Chemo in Nov 07

Happy New Year!  I just keep thinking that 2008 has got to be an improvement over 2007.  One more AC to go on the 7th, then a break before starting rads in early February.  Thank goodness this part of treatment is almost over.  It seems the side effects lasted longer this go around and I guess I don't expect the next/last one to be any better...  I'd love to think about reconstruction, but it seems so far off that I just can't go there yet.  One day at a time as they say.  

Anyone else having a problem with hot flashed and night sweats?  I've been getting night sweats lately.  Thank God it's winter so I can throw off the covers to cool off.  I'm going to be dreading summer if this continues!  It's been pretty warm here in San Diego.  I was enjoying a bit of sunshine yesterday and it was down right hot.  The good thing about being bald is when I get hot, just taking off my hat cools me down.  I had to make sure I sunscreened my head so I didn't get a sunburn  

love to all of you,

Lisa (in CA)

Hi ladies!  I'm jumping in from the December board for some info.  I am doing neo-adjunctive chemo, currently sent for #3 AC on Friday.  After #4, I will begin 4 rounds of Taxol.  Are any of you currently having Taxol?  How is it going?  Are you still taking steroids with the Taxol?  Did any of your other med's change once you started the Taxol?  Basically, I'm curious as to how things have been different on Taxol as compared to the AC.  I'm plugging right along and based on last Friday's ultrasound my tumor went from a measurment of 2 cm down to 1.3!  So it is all worth it!!  Thanks for any info regarding the Taxol.  Lori

Loriann,

I had the 4 AC with the last one in mid-December and just had my first Taxol yesterday.  With the AC, I had the steroids and Ativan in my drip, then the Emend pill for three days, Phenegren as needed, Neulasta shot the day after, and Rantadine which is like over the counter Zantac twice a day. With the Taxol, in my IV they gave me a steroid drip (Decadron), something that I can't remember what she called it (sorry), and Aloxi for nausea.  They gave me two Benadryl tablets and I took a 1 mg Ativan for my anxiety before I got there.  They also said they could give me the Ativan in my drip if I preferred because it kicks in quicker and stronger.  After about an hour, they started the Taxol with some saline at the same time.  The nurse stayed with me for about 10 minutes to see if I would have a reaction which is common from what I understand.  Luckily, there wasn't one.  It lasted about four hours altogether.  My dr told me to keep on with the Rantadine, but I wouldn't need the Neulasta unless my white blood count dropped or the Emend unless I became very nauseous.  Of course I can take the Ativan before my next tx if I need it or for sleep.  I did take a shot this time because my red blood cell count is down.  They said that I will probably crash from the steroids on day three and if that is particularly rough that they could give me some steroid pills to take for a few days that would taper me down off the steroids.  Also, typically a person will have flu like aches and pains and joint pain.  You probably read about all of that though.  There are a couple conversation threads from people specifically about Taxol.  You just have to look for them and there is alot of info on there and also on the October 07 thread I think.  Some of it is scary the way if affects some of us.  One thing I did notice today is that I am sort of pinkish like I have been in the sun.  I did read about that on another thread too.  That is kinda cool.  Hey, little pleasures right. 

Just a few FYI - I didn't drink very much the last few days or today and it is a little stingy when I urinate.  I had that problem big time with AC and learned my lesson quickly. I guess I figured I wouldn't with this Taxol, but I suppose I was wrong.  Also, today I am pretty wired.  I have been awake since 2 am.  I talked my boyfriend's ear off this morning.  I guess that is the Decadron.  I never felt like this after AC, but I noticed the bag is twice the size of what I had with the AC.  With those first four txs, I barely made it through the next day, but I actually don't feel too bad aside from a headache.  I will let you know how it goes for me over the next two weeks if you like.

Take care,

Lisa in VA

Karyll,

I hope you feel better and that this tx will be easier than the last one. 

I am just waiting for the ball to drop.  I just can't believe that I am not going to feel worse than this.  That would be too much to hope for. 

My throat hurts.  That happen with you at all?

Lisa in VA

Lisa in VA - you are just one treatment ahead of me. I am feeling more tired and weary already on day this last A/C. Also, some numbness in toes has started. They went over the regimen for the taxol yesterday with what to expect. Sounds like nausea will be better, but neuropathy could be a complication. Did they take your blood pressure every 15 minutes throughout the treatment? How do the steroids affect you? Are you wired, experiencing weight gain, do you sleep okay? I would keep liking to hear how it is going for you over the next weeks.



Lori - Your A/C treatment is identical to mine. I just had tx#4 yesterday. I do feel more worn down with each treatment, but considering what is being pumped through my veins, I guess I'm doing fair. That #3 really made me tired and weepy, but it does get better with the passing days.



What's everyone taking for nausea? I have compazine, ativan, and dexamethasone; I'm unsure of what works the best and when to take. Do you take them all?



Thanks to everyone for being here and sharing your chemo experiences. It gives some balance to what we are going through and can expect. I wish you all good days and minimal se's.



To everyone's better health, Susan

Susan,

I was never wired after AC.  I felt bad by the next morning everytime.  I was able to function and go to work but I sure didn't want to.  And by the next day after that, I was down for a couple days.  Awful nausau and rapid heartbeat and fatigue at the slightest activity and getting hot and exerted.  I haven't gained or lost any weight and I sleep less as time goes by.   

I took the Emend and the Phenegren.  Ativan makes me so sleepy so I can't take it at work.

Lets see, I had the Taxol Wed. After the benadryl and Ativan wore off around 2am, I woke up wide awake and was sorta wired yesterday.  Not in a bad way though.  Just energy, no jitters.  None today either, but I am starting to feel kinda tired as the day goes by.  I'll keep you updated.  Hope you have a good weekend.

Lisa

Morning all.  I hope you all are doing well!

MeandPC, thanks for the update.  I'm still here following your Taxol treatments!  When I just had my #3 AC on Friday it was not a normal day to see my oncologist (that's the 18th along with last AC-Yahoo!) but I did ask the nurse about it.  She said the norm (but not to hold her to it, of course) was no additional steriods other than what was given in the IV.  There is a yourn girl that is usually there at the same time as me and I think it was her first Taxol and she did have some sort of reaction, which happenend before I go there, but before she left they were discussing what they wanted her to take before she came in the next time and it was several low dose steriods.  So, knock on wood, no fussy reactions for me with the first Taxol, please!  Although, I didn't feel bad at all yesterday..not my normal self but pretty darn close for day 2 after tx! 

Anyway, I'll be checking back here from my usual December 2007 board.  Have a good day all!  Lori

Hello all,

Started the steriods today; tx#3 tomorrow (carboplaten, taxotere, & herceptin). #3 means that I'll be halfway there! Yeah!! That's what I'm hanging onto right now! Keep me in your prayers over the next few days...#2 was harder on me than #1, so I'm a little nervous about the se for #3!

Crystal

Hey ladies,

Sorry to hear that some of you have been having the yuckies.  I also didn't have a good week.  I had my third of six TAC treatment on New Year's Eve.  I had a reaction to it almost immediately, which was the first time that has happened.  I had horrible joint and muscle pain all week.  I was either in the tub soaking or in the bed trying to sleep.  I was also in an awful fog where I just couldn't concentrate on anything, which is a lot of fun when you are trying to help the kids with homework

I have also been having fun with the hot flashes.  Don't have to worry about the period part because I had a hysterectomy many years ago.  The no period thing is wonderful!!

Lisa and Sharon I was also having a lot of trouble with heartburn.  I completely stopped drinking anything at all while I ate and that really seemed to help.  I know it sounds very simple, but it cut my heartburn in half.  Now that I have been sticking to not drinking while I eat I hardly have any heartburn at all.  Might at least be worth a try.

I get to have a massage tomorrow morning before getting my blood work done.  I can not wait.  After the painful week my body put me through last week I need a little TLC from a massage

Crystal and everyone else having treatment this week I will keep you in my prayers that everything will go well and you will come back with the wonderful news of NO side effects.  May be wishful thinking, but better to wish than not!!!

Hope everyone has a great week,

Keep laughing,

Jenny

Hi all,

Interesting to read your posts about Taxol (Taxotere).  Had my first today...and first steriods.  Now its after 2 a.m. am I'm up reading posts.  Geeze, I wish I could sleep!

Glad that the FEC is done (I'm with Karyll in Canada).  Seems to be much less nausea with Taxotere so far.

I wanted to share my experience with my oncologist today.  When I started this journey, someone said to me "You are just a number, you need to be in control of your treatment"...boy was that good advice.

Before chemo, I had a CT-scan and bone scan.  I have a 1 cm lump on my lung and abnormal cells on one of my ribs.  At the time, the oncologist said that we would need to keep a very close eye on it, and I would have futher CT-scans and bone scans for this.

So today, he starts discussing next steps, since I'm 1/2 way through chemo.  No mention of CT and bone scans so I ask.  He looks at me and tells me that I don't need these.  I pushed back...nicely of course, and he actually looked at my file and said "oh yes, we do need to schedule these when chemo is done".

As well, he presented to me that when I'm done the Taxotere, I'll have radiation and herceptin.  No mention of more surgery, which again, was discussed when I was first starting chemo.  At that time, he specifically told me that it was more important to start the chemo to kill the cancer cells that may have spread, and the surgery would follow.

My understanding is that I need more surgery because the margins were not clear and my lymph nodes are actively involved.  I've only had a lumpectomy and sentinal/aux node removal.  So what... he thinks he's just going to leave in the other nodes with the cancer cells?  Get them OUT OF ME!

Then he tells me that any surgery decision will have to be decided by the radiation oncologist and my original surgeon.

I'm less than impressed.  Although I have felt like I have received quite good care since this started, the bottom line is this...there are too many patients, and we are each just a number.

PLEASE ask lots of questions, and even be pushy if you have to.  Your life depends on it. 

Hi Everyone.

Had my last A/C treatment on December 27th.  The Dr. assistant felt my throat glands and asked if I had been sick and I said no and she said they felt swollen, so now I am stressed that there may be something wrong, she said that I may becoming down with something but I just know this last treatment kicked my butt and when I went in a week later my white count was down a little.  I go in on Thursday and start Taxol/Herceptin once a week for three weeks and then off a week and I have 12 of these.  I am hoping these will be easier as I am scared to death to start a new treatment.  Anyone that can give any thing I can do on the next treatment please give me any advise.

Thanks

Jodi

Hi all.  This is my first post - I have been feeling pretty low lately and thought it might help to join a community of others who truly understand what I'm going through.  Just reading some of your comments has made me feel better already - thank you!

I am 36 and was diagnosed with IDC in early October.  My tumour was large and two of my lymph nodes were involved, so I started dose-dense chemo pretty much immediately.  I've had six doses, every two weeks, of Taxotere and Pharmirubicin, and I have hit a wall of exhaustion recently.  I have only two more doses, last one on January 30th, but sometimes I feel like I will never get there.  Anyone else feel that way?!  Also, I am really struggling with guilt over being so worn out - my husband is like a single parent right now and I feel that I am hurting my three-year-old son by not being able to do more with/for him.

You are all so brave and inspiring - thank you for sharing your feelings and experiences so that we don't have to feel so isolated.  I am really looking forward to checking in every day, and I hope that I can help at least some of you too. 

Hello all, I'm starting to come out of the fog now. I hate how this makes me feel. I'm really trying to be strong and not whine all the time but, I'm already not looking for the next tx 25 Jan. All you ladies that are going into the taxol and herceptin phase, did you get a break before you started? I don't think I can handle going right into part two without a little break in between.

Samantha-I felt the same way you did when I started. My first tx tired me out around day three. My husband was really good taking care of me. Second tx, I was alone and sick 4 hours after getting home. I don't think I've ever slept so much! I've learned to let everyone take care of me for a change. Without the guilt! We as mothers always take care of the family, now it's time to let family take care of us. I tell my family how much I appreciate them taking care of things and that seems to put a smile on their faces to know that they are doing a great job of taking care of mom.

Everyone take care of yourselves! I'll be praying for all of us!

Thanks, Sharon and Jenny, for your kind words. :-)

Sharon and Lisa, I too had really awful heartburn when I first started with the Taxotere, and my oncologist gave me a prescription for Losec to take every day.  It has worked really well - maybe something to ask about?  However, I can completely understand if you don't want to take anymore drugs - some days I just wonder whether all the stuff in my system is competing and whether any of it is really working that well...

Best wishes to everyone,

Sam :-) 

Well, I had my first taxotere (equivalent to taxol) on Monday.  So far I can say that the nausea is DRAMATICALLY less!  It is such a blessing!!!

Apparently this might have something to do with the steriods that I'm taking as well, which I finished this morning...so I'll let you all know what I experience in the next couple of days.

I am having some bone aches, but I also have shots of neupogen for 5 days (for white blood count) so it's hard to say if it's the taxotere or the neupogen.  A girl I work with who was diagnosed 1 year before me has had horrible problems with arthritis from the taxotere.  I hope that we can all avoid that se!

Sharon68 - I don't start herceptin until 4 weeks after chemo is done, but I'm not sure that it works the same way everywhere.  I don't think there is really a break (although it would be nice).  Then again, it will be good to get chemo overwith!