Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

jedimom, I'm starting to have nail issuers too, month and a half after my last treatment. Nails are lifting on two fingers. I hope it doesn't get worse.

Greetings All,

Found this forum when I also thought I would be able to avoid chemo due to early detection, but alas, it was not to be!

I was the perfect candidate for the 5 day radiation treatment except for a "teeny, tiny" (quote from my MO!) amount of rare, metaplastic BC cells found embedded within the small IDC tumor. The onco test came back at 34 too, so it was off to the races with Cytoxen and Taxotere. And the radiologist put his foot down about the targeted rads, but he did agree to go to 21 days worth of them, rather than 4-6 weeks of it! Grr...

Had my first CT on Monday, Feb 16th, and the anti-nausea cocktail is working quite well, so far anyway, thank God! The actual Neulasta shot hurt more than any other poke I have had so far! And the little nurse said, "Oh, it is a small pediatric needle". YIKES! It was in my stomach, so next time I will try my left arm. The SE of the shot has been slight so far, and the Claridin helps. One of my nurses had not heard of the Claridin trick. Slight blurry vision has bothered me some too, which frustrates me, since I love to read. But, that is a "teeny, tiny" complaint! Really, Really tired off and on too, but naps have helped that a lot! I am sure that more SE will kick in, but I am so grateful that the nausea has been held at bay so far. It was my worst fear, even more than losing my hair, since it has been thinning so much this past year anyway. I fear I may be dealing with Alopecia or something like that, so I had been gearing up for wigs anyway. Getting old has lots of disadvantages!

All of the advice that I found on here gave me a goal to go out and load up on necessary items possibly needed for all the various SE. I spent $200.00 at a Walgreens! But, it was worth it, because I came home, found cute little baskets and trays etc to hold things that I might need, and it gave me the power to know that this fight is in my hands! My nurses were very impressed with the knowledge that I have gained from all of your advice. I hope to help others with my experiences as I go through my 4 CTs, and 21 doses of rads later this summer.

STAY STRONG, and hang on to your saddle! (We have horses and love to ride, so I am giving this treatment regimen a Trail Riding theme!)

Heading off to my last CT tomorrow - odd anxiety, I don't think I will feel relief until it is really done. Did others feel the same? A little wigged out to hear others have had nail problems starting months after CT ended...

blueflowers: congratulations on finishing CT!! looks like we will be on a similar radiation timetable. I'm hoping to start the week of 3/16 but haven't had the RO consult yet.

Eyes not watering but nose drips constantly. I go through gobs of tissues just enough to wipe but not blow. My nose looks like I have a cold. Have to go but so Puffs with lotion.

the fruit idea is very good I stopped soda a year ago but I will try to find something less sugar . For the nails I put black nail polish and my nails is fine after two sessions my except one finger nail in my feet affected by fungus it happened before. Chemo and chemo caused it again.

blueflowers - congrats on your last TC! That's reason to celebrate!!!!! Woo hoo!!

blue, happy dance!!!,

Ratherbecooking - awesome, one part of this nightmare is over.

Today is day 4 for me from my last chemo, and I have severe body aches, taking claritin and naps with the heating pad.

Take care all of you.

ThinkingPositive, congrats on finishing your TC treatments!   I finished TC #3 on Tuesday.  Each round I have also experienced the achiness in my legs starting above the knees that you describe.  My legs, particularly the inner thighs, feel so weak when I get up from sitting, it feels like I have jelly legs.  I also have a lot of achiness in my jaw and ankles.  It's pretty accurate to say I hurt from my teeth to my toes on days 4-8.  Only one more to go!

Hi all,I posted here a couple months back but recently started reading of the posts I must that exactly 4 weeks after my last TC treatment I too feel the aches in my knees and back. I thought it was just me going thru it and was getting a bit concerned. I hope it eases up on us all soon.

Bikerbabe, I had the same anxieties but found out that my thoughts of chemo was much worse than it really was. It was challenging at times but its nothing you can't overcome. Just try to prep the best you can before each round of chemo, it will be much easier. My prayers are with you. You will be fine!

Bikerbabe, it seems to be so normal to be very anxious and fearful prior to that first treatment, I know I was. The one thing I have come to find, is that everyone has such different experiences from their treatments, even with the use of the same drugs. I think that is weird! Just take that bull by the horns, and face this head on!  My professionals really focus on helping with the nausea aspect of the SEs, and so far (day 8, post 1st treatment), I have been fine in that regard. For that, I am profoundly grateful! The main thing for me has been the fatigue, which has been overwhelming. It has helped that I finally gave in and now crawl into bed for naps whenever I feel like it..NEVER have been a napper, but now I love them!  Been running a very low grade temp since Thursday night, due to the wbc counts going down, and cannot take anything that will mask the fever, so I've been a tad grouchy! And the bone pain is interesting! Again, weird! I will take that over the nausea, though! All in all, I am very happy and feel blessed that my SEs have been what they are....so far! Not looking forward to the hair loss or the cumulative SEs that probably will occur, but, just gotta power through all that! Good Luck with your 1st treatment! BE STRONG!

You go Susan, kick that cancer in the ass...

I have none stop teary eyes as well...you day the replense helps? I will have to try that. My nails are all ridged and have dark specs on them and are very hard and yellow. Have the foot problem with inflammation on the back of my heels which gets red and sore, then dries out like a blister and all the skin peels. My legs and back, shoulder blades all are so sore. I am almost 3 weeks from last treatment. How much longer do these side effects last. My taste is starting to come back but slowly.

Bikerbabe17 We start on the same day, I too am anxouous and stressed. Just had my port in today, not bad but freaked me out to put it in my body. So many things to handle along with the cancer. All the advised here at least makes me think I can managed the SE when they come. I will be sending positive thoughts to you while having my chemo, it does help to think of other fellow ladies going through this and you do have company although none of us want to be here.