I’m just about resurfacing after a rough few days after the first dose of docetaxel, thankfully no more delays this time as my neutrophils were just over the threshold. I don’t want to scare anyone either but I’ve found it quite brutal too and it’s wiped me out, now Day 11 and only just starting to feel vaguely human again. Woke up on Day 4 feeling like I could hardly move, those joint and bones pains, headaches and exhaustion have been horrible and made me feel very low. Epsom salt baths and wheat pads are the only things that have helped - paracetamol and ibuprofen haven’t seemed to make any difference. Don’t know how I’m going to get through 3 more treatments of this… Made me realise I’ve had it comparatively ‘easy’ with the first 3 cycles of EC. But it could have been worse - haven’t had any of the mouth, taste or hands & feet problems that some of you have had so that’s been a bonus.
Hope all you August Ladies are doing OK and treatment has gone well this week. Sib, sorry that you’ve been so poorly and your treatment has been delayed, hopefully you’ll be able tolerate the new drug better than docetaxel. So many of us seem to be struggling with the side effects of this drug. Butterfly, sorry to hear about the blood clot on your PICC line, glad it’s all sorted now and you’re doing better. Hope you’re feeling better now Sue58, Fairy and AliS and everyone else. Good luck, CK, for your treatment next week, hope any side effects are kind to you.
Hello August ladies! I’m from the October thread. Sorry to hear you’re all suffering a bit with your treatments, I hope you start to feel better soon. Are any of you having fec all the way through? I’m having fecx6 (just had 2nd one) and I’m wondering what to expect on the later treatments. ?
Hi Meesh73. I can’t help I’m afraid as I’m FEC-T. We did have a lady on here who was EC x6 but we haven’t heard from her in a while. I think the rest of us have moved on from FEC now. I hope you are doing well following your second treatment x
Hello ladies…hope we are all well…or as well as can be expected.!!!
Well I’m day 20 today and feeling so much better and have done since day 16… food is nearly tasting normal , so is a cup of tea, so I will enjoy them while I can or until end of next week when the mouth goes yuk…!!
Chemo number 5 on Monday all being well, I want to get this one out the way, but not looking forward to SEs although dose has been reduced, so hoping for slightly reduced SEs…!!! Still got tickly cough although doctor yesterday said no sign of chest infection , temperature was fine and she just thought it was something to do with acid reflux getting up to throat, as I had a bad episode 3 weeks ago even though I was taking lansoprazole.!!
Sib, glad to hear your improving and hope all goes well for Wednesday, Mary Kate, Butterfly, Ali, Fairy, Cathysid. CK and anyone else I’ve forgotten, good luck for next chemo…mishy, hope your doing ok now…
Its interesting to see we have all struggled with Docetaxel apparenty a lady on July thread was told Fec T was one of the toughest regimes…I totally agree with that…!!! But then I think all chemo regimes are tough…
Big hugs ladies were getting there…xxxx
Thanks AliS, there don’t seem to be many in earlier threads that are on fecx6 (there are 4 of us on October thread that are fecx6). Those that are seem to disappear not sure if that’s good or not ?I’m hoping that’s a good sign that they’re coping and don’t feel the need to post!
I hope the chemo is treating you kindly and that you’re doing ok!
Hi Ali S,
Hoping you feel a bit better now. Mentally this chemo rollercoaster can be a challenge. I’ve just started reading a book called “anti cancer, a new way of life”. There was an interesting chapter on the relationship of genetics to cancer development and how even with genetic predisposition to development of cancer you can really decrease your chance of developing it by making your bodies terrain inhospitable to cancer cells through diet and lifestyle. I find by focusing on this approach I can look ahead much more positively.
Look after yourself, try to enjoy a little chemo moon if have a window of feeling ok before the next round - just a change of scene or a visit to some friends, a relaxation/spa day, some sea air, might help to recharge the batteries and reward you for getting this far!
Lots of love cx
Thanks for your kind words Cathysid. I am feeling a little better about things now. I’ve got some things planned with friends next week which will definitely help as I think I was feeling very isolated.
I’m glad you have found something that is helping you to look forward positively. I think making some lifestyle changes is something I need to look at myself xx
Hi Sue 58 and everyone else! Ive been busy fitting in as much as I can in the past 2 weeks as after reading the threads I’m preparing for some serious resting and SE as I start Doxataxol and Herceptin this week! All we can do it wait and see how we are affected and take every day as it comes.
We all react differently to treatments but its best to be prepared, so have my chemo basket ready from dry mouth sprays and all kinds of sweets to suck on to Magnesium flakes, pain relief and dark nail varnishes! So annoying as even when it slightly chips it looks awful.
Freezer is also loaded as not sure what appetite this time.
Arm pain from treatment has been better since I got my hand and arm reliever which I frequently squeeze on.
Skin has been good and no rash but have accumulated dark circles under my eyes, so been wearing concealer!
Thin layer of hair still hanging in there and eyelashes but I guess they may come out next round!
Will see me more on here in a couple of days as will be at home resting up.
Hope it gets easier for all. Lots of love.xxx
Good luck CK and to all you August ladies starting your different regimes of chemo sending ???hugs and sparkles ??????from the all of us ladies on the October thread.
Good Morning August ladies, hope we are all coping and counting the days till the end of our treatments.
Hope everyone undergping treatment finds the SEs are kind to them.
My first of 6 weekly chemo starts Wednesday and really hoping I tolerate this better with fewer SEs. Not sure how weekly chemo effects me being immuno supressed? Does anyone know? Am i likely to gave to stay home for 6 weeks? Hope not, my husband 2 sons and I all.have birthdays in next 4 weeks plus eldest son gets his keys to his first purchased house.
Sending hugs ladies xx
God luck for Wed Sib I would ring your chemo unit or ask I’m not sure about the weekly regimes and immune system it’s rubbish having to avoid everyone and everywhere isn’t it x
Good luck to all of you ladies having treatments this week. I hope your side effects are minimal.
CK, you sound very well prepared. Although I’ve had some SE on the T so far it has not been as bad as I had feared. I hate having my nails painted but fir now it’s working and they are staying put. I found the arm pain a little better with the T but that could be because I’m treating it straight away with heat and exercise.
Hi August ladies…
Well chemo number 5 went well yesterday. Monday…feeling good today ( steroids are helping big time!!) And a 20% reduction in dose…so hopefully that may help me with side effects…cross fingers…!!
Helen and Fairy hope yours went well yesterday also and Sib…good luck for new regime tomorrow…I’m sure you will be fine on this one…
Ali and Mary Kate hope your doing well and Butterfly, CK and Cathysid and Mishy and meesh73. And Xena …
Big hugs ladies. We’re getting there…xxxx
Sue that’s great that you have had a dose reduction you should manage much better now!! Get these SE out of they way and before you know it you’ll be Don! I did a count down once I got up round 5 I’m day 7 since last one not feeling 100% but feeling OK and taking good care of myself so I can get through this cycle hiccup free fingers crossed xx
Sib hope tomorrow goes well for you and your weekly chemos are kind to x you xx
Morning ladies, thank you all fot good wishes. Chemo 9 30am today weekly for 6 sessions. Had a lovely chat with my oncologist yesterday and they have a further back up chemo plan on standby in case i dont tolerate the new chemo (its still part of taxol family and i suffered really bad neuropathy) she even had worked out the different percentages for 10 year of each treatment for me.
I know our NHS is not perfect but i thank god every day for the wonderful staff who are treating me and the life saving treatment i am getting. Hugs. Xxx
Thanks Michelle…its a good feeling when theres only one chemo left to go… !!!
glad you’ve got to the end of your chemo journey , you’ve had a tough one but well done for being strong and getting there with all you have been through in these last months…your a very strong lady…good luck, do you have rads next or operation ?
My radiotherapy is in January, then hopefully get back to work end of Feb beginning of march, all being well…
Sib. Good luck today, thinking of you…I’m sure all will go well…x
Hows all other August ladies doing ? We are all very quiet… I’m day 3 today and so far feeling ok…it’s my son’s 24th birthday tomorrow so I’m hoping the side effects hang off till Friday…lol…I want to eat and taste cake before my taste buds and mouth goes yuk…!!!
Sib good luck fingers crossed you will be fine on this one x your onc sounds fab glad they have a back up plan for you too! It’s good to know isn’t it!
Sue I’m on to rads next just waiting for planning scan date then they need to sort everything out before I start probably in around 4 or so weeks x
We are All strong ladies too we have all had to face some ? during this in one way or another keep going ladies you can do it ?
Oh butterfly sending you big virtual hugs you need them atm keeping everything crossed for you that you have an easier time on you next lot of treatments be kind to yourself and take it easy hoping everything goes well with your daughter ?
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