Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- May 2017

I'm supposed to have my final one tomorrow, had a minor setback because my left breast got really swollen. Had a trip to the Breast Center to have it drained and then they place a drain per my plastic instruction. My oncologist did see it and immediately referred me back to my plastic surgeon. MO did re-schedule my chemo tomorrow for next week even though I wanted it done to get it over with, she said she will feel better if we do it next week and I need to get some antibiotics. So now I'm on 2 antibiotics and a drain :-( . Anyway, I will look into it as enjoying 1 week to me prior to chemo next week and hopefully, everything will be ok. I just wish the 3rd one will be the last one but that was my wishful thinking lol! I feel better after my left breast was drained though! For ones that are done, I'm happy for you all! I can't wait to get it over with and recover prior to start of radiation.

Congrats to all who have completed four of four cycles. This Thursday I'll have my fourth of six cycles of TC so I'll be past the halfway point. I've made it this far, I know I can make it the rest of the way.

My last chemo is Friday. This time I've had a lot of swelling in my legs and feet, and I have absolutely no stamina, and feel kind of weak. I'm hoping some of it is the sweltering weather, but I really don't think it is.

Finished with my 4 rounds of Chemo last Tuesday. I went through it with Cold Cap, I lost about 90% of my long, thick curly hair but the roots seem to be growing a bit. I haven't been taking any supplements since my surgery and I plan to hold off on them until my doctors say ok. I'll just wait and see how my hair grows back in a couple of months and see what I can do with it. I may try Toppik only because I don't like to look at myself with all the gray hair. I still have all of my nails, eyebrows and eyelashes. I heard and read they may come off later hope not. I lost hair on some other parts of my body though. After my 3rd round, I had some red bumps on my left arm, didn't look like shingles but red and itchy. It was healing up by the time my 4th round came, and the nurse said it looked like "Chemo Burn." I've been taking Claritin for Bone pain as I have in the past, so far so good. I'm so glad this is my last day to take Steroids, though I'm grateful I didn't suffer any allergic reaction or severe side effects, I don't enjoy gaining weight. Hormone therapy also has tendency to make you gain weight as well, I just read. I'd better go back to working out whenever I feel I'm ready.

Laurieellen, good luck with the rest of your cycles and acupuncture. I plan to treat myself to an occasional reflexology foot massage as well.

This weather in NY isn't helping me at all, the commute is a killer. I'm really not sure if I can keep working through my Radiation Therapy when it starts next month. I have a mapping appointment next week. Is anyone opening a new thread?

Chemo #4 in the books! My MO didn't seem too concerned about the swelling in my legs and feet, and said it was the Taxotere. He said if it had been on one leg, he would have been concerned about a blood clot. Lots of sitting with my legs elevated, and cut down on salt.

Stopped at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner n the way home, to enjoy one last meal before the latest weird taste side effect. Until the swelling, I had been really lucky, with no nausea, just fatigue and some weird yucky tastes that went away after a few days. We'll see what the cumulative effects are after #4 during the next couple of weeks.

Congratulations to all that has finished their 4th and final infusion. I have been on hold for my last infusion since last week and this week. Next week is still questionable, depending upon if I have more drain, then my Plastic will still say no. However, if it's down to less than 20 cc, then I can do my last one next Friday. For some of you that are done, are you going straight to radiation? My plastic and oncologist are giving me a 4-6 weeks break before starting radiation and I just want to know if that is a standard procedure elsewhere. I really don't mind being off for a while as I feel like I needed that break. Even though I haven't had chemo for the past 4 weeks, fatigue is still there.

Hi sunnyjay -

I am not on Neulasta, but I was told the WBC goes down, generally, days 7-10, can go out as far as 12. So those are the days that I'm extra focused on staying away from crowds and washing hands constantly (and using my Purell faithfully). Didn't have any issues during round #1, and just had round #2 (which showed an elevated WBC due to the steroid, now I'm glad I didn't get approved for Neulasta!).

Also, I do go to work, but I don't shake hands and it has worked out fine.

-LoJo

VLevic I finished my chemo last Tuesday and tomorrow I'm going in for "mapping," a prep for Radiation. I think they will give me 3-4 weeks to recuperate from chemo before starting Radiation Therapy. The final chemo seems to be a bit harder to get over for me, I feel tired and fatigued more than before. The doctor has said it is cumulative. I feel like I need a couple of weeks of break as well from my job and everything else. Radiation is going to be an everyday challenge and going through it for 30 days seems a LOT to handle right now.

I lost most of my hair around infusion #2. Since then it's slowed down considerably. I have a bit of fuzz on my head. Eyebrows are thin, have lost some eyelashes and also hair loss on the rest of my body. Wear a fedora out in the sun, but it's been too hot in KS to wear the neat hats my friends have made for me. Infusion #4 is July 28, will find out from MO about when radiation starts and if I go back on Arimidex. I've already had the radiation mapping so should be ready to go with that. And ready to get all this behind me, as I'm sure all of you are!

My wife had her first chemo treatment on July 10 and was hospitalized twice with in a week due to a fever and severe thrush. Her second round has been delayed until her thrush has cleared up. I expect it will be a week delay. The problem now is she has very weak legs and has a hard time with balance. She is 64 and doesn't have an exercise routine but has never had a problem with getting around or performing routine daily activities. Shouldn't she be close to normal after three weeks? Understanding exhaustion is expected but this is extreme weakness. She gained 20 pounds over the past week from the fluids pumped into her during her two hospital admissions. She was let out of the hospital 3 days ago.

Bob

Gentlewomen--

My final infusion was yesterday. Felt good to ring the big bell as I walked out the door, and everyone in the waiting room applauded...and that made my husband tear up. Everyone in that room is on the journey and knows the bell is a milestone. So now a week of yuck, and then on to recovery. Radiation, port removal, and Arimidex again.

My prayers go out to each of you, with hopes for a successful end to this cancer journey for all of us.

GingerA, I'm glad that you finished your last one. I haven't yet for 3 weeks now due to drain put on my left breast that is still there. I get to keep it til next week and the Onco nurse just keep on putting me on the schedule for my last chemo just in case I get cleared from plastic. Irswell, I didn't lose any hair but just have a small bald spot on top that is not that noticeable. I notice that my eyebrows and lashes did thin out and the rest of my body hair is gone which is great, I don't get to shave. For some reason, even though I have not had my 4th chemo, I still feel so tired. I was setting up my radiologist appointment already prior to the 4th chemo before this happened but I'm good, nothing I can do but just wait than take the chance of infection. Happy Sunday to all!

My last C/T infusion was Friday! Neulasta in yesterday and feeling kind of yucky today. I keep saying to myself last time for this and last time for that. One more step done! Still have to look forward to lashes/brows coming out, hair coming back, radiation, and AIs. Thanks to the brave women who have gone before me and their honesty and openness, I was well prepared on what I could expect and how to deal with it. And yes, many respond differently. The suggestions I found most helpful were icing fingers and toes during treatment and chewing on ice, Mylanta & liquid Benadryl for mouth sores, Claritan for Neulasta, drinking lots and lots of water, keeping as active as possible, but resting when needed. Happy healing to those coming to the end and love and strength to those beginning this journey

Checking back in here. Had last chemo July 11 and moved on to rads. Had 11th radiation treatment today and so far so good. I feel like it's a breeze compared to chemo. Question about everyone's hair who started in May with me.... I'm five weeks out from last treatment and only have little baby fuzz hair that is not real sustainable hair or growth. Wondering if anyone's has started growing back as of yet? Starting to get nervous. Hope all did well on chemo!

I had my first Docetaxel yesterday and I was told that it would be six months after my last chemo which will be September 30 before I will get a full head of hair back. Wasn't expecting it to be that long.