Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Send many many (((HUGS)) and lots of positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy to everyone here!!!! It truly is "the winter of our discontent" (Shakespeare); however there are better days ahead for all of us. I know the frustrations of all with infections, side effects from chemo, drugs, surgery, etc because those are some of the frustrations that I experienced too. No matter what, we just have to keep pushing forward and savor the good times because those are the glimpses of what will be there in the future. It is definitely okay to feel frustrated, a little lost and tired of all of this. I know you have families and friends and are trying to stay strong and do everything you did before you got diagnosed. Sometimes, we are just tired and need a time out. Just remember, no one has to be super duper woman here; just being super woman is quite enough. Hang in there..... the best is yet to come....
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SC - oh my dear, what a trying time you've had. Sounds like you're back home finally. And your dear dog on top of everything else. Hope you have a good LE physical therapist. We're all sending good thoughts & hugs. You need to treat yourself like #1 every day until you're feeling better physically & mentally. Hooray for the Barbados trip.
Pat - Lake Louise was one of my favorite places. I grew up across the bay from you & we took summer car trips growing up to visit the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
I'm trying to figure out where I'll go in May that has moving water. Of course I'd prefer the Pacific Ocean, but I know I won't be ready for that kind of a trip yet. And I'm afraid to get too far ahead of myself since I just started rads. But it will be moving water - river, lake, stream, ocean - more than a lawn sprinkler.
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SC, Momat -- send lots of ((((hugs))))..... We all know how it is to be down and almost out... Somehow we rebound from it, but I am always in awe of all of you -- such amazing brave women on this thread. Barbados sounds wonderful, SC -- got any room in your pockets for a stowaway?
I actually just booked flights today for me & DH to go see our DS at college, playing college baseball. We thought we would take my Spring break (I am a professor) to go to the other coast for a visit and a baseball fix. Odd thing is, I had the toughest time committing to make the trip. I think BC has made me so fearful of all the what-ifs. It's done now, and the tickets are non refundable, but I can't shake the uneasiness -- weird. I have always been very decisive -- and not one to second guess myself. Just one of the ways that BC has changed me... At least in the short run.
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i just found a strange lump on my lower abs, below my belky button, on the right hand side. It doesn't hurt but I can even see a shade. I showed ot to my DH and told me to call the dr tomorrow. Can it be a hernia? I don't want to scare myself, but I am worried...
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SC - I'm so sorry about Casper, the delay and all you are having to go through. It just sucks. And yet you are making it through. And with it enough to stop the Effexor, too. Like Pat, I had my infection before my chemo journey and those months were the hardest on me emotional ly and so frustrating physically. Yet here I am with beautiful thick scars in an area that took months to close. Your surgery wil come and we will all rejoice with you!
You WILL get better and we will be here with you to walk that path of healing and closure.
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SC, I am glad you are off that stuff and very sorry about the infection and delay. We are uere to support you.
Please have patience.
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SC, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog on top of everything else! You will heal soon. Stay strong.
Headeast, let us know about your lump. Hoping it's nothing.
Sending Healing HUGS!
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KTF, thank you, will do. I was googling it and might be just fat. I am going to see PS tomorrow for my follow up and Colon doctor on Wednesday, I will ask both. It doesn't hurt, it is just there. Now everything scares me...
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As I read through the posts of the past day, the themes of loss and emotional strain are clear. I've spent so much energy just trying to get through this that I have not allowed myself to really process the psychological toll this has taken on me and those close to me. I do find that having "something to look forward to" helps me a lot. With all the cancelled events, my mood definitely improved when something good gets added to the calendar.
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Headeast- Hoping your lump is fat or nothing at all! Every lump and bump I get scares me to death too...
Sc- I think a lot of those anti depressants can do that to people...when I used to work as a nurse I was scared of them as it happened a lot...glad you are off of those...sorry for your sweet doggie loss...and the lymphedema...this all just sucks plain and simple and we are all deserving of screaming in rage at having all of these problems and symptoms.
Forgot who wrote on last page- (my chemo brain is showing)-
The baseball trip for your son sounds great and I had the same reservations about trips..but scheduled some anyway and now I feel like I will go and I will be fine! Maybe it's time that helps with the weird future planning things.
I am headed to P.T./lymphedema person now for my treatments and I have swelling still behind affected armpit and into my foob area...it comes and goes and she still said I don't have 'lymphedema' but it sure seems that way...she thinks she can make it go away and then I will be fine she says it is from surgery??... hoping...one more thing...
Wishing you all a wonderful happy Monday...we are here and we are alive and I am thankful for this day!
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I start my chemo on Wednesday February 19, 2014. I am nervous. Can you give me some advise of what I can do to prevent mouth sores. What about any remedies for skin care while in chemo. I also had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction,this process so far is going very well. So sad.
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welcome msguera! You're in the right place. I can't speak to mouth sores but I have had great success with Vaseline intense rescue hand healing cream. For what it's worth, some of the side effects I feared most never came to pass, including mouth sores. Are you having a Neaulasta shot after your treatments? If so I recommend Claritin the day before and three days after to help minimize bone pain.
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Welcome Msguera.....
Mouth sores- You may want to suck on/chew ice and drink cold icy water during your infusions to help prevent the mouth sores. If you are wondering if you intake all of that fluid/ice during your infusion and need to go the restroom, the answer is yes you can get up and go. Just ask the infusion nurse to unplug your IV pole equipment from the electrical socket and you and your pole can head to the restroom.
You can also rinse your mouth several times a day after the infusion with a baking soda-salt-water solution. Here is the recipe for that
1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water.
I used to mix a new cup of this solution every time I rinsed out my mouth. When I had sores, I sometimes would put in a little more salt which seemed to help.
Make sure to brush you teeth after eating. Use a soft/ultra soft manual toothbrush rather than an ultrasonic electric toothbrush because that kind of toothbrush can cause micro-abrasions on your gums which is something you want to avoid. You may want to purchase/have several toothbrushes so that you can always have a clean toothbrush. You can put the used toothbrushes in the dishwasher and clean them there. The other alternative to that is to use a toothbrush sanitzer. Also, be careful when flossing your teeth so that you don't cause your gums to bleed. Again, just want to mimize cuts/brasions in your mouth since germs can easily get into those areas and may cause infection.
The Biotene toothpaste/mouth rinse products can also be used..
I did get mouth sores and tongue sores which fortunately were not severe. I was still able to eat but avoided spicy and acidic foods. If you get mouth sores and you are very uncomfortable, call your onco to ask for some help. Your onco may want to check you out to make sure that you don't have thrush.
Skin care- Often one's skin will become very dry during chemo. I used Cetaphil cream ( not the lotion) and lathered it on. You also want to use a lip balm on your lips since those also can get dry. I used Vaseline for lips.
Remember to keep coming back here and ask questions. We are here to help you.
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Claritin
The Claritin is used to try to prevent any bone pain that one may experience after receiving a Neulasta shot. The Neulasta shot is a white blood cell count booster that is is adminsitered at least 24 hours after one's chemo infusion. There is a on going clinical trial investigating whether the Claritin does help prevent the pain. Here is the link to that clinical trial ... http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01311336?term=claritin&rank=3. According to the clinical trial protocal, one takes one regular 24 hours Claritin ( NOT Claritin D) for 7 days beginning the day that one receives the Neulasta. With my onco's approval, i took the Claritin for 8-9 days and did not experience any bone pain related to the Neulasta shot. However, one can still experience muscle aches/joint pain from the chemo regimen.
As for Neulasta shot, it is an expensive shot that not all insurance companies will initially cover. If you do receive the Neulasta shot, you may want to receive it in your tummy area. I had my Neulasta shots administered in my tummy since there is a little more body fat there and because I didn't want a sore arm. Since the shot is refrigerated, the administering nurse may ask you to hold the shot in your hand to warm it up. Ask her to slowly administer the shot rather than a quick push since it may sting less. You will wait about 20-30 minutes to see if there is any reaction. The alternative to the one time Neulasta shot is a series of Neupogen shots which are given daily and can be self administered. Neupogen is much cheaper than the Neulasta shot.
Hope this helps.....
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Hi Ladies,
Getting my port Monday and Starting this drug combo on Wednesday. Have a call in to my MO to ask about claritin, B-6, ginger capsules and the Glutamine powder. Is there anything else you all recommend for side effects? Also I am ready with colace and the biotene products and the salt/soda rinse. Worried about the anti nausea, the script I got prochlorperazine which is generic for compazine. Has anyone has success with compazine or the generic? I am worried about working, I am a small business owner with a great support system but I do need to be in the office as much as I can. I seems that with treatment being every 21 days, I should have good days? Hopefully?????
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welcome msguera and Susan~
I found that I didn't need most of the meds, RX's that I was given, but I am a planner, so was stocked up, just in case! Remember, everyone's SE's will be different. Make sure you communicate with your MO if you start having them. There is no need to suffer through. As far as working, if you can be flexible, that is probably best. You will probably have days that you won't want to work, but there will be times that you will feel fine. Some people work the entire time. I am self-employed, so was able to make my own schedule, so to speak. I think the flu season is about over, but you might want to ask your MO about a flu shot. Also, think about getting a dental cleaning if you are due.
Wishing you the best through your treatments. Come back when you have questions. There is more than likely someone here that has experienced what you might be going through! For me, I wouldn't want to have to do it again, but it was not near as bad as I had anticipated. Erase all of the images you have had from the movies!!!
You can do it! 0 -
Just throwing it into the mix that I had my Neutasta shot unwarmed in my arm and no pain or problems. I'm continually amazed how differently we all respond to the exact same medication!
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Susan - As one who tends to over prepare, I also have Systane eye lubricants for dry eyes, biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, and I have antacids and Pepcid on hand. In addition, I drink 100% raw cranberry juice each day to prevent UTI. Brian Joseph's brow and lash conditioner to protest my lashes and brows. I ice my nails after coating with dark polish for the infusion and then replace it with clear Sally Hansen's Hard as nails and apply tea tree oil daily. I use aquaphor to moisturize my body and sometimes coconut oil. For my face I use Utterly Smooth which is actually a product developed for farm animals. It seems to work well on my face without clogging my pores.
You will know what your individual SEs are after the first infusion and that will give you some idea of what to expect. I am a college prof. and chose to take the semester off. I have days when I could work and instead do research at home. However, I have days I am too tired, achy or foggy and I'm grateful not to be working. Many people manage to work and if you have flexibility with your schedule you may find it quite manageable.
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I had my first treatment on 1/23 and the second chemo treatment on 2/13. Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash worked for me. When I get up to pee at night I brush my teeth and rinse my mouth. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water, flavored water, juice, jello, popsicles are staples in my house. Keep track of any nose bleeds with when and how long it took to stop bleeding.
I am thankful for the meds before, during, and after chemo to manage nausea. Compazine (generic version) worked for me.
The first treatment was the afternoon of the port placement so I was dehydrated. They gave me a large bag of saline with my treatment. I did not get it the second time. I am asking for it for the next 2 times. I felt better longer.
Ask questions! The first treatment nurse was wonderful. She explained everything in the beginning and along the way. The second treatment nurse acted as if I was not there! So I asked questions. I wanted to see my blood test results before proceeding. Every bag change I asked what the drug was. 90% of the nursing team has been wonderful this last one just needs more time with patients to develop compassion!
A little un-easy today because what I thought was dry skin on my hands is not healing. I have a message into the doctor's team.
Thank you to this board for reminding me that this part of the journey will conclude.
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Did you take the Compazine proactively? My doctor says take as needed but I've heard don't let the nausea get ahead of you, so I am not sure if I take it before treatment or as soon as I get home?
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Susan- If you have prescriptions for anti-nausea meds, do take them and take them on schedule with plenty of water and food. You want to stay ahead of the nausea. If you are having your chemo on Wednesdays, hopefully you will be fine on Thursday and Friday to work. You will probably want to rest over the weekend if you can and not try to push it. Remember that side effects are cumulative which means if you are feeling a little fatigued after the first rounds, it is likely that you may feel more fatigued after the later rounds. Unfortunately, no one can tell you exactly how you will feel after having chemo. Before I had chemo, my onco did ask me if i had experienced morning sickness when I was pregnant. I asked her why she asked that question and her response was that it could be an indicator of whether I would have nausea or not. I did not have morning sickness when pregnant and did not have any bouts of nausea while in chemoland.
The other thing that can help hedge off the nausea is to eat small meals 5-6 times a day so that your tummy doesn't get empty. A full tummy is a happy tummy. Drink plenty of fluids or eat watermelon, grapes, popsicles, slurpies/Icees, italian ice, soup broth, jello. If you need a reference book to help you figure out what to eat ... check out "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD. The book has shopping lists, menus, recipes and great tips on how to handle some of the side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, mouth sores, etc. I was given this book and found it made it easy for me to figure out what to eat and I didn't have to go online to research. I think you can check out this book at Amazon/Barnes & Noble. I also have The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz which great pics and recipes and other tips.
Here is the nadir period for this chemo regimen which will give you an idea when your white blood counts are at their lowest and when you are the most likedly to be suspectibile to infections. You may or may not receive a Neulasta shot after the first round of chemo. Your onco may decide to wait and see if you demonstrate that you need to receive this shot. Not everyone receives it with the first round. I didn't start receiving the Neulasta shot until after my 3rd round of chemo. I developed a high spikey fever/chills during the nadir period after my 2nd round of chemo which was treated with two antibotics. I did avoid going to the emergency room but my onco ordered Neulasta shots after Rounds 3-6.
Cytoxan Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 7 days
Nadir: 10-14 days
Recovery: 21 daysTaxotere Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 4-7 days
Nadir: 5-9 days
Recovery: 21 days(This information is from chemocare.org website which was founded by Scott Hamilton, the former Olympic ice skater who is a cancer survivor.... http://chemocare.com/default.aspx
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susan, I didn't take anything for nausea. Never had that SE. I had some heartburn, but took OTC meds. I would recommend having something light/bland in your stomach a few hours before infustion and try snacking on small portions throughout the day. I ate a lot of scrambled eggs, english muffins, toast, crackers, pretzels, bananas, etc. Ginger is supposed to help with nausea also. Bigelows' Lemon/Ginger tea is a great source, if you are a tea drinker.
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I never had nausea with pregnancy but did have it with chemo. Took my zofran but never really needed the compazine. My nausea is mild but kills the appetite and lasts two plus weeks. At least I've lost some weight I wanted to lose! It will all be so much easier to manage and cope with after your first treatment and you know how your body responds. Chemo SE are extremely personalized!
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Thank you QuirkyGirl. I will keep you posted. I am looking forward to using all the advise and to having none of the SE. Going in strong!
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thank you Melrosemelrose for the great advice.
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Anyone experience a full red rash with chemo? It moved from my hands to the back of the neck to my face. Not itchy. Lotion, aloe, hydrocortisone cream, and vaseline does not have ANY impact on it.
Also, any soap recommendations that would be better for skin?
Any assistance would be appreciated!
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mapgirl, I had some redness on my face after 3rd TX, but no rash. I would call your MO; may be a reaction to Taxotere. They will probably put you on Benadryl or something, but they will want to know. Good luck.
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mapgirl12 - I agree with keepthefaith..... Time to call your oncologist because it sounds like a reaction to the chemo. If you want, you can call your onco after hours. Remember there is always an onco on call 24/7 to handle after hour situations. Keep us posted.
As for soap, I used Cetaphil regular bar soap and also used Aveeno Unscented body wash ( green cap). Both are mild on the skin..
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KeepTheFaith and Melrosemelrose
Thank you both! I did call. I have a port draw tomorrow morning and they wanted to wait until then to look at it.
Thank you for the soap options. Tomorrow's trip to Walgreens!
Sincerely,
Nancy
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Msquera-- I ate Popsicles during infusions to prevent mouth sores, and also did all the Melrose recommended -- I only had one little sore on the end of my tongue after my second infusion. Who know if the Popsicles worked or I just didn't get that SE.
Susan -- I never got nausea. I was prepared with Compazine, Zofran and Ativan. I took the Ativan before each infusion, and here and there I took one at night to sleep. Ativan helps with anxiety and nausea. I took one Zofran after my first infusion, just to be ahead of things, but never took any after that. I didn't need the Compazine. There were steroids and Zofran in the preMeds at each infusion, so that seemed to take care of any nausea for about 48 hours -- I did have some heartburn, but Pepcid and Tums seemed to handle it ok. I worked throughout chemo, only taking off the day after each infusion (infusions were on Thurs, so I had the long weekend).
Map girl --I struggled with an allergic reaction to Taxotere. Rash after first tx started on the backs of my hands and in my crotch (!). It got worse each time, until hives after 3rd treatment. MO decided to leave the T out of my last infusion. Talk to your MO.
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