Talk Cancer

Question:

Today, I was told that I will be getting a CAT scan & another test, before I can have the second Taxol chemo. Is this testing considered to be standard procedure, at this time during chemo?  Or might they suspect something is wrong?

I didn’t have any special testing during Taxol (other than the weekly blood tests), unless I developed alarming symptoms.  For example, I had a bone scan when I developed back pain.  However, Sue, I understand you have some pre-existing health challenges . . . is it possible they’re being a little more cautious with you because of those? Here’s hoping things go well! Ann T.

Response:

CAT Testing, Etc., Before The 2nd Taxol Chemotherapy Treatment?

My wife has had taxol treatment on two different occasions. A few years ago with a full dosage with combination of Doxorubicin three weeks apart. The treatment lasted for 5 months. I believe this was before Taxol was approved and we logged in some interesting reactions. It got approved somewhere within the  treatment. She is now in a weekly chemo regimen with Taxol alone. She has also had "cousins" of Taxol, taxotere. Low white count and neutrophil was common of the three week treatment. She also had a series of heart tests, but this was due to Doxorubicin (damages the heart). Most of the issues with taxol are due to allergic reactions. We logged in a few reactions that were minimized or eliminated with Benadryl premeds. Since I had such a bad reaction to the fourth AC chemo (difficulties breathing & standing, heart beating fast, etc., for a while), … the doc ordered a MUGA/heart test (before the first Taxol chemo was done), & the test came back OK.

These are typical allergic reactions. Usually premeds of Decadron and Benadryl should minimize these issues. Are you getting premeds? We had a scary case where my wife’s blood pressure drop so low she fainted right after treatment and we had to grbp a saline solution bag and squeeze it to find blood pressure. We later found out this was due to a combination of very low potassium and allergic reaction. After treatment she had saline solution drip for 30 minutes and this help her blood pressure. Tired!

Typically starts in the second day after treatment and last for 3-5 days when you feel extremely tired depending on red blood cells and hemoglobin. Procrit helps bring this up, but expensive ($2,000) per injection. If you want the gory details on taxol go to: http://www.bms.com/landing/data/index.html click at the link at the bottom on taxol. Good luck, my prayers go out to you and your family.

Response:

CAT Testing, Etc., Before The 2nd Taxol Chemotherapy Treatment? Low White Count, NEU, Neutrophil Count Today, I drove to Longview for the 14th-day bloodwork, & I just got back home. My white count was low (NEU 0.7), so I am now taking antibiotics (Cipro this time), which is the same/usual procedure for me now. The two previous times, the NEU dropped to 0.2 & 0.4, I believe. The good part is, that no matter how low the NEU drops, I am not getting sick, … partly because the doc puts me on antibiotics. As far as I can tell, the NEU is no big deal for me, & I dont have to take any special precautions. This is a good thing, because I am living in primitive (rough & tough) conditions, I feel weak/tired for much of the time now, & I cant get much done. Mostly, I am trying to rest & relax as much as possible, when I can. Testing Since I had such a bad reaction to the fourth AC chemo (difficulties breathing & standing, heart beating fast, etc., for a while), … the doc ordered a MUGA/heart test (before the first Taxol chemo was done), & the test came back OK. I feel better now, so I thought that everything must be OK. Today, I was told that I will be getting a CAT scan & another test, before I can have the second Taxol chemo. Is this testing considered to be standard procedure, at this time during chemo?  Or might they suspect something is wrong? ??? I asked the nurse this, but she did not answer. Tired! Today (Tuesday), there was a very bad & long-lasting rain/thunder/lightning storm here, … so I had to turn around & drive back home the first time. I waited about an hour or so (until the storm lessened a bit), before trying to drive to Longview again. Then, I had to strain to see through the rain, to be very careful on the wet highways, etc. Yesterday (Monday), I drove to Shreveport, to keep an appointment with a new counselor, to discuss my finding & joining a talk/support group there. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I have an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner who helps manage some of my medical care, & whom I havent seen for months now, … so we have a lot of catching-up to do. Thursday, I have an appointment in … During cancer care/treatment, a whole lot of time & energy seem to go into my keeping appointments, first for one thing & then for another. & Now I have appointments for more testing too. (sigh) I feel tired, so my words might not be making much sense tonight. Tomorrow will be a good day. Susan, Su_Texas  my opinions PS  Catherine H., today the fire-ants got me.  (Them pesky little critters!) The ants must have been super-active, because they knew that storm was coming. I quickly poured cider-vinegar on the ants & bites, & luckily, they didnt form blisters. However, I did feel sorta-dizzy for several hours, & I almost fainted a few times. I wonder if the fire-ant venom/poison, interacts with the chemo drugs in some way? So far, the snakes are semi-keeping their distance from me, for which I am extremely grateful. My German Shepherd (Rebel-Anne) doesnt like snakes, & she has killed a few. There are Lots of snakes here in East Texas, & I have to be very careful before I take each step, while I am outside.

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