3 hour Taxol infusion

Everybody's experience is different and I hope that you have an easy time with taxol. Most doctors say taxol is much easier than AC. I guess I was just the outlier.

I started out with Taxotere and my brother flew into town to help me with the icing. Taxotere is only a one hour infusion. I had bought the Natracure socks. They felt great because it had pockets on top for nails and the bottom for soles. Unfortunately, the packs only stay cold between 15-30 minutes. I bought extra packs and brought a cooler. For my hands, I only had some large frozen gel backs that lasted an hour or so. I wrapped my hands in a hand towel to keep them cold. My brother fed me ice chips--as this is supposed to help with mouth sores. My next infusion was with taxol that takes three hours. Not only did I have the same packs but I had to add ice to the cooler since my infusion center does not have an ice machine. The nurses did keep my packs and ice in the freezer. This time my sister flew in to help me with the process. About half way through, my gel packs could not refreeze quick enough and I ran out of ice. I sent my sister to the store across from the infusion center to buy ice. I was concerned that this would happen so I brought my foot soaking tub with me as well. We ended up filling the tub with a little ice and water and I just put my feet directly in the tub. It was actually easier as I could just lift my feet out if it got too cold. I had to be careful though as I had some neuropathy already and you don't feel the cold as you normally would. Because I was still get worsening neuropathy, my last infusion on Wednesday, I decided to forgo the icing. Besides, I didn't have anyone to help me this time and I felt like I would stress myself out trying to do it along, I did bring ice chips for the mouth but wasn't a religious about sucking them as I usually am. We'll see how I do with the mouth sores.

I have completed three out of the four taxane treatments. I've decided to stop there. I read somewhere that if you can get 85% of your chemo in, that's almost like 100%. I really worry about long term nerve damage since I'm single, older and need to provide for myself. I've told my doctor that it's "quality over quantity". She still thinks I'll change my mind, but I've been trying to end chemo for months and she talks me back into it. She is persistent. I've reconciled to the fact that nothing is promised and I might get cancer again. If I do, I'll deal with it them. Until then, it's time for radiation.

MsLade: I know it is scary for you if your hands are your "passion and your bread and butter". My hands are doing better than my feet. I am hoping and praying that you have limited to no effects to your hands.

Hi MsLade,

I am through three of four three-hour dose-dense Taxol treatments. During the first treatment, I didn't ice and got a bit of neuropathy in my thumb, index and middle fingers on both hands; nothing in the toes. The fingers were tingly and a bit numb, but it only lasted about 48 hours. I've had some discoloration in both middle fingernails but it's not noticeable to anyone but me.

For the last two treatments, I have used gel packs on my hands only; nothing special, we had them already to ice my creaky knee and my husband's shinbone (old break). They last about an hour each, so we brought a cooler with additional packs. I wear thin nylon gloves because I don't want to run the risk of frostbite, and it's just more comfortable. I take my hands in and out to drink and eat.

I've had ZERO recurrence of the neuropathy. I should say I get acupuncture regularly, and I asked her to specifically address hand neuropathy. So I don't know exactly what to attribute my lack of neuropathy to, but whatever, I'll take it.

Good luck!

This might be a little late but I used the ice socks from amazon and had extra freezer packs that I just switched out when they got warm. The gel packs don't really seem that cold to me and were easy enough to tolerate. I used bags of ice or held frozen water bottles during the infusion as well. My little treat was to bring an icee or frozen coke or slurpee to my treatment. It tasted really good at the time and kept my mouth cool. I did not develop neuropathy at all but my feet did peel at the end of the AC portion. Taxol seemed much easier at least for me and my hair started growing back about 5 weeks into the taxol. It always seemed silly for me to ask for a heated blanket at the same time that I was icing my hands and feet but it helped make it more comfortable. Good luck with your treatments ladies

MsLade: Sorry to hear that you had the reaction. I hope it goes away and you have better luck with the next infusion. Perhaps they can do a dose reduction with the next infusion.