Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    I am glad today is finally here and my two oncs will consult and advise me.

    Monee, the reason there was question about my chemo is because my oncotype dx test, which supercedes size, grade, etc., put me in the category that said I would not really get a benefit from chemo that was worth the possible side effects.  I had the test done twice, the first time the recurrance rate was 9%, the second time was 11%.   Many bc survivors do not have as good percentages after going through chemo.   Both oncs were comfortable with no chemo at that point, but then after an MRI another primary cancer was found in  another quadrant of the same breast.   This was very small, early stage and 90% non invasive, but just because it was there (also removed with clear margins, etc) the oncs said let's do chemo just as an insurance even though everything else in my case indicates neither cancer had left the breast.  So now that I have this complication, they may decide to stop treatment.  But really, I do not know what they will say.  But I will later today.

    dcgirl,

    Abraxane has been suggested by others on this site and I intend to ask about that today.  I looked up the FEC as per your suggestion and I probably do not want that for the same reasons I do not want the adriamycin................potential heart risks.  It is just a personal fear, since that is our family history disease.  I know it is only a small percentage that are affected, but only a small group gets this hand peeling too, and I got it!

    My hope for today is that the two oncs feel strongly about the path I should take and don't just lay choices on the table for me to pick.   I know that ultimately all final decisions are mine,but I am hoping they have a real sense of  how we should proceed.

    As always, thanks for being there..........................Caren

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    Hi, all ~  I wanted to share an experience I had over the weekend.  A man out riding bikes with his family came to our door to ask if his grandsons could play on our property.  When he saw my chemo head (I couldn't quickly locate my baseball cap before answering the door), he told me that he's lectured on nutrition for 30 years, and he recommended a book entitled The China Study, by an author named Campbell.  He went on to say that the way to prevent a bc recurrence is to eliminate all animal products, including eggs and dairy, from your diet, and that this book would explain why.  I'm familiar with vegetarian, macrobiotic and vegan diets being used to prevent cancer, and I've already eliminated red meat and cut way back on butter and other unhealthy foods.  But I still eat eggs and cheese and yogurt, so what he had to say was of interest to me, and I'm going to pick up the book he recommended.

    Anyway... just wanted to share this with you all.  I can't fully explain it, but it was just such a strange encounter in a weekend with other wonderful encounters -- like a Thanksgiving guest brought by friends who happens to be named after an artist we collect, but who knew little about her and had never seen much of her work.  Our friends didn't know about the source of her name, so weren't even aware of the connection.  So, the man at my door (who lives within the same gated community, but probably a mile away) also seemed like a God or universe-inspired connection.

    Have a good week, everyone!  I will be thinking especially about those of you who are headed out to your first tx's this week, and wishing you strength and calm ~    Deanna

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    My new protocol

     My two oncs did consult today and agreed on a plan.  They both felt I should definitely not contiue on the TC because one more treatment could really cause a severe reaction on my hands, even with reducing the dose and using ice mittens.  There are no guarantees.

    They considered me stopping treatment.  If you read my earlier posts you would understand why that might be an option.  But they felt I have already put so much into chemo, they would like to se me get as much protection as I  can.

    Their recommendation is to switch to TAXOL alone.  I would get it every week for the next six weeks.   My onc said one of the big side effects can be neuropathy and said if it does start, then they would discontiue and I would probably stop treatment and go on to my radiation.

    As always, I rushed to the web to research the drug.  Oh my............................almost all the comments by those who took this said it was awful and very dibilating.  My  onc lead me to  believe that it is much milder with fewer side effects and that is why it can be done weekly.  I am terrified after reading comments on the web.

    Has anyone out there been given this drug?

    I need as much info as I can get.   My first treatment is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon so time is of the essence.

    I appreciate anything you can share.

    Thanks.

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited December 2008

    I'll be starting the first of 4 Taxotere and Cytoxan treatments on December 12th and it has been very informative and a little scary to read all of your posts.  I can't tell you how much I admire those of you who are either going through treatment now or have been through it.  Now all I can do is hope that my own treatments go reasonably well.  After chemo I have 33 sessions of radiation to anticipate, so there is a lot in front of me, but I'm very thankful that the surgeries are over.

    Bonnie

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    Caren ~  I was extremely fearful of starting TC after reading the top post on this thread, but I don't recall seeing anyone else having a reaction nearly as bad as that one.  So I think I would be tempted to throw out or try to disregard the worst things you read about Taxol, as well as the very best scenarios (the few women who report absolutely no SE's), as the majority of women are probably going to fall somewhere in between, with some, but certainly not all, SE's. 

    Are you in another chemo group here?  There are threads for those starting chemo each month,  so you might go through a few pages for August 08 or September 08, etc., and see what the gals on Taxol have reported. 

    I'm so sorry you're going through this and are being forced to make this decision so quickly.  I guess that's my other thought...  Since you have to have 6 tx's, does it really matter if they were to give you a few more days to decide?   Does the Taxol actually need to piggyback on top of the  tx's you've already had?      

    Bonnie ~ Welcome!  Sorry you're joining our club, but you will find wonderful support and information here.  Some of what I  wrote to Caren above applies to the fear we all have going into chemo.  Just remember, not everyone has every SE, so when you read them all strung together in one place, while helpful to know, I think it becomes more overwhelming than it should be.   Good luck on December 12, and be sure to read the thread on Getting Through Chemo, which is anchored at the top of the treatment board.  It's full of little tips that help a lot.   Deanna

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited December 2008

    Caren, Taxol is closely related to Taxotere.  I think it's the "Taxol-only" and weekly schedule that might make a difference.

    It sounds strange to think that a weekly tx schedule might be less harsh than an every-3-week schedule, but IMHO that's often the case.  The dose per tx is cut way back, so they end up giving about the same amount by the end of it all.

    Maybe it's worth a try.  It is interesting that neither onco thought you should bail out on chemo entirely.  There is some logic in the argument that, you've gone this far--so, why not try to finish it and get the full benefit (or whatever benefit chemo can provide...).

    Hugs,

    otter 

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  • monee
    monee Member Posts: 91
    edited December 2008

    Hello Good - Thanks for keep us posted.  So sorry your having such a hard time. I have no info on taxol.  But just want to let you know that i wish you the best.

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  • dcgirl
    dcgirl Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2008

    Caren,

     Good luck with the taxol.  What I've heard is the same as Otter - the weekly doses are low and thus well-tolerated by most.  Touch wood this is the case for you.

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  • peeps1111
    peeps1111 Member Posts: 262
    edited December 2008

    Deanna:

    I believe I read about that book in the alternative medicine thread on this board.

    Peeps

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    Thank you all for your replies.   When I first started to research the Taxol I was concerned about all the side effects until I realized that the dose is much lower if you are getting it weekly, so I presume more tolerable.......................and that is the goal, besides zappin' all those buggers.

    I have one more concern.  I did not get a port when I started.   They said my veins are great and would tolerate the 4 tx's with no problem.  Now I am having a total of eight and these last six are weekly..................hope this does not present a problem.   I am going to call in the morning and remind them that I do not have a port, although I cannot imagine that my onco did not take that into account since he did talk last week that I would need a picc line if I went with the adriamycin.

    I am so looking forward to treatment tomorrow.  The train was stalled in the station and I am anxious to start rollin' again so we get to the destination.

    Caren

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  • unique
    unique Member Posts: 554
    edited December 2008

    Hi Caren ~

    All of this is kind of scary, but I agree with Deanna and Otter, do not let the worst cases get you down.  My SEs on Taxotere haven't been too bad, I mean I'm not having a fun time, but no neuropathy which I was wondering about. You have to balance the benefit of treatment against the side effects and then just go ahead with good courage and much hope!

    That said, I have brochitis and am on my second antibiotic and not nearly as cheerful as usual. I am so tired of coughing, and am entering my nadir period. Hoping tonight is much better and I don't wake up coughing and with all this gunk in my chest. On the other hand, that should be my last treatment so if I get through the next couple of days I should BE DONE WITH CHEMO. I have to keep that in mind.

    Hopefully it will be sunny tomorrow and I'll go outside even though my back is killing me, it does not want to hold up my body LOL! It is fine if I lean over to one side, or lounge on the couch, but in the computer chair it is not a happy camper. Neulasta I'm assuming.

    Nothing tastes right and I'm exhausted and bloated. Just wanted to get all the whines out there while I had a chance! 

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  • birdsong
    birdsong Member Posts: 63
    edited December 2008

    I have a question for Deanna and Otter,  or anyone who has finished chemo. Do you have any information on the dose of radiation that you have had, or did you have radiation. I am wondering how universal the dose is that we are getting. I start in a couple of weeks. Thanks a lot, Birdsong

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    Hi, Birdsong ~  Believe it or not, I am still on the fence about rads, so have not started them yet.  But I've met twice w/a local rad onc and 1x w/the rad onc @ UCLA, and have learned that the dose is not universal, about which I shared your concern, especially after my experience with a universal size dose of Neulasta that I think is still causing me problems -- or it could be residual damage from Taxotere. 

    The reason I am being such a pain about rads is that I fall into a gray area for which there are no statistics, so am left to decide based on my comfort level.  In other words, all of the existing stats are based on lumpectomy; to date, there are none for mast.  UCLA and my local rad onc are both recommending rads for me, but can't quantify any benefit, which I have found exceedingly frustrating.

    Anyway, to answer your question, I was told not to fear SE's because I am "small" (didn't know 36C was small, but maybe in the realm of boob radiation), so they would not have to give me as strong a dose as someone who is larger.   The dose is also cumulative, and my proposed length of tx is 5-1/2 weeks vs. a slightly longer time for some.  So, again a difference.

    I'm sure Otter will give you a much more scientific answer, but please keep us posted on your thoughts on this.  I'm very interested.    Deanna

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    Hi Unique,

    I hope you have your sunny day today.  I have the sun most days here in "sunny" Florida, but it has been a little chilly for us the last few days..............at least by our standards.  I am from the northeast until five years ago, so I know this is not really cold weather........lol.

    I hope you are feeling better each day and that your bronchitis is getting better.  Like we all know, it is one day at a time.

    I go for my first Taxol this afternoon.   I feel things will be okay because I am getting a low dose weekly instead of mega doses every three weeks.  I am a little nervous, but I know I will get through it as I have proven to myself before. 

    I am happy to be moving forward and can see the light at the end of the tunnel once again.

    I'll be in touch.............................Caren

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  • slortiz
    slortiz Member Posts: 216
    edited December 2008

    Deanna & Birdsong:

    Thought I would address the radiation issue and help get you even more confused. Initially I was told I would not require radiation, since all nodes were negative and I had a mastectomy--rather than a lumpectomy--to remove the 3 cm lesion. Then, the oncologist became concerned about whether there were adequate margins. The tumor was very far back, almost against the chest wall, and the pathology report seemed to indicate that the margins at that spot were only 4 mm, when they like to have 10mm, or at a minimum 5.  So I was referred to a radiologist, who did some further research and learned that the surgeon had gone back in after the initial intraoperative path report, and taken some more tissue, which she (the radiologist) felt was satisfactory and met the parameters for avoidance of radiation.

    What she told me--and what I did not understand before--was that the chemo does a good job of killing the cancer cells that can be reached by the circulatory system. They will radiate areas proximal to the tumor when there is concern that there might be cancer cells there and that there is now little or no circulation to that spot. The surgery always results in the loss of substantial vasculature. If the margins around the tumor were wide, no problem, but if not, then radiation is a good idea. This may be basic knowledge that everyone else knows, but it was a revelation to me. Guess I just hadn't thought about it before, why sometimes radiation, and sometimes not.

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  • birdsong
    birdsong Member Posts: 63
    edited December 2008

    Thanks so much Deanna and Sandra for your input. I spoke on the phone about some of my questions and learned that for those who have had a mast, if there is any questions about the margins, you should have radiation. Also, my son who is at the well known cancer center in Seattle says that at the many meetings he attends, there are those doctors who are strongly in the camp of chemo and those who are strongly in the camp of radiation.It seems there are very experienced voices for both. What are your main concerns about radiation Deanna. Thanks again, Birdsong

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  • berrypatch
    berrypatch Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2008

    Well, I had my first chemo treatment today.  It lasted all of 5 min!  They started the Taxotere, and I got very flushed and red in the face also short of breath.  So....I am starting all over again on 12/9, still with Taxotere and Cytoxan, but with a different schedule.  I have to take 20 mg Decadron on Sunday nite and Monday night.  Then they are doubling the dosage of Benedryl in the IV. The Taxotere will be infused more slowly.  They told me that this is not an uncommon reaction, so I will still be having chemo, they just have to make sure that I have more than enough Decadron and Benedryl in my system before they run the Taxotere.  I must say, all I have to do was say "something's wrong!" and I had 4 nurses and Dr. Sobel right there, shouting orders, get some oxygen! do this! Do that!  I felt very well cared for.  As soon as they turned off the Taxotere, I felt better.

    Did this happen to any of you?  What schedules did you onc put you on?

    Needless to say, I am VERY DISAPPOINTED!  I had to move my hair shaving date to 12/16.  One good thing tho!  I will be feeling good for Christmas.  You know, I had my entire month planned around these treatments, and now this!  You live with these dates on your mind for an entire month, and now this!  Now I have to deal with first time nerves all over again. 

    To top that off, I just heard that my company is laying off 60 salaried employees.  They can't lay off someone on diasability can they?  I would lose my medical benefits!!!  Well, this layoff is world wide (We are global!)  Surely my little pi$$-ant salary wouldn't make a big difference.  We can do without some of the "suits" making the big $'s however.  I hate to see ANYONE lose their jobs, but please, please, please let it be Corporate, not Distribution!

    TTYL, Carol

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  • Lindy58
    Lindy58 Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2008

    Hi Berry,

    The same thing happened to me my first tx, I flushed couldn't breath, they stopped the chemo added Benadryl and Pepcid I had already had the Decadron.... It was really scary!  My 2x is tomorrow and I am freaking out alittle, the docs and nurses do come running though.  Then I had kidney pain so they gave me morphine...They started it back up slower and I was fine and then took it to full speed.

    So I am curious to see what will happen tomorrow.... Hopefully there will not be that reaction again... On the steriod buzz right now LOL!  Anyway I will keep you in my prayers and hopefully the 2nd time it will run smoothly for you..... Got my head done today!  OH WELL!

    Love Linda

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  • dcgirl
    dcgirl Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2008

    Carol,

    I also had that sort of reaction to Taxotere the first time.  I actually had an allergic-type reaction each of the four times.  They always turned off the drip, gave me 5 minutes or so to feel normal again, and then restarted it slowly.  It was always fine thereafter.  I never had benadryl, decadron or anything else added to my drip, though I did take the steroid (dexamethasone?) starting the day before.

    So if you react again you might ask them to stop and restart - it worked for me and my oncologist and the nurse say that's what they've done a zillion times and it always seems to work.

    Good luck!

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  • Onehalf
    Onehalf Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2008

    Had the good ol' 2nd treatment....Side effects seemed like my first treatment. Which has been on the easy side...I just count myself lucky as I know some others have a little harder time.

    I do have a high tolerence for pain and I have always been a quick healer so I am sure this accounts for a lot of it.

    The side effects were pretty close to the same, but I think I knew (hoped) what to expect.

    I did have something new this time around....my bald head has pimples all over it, mostly around my hair line. I called the oncology nurse....they want me to just keep shampooing my head, not once but twice a day.....then lotion it. My oncology doctor called me (at 7:15AM...wow, I was impressed) and asked about my head....she does not really want to give me a antibiotic(sp?) YET because of the Liver emzymes. She say's it is best for me to go a few days if I can...if not then to let her know....Guess this is a result of the Taxotere.  Washing my head twice a day....wow! I did not even do this when I did have hair.

    The other new thing is I had another period.....a light one, but also all the things that come with a period. I have been in early menopuase for years....Only had two periods a year.....NOW I'll have one every three weeks ....FUN!

    Then on Saturday my emotions were a little more raw....I swung through it....I bitched, I had self pity and cried, then I was feeling guilty and was a sweetheart. All I can say is my family has just got to love me.....I have been so strong and up beat since I found out in Aug 2008 that I have breast cancer....I'm allowed a down moment.

    I seemed to noticed that with the only two Chemos I have had close the the same reactions....I have a few days afterwards of feeling good....then I have a tired day, where I nap a lot...and have to take lots of sitting down breaks. (day 5) then Monday(day 6) is my real lack of energy day....my legs and arms feel like 300lbs each. I can be at work, but lots of sitting moments. As my energy is beginning to feel like it's getting back...diarreha hits....not too bad this time. I took that Imodian right away! Last night it hit.....and I truely believe that other then losing my hair, I think that diarreaha is the most uncomfortable pain suffering experience I have. I'll have to see if there is anything I can do toward this effect to ward off for the next time. My husabnd does not understand.......I tell him this is not regular diarreah, this is "Chemo diarreah" there's a difference (Sorry to be blaunt, it's not just the diarreah,it's the needing Prep H that comes with it)

     Unique-

    Thankyou for taking the time to post after your last treatment.....you are really letting us know that there is life after Chemo.....it's not just words. Even if that life, has little car issues Wink .  I hope you go on and stay healthy and again thankyou for your kind words and support. And Congrats!

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  • sfbaer
    sfbaer Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2008

    Hi all. I am new and just registered. I'm a 26 years old son of my 62 years old mom. She had lumpectomy and radiation 2.5 years ago. Few months ago found a soft lump at her upper chest where she had the bc. It's dx to be same cancer cell. PET scan showed possible spread to thyroid (she still doesn't know about that; will have ultrasound on Friday to check that out); major organs are all clear. She had her first treatment of Taxotere/Cytoxan on 11/25, so today is the 7th day. Nothing really bad happened so far. Metallic taste, uncomfortable GI, a little shooting pain, diarrhea kicks in today. I believe she had full does (110mg Taxotere). She's doing pretty well, but I'm still expecting the worst to come. She doesn't know English, so I'm here to find info and support.

    I'm at work, so I just quickly scan thru some posts. Wish everyone of you can hang in there and be happy and of-course healthy when everything is finished.

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    sfbaer,

    I am not sure I can be of any help since this is my first diagnosis (hopefully my only), so I don't have the experience to share with you.  Having said that, you have come to the right place.  Someone will have some answers and/or suggestions for you to help you mom.

    The other reason I am writing is because based on your user name I think you will find the following interesting.  I am 63, and my children are in their late 20's and early 30's  (28,29 and 31).  So, I  am close to your mom's age and you are close to my kid's ages.  Here is the kicker..................my maiden name is BAER, so obviously you got my attention.

    I do not think we are realted, but it sure is interesting, and actually it could be helpful if we are related in any way in terms of genetic family history.  I do not carry the BRACA genes.

    If you want to pursue this , let me know.

    I wish your mom good progress, and she is obviously lucky to have a son like you.

    Caren

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited December 2008

    For everyone undergoing taxotere:  Please make sure your nurse starts the drip very very slowly at first, so that, if you do have a reaction to it, it will be a mild one.  And DO NOT HESITATE to ask that they do this.  Sometimes we're a little shy about telling health providers what to do (!?).  But they do sometimes forget (they have lots of patients to care for), so they occasionally need a reminder.

    Best to all,

    Linda

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited December 2008

    Onehalf,

    I was on TC for two cycles but have now switched to Taxol which I started today.   I also had a pimple problem on my scalp, but it disappeared fairly quickly.  I have continued to shampoo my scalp daily and I also still use a little conditioner which I think has helped.  It is really just habit in the shower and it makes me feel normal................lol.   Seriously though, I have continued exercising and find my head (scalp) sweats as much as it did when I had hair which really suprised me.  I had short, but very thick hair and I always thought that was the source of sweating, but apparently it is the scalp.   So I agree with the doctor, just keep it clean and moisturized. 

    My negative side effect to the TC was a skin condition on my hands which became very red and peeled.   The doctors decided not to go  further with TC for me because some people have had really severe reactions on their hands.

    Now I am on Taxol being given at a lower dose so I can have it weekly for six treatments.  If all goes well I will be done chemo in five weeks.

    Then on to radiation...............wahoo!!!!!

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  • unique
    unique Member Posts: 554
    edited December 2008

    Hello everyone ~

    Still have the Cold from the Black Lagoon today - went off the Augmentin and started to take Cipro. Just coughing spasmodically all day long, it's productive but it still hurts after all that coughing. Usually I've bounced back from my chemo by now but I just feel so icky. I have a low grade fever, runs 99 to 100.5, sweating, chills, just a most unhappy camper. Guess it's pro for the course. The main chemo symptoms are Days 4 & 5 and the next week is Something Else, for this round it's this darn cold.

    Hopefully all you feel better than I do. 

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    sfbaer ~ I just want to welcome you to our group and tell you how sorry I am about your Mom's recurrence.  I also have a 26-year old son, and agree with Caren that your Mom is very fortunate to have a son who will go the extra distance to seek out information to help her get through her tx's. 

    As you may have already picked up from the log of our experiences, be sure your Mom drinks a lot of water or other liquids -- like 2 quarts a day.  It really helps to minimize many of the SE's.  Also, if she has any complaints like nausea or GI problems, be sure her onc knows so he/she can give her something for it.  In other words, there's no need to be miserable when there are meds to control many of those discomforts.  And do keep us posted on her progress!

    Sandra ~ Thank you so much for sharing what you'd learned about rads.  Believe it or not, as much as I've read, I didn't know that they want a 5mm margin, and one of the reasons rads are recommended for me is a 1mm unspecified margin on an extra piece of tissue they removed during my mast. that (suprise!) contained a 1mm bit of lobular.  No one knew it was there until path, and I had a Diep flap reconstruction, so no way to go back in for a bigger margin.  The other point you made about decreased vascularure also helped.  Even though I only had 1 positive node, it had what they call extracapsular extension.  So, thinking about decreased blood flow to that area due to the surgery helps me envision why rads are probably the prudent thing to do.

    To all of you who are having some complications with your tx's, hang in there!  The weeks go by faster than you think, you will get through this, and we are all pulling for you!    Deanna

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  • sfbaer
    sfbaer Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2008

    Thanks a lot, thegoodfight and dlb823. sfbaer actually refers to SF Bay Area-er. What a coincidence! That's the first time I use that as a user name.

    My mom had the allergic reaction about 5 min after adminstration of Taxotere too. Her face turned red in a sudden and she felt tight in chest area. The nurse stopped and two other nurses who looked like the lead nurses came in and prepare the Benadryl and one other thing. Then the onc came and they applied the two shots thru IV. She rested 30 min or so and restart with slower drip rate. It worked out fine and she felt asleep like baby.

    She had Decadron before Taxotere, and prescribed Zofran and Compazine. She didn't vomit at all. Today she has very mild diarrhea and she took the Imodium that I got on Day 1. She's doing great although she stilll has no appetite. I hope her appetite will come back in a few days. She said it's hard to swallow food because it felt so "sandy" (I don't know what word to use because she describe the feeling in Chinese and I can't come across with a vocabulary for that) when the food is moving from the mouth to throat to esophagus. I'm planning to get her some nice hat and scarf this weekend since it looks like her hair will start coming off on Sunday/Monday based on majority of posts in here.

     I'll keep posted and wish everyone who's having tough time can hang in there. Bad time will pass~ 

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited December 2008

    Wow, there's a lot going on here, lately.

    Birdsong, I'm so sorry, but I can't tell you anything about rads because I got to skip that part.  I had a mast and the smallest margin was 8 mm, plus my 3 nodes (SNB) were negative...so I was good to go.  Until I found out I would need chemo, of course.

    Anyway, I really don't know how they calculate dosages for rads, but it must have something to do with the depth of the tissue the beam has to penetrate.  (That's sort of what Deanna said.)  I am clueless, though.

    Onehalf, I'll bet those scalp bumps are "folliculitis".  I had those about halfway through my 2nd round of chemo.  They started out as red bumps along my (almost gone) hairline, but after a couple of days, they were all over my head.  Quite yucky for sure.  I took some pics of them to show my onco, in case they were gone by the time I saw her at my next chemo appt, and I called my onco's nurse to ask her what to do about it.  She told me to start using Johnson's baby shampoo instead of whatever I had been using.  The goal was to use a gentle, non-irritating shampoo, but to use it every day.  I tried using Head-n-Shoulders, and I tried an antibacterial soap, but they just made it worse.  Baby shampoo was soothing...

    Sure enough--after looking at the pics, my onco said it was folliculitis.  The bumps were almost gone by the time tx #3 came along.  She said she could have prescribed an antibiotic, but it wouldn't have made them clear up any faster. 

    sfbaer, your mom needs to eat something several times a day, even if she doesn't feel like eating.  She must keep her strength up during chemo.  Things to try for that "scratchy" feeling (if she is like I was, her mouth really hurts) would be anything that is soft and smooth.  I ate a lot of puddings, ice cream, applesauce, jello, soft bread (even bread soaked in warm milk), well-cooked (mushy) vegetables (squash, potatoes, etc.), plus anything that's liquid.  My chemo nurse said to try the high-nutrition drinks like "Ensure" or Carnation Instant Breakfast.

    You are right--the bad time will pass.

    otter 

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    sfbaer ~ Re. the "sandy" throat... some women develop thrush or other mouth sores/problems, which might be what your Mom is experiencing.  Be sure she uses a mouthwash like Biotene (available @ drugstores, Target, etc.), and she can also rinse her mouth and throat with some baking soda dissolved in water.  I never had that SE, so maybe others here can add to these suggestions.  I also wonder if something cold, like frozen sorbets (Hagan Daz is good) or ice cream would sound good to her and maybe soothe her throat?     Deanna 

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  • Lili46
    Lili46 Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2008

    sfbaer...So sorry to hear about your mom. Kudos to you for taking the initiative to help her. You've come to the right place for information and support. I finished chemo 3 weeks ago. I found that the week following each treatment I lived on popsicles and applesauce. Both soothed my throat and were easy on my stomach. Your mom will appreciate the hat and scarf. I love the scarves and hats that my kids got for me.

    Unique...Sorry to hear that on top of everything else you have bronchitis. Hopefully it will pass soon and you can fully celebrate the end of chemo.  

    I have a question for all on TC. Anyone know how long TC stays in your system? Just curious. I'll be starting rads next week...markings were done last week...so I'll be jumping over to the Dec. rads thread but will still check in with you all. Good luck...there are better days ahead. 

    L 

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