Starting TC late December - anyone else ?
Starting chemo 12/27 and kind of nervous . 4 rounds of TC - every 3 wewks so will be done by end of feb. My onco type dx score was 20 so decided to go ahead with it . Lumpectomy for 2.2 cm lump successful clear margins and sentinal node negative and 8 other nodes negative 10/18 .
Hoping someone out there can tell me Taxotere and cytoxan not all that bad ? Or hoping to compare notes with someone else starting at about same time ?
Comments
-
It's not too bad. For me there was a lot of fatigue. I kept on top of taking the anti-naseua medication, so I didn't get sick. Hair starts falling out on about the 21st day after treatment. I had 6 rounds and didn't get sick till it started building up in the 5th round, so you should be good.
It feels kinda like having the flu without the nasal stuff. It kicks in one or two days after therapy and will last 5-10 days. (fewer at first, then longer) Then you will feel better for awhile. Then the cycle repeats. Your taste buds are off and your appitite is down. Force yourself to drink fluids.
I just finished my rounds in October.
Blessings to you,
Victoria
-
Starting Taxotere on Dec 24th. for 4 rounds every 21 days. Just finished AC (X4) Chemo on the 3rd of Dec. A little nervous about taking the streroids meds for 4 days each time & my oncologist wants me to take Cipro(an antibiotic) for 14 days.These will be new meds.
This is all pre-surgery. I will also be done with TC in late Feb.
So far slight nausea every day, taste buds off ,decreased appetite...low energy especially starts in late afternoon.Lost all my hair between 17th & 25th day after 1st chemo .My white blood cells are borderline low.
Having a difficult time getting the fluids down..especially cold water...my drink of choice is tea...green or herbal etc.
Take care!
Lou
-
Thank you both for your replies - It really helps !
We own our own business so I am wondering how much I will be able to work . I wil file for short them disability just in case ! My motto has been "power through " so I feel great now after exercising more than ever - but now sure how I will feel on chemo .
Stay Strong and Positive !
Sandy -
Sandra60- Sorry you are finding yourself here; however you have come to a great place to find information and support. You may want to check out the Chemotherapy Forum and join in one of latest chemo threads where you will find others starting chemo around the same time as you. You can also start a new TC Chemo thread because I'm sure you are not the only one starting the TC regimen in December/January. If you go to the Chemotherapy forum- you will find Topic- Important Chemotherapy Threads for Newbies Here is the link:http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/785189?page=1#idx_1
There are lots of helpful tips there for you. I don't know if you know about the icing of nails (toes/fingers) to help prevent nail damage. If you want more info like that, let me know. I can private message you or post here.
I am 4 months PFC after 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere. My side effects were minimal in comparison to others. I started losing my hair around day 14 after the first round. I never lost all of my hair; let's just say that I had a very very thin veil of hair remained at the end of my chemo. I did lose my eyebrows and bottom eyelashes after the 6th round of chemo; however, those all came back starting 4-6 weeks after I had completed chemo.
Best of luck to those starting chemo in December!!!
-
Hi Sandra, I just started this same regimen on 12/10. Like you, I was nervous and scared about how the meds would affect me. So far, the chemo itself was not as bad as I feared. I was nauseous but not throwing up for a few days. I thinkg the Neulasta shot I received the day after actually produced more symptoms for me. It doesn't hurt. It left me w/ some blurry vision the day after getting it and then some pretty mild bone pain/ flu like symptoms since. I am waiting patiently for the 'feeling better' in between chemo cycles to start. It's nothing unmanageable. Just feeling blah and tired. I too, am wondering what to expect for the next round. Good luck to you. Ps get some meals ready - soups have been my friend and I don't even like soup :-)
-
I just answered Sandra here so won't repeat all that, but I am also taking the steroids, just 3 days. The day prior, day of and then day after chemo. I hate taking meds at all so I have been very scared to start w/ all these chemicals going in me. I have to say though, I didn't have any problems w/ the chemo steroids at all. I took dexamethosone and didn't notice anything. Good luck to you.
Jen -
Hi Sandra,
I'll be startingthe second week of January at the latest..my onc is saying 6 treatments and I had hoped for only 4. Per her this will kick the triple negative's butt. I'm hoping it doesn't kick my butt...
-
I did TCx4 almost two years ago. It was not that bad. I never had to take one pill for nausea. I did get constipated and have a few other side effects. I managed to exercise for an hour a day 5 days a week through chemo. You can get through this! Good luck!
-
Thank you everyone for your comments about the TC treatments . I start next Thursday December 27th and feeling a bit more confident but still basically dreading it. If anyone out there is starting it about the same time please let me know !
-
Just wanted to let you know that you can do this. I know you are saying "I can do this" in your head. Next Thursday, you will be saying to yourself " I am doing this!" When you get home after the chemo, you will say " I did it..... I did that first round!"
I know the anxiety will be high the day before the chemo but once you have the first one done, you will feel a great sense of relief. Be prepared for the first round to take longer than the other rounds because the infusion nurses will be closely monitoring you and the first infusions may be run through the IV a little slower. Make sure you eat breakfast/lunch before your chemo since some of the IV pre-chemo anti nausea drugs can cause nausea if administered on an empty tummy. You can take snacks/sandwich with you to eat while you are having the infusion. You may also want to take a blanket/jacket to help keep you warm in the infusion center since most are kept pretty cool. Some infusion centers have warmed blankets, snacks, water, etc for their patients. If you are lucky, yours may have all of those things. As you have probably read, suck on ice/drink plenty of water/fluids during the infusion. The ice may help prevent mouth sores and the fluids will help flush the chemo through your body. Make sure you hydrate the day before the chemo round since it helps make the port/vein access a little easier.
I'm sure you have all of these things on the chemotherapy forum. If you have questions, please ask. Those who have been through this chemo regimen are always willing to help you and anyone else on this chemo regimen.
Have a wonderful Christmas and good luck with the first round next week!!!!
-
This is my first time posting on this site. I hope this works correctly. I was diagnosed September 21, had a lumpectomy on October 19, and had my first chemo December 10. I also had cytoxan/taxotere. I really did ok. A little constipation and bloating. My next treatment is January 2. I know everyone is different but does each treatment get more difficult or stay the same . This is a great , encouraging topic. Thanks.
-
Hi PatFried,
You and I appear to be on same schedule. I also had my 1st on12/10 and my 2nd is set 1/2. I'm wondering the same thing! They say i rogressively worse, but would love to hear others experiences. My 1st was doable, I feel more prepared for hthis 2nd one. How about you? -
Hello to all - so happy to have found this. I had my first TC treatment on 12/19. I expected to be ok based on what others friends or relatives had gone through but today is the first day I feel ok. I wonder if ok meant something different like not vomiting or such. I have had nausea throughout despite 2 IV anti-nausea meds and an IV steroid that also is to help with nausea. It wasn't so bad that I haven't been able to eat but I totally underestimated the impact of this side effect. Dizzy, dull headed and the neulasta caused bone pain that was relieved with tylenol. I really want to take as few otc meds as possible with all this other stuff in my system but I also want to be able to work. I plan to return to work tomorrow. A rash started on my back last night but benadryl helped although it knocked me out. It is much less intense today. If ok means I can tolerate it - definitely. My expectation to be able to work the few days after - not doable. I have paid attention to all the instructions to stay hydrated, eat small amounts throughout the day, rinsing my mouth at least four times/day and rinsing my eyes four times a day. I have my second treatment on 1/9.
-
Hello everyone ! Dmmag62 - so sorry abou what your going through . I guess everyone is different in how their bodies handle the chemo . I will post an update after my treatment on 12/27 - my first .
Did the regular anti nausea pills not work for you ? I was prescribed Odensetron . -
Melrose - just saw your reply to my post - thank u for the very encouraging words ! Merry Christmas !!
-
Sandra60- I almost forgot to ask you if you are icing your nails. My onco suggested that I do that as well as use clear nail polish (Sally Hansen Hard As Nails) to help protect my nails. If you can ice, you can use bags of frozen peas or small ziploc bags of ice and place them over your finger nails and toe nails. I used ice bags that I placed in Neoprene (same material as scuba suits) insulated wine bags that I got at Target for $7.00. The wine bags looked like tube socks on my feet and hands. I also wore a pair of thin athletic socks so that the ice would not be directly on my toes and fingerless gloves on my hands. I got the fingerless gloves from Target also. If you don't have fingerless gloves, you can always cut finger holes in a pair of mens socks. Some use insulated lunch bags to hold the ice and just place their hands/feet in them with the ice/frozen peas. I did this icing at every round of chemo and did not have any significant nail damage/lifting. I do have some indentions that go acrosse my nails; a dent for each round of chemo I had. Hope this helps you a little bit.
As for how I felt after each chemo, I will tell you that I got tired more easily with each round of chemo. I noticed my eyes watering more (aka Taxo-tears) and eye twitching after the 3rd or 4th round of chemo. The eye watering and twitching lessened after I was post final chemo (aka PFC) and has stopped completely. I did not have any major tummy issues other than burping ( yes burping like a drunken sailor). I kept a daily food diary and drug diary so I could keep track of what I ate and to make sure I ate regularly and took my anti-nausea meds on schedule. The food diary helped so I would know what foods I tolerated the best after each round of chemo. Yes... my taste buds would go on vacation a few days after the chemo round but would return the third week before the next chemo. You will find what works best for you.
Wishing everyone the best with her upcoming chemo rounds!!!!
-
dmag62- Sorry you had a little rough time after the first round. Were you given any anti-nausea precription meds to take at home after you received the chemo round? If you did, make sure you let your onco know that the anti-nausea meds did not work for you and to ask him/her to adjust them or give you something different. There are other meds that you may be able to take to help prevent the nausea.
As for the bone pain from the Neulasta shot, you may want to try taking a regular 24 hour Claritin several hours before you receive the shot and continue taking the Claritin daily for at least 6-8 more days. There is an ongoing clinical trial that is investigating whether the Claritin helps prevent the bone pain from the Neulasta shot. Here is the link to that clinical trial: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01311336?term=claritin+neulasta&rank=1 You also need to know that one can still have muscle aches/joint pain since these are side effects of this chemo regimen.
If you have any other questions, please post here or private message me. I'll try to help you or at least point you in the right direction of information.
-
Melrosemelrose - thanks so much for the reply. I will ask doc about claritin and different take home med for nausea well before my next treatment. I really appreciate the feedback and your experience!
-
Thanks, Sandra 60. I was prescribed compazine for nausea to have at home. This worked but knocked me out, which is sometimes ok but i dont want to mess up night time sleep any more than it is and would like something to tame the nausea when i am working or not lying on the couch. I am going to ask for a different med before the 9th. I hope your first treatment goes well. What I have learned so far is that I have to be good to myself and if my body needs rest for five days that's what I need to give it. Everyone seems to have different experiences but we are all fighting a hard battle! Here's to victory, whatever that looks like:) I look forward to hearing how you are.
-
dmag62- Glad to help you!!!!
One other side effect is the hair. You may start seeing the hair feel drier and feel that your scalp more tender. Those are the beginning signs of the head hair loss. It is a very personal choice as to what you decide to do --- buzz the head hair or get a short short boy hair cut. I opted to for the short short boy hair cut because I felt I had had enough haircuts this past year. I had waist length hair Feb. 2012 when I had my lumpectomy, a short bob March 2012 when I had my UMX and April 2012 a short short boy hair cut after my 1st chemo. I treated my hair loss like a personal science experiment-- I wanted to see exactly what the chemo would do to my hair. Well, it didn't all fall out.... I had a very very thin veil of hair by the 6th round and felt little duck fuzz coming in at the same time. (I still have one pre-chemo hair left... lol) My eyebrows and bottom eyelashes started to fall out after the 4th round and by the 6th round, they were gone. However, within 4 weeks of being PFC, they had returned. Other body hair also falls out ( down south, arm hair, leg hair, nose hair, arm pit hair) so don't get too alarmed. You may notice your skin is drier; make sure you put plenty of cream/lotion on your feet and hands and everywhere else. You may also want to start using rubber gloves to wash dishes/clean house so you can help protect those nails and keep your fingers from drying out more. Just no matter how many physical transformations/changes you experience while in chemoland, remember you are still beautiful!!!!
-
Hi ! I just found this thread and wanted to join in. I just finished my second of four rounds of TC today. My first round just caused me to be achy and tired and weak for about 7-9 days but no other side effects. The anti-nausea caused me to feel in a total fog so the MO changed that prescription for me. I also can't take any tylenol this time as it caused my liver counts to go up.
I lost about 50% of my hair this weekend and shaved it short at that time....I am doing my best to get used to wearing hats.
I hope each of you ladies had a great Christmas! I hope and pray that we all find strength and positive moments to get through this. I look froward to getting to know you!
-
Happy New Year! Looking forward to getting through this! Feeling ok two weeks postchemo #1. Went back to work on day 8. Want to go to sleep about 1:00. Was able to clean the apt over the weekend. It's the little joys - lol. So no kidding about the hair changes. It's hard to explain but it just has a weird texture and doesn't feel like my hair. It's def on it's last days. There is a tiny bald area at the front hair line and the scalp is very tender. I am considering chopping it off today. Any thoughts? It just feels yucky. Can't find lip balm that keeps them from feeling like they are peeling off. Tried carmex, neutrogena and burts bees. Could prob try drinking even more water. Any ideas? Dull headache and congested - could be cold and nothing to do with chemo. Everyone has a cold - it's hard to avoid everyone. Sandra60 - how are you after your first tx? I hope the se's were minimal!
-
Try some vaseline lip balm or plain vaseline to help with the dry lips. The dryness of the skin is a side effect of the chemo. Drinking enough fluids is still important so try to get enough in every day. A constant runny nose is a side effect of the chemo. However, like you said, you may be coming down with a cold. Keep drinking plenty of warm liquids (broth/tea/soup) and maybe you will feel better soon!!!!
-
Any help on the cramping and diarrhea on tc.? It started mon day till yesterday around 3 . I had been following bland foods drinking etc. it stopped for 12 hours and started up again at 5 this morning. I don't know what medicine to take and will call Onc this morning but wondered if someone's onc had reccomended medicine to take.
-
Hi all my first chemo is 1/10 yet I want to share what I have read and been told.
Diarhea=immodium over the counter (OTC) lomotil requires a rx (prescription)
For diarhea use BRAT diet, bananas, rice, applesauce, tea and toast. Can use baby rice cereal mix with a little water and sweetener of choice.
absolutely drink lots my goal is 3 quarts/litres a day.
Chapped lips caused by so many things, chemo, dehydrated, weather, licking lips etc. The Biotene gum keeps my mouth moist so I don't lick my lips as much and use all the lip stuff mentioned above, I like Blistex for my lips to heal and prevent.
From my hairdresser and friends with BC= hair/scalp may hurt when falling out
I had long hair and had it cut pixie like, will probably buzz when it starts falling out. Not looking forward to scarfs/bandana, cause I am always hot with sweaty head.
So many ideas out there I am sure I am being repetative. Hope u feel better, take care of yourself.
Sheryl -
So sorry all you ladies are here, but this is a great place to come to for support and to share experiences.
I was scheduled for TCx4 starting Oct. 2010. I did 3 of them, switched to AC for final dose because of SEs. Many women do fine with 6 doses, many women in later stage cancer are on weekly infusions of either taxotere or a related paclitaxel. So my experiences are not common.
Common experiences are hair loss, nausea, constipation, loss of taste, tearing and runny nose, fatigue. The fatigue is cumulative, meaning it gets worse with each cycle. Nail issues are common, so keeping nails clipped short so they don't catch on things is helpful - the nail bed loosens and nails can become painful or you can loose them. Nails and hair are similar in how they grow from cells under the skin, and those cells are hit hard with the chemo. Some people have had really good luck with icing fingers and toes, and some (I know one woman personally) use cold caps to keep their hair.
Also common is some peripheral neuropathy, which often starts as tingling in toes, fingers, or even teeth and face. Usually this resolves completely. But in my case it has not, and is disabling for me. I did not communicate clearly to my MO that I had problems with this after the first dose, and I did not communicate how badly it was affecting me until after the 2nd dose, so she reduced the dose and delayed it for a week, and the 3rd dose was the worst. She offered one dose of AC to finish up or 3 doses CMF to finish up, and being highly anxious and impatient, chose the ACx1 rather than CMFx3! In any case, the neuropathy has persisted for over 2 years, she now says it is likely to be permanent. So IF you have problems, please please please be honest with your MO, communicate your symptoms early and clearly because this is avoidable!!! I have also had a very prolonged course of fatigue, which my MO says can last "a while" and by that she now says "up to a few years." So be kind to yourselves if you are tired, rest as much as you need! (Do as I say, not as I do - I continued to work full-time through chemo and surgery .... finally had to take a leave of absence recently and wonder if I had taken a leave then if I would be in better shape now....)
TC is "do-able" for most folks, but do not be afraid to let you MO know if you are having SEs that are difficult for you. There is lots they can do to help you through them, but they can't help you if they don't know about them. Actually, talk to the nurses - they tend to be more empathetic and have much better practical suggestions than the docs!
Oh, yes, the hair. I got a buzz cut, my neighbor does her boys' hair, so she did mine. We had a little party, DH took photos. I looked darned good as a military recruit, used that military attitude at each chemo (wore my "battle dress uniform" from US Cavalry), mission was "Survive to Enjoy Life" and mission was primary priority. I realized there would be casualties, and the hair and all the other SEs were just considered casualties. I survived! And each day has some moments of grace, moments of joy, moments of love. Even on chemo days, I had good moments.
Sending each of you much lovingkindness, hopes for peace, freedom from pain and anxiety, and healing. I will try to check back here periodically, but if anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to PM me. And DO help each other as you are going through this together. -
Grace533- Are you feeling better? Hope you contacted your onco to get some help. When you have side effects that don't seem to stop, call your onco even if it is at night or on the weekends. It is the onco's job to help you get through the chemo so don't be afraid to call. I know that you may think you can ride them out but it is better to call. Keep us posted on how you are doing!!!
To help me figure out what to eat during treatment, I was given a very helpful book from the cancer center where I'm being treated at. The book is called "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD. The book has divided into chapters by side effects and what one should eat before chemo and in general. The book has shopping lists, menus and recipes and made it easy to help me find things to eat. I didn't have to spend time figuring out what to eat.
-
I think dirrahea is not continuous now that i .am on imodium. I just look at the food books for cancer and wonder which should eat diarrhea or low wbc or constipation recipes.I see mo tomorrow so i should get some help.
-
So jazzed! Just finished my second treatment today ( 1/3 of the way to finished with chemo) and NO NAUSEA!!! The only thing different was they slowed the cytoxin way down. Still have the bad drug head feeling and really tired but sooooo happy about the nausea. Even if it starts in the next five minutes it was a better experience. Iced my nails during taxotere - will see what happens although I didn't ice during the first treatment. Started losing my hair on New Years Eve - the strands coming out got thicker and thicker and I cut it all off on Thursday night and a good friend buzzed it on Friday - it feels so much better than the strands coming out constantly. The hat, scarf, wig thing is weird - doesn't feel good for more than a couple of hours. I did rock the natural look today and even though there are a lot of bare spots it looks pretty good. I've discovered that my ears are quite large - lol. I really like what Linda-N3 said - the side effects are casualties. Being as healthy as possible and giving my body what it needs is the priority right now. Sometimes it's really interesting to note all the weird things I feel. I just had the sensation of a hot flash but with chills around the back of my neck - just weird. Another good cook book is the Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz. I wish everyone the best experience possible and the best comfort for this strange journey!!!
-
I started chemo on 1/4, the first 8 days were rough! Fatigue was my greatest challenge. I will have my second treatment on 1/25. I am wondering if I should ice my fingers and toes this time, the thought of using my nails is so scary! I started to lose my hair yesterday, day 13, so tomorrow I am going to the hairdresser to have them shave the rest off, and I can't wait , my scalp is so painful. Losing my hair hasn't been that tramatic however the thought of loosing my eyelashes will be. Has anyone started to use Latisse to prevent eyelash and eyebrow lose? Donna
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team