Taxotere and cytoxan

I also had this combo with herceptin at my first diagnosis.  With an early stage dx, it's often given for a shorter period of time than if stage 4, so there may be more/or more severe side-effects...but I'm hoping not!   I had 4 infusions, each 3 weeks apart.  I did have neulasta after my 2nd & 3rd infusions due to low wbc.  I took Claritin for 2 days before the 2nd neulasta (w/the 1st neulasta-the bone pain brought me to tears), and it helped.  Since I had neulasta for the 22 months I was on stage 4 chemo, I took (and still do) Claritin every day.  I think tax/cyt causes hair (head, eyelashes, brows) loss for most, unless you're amazingly lucky or you use a cold cap-which some on the boards had success with.  One thumbnail had a black stripe running through it, but my nails survived well.  I couldn't taste salt & added it to everything...which was way out of the ordinary for me.  I ate lots of French fries, pasta and soups...but no much of any. It's important to know your source for raw veggies, as ibc said, they can upset stomach & have bacteria if not "clean"...same w/fruits.  I had no nausea, but had a bit of indigestion & would sometimes take omneprazol.  My onc said no manicures or pedicures...again, germs, but I think lots of this goes with any chemo regimen....and some gals I know had pamper days throughout tx w/no problem.  It took a couple days for the fatigue to set in & then I did nothing but rest.  Your mom may already know how to care for her mouth.  Biotine products (toothpaste, mouthwash) are important.  My mouth was very sensitive & I often used salt rinses.  Keep hydrated before & after infusions...as always.  I pray your mom does well on this and has few ses...may these be THE magic meds!!!  Bless your heart for reaching out for her!  

Hoping the combo gives your mom lots more time, like years and years! I had TAC for 6 cycles with 5 days of Emend, 5 days of cortisone and 5 days of neupogen shots after an infusion. I suppose these depend on the dose. Often my blood counts did not recover enough and I had to wait it out. This always made me nervous but I still managed to get to NED and have been NED 8 years now. Also had fevers spiking like crazy. I was given antibiotics for those. Had an allergic reaction to one of the drugs and was also taking antihistamines on top of everything else. Plus got infected glands, which had to be aspirated or excised. I still tried to get out and walk for an hour every day, even if this meant stopping and sitting on the ground when pain got too much. ALL worth it to see my daughter grow up! (She was 7 then and is now 16!)