Thanks to Imodium I have managed to go out for a walk today! Day 7 for me so the Dreaded Docetaxel Diarrhoea Day arrived bang on schedule but I was ready for it with the instants, then gave them a couple of hours just to be sure before heading out.
Apart from that, I have tingly fingertips and slight nausea. Still expecting the red rash as that came in week 2 before, but it hasn’t bothered me too much in the past. And more good news, I was able to eat and enjoy a pack of ready salted crisps! Could this be progress? I’ll definitely take it as the start of the week was miserable mostly in bed feeling like I couldn’t be bothered with anything.
Having said all that - it must be so tough for those still in the chemo pain cave seeing some of us gradually crawling out - and it really is just a crawl - but I hope you know that we are willing you on through the last weeks. Xx
@twinks77 Screaming is definitely cathartic when you’re going through all this. I’ve been known to park somewhere secluded with the windows closed in order to really scream out all the tension and fear. I don’t think I startled any walkers and I felt so much better for it! @runnerjen it’s strange how the same treatment can cause opposite side effects. I have to take nightly senna and eat vast amounts of fibre to get through the first couple of weeks post-infusion. I’m so glad you were able to get out on a walk today. Thank goodness for Imodium and fingers crossed that our systems can start recovering now.
Thinking of everyone who still has cycles to go. Xxx
Barre class? Oh my goodness how did you manage that?
I’m 2 weeks after my last chemo and walking up a flight of stairs has me exhausted!
That said I went out volunteering tonight, my first trip out. I wore a mask as I don’t want to get sick before radio is done. It was hot and uncomfortable but I loved the evening and I didn’t have any discomfort until I suddenly realised that I could hardly walk.
My toes felt on fire! I don’t think it’s nerves as such but the skin on my toes feels super sensitive. It’s the first time I’ve worn closed in shoes in 2 weeks and it was just so sore. This is new and I’m gutted. Anyone else getting this?
Oh and I’m in the bunged up group… chemo constipation all the way through all 6 cycles!
Gratitude today… I got to volunteer again and I absolutely love it. Xx
I also have sore feet - they ache but I also have sore skin around the heels and toes. I’m putting E45 on them 3 times a day. I’m not going for a walk today to give them a rest. Lovely that you got out volunteering!
I took one of my nausea pills last night as I’d felt it coming on in the day, and I had such a good sleep! They are great for that!
My oncologist is v keen on exercise medicine and always tells me it’ll do more to reduce my recurrence risk than anything else so I have been dragging myself to the gym whenever I’m not sofa bound. I’ve prioritised it over everything apart from looking after my child so house etc are a right mess as I have v limited energy. I take all the gentle classes and spend way more time in child’s pose than the women 30 years older than me! I haven’t managed weights all week but hope to get back to baby ones next week and start building up from there. One plus is that I’ve met so many women there who’ve had/are living with cancer and are doing really well.
Congratulations on getting back to volunteering-what a lovely thing to do! The last few months have really taught me what a difference volunteers make during tough times.
All the skin peeled off my feet during my first Dox cycle. My onc said it’s a similar reaction to the flushed cheeks (can’t remember how he explained the link). So many freaky side effects…
@runnerjen that’s exactly what I have. It’s a red ring around my heel that’s sore to the touch, even lying in bed it’s sore. And my toes, oh my goodness it felt like the skin had come off but when I inspected last night there was just a tiny bit of redness. They were really sore when I touched them.
@jenny4 I admire you for getting to the gym. And I’ve hear a lot about exercise medicine. It’s why I want to get back to Padel asap but I can’t if I can’t get my feet into trainers.
I hope this passes soon as apart from the fatigue (which improves with exercise) it’s really the only bad thing lingering.
Food doesn’t quite taste right but it’s definitely improving slightly each day.
I’ve just spent a chunk of time on cadmin, I hadn’t felt like dealing with it earlier this week but definitely feel more on the ball now! Flu & Covid jabs booked after a call to check when is appropriate with the onco nurses. Then I booked a blood test (presumably checking my blood cell levels post-chemo) and I managed to get that on the same morning as my CT scan / RT planning appointment so that’s convenient. Go me!
I sat through a zoom call with these breast cancer now folks about exercise for intermediate level and there was a serious suggestion that exercise can possibly have a similar amount of impact to the hormone drugs percentage-wise in reducing risk of recurrence for BC patients. Having a high oncotype score like mine I need any extra help I can get!
I know it’s going to be harder with new challenges from the decade of drugs but I’m determined to get back to it and stick with it as it was instrumental in my endometriosis care in terms of giving me more energy and I believe reducing pain. Apart from anything else I do have a race pre-booked for April that I need to get fit for, so that’s my current goal although it will just be to complete it not aim for a time, and I have always been a slower runner - happy at the back stopping for photos on the way and scoffing jelly babies and Randoms! X
I watched the BCN intermediate exercise zoom too though on playback! Really impressive that you have a race lined up. I’ll be happy to slog my way back up through C25K….
I guess pacing and listening to our bodies as we recover/learn to live with our new drugs is key. I’ve been completely wiped out since this morning’s yoga class (a lovely restorative one - nothing strenuous) so think I’ve tried to do too much too soon. It’s so frustrating when the intentions are good but it sets you back.
Are any of you planning to take supplements to aid your recovery once the chemo is out of your system. I’m desperate to sleep better so was thinking of magnesium and tart cherry plus maybe zinc for immunity. I know we have to check everything with our oncologist once we go on hormone therapy/targeted drugs as they often have lots of contraindications.
It’s definitely not ideal timing in April (classic British understatement there) but it’s one I was supposed to do this year and couldn’t as I had my diagnosis and then the April Fools day surgery, but I was able to defer it to 2026. It’s all paid for so I’m in it anyway and I will just have to see how the recovery goes! (It is London marathon, I know, it’s bonkers so soon. I know. But, they let you take forever to get round, and it’s flat. And I’ve never done London before and it would be my 16th marathon if I could do it. But I know it might be bonkers. Don’t tell anyone, they will think the chemo has addled my brain) (it possibly has).
@runnerjen I got a London place for 2026 too I will defer mine though to 2027. Yes you’re bonkers but well done. It will be a great thing to focus on in the coming months. You also inspired me to do some cadmin. Flu jab booked for me and son. I have to get my daughter done through school so that’s a job for next week. I will have Covid jab after I finish. Dentist and hygienist booked. I will have to get on with all that dental work I have been putting off. I can’t help thinking that they are going to give me the bone jabs at some point so my implant needs to be done and dusted before that happens.
I think that’s it for now. Have a restful weekend, everyone
Hi all,
A quick question, is anyone having itchy hands and feet? If so how are you managing it without oral medication? I know it’s a side effect from paclitaxel along with neuropathy which I am experiencing. I was hoping this will settle down a bit since it’s been 3 weeks I had my last chemo. However, I’m still very itchy, I am hoping there is something I can do for relief instead of taking another tablets.
I’m in awe @runnerjen@moomoo716 - amazing. I’d never be able to run a marathon but hoping I’ll be able to do C25K and possibly some parkruns. Thanks @jenny4 for info on AIs really helpful. Hope you have a nice weekend all x
Hi, yes! I have really itchy back of hands! I’m not finding cream helps, just rubbing them with some bagged ice cubes! I’ve been up since 3am with it, I finished chemo 6th August but the itching only started around September, I also have neuropathy in my foot, I think its related! I am going to contact GP on Monday as it’s driving me mad!!
Hi @rach49 I don’t know whether it’s of any help but I came across the 5K your way group that meet once a month at a selection of park runs. I thought I might join in when I’m back in the swing.
I will defer mine though to 2027. Yes you’re bonkers but well done. It will be a great thing to focus on in the coming months. You also inspired me to do some cadmin. Flu jab booked for me and son. I have to get my daughter done through school so that’s a job for next week. I will have Covid jab after I finish. Dentist and hygienist booked. I will have to get on with all that dental work I have been putting off. I can’t help thinking that they are going to give me the bone jabs at some point so my implant needs to be done and dusted before that happens.