October 2013 Chemotherapy

wrenn, I'm so pleased you have some resolution and trusted your instincts. we all need to take a lesson from you and listen to our bodies!

btw, is anyone else having trouble with email notifications of new comments being posted?? i haven't received any for a few days.

Hi AlyonA

I can't give you any advice or tips since I have never heard of those chemo meds before. Are you outside of the US? I do know everyone is different as far as the hair loss & side effects. Hair loss may happen to her next round. And she may be lucky & not get much for SEs but they are cumulative so each week after her infusions she could feel a bit worse.

All the best to her & to you too!

Wrenn, I am following this thread and has very helpful information about nutrition. 

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/811273?page=9#idx_265

Big girl panties, Pam.... (((Hugs))) In your pockets and with you all the way!!

Headeast, Thank you for the link. I will save it and read all. This morning I am craving Mcdonalds poutine. Have never had it but seeing the commercials make me want it now that I have been advised to go low fat. I wonder if it is only in Canada?  Will try to resist. Once I start reading the nutrition thread I will get inspired I am sure. Thanks again.

Pam, I can't believe you are on #6 already. sheesh.  I hope it goes ok. You are hanging in. xoxo

Hugs to everyone else still plugging along. Even though it is day 23 after my one and only treatment I am still feeling it so I really feel for you people piling on more on top of a not quite recovered system. :-(   I am still losing hair and have aches and a bit of nausea....nothing substantial but enough to know I was attacked with chemicals. 

I don't blame you Kim but you are almost there. Give it a try. The scary part is once you have the infusion (which is the easy part) there is no going back.

I was relieved that my oncologist (who is the top guy in my area) was open and honest about how chemo does occasionally kill people and that he did not want to kill me. He also had a "not worried" attitude as if not continuing was no big deal. I am sure that was to lessen my fears but I appreciated hearing it. I think having a good attitude goes a long way and it is so hard to keep a good attitude when you feel like crap. I am continually amazed at the strength shown by all of you and that you never give up. Really damned impressive.

Thanks for the encouragement, Wrenn.  If I thought an additional treatment would do anything for me, I might risk the potential life threatening reaction.  I don't think I have a bad attitude about it, just some very important concerns which have not been addressed by my MO.  

This morning, I saw my PCP (who is an internist and Chief of Staff at our hospital) to have him take a look at my back (achy from the car accident Friday).  Since I was there, I went over all of my chemo treatments and side effects with him and asked him for his thoughts.  He said the risks of extreme allergic reaction to another infusion outweigh the benefits, since I had clear nodes and clear margins, so he would say to stop.  "Another infusion would be tempting fate," he said, and given that my nodes were negative, "there is nothing to be gained from more chemo." This gives me courage to tell my MO that he better have a very compelling reason why I should get another tx.  

Talked to the onc nurse this morning, and she said that I am having very unusual reactions: "quite unique" she said.  She also said MO will probably want to try Taxotere again, now that I have the rash from the Cytoxan.  Since this very well could turn into hives in the next couple of days, I have already decided there will be no infusion of anything tomorrow.  IF he can make some kind of very compelling argument, then I will insist on waiting until after Christmas so that the reaction from last week's infusion can subside and my blood counts can recover as well.  

Hi all,

I've been reading but not really writing. Tired and taking ativan more regularly. I have been having some mean mood swings!! Wrenn glad to hear that the doctors confirmed what was best for you. 

Team Kim, it's so hard to have conflicting responses, There was an article that I had read in the NEW York Times about a cancer doctor whose wife was diagnosed, he worked out of Sloane. He had talked about a patient during his residency that had died during the infusion while he was a resident. That was my biggest fear and I talked to my MO about it and he adjusted my pre meds and post meds to accommodate my fear and also talked me through the whys. We are absolutely poisoning our bodies in the short term so we can beat this monster in the long term. Good luck with your conversation with your MO tomorrow.

Hang in there Pam!

lgk hope you are feeling better.

I am having lower back pain, I can't stand for a long time. I will mention it to the nurses today during my picc line dressing change, but it is freaking me out a bit. I have gone from running and weight training pre cancer to back pain when standing...unreal.

hi, had my first tax last Thursday , after the FEC. Ican't believe it was a week ago it's been a nightmare.  i hope someone has some inspiration to spare.  

Thought  that the "no nausea" was a good sign' then the diaorrea set in. I have lost about 4 kgs this week.  

Usual symptoms sore throat, mouth feels like dry cotton wool, but no ulcers, and the tingling in the toes and fingers, I have found wrapping my feet in a towel with a frozen slicka pad good. That's been 3 days. 

I thought I was through the worst but day 6 the bone pain set in, my spine felt like it was on fire and pulsated with my heartbeat, hips were the worst. Some relief  with paracetamol and iboprofen. 

The worst is my mental attitude has taken a dive, I am having trouble finding the motivation to find something positive..and it's Christmas and the family arriving, I feel like the grinch whose going to be the dampener on things. 

I know many of you will be in the same situation at this time of the year. Ther seems to be so much to do and I can't seem to move a muscle without pain. 

pam-How bad is the taxol? My first one is due after Christmas...I don't want to do it.

Wrenn, all the best for you lady! I am pleased to hear you have a great MO!  Avoiding fat would be hard for me but I know if my Dr. said it needs to be done for max health bennies then by all means I would start little by little take baby steps which is easier than going cold turkey. My X and I were just chatting last week about eating better. He has cut out most bread and pasta ( Glycemic issue ) and feel better and lost 10 lbs in 3 month. I need to take notes as I eat much of this bad stuff.

Pam, how did you do with 2nd Taxol/ you are right behind me.

Team, let us know how goes it.

I am doing pretty good this round. They cut my dosage of Benadryl in half and very slow drip. I am having issues with hands/feet itchy and peeling like eczema/dermatitis. SE's of Taxol which has  been conf by my MO. Some of this I think is the super cold weather as well and I normally have dry/sensitive skin to boot.  I am taking benny at night now to help with the se and putting on more hand/foot cream.

My nausea is much less with Taxol.  AC I always felt icky/nausea for 7 days then it would ease up.

Kinda, My bone pain seems moderate but definitely there with Taxol.  I am taking Advil or Tylenol for this every day. On a good note no Neulasta shot this time as WBC was on the high side. Rest of counts low/borderline.

My echocardio results came back and most of it seems good per my nurse practitioner but the reports data stated some things I need clarification on.

FurFriend2

 I am not Pam LOL but haven't done too bad on Taxol, so far. Had #5 on Tuesday. 7 more to go. 

I get pain in my knees, and have the facial tingling/numbness but not the toe & finger neuropathy. 

I feel so much better since being done with A&C & starting Taxol cause NO Neulasta shot anymore & mostly because my blood counts are almost normal now, finally got past that draining wiped out anemia.

Vintage Gal

I have not been able to find anything to drink at all while on A/C...I've been very dehydrated. Is that easier on taxol or do the eating/drinking issues remain the same?