Starting Chemo in December 2013

Jackie, MX with 9 positive nodes. Clear margins after lumpectomy but too narrow. All tissue clear with MX. Still having rads. Too many positive nodes......

hi, ladies, I found all your posting encouraging, hug to you all!

Momat, my MO ordered BRCA test for me too because I was diagnosed relatively young  (before 50) .Insurance covered it and I talked eith a genetic consular, who I found helpful. I am brca1&2 negative. But she said they may follow up with me if some new genes come up in the future. I have a big family from both side, none of them have any kind of cancer, why??? 

I had my 3rd AC on Thursday, one more to go in two weeks. Same as a lot of you, I am also going to have 12 taxol. I heard something about the cold mittens (elasto gel?) to help reduce the neuropathy, anybody knows if it works?  Thanks!

I was just going through my information that I got from my chemo class to prepare for Taxol.  The chemo class talked a lot about neuropathy that Taxol causes and told me that Glutamine helps with eliminating or lessening the Neuropathy.  There are bunch of studies on this if you do a google search.  Of course talk to your MO about this.  I've pasted some information below.

Glutamine Protects Your Nerves

L-Glutamine powder is available in health food stores and from naturopath shops.  Taken in juice or water before an infusion, L-Glutamine has been shown to have a protective effect on nerves. It may form a cover on nerves in your hands, feet, and digestive tract, reducing or deflecting damage that could be caused by chemotherapy.  Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid that will not interfere with your chemotherapy drugs, nor will it affect your chances of cancer survival.

How To Use Glutamine For Neuropathy

The amount of L-Glutamine powder to be used will vary depending on your chemo dose and the type of drug being used.  A typical dose would be 10 grams taken three times a day on the day of chemo, the same dose for the following five days, and then 10 grams twice a day for a week.

For low-dose chemo, you could try one scant tablespoon of L-Glutamine powder about 30 minutes before your infusion, then take the same dose daily for one week. If numbness and tingling recur when you stop taking L-Glutamine, try taking it for a few more days as your symptoms taper off.

Benefits Of Glutamine

L-Glutamine powder is not expensive, but its value in preventing peripheral neuropathy is priceless.  Taking glutamine can improve your quality of life during chemo, but it might not work for every patient.  There are also prescription medications available to help with pain and inflammation related to neuropathy.

Before taking any nutritional supplement or substance like L-Glutamine powder during your treatment for breast cancer, talk it over with your oncologist.  Work together with your health care team to protect and improve your overall health.

I have read some things about using ice on hands and feet during Taxol infusions to prevent neuropathy.  This is my biggest concern.  So after Christmas I went and bout 2 big Christmas stockings.  I am going to wear wool socks and put soft home made ice packs (Soft so they can form around my whole foot.) in the Christmas stockings so the ice packs stay in place.  I also have some home made fleece ice pack holders that I will be wrapping around my hands.  I figure it can't hurt right.  The Christmas stockings are going to look silly, but I don't care what other people think. I start Feb. 3.  I'll let you know how it goes.

beths, I hope your TX goes well on Tuesday~

rhgsr, Glad you are feeling better! I hope you can get to your TX next week.

welcome Jodi!

I think about you young ladies with children often and how challenging it must be for you. I hope you have the support you need to make it as easy as possible!

day 3 after 3rd TC. Feeling okay except not getting any sleep. I am always happy when my last day of steroids is here, which will be tomorrow! Thrush again, but have my meds already. Had a little bit of back pain last night, but seems to have subsided.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of the week-end! Fight on!!

I am having weekly taxol now, and I can tell you it is not bad at all.  I read about the ice and all as well.  I do eat ice chips during my treatment and I use Arm and Hammer mint toothpaste.  I haven't gotten one mouth sore.  As for the gloves and feet part, I haven't done anything yet. I will this week.  I am just going to get two tiny bowls and fill them with ice water when I get there.  Like a spa treatment.  I haven't had anything yet and next week is treatment 6.  

I was given a big fat hell no on cold caps at MD Anderson,  I wasn't going to anyway, but I asked.  Now, MDA is so strict and I call them the Big Bang Theory geeks, but they stated cases of scalp mets.  Nothing ever with hands and feet, so I feel like I can ice my fingernails without looks now:)

Is anyone gaining weight?  I am right under 5 feet, and needed a few extra since I was down to 90lbs.  I notice the difference in my face in a good way.  My cheeks were sunken before, which was one of the signs that worried me before dx.   I am not sure if it is my expanded chest (OMG they are huge) or the steroids.  But I am up 5 lbs either way.  In live in my workout gear anyway lol! 

I think everyone ending their first treatment and heading into taxol will be happy.  Taxol is easier.  Might be more annoying since it is every week, but not that difficult.  I'll be heading to the mean stuff, but at least it will be every 21 days so I won't have to drive 13 hours a week to Houston! Silver lining y'all:).   

So sorry count it all and rhgsr ended up in the hospital. Glad you are getting out rhgsr!

Welcome Jodi

Neskir99. I'm triple neg and also scheduled for my next infusion on 1/27. I'm doing 6 treatments of TAC. My nodes were clear but MO suggested it because my cancer cells were grade 3 at 95%. My T is taxotere (same as Taxol?)

Side effect-red rash on face/cheeks and eyelids. feels like a windburn or sunburn but it's not. constantly putting aquaphor or something on it.  Got it after first chemo and it went away. 10 days after second chemo it came back. I hear it's an A chemo side effect. Anyone else have this? People keep telling me that my color looks good not realizing that's it a rash that I've tried to cover up with makeup

Leealice I got a rash with my first TC but not the 2nd or 3rd.  My T is taxotere and it is different from taxol.

Goldie I hear taxol is easier to take. You might want to post your question to the starting in November group to see if anyone has started taxol yet.  If they haven't already some will be soon and they are sweeties.

I had swollen glands in my neck the first treatment.  Very uncomfortable and they worried me but no fever.   I also had a bad sore throat and icky on my strep carrier tonsil but it wasn't strep.  When all was said and done the strep tonsil was smaller and healthier than since grade school!  I think chemo wiped it out.   Maybe you're fighting something viral?   It's hard to know what is the drugs and what is illness sometimes.  Hope you get some relief!

My weight has stayed about the same. I always seem to lose a few the week of chemo and it comes back in the 3rd week when food taste good again. I haven't lost my appetite, food just taste different and some things I used to love, like sweets and coffee don't taste good anymore. I'm not a big egg eater but have been craving eggs and they taste good

Welcome Jodi! 

I don't have any pain, but do have swelling in my feet and hands.  It's not painful to me, and as far as I'm concerned my least bothersome SE, but my MO is really concerned about it.  It's a SE of the Taxotere, and MO said they will hold or ultimately reduce doses if it gets worse.

I think it's contributing to crazy ups and downs on the scale for me.  Literally I am swinging +/- 15 pounds within a week.  Up and down.  I think with the Big D I am losing a lot of water weight (and other weight) and then with the swelling, crazy retaining water.

I will be doing dose dense Taxol x 4 starting on Feb. 3.  I have hair regrowth since I shaved my head bald on New Years Eve.  The doctor told me it is new hair.  I just wonder if I'm going to lose it during Taxol.  My eye brows are getting very thin. I am looking forward to a couple extra days off before the next chemo.  I was suppose to have some fun with my sister today, but had to cancel.  Stupid Neulasta shot.  I feel like my head is full of insulation and my upper body feels like its been hit with a pillow case stuffed with coins:(  Oh well, could be worse.  Have a good day everyone.

Goldie, my chemo class was the infusion nurse going over my treatment and possible SE's. It was right before my first infusion. She gave me paperwork to take home. Was somewhat helpful. No swollen glands here.

jackieak, I haven't travelled yet, but am planning a trip to Tucson on the 29th. I hope nothing stops me! It's my Mom's (a BC survivor of 20 yrs!) 80th b-day and all of my siblings will be there, which is quite a feat, since we live all over the country. Looking forward to getting away; only bad thing is I have one more chemo when I get back....I hope your next TX goes well and you are able to go. I am nervous about my last TX as well, as this one seems a bit harder than the last two. I just want to be done already! Ditto on the steroids...will be glad to get rid of them for sure.

mikesgirl, are you taking Claritin prior and after Neulasta? I found that my pain was a lot less this time around than the last two. Thanks for the info on the hair growth!

orange-m, I think the  steroids help with that inflammation. Are you on them also? My MO cks my ankles every time I see her. I guess Taxotere can cause severe allergic reactions. Staying hydrated is hard, but so important. 

no weight loss here...I wish! Fluctuates a bit, but pretty steady. I would love to lose 15lbs when this is over!

Have a good week, ladies!

Jackie- Mac and cheese and potatoes..ME TOO!!!! Exactly lol!  

As for hair, I shaved mine Friday after round 5 of 12.  Eyebrows and lashes are still here.  I have a FB page "Cheer for Jodi" where I took a pic of my shaved head if curious.  I have heard it does come back if you had the big stuff first.  I am reversed, so it starting falling out really shedding bad.  I could have waited but I know I am going to lose it with FAC in 7 weeks, so I'd rather not look at it slowly falling out now.  

Another SE is emotions.  I have been up and down.  I had a BC survivor tell me that is another lovely SE.  Great- like it was easy dealing with this already lol!  

I take Claritin daily and when I forget- I feel it.  I am a past gymnast and current cheer coach, so my body has been banged up.  It hurts in my usual places with the chemo.  I do swell sometime in my right had,  I broke that in three places though when I was younger and it is the same side of lymph node removal.  No numbness yet.  They said treatment 9 perhaps is where it gets rocky.  Not rocky compared to other stuff, but where you might be more tired and have numbing.  So far so good!  I hope I am getting you less anxious about taxol.

 I wish it was the only one I had to do lol!  My husband calls it chemo cocaine because I not down hardly at all.  Sometimes a headache or a pity party for one moment but that is about it!  

keep faith, so inspiring about your Mom and 20 years, it sounds like a great party for her!  Will you fly or drive?  I'm going to be one of those Mask people on the plane but so what.  My guy has me in first class, so not so crowded there, we do have to continue life and enjoy when we can through all this or I would truly go insane.  I miss my old normal, but know I have a new normal now and will in the future but I'm not giving up things I have always enjoyed...need to improve on exercising and eating healthier, good thing I love veggies, and the carb cravings I hope diminish when this is all over...but dang those carbs hit the spot now!   

Are the cold packs only used during actual chemo infusion or the entire time?  I'm always freezing anyway so I'm hoping only during the actual Taxol.  Onward bound ladies, there is an end in sight!