeling okay. The weekend is coming up and rest if you can!!!
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I have experienced some of the worst stomach/intestinal cramps of my life since starting chemo. I think it's just plain hard on your whole digestive/GI tract.
And I've only recently begun to notice some occaisional sharp pains in the tumor/lumpectomy breast, nothing unbearable in my case, but I'll mention it to my MO when I see him before my infusion tomorrow.
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I had infusion #2 today. I don't have a port and I can't use one arm due to ALND. I had to be stuck 4 times to get a good vein! Bleh. It does sound like my doctor thinks I will need 4 vs 6 infusions, but that is based on how I respond. (IBC is a beast treated a bit differently).
All in all, it was a good day. I had lots of company after getting home from chemo, and it was OK. My sister, who took me to chemo, had to stay because she had a work meeting in the evening near my house (she lives 30 min away). My 9 yo went home with a friend after school. The mom is my good friend and brought my daughter home to me, especially so her daughters could see our kittens. And then, my very dear friend is in town from Germany for work. I haven't seen her in 2 years and it is so fabulous to see her. I couldn't help sobbing a bit when I saw and hugged her! So, a bit of a crazy evening, but so very wonderful.
Oh, yes. The kittens. A week before I started chemo my rescue cat had kittens. I rescued her from a friend who lives in a rural area. What I didn't know is that she was pregnant! Counting back, she must have gotten pregnant 1-2 weeks before I got her, so none of us would have known. The vet and I suspected 3 kittens, but they kept coming. 5 kittens! At 4 weeks now we can see their personalities and they are gorgeous. I think we are keeping one, but hubby and the girls want to keep three! I love cats, but NO. I think we will back it down to one once I remind hubby of the financial cost of fixing and vaccinating! For now, they are nursing. Once they are weaned, it's time for them to go! It's been an awesome experience and distraction for my daughters, 12 and 9. I think the timing is wonderful.0 -
Oh yeah. My MO and her nurse gave me the what for because I didn't call in my SE's when I should have. I had a 100.4 fever on day 7 I think. They both said I know you've been through this before but you must call when you have these symptoms. Ok, Ok. I will do better this round. I also should have called when my pain was so bad I wanted to take some Percocet. I can take it if I need it! My MO said at least it will give you good sleep!
I also got a little cold from my daughter. My MO wants me to take a z-pack. She said yes, it's probably overkill, but this is my second time in chemo and she wants to take no chances. I can also take Mucinex to clear out any junk. I seem to have chest junk when I cough. And I need to take throat drops because sometimes I have a spazzy cough and really dry throat. I do the salt and baking soda rinse. No mouth sores.
I take Pepcid starting morning of chemo for one week. The give me Benedryl the day of infusion. I have Zofran on hand for nausea, but I did not need it first round. I am not getting steroids and I seem just fine. I take the generic Target Claritin for one week. Aaaaaaand I got my Zoladex shot today. My MO forgot to tell me to stop the Tamoxifen! Didn't hurt anything. But she's going to switch me to an aromatase inhibitor after treatment is done (surgery and rads to go for sure). I'd rather stay on Tamoxifen!!0 -
Good Morning All,
So sorry to read all the previous posts chock full of SE's and generally uncomfortable tummy problems. As a Registered Dietitian, I often rely of the Lifeway Kefir liquid drinks which can be found with the milk and other dairy products. The beverage contains 11 or more probiotics to repopulate the Gut with friendly flora. Check out their web page and get a few coupons too. MOST of the flavors are lactose - free. Here in North Texas, I buy the Kefir in Sprouts market, but I have seen it in Tom Thumb and possibly Whole Foods carries it. It is like a smoothie in flavor and thickness and and can actually be used as a meal replacement for the days that your tum tum is sensitive. Remember it is called Lifeway Kefir and in addition to the beverages they have other products like yogurt. I Love Them all. Good luck all and please say a prayer or send some good karma my way today. My broken left foot (at the 5th metatarsal) is highly swollen and now my seemingly good right foot looks like someone stuck a grapefruit in there. I am sitting in bed with feet propped on as many pillows as I can find but as soon as the MO office opens, I will give him a call.
Hugs, Hugs, Hugs and Peace, Luv and Blessings to you all!
Carolyn (aka "Flowers")
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Has anyone had a burned tongue and mouth feeling after infusion? Had it for about the first week and could not taste anything . My first infusion was 4/26 and my next one is 5/17. I would love some advice on what might help. I didn't want to eat anything and everything tasted funny. Also my oncology nurse said I have hand and foot syndrome. Any hints on relief? She said to take an antihistamine and put hydrcortisone on it until the small blisters clear up on my hands.
I am so happy to have found this board ! It is so nice to be able to read, learn and ask questions! Thank you all!!!0 -
Mamy, yes I have had that burned mouth feeling a few days after each infusion. I rinse with warm water, salt and baking soda a few times a day which seems to sooth it temporarily. I can't taste most foods and even water taste gross. Lemonade seems to be tolerable. It does go away eventually.
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Yes I get that burned feeling too. I haven't found anything that really helps but ice cream soothes it. I also found mint tea to be the one liquid I didn't mind drinking. Oh and this time around I took TUMS for stomach & acid issues and I think that made the mouth soreness less severe too.
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Mamy- Here is a recipe for the baking soda + salt rinse
---- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water
Rinse several times a day and make a fresh cup every time you rinse.
Your taste buds can go on vacation a few days after the infusion. As for me, I could taste things okay for the first few days and then for about 7-10 days, things just tasted blah and then the week before the next round ( aka the good week), I could taste everything. I was given this book called "Eating Well Through Cancer' by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello. MD. It has recipes, tips, food lists, menus and is divided into chapters by side effects. That book made it easy for me to figure out what to eat when and not have to think about it or get on the internet to do research. I also bought the book "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz. it has great recipes and great pictures. You can probably look at this books and order them on Amazon. I know the eating can be difficult during treatment. I may look at eating a little different than some. I ate for nutritional value and help fuel/repair my body and not as a comfort. Do yourself a favor and try to not eat your favorite foods while on chemo if you are wanting those foods to be your favorites when you are finished with chemo. I usually ate what I called my white foods- mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mac n cheese, baked chicken, baked fish. Yes, a bland diet to begin with but edible. I know drinking water gets to be boring after a while. You can get fluids in by eating watermelon, grapes, jello and drinking gatorade, adding fruit to your water. I used to add orange slices to my water and drank ice cold ginger ale a lot.
As for hand foot syndrome, here is the BCO.org website link: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/hand_foot_synd . Hope this helps you. If you have more questions, please ask. We are here to help!!!
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