Starting taxol/herceptin treatment on tues.

mariapiedra · 08-23-2008, 07:36 PM

Hi All, I've had my lumpectomy & I've got my port in, so I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be to start treatment.
I start this Tuesday bright and early; I'm scheduled to do 12/wks once a week of taxol & herceptin. Then I'll continue with just herceptin until next August. At some point I'll get 5weeks of radiation. But right now I can only deal with one thing at a time. I'm hoping you can share with me some tips or suggestions (diet, exercise, etc.) on what I can do to make the treatment go smoothly - if that's even possible. I've been reading many of your posts on the side effects of chemo & herceptin and I want to run the other way... Thanks, Maria

Joan M · 08-23-2008, 08:15 PM

Maria,

I found Taxol and Herceptin to be pretty tolerable. I worked while taking them. After awhile the Taxol causes tingling and weakness in the fingers. Sometimes also in the feet, but I didn't have that. When you finish your treatment it will go away and you'll feel fine.

Good luck on Tuesday!

Joan

Mary Jo · 08-24-2008, 05:40 AM

Hi Marie,

Praying that Tuesday and each treatment after that is uneventful for you.

Keep us posted and "ask" away....ANY questions you may have. We're all here for you.

Prayers surrounding you Marie.....

Mary Jo

BonnieR · 08-24-2008, 09:16 AM

Hi Maria. I understand the feeling of wanting to run the other way! We have all been there. But the point is, we HAVE all been there and we are all at different stages of getting through it. The anticipation is the worst part in some ways. Next week you will be in the process and will find your rhythm.
On a practical level, dress comfortably and warmly. Treatment rooms can be chilly. Bring something to distract yourself. Reading, iPod, or whatever. I started a journal. The drugs made me hungry. Bring snacks.
At home stock up on easy to prepare food and snacks. Cans of Ensure to drink if you don't feel like eating.
Keep the faith. Keep us posted.

Terri B · 08-24-2008, 10:09 AM

Maria,

I just finished my 12 weeks of taxol/herceptin.. here's how the weeks went for me:

treatment day: felt pretty good, very sleepy/groggy from the benedryl. I would go home and sleep til about 4 in the afternoon, then, the steriods would keep me up the rest of the night!

day 2: groggy from not sleeping the night before, but actually kind of jacked up from the steriods.

day3: coming down from the steroids, the fatigue would set in. For me, that meant feeling "sleepy" all day.

day 4: more fatigue

day 5: rebounding

day 6: felt GREAT. able to do chores, excersize, socialize.

day 7: more of day 6. preparing for treatment day again.

On the downside, i have one bad nasty mouth sore that really gave me problems for about two weeks, but it's getting better now. Also, at the beginning of treatment, I had allergic reaction to the taxol. After trying different things for two weeks, they settled on giving me the infusion slower (1 1/2 hours instead of 1 hour), PLUS they upped my dose of benedryl to 50mg (from 25).

On the GOOD side, I still have a headfull of hair!! Granted, the next round that i'm going to start in September will probably knock it all off my head, but i still have it now!!

I had crispy feeling feet. isn't that weird? Other than that, It was VERY tolerable for me.

GOOD LUCK girl. You will do GREAT!

carstell · 08-24-2008, 11:58 AM

I think that I did pretty well with the Taxol/Herceptin combo. I did it the 12 week rout too. I did get some peripheral neuropathy in my left foot that I am still dealing with. My biggest complaint was bone pain. I was really achey. I found that alieve helped, and knowing my limits. I would really hurt if I did too much. You will be tired. Just remember to be kind to yourself!
Cheryl

Sheila · 08-24-2008, 01:45 PM

Maria
I consider myself pretty much a Taxol Diva, since I have been on it for 10 months straight, then a 2 month break, now 3 more months, all the time with Herceptin...I did lose my hair, but it actually begins to grow back while on it....I am tired the day of treatment, from the Benedryl...i always get 50mg IV, and then when it starts wearing off, I have the steroids kicking in...i got 8mg Dexamethasone IV...which allows be to get maybe 45 minutes of sleep the night of treatment, then I can't imagine why I am dragging the next day....but that night I sleep like a baby. I have had some indigestion problems from the Taxol....Pepcid is my best friend....other than that the only symptom lately is shortness of breath for a couple days after treatment...and a bright red face the morning after...both could be a slight reaction since we were lowering the steroids. Hope this helps, I have found them both very easy to tolerate....just wish my eyebrows would return!

carstell · 08-24-2008, 05:38 PM

Sheila- I totally forgot about the red face! I would get red cheeks the day after Taxol. It would sting for the first day, then get better over the next few days. I can't believe I forgot about that!! I had to start Pepcid also. My hair started to grow back around treatment #10 of 12. Just getting my eyebrows back now. I am 1 1/2 month out.

Cheryl

mariapiedra · 08-24-2008, 06:16 PM

Hello All, I appreciate your help. Once again you've given me a lot of great advice. I didn't think to dress comfortably or to bring snacks. I would have went in my shorts & flip flops, trying to savor the last days of summer. Blessings, Maria

sarah · 08-25-2008, 06:31 AM

Hello,
I did once a week for 6 months, it was fairly tolerable - fatigue was the main problem and gaining weight. My feet did swell and I slept with them raised.
good luck
sarah

Terri B · 08-25-2008, 06:35 AM

I forgot about the red face!! I thought that was from the steroids!!

PinkGirl · 08-25-2008, 10:13 AM

Hi MariaGirl

I think everyone has covered the possible side effects.
I agree with Bonnie, the anticipation of your first treatment
can be the worst part of it. You will be proud of yourself for
getting through the first one and will be prepared for the
rest of them. Chemo teaches us how strong we really are.
Good luck tomorrow. I am glad you will be getting that first
treatment done with. I know you will be fine!

Believe51 · 08-25-2008, 11:16 AM

I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you get your first treatment. The girls have said it all, as usual they have 'ya covered. One day, one step, one moment at a time. Best of luck>>Believe51

juanita · 08-25-2008, 06:01 PM

Don't be afraid to ask for help! You need to let your body rest as much as you can! I'll think of you tomorrow and say an extra prayer that all goes well.