Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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MinusTwo -- I am amazed at your resourcefulness and the kindness of the people who care for us! Thanks again for taking the time to help me.
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Bluegrassharp- I used the frozen peas at the first infusion which didn't work so great for me. They defrosted a little sooner than I wanted. I found a cheap ice tray that would make small balls of ice. I put those small ice balls ( about the size of moth balls) in ziploc bags. I bought 4 Neoprene wine bags from Target at $6.99 each. I would put an ice bag at the bottom of the bag and then slide my feet in and position the ice bags so that they were on the top of my toe tails. My husband helped me put my hands in the wine bags with the ziploc ice bag in the bottom of the bag. Then I would position the ice so that the ice was on the top of my fingernails. I usually wore some very thin short athletic socks on my feet to help keep the rest of my foot warm and some fingerless gloves on my hands to help keep the rest of my fingers/hands warm. Target sells a set of fingerless gloves with some regular gloves for about $3.00. I just used the fingerless gloves only from the set. The infusion nurses always asked me why I didn't use the ice from the infusion center patient snack bar. I told them that the ice melted faster because of its shard shape. I didn't have to replace the ice during the infusion since the wine bags help prevented the ice from melting too quickly. The wine bags worked great since they kept the ice where I wanted it and also help keep the rest of my feet and hands warm enough.
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Here is an interesting thought on icing. My MO said NOT to and that I could have cancerous cells that wouldn't be reached if I iced??? So I have not done it, also because I usually am freezing to death and the thought of ice on any part of me sounds awful...Also I asked about eating/drinking cold/iced things during infusion to cut down on mouth sores and he said same thing...weird?? I do know someone else that iced though and it helped all of her nails. I also know someone that did the 'cold cap' on her head so as not to lose her hair!!! VERY painful and ridiculous if you ask me...it was dry ice to the head hour before and after infusions..!!!!
But I have used the Sally Hansen hard as nails each day before infusion. I have one thumbnail with discoloration that I got after 1st infusion and some lines under it...but otherwise my nails are hanging in there. Haven't done one dish as my husband has been on all of that and I have housekeepers for cleaning...so that has helped as well with dishpan hands..
MinousTwo-
Did they tell you why reoccurrence? Any ideas? You had bmx in 2011 and then lymph nodes found in 2013?? How did you find it?? Were you on Tamoxifen? Do you have your ovaries?
Of course, I am hoping for NO reoccurrence as everyone does, but wondering how to tell if it ever happens...
Seems like a lot of MO's do NOT do a lot of screening and some do...I am not sure what mine will order but I know I will want checked every 3 or 6 months at first...
Bluegrass- Wishing you feel better and nails hang in there...
Happy almost NEW YEAR and NEW Beginnings and LIFE to us all!
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Praying that you all have a Happy, and above all, HEALTHY 2014! We can do it!!!
((HUGS))
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Hi ladies,
MY MO also said no to icing. My nail beds are discolored but I do not think I will lose and nails. I, like Audra. am always cold so it was a relief to me to hear that! With regard to cleaning I do have a cleaner that comes in and dishes are done by someone else at home or by me with gloves because I a concerned about infection.
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Melrose: Yes, I forgot to mention that I put the peas in zip loc bags. And yes they started to get mushy so I used two bags per appendage during the infusion.
Audra - my infusion center brought me ice chips for both taxotere & adriamycin. Apparently it helps keep away mouth sores - and it worked.
As for recurrence, I found a swelling below my collar bone. I went in for two year check up & they found IDC w/a ULS biopsy. All of my docs were shocked since margins & nodes were all clear w/DCIS & BMX in 2011. I'm ER/PR negative, so no hormonals. And while my ovaries may still exist, I'm past menopause so no action there. Luckily (?) I'm HER2 positive so I will continue to get Herceptin.
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I drink ice water during infusions too and have had no mouth sores...and I'm wearing dental trays every night with fluoride that irritate my gums...so that must work!
Minus two- Glad you are getting Herceptin...how long is that? Is that a pill or chemo infusion? I have no idea...as negative for that and hormonally raging apparently...God Bless you , you are strong!
Keep the faith- how are you feeling?
I am having a couch and no shower day...yuck...somehow my mind is awake but body just exhausted so can't sleep either...yuck.
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If you are wondering if I froze while I iced my fingers and toes.... here is how I stayed warm. I had shortie athletic thin socks on my feet and fingerless gloves on my hands. I wore the same outfit to every chemo..... leggings, a men's under shirt and a pull over sweater hoodie. When it was time to ice, I put on a pair of fleece pants over my leggings and had a warm blanket from the infusion center blanket warmer. I did drink/sip on icy cold water and always had a cup of ice to suck on during the infusions. I can't say that it was uncomfortable the entire 1 1/2 hours of icing because it wasn't. I got used to the cold after a few minutes and just watched tv while the Taxotere infusion just continued to drip. I did not do the cold caps but I was willing to do the finger and toe nail icing. I was more interested and concerned about having the chemo get to my brain than about my hair. It has grown back and I would do it again.... give up my hair so I could minimize possible brain mets. I do remember reading someplace in all of my researching that the likelihood of mets in the fingers and toes was minimal. I guess we all pick and choose our battles and risks we are willing to take during chemo. There isn't a right way or wrong way; just each person's own way that each chooses according to her medical team and how she feels about herself.
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Melrose, you are so right about picking and choosing what makes sense for each of us. I am often amazed at how differently we each respond to the "same" chemo regimen -- I guess that's why they say medicine is an art as well as a science.
I emailed my MO about the tea tree oil and icing options last night and just got back this information, which she gave me permission to post here. She's a smart cookie and fresh from a fellowship at Sloan-Kettering, so I think she's a reliable resource for our discussion board -- and I love her for her empathy.
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Email RE: Fingernail Issues, 12/31/13 from Dr. Farah Datko, Front Range Cancer Center in Fort Collins, Colorado:
Sue, your nails did not look too bad today. It would be ok to do nothing for now, but it's true that there is a chance they can get worse.
I prefer tea tree oil. Never studied for Taxotere-induced nail changes to my knowledge, but there is little harm, so I don't mind you trying. Apply a thin coating to affected nails twice a day. Here are 2 references:
http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/tea-tree-oil
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8195735
Yes, there is a theoretical benefit to putting fingertips in ice during infusions, because cold should vasoconstrict the blood vessels in the fingertips, causing less Taxotere to reach the nails. Again, this is theoretical, never studied in a clinical trial (I've heard a "cold-glove" might be studied), but little harm in trying. Along the same lines, there is an ongoing clinical trial studying the "cold-cap", an ice cap on the head during chemotherapy to see if it reduces hair loss - I've heard rumors that unfortunately, it has been disappointing, but the final results have yet to be reported.
If your nails do separate from the nailbed with liquid discharge, or if they become painful, please let me know. The dermatologist who specialized in chemotherapy side effects at Memorial Sloan-Kettering recommends an antiseptic vinegar soak for this (soak hands and feet for 15min every evening in a 1:5 solution of white vinegar and water), and a topical steroid (needs a prescription).
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BGH, thanks for the info/link on the nails and tea tree oil. I have been using the oil every few days since my first TX. They seem to be dryer than usual and breaking easier, but no discoloration, ridges or lifting as of yet. Keeping my fingers crossed! Have not used it on my toes, so maybe there will be a difference...?
audra, hope you are feeling better for the New Year! I am doing very well today, thanks for asking. I took down my Christmas decorations and am thinking of taking the dog for a walk in a bit while the sun is shining! My achiness was on and off last night, but seems to have ended this morning and I think the only SE I am fighting at the moment is thrush...well, and sleeplessness, but that's not that uncommon for me on a good day anyway! I am waiting for the fatigue to set in, but going to enjoy each good day as it comes!
((HUGS))
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Glad to hear you are hanging in there keep.Melrose so true! Bluegrass thanks for the links, I make my own body lotion and add tea tree to it, but I have never used it on its own. interesting.
Here's to a happier and healthier New Year for us all!
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Hello Sisters. I have a question. Chemo was Friday. I seem to have a urine infection. I just called my MO & he sounded a bit annoyed I didn't call when office was open for culture. ( difficult for me to keep calling drs). Has anyone had or know of chemo induced bladder infections? He is giving me antibiotics which I usually shun, but will take now I think I wanted to check with you. Thanks
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Momat - I currently have an e-coli bladder infection. Symptoms started 7 or 8 days after last tx. One of my friends ask if I'd been eating raw hamburger (ha ha). MO didn't think the Cytoxan caused the infection but agreed that Cytotaxan effects the bladder & certainly aggravated it. I tried cranberry juice for several days w/no results then went in & had a culture done. One course of Ampicillin didn't kill it so I started a 2nd course today.
Happy new year everyone.
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Momat -- I had bladder urgency after tx 2, 3 & 4. Got tested twice for UTI, but it was negative. I found that taking cranberry pills and drinking LOTS and LOTS of water helped. I also took Uricalm (OTC available at CVS) a couple times, which eases the irritation. Of course, ask your MO to make sure it is OK for you -- Ugh, these SEs! (((Hugs)))
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For what it's worth... I have been struggling with SUPER dry hands and feet since chemo. Tried all kinds of creams -- Eucerin, Aquaphor, Vaseline intensive care, etc. Today I was cleaning out a drawer and found a tube of something that is finally helping: L'Occitane Creme Mains Dry Skin Hand Cream, It contains 20% Shea Butter, plus honey, almonds extracts and coconut oil, per the label. Just an FYI in case any of you are having this problem too.
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I use pure shea butter ( you can get it on amazon) and i mix it with coconut oil, and a few other oils and it has been great for my skin. That is at least one side effect I have been able to avoid.
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Well, I was nervous about TC #4 yesterday, but so far it's better than the last time. I spent the day cleaning up after the holidays like a mad woman, with lots of energy. I'm tired now, but still feel good, or at least no worse than last week. Maybe tomorrow I'll crash and burn, but I'm hopeful that won't happen.
Here's a photo from Christmas Day of DH, DD and DS -- and our happy dogs. In spite of all the challenges posed by BC this year, we had a good holiday. (You might notice that our tree has lights but no ornaments -- we did cut some corners!)
Let's all have a Happier New Year!
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Momat927-
Same thing happened to me last week! I called on weekend and he was sortof snip and said,'well it's hard to tell if bladder infection since it's 700 on a Saturday'...he did give me antibiotics and it is better...I had urgency only and was drinking tons at that point (week 3) so I know it wasn't lack of liquids...I have read the Cytoxan causes bladder problems...
He also told me the hormones or lack thereof and changes to those can contribute to urgency feeling...
Hope you feel better!
I had a bad night, up til 1for New years as husband and daughter up and couldn't sleep anyway...then up at 0500 then up at 0800...feeling less dizzy this am but still tired....HATE that dizzy feeling, I was having them help me to bathroom as I thought I might collapse...
TeamKIM- I have the loccitane hand and foot creams too and they are wonderful! Also using argan oil on my head and nails....I really haven't been that dry except my fingertips last round...this not so much but I'm only on day 6...
I feel like I have a sinus infection! I had one before chemo started and took antibiotics and it was gone. Now lots of stuffiness and dripping down throat and discolored drainage...I am waiting til tomorrow when Dr in and hoping he won't withhold antibiotics...seems he is stingy with them and at this point when immune system is so down I want anything and everything to not be infected! He said they will give me yeast inf...no kidding...I am ok with taking meds for that too...
Geez I signed up to be poisoned basically, does he really think I care about an antibiotic? I am rethinking this poisoning too...is it really effective? Other than killing all of my good cells and flora? I hope so...sigh.
Happy New Year girls!
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Audra and Moma I think they don't realize how hard it is to call which is why they get do snippy. What a shame.
I hope you feel better soon, dizziness is such a pain.
I use Argan oil on my face as well.
I just started my premeds for tomorrow's chemo and there is a storm coming. I am getting chemo regardless because this is my last one. I also want to talk to my MO about his plans for my back pain.
Starting the new year with chemo, fun! Not!
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THANK YOU dear sisters. I ended up not taking the antibiotics we did buy, but drank a ton of cranberry juice. It is amazing!! It just feels so much better to hear from all of you. & I LOVE beautiful photo!!
For skin I use a combo of Cetaphil and xtra virgin olive oil. So far so good
This is to us! May this year bring health and hope
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you're doing the right thing Audra! Hang in there!
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momat, minus-two, hope you are getting over your UTI's.
Sc, good luck with your tx tomorrow! Is this your LAST one??
audra, hope you are feeling better today.
BGH, thanks for sharing the pic of your beautiful family!
My DD and new grandson are doing well today. He was born at 2:07 this morning. I am so blessed. I am feeling very well today, except for no sleep waiting on baby, but it was worth it!
Happy New Year sisters! Let's make 2014 a good one to remember
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Yeah congratulations Keep!!!!!
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KTF, Congratulations, how wonderful!
SC, last one, yay! Let us know what he says about back pain. I read somewhere that certain chemos weaken bones. Ask him if calcium is needed and how much.
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Keep- SO happy for you ! A new years baby too- wow!! Glad you are feeling good and want to know your secrets...I am same day as you and weak and dizzy still...on couch..sigh
school- praying for a joyous wonderful LAST chemo day tomorrow! You are done!! WOOOOHOOOO!!
momat- glad you are feeling better....!
I am really questioning if the nuelasta shot does anything...I still seem to feel like death a few days here....??
Headeast- I read an article today about bone density being weakened/ bone marrow damaged by chemotherapy and the need for calcium and vitamin d....it said eating the vitamins in food is better than supplements...and other info...
But great suggestion for her back pain!
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keepthefaith, congrats! How wonderful! momat927
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Audra, yes, my OS told me that it is much better to eat right rather than to gake supplements. He even mentioned that vitamins are 'the most expensive urine'. He says just daily suplements are fine.
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Thanks head. I will ask. I want a PET or bone scan. I'm in so much pain!
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SC, yes, I read you other posts. I am so sorry . Hopefully they will run some tests tomorrow!
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KTF -- with a New Year's grandbaby, this must already feel like a happier new year to you -- and it certainly made the rest of us smile, too!
SC -- hope you get some reassuring answers when you see your doctor tomorrow. I know you will tell us what s/he says. We've all been thinking of you often.
Each time I catch up on all the posts here, I'm amazed by the courage and genuine concern of this network of women. I would be lost without you!
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