Taxol, Herceptin

Yes...we are all different but a lot is the same too and good to know. ..we worry less then I think. Kath.x

Hi Kath, thanks for replying. I also was not good for the first 10 days of AC and then came good. I haven't worked since I had surgery and will be off until I complete the Taxol and then the radiation therapy....I find the tiredness one of the biggest hurdles plus find I get short of breath very easily so can't do too much,

Had the first dose yesterday and overall it went well. Was very nervous about it all but my nurses were great at keeping me calm. I didn't sleep well last night but that's probably due to the high dose of steroids...today very sluggish but compared to how I felt the day after AC I feel good so that's a positive. Just gotta see how I go over the next few days and weeks. 

Thanks for letting me know about your experiences....it helps as it gives me an idea of what I can expect. My oncologist is good but sometimes I feel like he's not telling me the whole story. My nurses told me they don't want to overwhelm us with information but I'd rather know what could be ahead of me.

Glad to hear that your hair is growing back...what a lovely surprise. Good luck with your remaining two doses and hopefully everything goes well.

Marjorie xo

Hi Jane, so true about all we want is for it to go smoothly...dealing with the cancer is a big enough hurdle then having to go through this treatment just makes it all seem so much harder.

Hopefully having the next two weeks off will help you out so that it's all completed for you. My oncologist did mention to me yesterday that the fatigue will worsen as I go through as compared to the AC because of no break in between. Had my first dose yesterday and overall everything went ok...just gotta see how the next few days and weeks go. Feeling good today compared to how I felt after the AC so that is a positive.

Good luck with everything and hoping these last two weeks go smoothly for you.

Marjorie xo

Hi and congrats on nearing the 4 year mark....great being able to talk to people who have been on this journey. 

I had my first treatment yesterday and overall it went well....just gotta wait and see what the next few days and weeks bring. The first day after is going well compared to how I felt after the AC so that is a positive.

My nurse spoke a lot yesterday about nail care...she talked about how some nails might get affected and others will be fine, just like you mentioned. She also mentioned about how my hair might start to come back....fingers crossed.

Thanks for all your advice. Sending good wishes for the future.

Marjorie xo

Hi Bev,

Sorry to hear about not having the 4th dose....would make it frustrating putting treatment back, Hopefully the antibiotics will do their job and things will return to normal for you. Good luck with it all working out. 

Had the first dose yesterday and it all went ok....was very nervous about it all but my nurses were fantastic about helping me through it. Just got to see how everything goes now over the next few days and coming weeks.

Take care

Marjorie

Hi Marjorie,

Well, I didn't have my scheduled fourth treatment yesterday as my white blood cell count was too low. So just be aware that this is also an unwanted side effect. I have an infected wisdom tooth and mouth ulcers which I am takings antibiotics for now. Hopefully all will be back to normal next week and treatment can continue. 

Bev

I read a comnent on this site I believed is perfect....it is not better...just different.

So on AC I was sick or flat for 10 days then not too bad, able to do some light exercise and get out a bit. I wasn't able to work though. When I started taxol I had a reaction the 1st time...easily managed and needed a very high premed for the next 3 doses. For around 4 to 5 rounds I only had 2 bad days in the week...day 3 and 4. I experienced quite a lot of joint and muscle pain. I also get trunkal oedema which causes puffiness in my chest and causes my cording to get really tight. Wearing a tight singlet helps but occasionally I even then get facial swelling and leg swelling...the fluid dispersed. Massage helped. The oncologist believes it is the steroids causing the fluid issues .

I am now up to dose 10. The last 3 doses have meant increasing fatigue and pain in joints, back pain and transient nerve pain. I've  fallen over a few times due to balance and spacial orientation issues. I now get severe gastritis resulting in gut pain, wind and bloating. Taste buds are right out. I initially had weight gain but it is now starting to reverse slowly. The weekly committment and blood tests are grueling. My skin is very sensitive also. My toenails get sore and one is lifting. All nails are brittle and flake. I have not been able to work due to both physical affects and mental exhaustion.

The bonus. ...my hair is growing back everywhere and quickly whilst still under treatment. I haven't had any mouth issues or neutropenia problems. I can do some exercise 2 days a week and trying to do a bit more to help with fatigue.

I have 2 more doses left....and despite it all...it is totally doable. Goodluck. Kath x

Hi Marjorie,

I had AC chemo, and am now up to my 10th of 12 Taxol, although I won't be having Herceptin. Taxol is easier to handle, but what I have found is that with AC,by the third week after a dose, I would feel pretty much normal, however with Taxol, I never quite felt back to normal at any stage, although I didn't have the extreme lows of AC. Now that I am nearly finished Taxol, I do find it is catching up with me, and feel quite fatigued. The dr has just given me the next two weeks off work to make sure I get to the end. I also had an allergic reaction to the first dose of Taxol, which means extra pre meds for me each dose.

Good on you for finishing AC, that is an achievement. Good luck with the rest of your treatment. We all just want it to go smoothly, huh, not much to ask! Jane

Hi Marjorie

Best wishes for the rest of your treatment. I had a very easy run on A/C - no nausea, fatigue or anything else so when I say Taxol was worse, bear that in mind! Taxol is hard on soft tissue - so blurry eyes, bloody nose. It may also affect your finger and toenails - some people lose nails, more get discolouration and splitting. My fingernails were only slightly affected - some ridges and barely perceptible brownish colour, but my toenails went black, brown, grey and chalk white and split. Two remained completely normal throughout - go figure! I also lost a lot of my tastebuds.

All of these recovered as soon as the treatment stopped. I had lost my hair before, but it started growing back while I was still on Taxol which was an unexpected delight. 

The one to watch is peripheral neuropathy - it starts with pins and needles in the fingers, can affect all your extremities (hands and feet) and can linger long after you finish treatment. Seek advice from your oncologist if this starts - reduced dosage, vitamin B or other treatment may help.

I am heading for my 4 year post diagnosis mark, am well, and I hope you have a good run for the rest of your treatment.

Thanks Prudencerose for replying and letting me know of your experience. Sorry to hear about your fingers...hopefully switching to the docetaxel will work out well and you get through the remaining few weeks without any problems.

Love your motto....this is what I also think. I never thought I'd get through the AC but it's over YAY and I know that the next 12 weeks will one day be done as well.

Take care....sending hugs your way

Marjorie