Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

Welcome, Jaebon! Ahh, the HAIR, it is the hardest part. After a lifetime of long, blonde hair, I went pixie short after the diagnosis. My hair began falling out around day 14, and so my dear husband buzzed me down to a 2. The mess of it falling out at that point was too much. And pulling out fistfuls of hair was more horrifying than looking like Britney Spears in her attack cars with umbrellas phase. The falling out process gave me a wicked headache. In the house I wear a soft, cashmere beanie at all times. When I need to go out and look pretty, I wear a skull cap hat (from Under Armor), my halo wig, and a hat. Otherwise, it's hats and scarves for me, too. My full wig looks ridiculous and is itchy, but everyone said I HAD to have it to be "prepared." $400, and I can't wait to BURN it. No one is prepared to be bald. It sucks.

 My oncologist and social worker tell me that most women on TC do NOT lose eyelashes and eyebrows completely. I finished my fourth and last round on Friday, and I have had a bit of thinning, but still can get a good coat of mascara on. Also, I never lost a layer of peach fuzz on my head and now it seems to be growing. Had to shave my legs for the first time this week, too! I will be more than disappointed if I have no eyebrows or eyelashes in 2 months, and still have to shave my legs...

Have been on daily Claritin since Round 3 and no bone/muscle pain yet after Neulasta shot (yet)! Although there is no scientific proof that this works, I know my oncologist is suggesting it to all of her patients now. I think we should all go outside to get our Vitamin D. I'm looking forward to throwing away all of these vials of medicines that make me look sicker (and older) than I feel.

 Stay on the Colace and Senna until that works, and hydrate! Flush out the poisons! I haven't needed the anti-diarrheals at all. And daily Protonix, Pepcid, or BOTH is a necessity for most of us.

 Some GOOD things: my three cancer buddies who have been down this road say that their skin and hair were BETTER after this whole ordeal... an effect that has lasted 2 - 5 years for them. Yay! And my sister is taking me to Puerto Rico for 5 days without children after I'm out of the final immunosuppression window. Yay! And I'm down 2 lbs after a day of hydration, Lasix, and compression stockings. Yay!

Have a GOOD day, ladies...

 Britt

 

Welcome Jaebon and LynnM sorry you have to go down this road but it is definitely doable.

Hair seems to be very consistent across the board as the hardest thing to cope with even though it is a definite Se and you have to do what works for you.I tried to just touch it as little a possible but it doesn't matter when it releases at about 15 day it releases.So day 18 I just buzzed it and so glad I did. I like my halo as it isn't hot but I also have a couple of wigs.I have not yet told everyone and went to a wake and funeral and only one person looked at me a bit funny and said you did something different with your hair. I also heard that eyelashes and brows go about 2 to 4 weeks after last treatment if you are going to loose them.

I take for supplements 2000D,B12,B6,calcium just take no antioxidants.

I also ice my fingers and toes and chew on ice during TX and have no problems with fingers, toes or mouth sores so far after 3 treatments.Would it have been a problem if I didn't who knows but I am going to stick with it.

Keep with the water it was also my choice drink before treatment but it now taste like crap for me during the days 3-8 so you may have to get creative.I use a light grape juice with mineral water and ice makes me feel like I am having a cocktail.

The Colace didn't work for me and I am not one to ever have a problem so I found that Phillips in plum juice and a few apricots throughout the day works best for me. Just give it time to work or you will have the other problem I found this it on TX1.

I do have a few down days nothing more than tired and a little achy but has been consistant for all 3 TX so far and extra strenghth Tylenol does the trick.

I have always exercised 6 days a week and have continued this so far,might be more of a challenge and may need a bit of a breather between but so far so good.

Brittle I am praying on the skin as your friends said  because that is the thing that has got me down.Feel old.

NikkiElizz  sorry it didn't work out at this time but he still sounds like an up front guy and glad you are able to remain friends.Things could change also as you say. I am married now going on 31 years to a wondeful man I had no interest at all . So you never know best decision I ever made and it really is showing through since we are going through this journey.

 I did try to get outside today get some fresh air and vitamin D felt great.

Best to all of you enjoy your weekend  

I hope everyone is doing well! I have completed my four rounds of TC and will start rads next week. I have made it through the process reasonably well with manageable side effects (the usual list), but after my last TC I am experiencing a new side effect -- shortness of breath. I don't recall my MO mentioned this SE, but I noticed that at least one of you have mentioned it. I almost feel like I have emphysema or I have smoked for 40 years -- none if the case for me. Are there any others out there with this problem? If so, what, if anything can we do other than wait? I googled the issue and found some statements connecting Taxotere with pulmonary toxicity but no real suggestions on treatment.



I will email my MO and let you know if she suggests anything.



Best,

Katherine

Mom2JJ OK that is a scary SE glad you are getting in touch with MO on this one,please let us know how you make out.How long after TX did this start to happen I see your last TX was a month ago.I was assuming  by then all SE,s would have already presented them selves.Really sucks if this is not true.

Hoping it passes soon and not something more serious 

Hi Ladies,

Jaebon: How are you feeling? I take Vitamin D3 - 5000 iu's every 2 Days.

Coldenmom: That's wonderful you met the women from your WNY Discussion board for lunch! 

LynnM: Welcome!

It is DONE ladies! Today was my last treatment . I wore a t-shirt I have that reads "Today Matters"! I had Starbucks and Pink flowers to top it off! A dear friend, shaved head buddy, wrote me a beuatiful letter and gave me a special necklace.  Also, a wonderful late lunch/early dinner with Hubby! Then came home and had a nice walk with Mom and Lily (my 3.5 lb. Yorkie)! GREAT day!

Pretty uneventful...I saw MO first. I explained about my nails and asked her if they stopped hurting due to the steroids. Her response was yes. Now, I started steroids yesterday am and by the evening no more soreness! She did recommend cutting my nails even shorter and felt I would NOT lose my nails. She also told me it will take about 6 months for my system to clear. Which I did read this somewhere...It takes as long as from when diagnosed to last treatment.  I asked about further testing, PET Scan and/or Blood Test...In my case, she said no, nothing! As all my finding were micromets. She did mention the risk of uterine and endometrial cancer in taking the Tamoxifen (in a month a start) which will be monitored with my OBGYN. Also, moodiness/less patience  (poor Jason...LOL) and possibly hot flashes/night sweats. I'm still going to question Tamoxifen vs. Zoladex. I'm going to send her some research I have been reading. 

I know before we've discussed how our MO's are saying some of our SE's are not from the chemo i.e. tooth pain (by the way NO tooth/nerve pain Round 3). For me, it was also the steroids and breathing when running. The MO doubted this. I told her again today and her response was Athletes take steroids to get their jolt. Oh boy, I understand that, but for me it must have a different effect! I was NOT running to my full potential today and my heartbeat had already reached 181! It doesn't reach and over that unless I'm really WORKING it!! Any whoo, really frustrating! But guess what, I'M DONE WITH THE STEROIDS NOW, ha!!

Now, infusion..Let me remind you the first day of infusion I had two pricks as the first was a defective needle...LOL...Today it was THREE!! My usual infusion nurse decided to take a vacation, how dare her. Now, I know both infusion nurses due to a friend in before me w/ BC and visiting her. Poor Michelle, infusion nurse, said she doesn't do well working on someone she knows...LOL...She didn't hurt me though. First didn't take except for the blood test. So we had to move it. Then near the very end I had soome burning and VERY uncomfortable so we had to move the needle. Ahh, it was so much better! So, Ladies, any uncomfortableness in the spot please tell as needle needs to be relocated!

I had Michelle run the Cytoxan even slower today...Usually given in an hour...had this Round 1...Round 2 & 3 we ran it in 90 minutes...This time we did 2 hours. It helped relieve me of allergy like SE's when we ran it in 90 minutes so I asked if running it even slower this time could possibly help even more. Michelle said it wouldn't hurt...So we will see 

XOXO,

Bonnie 

 Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that's where your future lies ~ Ann Landers

WOOHOO Bonnie to the last treatment!  RING A LING A LING!

Congrats Bonnie!   what a great milestone.  

Bonnie -- Your post just gave me so much hope! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I know I"m on 3/6 with TAC and have had the usual SE and some weird ones, too, but to hear you that your DONE, well that's just damn--flippin-tastic! And, you're a runner, too! Woo-hoo!! I had to pull out of two triathlons because of this whole BC thing and my Boston dreams will be post-poned for a couple of years probably.

Wanted to address your shortness of breath symptoms. I had that my first Tx. My heart pounded and seemed like it raced and walking up the stairs was challenging. I am anemic, but have been for years so not sure. I asked about it and got an EKG because of the Adromyicin mostly because all the heart problems got me kinda scared. The EKG turned out fine, and I've not had that same heart pounding or racing like I did the first time. I'm always leary of the next treatment though..just like that box o' chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. 

 Again, congrats on your final treatment!! So hopeful now....tears in my eyes for all of us. :-)

I wonder if there is a difference between clariton and the clariton D -- I just take the regular Clariton.

the D has pseudofed in it.  It makes no sense to me to use the Clariton D rather than Clariton.  The pseudofed isnt good for your heart/circulatory system, often causes palpitations, and other side effects.  Thats the last thing you need when you're already taking chemo and having all those side effects.  

Bonnie so happy for you and hope you continue to feel well.Still can't believe what a dear friend you have we should all have one like her.I am 2 weeks behind you and can't wait to stand in your shoes.Please keep us posted on your discussion of Tamoxifen vs. Zoladex with MO very curious on her response.

Mom2JJ

Whew is right!! Holy crap, like you said can you imagine??!!  Thank goodness it wasn't a blood clot(s).  Thanks for the warning though!  Glad they were able to pin point the infection.

Mom2JJ I have been thinking about you since you posted this scary SE. So glad this was resolved and not blood clot related.Is this something that you can take antibiotics for,or does it just have to run its course. She didn't think it was from you over doing it was it? I will definitely keep this in mind if I have any symptoms as I am also one who likes to wait and see if it passes before I call. Not one of my best qualities.Thank goodness I didn't think that way when I found my lump that was one time I insisted on being seen right away.Feel better soon 

Good Morning Ladies,

firstcall: Wahoo, Yippee!! Thinking of you today!  

AEM47 & mthrdee: Tomorrow, correct? Wishing you the best! 

lmlola59: My MO's response - There is NO statistical and/ or superiortity taking Tamoxifen + Zoladex (Goserelin) vs. just Tamoxifen alone. Here are her EXACT words she sent me in response to my email, "It would be crazy to withhold Tamoxifen and only treat with Ovarian Suppression as the standard of care in the US is ABSOLUTELY Tamoxifen alone for pre-menopausal women! It is malpractice to not give Tamoxifen. I would not even think about it."  

LynnM: I hear you about having to pull out of events and postponing! I am SO looking forward to getting back to training! Your day will come to my dear and you will be STRONGER than EVER!

mom2JJ: Are you doing better?

All good here so far, mind you only second day post-infusion... 

I went back to the infusion center yesterday to support a dear friend who was diagnosed with colon cancer. She has to have an infusion every 2 weeks followed with the chemo drip at home for 2 additional days. She's keeping her head up!!! It was a very busy place yesterday compared to when I was there Monday. Two weeks ago she went and she said it was filled with all men. She of course asked herself, did I come the wrong day! LOL...Haylee (infusion nurse) went to weigh Dianne and she took off her shoes. A gentlemen asked, "Why do women always take off their shoes?" Dianne turned to him and said, "Well, if all of you weren't in her I would take off EVERYTHING!" LOL  

Any thoughts on Argan Oil Morocon for hair growth?

Today I am fortunate to to haven woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can. ~ Dalai Lama 

XOXO,

Bonnie 

AFighter - YES, YES...TOMORROW !!!