@molly.m we all need to step away for varying lengths of time, especially if we’re feeling unwell. Glad to hear from you.
I hope you’re well enough for treatment this week and that your daughter is well again.
I’ve found some weeks harder to go to than others too. We know we’re going to feel rubbish, but you’re right to push on. This phase is nearly done, thank heavens.
Have you tried gin gin sweets for nausea? Anything ginger helps me, though I realise that the nausea from paclitaxel is far milder than the nausea on your regime. Hope your other half has stopped wearing their body spray for the time being.
Have you tried rice pudding? I have Rachel’s organic rice pudding on the days near chemo, when I can’t be arsed to make stuff. Reason I suggest that brand - it’s quite rich, so plenty of calories and doesn’t have that weird taste edge that ambrosia puds do.
Re neuropathy- I’m finding keeping really well hydrated and massaging is helping tons. Definitely speak to your chemo team, they might reduce your dose, which could also help with the nausea.
Thank you so much @cathie2 it doesn’t really feel real and won’t know for sure about EC until after this week’s mdt but finally some good news. Mum likely to be discharged tomorrow or Tues too. Such good vibes for your last pacli tomorrow too!
@molly.m im so sorry to hear it’s been so shitty. I was wondering about how you were doing. It’s a long and horrid road but we can do it. Honestly ladies, I feel so privileged to have found this group!
@dizzy3 so gutted for you so about Brownies - the fact that chemo and bloody cancer has taken the joy out of food is just rude. Milkshakes sound lovely - I might have a maccies one later - though I’m having the miserable salad once chemo is over I’m buying ALL the smoked salmon, and blue cheese - didn’t know we could have baked Camembert @buggeringon sounds uber delish!
@story1 so so sorry to hear this that sounds so scary - I hope you’re feeling a bit better now!
@anim4l your wreaths sound amazing, wish I had a crafty bone in my body!
@cathie2 thanks. I’ve had very mild side effects, but have taken things really easy for the weekend.
Have started slowly putting some Xmas decs up, I’m giving myself until the 23rd to finish them I’m adopting other countries’ traditions on this, so all good.
When I say slowly, I mean really slowly- this is it so far :
Re dairy- on my regimen at least … the only advice I’ve had is to avoid raw (unpasteurised) dairy products and blue cheese. It might be different advice for different types of chemo?
@story1 sorry to hear you’ve been feeling poorly. I hope you’re feeling better today/very soon.
I think I’m a bit fortunate in that I have a desire to hibernate and be anti social in winter, so I’m relatively relaxed about missing out on festivities and family gatherings this year. However, as family are a bit upset about not seeing much of us during this active treatment phase, we’ve agreed that we’re going to have a big get together for Easter instead - with a focus on many of the usual Christmas bits - I shall be hitting post Xmas reductions and filling freezer!
I think this is the generally tough phase of chemo now, so I’m actively looking further ahead and planning some nice things to cheer me up.
Sending love to all you wonderful resilient ladies, we’re getting there xx
Lovely to hear from you Ailsa @molly.m , but so sorry to hear what a rough time you have been having. It’s good that you have been able to work some of the time, I expect it helps take your mind off it, while you are there. At least it is winter, so we are not missing as much as we would be in summer, when we can’t go out. Hope things start to improve soon. Jane x
Gosh that sounds awful Rachel, the worst thing is not knowing if these weird side effects will pass, or if they are something serious. I was on high alert for the first 2 rounds of EC chemo, almost on a minute by minute basis in the beginning, but I kept a written record of how I felt through the day, each day and then referred back to it on the next round - it helped to reassure me, when I saw when my temperature was running a bit higher or when the headaches would start etc etc. Hope you start to feel much better soon. Jane x
I’ve been feeling rubbish, heart rate really high so I’m back waiting for the emergency oncologist to check I haven’t got another injection!!
I feel like I did before the last infection- high heart rate, stomach pains- fortunately my daughter has gone abroad with one if my sisters and my mum so I don’t have to worry about her - it’s just frustrating to be back here again - particularly when I’m trying to avoid hospitals.
Happy to report that I’ve been sent home - ECG shows my heart rate was fast but not an abnormal rhythm. I’m back there tomorrow for my pre chemo blood test so will get my blood test results then but expecting them to be normal. I was given a prescription for 7 days of magnesium- hope that helps but wondering if feeling this rubbish is just normal at this stage of chemo? 4x fortnightly EC and 3 x weekly paclitacel down, 9 more weekly paclitacel to go..
@buggeringon Lovely Christmas decs. We put our tree up over the weekend. We won’t have all 4 kids together until Christmas Eve but will have various combinations of them home between now and the. Our two daughters were home this weekend so seemed a good idea. But I’m not really thinking much about Christmas just focussing on everyone being here but it was really nice to put them up. Glad you the side effects are manageable at your own pace.
@story1 that sounds really terrifying for you. Really hope things are settling now. It’s so scary when things like that happen as it is difficult to understand if it is side effect that will pass or if you need something to calm it. Really hoping things are easing and the next couple of weeks will be kind to you. xxxx
@animl4 Thank goodness it’s not an infection. What a relief. Good luck for your bloods tomorrow. I got my blood results today but the magnesium was not tested, which seems odd as it was low last week and they had to give me a supplement in the form of sachets for 5 days. I had a really good week last week comparted to the previous 3 and I am wondering if it was the magnesium so I am going to look into getting a supplement.
I have said bye bye to paclitaxel and carbo today!!! All went OK. Will see if rash develops later but I am stocked on antihistamines, cetraben and if I need it I still have the untouched steroid cream.
@emsd good luck with your last pacli /carbo combo. And good luck to all on treatment this week xxxxx
I also feel it’s hard to tell with this weird side effects what to be concerned about and what to just wait out.
Fortunately I have blood tests tomorrow and see the oncologist on Wednesday which are all pre existing appointments so hoping I’ll feel better soon, or at lest if not better that the side effects are more predictable at least ..
Hello September starters, I’ve just popped over from the October thread looking for some weekly Paclitaxel advice please.
@bellbert - you’ve already been over sharing some really useful tips so thank you!
I’m due to start weekly Paclitaxel on 2nd Jan.
I have triple negative breast cancer so I’m only having Paclitaxel as far as I know. Pembro injections haven’t been mentioned
Can you talk me through step by step what happens with Paclitaxel infusions as I think it’s supposed to take longer than EC ?
I’m also cold capping so that will add time. For EC it’s 30 mins before and 90 mins after - is it the same with Pax?
I’ve also heard that there is a higher chance of an initial allergic reaction with Pax which makes the first couple of sessions longer?
I’m really worried about neuropathy (some previous health make me more susceptible) so I’ll be using the cold mitts and socks (Suzipads from Amazon) - has anyone got any experience of using them? I’m a bit worried the staff will think I’m being a pain as I may need help changing the ice packs (they are not the friendliest bunch sadly and I’m not allowed anyone in with me so my husband can’t help).
Also, any tips or useful advice regarding side effects would be greatly appreciated too (no horror stories please!)
I currently have 7 Filgrastim injections with EC - is that the same with Pax?
Sorry for the gazillion questions. The change from EC to Paclitaxel is really triggering my health anxiety for some reason.
Hi @poptart welcome! I’m triple negative too and have one more pacli to go / do you know if you’ll be having carboplatin with the pacli?
With my pacli only sessions - I have premeds first - strong piriton for 15mins and the cold cap is sorted before that. Then there’s a 30 min break when they flush and then the Pacli for an hour and the cold cap stays on for another hour, If you have carboplatin then for me that’s done straight after pacli but doesn’t need the cold cap so the cold cap stays on for the hour while I’m having the carboplatin but can come straight off after so doesn’t take any longer. I use the suzipads tooI put compression stockings under but I haven’t changed the pads and probably should have as I do have a slightly numb toe
Pacli can make you very drowsy because of the strong antihistamine, so I’m usually quite out of it during the infusion. Pembro I think is only offered if your tumour is a certain size - stage 2a onwards which I believe is more than 20mm or where a lymph node is involved, so that might be why isn’t not been mentioned
@emsd2025 thank you - that’s all really useful to know.
I’m not sure if I’m having carboplatin or not I’ll have to ask my oncologist. I have a meeting with her a few days before I start the Paclitaxel so I’ll mention it then.
What meds are you given to take home? Anti sickness? Steroids?
No worries @poptart - so I get steroids as part of the pre med I think for pacli weeks but every 3 weeks I have Pembro and carboplatin too and I’m given steroids to take home for 3 days. I also get 3 days of filgastrin each week which I start 2 days after the chemo
Looking forward to seeing the oncologist tomorrow and hoping I get to see the consultant who is very helpful rather than his deputy who doesn’t answer any questions.
Round 3 of paclitavel has hit my digestive system hard! Lots of cramps and unfortunately frequent diarrhoea too - making me nervous to venture far. I’m hoping he will prescribe loperamide for this.
Felt slightly more energetic today and started on my wreath which isn’t finished yet, and a decoration for the front door which will be entirely compostable because it is made by sticking things into a potato! First attempt and I’d definitely make it hanging in situ in future rather than flat on the table as the weight of it drags it down but it only took 10 minutes - and makes the front door look Christmassy. Potatoes are better suited to a table centrepiece though and will certainly be making a potato centrepiece for Christmas. The pine wreath inside smells good and I’ll probably make a pine garland this weekend
once chemo is over I’m buying ALL the smoked salmon, and blue cheese - didn’t know we could have baked Camembert 
I’m adopting other countries’ traditions on this, so all good.
