Taxotere/Cytoxan starting July 2011
Comments
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Thank you again PhillyBird, so the anti-nausea meds in the IV can make you dizzy? I do not get motion sickness, so hopefully ill be Ok. One thing I am now concerned about is driving. I have to drive about 40 mins to the facility, and I have to go alone. Will I be ok driving?
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Theatercat: shave off that hair! It will make you feel better, and feel like you are in control.
Peachy: you will be just fine driving. It is usually the next day or day after that I am not sure about my driving skills. Let us know how you fell when you get home. You will be JUST FINE.
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Okay, thank you Robo17 and ladyBoss199, I appreciate that info.
Are you ladies all working through your treatments? I am a bank teller and going to try to keep from going back on disibility. -
Peachy: I have worked through the entire thing. I have chemo on Thursday, take Friday off, and am back at work on Monday. You will find the tricks to dealing with the fatigue and slowness. I eat something every two hours and I drink ALOT of water. Just take your time with everything you do.
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Wow PhillyBird, thanks for the post! I will probably be starting chemo within the next 3 weeks, so this was awesome to read. Peachy-pie, I wish you all the best. I am sharing many of your feelings about this next step and I hope we both find out we need not to have agonized so. This is such a fabulous resource.
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Peachy,
I also have worked all the way through my chemo. Mine is on Wednesday. The first two times I took both Thursday and Friday off. Last time I actually felt so good on Friday that I went to work. The SE didn't kick in until the weekend. Always been able to go back the next week. Luckily I have quite a few sick hours accumulated so I have been covered. Actually I'm glad ive been working as it keeps me occupied. (Might feel differently if I had kids, but I don't.)
So, good luck tomorrow, Peachy. Relax. You will be OK. Hugs. -
Hey ladies, mind if I join? I'm also hanging out in the September Chemo thread but I'm doing TCx4 so this one applies to me too!
To those of you who haven't started yet and are nervous I want to let you know that I'm on day 6 of my first treatment and so far it is SOOOO doable. Like, seriously, if I didn't know I was doing chemo I would probably have felt like I was about to come down with a cold or flu over the weekend and then today I'd be like "well, guess I didn't get a cold, cause I feel back to normal." I was a bit tired and achy on days 3, 4 & 5 so I took it easy but it was definitely nothing to be scared of. No nausea at all.
Of course, I may be jinxing myself since I'm only 6 days in, I know stuff can show up later and I still have three rounds to go, but so far it's just so much less awful than I expected that I want to share to help those who haven't started yet. I am taking an awesome vitamin regimen and I eat really healthy, so maybe that's helping or maybe I've just been lucky. Best of luck to everyone!
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Peachy - you should be fine. The anti-nausea drug that they give you IV while you are in the CHAIR are to prevent you from feeling dizzy and nauseated. Also, you will be in a big comfortable chair - it should have those feet that lift up - like a bark-a-lounger - so you won't feel dizzy. You will be so much more comfortable and relaxed after the nurse puts the IV line in and you realize that it is really not a big deal. Just go there with an upbeat and smiley attitude and it will be fine. You should be able to drive, as others have noted. I agree it may be a good idea, when you are all done, if you collect your stuff and go sit at a cafe or something before you hop in the car to drive. Are you sure no one can go with you? It is so nice to have company. Maybe someone could swing by and visit during the infusion.
TheaterCat - sorry about the hair. I still have not shaved mine, but there is not much left. Lots of long strands that I comb over. I figure that my last chemo infusion (next Tuesday) will probably kill the rest of it. My right eyebrow looks oddly thinner and my right eyelid has an obvious "bald patch" to the lashes. I really am starting to look like I might be on chemo or something!!!
I have been on the job since last Tuesday and so far, so good. They don't care what I wear or what I do with my head. I have gone with colorful silk scarves, bright bandanas, and slumbercaps. My coworkers are the best! Getting off to work and having something else to focus on all day is really good for my mind and body.
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Taking the good advice of Ladyboss 1997 and getting my head shaved today. Take it from me get at least a buzz cut, which in hinessight I should of done,do not wait till it comes out in clumps. That was very hard to have happen. Counting down to to tomorrows chemo. I wonder if your body starts to get used to these toxins. This will be 2 down and 2 to go. Peeachy-Pie will I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers,everyone is right you will not have ant side effects in the chair. I felt so good I went shopping and out to dinner right after,probably not a good idea,I think it was too much. Let us know how it goes! AMY
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My motto: "don't let anyone tell you how you are going to feel"
No self-fulling prophecies here. I decided from the start that this little bump in the road was not going take me out of the game. I am living life, loving life, and role-modeling for all those around me. I laugh and shake my head when my staff call in sick.
Theatercat: You go girl! You will wish you had done that shave sooner. I told them to cut it as short as they could without cutting my head. Trust me, hair is over-rated.
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Wearing wig as we speak. Bought a couple of sleep caps today.The hair stylist was very nice, does not not look as bad as I thought just some getting used to. Does anyone take emend for nausea? They gave me zofran for this time around,I had really bad morning sickness, but thay was 30 years ago,I guess your brain never forgets.
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YES....much harder to recover after round 3!!!! I have been able to run and bike through rounds 1 and 2 but 3 knocked me on my rear! Today is the first day I had a decent 3 mile run that I felt good and its been 2 weeks since last tx. My period did cease so I think between hormones and cummulation it finally got me. Off and on bloated with water retention, super tired, and emotional. I have never been sick through all of this, but wow did round 3 kick in. NOT looking forward to the 4th but I may get lucky and this will be my final round. Good luck to all of you out there heading towards 3 or finishing!!!! HUGS
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I started my Dexamethasone today, because my first treatment in tomorrow morning at 8:30am. Off and on all day I have felt hot, then cold, and nauseas off and on. Is this normal?
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Welcome FieryRed. if you made it to day 6, I think you may be good to go for another two weeks, though I found that it took a bit longer for my taste buds to recover. I would definitely agree that your being in good health overall has made it easier for you.
Lovetorun, yes, round three has been a doozy. It's taken two weeks to feel like myself. Not looking forward to SE for #4, but I'm sure I won't mind since it will be the last. I think we've got quite a crowd finishing up next week.
Peachy, I think the most common reaction to the steroid is to feel hyper, which is the only reaction I had. Could be nerves? Try to relax. Good luck tomorrow! -
As much as I have tried I am still so nervous about round 2 of chemo.I know what to expect this time, stomach is already doing flip-flops,going to take an ativan before I leave.Hope dr. is ready for me for I have alot of demands as to what medication I want for nausea. I am so tired of doctors saying you will be fine.
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Peachy/Theatercat: both of you relax. You will be just fine. You will get home tonight and wonder why you worried so much.
Fatigue is the only SE that builds with each tx. I am doing #4 next Thursday, and I am taking a long weekend to fight the fatigue. Then I AM DONE!
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peachy and theatercat - Thinking of both of you today. It is so natural to be nervous. Even when I went in for the last tx, I was still nervous until I was in the chair and the meds started rolling. Then I could settle in and relax.
Especially hoping your doctor is responsive to you, theatercat, and that you get some new meds that work for you.
peachy - my only advice at this point is to take the meds they give you on schedule. I know not everyone feels that way, but I felt it was better to head off the nausea before it got to me than try to treat it after the fact. I never had more than a little queasiness. They started me with zofran for the first two tx - switched to kytril when I got headaches and that was better. There are solutions for SEs, so be open with your doctors.
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Peachy and Theater - sorry I have been so busy with work. I hope you guys are okay.
Ladyboss is correct - ya gotta relax ladies!!! - all this stressing about what kind of SEs you might have is going to drive you nuts. Just go with the moment and see how it is and stop worring about stuff. Go watch a funny movie for Pete's sake!!!
Theater - I wore my wig to work yesterday and people really like it. It was not too bad, I only had to re-adjust it once during the day, and then I went to a dinner meeting and met all sorts of people who didn't know me before, and no one looked at me funny at all! Still, I prefer all my bandanas and stuff. Got a bunch of skull caps from a company called Sparkling Earth - super cool colors, textures and styles. Mostly all cotton, some stretch cotton, and many have an inner comfort band that I think would be great for absorbing sweat at the gym. Check them out on the web (http://sparklingearth.com/products.asp?category=100044).
I'll be in THE CHAIR next Tuesday (for the fourth and final time!!!! Yeah). Sure I am always a bit nervous, but I just have to believe that it will go well, and I know that I am super prepared and an old hand at it now, so I am determined to remain calm and go with the flow.
Hugs to everyone!
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well, I was there for 6 hours today, but made it through with no issues so far! I feel a little tired now, but other then that I feel pretty normal. I got back tomorrow at 4pm for my Neulasta shot, which my doctor said may or may not give me bone pain. He assured me if any treatment was to get unbearable that he would stop them. So that made me feel pretty good about it. My friend went with me today and she kept my spirits up. I was so thankful to have her there!
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Peachy,
You did it! Congratulations. Hope that the next time you will be able to relax. I use my time in the chair to relax, read, surf the web and listen to music. I've had neulasta shots each time and haven't experienced anything more than little twinges in my legs, so maybe you will be lucky too.
Theatercat, hope you're doing OK with the SEs.
Phillybird, glad you are finally making use of the wig. Even after this is over, we're going to be dealing with hair issues for months ahead. Chicago is getting really chilly. Today one of my coworkers that I don't see often saw me wearing a hat indoors and commented on what a smart thing to do. -
Yeah Peachy!!!! We all knew you could do it, and I am so happy to hear that your friend went with you. My low back pain from Neulasta doesn't usually start until about 5 or 6 days from the time of injection, and it is really so mild. Sometimes I take an ibuprofen, sometimes I just stretch, or walk around a bit, and make sure to sit up straight. Hope you are lucky with mild reaction to it to. Remember, it is good that your bone marrow is working a bit overtime to make new neutrophils. Still, try to stay away from people who have colds and keep washing your hands to stay away from germs.
When is your number 4 Rossileo? Wednesday?? I am getting so impatient to get to the point where my body can start working off these toxic chemicals and growing back my hair!!
Rads are supposed to be a piece of cake.
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Phillybird,
I'm done next Wednesday. I think Frances, lovetorun and ladyboss are the others who are graduating next week, Yes, I am soooo tired of this and am looking forward to letting my body recover from this onslaught of toxins. -
Had no.2 yesterday. they told me I couldn't get in emend two days in a row.I am going back this mornning for IV kytril. I have been pushing the issue of emend caplets. Told me not to take zofran until sunday if I need it. Just a little nausea and a headache,I also had a a bachache that was a killer. I always do well the first 24 hrs. then I go downhill for 2 days. Does claritn work for the neulasta? Hoping for the best.
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Peachy: Yea! You did it! Rest today, tomorrow, and Sunday. Sleep when you feel like sleeping. Don't worry about naps keeping you up at night. Sleeping should not be a problem during the 3 days after chemo. I take my daytime nausea pill every day for the 3 days after, just in case. The Neulasta shot will make your shoulders and hips a little sore. I take Aleve or Advil. I also have a jacuzzi, so that helps me as well. Next Wed, Thurs, and Fri will be your immune deficient days. Stay away from kids and crowded places. Wash your hands every time you go by a sink. I keep anti-bacterial wipes at my desk.
Wigs? I am an old hat at the wig-thing now. I don't feel self-conscious anymore. I throw it on and go
Next Thursday (9/22) is my last chemo. I am SO looking forward to being done, but I am dreading the SE's. I know I will be way more tired for a longer period of time. I don't like feeling tired.
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Hi all, I have a decision to make and hope to seek all your advice. I was first diagnosed as triple -ve and hence given dose dense TC every 2 weeks. After 4 chemos, I was told my tumor is actually ER+ve (15% staining) and another retest from another hospital lab came back today at ER+ve 10%. I have done 5 chemos now and today onco told me he will consider me as hormone receptive and will give me hormonal therapy after chemo. He also said that if I want to stop chemo now I can, ie No #6 but the decision is for me to take. He prefers me to do #6 though. Anyone has this experience of swing and also anyone out there do 6TCs? Onco said the minimum is 4TCs and max is 6 TCs. I am now in between. how??????
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Hi ladies, I am sorry for being MIA. I hope you are all doing well, I am sorry for new ones starting chemo, hang in there you will pass through. First time is always nerve wrecking ands stressful but once you do it you know how to manage the SEs etc.
Frances - I am sorry for the mix up and confusion, as if you dont have enough!!! Thats a tough decision to make especially if your doctor tells you that he prefers you do 6 rounds. So, I was intially scheduled to have 6 rounds of TC and my doc was very admanant that i will be gtting 6. Last week on thurs was my #4 so i met with her before my chemo, she checked me out, reviewed my blood work report from start of chemo, asked me questions etc etc then i asked her, what determines one to have 4 TC and otehrs 6 TC? she said 6 is the standard, then she turned to me and said actually we can stop your chemo today after the 4th, how do you feel? and i told her, wow!! I am okay if she is comfortable and okay as she is my doctor and the expert here. And she sadi she was comfortable for me to stop at 4, she said my "numbers" are good and she did not want to over treat me. So thats it, i finished chemo last week after 4 rounds of TC.
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FrancesC: my opinion is that if you can stand one more, it can't hurt. I would err on the side of caution. I was initially told that I was borderline whether or not I needed the chemo, and it was my choice. I erred on the side of caution and started chemo. Then my onc test came back as medium risk (good choice for chemo), then my BRCA test came back positive for the gene (even better to choose chemo). Glad I erred on the side of caution.
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Well, I felt great yesterday, today not so hot. I have a slight headache, my face is red and my arms are kind of achy. I am at work, but leaving in about 15 mins. I go for my Neulasta shot at 4pm, and am off for the weekend. I have high blood pressure so I hope it's not affecting that. sigh****
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Peachy: RELAX. Definitely don't panic. That will only cause problems with the high blood pressure. Spend this evening and tomorrow pampering yourself. It is all about you this weekend.
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ladyboss I feel so much better at the moment. I left work and went home to take a nap. 4pm my hubby took me to get my Neulasta shot, I was falling asleep in the office waiting! But my blood pressure was fine, no fever, and I actually felt better not long after I received my shot. I took some Claritan about 3 hrs before, and will probably take some Aleve before I go to bed just to be safe. I go back again Thursday for some bloodwork, hope it's all good. My wigs are in and I have an appt to have them styled and fitted tomorrow at 11:30am, but we'll have to see how I am feeling in the morning. I may have to reschedule depending on that. Take care & have a great weekend!
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