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Andrea Barnett Budin · 05-31-2013, 01:16 PM

When I was on Taxotere, I woke up every morning with the need to blow my nose -- profusely. For 1/2 hr every day mucous and blood came out. I'd use up half a box of tissues every morning. And I started to wonder, Was the blood coming from my brain???!!!

Next time I saw my onc I asked. He gently smiled, repeated the question, and firmly told me, That is impossible. There is no opening from your brain to your nose. The blood is not coming from your brain. It is probably coming from dried mucous membranes.

What a relief. (I honestly never even thought of -- NOSE METS...) Our imaginations are so amazingly creative. We go in all directions, and as a ca patient, we tend to get carried away.

It is good though, to report every and any side effect to your onc. No question is stupid. Just asking...

BTW, NeDenise -- Smackdown is such a good word! The imagery that it evokes is so badass...! Can I say that?

))
Andi

05-31-2013, 01:16 PM	#26
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	Re: Smackdown Round 2! When I was on Taxotere, I woke up every morning with the need to blow my nose -- profusely. For 1/2 hr every day mucous and blood came out. I'd use up half a box of tissues every morning. And I started to wonder, Was the blood coming from my brain???!!! Next time I saw my onc I asked. He gently smiled, repeated the question, and firmly told me, That is impossible. There is no opening from your brain to your nose. The blood is not coming from your brain. It is probably coming from dried mucous membranes. What a relief. (I honestly never even thought of -- NOSE METS...) Our imaginations are so amazingly creative. We go in all directions, and as a ca patient, we tend to get carried away. It is good though, to report every and any side effect to your onc. No question is stupid. Just asking... BTW, NeDenise -- Smackdown is such a good word! The imagery that it evokes is so badass...! Can I say that? )) 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...