Taxatere

My onc
called in a prescription for dexamethasone steriods and I had to take 2 the night before, 2 the morning of the first treatment of Taxotere/Cytoxan and 3 more doses. I had been told to stop taking all vitamins and supplements except Vitamin D (needed to take 2000 IUs daily) when I had my initial consultation, about a month before chemo started. I have been told to not take vitamins while in radiation (9 treatments left out of 33). I was also told not to lose weight--everything is calculated by your weight--and try not to gain, but I probably would through chemo (I did).
During chemo I was advised not to eat raw/rare foods, no salad bars, sushi or stir-frys.
Ask your onc for specific instructions. I was given a whole packet of stuff about the drugs, side-effects to expect and other info.
Be sure to find out who to call when the office is closed if you have any questions/problems. I called and spoke to the office to find out what to bring: blanket, snacks, reading materials. Some centers supply these things, mine didn't. I was put in a small room to watch a video about chemo the first time and slept through most of the infusion. Each treatment took between 3 and 6.5 hours.
It's not fun, but was definately doable and I would do it again if it becomes necessary. Chemo wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined, but then I have a "rich fantasy life".

Good luck!
JoAnn

talk to Dr. or better yet nurse
Nurses seem to have the best advice. I wasn't allowed to take anything, even vitamins, while in chemo and that included taxatere. My pre-infusion included steroid and benedril so my body wasn't sure if it should ramp up or go to sleep. Sleep usually won! For me, the speed at which this stuff was infused made a BIG difference. I had no problems with the 3 treatments that started slowly and gradually speeded up. The one at full speed was another story. I hope you don't run into that problem. There's also a "hot line" for the treament center that I could call, even after hours and on weekends, to get answers, help etc. I had to use that with my problem "full speed" treament. I used it again recently when someone passed on the cold/flu bug that's going around.

I have to repeat - the nurses are a great source of information! They're the ones on the front line and helping people through each treament so see side effects etc. not just reading the materials.

The cancer center
I went to gave me a lot of reading information and I got a lot of advice on this website from all these wonderful women. I was on Dexamethasone (2 pills the night before chemo, 2 pills each morning the following 2 days). My onc also gave me scripts for antinausea. Chemo went smoothly for me. I was achy and tired after Neulasta shot. I had 6 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan. The drugs were the last 2 I received through port. I was given Benadryl, anti nausea and a saline before them. The effects are cummulative and I was quite tired by the time I finished and rads are also very tiring.

I didn't drink any wine. My onc advised me as to what meds were ok to take. I drank a lot of water, used plastic silverware, Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash. My nails got white ridges but none fell off or turned black. I had no nausea even though I was expecting it. When I had the energy I tried to exercise but when I was tired I slept 12 hrs at a time.

Chemo is doable and I hope you don't have any ill side effects. Oh, I forgot to say my hair fell out 14 days after first treatment. I don't like wigs so I wore hats and still do. I finished chemo in December and rads in February. I'm still tired and my immune system is still compromised.
{{hugs}} Char