My TC journey: Taxotere (docetaxel) & Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

@srobinet
Powdered butter is a powder that my son found to put in my smoothies, it's yummy. Not sure where he got it from. Probably a health food store makes it stay thicker longer.

Powdered peanut butter is available at most grocery stores. There may be generics but I use PB2. Takes a bit to figure out the correct mix to use it as actual peanut butter but easy to mix it with things to get a pb flavor. I think there’s also a new one with chocolate

@missycat I was interviewed for a cancer podcast, shared how I processed, self care, managed emotions and cultural bias. I have a bigger tribe now that watch over me.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cancer-caregiver/id1504166813

Hello everyone, I had my first Chemo treatment on 4/9. I was surprised that the nausea or getting sick has not been a problem. I have had a headache almost every day and sometimes it last all day. I am also alternating between having hot flashes and being freezing cold. I am 62 so I am post menapausal can't blame it on that. I have developed stupid mouth blisters on the inside of my lips. Yesterday and today were days 4 and 5 and the fatigue was worse. My hair is extremely dry and my scalp is sore. Does the mean my hair will start falling out soon? When should I start to feel better? I go for a Toxicity screen on Thursday. I've never heard of that so what are they looking for?

Your care team should be able to help you with some of the side effects. If you don’t have a team the nurses at your chemo site should be able to help you. Please call them. I was given information about side effects as what I could do. But, I also called. You may be able to rinse your mouth with a warm salt water and baking soda solution. You may be able to take something for your headaches. My scalp did start being sore as I started losing my hair. It was better in time. My hair stylist helped me with my hair as it was falling out. I got a wig and head coverings . The fatigue is normal, rest when you need to. You will get through this. One of my friends told me if my hair was falling out, then the cancer is being removed too. Take care.

Dr told me I would start hair loss at 3rd week but it actually started 2nd week. Gone in a weekend but I had no problems with pain or discomfort with it. For me, the mouth was a real problem - ulcers, sores, loss of taste, tooth movement. I was told to use non alcohol antibacterial mouthwash several times a day it it helped. I’m still having problems over 2 years later and don’t know if it’s still from that or from the ai therapy but just finished 4th crown in 18 months. Did have to deal with the nasty bone/muscle aches from the combination of chemo and Neulasta but usually ibuprofen would take care of that and it was only 2-3 days. As to the “toxicity screen”, can’t help you. It was never mentioned or done with mine.

I had my first infusion on 4/9. I was surprised that I felt ok all of that day and the next. Days 3-7 were not that great I had bone pain from the meds they give for white blood count and horrible mouth (actually on my underside of lip ulcers). I did not have hardly any appetite and lost 5 lbs since infusion day. Today is day #8 and I'm like a new person. I have felt 90% better all day. I actually ate a complete meal and was hungry. Does TC usually folllow this type of pattern or can it be different every time? Please comment on what you have experienced.

Chemo is cumulative. By infusion #3 I wanted to stop even though I had 1 more.
Doing TC every 3 weeks feels great at the 2nd or 3rd week, then its down again. Think of it like a Sine wave.

Also, be careful posting as you are going to hear many responses which will effect you emotionally. TC is tolerable.

chemo is different for everyone! I had a very rough time. Do research to help yourself out, you know you better than anyone. Good Luck

@angele2times
that's powdered peanut butter! Sorry! very bad typist!