March 2010 Chemo Start

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited June 2010

    Thanks Lisa, I will try the stockings, after a day of work (desk job) they are bad.

    Sorry about your mom, now you are a role model for her, do you have children?

    My onc wants me to take the BRCA gene test, and for some reason I am hesitant. Altho my mom also had breast ca, I have no children and already had a double mx so don't need results to inform a tx decision.  Money's not the issue - ins will pay - so why am I reluctant?  I've filled out the family hx form for genetic counseling, maybe I'll go for that appt then decide about the gene test.

    He'd also like me to have ovaries removed 'cuz he says estrogen is bad for my ca but I want to see what tamoxifen does first.  I'm only 50 and do not want more surgery right now!

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited June 2010

    Morning

    I have to chime in on the cankles - this is 1 of the SE that seems to be hanging on from the chemo for me.  I am taking up to 80mg of lasix  a day and it still isn't working, they said it will eventually go away and to exercise.  Would love to - when - Get up go to work for 8 hours - drive an hour to radiation - drive and hour home - get dinner on the table and look it's now 8:00pm - yeah I'm ready for a 30 minute walk now. 

    On another note - got new markers for my rads boost next week which mean I will be close to done.

    Everyone have a fabulous weekend and remember you are all in my thoughts and prayers everyday - Stacey

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  • Yeshua4Me
    Yeshua4Me Member Posts: 77
    edited June 2010

    Hi everyone,

    I had my first taxotere chemo 11 days ago. The SE's aren't bad compared to the other chemo I was on. But I do have a couple of questions for those of you who've had this stuff~

    1) My feet, ankles, and stomach look fat to me. And the scale says I've gained 8 pounds! This    doesn't seem possible in 11 days. Does the weight gain have something to do with taxotere?

    2) My taste buds were dead...just barely started coming back yesterday. Is this normal?

    3) My big toes on each foot hurt terribly. The moons on both toes have turned black and I can barely touch them because they are so sore. I've been wearing sandals but they still hurt when I walk. Normal or not?

    I hate to always email my doctor when I have a side effect so I thought I'd ask everyone here if they've experienced any of these. Oh, the doctor had me take 6 neupogen shots (one a day for six days) the day after chemo and that night, after first neupogen, I had MASSIVE bone and muscle pain. It was so bad. I just moaned in my bed all night. The following day when I went back to doctor to get another injection I could barely walk. The doctor told me the pain was from neupogen and gave me some vicodin. I didn't want to take a narcotic but he told me I needed it. That night, after my second injection of neupogen, I felt the pain coming. I popped those pills so fast and stayed in a drugged state of mind for the following 4 days! Once I was done with the neupogen injections the bone pain eased up tremendously.

    Only 3 more chemo sessions to go and then I'm done!

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  • Ana1973
    Ana1973 Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2010

    Yeshua4Me- I finished Taxotere and Cytoxan on May 19th. I had 4 cycles of it and all the issues you are having are common SE. I had the swelling in the feet and ankles but made sure to keep my feet elevated during the first few days, you may have to contact your Dr if it gets to bad. I was also very bloated...I looked like I was 8 months pregnant for about 10 days after Tx. It was uncomfortable and the Onc said there's nothing that can be done for it. For the taste buds, I made sure to take ice to my treatments and when I was getting the Tax I would chew on the ice. It made a huge difference in my buds. Last but not least, the toes. I did not have this SE but it's my understanding it happens often. Some people experience finger nail and toe nail lose, but they do grow back. My main SE was bone pain...it was intense, very painful and last for 3 solid days. My Onc gave me percocet for the pain. I too hated taking it because it made me so loopy, but I was able to make it through the next 3 Tx. If you have any more questions just PM me, I'm happy to answer them.

    I'm off to rads #10, only 25 more to go...ugh that sounds like forever. No skin issues yet and I'm hoping it stays that way.

    Sending prayers out to all of you.

    Ana

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  • Taty98328
    Taty98328 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2010

    Hereandnow, our family history looks similar,  my grandmother had BC at 43, my mom at 50 and I`m 37 y.o. BRCA1+, that`s why BC  in my family.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited June 2010

    Yeshua4Me - I finished taxotere 10 days ago and your SE's are all normal.  Please let your onc know your symptoms, though.  We're all different but I go up & down maybe 1 or 2 pounds with edema.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2010

    yeshua4me - the weight gain as people have said, seems to be part and parcel. A big part of it is the high dose steroids (dexamethasone) we take before and after chemo. Steroids act on many systems in the body, and really are miracle drugs, but they have side effects and retention of sodium by the kidneys leading to fluid retention is one.  Keeping your feet elevated helps, don't let them hang for too long, and as I mentioned, I wear compression stockings from the hospital, no, they're not gorgeous, but they are easily hidden under jeans or tights (or pyjamas), and as I have had any exterior gorgeousness slip away with my hair, pallor, swollen tummy, creaking bones, lopsidedness, I just have to remind myself that this will pass, and remind myself of my inner gorgeousness (big smile). And the taste buds and bone pain are part of this too, but tell your oncologist about your symptoms.  We will be finished all this soon.

    March hugs,

    Lisa

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  • CBeam
    CBeam Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2010

    Greetings Marchers!

    I have been lurking - reading and gathering strength from you all.  I have a long way to go still; I start taxol and carboplatin July 2nd - for 10-12 treatments with herceptin for a year.   Finished the AC almost 4 weeks ago now.  I hope this treatment is no worse than the last, but am anxious to find out.

    Hope this helps those of you feeling like you are the last; we are all in this together until the very end!  Congrats to all of you who are moving forward with rads, or are finishing this trial we are all experiencing. 

    Praying for health for us all.

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2010

    Lisa - I'm so sorry to hear your news. Let's all pray that it remains Stage I.  One of the best things I read at the very start of this process was to follow the airline rules "Always put your oxygen mask of first" meaning that we all need to make sure that we take care of ourselves before we can give to others.  I know that is really difficult when our parents, children, friends, boss, staff, co-workers all need us, but this will be over soon and we can then start giving back. Hang in there. You are almost finished with your chemo and then your body will continue to get stronger every day. 

    You are in my thoughts.  Marilyn 

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  • lorrhaw
    lorrhaw Member Posts: 751
    edited June 2010

    I have been in this thread for awhile but have been busy flitting around other areas of the forum but did want to let all of you know I am still here and still have a few more chemos to go.  After my next treatment on July 2nd I will go through a full range of scans and then we will make the determination whether or not I have two more chemos after that or if I am done on July 2nd.  Of course I would love to be done but if I have to keep going it means that they are still happy with how I am responding to the chemo and want me to keep at it.

    I am so happy for everybody that has finished and am grateful that you are still sticking around to support us and share your experiences as you begin to recover from the effects of the chemo.  I am very curious about hair regrowth and am wondering if your hair is coming back like it was before or if it is different.  Many people have told me that it will come back being a different color or texture, I am just hoping it doesn't come in all gray and kinky.

    To those of us still trudging through I hope all of our SEs are minimal and to those of you who have finished congratulations!

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited June 2010

    I'm late in wishing all of those who are finished, congratulations!!!!  I've been lurking since I completed AC 4 weeks ago and started Taxol last week.  I am wondering if any of the Taxol Girls started having leg pain within the first week of their Taxol treatments.  I have a burning pain sensation in both of my shins and although it seemed to only bother me over the last few nights, it now is lingering all day.  I did email my doctor this morning and am anxious to hear what he has to say but would like to know if anyone has experienced this SE and if so, what did they do to relieve it.  I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I don't want to have to stop the Taxol because of Neuropathy.  Looking forward to your input. 

    Heather

    PS.  It seems my hair is growing.  Did anyone's hair grow through Taxol?

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited June 2010

    Heather - I did get a bit of neuropathy in my hands and feet during my 3rd treatment of TC. It did go away.  Dr. said he didn't think we needed to stop unless I was "walking on my heels"!! I think it tends to go to the hands and feet.  Did not hear about the shins.  The soles of my feet felt strange and at night it felt like my feet were going to sleep. You wouldn't think it would get better since I had continuing treatments but it did. I know that muscle aches are a SE of the taxanes ... I don't know if that is what you are experiencing but hopefully it will be shortlived!

    By the way, I have lost about 6 pounds since chemo.  People have said I look less puffy.  I think the weight gained must have been water although I didn't even realize it.. so those of you with fluid retention, hang in there!  I think you all will become dramatically better after chemo!

    (((hugs to all)))

    Charley

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited June 2010

    Hey all - greetings sisters and thanks for checking in Lorraine & Heather.

    I'm headed in to work for a few hours, making up time from last chemo.  Plus I'm finishing a huge project due tomorrow and it will be nice to have some peace & quiet to concentrate.  I am easily distracted these days.

    We have off July 5 so looking forward to a three-day weekend.  I volunteered to help some friends paint the great room in their house so it won't be all R&R but I like these folks and I like to paint so it will actually be fun.

    Wishing you all a good day ~ sending prayers and {{hugs}}

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  • rocknesmom
    rocknesmom Member Posts: 39
    edited June 2010

    I wish I had seen this site when I started in March! I just discovered this thread today! I just finished my AC/T on the 17th. Just reading through some of the past posts brings back a lot of memories! Regarding the shin pain for hmh23, YES! I had it as well! It was mild after the first Taxol infusion, but got progressively worse with each infusion. My oncologist wanted to go to less strong weekly infusions, but I wanted to be done by my date!!  She gave me some great pain meds, which did not make me completely loopy, so I was able to function. My pain eventually spread into my hips and thighs and was really unbearable without the pain meds!  Also, my hair did start to come back during Taxol! WOO HOO!  Unfortunately, it is completely grey!!  Guess my stylist was doing a great job covering all that grey before! 

    Good luck and happy recovery to everyone!!  xoxo 

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2010

    Last chemo tomorrow - YEAH!!!!!!  I can hardly stand it.  I vacillate between elation and dread that something is going to go wrong.

    Charley - congrats on loosing the 6 pounds - I've gained about 9 pounds on this journey and by the looks of things it is all in feet.

    As for my hair - I have no idea what color it will be, it's been a long time since I've seen true color! 

    Send some good vibes at 10:30 Eastern time as I go through the pre-chemo checklist - temperature good (tick), port working (tick), white blood count strong (tick) - then all systems GO - then by 2:30 I'll be DONE.

    Hugs to all.  Marilyn

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2010

    Marilyn that is so exciting, I'll be thinking of you and wishing all items on the checklist to be "go". I'm flying up to be with Mum this week, then it's back for my last one too. I'm very excited.

    Badger, if you love painting so much, do you feel like a little painting holiday to Australia? I've had part of the house re-stumped, and the inside walls have cracks, so in my good weeks I've been getting up the ladder with the multi filler - just about ready for an experienced painter to come along and give me a hand. LOL.

    welcome rocknesmum-  my fluff is looking suspiciously grey too, with some of my old dark brown hairs thrown in. But even the fluff (about half an inch) is warmer than bald, it's very chilly here 4degrees this morning.  Charley, is your hair coming in yet?

    Heaher, I haven't had shin pain - my back, hips and knees ached like crazy for about 4 days. I hope yours settles down soon.

    Lisa

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited June 2010

    Lisa, my hair is not coming in yet ... I'm worried but not trying to be! Taking the biotin and using the nioxin.My husband has decided he needs to use the nioxin too.  Ha!  I know I just need to be patient.  It hasn't started growing anywhere else either ...  Oh and by the way ... I will come paint your house .. .just need the airfare and I will be there!!

    Marilyn - cognrats on the last chemo!  Woohoo!  Great to be done.  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and hoping all goes well.

    Hugs, Charley

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited June 2010

    Hey Lisa, happy to help, just need a plane ticket...always wanted to visit Australia!

    Good luck Marilyn & congrats it's so good to be done with chemo!

    Charley, my DH is using the nioxin shampoo too LOL!

    Have a good day sisters, I'm off to work.  {{hugs}}

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2010

    Ha ha, that's great my March Sisters, you are all invited to come and paint my house - but I'll have to raise some money for your tickets first :) , and come in Summer and we'll go for a surfing safari up the east coast afterwards.

    good luck marilyn, thinking of you and hoping all is going well for the last one.

    Lisa

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited June 2010

    Marilyn;  CONGRATULATIONS!! One of my favorite quotes from "There's No Place Like HOPE" is "the body itself has to recover from what it's been through, but not just the body, the mind and heart must also recover."  Give yourself all the time you need.  Things will get back to normal...it will be a new normal...you are a breast cancer survivor!!!

    Lisa,  I love to paint and Australia has been on my bucket list since forever.  Inbetween my #2AC and #3AC, I painted my daughter's room, made curtains, recovered a chair (I love it), and made a fabric headboard and bedskirt. I just started making Slipcovers and love doing that too.  Bottom line, I'm willing to do anything for a trip to Australia!!! HAHA!!!

    Charley; Did your doctor recommend Nioxin and if so, at what point in your treatment?  Has anyone used Rogaine on their head or eyebrows?  My eyebrows and eyelashes are really scarce?  I know it sounds vain but it really bothers me.

    #2 Taxol, done... Quoting Charley, WOOHOO

    Heather

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  • Taty98328
    Taty98328 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2010

    Is anyone going to take vitamin D? Did you doctor check vit D level in you blood?

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited June 2010

    Taty -- when I went for my regular check-up last December (pre-BC), she had me start 1000mg of Vitamin D.  When I started chemo in March, they checked my D levels and said they were still marginal, so I can only imagine what they were before I started.  I had never heard about the need for extra Vit D until both my dad and mom went for check-ups earlier last year and their doctors had them start.  Now we're hearing it could be a factor in BC.  Who knew!  I also took Vitamin B during chemo to hopefully stave off any tingly fingers and toes.  I only had minor tingles in my fingers and it is gone, so hopefully it worked!

    Congrats Cards Fan!  Woohoo!

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited June 2010

    Taty;  My onco recommended I start taking Vit D 1,000 mg/daily along with 800 mg of calcium.  Today they did an analysis of my Vit D levels but I forgot to ask the nurse what they were.  I'm now on Taxol so I don't see my onco every visit. 

    Frosty;  Exactly what Vit B did you take through chemo and at what levels.  I understand Taxol can cause neuropathy and I'd like to arm myself with whatever I can to avoid it.

    Also, my onco has me taking COQ10 300mg/day and 9mg of melatonin nightly.  Recent studies out say that both of these supplements may help with recurrence rates.  My daughter has been taking both of these supplements since suffering 2 traumatic brain injuries and they have helped her  tremendously. 

    Heather

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2010

    Woo Hoo - I am done with chemo - forever!!!  Of course chemo day is smooth, followed by "magic tuesday"  I always feel great the next day!  So I have a few days of crude ahead of me and then I start recovery!!!!  I am on cloud nine.  I know I need to wait awhile to get my stamina back (it had really tanked)  but, I am ready to rock and roll!!! 

     Anybody here know of any full body detox for chemo - I'm not talking about fasting or cleansing, but some process to help rid the body of all the "stuff" we've been taking.

     Of course I have rads to go - Start July 19th - but I want to start with a healthy attitude - and take a mental break to separate the two protocols.  

    Thanks to everyone for helping me through this phase.  You are an important part of my recovery.

    YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!! - Now if I could only get some freaking sleep.  

    Marilyn 

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited June 2010

    Good Morning Marchers,

    I have a questions for those of you who went into chemo pause - are you having hot flashes?  I am finding that when I have the flahses they are also making me very nauseas?  No clue but not liking it at all.  My rads Dr gave me a script but it makes me sleepy and I need to work so I only take it at night. 

    Marilyn - CONGRATS on finishing - it's nice that you have a couple of weeks off before rads to "re-group".

    Tah Tah for now Ladies - Stacey

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  • Ana1973
    Ana1973 Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2010

    Good morning :)

    Marilyn- Congrats on finishing chemo. I know it's such a great feeling to be able to put that horrible phase behind you. The hard parts of this journey are over! Rads is a cake walk compared to chemo. I haven't heard of any kind of detox. My Onc didn't want me to start taking my supplements (antioxidants) until 3 weeks after my last chemo to make sure the last round did it's job. I would consult your Onc before doing any kind of detox.

    Stacey- I am 6 weeks PFC and still get hot flashes. I haven't had a period in 2 1/2 months. The hot flashes are bad enough, I can't imagine having nausea with them. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. What meds did your rads Dr give you? Does it help with the hot flashes or just the nausea?

    Heather- B6 is best for warding off neuropathy. I had a little tingling after tx #3 for about 2 days, after that nothing and I'm happy to say I have no lasting effects.

    Rads is coming along. Today is #13 of 35. My breast is a little pink and achy, but nothing I can't handle. My rads arsenal is growing...I now have Miaderm, Radia Gel, Biafine, Aquaphor and just ordered some Emu oil because it comes so highly recommended. I picked up my compression sleeve yesterday so now I am able to start working out again without worry of Lymphedema! The sleeve is unattractive, but if it helps get my life back to normal, I welcome it.

    I hope everyone is seeing the light at the end of the Tx tunnel.

    Hugs,

    Ana

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2010

    Stacey, I'm having hot flashes and night sweats but neither makes me nauseous just hot & sweaty.  If your doc gave you compazine, that's what I got for post-chemo nausea and that made me very drowsy.

    I got called sir yesterday.  Went to a Wal Mart in a different city than where I live so was not familiar with the layout (I thought they were pretty much all the same but apparently not) and was searching for something.  One of the employees asked, "Can I help you find something sir?"  I appreciated that, usually they are not that helpful, and he felt terrible when I said, "Yes please" in my female voice and told him what I needed. I could see the dismay on his face and he apologized.  I think he felt worse than I did.  Has that happened to anyone else?

    It's always something, isn't it?  {{hugs}}

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2010

    Morning Ladies,

    Ana & Badger  Thanks for the replies - I believe that the medicine is what is making me nauseous, stopped taking it and I feel better, can't remember the name of it (i'll look it up) but it is for depression.  Apparently, research showed that at a low dose it curbs the hot flashes and night sweats for menopausal women. 

    I see my rads Dr today so I will ask if I can get something else.

    Hugs & prayers to all - Love Ya - Stacey

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited July 2010

    Badger - Sir?  Aargh!  No this hasn't happened to me yet.  I usually am wearing a scarf or doo rag in public so no one has made the mistake yet. However the longer this "no hair" thing goes on the more comfortable I am going "topless" so it's bound to happen.

    Stacy - I'm not having hot flashes, per se, or night sweats ... but sometimes I get very warm from the inside out.  It happens usually at night. Probably a pre-cursor of things to come. :( This has been happening ever since I started chemo or actually chemo-pause. I'm taking effexor which is supposed to help with hot flashes so I don't know if something like this might help you ...?

    Heather - Nioxon was recommended by a friend.  Don't think it's working as the stubbles aren't growing!! I go to a new PCP on Friday and am planning on asking about rogaine.  I need eyebrows and eyelashes too. Didn't know you could use it on your brows but why not? I've been using latisse on my lashes ... can't tell that it's been helping. <sigh>

    On the bright side, physically I am feeling much better!  I am able to run a few minutes at a time now and ran/walked 3 miles yesterday.  Exchange surgery is scheduled for 7/23.  So another 4-6 weeks of no running. So I'm thinking of taking up biking since apparently that is something I can do while recuperating.

    Hugs, Charley

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  • alison34
    alison34 Member Posts: 138
    edited July 2010

    hi ladies

    i havent posted for along time but just wanted to let you all know i finished my last chemo yesterday woop woo

    now onto radiotherapy and should be finished that by end of aug

    thankyou to everyone for just being here and letting me read your experiances you have been wonderfull and very helpfull

    alison xxxxx

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