Weekly Taxol for Stage 4
Comments
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Hi everyone.
Best wishes Wilsie. Sky hope you are hanging in there. You found a beanie on a plane? I have some interesting things on a plane but no beanies. Lol. Smiley hit it ' my onc gives follow up fluids the next day after taxol (checks mag). The hydration is so important. Even with mag supplements I have needed IV mag. It really makes a difference for body pain and fatigue. The mag is for muscles and heart. Plus they have really watched fluids and kidney functioning bcause my kidney function tanked in July Good news is kidneys are less swollen the cAncer has released its grip and tumor markers continue to drop.
Shingles. Miserable. Never been so sick. Improving now and dried up. Supposed to go for taxol #17 tomorrow. Doc withheld chemo last week so will see if I get it. Makes me anxious when I miss chemo. Thinking the cAncer starts up again. My problem with continuing valtrex is my kidneys are damaged and medication like valtrex elevate creatinine. So trying to maintain a balance is hard. But I sm optimistic that stupid cAncer is being taken out.
Laura. Thanks for your suggestion on valtrex. Man in your eye. That had to be so bad. I had them in my ear. Living in flat desert. But my earrings hurt. I need earrings because I sm bald. Lol.
Hey Shazza. How are you?
Anyway keep kicking cancers butt. Don't give up even on the hard days. ( like practically every day). Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Best wishes to all.
Hugs
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Hi Ladies!
I'm getting scans again on the 23rd. My birthday is the 25th, Doc said we could wait til Jan for the scans, with the holidays and all. I said No. I want good news for my birthday! So, scans in 2 weeks. Seems I've been getting them every two months (the scans) but I've also had a lot of progression. I'm curious to see what the scans will show after this chemo combo. I don't stress about scans, they're an amazing tool for the doctors to use! To be able to see into the body. Imagine, they couldn't really do that a few decades ago! I always ask for a copy of the tests and then pop it into my laptop to see what I can see, knowing that for the most part, I don't really know exactly what I'm looking for, but lately, at least the bone scan, it's pretty obvious. I remember all those years I thought I was "disease free" or even "cured", getting scans was a little unsettling. Now, not so much because I know how valuable they are
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Sky good luck on the scans. I feel the same way with scans and blood work. More information isn't a bad thing. I appreciate your insights on this disease
I did get my taxol today. The shingles have dried up and I was happy to get back on the chemo. I feel like at this time delay is harmful. CAncer doesn't care if you have shingles or not. Hopefully no complications and I can finish the cycle next week.
Good news is kidney function is normal. A big deal since I was in major kidney failure in July. This cAncer is such a roller coaster. I think the hardest part. Progress and then all heck breaks.
I pray and hope you are all doing well. This is so hard. I haven't had a scan since July. My scan comes up early jan.
Still hopeful for all of us. A great read is "unbroken". Gives hope to a really difficult reality.
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Hi Diana! I think the chemo compromises the immune system greatly, then things like shingles happen, then the chemo gets delayed and we're sure that's all the time the cancer needs to grab a new foothold! Roller coaster is right! And the cancer is always there, in our minds too, lurking. It sucks, I know. But we gotta keep getting up, every day, and then the next one too. Early Jan will be here soon! I hope you get good news!
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Diana - my scans are scheduled for Friday morning January 9 - when are yours? Do you get your results right away? My Onc reads them over and discusses with me at my appt with him in the afternoon.
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Benjnate
your lucky you do not have to wait, good luck on the scan results, will thinking of you. Mine are on the 16 Dec and then I wait
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hi guys I'm out of town at a family funeral and haven't had a chance to check in. I'm really enjoying my chemo break and hope I get to extend it a little further. I haven't got a date yet but I'm due scans in the next couple of weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us .
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Shazza. Glad you are enjoying your chemo break. Hope the body is feeling better.
I see my onc dec 29. She will order the scan for early January at that time. They get us in fast and results are usually same day. I generally don't have a lot of anxiety about scans. It appears that the taxol has worked the last 6 months with mArkers down and improved kidney function so clinically looks like there will be improvement on the scan. The thing is you can improve in some areas but still light up in new areas. So that is why the scans. I see them as very helpful. I get my #18 taxol next Wednesday so I get another shot of cAncer killer 👍👍 before my Pet/Ct scan.
Thank God the shingles are improved and dried up. I suffered with those. Whew.
I pray for all of us and wish only good news for all. Good scans is my wish for all of us. 👍
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Hi everyone,
Only have a few minutes before I have to go out so cannot catch up with everyone properly.
Skylotus, I hope you are finding your side effects a bit easier this week.
Wilsie, I started gem/carbo a couple of weeks ago. I start my second cycle this week. First week after the gem/carbo IV was a bit sucky. Second week with just the gem was better. Week off now and I feel OK. Good luck with you new treatment.
Diana, I read on another thread that your kidney function is now normal. So pleased for you.
Take care everyone.
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A shout out to our own Diana for posting a beautiful thread "5 reasons to stay alive". If you haven't read through the posts, it's really poignant for this time of year. It makes me kind of miss some of those we haven't heard from lately - hope all is well, thinking of all of you.
It's chemo day today but for the first time ever I'm not scheduled until early afternoon. I must be turning into a little old lady but I don't want my chemo mornings messed with, lol! After doing this for so long, I know the signs that things are starting to go bad again...I need more sleep and am tiring more easily. My last TM's were in the 80's (they doubled) so we'll see what the scans say in January.
For those that celebrate, what is everyone's plans for the holidays? I celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. We just do the first day of Hanukkah with a family dinner including latkes. My house still smells like oil! And Christmas with my parents and family. How about you?
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Hi Laura,
My chemo day was yesterday and I am already wiped out so find myself doing nothing worthwhile except sitting in front of the computer.
I am sorry your tumour markers are on the rise. You know your body best but I hope you are wrong about things starting to go bad again. Stay focused on the holidays and try and put your concerns to the back of your mind until scans in the new year.
I am going to my daughter's for Christmas. I will be able to spend Christmas with my grandson. This is the first Christmas that he understands that this time of year is special. My son-in-law, bless him, is driving the 400 mile round trip to pick me because a drive of that magnitude is too much for me to handle these days. My youngest daughter is catching a train up on Christmas eve to join us. We are having Christmas dinner at home but I have booked a restaurant on Boxing Day and am taking everyone out for lunch. I hope we have some nice weather and we can drive up to the English Lake District which is only a short drive from their home. I went hill climbing here and in the Scottish mountains for many years. Sadly, those days are behind me but there are still plenty of opportunities for a walk around the lakes and plenty of photo opportunities. If the weather is good and I can get some good pictures, I will post them here.
Funny you should mention celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas because something like that happened in my family, too. My great grandmother was Jewish and my greatgrandfather Catholic. They emigrated to Canada partly for the job opportunities but also because both families back in Poland refused them permission to wed. My grandmother born from this marriage was a terrible cook. Sorry grandma but it was true. The only exception was her potato latkes which my father continued to make on the first day of Hannukah. Served with apple sauce and a mess in the kitchen!
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Blessings for Holidays taxol peeps
Want to wish you all hugs and love during this Season. Laura hope your scan is good in January. I also have Pet/Ct scan early januAry. I see onc dec 29. Had 18th taxol dec 17. Not sure what TM is but kidneys continue to do their job and have healed significantly from last July and August. So taxol is working. I guess scan and TM will help predict treatment for me into the new year.
The shingles rash has healed up but the pain along my neck, ear, shoulder and head is really horrible. Maybe a little better from three weeks ago but not much I just hope eventually the pain will subside. Boo
I love potato latkes. Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah.
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So happy to hear back from you Springwatch and Diana. I constructively used my steroid high yesterday to make Christmas cookies with two girlfriends. In bed by 7 pm, but what a fun day! I'm so glad you are both holding on with Taxol. We complain about the side effects, yet it's worse when you have to change and start a new set of side effects, yes?
Springwatch, you get to enjoy Christmas with a little one, awesome! No sleeping in for you Christmas morning
I'm glad you're getting together with so many family. And Diana, hang in there with the shingles. They do slowly get better but it takes months unfortunately. But honestly, every day is a little better - at least it was for me. Happy Holidays to everyone! -
Happy new year taxol peeps.
Laura glad to hear you could use the steroid to make cookies. Lol. I cleaned today from my steroid yesterday. Gives us a couple of days of normal.
Spring how are you doing? And everyone else on taxol ?
My onc wanted another cycle of taxol before scan jan 19. Marker came up 40 points from 327 to 369 in December but also been doing the shingles. Hopefully after this cycle they will decrease as shingles are less active. Thank God. The pain was so bad. Pet/ct scan jan 19 will predict treatment into new year. Kidneys are working so that was the crises in July and right now ok.
Stay in touch. Let us know how you are doing. Metastasic disease is about putting out fires in our body but keeping the body. Best wishes and love into 2015
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Happy New Year everyone. Good luck for your scan Diana50. I'm still on a break from Taxol till the 13th. I'm having a CT scan on the 5th and will see my oncologist on the 12th.
It's summer here and the weather is beautiful enjoying a 4 day weekend. I feel so much better when the sun shines.
Hope everyone is feeling good and you all had a great Xmas and New Year
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Belated Happy New Year to everyone. May we be blessed this year with low tumour markers, few side effects from treatment and many days when life is worth living.
I spent the holidays with family up North and they have now travelled back to my place to celebrate my birthday, 60 today. People are going home on Sunday and I have to work up the energy to get some cleaning done after they have gone.
I am going to say this very quietly, shhh..., but I think the gem/carbo is working. My liver pain has diminished and I am eating much better. I think I may have regained half of the 25 lbs I lost while I was on Xeloda. Scans are later this month so we shall know for sure then.
I am currently enjoying a chemo mini-break. I should have had the 2nd part of my gem infusion on Christmas Day but because of the timing it was cancelled. I start again next week. I saw a haemotologist earlier this week because my platelets had climbed through the roof. But they were back to normal this week and the haemotologist thinks it was just one off blip on the radar. I am having some trouble with my hip. The one where I had a femoral rod, fracture and RT treatment. Nothing showed on my last scans so my onc has contacted the surgeon who operated on it and I am awaiting an appt. The haemotologist pointed out that my inflammatory markers, ESR and creatine kinase are almost 10x normal so it could all be related.
Good luck Diana and Shazza with your scans.
Spring
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Happy New Year Everyone:
Hope you continue to well Springwatch and keep gaining weight as you say it shows the chemo is working. I can no longer fit into my jeans properly and I have gained a lot from the summer when I was loosing 6llbs a week. You sound happy and hopeful so enjoy your chemo break and family.
ShazzKelly I am envious of you with the warm weather, wish I was there. Good luck with your scans I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers, I get terrible scananxiety so I do feel for you and hope you do not suffer the trauma I go through
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Hi Taxol Peeps, I got my scan results back and I'm holding stable so I start back tomorrow on a reduced dose. Hoping I can get another 60 treatments out of it.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
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Shazza
Very good news. here is hoping your body is feeling better too. Stable is really great news on taxol. 👍
I am curious as to what your dose will be ? I hAve one more taxol and my PET-ct scan jan 19 and we go from There. Still dealing with horrible shingle pain. Rash is gone but the pain has stolen my mojo for now. Boo.
At any rate you all take care and hang in. Happy New Year
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Great news, Shazza! Good luck on the new dose. How much of a break did you end up having?
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Hello All - Well, I wasn't so lucky this time around with my scans and I am now onto Adriamyacin. Getting my heart scan tomorrow and will start Friday. Taxol was my favorite tx ever - even more than the hormonals - except for losing the hair part. For some reason, I had a good cry over this one. It's been 5 1/2 years and I guess I just needed a 'woe is me' moment. I'm on some Facebook pages for Metastatic Breast Cancer and sometimes I feel like the only one who isn't or never been NED! Time to take a break from social media and get my head on straight again.
Good Luck to all of you - I really hope for all of you to continue on Taxol for a long, long, long time.
Laura
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Laura
The key is to surprise and confuse that cAncer. Adriamyscin is a great chemo, I got TAC back in 2002. The red devil kicks butt. Those nasty cAncer cells are going to be destructed. Good luck with the new chemo. The tears are worthwhile and I saty give yourself a good cry when you need it. Tears for me seem to help me get my fight back on.
This is all so hard. It really is. And we Keep coming back and coming back with determination. Please hang in there. Your people here on this site have your back and send you ️hugs and love. ❤️
I am going to look for the facebook page for breast cancer Mets.
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Diana, thanks so much for your comments. You're so right, my fight always does come back. And I hope you enjoy the FB Metastatic/Stage 4 pages - I love this site for more insight, deeper discussions. But the FB pages is good for quick answers and updates. My name is Laura Scheinberg on FB (and for real, lol) - give me a shout if you see me on there.
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benjnate I hope your new chemo treats you ok and the SEs aren't to hard.
I had taxol today. I've had my dose dropped to 100 mgs I was on 125 mgs I think. Everything went ok although after 6 weeks off I found the anti histimines made me quite light headed where as before they hadn't had any effect on me. I have been taking all my anti nausea meds so hopefully I won't deal with nausea again.
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Benjnate, good luck with the Adriamycin. I hope it does a good job for you. I agree with you. Taxol was the best chemo while it worked. Lost my hair but still left me with some energy.
Diana, I love the way you stay positive. You are right. Despite everything, we still find the strength to come back fighting.
Shazza, I hope the reduced dose works well for you and you adjust to the anti-histamines after your chemo break. I didn't like the anti-histamines while I was getting them with taxol. They left me feeling really sleepy for a few hours. I get steroids and anti-nausea meds only with the gem/carbo which works is easier.
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Shazza, when I was on taxol I couldn't tolerate the regular dose of Benadryl & had to have it reduced twice. I was able to get along on 12.5mg (child's dose) but still offered the needed protection.
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I had chemo again today. No 62. It appears they have upped my Dex dose right back up to where I started so I think that may be why I felt a little funny last week and this. It's significantly more than I had reduced to over time so I will ask them to drop it down again.
I must be looking quite good since my break as another patient asked if this was my first time. I think all the hair confuses people. It grew like mad while I was on my break.
Hope everyone else is doing well. I'm off Melbourne, Australia on a long girls weekend on Thursday back home Monday evening in time for chemo Tuesday morning. I can't wait.
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I had #48 on th 13th. I'm finding it easier to tolerate which makes me think it isn't working as well. My tumour markers have risen to 30 but onc said he wouldn't worry unless they were around 40. They had never gone below 22 but still the fact that they are rising worries me. Onc won't talk about what's next after taxol. Really annoying thing I've discovered is that he's part of the team researching palbociclib but it's only trialled on public patients here. Private insurers won't cover trials
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Hello ladies:
I was wondering how you manage the heomoglobin count when the taxol starts to effect it, mine has gone down to 118 and the chemo nurse felt because I am tall it should be around 130 but the oncs nurse felt it was within normal range to continue with the chemo? I have an iron rich diet and take supplements, started adding advocados to the daily meal. Has anyone managed to stabilise it with diet alone when on chemo for a long time, ive been on chemo three weeks on and one week of for eleven months with one break in the summer for three months to my dismay I had progression but I suppose it gave the red blood cells a break.
Glad to hear your doing well ShazzKelly enjoy Australia
Aoibheann sorry you cant do the trail maybe he does not want to talk about alternative choices yet because he knows there are things moving around medically that you might be able to do but until the time comes and the results of how your cancer has presented itself he cannot tell which trail or course of action would be best for you. I find my onc says one thing and then changes to another with how I have responded from the last visit. Fingers crossed for you
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Hi taxol peeps
Hope you are all managing taxol and side effects. Here is my update.
Pet/Ct scan was clear. This is after 21 taxols. I had mets in belly which affected kidney function and a spot in my liver. Even though the scan was clear my onc is going to continue the three weeks on one week off taxol for at least 3 more cycles. Tumor marker still in 300's and she wants to get that down. If I get a clear scan in April then maybe switch to something else. I trust my doc and can do more taxol. The extra magnesuim I am taking has helped a lot. Haven't had problems with Hemogloblin or white cells yet. Low on both counts but haven't needed intervention.
The taxol has worked for a lot of people. We are still here. 👍
Take care and hugs. Shazza. Hope you are having fun in your vacation.
Diana
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