Have felt strangely unlike my normal self and breathless. Had appointment yesterday for results and have been told I have fluid on lung which needs draining, and multiple progression so Faslodex has not worked.
Given option of chemo or tablets, being as only 55 have taken the plunge and will do chemo taxol and gemcitabine.
How did anyone find this treatment, very aprehensive as had fec and taxoter in 2001, and had terrible time. Whether that was the shock of it all i dont know, but I do know it is now a fight to the end, so to speak. Did anyone use cold cap and did it work, I have fine hair but if chemo stops working at least I’ll have my hair. At the moment am waiting for a phone call to have fluid drained, but have a feeling it wont come till I phone again on Monday. Would like to get started on something at least, until chest is drained cant have chemo.
Any help appreciated.
I do hope that your drain went well and that you are feeling much better and able to breathe again. It’s definitely a tough call deciding about treatment and things, but have faith you’ll make the right decision for you. The good news is I found the taxol was much much easier than the taxotere - it didn’t cause horrible muscle pain or so much “lettuce leaf” syndrome (days when you are super fragile). I’ve not had gemcitabine. It sounds less potent than taxol as it doesn’t cause hair loss generally. Have you looked them up on the macmillan website? they’ve got all the info on side effects there.
Everyone has different survival techniques for chemo. Mine was to not be tempted to run about when I was on steroids. By forcing myself to be quite slow for the high days as it were, when they wore off mmy body wasn’t exhausted and the come down was much easier. I learnt that lesson on taxotere big time. I also learnt to take my ibuprofen and antisick tabs religiously every day after the chemo day for a few days before any pain or flu feelings could have a chance to develop and so they never did. By experimenting a bit here and there I hope you can find things that work for you.
Hope things have improved for you. I had good results with the cold cap (FEC and Tax), but it is quite an ordeal and can lengthen the time of treatment. Why not try it the first time and see how you get on with it? I do hope this round of chemo will bring you better results.
thank you both will take advice onboard, have chest drainage booked for Thursday. Appointment with onc on Tuesday and chemo Thursday next week. Will try cold cap if its uncomfortable will just get another wig. Have appointment for Monday for that.
Have lost the plot abit and had to ask for valium yesterday and so feel quite a lot calmer today, you just have to get through it