Starting Chemo October 2012

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    It's not going so well in the BGC so far. Got medication in my port because it is plugged. They offered to use arm vein for chemo. Said no...only have one good useful side for all that stuff so why damage any veins there? On the downside this will be a 3 hour visit! Hope the day is treating you well ladies. Almost time to see if it works. Hugs

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    :( Thinking of you, halfcan!

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  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited December 2012

    samething happened to be during taxol #2 , halfcan.....they could infuse but got no blood return... they called it a fibrid ...i looked it up... kinda like a biological bandaid. Our bodys way of trying to "heal" the port..

    had to add something called rpta..i think

    then  it cleared up and they could start the support drugs... pecid... decadro and benadryl...all went well , just added an hour to the day

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Happy to say I am home and finally warm! Iced fingers and mouth for 1 1/2 hours so cold inside ... Hard to warm up again. Was a long day at chemo by the time my port got cleared. I never use it for blood draws, only infusions. When I was in the ER. a week ago the nurse tried to access and when she didn't get blood return she took it right out and did an IV. Chemo nurse said that once she initiated the port she was supposed to make sure it cleared...not just leave it plugged. Hopeful tomorrow is a good day like last time and then the hammer will fall on day three. My fingers are crossed this round won't be so miserable!

    Hope you gals have an SE easy night. Xox

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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2012

    I actually had to convince my MO to give me my treatment today.  He wanted to put me on a three week schedule for the last two tx instead of dose dense because of my low WBC count 10 days ago (it WAS low, 1.9), but then 3 days later it was 32 (very high!)  I think I  might be taking my neupogen at the wrong time.  Anyone have dose dense taxotere with neupogen?  When do you take your first shot?  I will be taking it earlier this time and hoping for the best.  I did well on the last cycle aside from the low WBC count.  Any pointers on what you do to keep it up?  I really think it may have been a timing issue with the neupogen just because it was so high a few days later.

    Weird - I never thought I would be trying to CONVINCE someone to give me chemo!  I just am constantly thinking about being PFC and don't want any delays!  And I really didn't understand how delaying treatment would help, since my WBC counts were normal today.

    Hoping for a good cycle with NO/minimal SE's for those who had chemo this week.  Toots and Halfcan, it was great holding your hands today!

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    .....well got my drugs today with no incidents all went well when nurse turned up at house at 9am this morning, Shirley always calm and cheerful, makes me feel almost the same way, so tired I could hardly stay awake had 8 mg of steroids yesterday morning and 8mg 6 hours later, didn't sleep for more than 1 1/2 hours day or night............shattered but managed to sleep for a couple after treatment............sleep pattern last night was horrendous bed at 10:30 up at 12:30 bed at 1:30 up at 3:30 bed at 4am up at 5:30.....gave up at that time and had breakfast and hot bubblebath.........

    Shirley says SEs will probably not start until about day 3......except for the steroids LOL

    Doxetaxol 135mg, Emend 125mg, Ondonsetron 8mg, Metoclopramide 10mg, Dexamethasone 8mg.............just Neulasta to go tomorrow noon.............

    .....just keep thinking 4 down only 2 to go woohoo............

    Fight4two & Halfcan so appreciated the handholding mutual thinking about you both - thank you both lots of hugs x

    .........usually try to make a liver casserole with cabbage, spinnach and broccoli on the side day before my bloods done - seems to get my counts really high but not everyones 'cup of tea'.........

    Hoping for minimal SEs for all, lots of silver linings, hugs xxx



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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Toots-do you get nausea from Docetaxol? I don't get any nausea meds and have any nausea! It's not supposed to be a side effect.

    fight4two-I do daily Nuepogen shots for 7 days starting day 3. I'm on the three week cycle though.

    Well we've had our treatments ladies...let's get through this together! Hugs and well wishes.

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    Halfcan - No nausea for me only had it two days since I started the whole thing so 4 sessions and only 2 days sick........felt it a few more but it just never came to nothing - so glad to say.........terrible constipation from the anti-nausea tablets - stew apples and sultanas after every meal for 3-4 days and if that fails lots of dark diabetic chocolate - pleasure in curing the constipation lol

    We will get through it all together so lucky to have so many lovely people to share with.................

    Hoping for minimal SEs for all, lots of silver linings, hugs xxx


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  • LouBar
    LouBar Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2012

    Hi Ladies - Day 10 post taxotere and hurray starting to feel much better albeit still worried till I get to Day 14 and trying to stay clear of people generally as everyone seems to be sick with colds / flus etc.  I suspect this will be the case the next couple of months with the winter season here so I intend to be pretty careful.  

    Halfcan - did they adjust any of your meds this time around given your SEs last time? I took my anti-nausea pills every 8 hours for the standard three days as per FEC, but didn't have any nausea.  But then is that the meds actually working this time or just not having this SE?  Wondering if MO will adjust the dex for me if that helps with all the other SEs of taxotere? Hope this time is much better for you..Toots - boy, your sleep pattern is very similar to mine the first two days post treatment.  And wow, you are certainly committeed to improving your blood work with a liver casserole! Not everyone's 'cup of tea' made me smile ...understatement for sure....I was born in Gateshead and liver and onions is still a favorourite of my dad's:) Flight4two - I'm like halfcan, 3 week cycle for taxotere but I do the neulasta shot on day 2 early afternoon each time.  po-ke - hope you are getting your energy back, we are having southwest florida withdrawals, this is the first in 3 years that we haven't been in your neck of the woods for the xmas holidays so I'm hoping you'll feel better soon to have a nice stroll along siesta key beach for me :)celineflower - you seem to be doing well, that is great news. 



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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    LouBar-no meds for nausea for Taxotere. Not a major SE I was told and I don't have any nausea at all. And, no they didn't adjust anything for meds from last time. Going at it again with same doses of chemo and dex. Expecting tomorrow will get more SE's as last Dex is tonight. My tongue is already starting to wrinkle up! Hang in there ladies...we'll get through it! Xox

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    WOW had a great night from midnight last night right through until 5:30 this morning, think it may be taking claritin before I went to bed always helped me sleep - awoke feeling real good - apart from the coffee tasted disgusting - stuck to the fresh pineapple juice..............

    Claritin before the Neulasta due today!

    Think with the meds they have just given me the same as the FEC only change is that they seem to have doubled up on the Dex!

    Hope everyoone is feeling as good as I do this morning, hubby just cooking/serving breakfast and I woke starving hungry.................

    Take care and lots of hugs xxx

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  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited December 2012

    thx loubar...

    i am in general i guess... many seem to have it worse then i.. i feel blessed..

    but...

    i got a cold... my head is pounding... sinuses full... ugg...

    no fever tho.. 

    my wbc is always high...

    my rbc seems to be a tad low...

    other then a fibrin problem with the port... feels like im sailing thru this..

    sometimes makes me worried its not working... but then i feel my lump... and its down from 4cm to less then 1!

    it is always good to read this thread... the hours i spend in bed dont feel so lonely..

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    I got a bag of steroids and fluids and some more aloxi yesterday (one week post round 4 and I will still feeling awful) ... I was up all night but I'm feeling like a million bucks! I am always thinking of you ladies and thinking of how close we are all getting to the finish line. Loubar I will definitely think of you next time I'm at Siesta, I live about 15 minutes away. 

    LOVE LOVE LOVE to all.

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  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited December 2012

    Hi ladies, sorry I've been off the grid lately. Life has been busy. I've had 4 rounds of TC and my MO said she wants 6. I had a fill in my TE's last Monday and on Christmas Eve when I woke up, my right breast was double the size of the left one and had blood blister like bruises all under it (near my port). My PS opened his office that afternoon just to see me and to find out what was going on. He said it looked like I had torn some internal scar tissue and it bleed out. He talked to my MO and she postponed my next TC treatment so he could do surgery to wash out the blood to prevent infection. Since I was where I wanted to be with regards to my expander size (650cc), he went ahead and exchanged my TE's for my squishies. I had the surgery yesterday. I'm pretty sore and my chest looks so much smaller than I anticipated. I was always big busted but didn't want 800cc because I figured they'd be perky and higher so they'd be TOO large. My PS said we can go back in 3 months or so and he can make them bigger if I'm still not happy.



    Anyways, there's an update on my happenings. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    Celine - do hope that cold improves for you soon glad there is no fever with it - no need for feeling lonely - look for those silver linings - the news about the shrinkage is just fantastic thank you for sharing your good bit - we are all here for you x

    MrsCich -sorry to hear about the problem with the right boobie, hope it all works out the best way possible for you so that you are comfortable - had a good Christmas followed by Tax so not so much looking forward to start of New Year - but New Year can only get better for all if us x

    Poke - so glad you are feeling good even without the sleeping really hope it stays that way for you - lots of love straight back at you x

    Loubar - don't know if it the liver and onions or all the green veggies on the side but certainly keeps the blood count good - so something works - maybe combination of all if it - will continue it! Lots of flus, colds and sickness bugs here 'winter vommiting virus' is what they are calling it - will be trying to avoid crowded areas through the winter months! Hugs x

    Hoping for minimal SEs for all, lots of silver linings, hugs xxx

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    MrsCich!! You have your implants! Unexpectedly, but still! I hope you end up being happy, but at least he offered to change it later. Were they the size you wanted with the expanders? It's hard for me to tell with mine how it will be when I exchange. I'm at 270 right now. I have no idea what this translates to after I get "squishies". How do they feel!?! Not like these hard rocks!!! 

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  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited December 2012

    Poke, they are soft and nothing like the TE's. I have Allergan silicone implants in 650cc's. my TE's looked bigger than the implants do. Once I can go without the sports bra and really look at them I will let you know.

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    ...........hello all, do so hope everyone is feeling better than I am at the moment, felt great day of tax, and yesterday spent morning painting and feelingso much more like normal apart from the lack of sleep and the hunger...........about 10 in the evening I got hit by an express train straight between the eyes.............bang, crash, wollop!!!

    ........heartburn that hurt from the ribs to the jaw bone, and all bones in between......nothing helped or eased it, high pitched whistling in my ears could hardly hear for it and it hurt.....took a levomepromazine and went to bed - certainly got through it and put me to sleep until this morning.......

    .......used to have a friend come round for breakfast and sympathy after a drinking binge..... used to come in and say 'I got a mouth like a badgers bum' never did understand the expression - I DO NOW - but mine not due to over-indulgence in cheap alcohol but definitly drug induced!!!

    ....determined to try and stay normal, had food and pills, ears and heartburn immediately started again took a hot bath......ears under water felt better, got dressed - always feel better to get some clothes on like a normal day but it took me almost 3 hours to get to that point......once lunch over went back to bed with another pill..........why can I drink a reservoir dry but my mouth is still drier than a desert - been sucking grapes I left in the freezer this morning - little better but it is only short term.........

    Hoping for minimal SEs for all, lots of silver linings, hugs xxx

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  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited December 2012

    Toots - I'm so sorry! Try some Pepcid for the heartburn. I had it for about 10 days after cycle 3. Hugs to you!

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2012

    Hi Everyone! I would say that I hope everyone had a good Xmas-but reading the posts...it doesn't seem to be the case. :(  I had all of about 2 days of feeling human before I went back for treatment #5 the Wed before Xmas.  I read the posts when I have enough clarity to concentrate...but am hit or miss in actually typing a message. Even though I don't, I am still thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers.  I hate that so many of you have had issues lately! For as crappy as I feel.....I know that I have had it so much easier than some of you. I am so very sorry you've had to suffer even more!  For those on Taxotere...it does suck. The ear thing, and the neck and shoulder fullness & tightness is extremely annoying and painful. For those that have finished, I am incredibly happy for you and hope that this mess leaves your body in peace and "normalcy" returns quickly!  My last treatment (except for herceptin) will be on Jan 9th. I am bringing a cake to my cancer center! I can't think of anything better to celebrate!  Unfortunately, I still have a road to go.  I had chemo first, so I still have to have surgery. I consider myself a surgery pro...for as many as I've had, but not sure how I'll do with it being so run down.  I find out the 10th when my surgery will be, but I was told that it could be as soon as 2-3 weeks after my last chemo as long as my numbers were ok.  Neulasta & Taxotere aches and pains PLUS surgical pain....fun! Time for me to start lurking on the surgical thread. I have enjoyed being part of this group of amazing women, but glad we will start moving on......many of you back to a "normal" life where this is a distant memory.

    Here's to a New Year full of HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and not just surviving.....but LIVING!!!!  XOXO to all!!!

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  • LouBar
    LouBar Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2012

    Toots - so sorry you are having a hard time.  The mouth part is awful, I was using biotene regularly but the relief was temporary.  Hugs to you. 

    Alcb70 -I'll be in as well on the 9th but my #5 of 6.  So I will be thinking of you celebrating with cake - fantastic for you. 

    Does anyone have eye issus, day 12 post taxotere and my eyelids and underneath my eyes are red, swollen, dry, itchy. Some relief with ice packs and any cream just makes my eyes water more.  Any advice / tips? 

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2012

    301724 - thank you so much for the sympathy, feeling a little better this morning - magic pill knocked me out last night - using caphosol mouthwash 3-4 times a day and lots of iced drinks tried gaviscon for the heartburn - at least the whistling in ear stopped it was driving me crackers.......

    albc70 - so glad you will be celebrating with your cake - another step forward - woohoo! Wishing you so much luck with the next round of surgery x

    Loubar - so sorry to hear the eyes are so iritated so hope that improves for you soon -- did try some 'optrex' drops for iritated eyes, when my lashes kept falling out and really iritated my eyes.......but don't know whether it would help.....

    Hoping for a VERY HAPPY HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR for all xxxxx

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  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited December 2012

    Loubar, my eyes have awful twitches but nothing like you have described.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    I want to wish each and everyone here a Happy New Year! It has to be a better year for us all right?!?! I had round two of Tax on Thursday and until this morning it has been better. It is slamming me this AM. So I'm really hoping the SE's will be easier this time. Sounds like some of you ladies are really having a tough go around.... So sorry! Hope things improve very soon. I'll be on my couch watching the celebrations happening tonight. And...wow...it is snowing like crazy here right now! Love you ladies!

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  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited December 2012

    Happy New Year to all. May 2013 be a year of health and happiness for us all. For those dealing with SEs, know that each day brings you closer to the end of your chemo - a date to be looked forward to and marked on your calendar!

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    Happy 2013 to all you lovely, strong, wonderful ladies!! 

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2012

    Loubar- I use an OTC eye drop with antihistamine in it (like Visine AC).  My eyes run terribly and also get crusty, gritty and itchy. It drives me nuts!  The eye drops help and cool/warm compresses help (cool for irritated, warm for crusty).  Hope this helps! :)

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  • LouBar
    LouBar Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2012

    Thanks alcb70 - you described my symptoms exactly - hopefully your remedy will address them :)

    Ladies - I'm not sure my "crusty, gritty, itchy" eyes will stay awake for the New Year, but I'll be thinking of you all and echo the sentiments for each of us to have a healthier 2013 and cheers to all of your respective wonderful spirits, compassionate hearts and warrior souls!  xxooxx

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  • Jalessi92
    Jalessi92 Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2013

    Happy New Year to each of you! I am day 7 after my first round of Abraxane/Herceptin and feel almost "normal". I have some tingling in a couple fingers and had a little itchiness on my face, but no other SE. It's nice to have things going smoothly after my pneumonia, wound breakdown, and Taxol reaction!



    Question for you: we are planning a family vacation soon (MO approved....told me to be sure to wear sunscreen...no sunbathing!) and I'm wondering what to expect as I pass through security at the airport. Do I hand the TSA agent my powerport and tissue expander medical cards? Do they do a pat down automatically? I'd rather not go through the scatter machine! I of course will be wearing a mask while on the plane! Any travelling advice?



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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2013

    I have flown to Hawaii and back since I got my TE and no one stopped me. It was exactly as it had always been for me prior to surgery. I have not flown since I got my port. I have my cards in my wallet just in case, I mean they have to see this stuff all the time.

    I have three trips coming in the next six weeks and we'll see if it always goes as smoothly. 

    Happy 2013!

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