Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

Melrosemelrose · April 2014

jmg58 - Some oncos have their patients' blood tested for cancer tumor markers while others do not. I asked my onco about those kind of blood tests and she did not order one for me since she did not think they are reliable. I did have blood work before each infusion and periodically while I was receiving Herceptin. It was helpful to see my blood counts so I could see if my counts were recovering. You may to talk to your onco about the blood testing he/she may do post chemo and what you should be looking for post chemo.

jmg58 · April 2014

So round three has been really bad so far; bedridden, low-grade fever, nausea...1 and 2 had problems, but were different and I didn't feel this "sick." Anyone else have a similar experience? It's making me really fear #4.

Headeast · April 2014

jmg, everybody is different. In my case the third was the best of all.

Susan0369 · April 2014

Hello Susan,

I know I am probably incredibly late in responding to this but I found that my first chemo and Neulasta was the worst. I didn't take the Claritan until my 2nd treatment and it did help quite a bit. I know you said you had to be in the office but I would take it very easy the 4 days following the chemo. I know not everyone has the same reaction but my first pretty much knocked me off my proverbial feet. I would also recommend lots of warm showers or baths. They will help with the aches. And yes your skin will get dry but my worst was a few weeks after my last treatment and I felt like I was peeling as if from a sunburn, me being me I was kind of disgusted by the peeling and enjoying the fact I could peel it off *hahaha* :}. I have been using the Cetaphil lotion for sensitive skin but for showering I used Johnson baby body wash, the one with lavender to help me sleep and the one with cocoa butter (I think) to keep my skin moisturized.

I truly wish you the best for some pain and nausea free treatments. :}

Another Susan

Susan0369 · April 2014

Hello everyone,

I had a question about my hair growing back and I'm not sure if this is the right forum, if it isn't, I do apologize.

My hair started to fall out about a week after my first treatment and while at first I was just thinking about shaving my head but after a few days of just a little coming out it was like a switch was flipped and it was coming out in huge handfuls at a time so I chose to shave it all off and keep it shaven until I was done with my chemo.

I now find my hair is growing back but it is almost baby fine and while it's growing pretty quickly on the sides and back of my scalp, I noticed that at the top of my head the growth is still very short. I have been wearing some fitted caps/ bandanas and I'm just wondering if because the cap rubs at the top of my head more, could it be breaking off the growth or inhibiting the growth? I am very self conscious about the look of my scalp, so I really I don't want to go without wearing something in public but should I just get maybe something similar to a baseball cap or is there a shampoo to help hair grow faster and thicker?

I know this shouldn't be a worry for me, especially after my surgery and treatments but I just can't help the feeling of people staring at me already when I'm wearing my caps and the idea of perhaps being partially bald for good when I used to have a full head of overly thick hair leave me very anxious.

Thank you all,

Susan

MinusTwo · April 2014

Melrose - I LOVE it. Yes, it's surely a super expensive hair cut & style.

boobieprized · April 2014

Not sure if I am in the correct place, but just had first round on Friday and starting feeling like crap later Friday night. Not really nausea, but I think the steroids are making me feel like a zombie on crack. Indigestion, irritability, and just bad nerves in general. Stupid question, my dog seems very attached to me since chemo and after feeding him, he licked my hand and within minutes threw up. Any chance he can taste it through my skin? Told you it was a stupid question.

AKJ · April 2014

shantis, my dog gets very attached to me after treatment and acts very disturbed. I was wondering if she smells the chemo or is just bothered because I'm spending so much time in bed. She's not allowed on the furniture but keeps trying to get up on the bed.

Melrosemelrose · April 2014

Susan0369- You are in the right chemo thread.... in fact ask any questions that you have. If someone on here doesn't know, you will pointed in the right direction so you can find your info. As for your hair situation, welcome to the hair club here. Yes, the growth pattern of your hair is similiar to what mine was. The sides and back grew back quicker than the top and crown. It was similiar to male balding hair pattern. My hair did come back baby fine and soft at first and seems a little thinner. As for wearing head coverings, I wore a loosely kniited slouchy hat, straw hats (Target) and baseball caps when I went out and didn't bother to wear anything on my head while at home. I wore the hats to prevent my head from getting sunburn and to keep my head from getting cold whenever I was out someplace with cold air conditioning. I also want you to know that I did myself a big favor by not looking in the mirror and staring at my head. I knew the amount of hair I had on my head by merely feeling my head without looking at myself in the mirror. I figured that my hair would not grow any faster with me staring at it plus no need to cause myself emotional distress. I have read on prior chemo discussion pages that hair grows faster in the summer; so let's up your hair makes a mighty return shortly. As for shampoos, that is just a personal thing. I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner for thinning hair. I can't tell you if it really works or not. I purchased it at Marshalls and TJMaxx and love the smell of the shampoo. You may want to do a search on the Livestrong.com website " Foods for Hair Growth". It may give you an idea of what foods are necessary for hair growth. You may even ask your onco if you can take Biotin which can be purchased over the counter. I know with the finish and completion of chemo, one wants everything to feel physically good and also to look good. I also know being in public, the loss of hair is a giveaway to others that one is being treated for cancer. Just hold that head of yours high and never forget how strong you have been and are. It is a personal achievement and accomplishment to withstand the emotions and physical changes and transformations. As you can tell, I feel that life and things do get better as time goes on post active treatment. It just takes time to heal. HUGS......

Headeast · April 2014

Susan, my hair is growing slower at the front too. I had my last chemo on 12/4 and in the back is almost two inches when the front of my head has only one inch hair. I am not wearing anything so it is not your hats.

Shanitis, not a stupid question at all. Doctors recommend not to share the bathrooms or to flush twice if sharing; after going to the bathroom wash parts and rinse that skin with warm water, so it makes sense if your dog got sick. Those chemicals are potent. Make him drink a lot of water, amd you too, to flush all that chemo.

Susan0369 · April 2014

Thank you so much Melrosemelrose and Headeast for the information. I was honestly hoping that this was the case. I was dreading the idea of going without a cover so that the rest of my hair could grow back in. Prior to even being diagnosed I was using Garnier Fructis Lengthen and Strngthen and I could swear it made my hair grow faster! I have been looking for it around the stores and I have a feeling they don't make it anymore darn it. But thank you for the information about the shampoo and special foods and with the Biotin pills. I will ask my onco if I can take it. I love my Dad dearly and he has been supportive so very much but he just really doesn't understand when I broke down after my hair started falling out a little at a time and then when the whole hunks came out. He's always had cre cuts so he's never had much to loose.

Thank you so much also for the support. There are some very wonderful people here.

Headeast · April 2014

Some information about foods for hair growth at WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-styling/top-10-fo...

boobieprized · May 2014

Side effects from hell. I have posted that I had my first treatment last Friday and thought things were getting better. I was wrong. My issues are facial and head pain, mostly jaw and teeth and I also feel like there is electrical pressure from my head down my neck, all the way to my back. Of course I sneezed yesterday and it almost made me jump out of my skin and now hurts 10 times as bad. Its almoat like my entire body is pulsating. Im very aware of my heart these days, either racing or flip flopping.

I had my neulasta shot on monday and have taken claritin every day. I called my onc and she said I could take ibuprofen, but nothing seems to help. Am I crazy or are these legit side effects?

merg · May 2014

Hi Shanitis.Owwww.... I'm so sorry. I just had my first treatment on Tuesday & my Neulasta shot on Wed. I feel like I have had the flu. Bad body aches & neck pain.So I did go to bed last night at 9 & slept all night. I am feeling ok. Maybe just baby yourself & try to sleep some. Happy thoughts to you.

Melrosemelrose · May 2014

shanitis- Sorry the side effects have literally hit you up the side of the head!!!! Unfortunately, your aches and pains are probably in the realm of chemo side effects and you are not crazy!!!! . If you want to, call your onco again and ask for something a little stronger other than OTC ibuprofen and let your onco know that you are feeling worse.

The first round of chemo can be difficult because it is the first and it is definitely a big shock to your body. With that being said, keep breathing and try to rest and keep hydrated. If you feel up to it, maybe a warm shower will help make you feel a little better. :et's keep our fingers crossed that your side effects calm down. Hugs.....

AKJ · May 2014

Just finished my TC treatments yesterday. I'm glad it's over but for some reason I'm just really depressed. I think I cried all day yesterday. Maybe it's just the release and hope that I've done enough and fear of the future. Next is radiation for six weeks starting at the end of the month.

jmg58 · May 2014

AKJ, congrats on being done...!!! I will be done in two weeks and I understand how you feel; I am feeling a bit of that already. I know for me it is the fact that I will be done and now what? I understand and am giving you a huge virtual hug. I have been crying all week. I did visit an organic store today and got some info from them and my next step will be to eat a lot healthier, although I cannot imagine doing anything completely off-the-wall, I will switch to organic fruits and vegetables and be more plant based; use more spices. Maybe thinking along some sort of proactive line like this as the next step can help you? It is scary, no doubt about it, but just think, you've done all this--keep putting one foot in front of the other the best you can. You can do it!

AKJ · May 2014

Thanks jmg! I'm going to try to move along and live a healthy life and hope for the best. I'm glad you're almost done too. You've had a bit of a rough go.

Melrosemelrose · May 2014

Congrats to those who are close to completing chemo and just finishing!!! Yes, what you have has not been easy physically and emotionally on you but finding the words to put everything in perspective is hard. I know of the tears firsthand and recognize that this path through chemoland has been good, not so good, easy and not so easy at times. It is like finishing a hard physical marathon, the body aches, the mind aches and the tears just flow. It is okay..... you are not alone in your tears and feeling the letdown after completing a long difficult project. Those questions of "Now what?" and "What happens next?" do come rolling into your mind. I started chemo In April 2012 and finished August 2012 and finished Herceptin March 2013. So it has been 2 years ago when I had my first round. I am forever thankful and grateful for the wonder people who have been here for me, supporting unconditionally. Though the tears have lessened over time, picking up and moving forward has not been a lightening speed pace. I have taken my time and not rushed so that I could recover mentally and physically from the chemo. There is not right way or wrong way to feel right now. There is only the way that makes one feel comfortable with herself. Just have to keep moving forward and look forward to feeling better physically and emotionally. Continue to take care of yourselves.... eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly and most of all, love yourself and those around it. Slowly but surely, you will emerge from the haze of chemo and get on with living your lives. HUGS to all of you.

AKJ · May 2014

Thanks Melrosemelrose. I can't stop being depressed about all this but maybe when the chemo wears off in a few weeks I'll feel more optimistic. It's all so scary to think that much of this is so out of our control. But that's everything, isn't it? I could be hit by a truck tomorrow. Sorry about my negativity. I feel like this should be a happy time but it's not so much.

Melrosemelrose · May 2014

It's okay. I get it... so don't feel bad for saying what is on your mind. It takes time to reach the point where one feels okay about moving forward. A lot has happened since you started on this road. Sometimes I feel like the pause button has been pushed and I can't get things moving again. So rather than feel like there is something wrong with me, I just say okay.... tomorrow will be better and I will get moving again. If you are struggling with your feelings and how you feel, please consider talking to your onco and perhaps think about getting some counseling. It's okay to do that and may help you. As for control, I face a situation that happened despite taking care of myself and living a healthy lifestyle. It has and always will be in my control as to how to handle the situation. I've always felt like I had choices as to what to do although it may seem like I had no choices. One day, you will feel better but until then, hang in there. Ride out those feelings of being down and know that you are not alone. Life is bittersweet. There are times when others think we should be happy about certain things but yet, there can also be other things that are happening which bring great sadness. Again.... it's okay. Hugs to you.....

AKJ · May 2014

Thanks for the support during my little meltdown. There's a counselor on my oncology team that I plan to call. Previously I was just focused on getting the medical stuff done and didn't really consider it too much. I normally try to be a pretty positive person so I think that part of me will come back. I also signed up for a Living Beyoynd Cancer workshop in June. Thanks again jmg and Melrosemelrose!

Headeast · May 2014

akj, I felt the same way after my last chemo. Between the fatigue, having to go back to work and reaching 'the end' of the active treatment, I had a number of feelings. It will pass, and ask your MO about vitamins, B12 and D are helping me, plus multi vitamins.

AKJ · May 2014

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. A friend recommended a naturopath who specializes in oncology patients and I'm thinking of going to him to get my nutrition back on track when I recover from this last round.

yes1924 · May 2014

I survived my first round of chemo!!!! My fears were far worse than reality so thank you to those you gave me those words of encouragement. I had it on Friday 4/25, felt great the rest of that day and pretty much all day Saturday. By the evening, I began to feel tired and then it hit me.... I was out all day Sunday and Monday. No nausea but stomach cramps with frequent runs to the bathroom, no pun intended. Smile Once that got under control, I began to feel better and felt 100% great by the following Friday. During the chemo, did get the 'sinus' headache everyone has mentioned so they are going to slow it down when I go in for round 2. I took a couple of doses of 12-hour sudafed and that was it.

The SE I'm dealing with is the wierd sensation in my hands.... they itch and tingle and feel like they are swollen but are not. I know that's part of the process. Any suggestions to try that has helped minimize that sensation?

Also, is there anyone that has NOT lost their hair with this treatment? Just curious and wondering or how fast has hair been lost...

For any newcomers like myself....ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!! Go into it with a positive attitude, I promise, it makes a difference! Smile

Melrosemelrose · May 2014

YES1924- Glad you have made it through the first round !!!! that weird sensation that you are feeling in your hands maybe the beginnings of neuropathy. I don't know if you are icing your finger nails and toe nails. Just keep those digits moving but try not to massage the fingers and toes since that may cause the blood vessels in your fingers/toes to break. You may also want to contact your onco about the itchiness that your experiencing since it could be sign that you are allergic to one of the chemos ( most likely the Taxotere). As for the hair, you may start seeing hair start to fall out after 14 days. You will know that there is something happening since your hair may feel more dry and it may be coming out more easily. I never shaved my head and was left with a very thin thin veil of hair on my head. To others, I was flat out bald but to me, I had those mighty hairs that I could still feel which seemed to give me comfort. When the hair starts to come out more frequently and especially in the shower, it can be hard to deal with. One has the choice to breakdown or just accept that it is part of the process. I chose the later. Just remember that you do not have to stand in front of the mirror and look at your head/hair. It is pretty normal to be emotional with the hair loss since it is probably one of the most outward physical signs that you are having chemo. You are okay........ Keep us posted....

yes1924 · May 2014

Thanks MELROSEMELROSE! I'm not sure I understand the 'icing' of the nails.... what is that and what does it do?

Melrosemelrose · May 2014

With the okay of your onco, one can ice their fingernails/ toe nails to help prevent nail damage and possibly help with neuorpathy. It is fairly simple. Attached below is info that I posted previously . I found out about the icing on the Chemo Discussion threads and asked my onco if I could do it. She said it would be fine and but said she didn't know if it would help or not. I did ice and fortunately have had minimal nail damage and neuorpathy. I know some gals don't ice and are just fine while others who didn't ice wished that they had. The first minutes of icing are not comfortable but one gets used to the coldness after a while. I usually wore the same outfit to every chemo--- leggings, a men's undershirt, a pullover hoodie sweater, socks and boots. When it was time to ice, I would put on some fleece running pants over my leggings, wear a fleece jacket and get a warm blanket for the infusion center warmer.

Here are some tips to help you with icing.

( Sorry everyone--- this icing is a repost of info )
FOR THOSE ICING NAILS : Always clear anything you want to do with your oncos. You will need to clear it with your onco about icing since not all oncos will allow icing during the infusions. The Taxotere icing time period is 1 1/2 hours ( 15 minutes before the infusion, 1 hour during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion. For Taxol, the icing period is 3 1/2 hours ( 15 minutes before the infusion, 3 hours during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion). At the suggestion of my onco, I am using clear nail polish on my nails to help keep them strong and also icing the nails to help prevent nail damage which is a side effect of Taxotere. She suggested that use Sally Hansen Strong As Nails Clear Polish but I switched to Essie polish since it doesn't chip as much as the Sally Hansen brand. Essie polish costs more but for someone like me who never used nail polish before chemo, the fewer times I have to apply polish the better. I don't mani/pedis but some do. I'd rather avoid the germ issue at nail salons and taking of a chance of getting nicked.

ICING :

Time period for icing- You will for 1/1/2 hours in total= 15 minutes before the Taxotere infusion + 1 hour during the infusion + 15 minutes after the infusion. For Taxol, the icing period is 3 1/2 hours ( 15 minutes before the infusion, 3 hours during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion).
Ice- You can use frozen peas in quart size ziploc bags marked "Do no eat!!!" and reuse those bags of peas. Some have used small reusable/refreezable ice bags you can get at the drugstore in the first aid department. I opted to use ice. I have an ice tray that makes small rounded bottom circular ice. I tried the peas and decided I liked the ice better because I thought it stayed colder longer. My infusion center has ice available for me to use if I want to use it. I always bring an extra bag of ice just in case I need it.
Transporting ice to infusion center- I used a cooler with a freezer pack plus take extra infusion ice bags.
What to put the ice bags in- That is a personal preference. Some just put the ice bags on their feet and wrap a blanket around them so the bags don't fall off. Some use insulated lunch bags and put the ice bags in those. My hands and feet are small so I'm using some neoprene wine cooler bags that I bought at Target for $6.99 each. I figured I could use the wine bags later on. I'm still able to hold an insulated mug so I can drink really cold water and eat ice during the infusion. I have pretty small hands/feet which explains how I am able to use those Neoprene wine bags.
Hand & Feet Protection- I wear thin sports socks on my feet when I ice the toes. The socks keep the rest of my feet warm during the icing. On my hands, I wear a pair of knitted wristlets/fingerless gloves to keep the rest of my hands warm. If you don't have knitted wristlets, you can make some from men's socks by cutting holes in the toe area. Some people take their feet/hands out of the ice periodically; however, I don't do that.
Process- I let the infusion nurse know that i'm icing so we can coordinate when I should start the icing. Once I know when I'm going to start the infusion, I put the ice bags in the bottom of the Neoprene bags. I put the ones on my feet first and adjust the ice bags so my toes nails are covered. I then put the ones on my hands on and adjust the ice to cover my fingernails. My husband helped me with this process.

Tips to Help Take Care of Your Nails

Keep them short
Use a polish with strengthener ( clear if your onco does a nail check at your appointments)
Learn to not use your fingernails as tools----- No more opening cardboard boxes/cartons with your thumbnail
Do not use your fingernails as staple pullers
Use garden gloves if working in the yard
Use rubber gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning products around the house

AKJ · May 2014

yes1924, Congratulations on getting through your first round of chemo relatively unscathed. It'll be over before you know it. I look back and it sort of seems like it went by quickly. I'm now recovering from my last round. I have the tingling in my hands and feet but it seems to go away a few days after the treatment wears off.

MinusTwo · May 2014

Yes & AKJ - be sure to tell your MO about the tingling in your hands & feet. If you develop neuropathy, there is no cure so they'll need to know in order to cut down on the Taxotere dose &/or evaluate your symptoms vs. lasting side effects.

Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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