Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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SchoolCounselor- Hope everything goes well with your first infusion on Thursday. Now instead of saying " You can do it", it is now "You are doing this!" As everyone has told you here, drink plenty of fluids ( water, gatorade, juice, broth ) or eat things that can supply you fluids ( watermelon, popsicles, grapes ( fresh or frozen) and take your meds on schedule. Try to eat 5-6 small meals to help prevent nausea. As for the side effects of this chemo regimen, everyone is different and everyone's body reacts differently to the chemo. As with any preventative measures that one can take to help minimize the side effects, it is truly a personal choice. For me, I did the icing during all 6 rounds of my chemo. I was willing to do it and have no regrets doing it. I have seen photos of chemo damaged nails from some women I know and yes if one does have nail damage, the damage can be mild ( slight yellow discoloration) to significant ( the slow loss of the nail and pain). If you opt not to ice, don't fret. I do have friends that didn't ice and they did not have any nail damage. Whether you ice or not, make sure to be easy on those nails. Try not to use them as tools for opening things ( cardboard boxes, staple removing, etc). I wore and still wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and cleaning around the house. Again, if you have any questions, please post.
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thank you ladies for your advice. I will feel out what to do when I get there. Can't believe the day has arrived today. I feel a sense of calm, thank you xanax😄. I have done a lot of reading and prep. Although I know one is truly never ready for this. Thanks again for sharing your experiences, these boards have been a lifeline for me. I'm take ing the steroid and the anti nausea as recommended and hopefully will sleep through the infusion. In six hours, i will be in the chair.....,, I can do this!!!!! I will do this!!!!0 -
SC(SchoolCounselor): You will do great! I just took my steroids today, so I will be there tomorrow in the chair, chasing you to the January finish line!0 -
\Thanks ladies!
Chemo went well today....no SE so far, been drinking like a fish...will take the Zofram to stay ahead of the side effects. Decided not to ice my nails, I
want the chemo to hit every point of my body.
Will get the neulasta shot tomorrow, I already take Zyrtec every night so the DR does not think I will need claritin, I'm taking it anyway :-). Infusion center nurses were wonderful, warm blankets, juice, lots of humor, it was great. Just going to keep the fluids going to flush out the chemo. I am also keeping a bathroom in my house just for me because of the toxins. Now i just wait for my hair to fall out.
I've been burping a lot, is that normal?0 -
SC, Thnks for the update. So glad to hear that you are feeling good. I believe MelroseMelrose had the burping issue. I hit the chemo chair tomorrow. I was hoping the steroids would give me lots of energy to do lots of laundry. Well it didn't happen. It got washed, but it's now all in a pile waiting to be folded...and there it will stay for a day or 2!0 -
Yes.... It's me..... the person who burped like an old drunken sailor......!!! I know I should laugh about it so much but my 18 year old son and I would have burping matches during my time in chemoland. I decided if that was the worst side effect I ever got, I was going to take that side effect any day over the other ones!!! The burping did improve after I finished all of the chemo rounds and I don't burp as often as I did while on chemo. However, the burps are not quiet ladylike ones; sometimes they are still long and loud!!!
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lol. I could not believe the burping. My husband just kept staring at me like what is up. Oh well, I also have the big D oh dear. I'm getting more ladylike by the moment!!!! I am wearing seabands to stave off nausea. I hope they work. I agree if this is the worse side effect. I will take it!!!0 -
I hope the big D and the burping subside, and that things improve tomorrow.
I good use some positive thoughts and prayers. My youngest is getting bronchitis, which would not be bad except that it is triggering bronchospasm and she is wheezing. I have given her 2 breathing treatments to get her pulse ox up to the point where we do not need to go to the ER. I have set my alarm for every hour overnight to check on her. Really hoping to NOT be in the ER tonight. I do not need the germs, nor does she! DH is working overnight tonight, so it's all me, which may make for a long chemo day tomorrow. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, and hoping she keeps her oxygen sats up.0 -
SchoolCounselor- I drank some very icy cold ginger ale the days following chemo. I don't know if it helps or not but it sure was tasty when I wasn't feeling so well. Now if you are on the D train, you want to use a water squirt bottle on your bottom and some cottonelle wipes. Got to take care of the bum.. Hoping you don't stay on the D train too long. Remember the BRAT diet... Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce and Toast.
You may also want to check out this book that I was given prior to starting chemo.... Eating Well Through Cancer (Easy recipes and recommendations during and after treatment) . it is written by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD. The book has shopping lists, menus, recipes and is divided into chapters, such as what to eat before you have chemo, what to eat when you have diarrhea, constipation, sore mouth. It was a very helpful book for me since I didn't have to figure out what I could eat when and how to handle some of the side effects. You can check this book out on Amazon/ Barnes & Noble.
KBeee- Hang in there.... if you need to go to the ER to take your daughter, do so. I know you don't want to be exposed to germs but sometimes, it is an absolute necessity. If you want to, you can ask for a good germ mask when you get to the ER. Hopefully you can just veg in the chemo chair tomorrow. HUGS..... wish I lived closer so I could help you right now.....
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Oh no kbee I hope she feels better. If not hAve no qualms about putting on a mask.
Melrose, I have that book, my mechanic gave it to. I will look through it tomorrow and see what I can do. I bought a whole box of cottinell flush able wipes so I have plenty.
I am going to take the Claritin for the shot , I am typically on both Claritin and Zyrtec year round die to allergies so we will see. I have three 10 year olds sleeping over tomorrow. So this should be fun!!!
Trying to keep things normal before the fatigue kicks in. We got this ladies.....we got this!!!0 -
Schoolcounselor - love your mantra: "we got this!" Can't help with the big D -- I tended to the opposite, and the Adivan, Zophran and meds in the infusions often are binding. Have heard some get D instead of C.... In either case, though, I know from personal experience that careful cleaning and some diaper rash cream (Butt Paste was recommended) can head off itchy bumpy painful outcomes.0 -
Thanks everyone so much for your thought and prayers. They worked! Erica got much worse over night, So I got up, got dressed, and got ready to bring her in to the ER, but decided to do one last breathing treatment. That did it! It brought her pulse ox up to where I was comfortable, and then I just stayed up and kept an eye on it. DH took her into her pediatrician first thing this morning, and they gave her steroids, and more meds...so we'll both be hyped on steroids today!!!
Appointment with MO went great. Since oncotyping was never done, he did agree to send it out. If it comes back low, we will discuss stopping at 4 based on side effects. If it is moderate or high, we will do 6. I feel so much more confident knowing that whichever number it is, it will be appropriate. About a half hour left of chemo infusion, and then home I go...such a better day!
SC: If OTC diarrhea meds don't work, call your MO. There are prescription things that will work. I hope it clears up soon and that your weekend has minimal to no side effects.0 -
Thanks for checking in KBeee. You definitely had a tough evening last night. Glad to hear that your onco has opted to do the onco type so you can have more info about whether to do 4 or 6 rounds. Have a good weekend with minimal side effects!!!
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Hi everyone. I am a week out since my last of 4 treatments. It's been the toughest of the series and the effects are definitely cumulative especially the fatigue and muscle weakness.
I feel lucky that I didn't have the more serious peripheral neuropathy. I never iced and there were a couple of days where my fingers and toes felt a burning tingling type feeling but that went away. I did keep clear nail polish on fingers and toes. I do have a black bruise under my thumb nail but other than the nails seem to have made it thru. I did shave my head after treatment #1 since hair was coming out in clumps. It never did fall all the way out, I still have a fine stubble all over my head with some bald patches. I haven't had to shave my legs or armpits since the beginning. I walked about an hour a day through the whole thing except for one week following chemo when I felt like I had the flu the whole time. This time I don't seem to be able to get my energy level up so I think I need to give it a few more days until I go back to walking.
I did gain weight due to submitting to cravings and wanting to feel better. My plan is to cut back if not eliminate sugar and dairy since I heard cancer cells love those things. I need to ramp up the exercise and decide in the coming months whether I really want to do recon DIEP procedure. It's all been such a long process I really want to give my body a break;)
To all of you just starting or in the middle of chemo I just want you to know you will get thru it. There is so much good advice on this site I can't thank everyone enough who has helped me. If I can give back in any way to anyone just ask.0 -
Hi everyone!
I was just reading through the last 2 pages of posts that I had missed..and have to admit the ya'll got my laughing with the descriptions of the burping! I never got the burping..what I HATED was the chemo "pouts"..OMG...was horribly stinky! Like worse than ever!!! At one point, my cocker spaniel was lying with me on the bed..it happened..she layed there for a second..got up and turned and gave me a very long disgusted look and got down/left the room! LOL..I don't blame her. ICK!
Well, I am all set for trip to Philadelphia. Cancer Treatment Center of America! We are leaving Sunday. They are paying for everything..flight..Radisson hotel..meals...and if we stay past 3 day evaluation..tours, etc on the weekend. I think, if radiation is recommended..I am going to do the Brachytherapy (sp?)...its 5 days..10 min in morning /10 min in evening..6 hr rest time. I am excited about getting the chance to meet with nutritionist, etc. Also..they detox you from left over chemo and rads drugs..I like this total care. Wish I couldve afforded it in the beginning.
I am exactly a month out from last chemo. I, too, never lost all my hair but had the stubble with bald patches. That is still the same..I can't really tell any is growing..HOWEVER...I do have stubble on my legs...NOT FAIR. That was my only silver lining to this!!!!!
Kbee-I hope your daughter is ok. That bronchitis can cause all sorts of issues. My sister got it so bad when she was 14..to this day she has a heart murmur. Its good you were able to keep her ox where it needed to be.
SchoolC-Good luck with the chemo. It really will be done before you know it. I understand the zen feeling. I have never taken any kind of anti depressant /anxiety meds..but did take ativan for steroid jitters (plus ..well to sleep through as much as I could!).0 -
brown471, glad to hear you are done. I hope you continue to gain strength and energy each day.
ckmoss, you'll have to update how your trip goes. That sounds so interesting.
So far round 3 is treating me well. That's easy to say since it is day 2, and the "fun" doesn't usually start for another day or 2. I worked 6 hours this morning though, and I went for a 3 mile walk both yesterday and today; the weather was beautiful, so it perked me up. Maybe the worst of days 3-7 will bypass me this time... I might as well dream, right?!? At any rate, I seem to be out of that dark hole tunnel funk I was in last week. I am glad to be done with 3. Whether I end up with 4 or 6, either way, I am at least half way through, and that is nice!
I finally added a profile picture. It's me in my wig.0 -
KBeee -- the wig looks good! Very natural, not "wiggy" like mine looks. Glad you are feeling well this round -- may the good vibe continue!
I hit a little bump with a high fever (nearly 103) after my Neulasta shot yesterday -- MO says it is the Neulasta and Motrin is keeping it under control. So far, so good, Day 3 was my worst during round 1, and it hasn't been too bad. Mostly just really tired this time -- took two naps today.0 -
Hey guys, just back up from round 2, I have been sleeping for a few days, but feel a a little like myself again.
I also liked the burping stories, too funny!!!
Kbeee, glad your daughter is ok. My kids have asthma and I've spent many nights trying to decide whether we need to take them in to the ER, or try one last treatment. Like the wig too!
icing fingers - this is the first I've heard of it. Interesting. I haven't noticed anything with my nails yet.
SchoolCounselor, welcome, although this is probably not a list any of us want to be on.
Two treatments down. I'm going to try and go to work tomorrow although I'm still pretty tired. One of my managers just found out last week that her hubby has a rare incurable form of gall bladder cancer. They are going to try and beat it anyway. I feel like I should try and be there to support her.0 -
STM -- glad you have weathered the storm of tx 2 pretty well. I have been icing my fingertips during infusions, and my nails have a yellowish cast, but no other effects so far. Keeping them painted with Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. I have weak nails anyway, so I thought I would try icing, since I don't really want them falling off. I have lost enough body parts to BC so far!0 -
TeamKim- Listen what your body is telling you..... if you are tired, then rest and nap. The fatigue is one of the cumulative effect of chemo that everyone tells you about and things will improve a few weeks after you finish chemo. Hope that fever goes down and your side effects are minimal. Glad you are doing whatever you can do with the nails. My nails had that yellow tinge to them which eventually grew out. I have noticed that my nails seem to chip and tear a little more often than they used to.
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Hello, I am new to this forum. I am in my 10th day of my 2nd TC and I just noticed a dark shade of both my thumbs. Has anybody had a similar thing going on? It is were the nails begin.0 -
STM, I hope your day at work goes well, and that you ar feeling good. It is always so hard to hear about others affected by this cancer beast. When I hear of those who have few treatment options, it does make me take a step back and feel more grateful that for us, this chemo is our cure. Others are not so lucky. We can weather the chemo storm and come out the other side. Perspective helps, but the reasons for that perspective are so heartbreaking. We had a little girl in our town die of leukemia this week, and a good friend of mine is not expected to live for more than a year, also due to leukemia. Uuugh. I hate cancer. Glad we have options.
TeamKim, That temp is scary!!! I hope it has come down.
I have weathered days 1-3 well, but abdominal pain is kicking in as it always does now, so that tells me it is time to try and go to sleep to beat it! Wishing you all a week of minimal and manageable side effects.0 -
Headeast- Sounds like the chemo may be affecting your thumb nails. Try to careful with those thumb nails. That translates to use rubber gloves when you do dishes/housework, garden gloves when you work out in the yard and try not to use your nails as tools to open things like cardboard boxes or to remove staples. Keep the nails short. You need to keep an eye on those nails that have darken like that and watch for any separation and soreness. The good thing is that nails do grow back if you lose them.
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Thank you, Melrose. I have them very short and will use gloves.
Do you think I should put some nail polish? Will that help in any way? I really don't care if they fall, they will grow back, like the hair. I am worried I can get an infection through there...
Should I cover them with band aids?0 -
I see you are IIb too, Melrose. I will have my third TC chemo on the 13th and one of the questions I have aligned for my MO is why only 4 TC treatments and not 6. I had DCIS with 4.1cm and IDC with 1.3cm, one lymph node with macro-metastasis, margins clear and Ki-67 with 20%.
From what I was reading this would be more than four sessions...0 -
Headeast- I knew from the beginning that I would be having 6 rounds of chemo. My breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer--- the DCIS and IDC were found inside of a large cystic structure. Breast cancer like this occurs in less than 1% of all breast cancers. In addition, I participated in the Herceptin B-47 clinical trial and was randomized to receive the Herceptin. This clinical trial is one that is on going and either one gets the Herceptin or not; there is no placebo given. The chemo protocal under the clinical trial was for 6 rounds of chemo if one has the Cytoxan/Taxotere regimen. In addition, my medical case was taken before the hospital tumor board and the recommendation was for 6 rounds. My Ki-67 was much higher than yours and no node involvement. It is a good question to ask you oncologist about why 4 rounds and not 6 rounds.
As for the nail protection.... you may want to put the nail polish on so to help keep your nails strong. If you opt to put bandaids on, you may want to make sure that none of the sticky adhesive gets on the nails. You just don't want to loosen the nails. Glad you are watching for possible nail infection.
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Thank you, Melrose. I will ask him. My cancers were in two different quadrants of the breast, plus the macro metastasis in one lymph node.
I don't want to have cancer again, ever, and it is worrying me.
Other than that, my nails and my hair I am doing great. I am not having Neulasta shots so far and my third TC is in a week. My counts on the first TC were fine. Only WBTC was lower than the range, but still good at 4.3
SpecialK, do you have any comments about my 4TC instead of 6TC? I see you are very knowledgeable about all of this.
Any comments from everyone, warrior ladies would be appreciated.
I will put my nail polish right now!
Have a wonderful week with minimal SE!
Headeast0 -
Headeast, Most of the research for TC in ER+ cancers which are HER2-, has 4 treatments. I was looking at the John Hopkins website recently, where people send in questions, and they we clear that 4 is standard. That being said, there is currently a research study going on comparing TCx6 to AC+T for locally advanced cancers. My cancer was a little too small to qualify for that, but since my doctor is involved in the study, that is why he put me on TCx6... basically because it is what he is doing with more advanced patients. I want to be aggressive, but I want to be appropriate and not have side effects that take me out of work permanently, or lead to further complications down the line...it is a fine line. My tumor was very strong ER and PR positive. For me, I think having the oncotype number will help me decide. Once I have all of that information, we will make a decision. It is frustrating that there are not any easy answers!0 -
KBeee, thank you for your answer. My MO asked me if I wanted to be in a Adriamicin trial and also told me that the side effect could be heart issues, so I told him if the prognosis would increase and he told me it is a trial and that it could be 1%. For that percentage I don't feel I want to damage my heart, so I said no.
I will ask him about the six sessions though, because that was not mentioned, only four, just for my own peace of mind. I do know that everybody is different and like a friend, she had three cancers in two different quadrants and she said no to chemo and she is still fine, after more than a decade. She told me she is not worried, that she can always be hit by a car, die from something else, and that is true too.
We get so involved with this and trying to fix it, do whatever it takes to not to have it again, but who knows.
I just know I don't want to worry and stop living the day by day because I am worried about the future and if i have cancer again, etc. That won't be a way to live a food life...
I am taking this time to heal though, eating healthy and being careful in not adding too much to my stomach and liver that might hurt them more. They have enough with all the chemicals from the chemo.
Oh, I get a lot of compliments from my wigs. I got them in different colors and shapes.
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I had IDC 1.0 cm pr, er positive, her negative. bilat. mastectomy 5 weeks ago with tissue expanders and now 5 days ago exchanged to implants. I had the oncotype dx and it was really not much help. I am 46 and premenopausal and It is geared toward post menopausal women/ tested on that group and I ended up with a score of 21 which is low intermediate...so it was pretty much up to me to try chemo or not as they aren't sure if people in the intermediate range benefit from it...there is a tailor x study going currently to see but won't have that info. for years..the oncologist said it's just a tool and not too accurate unless postmenopausal and even then the numbers aren't exact.
I have elected to get the chemo TC 4 rounds/3 weeks apart since I was not in low risk group just in case....but had prayed for either definite high or low, and I just got more questions....
I have also seen 2 oncologists and one wants every test on earth and other is laid back and not a worrier (as I am) so he makes me feel better which I think is key to handling this as well.
Healing from expander to implant exchange and trying not to worry about chemo. coming...0
