October 2013 Chemotherapy

relocatedtarheel  I am with you on the greatness of a clear mind--I had my first taxol a week ago.  The bone pain was pretty crazy and lasted a full week, but I have loved actually thinking clearly.  After each A/C I was always asking my husband to remind me what day of the week it was, I couldn't even keep track of that!  I'm exhausted with this Taxol #1 but I think that has to do with my hemoglobin is really low.  I'm pretty sure that my next chemo will be held and I'll get a blood infusion instead, but I hope not.

furfriend   Yay for heading towards your last chemo!! 

smrlvr...taxol is a dream compared to A/C... I had the same nausea meds but never needed one. I do have a painkiller to help me sleep the 3 nights the bone/joint pain kept me awake after the first treatment.  All WAY better.

smrlvr

 I get the same pre meds with Taxol as I got with A&C. Anti nausea, Pepcid, Benadryl & steroid. The decadron I asked to be cut way back a few weeks ago. Just didn't feel I needed that amount of steroid.

lg -- welcome back!   Yay for hair coming in and fatigue going bye bye!    Boo for sarcoidosis and toxicities -- BC just keeps on giving, doesn't it?  I hope pulm dr has the right answers for you.  Fingers and toes crossed.....  ((((( hugs))))))

Hi Gals

Last Chemo today with Mom

1/13/2014

WTG Pam.  Seems like not that long ago you were just starting.  I'm sure it feels like forever to you.  Hoping for an easy time of it the next few days.

Had DD Taxol #3 yesterday.  The easiest one so far, only one stick to get the iv in my hand (the lady who does this is a pro and head of the blood draw (or whatever they call it dept) and she'd been called in a few times when they couldn't get an iv in.  So I request her now.  I find that taxol is much worse for me than AC.  I didn't have any real problems with AC except a bit of fatigue and hair loss -- and constipation.  I am having intense muscle/bone pain along with periodic diarrhea that is causing me serious problems.  I'm also having some mild neuropathy in my feet that is completely managable.  I hope it stays that way and disappears completey once I'm finished.  I'm on disability so I can manage.  I worked through AC but near the end I was getting tired.  Anyway, one more to go and I'll be finished with chemo and on to discussions about AI's. 

I told my MO today that I didn't want my ovaries removed (if possible).  I have spent so much time in these forums getting all the info I can about chemo and how to deal with it and now I have to switch gears and learn about hormonals.  I have to admit, I'm nervous about taking them since I got bc while taking tamoxifen.  Plus they discussed seeing a dietary specialist and a physical therapist.  I need to start ramping up my excercise to rebound from chemo better.  Plus, I need to lose about 100 pounds to be at a normal weight.  This is more important than ever since fat produces estrogen.  I've tried for years to lose but couldn't stay on the wagon.  I understand that it's a lifestyle change and that is what makes it so hard.  But I need to give my self every chance of making sure I won't have to deal with this beast again and lowering my estrogen levels looks like the only way I can do this.  Glad to see everyone doing well.

travelmom - common to switch from weekly Herceptin to every 21 days.  Since they are not giving you any other meds with you can most likely tolerate the higher dose.  You are still getting the same amount of Herceptin over the course of the year, so don't worry.  I did not have weekly H, I had all three drugs together every 21 days, so I just continued on the same schedule, but others on the triple pos and TCH threads made the switch from weekly to every 3 weeks.

pam - yay!

Hello everyone!

Hope everyone is well. Just a little update on my progress. I've been doing weekly Taxol, and finished #4 this past Monday. Eight more to go! I honestly can't wait to get to the 12th one!! UGH No unbearable SE so far. Just really tired... but I managed to go to work for a few hours today!

Other than that... life  moves along... soooo slowly lately!! UGH!

Sorry I kind of dissapear the last weeks? Here is an update about me. I posted the same in the TC thread.

I started on Tamoxifen on Dec 25 and no SE other than feeling extremely tired. I also started working on Jan 2.

I feel tired, mainly from work driving to meetings back and forth and catching up after four months of being on medical leave. Lots to do and somewhat stressed for being so behind.

My hair: they are growing but I don't see a full coverage yet, they started to grow a week or so ago but again, thin and not the full head. They must be now a quarter of an inch long. I am wearing the cutest wigs and they look so real and always perfect I love them. They are synthetic.

My nails: they were dark after chemo 2, like a black shade. I had them cut very small. Now I am leaving them longer and with dark nail polish. A friend who owns a spa gave me organic nail polish and I am using that. They are growing long and healthy! Still not going for manis or pedis. I just got too scared of getting germs from places and my DH actually got Mrsa from one pedi place! That hapenned two years ago, but after that and now my BC I am doing them myself, at least for now until my strength come back. As I said, I still feel tired.

My weight: I gained 30 lbs total, between getting the bad news of BC (10lbs), BMX (5-10lbs) and TC (10-15lbs). During the BMX I gained lbs mainly because I wasn't moving, the pain is indescriptible, you ladies know what I mean. Fluid retention is also an issue with the chemo and steroids. During TC I was earing mashed potatoes for breakfast, lots of carbs (noodles, potatoes, bread) that helped with the stomach cramps. I took Nexium and still do, but because of the past ulcers my stomach suffered. Now I am on a diet, only vegetables and fruits with small portions of meats. Nothing fried, no carbs, no sugars. I have lost 7lbs without starving myself. I am still swollen but that might take more weeks? Who knows...

My skin: I had dry skin during chemo and for that I used Neutrogena sesame oil after my showers on damp skin. It worked very good plus the smell is very nice. On my face I was washing it and right after I used any face cream I had, still do the same. I still have to ask my MO about Botox but I will see him in two months so I don't have nothing to report on that topic. Oh! I shaved my legs for the first time! Those little suckers grow faster in my legs than in my head! I am using an electric shaver and won't use a razor anymore. I read somewhere that shaving the armpits and using deodorant right after is not good. I am using a deodorant I found that doesn't have aluminum chlorohydrate. The brand is Crystal Essence and has a pink ribbon on the cap.

Look Good Feel Better: I went there this past Tuesday and the ladies were great. Lots of freebies and some good make up and tips. I still have my lashes, but they are thinning out. Same with my eyebrows. I am not sure if i will lose them all at week 8 like somebody mentioned, but at least I know now how to do them in case I lose them.

TE: I have my exchange scheduled for January 31st. and I am thrilled about that. It is so uncomfortable to sleep with the TE and can't sleep on my side, the muscles hurt. Some people say with the implants I will be able to move freely!

Well, that is all for now. I will keep reading all your posts and keep us up to date aith your progress!