I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Hey there ladies,

    I am from the September 2007 Chemo thread and I have been reading all the great stories from you all out there that are almost done with treatment, especially the A/C!  I have finished my 4 DD A/C, and begin Taxol on Nov. 12 and Herceptin on Nov. 19.  If you all can give me some encouragement about the Taxol, I'd sure be grateful.  I have pretty much sailed through A/C just fine with just minimal queasiness, worked almost every day, but I'm so glad it's over.  I just hope the Taxol is as easy or easier.  Any input you all can give me and the rest of the Sept. 07 gang would be most appreciated!  As a matter of fact, you all are welcome to post some good stuff over there on our thread!  Thank you!!

    Best wishes and hugs to all,

    Mary Jo

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  • liven42day
    liven42day Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2007

    Hi kids,

    I am doing the happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Woohoo chemo is done, not without a complication, but I am DONE!

    The taxol has done alot of nerve damage to the bottoms of my feet, my onc said no more. He gave me 2 choices today while I was there, thinking I was getting my final taxol. I could skip chemo all together or take a dose of Taxotere for my final. Since I am trip neg I took the taxotere as my final dose. Of course my stupid port didn't work for blood draw and I begged them to just give me my tx in it, she called onc and he said ok.

    Take Care and Hugs all around Charlene

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  • MLizA
    MLizA Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2007

    Congratulations Charlene, it certainly does feel good to be done with chemo! I was almost giddy during my last tx! Very unusual state to be in while in the treatment room.  Hope you recover quickly!

     Mary Jo and Tina,  for me I found Taxol soooooooooooo much better than AC.  But unlike Charlene, I never got the major side effect of nerve problems with the hands and feet.  I was on DD taxol for four sessions and found that I had about 2 days of pretty significant body and joint aches but to me that was better than the nausea and general unwell feeling I had on AC.  It took me about 36 hours after chemo to start feeling anything and then it would last for two days.  I had chemo on Wednesdays and by Friday afternoon would begin to feel achy and then by Monday I was usually walking on the treadmill.  Wish you well!!

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  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2007

    Tina -

    I do the once a week Taxol.  It is truly like they are giving me water!  No side effects at all.  The Benedryl does make me a bit "loopy" for a couple of hours so I would have someone drive you if possible.  My mom comes to all my tx with me to keep me company/drive me.

    When I come home, I take one of my anti-nausea pills just for good measure, but I've had no nausea, no tingling in hands, feet, etc.  I've done 6 of the 12 so far (half way, yippee!!) so I'm hoping the trend continues.

    Definitely better than that darn A/C!

    Abbi

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Abbi,

    Thanks for posting about the Taxol-- that's great that you've had no SE's!  I hope I am that blessed, and I am planning on thinking positively throughout this new stuff.  Do they normally give steroids with the Taxol too?  I'm hoping not to have to have them ever again... Frown

    Mary Jo 

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  • TINAMAE
    TINAMAE Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2007

    Abbi, thanks for the info on taxol, I will be doing the every 2 weeks, hope its not much different. I will be taking my anti- nausea medicine as a precaution also. Keep up the good work ladies.

    Tina

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  • figsgirls
    figsgirls Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2007

    Hi everyone. Abbey, how is the AC treating you these days? And Abbi, I hope you're continuing to climb out of the hole. That must be awful. Glad you're getting out. I, too, find that sometimes I have to make myself get out of the house and do something. I think of you often. How are your kids doing with all of this?

    Regarding Taxol for you ladies who haven't started yet. It really is so much easier than AC! I'm also doing the 12 weekly. Sometimes I feel like I'll never be done with chemo, and sometimes I wish I had done the 4 dd because then I would be done. But the theory with the 12 weekly is that you get a lower dosage each time, so you avoid side effects like the bone pain and foot tingling. I had my 9th tx yesterday. 3 to go! That finally sounds like a managable number to me! I can't say I feel great every day, but the worst side effect is the fatigue and it's pretty managable if I remember not to over-do things. I am still able to keep up in Pilates, and I've been forcing myself to get out and walk more.

    I still get steroids for the Taxol: Decadron in the IV, and Aloxi, but that's not a steroid is it? I don't have a prescription for nausea like I did on the AC, but I haven't needed it. I do get Benadryl, and it makes me feel soooooo loopy! The rule at my onc. because of the Benadryl is that you have to have a ride home after Taxol, and I would say I have needed it. So my daughter comes with me. Lately one of my friends has been alternating weeks to give Chelsea a break. It's nice to have the company.

    The good part is that my hair is growing back and I, too, hope to be scarf-free by March.

    Does anyone get watery eyes from the Taxol?

    Holy cow - If my onc tells me I have to keep my port in for 2 years I think I will cry!! I am going to ask on Monday when they will take it out.

    So I have a new plan for managing my weight gain: I have substitued celery sticks for Halloween candy. Poor trade, but it's day 3 and I'm hanging in there.......

    Donna

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  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2007

    Donna - I have to laugh about the celery sub for Halloween candy.  I tried yesterday substituting a piece of fruit.  Ended up having the fruit AND the candy.  But today's a new day and I'm going to behave myself.  My problem is the Remeron (anti depressent) they have me on.... creates a great appetite.  But I'm a 3 times Weight Watchers graduate and even actually worked for WW, so I keep telling myself that I'm a pro and I CAN control my weight.  I've gained back what I initially lost during the early parts of chemo (about 10 lbs).  Now I just need to maintain!

    I still get the darn Decadron in the IV as well.  I take a sleeping pill on tx nights to help with that one.

    My hair is also growing back.  It's sooooo soft.  It looks to be pretty dark, but I suspect a few greys are in there as well.  I honestly don't care what color it is.... that I can change.  I'm just happy to be getting hair again.  I also hope to be scarf free by my birthday (3-16).

    Regarding the port.  I told my surgeon I wanted it out between chemo and rads.  She said some people keep it in for a couple years "just in case".  Screw that!   To me, that's like expecting this beast to come back.  As far as I'm concerned, I've kicked cancer's ass and I ain't never gonna need the darn port again!  If I do, they can put one back in!  She agreed to take it out for me but suggested I ask the onc. his opinion which I have no intention of doing.... I hate the darn thing and can't wait to have it out of me.

    Keep on fighting, gals..... we're in the home stretch.

    I figure I'll be heading into rads sometime in January (I hope) .... anyone else headed that way?

    Abbi

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Me again,

    Thanks again to everyone for the great Taxol info! 

    Abbi, I'm with you on the port-- I want mine out ASAP or sooner!  None of that "just in case" stuff!  Mine really annoys me anyway and just plain hurts some days. My hair is growing back also, but will I lose it again during Taxol?  It has really grown a lot in the last week, especially right on the top of my head!  Good luck on your rads.  How long do you have to wait between Taxol and rads?  

    Thanks Linda for sharing your experience and congrats on being through!  Glad to know there's light at the end of the tunnel! 

    Donna, congratulations on being near the end of your Taxol!!!  You've given me a lot of encouragement-- some days I just think I will not get through all this, but you and the other ladies here have helped me see that.  And congrats on being strong with the celery and no Halloween candy.  I've gained weight and am trying to get it off before it gets totally out of control.  Wish I was as strong as you!

    Take care, July Ladies and thanks again for your wisdom!

    Mary Jo 

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  • diag061307
    diag061307 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2007

    Hi, I haven't checked this website in awhile, so I apologize if this topic has already been covered.  I finished chemo one month ago and have just started radiation.  My oncologist said that I can go ahead and have my port removed anytime, so I'm having it done on Friday!  Has anyone had theirs removed yet?  I'm just wondering what to expect as far as pain is concerned.

    Thanks!

    Maureen

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  • lori5
    lori5 Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2007

    Abbi

    I'm glad you pulled yourself out of the hole! I myself have been struggling to get out of the hole too.  My boss came by the other day and spent 2 hours with me trying to convience me to return to work 2 to 3 days a week for 4 hours.  I have went in twice and it really has made me feel better.  I don't spend as much time feeling every ache and pain in my body.  One more tx for me then on to hercepten yea!  Hang in there Abbi we can do this together.

    Hugs and Prayers

    Lori

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  • figsgirls
    figsgirls Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2007

    OK girls, the celery thing worked for 3 days. Last night I had 2 little Baby Ruth bars while watching the hockey game. I was feeling sorry for myself. With tx. on Mondays, I have been feeling crappy on Wednesdays. I think from lack of sleep Monday & Tuesday nights. But I felt better once the Sabres won the hockey game. I have to say their terrible record this season is not improving my mood. Abbi, I am a WW graduate too! And I keep telling myself the same thing - I can control my weight! Then I fall back to eating to comfort myself........... Oh well. In December I will try in earnest. But then I will be facing holiday eating so we'll see how that goes!

    Mary Jo - my hair did not fall back out on Taxol, although one of the chemo nurses said it would fall out and another said it wouldn't but it would stop growing. It just keeps growing!

    Is anyone doing Taxol without the Decadron? I also get Aloxi in my drip. I wonder if that would be enough to prevent nausea. I HATE the steroids. I feel so puffy. Like the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters! And then there is the sleep thing. I think I'll ask on Monday.

    Soldier on, everyone.

    Donna

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  • figsgirls
    figsgirls Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2007

    Maureen, I was just wondering the same thing about the port removal so I checked the June chemo group to see what any of them might have experienced. From what I read, there is soreness but nothing too bad. I will gladly embrace the soreness just to get this thing out of me!

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  • jbw3843
    jbw3843 Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2007

    I had my 5th Taxol today. I get Zofran along with Benadryl and the Taxol. My onc told me to have someone to drive me home after the first session because of the Benadryl. It really makes you tired. In fact, I napped for the first time during chemo. I was so tired before the tx because I got up early 4:30 AM and my tx was at 1:00. I worked half the day and headed over for treatment. I don't take anything at home  once treatment is over. I agree with the ladies who say it is like water. Soooo much easier than AC. The loopiness is definitely a factor. I walked out of chemo without my coat last week. I realized it when I got home, but it was 5:00 and their office was closed when I called. I kept forgetting to call all week and I was hoping that the coat would still be there today. Luckily, it was. I wasn't overly concerned. The nurses said that was the second time someone has left their coat.

    About the port....when the onc told his patient that she would need to keep the port for two years, he followed up by commenting that breast cancer can come back within two years and that way if it did, the port would be already be in there in case more treatment was needed. Sorry ladies, but that comment offended me. I'm glad that was not my doctor. I'm fighting like hell to get and stay healthy. I will finish chemo treatment in December with rads beginning in January and in my mind I will be done. I will have my port removed and I certainly don't want a reminder sitting in my chest "just in case". No way, not this lady. 

    Stay strong everyone. We can do this.

    Jane 

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  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2007

    7 Taxol down, 5 to go!

    I feel great!  I don't get the puffiness from the Decadron, get a little wired.  So I get lots of housework done of Thursday afternoons and take a sleeping pill at night.  Seems to work well.

    Again, I still feel like they're giving me water.  The only SEs are being a bit loopy from the Benedryl and wired from the Decadron.  They Taxol itself is like nothing.

    Off to a busy day today.  Lots of errands to run and a meeting of my quilting group at 10:00.

    Can anyone but me see that light at the end of the tunnel?  It's out there.

    And I agree with everyone else on the port issue.  Mine's coming OUT.  If there's not enough time between chemo and rads, then right after rads.  I refuse to keep it in on the possibility that this beast will come back after me.  In my mind, I've beat it.  And I'll continue to live that way until it proves me otherwise in which case they can give me a port on the other side or use a vein or something else.  I refuse to live waiting for cancer to return.  Just a little rant for the morning!

    Abbi

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Hi!

    I'm still reading with humble gratitude about you July girls and your Taxol experiences!  4 days to go until my first one. I agree with everyone about the port and I too would be extremely offended and upset if my dr. told me to keep it in "just in case".  I'm apt to slap him silly! I didn't want mine to start with and it's coming out asap.  Abbi and Jane, I agree with your great attitudes!  I'm HER2 positive, doc says my tumor was tiny but aggressive, but I'm getting Herceptin too and I'm not going to waste one minute of my life worrying if it's going to return!  And Lori, good luck on getting that port out today-- you will be free!!

    Take care,

    Mary Jo 

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  • TINAMAE
    TINAMAE Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2007

    Hello ladies, I will be geting my taxol every 2 weeks anyone know what the difference is between getting it every week and 2 weeks, I am really nervous ,Monday will be here before I know it.

     Thanks Tina

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Hi Tina,

    From what I have gathered, the weekly dose is not as "strong" as the every two week dose-- is that what everyone else has heard?  Thus the minimal side effects from the weekly regimen. I get tired just thinking of driving the 60 mile round trip to get my weekly dose Undecided,  and in a way, I wish mine was every two weeks.  Good luck to you and I hope yours goes well!

    Mary Jo 

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  • MLizA
    MLizA Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2007

    I completed 4 txs of dose dense taxol every two weeks on Oct 24th. Same side effects with the benedryl and decadron as everyone else has described. Benedryl made me loopy & sleepy during and immediately after chemo, then the decadron kicked in and I didn't get much sleep the night after tx.  With the dose dense taxol, I got body aches about 36 hours after the tx that lasted for about 36 hours.  Got absolutely no nausea and generally got by with tylenol during the day but took vicadin at night during the 36 hours. 

      I didn't get any hair growth during my dd taxol txs and lost most of my eyebrows (still had most of them after AC).  It has been 2-1/2 weeks since my last tx and still waiting for some hair! 

      The body aches were not fun, but I would take taxol over AC anytime...

      Good luck for those getting ready to start taxol -- I remember how much I was dreading my first taxol... but it was not so bad! 

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  • brst26
    brst26 Member Posts: 155
    edited November 2007

    Just had my treatment of AC on Thursday...now, I only have 2 left to go!!  I cannot wait until that day, ladies.  I walked from my apartment building to my clubhouse to mail some bills this morning, and I passed a lady that was out running.  It made me a little sad at first because I wished that that was me...but then I started to think about it and that WILL be me soon enough.  I can't wait until I feel good again.  The hardest part is feeling like crap for me.  Feel good ladies!

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  • figsgirls
    figsgirls Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2007

    Abbey, I had a similar experience today. It was a gorgeous, sunny day so my husband and I took the dogs to the park for a walk. I saw several people out running and it made me sad too! But you're right, we'll get back there. You're halfway through AC. HOORAY!

    Although I couldn't run, we did have a great, long walk.

    My understanding of the 12 weekly vs. 4 dd Taxol is that 12 weekly allows for a lower dosage per tx so fewer side effects (especially the neuropathy) and I think, a higher dosage total.......but maybe I imagined that part.

    And I agree with all of you about the port. I will NOT - I repeat NOT - be walking around Key West in February with my new boobs but still showing my big port bump! The port must come out!

    I would not be at all happy with a doctor who had such a negative view of my chances of remaining cancer free!

    Tomorrow I'm hitting double digits, ladies! Taxol #10. YIPPEE!! I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it's making me antsy!

    Abbi - you sound a lot better in your recent post.Smile You ought to post photos of some of your quilts. I'm so impressed by people with skills like that.

    Hey Mary Jo- you and your husband are hunters, yes? Has your husband gotten (I will not say "caught"Smile) any deer this season? My husband has been out every waking moment for archery but alas our freezer remains empty........

    Donna

    Have a good week everyone.

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Hi everyone and thanks again for all the info about Taxol!  I am up very early, anxiously and nervously anticipating my first Taxol today.  I think it will go fine though and I'm glad to hear the neuropathy might not be so bad with the 12 weeklys.  It's just the 'newness' of it that scares me.  If it doesn't hit me any worse than A/C did, I will be a-okay-- don't know how I got so lucky.

    Donna- yes, my husband and I are bowhunters, although I haven't gone this year yet, my husband, like yours, has been in the woods a lot and hasn't harvested a thing.  He has seen several, but not like usual.  We are in a very severe drought and that may have something to do with it, but this is a rare bowhunting season when we don't have something in our freezer by now, which is very empty! Frown  I do hope you get your port out soon and congrats on almost finish done w/Taxol.  And have a glorious time in beautiful Key West!  I went there for ONE day about 7 years ago while on a cruise with my daughter and it is one of the best memories I've had of anything! 

    Linda, thanks for the info about the Taxol.  And don't worry-the hair will follow!  And thanks for the heads-up on the body aches.

    Abbi-please do post quilt pictures!  I'm a quilter (a lazy one right now) and I'd love to see them- I bet they're gorgeous!

    Brst26, you will feel better soon and be back out there doing all kinds of things you did before, and then some!  Hang in there!

    Just a bit about worrying about a BC recurrence-- I agonized and obsessed with that for about two weeks and I'm not even halfway thru my tx's, and I decided that if I spend my life worrying about it, and through the grace of God, it doesn't happen, then I will look back at all the time I wasted worrying.  I just have to keep reminding myself of that, over and over and over....

    Take care and best wishes to everyone and thanks for letting me pipe in on your conversations!

    Love and hugs,

    Mary Jo

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  • TINAMAE
    TINAMAE Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2007

    Well ladies I had my first taxol yestersday and this morning so far so good no nasuea who hooo!, but they are every 2 weeks so hopefully  wed and thur wont be bad days like on ac, I was so scared my blood pressure was 178 over 91 , I guess with it being new and all . today is the neulsasta shot this afternoon, not looking forward to it because it seems that it causes more problems than good at times 

    Tina

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  • brst26
    brst26 Member Posts: 155
    edited November 2007

    Hi ladies.  How is everybody holding up this week?  Sounds like all of you Taxol girls are doing really well.  My 2nd treatment of AC kicked my butt...way worse than any of my other treatments.  I am still not feeling all the well from last Thursday.  I ended up taking an extra day off from school on Monday...I woke up and tried to get ready..but it just wasn't happening.  I worked yesterday and today...but still have not felt all that great.  I hope that I do ok for parent teacher conferences tomorrow night (they are from 5-8)...usually my bed time has been about 7:00.  Have a nice rest of the week ladies!

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  • mominpa14
    mominpa14 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2007

    Hi - I was just reading about getting the ports out - my onc said they don't want to take mine out until after the first 3-month check (another just in case thing).  I guess it's better than 2 years!

    I am 16 days past my last tx and doing fine.  I still have some tingling, esp in my fingers.  Not totally back with the energy, either, but getting better.  Sure beats how I felt before.  I also have some stubble action going on on my head!  Haven't had a period for a couple of months, though.  I wonder if it will come back?

    Best wishes everyone.  Abbey, hope you feel better tomorrow.

    Karen 

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  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2007

    Hang in there, other-Abby.  A/C really does suck. 

    I'm going soon for #8 Taxol.  Really starting to count them down. 

    A friend sent me a shirt yesterday.  Pink and reads "Hey Cancer.... you picked the wrong broad!"  I figured the Docs and nurses would get a kick out of it.

    Antidepressents are wonderful once they kick in.  I've gone from being at the bottom of a dark hole to feeling like I can take on the world and kick some cancer butt!   We're nearing the end of this chemo journey, gals.  

    Keep on keepin' on!

    Abbi

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  • jbw3843
    jbw3843 Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2007

    Well I had my 6th Taxol today. I have hit the halfway mark. Yahoo! I ended up sleeping through most of the treatment. I was so tired from parent teacher conferences the night before. I fell asleep to a full chemo room and woke up with only one other person left in the room. I did have to get an injection of Arisep (sp?) because my hemoglobin was so low.

    Abbey, we also had to teach a full day and I then had 17 scheduled conferences. I will have to repeat that schedule next Tuesday with a half day of teaching followed by 35 conferences. Thank goodness I'll be going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving and won't be entertaining a house full of people.

     I was greeted upon my arrival home from chemo with a beautiful bouquet of fall flowers sent to me by my daughter for making it halfway through the Taxol. They were gorgeous and a real pick-me-up.

    I will need to go back for a Muga scan in a month to see if my squeeze fraction has increased. There is a great thread on this board about AC and the effects on the heart.

    Mary Jo and Tina I hope your Taxol went well. Congrats Donna on your 10th.

    I will get my chemo next Wednesday instead of Thursday. I'm very happy that I will not have to miss next week because of Thanksgiving. 

    I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things in my life and one of them is for all the wonderful ladies on this board and the huge support you offer.

    Jane 

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  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2007

    Lucky you, Jane.   I have to skip next week because of Thanksgiving.  My onc. insisted that I had to have at least a full 7 days between tx.  But, oh, well..... what the heck difference is one more week gonna make at this point.  We're going away Wednesday afternoon anyway.... spending the weekend in Colonial Williamsburg.

    Only 4 more Taxol for me.  Then on to rads.  Everyone keeps telling me to be prepared for a little "let down" when chemo is done.  Like you're really happy to be finished then the reality hits that you have 2 months of every day rad txs to do. 

    But right now I feel great, my hair is really starting to come back thick and dark and I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.... so life is good!

    Off to get my shower and meet with my Friday morning quilting group, do some grocery shopping for the weekend......

    Have a great day, everyone!

    Abbi

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  • TINAMAE
    TINAMAE Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2007

    Hello ladies , well so much for no pain on taxol , the pain is so bad that I cant hardly stand it especially in my legs, this dose dense every 2 weeks may be more than I can take, the pain pills they gave me arent even helping, anyone know of anything I can do to help with the leg pain.

    Thanks Tina

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  • liven42day
    liven42day Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2007

    HI Ladies,

    I just got my BRCA test results, I am negative. Wooohoooooo!!!!!! Happy Dancing again!

    Port is coming out Monday!

    I went to the radiologist yesterday, simulation is day after thanksgiving. Rads start following week, same week I am begging Onc to go back to work.

    I am sorry Tina you are experienceing the taxol pain. I had it to but it only lasted 2 days, so I took the pain meds and was ok. I did it dose dense also, be aware of the neuropathy, they changed my final tx to taxotere because of it in my feet.

    Abbi, It feels good to be looking up again doesn't it? I am happy your feeling better and almost done with taxol. I am BRCA negative also 3rd generation survivor, just found out today. Have a great weekend all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Take Care Charlene

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