Half way there

billswife
billswife Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I haven't posted in a while but I wanted to give you an update. A/C is finished (YAAA) I. was very fortunate that I'd only "lose" about 2 1/2 days after each treatment and that was to what my doctor I I have given the medicial term " feeling yucky"--not really sick,just blahh. Doc says it's more of a reaction to coming off the meds they give you to keep you from getting sick. I guess that's why my husband says the cure is sometime worst.
I start the first of 4 Taxol tomorrow. Everyone says that will be easier than the A/C but we'll see. Any advice on what to expect? I know what the staff tells you but it's always better to hear it from those who have "walked the walk"
We're actually doing the "chemo for 2" route here.
One again a very small tumor appeared on my husband lung scan. 6 treatments once a week until Valentine's Day. He's tolerating this go round the best ever--- and he did well with the other 2!
Hopefully this and getting him out of the smog of the NYC area will do the finally trick. If not, as long as they keep finding it early and he responds to treatment we'll thank the Lord and keep on going.

Kathy

Comments

  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #2
    Kathy,
    I had been wondering how you were doing and had planned on send an email today to check on you... but saw your post first. I am glad that you are through the A/C. I found that for me those were the hardest. I was really tired and I basically Yucky for 1 out of every 2 weeks. As for Taxol, I wasn't near as tired and the yucky feeling went away... One piece of advice for taxol... is drink water...lots of it. The problem with taxol is nerve damage.... my feet and hands hurt and I lost a couple of toe nails. Get some finger nail polish and have it handy... even if you never wear it. Eventually, the taxol (probably 3 or 4th treatment) will cause bruising under your fingernails... You will want to paint them until they heal. Set up a handy chair where you can prop your feet up it will help.

    Also, work with your Doctor on the level of premeds. With Taxol, they use Steriods (which will cause weight gain and fluid build up) - the more you can minimize them without causing problems the better you will be. They also use I think a high dose of benedryl. For some people it just makes them sleepy... but for some of us we get so jumpy we can't sit still (restless leg syndrome).. again if you have this problem... get them to lower the dose.

    But all in all for me at least Taxol was a God send in comparison to A/C. Hope it will be even easier for you.

    I also hope that Bill will continue to have a easy time with his treatments.... And it sounds like you both will have a great and Joyous Valentine's Day..... with at least his treatments over and yours should only last a little longer. Best of luck.

    Take care... God bless...

    Susan
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #3
    So glad to hear you are through the worst - and it is the worst. Taxol was much easier. I was able to walk my 5 miles every day on Taxol which I could not do on the A/C!

    As Sue said, watch a couple of things. I had a severe allergic reaction to the Benadryl and so they could not give that. I ended up in the ER. I did get some peripheral neuropathy which still flares up sometimes. Oh, and I lost a couple of nails. Sue suggested painting them. I would check with the onc first. My onc did not want me to paint them as the nails are very porous at that time and you can absorb the polish. Instead she liked to look at them. She suggested rubbing them with tea tree oil. That stuff smells really bad but does seem to help.

    The big thing with Taxol is to have someone with you in case you have an allergic reaction. It comes on suddenly and you are not able to call anyone. Fortunately, I had a visitor in the next chair who could call the nurse.

    Your family is going through a lot here. My very best wishes.

    Hugs.

    Lesley
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #4
    It was good to see your post. I remember your name and I'm usually terrible at remembering names! I wondered how you were doing. I have 2 kinds of cancer, but it's just me in treatment. I can't imagine having both me and my husband going to the doctor all the time. I hope you are enjoying your new home and both of you get through this next step in treatment without incident. Take care!
  • babs49242
    babs49242 Member Posts: 193
    #5
    LesleyH said:

    So glad to hear you are through the worst - and it is the worst. Taxol was much easier. I was able to walk my 5 miles every day on Taxol which I could not do on the A/C!

    As Sue said, watch a couple of things. I had a severe allergic reaction to the Benadryl and so they could not give that. I ended up in the ER. I did get some peripheral neuropathy which still flares up sometimes. Oh, and I lost a couple of nails. Sue suggested painting them. I would check with the onc first. My onc did not want me to paint them as the nails are very porous at that time and you can absorb the polish. Instead she liked to look at them. She suggested rubbing them with tea tree oil. That stuff smells really bad but does seem to help.

    The big thing with Taxol is to have someone with you in case you have an allergic reaction. It comes on suddenly and you are not able to call anyone. Fortunately, I had a visitor in the next chair who could call the nurse.

    Your family is going through a lot here. My very best wishes.

    Hugs.

    Lesley

    Another product to use for your nails is unrefined SHEA BUTTER. I used this mixed with coco butter cream or coconut oil and it is
    wonderful. It is all natural. I used this for my radiation burns also. My dr was amazed at the results! I do have this product on hand if you'd like to email me....
    take care :)
    Cindie
  • carmon
    carmon Member Posts: 5
    #6
    Hey Kathy, I am on Taxol and steriods now. I had my second of 4 treatments this past Friday. I am so bloated and retaining so much water that my legs dont want to move. My ankles were swollen this weekend but they have gone down. My energy level is very low and stairs are an adventure. I try to think that there are so many who have it worse than i do and i dont want to complain but its hard for me since i had never been sick b4 this. My nurse tells me my nails will turn brown too but so far so good. My hair is gone. What i hadnt shaved off fell out in about 4 days last week so i got rid of the last few strands that were hanging on. I take a multivitamin every day and my appetite has increased. oh lay off the sweets. my doctor says too much sugar can make you diabetic

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