@poppy261 Thankyou so much but right now im not so sure , I dont feel strong at all , I feel like I have let him down massively and myself because I i dont have that strength and determination that u all seem to have xx
You wont @cazgib10 . Thats being human. It gets too much. There is nothing wrong about feeling like that.
Its fine to say its too much. Its fine to say its hard. Its fine to say today I cant do anything. Its fine to say I cant be positive about this.
Thats not failing. Thats acknowledging your running on empty.
EC really drains us. Im better the second week, but I still have to rest and have naps. Chemo is still bashing our bodies with after shocks. Hair going, sore mouths, no sleep, too much sleep, energy drops. Its huge.
But you are very strong. Because you are supporting your son at the same time as coping with all this.
I never believe in being a martyre. If a day is bad. Its ok to say its bad. If your exhausted, its ok to say that. Its more exhausting trying to pretend everything is fine.
But at the same time, its important to know all this will finish, and you will get through it.
Ive got one more EC this Friday. Then two weeks later, one more and then EC is finished. Chopping it up into days like that makes it more tolerable.
Pac seems to be less aggressive but obviously does have some side effects. But Ive survived EC, so I can survive Pac. You can as well.
Talk to your Team, or even ring 24/7 tonight, and let them know how hard you are finding things at the moment. I know you dont seem confident with your Hospital at the moment, but let them know how tough you are finding things.
But also ring MacMillan Nurses and BCN Nurses. I do. They can come up with other options of support. Ive got a Someone Like Me Volunteer. They are great to chat to on the phone. Same with MacMillan. They have volunteers who just support us through all this. They are invaluable. Its all phone contacts, so mote accessible. They are lovely.
Dont forget, you need support as well as you being Mum. You deserve some TLC. Xxxxā
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I move from EC to paclitaxel next week. I appreciate the nausea seems to subside but does the weird taste and mouth issues also become less?
@kawan id like to say yes but pac can cause a sore mouth and ulcers i have all the stuff here to sort that
Thanks, was hoping the horrible taste and mouth issues would be a thing of the past post EC. The joys!
@kawan some dont have any issues but I suffer with oral thrush
That must be so tough x
Hi @kawan if you are having mouth issues, we have been discussing these in the āMay 2026 Startersā threads. So pop over and check out ideas.
Ive posted (i thinkā¦.post 373ā¦.) my oncologists advice. May be useful.
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Hi all, so Iām 4x EC done and 3x paclitaxel. 1 more pacs to go. Honestly Iām struggling now 
I cant sleep very much for some reason so the tiredness/fatigue is alot. Iām genuinely exhausted. I went for a lovely walk yesterday then ended up back on the sofa with high blood pressure. Thatās humbled me. I spent a couple of days trying to put on a brave face and then when you stop its like the walls crumble around you. A positive mental attitude definitely helps! But Iām losing it.
Keep reminding myself, 1 more to go. Feel like it might finish me off though haha Hopefully the joy from finishing the chemo will get me through
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@foxgem Tell ur team how u are feeling u have done so well , maybe they can lower the dose for ur last one? Or give u a break I know u want to get ut done but it might help. i have had the dose lowered already due to neuropathy.
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My heart really goes out to you @foxgem .
You have done incredibly well, like @cazgib10 said.
Sending you positive vibes and lots of strength. 
They say the chemo has a cumulative effect. So Im expecting the fatigue to increase.
Just rest, and accept your body now needs sleep to recover. Im an expert on sleep 
. Thats all I do for a week after treatment.
But even in the second week I have needed naps in the afternoon.
One more Pac to go then you will be able to let your body recover even more. Its gone through some savage treatment.
Sending virtual hugs and love.
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Psā¦chemo brain kicking inā¦. Re Sleep, even if you cant sleep, rest. I think MacMillan advise that. Insomnia is very common for cancer patients. But the feeling of fatigue is debilitating some days.
I watch loads on Iplayer when I am like that. Eventually I find I nod off even if its just for the odd hour. Although at the moment Im sleeping like a log.
I think lots of you have posted about relaxation techniques. They all help.
I mix and match them throughout the week. Depending in how im feeling. Lots of good advice.
But remember, its fine to be fed up. Fine to be struggling, fine to have bad days. Say it as it is. If its garbage, its garbage. Its hard work putting a face on. Ive done that and its really exhausting.
I sometimes think the ending to journeys can often seem longer. , or seem worse, because we are so near we can become more frustrated. It can get us down.
Stick with it strong lady. But do rest hi. You body will also have to get use to āno drugsā. It will need time to adjust.
You can do this.
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Thank you
It has been a particularly busy week as my daughter needed getting to and from work experience, plus 2 appointments to get to. Doesnāt sound a lot but I probably havent rested enough for the first week after chemo.
Iām going to spend this weekend relaxing, hydrating and eating super healthy. Lots of protein and salads, veggies etc. Maybe put some old movies on, I might be able to get in a few naps also
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I think you are amazing @foxgem doing all this chemo and being a Mum. That is huge strength. No wonder you are exhausted.
I think you have it sussed though. Have faith in yourself. The drag on our bodies is huge. Watching Movies sounds like a good plan.
Gentle Skin Massage is also very good for relaxation. Either self massage, partner massage or professional massage. Not deep vein that just leaves you feeling pummelled. 
Or gentle Tai Chi. 
Everyday you get through, is another day closer to the finish line. The good thing about time is it keeps moving, even when we feel it has stopped. 
So you will get there.
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@kawan nyasin helps
Hi all i have just had to have a reduction on my 6th out of 8 chemo due to neuropathy and i wondered who else has had to have a dose reduction , how much by and did they still get positive results ?.
Fingers crossed that all works better for you @cazgib10 .
Did you have reduced treatment yesterday? How did it go? Thinking of you xxxā
@poppy261 i did i feel ok so far but its early days yet , i felt ok on last pac at full dose but reduced it due to neuropathy had some minor tingling in my hands today but hopefully it wont get any worse
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I will keep my fingers crossed for you @cazgib10 , and sending you virtual love strength and hugs.
Really hope it works well for you and takes that awful fear of treatment away, even by a small amount. 
. You are so close to finishing. Xxx
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@poppy261 Thankyou they gave me 4 weeks off , because they couldnt fit me in which gave me the strength to get through number 6 , u are so kind and encouraging , when u are going through this yourself i really appreciate it xx