going in for 2nd taxol and freaking out-I need you guys

Robyn66 · February 2009

Hi all,

As some of you know I was one of the lucky one who had a lot of pain with the first taxol I had two weeks ago. I have also developed blurred vision which is almost to the point where I cant drive, with the dry and wet eyes that go back and fourth all day. The skin of my finger tips is dried and cracked too, but that may just be winter in New Hampshire.

I am more scared of getting the next treatment than I have been of anything in this entire process so far. I am terrified I am going to be litteraly blind and racked with pain.

I swear to God if one more person tells me "you just have three more treatments to go" or "its worth it to keep the cancer from coming back" I am going to start SMASHING THINGS!

I KNOW that but it doesn't make what I am going through any easier!!!

Love to all,

Robyn

coonie · February 2009

Hi Robyn! I know what you mean about Taxol. In fact, I said if I would have taken Taxol first, I'm not sure I would have wanted to finish my chemo. It was the hardest for me also. The first one did seem to be the hardest though. Maybe this one will be easier on you, and/or maybe you know what to expect. Just gets lots of rest and drink lots of water. {{{{{{hugs to you}}}}}}}}} YOU CAN DO IT!!

everyminute · February 2009

I hope this one is easier on you! I found that each taxol treatment did seem to get easier - I hope the same is true for you. A friend of mine who had a tough time with taxol did have the dose cut back and did better so that is an option also - let your oncologist know how you are feeling!

Best of luck

flash · February 2009

some tricks with taxol:

drink, drink and drink.

exercise mildly all day long. it decreases the neuropathy. particularly ankle circles/ toe flexes etc

use lubricating eye drops (not red eye drops) at least 6 times an hour. that gets rid of the dry eye/wet eye double vision/blurry vision.

good luck

pip57 · February 2009

...and ask for percocet!

apple · February 2009

for my neuropathy in my hands (piano hands) i wear gloves for housework and practice.. it really helps.... it seems that having that extra cushion keeps them from injury. I wear gloves even while typing,

This is my 2nd time with taxol I had 4 treatments the first time. and I can definitely say the 1st treatment was the worse.

This time, the side effects are manageable. i walk and do housework for exercise (and necessity), rest more than usual, wear big comfy shoes with thick socks... i apply lotion before bed and put little gloves on. Neuropathy for me include sensitivity to hot and cold. darn it, i couldn't do the dishes and had to ask the kids for help. Wink

They give me (inject me) with steroids that seem to last for 3 days.. i do all my heavy house and yard work then with all that extra energy.. if i don't kind of zone into constant movement the first several days I am an absolute bear to live with.. actually yelling. (at my sweatheart kids). I plan to take it easy on days 3 to 5.

Alyson · February 2009

Hung in there. It is not easy. Rest as much as you can, drink loads of water and take pain relief for the bone pain. Robyn do you have some help? I really needed it at this stage and was lucky to have my sister living with us.

Some one asked me if I would do it again if the cance came back and I said yes despite the unpleasantness of it all.

I wish I could give you all a big hug and help with those jobs around the house.

Alyson

Robyn66 · February 2009

I had my second Taxol last Thurs, it turns out my white cells were HIGH so it was not good that hubby gave me that last Neulasta shot. The poor darling was just so afraid of something bad happening if he didn't, I can't blame him. I would have done the same in his position.

Anyway, the change in meds seems to have helped. They changed the steroid to prednazone and the pain med to percocet plus three advil every 4 hours before the pain hit. THe pain wasn't anywhere near as bad, maybe partially because I was expecting it to some degree. I also found that 1mg of Attivan helped with the leg jumpyness that went along with the pain. Plus walking around helped some too.

I definately don't feel as panicked about the last two I have to go through!

Thank you guys! I don't know what I would do without you. There is no support group out here for me to go to so you are all I have, and you have been AWESOME!

Love to all!

Robyn

sydpen2 · February 2009

I did 9 Taxol treatments. Each one 3 hours long. The first one was definitly the hardest. I too had blurred vision but found that after a week or so it started to clear up and become clearer. By the time 3 weeks later when it was time to have my next treatment they were good again. Each treatment seemed the same in regard to the eyes being blurry. They do clear up each time.

Also, the second treatment was better and each one after seemed more tolerable as well. You are introducing something new to your body and it has to adjust. Each treatment afterwards it becomes alittle more use to it. Didn't say it was pleasant but more tolerable and not nearly as bad as the first one.

I hope this helps. Thoughts and prayers are with you girl!!

Debbie

wackyjackie · February 2009

Robin,

I'm glad to hear you are doing a little better. My eyes teared for the whole time I was receiving Taxol..but it does go away completely. I had leg pain so bad that I slept upside down on my recliner. Don't laugh, but it helped. Keep taking all the meds they tell you and drops for your eyes. I think you already experienced the worse and you'll sail through the next two treatments. Hang in there. I'll be praying for you.

Hugs, Jackie

fightinhrd123 · February 2009

Oh i'm glad your doing better too, just had to chime in, i was the same way, by my second one at my week follow up i was bawling. I had the option of changing to weekly, but just toughed it out. The last two wernt as bad though, i knew what to expect, and stayed on top of my pain pills bigtime!!!! Hang in there, you can do it!!!!

jancie · February 2009

Robyn - I had no idea that Taxol was so painful but now thanks to you I know what to expect. I do hope the treatments get better as you go along and coming here for tips is always wonderful. These women that have gone through this seem to know just the right tricks to get through it. I wonder if the cancer nurses know as much as the women here at BCO.

This so sucks -I am going to lose all my hair on A/C and then go through this Taxol crap? It a wonder that we don't go insane!

Robyn66 · February 2009

jancie,

I was told Taxol is not normally as painful as it was for me the first time. The second one was no where near as bad. I did need the stronger pain meds and they changed the steroid but they think it was the extra Neulasta shot that made my white cells too high that really caused the pain to be horrible.

The hair thing does totaly suck. At least I only have two more Taxol treatments, I still will have months with no hair!!! I have SOOO much respect for the women who can walk around the hospital bare headed or with a scarf on. I can't go without something on at any time. It is the toughest part but you get through because you have to. But that doesn't mean you have to like it!!!!

going in for 2nd taxol and freaking out-I need you guys

Comments

Categories