Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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carmstra835, I had TC with a PICC line as well (last fall). I highly recommend this product (picc line cover). Once my doctor's office saw it, they bought them for all of their patients using picc lines.
http://www.carealine.com/all-products/picc-line-protector-sleeve-sizes-4-7/
Best of luck with your treatment!!
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I start Taxotere and Cytoxan tomorrow morning (May 18th) for six cycles. All at once I feel anxious, calm, angry, at peace, overwhelmed, scared, sad, blessed... In my 56 years, I'd never been admitted to a hospital, never had a serious illness or needed prescription drugs for a chronic condition. In the past two months I've had major and minor surgery and am now looking at chemo (and likely more surgery). It's a lot.
I'm glad I found this forum. I know everyone's experience is unique, but it helps to know what I might expect. Thanks in advance!
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laurieellenb- Welcome...Here for you. I know you are anxious and wondering how tomorrow will be. Try to remember that you will not be alone during the infusions. The infusion nurses/staff will be there to monitor you. In preparation for tomorrow's infusion, remember to hydrate tonight and tomorrow morning. That will help "plump" your veins so they are ready to go. If you are starting chemo tomorrow morning, do eat breakfast before you go. The pre-chemo anti-nausea meds that you may be receiving tomorrow right before the actual infusion can cause nausea if administered on an empty tummy. I used to eat 5-6 small meals daily and made sure I hydrated well. I also made sure that any anti-nausea prescription meds that I took post infusion was with a cup of water and with food/snack.
If you have port, you may want to wear a button down shirt so that the port can be easily accessed. Take a little jacket or blanket in case you get cold. If you will be there through lunch, you can pack a lunch/snack or have someone get you some lunch. It is fine to drink fluids during the infusion. (And yes, you can go to the restroom with your IV pole--- just the infusion nurse to unplug your infusion apparatus from the wall plug and you are good to go!).
The first infusion may take longer than the other chemo rounds since everything is new and efforts are usually made to explain things to you. Try to stay calm and patient since sometimes it takes a while for the infusion process to begin. Hope you are having a family member or good friend with you. It helps to have someone help pass the time and to get things for you.
If you have further questions, please post. We are here to help you. Wishing you easy time tomorrow and minimal side effects.
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Melrosemelrose - Thanks for the "first day" helpful hints. I've been drinking lots of water so I'm good there. My appointment is for 8:30 a.m. and I would most likely have skipped breakfast but for your heads up about eating. Much appreciated! My darling husband will be at my side (along with my Kindle and smartphone). I hope tomorrow is uneventful!
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laurieellenb- I'll be thinking about you and your sweet husband tomorrow morning as you begin your adventure in chemoland and sending you positive energy, peace and calm. I was given the following chemo help book right before I started chemo which help answer the general what to do questions I had. The book is "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Gerald Miletello MD and Holly Clegg. The book is divided into sections that give you shopping lists, recipes and tips on how to handle certain side effects. The newest edition of this book has color pics. It was just handy to have a reference book on hand.... especially when I didn't feel like researching online for what to do. I also had the cookbook "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz. That book has great pictures and recipes and includes the infamous Miracle Bone Broth soup recipe. You can also check her out on Facebook. I think you can purchase the books on Amazon.
For your meals post infusion, try to eat non spicy foods and somewhat bland foods. i used to eat mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and baked chicken/fish for meals for the first few days after chemo. For breakfast, I used to eat rolled oats, banana, blue berries, and milk with wheat bran sprinkled with wheat bran. I also kept food diary so I would know what I ate and what agreed with me. Sometimes on chemo days, I would eat a scrambled egg, toast and slice of bacon and fruit for breakfast. I also used monthly calendars to keep track of my daily side effects. These can help you maintain a sense of control. Im sure you will figure out what you like to eat and what agrees with you.
I don't know if you read about icing your hands and feet during the Taxotere infusion. Not everyone ices during chemo so don't feel like you are required to do that. It's a personal choice. If you decide to ice and not sure what to do, just ask here.
Let us know how you are doing. Enjoy your evening.
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Laurie.........I understand your fear, I finished 4 rounds of TC just 2 mts ago and was horrible scared, still scared of this whole BC mess. Not sure where you are located but at my clinic the nurses are always there , never was there a time when there was not at least 2 nurses in the room and many more in the next room. They will watch you very closely and yes first time could take 6-7 hrs As mentioned above drink lots of water and when I say lots I mean at least 60 oz a day more if possible it will make a big difference. They should give you nausea and steroids medication in your IV before the actual chemo injection which helps
I also had nausea med to take once I got home, never had a issue . The steroids did keep me awake nights 2 and 3 until they adjusted how much they were giving me . If you will be taking the Neulasta shot then make sure you get Clairton or Zrytec to take starting the day before the injecting and for several days after, helps with the bone pain. If possible do take someone with you .My clinic had warm blankets for everyone but make sure you take a sweater just in case as they do keep it cool. I wish you well, I know it scary and nerve racking I was a total mess and always though I was pretty tough cookie.
Huggs
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HoneyBeaw - thanks for the assurances and encouragement (and the hugs). I'll check in tomorrow evening or the day after with a progress report.
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TC Cycle #1 went well - thanks in large part to the "lessons learned" that were shared with me. I have the Neulasta Onpro so I'll get a dose this afternoon. I took the Claritin and I'll take more tomorrow. Hopefully that will combat the achy bone symptoms. I know this first cycle will likely be as easy as it gets. I don't know how my body will respond to everything that getting pumped into it, but I'm glad I found this forum! One down, five to go.
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Just finished my first TC, took about 3-31/2 hours. She said it will be a little faster next time. They want the Taxotere to go slow to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction. She took an hour on the Cytoxin, because she said you can get a sinus type headache with it. So far so good, and are on our way home
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Irwells50 -praying that all goes well for you!
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Thanks everyone. It went quite well. But they take the pic-line out each time after the infusion, and put it back in every 3 weeks for the next one. It isn't a problem. It doesn't hurt at all when they do it and only takes 30 minutes.
My side effects are very minimal, so far
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3rd day after my first infusion. Well this morning I woke a bit shaky, and definitely not hungry, but as the day wore on I am much better. I had some scrambled eggs and coffee and feel more like myself. I am thinking of trying to do a mile on the treadmill, my PT told me I should exercise during chemo to limit the side effects, so as long as I can do it, I will try.
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carmstr - thanks for checking in. Glad to hear that your SEs aren't bad. And yes, exercise great. I wish I had done more during treatment. Be sure to take the regular Claretin (not the "D") at least a day before and several days after to limit the aches & pains from the Neulasta.
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First day after my first infusion, and feeling pretty normal. 3 hours until the Neulasta injection, we'll see how that goes
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Irwells - hope you took the Claritin starting yesterday. If not, pop some today and keep it going for several days. Glad you're OK so far.
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MinusTwo,
I have been takin it all week anyway because of all the things blown in by the storms, so my MO said keep it going for at least a week.
Lynn
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Thanks Minus2. I was able to do the mile on the treadmill and 3 1/2 Miles on the bike. I do feel so much better! Yes, taking the Claitin Reditabs starting the day after the nuelesta injection, but so far so good. I will remember next time., I hope rediTabs are the right ones. Should we wear masks when we go out in public? I want to be safe, but not so obvious, if it isn't necessary. I went out yesterday without a mask and thought maybe I should have wore it. I have to go to the clinic on Monday for Blood tests, I will wear it there, and when I go for my prosthetic fitting on Tuesday, I will as well.
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The Claritin is supposed to be the original 24 hour pills/tabs. Don't know about redi-tabs, but don't get the Claritin D. No one has ever given a good explanation of why to use this & not Zyrtec or other allergy meds, but it worked for me so I can't argue.
I didn't wear a mask except going into a hospital or clinic, or when I was around a bunch of little kids. But I kept some always near if someone started coughing or sneezing.
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This is Day 4 of the first TC infusion. I've been taking the Claritin and the bone/muscle ache from the Neulasta is minor - very manageable. I am, however, struggling with fatigue. I'm tired, but I can't seem to sleep more than a hour or two at a time. I suppose that could just be nerves. All in all, this first round has not been bad
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It's day 3 for me, and probably a little early to know about the bone pain, but I'm starting to feel the fatigue. Also my tongue feels funny, so probably things will start to taste differently
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laurieellenb- Hang in there!!!! As for your lack of sleep, it could be from the decadron steroid that you received in your pre-chemo IV cocktail on infusion day. Those steroids used to energize me for a few days after my infusions. Try to rest whenever you can and try not to get anxious about the non sleeping. You will sleep. You may ask your onco if you can take a benedryl in the evening before bed time to help you sleep.
Hope that the Claritin continues to help you. I used to take it for 7-8 days starting the day before the Neulasta shot. Fortunately, I never experienced any bone pain.
Keep hydrated, eat well, rest whenever you can and keep moving. Keep us posted on your progress.
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Melrosemelrose - Thanks for the feedback. I suspected that it was the Decadron that was interfering with my sleep. It's so helpful to get confirmation about what I'm thinking and feeling.
I might have spoken too soon about the apparent "ease" of the first round of infusions. Since I was on day 4, I figured any serious SE would have reared its ugly head by then. Late last night the bone pain became really intense. I suppose the Claritin was keeping the discomfort at bay up until then, but last night was kind of brutal. Since I had already taken the once daily dose of Claritin, I took some arthritis strength Tylenol and a Benedryl. That took the sting out of the pain and eventually I was able to get some sleep. I thought I'd only need the Claritin for a few days, but I think that, like you, I might need to take it a few more days.
I'm staying well hydrated. I've have almost 100 oz of water so far today (64 oz is my usual amount.) I am forcing myself to eat - even if it's only a little. I'm not terribly hungry.
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Lauree....I think I lived on peanut butter and banana toast and ice cream for first week of each chemo round, I just could not eat anything elece. I had, have bad anxiety from this whole BC thing and the lack of sleep from the Steroids would make me crazy days 3-5.
BY my 4th treatment the SE kicked in much quicker but I also got better much quicker
I noticed you are having 6 rounds of TC and your no node positive, I did not realize they would do 6 rounds
Huggs
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I had six rounds of TCHP (c=carboplatin) and still did not have pCR. So after surgery & before rads & I had four rounds of AC (c=cytoxan).
Laurie - a friend suggested a slight change in the steroid dose & my doc approved. Six pills - original dose = am & pm the day before, am & pm the day of, am & pm the day after. I switched to take only one pill the third day & one pill on a fourth day. It wasn't such a heavy crash. Make sure your doc approves if you decide to try it.
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HoneyBeaw - the six cycles is based in the genomic analysis of the tumor. The Mammoprint results revealed "high risk".
Thanks.
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MinusTwo - Thanks. I'll mention the steroid dosage to my MO when I see him this week.
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Hi Everyone!
I was supposed to start chemo today but oncologist had to push it to next Wednesday. I'll be getting 3-4 hour treatments of TC. I'm nervous but I've heard mixed things about this chemo cocktail. Any suggestions would be helpful. I had a lumpectomy March 21, 207. Lump was 2 cm; Estrogen and Progestron positive HER2 negative and onco score was 23. I'll also be getting radiation. Ive heard because I'm only getting 3-4 hour treatment she that I'm getting a low dose not sure if that's true, but it would be nice.
I guess I'm more nervous about nausea and vomiting as my anxieties for some reason go through the roof when I have nausea and vomit.
I am starting acupunctur next Monday 6/5.
Thanks
Ange
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Hi everyone, I'm now 13 days past my 1st infusion. I feel great and no SE. Still trying to get in my exercise daily, but not always successful. I go back next week on Wednesday for my 2nd infusion of 4. I am using the dignicap, and no hair loss yet. My eyelashes seem a bit itchy today and accidently pulled out a couple but not too many. I am not supposed to wash my hair very often, so once a week so far and Thursday is my day to wash again, but that will be day 15. If my hair starts to shed, I will put off the washing, anyone else know when the hair begins shedding for our treatment? I have read all kinds of different dates from 4 days to 21 days.
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carmstr - as usual, everyone is different so 4-20 is a good guess. 15 is probably close for many of us. I don't think I lost my hair until after the 2nd infusion - so 21-30. We'll be interested to hear how you do with the cold cap. Hope you are able to keep exercising and avoiding SEs.
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Welcome !!! Glad to see that those just starting out in chemoland are sharing their experiences.
Hope those who are now past the first infusion are having minimal side effects. Remember that if you are struggling with the side effects, let your MO know. Do not hesitate to contact your MO on the weekends or after-hours. There should be a doctor on call 24/7 should you need some help. They are a part of your team and it is important to communicate with them. Unless you let them know, they can't help you.
MomAngel- I know the side effect of nausea/vomiting is not easy for one to accept before one starts chemo. Just know that you will probably be given anti-nausea meds right before the infusion ( aka pre-chemo IV anti nausea cocktail) and also given prescriptions for anti-nausea meds to take at home. If you are given those prescriptions, here are a few tips about taking those. Take them on schedule..... same time the days you are supposed to take the meds. You may want to ake the drugs with food since some of the anti-nausea drugs can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Take those drugs with plenty of water ( cup of water). If you get Zofran, that drug can cause constipation so ask your MO what you can do to handle that situation. In the event you are having nausea issues after you have taken the anti-nausea meds, contact your MO asap. Those meds can be adjusted. I know that you probably have questions about the first round of chemo, please ask. There are many here who have travelled through chemoland and are ready to help you.
Laurieellen & Irwells50 & carmstr835- How are you doing ?
Wishing minimal side effects and easy times in the lounger to those in chemoland.
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