January 2012 chemo

Just checking in this morning to followup qfter first taxol tx.  Even though I had a reaction to this first tx, I feel strangely relaxed about the next try.  The reaction was so controlled and I felt very well cared for.  The infusion nurse told me beforehand that she has seen people react to this tx and felt confident that they could handle any outcome.  I really wasn't frightened when I saw their response to my reaction.  Once the meds were increased, I had no discomfort or any weird feeling.  However, I did have the steroid rush and needed  atavan to sleep.  I woke up around three with a hot flash.  Got up for a bit, but was able to go back to sleep for a few hours.

I'm afraid to jinx anything, so I won't sound too positive.  But I feel great today!  I actually wanted coffee this morning.  I haven't been able to stomach coffee since my first AC tx.  I ate a big breakfast (steroids?) and feel really good.  I know that the SEs might not be felt for a few days so we will see.  The one thing that I haven't felt is that 'gut sick' feeling that followed each AC tx.

So, maybe this will be doable!  I'll keep you up to date if anything changes.

Taxol/Herceptin first infusion

Had my first infusion of Taxol/Herceptin on Feb 28th.  Didn't have any allergic reactions and infusion was uneventful.  I did put my fingertips in ice to prevent nails from later falling off or being damaged.  Oncologist says it works.  Going to do toes next week.

For me other than some minor Neuropathy for the first 2 days, #1 Taxol has been 80% better than A/C.  I am back to eating "normal" food, I'm not tired to take naps, but did sleep 10 hrs last night.  I almost feel like I am off chemo it is that good as I had such a rough time on A/C.  I hope this lasts.  I was able to go shopping 3 times since then.  Before I couldn't even think about going to a store. 

I am taking Claritin as Oncologist said they don't really know why it works, but it helps.  So I started taking it.    I do have alot of sinus drippage, mucusitis, and nose bleeds, but I had that on A/C too.  It's annoying but not debilitating like those other horrible A/C  SEs.

I sure hope it lasts!!  Good luck to all of you who are beginning Taxol soon!

I just got home from 3.5 days in the hospital.  A first this time was WBC and Red were low.  I had two 'bags' of whole blood.  14 needle sticks later I don't have a vein left that they can use I think.  I talk to my onc. on Tuesday and I think I see a port in my future.  I will try to catch up on the posts tomorrow after, hopefully, a good nights sleep in my own bed.

Peggy 

PS I missposted my grandson's diagnosis.  It is type 1 diabetes.  The kind that needs insulin.  He is home from hospital and so far no major problems with the treatment plan. 

Brooke - Never even heard about the fingernail toe thing and I am 7 infusions in!!  I had more taxol SE in the beginning....it is almost like my body had gotten use to it.  Certainly everyone is different

I hope all of you girls starting taxol have an easier time than ac!!  xoxo

Thanks to all of you who are now doing Taxol, and sharing your stories.  It's so helpful to know that good days are coming!  :-)

Is anyone here doing dose-dense Taxol?  I'm getting a little nervous that perhaps I won't be able to experience the enjoyment of "lesser SE" because my tx will be twice the dose, every-other week.  Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat with me, or am I sinking on my own?!

NancyHB-I start DD Taxol on Tuesday. 4 treatments every other week. I also begin Herceptin as well. Not looking forward to a 5 1/2 hour infusion. I'm terrified by the possible allergic reaction. I'm trying to be strong but wow, I'm really nervous.

Just want to thank everyone for their posts. Heading for #1 Taxol tomorrow. Onc has me taking Benadryl, Tagament at 6pm tonight, midnight( how will I stay awake) and then at 6am....geeze its a lot of benadryl but I am hoping that the Taxol is better tolerated that AC...that stuff is the worst. but I am through with it!!  THANK YOU ALL.

denjak - Hope everything goes well tomorrow!  It sounds like they have you covered with the antihistamines!  It seems every MO has a different approach.  I took 5 (4mg) steroid pills  the night before and 5 right before the infusion. The benedryl was given (IV) as a premed, before the infusion and then again when I had the reaction.  Next tx they want me to double up on the steroids.  I guess the benedryl will be doubled as well.  Bring something to do, since the infusion can be long and boring.

NCbeachgal - Sounds like everything went well!  Yay for no reaction!  Did you get 'restless legs' during the benedryl drip?  I was really uncomfortable for a short period of time.  I couldn't settle down and relax.  I felt like I needed to stretch all my muscles and crack my joints.

Monday and today were difficult at work.  I didn't feel sick, but my muscels ached and I was very tired.  My boss told me to go home a little early today.  I was in slow motion all day.  However, this is way better than how I felt on AC.

So I am geared up, aka nervous, but ready for Taxol #1 tomorrow. I've got my tea tree oil for my nails, frozen peas to ice fingers and toes during treatment, and a sleeping mask. Really hoping the benadryl knocks me out enough to take a nap because I probably won't sleep much tonight.

riceandbean.. Good luck to your wife tomorrow. #3 was my most difficult but #4 was much better. Hoping she stays SE free or at least to a minimum.

Denjak: Good luck to you too tomorrow!!

Yay kenyohunt!!!!!!!!!!



Momof2: good luck tomorrow. My first taxol is next week so will be watching for your review. Here in Australia they don't do so much pre-dosing of steroids/antihistamines. In fact they don't do any - just the stuff in the infusion before they start the taxol.



Jenn

Momof2

I will be thinking of you tomorrow as well. How many treatments of taxol do you have? From all of the different post I have read the icing does seem to work. I didn't have any lifting of my nails but they have tuned colors deep purple about half way up the nail, this did not happen on my toenails. But I am on taxotere not taxol, they are in the same family though btw I did not ice so maybe better results with icing.

I am scheduled to start Taxol/Her in a week assuming I'm totally recovered from my latest crash.  I'm worried about steroids because the ones I took for AC made my heart pound.  I will definitely tell the doc.  Benadryl also tends to make me jittery.

Peggy 

Janetanned - thanks for your kind words about the video posted on my blog.  It was amazingly well done by a Breast Cancer Survivor.    I think it describes the most accurate feelings of how I have felt on this BC journey, and I know you can relate.  Ladies, please watch.  It is called "The Wildest Ride on Earth".  But make sure you are somewhere where you can shed a few healing tears.  http://denise4health.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/breast-cancer-is-a-crazy-lonely-roller-coaster-ride/

As for icing fingers/toes, I sat next to a gal in infusion whose nails were already turning dark, she started icing them, and it reversed, so it is not too late.

Kitchenella:  I only am getting a steroid with the Taxol in an injection.  Didn't have to take any pills, thank God.  Made my heart pound too.  Had some palpitations last night, but already better.  So much better than A/C.

Momof2:  Hope things went well for you!  Prayers!  Let us know!

 Riceandbeans:  your wife and I have very similar diagnosis and treatment, but I am Her2Neu+.

I just completed #2 Taxol of 12 weekly Taxol then 6 weeks rads after 4 A/C.   #3 A/C was worst, #4 A/C mostly tired and not as bad as #3.  Alot of people seem to say that too.  Your 13 mo old sounds adorable.

Prayers for all.  

Glad to see everyone's still around!  Wonderful to hear good news, kenyonhunt!  And glad that everyone's SEs seem to be okay, particularly with the new rounds of Taxol starting.  I'm hoping and praying for relief.

Came home from work on Monday evening and slept on (mostly) and off (just a little) for 36 hours.  Had to literally crawl from the bathroom back to the bedroom at one point.  Felt much better today.  I now have blisters on my palms, and am discovering a couple on my feet.  My mouth is full of sores.  This is the first time I've ever had such awful SE's, but I am happy because it was after my last AC, so I won't have to go through this again.  I think it all just caught up with me.

My husband bought me the coolest things the other day - disposable "toothbrushes" from the hospital pharmacy.  They're like little pink sponges on sucker sticks.  I put a little toothpaste on them and can use them all over my mouth, even on the areas with the sores.  Then I just toss them.  I think he paid 20 cents each.  I even keep a few with me in my pursue so, when my mouth has that awful metalic taste I can just brush a little and it helps it go away.  

I'm curious, too - is anyone craving any odd/specific/different kinds of food?

Nancy

I had AC #4 today (yeah!!), with an exam by my MO beforehand. She found that the tumor is roughly the same size as when she examined it two weeks ago. She said 'we're good,' while all I could hear in my head was "It's not working, it's not working!!" Because there is clinical evidence that it has gotten at least a bit smaller since before treatment began,the MO is not particularly concerned. But because my breast was quite swollen from procedures when initially measured, its hard to know really if it has gotten smaller. I'm kind of terrified.



I just wanted to write that out here to try to give it some perspective. I still have four taxol treatments to go. I think as a triple negative patient I'm fixated on every sign that I'm responsive to chemo, and devastated when those signs don't seem to be there. As my MO said today, 'if there's no change in the size of the tumor, it's not good.' I also have to keep in mind that the facts won't all be in until an ultrasound is done after chemo ends and the surgery reveals what's really going on in there.



Deep breaths now and trying to stay positive and unafraid.

Annie