I know I am being lazy, but I don’t have the energy to trawl through back messages.
I am starting 3 weekly Herceptin Monday followed by Taxol on Tues and just wondered what to expect for my first visits. I know the Herceptin visit will be a long one for the first time, but just wondered if any side effects can be expected straight away for either treatment. I know we are all different and can all react differently, but just wondered if there is a ‘common’ feeling initially. Please scuse my drawl, but I’m not myself with all my medication I’m taking and have just come back from hol, so have not had time to get myself geared up for the onslaught.
I am scared out of my boots as I’ve not experienced any chemo before now.
Thanks for any replies - take care
Lots of love Jen xx
Hi Jen
we can all relate to the way you feel. I dont think any of us were not pooing our pants when we walked over the chemo ward threshold. I remember very clearly holding back what sounded like big gulps wondering if it was me. Well yes it was but I was soon put at ease and now I make sure whenever I am on chemo to be chatty to the newbies, but respectful that some just want to be left alone.
I was on taxol in Feb and I found it a difficult chemo but when I was on fec for me it was a breeze, remember we are all different, I had really good results from tax and have been on a chemo break since May so it worked well and bought me extra time. For which I am very grateful.
You should be fine on the Herceptin, the extra time for the first infusion is just in case of any allergic reaction. I took reading material, and my son’s playstation portable (with earphones) so I could watch movies he’d recorded.
And my slippers (much to the amusement of the chemo nurses)! Also snacks and CHOCOLATE and a bottle of water, although I was provided with lunch and drinks. The only thing I get with Herceptin (have done 11 now) is a bit of a headache which starts a day or two afterwards.
Not sure if Taxol is the same as Taxotere, but I had 4 FEC then 4 Taxotere before I started Herceptin. The FEC was OK, but the Taxotere was harder (although my hair started to return on it). I was given steroid tablets to take for 3 days, starting the day before Taxotere. So for 3 days I didn’t have problems, but on the 4th I felt very tired and achey (like the flu), and wasn’t able to do much more than sleep for a few days! I also got shingles after the first one (because chemo lowers the immune system), but this was quickly sorted out by my GP prescribing anti-virals within two days of the rash starting. There may be other side effects to cope with, like sore mouth etc, but you have asked about immediate problems - you can always come back here and ask about anything else should you experience them!
Good luck with the treatment, Jen, we’ve been there and survived, and so will you, and you will be surprised at the friendships you make in the chemo unit.
Just thought I would let you know I have survived my first treatment and apart from anxiety I seem fine up to now.
I just wonder what advise could be available regarding the brittle nails and anything else that could be useful please. I will have my next dose of Taxotere/Herceptin in 3 wks time - having 6 cycles.
Hi Jen
well done first one over!
Re brittle nails, I was lucky all I used was a good nail hardener used it a couple of times a week always going over the last coat fingers and toes. Dont use nail polish remover. I kept all my nails but for baby toes, mind you I tend to fiddle with them in front of tv.