April 2017 Chemo

momojcbc- when did you or do you start Taxol

Dodgersgirl - Isn't it totally crazy!!?? No signs that I even had a Taxol treatment yesterday, I even cleaned my BF house while he sleeps for third shift. I haven't been able to do that since March, I'm so thankful and this is so doable! 11 more to go!!!

utjoy-- best of luck with Taxol Wednesday. I was told that if I didn't get bone pain from Neulasta, I most likely would not get bone pain from Taxol.

I am drinking lots of fluids just like with AC. And starting with Taxol #2 will only take anti-nausea meds as needed instead of on a set time for multiple days.

I am icing hands and feet with Taxol as neuropathy and nail issues are one of the main SE expected. Many people have nails lifting and falling off (they do grow back) but I am trying to avoid as much of that as possible I have my nailed painted dark blue. I rub fractioned coconut oil over my nails twice a day as well as some other nail cuticle oil

I didn't eat ice during Taxol 1 but did (at the nurse's suggestion) during sonethibg cold during the Taxol infusion.

I can't tell you how hopeful I am that my weekends will be so much better than after an AC dose!!!

Hope your Taxol experience is favorable, too

annbee- I was most fearful of starting Taxol than AC so I really understand. Sounds silly, I know but with AC I was a chemo virgin so was more fearful of the unknown than AC itself. After 4 rounds of AC, I had a plan. I knew what to expect and knew when my "bad" says were going to be so could plan ahead. With Taxol, it was all unknown again and was going to be weekly. Would I have any good days? What days might I miss work? What SE would I have? Just seemed like lots for anxious moments.

The Taxol for me meant different pre-meds, too. I didn't have Benadryl with AC but did with Taxol so I was more sleepy during Taxol. And Taxol infusion was a hour but without the red devil push and flush, made Taxol a bit faster overall

My usual chemo is on Wednesday, so with AC by Friday afternoon I was queasy and needed to eat something every 2-3 hours all thru the weekend. And Saturday and Sunday my body wanted to have eyes closed and take naps. None of that with Taxol. No nauseous feelings ( I did take my anti-nausea meds Wednesday and Thursday). Couldn't sleep Wednesday night (steroids?). Had red skin under my eyes (think raccoon like red marks under eyes) and red hot, sore skin between my fingers. That lasted thru Saturday afternoon. Joint pain started Saturday afternoon. Isn't as bad today, Sunday. Even with joint pain, it seemed more spastic than constant. And even with joint pain, this weekend was MUCH better to me than my AC weekends. Taxol SE are supposedly to be elected cumulative so I may fee like differently as the weeks progress but for now am looking forward so to my summer weekends.

I send you best wishes for tomorrow. Please let me know how you are doing.

My concern Wednesday will be with my port. If they have to use Activase again to allow blood draws to work, I will be sent to hospital to have a dye test to see what is going on. That makes me anxious as I don't want to have to have a new port installed.

DazzlingEagle - I love that name -

No I do not have any fingernail pain, I just had the pain in my fingertips. It's gotten better now that I'm 14 days out from chemo - I still have the numbness and assume the pain will return with my next chemo. 😕

I've been having a lot of palpitations, but I am also on synthroid since my thyroidectomy, so am not sure if the chemo is affecting those levels. My endocrinologist is aware and will check my bloodagain but not til the end of June. My oncologist also mentioned I'll have an echo then. Is anyone else dealing with palpitations?

My best to all - I return to work part time today, 16 hours a week except for chemo week.

annbee,

Glad to hear you are getting infusion.

Mimi

Mimi, I had the same type ofwake up call over the weekend after a friend in his 40s had a heart attack and died. Cancer sucks but I am fighting the fight and for today I can hug my family.

Anne- it is amazing how much the warriors who post on these forums give us all strength and let's us know that we are not alone in this dark journey.

Hope your SE are few

lost my first few eyes lashes today. 😞

Since I didn't lose them during AC, I thought I might get lucky. Ha Ha!

Still have eye brows and most of lashes but figure once they start to go, they will go quickly.

Tomorrow is #2 of 12 Taxol infusions. Each Wednesday brings me closer to the end of chemo.

Hope everyone is doing as well as possible on this journey none of us asked for.

Momojcbc, Yes, Ativan is good in many ways. I had pinky cheeks and hands for Taxol #1.

Dodgersgirl, I am hoping for a miracle re eyebriws and eyelashes. I still have some hairs left at other places. I shaved my head early April and I am not truly bold as of yet. I swear I would never shave. I won't even pluck my eyebrows unless I look like a bushman. I have.2 more to go which means 4 wks. I made up a boring song which goes like this. " Two more visits to principals office. Two More pricks. eight more days, and my deportation day will come for me" principal is my very unfriendly onco. Two more pricks to my lovely port which is quite annoying despite two generous globs of EMLA cream at two different times before blood draw. Taxol gives 4 really bad days per. I am really mild mannered easy going and patient person. But this BC bomb of mine shortened my fuse quite a bit since it started.

Rebamacfan123- wow a song! What tune do you sing it to? Reading that made me smile

I was hoping to be spared lashes, too. I think the BC and chemo stuff has a mind of its own