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Trudy
Experienced user
Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 62
Location: Hershey PA
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 Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:46 am Post subject: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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My Mother will be starting her 5th round of Chemo today, Taxol (IV)
She is a trooper....
In the past several weeks I have noticed her fingernails are turning a dark brown color, plus her nails have developed ridges on them.
She says her fingertips are sore....
has anyone ever have this happen to them? She is on Lovenox injections daily b/c of blood clots...
any thoughts are always apprecitated
This forum is incredible and I thank everyone for the love and support that is always shown...
_________________
Trudy
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85 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008 |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1388
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Trudy,
Hmm... If this is what I think it is, usually this happens with Taxotere and not Taxol. Tea tree oil may help. Rub it into the cuticles and drip it under the nailbed as best as possible. You can hope the nails stay attached, but sometimes they lift. My husband had this problem with Taxotere and you could see lacy lines on his nails from each treatment cycle. It was weird. The darkening, purple, was stunning or so I told him.  It happened to both his finger and toes.
We were told that he should rub an triple anti-biotic into his cuticles, etc. several times a day from the beginning to try and fend off this from happening. Being a guy, he didn't do it.
Eventually they grew out, never lost the nails, and they were fine.
Soreness might be peripheral neuropathy -- it can be anything from a tingly numb sensation to outright painful. B6 was what was recommended before my husband started the Carbo/Taxol regimen. Run that by the doc, as ours said B6 did have some anti-oxidant properties and he wanted my husband to take as little as possible to get by. He could have taken up to 600 mgs. per day but, as he had no trouble, he scaled back.
Have the doc or nurses examine her to see what exactly is the root cause of the pain -- lifting nails or peripheral neuropathy.
Best of luck!
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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Trudy
Experienced user
Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 62
Location: Hershey PA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: Thanks! |
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Hi PBJ
Thank you so much for your insight into this nail problem. We were at the Doc today and Chemo and he said this is "normal" and does happen with some people....
He said that taking vitamins would not help becuase of Chemo....
I don't ask questions anymore, because that's what my Mom wants...
she told me on the way home today that she only has two more rounds of Chemo then she will be finished, the cancer will be gone...
...whew! That knocked my socks off, yet I tried not to let my heart show on my sleeve...
she really thinks she will be fine, no cancer, after she is "done" with Chemo...
She will be 85 years old on October 13th and I am having family here...
Right now, I am just drained...and talking....
somedays it is just so difficult because I know that this disease will eventfully take her ( like it did my Dad, he chose to do limited Chemo, as the cancer mets to his liver )
yet she believes the chemo will take it all away.....
thanks for listening...I appreciate it so much...it's all part of the process
_________________
Trudy
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85 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008 |
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Trudy
Experienced user
Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 62
Location: Hershey PA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Hello all,
Tomorrow, Thursday we will get the CAT Scan results for my now 85 year old mother. I am asking for prayer and clarity that we all will understand what the doctor will tell us and that we will not leave the office with unanswered questions.
Mom stated that she is ready for whatever it will be, but now wants to know all they can tell her.
Thank you all for being there
it means so much
_________________
Trudy
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85 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008 |
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dano
Moderator
Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 228
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:38 am Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Hi Trudy;
Sounds like your mom is coming around, it just hard for her, give her lots of love. Cancer is a war with many battles to be fought and cancer fights dirty. Not all doctors have the right words that communicate well to all patents, you may find an associate doctor that does a better job, doctors are busy and often the good doctors have helpers. This is how I got questions answered that my main doc avoided answering. Tell your mom that she has friends here.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993 |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1388
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:01 am Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Hi Trudy,
Good luck with the results today. I hope things go well. Please ask for a copy of the report because that's the best way to compare notes for yourself is by looking at the reports side by side. Take notes too if you need help remembering. I had crib sheets with questions every time we went to the doc.
You know I send all my good thoughts and prayers for successful results.
Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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Gillette
Senior User
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: ? side effects |
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 I take a folder everywhere we go, and take notes. I find I have had alot of questions answered here by the really great people that have been responding to you also. I have to ask my questions seperate from Bens' questions in the doctors office- I do not assume he will ask them. I have had really good responses from all so far. Good luck, and God Bless!
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Kathy: loving Ben, who at 51:4/08, seizure: dx. NSCLC st. 4. metsX1 to brain: 5/08-8/08 carbo/taxol 5 treat. 10/8/08- 2 mets to brain. 16WBR, 4 to tumors10/9-11/4/08. 12/9/08 ? lymph involvement, lung tumor recurring, new satallite. Alimta began 12/16/08, every 3 weeks. Living, laughing, and praying every day. |
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Trudy
Experienced user
Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 62
Location: Hershey PA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Hello all,
It has been an interesting day. The Doc told Mom that the tumor has not gotten any smaller but it still the same, I think the size is something like 16.5mm? cm? My mind was a blank for some reason this a.m.
He said they only do the 6 rounds of Chemo ( which she has completed, Taxol ) and now she is to give her body time to recover and wants to see her in a month and that they will do another CAT Scan in two months. He said she was in a stable condition.
SO later today Mom called me to her room and said to me. "When people ask me how my doc visit went I wil tell them I am in remission."
It sort of floored me and I as tactfully as I could said remission may not be the correct word and lead people to believe you no longer have the cancer when in fact you do...but the news was good that it did not appear to grow and the doc said you were stabilized...she seemed to take that okay...
It's moments like these that my emotions drain me...I do not feel I took hope away, yet I also don't believe one should have false hope either...
regardless, I wil continue to support her all I can....she really has done SO well and has an appetite, has not lost weight, still drives her car, and has had absolutely no pain.
so we will continue to refine the dance!
Thank you all for caring, it means SO much
_________________
Trudy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
85 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008 |
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Gillette
Senior User
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject: side effect of chemo |
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I think it is more like a roller coaster ride, than a dance, and a maniac is in charge. Cancer is too ugly- to find hope, and for her to feel better..
is priceless. Love to you both- God Bless...
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Kathy: loving Ben, who at 51:4/08, seizure: dx. NSCLC st. 4. metsX1 to brain: 5/08-8/08 carbo/taxol 5 treat. 10/8/08- 2 mets to brain. 16WBR, 4 to tumors10/9-11/4/08. 12/9/08 ? lymph involvement, lung tumor recurring, new satallite. Alimta began 12/16/08, every 3 weeks. Living, laughing, and praying every day. |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1388
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| Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Hi Trudy,
Stable is GOOD!!!! 
What a pickle it is for you to explain these things to your Mom, but you did a fine job. It's not taking away hope at all, but I DO understand the difficulty in balancing hope vs. reality. It's a real delicate issue. I'm glad she seemed to absorb this information.
So, a little break, huh? Sounds like the usual protocol. I mentioned in another post that the oncologist's often like to give the break and see what the cancer decides to do. I hope it is the slow growing type. Being on a break has it's own mental challenges to contend with too.
I'm so happy that she is doing well. What a blessing! Tell her (and you) to keep up the good work and enjoy the holidays without chemo being one of the gifts! Let's hope her REAL gift is remaining stable.
I agree with Kathy on the roller coaster, but never thought about a maniac in charge. LOL I like that little twist! 
Hugs and prayers,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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Trudy
Experienced user
Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 62
Location: Hershey PA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: Re: "?" Side Effect of Chemo |
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Oh PBJ,
Thanks for your wonderful words of support!
I am SO grateful that Christmas can be without Chemo and Doc trips, and I realize how fortunate we are for this.
She has an amazing spirit and I told the kids ( my children her grandkids ) let her go and do all she wants to do...ex: 85 and driving all over the place.
She plans on going to her 1941 High School class meeting, 45 minutes away from home on Tuesday!
And she will do it.
I usually drive her, but I have committments I cannot change
and she is sure dang to get there!
 and she will...
( I will worry pathetically till she gets home..oh well, I put her through that when I was a teen, now it's my turn!! HA!
I had to laugh too when I read Kathy's post that it is more like a roller coaster with a maniac driving....SO TRUE!!!!
SO I am holding on to what ever the days and months bring.
Thanks for riding this coaster with me.
You are a HUGE blessing to me and all of us here at the forum PBJ.
God Bless you LOTS!
Trudy
_________________
Trudy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
85 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008 |
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