Weekly Taxol for Stage 4

hi Karz, Welcome to the group. I was able to have my premeds changed so I was able to drive after Taxol. I go to work after treatment so need to have a clear head. Maybe that's an option for you.

No one seems to ice here in New Zealand but I would be interested to know how it goes for you. My nails seem to have coped but I keep them painted a dark colour which I've heard helps. So far only very mild neuropathy so guess I have been lucky.

Just had my 10th infusion of Taxol. The first 3 treatments the nurses monitored my reaction to the Taxol. The only wrinkle I encountered was to the Decodron. Decodron sent my BP into the stratosphere. (222/111) so I had to stay for awhile till the BP came down a bit. They lowered the dose of Decodon, darn I miss the energy. Had a CT scan last Thurs and got the results last Friday. The Taxol is doing it's job there was shrinkage in the lung nodes (yippee) and the bone mets are stable. Today my daughter also had an appointment at the same place for an ultrasound, After her ultrasound she stopped b the infusion center to show me the pics of her baby. All is going well with her. So nice to have good news for a change and happy evens to look forward to.

hi all

Sorry you have pain Aoibheanne. I am on taxol # 30 Tuesday. The neuropathy is horrible. My feet and hands are crazy. The milkweek balm seems to help my feet.

My biggest dump is magnesium. Needed 3 infusions of mag last week. Scan in two weeks. TM still in 400's. Boo. Kidney functions ok.

I hope to have a change in tx. Either less dose move to two weeks on two weeks off. Depends on scan in two weeks. The taxol has improved my kidney function and keeping stable at the moment. Everything is about " the moment ".

All hang in. We are heating up in the desert. Boo.

Best

Hope we can keep this thread going.

My experience is worst days are day 3-4. Then I start to recover for next infusion. Hair started to fall out after 2 taxols. Shaved it after 3. Grows back white and fluffy.

Pepto Bismo has helped with nausea and DiareahhA. Also Le Croy sparking water good for nausea. Always check magnesium levels. I had no problems till 6 months later but now I get msg IV. Magnesium regulates myscles and heart. They should be doing blood work prior to infusion. Checking white and red cells too.

I take half narco (7.3) in Am and half 6 hours later. Ended up with shingles in December-januAry. I find the half pain pill lets me walk and do my stuff. Journal your side effects and a pattern will show up and you will know what to expect after each infusion The taxol saved my ass back in July. It's good chemo. ️Hang in. If you have questions post here. I have had 30 taxols.

️Hang in.

Diana, Shazzakelly, thank you. It is day 4 now and I seem to have a bit more oomp today but still on the couch. I was miserable yesterday.Tylenol did not help with body pain. I have gabapentine but have not taken it yet. One more week with hair and I will shave it off.

Yes, I had one installed about 18 months ago. As they could only use the veins in one arm (I have a pin inserted in my right arm and subsequent lymphoedema) and the veins kept 'blowing' it is a huge relief to have the port. No more miserable jabbing and searching for a viable vein. It is used for blood draws and any iv meds you may need. So far so good....

I've just got back from number 75 I think. Don't know how I would have coped without a port. As I've had Breast cancer and full lymph node removal both sides the shouldn't really use my arms for chemo or bloods anyway.

Kudos to all of you facing a lengthy programme of weekly taxol. I thought 9 was going to be manageable & now after 4 I've had enough. SEs really aren't that bad for me, I sleep it off the afternoon of treatment & although I have no eyebrows to speak of, my hair is slowly growing back.

I think I'm just tired of this chemo thing. And this cancer thing. Enough already.

My neutrophils are low so Onc has given me a pass for next week's treatment & I am so glad. I know I'm supposed to be throwing everything I can at this, but am so over it.

my moan for the week...

Wow, incredibly happy to have found this thread.  I will be starting weekly Taxol on Monday and am terrified.  I have stage IV BC with liver and bone mets and no treatments have worked thus far (Fect-T, tamoxifen, xeloda, navelbine, xgeva).  As I've been on taxatore and know the evil SEs it brings on I am fearful as to what weekly taxol holds in store for me.  Up until now my quality of life has been fantastic.  Scares me to think I'll be spending countless days on the couch again with tremendous muscle and joint pain (never mind the thought of the hair loss - have to be honest not really a fan of walking down hair loss alley again!).  Many of your posts have put me at ease.  Thank you all for being so honest and open.  We wear our tough brave survivor faces all the time so it's nice to have a place where we can be vulnerable without being judged.  Blessings to all!

Currently on recovery week so the next few days I feel pretty good. The three weeks when on taxol I feel like shit. I like the decadron. I Always say " I'm here for the steroid". I also take 20 mg night before taxol infusion.

Do you all look at your blood work? I have had 30 infusions. But after a few months the taxol started to delete my magnesium. If I am 1.6 or below I get iv mag. My onc also gives me iv fluids the 3rd day after infusion to keep up hydration. I always feel better after fluids.

The last month my whites were low so got neupogen. The shots really help. When counts are low fatigue is the outcome. My doc has perimeters around all blood work so the chemo nurses know when to give what.

I am supplementing with Slow Mag which if you take oral mag it can give you diareahhA. Hydrate.

The last three years with mets had been so tough. I lost kidney function last July but the taxol saved my kidneys and started working right away. I was a huge road bike athlete but now all I can do is walk. Neuropathy is very bad in my feet and fingers. My social life is a memory

I hate cAncer. But I love life. Reasons to stay alive along side all the losses. My nephew graduates from high school June 1 and I will fly to minneapolis for that. I pray for stability or NED so I can get an easier tx.

️Hang in people. What we go through on a daily basis no one knows. some days I feel like quitting Other days no.

Hope for all less side effects.

aoibheann and Diane, I hope you both get put on something easier but just as effective soon.

I'm in the chemo chair now. I'm really over this too but know I'm not suffering as much as you guys. I'm scared I'll have to change and will find the next treatment much harder. Better the devil you know I guess.

Take care everyone

Shazza, I hope your treatment went okay. I am psyching myself up for my 2nd one (I am on every 3 weeks) this Friday. I go for blood work tomorrow. I am feeling okay this week. Got myself Gabapentin this time. The nerve pain all over body was the worst. I had no appetite for 4 days after the infusion. Anyone else having a problem with taste/appetite? Hugs to all.

I am also saying goodbye to taxols it saved my kidneys but I now have progression in liver. Two lesions. 2.1 and .6. Liver biopsy soon. Then on to 3rd line. Coming up on 3 years Mets August. There are still lots of options and maybe biopsy will offer some new ones.

Best to all

Shazza, 19 months and going is great!!

Yes, I know that 3 week cycle is harder. When I read the chemo protocols at my hospital, it indicated that only the frail/elderly who cannot do 3 week cycle gets weekly taxol. I met with my MO today. The blood work looks good to go for the infusion on Friday. My neutrophil was always low on Xeloda but it is up now. From this thread, I know that there are some who are on this over a year. My treatment plan seems different. I will get a scan after 4 cycles. If it is working, do another 4 cycles and take a chemo break if stable at that time. Just praying that the taxol kills the bad stuff as much as possible. I really want those lung mets gone. Thanks girls. Hang in there. Hugs.

Hansaim, I feel the same way. Get it out of my lungs!!!! I start Monday. Got my port yesterday. Ouchy.