Hi Loux
Number 3 yesterday, feeling really washed out, but had some good news, there is an outreach centre in Tavistock Hospital just five miles away from home and now that I am halfway through with no adverse reactions I can have the rest of my chemo there instead of a round trip of 40 miles into Plymouth and back! That will make life so much easier as it is a real pig to park at Derriford Hospital.
You suffered with your third didn’t you? Here’s hoping the rest of mine go a bit better.
I too am thinking about my next step which is surgery. At the moment I am going for a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I had a scare in my left breast in 2004 which was sorted with a wide excision biopsy and now four years down the line it is full blown invasive in my right breast so I am thinking I will be better off without either of them, I don’t fancy taking this trip a third time! But time will tell and it all depends on what I am offered but at the moment that is my preferred option.
Not long for you now then no more chemo. A friend of my sister’s is undergoing radiotherapy after finishing her chemo and she says it is a doddle after chemo and her hair is growing again.
That sounds good. The less travel the better…I go to Hereford for mine, but if there is any problems they send you to Cheltenham, which to my mind is like being sent to siberia!!!. I know wht you mean about being better off without either of them…I keep thinking about the other one and wandering…have looked in to genetic testing which may have implications on this front. The other thing for me is ovarian oblation, which is another thing to consider…
Pleased to tell you that the biopsy I had done on ‘lump’ was clear!!!. As you can imagine I was extreeeeeeemly relieved to hear this as one stops believing that this will be the case, so one less thing to worry about.
we are enjoying half term with the kids this week, doing kid orientated family stuff, which is lovely. Back to chemo next tuesday for no.5.The kids are going to my mums and dave is looking after me, which should be interesting!!. He’s not a born carer, even though he’s good wth the kids. We’ll see how that pans out…
I hope I will be able to report the same about radio!!
I hope you don’t mind me joining your discussion at this stage but I’ve only looked at this site for the first time today.
I am also going through TAC chemo (started 4th March for 6 cycles). Had 2nd lot last week and was really interested to read all your comments. I seem to go downhill about 48hrs after the chemo and end up in bed for 2/3 days achy and pretty pathetic! For the first 2 cycles at least this has conveniently coincided with the weekend so my husband can look after the children (and me!) and there are no school runs to worry about. My main concern is that this period may increase the further into chemo I get. My Breast Care Nurse keeps warning me of the “accumulative effect”! Thankfully, this time I seem to have picked up quite quickly (1st time round I picked up a vicious throat infection and spent most of the 3 weeks feeling lousy).
I’ve been reading other threads today that seems to suggest by cycle 3 the going gets harder. From what I’ve read you guys are obviously further through the treatment - how are you both doing?
Hope you’re both feeling OK at the moment.
Best Wshes to both of you
Cal
PS: I’ve just remembered the reason I started looking through the forums was to get some info on the completely disgusting taste I have in my mouth ALL the time. Everything tastes like cardboard (even chocolate cake - aka Vitamin CC in this house) and my tongue feels like it is regularly sandpapered! Any advice?
Just had a quick look on here but had 5th TAC yesterday and feeling ropey so won’t write much, but will do when I feel better. Actually things have got easier as they have gone on for me, but think thats cause first one was so hideous.!!..will give more info soon
I had my 3rd TAC a week ago yesterday and am only now beginning to feel anything like normal. I started a diary of how I was feeing each day when I started chemo, and I use this to see if it is following the pattern and so far it seems to be matching fairly closely. I was told it is cumulative but so far it seems to be following the same each time! Except for the fatigue, that seems to be building, but that might be because I am not doing very much, just pottering. As for the nasty taste, not a lot you can do I am afraid, I keep my mouth moist with plain water and chew sugar free gum as advised by my dentist, whose wife had just finished chemo for BC. The gum seems to work. I have tried pineapple and various other suggestions from other threads on this site, but I find the chewing gum the best, and I have always hated gum. Keeping your mouth moist helps to avoid the nasty ulcers and sore mouth that you can get. The only thing I really enjoy when the taste thing is really bad is mashed potato and plain fish, which when you think about it is pretty tasteless anyway, but you have to eat so that is what I tend to go for. Boring! Also when I brush my teeth after eating I give my tongue a gentle brush to try to remove some of the awful build up you get on it.
I have an Actimel each day to try and keep my insides working, it’s supposed to help boost your immune system. I am given Granocyte injections for 7 days from day 4 and take broad spectrum antibiotics from day 5 for 10 days and so far have been lucky in the infection stakes.
I always forget how bad it’s been when I am reasonably OK the few days before the next chemo, then crunch, it hits again, that’s where my diary comes in handy, I can count the days until I begin to feel better again.
All the best
Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Thanks for all your advice. I am keeping a diary too and I had thought that after 3 rotten days (days 3-5 after chemo 1) I definately started to pick up quickly - but then immediately got a throat infection so it was a bit difiicult to say for sure when I started to feel better. I also had chemo (2) a week yesterday and again days 3 - 5 were rotten but by Monday this week I was “pottering” again and yesterday morning I went into work feeling quite well. But then this morning having got up feeling fine I got really achy legs and lower back. So I’ve dosed up on nurofen and that seems to be keeping things manageable. But this is really disappointing. I thought once I picked up I would stay “picked up”! But then I’ve just realised that it’s now day 9 and my immune system is probably at a pretty low ebb. I get an injection on the day after chemo (neuro-something?) but only had anitbiotics last time because of the throat thing.
I’m also starting to realise (probably a bit late in the day!) that I’m going to have to nurture my body through this. I’m so used to my body just doing whatever I ask of it - this is really alien territory - I guess that’s true of everyone.
Thank you for the advice about Actimel & chewing gum etc. I shall definately try those.
Hope you stay well now (at least until the next one - out of interest is it on Wed 16th April? That’s my next appt).
Take care.
Cal.
PS: Pineapple juice now tastes fishy but fish doesn’t taste of anything - how does that work?
Hi Cal
Do you really have to go to work? I was told to stay away from other people at least until the last couple of days before my next chemo when, hopefully, my white cell count would be up. I was warned specifically against public transport and supermarkets, in fact anywhere there would be a lot of people. Also, I have been advised by my chemo nurse to take things easy, TAC is very strong and your body takes a real hammering and needs to be looked after to help it recover. I only go into work once a month to do the wages, but I am in an office usually on my own or with one other person, and I only go in on the day before my blood test, which is the day before my chemo, when my bloods should be reasonable. My next chemo is on Friday 18th, all being well. I have the seven Granocyte injections to give my blood marrow a kick start to produce the white cells, and the broad spectrum antibiotics are there to stamp on anything that tries to get a hold in the meantime. Derriford, where I am being treated, said it had cut their admissions of chemo patients due to infection from roughtly 70% to about 4%. So in the long run it is saving them money by using preventitive medicine.
It does go up and down, yesterday I was fine, did two loads of washiing, was looking forward to doing a bit of cleaning today, but don’t feel quite so good. Hey ho!
As for taste, I don’t know what happens to the taste buds, I have heard it referred to as ‘mercury mouth’ and that does seem to sum it up. and it doesn’t seem to be the same every time which is the strange thing.
Hi everyone
I had TAC last year, from May to Sept. at Trelisske Hospital Truro before Masectomy and node clearance (21 out of 24). I lost 90% of mr hair within 10 days of 1st. chemo. I remember I did feel lousy but looking back 2 months after end of Rads it was all worth it.
All the best
Val
I’m feeling much better now. A few back twinges, but nothing much. I shall definitely ask about the broad spectrum antibiotics at my next appt. But perhaps because I have a different injection (neulasta - the day after chemo) they’re not considered necessary for some reason. I shall check out Bristol Royal Infirmary policy on the matter!
I have worked a couple of mornings this week. Like you Nonny it’s only myself and one other in the office (in fact it’s the back office of a small GPs surgery) and I’m also responsible for payroll etc. There’s no contact with patients (I scurry through the waiting room very quickly!) and when I feel well it really does me good to go and concentrate on something else. There’s no pressure on me to do any work at all, the 2 GPs at the practice have been fantastic (as you’d hope I suppose). The female GP in particular has made the point that I mustn’t use all my “good” days working, I should have lots of “me” time when I feel up to it. I think she was making the point now so that as treatment progresses and I get more tired I don’t feel obliged to struggle in. And I won’t!
From my diary I’m keeping a tally of good days/ok days/bad days for each cycle. For Chemo 1 this turned out to be 8/5/8 which was a real surprise because my perception was that I felt lousy for most of the time … just shows you. For Chemo 2 (so far) it’s 4/3/4 but that’s only 10 days out of the 21 and I’m hoping the good days figure will heavily outweigh the others this time.
Hi
Just to add my comments. I had 6 chemo last July- Dec. age 37. It was tough going but I feel quite well mow. Joints still achey but it is doable. For some reason I found 4 anf 5 the hardest- number 6 not so bad. Good luck!!
Muddy
PS the taste really is awful - no real advice - Just trial and error. I found I couldn’t drink water of all things. Lime cordial worked. Hang in there!!
feeling better now (day 6 after chemo), but, due to kids being up in the night and anxious wrestless husband, feeling a bit feint and weary!!. So not doing much…
tips for tac…hmmm…mine are as follows:
practical stuff:
oral hygiene-electric toothbrush,floss,gargle…If you get a white tongue may be oral thrush, can get medication for this…
drink LOADS. I find drinking water a problem due to taste so drink dilute fruit juice
eat WELL…if poss or nursery foods seem to do for me!! mashed pots and fish etc…I have cravings for citrus fruit etc…and go with it…get friends to cook for you so you can eat yummy stuff with no effort and fill the freezer for bad days
sleep…and rest…
If you feel sick they can sort it out for you…
emotional/physical:
I have found walking and yoga a real help. Even if i feel really ropey after chemo I go for a micro walk and as I feel better I do more…friends come with me too so we chat and walk…my yoga teacher has done a sitting down routine for me for the days after chemo and then I build up as I feel better. This is really good for me
I think that chemo is worse when I am anxious and had reflexology before trearment last time and the time before and both were easier. The onc was cynical but who cares, I felt better!!
I also have councelling…my god I do the lot!!!
The single biggest factor for me who has two young children is to be fortunate enough to have full time childcare-thanks to my mum and dad-this has meant the kids and house are ok and I don’t feel out of control and useless…and can concentrate on getting through this treatment…
I have now done 5 thank F**K and as we all know its tough on many levels, but there is and end to this phase!! hurahhh!!
Glad to hear you’re recovering from chemo 5 - just 1 more to go? Wow, you’re on the home straight…
Thanks also for the tips. Particularly about yoga. I’ve done yoga for a couple of years but haven’t been to a class since my diagnosis in Jan. Partly due to hospital appts always seeming to fall on the same day, then 2 lots of surgery which put me out of action for a while. And now all my hair’s fallen out I’m a bit self-concious incase my wig/scarf slips somehow. Sounds stupid I know when I really used to enjoy the class and feel that I would really benefit from it right now. The instructor is very good and I’m sure that if I had a chat to him before the class he’d adapt routines for me - it’s just the thought of walking back into the class for the first time… but you’ve made me realise I just need to get on with it … just as soon as the children go back to school…!
Out of interest have you had any surgery (in particular node removal?) I’m just wondering if I have the strength in my right arm for things like inverted V - guess I just have to sit those out.
Nice to hear from you and pleased yoga tip may help you too…well I had 3 lots of surgery, the final one being full lymph removal and mastectomy and the advice I got was ‘use it or loose it’…obviously sensibly, but I did all the post op excersizes and then had a one to one with my yoga instructor to adapt them to a yoga routine, which made it much more holistic and interesting…I have also got myself referred to a physio (through my doc) who is now introducing light weights to improve strength…and to be honest I have full range of movement. I do my excersizes when walking every day and yoga adapted routine on top… can do all the postures and have just re-introduced weight bearing postures such as the dog, inverted V, etc…
I think having one to one with your instructor to start would be good so that he can give you a routine to suit you. The yoga I do is vini yoga which is supposed to adapt to the individual and I have a particularly good instructor who keeps an eye on me
I did take a bit of a gulp to go to a group class, but I do it any way!.. and its ok really after all yoga is about acceptance!..I just wear my hat which never slips…don’t wear wig much any way…in fact only worn it 3 times throughout. The only thing that slips is my prosthesis!, which I find amuzing rather than anything else!!
How is it going Cal, is Yoga helping, my District Nurse suggested Reflexology which seems to help a lot of Cancer Patients. Myself, I go though my relaxation techniques as I always have done, and they seem to help me. Used to do Yoga, but our local class closed and it is quite a trek to get to the nearest, about ten miles and I can’t be asked.
Your last chemo must be about due Lou, I can’t wait to get there. Will you be having radiotherapy? Did you have reconstruction when you had your mastectomy?
Saw Consultant yesterday, good news, the tumour was ER neg and HER2 neg also the biopsy of my lymph node came back clear and the icing on the cake, the tumour has gone! Doc couldn’t find it and sent me for an ultrasound, radiography couldn’t find it either, the TAC has done its work. Still have to have the other three though, ugh. He also said it will still probably mean a mastectomy at the end of it all, although the surgeons might be prepared to do a WLE if the radiologist can pinpoint exactly where the tumour was and if they get the dead cancer cells and enough of a clear margin that woud be that but I think I want it off though. Been speaking to other women who have had similar ops and have changed my mind, I am not going for a double unless they advise it, and I am not going to have reconstruction. I am so glad I have had breathing space to decide what op I want at the end of the day. I finally got Hubby to talk abut what is likely to happen and he is OK with that, in fact he didn’t want me to go for recon because it is such a big op, and as he pointed out I am hardly likely to want to cavort naked at my age! Cheek, he is older than me.
HI Nonny. I can’t believe your news, what a fabulous outcome for you!! I’m sooo pleased. Really great to have such good news for you…Also on apersonal level, pleased to hear how effective the TAC has been for you and hopefully the rest of us women!
As for me, yes one left to go and to be honest I don’t feel they have got worse. If anything a bit better (marginally). My next one is on 22 April and that is the end of another phase for me.
I did have a mastectomy but no reconstruction at the time. The surgeon felt it was better to clear it first and then think about recon when I am ready. I am having radio starting 3-4 weeks after the end of the last chemo. I have’nt really thought about recon yet but imagine if I go for it it will be in about 2 years time…
Interesting to hear you’re thinking of leaving other boob now… It still turns over in my mind…It’s that feeling of wanting to reduce your risks as much as possible. What was the feedback you got from other women??
I am trying to get information about oopherectomy (ovary removal) as another treatment option for me as mine was strongly oestrogenic. it makes some sense to me that having no ovaries may help, but still waiting to have a proper discussion with him…
I will also start tamoxifen after chemo has finished
I think you should to a bit of cavorting in celebration-why not !!!
The last chemo holds no fear for me!!-bring it on!
Hi everyone
I’m new to this site and am also on TAC. I’ve had 4 doses so far and have struggled with the last one more than the rest. I find I feel so nauseous I can’t even bear to think about drinking anything. I was told to take ondansetron for the week after chemo which I did this time only for it to constipate me to my ears!! I expect not being able to drink didn’t help. I’m dreading the next two doses.
It’s nice to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Good luck to you all with your treatments.