For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....

Terry Welcome to the TAC world..I won't lie to you and say TAC is easy because it is really tough on many people. The secret is dealing with the side effects as best you can. My advice is to Drink lots of fluids and pee a lot the first day of chemo at least once an hour first 6 hours to avoid bladder irritation, take your nausea meds for the first three days even if you think you don't need them. If you are taking nuelasta shots, make sure you have some pain meds to cover the bone pain. Crunching on ice chips seems to help prevent mouth sores when you are getting the taxotere, take a slushey drink with you to chemo. Use plastic utensils when you get that metal taste in your mouth a few days after chemo.And when you are feeling low..visit these boards, I have found the women on this thread very supportive when I needed someone who understood. You know where to find us.
Good luck Terry!
MarciaA.

Hello All, Well, a new side effect (of the Taxotere specifically) appeared yesterday - looks like tear ducts are irritated, narrowed or blocked - I know I need to call the onc (she told me to call on this one if it happened) but reading about the pain associated with diagnosing it and treating it is putting me off big time. (Gail I think I left my big girl panties at home!) Anyway, one person posted that it cleared up for her after she finished tx, another says it didn't and she wishes she got the tubes b/c the later treatment is worse. Big sigh. Leigh

Well that explains the tearing that I've jsut started getting. How freaky to just start looking like you are crying out in public! I thought it was allergies or something. This treatment I havent' had it yet, but it could still come along.

Marcia- I didnt' count the week afte the last treatment becuase.. well, because it's OVER!! hehehe don't have to even think about going back again after that, and that's a big thing for me the first week after. A real depresser. That's why I didn't count it. Good luck tomorrow with number 5 and let us know, I bite my nails anytime one of us goes in!

I'm feeling better this time, just tire easily. Strangely enough, my daughter is doing better with school. Probably becuase it's all field trips and almost over anyway. I can't wait until school is out for once lol.

Paula

Marcia, thank you for sharing that website. It is interesting to check out other chemo rooms. It is really nice, especially with all those windows. Just beautiful. Good luck tomorrow.

Well, I got a prescription for my port infection over the weekend and it is amazing how fast things cleared up. So happy that I won't have to delay treatment 3 this Friday.

Terry, I was absolutely terrified of my first treatment. It is the fear of the unknown. Once you have your first treatment and know what to expect, I think things are easier....mentally anyway.

Molly

Hi Ladies,
Well, tomorrow is TAC #4 - my appointment with the onc is not till 10:15 and he has scheduled me for a 40 min instead of the ususal 20min. I didn't ask him why. I have a few questions for him. Need to talk about rads as they start 3 weeks after I'm done with chemo and I have not met with a radiation oncologist yet. Also want to ask him what all the blood work means that they do each time. People ask me if they got all the cancer,and I say I don't know. I guess they did - double mastectomy and lymph nodes - but how do i know for sure. Also going to call the ps and see about stopping in tomorrow after chemo and talk about taking some saline out - my regular appointment with ps is not for another week.
Molly - what did they give you for your port infection? I had 3 days of IV Rocephin and oral Levaquin for 7 days. Just finished antibiotics on sunday. Today I feel pretty good (one of two days since chemo #3 - the other day was day 11 when the infection was spotted) and tomorrow I get to feel lousy again from chemo. My main side effect is horrible nausea, lack of appetite and fatigue.
Leigh or is it Paula? - hope your tear ducts are better. Marcia and Mindy how are you feeling?
I started the decadron this morning and both #3 and this time it has me "reved" up so I stay up late the night before chemo. Didn't notice it the other times. Tomorrow is my darling 8 year olds last day of school. It is a 1/2 day and she gets out at 12:45. Hubby has to pick her up and she may come to the clinic while I'm in chemo. She has come to weekend clinic when I get IV hydration. Well, I better go as I feel like I beginning to ramble. Karen

I had my first TAC today. It was easy as far as today went. Now I just have to see what side effects I will have. I am glad to have the first one over with.
Thanks for all of the info.

Well, #4 is behind me. Feeling good this morning, off for the Neulasta shot soon. I'm having hot flashes at night, was awakened about 6 times the night before last. Onc suggests Effexor so I'm giving it try (it treats the cause vs. the symptom, so worth trying). Tearing has stabilized for the moment; she wants me to consult an opthamologist if it worsens.
Terry - congrats on getting the first one down! It really reduced my overall anxiety to know what to expect.
Molly - glad to hear the port infection cleared.
Boat update - after a wild night, they are nearly on the NC/VA border and expect to put in somewhere in the southern Chesapeake tonight and then to go on to Solomons tomorrow, so the will have done the trip in 7 days!
Leigh

Hi:
Today ois day two. I am a bvit tired and spacey ansd I have a sore stomache when I touch it. I don't feel much else. Can anyone say wht I might expect and when. I am wondering about work and other obligations. I feel like I am just sitting around waiting to feel sick. Yikes!!
Terry

Hi Terry,
Today was my 3rd treatment and I am feeling a bit spacey from all the medications and very tired as well. But I'm half way through!!! yea. I usually start out tired, and have a burping affect and some heartburn. I get a little nauseated but it seems like all the stuff they give me for that takes care of it. I've not thrown up, as of yet. Are you taking the neulasta shot the day after? I get mine tomorrow and then I have some bone/joint pain for a few days.

Everyone experiences things differently and you may just get some mild symptoms. Sounds like day two is going very well for you. That's wonderful!

Molly

Hi Everyone,

Am back from the East Coast and the confernce and visit to my parents. It was great to get away for a few days and not have to think as much about the cancer and chemo thing( it's still there, just not centre stage). The conference was great - I even got in my presentations. Now back to reality. Tomorro the bloods and the doc and Tues. TAC 3. I hope that it is no worse than before - but you have all taught me that each can be different. Meanwhile, for someone who rarely cries, the tear ducts have opened up. I am trying to look at it as another part of cleansing.
Meanwhile it has been great to have you all out there helping me to be aware of what this TAC journey is and will be like. That is more helpful and reading about others on different protocols.
Tally ho!
Jeannette

Leigh,

Am glad to hear that you will be reunited soon. Must have been hard not to make the trip. Also I am hoping that my tear ducts will settle down for a few days after the next round. They are anoying - but I wouldn't trade for some of the other possible side effects.
J.

Karen, I am feeling alot better. Thanks for asking. Tac#4 will be a week from tomorrow for me. (June 6th) At least I will be able to go to my nephews graduation on June 3rd, with his open house on the 4th. Then back to feeling crappy for a while. I always have swollen ankles starting at the end of week #2 and it lasts up until next treatment. Anyone else do this?
TerryJill- Hope that you are feeling ok.
Peejay- I know the feeling about the tearducts. Mine do it also. I know how you feel about the crummy weekend also. It sucks watching everyone else be normal and having fun playing basketball and softball at a get together and not being able to do either. He*l, I cannot do anyting without getting worn out, out of breath or sweating to death. LOL! Not to mention the 90 degree weather that we have been having.

Take Care,

Mindy

Hi everyone:
It is the evening of day 6 and I still feel lousy. Does anyone iknow if it gets worse during the period when the counts are low? I hope that each one doesn't get harder because this was pretty hard. On the evening of day 3 it felt like a mack truck hit me and as if I had a horrible flu...achy. I can deal with this but I am afraid that each one will be worse. Any advice?

Thank you. How is everyone?

I am day 6 past my 3rd treatment. This was definitely more difficult for me. I can't believe how absolutely tired and exhausted I have been. I can't wait til I'm all through with these. Sounds like number 4 is even more difficult from what you guys are saying? It's exhausting thinking about it.

molly

Marcia, Sorry to hear the most recent Taxotere was so difficult for you - it's tough stuff, for sure. IMHO, you've gotten plenty to do the job! Hope the onc agrees. I'm back to work today, feeling a little light-headed. Not sure why. I was more tired this time, and the hot flashes are getting to me, but I'm not sure what the dizziness is about.
Paula, glad to hear your daughter will be home. One of the bright sides of this has been the amount of time I've been able to spend with my mom.
Leigh