Hi all
Muddy-just read my fact sheet given to me re. tax, " reduction in white blood cells begins five days after treatment and reaches lowest point seven days after chemo" so we should be out of the woods!!
Ive had a couple of not so good days, with temp getting up as high as 37.5 but seems to have come down now, but like Anita says, its the exhaustion - put some clothes in the washing machine and needed 15 mins to get over it! Still, I’m good at resting,
Looking forward to the weekend, with my mum coming to stay, and my eldest coming to visit - wonder if I’ll feel ok with the vino by then??
Hang on in there all taxoterees
Cheers Anne
Hi
Had my 1st TAX today and apart from the ‘scary’ breathless thing, it went well. The staff were brilliant in sorting me out quickly so major panic did not set in.
It is great reading (or trying to read as my head is a bit fuzzy) how everybody is doing and picking up tips - I go buy a soft toothbrush in case of mouth issues. Glad to hear how you are all progressing well as it is very encouraging.
Speak to you all soon
Moogie
Hi all
Not feeling so good today - had upset tummy most of last night and feeling very pathetic. Tummy still dodgy today so have cut out the fruit I have been eating. Still managing to eat. Cramps bad but they come and go so overall managing now at a week after first Taxotere. Will keep you all posted.
Good luck out there!!
Tip= have found sucking ice lollies good as there is only so much water I can drink and fruit lollies have a decent flavour.
MuddyXX
Hello all,
Day 3 after Taxotere. Still feel pretty normal. Had a good day yesterday, feel a little achey in joints but no big deal at all. Just taken some Ibuprofen! I do realise that it may not have started yet but Im feeling positive! Usually would be tired now after FEC but actually have some energy!
Good luck to everyone else, hope you have a good weekend.
Pauline x
Hi there everybody
Its now my day 9 and now feeling like I’m over 80 yrs old - but hopefully getting younger by the day.
Talking of which, as we cant see any profiles anymore (unless I’m not looking in the right place) I thought it would be nice to know a little about each other, so here goes:
I’m 50 years young, married to a brilliant man, have two children, girl 24, boy 20, first diagnosed 1996, had lumpectomy, radio, tamoxifen 5yrs. Now going through “round 2” , mastectomy in Jan, having chemo this time as didn’t get it last time. Previously a pre-school owner, now teaching piano to adults, which is actually a great laugh.
Have a good weekend everyone
Cheers Anne
Hi all
Feeling rough today. This would be day 8 after TAC last Friday. Have a very upset tummy - spent some serious time with tummy cramps last night and this morning. They seem to pass and then I feel 100% - am drinking loads to keep up the water level.
My background - am 37 (just) and diagnosed on 5th June. Had full mas, lymph clearance and reconstruction on 11th June and started chemo last Friday. Lump was 23mm and grade 3 - had a lot of lymph involvment so am still gettting bone scans, CT etc done.
Am married with boys age 11 and 8. Have developed a calm now which I wouldn’t have anticipated a few weeks ago.Taking one day at a time.
Hang in there
MuddyXX
Hi Girls
2 days post last Taxotere and just starting to get easily breathless, but that’s all. If it goes as usual, I will start with the joint pain this evening and get progressively more tired - but who knows. Seem to have had quite a busy day - only because everything takes 4 times as long to do! Just been out for coffee (and cake!) and shopping with a mate and the sun is shining, so feeling pretty good really.
I am 50 (May - only just!), diagnosed Jan this year, Grade 3 invasive ductal, 35mm 6/11 node involvement. Mastectomy with LD recon + implant end Feb, along with reduction on other side at same time. Six weeks rads start 22 August. CT and bone scans came up clear, so hopefully chemo has blasted all those nasty little cells that might have been lurking around - fingers crossed. I am triple neg, so no more drugs for me now unless I get recurrence, but am going to try not to worry about that until/if/when it happens (well, that’s the plan - after reading posts on here know it is not going to be easy).
Two kids - well boy of 22 and girl of 18 - broke up with their dad 4 years ago and been with current partner only 18 months and he is brilliant. I have been very lucky with family, friends and work - all being very supportive.
I’m a bit the same Muddy - do not get as stressed as I used to and I absolutely refuse to get stressed about work any more - life is just too short.
Hope the weekend goes Ok for you all,
Take care xx
hello everyone,
Nice idea Anne to introduce ourselves! Im 44, diagnosed in March, 1.4cm grade 2 lump with 4 out of 10 lymph nodes affected. Positive to everything, oestrogen, progresterone and her2+++. Have had mastectomy and axillary node clearance. Had 3 FEC and first of 3 Taxotere. Get Herceptin next time with the Taxotere and then continue that for one year. Hormone therapy to come too!
Two children aged 7 and 18, were all coping pretty well so far, never quite realised the depths of my own strength until now.
Hope anyone suffering feels better soon and if you’re feeling good lets hope it continues!
Pauline x
Hey
I started another Taxotere thread, so apologies I didn’t search for this one 1st as it’s been very helpful!!
Well I’m 29. Was 1st diagnosed at 27 in Dec 05 with 6cm stage 3 tumor so had axillary clearance and partial mastectomy, 6 FEC and 28 Rads which finished in September 06. Diagnosed again with cancer, only in my lymph nodes this time on 12th June 07. Had another axillary clearance and 4 out of 7 lymph nodes were infected with a secondary cancer cell left from the 1st time. Started 6 Taxotere on 25th July. No other treatment needed this time.
I work as a Human Resources Manager and signed for my 1st house on 11th June (typical). Boyfriend is in the process of packing up and moving in with me and my mum’s still here to give me all the support I need, thankfully!
My Taxotere diary so far has been:
Wed: Fine
Thurs: Sleepy
Fri: Little achy and stomach cramps
Saturday; Agony in legs and chest, breathlessness and stomach cramps
Sunday: Mouth ulcers galore, pain easing a little in legs and constipated
It reads like a 'Best Seller’s list *lol*
My thoughts are with all of you during this time!!
Moira
xx
Hi
See two threads going here - Moira what a sickener that ‘it’ is back. I suppose that is my big fear - diagnosed in early June recon and mas at same time and feel a bit anxious that I had to heal from surgery before chemo started. I am still having tests. Had bone scan last week and CT next week and too sick with worry to even think that it might be on the move.
Good luck with ulcers - you tried ice lollies?
MuddyXXX
Hi everyone,
Muddy, hope your stomach is feeling better today
Moira, looks like we started our Taxotere journey on the same day!
Anita, hope youre bearing up, nearly all over now for you though! Im so jealous! My last one is 5th September and Im already planning the celebration!
Anne, how old are you feeling today? 70 yet?!!
Moogie, havent heard from you for a couple of days, hope your’e keeping well
So far, day 5, feel better today I think but difficult to tell, I’m going to go for a coffee and Im craving white toast with butter so am going to find that in a local cafe too! Im not sleeping too well though, waking up, painful chest area and upper back seems to be the main place, have occasional stomach pains but theyve not developed into anything as bad as you yet. My main problem at night seems to be increasing hot flushes which just affect my face and head, leave me quite sweaty and horrible. I think that’s whats waking me up, I dont know whats causing them as I had a period about 4 and a half weeks ago, and I had them before Taxotere too, I used to think it was steroids but now I dont know!
Anyway, off to get dressed now and to find toast!
Take care
Paulinex
Hiyall
Question for you
Has anyone else got this tingly sensation in their face?? My top lip feels really weird and my face generally feels swollen, but doesn’t look it. It feels as if I’ve put a moisturiser on that doesn’t agree with me. Other than that, the mouth is now getting better, although the taste is still weird, and fitness levels (heehee) are improving - reckon I’m about 70 yrs young by now - having said that, my mum, who is 80 is staying with me at the moment, and she’s wearing me out, but that’s another story!
So with you Pauline with the hot flushes - managed a family barBQ on Sat. and shocked everyone when the wig just had to go!
Hang in there everyone and keep in touch
Cheers Anne x
Hi Ladies,
I’m Tracy, 39yrs old but feeling 92!! I’ve 2 kids aged 21 and 16 and I’m a granny too to little Cody who’s nearly 2yrs old. Bless him cos he keeps me going through his crazy time. Diagnosed in Feb 07, had lumpectomy + axillary clearance, 1 out of 10 lymph nodes affected, had 3 FEC and 2 out of 3 TAX last week. Felt absolutely great throughout the FEC but the TAX has knocked me for 6! Seem to have same after effects as most ot you-painful legs, numbness in fingers/toes, extreme tiredness, absolutely yacky mouth + ulcers + fat tongue!!, nasty runs etc etc!!! I’ve been having regular Reiki sessions throughout and I do find it helps keep me calm-has anyone else tried it? I can also recommend taking regular spoonfuls of Manuka honey-expensive but it really helps with the mouth ulcers and upset stomach. I’ve had nearly a full 10 days in bed this time but finally I’m coming out the other side on day 11.
Good news is there’s on;y 1 more TAX to go for me-hooray!! Then the radiotherapy starts but I’m not worried about that.
Good luck everyone, keep smiling
Tracy xx
Anne,
My wig is constantly coming off, I just cant stand it when the flushes come! Ive been wearing a Baker boy cap today but my other half keeps singing Casey Jones at me, now, only women of a certain age will remember that one! (clue, he worked on the railway!) Cant compare notes on the strange facial feelings though, only got a fat tongue and sore mouth but Im not complaining!
Tracy, yes Tax is worse for me too although I must say that compared to other people Ive not had it too bad so far, Ive had Manuka honey bought for me and I really am going to try taking it now!
One complaint I do have which I havent heard yet is a painful scar/underarm area on my mastectomy/ axillary node clearance side. It really is starting to annoy me now as Id thought that the surgery was getting better! I did have an echo cardiogram on Friday which involved her scanning this area so it could be this thats set it off rather than the Taxotere.
Night night everyone, as usual Im off to bed soon!
Pauline x
Hi everyone
I am Lillian and I am 40yrs old with two kids 14 and 3. Like you Tracey I was diagnosed in Feb 07 but had a mac and reconstruction. I have had 3 FEC which were bearable and am just embarking on my 3xTAX journey.
I had my first TAX on thursday and have been fine until today. I woke up with a swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing and aches and pains in my legs back and neck. I now know what everybody means by saying they feel in their 80’s. I am moving about very slowly, so just managed to get to my computer, Pauline!
I am at the moment sucking on a lolly - thanks for tip moody - but am wondering what foods i can manage to eat with my tongue taking over my mouth! My neck glands also feel quite swollen - has anybody else has this? Should i worry? Otherwise I am not in bad pain and have my painkillers at the ready.
All the best to all and look forward to seeing how you are all doing
Lil
x
Hiya Lillian
I’ve also had the swollen neck glands, accompanied by sinusy pains. Would just say keep an eye on your temperature. Re. foods - whatever’s comfortable, I coped on soups, and ice cream (not all at once!) My taste is still really weird - my other chemo taste didn’t last like this one does - do we get a normal taste back before our next dose??
Cheers Anne x
Hi Pauline and Lil,
Firstly, Pauline-I’m glad you’ve mentioned getting pain in your scar-I thought it was just me overdoing it agan!! I’ve had almost constant pain in my axil clearance under my arm since my last TAX-it hurts right up to my shoulder and right round my back and neck too-maybe this is just another wonderful side-effect if you’re feeling it too?
Secondly, Lil, for the first 5-7 days after TAX my glands in my neck were very sore/swollen, what with my massive yacky tongue and my swollen face I figure its not a good time to consider a career change in modelling tehehe!!! I presume that this is normal too so hopefully you’ve nothing to worry about either and it will settle down in a few days.
Does anyone else have a lot of pain in the veins on the arm where the dreaded drugs go in? I seem to have problems straightening mine and if I knock it accidently the pains awful-maybe itsw just me! I feel like all I do is moan these last few weeks and I hate it so sorry ladies I do apologize!!
Well like a proper lil old lady I’m off for bath n bed now-can’t have wine just yet cos still tastes like petrol-hopefully tomorrow will be better!!
Take care all,
Tracy xx
Anne
You mentioned the swollen glands. I have had sore ears and feel a bit swollen in the glands in my throat. No temperature and feeling OK otherwise so perhaps it is connected.
Also someone mentioned the tingly sensation in/on their face - as one of the drugs was being given to me at chemo they mentioned that and as the syringe went in I could feel the sensation - nothing since but they did say it could come back - it was like a wave going across my face - not painful. How weird is all this lovely chemo yummys!!
Feeling good today - no yukky tummy (at the moment) and energy level very good. Long may it last. Have great heartburn though.Had the nurse yesterday taking my bloods at day 9 so we’ll see how they turn out.
Good to see all the tips - honey should be good - natural and soothing to a sore mouth and throat.
Hang in there - remember every day is a day closer to the end of chemo - happy days!!
MuddyXX
hello everyone,
well, sorry to gloat but like Muddy Ive been feeling really well today on day 6! Sorry (sure I’ll get my comeuppance somewhere down the line so please indulge me!!) Still got a bit of a swollen tongue though and funny sense of taste but I think Im getting used to it now!
Lil, definitely had the swollen gland feeling too together with kind of pains in the ears but these are dying down now.
Tracy, it gives me no pleasure to say Im glad someone else has my discomfort but you’re describing my pain exactly! Think it must be a side-effect of the Tax, is there no end to the side-effects this drug causes.
Thanks everyone for the updates, Im finding it really helpful chatting with people who are going through the same thing… we’re the only people who truly understand!
Take care,
Pauline x
Hi all,
It is good to kow that all our aches and pains are normal (!!!) and that we’re not on our own isn’t it? Thank goodness for this site and all who writes on it!
I’ve been shopping with my kids all day today-I’m soooooooooo tired but I’ve had a good day,
Bye for now
Tracy xx