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Andrea Barnett Budin · 03-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Oh Michelle, This stinks. I was on Taxotere for 9 mnths and it was hellish. However, it did slowly but surely shrink every one of my multiple tumors throughout my liver, so it did it's job. I lost 33 lbs. But I did that over 9 mnths. I ate practically nothing.

I took dexymethazone the day before and the day of. I took Zofran (major anti-nausea med that knocks you out) and I kept a supply (cause it was a Godsend). For less nauseous moments, semi-queasy yucky feeling -- I took Phenergan. And that did the job. I did not vomit. I thought I was about to a lot, but the meds helped enormously. Major retching will surely start to hurt your throat! (Cepacol spray kind of freezes your throat so it hurts way less. Plus sucking on any candy will help get your salivary glands works which will help.)

ARE YOU DRINKING 10 GLASSES OF BOTTLED WATER A DAY??? EVERY SINGLE DAY??? LIKE IT'S A PRESCRIPTION??? You do not want to dehydrate. That is crucial to your health and well-being. I had this drummed into my head by several oncs and nurses. I stuck w/the program!!!

You should not be suffering this much. You need meds that work for you! If one fails, ask for an alternative. (For me Kytril and Compazine were useless, I quickly learned, and found my way to Phenergan.) Now I know I am talking about '98-'99. And I am talking about the U. S. But I am certain you have access to meds that will take your vomiting away! Please pesevere.

I am sending you a huge hug and lots of healing, positive energy, Michelle. First thing Monday morning, get on this! Sure, your onc should be taking this situation of yours to heart. But, no doubt, he/she is busy as heck and just can't love you as much as you do... So, Michelle, you have to take charge! Call and ask and keep on pressing till you get results. One med will work on one person, another will need another. No 'splaining it. It just is. With LOVE and LIGHT, my friend,
Andi

03-15-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Sending Strength And Courage Express To You... Oh Michelle, This stinks. I was on Taxotere for 9 mnths and it was hellish. However, it did slowly but surely shrink every one of my multiple tumors throughout my liver, so it did it's job. I lost 33 lbs. But I did that over 9 mnths. I ate practically nothing. I took dexymethazone the day before and the day of. I took Zofran (major anti-nausea med that knocks you out) and I kept a supply (cause it was a Godsend). For less nauseous moments, semi-queasy yucky feeling -- I took Phenergan. And that did the job. I did not vomit. I thought I was about to a lot, but the meds helped enormously. Major retching will surely start to hurt your throat! (Cepacol spray kind of freezes your throat so it hurts way less. Plus sucking on any candy will help get your salivary glands works which will help.) ARE YOU DRINKING 10 GLASSES OF BOTTLED WATER A DAY??? EVERY SINGLE DAY??? LIKE IT'S A PRESCRIPTION??? You do not want to dehydrate. That is crucial to your health and well-being. I had this drummed into my head by several oncs and nurses. I stuck w/the program!!! You should not be suffering this much. You need meds that work for you! If one fails, ask for an alternative. (For me Kytril and Compazine were useless, I quickly learned, and found my way to Phenergan.) Now I know I am talking about '98-'99. And I am talking about the U. S. But I am certain you have access to meds that will take your vomiting away! Please pesevere. I am sending you a huge hug and lots of healing, positive energy, Michelle. First thing Monday morning, get on this! Sure, your onc should be taking this situation of yours to heart. But, no doubt, he/she is busy as heck and just can't love you as much as you do... So, Michelle, you have to take charge! Call and ask and keep on pressing till you get results. One med will work on one person, another will need another. No 'splaining it. It just is. With LOVE and LIGHT, my friend, Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...