Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

dlm425

Kati was this your first taxol. Its not so bad or as awful adriamycin and cytoxan the pains are controlled with tylenol for me. Annika why 12 of taxol and I.only do four is it bigger dose I thought it was a 8 treatment regimen 4 ac 4 taxol. Dyvgrl Good Luck and if 3 is enough.than 3.it.is..

dlm425

Alibeth you out there? You ok sure hope so...

raindeer1217

Hmmmm. My understanding via my Oncologist and Taxol website Taxol is given;



DD = dense dose bi-weekly x 4

DD = dense dose tri-weekly x 4

LD= low dose weekly x 12



They all equate the same juice given in the end. Seems there is debate which is less or more effective.



Anyone else do research on DD vs LD weekly. I am not finding anything in DD 12 weeks. A body can only handle so much of this drug in a life time.

Dyvgrl

Mine must be LD weekly. I assumed that since I was doing DD AC that I would also be doing DD Taxol. Glad to have that crap stretched out a little honestly...

KatiAK

Dlm425; yes this was my first taxol and it had me totally wigged out. Now tt's in I feel ok but we'll see what the next couple days bring. I hope Tylenol is all I need. The nurse seemed to think some of my emotion was the chemo and the drug induced menopause . . . Maybe. Anyway, I'm down to only 3 more treatments and THAT is good news!

kmurphy

My doc gave me the option of the Taxol DD 4x or LD 12x.  Since I did pretty well with the AC, I opted to go for the DD 4X.  I will have 35 radiation treatments after this and would like to try to finish all this up ASAP and maybe have some holidays that don't affect the whole family too drastically.  

The exhaustion is tough though so I am hoping I can keep up with that.  I know about the bone pain, but how about the energy level with Taxol?  Has it been harder, easier, the same?

raindeer1217

Bone pain has been the brunt of my Taxol treatmentsm. Was surprised by how much pain I was in. Still better then puking for 5-7. Days. On A/c my body felt like it was dying from the inside out a deep dreaded sense of impending doom. Taxol DD tired sure... Not unmanageable. I be worked full time plus having to take 2 days off for the last two ac treatments, massive throat sores n thrush and a lovely sore way down yonder. ( I had a tiny little cut that wouldn't heal) my body wouldn't regenerate so the cut turned into a sore.... Holy freaking man was it painful.



So yep taxol seems easier after the red devil. We'll see if its accumulative like ac seems to have been.



June bugs we are almost done!!

raindeer1217

One more thing: I used to be an athlete (race mountain bikes, tuff mudder races, race downhill skiing, cycle cross racing) my body has taken some crazy accidents mostly impact blows.



Interestingly anywhere that I've had a injury or a little hitch from over use such as my knees and a torn Achilles' tendon broken ribs, busted elbow any place I've taken or had a injury burns with pain on the taxol.



Even my breast expanders and an old incision scar from a hysterectomy when I was 25 burn with intense pain.



There must be some relation to the chemo killing the cells that impact scar tissue or damaged cells ?



I mentioned this to my nurse but she dismissed it.



Shrug..... I really really dislike my nurse!!! (Wish I could change) but I can't the dr and her come as a package deal.



Anyone else see a relation or connection wit taxol pain?

rachel22

I had first Taxol on monday and (knock on wood) so far so good. I slept all day Monday from the benedryl but since then I haven't had any major issues or pain. I hope that continues. I'm doing 12 weekly Taxols and they say the side effects can be less with the weekly dose. I hope everyone gets some relief from SEs and pain. For those of you on the 4x DD Taxol at least you will be done much sooner!! I know I'm counting down the weeks myself. Can't wait to be done with chemo!

dlm425

Rain it is definitely from taxol my skin hurts like a bad sun burn especially behind My knees. These lovely tissue expanders hurt all the time. So I wouldn't know if it hurt from chemo. Tomorrow is taxol #2 hoping its not so bad. My last nurse hurt me and ruined 2 veins. I told the doctor I didn't want her again as my chemo nurse and believe me she'll never touch me again. I need 3 veins to finish this poison control crap. Did everyone loose their eyelashes? Its so annoying since my eyes tear all the time. What about Latissee for growing lashes.

dlm425

Oh and with dd taxol the second tx you get neulasta anyone have both and hows those bone pains??

OceanWarrior

Can we please put the world on pause for a day or two - I'm so not feeling ready for round 2 of Taxol tomorrow.  

I'm tired and just would love one or two more days to catch up before the next round.  I've been perscribed new meds to help ward off pain.  One of them is Prednisone the other I can't remember and don't feel like getting up to look.  Apparently it addresses it at the 'nerve pain' level.  Fingers crossed that it works.  

Okay, back to the kitchen.  Have only had a few days I've felt up to cooking.  Tonight is one of them and even if we do eat a late dinner I'm going to have my fun and reap the rewards of a good meal.  

Good thoughts to all.

Robin-Lynn

Saw my Onc to follow up after my first Taxol last week - My white blood count was very high (24.8 vs. 1.7 it was on AC) so he said the bad pain I was in was from the Nuelasta (some from the Taxol too) so he will reduce the Nuelasta shot by half next time. Too much boosting going on in the bone marrow. I'm thinking prob don't need it at all. Also gave me Vicodin. Dreading next week's treatment already...still have some lingering pains.

Ocean - good luck tomorrow.

raindeer1217

Ocean !!!! Hugs to you, I am stomping on the freaking pause button for you. But ya know what lets blast threw this girl and save the pause button for a moment we don't want to end..... Thinking of you often and I am right here by your side even separated by all these miles.



You've got this 3 to go !!!

KatiAK

Pretty pumped up on steroids still today. Hate them, exhausted and can't sit down. Finally took my xanax to try to sleep. My fingernails and toenails hurt. That started last week before Taxol, now it's worse. The kids start back to school tomorrow. I get to tell a whole new slew of people I have (HAD) cancer. Oh yay. I'm really hoping i'm not exhausted, there's so much I'd like to do. And my little guy turns 9 on Monday. I need to plan for that!

Well off to bed. Hope everybody's well for awhile Hang on tight Ocean!

dlm425

Well off to get round two of taxol and like you ocean I do not want to go. I dont have a port and everytime I get chemo my wrist hurts so bad!!!! I cry everyday because I cant wait to feel normal again....Even when I feel good I still don't feel like myself....Will I ever be Me again.. good wishes and no pain to the taxol world of girl's

AryaS

I started in the May Chemo group but I started 5/28 and I still have 2 Taxols to go. Most everyone on that group has now finished. May I join you? I need a place to talk about these ridiculous aches and pains.

Anyway, I am finding it takes a great deal of mental stamina and support to get through this.

Thanks for reading.

annika12

Day four of last AC and Im puking non stop....but last time done done done with that stuff. I am having 12 weekly low dose taxol and herceptin!! Followed by surgery and radiation!!! Ac has been so hard......it did what it was suppose to tumors gone but I feel spent....nothing more to give!!

KatiAK

Oh annika12, I'm sorry to hear you're puking.  AC was definitely cumulative for me.  The last tx was the absolute worst and how nice to put it behind you!  Hang on - at least the worst is over!

dlm - let us know how Taxol2 goes.  Hopefully they'll find a vein nice and easy and get you through it quickly!  You're 3/4 of the way thru - only 2 more!!!

Welcome AryaS, of course you can join us.  We all need support from each other.

I feel ok today.  Got the kids off to their first day of school, got a birthday gift bought - and now I'm supposed to be working but I had to peek in on everybody.  I've been a little freaked out today about recurrance.  Or even another form of cancer now.  I'd really like to live another 30 years.  What are the chances?

Prayers going up!

Dyvgrl

Hi ladies, hope everyone is feeling ok today. Going in for round 3 AC and starting to get anxious. I hate these damn treatments and just dread feeling sick for 4-5 days at a time. So wishing for this to be over. Every time I go in for treatment, I tell myself I can't do this to my body anymore, forget radiation and hormone therapy, I'm just so sick of all the SE's. it makes me question if my quality of life is going to be better or worse. Statistically, it's almost a wash.... Even my PS said, we can never tell you that you are cancer free, because our imaging is not good enough. I said, so I could be doing treatment and putting myself at risk for other types of cancer on a What If? And he said Yes. We don't know if you have cancer now or not. Awesome...

Alibeths

Hope everyone is doing well. I went back to work last because I'm a teacher. It is absolutely exhausting. And I don't even have student yet. I'll see how it goes and if I'm too tired and not feeling well and stressed out I'm not doing it. Is anyone else doing family medical leave I get 90 days. And then my insurance goes bye-bye?! I had one taxol so far. And I'm starting to get little little pains in the palms of my fingertips. Dr. said that's normal my eyelashes are going too!! 😭even tho she said my hair would be going back on taxol. Hope u r all feeling good!! Almost done ladies!

Edel1701

I am on day 4 since my first Taxotere and I feel tired and achy. My bones hurt. I know this is normal so that makes me feel better about it.

I also have heartburn. I used gavisgon liquid when I was pregnant with heartburn so it is my go-to remedy. Great suring the night as jo lying there chewing Tums.

Unfortunately we all have to go through this. You are all very strong and doing great.

Edel1701

Anyone else having chemo BEFORE surgery. My surgeon said chemo first but when I spoke to the oncologist he was a bit pissed that she has said this. He ended up going with chemo first.

One good thing is I can feel one of my tumours getting smaller. I can hardly find it now which is great news and makes chemo seem worthwhile.

raindeer1217

Day seven out from 1st Taxol. Worked 40 so far one day to go. Exhausted.



Plus side I had pizza for dinner and even stole a sip or two of wine!!



Bone pain almost gone but holy jolly Santa is my belly BIG not gas just distended. Not the pizzas as its been a SA from taxol. Just full feeling.



Friday!! Then weekend!



AyraS - welcome!!!! So glad you joined us here it's a great group of ladies! Helps reading knowing your not alone and all the side affects your enduring are normal. How you holding up?



Dlm425 - most had a port implanted for ac with taxol treatments for 4 x 4 you mind me asking was it you or the drs choice not to have a port? This gogojuice is harsh on the veins. I love my port. Sure it hurts at times but its worth it.



Thinking of Ocean tonight! Shouting out to you girl!



Edel- you've got a pretty large tumor, I am going to venture your opting for a lumpectomy vs removal? I believe if this is the option you choice the surgeon is trying to preserve as much tissue as possible by shrinking the tumor first they won't have to remove as much to get clean margins. The plus I guess.... You actually feel and see the chemo kicking cancers ass!!

annika12

Edel- I have chemo first then surgery. My surgeon and onc.both agreed. Not really sure why.....my primary was gone after surgical biopsy with clear margins and my lymphnode was 3cm.....gone now after AC!!! 12 taxol then surgery mid dec followed by rads!!!

kayezzy66

Has anyone ever had the bottom of your feet to peel...the skin on the bottom is peeling...ive also got big time mouth sores,and take majic mouthwash.Cant take an antiobotic,my white cells are way down,and i have to wait til it comes back up.Just stay home.Thank god i have one more chemo to go,and then 12 weeks of something ,once a week.They keep telling me its all the normal..

Edel1701

I hope to just get a lumpectomy. I have large breasts anyway so lots if tissue to work with. I want them to do a reduction on the other side as well. Might as well get a free reduction while I am under the knife lol.

Has anyone opted for a mastectomy even when a lumpectomy is recommended. I have thought about it.

annika12

My surgeon also recommended a lumpectomy unless my genetic testing comes back positive but Im def researching a possible mastectomy as well. We are discussing it in detail on my october appointment!!!

OceanWarrior

Checking in.  Long day in the infusion chair.  Was there from 1:00 to 5:30.  Had the nurse that has trouble finding veins, she tried two pokes with me then switched off to a different nurse and we were good to go.  But then 1st nurse had it pointed out to her that the bag of meds was not connected and instead of going into me ..... it was going onto the floor!  So, they had to move me to a different chair so that added time.  All of us in the room were getting Taxol today and were commenting on how creepy it was that when some of the drug spilled on the floor they brought in a Hazmat team with gloves and masks and high level hazzard protocol for the clean up.  Hmmm, just what are they putting into our veins?!

I'm feeling good now, had a nice late dinner and I'm pretty sure I'll have a good nights sleep.  Start taking new med tonight called Gabapentin.  Wish me luck and hope for none of mood altering side effects from that one, lol.

Good night or good morning to you, whenever you may be reading this.

KatiAK

Starting to feel the pain but it's bearable so far. At this point I'm saying Taxol is SO much easier than AC but I'm just finising day 3. We'll see. Where's Rachel?