Monday is my last "AC" : What will "T" be like?

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  • alaskamama
    alaskamama Member Posts: 91
    edited August 2013

    Thanks so much for the encouragement, momine and fredntan... I am a water fiend and trying to run/walk whenever I can. It's good to read a stage III board; the running board started to get me down when I noticed most people seemed to be stage 0! 

    Keep on keeping on :)

    Becca

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  • AryaS
    AryaS Member Posts: 131
    edited August 2013

    I am also a runner, a slow runner but a runner all the same. ;). I had all these plans that I was going to at least walk every day during chemo. That fell apart during AC with the nausea being so bad. I also was mostly asleep because of the anti nausea drugs. I managed to get in a couple of walks around the block during AC but that was it. Now with Taxol, I am in so much pain. Even when I start to feel better, my feet hurt.

    I got in a couple of long walks in the days before Taxol 2. Now I am feeling better (taxol 3 is on Tuesday) but I am having issues with my big toenail! I can't seem to win in the exercise department. Did any of you have neuropathy in your feet and get out there anyway during treatment? I plan to start walking and then running again when all of this is done but right now I seem to be caught in a catch22. I can't even do a lot of yoga because my PT as not given me permission to weight bear on my arm.

    I am still trying to drink lots of water though. I admire all of you getting out there.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited August 2013

    Arya, I am a persistent bugger, so I slogged through neuropathy as well as some really nasty inflammation of the muscles that lasted 2-3 months. There were days that I walked VERY slowly and not very far, but I tried to do something every day, however little. 

    As for yoga, try to edit your poses and even if you are just left with 3 that do not strain your arm, do them!

    I really found that every little bit of exercise helped and was a step towards feeling better.

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies!

    I am up for round 3 for my Taxol on Monday, and I have to say it has caused me so much more discomfort than the AC/C every did. I have terrible hand-foot syndrome, and neuropathy that keeps creeping further up my limbs. If it were not for that- I would actually be great.  No weird taste in my mouth, no nausea, little bone pain and if it were not for all the steroids they are using to try to keep the h/f under control, I would be sleeping like a baby. They will be reducing my dosage this time to see if it helps, and I sure for my last one in 2 weeks they may do the same if there is not enough of a change. It makes my job hard as I type 9+ hours a day, but what are ya gonna do?

    I sit with an ice pack in my lap and every few minutes just rest my hands there. It helps a little.

    The swelling is trying to lift my nails off, so I keep them short and an just very careful with everything. I know there really isn't anything to be done for that, but i slather on neosporin and just hope for the best.

    I also had an allergic reaction the second infusion, I think they just did not wait long enough after the benedryl before starting. The protocol is wait 30-45 minutes, they waited 35, and I think my body just did not have time to absorb the ben. yet completely. That was really frightening, but they were on it in 2 seconds and had it all under control. I love my onc. team.

    I also discovered the most incredible cream on the planet. It smells like heaven and really keeps my hands soft and wonderful- here is the link if you care to try it out. I got some as a gift and wish they sold it in gallons  http://www.savannahbee.com/product/Beeswax-Hand-Cream/ST-852

    Best of luck to everyone on their taxol road!

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  • alaskamama
    alaskamama Member Posts: 91
    edited August 2013

    I finished AC last week, have felt kind of "off" since then. My dread of taxol increases with each day, to the point that I am performing google searches like, "stage 3 breast cancer outcomes without taxol." (My scant findings suggest skipping taxol does decrease survival by some 10-20 percent).

    I'm about to call my oncologist for advice or maybe just some cheerleading. In the end I expect I'll do it--I'm the sole living parent of two kids I want to raise--but the emotional toll of poisoning myself is beginning to get to me. I have this deep inner feeling that the chemo gives you kind of a false sense of security--you win the battle but lose the war--as it ultimately weakens you...

    Any thoughts or insights?

    Thanks.

    Becca

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited August 2013

    alaskamama-

    I had # 3 yesterday. I can't say that taxol is fun, and I had another, yet very slight allergic reaction this time ( come to find out it is the preservatives, not the actual chemo that causes it.)

    My neuropathy is a bit worse, and the hand-foot syndrome I have sucks terribly. But would I give up any % to live as long as I can by doing this? Heck no!

    My theme song from the day I found out I had cancer is from good ol' Sweet Brown! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFEoMO0pc7k

    I have too much to live for! And so do you!

    Now, my onc said that if my neuro gets worse- my last infusion may be off the table or greatly reduced as she does not want me to have permanent damage. But my thought is- kill that dang cancer!

    You might be weaker for a little while- but there are so many survivers that thrive after this is all done. You can and will- your kids need you and I am sure you have plenty of things you want to see and do still in your life. Hold on to that and keep pushing. Chemo will be done before you know it!

    Rember that we are all here and love each other!

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  • alaskamama
    alaskamama Member Posts: 91
    edited August 2013

    Thank you JWOO! Your note and the song made me smile. I'm over my snit, done being a baby, I'll do what I have to do because broccoli sprouts and tumeric aint gonna cure this sucka and I want to be a grandma someday!

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited August 2013

    You are so welcome!

    There have been times when that black whole opened up under me, but then I just had to think about the things I haven't done yet. There is just too much fun to be had on this planet!

    You are so lucky to have children to keep in your thoughts during this fight. And the thought of grandbabies! I can't imagine how much fun you will have with them!

    It is all about focus and finding what makes you laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine with this mess.  I keep "Caddy Shack" and "Airplane" on top of the tv at all times :)

    Best of health and luck to you always!

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  • alaskamama
    alaskamama Member Posts: 91
    edited September 2013

    JWoo: And I should add... my kids are 11 and 5, so I hope grandbabies aren't any time soon :)

    Little one starts kindergarten Friday! (FINALLY! I'm not one of those moms who will be weepy about it. Love that kid but it's time!)

    And I start taxol Wed. Today a friend of a friend (who had BC a couple years ago and happens to be a doc herself) contacted me. She said she iced her fingers and toes through taxol infusions and did not experience neuropathy or nail issues. It's the same concept as cold caps; chilling the area limits the reach of the chemo drugs. I don't think mets to the fingernails and toenails are a big concern so the docs allow it... I'm going to try to get that figured out tomorrow (she said she used bags of peas!), and will also take L-glutamine in hopes of warding off neuropathy.

    All best.

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited September 2013

    I was very scared of taxol, but I found it to be a piece of cake compared to AC. I had a bit of numbness in my feet, left worse than right, but not permanent and not bothersome. The worst part was pain in the legs which I took 2 ultram for and worked very well. I tried percocet for it because I had some left over from surgery, but it did not work nearly as well as the ultram, which I thought was weird.

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited November 2013


    Just wanted to see how everyone is doing!

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