im so annoyed, and scared wittless that im gonna react the same way again. my consultant said they are giving me antibiotics to take home straight away thi stime, and changing my anti nausea/sicknesstabs AGAIN and that i must without delay go starigt back in if i feel as unwell as i did again so they can act quicker, but why cantthey just lesen my dose, he seems o forget ive got two very young children. my artner also is not happy and is threatening a complaint if same reaction.i had my follow up appointment on monday just gone when i was told all this,a dn top it off i was hour and haf lat ebeing seen, and then they couldnt find my notes which really got onmy wick. is they anyone who can reasure me, who is also on tac (tax wotever its called)
hello there Madga
I am also on the TAC chemotherapy, and it sounds like you had a bad time last time. If they gave you antibiotics it would be because you had an infection, that can happen anytime, just, when you are on chemotherapy your white cells take a battering too. So, instead of being able to fight infection you are left helpless. This is why it is so imortant to call them if you are unwell or your temperature rises. I know what it is like, after my first chemo I had a chest infection and ended up having my next chemo pushed back a week - in fact I was still borderline to have it the next week, but my oncologist allowed it in the end. Maybe you can ask for an injection of Neulasta next time. This will help boost your white cell count and is given 24 hours after chemo. Your district nurse will come and giveit, but it is no big deal, a few of us here give it ourselves.
The nausea can be a nuisance - I was vomiting the first chemo! But we have sorted it now and i have quite a range of different medication to take. Most important though is NOT to wait until you feel sick, take them as prescribed, before you begin to feel sick - they work better that way. Also, try whatever got you through morning sickness when you were pregnant.
As to the dose, it is carefully calculated using your weight and height. From this they work out the exact dse - so, if you have lost weight or gained it, they need to know before they make up your chemo. I’m not sure a lower dose would make a whole heap of difference to the side effects - but might make a huge difference to wiping out the cancer cells. The drugs are expensive - over £1000 a session, just for the chemo - so, if they COULD reduce it, believe me, they would.
Waiting times, yeah, they are a pain. On a chemo day i go for 09:20, see the oncologist at 11:45, then they ask pharmacy to make up my chemo - eventually get started at 1:30 - finish at 4:30. I then get home about 7pm - long day. But, it is only six times (well, seven because i missed a week) - and, it is shrinking the tumour. That has to be worth it to get rid of the cancer?
You will get through this. You seem to have a partner that cares, so you are very fortunate. Get friends and family to help with the children - and concentrate on the essentials - the housework will still be there tomorrow!
hugs
x x x
Hello Madga
I think that you may be on the chemo that I have just finishes called Taxol. I had four sessions before starting Ec. After my first session I became neutropenic and had to be in isoltion for three days being given IV antiobiotics, I then weny home with antiobiotics. As my count was all but wiped out I did have my dose reduced, but only as it went so low. What sort of reaction did you have? I can really understand you being so scared as I was as well and now have to take lorazepam before each chemo. Thankfully I have not had a low count since but that does not stop the worry. Would it be possible for you to contact your breast nurse and talk it over with her, she may be able to help.
Sending you a big hug
Alison x