Taxol Chemotherapy

lostinmo

I finally started feeling better over the weekend. Still had aches in my legs, but not bad.  What seems to be hard to do now is to stay awake in the evening long enough to watch a movie. My DS wants to know why I get to pick the movie if I'm just going to sleep through it.

faithhopenlov-I have the same thing with my eyes feeling goopy. I to will be going to have eyes checked because I know I need to give in and get bifocals. I've fought against it for two years now..Didn't want to admit I could use them.

For all going to Tx good luck! 

chapter4

Claireinaz. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed to hear that....taxol number one for me today and I've been worried....plus Im going on vacation two days after treatment and I wasn't sure if I made the right decision.

lostinmo

chapter4-good luck today! Enjoy your vacation.

babysammy

Chapter4, hope your tx goes well, no se's and enjoy your vacation.  Hope you can sit in a chair and relax.

Hildy910

Jenn, my eye script changed as well, I think. Although in my case, I'm so extremely near-sighted that the change is for the better. Will have to check for cataracts--perversely, I wouldn't mind having them b/c they could correct my vision quite a bit during the surgery.  I don't think all the way to 20/20, but pretty close....

Januaryice

Does anyone know the amount of the dosage for b-6 complex that I need each day. ONC gave the ok but not the amount of dose each day. Hopefully this will. ))))))

Januaryice

Does anyone know the amount of the dosage for b-6 complex that I need each day. ONC gave the ok but not the amount of dose each day. Hopefully this will. )))))

septembersong

claireinaz,

Thanks for reminding us that we don't want to create any more stress and anxiety for people who are new to Taxol. Although I did have problems with neuropathy, otherwise my 12 weekly Taxol treatments weren't difficult at all. I worked full time throughout, only taking treatment days off because I was out all morning and often napped in the afternoon when I got home. My WBCs were fine. From what I understand, the percentage of people who suffer from permanent neuropathy after treatment with Taxol is very small.

I would suggest strongly that if you have any problems with numbness that you bring it up early and often with your oncologist. Mine was dismissive, and I regret that I didn't insist that she treat these symptoms when they emerged. From what I've read, there are many remedies that are worth trying. 

So if you're just beginning with Taxol, please don't fret unnecessarily. It's usually a very easy course of treatment. Just be sure to speak up if you're in any distress. Any kind--there are remedies for most side effects.

Ann 

MMTOMH

Finished my last round of 12 weekly Taxol yesterday!  I feel great! My nails have hung in there, no neuropathy, hair is growing back, tumor is not palpable.  Three weeks off and then it's surgery and 6 weeks of RADS.  One weird thing I've noticed in the last two weeks is about 10 pounds of weight gain and swelling in my ankles and feet.  I am not taking steroids, so this is weird.  Have not changed my diet, increased my salt intake or anything.  In fact, I have been really active participating in a triathlon at work.  Unfortunately, I am suffering from hot flashes/night sweats since the first infusion.  I thought it was really weird that my ovaries kept chunking along during AC, but shut down on Taxol.  I'm only 32 so I worry that I will go through this chemopause just to get my periods back and have to go through menopause down the road.  

cmassa44

Denise G, you were right... no naulasta... Insted, I am taking a one week brake... Blood counts low again. today was a weard day... oc nurse had a hard time drawing from port...no blood return and it was stinging where needle was. so I had to go down to radiology and have an extray with port accessed. The Radiologist did an exray that shows like a video and you can see your how your port works... and I also saw my own heart beating ( that was the coolest) it ended up one of my tubes from the port had a pin hole... My OC Dr, decided we will have it fixed when I am in remission again... til then we will have to use my vain in my arm      I did get some good news today... after two weeks of Taxol, my tumor is shrinking 

Jennt28 I wish you did not have to suffer when you were Taxol... My eyes have been a bit differant sence I have been on Taxol, I am hoping once I am off they will return back to normal...

lostinmo

cmassa great news on the shrinking!

MMTOMH yay for being done with this leg of the journey!  I will be about a month behind you for the rest.

I had Taxol #2 yesterday.  Half way done!  So far so good.  Did get a great nap out of the deal. 

MMTOMH

lostinmo - Yay! I love checking things off my list--you are almost there!  Found out the weight gain and swelling are actually what's called 3rd spacing (where fluid builds up outside your bloodstream and cells in the extracellular space) and is an (uncommon?) side effect of taxol.  It's uncomfortable, but will hopefully subside soon!  So, you are having the book thrown at you too? Chemo/surg/rads? I just joined a June Mastectomy thread and it has been so encouraging and comforting...I'm sure they will have one for July surgeries too.  Hang in there! 

lostinmo

MMTOMH- I haven't heard about the swelling, sorry I'm no help.  But it does remind me of when I had my son. The nurse told me that the fluid would drain down to my feet and they would swell some.  They got hudge and squishy.  I had to wear my husbands shoes.  It only lasted a few days and then was gone. I think it was because of the iv fluids from the c-section. They are throwing the book at me, chemo, surgery, then rads. Even though I keep trying to get out of something. I guess I'll be looking for a July surgery group to join soon. We can do this!

MMTOMH

My oncology nurse said it's because we've been pounding the crap outta my body with chemo for 5 months, so something's gotta give.  I guess I haven't been super-kind to my already-stressed body with all my activity, so she said to take it easy.  As a mom of 4, though, easy is a relative term .  I do think the swelling has gone down and hopefully it will be gone within a few more days. 

I totally get the idea of trying to get out of some sort of treatment, but I keep reminding myself that these treatments give me the best chance to not have a recurrence.  I'd rather go through the ringer and be done with it, then ever have to face this again.  Fingers crossed and lots of prayers that all this hassle will net good results!  I'm going into surgery with the hope that my path comes back NED!  And absolutely...WE CAN DO THIS!!

Denise-G

My feet and ankles swelled for two weeks after ending Taxol (5/15/12) and had severe joint pain.  Then all of a sudden, started peeing like crazy and lost 10 pounds within a week!   Fluid and steroid bloat came off quickly!

MMTOMH

Oh my, Denise!  Sorry you had to suffer with joint pain...so far I have avoided that.  I do have surgery in two weeks so the 10lb loss would be fabulous since I gained 10-12 lbs! Geez!

Denise-G

MMTOMH - will be thinking of you about surgery!  If I can be of any help, must PM me!

I had a UMX (left breast) before Chemo back in November, 2011.

lostinmo

MMTOMH-how old are your kids?  If this has been asked and answered sorry for having you repeat. I have enough trouble keeping up with one. lol  Sending prayers your way for great results!

Denise-G, sorry about the joint pain, it sucks! My MO did give me a script for the pain, but I hate taking anything else.  Hard enough to remember everything we have to take.

MMTOMH

Lostinmo - They are 10, 8, 6, and just-turned-5.  Full of personality and energy and so wonderful! 2 boys and 2 girls.  Where are you in MO?  We lived in Mt. Vernon for a year...

lostinmo

MMTOMH- Wow you have your hands full. Sounds like a fun house though. Hoping that your surgery goes well and you heal quickly so you can enjoy some summer with your kids.  I had to look up Mt. Vernon, MO. Sad huh?  We are on the other side of the state almost straight across. About 95 miles south of St. Louis. I call it bug land.

nfranklin

Went in Monday for my 10th Taxol, had a doctors appointment 1st. My MO ask about SE's, explained that my fingers and toes were numb and that my hands, feet and legs hurt a lot. My MO postponed my next three Taxol treatments, until he sees me again the 21st, he seemed really concerned about the neuropathy, told me it could be permanent so no more Taxol until we see if this clears up. So far my fingers are still numb but my feet and toes are better. Hopefully my fingers will get better.

MMTOMH

@nfranklin - so sorry! you must be really frustrated! i know i would be!  will be praying for sensation to return in your extremeties!  

@lostinmo-I don't know how I would get through this without my wonderful children...they are such a blessing. oh, and by the way, just cuz you live in MO doesn't mean you have to be an expert on the geography! 

nfranklin

Thank you MMTOMH, I am better today, just extremely tired. This is quite a journey, I pray that the Lord carry me through. I am trying to do some walking to increase my strength and stamina.



Have a good night everyone.

lostinmo

nfranklin, glad your feeling better. You'll get through this.

MMTOMH-at this point I feel lucky to be able to find my way to the store and back. LOL 

MMTOMH

LOL @ lostinmo!  this too shall pass and we will get back to living life!  hang in there!

ladyfighter

last thurs taxol/herceptin #4 ok so far, little achy to this day.

However, last week it felt as if i had vertigo. when i start to wake up, i turn my head to left on my pillow i had a room spinning dizzy! but when i turn back to right it stopped.. scary!!! but when i am standing, it was ok, just dull dizzy. and it was more on last tuesday & wed. so on thursday saw oncologist for blood work on WBC before infusion. I told him. he said it is either vertigo (by nature) or nerve (by chemo SE). He checked my ears, no infections in sight. So he precribed me something for vertigo, i havent picked it up yet. This morning, i turn on my pillow to left to see if vertigo still there, it was fine for like 10 minutes then it came back. Other than this, I feel fine. no pains, little achy, no numbs/tingling on feet/hands (whew!, so far)..Soooo who knows!!! 

FYI, I had vertigo like 10 years ago for one day. 

I hope everyone is having good and none SE!

One question. When I had lumpectomy in Jan, I was NED with all the tests mri, scan, bone scan, etc (in Argentina). So I am wondering do I need to do radiation?? I thought radiation is to kill the remaining cancer? no? I was gonna ask my MO last Thurs, but forgot, so will see him again in 3 weeks and will ask him that. What do you think? My BS/PS (same dr) in argentina removed tumor and surrounding I had clear margin, and no nodes. I think I wanted to get out of doing radiation! but do you think it is wise to do radiation?? I have HER2+

Thank you!!! xoxo 

ladyfighter

Oh and, during A/C I had to take neupogen everyday 7 days in a row every after A/C But with taxol/herceptin, my MO said no neupogen! I was like eeek! scared but so far first 4 of 12 treatments of taxol/herceptin (without neupogen) my WPB is fine! whew! but sure glad to get out of doing neupogen because i had to drive to hosptial everyday 7 days in row to get injection that! what a PAIN! and again, neupogen didnt give me any pains at all even without clartins

Speaking of clartins, I took clartins-D on the morning of treatment on taxol instead of benadryl two times in a row with no problems, no reactions. I am so happy because i dont like benadryl at all.

MMTOMH

Good news! The swelling is finally easing in my ankles! My calves are still swollen and tight and I haven't lost any of the water weight I gained, but I do love not having cankles! Woohoo!

chapter4

I get taxol treatment number 2 on Tuesday....still have my eyebrows and eyelashes...but dr. Says they will go.....has anyone else been through taxol and kept them.....would love to hear what you.ve been through on taxol.....I know one thing...it's a heck of a lot easier than AC.

lostinmo

MMTOMH- glad the swelling is going down. 

ladyfighter- I was doing the dizzy thing last weel too, but mine was in the opposite direction. Very strange feeling. It only lasted about 1 min. and nly when I was lying down. I think the radiation is to get any cancer cell that might have strayed that they can't see, but I'm not sure.  I know since I'm stage 3 I won't get out of it.

chapter4- so far I have a few eyelashes left but not many.  Glad taxol is easier on you than AC. Although sadly I can't agree. AC was easier on me.