Starting Chemo in July 2009
Comments
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RajinCajin, I had my first Taxol August 26, I also had a lot of pain in back, legs, breast bone and also my breast area where I had the reconstruction. It started the second day after the treatment and lasted a couple of days. My next Taxol is this Wednesday Sept 9 and I am hoping it is not as bad, but I have to have the Neulasta shot after this treatment. I had a lot of pain (mosrtly breast area) when I had the Neulasta shot after each AC so I am not looking foward to this Taxol & Neulasta. I didn't have any other problems yet as far as the Neuropathy but my chemo nurse told me about that and said it may be after the second treatment. Hope you do better the next time. Take care
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Thank you all for the encouragement. I WILL definitely request the emend and hope for the best. I am not a quitter, but vomiting for 7 hours was more than I could take. I was bleeding from my nose and mouth, i suppose from broken blood vessels from straining so hard. At some point when I was laying on my arm...that was laying on the toilet rim and staring at blood in the toilet, I was just ready to give up. This all happened so quickly after treatment. Zofran gave me an extreme migraine after my first AC so haven't tried it again. Compazine didn't hold off vomiting after 2nd AC. So, it was kytril this time.
I will say I get the nuelasta shot and feel absolutely no pain at all, nothing. So for that I'm thankful. They had told me to expect the worst pain in my sternum, but after 2 shots...nothing. I celebrate that!! And, my counts are great.
Again, thanks for the lift. Today is a good day ...I can feel hope returning:)
Joni
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Jayne - hope you are feeling better!
Glassist - I don't think doctors should put this on our shoulders. I expect my dr. to advise me on what's best for my situation. My dr. has me starting 12 Taxol in about 3 weeks, but my diagnosis is different also.
Edie - glad to see your post. I had last AC on Thursday and will certainly be thinking about you on Tuesday! I really can't tell a whole lot of difference, so far, in how I feel with this one as compared to #3. For some reason, did have diarrhea yesterday, which is new for me.
Joni1 - the Emend was the best stuff that I took. Dr. gave it to me in IV prior to infusion and then gave me pills for the next 2 days. Last week, they added decatron (I believe that's what it was) worked pretty good until yesterday. My dr. said, by the time we figure out what works best for you - you will be done.
Pam
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Done, Done, Done!!! I'm very glad to be here at this point, still have a long way to go with follow ups, radiation and every 3 mos. breast exams. but done with Chemo. I remember back in the beginning thinking this will either kill me or make me stronger, guess which one it is!
We are all stronger because of this, and I can't thank you all enough for your help.You girls still going thru it, know this and embrace it. You are growing and getting better because of this. I wish you all the best and little if no SE.
God bless you all. I'll keep in touch and check here often.
Pink pink hugs to all,
Lisa
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Lisa congratulations on being done with chemo! I can only imagine at this point how you feel right now. Thank you so much for starting this thread that has enabled us to support each other. One day we will all be where you are - finished chemo!
Joni vomiting for 7 hours would be more than I could take too. I really hope the emend sorts that out for you.
Pam I am feeling much better thanks. I think I look worse than I feel at the moment. Today I was able to get out and do some gardening. Our garden has been a bit neglected this year as I am chief gardener and I have been either not feeling well enough to do it or distracted with other things. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my onc and then hopefully on Thursday I will get my delayed first Taxotere.
Be well all you Triple J's, we WILL get through this. Hugs to all. xoxoxoxo
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Lisa, Congratulations on finishing chemo!!! It must feel great!!! I have #6 tomorrow and two more to go after that. Counting down, can't wait.
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Congradualtions Lisa on being done. this group is goiong quickly through chemo. It is nice that we have all had each other. I still have 49 days till last treatment. i think that I am one of the last to be done. Some encouragement to all. I have little white hairs on top of my head and they said this is the first thing in hair regrowth. It is going to happen to all who have lost their hair. if is starts to grow let it go. Had the first boob fill today, that was not bad. Just 60 cc that is enough for one day. Hugs to all dianne
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Hello Triple J's,
Congrats to all who completely finished chemo and congrats to those that finished with AC.
I received my first Taxol last Monday and my thoughts are it sucked and was much harder on me than AC. I didn't suck on ice during the 3 to 4 hours so food didn't taste good for several days. No metallic taste, but food didn't taste good. Best tasting food was jello with fruit and honey dew melon. I also didn't take Claritin as recommended by some other BC members so bone pain was worse on days 4 through 7 for me. My doc thought I would breeze through Taxol since I did pretty well with AC.
Since Taxol was much harder than the 4 AC so this next round I want my doc to reduce the steroids, I'll take claritin the day before TX and the next 4 to 5 days as recommended by other BC members and I'll try to suck on ice during the entire treatment.
So days 4 through 7 sucked because of the fatigue and bone pain (aches in spine, legs, minor head aches and felt like someone was squeezing my ovaries). During really bad times I took Tylenol Extra Strength which made it bearable. I also slept more (more naps and fell asleep early) I hope this next round goes better. One bit of good new, my hair has been growing back for the past several weeks, but my eyelashes have decreased. I went for a genetic test last Wednesday and it will take 3 weeks since only one lab in the country has the patent. I'll get results on Sept 23rd.
My doc isn't giving me Neulasta during Taxol so we'll see how my wbc holds up. My counts never dropped below 8.9 during AC thanks to Neulasta.
Again, congrats to those that hit milestones and I hope those that are feeling the side effects overcome and have minimal discomfort.
Well wishes,
Connie
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Lisa - Congrats and please do check in on us from time to time. I'll be here til the end of the year by the time I complete the 12 taxol tx.
Connie - how terribly disappointing that the taxol is doing a number on you. I have my first in about 2 weeks - NOT looking forward to it. Everyone - dr. nurses, all of them have said taxol will be so.....easy after AC
Pam
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YAY Lisa! Congrat's on being done!
TX #3 tomorrow and I am emotional wreck...think I am in chemo-pause and emotions are WACKED-OUT!!! I check in daily and read but haven't posted because I just cannot find the words without going into pity mode...I don't like this new me very much...
I am so happy for those who are done and praying for no/minimal SE's for those who are still in TX.
Lots of Love and Hugs!
Michelle
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Thank you everyone and I wish you all the best through your remaining treatments.
Hugs, Lisa
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Today is my final AC. I cannot believe it is finally here. I am very anxious about going, but will be beyond glad when I walk out of there today. We have had a long, hard journey, but we are finishing the race!
Linda
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Congratulations, Lisa! Must feel great to be finished!
I just got home from tx5 of TCH--one more to go in three weeks!
Becky
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HI Ladies I don't post much because I am really struggling to stay positive emotionally...had TX #3 today and onc says I am officially in chemical menopause. She prescribed Effexor XR and I am freaked out about some of the SE's but I cannot continue to live in this whacked out emotional state. Has any else been prescribed Effexor in the past, the pharmacist and doc swears it is awesome, really helps with improving mood (in 7-10 days) and can help with hot flashes...anyone have any input to pass on?
Thank you!
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Hey Triple J's, On the chemopause, they gave me lexapro. Which is a mild drug to help with the hotflashes. Seems to work ok. the hotflashes are not as bad. The taxotere is not as bad as the A/C as I am finding out. the appetite came back so I am putting on the weight I lost. i am going ot hit the trail this afternoon and start the walking again. Quit the week after the first treatment of Taxotere because of the bone pain from the neulasta shot. Been to busy to start but I need to do this for me. Got to get this weight of permantly. Any body else trying or going to start losing the weight after treatment. i need ideas to help me along. Hugs and strength Dianne
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So many of you are finishing....congratulations, you DID it!!!!
I'm feeling kinda down, still have 1 more AC then 12 weeks of taxol. So, I'll be on this train till about the 1st week of January. Please tell me I won't be alone.
Joni1
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Joni1~ I'm right here with you!! You and I have the same schedule and treatment... nausea too!! My nausea is controlled... it's there and makes me feel really ill... but I'm not throwing up... I am on 6 different meds to keep under control. I take the emend an hour before starting treatment, they also give me a steroid plus a three day anti nausea med by iv before starting chemo. When I leave the building, I start taking Zofran every eight hours and two hours before the eight hours is up, I take ativan also on an every 8 hour schedule. The next morning, I start on the steroids by mouth twice a day and return to the cancer center and receive iv fluids plus another iv anti nausea med. along with the fun Neulasta shot. I take the steroids for 5 days... I think they are my favorite drug!! I also take Prilosec and sip on Mylanta when needed. When I was describing my wanting fried foods to the nurse and how they seemed to help... she said fried foods do help some women... I would have thought the opposite would have been true. I would be more than happy to get all the names of meds I'm given by iv if you are interested.
A huge congratulations to all you brave women who have finished treatment and those who are moving on to the next phase!!! Big hugs!!!
Elizabeth~LovingLifeToday
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Hello Triple-J's,
I finally feel really good again and will have my pre-chemo visit tomorrow. My worse days after my first taxol were days 4 through 6, but I think the massive steroids (60 mg of dexamethosone) contributed to me feeling tired and achy. Since I've never had any nausea, my doc said he will reduce the steroids for future treatments. I wish he would just agree not to give me any steroids.
Congrats again to Linda for your final AC and to those that are finished and everyone just for getting through each treatment!
I find with Taxol, that when I felt physically bad I was also a little emotional which I'm not usually an emotional person. Basically my sisters or mother would say how are you doing, and I didn't reply because I felt like if I did I would cry. Michelle (O2BHealthy) you're not alone, I think I'm feeling a little like you - maybe it's the chemo doing its thing.
Well since my next chemo is on Monday, Sept 14 so I'm going to enjoy these days of feeling great and hope round 2 of Taxol is easier.
Hugs and prayers!
Connie
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I haven't posted in a while. Congrats to those who are done with chemo - and as for the rest of us, we'll keep plugging away and know we will get there one day.
So sorry to hear of nasty SEs for some of us. I hope you all get relief. I am on day day 10 after fourth DD AC tx. I have been doing pretty well, but this time days 5-9 I was incredibly tired, could barely do anything. Finally today I seem to be getting some energy back - in time for first taxol on Tuesday. Also almost all food has no taste. I really struggle to eat and drink. I have soup every day as I know I'll get it down, but I never expected it to be so hard to make myself eat when there is no taste. Ladies now on taxol - is this a SE I can expect to continue? I'm hoping for better things.
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Joni1 & Elizabeth - I'm be with ya til the end of the year - 12 Taxol weekly starting in 2 weeks from today.
I want to share an interesting experience with you all. I posted earlier about the nurse who told me after my 2nd treatment that I would not want to come back after the 3 tx. Well of course, she was right - but how many of us ever want to go back. Anyway, when I went for the 3rd tx, about 15 minutes into red devil infusion, I started to feel queasy. I did not mention it to the nurses that day - but should have. I mentioned this to dr. on my next visit and she said that the meds should not have done that to me. She said that it sounded like I have anticipatory nausea. She knew about my experience with the nurse. dr. is so positive and has been a friend for several years & I knew that she would want to know. She said that if it started with #4 nurses could give me something. Well, before they even started the infusion, it began, so they gave me something to help. Nurses told me that it is very common. They had one patient who would start throwing up as soon as he hit the lobby. I told them, it made me feel weak emotionally - and I thought I was doing so good. They assured me that I should not feel that way - to just sit back and let the medicine work. I just wondered if anyone else had this happen.
gil - I also have a problem with no taste - but normally goes away about 10 days out. The best thing I eat during those days is Wendy's chilli and a baked potatoe loaded with butter, sour cream, salt and pepper. Unfortunately, I have not lost any weight - I keep looking for something that tastes good - eating far too many sweets - trying to find it!
Pam
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Pam~ my onc said the same thing. Said some patients can see a chemo nurse in Walmart or a restaurant and immediately get nauseated. I am now that way with any red liquid. I drank red vitamin water during my first (red) AC and that association now causes such an aversion....I get a full body shiver when I think of it. The effect of altered taste is something I wish I could have understood before chemo. When I think I've finally thought of something that sounds good....I taste it and it's awful. Even water and the ice from my freezer tastes old.
Chili has been very welcome for me as well. Maybe it just burns through all the bad taste.
I've lost maybe 5 pounds on AC. Expect the steroids with taxol will reverse that trend.
Can't wait to finish AC....last tx on Sep 21. Think I then wait 4 weeks before starting taxol. Hate it will go through the holidays, but at least I'm here and alive and as far as I know, cancer free.
Ready to finish.....Joni1
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Hi All, Well my computer says it 12:01am, Friday Sept 11, 2009. Please be sure and fly your flags today in memory of those we lost 8 years ago!
I'm on steroid induced sleeplessness. Had my final TC treatment yesterday (10th). I have an appoinment in 2 weeks with the Radiology Oncologist, I don't think I'll start rads until about the 1st of Oct.
I've been put back on oral steroids for today, tomorrow & Sunday in an effort to not have the from the inside out burning of my hands again.
I will definitely be checking in to see how you are all holding up, and I know I'll see some of you on Lisa's Oct rad thread.
Peace,
Joni2
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Gillyone, My 1st and 4th AC seemed to be the worst for me. I just had my 2nd Taxol on Wednesday, I have a good appetite and mostly everything tastes pretty good. Not so when I had AC, also I had a lot of swallowing problems with AC, felt like my throat was sore, nothing tasted good, had a lot of mucus. My first Taxol I only had the body aches, legs, back, breast area, otherwise I felt pretty good. So far after the 2nd I feel good, my breast area is starting to hurt more (where I had reconstruction) but I also had to have a Neulasta shot this time (they only give it after my 2nd Taxol) and that always bothered that area when I had the shots after AC. I guess I will see how I feel tomorrow. I just think so far that this seems to be better than the AC. Good luck on Tuesday, I'm sure you will do fine.
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Remembering all those who lost loved ones 8 years ago today.
Joni2 congratulations on finishing chemo!
Yesterday I had chemo #4 of 6, and my first Taxotere. So 2 more Taxotere to go and I will be done with chemo. I will have 3 weeks of rads after that, but no start date for that yet. Before my chemo yesterday I went to my GP to get my eye checked out where I had shingles around it. It was fine, although the shingles was on the surface skin it didn't spread actually into my eye and in any case it is drying up and going now. I am on a bit of a steroid high still and no side effects have kicked in yet. Not too sure what to expect with this new drug.
Well done to all who have finished and as for those of us who are still going we will get there too and we are going to feel really good when we do!
Hugs. xoxoxo
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Hi...Starting A/C Monday...with Emend and prescriptions of Decadron and Compazine and Neulasta on Tues. I will have 4 two week sessions and then lumpectomy ( unless genetic test shows brca mutation) I'll be taking my Genetic Test next week as I am 45 and have a variety of non breast cancers (bladder, thyroid, bowel, lung, uterine) in my family tree. Then 6 weeks of radiation.
Thanks to everyone who is posting here, it has helped so much getting to this point and will be much appreciated getting through it...I'll listen to any suggestions you may have....I pray for this to go smoothly... (on my IDC not sure if I posted my nodes correctly, just a sentinal biopsy that showed negative)
Melinda
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Lots of wonderful post. Glad to see many of us are figuring out the side effects and how to control them. I thought this last treatment would be a breeze but it's really been trying to kick my butt. I'm just gonna have to give it a few more days of R & R.
Ya all have a great weekend.
Hugs, LIsa
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pdaw - I guess I'm experiencing the same thing about treatment as your nurse described - ever since I read your post 2 nights ago I've been having nightmares of adrimycin and nauseating thoughts! Coincidently I just had my 4th TAC this past Tuesday. I don't know how I am going to make it through for the last 2!
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Hi everyone. Haven't posted for about two weeks due to computer problems. I had my third TC on Wednesday. Feel bad today but a better day is comming. Just one more treatment on the 30th and I'm thru with this TC. What a party I'm going to have. Going to keep this short today but will get back to you all soon. Just didn't want you to think I had forgotten you lovely women. Keep that chin up and a great additude and we till all make it thru this.
Sallymae
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Sallymae - good to see you posting. Go for it with the party! If all goes according to plan, I will finish chemo on October 27,(half way through right now) just a few days before my birthday (55) and I have decided I'm going to throw a party. I'll still have rads to get through, but the end of chemo sounds like a good enough reason to celebrate.
For anyone interested. I'm still lugging my boot around. I don't know why I say "still", it's only 21/2 weeks. Had my foot re-xrayed this week, doing fine, back in four weeks. The soles of my feet have been a bit sore the past few days. Anyone have that?
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niknak0320 - Stay strong - you WILL make it through this!!!
Pam
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