Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Positive - I thought I posted this link for you on another thread, but here it is again. Tips for getting through chemo.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...


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  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2017

    Yes, you did, I just had my doc tell me I didn't need to ice so wanted to see if anyone else had that response

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Ah ha. My infusion center said they didn't have many people icing either. But I do feel like the frozen peas that I used helped.

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  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited January 2017

    Positive--I am using Penguin cold caps because my hospital is 5 min from my home and the nearest center that offered Dignicaps is more than an hour away. There are advantages/disadvantages to each. The Penguin caps are very laborious and if you don't have a partner helping, then it's impossible. It's a 7- 8 hour process, an hr before chemo, during chemo and 4 hours afterwards. The advantage I have is that I can go home for those last 4 hours and sit on the couch in an electric blanket and watch a couple movies while my husband monitors the cold cap process. I'd have to be at the center the whole day with Dignicap and then drive all the way home. But Dignicaps are easier since the machine keeps the temperature monitored. As far as what to buy to have at your house, here is the link that is on this website of helpful hints. I know it can be REALLY overwhelming. That's what these group chats are for. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...




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  • Redhead01
    Redhead01 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2017

    Greetings Gals! It's been awhile since I posted here....my last chemo was two years ago...but thought I should be retuning the favor for all the posts that helped me. I do want to say MY HAIR DID NOT COME BACK, and am in a class action suit against Taxotere, as they don't let you know that risk is real and there are other chemos you can take. Cold capping was not covered by insurance then...and was expensive. If you can do that...DO IT.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Redhead - so sorry about your hair. Mine came back twice as thick - brown again instead of gray. Go figure. Hope you will get some relief.

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  • Tunegrrl
    Tunegrrl Member Posts: 196
    edited January 2017

    Redhead, thank you for sharing. I'm sorry that happened to you but glad you are taking action so it is less likely to happen to others without fair warning.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited January 2017

    Redhead01- Thank you for coming back to this thread and giving some encouragement and advice to those heading into chemoland. I am truly sorry about your hair loss. I know it isn't easy to share with others but people do need to be aware and know about the side effects of their chemo regimens whether the effects are permanent or temporary.

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  • Catgirl2
    Catgirl2 Member Posts: 104
    edited January 2017

    I'm going to jump into this thread even though I started my chemo in January. The majority of my treatment will be in Februay and March. Just like Pamela23, I am also using Penguin Cold Caps, so feel free to shoot me any questions if you are interested. My main hair loss concern is the permanent hair loss on the taxotere, so I'm giving the cold caps a shot. My MO doesn't feel there is much of a hair loss risk. He says he just doesn't see that, but I'm not willing to gamble. So, against his wishes, I am cold capping. My body, my choice!

    I will say my first T/C wasn't too bad. I do hear it may knock me down longer each time, so there's that to look forward to.. I will say, the constipation was the worst part for me. I finally had to take an entire large bottle of miralax in Gatorade to solve that issue. So keep a close watch and don't let that get ahead of you!.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2017

    Just checking on the newbies..... Keep pushing through chemoland. Thinking of each of you..... hugs.

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    Hi there, thank you for reaching out to newbies. I'm going for my 3rd infusion next week

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    hi there, I'm new here. Trying to figure how to find recent posts. I found yours

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

    Dear Lordhelpmetoo,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry about your breast cancer but glad that you reached out here. If we knew a bit more about you we could better direct you to recent active threads that are focused on topics of interest to you. You can complete your profile and it will show up under your signature line or you can send us a private message so we can assist you. The Mods

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017
    1. thank you for starting this thread again. I started 4 sessions of CT. Had 2 already. Lumpectomy December 2016. Onco dx 20
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  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited March 2017

    Lordhelpmetoo-- It seems there's more action on the chemo threads which is too bad because so many people are on other regimens and it'd be nice to chat with those just on CT. There's a starting chemo in Jan thread if that's when you started. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...

    Hope that helps! I'm 9 weeks PFC from 4 rounds of TC if you have any questions!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2017

    Lordhelpmetoo- Welcome!!! As Pamela23 said.... if you have questions, please post them.

    Just know that you can get through this and get to the other side of chemo. I don't know how many rounds of chemo you are having and what lies ahead for you once you finish in chemoland. We are here for you. Hugs and peace and calm to you.

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  • ThinkingPositive
    ThinkingPositive Member Posts: 834
    edited March 2017

    I completed TC 4 rounds in February 2015. Not too bad getting through the 4 rounds. Last one was the most difficult. More tired and just an overall yucky feeling. Any questions just ask! Bounced back pretty quick. Worked PT after 3rd treatment and was back full time by May. Was lucky my boss let me take the time to feel better and rest.

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited March 2017

    hi Pamela, I started February 1

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  • lalady1
    lalady1 Member Posts: 618
    edited March 2017

    Hi Ladies - using Cold Caps saved my hair and mine came back thicker than before, but you must have someone help you and the cost is not covered by insurance. I had 6 rounds of taxo-terrible+cytoxan in 2013 followed by 28 rounds of supraclavicle rads. UCLA was great and let me keep the caps in their freezer. I worked during chemo and rads and was cancer-free for 2+ years, but then it returned to my lung and bone. So far I'm still working at Stage 4 (albeit tired) taking Ibrance+faslodex and have TM's heading back to normal. I would not recommend the reconstruction transflap - it was a fail for me and the extensive surgery likely helped the cancer cells get to Stage 4. Please think carefully about how much you want a boob, my barbie boob (just an implant under the skin that hardened after rads) looked better than these pelvic scars and may have bought me more time before progression. Just a gentle heads up from chemo class of 2013.

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  • LoriBee
    LoriBee Member Posts: 26
    edited April 2017

    Hi there, I'm on Day #9 of T/C and seem to have better and worse days. Though I haven't gone through all 154 pages of this thread, the ones I have read don't seem to talk at all about the worst symptom I have: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Every BM is preceded with horrible gas, bloating, stomach cramps. It has me a prisoner at my home and work, as I'm afraid to be away from a bathroom. A BRAT diet helps, but every day I live on white bread, rice and bananas I get more and more fatigued. I've cut my diet down to BRAT, but even with that, the symptoms are so bad that I'm afraid to eat. I'm down 7 lbs in these 9 days.


    I've called the on-call doctor line and also had a pelvic exam with my primary physician due to genital itching (BAD!). They both say to just stick with mild foods, but my frustration level is peaking. I go in for my blood work Monday and will see my oncologist. She's going to get an earful with the "just eat mild food" business. At this point, I wonder what kind of permanent damage this is doing to my lower intestines. I'm doing chemo to give myself an extra 7% chance of non-recurrence, but if I end up with something like Chron's Disease for the rest of my life, that would be so debilitating I don't think the 7% is worth it.


    Needless to say, I'm fearful and frustrated. I've heard the s/e's get worse with each treatment, though the on-call doctor said it should get easier because I know how to adjust now. I don't know who to believe and guess I will just find out for myself, unless I put a stop to this.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2017

    LoriBee - I had serious diarrhea for the entire 6 rounds - 18 weeks. I did mostly BRAT & I drank Carnation Instant Breakfast with extra protein powder added. Also I went in half way between each 3 week infusion and got a full bag of saline to combat dehydration. There are drugs that can help. Yes, give your MO a serious ear full and demand some relief.

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited April 2017

    LoriBee, the bloating and gas are normal for the first few days. I also get constipated. Taste buds definitely change. I just finished my last treatment and lost 12lbs

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  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited May 2017

    I start Taxotere and Cytoxan tomorrow morning. I have my pic line in and will be using the dignicap. I am not sure what to expect, but I will know for sure tomorrow. Going to wash my hair and give it a good conditioning before I go. I will post tomorrow night. I will have 4 cycles followed by radition, 5 weeks.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2017

    carmstr - Good luck w/your first infusion

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  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited May 2017

    Thanks Minus two :) Love your name!


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  • ThinkingPositive
    ThinkingPositive Member Posts: 834
    edited May 2017

    carmstra835... hope everything goes well. I really didn't have any major problems with TC. Hope for the same for you!!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2017

    Hope all goes well today with your chemo. Let us know how you are doing. If you have questions, please post. There are many here ready and willing to help you through chemoland. Wishing you and others minimal side effects and an easy time in the BGC ( aka "Big Girl Chair").

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  • Kechla
    Kechla Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2017

    carmstra835, I had TC with a PICC line as well (last fall). I highly recommend this product (picc line cover). Once my doctor's office saw it, they bought them for all of their patients using picc lines.

    http://www.carealine.com/all-products/picc-line-protector-sleeve-sizes-4-7/

    Best of luck with your treatment!!

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  • laurieellenb
    laurieellenb Member Posts: 31
    edited May 2017

    I start Taxotere and Cytoxan tomorrow morning (May 18th) for six cycles. All at once I feel anxious, calm, angry, at peace, overwhelmed, scared, sad, blessed... In my 56 years, I'd never been admitted to a hospital, never had a serious illness or needed prescription drugs for a chronic condition. In the past two months I've had major and minor surgery and am now looking at chemo (and likely more surgery). It's a lot.

    I'm glad I found this forum. I know everyone's experience is unique, but it helps to know what I might expect. Thanks in advance!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2017

    laurieellenb- Welcome...Here for you. I know you are anxious and wondering how tomorrow will be. Try to remember that you will not be alone during the infusions. The infusion nurses/staff will be there to monitor you. In preparation for tomorrow's infusion, remember to hydrate tonight and tomorrow morning. That will help "plump" your veins so they are ready to go. If you are starting chemo tomorrow morning, do eat breakfast before you go. The pre-chemo anti-nausea meds that you may be receiving tomorrow right before the actual infusion can cause nausea if administered on an empty tummy. I used to eat 5-6 small meals daily and made sure I hydrated well. I also made sure that any anti-nausea prescription meds that I took post infusion was with a cup of water and with food/snack.

    If you have port, you may want to wear a button down shirt so that the port can be easily accessed. Take a little jacket or blanket in case you get cold. If you will be there through lunch, you can pack a lunch/snack or have someone get you some lunch. It is fine to drink fluids during the infusion. (And yes, you can go to the restroom with your IV pole--- just the infusion nurse to unplug your infusion apparatus from the wall plug and you are good to go!).

    The first infusion may take longer than the other chemo rounds since everything is new and efforts are usually made to explain things to you. Try to stay calm and patient since sometimes it takes a while for the infusion process to begin. Hope you are having a family member or good friend with you. It helps to have someone help pass the time and to get things for you.

    If you have further questions, please post. We are here to help you. Wishing you easy time tomorrow and minimal side effects.

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