Taxotere/Cytoxan starting July 2011

ANA_424

theatercat - Hate reading about anyone feeling so bad. Insist on some better anti-nausea meds. You should not have to feel that way. Zofran worked for me the first couple of treatments. I was getting headaches, though, so they switched me to Kytril. That has been fine, too. Seems like compazine is not enough for many people. You will start feeling better soon. Hang in there.

ladyboss1997

Hi ladies! I have been watching your posts, and I decided to join in. I started TC on 7/14 after having a lumpectomy. I have to do 4 rounds. My 2nd was on 8/11, my 3rd is this Thursday (9/1), and my last is on 9/22. My SE's have been minimal - just fatigue. I have continued to work full-time and go to the gymn. I have not gained, or lost, any weight. The hair loss was the most stresful. I shaved it off 3 days prior to my 2nd treatment after I woke to a bed full of hair. Lets keep talking. We all need the support.     

Anonymous

TheaterCat - I too am sorry to hear you are suffering so much with the nausea - this is not supposed to happen with all the modern anti-nausea drugs they have available.  Just work closely with your oncologist and oncology nurse and they should be able to come up with a combo that will work for you.  In the meantime, do try to remain calm and take everything slowly.

"Funny baby" - Painting - that is a great description for the Friar Tuck look I have going.  I only do the reveal in the privacy of my bathroom, while brushing out what comes out each day - less and less now.  But it still looks great poking out from the bandana.  Today is bright yellow in honor of the bright sunshine!  Three cheers for all the funny babies out there!!

Here is a breakfast that I highly recommend - oatmeal with bananas and blueberries (microwaved to blend in the flavors), topped with non-fat, Greek style yogurt and flaxseeds, plus a Wasa cracker spread with peanut butter (I got organic, no salt, no sugar from Whole Foods or Trader's) and topped with more banana slices and raisins.  Today, I am having that with my first 8 mg of dexamethasone - the other 8 will be with dinner.  This is because tomorrow is #3 in THE CHAIR.  I am not looking forward to it, I am just going to be pumped up for it!!!  Ha Ha.  Wish me luck.

I plan to ride my stationary bike today and then go for my pre-chemo dinner with friends.  Need to pack in lots of protein and good fun.

Hope everyone enjoys the week and keeps those pesky SEs at bay.

Ciao!

theatercat

Everyone seems to not have a problem. Just talked to dr., told me to take ativan and compazine and she will change my anti nausea drugs at my next chemo. Everything smells bad to me. Going to try and get some fresh air today,been in the hous since thursday.

Anonymous

Oh yes - TheaterCat - that reminds me, for some time after the infusion, you can have a strange sense of weird body odor and other strange smells.  My husband assured me that the smell is really not there.  It seems to be that the chemo can alter the sense of smell for a time.  Goes hand in hand with the dulled taste buds.  Enjoy your fresh air.

AnnetteHampton

Hi Ladies,  did 4 rounds of adriamyacin and now started taxotere. As ill as the AC made me this tax really sucks! My fingernails hurt so bad they feel like they were all slammed in a door, and I type for work! My joints, bones, and muscles are very painful, even just to drive to work the gas pedal hurt my knee. i sure this subsides after a few days, any reccomendation for good meds?

Anonymous

Annette -  you should really run this by your oncologist, who will advise as to the best pain-killer for your symptoms.  Personally, I try to ignore the bone, muscle and nail bed pain that are all part and parcel of Taxotere treatment.  I also found that a massage made me feel much better, when my body felt like a truck had run me over - day four post T/C number 2.  When these aches, pains and the dull headache get a bit too annoying, I will opt for a couple of extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) or maybe ibuprofen.  My oncologist recommended Motrin for the bone pain that can occur for a few days after the Neulasta shot.  A few of my finger are tender underneath the nail.  Try to keep your hands (and the rest of you, for that matter) heavily moisturized, keep the nails nicely polished, do not cut or push back the cuticles, try tea tree oil or Burt's Bees cuticle cream.  I agree, the fingers and nails bother me more when I type.  You may have to grin and bear some of it.  Good luck. 

rossileo18

ladyboss,

We seem to have a trio here of TCx4.  Phillybird is Tuesday,  I'm Wednesday and you're Thursday this wee, all in for our #3.  So we'll also finish one, two, three in just over three more weeks. Glad you're doing so well.  I too have been able to work through this all after taking a couple of days off after the infusion each time.  But I'm so tired already of feeling not quite normal.

Phillybird,

You are such a wealth of information and suggestions!   Hope tomorrow goes well.

ladyboss1997

It is so good to be talking to ladies who are doing the exact same thing at the exact same times. I actually feel pretty normal most of the time. My onc says that once I finish the chemo I will realize that I didn't feel normal. 

Annette: I use tea tree oil on my nails. I put it on every morning. And I get a pedi/mani the day after chemo. I have had no problems with the nails so far - just a little brittle. For the pain I take Aleve, and I stretch every morning. Because I lift weights I might be a little more immune to the muscle and bone pain. To me, some muscle and bone pain is normal.    

Anonymous

LadyB and Annette - I agree about the workouts; I am a gym rat, so I can't distinguish good workout pain from chemo/Neulasta pain most of the time.

Gonna ride my stationary bike before taking off for chemo today.  My pre-chemo dinner last night with husband and friends was fun and relaxing.  Always go out for big dinners the night before THE CHAIR.  It is such a beautiful day today, so I know everything will go well!

ladyboss1997

PhillyBird (love that username): I hope you have a good day in the chair with no SE's. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! We'll check with you later today or tomorrow.    

theatercat

So sleepy after ativan and compazine. Still have alot of gas. actually have an appetite today.it has been five days since treatment,just wish this awlful pit pain in my stomach would stop.

ladyboss1997

My onc just called. I am postive for the BRCA1. Now, I am really scared. What is that going to mean forme?

theatercat: hang in there! Go get you a good probiotic for the stomach.  

Anonymous

I am back!  Three hours in THE CHAIR, and so far - so good!!!  Yeah.  3 down, 1 more to go.  I am happy happy happy!!  Just need to take it easy and avoid getting dizzy.  Need to drink more water now.

TheaterCat - Feel better soon!

LadyBoss - not worth "being scared" it will only make it hard to sleep and is not good for you. But you know that; you just need the rest of us here to remind you.  Just talk with your doctors and they will advise.  Relax, work out, hang with friends, watch funny movies. . .

ANA_424

ladyboss - I'm sorry to hear the BRCA test news. I'm sure there is lots of information on this site that will be of help. There is a whole BRCA section under "Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis." This thread looked helpful: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/112/topic/773290

rossileo18

Ladyboss,

This diagnosis must be so difficult, especially since it seems that your chemo is going pretty smoothly.  Ana's suggestion to check out the BRCA section is excellent.  Because my sister had DCIS and my first cousin died of  breast cancer, my surgeon suggested that I take the BRCA test.  She said if nothing else, the insurance would probabaly pay for yearly MRIs.  I also went in for genetic counseling and the options discussed (mastectomy, hysterectomy) were almost as scary as taking the risks.  So I haven't quite gotten the courage to go through with the test.  But hiding my head in the sand is not going to help things.  If insurance will pay, I probably will eventually do it.  I just can't deal with it now.

PhillyBird --

Congratulations!   One of my friends told me that the next to last one feels really good -- but of course not as good as the last one.  So take care of yourself and I wish you a SE-less last week before you start your new job.

I'm next up in the chair -- 2:00 tomorrow afternoon.

Anonymous

Thanks Rossileo!  I certainly agree that getting into the last quarter is emotionally uplifting.  Can't wait for it all to be done!

Wishing you a relaxing, restful, and SE-free time in THE CHAIR (and later)..

ladyboss1997

I am in the chair for #3 of 4 tomorrow (9/1). Glad I have a 3 day weekend to deal with the chemo hangover. I managed to wrap my brain around the positive BRCA1 test. It is better that I know so my doctors can be more diligent with screening. I am just scared that it means this won't be the first and only dealing with the Big C.

PhillyBird: I am so glad things went well. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. I really believe that is a major key to feeling halfway decent. 

rossileo18 - get the test! Now that my brain is wrapped around it, I am glad I know.

theatercat

So so much better as everyone has said. It will be one week post first chemo tomorrow. Just left with a mixed up sleep schedule,  Makes school mornings a challenge. Miss my coffee, have switched to weak tea since have have so much excess gas even with zantac. Get labs tomorrow and haircut. I have  very long hair so it will be hard. So far I still have my hair, not sure of the timeline on hair loss with a/c chemo.

ladyboss1997

theatercat: one week post chemo makes a BIG difference in how you feel. You will just get better and better each day until the chemo train comes back and runs over you again. I started losing my heair real bad 4 days before the 2nd chemo. Up to that day I cut it twice. First to shoulder length, then to 1 inch all over. I still shaved it when it started falling out in droves.  

rossileo18

Three down, one to go. Time in the chair was uneventful and hope that SE will be the same.



Ladyboss -- hope all goes well tomorrow.

Anonymous

Knew you could do it, Rossileo!

Go go, LadyBoss!  Good luck tomorrow.

I have been drinking Tazo organic spicy ginger tea since my day in THE CHAIR, and must say it has a calming effect and tastes great.  Give it a try to keep nausea and bad taste at bay.

rossileo18

Phillybird, I've been drinking Tazo passion but am getting tired of it. Will try your suggestion.

lovetorun

Ladyboss - we are very close in time frames.  I started TC July 20th and just had my 3rd round today the 31st.  I too have little to zero side effects and continue to run 9-12 miles a week along with getting some road biking in of around 30 miles a week.  Very little weight gain last month but lost it.  I think the steroids do that a little with water retention.  I too shaved my head 14 days after first tx and I even love to run bald!  Very liberating!!!  Hope your tx goes well tomorrow too!

rossileo18

Frances. Glad too see you are back again and hope that you are coping well with your loss. A special hug to you from your BC buddy acreoss the ocean!

FrancesC

Thanks rossileo, very much appreciated. I do find a lot of comfort here and this is the place I hit first thing in the morning to catch up on all the posts happening whilst I sleep. Chemo#5 is coming Monday but I am still waiting to hear from my on coif there is any change in my treatment since I am no longer TN but ER/PR+ with the recent retest of my tumor. I will ring his office tomorrow.

Rossileo how's your #3. Pray for mmnal SEs.

rossileo18

Frances, so far so good. I had the neulasta shot today and hope there will be no SE from it. I might even go to work tomorrow.



Ladyboss, how did #3 go today?

Anonymous

Hi everyone.

So far, still so good.  My tongue has not turned white or felted raked over this time, Neulasta shot was fine, been eating, hydrating, racing around town getting ready for the weekend,  Made tortellini yesterday!  Have a podiatry appt today and the brain MRI, which is "just to be sure" about those pesky headaches I complained about.  Dinner with friends tonight.  Might stick to iced tea and not alcohol, to avoid any burning sensation in my mouth.  Have decided that might be what caused the raked tongue feeling the last two times.  If I wait until half-way through next week, my tastebuds and tolerance for alcohol and spicy foods will return.  Also - the tapering off of the dexamethasone is a great idea of my oncologist - I do not think I will be feeling like my body got hammered today; no "crash" off the high.

How did it go, LadyBoss??

Hey TheaterCat - how is is going?  Just so you know, it seems from what you have said about your treatment, that you are on an anthracycline compound.  The others who follow this particular thread are on Taxotere (docetaxel) and Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), neither of which are antracyclines.  With anthracyclines, you are pretty much guaranteed total hair loss.  With Taxotere, it can be variable.  There are a bunch of other differences between SE from these different drugs, and everyone reacts differently, so make sure you keep close in touch with your oncologist and onco nurse regarding what is happening with you.  Hope you are not feeling so much SEs now.

FrancesC

Hi all just wondering why some of us do 6 cycles of TC and some 4? Anyone knows? Is it because of stage of BC?

theatercat

Had my best day since my first chemo. Got my hair cut{short}, Donated it to locks of love.Tried on alot of wigs,decided on a long-haired one LOL. Went for labs,white cell count was low 1.4. I have blisters all through my mouth and throat,hurts to eat and swallow. Dr. called in magic swizzle and nystantin. Changed my pre- meds to kyril from aloxi had bad headache from aloxi. Have Zofran for next time. I was very adimate that I can't go trough all that vomiting again. Nurses are so much more sympathetic than dr.