February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

Options
1…2021232526…51

Comments

  • Mor
    Mor Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2014

    Forgot to mention,  I am on Cytoxan and Taxotere.

    Mor

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited March 2014

    AC#1 taste came back about on day 9 - woke up hungry and craving food.

    AC#2 I took a little bit longer, but it wasn't as "bad"...able to eat the following week.

    AC#3 taste started going day of chemo. metallic/saline push taste constant. It's still bad! 

    You're right - you cannot explain it; only someone who's been through it understands. What a horrible bond?! Glad, there are others who understand, though. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2014

    Hi guys had my blood transfusion on Monday and do actually feel better. It was creepy watching the blood and I tried to not think of where it came from but hopefully some smart millionaire who's expertise will rub off on me and not the hobo looking for a free cookie!  Today I even went to Targets shopping  and then treated myself to a mani pedi woo hoo.  Hopefully I will get back on the chemo track for round three next week.  

    I still have not shaved my hair I have the pieces still sticking up but have little sideburns that stick out from under my hat.  I just can't do the bald thing.  I don't know if tx three will take the rest of my hair or if this is it...  All I know is every day I where a different thing on my head to mix it up and save my wigs for special occasions.  Hope all are going well!

    Gina 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited March 2014

    NJMOM - remember to use your own supplies if you go out for mani/pedi.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardengirl66
    Gardengirl66 Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2014

    Mor,  I am on the same infusion as you , I have number three of four tomorrow. The lack of taste drives me nuts as well,it is depressing . My taste is back now, and I do feel better when it comes back, so far both times about  7 days, will let you know if number 3 is like you.it is something you can only understand if you have gone through it. I can really only eat things cold and soft , like vanilla yogurt,all other flavours taste awful,fruit Popsicles,oatmeal is ok too, cheesecake was nice the last time . I really feel for you, have you spoken to your health care team, maybe they might have something to help. My oncologist today did remind me of chemo accumulation (right word?) in our bodies. 

    That first week after the infusion I try to eat healthy...but in the end it is what ever tastes almost normal,my kids laughed at me when I got excited over an orange gummy bear tasting like orange.

    Mor, hope your taste buds start to heal and return to normal for you. Thinking of you and sending hugs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited March 2014

    I finished all 4 AC....and glad its over.  First dose of Taxol today and hoping to find its more tolerable like they say!  12 weeks seems like eternity.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    Mor & Gardengirl66 have you tried sucking on ice during Taxotere? I know I did starting with TX2 because I was getting mouth sores. Ended up my tastes changes were very minor. I ate everything but pepper and nuts were a bit bitter. It did get a bit more intense by TX6 but still not bad.

    It doesn't work for everyone but worth a try. You just need to keep things iced 15 minutes before through 15 minutes after. You tongue needs to be really cold.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardengirl66
    Gardengirl66 Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2014

    hi lago, yes, both times I sucked on ice, but increased the ice during infusion the second time, and it was better. I have not gotten any mouth sores(yet), my tongue feels really rough,like a cat, and starts to turn a little white. I have special tooth paste, biotine mouthwash, and the baking soda mix rinse ,when I remember....might increase that part  for third one. The mouth problem last a week, and day 6/7 is clearing ....since I know it could be a lot worst...I  just take it ...treat myself to a piece of cheesecake from a nice bakery, and try not to care...knowing it will pass. My oncologist is great and the team and the. Chemo center, asking me what I want, and reminding me with any side effect they are there for me and .  me to be as comfortable as possible. I am not working right now, and my oncologist yesterday, reminded me that yes I am that I am a mother, and that is working full time ..and to just concentrate on myself and family. One of many nice things he says, that I know he gets it and cares.

    Lago, thanks for being here, hope all is well with you, love your avatar picture you have, always puts a smile on my face. Hope the spring weather is heading your way ! Hugs to you!

    Now time to get ready for number three infusion today!

    Hugs to all  and ice water /ice cube ,cheers  everyone !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardengirl66
    Gardengirl66 Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2014

    jbokland, congratulations,on finishing chemo, wishing you all the best for first dose off taxol ! Hoping for minimal  side effects for you! :). Hugs

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gatorgal89
    gatorgal89 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2014

    jbokland...congrats on finishing AC. I finished AC on 3/17 and am so happy! I start Taxol 3/31 and am hoping that it goes better, just like you said. I agree that 12 weeks seems like forever. Hope it goes well for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DiabloMom
    DiabloMom Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2014

    I called the oncologist and they wanted me to come in and see them.  By the time I saw the doctor it was on my cheeks too.  They think it's a side effect of the taxotere.  I was prescribed betamethasone 0.1% ointment [YES! Helped immediately] and methylprednisolone 4mg [dose pack over 21 days].  The rash has subsided, the discoloration [I had a dark band around my entire neck] has faded, and the itch is almost all gone.  Yay for modern medicine!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014

    Diablomom-good news....glad you are getting some relief!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2014

    Gardengirl - that sounds like thrush - overgrowth of yeast in the mouth.  I would call your onc.  They can prescribe a Nystatin mouthwash which for most is very effective.   I don't believe the ice or any of the other treatments you are doing will be effective in treating that.  Those treatments are for preventing/treating mouth sores, I believe - not thrush. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited March 2014

    I've been researching using ice mitts and booties during the taxol to minimize nail damage and PN.   I ordered a set and use a 'homemade' version today during my first treatment.

    Anyone having a luck with it?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    DiabloMom I had a feeling that's what it was. So glad they gave you some meds to clear it up. So sweet of you to say those nice things about me. Glad I could cheer you up. Oh and the photo... I was visiting my parents who live on Cape Cod, MA this past September. We just finished eating fried clams. Who would be happy.

    Gardengirl what dance said! You want to treat this before it gets out of control. Waiting only makes it harder to treat. If you haven't called.... call now. Always people on call.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2014

    Hello Ladies,

    Finally getting to post. I joined on Feb 12 when I was told I had a 95%chance of malignancy from my sono and clinical symptoms. I was frantic looking for answers to the gagillions questions I had in my head that I didn't even know how to form. So (deep breath) now I'm here with you lovely ladies to get through this together. Kind of feels nice to belong to this group despite the reason! I have inflammatory BC, so not only did I have <1% chance of even getting BC to begin with, only 1-5% of women get IBC! My regimen is chemo, A/C every other week x4, then tax once weekly x12, then a total mast with axiallary dissection on left (double if I want, was told I now have a 20% chance of developing on the right! almost sounds like a guarantee to me) , then radiation, then reconstruction 6 mos after it finishes. I started treatments on 2/28 and have 2 under my belt of A/C.  I get loaded with dexamethasone IV, before chemo then continue orally for the 2 days after. The day after I get neulasta and take Claritin that morning and the next day. For me the day of and the day after is a breeze and gave me such false hope the first time. Day 3-5 I can't even put it in words how awful I feel, though I know you guys don't need it in words! I think the gravitational pull of the earth increases 10 fold on those days! Day 6 on gets better and better. Just an underlying feeling of ick, and being tired. My hair is gone, starting coming out the day of my second treatment, I had already cut it short, but then buzzed it when it was starting to collect on my pillow. Only problem is I buzzed it too short so now when it falls out it pokes me in the scalp under my hats and bandanas. Or if I move my head on my pillow. Anyone else make that stupid mistake??? My mouth doesn't have sores but my gums are bleeding like crazy and the feel rough.  Next round is 3/27. 

    So glad to have you all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2014

    my onc told me to hold frozen bags of peas. Don't start Tax til April though

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited March 2014

    Jules,

    I buzzed by head initially, too.  It drove me crazy!   I bought some Venus Shavers (with 5 blades) and slathered my head in Coco butter lotion and carefully shaved my entire head.  Much better!  Plus I use the blank canvas as a fashion statement:

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2014

    jb

    Love, love, love!!!!! 

    Thanks for the tip, gonna take a shower and go for it!

    Hoping your tax treatments go well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Atiteca
    Atiteca Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2014

    Love the bedazzling too! Are those stick on nail stones? I'd love to try it. Ladies, thanks so much for your support! I am feeling sooooo much better today. I ate almost an entire hamburger and fries! AND it actually tasted like a hamburger and fries! It's amazing how much you appreciate something when you've had to go without. I like the idea of cheesecake. No fever for a couple of days either so I'm crossing my fingers that I'm out of the woods on that one too. I had my 3rd AC Thurs, so I know tomorrow will be tough, but just wanted to chime in w good news for once. 

    Njmom, so glad you are feeling better after the transfusion!

    Wishing everyone well this week as we spring into Spring!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited March 2014

    Is having a sore throat a SE? I'm not sure if I'm coming down with something or if it's a SE. Gums don't hurt. Tongue is normal. Just a sore throat?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2014

    If it were me I'd take my temp and keep an eye on it.  Sore throat is not a typical side effect I have heard of.  You need to keep an eye on it and call onc if temp starts to climb.  If your white count is low, any potential infection needs to be watched very closely. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2014

    Hope-I agree with dance keep a close eye on it. But it still maybe be a sore forming, in your throat. My first treatment I rinsed with biotene for the first few days, then stopped. A few days later my throat hurt only when I swallowed food and when I looked in the back I saw a reddened area so I continue the mouth rinse everyday and it felt better after 2-3 days. Didn't happen again. Mentioned it to my MO and they think it may have been a forming sore. The other thing it might be is thrush. Either way if it gets worse have someone take a look.

    Fingers crossed its nothing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • seaniebopp
    seaniebopp Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    Good evening ladies,

    Just giving an update since finishing TX 3 of possible 6. My MO wants to meet after I have completed 4 and will recommend 2 additional treatments if I tolerated tx well.  This time I feel a little more fatigued and have experienced some nausea but taking meds to stay ahead of it.  The hardest thing thus far has been hair loss but I am adjusting.  I am staying hydrated with water and pedialyte.  For the first time since treatment I have no appetite. Taste buds have finally checked out. Not sure I want them to return as I have gained about 10 pounds since starting treatment.  Anyone else doing 6 rounds of TC?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jujubee83
    jujubee83 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2014

    To anyone who has started taxol, how did it go and how are you feeling? I've finally finished my 4 rounds of a/c (which I thought would never end) and am due to start taxol on 4/2. Everyone says it's "more tolerable" but what is more tolerable? Since its given every week, do we still have a "bad" week? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited March 2014

    Jujubee,

    I JUST had my first Taxol  on Friday. Hugely more tolerable, so far! I had a little touch of fatigue at the end of the day on Saturday  (but I was an an outdoor event all day).  Like everything, everyone is different!  Some people I have read about develop more 'issues' as the treatment continues, some don't.  I will hope for the best!

     I have done lots of research and my biggest concern is the nail problems and peripheral neuropathy.  I am committed to icing my hands and feet during the treatment to minimize those SE.   Even after the first treatment, I had some tenderness with 2 of my nails  (almost like after an injury after you pulled the nail up to far).

    Let me know if you need more info on the icing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    seaniebopp most of gain at least 10lbs on chemo (with breast cancer). It comes off. A lot of it is water retention. Sometimes if from being less active and eating more carbs and sugar (because that's the only thing that's tolerable). I put on at least 12 and lost it after chemo was done.

    jbokland the nail lifting issue is a bit more rare... that said I got one of the worse cases I've seen on these boards. Both Toes & fingers. One thing, if you do get it try to minimize trauma to your nails. Granted I wasn't the best person to do that. I was typing all the time etc. They never fully recovered but to most people, especially my fingernails don't seem too bad.  Also I did 6tx of Taxotere (every 3 weeks). I'm sure if I only did 4 or smaller doses they wouldn't be as bad.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014


    Morning ya'll!

    I'm not feeling that great today, the fatigue is starting to kick my butt I think. I'm also feeling kind of head-coldish, but no fever. I have chemo this Thursday as well as an US to check a hard spot/lump/mound where my left breast was. BS said she thinks there is fluid there, but she is not sure what is causing the hard spot. I'm a little worried :(

    BTW, if I already posted about this on this thread...my apologies. I find myself repeating myself lately...I'm very forgetful. lol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hope2014
    Hope2014 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2014

    This is one club I never thought I'd be a part of!  I had my first Chemo (TC) treatment on 2/27 and just did my 2nd  on 3/20.  So far, knock on wood, no side effects that are not manageable.  The worst I think is the bone pain from day after shot, Neulasta.  I've even done the Claritin before, on, and day after but the pain is still annoying!  I'm in the "trying to hang on to every last hair" phase.  I went from hair down the middle of back to shoulder length to a cute boy cut.  It is definitely easier to handle the hair loss with it shorter...it doesn't look like I've killed a small rodent when I get out of the shower. 

    I definitely recommend newbies to sign up to the Feel Good, Look Better programs offered by American Cancer Society.  The make up alone is worth the time!  This whole cancer thing can get pretty expensive!

    ((hugs)) to all . . we can do this.  God only gives us what we can handle...and apparently he thinks we are all bad a**es!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    Look Good, Feel Better is not offered by the American Cancer Society. They might provide the wigs and other support but the LGFB is provided by The Personal Care Products Council Foundation

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories