I had my last A/C drip yesterday!!! Next is Toxal - Any Advice?

We're all different
For me - Taxol was much worse than A/C. I was completely and utterly EXHAUSTED the entire 12 of them. I was given the choice of 12 weekly or 4 every 3 weeks and chose the weekly as it made more sense to me to keep a more even level working. It was the most aggressive and what Dr T recommended but like I said it seemed more logical to me . Perhaps it might have been 'easier' if I had chosen the every 3 weeks as I always seemed to feel a bit better on the day I went back for the next infusion but at the time I thoughtit was just because I knew I had to get up and get going to get there but in retrospect I think it was actuallyfeeling better as I started feeling better a week after last Taxol which was also the day I started Rads. By the time Rads was over I was feeling great exhaustion wise.

On A/C I hadn't lost all hair (had lost scalp hair and about 1/2 of brows and lashes) but with Taxol ALL hair left. Head hair all came back but not all other areas. Still (2 yrs post rads) I still have no leg or under arm hair and only a very small amount in other area.

Taxotere chemo
Hi Dorene,

Congratulations on finishing the A/C rounds. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. As Rague/Susan said, the Taxotere rounds were far more difficult for me than the A/C rounds. Generally people find A/C more difficult according to my oncologist but that was just not the case for me. I lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails - that is after they became ridged and discolored. I had bouts of vomiting and diarrhea daily. I lost both my sense of taste and my desire to eat. I lost almost 40 pounds in the process. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with ;-). Chemo had to postponed by a couple of days on 2 occasions as I became dehydrated and needed to be given fluids instead of chemo. I never actually missed any chemo infusions though. My eyes watered like a faucet. Unfortunately they still do and it has been 19 months since my last chemo. I am consulting with a highly specialized opthamologist on this issue. BUT, I made it through and I am alive and well. I have had 2 reconstruction surgeries. I saw my daughter graduate from high school and helped her move into her 1st college dorm. I will be there when my son graduates from college. I will be here when my husband and I celebrate our 25th anniversary later this year.

You CAN do this. May it be easy for you. The Pinks will be here when you need support or have have questions.

IRENE

VickiSam said:

Doreen .. Yes, we are all different,
however my personal experience is that 'taxol' and taxotere sent me over the edge --
my last several treatments had me fainting, and severely fatigued. In bed, most days
and nights.

I had the watery itching eyes == and the dripping nose during and long after my
chemo infusions ended. I also, lost several toe nails, which took about 8 months
to grow back.

You are a young vibrant WOMAN, who is in the throes of a battle that most will
never see, or be a part of (Thank, God). You will suffer, stumble, fail and get
yourself back up -- So, hold you head high -- arm yourself with amour and
get ready for this next phase of your battle.

Chemo is so very .. very .. very difficult for some of us WARRIORS, and I am
sorry that you having such a horrific time -- YOU will persevere -- and in
time -- all your struggles will behind you, I PROMISE.

You can PM any time you need help, encouragement, or a shoulder to cry on.

Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

Hi Dorene
For me A/C bothered my stomach a lot and Taxol gave me bad leg pains. I took pain meds to help me through it.
In many ways it was easier except for the leg pain.
Best of luck and my prayers to you for an easier round.
Hugs,
Wanda

mamolady said:

A/C vs Taxol
Dorene and Angie,
I had the same, 4 A/C and 12 taxol. For me the taxol was way easier. I was totally tired most of the time but it was easier otherwise. I think the fatigue was still from the A/C too. I did use ice packs on my finger tips and toes and I never lost any nails. My neuropathy was minimal. Make sure you get an extra serving of protein every day to help your cells recoup! I did an extra egg the morning of chemo. I also got protein shakes. (atkins dark chocolate!)

You are in the home stretch!

Cindy

I was not the poster child
I was not the poster child for chemo in general. But I thought the taxol was easier. I did not have an allergic reaction, the white count didnt drop so no neulasta. I lost my lashes ansd eye brows but they came in rather quickly. I got a rash on my face also. I have neuropathy, and should have taken B6 during treatment but didnt know I was supposed to and I took many baths because of another problem, and the water was hot. so the ice is a good idea. my neuropathy was/is significant although it has imprrved. I had the best nails ever, but kept nail strengther on them. I am glad I got the once a week taxol as I was so ill I dont think I could have tolerated anything else. But as I said I had a "results not typical" reaction. My premeds were decadron, pepcid and benadryl IV. Good luck and Ihope it goes well for you. yay you are in the home stretch!!!!

HI Dorene, I had the same
HI Dorene, I had the same regimen as you, however, I was only able to get 11 taxol in because of the neuropathy. I developed severe neuropathy from it so they cut me off at round 11. That was my biggest problem with it, but as stated, everyone is different. I'm praying you get through this with minimal to no side effects. Stay strong sister!!
Big Hugs & Miles of Love,
Kari

Rague said:

Forgot to mention
The pre-Taxol drugs I had (thanks Carkris for reminding me). When I got in my room I took Zofran (ondansetron) pills for nausea. Then got IVs of. Pepcid (famotidine), Decadron (dexamethasone) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine). They are to prevent allergic reactions. The Pepcid and Decadron were fine but I was really surprised with the Benadryl. I've taken it orally often for bee stings with no reaction to it but as soon as it would start IV, I'd go 'nighty-night' til 1/2 hr before it was over. I'd wake up as quickly as I would go out and clear. No 'fogginess/drowsiness just as I didn't get drowsy and slowly go to sleep when it started. I got to have a bed room for Taxol thanks my 'passing out' all the time. At my Center. the recliner cubicles (did A/C in them), though they had their own thermostat in them were open front with a curtain you could have pulled across if you wanted, were harder to get warm and I was always cold during chemo. The bed rooms also had their our thermostat but they were glass fronted (had a curtain you could have pulled also if you wanted) so could get it warmer in them.

Susan

As we all know we are all so
As we all know we are all so different. A'C was much easier on me than taxol. I had nausea with A/C but taxol and I did not agree. I had 1 1/2 infusions of taxol and they had to stop it and switched me to taxotere which was much easier than a/c or taxol. I was very tired with taxotere but handled it much better. This is certainly a journey of uncertainties, but we all get thru it in one way or another. Hang in there. Since a/c was difficult on you, taxol may be much easier for you. (((hugs)))

VickiSam said:

Doreen .. Yes, we are all different,
however my personal experience is that 'taxol' and taxotere sent me over the edge --
my last several treatments had me fainting, and severely fatigued. In bed, most days
and nights.

I had the watery itching eyes == and the dripping nose during and long after my
chemo infusions ended. I also, lost several toe nails, which took about 8 months
to grow back.

You are a young vibrant WOMAN, who is in the throes of a battle that most will
never see, or be a part of (Thank, God). You will suffer, stumble, fail and get
yourself back up -- So, hold you head high -- arm yourself with amour and
get ready for this next phase of your battle.

Chemo is so very .. very .. very difficult for some of us WARRIORS, and I am
sorry that you having such a horrific time -- YOU will persevere -- and in
time -- all your struggles will behind you, I PROMISE.

You can PM any time you need help, encouragement, or a shoulder to cry on.

Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

Best of luck and big hugs
Best of luck and big hugs Dorene!


Hugs, Leeza

Rague said:

Forgot to mention
The pre-Taxol drugs I had (thanks Carkris for reminding me). When I got in my room I took Zofran (ondansetron) pills for nausea. Then got IVs of. Pepcid (famotidine), Decadron (dexamethasone) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine). They are to prevent allergic reactions. The Pepcid and Decadron were fine but I was really surprised with the Benadryl. I've taken it orally often for bee stings with no reaction to it but as soon as it would start IV, I'd go 'nighty-night' til 1/2 hr before it was over. I'd wake up as quickly as I would go out and clear. No 'fogginess/drowsiness just as I didn't get drowsy and slowly go to sleep when it started. I got to have a bed room for Taxol thanks my 'passing out' all the time. At my Center. the recliner cubicles (did A/C in them), though they had their own thermostat in them were open front with a curtain you could have pulled across if you wanted, were harder to get warm and I was always cold during chemo. The bed rooms also had their our thermostat but they were glass fronted (had a curtain you could have pulled also if you wanted) so could get it warmer in them.

Susan

Congrats on your last A/C
Congrats on your last A/C drip! Good luck with Taxol! Praying for no side effects for you!


Jan