Taxotere is to hard!!!

Jean09

Tamara1201

Hi JeanOhio47,

I think your human resournces office was misinformed, or just didn't give you the correct information.  FMLA and short term disability are like apples and oranges, the FMLA is a law that protects your job when you can't work, the short term disablity is to pay you. You can be on FMLA  and still draw STD, I did it myself a few years ago because I had to quiet working because I also have multiple sclerosis.  The FMLA is just for 12 weeks, well I think 12 weeks my brain isn't exactly up to par these days, so if you aren't working at all that can go by pretty fast, but if you have been working some, it can be broken down into actual hours you take off. I think it's the US Dept of Labor that regulates that, but if yoiu google FMLA you should be able to find it. If you end up having to go on COBRA the cost are a little better now, at least for a while, because of the American Recover and Reinvestment Act that Obama passsed. My daughter lost her job in December and initially COBRA was going to be over $300 a month, and now it's about $100. If your STD and LTD is paid thru an outside insurance company, they should be able to give you some information too. Even with FMLA I don't think they have to guarantee you the same position or salary, just a job, but I'm not sure about that. I thought the rules that were in effect at the time you started on STD would be what you had to go by, but I'm not certain about that

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this now, like dealiing with the cancer and all that goes along with it isn't enough.  Is this a big company you work for?  wouldn't be good for their PR if the way they treat their employees going through something like this was to get out.

I hope some of this makes sense, my thought processes aren't exactly organized, and it probably shows in my writing.  Good luck

Tamara

Jean09

Hi Tamara,

 Thank you for  the information.  I think it's a little to late to apply for FMLA, I only have three weeks left on STD then I go to LTD.  I agree about the PR with the company.  They have about 800 employees and I do plan on making my case heard.  I need to get legal advise first tho, I dont want to over step my boundaries.  I know that I cant go back there now, not after what they are trying to do to me.  It would be to hard to face the upper management after all this.  I may wait until I receive my termination letter before I start the PR stuff, depending on what legal advise I get.

jrgolomb

My knees still hurt after I sit for a while or if I go up and down the steps.  I am six weeks post chemo.  Anybody?

Tamara1201

Hi Jeanohio47,

I think as long as you are technically an employee you should be able to apply for FMLA, but I'm not sure how much difference it would make. It would extend the time before you had to start paying COBRA, as long as you are still an employee you just pay the premiums, but you have to pay your part, and what the company would normally pay. I worked for a national company when I had to go on disability, but my local office was very good about helping me with getting things. I had been working half days, and when I went on LTD the company woudln't let me keep working. I'm not sure what was up with that, the insurance company didn't have a problem with me working some (the LTD ins), but a few months after I quit working they laid off almost everyone in my type of position, so they might have done me a favor. In re to the PR issue, I know the local paper, and news, are good about special interest stories, especially if they can take a jab at the big companies, but I agree you should talk to a lawyer first. I'm not big on drawing attention to myself, like the news paper or news, but it gets to a point you have to just do whatever you can to get what you need

good luck

Tamara

pinkdove10

Hi All

I have had 4 session of EC.  have taken 3 of Texotere.  I have also had it all.  Sore fingertips, rash on palms, food tastes like cardboard, difficulty in drinking ,Skin on my fingers have started to peel .  My tongue has tuned black,  acidity, fulness in the tummy, nailbeds have turned dark.  I know a few things that r really helping me.  Keep drinking a lot of fluid....lots.  Also rest as much as u can.  Use a good mouth-wash for thoes mouth-ulcers....it helps. 

chiquita

jrgolomb

My legs and feet also hurt after siting and walking down the steps, my oncologist tels me it is normal and will go way about 2 to 6 months after quimo. If he is right we will be ok....soon.

Drink a lot of water and try not be down you will be ok!!!!

Good luck!!!!

ShondaE

I am a month out from my last tx of Taxotere and I still have such bad body aches, it hurts to go up and down the stairs, walk, or pretty much do anything.  I see my Onco in 2 weeks but may have to call sooner if it dosen't go away.

I am scheduled for a PeT Scan next week just to check and make sure everything is going good.

Hopefully it will go away soon.

Shonda

kathimdgd

I finished chemo in feb this year.As far as pain goes it for me is much worse with the post meds they have me on,than it was during chemo.In fact the first one i tried (Aromasin) i had to go off it after about 2 mos later.I could hardly walk and was in constant pain,back,neck,arms,hands,legs,feet,stomach,you name the place,i had the pain there.I'm on Femera now as of the third of this month,and the legs and feet,and sometimes the back still are hurting.I really don't think there is an end to the pain we will have to endure.

So glad i don't have stairs to climb as i'd never go back up,once i came down.

Kathi

vivo

I have finished 2 weeks ago chemo. I am trying to find myself back and I don't have so much troubles as some of you are writing down. The worst part was the two last chemos till now. I had 6 rounds. I was about to tell them I will never do chemo in my life BUT when I feel a little better I find myself has much more strength than I thought. It is a survivor game after all.

 Kathi you depressed me. The post medicines are supposed to be a toy relating to chemo, aren't they? I have scheduled tests and after results docs will give me post chemo medicines too. I wish you get used to drugs because everyone here has to take them!

Wish everyone to have faith.

Texas357

Taxotere continues to ambush my nails. So far, I've lost 7 fingernails and this morning I noticed that 2 toenails are about to go. Even worse: the new fingernails (which my nurses and doctor assured me would be normal) are discolored and have huge humps in them. They are already separating again, so I'm going to lose them a 2nd time.

I had surgery last week on my tear ducts because the taxotere caused them to scar shut. The left eye is doing great. The right eye feels like something is poking me constantly. Hopefully that will improve over time.

Hang in there ladies! This really is war sometimes.

vivo

Texas so glad to hearing you tolerated the surgery and have improvent! I had you in my mind Great news.

Cheryl1958

First, I am delighted to have found this forum. Chemo can feel so lonely.

 I finished my AC and am now on Taxotere/Herceptin. This was SUPPOSED to be the easy part, so I went back to work full-time.

 Last Thursday, I woke up and felt as if my joints were on fire. The sensation lasted all through Sunday. Normally I try to walk five miles a day -- even with the fatigue and nausea -- but the pain caused me to give that up for a few days.

 I agree with the poster who said that she felt as if she had been socked. I just wanted to burrow into a corner of the couch and stay there, preferably asleep, until the pain lifted.

 Today, Monday, I am finally pain-free and hope to remain so until my next Taxotere/Herceptin treatment in 10 days.

vivo

I come to say a big hello to everyone here! Also I want to add that I have finished chemos with Taxotere and Gemzar two weeks ago. It is the third day I feel totaly healthy! It is doable. Keep walking in chemos path. Oh yes, no aches, no nausea, no tongue problems now for me. If only I was not diagnosed with cancer! I feel as I used to before chemo. Everything came so quickly that I do not believe that I am stage IV cancer patient. How can I have so much problem? Go figure.

vivo

Oh I just found two differences with my previous self. The bald and lymphedema!

pinkdove10

Hi All

Does Taxotere interfear with normal menstrual cycle? I have been getting a lot of stomach cramps. Even the flow is different.  When the periods start they r heavy and it looks almost black-brown instead of a dark red.  Is this happening to a lot of u Tax gals?  

jrgolomb

My oncologist said the menstrual cycle would get all messed up and change.  I had a cycle that was heavy, clumpy and wouldn't stop in january and the doc gave me one week's worth of provera.  Stopped it and I haven't had any periods since.  I am not sure if they will come back. perhaps, but I am hoping it launched me into menopause, since I was perimenopause at the time of dx.

I am almost seven weeks post chemo and my nails are still developing red spots.  I haven't  yet lost the toenail that is white and puffy. 

Thank you chiquita for the boost of support.  My knees are better.  the radiation nurse told me I may have arthritis.  Has anyone heard that taxotere can mess with you enough to trigger arthritus????

my3girls

Hi ladies. I am not where any of you are now..but saw your thread..and thought I would give you some input from someone who went through what you are dealing with now...almost 2 yrs ago.

First..Jean...shame on your employer..as a cancer patient we have rights...and I don't think they want to deal with the ADA....so I would check with the ADA (american dissability act). I don't think they are within their rights to do what they have done! I would check every avenue I could at this point to see what you can do legally.  Best of luck to you.  I did the intermitten FMLA.

I see allot of you are losing nails. Sorry about that..gosh. I never lost any nails..but they sure did get weak!! They still are! I still have some tingling off and on in my finger tips...and honestly between the chemo and the AI's...my bones and joints will never be the same.

I had 4 cycles of A/C...and my nurse kept telling me..."oh the taxotere is sooo much easier".  Well..maybe for some it is..but it wasn't for me!! It was different...I didn't get the nausea..but I hurt, my mouth was sore...numbness and tingling in my hands and feet....hard to stand some days...and the pain. 

Ladies...like any of the treatments...it is doable...of course...we have to endure it right?  I wish all of you an easier journey...and after almost 2 years later....it all becomes a distant memory! Of course the mind..isn't as sharp either...LOL!

All the best to each and everyone of you!!

xoxo

Lisa

Texas357

I had FEC before Taxotere, and recovered from that within weeks. I'm now almost 2 months post-Taxotere, and the side effects keep on coming. Last night, completely unexpected, I lost a toenail. And the dry mouth that has plagued me for months is still giving me problems. My taste buds are back but nothing tastes quite right. My fingertips are still numb too.

Oh, and I'm losing my nails for a 2nd time!

My oncologist said I'd probably still be dealing with Taxotere side effects for the rest of this year. That's the type of thing I wish I could have known, and emotionally prepared myself for, at the beginning of the process. NOT when I thought I'd be moving past it.

Justsosassy1

So I just started chemo 5/10/18 and I have all the same symptoms. I was up all night I thought my stomach was going to burst, nothing I did gave me any relief. I also have sores inside my nose and ears. I thought I was an isolated case, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one..... I was ready to throw in the towel one treatment in. Any suggestions, comments or concerns I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated.

Meow13

Justsosassy, call the doctor don't suffer. Maybe claratin and try to drink water.

Justsosassy1

I went in yesterday felt somewhat better then today right back where I started. The acid is unreal, I'm taking prevacid and prilosec but I have a referral for GI also maybe they can give me some answers.

Engine104

Did any of you get urinary tract bleeding after a round of Taxotere?

My wife did after her first round. She said it was like a period, but without cramping. She's 16 years post-menopausal.

Her counts are finally rising after two serious infections (Neither were UTIs) and the bleeding seems to be stopping.