The random side effects are what I call side effect bingo in the cancer log book I got given. Literally ticking them off!
I’m about to have the first 4 Dexamethasone steroids so I see that as the first stage of the final cycle…unless the hospital ring and say my blood tests didn’t pass their exam for tomorrow!
For anyone who might read this at the start of chemo, all I can say is I can’t believe how quickly the last couple of months have gone since my first chemo on the 7th Jan. I realise people have chemo for a lot longer and 12 weeks in total isn’t that long but it felt like a mountain to climb at the beginning, and a terrifying one at that! x
Good luck with the blood tests and the final round.
My arm is looking very bruised from all the blood tests/ cannulas . Last time I had to have an ultrasound to find a vein and think that will happen next time as well.
Hair still clinging on .. just after 3 x cold caps but strangely I seem to have had a Brazilian wax without knowing!!!
@awr Thank you! I haven’t had a call to say my blood tests haven’t gone well so unless they turn me away at the door tomorrow it looks like the final round is going ahead! I can barely believe it. Feeling worried about the side effects as I know all too well what to expect now but I’m excited to not have to repeat them after this!
Sorry to hear about the bruising. It’s just something else unwanted isn’t it?! I hope it doesn’t cause too many problems moving forward.
You’ve done amazingly well with your hair - I say that as I type this completely bald give or take a few spiky bits of hair. My brows and lashes are clinging on but I’m expecting them to give up shortly Let’s not even talk about the dark marks on my nails, I think if I wasn’t using Polybalm they may have been in a shocking state by now! In good news my spotty facial skin is fine again now but there’s that pleasure to look forward to again from day 10 onwards. It’s like clockwork! Hahaha the Brazilian! That’s so funny! I keep telling my friends I’m almost smooth as an eel - it has its benefits! x
Thanks for asking I was a bit of a pincushion for bloods again - they can’t seem to use my port in the blood room but the chemo nurses have zero issues
Numbers were fine though so I had Paclitaxel 1/12 yesterday! I was so scared of a reaction, I had a bit of a cry in the car on the way there, but no reaction! I felt a bit woozy for a few seconds but it passed and I felt fine.
Got in at 8:30 and were finished by 11 which surprised me, thought it would all be longer.
I tried the cold gloves/slippers and that was absolutely the worst bit. I was okay with my feet but I really struggled on my hands. I think because it was fingerless gloves inside, but I had to take them off a few times to handle it. Probably didn’t get the full effect but I’m gonna try again next week.
Side effects wise I’ve had a lot of brain fog but I don’t feel run-down like I do on EC. I’m expecting a bit more over the next few days, but good so far
@demimiray I’m on paclitaxel and it’s definitely better tolerated than other regimes and it’s quick as you’ve discovered! So pleased to hear you didn’t have a reaction
Thanks I have read this many times but you never actually know. I’m hoping I don’t crash towards the end of the week but it’s going well so far. Have a lot more energy than I did on EC day 2.
@demimiray Thank you! I cried when I left as they’ve all been so nice. They made me ring the bell too even though there’s radiotherapy to come (at a different hospital).
That’s so good that you can’t fault yours either! It makes such a difference doesn’t it?! x
Day 3 on first Paclitaxel - not sure if it’s related but started having some painful zaps in the chest area above my mastectomy scar, and in my armpit. I had some soreness there after surgery which went away, but maybe coming back a bit. Could be related or not to the chemo, not sure.
Otherwise, had a really energetic day yesterday - less so today, with a bit of diarrhoea and one of my cheeks rosy red & warm the other cold. Minor things really though so far
@demimiray I’m on paclitaxel too (5th one tomorrow). I do get the odd day when I have the stabby jabs and tightness in the scar and armpit but I don’t know if it’s related or not to chemo….who knows! Not convinced it’s serious. Hope your energy picks up tomorrow. My hot face is calmer by this time of the week but now I’ve got chemo spots on my face and back and shoulders . Never a dull moment
Good to know! Could be chemo, in my head if Paclitaxel can give peripheral neuropathy then it could be prodding at the nerves reconnecting in the scar area
I’m glad to report that my heart rate is much better this week - it was really high after either the EC or Pegfilgrastim - I might never know which caused it. Paclitaxel hasn’t triggered it so far
@demimiray I’m due to do my pegfilgrastim injection tonight and last time it sent my heart racing, I was genuinely worried! I’ve been on different chemo with it being TC but have had the stabbing pains and twinges where my tumours were taken out too. I mentioned it to the oncologist last week and he said that could happen! x
How is everyone doing who started in January? I’ve ended up posting a lot in the Feb/March threads too even though it’s been my last cycle this time round - comparing notes still helps! x
How are you finding the last cycle? How does it feel to know that you won’t have any more chemotherapy? That will be me on Friday if the blood tests I’ve just had are ok. I am so tired I could fall asleep now! I’m trying not to think about all the other treatments I have been recommended. One thing at a time…
@awr Hello! So it’s gone through me like a tornado…day 7 today and the side effects have matched the last 3 TC rounds but I have to say the weekend was the worst yet, I’m assuming because it’s cumulative. I’d say the exhaustion has ramped up too! Today the main issue is the dry mouth/disgusting taste and back ache along with numb fingers, and I feel permanently tired, but the final side effect is yet to show itself which will be the acne/rash at the weekend!
It’s such a relief to know that’s it for chemo and now just to get better from the side effects but on Monday I’ve got my radiotherapy planning session then start Letrozole in a fortnight so I know there’s lots of challenges ahead.
It’s quite emotional to think what you’ve been through when you get to the end. My impatient side is taking over though and I look at my bald head, my nails with brown streaks on them and am just so impatient to see positive progress!
Sending you my best wishes for your final cycle and update with how you get on! x
Even though you have had your last chemotherapy session you still have to deal with the aftermath of it all and it is going to take a while. Also there are all the other treatments to deal with which have their own challenges.
I’m good to go for the last session on Friday and I should be pleased but after my oncologist appointment today I am feeling very sorry for myself. Letrazole is going to be starting again and I really hated it when I took it before the operation. The nice young oncologist happily told me that half find that after 12 months the worst effects wear off .. but what if I am in the other half ?! They want me on it for ten years… and that’s without getting in to the other drugs and not being able to take the medication that controls MS. So a few tears of self pity tonight. I will feel better tomorrow but this is hard . Wishing everyone strength xxx
@awr Thanks so much, everything you’ve said is so true! Also with the Letrozole I’m worrying about starting that in two weeks too, I feel like I’m going to be in touch with you about this and seeing how it’s going as I’ll be on it for seven years. The oncologist gave me a vitamin prescription too to go with it - is it the same for you too?
Wishing you all the best for your last round on Friday x
Let’s not even talk about the dark marks on my nails, I think if I wasn’t using Polybalm they may have been in a shocking state by now! In good news my spotty facial skin is fine again now but there’s that pleasure to look forward to again from day 10 onwards. It’s like clockwork! Hahaha the Brazilian! That’s so funny! I keep telling my friends I’m almost smooth as an eel - it has its benefits! 
I was a bit of a pincushion for bloods again - they can’t seem to use my port in the blood room but the chemo nurses have zero issues 
x
So many lovely people involved in our treatment, I can’t really fault any of them so far.
. Never a dull moment 
x