Cytoxan and Taxotere ?

Cynthia1962

Harley,

Glad you're feeling better. I hope your new rx meds help. That's great that you get to have the neulasta. It'll be much easier for you. I was surprised when my nurse mentioned the neulasta, too, but she said the reason I hadn't gotten it before is because it should be given 21 days before the next chemo and since they check my blood counts 14 days before there wasn't enough time. But, since I'm done with chemo, it doesn't matter.

I'm definitely feeling more pain from it so far than from an entire week of neupogen, so I'm a bit nervous but hoping it won't get worse. At least, I have some darvocet on hand.

Take care,

Cynthia

Harley44

Cynthia,

I am worried that this jerk onc won't want to see me anymore, so I will just see his nurse til the txs are over. Then, what do I do, because I will STILL need to see him, probably for the rest of my life! and the next step is the hormone treatment, since I was ER+/PR+...

Glad you were about to get Neulasta, I am sure it will be ok. I know that horrific back ache I had after the Neupogen shots was just the worst pain I have ever had!!

Take care.
CONGRATULATIONS on being FINISHED your chemo!!!

HARLEY

Anonymous

Cynthia

I have been having Nuelastia following my TC txs. Both the infusion center and my onc have told me, it must be given 24 hours after chemo, not 21 days before. Actually if on the 3 week (21 day) tx, like me, you would never be able to have Neulastia as the day following chemo is already 20 days before the next tx. It takes about 6-7 days to up the WBC, but it is only one shot rather than 5-6 of the others.

I am so glad you are finished with the chemo. I have one more this Friday, adn I be through, at least until after my mast/reconstruction. My new onc said he wants me on TAC. I sure hope that chemo is not as bad as the TC has been, but I fear it will be worse.

Harley - great you're half-way thru and no giving yourself shots this cycle. Yea!

joanne_elizabeth

Harley, glad you are half done that is terrific !
I get Neulasta the day after chemo, whether or not I need it! Fortunately so far it hasn't been too bad for me.
Harley, you are right you will have to deal with the onc. eventually. I wonder what the best strategy will be? I have to see mine before each treatment.
Jean - I have heard the "worse" part of TAC is the A causes severe nausea according to the nurses here. Other than that 2 of 3 drugs are similar. There was research the beginning of the summer suggestiing the A works for about 10% of people who get it who have the Tipoli (sp) gene? But of course it is preliminary like all the rest of the research seems to be!
Best of luck to all of us !

Joanne

Anonymous

Hi Joanne

I just got a copy of my BRCA gene testing Monday and it was discovered that I have a very rare form only found in 14 families. That now on top of my being triple negative...gosh it would be nice to have just one good thing happen.

My new onc told me I should never have had the TC, but TAC and then only after the mast, not before. Also I was informed that if given TC it should have been only 2 tx, followed with surgery. However as it will take 3-4 weeks for the 3 surgeons to arrange the surgery, he wants me to go ahead with Friday's chemo to try and keep this BC from spreading during my waiting time.

sdstarfish

Oh, Cynthia - not Nuepagen!!! I hope it goes a lot better for you than it did for me.
Joanne, I'm thinking of you today!
Hang in there Jean and Harley! We will all be loking back on this some day.

Cynthia1962

Jean - looking at the Neulasta literature my nurse gave me, it says it should be given at least 24 hrs after chemo tx, and no sooner than 14 days prior to next cycle. I'm assuming my onc doesn't give it routinely because he seems to only treat problems as they arise rather than using meds prophylactically and that's how it's normally used. He was the same about anti-nausea meds. I wasn't given anything to use at home until I needed it.

Joanne - hope today goes well for you.

Harley - I can't believe how unprofessional your onc is being. He's in the wrong profession. I hope you can find a different dr who'll take your insurance after you're done with active tx.

I'm having a lot of pain today, especially in my neck, but it's tolerable with enough ibuprofen. lol

Take care all,

Cynthia

joanne_elizabeth

Jean - Hope you are hanging in there, sounds like an awful lot to deal with. I know it is hard too waiting for these surgeries.
I had my 4th TC today. Hopefully the week won't be too awful, but it seems to get me quicker and somewhat harder each time. Tomorrow my hubbie and I will spend some quality couples time when he gives me my bone shot! LOL!
Lisa -hope you aren't feeling too dreadful and that the ulcer is starting to calm down.
Harley - how are you doing?
Cynthia - what is next for you - you do radiation soon?

Joanne

Harley44

Cynthia,

Yes, I am worried about having to deal with this onc for a long term... but, there are NO in network oncs in my area! So I'm stuck! I really am hoping that I'll get to meet with him before my next tx., to talk and maybe work these things out. I told his nurse, that DOCTORS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP THEIR PATIENTS, AND WORK OUT ALL THE KINKS WITH THE INSURANCE/MONEY internally! I also think that maybe he will see me, if my dh is with me... I think that he believes my dh will keep me calm, and he just might...

When I got my Neulasta shot today, the nurse told me to get Claritan, and take ONE tablet every day for 3 or 4 days. She said that should help with the bone pain you may have. Sorry I didn't get a chance to get on the computer til now, since I have been out running errands, and getting my Rxs filled...

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Hugs,
HARLEY

Harley44

Joanne,

I am thinking that once my dh is down here for good, it will be better, because he can keep me calm... At least, I think that is what the onc thinks.

The neulasta prevents that nose dive of the wbc, so I would think they would want to use it!

Thanks!
HARLEY

Harley44

sdstarfish,

Thanks for the warm thoughts!

I'm halfway through, so not much longer!!! Only 2 more txs to go!!!

Take care,

HARLEY

Cynthia1962

Hi Joanne - congrats on being done! I hope you have a quick chemo week. I also felt the se's came on quicker and harder each time, but if it weren't for the Neulasta shot yesterday, I bet I would be feeling pretty good already.

I saw my rad onc yesterday and get my simulation tomorrow. I'll start the actual rads Fri or Tue of next week depending on how long it takes them to do the the calculations from the simulation.

Cynthia

sharebear

4 dd of AC and 11 weekly of taxatere down, 1 more to go!

I'm looking foward to my mouth not feeling like leather. Food actually tasting like food! My legs not feeling like they're 90. My eyes not watering constantly. A very nice woman tried to console me today in the waiting room before my chemo. She told me it will be alright. I told her thank you but I'm O.K. I wasn't actually crying my eyes just water as a SE. She was so nice. Here it was her first time!

Wednesday's aren't just hump days anymore.....Yeah September 5!!!!!!!!!

Sharon

Anonymous

Cynthia

I was told at the infusion center to start the anti-nausia drugs immediately and keep to a timetable as once the vomiting starts, it's very hard to stop. I was given drugs in the IV, (tx 1 & 2), however with #2 I was also given Emand. I was to have started that one 2-3 hours before the IV was started. However because of my insurance company not giving me approval until 15 minites prior to infusion. My dh was arguing with them via a 3-way call all the way to the hospital. At 3:15 they granted permission, just as we were pulling into the hospital for my 3:30 infusment. Unbelievable!

This time, #3, I will be getting the first dose of Emend in the IV, then follow with pills on day 2 and 3. My onc also said he will be giving me a long lasting Zofrain....lasts 6 days...in the IV. I just hope I don't get the awful headache I had during tx 1. I think the Zofrain may have caused those.

Anonymous

Harley

I so glad you're feeling well enough run errands. Lucky you.

I have not really made a complete rebound this time. I still feel very tired and generally like ----. I feel like fainting a lot. Last night I had an awful time trying to sleep as my left side was hurting a lot. This morning I was in the bathroom and lifted my left arm (side the tumor was on) and noticed a large lump...I freaked out and immediately email my Onc. If you recal my original tumor appeared in a day or 2 and was 6cm. This looks even bigger. I am so scared. My surgery will not be for another 3-4 weeks.

Harley44

Jean,

Oh no!! Sorry to hear about that! Have you heard from your dr. yet??

I hope it's nothing.... please let me know what happens...

I'll be praying for you...

Hugs
HARLEY

emg326

Had my first round of TC today. Feeling fine, but I know things will kick in later. The only thing I noticed when the Taxotere was going in was some lower back pain. She slowed it down and was going to give me more Benedryl, but it soon went away. I was surprised by that. One down, three to go! Hang in there everybody!
Eve

Harley44

Eve,

Sounds like it went ok. I didn't feel anything with my 1st tx... only dizzy from the pre meds... after the 2nd one, I was so tired!!!

We'll get through this!! I am so happy, because I am halfway finished!!

Hugs
HARLEY

joanne_elizabeth

Jean,
That must be so scary. I hope you can get a doc to look at it soon to give you peace of mind. Let us know how you are doing.

Joanne

Anonymous

Joanne
My new onc said he would check it out for me, if it makes me feel better. He saw me only 2 days before. This is what scares me so much, my first mass, 6c tumor, apppearred out of nowhere in only a day or two, now this. I am on pre-surgery chemo which is suppose to stop and/or shrink the cancer before surgery. WHY is it growing? I think I need nausia meds today as I am so frightened I feel like I may vomit.

sdstarfish

Thinking of all of you. Ulcer hurts but still surviving. OUCH.

emg326

So far, so good. Had a ton of energy yesterday after treatment and got a lot done. Slept pretty well and went to the gym this morning. I know it wont' last, but I figured I should do whatever I can while I can. Anybody see Crazy Sexy Cancer on TLC last night? I saw part of it, but taped the rest. Looks interesting.

joanne_elizabeth

Jean,
Try to hang in there! Tomorrow the chemo doc should be able to shed some light on it all.

Lisa, Hoping you are done the worst of this cycle!

Eve glad you have one down !

sdstarfish

I have to know, Eve - what is "Crazy Sexy Cancer" about? Glad you're doing ok so far
How's it going, Joanne? You ok?
We're with you, Jean!
I am right with you about the food, Sharon. So wierd - Beyond this gi-normous ulcer is a girl who is dying to eat like a pig!

zap

Hi, anyone having trouble with bladder spasms and blood in the urine? I know cytoxan can cause that during treatment (and I had it) but now I read that it can cause bladder cancer. I am only 6 months out of chemo and am having trouble with pain when I urinate.... blood but no lab signs of infection. It could still be a bladder infection that did not show up today. They are sending the culture to be further tested. If it comes back with the blood but still no bacteria
I see the urologist. Oh, I am so sick of worrying. I can't find any stats on cytoxin causing bladder cancer, only that it creates a risk. Does anyone have stats on people who do get bladder cancer from cytoxin?
Ill let you know what happens.

Susan

Anonymous

I just completed my final TC yesterday and have been having problems with my bladder all day. This did not happen with the past tx. I have actually had to change a pantie shield anumber of times today, as I keep leaking urine. (spasms) This has never happend before, except for the occassional very hard laughing..But the day after chemo, day of Nuelastia, I have nothing to laugh about. Hope 4 months down the road I will still not be having an issue with this, like you.

joanne_elizabeth

Hi everyone,
I am hanging in there thru the chemo fatigue. I guess about Wed I should start feeling a bit more human.
Jean and Susan, sorry to hear about the spasms. I fortunately have not had that so far.
Lisa, I am guessing you are starting to have glimpses of normalcy now.
Not the way to spend Labor Day Weekend but let's hope it gets better next week.
Joanne

emg326

Lisa, "Crazy, Sexy Cancer" was a documentary made by a young woman who's stage IV on TLC the other night. It was well done.
Chemo fatique/fogginess hit me a bit on Fri. afternoon and yesterday but otherwise, okay. I have a bit of heartburn, that's normal right? Haven't had to use any nausea drugs but just feel a little out of it. The heat here is not helping, and I have to sit at my daughter's soccer games in it. I just keep reminding myself, one down, three to go. Have a great day!
Eve

sdstarfish

Hi, Eve:
Yes, nausea is (unfortuneatly) normal, because your stomach lining cells are one of the types that chemo temporarily destroys. If it gets really bad, try the DGL Licorice tablets I told you about. You can get them at a health food store. They work fast.

sdstarfish

Question:
Now that I am done chemo (at least, it's almost out of my body), am I supposed to go to a new discussion board? May seem like a dumb question, just not sure how this works.