Day One: Taxotere and Cytoxan Chemo Treatment - My Personal Journal

Today was my first day of chemo treatment for Breast Cancer. I have decided to create a daily journal of my side effects in order to help other people who will be going through this or are deciding whether or not they should do chemo. Because my Onco Type DX score was 20, I did not have to do the chemo. You can see my explanation here as to why I decided to go ahead with the treatment.

My appointment was for 8:40 AM. They called me in at 9:00 AM and took my blood pressure, weight and temperature. After that they directed me to a room where quite a few people were sitting in chairs. I was told to sit in an empty chair the corner of the room. The nurse put an IV in my hand and connected it to a bag of saline. Then she gave me a glass of water and and two steriod pills. After I took the pills she told me that she was going to hook up a small bag of Decadron.

What Decadron Is Used For:

  • As an anti-inflammatory medication.  Decadron relieves inflammation in various parts of the body.  It is used specifically to decrease swelling (edema), associated with tumors of the spine and brain, and to treat eye inflammation.
  • To treat or prevent allergic reactions.
  • As treatment of certain kinds of autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, asthma and other lung conditions.
  • As treatment for a variety of cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.  
  • To treat nausea and vomiting associated with some chemotherapy drugs.
  • Used to stimulate appetite in cancer patients with severe appetite problems. 
  • Also used to replace steroids in conditions of adrenal insufficiency (low production of needed steroids produced by the adrenal glands).

 
After the bag of decadron was emptied she told me that I would have to wait a half hour to make sure I don't have a reaction to it. I though it was funny that it could be possible that I would have a reaction to a drug that was being given to me to prevent me from having a reaction to another drug. But luckily I had no reaction to any of them.


The second bag the connected to my IV was Cytoxan. The side effects are as follows:

  • Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
  • Hair loss. Temporary - usually begins 3-6 weeks after the start of therapy.  Hair will grow back after treatment is completed although the color and/or texture may be different.  
  • Nausea and vomiting, more common with larger doses, usually beginning 6-10 hours after therapy.  
  • Poor appetite 
  • Discoloration of the skin or nails (see skin reactions).

While the Cytoxan bag was still dripping a nurse came by and offered me a drink and a snack. I took a cranberry/raspberry juice box and some oreo cookies.

As soon as that was done they connected the Taxotere. These are the side effects:

  • Low white blood cell count (this can increase your risk for infection) 
  • Low red blood cell count (anemia) 
  • Fluid retention with weight gain, swelling of the ankles or abdominal area.
  • Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in your fingers and toes) may occur with repeated doses. 
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea 
  • Mouth sores 
  • Hair loss 
  • Fatigue and weakness 
  • Infection 
  • Nail changes (color changes to your fingernails or toenails may occur. In extreme, but rare, cases nails may fall off. After you have finished treatments, your nails will generally grow back.)

They normally use the Taxotere first, but since this was my first time they wanted to do it last in case I had any side effects. The nurse told me that most people get sinus symptons from Taxotere. I asked her how soon they get the reaction and she told me that some people get it while still connected to the IV. Luckily I did not have any sinus problems today.

After the Taxotere bag was empty the nurse flushed my system with the Saline. That just means that she speed up the drip. When that bag was finished she took out the IV and told asked me if Ihad any questions. I asked her if I could live my life as normal and eat as I normally do. She told me that I should eat now while I feel good because soon I will be too quesy and sick to eat. She also told me to stay away from sick people because my immune system would be lowered. She also told me to avoid physical contact with other people (like hugging or shaking hands) as much as possible and that I should wash my hands often. She also warned me to flush the toilet twice everytime I use the restroom so that I could be sure to flush all the chemicals.

The entire chemo process took 3 1/2 hours. The time went by very fast. The chairs recline and are comfortable.

After the treatment I went out to lunch and had some soup and a soda. Before and after my treatment I have be drinking a lot of water, because I have heard that chemo can make you very dehydrated.

It has been seven and a half hours since I finished my treatment and I feel good and energetic. I am having some symptons of acid reflux, but that is nothing new for me. I have a softball game in an hour and have decided to go ahead and play. I just won't be going out for pizza and beer after the game, like I usually do.

I will update this blog daily while I am going through chemo. If you subsribe by e-mail or RSS you will be updated with my entries. Hopefully I will be feeling this good tomorrow, I have a party to go to for my Nephew, who is finally home from Iraq.

I would really like to hear any comments or questions. Please feel free to add one below.

 If you would like to talk to others or share your story, I have created a forum for discussion.
 


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Morning Weight: 130.5      Calories Consumed: 2207




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I created some Breast Cancer Shirts that I have for sale on my site at YouDeserveIt.com
I created these after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I tried to find shirts for sale on the internet and was shocked at the high prices. So I decided to make some myself. Your purchase of any of these shirts will help me in my battle of breast cancer. If you have a suggestion of a shirt I will try to make it. Please let me know what you think by submitting a comment.


                
                      $20.00                                                            $23.00     



   
                
                        $20.00                                                              $18.00

Posted by Yosemite at 3/20/2009 8:00 PM
Categories: Breast Cancer
 

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