Chemo treatment round 2 expectations

Teach76
Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

First, thank you for all of the information that you have shared.  I am going for my second treatment - Taxotere and cytoxin- for IDC tumor close to pectoral muscle.  Neoadjuvant chemo to shrink away.

what should be my expectations of round 2?  I have read that side effects are about the same for each infusion, but should I expect them to intensify as treatments continue or extend longer than after round 1?

Thanks!

teach76

Comments

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #2
    I did adriamycin and cytoxan

    I did adriamycin and cytoxan my first four and then taxol my final four.  After my second infusion of the AC, that week my hair began to fall out and so I got a buzz cut.  I really did not feel any different than I had after the first infusion.  I had a few days of queasiness, but I was not nauseated.  It was manageable.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #3
    second treatment

    I had taxotere and cytoxin last summer. By my second treatment I'd lost my hair. I progressively got more tired and had to take more naps but can't say things changed a whole lot after treatment 2. Be sure and stay on top of any side effects as they develop and call your Dr right away. Are you using the mouth rinse to prevent sores? Stay hydrated, watermelon became my best friend, it was one food that actually tasted good.

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    NO advice, BUT i know others

    NO advice, BUT i know others on here , will give you great advice.

    Denise

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
    #5
    Puffin2014 said:

    second treatment

    I had taxotere and cytoxin last summer. By my second treatment I'd lost my hair. I progressively got more tired and had to take more naps but can't say things changed a whole lot after treatment 2. Be sure and stay on top of any side effects as they develop and call your Dr right away. Are you using the mouth rinse to prevent sores? Stay hydrated, watermelon became my best friend, it was one food that actually tasted good.

    Round 2 expectations

    I did not have mouth sores, but several days of dry mouth.  I used ACT dry mouth lozenges when out, and baking soda and water rinse when home.  SE were very manageable except the extreme fatigue was frustrating.  Thanks for your kindness!

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    disneyfan2008 said:

    NO advice, BUT i know others

    NO advice, BUT i know others on here , will give you great advice.

    Denise

    My story ...

    Chemo infusion is cummulative, so as treatments continue my fatigue continued.   I had many nights where I could not sleep - consipation plagued me - as well as chemo BRAIN.  I forgot why I would walk into a room, stood at my stove cooking a receipe that I have been making for years, trying to figure out what I need to add next .. yes, I had extreme side efforts.

    Hydrate, hydrate ..  then hydrate some more.  adding lipton or crystal lite flavoring to water helps.  A splash of lemonade or cranberry juice to water also switches up the taste of water .. (if that is possible)

    Take naps when timing permits - your body is 'fighting a battle' - take time to rejuvenate here & there

    prepare small meals (freeze), or snacks as your energy levels allow

    if a family member of friend offers to help - TAKE them up on it ...  any help will be appreciated !!

    NO NEED for us to BE WONDER WOMAN during our fight with the beast!

    Put your Oncologist and his staff on Speed Dial

    Journal your side efforts,  time they last, levels of activies, energy or lack of, and mental emotions

    Hydrate, then Hydrate some more

    Just a few tips from a Gal who has been there,  done that! 

    My thoughts and prayers are with you ...

    Vicki Sam

     

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #7
    Teach76 said:

    Round 2 expectations

    I did not have mouth sores, but several days of dry mouth.  I used ACT dry mouth lozenges when out, and baking soda and water rinse when home.  SE were very manageable except the extreme fatigue was frustrating.  Thanks for your kindness!

    Fatigue and dry mouth

    Of course, we all react differently to chemo -- I also did Taxotere/Cytoxan, and my experience was that the fatigue definitely did get more intense with each round.  The other side effects (for me, every variety of gastrointentinal problems imaginable, different every day) stayed about the same.

    For dry mouth, I highly, highly recommend Biotene mouthwash -- you can buy it at most any drugstore, it's not terribly expensive, has a mild, pleasant taste, and is easy to use.  My oncologist recommended it for me when I started chemo, and I used it religiously 2x a day throughout.  Biotene also makes toothpaste and some other products, but my oncologist felt that the mouthwash was more effective than any of the others.

    Hope that helps?

    Traci

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
    #8
    Day 4 of Round 2.  Side

    Day 4 of Round 2.  Side effects are about the same as Round 1.  As you all say, fatigue seems the most difficult.   I wonder if men who experience treatments feel as guilty falling asleep for 4 hours while household chores just wait.  While at treatment this week I saw more than half of the folks just so depressed and worn out.  I wanted to start a karaoke session.  Thanks to all of you for the positive spin you continue to put on experiences.  With hope there can be happiness!

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #9
    Teach76 said:

    Day 4 of Round 2.  Side

    Day 4 of Round 2.  Side effects are about the same as Round 1.  As you all say, fatigue seems the most difficult.   I wonder if men who experience treatments feel as guilty falling asleep for 4 hours while household chores just wait.  While at treatment this week I saw more than half of the folks just so depressed and worn out.  I wanted to start a karaoke session.  Thanks to all of you for the positive spin you continue to put on experiences.  With hope there can be happiness!

    Karaoke vs. cookies

    I know what you mean about seeing other patients at chemo looking so worn out and depressed -- that really hit me at my first chemo infusion.  I had chemo in a chemo room in my oncologist's office, usually with about 2 to 4 other patients.  The nurses and all the office staff were so kind and caring and upbeat, but chemo still sure can be a depressing thing to have to go through, and some folks were much sicker than I was.

    My solution -- well, my solution to most of life's problems, really -- was chocolate chip cookies.  I love to bake, and was hyped up on steroids the night before each chemo anyway -- why not put it to good use?  I would take 2 large disposable plastic containers of cookies each time -- one for the office staff, and one for the chemo room.  It was a nice way to brighten the day for folks who spend all day, every day caring for cancer patients.  And the chemo nurses loved it, because they always had a few patients who they were having trouble getting to eat enough, and some homebaked cookies sometimes perked up their appetites a little.

    Even if you don't bake -- maybe a stop at the bakery on the way to chemo?  It really did make folks smile, which probably did more to make ME feel better than anything else!

    Traci

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
    #10
    TraciInLA said:

    Karaoke vs. cookies

    I know what you mean about seeing other patients at chemo looking so worn out and depressed -- that really hit me at my first chemo infusion.  I had chemo in a chemo room in my oncologist's office, usually with about 2 to 4 other patients.  The nurses and all the office staff were so kind and caring and upbeat, but chemo still sure can be a depressing thing to have to go through, and some folks were much sicker than I was.

    My solution -- well, my solution to most of life's problems, really -- was chocolate chip cookies.  I love to bake, and was hyped up on steroids the night before each chemo anyway -- why not put it to good use?  I would take 2 large disposable plastic containers of cookies each time -- one for the office staff, and one for the chemo room.  It was a nice way to brighten the day for folks who spend all day, every day caring for cancer patients.  And the chemo nurses loved it, because they always had a few patients who they were having trouble getting to eat enough, and some homebaked cookies sometimes perked up their appetites a little.

    Even if you don't bake -- maybe a stop at the bakery on the way to chemo?  It really did make folks smile, which probably did more to make ME feel better than anything else!

    Traci

    Thanks, Traci.  We have

    Thanks, Traci.  We have already found out the nurse's choice of treat - flavored coffee creamer!  This week we took a few and also picked up some individually wrapped fig newton bars.  When we got there someone already brought Philly soft pretzels and Panera treats.  Now I know why my oncologist said if I thought I would lose any weight during chemo, think again.  I think it's just the little things that help lift spirits.  wish I was a baker - I always told my daughters to volunteer me for anything except baking.  Maybe I can practice while going through treatment - oh, no, I can see another 5 lbs. coming right at me!

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