Taxol Chemotherapy

I'm crashing really hard from the steroids this time..anyone else find that they cant stop crying during the steroid crash?? I cant wait for this crap to end!

JulieLynn- it reallyis a roller coaster ride isnt it? My onc looks at me as if I am the only person she has ever seen cry their way through chemo..I guess I feel better knowing others are crying also. I've heard some others mention ringing in the ear..not sure if it is from the steroids or the chemo. I have not experienced this.  keep counting down....

Hi ladies - I have spent my morning reading all of your stories and I just want to say to those of you still going through chemo - there is light at the end of the tunnel. I finished my Taxol almost 6 months ago and am finally feeling better. I did go through radiation post chemo which can cause lingering fatigue but that is now much less. I had the dose dense Taxol which started after my first tx. and I still have some neuropathy in my hands and feet and a bit more joint pain than I did prior to all the treatments, but I am 53 so part of it could be just that too. To those of you suffering through the joint and muscle pain, definitely take some pain meds for this, there is no reason to suffer if you can treat it. (I am an RN too). In terms of hair loss, my eyebrows & eyelashes we're the first to come back but it took several weeks before I could actually wear mascara again. My skin and nails are still very dry, my heels have cracks in them most of the time. I try to use Aquaphor on them twice a day and this has helped some and I use hand creams several times a day. This being said - 6 months after finishing tx. I am beginning to feel much more Iike myself again so hang in there and soon it will all be behind you and just a bad memory! I keep you all in my prayers!

Claire, I hope you have a better week ahead! I get what you mean about your body abandoning you, I feel the same. Sometimes I look in the mirror and can't believe what I look like. I take comfort in knowing it's only temporary, but still can't wait to look like myself again. Thanks for the encouraging words Nancinurse. It helps to be reminded that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel!

Beth- I have trouble sleeping also..try taking a benadryl before you go to bed..I found that it helps. I didnt have any trouble sleeping during A/C either but he taxol seems different. 

Yes to sleeping issues. I stay up late (not like me at all) wake up at 330, when its too early and I shouldn't.  Steroids jack me up artificially and I think they keep up that way till the next infusion.

I take a whole regime of stuff to help me sleep: motrin PM, trazadone, melatonin, magnesium and sometimes a Xanax.Hate taking all the meds, I feel like a druggie--but need sleep more than I need to worry about how I get it.

T #7 down today.   And it was the fastest one yet--in and out in less than 3 hours!  Woo-hoo!

 Claire

Yes to sleeping issues.  It is definately worse closer to the date of treatment.  So excited for this almost to be over.  For those of you just starting, it seems long and miserable.  I started my first weekly taxol the Monday after Thanksgivng and in less than 5 days I get my last taxol!!!  I move onto another set of chemo issues but its almost there!  Keep chugging, you will make it. 

My onc says that with taxol he has never found any predictive factors to indicate what might make the SE worse.  He says its been completely random from woman to woman.  Age, race, whatever hasn't made a difference, especially with the pain and neuropathy.  Its pretty much a crap shoot.   I know some of you are new to this thread, and some have already moved on but keep the thread going its really nice to talk to ladies gong through the same things.  I even have a BCO PM pal now!

Hey Kim - I've been following this thread (in case I end up getting Taxol), and just wanted to say I can completely relate to the crying rollercoaster.  You described it perfectly.  Add some angry outbursts and few cuss words before breaking into tears, and you've described me to a "T" lately.  LOL.  Hugs to you!  

I had my port replaced yesterday.  It sprung a leak!!  I am feeling pain today and very mad at my surgeon for placement of first port!!  #4 taxol next tuesday.  

Shore, congrats on finishing Taxol, that's one thing done! Hoping for minimal SE's for you on th Herceptin.

Sandlake, wth? I've never heard of such a thing... I'd be mad too!

Gator, does this mean you're half way done now?

dancetrancer, welcome if you end up here. You and I have the same dx date. That's my birthday too!

Kim, I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. Sending gentle hugs your way. I think we all have our moments and it's perfectly natural. I sometimes look at myself and can't believe what I've been thru and how I look. I will never complain of having a bad hair day again in my life!

I've been having the crying issues too with the Taxol - Thought it was maybe from the steroids but now I'm not too sure.  Only three more tx to go and then to finish the Herceptin!  I just want off this rollercoaster!  FLislander - My liver enzymes were up last week but not this week.  My MO said the liver is just working harder to flush out all the toxins.  She even skipped giving me iron last week because of it but was able to resume it this week.  We'll see what next week brings.

A friend took me to Merle Norman this past weekend for a makeover - They taught me how to do my eyebrows (with a powder).  I can't believe what a difference it made!  I knew they were mostly gone but WOW having some back on, even temporarily, made such a huge difference looking in the mirror!  Still hanging on to half my eyelashes but don't think I'm talented enough to try the fake ones.  I think the eyebrows and lashes have been harder to lose than the hair too.

Im on weekly taxol and i am down to 6 mg or whatever iv units they use. Plus benedryl and no oral steroids. It can be reduced or even dropped if u have had no sign of rxn to the taxol. Dont let ur mo blow u off.

I'll second that, it sucks. I have 2 more then surg, then rads..

I am definitely getting steroids reduced, thanks

I'm hanging sorry can't get a positive post out today

I think my expanders have expanded. I ran into the door the other day and it hurt so bad. I didn't realize 50ccs would make me that much bigger. My husband and I went to the grocery store and I innocently said I wanted chicken breasts. I started laughing so hard. He was laughing because it had been so long since he has heard my laughter!

Ladies, try the Look Good Feel Better programs. Hopefully, one is available in your area. They teach you to draw your eyebrows. My brows were so stupid looking--long hairs, no hairs--that I plucked most of them last night. I draw on the brows and line my eyes because I have so few lashes. My biggest decision of the day is which hat or scarf do I wear today?

My joint pain is starting but it will be over on Sunday or Monday. I have pain meds to take. I did get 9 hours of sleep last night. Feeling better today.

 One more Taxol to go then I go into the "What now?" mode. I am doing chemo because of my Onco score. It is preventative. I really do wonder what I will do next.