Weekly Taxol group

sptmbrsunrise

Hi ladies! Frequent lurker, occasional poster chiming in. Taxol no. 10 of 12 tomorrow.

JulieAggie I'm with you on the body aches. Usually it comes and goes, but this week it's been persistent and draining. My counts were at 0.9 last Friday so we forged ahead with my transfusion as scheduled, followed by neupogen shots on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, so I'm sure that didn't help the achy issue.

Angtee my blood pressure has been through the roof through most of this ordeal. When I started my A/C treatments my onc had prescribed a beta blocker. He took me off for a little while, but somewhere between transfusion 6 & 7 my vitals started climbing again and he gave me another prescription. Just another fun thing to deal with! Like Julie's doctor, my onc belives it's treatment related and doesn't foresee it being an issue after treatment is complete.

Karenbo

My scheduled 3rd Taxol got cancelled yesterday because my labs were too low. Plan is to take Neupogen injections the two days before my next chemo. At first I was bummed to be extending out the total time frame, but glad my MO is being cautious. By the time I left the office, it ended up feeling like an early Christmas present as I had the rest of the day for shopping and errands since I'd already taken the day off of work! Taxol + H # 3 is scheduled for Christmas Eve morning. Had a bit of nausea the past several days, so hoping that a week without chemo might make that better. No metal taste, so still enjoying food! Hopefully that will last through Christmas if not beyond! I wouldn't be upset if I can keep my hair as well! Time will tell.

Sorry about the body aches JulieAggie & sptmbrsunrise & MamaBear. Is it from being on Neupogen? I was told joint pain is a common SE with it and that taking Claritan should help (?). Wishing you pain relief and happy holidays!

Tesla - My MO put me on an oral antibiotic for my skin break outs; it's helping! No more itching or discomfort and less breaking out overall.

homeschool4us

I'm on day 5 of my first taxol herceptin and perjeta cycle. I thought I'd post how I've felt each day.

Day 1: Infusion day, nauseous before theu even started, probably nerves but it lasted into the night. I took zofran.

Day 2: Feeling so fabulous and NORMAL. Normal is a big thing when you don't feel that way often. This evening though, the soles of my feet and the palms of my hands started feeling like they were burned and there were blisters on both little toes.

Day 3: Still feeling pretty darn good, just slightly more tired. The burning is still in my hands and feet, but just slightly.

Day 4: Crash. Super tired and as the day went on, developed flu syptoms, chills, achy head and legs. The aches were quite pronounced. This could be a first dose herceptin thing from what I have read though.

Day 5: Flu symptoms mostly gone, ut the tiredness is awful awful. Sleep doesn't seem to help.

That's where I'm at so far. I really hope my days 4 and 5 are not like this everytime because it really sucks. The first days were great though. Hoping I go back to great before my round 2

LRFTexan

I start on Wednesday but then we will move to Thursday's after the holidays. I'm getting that anxious feeling of a new chemo but overall ready to get this going. My reconstructive surgeon is very conservative and won't do my surgery until 6 months after radiation so I am hoping for no delays!

homeschool4us

LRFTEXAN, I switch to Thursdays after the holidays as well. You'll just be 2 behind me then if you are getting weekly taxol. My surgeon said the same, 6 months after rads. I'm still not sure if I want recon., but I do want the other breast gone. I'm hoping for no delays because we have a Match trip planned.

MamaBexar

I finished my weekly taxol yesterday. My MO decided to end it a week early. I will be getting Herceptine every 3 wks. until next Sept. Good luck to each and every one of you. I will be checking back to see how you are doing.

Tesla

Karenbo: my NPput me on oral antibiotic Doxycycline as well for skin break out. My scalp is not itching anymore, the acne are not cleared yet but it has slowed down quiet a bit!

Tresjoli2

all, retin A cream also helps a lot for the acne.

Gljacobs the flashing lights are often what's called an optic migraine. I had them while on taxol and went to the eye doctor to check it out. They went away a few weeks after finishing taxol

Karenbo

Tesla - I'm glad the antibiotic is working for you too!

MamaBexar - Congrats on finishing your taxol!

Tesla

I'm on day 4 of my #3 weekly taxol. Hair starts falling out today just a reference😓

homeschool4us

This taxol, herceptin perjeta combo is kicking my butt. If it is like this every week I would say it's worse than AC for me. Soooo tired since day 4 and aches every night since then too.

Angtee15

Thanks for the head's up Tesla. Had #3 of my weekly Taxol infusions today. Just a little thinning so far. Wig is at the ready.

Otherwise I am doing fine...looking forward to that first official word that the Taxol is kicking my tumor's a$$!

Hope everyone is doing well!

jodes001

Tesla and Angtee15

I had my 3rd weekly taxol today. No hair loss as of now, as soon as it starts, i'll need a haircut. Its pretty long right now. Im not going to buzz it unless it looks like I'll lose it all. I still have hope!!!!!

thx for the info

Angtee15

Hi Jodes001!

I'm with you! Let's see how this goes! I cut my long hair short right before #1but want to put off shaving as long as possible. I've been using organic baby shampoo with chamomile and just letting it air dry. Haven't felt any scalp irritation yet. I have four rounds of AC after Taxol so I know the wigs will get plenty of use.

KarenAus

I finished 2 weeks ago and thought yay just got to heal now and get the port out. Port booked for last thursday as it was sitting in my heart. It is never smooth sailing though. Last Tuesday i started regenerating a boob. Wnet to get bloods for Thursday on Wednesday before celebratory lunch and an inspection of the new boob. Had to go back after lunch for my onc to have a look and he told me to take a bag. 5 day in hospital on IV AB's. and drainage. Had my BMX 7 months ago and I get an infection now.. I am home and hopefully fine for Christmas.

Karen

homeschool4us

Awww, KarenAus, I am so sorry. That just plain sucks. I'm glad you are home in time for Christmas now though. Hugs.

homeschool4us

Taxol number 2 done. I found out I only have herceptin and perjeta every 3rd week, so that was a good surprise. I have a plan t9 take claritan and ibuprofen right before the aches set in this time to see if that helps. I suppose there is nothing much I can do for the tiredness. My rbc is down even further so that can be causing the exhaustion I guess.

sptmbrsunrise

Thanks Karenbo! I think the neupogen may have made it a little more intense, but didn't cause it entirely. It was a deep ache that was further spread than just my joints. Luckily though much less worse with this round, even with the neupogen shots again.

My counts were good enough for my doctor to add Carboplatin in for the second time. Man was I surprised at how it wiped me out! Instead of feeling achy, my skin felt like it was bruised everywhere. Has anyone else ever had their skin become super sensitive like that? It reminded me of A/C treatments.

Eyelashes are staying strong, eyebrows not so much. I had buzzed my head when those hairs started to free themselves back in the beginning with my A/C treatments. I had some bald spots, but other spots kept tiny, buzzed patches of hair.. It feels like it may be just a teeny, tiny bit longer when I run my hand over my head. Can't wait to see some real progress!

Keep up the good fight ladies!

ThePrincess

homeschool - my nurses said the fatigue from that 4th round of AC won't wear off until taxol #4 - they were right, I had a def uptick in energy after week 4 of taxol, so hang in there!

homeschool4us

sptmbrsunrise, I had that bruised skin feeling once after neulasta. I wonder if it's the neupogen this time? I got those terrible aches with my fist dose of taxol.

Theprincess, thanks. I sure hope so. I never felt tired like that with AC, but maybe it didn't set in until then.

Tesla

By any chance, do you know what's the lowest acceptable neutrophils counts? Just curious. Finished my #4 Weekly taxol. So far so good. Just hair falling, not in clumps yet...but I'm ready if it's time

jodes001

Does anyone know of a decent priced online retailer for wigs? I dont feel like driving to different shops, just want to order online. No, I haven't lost any hair yet, but maybe soon? 2 days after #3 taxol......waiting....

Jodi

homeschool4us

Telsa, 1500 sticks in my head for lowest acceptable anc, but I may be wrong. On my printout that would be 1.5.

Jodes001, I ordered from tlcdirect.org. It's the American Cancer Society website store. I ordered a wig and 2 halos. I only wear the halos. Everyone compliments me on them. It's hair you wear under a hat. I got the shoulder length one in 2 colors. I can't get the wig to look right.

Gabby56b

Shaved my head last Monday, 3 days after my 2nd AC infusion. knew it was coming right after my 8 month old granddaughter pulled out a clump. My dog wouldn't come near me. The 9 month old pats my head. Now to just get through the AC treatments and start Taxol.

Ruska

Gabby56, good luck in getting trough the AC. It was hardest part for me. Taxol should be easier. 

LRFTexan

I had my first Taxol of 12 yesterday and feel great. The only side effect I had was during the infusion I had restless leg syndrome, they said it was from the Benadryl. They gave me Ativan and it subsided. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas

jodes001

LRFTexan- I also had restless legs!! They just didn't give me Benadryl the next time, and all was good! So far, the only se is constipation and a dry nose....but I'm not complaining. Still have my hair...3 days after #3 Taxol

Jodi

Karenbo

Jodes - I don't know how they will look yet; but I found some decent looking fairly inexpensive wigs online at Wigsbuy.com and Amazon. Already placed my order. I want to have something on hand in the event I quickly lose my hair. Guessing I might wear hats more, but it will be re-assuring to know I have a wig for when I feel the need to have some hair. Mine is already thinning, but since I started off with really thick hair, am hoping to perhaps keep enough of it to still look like "me". Just had Taxol & Herceptin #3, fearing the hair loss will just increase. Time will tell! Would be nice to have smooth underarms and legs!!!! And get rid of those occasional pesky chin hairs that I tweeze! If only big Pharma could find a way to make the drugs so that we lose all our hair EXCEPT on scalps and for our eyebrows, lashes and enough nose hairs to keep us from dripping all the time!!!! Actually, they should just use that time to get rid of nasty cancer once and for all!!!! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all you beautiful Weekly Taxol ladies!

jodes001

How's the hair Angtee15?? Mine hasn't started to thin yet....strange!!

Jodi

Trvler

Tip for constipation: Magnesium. Works like a charm.