Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

GrandmaWolf

Dear SharonW and all you other posters.

I haven't been on this site for quite a while.  I just finished my last t/c treatment 2 weeks ago.   I agree with everyone, the worst SE was what it does to your mouth and taste buds.  Mine are just getting to the point, where I have a "sense" of taste, and everything isn't tasting like something died in my mouth.

I also had that Neulasta shot with every treatment...and yes at first it did add to the body ache of the taxotere. I was in tears.  After tx 2, 3 and 4, it helped to take the Aleve before the aches started. Did you realize that, that two second shot under the skin, cost upward of $2,000? I found, around day 7, if I started taking brisk walks (and yes I had to force myself) when I got back, I was feeling better.

As for bald, at times I do get awfully sick of always having something  on my head; so with big earrings I do go bald. Thankfully, I kept a few eyebrows and lashes, so makeup and big earrings make bald look better. I recently had a very confirming experience at the local grocery store.

 This one day, a younger woman cried out as she approached me in the store, "It is SO good to see your bald head."

She was wearing a pink baseball cap, and on closer look, I saw she was as bald as me.  We hugged each other for 30 seconds, never exchanging a word, but moving on.  That hug truly confirmed we were "sisters".

It saddens me that women feel they need to hide their baldness.

We are a strong, proud bunch (despite feeling like @#% sometimes)... and unless it is cold out, men don't feel the sense of "shame" or need to hide their baldness.  I think I'm gonna wash the floor with those wigs.

Starting last fall I was dx with a 2nd primary in my contraleral breast.  Then over in the breast that I had a lumpectomy eight years ago, a 3rd primary was found.  The mention you made SharonW of the prone radiation was very much of interest.  I am finding a "salvage" mastectomy doesn't always yield as much worry from recurrence as it would first appear.  There are many studies looking at a 2nd lumpectomy and this radiation information is worth pursuing.Thanks for bringing up this new information.

To everyone inching to the chemo finish line, I cheer you on.  You too will cross it, and your taste buds will celebrate with a dinner of you favorite foods, a month or so later.

Grandma Wolf  aka Dakota Wolf

wrsmith2x

Hey guys.  Well, wbc's were low - lowest so far.  So...yes...another Neupogen shot.  Aaaarrrggghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And now I wait for the bone pain......pain so bad that I must take Darvocet every few hours just to get through.  And I work an hour away so if pain is bad enough I have to miss another day of work.  I guess in the grand scheme of it all I have missed very little work but I still hate having to do it.  They have been so great about me missing work but I still hate doing it. 

PaLady - you are so great about knowing who said what and who asked what and who to answer something to.  Chemo brain is keeping me from focusing that well so I will just say what my experience has been and hope that these ladies can glean something useful from it.

I had a bad sore throat the first treatment but not the 2nd or the 3rd.  I had bad nausea the 2nd but not the 1st or 3rd.  I had 2 days of constipation all three treatments but only 2 days- all other days were very normal.  I passed out with the first treatment but not with the 2nd or 3rd.  I still have my eyelashes and eyebrows but both have thinned a little.  The hair on my head is growing back a little but it grows in patches so I keep shaving it and will until it starts growing more uniformly.  The hair on my underarms stopped growing but the hair on my legs has not.

Fatigue was worse the 1st treatment but has been pretty much the same for all of them.  Fatigue hits on days 3-5 the worst.

Let's see - what else - Nails are OK - had strange stripes on them after the 3rd treatment but they seemed to fade and they look basically normal now.  My bones ached with the 3rd treatment but not so bad the 1st and 2nd.  I had to have Neupogen shots (similar to your Neulasta) all three times but the 1st time was worse than the 2nd and now I await to see how this one will go.

So there you go.  If I forgot something then ask me for more info.  I'll help in any way I am able.

Hope you ladies are doing well and that things continue to go well for each of you.  I am so sorry that we have to meet under these circumstances but please know that I need you and that you help me more than you can know.  So thank you - and please let me return the favor if I can.

Cheers and here's hoping that my bones won't ache as bad this time!

Wendy

C-Babe

Wendy,



Thanks so much for the detailed response... it really helps me see how each treatment might differ on some SE's and be consistent on others... I guess everybody's experience is a bit different.



I am going in tomorrow (2/26) for my second treatment (TC) and am so curious to see how it compares to my first. If nothing else, at least I'm prepared with a boatload of medications to tackle whatever SE comes my way!



Best to all,



C-Babe

WellWater

So far I've kept the eyelashes and eyebrows - thinning but they are still there so perhaps???????  That would be make so happy - losing my hair is no big deal, losing those ebrows and elashes would hurt!

SharonW- I'm interested in the acupuncture....think I'll call a massage therapist I know and see who she'd recommend in the area.  Does it help with nausea and constipation also?

Believer:  Welcome.......you might just want to go ahead and shave the head - it's pretty liberating and you don't have to watch it come out in chunks....something that is pretty depressing to do.  Good luck on your tx Thursday.

Beegirl:  Are you using mouthwash 5-6x a day?  I find that does help with dry mouth - especially the Prevention mouthwash and of course water, water, water......did I mention water?

PA I put on exactly 9lbs also since starting - I'm hoping they will come off w/o too much resistance but I have a feeling it aint' gonna be easy!

I had a bad day yesterday - I think it was the Neulasta coming out to do battle.....my bones hurt like the dickens and I was cold - no chills just cold to the bone....went to bed wrapped out like I was sleeping outside.  I'd love to give up the N shot but with just one more to go I might as well just finish the job like my onc wants me to.  I might, tho, ask him when I see him before my next tx on the 7th.

Sharon S - Good luck today - hope things go exceptionally well and you come on here to say "gee, I feel fine".......

((hugs)) Trina

goldilocks

Morning ladies. Went for my shot yesterday after work. I was so tired when I got home that I put potatoes in the microwave to have with leftovers, and just fell asleep.  Hubby work me up a couple of hours later and said that we could eat whenever I was ready.  He was waiting to eat with me.  He takes his lunch at 10:30am so the poor guy was starving, but wanted to share the meal.  I did manage to eat most of my food.  I still have a bit of taste buds left, but they are disappearing daily.  I am tired but don't want to give in and stay home from work.  I feel that if I give in, I won't want to push forward.  Trying to keep up with plenty of fluids.  Hope everyone is holding strong.  My body is achy, but I was hurting with muscle spasms before I started the chemo. My PS says that waiting to get cosmetically balanced is a good thing. It gives the scare tissue time to heal, and that will make my "fixes" easier to heal.  I finally have gotten use to sleeping with pillows.  Better get to work, just wanted to touch base. Have a great day all.

SharonS

Thanks all for the encouragement...This list serve is a life saver.  I ran with my team this morning...we did some hills at the end so maybe I will be able to blame sore legs on that....

Have a couple of meetings, then heading home to meet the hubbie and off to Chemo #1...did the steroids and zantac last night and this morning...tried a tylenol pm and slept pretty good...hospital is only about 7 miles...so not too bad for us.

Will report in later...everyone has a great day....keep smiling...we all will get through this

loopyloulee

Hi all!  Just finished reading all the latest from everyone!  I am so sorry some of you are not doing well!  Hang in there, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!  I am finally feeling better.  Last tx was 1/24!  Just to share some new weirdness, I started getting a rash, but only after I scratched!  My skin would look fine, then It would itch, so I would scratch, then I would get the rash.  I used cortaid, and it would go away!  My eyelashes and eyebrows thinned but never went away completely!

Here's some new info, I wanted to go for a massage as my legs were getting a little swollen, and I had that whole heavy feeling.  Well the massage therapist told me I cannot have a massage for at least 2 years, cancer free!  Makes perfect sense, as they do move things around inside you, and could spread any cancer that might still be hanging around!  It was a bummer, as I was looking forward to it!

Now, I am waiting to see what my hair looks like when it comes back! 

Hang in there all!

Lou

chj127

No massage??  I asked the question of my oncology nurses during my last tx: is there any reason why I shouldn't get a massage?  And they assured me that it was OK (as long as I took them along).  I'd be interested in what anyone else has heard about that. 

Another question about the Neulasta shot - about 9 days after my shot, I noticed red welts on my arm where the shot had gone in.  The welts lasted less than a day, but I have had some redness and itching there since then. Neither the  onc. nurse nor the onc seemed to concerned about it - suggested warm compresses and/or hydrocortisone cream.  Has anyone else had that problem?

I have one more week before my next tx, and am feeling pretty decent.  Hope everyone else's day is better than you hoped for!

CHJ 

KathyL

Hi girls!  Had to catch up on all the posts.  I had my pre-chemo labs and check-up this morning and everything looks good for #3 tomorrow.  WBC/ANC are up above normal, and I'm only "slightly anemic"-- just under normal for my H/H.  My onc isn't going to do anything right now but watch it.  I wish I could forgo the Neulasta like some of you, but I can't.  It's better for me to do it and avoid the hospital after my little neutropenic fever visit the first time.  My onc did say I can try taking the Claritin that some have reported helps with the bone aches (he hadn't heard of it, but said he knows no reason to not try it).  I'll let you guys know if it makes a difference.  So I'm ready for tomorrow-- will be 3/4 of the way done with chemo, and about 1/6 of the way done with herceptin (oooo, that doesn't sound so cheery).  Just hoping for no taxotere reaction again this time.

SharonS:  Hope round 1 went well today!  Keep a diary of SEs you experience and when and what helps or doesn't help-- it'll be a big help/learning tool for #2.

SharonW and Wendy: Thanks for sharing all your knowledge so far.  I'll try to do the same after my 3rd round.  It is so helpful to read what everyone does and what works for them with SEs.

PALady: I'm waiting to see if chemopause has happened.  Last month I had the never-ending period (2 weeks), this month I was due Monday and it's not here yet today.  I'm regular like clockwork usually!  Last wwek I had all the usual signs/sx that I get with the week before, so I'm not holding my breath.

GrandmaWolf:  Loved your story about baldness in the grocery store!  I'm bald at home most of the time (except on the frequent cold days we've been having here in DE), but haven't been brave enough to venture outside without a hat/scarf on yet.  I only wear my wigs out to appointments or lunch.  I'll probably wear my wig a lot when I go back to work, too, but we'll see.  I think as soon as I have enough hair (like a pixie 'do), the wig will be done.  I'm amazed at how much hair I've grown in the past two weeks!  It came out after round 2, but grew back fast.  I know it'll be gone or thin at least again after tomorrow's round.

loopyloulee:  I had not heard about avoiding massages.  That's a bummer.  I'd be curious to hear an onc's take on it...

CHJ:  No rash for me, at least not yet!

wrsmith2x

Hey CHJ - sorry to hear about the red whelps - haven't had anything like that. 

Had to have another shot today and my arm is sore and my bones ache.  I am at work right now but not sure if I will last today or even come tomorrow.  Depends on whether or not I can control the pain without Darvocet or not.  If I'm on Darvocet then no driving.  At least I can do some work from home though.

The no massage thing doesn't make alot of sense to me but then why push it?  I'm worried enough about this stuff coming back without doing anything to enhance the chance.  However, on the other hand, if I try to change everything that probably caused the cancer in the first place then I might as well curl up and die.  Just will have to live as best I can and not worry about what comes later. 

Hope all have a good day and better week!

Cheers.

Wendy

trumpet84

Good Afternoon Ladies!  Just a quick update...  I had my first tx yesterday (2-25) and it went very smooth!!  No reactions and felt fairly decent on the long ride home.  I did start to get a mild headache in the back of my head early evening and a feeling of my stomach being bloated.  I slept through the night and awoke to start my 2-day cycle of anti-nausea meds.  I hope they will keep it at bay!  I could not taste anything during lunch a moment ago; I was not looking forward to that so soon! 

Thanks to you all for all of the great feedback and information you provide to us daily!  It is truly a Blessing!!!

sharonw

Bee- I live in Leesburg - where are you getting your treatments done?  Who is your onc?  Would love to meet you at Tyson's for lunch on a day we can both feel well & taste things on!  Let me know!

Grandma Wolf - yes I believe prone is the way to go - will protect my heart and lungs and healthy tissue - am going up to NYC in March for two consults - will let the group know - I imagine a bunch of us will move onto the next set of threads on radiation soon -

I see the light at the end of my tunnel and by God's grace it is not the train coming to run me over! - lol

Sharonw

loopyloulee

Hey ladies!  I haven't checked with my oncologist on the massage, but the thing is that the massage therapist would not do a massage.  You have to fill out a paper and it asks if you have any arthritis, cancer, etc.  I circled the cancer, she asked when I had it, and then said that not knowing really if there was any cancer left in my body, she could not do a massage.  She said a light rubbing was ok, but a deep massage might move cancer around if there was any.  I will wait the 2 years cancer free and then get one!

WellWater

Loopylou:  Interesting about the massage - I know an excellent MT and will ask her about it. 

Please tell me what kind of Claritin - is this the antihistamine you buy OTC?  My bone pain yesterday was pretty bad and if I can avoid that I'd love to.  thanks

KathyL

Guggerty:  Yes, it's the OTC Claritin.  Some of the girls on the January 2008 chemo thread I also post on have tried it with good success.  You start the Claritin the day of neulasta and continue for 5-7 days.  I'll bet you can still try it this round, it won't hurt.  The dose is the usual adult dose (10mg I think) once a day.  I plan on starting mine Thursday evening since I get the shot in the afternoon and don't feel too bad until the following evening (so far that's been my pattern).  BTW Claritin generic, or Alavert (which is the same drug, just a different brand) will probably be just as good, and cheaper!

40somethingMom

Tammy -see your from Florida are you affected with that power outage?  -- just thought I would ask out of curiosity, your signature says stage 1 but 5cm grade 3, does not make sense to me?  just wondered if your stage is higher? 

Hope everyone is doing well-

PAlady

On the Claritin, I bought the name brand, just because I was afraid the generic wouldn't work, even though I pretty much always buy generic.  I started taking it the morning of my shot through the day after my normal day of pain. I get my shot on Monday morning so I took it before I went. I usually start with the pain Thursday afternoon around 5 and end Friday night. I took my last pill on Saturday morning. You want to just get the plain Claritin, not the Claritin D.

On the massage, I heard somewhere - I think back when I was diagnosed in October and BC awareness month it was everywhere - that to have a massage, you need to go to someone who does it a certain way for cancer patients. I don't remember enough of the details on it though. I know when I went for my first massage, last year, the lady had said how it is really good for your lymph system, so it seems to make sense that you would want someone who knows what they are doing.

debap

I had a mastectomy on 2/6 and I need to decide by Tues. 3/4 about which chemo regimen I would like to try.  My oncologist gave my the options of cytoxan and adriamycin, cytoxan and taxotere, or a clinical trial with all 3.  The clinical trial would be 6 treatments rather than 4, so I don't think I will choose this. 

My breast cancer is stage 1, ER+/PR+, HER2-.  The oncotype test is not back yet.  Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions? 

Thanks!

Believer0711

CHJ, the nurse gave the neulasta shot on my stomach, and it didn't hurt during and after. You might want to try that?

C-Babe

debap,



My diagnosis is quite similar to yours, altho I don't know the size of your tumor or whether lymph nodes or margins were clear. My onco recommended Taxotere and Cytoxan in 6 treatments, due to an oncotype dx result of 33. He prefers Taxotere to Adriamycin b/c of the potential heart-related effects of adriamycin. I have had two treatments thus far and seem to be tolerating the protocol fairly well.



Best of luck to you!!!



C-Babe

jt1945

Hi everyone.  Have been following everyone's progress.  I was supposed to have my first Tx tomorrow but my husband has a nasty cold and I feel a little of it coming on too, so I changed the date to next Wed.  I have purchased all the various items you have all talked about, like the Tea Tree Oil, Prevention Mouthwash, Miralax, etc, etc.  I need to add Claritin to the list.  Today I bought a wig, a wrap and a comfort cap.  I am READY.  I hate to postpone a week; I want to get started and get it over with.  With radiation following it will be mid summer before this is done.  Boo.

I hope everyone feels better each day.  You are a great group to hang out with.

Joyce

debap

C-Babe,

Thanks so much!  My tumor was 1.3 cm with clear margins and the lymph nodes were clear also.  Is an oncotype of 33 an intermediate risk? 

My son is in remission for AML (leukemia) so the risk of leukemia from the Adriamycin worries me, as well as future heart problems.

Did you get a 2nd opinion about which treatment to choose?

Debbie

C-Babe

Debbie,



Oncotype of 33 is considered "high risk," and I was actually relieved that this made my decision easy -- do it all now. I am recently widowed and cannot afford any risk of recurrence here, so have plunged into chemo with guns blazing.



I did seek a second opinion, just to be sure, and the same meds were recommended, although the second onco said that 4 treatments could be sufficient. I just cannot help but think that more is better (I know this 4-vs-6 question is currently being studied) as long as I can tolerate it. I will follow up the chemo with radiation (I only had a lumpectomy) and hormone therapy (Tamox then AI).



Hope this helps!!!



C-Babe

cc01

I will be having TC number 2 on Friday. I am getting anxious as I am not looking forward to feeling lousy for a week but I so want this over with. At the end of chemo I will be having my ovaries removed and then Arimidex for 5 years. I also will be finishing my implant reconstruction but that part I am looking forward to!

Wishing all you girls the best. We will some how get through this.

SharonS

Hello - T1 down- 3 to go.  So far I feel fine....so we will see..Here is my experience

Drug and cocktail included

gave me tylenol and emend

Next they poked me in the port - didn't feel too bad

my chemical cocktail included   Benedryl, A stomach coating med, Taxotere,Cytoxan...   We got home around 5....had dinner...

Sleeping now...have a little gas...but other than that feel fine...should I go ahead and do the stool softener tonight?

40somethingMom

debap- I am on TC partly from my oncotypeDx score and from the results of the Tc vs AC December-San Antonio Symposium. You can look it up on the internet.

My friend just finished the study you speak of, she chose it because she is gene + and triple neg. She did express that is was a very long road of treatment.

Good luck in your decision.  I found that one of the most difficult things are the decisions we are faced with in this diagnosis!

C-Babe

SharonS,



My rec is to take the stool softener to get things moving before constipation kicks in, as it is such a common side effect, and since you have a little gas already... give it a try early!



Best of luck...



C-Babe

SharonS

C-babe - Thanks will take that and hit the hay...feeling tired...

Sharon

guitarGrl

C-Babe & Sharon: we don't all get constipated - some of us have the opposite reaction. I'd wait to see what my stomach is doing before adding more chemicals into the mix.

PAlady

I was going to suggest the same thing on the stool softener. Some people have the opposite effect and who wants to make that worse!

Hi jt1945 - Welcome! You sound like you are ready to go. Hopefully that cold bypasses you!

debap - Mine is similar to yours also. Mine was 1.2 cm with clear nodes and margins. I did not have the oncotypeDX test done. I did have two opinions though and both recommended the chemo because of the grade on the tumor. I was originally supposed to have AC+T. When the tumor turned out to be smaller than they thought, plus the clear nodes I was switched to TC. I was glad because of the heart problems with the A and I also think that is a bit tougher regime. Good luck with your decision.