Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- May 2017

carmstr835

I am day 2 of my 2nd infusion. I did have a problem with diarrhea last night but much better this morning. Not really hungry but I ate a bit today. Drinking water and coffee. No real pain, just tired maybe a bit weak and would rather just doze in and out all day. No queaziness this time either.I am not looking forward to the nuelesta pain that will probably hit me Tuesday and Wednesday, at least that is what happened last time. I am taking the claritin. Good luck ladies

lrwells50

I'm on my way home from my second infusion. I told the MO about the abdominal cramps, and he told me to take probiotics. We'll see if that helps. I'm going to be more proactive on the Neulasta, but he said to lay off the ibuprofen, because he didn't like my creatinine levels, so Tylenol it is. And drink more water. I think I slacked off the water this week.

laurieellenb

I'm two days out from the 2nd TC infusion. So far it's not been like last time. I've experienced nausea (managed with Zofran), indigestion (helped by ginger tea) and a crushing headache. The fatigue alternating with insomnia is similar to the last time. The first time there was no change in appetite. This time my appetite is out of whack, but I'm eating small meals because I know I need food.

The real struggle is that all of the SE seem to come in waves. One minute I'm tired, the next I'm jittery. One minute I'm hungry the next minute just the thought of food nauseates me. My poor dear husband doesn't know what to do with me.

So I guess it's going to be an adventure each time. Well - two down, four to go.

Irwells50 - Like you, I'm also going to try to stay ahead of the anticipated bone pain from the Neulasta shot. Having an idea of what to expect, I am hoping that it won't be so severe this time.

Good luck to us all!

lrwells50

laurieellenb, my Neulasta is injecting now, hoping it doesn't hurt as much as last time. I felt a little different after my infusion yesterday, but haven't been nauseated. I did take a nap this afternoon, which I never do. We'll see what tomorrow brings

VLevic

Hello all! Just had my second infusion last Friday and it typically hits me on day 3 on to day 5. This time, I had the nausea, vomitting and abdominal cramps, both ears are pumping. I don't have the energy and the heat in Texas is not helping me at all. Hair is now shedding and have a bald spot on my top which I'm still covering with my other hair. For those of you looking for organic skin tanner and hair shampoo, I have been using the Just Nutritive products for hair prior to chemo and so far it has been helpful. I'm using their bald spot cream so I will have to see if it really works. I know that organic coconut oil also helps, just in case if any of you are interested. Anyways, for most of us that have made it to round 2, congratulations, we're halfway there for 2 more. Somehow, when I don't feel good after chemo and I'm at work, I'm always reminded by our staff that I made it to round 2, and 2 more to go. I'm looking forward to round 3 and get this over with!

GingerA

Hi Ladies, I'm on my 5th day on round 2, it's going ok so far. I think I'm sleeping more than the first time, Claritin is helping me with bone pain, I have no issues with nausea or vomiting fortunately. I just crave so much for sour food and drinks just like during pregnancy. Overall, I feel very tired and weak, my body doesn't feel like my own, but I try to walk around and do things. I went to work on the 3rd and 4th day just like I did on round 1. Thank you VLevic for saying that we have made it to round 2 and we're halfway there. Hopefully the weather won't be too challenging for us during our rounds and for upcoming Radiation Therapy.

VLevic

That is funny that even though I was having vomiting and diarrhea, I'm craving food too. Although I really don't get to enjoy it because my taste buds are off! The smell of food makes me hungry but my taste buds are not helping so I just don't eat but apple. My birthday was Friday and well didn't really get to enjoy the day because I still don't feel good, but I will have to celebrate the following week when I feel better! Ginger A, I know what you mean about radiation in the heat, I was thinking about that myself. After chemo, I have 4 weeks of rest, then start radiation which will be sometime in August, ayayay with 100 degrees temp in Texas! I'm not sure as typically I can survive heat but since I started chemo, heat is not doing me any good at all, it saps my energy and make me more tired/fatigued! I'm trying to stay indoor as much as I can! Have a great week!

carmstr835

Well, day 7 after 2 TC infusions. I am feeling good and so far no bone pain, so I am thinking I dodged it this time. I did get some disconcerting information today, however. My 2nd opinion oncologist has been researching my pathology and has come to a conclusion that I am Her-2 positive. My current oncologist ignored my biopsy her-2 status and told me the surgery pathology trumps the biopsy and it was assumed it was a false positive. I am waiting for more information as to the implications of this new twist. I was hoping I was1/2 done with chemo.

lrwells50

I am 4 days post chemo #2, and am definitely having taste issues for the first time. I can't really feel cold things much, which is pretty strange, and catsup tastes bleh. Hope that's it for taste. Bone pain is much better this time. Water also tastes blah, which makes it hard to drink a lot of it

LeesaD

Irwells50- I had ketchup a couple of days after my first treatment and it was awful. Have avoided it since as the thought of it makes me want to gag. And same with water. Didn't drink even close to the same amount of water after my second treatment than I did with first.

I am two weeks post second treatment and I feel normal. Felt like the side effects just lingered a few days longer with second treatment. I started exercising again and ran for the first time post surgery yesterday. Only half a mile in the middle of a two mile treadmill fast walk but it felt good.

laurieellenb

It's one week since the 2nd treatment. This week has been a doozy! In answer to the question, "How do you feel?", no matter what I said, it could have been followed by, "But wait 15 minutes, it will change!" I think I ran through all of the typical side effects at some point during the past week. As unpleasant as that might have been, I had ways to combat most of the side effects. It wasn't fun, but it was tolerable. And today I feel like myself. Hooray!

lrwells50

I think my taste problems are lessening, except the catsup thing. It has helped me eat way fewer fries. I've always looked on fries as the means to eat catsup, which I normally love. For the last two days, I've eaten Mexican food. The hot sauce even tastes good, maybe the vinegar in it overcomes the yucky tomato taste.

Try squeezing some lemon in your water, LeesaD. I normally don't like that, but have been doing that this week to get more water down. My creatinine levels were off last time, and he said no ibuprofen, so I used Tylenol for the Neulasta pain, and it seems to have worked better anyway. Bone pain was much less this time.

Glad you're back to normal today, laurieellenb!

carmstr835

Well, today was better than yesterday. I am doing ok, with really very few side effects. My issues are more psychological. It is getting harder to be happy and energetic. I don't want to exersise or do anything really. My side effects are almost nothing, my hair is doing great, my family is awesome but I am just not feeling good at all. I got some news though, and that is my Her-2 status is positive. I was told yesterday that he is recommending hermaceptin for a year. I thought I was half way through my chemo, and now they will be adding 17 more treatments. The unknown is unsettling for me. My oncologist doesn't know yet and I don't know what exactly this will do to my next chemo on the June 27th. Will I still have my radiation in July? Oh yes, that was changed too. I thought it was going to be only 5 weeks of rads, but my RO informed me he needed to do 6 weeks of rads with my simulation scheduled for July 17, day before what was to be my last chemo treatment. I should be happy about this, if they didn't find it, the alternative could be a pretty nasty future.

laurieellenb

A question about fingernails - I've started to notice a change in fingernail color, as expected. It looks like bruising at the base of the nail bed on about half of my fingers. I know it's going to get worse and I'd rather not have to look at it. So here's the question: is anyone aware of any restrictions regarding wearing nail polish? I'm being extra cautious about germs so I'd apply it myself rather than go to a salon. Just wondering if there's an issue with wearing nail polish

laurieellenb

carmstr835 - I'm so sorry that you are struggling. I understand the frustration and anxiety that accompanies changes in treatment and an uncertain future. When my journey started, I was going to have a lumpectomy and a six-week course of radiation therapy. Easy-peezy. Without detailing every twist and turn, I'll tell you that it ended up being partial mastectomy and six cycles of chemotherapy. To top it all off, I'll have to have a bi-lateral mastectomy by year's end.

Like you, I'm surrounded by supportive and loving friends and family. Still, there are times when I have to talk myself into just hauling myself out of bed and starting a new day.

All of your feelings are legitimate. It's okay to feel like crap. Honor your feelings. Give yourself permission to be angry, sad, frustrated... whatever. What you're going through is kind of a big deal. It's hard.

I encourage you to continue to communicate with these amazingly supportive women in this thread and others in this forum. It has helped me immeasurably.

I will keep you in my prayers.

LeesaD

Laurie Ellen- Re fingernails and polish- i got a gel manicure at a salon day before my first treatment. Then I went three weeks later day before my second treatment and got another manicure. I haven't had any issues as far as wearing nail polish. Having nice nails made me feel more like myself.

lrwells50

I've worn gel nails for years, because mine split and peel if I dont. During my chemo info session, the NP did say no polish, so I've done that, but I don't think the chemo nurses have really looked at mine. So far my nails look normal

carmstr835

Thanks Lauriellen I guess I needed someone to validate my feelings.

laurieellenb

lrwells50 and LeesaD - Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll go ahead and polish my nails so that I don't have to see the discoloration.

Breastlessbeth

Irwells I went to the American Cancer Society's " Look good feel good" program and they said you should use" normal" nail polish to keep moisture in the nail. I thought polish would have a drying effect not help keep my nails moist but the ACS person said it would help.

lrwells50

BreastlessBeth, as the topmost part of our nails are layers of dead skin, it's odd that anything done to them could do anything to moisturize them. Not questioning you, but maybe the American Cancer Society. I'd think keeping the cuticles and skin around the nails would help more

JuliaJazz

Yes the Look good session I attended said polish is OK but no gel nails.

GingerA

laurieellen, I noticed the same about my fingernails too. I've been getting manicure and pedicure the day before or a couple days before my chemo as well but not the gel, the regular kind. I also went to Whole Foods and bought Karma Organics nail polish and nail strengthener for the times I have to do it myself. I've read on this forum and/or others that chemical free ones are better. I hope my nails won't get too bad, and I hope I won't lose them. 2 more rounds to go.

My 3rd will be on 6/27, this is my 3rd week after the 2nd and I've been feeling much better since yesterday. I got a lot done around the house and at work. I try to accomplish as much as I can when I can handle it. My 2nd was OK in general, no bone pain (took Claritin for a week) just craving for sour food and drink, and tiredness and light-headedness the first and second week. I think I was sleeping more this time. Then I had a minor case of Shingles, taking med for it 3 times a day.

My hair is not shedding too much anymore but still losing some everyday, Even with Cod Cap, I've lost about 90% of my hair. I still have enough in the back to make a long pony tail or a bun, but extremely thin and in the front and crown, I can see my bald spots. Spent a lot of money for pre-tied scarves, beanies and caps. Got some wigs too but hot in the summer weather. Getting used to this new normal.

laurieellenb

I'm going to a Look Good Feel Better session this evening. My fingernails have always been dry/thin. Since I have four more rounds of chemo to go, I'm just hoping they are not weakened further. So far, just some discoloration on a few fingers. I'll see what they have to say tonight.

GingerA - It's amazing how we all experience side effects differently. It's almost as if we're taking different drugs. My third round is May 29th (my halfway point). For reasons I still can't fathom, I was more anxious going into the last treatment. I had some queasiness that didn't last long. And the bone pain was more manageable than the first time. What knocked me out was the fatigue. I slept a lot more in the days immediately following treatment.

The daily, gradual loss of hair was too much for me. Even though went from shoulder-length to a bob in anticipation of losing my hair, I couldn't bear it. I did not expect the emotional reaction that watching it fall out was having on me. I decided to cut it all off. It turned out to be the right decision for me. I invested in some scarves. I should have gotten the pre-tied ones. Turns out I have zero scarf tying skills! LOL Maybe I'll get some tips at the Look Good Feel Better session tonight!

lrwells50

laurieellenb, my lack of scarf tying skills is why I haven't bought any! I haven't found the wig too irritating, but then I haven't been outside for any appreciable time yet either. If my head sweats, I predict it will be very unpleasant, we'll see. I still have some hair about an inch long all over my head, and what looks like new, very short hair all over. I'm guessing I'll start losing that tomorrow, since it will be 13 days post second chemo. I haven't seen anyone else taking Taxotere talking about still having any hair left, so not sure what's going on with mine. Even though I had buzzed mine to 3/4" before I started losing it, it was still depressing to see how much came out in the shower each day. Finally I just stayed in the shower shampooing it until everything that was loose came out.

I don't know if I'd say I was more tired after this one, but I do have more trouble concentrating, and a LOT more trouble WANTING to go to work. I guess if I wasn't married to my boss I would have more motivation. I've watched a lot of shows on the DIY network.

Liblib81

Hi, I'm new here and I just wanted to get some opinions/advice. My oncotype score was 25 and initially my dr said she did not recommend chemo because the benefit was only a 5% improvement in terms of keeping cancer from returning. But she consulted with her colleagues and got back to me with a different opinion. She said I should do Taxotere and cytoxan. My husband doesn't want me to do chemo at all because the benefit is so small and the side effects are so horrible. I'm scared to death about the permanent hair loss side effect of taxotere. I've been googling constantly, worrying like crazy. My oncologist says it's extremely unlikely that I would have permanent hair loss, but honestly how does she know? I have been completely consumed by worry about just the thought of it happening. If I really did lose my hair permanently, I know it would be life altering, and I have a husband and three young kids who need me, need me to not live in a state of depression constantly.

Have any of yall felt like you had a "choice" about chemo? Or a choice about taxotere? If you could go back and redo or undo taxotere, would u?

Thanks for any advice!

LeesaD

Liblib81- Sorry you are here with us and are struggling with your decision. There are so many factors involved in the decision. I can only share my story. My Oncotype was a 3 and I just had my third treatment today of Taxotere/Cytoxin. On my sentinal node biopsy during my mastectomy pathology showed 2 of 4 sentinal nodes with micromestasis. I pushed my breast surgeon to go back in and do axillary node dissection as I was not comfortable not knowing status of my axillary nodes. My oncologist and breast surgeon both said odds slim to none hat axillary nodes would show anything. Surprise 2 of 14 nodes were fully positive so even more cells than sentinal. My Oncotype score was ordered prior to my axillary node dissection. When my 2 positive nodes were found in the axillary my oncologist said it doesn't matter Oncotype rresult I'm having chemo due to 4 nodes involved in some way. He said he wanted me to do A+CT for 8 treatments. While waiting to start my Oncotype came back a 3. Oncotype is usually good for 1-3 nodes not my 4 but my oncologist was encouraged enough by the score to change my chemo to just Taxotere and Cytoxin as the A drug long term heart risk was moresonow than any benefit of taking A drug. So I had third treatment today and it's manageable. Side effects have been nausea,taste bud issues, yes hair loss, bone pain from Neulasta shot the treatments are every three weeks so I don't feel well for one week and the next two weeks I feel normal. I even started back to exercise and running during my two good weeks.

Most of the ladies in this thread are right in the middle of treatment so long term effects probably would be hard for us to comment on. I'm sure there are other thread topics where maybe people who have completed treatment could better be able to comment on long term. I don't know the details of your dx so maybe if you complete it with type of cancer, tumor size, surgery type and any lymph node involvement or lympho vascular invasion, others with similar diagnosis can comment and you can compare. I know I've read comments of people with very small tumors no nodes and oncotype scores in the intermediate range like yours and opt for chemo. I'm putting alot of faith in my 3 score and my oncologist said he doesn't even know if my chemo will have any effect as hormone treatment will be what my cancer responds to best, but I decided to go ahead with it. I wanted to make sure I would not regret not doing all I can to fight it. Chemo is manageable and not as bad as I thought. I found thatresearch and knowing exactly what to expect helped a lot. I know you have a young family and you want to be there for them for a very long time. Best of luck with your decision.

lrwells50

Liblib81, what type of cancer was it? My OncotypeDx was 24, and even with 5 years of Tamoxifen, I had a 16% chance of recurrence. Chemo reduces that to 6 to 10%, so I felt I needed to do it.

I was actually more worried about permanent neuropathy with Taxotere than I was about permanent hair loss, but I'm 66. By the 13th day after my first treatment, I started losing hair by the handful. I'd say I've lost 90 - 95%, but there also seems to be peach fuzz everywhere else. I'm 12 days post my second chemo, so shortly I'll see if the rest of it goes.

If you'll put your diagnosis and other details in your profile, it might help us give a more informed opinion

laurieellenb

Irwells50 - I'm experiencing the loss of concentration, too. I've been reluctant to even acknowledge it because I wasn't sure it was even real. I'm usually focused and organized. I have never thought of myself as flighty. Now I'm easily distracted, often forgetful and sometimes I find it hard to finish a thought. Is it just dealing with these difficult circumstances? After all I do have a lot on my plate just now. Is it the meds? Is it being post-menopausal? I started back to work but sometimes I feel so overwhelmed that I wonder if returning to work was wise. At least I can work from home. I don't think I could have managed doing the commute. Maybe it's all in my head and I'm just getting old! LOL!

laurieellenb

So the Look Good Feel Better session was good. I'm glad I went. I picked up a very nice wig, a scarf and complete makeup kit. Nice stuff too. All name brands like Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, etc. The cosmetologist was great. I'm pretty comfortable wearing makeup, but my main concern was how to address thinning eyebrows. I hope I don't lose them entirely. She showed me how to shape them so they looked natural.

I also received OPI nail polish. The cosmetologist said that a regular manicure at a salon is okay as long as you don't let them cut your cuticles. She also advised that even the best salons can't get their pedicure equipment "sanitized" so there might be some risk of infection there. Another friend's advice was avoid salons just to be safe. She said, "If you must go, bring your own utensils." I think I'll just polish my own nails. I don't feel like being bothered with a salon anyhow.