Starting chemotherapy March 2017

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  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2017

    hi Tara17

    I'm sorry you've had blurred vision on Taxol. I've had two days of sharp shooting pains all over my body as well as the worrying tingling in my hands and feet. I feel like I was sold a pup when I was told Taxol was chemo lite! Naproxen takes the edge off but am not 100% sure I can handle 3 months of this.

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    badger --thnk you for posting from seven years out! For those of us coping with the day to day issues of getting used to the effect of chemotherapy on our bodies, coping emotionally and wondering how it will be after all is said and done --it's nice to hear that you are thriving seven years out --and may there be such countless more years


    Kimburke --thanks for the detailed posting, very much like the proactive approach to side effects!

    My second treatment went well the day of treatment --somehow I am always anxious in the waiting room till the nurses find an IV . The Benadryl given with the taxol makes me drowsy and calms me for the treatment . This week I learnt to manage the previous side effects --proactively took Tylenol for pain and Ativan for sleep but discovered a couple of new side effects -- a very itchy rash which my doctor says is taxol ( have been applying coconut oil which really soothes the rash ) and blurring of vision. Was very disappointed by the vision change --am hoping its temporary. Am focusing on long term good health


    Wishing everyone all the best this coming week!

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    tinker bell --I totally hear you! The body pains , with diffuse muscle aches and bone pains was awful the first week ---chemo is chemo, even if one calls it 'chemo lite' . I thought that if the pain persisted like this, I wouldn't be able to make it three months --- I started taking daily Claritin and Tylenol 325mg BID and it defnitely helped the second week --try the Tylenol alternating with the naproxen and see how this helps you .

    Stay strong tinker bell, --short term pain for long term gain, you can do three months of this! We will all encourage each other and we will get through this!

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    tinker bell--for the tingling, do talk to your doctor and if you haven't already, consider B12 , B6 vitamins and ask about glutamine supplements


    Exercise is also supposed to help with the nerve issues

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2017

    Popping back in with one more tip..my sister and I both iced our hands and feets during Taxol. No need to buy expensive things to do it.

    We wore socks and thin gloves so we wouldn't get frostbite! The nurses brought us two bins of ice (like dishpans only medical pans) and when TAXOL started (not the pre-drugs) we stuck our hands in. One good thing, it wakes you up after the benadryl. No sleep for us!

    Neither of us lost any of our fingernails or toenails. I have very mild neuropathy in one foot after 5 years (I took that foot out of ice the most). My sister also has neuropathy in one foot.

    Doctors won't say for sure that ice helps neuropathy. But I know it helped us. It was worth it just to save our nails.ALL THE BEST!!!

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    thanks for the tip Denise! It's so great to hear that you are doing so well. Thanks for all the encouragement!

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  • bruinvol10
    bruinvol10 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2017

    kimburke - I like your proactive approach and am planning to do the same. Am armed and ready with everything I have learned about on this site. Looks like hydration is the most important. Anxiety is definitely building but I think most of my stress is from the capping. I just hope we do it right and it doesn't hurt too bad.

    Tara17 - I'm sorry you are having vision problems. I'm sure that's scary! I got the ok from my onco to go ahead and take Tylenol for the caps and colace for any possible constipation issues but I haven't asked about the supplements yet. I will see him right before my treatment and I have a list of questions!

    This looks like an active week for many of us. Glad we have each other!

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  • alsgirl
    alsgirl Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2017

    I met with the oncologist this past Friday and am starting my chemo next Friday, 3/24. My regimen will be adriamycin and cytoxan. If I tolerate these fairly well they'll follow up with four infusions of Taxol. I'm triple negative, 74 years old, and have no history of cancer in my family. I've had two surgeries, the second one being to get clear margins. I still find it hard to believe that I have to go thorough this. My husband died ten years ago this month from stage IV colon cancer so this keeps reminding me of him even though I have a new lovely caring man in my life. I know I'm a little depressed but am trying to carry on as routinely as possible. I'm thankful for my good friends and my daughter who lives with me and has been so helpful driving me to and from appointments up in Boston.

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  • carolina_girl63
    carolina_girl63 Member Posts: 29
    edited March 2017

    bruinvol10 and Tara17 thanks so much. The treatment itself went well but I seriously feel like I have been beat with a bat. My entire body hurts and nothing I take seems to help. Oh well as they sat this too shall pass. I hope you both are doing well. I'm lucky to have such a wonderful husband and he's taking great care of me.

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  • Robin1234
    Robin1234 Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2017

    Hi Ladies I will be getting my port in Wednesday and friday I starting Taxol and herceptin weekly for 12 weeks then herceptin every 3 weeks for 9 months and tamoxifen. Im 42 and the only women in my family that had BC was my Gran at 87 and her mom and she was older too when she got it but other then that no one else. I pray we all fly right through the this with no problemsleep. God bless you all.

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    HI Robin --wishing you all the best --I too am on the same protocol that you are --wishing you all the best as we all go through this together .

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    carolina girl -- I am sorry that you are in pain. I too felt the same way the first week --like someone had beaten me up with a baseball bat. I have been taking Tylenol twice a day and Claritin and that has helped. I hope you feel better soon


    Bruinvol--thnks for your emphathy regarding the vision. It hasn't worsened--so it is stable for now and it seems to be a common issue for weekly taxol. Indeed glad that we all have each other .

    Alsgirl --completely normal to feel sad or depressed. You would not be human if you didn't have some of these emotions.i am sorry that this reminds you of what your husband had to go through ten years ago --- cancer care has come a long way in ten years and you will do well. I wish you all the best !! We are yoursupport group here.

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited March 2017

    Finally chemo port settled in my chest. Other than the bump and small bruise it looks fine.

    My chemo train is coming in about 28 hrs. AC+T 8 rounds. A bit scared about SEs. Yea I hate loss of hair. My auburn wig is expected to arrive today. I chose not to do anything bc I want chemo drugs to its job. DH stocked pantry like there will be a nuclear war tomorrow and we will be confined for the next 10 yrs. Dogsitting neighbors dog. Part of the reason is I neee to ask her for a couple of rides in the near future. The dog is a perfect dog and houseguest anyway. Been walking at least 30 day for the last 10 days or so. Sat and Sunday was 75 min each. Today will only be 30 min


    Was anxious about pelvic, transvaginal ultrasound and muga scan. USs showed no bad words. Size of my uterus was huge. We could have had twins easily. Too bad ovaries will be gone before this christmas. Muga scan showed that my heart is quite OK enough to take some beating.

    I think I can march into the infusion ctr tomorrow. Chemo still is the right price for me.


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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    rebamacfan- wishing you every bit of support and good wishes as you start! It sounds like you and your husband have your game plan - you have your team and it is on - you will do great


    Regarding your ovaries - -ask your doctor about Lupron injection - it can protect your ovaries from the effects of chemo . It causes a temporary chemical menopause which is not fun but gives the possibility of preventing chemo induced menopause . You can quote the POEMS study to your doctor . All the best !

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    I just had my third taxol and herceptin today . I chose not to get a port ( couldn't bear the thought of another procedure ) - nurse blew one vein today and went too deep - painful ugh and then got it on second try and then all went well. So three down , 9 to go !

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    I have a question. Want to know how others handle this issue. Going through treatment is a new normal. Some symptoms are side effects which are expected and are "normal". Other symptoms could be the first sign of somehting more serious and shoudl prompt a call to the doctor --we all know the key ones --fever , signs of infection. But things like pain , blurred vision , rashes are more ambiguous --since this is such a new experience, one doesn't know what is worthy of medical attention or not. So how do others judge when to just put up with something and not call the doctors office or whether somehting is not worth calling for ? Don't want to be judged as anxious. Thank you , will appreciate different perspectives.

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    I started February 17 on taxotere and cyclosphamid

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    I started February 17 on taxotere and cyclosphamide

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    I started February 18. With same regimen as you. Had second infusion already. Will have 3rd march 31

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    Tara, I was in ER third day after infusion. I felt extremely weak to the point that talking was even too much. I was sweating too. Ended up haven UTI and I didn't have any uti symptoms. Now I'm on high dosage antibiotics

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    Tara, I was in ER third day after infusion. I felt extremely weak to the point that talking was even too much. I was sweating too. Ended up haven UTI and I didn't have any uti symptoms. Now I'm on high dosage antibiotics

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    lordhelpmetoo- I am sorry to hear that you had to go to the ER within the third day after the infusion -that must have been tough. I am glad they were able to find the reason and treat you with antibiotics right away . Are you feeling better ? Hope you are hydrating well

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    Hi Tara,

    I'm feeling better now and keeping hydrated

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    glad you are doing better lordhelpmetoo! Keep staying hydrated - keeps the kidneys flushed

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  • sunshininseattle
    sunshininseattle Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2017

    So glad I found this group, I've been reading and got a lot of great information. I start 4 rounds of TC over 12 weeks on 3/28. This is vast improvement in treatment length due to favorable pathology after surgery (bmx 2/22).

    I am nervous to start chemo, I've been preparing and have cold gloves and socks but what do you pack to take with you. Food/drinks/activities/etc?

    Thanks in advance!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2017

    Welcome sunshininseattl! We hate that you had to join our Community, but glad you've found us!

    Besides the helpful support advise you'll get in this wonderful group, you may want to take a look at the following thread:

    More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

    Hope this helps! Let us know how you're doing!

    The Mods

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    sunshine in Seattle,

    I just take some snacks like oranges, nuts and water. You may want to take your phone. There's usually tv there to watch too

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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    hi sunshine in Seattle --one tip I have is to go to your dentist this week before you start chemo ( and get ok from your oncologist first ) for a quick cleaning to make sure that your teeth and oral cavity are in good shape and no source of infection etc . Oral care is very important during chemo and you cannot go to a dentist while on chemo . So if you have time, and are due for a cleaning this might be sometime to do

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  • Bethany3
    Bethany3 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2017

    Hi Everyone, I have my first TCHP treatment tomorrow. 6 rounds every 3 weeks. I am ER+ and HER2+. I've also battled with anxiety/panic disorder in the past and this latest diagnosis has definitely been challenging with that.

    I am so thankful to have found this group! I have such a wonderful support system but it is nice to be around people that are going through the same type of thing I am.



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  • Tara17
    Tara17 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2017

    Hi Bethany -- so glad you have a good support system to go through this! I find that thinking of my entire team fighting this/doing this journey rather than thinking of myself doing it alone helps me a lot --so think of your team when you find yourself anxious--I think also consider meditation, deep breathing exercises, acupuncture, yoga --any one of these --all this will help you with your anxiety . All the best --- this is an amazing group do ladies here --definitely check out the her 2 survivor forum--lots of inspiring stories!

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