Taxotere and Cytroxan Chemotherapy

sherria49 said:

Hi Sally!
Our treastments are the same! I just went through my 1st T/C treatment, and I'm happy to say, just a few minor side effots. First couple of days were good (I'm working) buy Friday, I felt like I had the flu, legs, were achey, a lil diarreah, tired.

My next treatment is on Monday. Ready to go!!

You can do it! I also take steroids day before, day of, and day after! They keep me awake all night. Asked my onc for some sleep aids. He gave me Ambien but only for the same days I take steroids. Also am taking Claritin for acheyness starting the day before chemo and for the 6 days.

Dr warned me about the hair loss. Everday after my 1st chemo I would pick at it. Finally on exactly the 15th day it started come out. I went to bed with a sleep cap on so I wouldn't have hair all over my bed. The next morning I shaved it completely off. This I CAN control!!

This is very doable! There will be many of our sister here to help you through this stage and all the other stages you will be going through. Continue to post for venting, questions, happy days, not so happy days!

I'm sending cyber ((((((hugz)))))

pitt said:

I also had this same
I also had this same cocktail and I just finished the first week of December. For me, the worst part was waiting for it to start and not knowing what to expect. I will gladly point out that you will have drugs to deal with your side effects. Your first treatment is going to last longer than all of the others. (They go extra slowly the first time to see how your body handles everything.) Take plenty of water, snacks, magazines, book, dvd/movie, etc. ...whatever you need to help you pass the time away.

Good luck! Keep posting on how you're doing and never hesitate to ask questions.

Pitt

Marlene_K said:

Sally
I get taxotere & cytoxan but with adriamycin also. I will have 6 cycles and will have my 4th on Christmas Eve morning. They administer steroids intravenously right before treatment. I feel fine for the first two days. When I get my Neulasta shot the day after, the aches and fatigue set in for a couple days (I call it my chemo weekend). My sessions are on a Thursday and by Saturday, all I want to do is lay around. I try to do things but I get winded easily. By Monday, I'm feeling much better and slowly creep up to feeling good (not myself, but definitely good). Three weeks is a decent amount of time and being as you only have 4 of them, it will go very fast for you. I get a little bit of constipation for a few days post chemo, but have been eating Activia once a day and this has kept me fairly regular. Of course, as most, I lost my hair. The first day it started coming out in the shower, I went and had my head buzzed. I didn't take it all off, but little by little, most of it came out. To this day, I still have peach fuzz on top of my head... nothing I would go out in public with, but it didn't all completely fall out.

All in all, it didn't turn out nearly as bad as I imagined it to be. A nurse at my oncologist's office said she can remember administering chemo with the needle in one hand and a vomit bag in the other, but today it is so different. No one should have to endure any side effects because there are so many drugs out there to counteract them.

I have also been gargling with salt water & baking soda every night beginning the night before my first treatment. I had read someone's post on here that it helps with mouthsores. I haven't had any mouthsores and also have not lost my tastebuds...not really sure if there is any correlation but I like to share this... just in case.

There's not too much anyone can say to give you peace of mind, Sally, but as so many on here have said, it's 'doable'. After this week, I will be on an uphill slope and can't believe I can already say this. You will be halfway done after just two!

Take deep breaths, hold and let it out slowly. It helps with the anxiety. Also, I was prescribed Xanex to help with anxiety. I still take it at night to aid in getting sleep. It helps me alot. My doctor also administers it intravenously before treatment and whenever I don't have a friend sitting next to me talking, I can actually fall asleep while getting treatment!

Continue to post here, Sally. There are so many wonderful ladies & a few men that can help get you through any & all of your concerns.

I wish you the best with getting through that 1st treatment!

Hugs ~ Mar

pattimc said:

Same cocktail
Hi Sally,

I had the same cocktail as you're having. The main side effects I had were achy bones and joints about day three and being tired. Oh, and no taste buds and the hair loss. I finished on October 9th and about a month later started to lose my eyelashes and eyebrows. Not all of them but I noticed it. I am happy to report that "all" my hair is growing back nicely! Everyone reacts differently but it is very manageable. I worked through chemo and only missed one day. I will be finishing up radiation on the 23rd of December. I'm finally approaching the end of my treatments!!!

Good luck....you'll do fine!

Zhentup said:

Seems no one is alone here!
Hi, my name is Leanne. I had my first cocktail this past Friday. So far so good with all the drugs they give before they start the big guns. I never felt nauseous at all, but with the meds no one should. I also wore Sea-Bands to my first session. I prefer to treat things as naturally as possible but I think it would be too much to ask for these treatments.

Back in 2001 I was on Interferon to kill Hep C, which I contracted during a blood transfusion back in 1968. They gave me nothing for nausea and it was very unpleasant. The ONLY thing that worked were the Sea-Bands. I've also used them if I've had an intestinal upset. It's acupressure that makes them work.

Back to my first treatment. I felt really quite good the first couple of days then the fatigue set in. I've just been tired ever since. Maybe I needed it after the whirlwind of lab tests and surgeries I've had since being diagnosed October 1st during my routine mammo. Because of the history in my family I decided to have not only the affected right breast removed but the left as well. I have handled most of the surgical stuff with a sense of humor because I've always been pretty well endowed (I lost almost 20lbs in the double mastectomy!) I'm 56 and have little concern for the loss at this point. My goal is to fight the cancer. I'll deal with prosthesis later! After all, I live in Maine-all the winter coats are great cover for a flat chest for me!

Take care all,
Leanne

mom62 said:

taxotere and cytoxan
Hi,

I've gone through 5 of 6 treatments. I have one every three weeks as well. I haven't had too many side effects, but as everyone says it's different for every person. Just know there is no need to suffer if you get any. There is a drug for everything and don't be afraid to ask for it. Hope all goes well. I have my last treatment on Jan 6th myself.