So far, so good -- I think

Thought I'd give an update...

The Taxotere, as promised, doesn't seem to make me very nauseous, thankfully (YAY!). I felt a bit queasy on the first and second day, but admittedly some of that may have been nerves.

Speaking of nerves, so far I have had faint symptoms of some slightly numb toes on one foot and the side of my hand felt a little tingly. I say these symptoms are faint because at this point I can't be sure if they are my imagination or what. Truth be told it's possible I am being hyper vigilant.

Part of the reason things might be going better than expected is because at the last minute my oncologist switched me to a different infusion schedule. Rather than going every three weeks I am having weekly infusions...this means the drug enters my system in smaller doses at one time. It is supposed to be equally as effective and the same amount of Taxotere is administered over all, but in smaller quantities there has been some evidence of less side effects, such as the neuropathy I fear.

I am also going to be taking some supplements that have been shown to help combat neuropathy, such as increased B vitamins, Melatonin and the amino acid L-Glutamine (all w/doc's approval).

These frozen mitts are something I'm considering, too -- they look like boxing gloves that you freeze and wear on your hands during the infusion (or they have booties for you feet, as well). They have been shown to prevent fingernail loss, something else Taxotere causes, and the thinking is they may also protect the periphery nerves which are most vulnerable to damage from taxanes. However they are darned expensive considering you have to buy at least 2 pairs and there is concern that if used improperly they may actually hasten nail toxicity (and possibly nerve damage) by causing something called a vasodilation reflex -- in a sense if the gloves lose their coldness too soon it can cause an opposite reaction and open up the blood flow more, creating better circulation which is the complete opposite of what you want...so I'm not sure about using them. Additionally, the lymphedema therapist I saw suggested that prolonged exposure to cold can be a trigger for lymphedema, so I'm left wondering which would be worse, neuropathy or lymphedema...and which would be more likely? Don't know.

But otherwise, all in all as of now I am doing okay, which is great news for a change :D Tomorrow I go for my second infusion of 12 total. My last infusion is April 15th...not normally a day one celebrates, lol, but believe you me, it will be a freakin' huge happy day for moi!

That's it for now...until next time, thanks for reading!