I had round 3 on Weds and I’m rough without the steroids, though at least I haven’t got the feelings of doom they normally bring. At this point I always feel like I can’t go on, but then I start to feel better and it lifts. x
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I’m on the same cycle as you and same dates— Docetaxel 27 Dec/17Jan/7Feb. I’m counting down the days—less than a month until the last treatment!
Thanks for checking in @arty1 . All good here really, I’ve got my chemo routines now and side effects are manageable. I am doing Docetaxel all the way through — makes it easier as not switching treatments. Exercise and nutrition make a difference for me, so I’m being a boring middle age person rabbiting on about my protein powder and supplements 
.
Meet with the radiotherapy team next Wednesday, not looking forward to that. Everyone I meet seems to recommend a long and complicated treatment. I know they’re just looking out for me but for now I’m pretending radio will be quick and easy 
. I’ve done surgery and chemo now, so just need radio and then my 10 years (!!) of hormone pills
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Hi @arty1 and everyone! Well done for getting through cycle 3 although that sounds fairly traumatic! I had my last period at about 52 or 53 - that was one in a year - so hopefully they will do one soon!
I’m just over a week after my first Docetaxel and still not brilliant to be honest. I’ve been in so much pain and on Thursday, I thought I was going to faint at one point. I am still lacking in energy - a little better today - but still feel as though I’ve been beaten up. One of my finger tips is numb and I’ve got no sense of taste whatsoever - much harder than EC. I will be asking if they can reduce the dose slightly next time as I don’t think I can go through this another twice and I think I’ve got a fairly high pain threshold normally.
On the positive side, it is a gloriously sunny day here so the house is nice and warm and I will try to get the dogs out a bit later. I just want to be able to get on and do things. XX
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Hi @arty1 and everyone else!
I too have had a cold that turned to a chest infection over the christmas period. Luckily Christmas Day fell on my ‘good days’ so that was really nice. But was in a&e last sunday with chest infection and had iv antibiotics and fluids. So frustrating to be amongst what seemed like the whole population either vomitting or coughing! Anyway that has made this last EC feel long and hard as the cough is so debilitating and still feel breathless today. At this point I cant imagine not having a cough!
I go in for my first Decetaxel and Phesgo on Monday. I’m really nervous! Can anyone clarify why its a three week cycle compared to EC two week cycle? I’m really hoping it’s not because it is even harder than EC…
I had an ultrasound which showed the chemo is doing its job - which was a massive boost just when I needed it! But equally fatigue in every way is seriously kicking in…
Best to everyone!!! Rosie
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I forgot to say that I got my picc in the end and actually it’s been ok! The major downside is that it makes me feel a bit ‘medicalised’ at home and it can be uncomfortable depending on how it is dressed each week. Plus I have to wear a cover to be able to bath (which is my daily sanctuary). But I was super worried about me struggling with it sensorially and just being ‘aware’ of it inside me. And that side of it has been not too bad. Frustratingly a&e said they weren’t allowed to use it. But actually that served to remind me that it’s worth having it, as my veins kept rupturing/collapsing at a&e when they tried to put a cannula in. Took four attempts and a consultant. So if anyone is considering it I would say overall it has been worth it.
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I have had my 3rd complete chemo this week, 2nd on Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel). I have to do filgrastim injections this time around which is causing some bone pain, and after a hospital stay with antibiotics a couple of weeks ago, my digestion is having a major wobbly now.
Apart from that, I am doing okay on the Abraxane. They explained that as it is a newer drug it would be easier on the body and as I understand it, it is a 3 week cycle with this as it is designed to have longer term effects.
I am beginning to think though that it really doesn’t matter which drug you start off with, or which cycle it is, there will always be something new coming out the woodwork. Whenever I think this is manageable and not too bad, something else comes along to knock me back or stress me out.
Anyways, 3 down, 5 to go 
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@couchpotato- hopefully the nab is being kinder to you , just had my third nab paclitaxel too - They reduced the dose for dose two onwards and it’s been more manageable , although I’ve felt quite tired since Thursdays dose , it’s hard to know which is the chemo or the herceptin jab 
I’ve avoided the filgristrim jabs but they sound awful . I found with the severe bone pain I had with dose one , hit water bottles and muscle heat patches really helped along with warm baths
So you are on five cycles then ? How are you recovering after your hospital stay ? X
@rfg oh no I’m sorry you’ve been ill too
And let’s face it we all want to avoid hospital as much we can right now ! It’s the worst place to be for germs , sadly having winter chemo is the pits … Your chemo will be tailored to you , so everyone’s regime is very different x
Fantastic news about the ultrasound though … woohoo!! At least it gives you the reassurance of knowing it’s for the greater good as it were !
I’m glad you are getting on ok with the picc , it certainly makes things a bit easier I suppose , I’ve only one dose of chemo left so no point having it now 
@flojo that sounds rotten. I found my first dose of paclitaxel floored me and a dose reduction really made a difference . Please mention the neuropathy too as it sounds like you need your dose reducing … the pain with taxels is like nothing else , I get pelvic and bone pain … Currently hugging a hot water in bed !
Make a note of everything and ask for the dose to be reduced especially with the neuropathy too - get plenty if rest x I’m really hoping my periods just clear off I’ve had two now since I started chemo and they don’t help the anemia although this one is lighter …in my 53rd year and coming off hrt I thought they’d clear off !
@bluehourd you are nearly done with chemo woohoo! Everyone I’ve spoken to has said radiotherapy is so much easier than chemo so please don’t worry . What regime are they offering ?
I’m a big boring myself talking about healthy eating I’m looking after myself eating wise now and thrilled I’ve lost four pounds already sbc feel better in myself . Nothing wrong with treating yourself but I literally ate some almighty crap over Christmas !! I’m glad it’s helping you navigate the chemo , it can only do good at the end of the day
@flower5 it must be hard without the steroids 
… it sounds like you had a severe response to them . I find I feel wired on them , then crash afterwards and feel down
@purple_rain - My hand was sore for about 24 hours but eased , it’s now bruised but where it went in my arm … it’s black and blue !!!
I’m usually in my abraxane for an hour with a twenty min flush afterwards so it sounds like you may be on the shorter infusion with a line flush afterwards . They can give abraxane itself in hand an hour in subsequent infusions but they are sticking to an hour with me as I’m just a hot mess of allergies 
I hope your cold has cleared up … I hate this time of year !
@shelbylou81 I think docetaxel can really knock you for six . It’s rubbish when you feel you are just recovering then it’s time for dose 2 … the end is in sight though !
It’s hard to know if your periods might come back as you are still come young … they may out an appearance in again in a few months ! I’m so done with them now ! I’ve just realised I’ve had periods for 40 years !
@hlc sorry you are feeling pants … the insomnia is definitely a killer with this …there’s nothing you can do but roll with it and rest when you can 
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I spray lavender on my pillow and listen to ocean sounds … but tbh I’m either falling asleep in the sofa or up half the night … there’s no in between ! When is your next cycle ? My next one is 30th Jan all being well but the damn injections are until Nov
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@arty1 last cycle is next week 17th January so bell ring for me. Think ill be having Bisphosphonates injection again and picc line removed. Back week after for herceptin jab which ill have every 3 weeks till November for the Her2 receptor and start hormone tablets on 1st day of radiotherapy. Ive had surgery so 2 out of 3 almost completed. Feeling much better today after a good nights sleep… hopefully wont flag during next week this time. Not be long now till you too are ringing the bell to end your chemotherapy journey. 
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@hlc woohoo! Nearly there! No bell on our chemo ward so I’ll have to slap a bench but tbh like you m having herceptin so that goes in till November , it will be great to that last chemo ticked off for you !
Woke to a text from my step dad to say my mum is in hospital , she’s had tachycardia all her life abc takes beta blockers … usually very uneventful but occasionally has an attack that takes longer to resolve … she said she’s had worse attacks since she’s been in rituximub and yesterday they couldn’t get her heat rate down so she’s been admitted … she’s 76 though has been on beta blockers since she was 25 and they’ve decided that’s probably the wrong medication … after fifty years
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Fingers crossed your mum is ok. That sounds mad being on the wrong medication for that long. xx
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Wow 50 years. Hope they get her sorted. Last thing you need. Keep us updated on her progress and of course yours. Dont hurt yourself slapping that bench when its time
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I am on 8 cycles overall, 4 paclitaxel which was changed to Abraxane with the added bonus of having to re-do the 2nd cycle as they couldn’t get enough of it into me before my body objected. Then it is 4 cycles with EC.
The hospital stay was a bit weird, I felt rotten and was told to go to A&E where they started antibiotics. Bloods showed I was extremely neutropenic so they kept me in, but decided I didn’t need any medication as no evidence of infection. Spent 4 days in a single room with the door shut because of all the coughing and things going on outside my room.
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@hlc the bench slapping is a thing that lovely salbert suggests on our her2 thread 
Spoke to mum , they’ve managed to stabilise her heart and changed her from propanalol to b isopropyl a better beta blocker . Shes had ecgx etc and everything is resolved for now but they are keeping her in for a while as she’s 76 and has lymphoma although I never see her as that age as she’s so sprightly and looks amazing for a woman her age with stage 4 cancer . They’ve asked her to consider having a heart ablation at the heart hospital in Liverpool (she lives in n wales ) she said she’s going to consider it but I’m a bit worried about the risks at her age …
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Bless her. Im so glad shes picked up although like you i think at her age i dont think it would be wise to consider that and also having to travel to Liverpool. Shes same age as my mom and even though my mom just as spritly id say same to her
Hi everyone. I’m so glad of the change to weekly pacletaxol . The session went well without any reactions, no sickness and gastric problems, I’ve kept my appetite and so far only fatigue and bone pain which has been manageable. Lots of naps. I know it’s early and still another 8 sessions to go but after docetaxol it feels to me like abit of light relief. Hoping it stays this way. Take care everyone & keep counting down to the end xx💕
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@couchpotato You must have felt more anxious being in hospital 
I honestly wish I didn’t need to go near hospitals right now …,at least you had a side room thank goodness but that must have felt isolating and miserable . Good that there was no infection at least though x
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@louisea77 woohoo that’s a relief , thank goodness ! I think most people find weekly paclitaxel very tolerable x I’m on three weekly nab paclitaxel and the first dose knocked me but a dose reduction subsequently had been better , the fatigue and bone pain I’ve had too , I’m finding that warm bath and. Heat patch really helps
Has anyone got any advice for scaring of veins from EC. I had my first cycle venously because my port was too new and the vein started to scar about 3-4 weeks later. I now have a visible track mark the length of my forearm, and its tight and painful. I’ve asked the chemo nurses and they’ve told me to mention it to the consultant next time I see him, but I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to help in the meantime…
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I used those microwave heat pads to help ease the tightness on forearm during chemo and after, I also rubbed a cream on arm too (sorry I can’t remember name of it) it was one the nurse recommended perhaps you can ask your nurse 
the readiness does fade I won’t lie mine took a bit of time to fade but it did, hopefully yours will fade quicker 
Shi xx
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Google is telling me Hirudoid Cream, does that sound familiar? I will check with my nurse too
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