Weekly Taxol group

KBeee

Bekah, Definitely make that phone call. Sorry you're feeling so rotten. Take care of that..ahem...backside too, because that has to be horribly uncomfortable. Get those fluids and hope you feel better soon.

Leigh, Glad they got the reaction stopped quickly and that the infusion could resume without further incident.

ThePrincess

Bekah - call! It's Friday and so much better to go there than the ER! I hope it gets resolved!!!

Sheriann

Hello everyone,

Just reading up on this group again, which is always so helpful and often comforting.

I just had my 10th of 12 Taxol + Herceptin treatments and am feeling pretty happy that I can see the end. Gosh, I cannot wait to finish chemo! I don't get sick, but these weekly treatments are pretty trying. I did AC before this and did well on that, too (I know that I am in the minority here). With Taxol + Herceptin, I have had hair thinning (since week 4), a bit of neuropathy in my fingers (since week 8-9), and bad skin on my face. I look like a nerdy teenager because of my bad skin, ugh. I am looking forward to this clearing up in a couple of weeks.

I lost all of my hair on AC. Then I took a 3 month break before starting the Taxol regimen to have surgery, and to have a baby (eek, yes, I found the breast lump while pregnant). In that 3 month interim, my hair started to grow back so nicely. Now it is embarrassingly thin, especially up front. I wish I had the luck of some of you women, who have seen it grow back a bit. Can't wait for the buds to fill in the balding areas of my head! Of course I'm grateful that I didn't lose all of it.

I should say to some of you that even if you have a bit of hair, go out like that! It's summer, and feels good, and liberating, to not have to wear something on the head!

Like some of you, I'll have a short break and then on to radiation for 5 weeks, and Tamoxifen.

Thanks for all of your messages, which I've read while going through all of this. If there's anything I can offer anyone here, I'd like to join in with some words of experience, advice and encouragement.

Trvler

I know I sound like an old lady (and I am) but bless your heart, Sheriann. Your baby is beautiful. I can't imagine dealing with all of this AND a new baby. Welcome!

pennsygal

Welcome, Sheriann. I had a friend who also discovered a lump during her pregnancy. Congratulations on your darling baby! Your positive attitude is great.

ThePrincess

Sheriann - welcome!

Sheriann

Thank you, Trvler, Pennsygal, and ThePrincess. Yes, chemo while pregnant was hard psychologically, but I had a healthy baby (as have many other women in the same position), thank goodness!

KBeee

Sheriann, So glad you're almost done. You baby is beautiful (and you are as well). There was a gal in my Sept 2013 chemo crew who was pregnant with BC and did AC while pregnant. She has done really, really well since then...as has her baby.

cloudynight

Hi all,

This is a daunting (long!) thread to join, but I'm going to wade in. Did first Taxol (with Herceptin) on June 16. Now I'm going to read as much of the thread as I can!

Leighrh

Ok I've done pretty well after my first taxol... Great actually, but last night and worsening today is some serious soreness.... My back and legs, a little in my chest. Not just oh I'm sore, but oh I really have to sit down this hurts sore. I've taken some Tylenol and hoping that does the trick. I was really hoping to breeze through this. I guess it's better than being nauseous.

KBeee

cloudy night, start at the end, with most recent folks, and work backwards.

Leigh, The pain for me is mostly late day 3 through early day 5. I hope you some relief.

Trvler

Leigh, Is it bone pain?

ninjamary

Taxol #6 kicked my ass. I slept the entire day yesterday (day 2 out from treatment). I have absolutely no energy and every chore tires me out so much I have to stop and rest. In all honesty I probably shouldn't have driven to the supermarket and cleaning the bathroom was pretty stupid too. I had such high hopes that Taxol would be a breeze like infusions 1 and 2. As long as it doesn't equal the cumulative treatment of AC I can deal.

Leighrh

Allison, I don't really know how to describe it. It's like really sore muscles. I never had neulasta so I really don't know what bone pain feels like. I felt the same way when I had the reaction to it during infusion but it was much worse then. The Tylenol seems to have helped. When I had my youngest, I had horrible lower back labor... I still swear I pooped that kid out.... Lol or at least it felt like it.... That's the pain on a smaller scale, that I had this morning.

Trvler

I had some glandular pain around my neck when I had AC but the only pain I have had on Taxol is bone pain and only a small amount. I am coming up on #5 and I know it could go south at anytime.

KBeee

Leigh, Ard you taking L Glutamine ? MO told me it could help ward off muscle pain.

Ninja, have the other Taxols been that bad, or just this one? I hope your energy returns soon

Trvler

I wasn't taking glutamine when I first started for a couple of weeks and I started it. I usually don't take it 3x a day because you have to take it in cold water. I do it once. I have no idea if it is doing anything but I guess it's worth a try. I really need to go up to 3x a day.

KBeee

Allison, I asked about it for neuropathy and he told me the jury is still out on that, but that it can help with the muscle pain and weakness, so he said I could take it. I have had a little muscle pain, but not bad at all. I have not had neuropathy yet, but know that will likely come later, especially since I have had Taxotere.

ninjamary

Kbee - this was the worst one so far. The others seemed much easier, but I think each one was harder and harder and I didn't realize it.

melb44

I am joining you ladies on Wed with my first of 12 Taxols after the 4 dose dense ACs. I have to admit I am dreading it. I am not looking forward to going every single week throughout the whole summer. I am doing cold caps so it is a long day.

Glad most of you are not having too bad of SEs!

Trvler

Welcome to the group, Melb. Sorry you have to be here. How did AC go for you?

Sheriann

Thanks, KBee!

Leighrh, I had the same kind of pain with my first Taxol dose. It felt like the body ache of having the flu. It lasted a day or so, and then went away. I hope you're like me in that it never happened again--with each subsequent dose, the pain never returned.

tryn2staycalm

Leighrh- Wow how scary!  No doubt you wouldn't want to do that over again.  Let us know what is next. 

I have made it thru Taxol 2 but not without incident.  I was at cancer center for 10 am bloodwork and chemo was scheduled for 11.  However I walked out at 4:30 pm as the center closed.  Long story but I have a blood cancer related blood clot which I am on Fragmen daily injections for.  Also on large doses of narcotics for the pain.  Both which bind you up tight even though I take something daily or twice daily.  Well I was told by the chemo nurse she couldn't give me the chemo till I was cleared by my MO who was not in that day so I had to see the on call MO.  She said she was afraid I may have a blockage.  If I did I may require it surgically removed.  YIKES!  After finally seeing the on call MO she said I would have to go to xray to check for blockage.  All this takes time of course but then later they asked me if my eyes were BROWN?  Finally got the Taxol after all the other stuff around 3 pm.  I am loaded up with 3 meds to make my bowels contract and void.  Still been a battle but have had some success.  Hope it's enough.  (Shitty subject). 

Blood clot tests tomorrow and pic line, daughter will take me. 

Anyone else find they are so "drugged" by these Taxol treatments that they can't drive or isn't safe to drive after?  I am lit up on the steroids for 24 hours then "crash".  Dead tired for next 2 days.  Then slowly come back.  Does this sound about normal?

Cathy

ninjamary

Cathy,

Yes regarding the drugged up feeling. I drive myself to Taxol (never did that with AC) but I'm beginning to rethink that approach. I pass out in the chair during each infusion, go home pass out again, then I'm up for 24 hours. I've been taking xanax to help me sleep, but it seems I need more and more of that. It seems taxol is cumulative for me. The first "go-rounds" seemed very easy. I also don't think I should be driving a vehicle until I'm post 3 days out from infusion.

Regarding clots...my port keeps clotting. I'm on my second port right now. I will not get a third port..they can just go in via my arm veins. I'm standing firm on that one. I have no idea why I clot so easily.

tryn2staycalm

NinjiMary- I have a blood clot in my lung,near my heart (clot specialist said it's on the opposite side of most) not in a port.  I never had a port.  My MO uses pic lines unless your a lifer chemo patient.  I'm getting my pic line (finally) tomorrow.  Then CT for blood clots after that.  Thanks for your quick reply.  I guess we better stay off the hwy's after Taxol.

Cathy

 

Trvler

ARe you ladies getting big doses of Benedryl? They have decreased my dose to the point I can drive myself. But it's only like 5 min away from my house.

pennsygal

What is it with ports this week? I spent yesterday afternoon in the ER - I was having a burning sensation in the port, up into my neck, along with pain. The MO on call told me to go so they could check. After doppler, CT Scan, xray, EKG there is no clot or infection.

Abraxane #6 this week for me - halfway done!

PrincessOfMeh

Add me to the port-giving-me-grief group. For the last 2 spa days, I lay down, coughs & deep breaths, arm in the air, blah, blah, blah, and it has eventually kick in enough to get the blood draw so far, but with 6 spa days left to go...I just don't think this sucker's going to make it through 6 more treatments. *le sigh*

My adult daughter is here for her vacation this week and is planning to go to spa day with me. I've warned her, but boy, is she going to be bored. That's the good news. (LOL!) The bad news is I finally ended my relationship with my mother. Since I was diagnosed, every little thing had to be about her and feeding her personal drama machine, constant me-me-me demands for attention/sympathy...I just couldn't take it anymore. Been rather peaceful since I told her I was done and to have a good life, though.

Trvler

Good for you, Karen!

tryn2staycalm

Maybe that is why I'm getting the pic line tomorrow!  Karen sorry about you and your mom but I can imagine how that would be.  As we age we do get so set in our ways and sometimes have to stop the me, me me stuff.  We do have enough to deal with for sure w/o that.  Hugs.. hope it works out better for you.

Cathy