Cytoxan and Taxotere ?

Hi,

I finished my 4th and last t&c treatment on thursday the 15th nov.  Still tng to feel better.  no nausea, but fatigue is greater this time.  I have cracks on the sides of my mouth and have been using biotene mouthwash, any one have any other ideas? For all  of you that are out of Chemo,  how long does it take for your hair to start to grow back.  I have some left but it is white and corse and does not cover my head.  Along with the ghostly complection the white hair is not attractive.  Oh well just glad this part is over.  I had mammosite so rads are finished,  now I am told when I see my onc in Dec,  I will be put on Tamoxifen for 1 year and then a AI if periods don't resume.   Also how long does it take to get your energy and feel somewhat normal?  Thanks for any suggestions. 

Hi there,

I have TWO cats, and they were a big help through all this bc treatment.  They even slept with me some nights.  I really believe that animals can sense when we are sick or hurting, or upset emotionally, because when I was really down or depressed, that is when they came and slept with me, or were especially receptive to my needs.

Gotta love those cats!

Harley

Has anyone here had carboplatin with taxotere? it was suggested to me recently for an 'undiferentiated recurrence". Sounds horrible, and doc couldn't really give me any stats or results or outcomes, just threw it out there as an agressive chemo b/c my cancer came back but without the HER2+ status they expected from first time. What is it? How long do you get it? what's the dif between Carbo and taxotere? Any ideas?

Chris,

I am SO sorry to hear about your loss!  Cougar was a VERY SPECIAL cat, and I can tell that she was very well loved! 

We got a new recliner and Spike and I have races every evening, to see who will get in the recliner first.  He LOVES that recliner, and I will just be sitting on the sofa, watching tv, and thinking, "gee, that recliner is comfortable... maybe I'll go get in it!"  And, just like he has ESP, he comes over and gets a running start, and jumps into the recliner!  It is so funny! 

But, we just had a sofa delivered, and now BOTH Spike & Thor love the sofa.  The sofa and recliner are both micro suede, and they just LOVE IT!

Hugs,

Harley

Did anyone have the choice between TC x 4 and CMF 5fu? If so, what helped you make your decision? The CMF 5fu being offered to me would be once a week for 24 weeks, but would be less toxic and I probably wouldn't loose my hair. But TC seems to be the one most oncologists go with. Any advice?

DianeB

I completed the regime T/C x'x4 in June.  I found it very doable and yes I did take anti anxiety meds.  The fatigue was cummulative building as treatment progressed.  I was completely terrified, but I did it, and now in retrospect it really wasn't that bad.  Just remember you are killing them cancer cells.  Use these fine women on these boards as your strength they sure helped me.  I read and researched everything I could.  I also worked throughout all my treatment.  T/C x 4 and 33 rads.  Glad it's over, hope it worked, live one day at a time.  Take your meds faithfully, and relax.

Take Care

Sandy

Sandy:

Did you have days were you felt "normal" and energetic? This is my first week and I just feel exhausted. I can't do much of anything and I'm not exactly sleepy.

Hi Karen,

Don't see that anyone addressed your hair question, so I'll try.  Mine started growing back about 6 weeks after the final chemo.  Right not it's about 1/2 to 1 inch long (longers in some places than others) and it's been 6 months since my final chemo.  It really takes a long time to grow it back unless you had it short to begin with.  Still seems like one of the minor side effects to me, since it does come back.  Good luck!!

Nora 

Hi G. First time on this sight. I had stage three 12 positive nodes 3 1/2 years ago. Did a mastectomy, and 4 treatments taxol/cytoxin and 3 ad., then radiation , left breast. I also had a preventative mastctomy to the right breast 3 years ago. I was just diagnosed with a second primary cancer in my right nodes, 19 out of 24. Turns out the "healthy breast" had cancer cells when they pulled up the path from 3 years ago. What a blow. I will be getting 7 treatments TC every 3 weeks then radiation. Starting in a week. I already have numbness in one hand from the first round of chemo, and Im nervous about the taxotere . I dont know anyone who has had two separete stage 3 cancers. Im really scared. Im also on arimadex. love to chat with you. Lazlo

Hi all,

Just starting T/C with Neulesta next week.  Love this site - such wonderful support.  Thank you for the good humor too. I am so scared that I am already nauseous! How many of you wore a wig vs. a scarf or hat? I am not sure I like the wig thing.  My surgery is still healing internally - how long after surgery did you start chemo?  Mine is about 4 weeks apart. Please write. aran

I had Carbo and Taxotere with Herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 sessions. I shud say I will be having my 4th treatment on Monday.  My complaints are nausea, constipation and fatigue.  The nausea is the worst, but it doesn't last that long.  I am also prone to motion sickness which may have a bearing.  The herceptin I get every week.  It is virtually symptom free.  It can however, be tough on the heart.  I am Her+.  Good Luck  CBuckyB

Hello all,

What did you take in your bag when you went to your TC treatment?

What sort of food should one eat before the treatment (or not eat?)

What precautions did you take when your WBC counts were low? Did you wear masks, stay home, use gloves for everything? What about your family, kids (mine are teenagers) and precautions they need to take? Could you cook, do laundry?

Thanks so much for helping me with this. Going nuts preparing for my first treatment!

Love to all, aran

Aran, I start treatment in the next 1-2 weeks and my husband suggested that I go get my teeth cleaned - I thought that was brilliant.  I'm sure they don't want somebody poking around in your mouth.  I went to a look good feel better program on Monday & they suggested using pump soap so that you don't share soap with your family.  Also that you go ahead & get your wig if you're going to have one and start wearing it - just to give you a little more control.

I have an apt with the oncologist in a week to get the instructions & dates.  I'd love to hear what you're doing - sounds like we'll be going through this about the same time.

Take care! 

Hello, ladies. I'm Steve, my wife Kathy was diagnosed in January, had surgery end of February, and started her TC treatment on 3/25/08. She is er+/pr+, HER2-, 3.8 cm, 4/20 nodes. And she is very frightened. We have an excellent doctor with a great reputation who is absolutely convinced that 6 treatments with TC (followed by radiation) will do the trick. She is 47 years olds. The tumor was removed cleanly, and she has an expander in place which has "balanced" her very nicely! She is concerned that she should be receiving adriamycin to make sure they do their worst, even though the doctor and many articles I've read seem to indicate that the TC is just as effective for her situation. We have four kids, and she wants to make sure this works.

It was obviously all a big surprise for us, she is young with no family history and no risk factors. Although she is a very strong woman and a very positive person, she goes through the "why me's?" on occasion and today is one of those days. Anyone else out there who had node involvement (IIB or IIIA) and can offer words of encouragement? Bone and CT scans were clear. She really,really wants to recover and live a normal although changed life. And I sure want her to also!

BTW, we are at Day 9 after her first treatment, and other than bone aches (Neulasta?) and metallic taste in her mouth she is doing fantastic. She had Emend for nausea the first couple of days and it did the trick. She's been eating like normal with no unusual side effects. Her hair hasn't done anything yet, but we did go wig shopping Saturday in anticipation of the inevitable. We hear it usually hits around day 14 to day 17.

One treatment down and five to go! Those of you out there who pray, please pray for my Kathy!

Steve

Hi Steve,

I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in Dec.  I am a former hodgkins patient.  I had Hodgkins 20 years ago.  This is cancer of the lymph nodes.  The radiation treatments that I received gave me this breast cancer. My left breast is her2neu pos, no lymph node activity, 1.7 cm tumor.  The right breast is er/pr pos, 4/10 pos nodes and a 1.5 cm tumor. 

I had both breasts removed and started the reconstruction process in February and did well with the surgery. 

My doctors originally gave me a drug that they find to be too hard on me.  I've was really sick for my first treatment.  I will have my second treatment on Monday.  TCH.  I am told it is just as effective as AC.  I cannot have AC as oriingally thought because it would cause acute leukemia because of my prior with hodgkins and radiation.

I am scared too, and I am at day 14 and my hair is about to go any minute.

I hope Kathy does well.

Barbara