Hello all!sorry I've not posted in a while; I'm doing well - Cancer: Breast Message Board

kdtexas1 · 08-29-2007, 07:00 PM

Hello my fellow friends;
I'm get my 3rd treatment of AC tomorrow. All is going very good; no sickness; just fatigue about the 2nd or 3rd day after treatment and the fatigue last a couple days. Also I'm not able to sleep so I'm taking 6.25 mg of ambien nightly. Still don't sleep without waking; but it is better than just lying awake all night. I have treatment on Thursdays so I use the weekend to recoup and back to work fulltime on Monday.

The fatigue is pretty strong; about a 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. Had to get shot last week for my red blood cells; it was just barely below where dr. wanted it to be.

My hair started coming out about day 18 and went ahead and had it shaved; so glad I did. I wear bandanas/do rags(sp?) and baseball caps to work and a wig to church. My husband had his head shaved too the same day we went to get my done; pretty emotional at the time; but I'm okay now; it will grow back!

My last treatment will be Nov. 8th.

Question: 1. Should I expect similar side effects from Taxol as the AC?
2. Also, my mastectomy site is still sore some; went to surgeon and he said yes, the area is pulling but in a while it will all relax again. Is that what ya'll have experienced?
3. I dislike my port. seems it has shifted some and raised up higher than before. Dr. said yes it probably has shifted and that some tissue has probably grown under it and caused it to be raised slightly. It's kind uncomfortable when I use my left arm very much or even gets a pain if I move it wrong; and hard to get comfortable to sleep.

love to all!
kd

cjammom · 08-29-2007, 08:39 PM

Hi there KD..was wondering how you were doing!!
Its been 4yrs for me since chemo, but yes I do remember the fatigue..I had taxotere instead of taxol so I cant answer that question..the taxotere was tough on my legs, had to keep rubbing them constantly and still have pain even now. I also remember the mast site being sore, and I do also remember the pulling feeling..I think thats all apart of the healing process.
I hated my port too...I have had it removed due to some pretty serious problems with it..can they flush it okay? are they having any problems getting the chemo into it at all? If you have more problems with it they can do an xray to check on its position..from what I have read most people do not have problems with their ports, and they remain in for years..I am in the minority..I havent ever spoken to anyone who had the same problem as I did, but KD let your onc know if anything about the port bothers you..just to be on the safe side.
Its so great that your husband is so supportive..it means so much, doesnt it?
I didnt do well with going bald..never did like the "look" on me!! but I do like much shorter hair now that it has grown back!
Its a tough journey..You must be looking forward to November!!
So where is the celebration!! Well be here to cheer for you!!
hugs KD...nice hearing from you!
cj.

JOJO39 · 08-29-2007, 08:40 PM

Hi Kd,
So glad to hear you are doing well, you are a strong person, 2 treatments down. That is great. Keep your head focused.
I had 4 AC treatments and 4 Taxol treatments. Just finished 2 weeks ago.
The taxol to me was much easier. Didn't need any nausea drugs.
The 3rd and 4th AC treatment hit me kinda hard. Just really wiped me out. I missed a few days of work with those treatments. I had my on Fridays. What bothered me the most is when I got the nuelasta shot, to increase the white blood count. I got the shot for the red blood count during Taxol. But that had no side effects. The nuelasta caused me bone pain.
The taxol made my legs ache for a few days. But was duable.
Acutally I had a double mast. On my left side I still have a lot of pulling. Actually having some pain a lot lately, when I move or stretch it hurts in one area. I think that takes a long time and you have to do stretching exercises.
I did not have a port.
Well 2 down congratulations, you are a tropper. Keep up the good work, before you know it, it will be over.
Take Care,
JoJo

kdtexas1 · 08-30-2007, 06:47 PM

JOJO and CJ:

JoJo if you didn't have a port how did they give the chemo? just a regular iv with needle in the hand? I would prefer that to this port. When I went today for my 3rd ac treatment they couldn't give it to me; they couldn't draw any blood and they can't give me chemo unless they are sure they are in the vein. so have to go in the morning to the hospital and have vena gram(xray of the port and central line) to see if clot is causing the problem or if the central line has come out of it's place. So was disappointed with that experience and probably missing a day of work tomorrow; will go for chemo tomorrow if they get the line cleared. But roadblocks come and go and I'll press on, after all "WE ARE SURVIVORS"; may have a weakened body but my spirit is strong.
will update tomorrow if I can. love and hugs, kd

JOJO39 · 08-30-2007, 09:08 PM

Hi Kd,
They gave me a IV with needle right in the crease of my arm, like where you would give blood. I had it in the same place all 8 times. Could not even feel it. Well don't let this get you down. You will be up and running in no time.
Yes, we are survivors!!!!! I found drinking tons of water the day before and the day of and the day after chemo helped me out. I did not do that the first 2 times. Then did it after. Also, I went to massage a few days before chemo and that really relaxed me and got me prepared.
Good luck tomorrow and let me know how you do,
Take care and prayers to you,
JoJo