Taxotere is a nightmare

I love the sun.  I lay out in the summer, but wear sunscreen so I only brown a little bit and it takes most of the summer.  I tend to just slather on self-tanning lotion over my sunscreen ... it's gotten so much better than even five years ago (no more orange streaks!).  I wear sunglasses, hats etc when in the sun, but I still sit/lay out in it whenever I can....it feels good, like the sun is leeching strength into my bones.

Of course Ohio sun, isn't Arizona sun, or even Florida sun....

TonLee - If I am going to a special occasion I will go do the Mystic spray tan thing - it works great for me.  I actually end up with a pretty natural looking color. I do miss that feeling of the warmth on my skin though, I grew up in CA and spent much of my childhood and teenage years at the beach but I just can't risk it.

Kathie

I don't wear sunscreen because it makes me break out although I might start this summer. I don't sit in the sun but living in the city I do my share of walking around. I still was diagnosed with very low vitamin D 1.5 years ago. Was first put on prescription D. I'm on supplements now.

Some people, especially those us who live up north just don't get enough sun all year round.

Hey Tracie - Ever do the lemon juice in baby oil????  OMG it makes me shudder now!!

That's a good tip - only my hands are dry, but they are like sandpaper!

Survivorwoman-

I had the Shortness of breath too while on taxotere. After my fourth treatment, I could not walk up my stairs without needing to sit down immediately and catch my breath. It really made me feel like a weakling.  But I am now 8wks out from taxotere and did not have any more SOB. I can walk up and down on the stairs and work a 12 hour shift no problem. Today I helped lift a 450lb man.  My strength is returning. 

I know how bad taxotere sucks.  I had a really bad experience with chemo. But there is an end!  I just had to keep that in mind!!  You'll get there and feel better!

krista613 and shooshoo23 ---thank you for letting me know about your experiences with Taxotere. I am actually little over two weeks past the last chemo and this shortness of breath and palpitation issue did not happen before, at least not while I was doing chemo. Naturally, I am worried and brought it up here. As lago suggested earlier, I will mention it to my oncologist tommorrow anyway. But it is good to know that two of you ladies had similar experiences and that it will get better as time goes on. I can't wait to feel that way.

Dry skin: I use sesame oil from the health food store. After showering my skin absorbs it really fast. It is not greasy but light and feels fantastic on my skin. It is not too expensive either.

Hey all,

Just a note about sunscreens...

My onc. told me about a site called Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) where you can look up your sunscreen and see what the ingredients do.  I am changing all the sunscreens that my family uses as they are classified as "hormone disruptors" etc.  Hubby thinks I am flipping out but if my doctor thinks it is important than why wouldn't I look into it?

Survivorwoman My SOB of breath did not start until I was like a 1.5 -2 weeks out after my last chemo. But definitely mention to onc. I think it took another 2 weeks to get better. I couldn't believe how weak I felt after the 4th one.  I hope it gets better soon!

Anyone else lose their eyelashes after chemo?  I am 8 weeks out from TC and am so depressed that my eyelashes are coming out right now.  It's like the last final insult from this stupid drug.

I too can wear mascara, but I have a huge gap missing on the top lid, so it looks pretty pitiful.

Lago, your attitude amazes me! It seems like nothing about this chemo business really bothers you!  I wish I felt that way.

Lago-I am a lurker on this thread because I will be starting chemo next Thurday 3/10 but wanted to ask you about your nails. Maybe I missed it (I feel like I have chemo brain already and haven't even started, I think it's from all the stress) but did your nails just fall off after finishing or during chemo? Did you put them on ice and it didn't work? Or no ice, or it was just so much T and they fell off?  It sounds so painful.

Thanks!

I started A/C on 11/03 and Taxotere on 01/05.  I have finished 8 of 12 treatments.  I have tried really hard not to complain too much as I know there are people who are in worse shape than I.  Today, however, my fingernails hurt so bad I want to sit down and cry.  The top half of my nails are dark, but not black, they have lines through them and the bottom halves are a much more normal color.  My feet and hands are swollen.  My tongue and lips feel like they are coated with something that burns just a little bit.  I want to crawl in a hole and sleep but instead I am at work and my boss (an attorney) is on the warpath.  I am truly feeling sorry for myself right now.

This seemed like a good place to vent as I know you all feel my pain.

Susan

Thank you for listening Tracie.  It makes me feel better to know someone else truly understands.  My last complaint of today is - the next person who tells me I will be fine because I ONLY have four more treatments to go is gonna get slapped!  Today, four more treatments seems like an eternity!

Susan