Calling all TNs

adagio

I am on dose dense taxol and I take the Neulasta in between treatments. Personally, I am finding Taxol to be a very nasty treatment - the aches and pains are so persistent and no pain meds seem to touch it much, especially for the first 5-6 days after treatment. I don't get the nausea like on AC which is a plus. I got an allergic reaction at my last taxol infusion - very scary - almost enough for me to call it quits. Surely all those rogue cells must be killed off by now after 4 AC, and 2 Taxol!!!

njprn

LUV- I read you were given Emmend for the carbo. I had that too. I hope they told you it is in the same family as Zofran so you can't take any for several days I think on day 5 is ok and to stick with the compazine until then. Also it is very constipating so stay on top of that. Ginger in every form helped as well. Another friend on carbo did accupuncture and said it helped.

Have a great trip!

jenjenl

I am having such a hard time with round 3 of TAC.  I am an emotional mess, I don't know how I can do 3 more of these.  I question everything and I am so damn scared again.  For some odd reason my hair is starting to grow on my head...why??  Does that mean TAC isn't working? I don't understand.

I go back to work tomorrow and I am having such a hard time finding the motivation and I work from home.  I have so much of this journey to go. 

I am hoping that I wake up in better spirits tomorrow.

tisthyme

Jenjenl, I didn't do the 3 together, I did 12 taxol (not taxotere), then 4 AC.  When I had 2 AC left I just wanted to quit. I didn't feel like I could physically or emotionally handle any more, but I did, and you will too.  Don't worry about your hair growing back, it has nothing to do with it working or not.  I thought the same thing and my onc put that theory to rest for me. You are half way done with chemo.  Way to go, Jen!  Just see it as your medicine to eliminate any rogue cancer cells in your body.  You can do it!

I didn't work during treatment so I cannot help you there.  Some of these ladies worked while going through treatment.  Sheesh... super women!  Don't be too hard on yourself and remember the most important thing is to take care of YOU! (!!!!!)    Best wishes to you.

LuvRVing

NJPRN - I am getting IV aloxi as a pre-med and I was told I could take Zofran on Friday night (got the aloxi on Wednesday morning). And that is a change from last week when they told me not to take Zofran until Sunday.  There was no mention of a conflict with Zofran and Emend, I'll check up on that. 

Paintingmywaythru

To all you dear ladies,

I haven't psoted in awhile but seems there is so much I have missed. Luv was thinking about you so glad to see your post althoguh sorry for all the nausea.

Saw this on facebook and got a chuckle out of it although maybe that is because I am 21 months out from my diagnosis.

http://www.upworthy.com/this-is-what-happens-when-advertising-is-done-for-women-by-women?g=2&c=ufb1

Wishing everyone a good evening.

gillyone

Luah - my understanding about DD tx comes from a well informed oncology nurse who said that DD tx only became possible because of neulasta. Prior to that, protocol was every three weeks. I can only speak to DD AC/T as that was the discussion. I don't know how weekly taxol or other drug combinations work re neulasta. I know lots of people get their chemo every three weeks. Perhaps not all are suitable for DD or can work with neulasta etc. I know neulasta is very expensive and is perhaps not covered by insurance for everyone. I don't know if that is a factor with MOs choosing a protocol? 

Titan

I had nuelasta with each treatment  4 ac and 4 taxol...for you newer ladies..I hated that shot...for the older ladies (and I don't mean old..I mean been here awhile)..you already know I hated that shot...I will whine forever about that dang thing...that shot was the only thing that brought me down...I still think I would have been fine without it but whatever...I really shouldn't be complaining..but I hated that thing...if 12x taxol means no neulasta...hmm..I may have considered that,

jenjen..hear your concern about the hair growing back...you are probably thinking that the chemo isn't working..ask your onc...my hair started coming back wth taxol...maybe it's the same type of thing...

OBXK

Jenjenl - I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad emotionally. My Dad, who was a MD, told me that the steroids could be causing me to feel like such an emotional mess. I felt better knowing it was my brain on drugs

I hope you are feeling better soon. When people ask how they can help - give them a list!

Cocker_Spaniel

Hi ladies

I had AC x 4 then, was  suppposed to have Taxol x 12 but only managed 7. 

Adagio I had an allergic reaction to Taxol as well. Yes it was very frightening but they gave me some Diazepam and a short break and then tried again and it went okay which is just as well cause the onco nurse said if the reaction happens the second time its worse so I'm glad it went ok.   As above I only managed 7/12 and had such bad neuropathy in my hands and fingers they stopped it. I was willing to try one more but they said it would be irresponsible of them to give it as it may stuff up my job for me (Typist). 

Jenjen I did work my full hours on chemo but on the bad days I just went slow and made it up at the weekend but many many times I was ready to quit believe me but the girls on here helped me through as they will all of you undergoing treatment now. 

Luah, Sugar and Christine,   thank you for your kind words re my sister.  Everyone on here has been so supportive, you are all my sisters now and I love you all.  

Well ladies today was port removal day and I live to tell the tale.  God knows why I get myself all worked up each time I have something done.  Was over in a jiffy.  I can't remember who said it was only a little prick and thats all but they were so right.  My surgeon gave me a local and told me jokes all the way through it so I did nothing but laugh.  I was surprised though that when it came out the whole thing was only about 8 inches long so how the heck did they get that through my chest, up to my shoulder and then along my chest  and into my heart, anybody know.  It wasn't long enough for that.  I was going to ask but laughed so much. The worst bit was the drapes they put over me as they were sticky on one side and got stuck to my right nipple. That hurt more than the jabs.

So apart from seeing my surgeon every three months thats me now for whatever..............

Titan we've got a stat holiday tomorrow so I am going to laze in bed and get up when I want to.  Will think of you !! 

Good night ladies with hopefully no side effects and only sweet dreams. Annie 

  

Cocker_Spaniel

Painting I just watched your video.  To be honest I can't say I was thinking too much about breast cancer at the time!!!! but wonderful pics.  Just great and so were the lads.

SherylB

Holy crap,

I haven't even felt well enough to get on these boards and they are my lifeline. Tx #2 last Thursday kicked my but. Had the headache/neck ache from hell and couldn't even sit up for more than a few minutes. Weird h/a usually hurt more laying down but not mine. Neck and shoulders felt to weak to even hold me upright. Spent many minutes/hours in the bathtub with my head in the warm water. Thank goodness we got a big tub when we bought our home. Tastebuds are all messed up only thing that tastes good is Hawaiian Punch and Fudgsicles. Weird meals. Forcing a few bites in but was in pretty decent nutritional state before this started but gotta get the protein in. Gonna try Lee's Fage Yogurt with juice. I love Fage yogurt so that should go down. I have actually been sitting up for 3.5 hours this am so making progress.

Missed you all while so out of it.

Hugs, Sheryl

Luah

I realize neulasta/neupogen is needed with dd AC (which is what I did), just didn't know that dd taxol had the same WBC debilitating effects that necessitated neulasta too - but I guess it makes sense that it would. I did 12 taxol and never had any neulasta with that - perhaps because the weekly dose is smaller and doesn't hit the WBC the same way. For those suffering from severe pain from the taxol/neulasta combo, it may be worth exploring the option of moving to weekly with your onc.

To all those in treatment and suffering from SEs, big hugs, hang in there!    

christina1961

Jenjenl, I had TAC also and had my hardest treatment either at round 3 or 4.  I agree with Karen, could be the steroids - I would crash a couple days later when the steroids wore off and got very depressed.  Many times I felt like nothing was working; it was hopeless, etc.  It is very difficult to have a positive attitude when you feel crappy, so just try to get through each day the best you can and you will rebound with a little time.  I shaved my head after treatment 1 and I think I had a little bit of stubble when chemo was complete.

Hang in there! 

IslandGirl50

I had the Nuelasta shot after the DD 4 AC treatments and also after the 4 every other week Taxol treatments.  My MO said she usually doesn't give the Nuelasta shot after every Taxol treatment but I had an infections around a TE after the last AC treatment and spent 18 days in the hospital. My counts were so low and took a long time for them to come back up. Then I had kidney failure while in the hospital. I was so very sick. She didn't want to chance it happening again while getting Taxol.

Mumtobe

Hi ladies,

I'm having a bit of a panic attack. Was reading over old posts on this thread and saw that some ladies' oncologists did not want them taking vit supplements during treatment. I didn't take anything during AC but I have been taking a multivitamin called Centrum during wkly Taxol. I checked this with my onc nurse (who spoke to my onc) and that was what they recommended as they said they know that Centrum is ok to take (over other vits). They never said anything about not taking it the day before or day after treatment. Is there anyone that was taking Vits during TX?

Help!

SherylB

Mumtobe,

IMHO and from what I have been told the multivit is ok. It is the anti-oxidants like Vit E they want us to stay away from the antioxidants can compete with the chemo at the cellular level. You asked your MO trust their answer and don't take anything!!! they don't ok. You will be fine.

Hugs, Sheryl

Hopex3

Cocker..Glad your port removal went well. I bet you had them laughing in there! Enjoy your day off.



Mumtobe...I think taking a multi vitamin is fine. My onc did not want me to take mega doses of vitamin C while on chemo saying it can sometimes interfere with it. But she allowed me to continue with my vitamin D, potassium, and vitamin B12.



Sheryl..So sorry your feeling so bad! Maybe try a protein drink as well. They seemed to go down well for me and I was at least getting some protein. Also, someone gave me one of those rice things you heat up in the microwave to put on my neck. Do you have something like that? Or maybe take a damp towel, put in the microwave, and put that around your neck and shoulders. This helped me when I had all the joint pains with taxol. Take care!!

LuvRVing

I took a prenatal vitamin during treatment to try and keep my iron levels up.

Luah

Mum: My onc said an ordinary multivitamin (like Centrum) was okay to take - the dose is quite low so doesn't interfere, she said. I had a similar fit when I read some stuff about grapefruit and sent my onc nurse scrambling... it seems "moderation" is an important watchword. Trust your onc. 

adagio

cockerspaniel - has your neuropathy gone away? I got numbness in my fingers after the 1st taxol but it hasn't got any worse. I do worry about the next taxol because of another reaction - I will see what the oncologist says. I think I might just call it quits. I have had 4 AC and 2 out of 4 taxol - dose dense. So glad your port removal went well. I don't have a port, so I don't need to worry about that!

adagio

jenjen - I know exactly how you feel. I share the same sentiments after having 2 taxol treatments - I just don't know how I will get through the next 2. Hang in there - we are all in this together!

russell33

Hi SherylB, I know what you mean my #2 treatment last Tuesday kicked my butt as well.  Today is the first day that I have been awake all day.  I even went out to the grocery store even though everything taste horrible!!!!  Just needed to get some fresh air. I think #2 treatment has been worse so far then treatment one.  I haven't been able to taste anything good since week #2 of first treatment.    Maybe I should try some hawaain punch and fudgesicles:)  Too bad I already went to the store.  Maybe I will send my husband out later.  It sounds like we are having the same symptoms.  My bodyaches kept me in bed for the last 6 days.  Pretty bad, but hopefully we will have a better week.  Wish you the best.  Let me know if you have any ideas on food.  Thank you.  Anne

gillyone

Anne - eat anything that tastes good. For me that was soup, mashed potatoes and BBQ steak. Everything else tasted like cardboard.

sweetpickle

Thank you for the warm welcome, Im still waiting to find out what the deal is with my Taxol treatments. Ladies this third AC has really kicked my butt. Im so tired and sick, nothing tastes right. UGH.



HUGS to all feeling down and out, this just plain stinks.

Titan

Annie...how many holidays do you have in NZ?  geesh..I want to work there!  And i'm glad you are thinking of me while  you are sleeping and lazing around....makes me feel like I'm living the dream...!

And to those of you having issues with chemo...it certainly isn't what we call fun is it...it totally sucks...but you have to get through it...and you WILL...I guarantee it...you will...even those of us whom supposedly sailed through it..hated it...just keep counting down the days and following the chemo tips....you can do this....

You guys could tell me to f myself but you know..I've been there, done that...lol

SherylB

Titan,

You just keep on cheering us on we all need to know we can do this. There were periods during the SEs from my 2nd treatment where I honestly didn't know how to put one foot in front of the other and the thought of doing it twice more was to huge of a mountain to climb. I need to be reminded that I only have to get through it a moment at a time.

Go cheerleader Titan,

Hugs, Sheryl

Mumtobe

Hi ladies,

Thanks for the reassurance re vitamins!

Finished chemo today....i hope I never have to see the inside of those four walls again. Start rads in the coming wks, going for CT Scan tomorrow to do alignment before rads begin!

x

Hopex3

Mumtobe, Congratulations on finishing chemo! Your almost there!

InspiredbyDolce

Luah:  Thank you for your insight. You are so right! We do need to trust our doctor's evaluation.  I also posted this question online to John Hopkins, not sure if any of you know you can do that.  They doctor's post back, and let me say, this is the 2nd time I have used the forum, and they are very very quick to respond.  They also said very rarely does this result in something, and they did say seeking surgery was not 'unreasonable', for peace of mind and moving forward in the healing process.  But I do have a lot more peace now. I still do have an appointment with the PS next week, and will keep you posted.  

I will check in later and read everyone's updates.  You all have a nice day!