August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

I received Taxol #2 on Oct.3 and am feeling a little more achey with this one. Definitley more sweats and headaches. I'm getting it 1x/wk for 12 wks.  It could be that I'm still recovering from shingles.  Taxol IS going better, for me so far, than doing the AC.  But, the neuropathy s/e are scarier.  

I am taking an extra B6 100mg 2x/day, in adddition to my multi w/extra B vitamins. 

Chava, it's interesting that your ONC told you your hair may start to grow back on Taxol. Mine told me it won't and I'll likely lose my eyebrows and eyelashes. I wonder if that's because you're getting 12 weekly doses and I'm getting 4 DD every two weeks. I imagine with the 4 DD each dose would be much stronger so that may case additional hair loss. Who knows???

Ellen, thanks for the compliment. I do like the new wig much more than the others and the large cap is so much more comfortable although still a littile itchy! I have been avoiding cameras for the most part but I did get some pictures taken with my new Great-Niece on the weekend. Couldn't resist a photo with the baby for my scrapbook!

I've also been trying to follow some of the advice in the AntiCancer book where I can. I've been using almond milk for my smoothies, eating more veggies and fruit and trying to buy more organic stuff. Will take a bit of effort but every little bit helps, I think! I've also been drinking lots of green tea; adding turmeric to soups, stews and sauces; and eating 2 squarest of dark chocolate every day. The hardest part for me is cutting down on sugar. I have to admit I love my chocolate and candy! Eliminating alcohol hasn't been hard because I honestly haven't felt like drinking at all since my diagnosis. I do love my white wine though so that might be a tough one too! 

Jennifer, sorry to hear you're having a hard time with the Taxol. I'm on Day 3 and so far it's not too bad. I don't have the metalic taste the way I did with AC. I have a bit of numbness in my fingers but no body aches yet. I keep waiting for it to hit me!

vtEllen - congrats on your last dose - I will be cheering for you on Monday!  Michelleo - love the new wig!  Chava - my onc told me the same thing about hair regrowth on taxol - must be due to the weekly smaller does.  I haven't lost my eyebrows either, I still have some leg hair (which seems spectacularly unfair!), and I have a pretty good covering of stubble on my scalp - anyone else not lost all of their hair?

 Has anyone heard from Crys?  She hasn't been here for a while and I'm worried about her.  I wonder what happened with her final chemo.

Thanks everyone for the input on massage and supplements.  I heard somewhere (maybe this board?) that tea tree oil can help with nail issues while on taxol - has anyone tried it? 

Whooo Hooooooo to you Ellen and Robyn for being almost done!!!!!!!

Michelle you look great with your new wig!!!!

Sorry Jennifer that your having a rough time with taxol!!

Thanks everyone about the rads info.

Wishing everyone a S/E free day!!!

Hello everyone -- I see some have asked about me thank you. I've been resting and recouping and really didn't want to post more 'negative' stuff -- so I've stayed away.

My oncologist called me today; he will NOT administer the final chemo tomorrow (Friday 10/7). He actually said that it would be detrimental and dangerous to my health to continue. He stated that since they don't know what "agent" is causing the severe reactions, to proceed would not be in my best interest.  I think he also feels comfortable in the sense that my OncoType score was 16 and I did at least have 3 out of 4 treatments.  I asked him if they could prolong the steroids or give mor benedryl, but he said NO -- too dangerous.  So, I wasn't the one to say to stop, but it was him. He just won't do it. He said the only other option was the CMF protocal of drugs, but he said it may be a waste of time to give me that. He had actually told me the same thing after my 2nd Taxotere became problematic.

I am still traveling to Philadelphia tomorrow to the cancer center to talk to him in person. He told me if I am coming to "convince someone to give me a final dose of chemo; it;'s not going to happen". Yikes!

He told me I should move right in to Rads and to call them to bump up my mapping appointment, which was scheduled for November 1st. He said if they won't bump it -- he will help tomorrow when I come in to get me in sooner than that.

So -- I guess I'm done.  I don't know how to feel -- shocked, but relieveda at the same time, but not in a bad way.

I hope everyone is good; I've missed everyone.  Hugs, Crystal

Chrys - so glad to hear back....at least you're stopping , it sounded far too dangerous to continue , and your doctor is right...you finished!! Woo hoo!

 Ellen and Robyn..good luck with your last treatment! I'm on the last treatment w A/C too on the 18th , can't wait , then I switch to Taxotere..scared w/that but it means one more step closer to get the all done! My VERY last tx is on the 10th Jan , which is right after the holidays..( Christmas Holidays don't stop until after the 8th in Greece.) I will not do RADS bc a) I did a mx and my SNB was in the clear , and b) I absolutely refused to do rads.Rads scare me more than chemo.

 I don't have a lot of S/E so far except the constant fatigue and some loss of apetite, but this round the Neulasta really kicked my behind.Oof.Not willing to do that shot again.

 Also , one last thing : at the blood draw on the 27th ( eve of tx ) the flebotomist couldn't find a vein at the crook of my elbow..she'd pull and it was just air..That made me VERY scared.Since then I couldn't extend my arm fully and it hurts a LOT.I googled it up and it sounds like she hit a nerve and now my arm's not very useful w the pain..I still can do things but I relied on it more since the surgery since I can't extend the other too much either since the SNB...Argh , it's so frustrating.From what I read , it'll take 6-9 months for the nerve to regenerate/heal.

FYI she did a blood draw from the back of my hand w a butterfly stick , the kid kind one , and did draw blood in the end ..

I'm not willing to go to her again since she managed to destroy my arm ...:(  it's not like it needs a painkiller ( and I feel overmedicated ) but my pinkie hurts constantly as is my arm. This made me feel so blue that I said to my mother that I can't do it anymore , that I want to stop  going to the hospital and just be DONE.

  It's frustrating being shut up and in bed so much of the time , and feeling so unproductive..Fortunately , a close friend is in a similar situation ( for different reasons , she's pregnant and in danger of losing the baby so she has to be in bed constantly till she gives birth ) so we talk a lot and try to while the time..And my dad comes home w a lot of treats  , to cheer me up, bless him..

Chrys-So glad to hear from you! I'm very glad that you're done! Yippee! With an Oncotype of 16, my uninformed opionion is that you should be all set. Mine was 21, and I really struggled with the chemo decision. My oncologist told me in the beginning that every treatment we can manage has an amount of benefit to it! I had a reaction to something after my last treatment, welts everywhere that came and went and moved around for a few days. They suspect the taxotere, but as I seem to be almost cleared up now, this next/last treatment looks like a go! Can't honestly say if I'm pleased or disappointed! I hope you are feeling better!!!!

Chrys..I'm glad to see you were able to pop in!  In my honest opinion, I think your onc made the right decision.  You easily could have experienced an anaphylactic reaction to the next dose of chemo.

Vivie...can you insist on a butterfly draw each time?

Thanks to those who commented. It feels surreal to not go for any more treatment and I pray that the 3 treatments were enought to help fight any cancer in my body. I was able to move my radiation consult up to next week instead of November 1st.  Maybe I can start soon and be done near or right after Thanksgiving. That TRULY would be a blessing!

Taylor -- I did have a UTI while on Chemo after my 2nd Taxotere treatment. I had excessive burning while urinating, I felt the need to urinate every 60 seconds and my pelvic area hurt horribly (felt heavey). I was given a strong antibiotic (3day course) and an anti-spasmotic/pain reliever (which turns your pee orange).  It really did work quick! I felt some relief the first day on the medicine.

Thanks Ladies!! I'll be calling my Dr. tomorrow!!

Just dropping in to clarify for Istreet the recommendations for massage after breast cancer treatment, as it affects lymphedema risk. The entire affected quadrant of your body is at risk for lymphedema (think, chicken wing quarter -- back, side, arm, and hand above the waist on the operated and/or radiated side). If your surgery was bilateral, so is your risk. No deep massage at all should be done on that quadrant.

Sadly, the risk remains for life.

And while having a single node removed is relatively less risky than having ALND that removes dozens of them, if you develop lymphedema the risk is 100%. There are many women here at bc.org (myself included) who have developed lymphedema with a single node removed or with a prophylactic mastectomy with no nodes purposely removed.

Risk reduction information available at these two sites:

http://www.lymphnet.org  (See their Position Papers on Risk Reduction, Air Travel, and Exercise -- along the right-hand side of the page)

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

Hope that helps!
Binney

Thanks for the information Binney - wow, that is sobering.  No more deep massage - I could cry!  I love massages.  Are there lymphadema specialists that do modified massages with this issue in mind?

Istreet, some cancer centers do have massage therapists who are aware of the restrictions they can use to protect you.

It's always worthwhile to ask for a referral to a well-qualified lymphedema therapist for baseline arm measurements for future reference, learning a gentle lymph massage you can do yourself, personalized risk reduction suggestions, and possibly fitting for a compression sleeves and glove or gauntlet (fingerless glove) to use prophylactically for travel and exercise. Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Nothing simple about breast cancer, is there?!

Be well!
Binney

Binny...a quick question.  Are you saying that rads can cause lymphedema?  I, actually, have not researched all the ins and out of rads yet.  I am just taking everything one day at a time; and right now, my 'time and energy' is being spent on getting through this da*n chemo!  Thanks for the info.

Vivie...you should be being treated professionally.  I don't care whether they went to school with your brother or if you are deaf.  Not acceptable behavior.  Your next lab draws will be better because you won't be settling for less!

Missy...glad your treatment went well and that you were able to sleep!