Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

My MO has NEVER given me steroids before or after, I get some before infusion and that's it....is that not correct?

Hi Ladies - I am jumping on this thread although it started 11 months ago.  I am starting Cytoxan, Taxotere x4 shortly and I'm taking notes from all your great advice.  I am frightened but less so compared with waiting to find out if I would be doing chemo.  I will continue with my breast reconstruction.  I am also one of the women who will try the Penguin Cold Caps.  Between that and the TC SE management / prevention, I will be doing a lot of shopping this week!

wow, each MO is different BUT we each deserve   the best  standard of care and concern.    It seems urgently essential to have an MO who listens.  If he or she doesn 't, fire them!!!

FYI- I take 2 steroids once/ day the day before, the day of, and the day after chemo.  While there, before the TC, they pump anti-nausea med and Benadryl into my port.  

Welcome Warrior.  This is an amazing group of women. (By the way, the women sitting beside me made her own ginger/ pomegrante juice ice pops to bring to treatment.  Now, i will try them next time. )

So, my body feels filled with lead. It is day 8 after chemo. Just lifting an arm or getting off couch feels impossible. I read about this, but kind of scary now that I am experiencing it!  Not sure there is much to say about it but I guess I wanted to tell someone. I wouldnt have believed this fatigue if I wasnt dealing with it now.  

Thanks for listening, momat  

SC and others who had chemo this week -- I hope everyone is feeling okay (or at least not too horrible).

Today, I'm feeling much better than I thought I would given the increasing intensity of my muscle ache SEs this time around. Still kind of breathless, which is new, but not alarming. My RBCs are 3.86, HGB 11.6 -- I can see they are both low, but wonder how low they have to be before someone (besides me) gets worried. It's on my list of things to ask my MO next time. I am so thankful she is a wonderful listener.

bluegrass, how do you know your blood counts?  Is that from your chemo day or do you get them done elsewhere also ?   I am beginning to bruise again, am breathless which is new to me & feeling increasing & profound fatigue.  I wish it were Monday & dr office open. 

Warrior Woman - fear is normal, but we do walk through this together here & are here with you. 

Momat927 -- the RBC/HGB information I have is from the blood work that was done Monday before my last infusion (#4). My MO's office uses an online service called "SeeYourChart" that gives me access to all the labwork I've had done since becoming a patient. Both values (and my hematocrit) have been steadily sinking since I started chemo, and now they are all officially below the "low" level. That explains my breathlessness, which isn't helped, I'm sure, by living at elevation.

If your level of breathlessness etc is scaring you, I think you should contact the doctor on call at your MO's office this weekend. S/he will probably reassure you that your symptoms are "normal" for chemo -- hiss, boo! -- but if not, the sooner you get attention, the better. That's what the on-call doc is there for, so no need to be frightened all weekend!

MinusTwo, thanks for the info. It's comforting to know your MO thinks the really low end of HGB is below 8 -- mine was 11.6 at the beginning of the week, and my breathlessness isn't noticeably worse now. It's annoying because it makes walking and other good exercise harder to do, and I feel like a complete slug already.

My MO told me that getting more iron in my diet or taking a supplement wouldn't help, since the anemia from chemo is not an iron deficiency thing. Bummer.

Hi everyone thanks for the thrush info. I called MO and got a prescription in case but the probiotics and yogurt seem to have done it! yaah! still had some kind of sores on back of tongue got a mouth sore rinse with preroxide in it and they seem to be slowly getting better.

Warrior Woman welcome I am also doing the Penguin Cold Caps and have finished round 2 of TC so far.

I get bloodwork the day of tx and approx 10 days this time it is 12 days later. They just give me a print out of my levels. 

Momat I had that crushing bizzare fatigue on day 3 this time felt like I was drugged and made of lead hard to move definately disturbing... I think if it continues like that and does not pass you should let someone know.

THANK YOU SiSTERS!  I just woke up ( slept in) & will reread all of this. I will DEF ask my MO about getting hold of my blood work as many of you do. I will read the sites & info you share about RBC & iron.   My gosh- what would I do without you ?????  I wish we could have coffee (or green tea) together today.  Xo 

kli, glad your thrush is clearing up! One less thing to have to deal with is a big success:)

audra, wow, sorry you are having so many issues with MO. I got a 2nd opinion upon my DX, but don't think it's too late to do that now at all. You HAVE to be confident and comfortable with your medical team. It is crucial to your recovery. We all deserve the best of care and respect. Don't short change yourself. Good luck with your decision. I know it's not an easy one.

momat, nice that you could sleep in!

thanks melrose for the good info~

welcome warriorwoman!

((HUGS))

audra, the first MO I had acted like he was scared to touch me....hence, the 2nd MO! She has not done a breast exam, but my breast surgeon does. My current MO checks lungs, throat, heart, vitals, etc., every time I see her. I am very comfortable with my MO. She is open to my questions and happy to spend as much time as needed answering them. I never feel rushed or brushed off. I feel like we are on the same page and that she is genuinely concerned about my health and well-being.

((HUGS))

Pat, you are right, it's amazing how all MO's are different.  My MO does a physical exam every time I see her - pre recurrence checking breasts and lymph nodes under arms and along collar bones... Along with all the standard vitals.  CBC also with every visit.  I can tell you that my recurrence would never have been spotted at early as it was if she didn't do the physical exam!!  With my first surgery, I only saw my breast surgeon once- one week after my surgery.  I have an appt with my current BS for August but I am undecided if I will keep that appt or not- not sure the value/necessity in seeing he BS now that there are no more breasts...  Anyhow, MO checks foobs now and lymph nodes with every visit.  Even my nurse practitioner checks at least the lymph nones with every visit.....

audra67, Absolutely, you have absolutely every right to change MO's.   My MO does check my lungs, nodes, breasts at each visit.  Unfortunately, I go to a small satellite office and they don't offer mental health counseling and nutrition,which I clearly feel I need.  I suspect, if I asked, they would definitely provide resources, though.  Your MO has no right to make you feel your needs are not important or warranted.  Listen to yourself.   Trust yourself.  momat927