Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

DorisMarie

ElleBee ...no service in my area..go figure..in the boon docks hereLOL..do have some nieces and several others I can call on tho...

any one pay more than $25 for the Neulasta shot..the co pay? and not on medicare? if so go to the site....www.AmgenFIRSTSTEP.com...I found the info on the back of a magazine..maybe it'll help someone..not me of course..medicare..LOL..

oh well..at least no charge to get all this sister stuff from ya'll..LOL

wishing a good day for all

ElleBee

Hi Stephanie! I get Zofran for nausea, Benadryl, and Decadron before the taxol. I take zantac orally the morning of treatment. The decadron makes me a little drowsy, then the benadryl just wisks me away to dreamland. The zofran gives me a headache the first day or two...it goes away with advil, and it hasn't happened at all some weeks. I also get the Herceptin infused, but i am Her2+. My se's are minimal. Overall, here is what they are: stomach ache, constipation the first couple of days after infusion the first few times, increased frequency of loose stools, fatigue, mild anemia, changes in toenails, neuropathy of the toes, gradual hair loss (but some is still growing it seems...so you might get some new growth?), decreased appetite, acne on face and scalp, and some bone pain which went away after a couple weeks. If I push fluids hard....2-3 quarts a day, I seem to have more energy and feel better overall. Also, I feel better if I eat small frequent meals. Hope that helps. Let me know what other questions you might have!

KeepMoving

Marcia, I had my 1st Taxol today and I feel fine.  One small brief hot flash, but no back pain.  I had minor stomach cramps, too, but they're gone now.  Don't know about the bone pain yet.  Nice not to have that chemo fog feeling from the steroids like on AC.  Thank you for giving me the Taxol info.  I saw your post before I went today, so I kind of knew what to expect.  My IV included Benadryl, so I got a nice little nap, too.  

Pamelehope, my MO asked me if I had something for pain.  The port place gave me oxycodone with tylenol and kept pushing me to take it.  I only took one and will really hesistate to take anything that strong unless the pain gets really bad.  

Ellebee, glad you're feeling better.  You were cheering us on and no one was cheering you on.  We were so used to you being upbeat and may have taken it for granted.  Maybe the negative posts (everyone feeling down at the same time) got you down.  Pamelahope's right.  Don't look too far ahead.  It can seem overwhelming when we do that.

StephanieJM, good luck tomorrow with your first Taxol. 

Kimmie0247, yes just before the BGC, I do tons of stuff, because I worry that I won't know how it will go after the infusion and don't know what i'll be capable of that week.  

SpecialK, I didn't make it even though I was so sick of red meat by Sunday.  My count went down to 7.4, so I need the transfusion. 

Yesterday, a lady was having her eyebrows threaded at a kiosk in the mall.  She was leaning back in a chair with her arms thrown back and her hands behind her head --two big clumps of hair there.  My husband and I went cracking up through the mall wondering if her armpits were next!  It was so funny.  My favorite SE out of this whole thing - no shaving!

Let's try to enjoy the summer 2012 as best we can.       

steelersluver

Thanks for decoding TPA for me Special K....I asked the nurse and she didn't know what it stood for, but did mention the stroke usage for it.  At least it works!

I'm glad it's not just me with the nesting.  My temps are always on the edge, and I keep wanting to get everything caught up so i don't leave anything hanging if I have to go to the hospital.  None of the cleaning services seem to operate in my area...oh well, I don't have that much to contend with and the kids are learning to do more...had my son convinced the shark floor steam cleaner was a high-tech new-age machine he could operate if he was good!

I've got continued bigtoe issues also.  The original infected toe is still sore, but not gooping so I soak it a lot in epsom salt and hot water.  The big toe on the other foot is black and loose....and I'm still on AC. I don't put much on my feet other than comfy sneakers now no matter what I look like!

I'm glad you're feeling better ElleBee! The craft beer sounds good...but my taste is all messed up...what will I do this Steelers season without my usual draft beer in hand for the game?! 

pamelahope

Marcia, You had mentioned Tamoxifen and to the best of my knowledge if you are premenopausal and Er positive that is what you take. My doctor mentioned that chemo would throw me into menopause and I would get Femara for five years. UGH... However, I decided instead of obsessing over the side effects, I should try it at least. Pam

Melrosemelrose

Pamela- Just wanted to let you know that I heading into round #6 and my last chemo tomorrow.  I'll be celebrating and doing the happy dance tomorrow afternoon when I get finished.  I also found out that the tumor board recommended NO RADS so I will not be heading to Camp Rads after all which is another reason to celebrate.  I will still be receiving the Herceptin until sometime in April 2013.  Sitting in that BGC when I get the Herceptin will be a gentle reminder of our times getting chemo and dealing with side effects but also how far I have come in my journey to get healthy and stay healthy.  I probably will be receiving Tamoxifen but the exact start date won't be determined until my first appt with my onco after being PFC.   Continue to keep your spirits up and moving forward.  Before you know it, you will be having your last chemo and looking towards the next part of your journey.  HUGS!!!!

pamelahope

Thank you Melrose, Congratulations!!!!!! So happy for you. No rads! Wahoo!!!!! I see you had your surgery too!!!!! Enjoy every minute if your PFC existence!!!!!

Pam

Marcia1111

KeepMoving - I'm glad the Taxol wasn't too hard for you!  I know what you mean about the AC chemo fog being gone.  Good riddance!

I met with my NP today.  She seemed concerned that my WBC counts were high.  I wish I had asked her why she was concerned.  I thought that was the whole point of the Neulasta shot.  I'll have to ask next week.

steelersluver

Hey marcia, Can I borrow some of your WBCs?  Mine are always low and I've resigned myself to having to get the neulesta next round!  Do you still get it with Taxol? With only 1 more AC to go I'd be happy to only have to get neulesta once.

Marcia1111

I'd be happy to share, steelrslvr!  The MO said she would consider no Neulasta with the Taxol, but I did have it.  I wonder if next week she will say no Neulasta!   That would be fine by me.

ElleBee

Marcia: Really? Neulasta with taxol? Huh, that was never brought up. I wonder if this is common?

pamelahope

Marcia, My wbc count dropped with a/c. Now with taxol, like you they are high.

I wonder if I will get the nuelasta shot dropped.

Pam

KeepMoving

Marcia, they gave me a schedule of all of my appointments when I first started chemo.  Neulasta was automatically scheduled the day after each infusion for AC and Taxol.  Maybe they'll just skip your next neulasta shot, and your WBCs will go down and it's nothing to worry about.  One less trip to the doctors sounds good to me!  

No bone pain yet.  (Now, I've jinxed myself.)  I'm liking day 2, too.  My IV had benadryl, Pepcid, and Zofran.  The ON nurse said those things are to turn off the antihistamine receptors before the Taxol to prevent reactions. 

Congratulations, Melrose!  Good to hear that someone has finished.

     

Marcia1111

I will be fine with skipping the Neulasta if that's what the MO decides to do.  I feel like I can drive to the cancer center blindfolded!

SpecialK

marcia - if WBC are too high it can signal that you have an infection.  Under normal circumstances (not receiving chemo) your WBC would increase to fight an infection, having a high level is one of the ways docs can tell if that is the case.  I am guessing that you probably have an overstimulation because of Neulasta.  Entirely possible that your body is making enough WBC on its own and you may not need the Neulasta.  FWIW, I had an automatic Neulasta after each TCH tx, but Taxotere is Taxol's nastier, uglier cousin.

Marcia1111

Thanks for your input, specialK.  I knew you would know the facts!

ElleBee

Pam and Marcia: I have had normal wbc counts the entire time on Taxol with no Neulasta. Hoping you girls get to skip it from here on out!

havingfaith

I just had my firts Taxol today. 3 more to go... whoo hooo!!!!  It wastn't as scary as I thought. so far so good.  I will be getting the neulasta shot just the same as before.  I do hope my energy picks up.  I would like to work more than I had been during ac. I guess time will tell.

Good Luck to all!!!

ElleBee

Yay Having Faith!!! So excited for you! I think your energy will pick up for sure. Hope all the ladies on here are doing well. We had a quiet day yesterday....hopefully that means people are too busy living life to type! 

I met with the oncologist on Monday. He said he can't find any of my lumps. I can still find them, but they are very small. Not something I would find in a breast exam. So this stuff is working! Woohoooo! He said I have 4 more weekly taxols left, then we will take 2 weeks to recover before starting AC. He wants another echocardiogram and ekg during my break to see if the heart has been damaged. I am a little nervous about that....my heart feels weird sometimes. Not palpitations, not pain...but there is a discomfort that I notice sometimes. Like it is working hard.

Tomorrow I go to the OBGYN to get my tubes blocked with Essure. No cuts, no pain. In and out at the office. I can't do hormone based birth control anymore. My husband and I were pretty sure (ok, well he was 100%) that we were done having kids before all this. Now, with all this poison funneled into my body, and the possibility of rads, and that I would be 40 before we could safely consider another (putting him at 43)....we decided that we are done for sure. And this makes perfect sense  in my head. But it breaks my heart. A small part of me had been hoping for one more....hoping the hubs would see how much easier our spirited 4-year-old is getting and change his mind. Don't get me wrong....I am content and so grateful for my two little loves. I am just so pissed that cancer has come along and forced my hand in this decision! I want this to be on MY TERMS, when I am READY. Every time I think of it, I get all choked up. I feel like cancer is robbing me of yet another thing....which is pretty irrational given that we are done anyway. I guess I wasn't quite done in my heart...just in my head, if that makes any sense at all. Crap.

So I expect to be pretty emotional today and tomorrow. I have the day off tomorrow, so hopefully my little family will distract the heck out of me and it will be a good day.

Thinking of you all. Hope you have a good SE minimal day!

ElleBee 

havingfaith

Ellebee- I am so glad that your lumps are getting smaller. What a great feeling to know that the chemo is working.  I am sorry that your decision is being made for you about having more children.  It comes so much easier when we know that it is are chose 100%. It helps to hold on tighly to the ones we have.  Enjoy your day off!!

Today is day 2 after my first Taxol and I feel great.  I have a full day of work ahead of me and a trip the the cancer center for my Neulesta. They have me scheduled for Neuesta after every Taxol except the last.  The 3 day is usually the hardest for me so I'm hoping that wont be the case this time.

Everyone have a Great Day!!!

ElleBee

Yay havingfaith! So glad you feel great so far! I do have a LONG list of side effects, but they are mostly minor annoyances. Nothing debilitating. Hope you have a great day!

pamelahope

Having faith, Good luck with your taxol. You are getting through and moving along. I am day 2 after taxol and getting tired..



Ellebee, Great, great news! You are having a great chemo response!!!!! I am thrilled. I can't feel my lumps plus my left nipple was starting to invert and now it does not! Plus you didn't even start ac yet, the big gun. It makes it all worth it!

Pam

StephanieJM

Good Morning,

This is day 4 of Taxol #1.  Gosh, my legs are so achey.... couldn't even sleep.  Not really neurapathy, just ache terribly from knees down.  Anyone else had this, also where my surgery was in left breast and underarm, shooting pains, I'm wondering if it might be the lymph glands ???  Strange never had this with A/C. 

Thanks for any thoughts on this.  Stephanie

SpecialK

stephanie - bone pain and aching are a definite SE from any taxane drug, sorry to say.  Like all SEs doesn't happen to everyone but if you are getting it on tx#1 of Taxol you will probably be prone.  I received Taxotere and always noticed that my TE (only had my right one as left had to be removed prior starting chemo) was extra tight - it took a few days for this to subside.

StephanieJM

Sorry SpecialK ... what is TE??     

SpecialK

stephanie - TE = tissue expander.  For those having implant reconstruction it is placed under the pectoral muscle (most often at BMX, but sometimes later if one chooses delayed recon) to stretch the muscle and skin to accomodate the implant placed later during exchange surgery.

Marcia1111

StephanieJM - I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain.  I did too, but now I'm 9 days past my first Taxol and it is minimal.  I also feel some pains where my TE is on the BC side and the TEs feel more uncomfortable than they have in a while.  I'm also feeling more tired and have less stamina than with AC.  However, all is doable.  I do return to work on Tuesday and am concerned with how tired I'll be then!

ElleBee

Stephanie: I get achiness in both boobs now, although at first it was only the diseased one. The aches are at the site of my tumors. But now it aches in the good boob, near the armpit. My doc said he likes to believe this is a good sign....that cancer is dying. I also get bone pain in my forearms and wrists and in my pelvis. But for me it only happens on day 5/6, and some weeks not at all. It's weird. Each week the se's sort of switch it up on me. Crazy!

pamelahope

Yes, everyone! I get aches too on Taxol. So far good on day 2 however I know what is coming. Pam

StephanieJM

Thanks for the feedback ladies,  this is day 4 my legs ache so bad, 2 Tylenol did nothing.  Have some Norco going to give that a try next.  My onc nurse did say there would be joint pain that moves around one day here the next somewhere else.  Not sure about the sharp pains in the breast as I have had a lumpectomy, so don't want to think it is the cancer dying..... in my mind the cancer is gone.  I can only imagine it is the lymph nodes or scar tissue.  I will certainly ask next visit.

Marcia... good luck going back to work.  I am still so pooped from A/C, I can barely stand up for 10 min. before I have to sit down. 

It is interesting how the SE keep changing. 

Best wishes to all!  STephanie