Got first jab done and out of the way - was quite good fun actually, I never had a chemistry set when I was little, and I’ve always wanted to squirt a syringe so liquid came out of the top… but then I let OH jab me (oo-er), and I can honestly say I didn’t feel a thing (hehehehe)… though the liquid did sting a little when it first went in. Am now evaluating every ache and pain I have and trying to decide whether it’s just cos I walked the dog further today, or if it’s the meds… have taken ibuprofen just in case…lol.
Have a funny sore feeling at back of throat, where my tonsils would be if I still had them, and sides of tongue starting to feel a little burned… and chocolate already tasting like lard. I had to leave half a bar…
DAY 10 post TAX1 and thank goodness i am starting to emerge -my mouth has been horrendous since DAY 3 but i just have a couple of small blisters left.
digestive sytem - returning back to me
still havent got a lot of energy but i do feel so much better than i have for the rest of this week so that is good news for any of you fellow Taxers who are at the stage of wondering if you imagine the ses will never pass.
I have to say the posts on chemo brain have made me chuckle tonight, just think what would happen if people put us all loose together.
I tried to poison my family with out of date food thinking it was Feb 2010 not 2011.
I have to think about really simple tasks at times. Not having a clue who you’re talking to on the phone is one of the most embarassing.
I’m on post chemo eating everyone out of house and home at the moment, haven’t really had the lard effect so far …
Sophie - Those jabs are really a doddle aren’t they. My tongue felt burnt too. Try sucking - ice lollies - not icecream - for that and the lard mouth. I found it helped.
Claire - glad the YOU is starting to emerge post TAX.
Re chemo brain - I definitely have that. I always did forget the odd word, but it’s much worse now and I think of something to do, turn round and I’ve already forgotten! My family have commented that I’m more forgetful. Personally I think it was the FEC that caused it. I couldn’t think or concentrate at all the first week after FEC - didn’t have that with TAX.
When I went for my first talk with the onc, I was asked by a PhD research student if I would fill in a questionnaire once a month and also keep a diary for four months. The questionnaire is about all SEs. The diary is about brain function and clumsiness.
Day 11 post TAX1 and pleased to report to anyone still strugglin post tax that i actually feel a bit more human today (was beginning to think i never would) - digestive system behaving itself, mouth ulcers/thrush almost gone and no aches and pains.
feels weird knowing next treatment is next week - the window of time feeling reasonable is definately smaller for me with TAX than FEC.
had a night away from home this weekend and it did me the power of good - not been anywhere for ages and i felt so much better for the change of scenery
Just back from a visit to the hospital as I’d been told at pre-chemo outpatients prior to Tax 2 that if I had any blood spotting from my nose again or weird headaches I needed to go in and have bloods checked for platelets. So over the weekend I had these problems - reassuringly the blood tests showed everything is normal so no problems and I can now treat these as normal SEs for me but they were really glad I’d gone in - and so am I as I had a near sleepless night worrying about what was going on in my head!! I was told to go back if any more that blood spotting when wiping my drippy nose on a wet day occurred (will have to stop bracing weekends away on North Yorkshire coast at this time of year to stop the drips - NO I WON’T; they are keeping be on a even keel as I so love the sea and fresh air even with windstopper jacket and waterproofs on and only OH and self and 4 others on Filey beach!!!)
So bloods ok - should be ok for third TAX on Friday - why do I feel like celebrating? I do know why! Second tax side effects were less than first dose so am hopeful and can actually feel alot of agitation in my liver where I have the mets so am hoping this is a really good sign the Tax is working. Yes, Claire - the gap between doses does seem too short and glad to know you had a weekend away too…
Sophie - my GP says my sore throat is related to the Thrush in my mouth post Tax and it does go away with the antifungal tablets he gives me - have you asked for medication?
If it makes you all feel any better - I’ve burnt more food since I’ve been on Tax than in my whole life - I start things and forget to go back to them - OH is fed up with scrubbing burnt saucepan, let along eating the burnt food! That’s my chemo brain for you!!!
Does anyone have really sore underarm glands with Tax - the FEC was supposed to have “sorted out” these for me but they have felt very tender since Tax so am wondering why…
Thinking of you all with the SEs
Fran
Fran, I haven’t burnt much but the pans keep boiling over and make a right mess of the hob. I put them on high to bring to the boil, but forget about them before turning them down to simmer.
I get slight bits of blood in my nose, but not reported it - should I have done?
Not had the underarm problem, but I seem to remember reading a post somewhere that someone else did.
The hospital was glad I’d reported the small bleeding in my nose and the registar said I must get in checked out and they were glad I went in today. I got the feeling they’d rather check things out for us than have us just “cope” (my usual approach to medical issues…) would probably be worth mentioning it but don’t be too concerned as they said it was when it was a hankie full that I should worry and it seems that some patients don’t even tell them about that… They took my bloods and had report back an hour later and then doctor came to see me so it took a morning with travel but the reassurance was worth it.
Must now concentrate on cooking the tea and not burning it!
Fran
Funny you should mention sore glands underarm with Tax, i had that with Tax 1 and 2, but i was tender under my good arm, haven’t had it since though and am going for No.5 tomorrow, only one more after that whooo whoooo!
That’s interesting and reassuring Sarah about your underarms - I’ll see if things settle down after Tax 3 this week - good luck with number 5 and seeing the finishing line too!!
Fairy Queen - it’s a weird all over sensation/pressure across the whole scalp and down to the neck and different sorts of sensitivities especially in the middle of my scalp, nothing on the front like a normal headache. Worse when I lie down and I need an extra pillow. Not so bad that I can’t forget about it if I’'m busy concentrating on something. Doesn’t seem to respond to paracetemol but went away with start of steroids for next dose… Have you got something similar?
yes frances very similar am glad i am not alone more aware of it after 2nd tax feels like it stems from neck but as u say achy all over have even had funny facial sensations on and off was starting to get concerned xx
Hi everyone,
Claire, it’s very reassuring to hear you’re feeling more human - gives me hope as I’ve spent the day in bed with all the usual nasties after last Friday’s C+Tax 2.
Last time, I also had very sore underarm glands.
Wishing everyone well, loula
Hi all. I am day Tax 1 day 2 and feeling fine. Is this normal? Waiting for se’s to start and had none - do they start straight away or is there a delay. THANK GOD I don’t feel sick and nauseaus I was soooo ill with this on FEC.
Francesw = I’m v jealous of your walks on Filey beach, I love it there. Had many happy holidays as a child and only get to visit very occasionally when I’m up north.
Good luck Rachel with SEs and my advice if they are not too good head to GP and get some help - I’ve usually waited too long and persevered when the doctor can often help early on. But mine have been much more manageable than the FEC ones.
Keep visualising those lovely beach walks (I have too as I live in landlocked Nottingham!). I’m taking every opportunity to get out into the fresh air to boost immunity levels - am fighting shy of shops etc (thank goodness for internet shopping) - and even short walks and having to sit down regularly does make me feel better.
take care all - hope today’s an ok day for you
Fran
Aww thanks for this Frances makes me feel better. I felt soo bad on FEC and have been so worried. Getting outside does help and as we have a very highly-strung springer spaniel, she loves it!
Hi
Just back from chemo land. My nurse gave me a good tip about the bloody nose thing. Try putting a little vaseline inside the nose. It’s worth a try.
x sarah