patty
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Patty, I did 12 weeks of Taxol over the summer. For me, SE were cumulative. Lost eyelashes and eye brows during Taxol but they grew right back afterwards. Had mild neuropathy in a few finger tips ( mostly gone now). Had bone and joint pain the first 5 treatments but that was handled by Aleve twice a day. Had 3 mouth sores during Taxol. Rinsed mouth with water/salt/baking soda and applied KankAid to the spots until healed. Ice hands and feet during the actual Taxol infusions. Nails didn’t lift but did d discolor and are still bothersome 5 months later. Taxol is very drying. My sinuses became soooo dry. Used Ayr Gel inside my nostrils and sprayed Ocean saline spray during the day. As was mentioned already, the day after chemo and the night of chemo is a steroid high, hard to sleep. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions
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Patty, do you know why they are recommending Taxol? I know it's a good chemo for many situations, but as Mike suggested and I was also wondering, what about Xeloda? I'm on that now with great results and no hair loss. I believe there are one or two other very good chemos for mbc that do not involve hair loss. Xeloda is oral, which is another nice factor! Ask about it!
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Hi, I am new to this thread but wanted to share my sister's recent experience with Taxol and echo the sentiments of dlb823. My sister has used up almost all her treatment options and in the spring was found to have diffuse tumours in her liver. I thought they would recommend Xeloda, which is pretty much the only treatment my sister has no had, but the doctor said that given the extent of the tumours and the fact that they are in the liver, she wanted to bring out the "big guns" and skip to Taxol.
The doctor reassured her that it would be a much easier chemo than the initial one. It was much easier. She still lost her hair and she did develop diabetes and had to go on metformin but she didn't get much nausea (compared to the original) and she didn't get hand and foot issues (she did chill her hands and feet during the chemo). Unfortunately,, she couldn't receive the full dose because her blood counts kept crashing and the tumours progressed.
Now she has been on Xeloda for 3 months and is in love with the drug. Her hair has grown back, she doesn't have nausea. Her blood sugar is normal, and she doesn't spend time in a chemo suite. And best of all, each time she has been scanned (twice separated by 6 weeks) the liver tumours have shrunk in size by half! So I think you don't need to fear Taxol as much as you think, and when you can, try Xeloda.
Praying for you.
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praying for you. I didnt have taxol but taxotere. At the time i was hearing how awful it was over taxol. I took adriamycin too called red devil. I did fine on both with not so bad ses. I didnt think my hair would grow back from taxotere but it all came back curlier. Seems everyone goes through any treatment differently. I went in with fear after everything i read but found not so bad.
If you do decide taxol i agree start it while still in hospital so in case you have a reaction you're right there.
Praying for you.
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Patty-
Glad to see you. Sorry things are not better. I had taxol with my treatment. I did have an allergic reaction ( a really bad one at first, but that is why they have nurses standing next to you), however, upping the benedryl and fluids during my infusions helped. I also had to stop early due to neuropathy. It totally killed what was left of my tumors. My 2 cents: Do it if it seems right for you and your MO. Hair, well, it's just hair. Braid it carefully and shave it off before you start, and make pretty things out of it for your kids. They will appreciate it at some point, as well as time with you.
Much love to you
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Hi Patty
I was on taxol and found it relatively easy. I did ice my hands and feet during each treatment so did not experience neuropathy. I could not afford the ice caps so liost my hair, brows and lashes. I did treat myself to brow microblading then and have the best brows I’ve ever had! During treatment I continued to work full time and had a very active social life. I would do taxol again. But it’s your decision as to what you want to do. There is no right or wrong answer. This is your decision to make. I wish you only well
Babs
Please pm me any questions you might have.
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Thought of you Patty when I saw this.
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Thought of you Patty when I saw this. Glad you are getting feedback on the proposed chemo but ultimately
(Sorry for the size but the editing/resizing isn't holding.)
Prayers and ((HUGS))
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thanks for all the experiences with taxol and in general. Thanks
So I seen mo yesterday and we review ct , mri and bopsy result.
Mo wants to try Carboplatin first cause taxol is much harder on my liver. My liver does not have tumors to measure because the entire organ is like 2 giant tumor Carboplatin side effects sounds much easier. And very likely I won’t lose hair in this. I looked into col caps. They are around $2000. I have been extremely again iv chemo for ME. Everyone has their own decisions to make. OF course he doesn’t know the future but based on other patients If I stop treatment then I’ll have up to a month or so but it can be as early as next week ... to be continued so I don’t lose it all sfain
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so I agreed to give carboplatin iv chemo we started last night and I got a large dose of 3weeks since I am here we can get a jump start in it and be safe. Then 1 per week.
Gotta try it because I am going to be very sick either was we have had a lot of cancer deaths in my family and most of them felt better closer to the end. So I always thought when I exhausted all bit chemo then I would be off to and I can go make more memories taking the boys places but dr said either way that’s not gonna get better so gotta try it. Not likely to lose hair.
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Patti,
I am praying for strength and encouragement as you start carboplatin. I'm also praying it knocks back the liver mets.
Mary
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Patty, sending so much love and support to you.
Wishing you all the best on carboplatin, and hoping it gives you some relief.
Love, Madelyn
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Patty, praying you have good results and more quality time with your boys. My mother-in-law had ovarian cancer some years ago and carboplatin made her feel better not worse. I really hope that's your experience too.
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Yea the first one is in the bag! Hope your still in the hospital. Good luck! We want you to feel better.
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Praying for you Patty. Hope the carboplatin works. I did 12 weeks of taxol after my AC and it really wasn't bad. I iced my hands and feet and had no neuropathy. I bought $25 socks with ice packs for my feet and just held a frozen water bottle or a bag of ice for my hands. My hair, which fell out during AC started growing back 5-6 weeks into taxol. Cold capping really wasn't something for me. I did have a one week delay on my last taxol due to low neutrophil counts but a couple shots of neupogen helped that quickly. I know everyone is different but I think many of us find taxol somewhat easier. Making decisions as to what treatments we want to endure is not easy. I pray for guidance in your decisions, good responses to treatments you feel comfortable trying, and for comfort and peace. It's nice that your sister came up. My sister was my rock during treatment.0 -
Praying for positive results, Patty.
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Praying for you daily Patty and sending the purest light of love from my heart to yours.
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Hi Patty - I was on taxol's cousin, taxotere, for round 1 of chemo. I used Penguin Cold Caps which cost $495/mo. to rent. Mine were stored in the infusion freezer at UCLA. You will need someone to put them on for you every 30 minutes or so. I kept most of my hair - and used/rented them again during A-train (Abraxane). Here is a link if you are interested. I highly recommend them for keeping your hair - JFL is using them too. https://penguincoldcaps.com/us/
Sending you a gentle hug.
(()) Claire
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Best wishes Patty. You can only make your best decision based on the information available to you at the time. No one can do more than that. XXX
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Hi Patty,
Hoping this treatment destroys those liver mets! Deciding is always hard. You can trust yourself. I'm looking forward to hearing about the special memories you will be making with your boys once you feel better and get home.
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hello. Thanks for the support. I did start the chemo carboplatnum friday. Got a three time doses into one. Felt great yesterday and today just nauseated. Hopefully it works. Mo said sometimes people have nearly immediate response.
Wanted to take boys for memories after I quit tx and had a block of quality time but mo said will not get better without chemo. Said up to 1 month life for span. . More likely 2weeks total. I know I have no def date this is just his patients experiences
Haven’t mentioned anything to dss other then they knew I was sick which is normal. They are 12 and 1 month away from 16 year old. They would be very mad that I didn’t tell them straight but no since making them worry til we know a lot more info.
Feeling : mix between numb and anger.
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Hootie hoo. Don't know what to say.Big hugs.
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they may know more that we give them credit for. Live in the moment and enjoy every second with them. Bless you Patty.
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You show them every day that life matters. Not just the good bits.
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Patty, thinking of you often. It must feel good to have made a decision. I hope the carbo works beyond expectation.
Love, MJH
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Patty- I have no experience with chemo but did want to say hello and rooting for you with the hopes the chemo helps and you can create some memories with the boys soon. So glad your sister is there too.
You are loved friend
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Patty, just sending along my wishes that you will be feeling better soon. Many prayers are coming your way from this wonderful group.
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Patty,
Thinking of you this morning and wanting to give you a big hug! Praying this Carbo kicks the crap out of your cancer. I have had the Gemzar/ Carbo combo and it was doable, and I was in a weakened state too at the time (on a feeding tube.) Wiishing you peace of mind and continued strength.
❤️ Southern
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Patty sweetie, it's such a hard decision. You seem to want to continue, Carbo could give you support. And you could always quit. I so understand your hesitation with the kids, Dani also does not want to worry the kids, they are very sensitive girls, as soon as she takes to the couch they have a physical reaction.
It's wonderful you have your sister with you to help, see what she says about the kids, she knows your family better.
Warm hugs - we are with you.
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Hootie Hoo, Patty, sending big hugs and lots of prayers and support.
Hope that carbo works wonders for you.
I'm so glad your sister is there with you.
Your boys probably know more than what you have said to them. But they may have questions and concerns. Every family is different. Do what you feel is right for your boys. You can start slowly, "I've been very sick," and see how they respond.
Sending so much love.
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