Lynn…sorry, but I was actually smiling when I seen that you have a sore mouth with the TAX!! Maybe I’ll get that too & actually be able to stop eating for a while!!!
I’ve just eaten 4…YES FOUR!! Sweet & Sour spring rolls for lunch!! and I’m already looking around to see what I can devour next! It’s ridiculous…I’ve never been overweight in my life & my Wii fit takes great pleasure in telling me that I most definately am now!!! I wonder why we can’t crave salads & veggies?? Does it really have to be stodge??
…Aaaargh!! I refuse to buy bigger trousers!!..well maybe one pair won’t hurt! LOL
Love to all & Goodluck to the ladies entering into the land of nausea this week…I have a week & a bit still to enjoy!
Oh…almost forgot & can’t remember who it was (sorry). One of the newer ladies said they had the most horrendous stomach cramps after chemo & put it down to taking laxatives. I had the exact same thing(worse than childbirth!!), but I mentioned it to the chemo nurse & she said that it was probably the Domperidone as it (again sorry!!!) empties your bowels more quickly. She switched me onto prochlorperazine for the next cycle & I was fine. Still took the laxatives to counteract the Granisetron, as I take two of these on chemo day & the day after to stop me being sick in the morning (was wearing off too quickly). Just thought it would be worth sharing! LOL…the things we’ll discuss on here with women we’ve never met!! ;o)
Hi all you brave ladies Helen can’t believe the amount of trials you’re going through Thinking of you. Lyn good luck wih your charity shave tomorrow get your hat ready it’s dropping quite cold now. Looci How has 1st Tox gone not too bad I hope. Marli keeping up with me (when’s your next?) mines 9th long way to go yet. Jane, Hazel, Trumpet,Karen hope I haven’t forgotten anyone Keep up the good work we’ll see the bxxxxrs off. Feeling better than yesterday 6th day. Got my china elephant back from the lock-up, we were clearing out to move when this started up again,so needed my friend back as we’ll be going nowhere until next May at least. Ha Ho onwards and upwards. Thanks for being there. love Kath
hello Kayteedid - nice to have someone on the same path as me as eveyone seems to be further along the road, although it’s been reading all their experiences that have helped me face this. They face it all with such good humour and can really put a smile on my face. My next one is due the 9th too and I hope all stays well till then. Very few SE’s but sore mouth and yucky taste but I can cope with that. Strange thing is that my bad boob is now quite painful and the BCN reckons this is due to the chemo affecting the weaker, healing tissue. Anyone else found this a problem? Lokk after yourselves everybody.
Marli. x
Hi all, well…here we are, day 3 of my first Tax. I slept at my house last night, thinking I was big and brave, but have woken up pooped this morning. Will take up residence back at my folks for a few days. On the whole feeling better in so far as no nausea or sickness, but my energy levels have plumeted over night - ooo and hot flushes have kicked in too. I think like LynnB I might slump over the next few days - which will mean watching out that I don’t try and fight my body and go with the flow instead. Mmmm looking forward to my afternoon kip already! Sounds as though there are SEs for me to anticipate, so will behave and be patient…honest
Will have to reserve judgement on which is the harshest regimen for a while. Got any thoughts on that Lynn? Sounds as though you’re taking the SEs on the chin (you always sound bright), hope that’s how it is in reality for you too?
Thinking of the ‘new’ FEC girlies and pleased that our posts have been useful to you.
Good to hear from you - have been wondering how you have got on. Well I do try and be bright but have actually found the Tax much harder physically on the body. I think I was so bad with nausea that in a strange way this has been different - not better really. I am actually taking a bit longer to pick up than they expected - I still feel fluey and achey day 8. This is what I have experienced. No side effects for 2 days, upset on night of day 2 (I think coming off the steroids), bone pain for 3 days, could barely walk for 2 of them (stayed in bed for 2 and legs, knees very weak even walking to the loo). Bone pain better after 3 days, but feeling fluey ever since, achey, mild temperature since saturday and completely physically wiped out. Bad mouth, taste change, yuk metallic taste since Sunday, very very painful tongue with white blisters yesterday (not so painful today). I spoke to one of the docs today because I still feel pretty rough- they expect to see an improvement after around a week but some people take 8,9,10 days because their white cell count won’t be as good as others. This regime is tougher on the cells and bone marrow than FEC. She thought this might be the case for me. If I don’t pick up by then they will have me in for bloods but is not too worried as my temp has not yet gone above 37.5. I have also found that it has been tougher emotionally/psychologically - maybe because I haven’t been able to do anything physically or maybe the more we have the harder it gets - I’m not sure. I know that when I feel wretched all I do is moan and whinge but when I feel better I do bounce back, which is good. This is my honest account - I have found them equally tough in different ways. I was hoping to be one of the few that sail through it… I have come to the conclusion that I am not one of them!!
I would say if you need the painkillers, don’t hold back, just take them, they do ease the bone pain. Loocie we are getting there - it’s so hard but we are doing it.
Big positive hug to you and everyone else.
Lynn xx
Had the 2nd FEC a week ago, and it was worse than the first. Like a lot of people, it felt like a really bad depression. I wanted to do nothing and got bored when I did that. Now I’m starting to come out of it, I realise it was 'orrible. I have one more FEC and then on 30th Dec I start with the TAX - New Year? What New Year? oh well next year I’ll be drunk.
Hope the dark grey cold wet weather doesn’t stick around - oh yes it will!! (I usually do panto this time of year!)
What did the cowboy say to the car showroom salesman?
Audi
Lynn and Loocie, sorry it’s so hard for the two of you, sounds pretty gruesome, hope it eases up a bit and you don’t have too many to do.
I’m just coming out of my post FEC fug, lasted longer and harder this time, the worst side effect being the dreadful hot flushes, all day and all night, at hourly or less intervals - it’s unbelievable, they hit with no warning on day 5 and haven’t stopped since. I’m getting very depressed thinking this is to be my life from now on - not sure it’s worth very much to be honest. Although it’s winter I don’t have the heating on, am wandering round in a t-shirt, keep opening the windows and am still constantly boiling. The poor OH is sitting on the sofa shivering under a blanket and has to sleep in the spare room as I wake every hour and chuck the duvet off. God, will it ever stop? I had a hot flush in Waitrose yesterday and had to go and stand in the freezer section - thought I might just climb in there with the bags of peas lol.
Anyway, enough moaning and groaning, I do have a helpful tip for all you ladies suffering with dreadful headaches as I have for the past few days - felt like someone was drilling through the top of my skull. I moaned to my district nurse yesterday when she came to do my hickman line care and she said I was probably dehydrated to which I agreed but said I am struggling to drink anything. Has anyone found this? I can’t look at a cup of tea, struggle to drink a glass of water of which I normally glug several a day and can only really drink fruit juice which is horribly sweet. She recommended I try those isotonic sports drinks, as my electrolyte balance was probably up the spout too. So I hauled myself off to Waitrose (via the frozen peas) and bought a sports drink called Taut (yes, why would you call a drink that?) - it’s good because it contains no yukky sweeteners or salt. And I downed a litre of it in one go - so I obviously was dehydrated. I found the taste good and it just seemed to slip down easily. The headache has eased too - rather than a drill it feels like a needle today. Wish I’d had the tip earlier - try it if you are feeling you really can’t drink but need to.
Oh, thanks for that tip, thats just how i feel today… bit of a hangover headache!!! I also can normally drink loads of water, but at the moment it tastes vile!!!
Hi to you from Tax land - omigod what a strange place! But as Lynn says it has different challenges to that of FEC. Joint pain…I have pain mice that attack different areas of my body. Knees first, then hips, stomach, shoulders etc all very odd, but paracetamol keeps it under control. I’ve also been incredibly hot, not just flushes! Yuky! Tiredness is big but I haven’t been able to sleep in the day, and I did find that once I was out of bed, I perked up a bit.
My mouth is gross too, can’t taste anything and not even jelly could cut through the pile on my Tongue. Boo hoo feel horrid just thinking about it. I did get the Neutrelase injection which I was pleased about having read up on tax and neutrophils.
All you lovely FECrs will be able to do this, but it is a big ask and is a bit like starting again.
Running away now as I’m rambling…just psyching myself up for some dinner. No nausea just full and heavy and odd feeling! So eloquent…sorry loves
hi everyone,
i had my 3rd docetaxel a week yesterday and i have just tiled my kitchen, will probably be in agony later, but soooooo nice to achieve something good.
Its a step up for me and just wanted to share my joy with you.
take care
anna
Hi girlies,
Wow Anna you must be really pleased, are you finished now?
Loocie and Lynn, I know its not all pleasant but you make me feel not too scared about my first Tax which I have just been told is on the 7th. I’m so glad that nausea doesn’t seem to feature, do you think the pain is as debilitating in a different way? I’m hoping you find it clears to give at least one good week before the next lot. Do keep us posted as we are hanging on to your every word!!!
No pressure eh???
Back on the cheese straws again!!
Keep up the good work all you lovely ladies,
Love to you all,
Jane xx
hi Jane, 1 more docetaxel to go, on the 9th december. I have found the side effects more intense than the EC, but well, day 8 and tiling a kitchen so cant complain. I must admit my muscles are starting to protest, so will keep you posted as to whether i can move tomorrow. The fear of the unknown is the worst, just take a day at a time and deal with each side effect as it comes up and you will be fine. And drink lotsa water.
take care
anna
OMG Anna - I can’t believe you have been tiling your kitchen on day 8!! I remember reading your posts saying that the 1st Tax was the hardest though, so I am holding on to that thought because at the moment I am day 9 and nowhere near as good as you. I still have fluey aches and a slight fluctuating temp - I think my old white cells are struggling big time!
Jane - Having said all that…yes I think the aches and pains are just as debilitating as the nausea of FEC but in a strange way because they don’t last too long you feel an improvement fairly quickly. What has been more frustrating for me are these fluey aches which to my mind have been lingering too long and just stopping me from doing anything much at all. The only other thing that is not very nice at all is the taste change or rather the taste of metal in your mouth… I know it’s not the healthy option but I have found that chewing minty gum cuts through the metally taste…a little. Tomorrow I am going to try the advised healthy option which is celery. But I am not sure if I see myself walking round the supermarket with a stick of celery hanging out of my mouth …LOL.
Good to hear from you Loocie
Lynn xx
ps Helen’s drink sounded like a top tip (good for people like me who don’t drink enough). Actually I could do with both the fluid and the name…I could do with being a bit ‘Taut’ -gone a bit flabby recently from lack of exercise!!
pps Sorry but just got to mention this as I suppose (and I know I shouldn’t) I am looking for the sympathy vote, and wallowing in a little self pity at the moment but it’s my 50th birthday on Sunday…aaaarrrggghhh for 2 reasons. One because I am 50 but the other is because you are only 50 once it’s going to be the cr**iest birthday ever!!!
Actually trying to blot it out and put it on hold for a HUGE party next year - which won’t be the same but will have to do.
Right that’s enough self pity and moaning!
Bye Bye again
Lynnx
Hi lynnx
I know how you feel I celebrated (well was nausated), my 50’s BD day 3 after my 1st FEC - not really a day to remember! Have thought of doing something when all the treatment is over but but like you it won’t feel the same. - maybe just have a party to celebrate the treatment being over.
Aw Lynn, what a pain in the bum for you, but you may have an Anna like moment, and end up actually enjoying your big day? Hope so for you anyway.
Deffo with you on the party thing. So many people were so kind to me at the beginning of this (and still are), I decided that I would throw a massive bash in October 2010 to say thank you to them all. There is no way I would be able to do this without them, and am so so greatful Am getting a bit scared by the length of the guest list, but I don’t care…they’re worth it
SEs been little sods again today, but i did get up - just as uncomfortable in bed as out, so thought I might as well be up. Fingers crossed they behave tomorrow…little blighters
Shaveathon was a brilliant success and great laugh - we are hoping to raise @ £1200 will let you know when all the donations are in.
My Don hates it that we keep caling him Gary Glitter cos of his bald head and goatee beard. ight start wearing orange and singing Hari Khrishna.
Got to keep scrolling up and down cos I have read last few days posts and lots of subjects covered.
Happy Birthday for yesterday Lynn - you’ll have lots to celebrate soon - 50 is just a number.
Dreading the first TAX on 9th (with a few others on here swamping same day)looking forward to not having nausea (please) but aches sound awful - I already have no energy and the house is the pits - don’t really care as long as I have my fresh flowers every week!
Hot flushes galore - especially all night and when TRYING to sleep. As for the steroids - I had such a terrible time with first FEC that I have been allowed to miss them out the last two FECS but with the TAX you have to have them! I am dreading the mental low coming down off them!!!
Have rotton mouth still and sore throat again - just finished last granocyte injection - hope i get the one injection next time with TAX.
Got to have full blood count done tomorrow as I am seeing MR Dildo the gynae consultant again on Tuesday (saw him last Tuesday) and will have hysteoscopy to investigate my uterine polyps - apparently the tamoxifen will make them worse!!!
He’s called Mr Dildo cos he had a big white probe attached by wire to a laptop - which turned out to be an internal ultrasound!!! He probed and pushed it around and proclaimed that the polyps don’t look too bad at the moment - still a bit of a shock when I saw it in his hand!
Thats MOn & Tues out of the way - Wed got appointments with both ONCs will find out how many rads I will need - Quite a big area to be cooked - yuk - collarbone, underarm and boob.
Well at least we are trying to keep our spirits up - must admit although it was a bit stressful - arranging the charity night gave me something to focus on and has really made me feel good in myself - to think all these people care about my cause really touched my heart - Don’t really care who sees my bald head now - never thought I would feel like that. Got free NHS wig on Friday after months of trying to find someting that suits me - so have two now but not really bothered with wearing them.
I am waffling on now - you are all very special ladies and to be able to post here helps so much too - we can all get thru this crap xxxxxxxx LynB
Hi all Not the easiest post to make, but want you to know about my Tax experience.
Tax is worse for me than FEC, it is officially the pits and I’m disliking what it is doing to me intensely…I do have to add a caveat here in that I do normally expect the unreasonable and can be a bit tough on myself. I’ve felt really unwell for about five days now and know that this is the going rate for Tax, but have had enough now! Ooo it’s horrid for me and I hope it isn’t going to be horrid for those just starting…my advice, just accept that it is a long game (I’m only just getting the message!), don’t expect too much from yourself, rest when you can and eat when you can.
My SEs are the usual joint n bone pain, but I went from constipation to the runs and now have a sore bum! My mouth is fury but worse is the metallic feeling in my teeth - you know like licking a battery! This hurts and doesn’t encourage you to want to eat. All food tastes gross so I’m now on soups, nothing that has to be chewed. My belly is tight and hurts and just feels full up. I had a word with the district nurse this am who recommended live yogs with the healthy bacteria, I’ve had ond and did get some comfort from it. Oh yes , and am poooooooooooooped, and miss my old cat who is home alone! So all in all, pants.
After all my whinging, I do have to say that I feel better in someways than I did yesterday, so think something is moving in the right direction. I just need to rake up some positivity from deep within and get over myself.
One thing I do want to add is my respect for all you mums and wives that are doing this. I don’t know how you do it? Having to care for others whilst feeling so dreadful must be a huge drain on your already limited resources. You’re amazing ;0
I hate writing such a frank account but thought you’d want me to honest with you about how I’ve found it? If you’re prepared psychologically for a bit of a fight, you may well tackle it better than I have this first cycle?
Lotsalove folks, hope you’re all too busy having fun to read this
xxx
Not the easiest post to make, but want you to know about my Tax experience.