Taxotere/Cytoxan starting July 2011

Snoopy - thanks for starting the T/C July 2011 group.  I will be starting 4 cycles of T/C on July 19.  It will be very helpful to be a part of a team to share the experience.

Took my dexamethasone with breakfast.  Will take more with dinner tonight.  Tomorrow morning is my infusion for the first TC cycle.  Then, I will take more steroids on Wednesday.  Planning to keep on going to the gym, and I am learning to meditate.  My hairdresser and I are going to look at wigs today.

Snoopy, Francis - I am fine.  I am so glad you are feeling like yourselves.  I am keeping very busy and trying not to think about this too much.  Chemo day was pretty easy and afterward, I did a lot of cooking.  Got the Neulasta shot yesterday.  I always drink a lot of water, so the staying hydrated part is easy too.  I have lots of appointments so get quite a bit of walking done.  Going to ride my stationary bike today, since I do not have time to make it to the gym.  The dexamethasone has made me peppy, and I have been told that as it wears off, I may tire toward the weekend.  There was a bit of a snafu at the wig shop - I needed an appointment and it was too busy - must be a run on breast cancer!!!  So I will go for my wig fitting next Monday.  Another friend will go with me.  My hairdresser and I went through the wig books so I have an idea of what I am looking for.  So far, so good.

Regarding mindfulness thinking (the meditation I am learning), I am now working on living in the moment - no need to stress over what might happen tomorrow or next week.

Sending hugs and happy thoughts to all.  Have a great weekend!

Hi Ladies, Got room for one more?  35 years old.  Started TC treatment on July 18th.  1 of 4.  So far so good except for being a total space cadet on Day 4.  My 3 year old just woke up so I will write more later.  Love to all. 

Hi StayHuman!  Welcome to the club.  You are one day ahead of me.  This was a pretty good weekend, even though it was so hot here in Philadelphia (and the rest of the east coast).  Only SE I seem to have is a rough/burned feeling in my mouth and tongue.  I am just brushing after every meal and using Biotene rinse to keep my mouth moist.  I was a bit tired Friday when the steroids began to wane, but it could also have been the heat and excitement.  Keeping up with the gym and lifting weights; staying super hydrated; still eating my oatmeal for breakfast and lots of fresh cooked vegetables, quinoa, and fish.  It is amazing how well I have recovered from my surgery - 4 1/2 weeks out from lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  Going to a wig fitting today!  Hugs to everyone!!

Hi TaniaK, thanks for relaying your experience.  Your comments are inspiring, and they will definitely help me stay on track with not stressing over possible side effects or being too bogged down by the actual ones.  I'll admit that I have been thinking too much about the hair loss thing, but I picked out a nice wig today, and if I need it, it will help me look like myself.

Hi Bobbi I took steroids dexamethasone -onco just cut the dosage since I don't receive it well. It is now down to 4 mg twice a day on the day before chemo and day of chemo itself. Previously I had to do one more day. It's been ok thus far but this is day 2. I get weak days 3 to 5 and will start the recovery day 6 onwards. I go for at least one 20 min walk everyday, if weather is not too hot twice and that helps.

Thanks Taniak for your encouragement. For us who have just started out or about to start, getting inspiring words from you help us to see light at the end of the tunnel!

Fightn4fam first time is the roughest. I screamed my guts out when they were accessing my port because it felt like I was being stabbed. I was shivering so much they had to give me hot pack n 2 blankets. Tears flowed too. This 2nd TC wasn't so bad as I was more prepared. It's day 2 and other than having lots of gas, slight headache and tiredness I m ok. I m on neupogen which is given every alternative day. 5 to 6 of them= 1 neulasta but the side effect is negligible.it is much cheaper too. Each neupogen cost around us80 whilst one neulasta costs us$1600 here. All the best for the balance of treatments. Praying that they will be much easier.

Hi StayHuman sorry to hear about your mum. I too have 2 young kids older than yours. 7 and 10 years. They were much younger when I was going through the first cancer 5 years back but now, they understand and I have explained to them that I will have to get through chemotherapy to get better and also told them that it will be tough but all will be ok soon. They are helping out by looking after me, fetching water and my medicines etc. What has come out of my illness - many good friends who stood by me, help me with errands, drive me to hospital, research cancer etc. So many angels sent by God! My relationship with my parents, husband have also improved and I don't feel bitter with them anymore. I used to be bitter having to work, run the household, shoulder all the responsibilities at home. With this illness I have learned to let go and tell myself I am not the superwoman I think myself to be.

We will all get through this. Pray your son is not affected by this.

Hi everyone,

Here are my tips so far: 1) Stay hydrated - never be without a bottle of water, and make sure to keep on peeing. 2) Exercise (to the best of your ability) and eat well (a good balance of fruits and vegetables with fiber and good sources of protein and fat (fish, lean meats and nuts) everyday, 2) Keep busy so you will think of other things besides BC, 3) Keep clean - brush teeth after every meal and rinse with Biotene or baking soda/water, wash hands constantly, and apply moisturizer all over.  I am using Udderly Smooth, Vaseline Intensive care, Lubriderm, Neutrogena.  More specifically, I am using Neutrogena facial moisturizer without alcohol at night after I wash my face, and the version with SPF 15 for the day), 4) Take time to sit down and breath deeply and relax, 5) Do one fun thing every day, 6) Let go and don't be a control freak for once!  Let people help you and don't stress that they don't do it (whatever the task is) exactly the way you would do it.

For me, the exercising is really important - since I work out regularly and lift weights, I think that any minor bone pain from the Neulasta stimulating my bone marrow to produce new neutrophils is masked by the good muscle pain.  I also think that by being active, I avoid sleep problems, because I am more likely to be tired by the end of the day.  By rinsing my mouth with Biotene before I hop into bed, I find that the decreased saliva and scratching mouth/tongue does not bother me and I fall asleep more easily too.   I have had some heartburn and mild headaches, which were adequately treated by liquid Maalox and Tylenol, respectively. Also, I am taking really good care of my feet; I apply lots of moisturizer and wear socks or nylons/peds with good shoes for running around town - not flip flops.  Regarding altered tastebuds - I have discovered that I really like cooking with fresh ginger and tarragon - have been putting these two in everything!

Hi Philly bird. Thanks for the tip on this thread. I never noticed it. The huge numbers of postings is so overwhelming.



Exactly one week since my first cycle. I was hoping to feel more normal by now and have two weeks of a life before cycle 2, but maybe that was too optimistic. I should be thankful that I can still function well enough to take care of myself and go to work. Still I can't imagine being able to work out like you. I put my health club membership on hold.

Hi Frances,

Ive got funny in the stomach too. I love to eat and it's such a disappointment when I have one of my favorite foods and it tastes awful. Even water tastes bad which makes it hard to keep hydrated. Glad to see that your 2nd time was better than the first.