Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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I buzzed my head days before my first chemo. I figured if I was going to have to shave it..I wasn't going through the trama of it coming out in clumps..then to still have to shave. I started losing it at 17-19th days past the 1st chemo. I woke up one morning, and it was all over my sleep cap and shower..so I had my husband shave it. I was so irritated by having to clean it up..I thought I'd be ok....the minute the clippers came on I burst into tears. I had him shave it close but not bald...and other than some bald patches around ears and sparse on the top..it never came quite out. I can report that I looked like (and still do, though a bit more fuzzier) troll. My 4th treatment is when it took most of my eyebrows/lashes and more hair on top..luckily that was my last one...and hair is starting to come back now..going on 6 weeks now..however, brows nor lashes have.
I had 4 chemos..My oncologist said that since (after lumpectomy failed, then MX) I had clean margins and very small lymph involvement that 4 is generally recommended as mainly just a precaution. He must have been right on that ..for me...as all my scans at the end of chemo have come back negative. Honestly, I have met and read so many posts of ladies getting 4, 6, and 8..with basically same stats as mine, or better, that I have come to the conclusion that they really dont KNOW. Its like a crap shoot. You just have to do what you can and trust your Dr....BUT take a very very active part in your treatment.0 -
Virginia NJ-
I think I am going to cut mine shorter like Melrose did and see...as 3 different people at chemo yesterday told me not to shave it as it might not fall out, they said not everyone's does....just reading the taxotere literature that is like 99% of a side effect..so I was surprised to say the least...
I am going to see and will see a week from Thursday what/if any falls out and cut shorter...
Everyone is so different it is hard to compare...
This is day 1 after chemo yesterday and I am tired but good, taking antinausea in case...and feeling a little indigestion...
hoping for no worse.
Happy day!
Good luck next week!0 -
My TC treatments start Nov 20th. The nurse told me I would be there from 9 a.m. until late afternoon. What would you recommend for breakfast?0 -
I actually bought a book of what to eat before during after, if blood count drops etc. it was recommended in here somewhere.
I had eggs and toast and pedialyte orange and my coffee and bacon. I brought a banana and some homemade chicken soup for after...
Just supposed to eat nutritious light food...lots of fluids...
I was there from 0930 and left at 245!!! LONG day...the actual Taxotere was hour, Cytoxan hour 15 , it is the blood draw, seeing Dr then getting the premeds in you for an hour or so then the big guns...
I brought music, computer, books, blanket, - was amazed at others talking LOUD on cell phones and disruptive...I wanted quiet coziness...made the best of it and got out of there feeling like I had killed some cancer cells! WOOOOHOOOO!!! what a feeling! Can't wait til last one!0 -
Book called 'eating well through cancer' by Holly Clegg and an oncology DR.
Has good recipes and shakes supplemental if not eating, etc.0 -
minusTwo, I found the old original Head & Shoulders and it helped after the first wash. Thank you!0 -
Virginia - yes TC = hair loss 90% of time from day 16 onwards. Sorry
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I usually ate a scrambled egg, toast, and a small bowl of oatmeal plus drank a few glasses of water. My husband would go get lunch for us ( sandwich, chips, salad, fruit). The infusion center where I received my chemo had a well stocked mini kitchen for patients that had snacks, juice, soda, soup, etc.
The meals after chemo were what I called my white meals..... baked fish/chicken, mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. I ate those kind of meals for a few days and then did my best to eat enough food to help my body recover and heal. I also viewed food as a means to provide nutrients for my body rather than eating food for comfort. I did treat myself periodically to some Tiramasu from Whole Foods when my taste buds had returned. And yes..... it is still my favorite dessert!!!!
I had two cookbooks-- Eating Well Through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD and The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz. I also would buy food magazines to look at because the pictures of the food looked great and I thought maybe it would help entice me to eat food. I ate 5-6 small meals a day which may have help to prevent nausea.
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Headeast: You're welcome. I understand that people w/severe eczema and even psoriasis put full strength original Head & Shoulders on their problem skin, let it sit 5 minutes, then wash it off. It seems to help most people I've read about.0 -
Nocompromise- TY for your response ... I am actually prepared to shave my head so if I don't have to it will be a bonus....
FairyDogMother - my sister and I usually had "breakfast club" during my chemo. I would bring those ginormous decadent muffins from the bakery and we ate those.......along with the snacks the center provided. Appetite during treatment wasn't a problem for me.....
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VirginiaNJ - I lost most of my hair the first round, and shaved it after 2.5 weeks because I couldn't take it coming out all over the place. Sounds like you've been there, so are prepared. I still have a tiny bit of stubble on the top but not much.
FairyDogMother - I agree with the others, small meals are best, and tons of water throughout the day. I usually have a couple of scrambled eggs and a piece of toast, then just snack throughout the day.
Round #3 next Weds, good to get it going but I did get kinda bummed when I realized I had to start calling in all my refills already. Oh well. Best to get on with it I suppose.
Wishing everyone good weekends with no SEs!0 -
Melrose-
what is your experience on Tamoxifen? I have read it increases endometrial cancer risk as the estrogen keeps going there but is blocked to breasts...wondering why not remove ovaries and be done with estrogen altogether. ??
I have read about ovarian ablation or a med. that stops production of the estrogen totally, but the Tamoxifen seems to be the standard and why if it can cause more cancer?0 -
Audra67- I've been on Tamoxifen for 14 months with minimal side effects. Yes, I continue to have "not so hot" hot flashes as I did while I was having chemo and occasional leg/foot cramps. There are things one can do prior to starting the Tamoxifen such as visit your gynocologist to have a thorough pelvic exam and other tests to have a baseline prior to starting the Tamoxifen. I was 56 years old when I was diagnosed and was still having regular periods. My last period occurred right after my 1 round of chemo in April 2012 and none since then. Ovary removal has never been discussed but I think my onco would have recommended it if she felt it was necessary. I had my medical case taken before the hospital tumor board several times and there were a variety of doctors, nurses, pathologists, etc who participated in the discussion about my case. I think the need to suppress the ovaries and production of estrogen is dependent upon various factors such as the age of the patient, type of cancer, etc.
I know that if Tamoxifen is in your future, there is plenty to read about Tamoxifen and its side effects. Here is the way I look at it, Tamoxifen is one powerful little white pill. Its has the potential to help prevent future recurrence. There will come a time when you may look at things and want to do whatever you can to help take good care of yourself. It is a very personal choice to do whatever the medical team recommends when it comes to treatment. I take my Tamoxifen for myself, my family, my friends and in honor of those with triple negative breast cancers who wished they had one more drug in their arsenal to prevent future bc in their bodies.
As for Tamoxifen causing endometrial cancer, the truth is that many drugs that we take whether they are prescription or over the counter have side effects which can include forms of cancer. With that being said, it means that while one is on Tamoxifen, one must continue to aware of one's body and get regular checkups and testing. It means one has to be a little more proactive. I do know of women who stop taking the Tamoxifen for whatever reason and never resume taking it. I don't have any statistics or knowledge of what has happened to those who quit taking it. At the end of the day, one must make her own choice about her body and health. I can't say for sure that everything I have done or do will prevent any future reoccurrence but I am willing to do my best to keep my odds down as low as I can.
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I was a fail in the white blood cell count on Friday. My onco added the Neulasta shot to my regimen. Oh well, one more thing to help keep me healthy. The good news is I already take the allergy pills that help reduce bone pain, so I guess I'm all set.0 -
sorry to hear mnmom - I consulted 2 med oncs and they both said I would def get the Neulasta shot the day after chemo. (Not having it wasn't even brought up). I had it the last time too.
Very boo-hooey today. Dreading chemo on Monday 0 -
I feel very boo hooey too. I'm so sorry for you...and all of us...seems like this first week I have been an emotional roller coaster. Maybe its throwing me into menopause? Or just dealing with all of the pokes, pain and symptoms...it's a lot to take in.
I am trying to focus on the here and now and enjoy each day in the moment. Worrying about tomorrow doesn't help it wastes our energy from today...I am loving the Joel Osteen Break Out book, very uplifting and hopeful and keeps my spirits up!
Good luck to you ~ you can do this!0 -
annielane- Question...I have oncotype 21 also and doing chemo just to know I did everything I can too...I am premenopausal although and they weren't really sure how the oncotype deals with that as it was made for postmenopausal women on tamoxifen...so anyhow doing what I think is right for me..
I had my first treatment last Thursday, and wondering does each round get worse or is each the same? Does the chemo have a cumulative effect? So the 3rd and 4 are the worst or is everyone different? I am feeling like a flu almost, with sore throat, almost numb mouth and tongue and tired....wondering what to expect?
thanks for your input...0 -
Virginia, i will be thinking of you tomorrow. You will likely find this so much easier than AC.
Audra, For me, the first treatment was not bad at all. Number 2 was similar for the first several days, but the second and third week, i had more fatigue. I also was not able to run as much, and had to stop running and just walk after the second week. This third round, I felt the same again for the first couple days. I had the same pain as i had the other rounds, but it lasted longer, and then my counts plummeted and I spiked a temp landing me in the hospital. Since then, i have felt better, albeit with more fatigue than the previous rounds. i had not received neupogen or neulasta though, so that is likely why my counts dropped. MO does not check them unless there is a problem. So for me, the initial side effects are similar, but the fatigue is most definitely cumulative. It really differs from person to person though.0 -
KBeee- thanks so much for your post! It is super encouraging!!! As I mentioned I tolerated the AC chemo really well, so I am going in with the mindset that I will tolerate the TC chemo just as well (unless my body says "what the heck....u already poisoned me in 07" lollll)
I feel like I am way more healthy this time around too - I have lost 50 plus pounds since Feb (on purpose). I used to go to a gym every day - but the gym is at my office and I am on short term disability so I can't go. But I have been walking 2.5 - 3 miles every day since 2 days post surgery. Thankfully it has been very unseasonably warm here in NJ. My onc said a Y not too far from my house gives free 12 week programs to cancer patients as well.
Audra- hope you are feeling better - I know you and I were both "boo hooey" yesterday.
Hope everyone else is hanging in there and having a nice Sunday....
Virginia0 -
Virginia, yes, I was bald with TC and so was my friend who recently finished the same regime.
It didn't fall out all at once, was yucky & patchy for a while, but by the 3rd round it was virtually all gone, no head hair, no pubic hair, almost no leg/underarm hair. Eyebrows & lashes started falling out immediately & continued throughout treatment (and even now, 5 months after my last chemo, still falling out!) but there were always a few growing back in at the same time so my eyes just looked super thin/patchy. And I never lost my arm hair.0 -
Audra -- my SEs were similar for tx 1 & 2, but I had Neulasta after the second tx, which changed things for me.
First tx my WBC count went very low and I was weak and sleepy. Really hard to climb stairs or to stand for more than 15 minutes or so. MO prescribed on shot of Neupogen on day 7 and a 7 day course of antibiotics, which helped a lot. Appetite was pretty good, but I had 6 days when I couldn't taste anything -- lived on potatoes of all kinds, which tasted good.
Second tx, Neulasta gave me fevers that I was able to control with Motrin, but they made me tired. Muscle weakness was not as bad for 2nd tx, but days 4-10 I was just tired... No zip at all. I only had one day of bone pain from the Neulasta, but I was taking Claritin, and the bone pain was not too bad. After the Neulasta shot, I wasn't hungry and had trouble finding anything that tasted good.
My MO says the fatigue is cumulative. I have a 4 tx schedule, and he said tx 3 will probably be worst for me. Final treatment, he says, is psychologically easier to get over because you know you are done (love the sound of that!) so you bounce back a bit sooner.
Audra, hope that helps... I am buckling my seatbelt for the 3rd tx this week -- then just one more to go -- eyes on the finish line!!!0 -
Virginia Nj, We are in your pockets today cheering for you. Keep walking. i have been walking almost everyday through treatment, and it has helped me tremendously. Even days when I am completely exhausted and don't want to put my shoes on, i am more energized after my walk. I try to go about 3 miles per day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. hoping for minimal and manageable side effects for you.
Who else has chemo this week? SC, i think you do, correct? If my memory serves me right, I chase you in that chair...you Thursdays and me Fridays. This week I find out the results of my oncotype test, and MO will make final decision on number of rounds. My gut feeling says 6. That will be ok, but those last 2 will be hard with the little voice in my head telling me I should be done!!!0 -
Audra, everybody is different. My 3rd TC was the best one of all, almost no side effects. It might be in part because I have learned to eat certain things that help ky stomach and the protein shakes, bananas and Blood Builder I am taking.
I don't think the SEs are cummulative. I think it resets, lol! Goes back to 100% and lowers in each treatment. Try to be at a 100% when you start and you will be fine.
Kbeee, keep us posted. I am very curious about the outcome of your 6 or maybe 4.
Have a great week!0 -
Indenial- thanks for your feedback RE hair loss...I am fairly resigned to complete loss of hair...
KBeee - TY for your kind words - chemo #1 is done! I feel fine...a bit sleepy from the Benadryl but it's super warm here in NJ so I am going to go for a walk..... Keeping my fingers crossed for minimal SEs0 -
I'm definitely one who felt cumulative effects of SEs - increasing peripheral neuropathy in the last three cycles and muscle fatigue that has lasted continuously. My first two cycles, I got back to feeling normal before the next infusion. I actually had a good week! The last three cycles, muscle exhaustion and soreness has been a daily constant. I'm two weeks after the last infusion today and I'm hoping this doesn't last much more than another week! I have to say that cycle 3 was the worst for me - I was really knocked down for two weeks and didn't rebound well. After that one, I fasted 48 hours through chemo and it made me feel much better faster. As I went along, I did learn to manage my drugs better to alleviate symptoms like pain and constipation that I struggled with in the first two cycles.
My hair nearly all fell out before my second cycle - began about day 12 a little, but really started coming out between days 14-16. I finally had my boyfriend buzz it when I had maybe 1/3 of my hair left on day 16. I also used the lint roller on the remaining stubble to pick up loose bits, but most of it was coming out in the shower with a good scrub. I've been using the Brian Joseph's lash and brow conditioner and they've thinned, but are hanging in for the most part. My brows require only a little bit of pencil to fill in. Lashes have a few bare spots. I'm switching to some other less expensive lash and brow conditioners now that I'm done even though they recommend using it for 60 days after the last chemo. It's so pricey though! I'm hoping the cheaper ones will do the same trick. I'm two weeks away from starting an obsessive follicle watch to look for new growth on my head and in those lash and brow bare patches!
I'm starting radiation this afternoon - I'm anxious even though it's not going to make me feel as bad as the TC, but I'm not happy about assaulting my body again when I'm still feeling the effects of chemo in my muscles. I've also been going for lymphedema risk assessment and had a spike on my L-Dex reading so I now have to wear a compression garment for 4 weeks and get measured again to see if it's gone down. I'm hoping it's just from the Taxotere-induced fluid retention and it'll settle down in the next month now that I'm done, but I'm worried about the radiation treatments making it worse. If it's not one thing, it's another.0 -
Virginia, I am glad things went so well today. I hope those side effects stay away.
Mellie, I hope you are feeling a little better each day. I hope rads go well.
T minus 4 days until number 4...assuming counts are good. I am having counts drawn the day before, so they are not skewed by the steroids. I was frustrated to learn that the steroids throw the numbers off by a lot and artificially inflate the numbers...especially since mine were not checked mid-cycle...I felt like why bother at all if it's not accurate? I am interested to see an accurate count. At any rate, I am looking forward to getting another one out of the way, thoughh I am not looking forward to how I will feel next week!0 -
I did not know steroids throw the counts off. I am going for blood work the day before, but I also start me steroids the day before as well. I will wait till after the blood draw to take the steroid. Thanks for that info, so you recall where you got it from?0 -
My MO told me that when I questioned why some of my counts were actually high for rounds 2 and 3. He drew them immediately before chemo. I then asked to come in the day before for future rounds. I googled the info when I got home to make sure I had not misunderstood something and he was exactly right in what he said. The steroids make the numbers rise temporarily. I am guessing the steroids take a few hours before they would affect readings, but since I only take them once per day, I will wait until after my blood draw to be sure.0 -
Thanks Kbee. Another question do you wait to get the results of your blood work or do they tell you later that day?0 -
When I got it chemo day, they would print it out for me. I am not sure what they will do when I come the day before this week. I will ask to stay around for a print out of the results. We'll see if they let me.0
