To anyone who feels pressurised by work, I am so sorry
You are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore reasonable adjustments should be considered if appropriate. Expecting you to work the same as everyone else is not acceptable. Do not be pushed into doing something that is not right for you. As some have said they have been signed off for the whole of their treatment. That is what I did then I took redundancy and I’m now having a year to do what I want to make up for the 17 months in treatment.
Had my last Docetaxol on Tuesday - just taking it easy at the moment .
Good luck to everyone on their onward journeys and hope you can all get back to some sort of normality.
Waiting for CT scan results is next step for me the Docetaxol has done its job and then onto my ongoing plan for life - my cancer is Metastasic .
Wish you all well
Thanks @naughty_boob I don’t think they quite understand this
I am going in 2 of my 4 day working week and really cannot do much more. I am also a mother 3 teens (2 are in exam years) and I am not going to work flat out just for work. I feel 2 out of 4 is reasonable untilI can work my way to 3 out of 4 days. TBH if they gave me redundancy I could have Jan - Mar off then look for a new role. Let’s see
I am speaking to our HR advisor tomorrow. Was meant to be today but now in A&E with my 15 yr old as he hurt his arm during PE and need to make sure it is not fractured. You can’t make this crap up. He’s lucky I had radio first thing or else he would have been waiting even longer before being collected (husband in a mtg and only just got the message)
Hope your meeting goes ok with HR. Offer them the link to working with cancer website. Cancer diagnosis isn’t just about the treatment but also how we deal with it mentally.
Random question. Has anyone had eye twitching. Mine has been for a couple weeks just googled it and apparently Doxetactel can cause temporary twitching. Suppose as far as all the side affects we’re having this isn’t the worst, just a bit weird. Xx
Hi @debi1
Yes, whilst I have been having chemo I had some twitching in the week leading up to my Docetaxel just another one to add to the list!
Can I ask ……
I have just had my 5/6 Docetaxel and whilst the side effects were milder due to a reduced dose I am absolutely wiped out. I feel bone tired, I can only manage a small walk as in 20 mins ish and then I have to rest. I am 8 days after chemo, also my legs feel like concrete, they have no desire to go anywhere , is this normal?
I have felt fatigued after the previous doses but not to this level. On the plus side I am sleeping sooo much better as they reduced my steroids this time too.
Have a good weekend everyone
There is so much going n your post that I can currently empathise with. I’ve worked through my chemo but from home and work have been great. It’s given my purpose and focus however I’m now thinking I have pushed myself too much and might need to take a step back for a few weeks.
I finish chemo on the 4th November and start radio on 19th for 5 days but all of a sudden I feel really low and lost and just not sure what I want for the future. I’ve been the bread winner for so long and I’m just exhausted now. Some quite big decisions to make which will effect us all but I think I really do need to stop and take a huge pause in life to get the balance right moving forward.
I popped into McMillan centre to get info on counselling as well so going to take advantage of that …. Got to use all the tools in the box to help before I crash and burn!
Sebring love to one and all xxx
Hiya. Id say yes normal to feel this. Ive got away without too many side affects probably because of reduced dose. Well until halfway. 4 and 5th was Doxetactel knocked me off my feet. But this last one is more like the heavy legs and headache but nothing like the last twice. Ive not really concentrated on the smaller side affects like my feet and hands a bit tingling, one foot has sheaded skin around my toes yuk. And my nails look bruised. Just been grateful its not been worse. Ive a better understanding of fatigue now enjoy your weekend xxx
I had 12 weekly Paclitaxel and was told all chemo is cumulative. So as times goes on with whatever regime you are on you will feel more fatigued and wiped out. I started on a low dose due to allergies and family history of heart disease and then had 2 more reductions due to allergic reaction and temperature/infection. By week 8 I was knackered, I still tried to walk but 15/20 minutes would kill me, and definitely needed more rest after doing any activity. This was when I got an unidentified infection and was hospitalised.
While it may be ‘normal’ to feel more side effects and fatigued as time goes on, you must listen to your body. Check your temperature regularly and if something just doesn’t feel right, give your team a call. There is no such thing as a silly question or check. All teams would rather you call and they say it’s ok rather than you not call and become very unwell.
Thanks for your reply, Docetaxel has shocked me tbh, I have found it more brutal than EC but everyone has a different experience.
I also consider myself lucky that the side effects could be a lot worse! xxx
Hi there July group. I’ve just jumped over from August group for advice as you lovely people are all a bit further on than me.
I’ve just done 3 EC. It was kind to me. Bald but feeling ok. On friday, had 1st docetaxel. It’s obviously early days. I feel ok so far. I just wanted to know how you found docetaxel if you had it. My onco said some find it harder but nurses have said easier. I am 47 and concerned about my weight gain of 5kg during EC, caused by less exercise and steroid food cravings!
Would love to know how you’re all doing. Lots of familiar names on here, who’ve given great advice yo me in last 10 months since my diagnosis.
Welcome sounds like you’re on a similar plan to me, I am coming up to my last Docetaxel and like you, was very lucky on EC.
I have found my first Docetaxel very tough but it was immediate and I would say if you are feeling ok then you probably will be. My second dose as well as the steroids was reduced which has worked , I am struggling with fatigue but it could be a lot worse.
A big positive has been definite hair growth and no further loss (I am cold capping).
Can’t comment on the weight as I have lost but think that might be the no alcohol regime
Best of luck xxx
Thank you @alisona1 and well done being nearly at the end!
Bit tired and achey but nothing else really as yet, but it is very early days and I know these drugs accumulate.
Sounds like you’ve had luck with hair. I didn’t cold cap, but i still have a covering albeit thin afterva no3 shave. What is left has grown in length since 2nd EC. Maybe docetaxel will be kind to my hair follicles too.
Good luck with number 6 and enjoy ringing that bell. Good luck for your next steps too xxx
Hi @louc I think you and anyone else who has managed to keep working through treatments for whatever reason is bloody amazing.
Its probably impossible to get through something like this without it hitting you at some point during, in between or after the different treatments. I hope you are able to get some time to yourself to rest & process it all. Also think this time of year in the lead up to Chrismas is a lot of pressure even though I love Christmas! We need to be kind to ourselves.
I am nervous of starting counselling but I think I need it to have someone outside family & friends to talk too. Its great that MacMillan & Maggies have it available.
Good luck xx
the Docetaxol has done its job and then onto my ongoing plan for life - my cancer is Metastasic .
just a bit weird. Xx
just another one to add to the list!
enjoy your weekend xxx
sounds like you’re on a similar plan to me, I am coming up to my last Docetaxel and like you, was very lucky on EC.