Breast Cancer

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babebussie
babebussie Member Posts: 150
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi ladies, i'm new to the site and glad i joined because i could ask for help and advise for days.
I was diagnosed in december 07, had chemo in Jan, surgery in April (removed rt.breast) and i'm doing my 2nd set of chemo starting tomorrow, then radiation sometime in September. My question is this: when i first did chemo in Jan the meds were cytoxen and Ummmm, something, i don't quite remember! Anyway i felt fine the entire 4 treatments with no side affects what so ever. This next 4 chemo treatments will be with this med called Taxotere. I'm hearing crazy things thus far about this med. What are the main side effects i will have while on this med. I'm going on a cruise June 16th, will these treatments make my vacation a living hell. Please help!!!! I start chemo tomorrow at 10am.

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  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #2
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    As always, your Dr. is the best source of information about how it might affect you, personally, but this another area where each individual is different. You can go to chemocare.com to find information on specific chemo drugs...generic name, other names it might be called, what it's used for, all possible side effects (common and rare) and some ways the side effects are dealt with. your chemo nurses are another great source of info and help on dealing with side effects (they specialize in how to help patients be as comfortable as possible). Be sure to talk to your Dr. and nurses about the cruise, where you are going, what you should take with you in case of side effects, what dietary precautions you might need to think of, etc. you might also check with the cruise line on what kind of medical care might be available on board in case you need it. I think information is the best defence against fear, and I would rather ask too many questions than not enough.

    I think you are showing a very positive attitude to be going on a cruise during treatments. Live life as well as you can for as long as you can, right? Just ask your Dr. (Make a list of questions and write down the answers).

    Wish I could go on the cruise with you,,seof
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
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    The taxotere I took, taxol, was easier than the Adriamycin and Cytoxen. This is not true for everybody, but is generally true. The worse side effects I had were emotional. Think of emotional upheaval as a side effect and don't take it too seriously. It will pass. Have a fabulous cruise! love, Joyce
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #4
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    unknown said:

    The taxotere I took, taxol, was easier than the Adriamycin and Cytoxen. This is not true for everybody, but is generally true. The worse side effects I had were emotional. Think of emotional upheaval as a side effect and don't take it too seriously. It will pass. Have a fabulous cruise! love, Joyce

    That was the other drug,Adriamycin. I couldn't remember the name. Like i said i didn't have any problems with those two drugs at all but i'm hearing things about the taxotere. Thanks for your help!
    Has anyone else had any experience with taxotere, i really need to hear from someone that has had negative side effects.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
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    babebussie said:

    That was the other drug,Adriamycin. I couldn't remember the name. Like i said i didn't have any problems with those two drugs at all but i'm hearing things about the taxotere. Thanks for your help!
    Has anyone else had any experience with taxotere, i really need to hear from someone that has had negative side effects.

    The most negative side effects I had were: a quick fever after the first round only. Bone pain in my legs and a pulling feeling in my groin. I was taking Neulasta shots which cause the same, so hard to say which was responsible. Dragginess and a deep desire to be a couch potato. But exercise really helped the aches, so I walked a bit. Unforutunately, it is just so hard to predict. Some of the women who have had bad reactions may not want to write and get you down, because you just may "sail" through it fine! love, Joyce
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
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    Whew! If you didn't have side effects from the Adrimycin, you ARE my hero!!!!!! My first 4 (cytoxin/adrimycin) were cut to 3 becuase I had such a bad time....

    Taxol, the next 4, were ok....the biggest thing that I think made the difference for me? Water. Alot of it. I carried a quart container of ice water around with me...especially the day before, day of, and day after infusion. The only really striking side on the Taxol was I lost my eyebrows/lashes to this piece. I was generally pooped for the 4 days after infusion, but then, ok...
    I, like Joyce, got Neulasta shots also...my white cell count was very low. This you need to watch on the cruise...use the handy antibacterial sprays they offer at the food lines, and stay away from sneezers/coughers!! (With a low white count, I'm sure you know, you are open to infection.)

    So, where are you going on your cruise? I bet it will be great fun!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #7
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    KathiM said:

    Whew! If you didn't have side effects from the Adrimycin, you ARE my hero!!!!!! My first 4 (cytoxin/adrimycin) were cut to 3 becuase I had such a bad time....

    Taxol, the next 4, were ok....the biggest thing that I think made the difference for me? Water. Alot of it. I carried a quart container of ice water around with me...especially the day before, day of, and day after infusion. The only really striking side on the Taxol was I lost my eyebrows/lashes to this piece. I was generally pooped for the 4 days after infusion, but then, ok...
    I, like Joyce, got Neulasta shots also...my white cell count was very low. This you need to watch on the cruise...use the handy antibacterial sprays they offer at the food lines, and stay away from sneezers/coughers!! (With a low white count, I'm sure you know, you are open to infection.)

    So, where are you going on your cruise? I bet it will be great fun!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

    You ladies are wonderful and so helpful, thanks.
    My husband won the cruise through his job for being employee of the month/year of 07, so we sail for a 4 night cruise to mexico. I hear it's a great cruise ride just stay away from the drinking water which i will. I'm really excited! We both really need this after what we have been through these past 6 months.
    I'm getting ready for my treatments now. My appt is at 10am, it's 8:48 now.
    Once again thanks ladies. I'll have more questions later on i'm sure so until then thanks.
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #8
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    Oh, Babe. I'm going to tell you the tale of two women - both on cytoxan and taxotere. One had every side effect in the book and the other had (are you ready for this) only a salty taste in her mouth which went away after a week or so. So, my point is this ... everyone is unique and everyone experiences these "cocktails" differently. I was the woman with every side effect in the book. In fact, my son nicknamed taxotere, taxo-terrorism, because in my case, it seemed like it. But, I'm so glad that I had that combination. I know it was doing its job and meeting my unique chemo needs. I know that sounds silly, but I am grateful. I'm now having radiation with very little difficulty. Hang in there. Given your history with your other rounds of chemo, you could breeze through the cytoxan and taxotere, too, just like my friend with the salty taste in her mouth. Have yourself a wonderful cruise. Hugs, Marilynn
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #9
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    mgm42 said:

    Oh, Babe. I'm going to tell you the tale of two women - both on cytoxan and taxotere. One had every side effect in the book and the other had (are you ready for this) only a salty taste in her mouth which went away after a week or so. So, my point is this ... everyone is unique and everyone experiences these "cocktails" differently. I was the woman with every side effect in the book. In fact, my son nicknamed taxotere, taxo-terrorism, because in my case, it seemed like it. But, I'm so glad that I had that combination. I know it was doing its job and meeting my unique chemo needs. I know that sounds silly, but I am grateful. I'm now having radiation with very little difficulty. Hang in there. Given your history with your other rounds of chemo, you could breeze through the cytoxan and taxotere, too, just like my friend with the salty taste in her mouth. Have yourself a wonderful cruise. Hugs, Marilynn

    Hi Marilynn, i had my treatment this morning with the taxotere. The oncologist is only given me the one drug this time. I did the cytoxan and adriamycin on the first go-round. Now i'll have 4 treatments of this, once every 3 weeks.
    I just cooked dinner for the family and i feel good (praise god)! I thought i felt some burning sensation in my feet but that could be my imagination.
    Thanks for everyone's fast responses with my questions.
    Much luv,

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