Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

you are quite welcome for the laugh Wavewhisperer.......It was sort of like a Maxine commercial.  I must say after looking at all the side effects, it seems so unfair.  If all those side effects were to happen for any other reason, you would be dropping weight like mad,,,,not with cancer though...nope this is the illness that puts weight on...such an unfair set of circumstances.  

Questions for everyone though....I have noticed that this winter my face is so incredibly dry and again, haven't started my TX.  Does anyone have a suggestion for facial moisturizer?? I see the eucerin and Cetaphil but not sure that either of them are good as face creams.  I am pretty sure my poor old Olay stuff is not going to cut it.  It is time to call in the big guns.  Any suggestions for this would be greatly appreciated.  

The chick flick super bowl started about 4 years ago, when we noticed that the only purpose the women served at the super bowl parties was THE SERVING LOL, so we decided to cook for the guys anyway but then the girls would get together at a different house and watch what they wanted.  So tonight will be a Twilight fest and then Madonna's half-time show.  I am so glad she is doing a compilation from her hits.  Loved her when I was in my 20s and in MHO those were her best songs.

Hi Ladies,

Thank you silviazara for starting this blog

I have been in and out of other blogs reading/posting while waiting to see what my final plan is going to be.

My Oncotype DX FINALLY came back - 14 Great news! So, I thought...

It appears this roller coaster ride is NOT ready to stop. Just when I think it's pulling in...ZOOM...it's off to the top again!

After seeing both Oncologists after getting Oncotype DX back I was confused more than ever! They switched what they said originally after knowing Oncotype DX, which took me by surprise. 

One originally said Chemo no matter what the score was  - due to my age and LVI - but when she saw the score she was basically okay with me doing Tamoxifen. We did discuss Ovarian Suppression plus Zometa. The plan was to start Tamoxifen first.   

Then I saw the other Oncologist.  Her orignal plan was Tamoxifen + Ovarian Suppression. Then meeting with her after getting score she really felt Chemo. 

It was back to the computer...reading, reading reading...printing, printing, printing...highlighting, highlighting, highlighting...

I finally had to come to terms with myself to realize there is NO right or wrong answer. It was up to me to decide! 

My recurrence rate is 10%...Tamoxifen would put me at 90% and Chemo + Tamoxifen would put me roughly at 94%...

It was a long week! I have decided to do the Chemo. I am also VERY worried about SE's like many of you are...

I was going to do the Penguin Caps (for my husband)...I have decided I will not...I have felt pretty strong about losing my hair and it not bothering me. However, I do wonder if I will feel this way when I'm actually losing it and then shaving it. I plan on getting my haircut and donating it.

The mouth sores (I will chew ice chips), finger/toe nails (I will soak them in ice water), possibly do the EVOO to save the taste buds, I will do the Claritin to help with allergy symptoms, I also will use the special mouthwash.

I will be doing TC with first infusion starting Mon., Feb. 13th. I will have 4 rounds of treatment.

I have been given a prescription for Dexamethasone 4 mg: Steroid (take two pills in the am & pm day before chemo, day of, and day after)...Is anyone NOT taking the steroid? Is any one taking this steroid? I have thought about ONLY taking one pill am & pm...Also, perhaps may ask for a lower dosage rather than the 4 mg.

As for nausea prescriptions: Prochlorperazne Maleate 10 mg, Ativan 1 mg, & Zofran 8 mg...Just wondering if this many is necessary...Why not just one med. for nausea? Anyone taking these as well?

Is anyone having trouble with their contacts?

Before Treatment did anyone have: Bone Density Test? Echocariogram? Teeth cleaned before starting - I heard you shouldn't have them cleaned during treatment? Pap Smear?

Am I missing anything? LOL

Enjoy the game for those of you watching 

Hugs,

Bonnie 

A_Fighter,

As far as the tooth cleaning if you have not been for a while would probably be a good idea before you begin,I did talk with my Onc as I had a cleaning scheduled and she said you can have this done during treatment but there is a window not to get it done.I am sorry I am not sure but it may be 10 or 14 days after is ok  but definetly not right after.This is one of the reasons I am delaying till the 28th for my first treatment as I have a cleaning scheduled for the 27th and my insurance won't pay for it if I go before.Onc said where I have recently had a problem and required a root canal I should be carefull.  I also considered the cold caps but decided against them as I am not sure I can tolorate them and know I will be sorry after the fact but thats always the way it is.I have not yet been told what steroid or anti nausea I will be receiving yet But wow it does seem like over kill to me but then again  I have not yet begun treatment.I was told that those who follow what they are told on these don't have the nausea and those that don't will.So I plan to take what I am told and if it works I will try to stick with it.But i don't take much medication so it may also effect me undisireably

This is the first reference I have seen of EVOO for the taste buds can you explain what this is ? Is this Extra Virgin Olive oil? I think I may remember reading this somewhere.

I know there's a lot of info and worry about nails... I have my 3rd of 4 TC infusion on Thursday. I don't have any other or under lying health issues. I asked my MO about mani / pedi's and she said go ahead with it as long as I felt up to it, but, explain to the technician that everything needs to be sterilized and no cutting, because of the chemo. I've gone 3 times so far and I get the Shellac on my nails... It's basically 6-7 layer of polish baked on your own nails. Regular pedicure. I haven't had any issues, and I don't ice my nails, either. I think going for mani/ pedi's has definitely helped me psychologically, too. At least I have pretty, polished nails to look at.

Just remember, for those of you just starting, there are many SE, but you won't get all of them.

My worst ones have been: fatigue, muscle and bone pain from the Neulasta, (Claritin works) and a little blurry vision. I have had no nausea, and haven't had to take the prescriptions (2) they gave me for that. Of course, I've had hair loss, but not on my legs or underarms (so unfair)... As far as that, yes, I've shaved them, I've been exceptionally careful, used a disposable razor, and used it only once and threw it out.

Exercise, even if it's only walking around your house for 10 minutes at a time, during your worst days, definitely helps. On my good week, I'm able to do 39-45 minutes on my treadmill.

As far as eating, my MO advised me not to overeat on my good days. She said a lot of us do because we anticipate feeling like crap after the infusion and actually gain weight. Women that don't gain weight tend to do better physically and psychologically during chemo. I have a good friend that gained a lot of weight during chemo and she was miserable (she gave me the same warning).

Another thing I just thought of...they watch you really well during your first infusion. I didn't have any adverse reactions, so no steroids at home for me, no benadryl in the infusion after that. Good tip: ask your MO for Ativan if you feel you need it before your tx. My MO had me take 2, and prescribed a "generous dose" in the infusion bag....

Silviazara, sorry about your bad day! I am glad you are better today!

WaveWhisperer - thank you....



I'm thinking of you all and sending my best to each of you.



As I read about this chemo regime I have heard that it may cause mouth sores. I have been prone to canker sores from nerves and aloe works well for me. I use ultimate aloe juice - I rinse and swallow. It's not only good for your digestive system but also good for healing. Has anyone ever tried it? It can be found at health or nutrition stores. Check with your MO of course before you go ahead with it should you decide to use it.



Kelly

Bonnie, you will find you will often get conflicting advice from various doctors and patients. You need to decide what's right for you. For instance, Momof3Boys is getting manicures and pedicures with no problems, and they help her psychologically. My MO said I should not get them because of the off chance of infection. But perhaps that was because I got a nasty staph infection from a pedicure a couple of years ago. It took almost a year to clear up. Nasty stuff.

As for some of your other questions...I do not get steroids in pill form, just as part of my IV premeds...I would take the Claritin even with the first Neulasta shot...and, as for multiple nausea meds, I think nausea is one of the worst side effects, one that we associate with chemo of 10-20 years ago. Doctors now are able to almost eliminate that with a variety of medications. They often give us several, so we can layer them in case we need to. For instance, I get Zofran in my IV and also have pills to take for the next two days. However, I also have compazine pills in case the Zofran isn't enough and there's any breakthrough nausea. To date, I have NOT had to take the compazine, although -- with the MO's blessing - I have taken the Zofran for longer than 2 days after treatment.

Mtrdee, I'm still looking for the right facial moisturizer. I was continuing to use my Olay products, but my skin is just too sensitive and dry for that. An aesthetician said that while in chemo or radiation, we should avoid any of the products we might otherwise use that have retinols. I guess, during treatment, we should just forget about wrinkles and lines and concentrate on nourishing our skin. Would like to hear what others are using..

As someone else posts regularly, find joy in today! 

AFighter, I take 2 steroid pills (dex) the day before treatment, 2 day of treatment, and 1 day after. I also was instructed to take my Compazine RX every four hours after I got home from the infustion TX for about 36 hours (the rest of the day of TX plus next day and night). I stuck precisely to those orders and had no SEs from the treatment, other than feeling sleepy from the compazine. About day 5-7 I had a little heartburn, but a Pepcid fixed that, and my taste buds were a little odd for a few days when it came to sour and savory tastes. But then they came back to normal. (Maybe due to olive oil?)

I also lost about 80% of my hair on day 14 -- my scalp itched a little bit for a couple of days before, but no pain or burning like some have had. My husband trimmed what was left to about 1/4 inch -- I expect I'll lose that after my second TX on Feb 9. I already had my wigs (the same cut in 3 colors), so I was able to start wearing them to work right away. I am not under orders for Neulasta right now, but I think if my BC gets too low, they'll arrange for that. I have my Claritin already, just in case.

Hi all,



It's so nice to share experiences with everyone. Makes me feel less alone. I'm on 4 treatments of T/C with Neulasta shot the next day. I started on Jan. 25 and go every 3 weeks. I'll be back Feb. 15.



I take steroids beginning the day before, on chemo day and the day after. I had an allergic reaction to CT scan dye, so I'm glad they are being aggressive.



I had about 4 bad days, from day 3-6. I took Claritan and had 1 day of bone pain and felt achy for a couple days. I was nauseous on day 6, but meds controlled it.



I do get more tired than usual, but I've walked 2 miles + on all but 2 days since I started. That seems to really help with energy. It's been a great way to see my friends, too.



My doctor suggested I plan fun things to do or travel for week 3 each time. This gives me things to look forward to and has been great.



I'm beginning to notice that when I run a comb through my hair, I lose more hair than normal. This is day 14 for me. I'm guessing it will happen quickly now. I have long curly hair and I hope to donate it, so I'm getting it cut the first sign of a clump of hair in one spot.



So far, I am relieved that this has not been too difficult. Not fun, and I dread losing my hair, but I'm doing well so far.



I wanted to share about a skin care product. I found it at the hospital womens' store and at a wig shop. It's very expensive, but it is amazing. It's called Lindi. It is online. The skin balm is the best thing for hands and feet that you can imagine. The face mousturiser is good, too. So far, it is keeping the dry skin away. The cost makes it tough, but I will say you only need a tiny bit so it will last. It's mad for chemo patients.



Take care, all. We CAN and WILL get through this.



Kim,

Reluctantly jumped on the chemo train today...

Scheduled for port placement and 1^st chemo on Feb.20.

Cried a lot...

Told my understanding MO that the likely hood of not showing up is pretty good. He said "It's OK by me. I will still be your doc!"

Hi Ladies-

You take the Claritin 24 hours before your Neulasta shot (so on the day of your chemo. I take mine when I get home) and for 5-6 days after, once a day. It's just the regular Claritin, "24 hour" not the D.

One more question... For those of you already going through your treatments, how long is each treatment? I'm scheduled to arrive to the infusion clinic at 8:45am - what should I plan?



Thanks

Kelly

I took Claritin just as momof3 said! My first treatment was about 5 hours. That includes blood work before, etc.

silviazara ~ My first chemo is 2/23. 

 Thank you Kim48 and Silviazara!