Starting Chemo May 2017

DD Taxol #3 is done! Very uneventful. I haven't had as much fatigue with taxol as I did with AC. I'm anemic, and my RBC counts drop a little with this infusion, but I don't feel as tired. I do have some neuropathy in my hands and feet, but it is pretty mild, and I'm hopeful that it will eventually go away. My hair seems to be growing back, but my eyebrows are almost gone. I find it strange that my eyebrows came out around the same time as my hair started growing back. I am super excited that two weeks from now I will be completely DONE with chemo!

BJI, the nurses had trouble with my port at my second infusion, but no other time. They didn't remove the needle and re-access though...they just kept flushing and trying again. I think the first nurse tried three times, then moved me to an exam room and had me lie down. She tried again, then another nurse stepped in, and she got it on her second try. That's the only time I've had trouble. They said some ports can be positional, and that's why they had me lie down. I've convinced myself it was because I slept on my right side the night before, and I haven't done that since. After four sticks, I'm not surprised your port site is sore!

Msrobin, how did things go for you today?

Congrats BCFighter!

notanisland, are you having an axillary node dissection or a seninel node biopsy? I had both, and the biopsy wasn't too bad. The dissections was a longer recovery because it involved a drain. I live alone most of the time ( my fiancé works out of town) and I think he was home with me for three days after each surgery. I could have used help for another day or two after the dissection, but it was manageable

Hey everyone... Hope you're doing well. I finished up my 4 rounds of q 28 day Doxil and carboplatin. The masses shrank, and I got a little smarter about managing the GI SEs. I still bought the mx for some time next month, with Taxol and rads to follow.

Taxol #2 was uneventful. I'm not very happy with the zombie state I get into from the Benadryl. I could barely keep my head up, yet it also gave me restless legs, so instead of sleeping, I just remained in a fog throughout the day. The fog lifts in the evening and then the steroids kick in and I'm awake all night. It's quite a turnabout in one day! I finally fell asleep around 5 but woke up at 8. It's happened both times, so next time I'm not even going to attempt getting into bed until much later, to cut down on frustration.

Saturday was a good day, did a lot of housework, got some groceries, went to a church picnic, then to see a friend perform at the local bar. Sunday was the complete opposite, I was tired, cranky, and sore all day. Looks like Sunday is going to be my low point each week. Feeling slightly more perky today. Last week I felt pretty well on Tuesday and Wednesday leading back into Thursday treatment day.

Because my AC treatments were so rough on me, I've been feeling a decided lack of stamina. I took a chair yoga class at the cancer center, and found it to be a great way to ease back into moving my body again. I may be 59 years old, but I was definitely the youngest one in the class! But I was still feeling weak enough that I didn't want to tip over. LOL It was actually the perfect starting point, and a surprisingly good stretch. I've been practicing the moves on my own at home, plus adding some short walks around the block. It wasn't too long ago that I'd walk 3 miles a day, but this is a start. I plan to continue going to the chair yoga and will add their gentle yoga class as I progress.

Well ladies, I must admit that I had my hopes up too high for Taxol. I'm Im really disappointed to find out that my taste buds seem worse than before! Everything tastes flat, or nasty. The difference is that I do get hungry, but trying to eat food that tastes bad is a losing battle. I was worried about gaining weight back since I have more appetite, but I usually give up eating quickly. Darn it!

msrobin, I'm not sure when it happened, but over the past 5 weeks of Taxol, my sense of taste (to salt and savory) has returned. Not exactly as it was before AC, but so much better than it was during AC. Now when I look at a plate of food and have an expectation of what it will taste like, it's at least close to what I remember! Not cardboard! Give it some time.

But now I have another problem to deal with. In prep for my annual physical tomorrow, I had labs done last week. My cholesterol and triglycerides are higher than they have ever been before! I'm sure it has to do with making poor dietary choices when I couldn't taste anything but sweet, and not being diligent about exercise. I'm expecting a lecture from my PCP. BC treatment isn't an excuse for letting my basic health go! I think I need a nutritionist

You're right, DodgersGirl, my blood glucose was also slightly elevated, so my oncology nurse practitioner is considering lowering my steroid pre-med dosage, which I don't seem to need anyway. I wish I could blame the high cholesterol and triglyceride numbers on the steroids too, but I'm told that's more on me - too much carbs and sugars and too little exercise. I've lost about 15 lbs since diagnosis and thought that might keep my numbers down. Obviously not enough to be eating and drinking anything that tasted good to me - like seasoned crackers, cereals, eggs and fruit juices that I limited pre-chemo. I'd like to get this back under control before surgery.

Congrats BJI!!

Hi everyone! Just checking in to say that I am DONE with chemo! DD Taxol #4 was today!

I have some neuropathy, and one of my toenails is sore, has black stripes, and seems to be lifting. I have a dermatologist appointment on Monday, and am on antibiotics for ten days to ward off any infection that may be brewing. Other than that, I feel good, and am SO glad to be finished with chemo. On to radiation! Estimated start date - September 21.

notanisland, you are over halfway done with Taxol! That's exciting!

Hope everyone here is doing well.

my message was for Parakeets rule from Md!!

Lovepugs, Congratulations on finishing DD Taxol! What a feat! You must feel great!

I also have a toenail and an index fingernail that are separating from their nail beds. I'm keeping the nails trimmed and careful that nothing gets caught under the lifted nail. Using Kerydin 5% Topical Solution to prevent fungal infection. Kerydin is very expensive, but my dermatologist gave me a form to send to PharmaDerm and I pay nothing!

Today's Taxol #7 went smoothly, as usual. But my oncology nurse practitioner was very concerned that I am experiencing more tiredness, neuropathy (numbness in some of my fingers and toes) and aches (especially in my legs). I've been reassuring myself because the increased SEs haven't been constant, they still tend to come and go in intensity. Guess I've been in denial because she said if they increase over the next week she may decide to postpone Taxol #8 next Thursday to give me a break from chemo and some time to recover. I don't want to postpone treatment, but on the other hand I don't want to have permanent neuropathy.

Thanks much for your words of encouragement! And it's just as motivational to hear of your success - I'm so very happy for you!

Welcome, Littlemouse! Thank you for your offer of advice - I'll be asking questions re: surgery and radiation therapy, very soon! And I do like my oncologist. (Your advice on getting yourself a great oncologist reminded me of something - I used to work in a non-clinical area of a medical center and would ask the OR nurses about who they thought the best surgeons were. They would tell me, "Never mind the surgeon, the main thing is to get yourself a great anesthesiologist!"

Hope all the ladies on this thread are doing well. Stay in touch!

Had such a great time on my trip, and discovered I'm more capable than I thought. Yes, I tired quicker, but I'd just sit and rest for awhile before taking off again for more fun. Seeing the grandkids did me so much good! And they never said a word about my hats and scarves, even though I had a little speech prepared. Visited with the inlaws and my siblings too. It wore me out, but was so worth it.

Drove over to my beachy hometown on Sunday, which is my most tired and achy day. But the three hour drive allowed me to rest and nap. Made it down to the beach and lighthouse in time for sunset. Hubby was worried about me climbing around on the sand dunes taking pictures, but it's what I love to do. Plus I discovered that my achy joints actually felt better moving around, so we even walked all the way out to the end of the pier.

The next few days I just dragged hubby back and forth to my favorite stores, beaches, and restaurants while taking lots of pictures. Saw my bestie a few times, and I thought she was going to squeeze the stuffing out of me! I even indulged myself at the spa with a mani pedi.

Back at it today with Taxol #4. 8 more to go. Not quite as groggy this time, guess I'm getting used to the Benadryl. But here it is two am, and the steroids have me wide awake. Oh well, I enjoy the energy boost I'll have tomorrow. I'd say the most bothersome part so far is the way food tastes like cardboard, and my achy weekends. Nausea has not been an issue, THANK GOODNESS, but my appetite isn't all there. Still losing weight, but at a much more reasonable rate. 32 lbs. so far. I'm starting to have to buy some smaller sizes, because nothing says cancer patient than a woman wearing hats and droopy clothing.

Quiet group lately, are you ladies still out there?

Another treatment delay this week, due to low blood count. I thought I had left this nonsense behind with the AC portion of my treatments. It's very discouraging, because it feels like I'm never going to finish all this. It's really dragging on interminably. This time I was given Granix injections to help boost those counts. And the bone aches from it are really bad. Just trying to keep it at bay with Tylenol.

notanisland, you've got 8 doses behind you already! Won't be too much longer and it will be behind you.

I had a rough time with Taxol, too. I did dose dense, and finished two weeks ago, but am still dealing with side effects. I'm not sure if it was harder than AC for me, but it wasn't the cakewalk I was expecting.