Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Audra, my bras are: Bali right after reconstruction surgery, Maidenform and VS Demi after six weeks of reconstruction.
For the ladies gaining weight: I gained 30 lbs since DX and have lost 10 already. The steroids and chemo made me retain water and gain weight, plus O changed my eating habits during chemo: lots of starches and carbs to relieve my upset stomach. A month after chemo I saw I was losing weight. Still working on the 20lbs over but slowly, don't want to stress my body more. It had enough!
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Audra - check out the Bras 101 thread. Lots of good information.
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/753120?page=166#idx_4955
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So far I seem to be maintaining my weight, which is a good thing.
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Headeast: Thanks for the info on wt gain - it is encouraging.
Momat: I am heading soon into radiation; thanks for the heads up. My friend is going to loan my her aloe vera plant. I read on one of the forums here that a gal would take a piece of aloe in a baggie to each treatment and put some on the sight before she got dressed. It cut down on the pain and burning - if I remember right. If you have a plant or access to one; you could check it out. I thought about an aloe gel from the store but it would have additives in it; and I know by now most of us probably never want to put another chemical into our bodies!
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Carren, aloe sounds great. I use a homeopathic gel called Calendula. I think it is helping. Some burning is to be expected as I am in a trial with higher doses. Hoping all goes well. Let me know. momat
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hi, just wondering what the time line between finishing chemo and starting rads. , has been for most people? I have my last infusion on April 11 and I am booked for my rad consultation on April 22.... Too soon or ?
Thanks for any extra info on this.
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Carren - I've been using Miaderm. It's expensive but seems to be working really well. It does have some calendula. It was recommended by TeamKim and others at BCO & I got it from Amazon. Also using Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera gel.
Garden - my MO said I needed to wait at least 30 days before starting tx, but no reason not to get started with the consultation.
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MinusTwo, thanks for the info, will ask more when I see my oncologist, always nice to go in with as much info as you can get . Thanks again , I appreciate it.
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Aloe Products: Thanks for the other options. I will look for them locally.
Radiation: I had my Radiaton Oncologist appointment before Chemo. So that means 2 - 3 weeks after last infusion I will get the Scan done and be tattooed and then the treatment after that. I am not really sure the exact time line but I believe it depends on the Chemo results. I am hoping for treatments to start by Easter.
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Carren - be sure you get the 100% and not the green stuff you use for sun screen.
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I was also wondering about the timeline between chemo and radiation. My MO said about a month but I guess it takes time to get it all set up, huh? I have an appointment for a consultation with the RO in a couple of weeks.
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MinusTwo: Thanks, I will remember - 100%.
AKJ: It is confusing. I ended up GOING to the radiation oncology department and talked to the receptionist. She is the one who gave me the timeline about the procedures. I figured, if anyone would know, she would, since she was the one doing the scheduling and knows the procedures. Maybe you can call to yours or drop in some day, get some answers.
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Well I still have two more rounds of TC and an appt with the RO in a couple weeks so I'm sure I'll get some answers then. Just as long as I'm done with it all in time for my summer vacation!
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I made an appointment for a consultation & met with my radiation oncologist to learn about the procedure while I was still in chemo - before my 2nd surgery. But then I like to plan ahead & know where I'm going.
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my MO said a month between your last treatment and the beginning of radiation. It takes awhile for them to be ready to start after your consultation so meeting with your RO two weeks or so after treatment seems right. It worked well for me and seems to be very standard.
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Hoping those still in chemoland are doing well and managing their side effects. Thinking of each of you, no matter what treatment you are having and sending many hugs, positive thoughts and energy. Have a great weekend!!!!
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Hi, Melrose:
I am still here and on Monday I get my last chemo--TC x6--looking very forward to that. Can't wait tip I see some new hair--how long after last treatment can I expect that? Also, did you have any neuropathy? Have a great weekend.
Joan
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joanmj58- Wow..... the last TC chemo is finally here for you!!!! Congrats!!!! Happy Dance celebration on Monday!!! Make sure you ring that bell after the last one is done.... ring it so loud that we can all hear it!!!
Now for the hair regrowth....Hopefully you will start to see some growth after 4 weeks. By then your body will have figured out that you are not getting any more chemo. You may start to feel some really soft duck fuzz on your head which you may not be able to see. Sometimes, the new hair grows back white/grey/clear and very fine. My head felt like a velveteen rabbit stuffed animal toy. I used Nioxin shampoo that I got at Marshall's/TJMaxx. That shampoo is also sold at Ulta. I had read somewhere on this forums taht Nioxin shampoo was good. I can't say how long it takes for you to see real hair since it depends on your body's recovery from the chemo. I did start to lose my eyebrows and bottom eyelashes around the 4th round and after the 6th, the eyebrows and bottom lashes were gone. However, those came back fairly quickly and fortunately, never fell out as they had from the chemo. For some unknown reason, my top ones never fell out. The eyebrows and eyelashes are on a different growth cycle than head hair and may come and go several times during the first year you are PFC ( post final chemo).
As for neuropathy, I do on occasion have fingers/thumbs that may get cramps or stuck in a position. I just gently move my fingers/thumbs from being uncramped and massage them a little. I usually do some finger exercises/ hand flexes to keep those fingers moving. As for my feet, I think I'm doing well. I'm sure that I have some very minor neuropathy (aches/pains) but again I try to keep moving.
In about 3 weeks after your final chemo, you will probably have an appointment with your MO. At that time, you will probably receive your prescription for Tamoxifen. At that time, you will want to know what drugs should not be taken with the Tamoxifen. Also, no grapefruit or pomergranates since those also affect the absorption of the Tamoxifen. I know you will read about the personal experiences of others who take Tamoxifen; some of those stories may make you a little nervous about taking the Tamoxifen. I'm one of the fortunate ones who experiences "not so hot" hot flashes and leg/foot cramps. I have not gained any weight while on the Tamoxifen. If there is any doubt in your mind about taking the Tamoxifen, remember that this little pill is powerful in terms of what it can do to help prevent reoccurrence. I take my Tamoxifen for myself, my family and friends and in honor of those triple negative gals who would do anything to have one more weapon in their arsenal.
Have a wonderful weekend.... let us know how that last one goes!!!!!
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Radiation Update: Got the call for Radiaton Education Class and Video. Last Chemo was on March 20th, Rad Class is on April 7th plus they will do the scan and tattooing at this time. MO appointment on April 15th - followup;I am Triple Negative so that should be it for me for drugs. I will find out by the 21st April when treatment starts; perhaps even that week.
Carren
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joan, good luck on your LAST chemo! Yay!!!
carren, glad that you are moving along with treatment. I should be starting rads this week...
I'm seeing some stubbles for hair now. Seems like a long time coming, but I guess I am anxious! Looks like I may have lost a couple of eye lashes, darn it. I hope the rest of them hang on.
We'll get through this ladies!!!
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Melrose--thanks! I am receiving the last infusion now--only have an hour to go!!! I meet with my MO on the 9th. And then a PET/CT scan the first week of June. What will the oncologist discuss on the 9th?
Joan
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Yay Joan!!!
Idk what your next step is, but my MO did another blood draw, checked me over, discussed my HT a bit, then released me to my RO for rads. I will see her again a wk after rads to start my HT.
Good luck with your last TX.
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Joanmj58, congratulations to you on last one ! I am doing a happy dance for you. My last one is April 11
Hope you have minimal side effects,wishing you all the best !
Melrose thanks for all that info, I found it very helpful.
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Gardengirl- Wow.... your final chemo is coming up!!! Congrats!!! Glad the info has helped you. If you are heading to rads next, I've been told that Miaderm radiation cream and Aquaphor are very helpful for the skin. Ask you RO about the Miaderm to see if they give it to their patients. Otherwise, you can purchase it through Amazon. Here is the link to the Miaderm website so you can have the info when you visit your RO. http://miaderm.com/
Wishing everyone a good weekend and congrats to those who are finished or almost finished with their time in chemoland.
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Hey ladies I found out that I am officially done with chemo. My doctor decided to do the four than the six. He said I responded well with the treatment. I go back may 1st to see him for blood work. My next thing is my next surgery which is my ovary and fallopian tube removal. Once I am done with recovery I will do reconstruction. This last one I did both my cytoxan and taxotere but I am feeling it pretty badly today. I wish all you ladies luck!
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I just finished Chemo Myself and so glad you posted this I was going back to read the threads. Glad you have posted the recommendations after your hair grows back and shampoo to use. I meet with my doctor in a month and glad to know about the tamoxifen as I will probably start it and then I go for my consult for my ovary/Fallopian removal.
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ccduke79, congratulations at finishing chemo!! Hoping you start to feel better soon, and have a mini celebration before your next step in treatment.
Hugs and doing a happy dance for you!
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Congrats on being done with chemo! That's major; and I'm happy you're done with this!!!!
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Hi everyone.
I've been away a while and just checked in to say hi and to stick around!!! I've had so many things go wrong, I did not want to scare anyone!
I am now 3 months PFC and have a little hair on my head. I have developed some neuropathy in my fingers so that was new to me. I have also developed lymphedema in my right arm, so please talk to your MO about a consultation with a lymphedema specialist.
I am on Aromasin (Exemesthane) instead of tamoxiphen. At 45 years old the chemo pushed me into menopause and I am getting monthly blood work to make sure I stay in menopause. I am also getting a Zometa infusion every 4 months.
Someone mentioned that it is like giving birth, you forget the details but not the emotions...I wish I had journaled more.
I had a few set backs with regard to reconstruction, but the good news is , I am back to working out, three Zumba classes a week and strength training, unfortunately it is going to come to a screeching halt with my hopefully exchange surgery, but possibly a replacement of the left TE which I lost to an infection.
The 4th TC for me was the hardest , I could not move for days, but a soak with epson salts helped me wonderfully.
I'm so glad to see this thread is still going strong, it saved my life!
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SchoolCounselor - great to hear from you. It's amazing that you are doing Zumba. Way to go. The stronger & healthier you are before exchange, the faster the healing. Do keep in touch & let us know when you head for surgery.
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