Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Thanks Melrose I suppose it cant hurt to try. Runnermom I started feeling better around 5 or 6 weeks as far as energy goes.
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Ms. Runnermom - that former boss of your was a complete JERK! Unfortunately though, the same thing happened to me in May of 2012 when I started to get really sick from the onset of peri-menopause. Was nauseated and dizzy all the time and barely able to get out of bed. So, long story short, I was told that my Microsoft Office skills were not up to snuff and they let me go as well. Not too soon after that, my soon-to-be-Ex husband told me HE was not up to hanging around the house to take care of me. I kicked him out that day and sold MY house in Northern Virginia and did not have to share any of the proceeds with him though. HA! Funny thing is when I finally found a doctor to treat me for that awful sickness, the "cure" was going on birth control pills which definitely did the trick but 6 months later I was diagnosed with the BC. Then, God heard me ask my MO if I could go skydiving for my birthday in May of this year and the next thing I know, I stepped in a hole in my Sister's yard while trying to plant flowers and broke my left foot. What the heck is next I ask????? Anyway, BEST of LUCK to you in school and as a massage therapist. It sounds like you will be great at that type of work!
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cmbernardi, you have been through so much, my heart goes out to you and everyone dealing with the negatives our lives bring us sometimes. I am sending positive thoughts your way and hope and pray for so much better for you in the future.
One day at a time is what I keep telling myself...one day at a time!!!
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Thank U Worrywart. I really appreciate your compassion. The last year has really been bad and I can only hope and pray that things begin to improve a bit. Hugs to all!
Carolyn
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Hi Ladies,
I'm a total newbie to this site and would like to thank you for all the good advice I have read so far.
I have just completed my 3rd of 6 TC treatments. Talk about side effects! My immune system was already borderline weak before I started, but now it is just shot! I swear I have experienced the whole list of side effects caused by TC...lol. The worst from chemo #1 was the bone pain and stomach burn. I also had a hard time with hair loss. The worst from chemo #2 was muscle/joint pain, stomach burn and hives all over including on my palms and soles which landed me in the ER. Today is day 2 of chemo #3 and so far I have headache, weakness, fatigue and no appetite. Not looking forward to what the rest of the week has in store for me.
Anyways, as I am constantly hearing, "stay positive", is what I'm trying to do. Can't wait till this is all over.0 -
Serena, I had #4 of 6 today. This go around of chemo has not been as harsh as my first time with DD AC/T, but it's still SUPER crappy! I had to learn early on to think of all this treatment as only temporary. That's how I got through treatments so far. It's temporary and I've had to shift my expectations and priorities. I've always been more of a quality vs quantity kind of person, and treatment has really helped me to focus more on the quality of time I spend.
Take care of yourself as best you can. People can handle treatment differently. I beat myself up early on the first time, hearing about how some people 'didn't skip a beat' during chemo. While I was in tears I felt so bad, couldn't get out of bed, read, watch TV, much less keep to my normal routine. Then I figured out the difference in chemo plans (ie: the TC is easier on me than DD AC/T). THEN I figured out people really can tolerate chemo differently.
I got a head to toe rash from my first dose of Taxol. It was horrible! The itching was so intense! I went on steroids for a week to control it. So I feel for you. No rash reaction from the Taxotere though. My first dose was the most intense as far as the bone pain.0 -
Cider8, sorry to hear you're going through this for a second time. I am inspired by your words and reminded to count my blessings. I do realize it's temporary, and have had to reorganize my life as well, sometimes on a daily basis. Not only am I stuck in bed suffering from SE, but I am also faced with financial hardship, inability to get my degree this year as planned, and my relationship is falling to pieces. I do, however, have great support from my family, and my children are my motivation to get through this so that I can be there to see them grow up. It would be nice if my man was there for me as well.
It's hard to always be positive. I do vent once in awhile because chemo REALLY sucks!0 -
SerenaLL- Welcome and glad you have found this group. Some have finished and moved on to rads but this place will always be here to chat and get some support. I know it's hard to say, the world is wonderful and everything is wonderful when in fact, things are not so good. Just have to take one step at a time and one day at a time. Sooner or later, the not so good moments and times will be replaced with good moments and good times. Yes, this path affects not only us but also our families, our friends, our relationships and plans. You have honed in on the positive aspect of this even though you may not see it right now. You know what you need to do to get healthy and you know that it is important to you to get through all of this. Try to be easy on yourself. Right now, the time in chemoland is like a job---- it's your job to do the best you can to take care of yourself ( eat well, rest, exercise). Once you are ready to move on from chemoland, you will begin to see that your efforts really did pay off for you. Sending you lots of HUGS!!!!
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Good grief! #4 is really kicking my butt! So weary, weak, achy and sleepy. Makes me weepy! Only day 3.
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Cider8- Sorry that this latest round got you. If the tears are flowing, let them. Try to keep a little something in the tummy, hydrate well and rest, rest , rest. Hope you are able to take it easy this weekend.
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Paula, my fourth hit me so much harder than the first three. Hang in there!
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Paula-I too as well really felt round #4. Bizarre miserable. I crawled from that hole on day #5. Trust me,it will get better. Powerful poison this stuff is. I rested but didn't really sleep that good. Wishing you the best...................
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Finished Chemo on May 2. Most SE finally gone away. Havent posted in a while but have been lurking. Just trying to keep it all together and work is about all I can handle. Starting my second week of rads, so far so good. No pinkness only a slight sensitivity in the tumor and incision area. Not sure if its in my mind or not. Doc says Ill pro start getting pink in a week or so. Still kind of tired but not sure if its stress or rads. Dont see much difference in the fatigue now and before chemo. Glad to be back to the board and hope you all are managing your SEs well.
Angie
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Angie, rads made me tired and I was more than a year out from chemo. Rads made me sleepy tired.
So I got through the dog days of #4. How did everyone fare for #5 and #6? My MO said #6 would be rough, but she didn't say anything about #4. I am scheduled to travel to MDA Houston right after #6, so now I'm dreading it. #1 was worse than 4, though.0 -
Cider8 (Paula)- I can tell you that I was definitely more tired the more rounds of chemo I had. I felt a little more out of breath with each round. My usual side effects of taste buds going on vacation and feeling a little off for a few days stayed pretty much the same. I did notice that my muscles and joints did ache when I first got up out of bed or was sitting down. I never felt steady on my feet when I would first stand up. I also noticed that my bladder muscles were a little weaker and I had to always hurry to get to the bathroom in time. Just keep eating well, rest whenever you can and get a little walk in.
BTW: If you need any help or have questions about the area around MDA Houston, let me know. I live 15 minutes away from the Medical Center/MDA area.
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Melrose, I'm most worried about sudden intestinal issues! I will plan on preparing myself as best as I can with diet and rest. I have been enjoying myself with my Houston visits. If you think of it, I could use some restaurant recommendations near MDA: less pricey, more healthy. I have enjoyed Nico Nico's, Pappadeaux (good but over priced!) and Lupe Tortilla. I did have time to see the science museum, too.
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Paula- Here is a quick list of places to eat close to the Medical Center. There are a lot more places to eat than I listed for you here. The places I listed are places I eat on a regular basis and ate during chemo. I posted the links for the eating places so you could see on their maps exactly where they are located. There is a really good family owned cafeteria called Cleburn Cafeteria ( Link: http://cleburnecafeteria.com/ ). In Rice Village and in the Galleria, La Madeleine is a another relatively inexpensive place to eat ( Link: http://www.lamadeleine.com/locations?q=77005&go.x=15&go.y=10). In Rice Village, other restaurants to eat at are The Black Walnut (breakfast, lunch, dinner // Link: http://www.blackwalnutcafe.com/rice.html); Le Peep ( breakfast & lunch// Link: http://lepeephouston.com/locations/ ). Some other restaurants on Kirby and the Southwest Freesay (aka 59) are Goode Company BBQ ( Link: http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-bbq1) , Goode Company Seafood ( Link: http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-seafood1) and Goode Company Taqueria ( Link: http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-taq ). The Goode Company restaurants are located very close to each other off of Kirby and Westpark; before you get to the Southwest Freeway. Another reasonably priced Mexican food off is at 2925 Southwest Freeway --- Guadalajuara ( Link: http://www.guadalajarahacienda.com/locations) . Another place to eat bbq is Demeris BBQ at 2911 S. Shephard ( Link: http://www.demeris.com/Locations.php).
If you need any other info, let me know. Happy to help you and hope that you are doing okay.
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Checking back in with you all. I am 6 weeks out from chemo and had a followup with my MO today. Got a prescpription for Arimidex and filled it with the generic anastrazole. Also had my 17th radiation treatment today and that's going OK so far. Still having some fatigue, but feeling pretty decent overall.
My hair is coming in but looks like a crew cut. Nevertheless I went out "topless" today. I'm just sick of covering my head in this heat. I figure as long as I wear earrings and makeup it's not too bad. I remember when my kids were into Sinead O'Connor (they are now 40 & 38!) It worked for her and she still sports the crew cut look. I looked her up and figured if she can do it, so can I!
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AnnieLane- You go, girl!!!!! Rock that diva edgy look!!! You definitely are making the transition to no head coverings just fine. You just have to decide that temperature-wuise, it is so much better without a head covering on in the summer. You may want to wear a straw hat when you are out in the sun so your head won't get sunburned. I've bought a few hats from Target which seems to be a good place since they are cute and not too expensive. So glad to hear that you are doing well with the rads.
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so happy for you annielane!! and so glad you go out feeling comfortable, that is the best!!!
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Melrose, thank you for the info! It will be helpful for sure.
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Wow... I can't believe how wonderful this thread is. I tried to start one for those of us starting in July, but can understand why no one has jumped on that thread... This is brilliant and you all are unbelievably inspiration and helpful beyond words. Thank you brave ladies of feb/march. I start in just 3 days now. Scared but ready.
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Hi Ladies, so glad to find this topic! I started my TC treatments June 7, have just had my second round. First time out, felt pretty good once I'd gotten past the first week. The muscle aches, bones, all made it hard to sleep, then became dehydrated from the diarrhea. I now have Percoset to manage the pain and get some sleep and will be more vigilant taking care of the digestive issues. Hair loss at 14 days, so I've shaved it off, and have to say it's quite nice in the heat of the summer we've been having, although I hate seeing myself so bare. My onc says to be prepared for more fatigue as I progress through treatments. I'm a single mom taking care of a house and two pets, so I pray it doesn't become too much. I have tons of support from friends and coworkers, so I give thanks for them every day, although haven't had to call out the "troops" yet. Will be taking a big family vacation in a couple of weeks, Ireland (!!!), so I am hoping to feel pretty normal during that time to enjoy ourselves. I offer my support to all of you, and congratulations on your passage down this difficult road. It's so helpfu to know we're not alone.
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WELCOME KICKINITGOOD AND RDHDCHICK!!!
Glad both of you found this thread. Just want you to know that this thread will stay up and running as long as there are people like you who post here for support and help. You just need to post your questions about what's happening with you and your chemo experience. The support and help is only a click away here. I know both of you are apprehensive and still a little anxious of how you will do with the chemo rounds. Yes, it's true that you may become more fatigued as you have more rounds completed. Do your best to eat well, sleep well, rest whenever your body says to rest and get a little exercise everyday ( walking is always good). As you have probably read, hydrate hydrate, hydrate. If the water is getting boring, try water with fruit in it, gatorade, watermelon, popsicles, grapes, etc. If you aren't icing and have already started chemo, it is never too late to start icing your nails. The learning curve for how to handle side effects/what to expect is huge; but once you know what to expect and how to handle the side effects, you will feel a little less anxious and scared. There is power through knowlege here. Again, let us know how you are each doing and of course keep coming back here with your questions and for support and to vent. Wishing both of you the best!!! HUGS!!!!
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Just stopping in to say that I made my "topless" debut (nothing covering my head
) at a church social get-together this evening and it was so freeing. My hair is starting to come back and everyone said I looked great. Of course these were all friends, who would say that anyway, but still it was great to hear it, even though I know my pink scalp shows through the thin white hair on top.Welcome to the newbies! There is life after chemo and I'm just starting to get mine back. I'm seven weeks out from my last treatment and feeling better all the time. If there was ever a time in your life to focus on taking care of yourself it is now!
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I don't miss the chemo, but I miss my chemo thread! I'm on day 12 of rads. My RO is...different, not as explanatory as MO or BS (my fav). I'm not getting a lot of feedback from him so I look to my chemo and rads threads to get info. I'm 5 weeks out from chemo and my fingernails (I have the "ridges" from mid-chemo) are now getting tender, and the white part under the tips has been expanding and heading toward the cuticle. Is this just another SE from chemo?
Welcome kickinitgood and rdhdchick. You will get lots of good info and support here. Melrose and the ladies here are super.
Good vibes to all.
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Hey, BTDemo, good to hear from you. I had rad #22 of 25 today and so glad I don't need more than 25! I'm having the same experience with my RO. He's been on vacation for most of my treatment time, so once a week I've been seeing different doctors. Then when I finally saw him after 4 weeks he just said he thought my skin looked fine after just glancing down the top of my breast and then went on to tell me all about his vacation in Europe. I'm glad that he's friendly, but give me a break! I have an angry red rash under my breast that he didn't even see. The rad threads have been so much more helpful!
I've survived one week on Arimidex so far, too.
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Hi AnnieLane! glad you are almost done with rads. Sorry you have a similar experience with RO. From what you describe it could have been my guy. They ask how you are, you tell them, they change the subject. And the 2 second breast exam (I time him, lol) Very weird. I agree with you about these threads...much more helpful and supportive. I won't start hormone-blocker till a couple of weeks after rads. Sounds like you might be adapting to Arimidex pretty well, very nice.
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Well,I graduated from rads today. RO said a mammogram in 6 months,and if it's okay then every year. Well, this diagnosis happened for me within a year,and I'm not going to wait. I'd rather catch this guy before it spreads to a node. i'm supposed to wait a week for taking that little white pill. I'm going to enjoy this week. Enjoy these summer days women!
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Patti, so glad you're done with rads! I'm three treatments behind you, can't wait to be done. I had a followup with my surgeon today and I'll be having my next mammogram in September.
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