Chemo in June 2015

Catfurr

Hi Mama Bear! I've had it too, and have been treated for thrush in my throat, twice. Do you have the magic mouth wash? It helps for awhile. So do Popsicles!

mama-bear

yes I did have thrush and tried the mouth wash...... but it made me throw up. Silly me kept trying it thinking it would get better... it did not. Then it gave me the big D... so I ended up on diflucan for 6 days. I will try the baking soda salt water rinse and see if that helps. Thank you for replying!!!!

December

Prayers and Blessings to All!!!! I can't respond to everyone...but I'm pretty sure that I'm having all the pains that the rest of you are having....Like some of you, after treatment 1, I swore that was the end of chemo for me. Tues starts treatment # 5.....I haven't recovered from #4....# 6 and I'm done. Then Rads. My question is this: I seem to get weaker and weaker and weaker with each treatment. I'm taking Hydros for the pain - that helped me greatly in the beginning....but seems to be less effective as I go along. Basicly I havee 2 bad weeks, one better week, then the next treatment and it starts all over again. I didn't want to do the hydros..but realized I could not do the chemo without them....Everything HURTS....so, on (treatment4) (my 'good week") I try to not take the Hydros.... made it from Mon till Sat. Almost a week....but broke down today and took a pill...and will probably do so again Sun....My question is....is it common for the bone/nerve pain to stick around 2/3 weeks after chemo treatment? i'm sure that they will give me whatever pain killers i want....but I don't want any of them! I thought I could take a week off....but I hurt so bad I gave in today. Should my MO change my pain killers....to something different? But my big question is...does anyone hurt bones/muscles/nerves....ALL the time? 2 more treatments.....then on to Rads....I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....Also, the Hydros reallly destroy my digestion tract....and the constapation is VERY painful.....Lower ab sevier cramps....I hate the Hydros....is there a better pain killer out there? I've go 2 more treatments......But i'M NOT sure I can do it. Such a shame after going through 4 'dense" treatments.......Someone post some support for me. I don't want to quit;;;;but I have been in pain since June - I dont think I can do 2 more treatments!

eaglemom

I'm so sorry that you're in such pain December. I wish I had some answers for you. 3 months is a long time to be almost continuously hurting. I think you should definitely talk to your MO about possibly giving you some different pain medication. I understand that you don't want to take pain meds continuously, but you shouldn't have to be in such pain. Maybe there's something that will be more effective to help you get through the last 2 treatments. I think the Taxotere can be very bad for bone/muscle/nerve pain. My s-i-l had the same combo as you and she had horrible pain from the Taxotere. I will send some good healing thoughts to you and some prayers for relief from your pain.

eaglemom

It's been quite a while since I've posted an update! I've been trying to keep up on reading this thread and a few others, but just been very busy and kept putting off posting.

I finished chemo on Thursday the 10th!

I, like many others in June, did dose dense AC + T. I gave myself Neupogen injections on days 3-9. I feel a bit guilty because I have had a relatively easy time of it, much easier than many of you. I have been able to keep on working (housecleaning for others) part time throughout my treatment. I did have lots of side effects, but none of them were debilitating. All were more or less manageable.

I also found AC quite a bit harder than Taxol. I had no nausea with the Taxol and, other than the Neupogen injections, didn't take any other medications after the infusions. The Benedryl they gave me for pre-meds (50 mg each time) for Taxol really made me feel awful. It made my head really fuzzy and I could hardly talk. I usually had a nice nap for one to 1-1/2 hours during my 3 hour drip. Luckily, by the time the Taxol was done, the effects from the Benedryl had mostly worn off and I was ok to drive myself home (dh was in another vehicle and usually driving behind me in case I had any trouble and dd was riding shotgun). The steroids (Dexamethasone ~ 20 mg) did make it hard to sleep the first night, but it was ok because I usually had the day after treatment off.

My worst side effect, by far, was one that I've been told isn't very common for my chemo combo; hand foot syndrome. It first hit me after my 3rd AC. My hands and feet (mostly my feet on AC #3) got swollen, my palms and the soles of my feet turned red like a sunburn, and there was some tingling and quite a bit of pain. I didn't realize what the SE was at first and so for a couple of days walking was quite painful. The swelling made my shoes that are usually pretty roomy very tight. Luckily I wear slippers most of the day (at home and while working) and my feet were tolerable in slippers. Once I realized it was hand foot syndrome, I started applying lotion to my hands and feet several times per day and it got better. I also started icing my feet during AC #4 and they were much better during that cycle. My hands got hit really hard with the SE after Taxol #1 even though I used the frozen gel mittens they had at the treatment centre part of the time. The gel mitts were soooo cold that I had to take my hands out for a few minutes a couple of times at the beginning. The cold, however, only lasted about 45 minutes. During the rest of the infusion, my hands were at room temperature. It was hot outside during the drive home and I think having my hands on the hot steering wheel may have made things worse. My hands got really painful and angry red. Then after a few days, they started peeling; mostly at my calloused areas. There were a couple of iterations of peeling even though I was keeping up on the moisturizing lotion many times a day.

I made some modifications to try to keep things from getting as bad during the last 3 Taxol infusions and they must have helped because my hands and feet have been much better. I used a soft-sided, zippered, cooler bag that as just big enough to fit my feet and packed it with blue ice and zipped my feet into it during the whole infusion. I used the frozen gel mittens with some thin knit gloves under them for the first 20-30 minutes, then without the knit gloves until they were no longer cold. After that, I held a piece of blue ice (from the cooler bag) between my hands for the remainder of the treatment.

Here's me during T #2 with my whole silly looking set-up;

I also started wearing my bicycle gloves which have some padded leather in the palm area whenever I did anything that might put heat or pressure on my palms such as driving, riding my bike, vacuuming, etc. Also, I made sure to apply fresh lotion each time after getting my hands wet. It's now the end of day 3 and my hands and feet are doing good.

I seem to have had quite a bit of energy today, even though it's just a couple of days after my last treatment. I'm not sure whether it's a result of finally being done with chemo or whether the fatigue I've been feeling was mostly still residual fatigue from the AC and it's finally wearing off. I did notice less fatigue from the Taxol. Anyway, I spent the day being quite productive; I finished a batch of plum jam that I started yesterday, I spent a couple hours picking pears, I did a few loads of laundry, some dishes and general cleaning, and I made a tomato pie (thanks March chemo thread). I hope the energy continues and I get back to feeling mostly normal again soon... in time for radiation which I start on October 7th.

I wish all of you who have treatments left minimal side effects and no complications.

gk66

Catfurr- yes, I had that also and I never had it before the chemo. I think it's normal

Tresjoli2- Congrats! I am watching the last few drops in my drip bag of Taxol right now - this is my last chemo treatment - yay!

To all- hang in there- the end of chemo will come and you will hardly believe that much time has passed. I spent most of my time over the last 16 weeks just managing symptoms/side effects. One thing that I have trid to is remain active, even during the severe pain (not as much during earlier chemo of A+C when I was terribly nauseous). Even when I was in severe pain and I walked like a 95 yr old - I took even short walks-it helped a lot!

rosesrx

Yea Gk66 !!!!!!!!! Happy Dance.

Eaglemom, I couldn't keep the mitts on all the time either. NO neuropathy here and the nails still looking good. Cuticle looked awful but lotioned them down and used chapstick on the cuticles. Ice cubes in the mouth helped prevent mouth sores and lessened the "bucket mouth"

eaglemom

Congrats on your last chemo Gina! Now it's just a matter of time until all your SEs wear off and you regain your energy. We can compare hair growth over the next months. I have no eyelashes left and my eyebrows are continuing to thin. I'm looking forward to those growing back and also my nose hairs so my nose will stop running.

I was aiming for tolerably cold for my hands and feet, rosesrx. It seems that was enough for both of us. My fingernails are fine too. I did keep dark, opaque nail polish on them over the last couple months while on Taxol and I also took B6 & 12 and L-Glutamine. My fingernais are a little discolored but I have no neuropathy to speak of either. An occasional tingle that does not last is all I've had. I have lost one toenail and another is lifting but I'm holding it on with a bandaid and some tape until the nail under is formed enough to protect the nail bed. I'm actually kind of happy about losing the toenails because I've been fighting some fungus and I figure this is a good chance to get rid of it for good.

I sucked on ice chips while on AC and had no problems with my mouth. I found it too hard to keep up with the ice in my mouth while having the mitts on, so I phased that out. I'm happy to report that my mouth was still fine.

I agree that staying active (and well hydrated) probably helped to lessen my overall SEs as well.

December

EagleMom, Thanks for the support! I too, am the mother of an Eagle Scout. It's sort of a proud thing in my family. I've just finished round 5 and Round 6 in Oct. Then, like you, Rads.

Yep - been tough. Can't wait to get my energy back! You look so thin! I've gained 20 lbs - I've never weighed 130 before! But, I live off ice-cream and yogurt, maybe apples. It's gotta be real cold, or I can't eat it. And smoothies! Thank the good Lord for smoothies!

Congrats for your sucess! Continued Blessings and good thoughts for you and all here!

December

AGerl

Congrats to those who have finished chemo! And best wishes to the warriors still going thru it! Sending healing thoughts and positive energy.

I am sitting in the chair getting my last chemo treatment. I will still need to come back to the hospital weekly for herceptin, but that is a piece of cake compared to this. I cried when they told me that my levels were good enough for TCH #6.

Rebecca54

Congrats AGerl! You did it! xo

Tresjoli2

Ageri why weekly Herceptin instead of every three weeks?

rosesrx

Tresjoli, Herceptin is weekly x 18 weeks at 2mg/kg then the 19th week it goes to every 3 weeks at 6mg/kg to finish out the 52 weeks. That is one of the protocols.

AGerl

Thank you! I am so glad to be done with TC!

I never questioned the weekly herceptin treatment - both my MO and RO told me 52 weeks, but maybe it will switch up from weekly to every 2-3 weeks. I was just focused on the chemo part. My MO is a straight shooter and told me that his goal is to keep me alive, but next 5 years are crucial since I have an agressive cancer and am BRCA 2 positive. Once I hit the 5 year mark, we will discuss a new plan for trying to keep me cancer free. I am 39, with a 10 yr old son, so I just go with the flow and grateful for every moment - I am hoping that all of this should get me to my 40th birthday next summer (and hopefully be cancer free) 😃!

Natejordlee

Hello All ! Haven't posted in awhile but I have been reading everyones updates. Congrats to the ladies who are done and sending postive vibes to the ladies still going through it. Finished my last treatment last Tuesday and only 2 more injections of Neuprogen left ! I also have to get Herceptin every 3 weeks but at least no more SE's !! Meet with the surgeon this Wednesday to schedule my mastectomy ( as long as Chemo did its job). Ready for step 2 and thanks to all you amazing ladies for sharing.

Tresjoli2

I had Herceptin every week for 12 weeks and now am moving to every three weeks. I had my loading dose last week. I have had a horrible sore throat ever since. horrible. strep culture came back negative. My lips are chapped as well. Was hoping for no Herceptin side effects but that might not be the case.

tamkay123

Looking forward to my last DD Taxol on Monday. Last time they reduced my dose by 20% as I mentioned I had had some tingliness in a couple of my fingers. My MO mentioned that if it got worse they would cancel my last treatment for fear of permanent neuropathy. Thankfully it's been about the same or less. I really want to get all the treatments. I meet with a plastic surgeon on Friday to discuss options and then expect surgery early to mid-November.

scrunchthecat

Last day of chemo today! Of course, treatment is not going to end as my onc is going to put me on Herceptin & Perjeta indefinitely, but the antibodies do not have the same impact as chemo drugs (in this case Taxotere). Of course, all could change based on the results of PET CTs in a couple of weeks. I am being treated in Miami in a chemo room with a view...

rosesrx

congratulations Scrunch, doing a happy dance for you. Hope the last round is with minimal fast fading s/e. Beautiful view.

It is hard to explain about the never ending g treatments, sorry for that.

justmaximom15

Heading in for Taxol # 3 today. 9 more to go, so far so good!

tamkay123

Last chemo was on Monday!!!! Yay! I'm feeling great. Taxol has been a bit rougher than A/C due to muscle pain on days 4 and 5 but nothing unmanageable. I had some tingliness in my fingers but that seems to have gone away.

I celebrated with my mom and sister yesterday with a great girls' day.

I meet with the breast surgeon on 10/15 and will be working on scheduling bmx and reconstruction.

December

Anyone here finding that your get weaker with each treatment.?? I'm getting to where I'm so tired all the time! Could sleep for hours.

Also, I've got a rather large knot/lump under my right arm where I had my ALND surgery June 6 - Follow up with surgeon said it's probably scar tissue or fluid build up. He said we could do a scan - but the results would not change current treatment. So, I'm waiting until I'm through Rads to re-scan. Any THOUGHTS?

On another note - has anyone seen the LifeTime movie "Geralyn"...not a great movie - but as a women with BC - it's interesting - exploring a young woman's breast cancer journey. Supposedly based on a true story.

Blessings to all! (Treatment 6 Oct 5 - then on to Rads!)

DayLily15

hi all

december if the scan changes nothing immediately i would wait till rads were done.

Well i had the euphoria of finishing chemo on sept 14, but the side effects have been gruelling , like eagle mom i have hand foot syndrome, but mostly in my left foot. since i have done neulasta and taxol together it is hard to know which caused which, just one big yuck.

??? so side effects can go on for weeks, but i never asked my MO when and how long the chemo is actually healing me , not sides effecting me, i found an article that said chemo starts working as soon as it enters the vein, but nothing on how long it is actually active on cancer cells. i was told by one nurse that it leaves the system after 2-3 days. is the 21 day cycle for white blood recovery and side effect recovery only ? or is the chemo is doing its positive job [killing the cancer cells] for the entire 21 days ??

hugs and fast hair growth to all

TheyCallMeCommodorable

Daylily- chemo is the gift that keeps on giving! I'm 6 weeks PFC tomorrow. I developed the white banding on a couple of finger nails two weeks ago. Also have recently developed a numb toe on one foot and a lot of pain in the other foot. I'm planning to call my MO tomorrow to ask about it. Good news is that I'm starting to see some hair growth!

December- I had a knot at my sentinel node scar site as well. It was suggested that I do some gentle massaging. That seemed to help. I have noticed that it flails up occasionally, maybe when I'm fighting off a slight cold?

Started radiation yesterday! So far, so good! Best wishes to everyone!

December

TheyCallMe, DayLilly - thanks for the support! It's been tough for us all! Yes, I'll wait on the scan for the lump under my arm, since the treatment won't change. Not that I am happy about the lump under your arm DayLilly - but it's comforting to know it happens!

Blessings to all!

KickinBootay

Ive finished my neoadjuvant A/C on August 27th and will have lymph node dissection and a lumpectomy on Oct 7th. I feel like Ive handled everything up until this point wonderfully but now am beginning to Freak ouT! hahaha Im keeping my "cool" because I don't want my husband or kids to see me stressing because they totally feed off of my energy. I have complete confidence in my surgeon thank God! Im praying that I will not have to do 12 rounds of chemo after surgery perhaps just a little radiation. Ive been told by my Oncologist & Surgeon that we will never know my "true" stage because we opted for neoadjuvant therapy but they are putting me at about IIB. I want this out already and as vain as this sounds I want my hair back on my head (underarm hair and pubic hair need not grow back Does the anyone else get annoyed by the whole pink ribbon movement....I feel like its turned into a big marketing plow for companies that have known carcinogens in them....that's why I like this websites saying think pink, live green I even made a shirt

DayLily15

good shirt bootay, and you look great for having chemo !

the surgery sister groups on here are great, i recommend a recliner, ready to eat home made frozen food for during recovery, and full control of the remote control lol

KickinBootay

Thank you! DayLily!!!!

Rebecca54

kickin...LOVE the tshirt! You should sell them, I'd buy one. Best of luck tomorrow. If someone MADE me pick, I'd say chemo was worst than the DMX, so hoping you find that's true with your lumpectomy. I go in tomorrow for exchange surgery. Good luck to us! Positive vibes sent your way!

KickinBootay

👍awe thanks! Yes I'm trying to get in warrior mode for tomorrow! I'm nervous ok mini in my mind breakdown! Holding it together for everyone else around me is exhausting! But thats just who I am. I got this we got this! Best of wishes for you tomorrow Rebecca54