Five days ago I received the first of my four (three weekly) doses of chemotherapy - taxotere and cylophosphamide. So far the effects haven't been too dramatic. I've felt slightly nauseous, had an unpleasant taste in my mouth and been quite tired and lethargic. Yesterday, the fourth day after the treatment, was the worst. I felt like lying in bed all day - not really an option with three kids to get to and from school. But I'm feeling a bit better today.
I'm just wondering whether anyone who has been through this can tell me whether there is some sort of pattern to the symptoms. Do you feel worse in the 3-4 days immediately after treatment and then feel a bit better later on? Or do you feel progressively worse after each successive treatment? There are so many potential side effects and I realise everyone is affected differently but I'd be interested to hear about the experience of anyone who is having or has had a similar treatment to mine.
Comments
Hi
Hi Janet
I had the same combination of chemo as you almost 2 years ago. I had 6 cycles so found it quite tough on cycle 5 & 6 . I used to have my treatment on a Thursday feel very tired from Sat onwards until about Tues. Had no nausea as such due to all the dexamethasone and odansetron I was given. My mouth was horrid for a few days so chose to eat macaroni cheese on the Friday and loved coffee breakas made my mouth feel better. I think as time went on I tolerated it better but became very swollen in the feet after my last chemo remember being at my sister-in laws on Dec 26th and had hugely swollen feet but that went away quite quickly. On the positive side I am now 2 years since diagnosis, feel great and have just joined the gym to get fitter. I also joined a Dragon Boat team and it's been a great addition to my life.
I found chemo something I just had to get on and "do". Hope it all goes okfor you and wishing you an easy journey.
Sarah
Hi
Hi Janet
I had the same combination of chemo as you almost 2 years ago. I had 6 cycles so found it quite tough on cycle 5 & 6 . I used to have my treatment on a Thursday feel very tired from Sat onwards until about Tues. Had no nausea as such due to all the dexamethasone and odansetron I was given. My mouth was horrid for a few days so chose to eat macaroni cheese on the Friday and loved coffee breakas made my mouth feel better. I think as time went on I tolerated it better but became very swollen in the feet after my last chemo remember being at my sister-in laws on Dec 26th and had hugely swollen feet but that went away quite quickly. On the positive side I am now 2 years since diagnosis, feel great and have just joined the gym to get fitter. I also joined a Dragon Boat team and it's been a great addition to my life.
I found chemo something I just had to get on and "do". Hope it all goes okfor you and wishing you an easy journey.
Sarah
Thanks Sarah, I hope to get back to gym myself eventually. I'm glad you're doing well and I hope you continue to. aI ppreciate your comments.
Janet.
Hi Janet
I am on Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide every 2 weeks. Day 2 and 3 tend to be OK as the steroids and anti nausea drugs are still on board. Day 4 to 7 tend to be my fatigue days. By day 8 I am on the way up. Day 4 for me is the worst. As the steroids wear off I get the downward mood swing. But I now understand this and so I keep myself occupied and distracted and it passes quickly. I am moving on to Taxol in a month. I am told that fatigue is a big issue with this one.
Hope you travel well for the rest of your "zapping".
Thanks Serenity. Good luck to you too.
me too
Hi Sarah,
I had exactly the same treatment as you. I found that it gets a little worse after each cycle. I think you will find that its about the first 10-11 days after each chemo are the hardest. You may want to find someone to drop off and collect kids for the first few days. My oncologist told me that my normal 8 hours sleep just isnt enough. So sleep as much as you can. Which I tried to do, but I am a single mum with a 4yo daughter!! Once the mouth started bothering me I really got into custards and Choc and Ice Coffee Breaka milks. I also found things like mash and gravy to be pretty good. Everything tastes totally different and sometime really wrong!! so when I felt like anything, I just ate what i really felt like. If you find you arent getting enough healthy food, then get some sustegan. You can get that in the UHT milk like the Breaka milks.
Hang in the hon. The next 3 months will be a challenge, but you will be fine.
Keep an eye on your temp on about day 9-10. That is when your body will be at it's lowest.
Hope you cruze thru ok hon
Tania xx
Thanks Tania, you're comments were really helpful. I think the anxiety about what might happen is getting to me as much as what is actually happening. It's good to know though, that I won't feel uniformily horrible for the entire three months. I'm actually fine today, just a bit tired because I'm not sleeping very well - worrying about it all I suppose. Janet.
Hang in there Janet. And try to stop worrying. Thinking of you xx
Hi Janet
I think sometimes the worrying about the unknown is the worst part. I am due to have my last chemo next Wednesday. I had 3 FEC and will have had 3 Taxotere. My journey hasn't been that smooth with a lot of side effects etc. but no emergency trips to hospital to speak of yet thank goodness.
You do survive but I found sometimes it is best to take it day by day or even hour by hour. I don't have small children so I am lucky I don't have to worry about caring for them and getting them to and from school. That is where you may require help especially if fatigue sets in. I take my hat off to you mums with littlies to care for when you are trying to care for yourselves, you amaze me how you do it so well.
It is a crappy journey we are on but the less you worry about what is ahead and just be prepared with all the necessary things to see you through your side effects etc. it will be so much easier for you. There is a blog called "what helped you through your journey" which may help you if you haven't read it yet of what to have on hand for some of your side effects but also some comforts we all need to get us through. I have recently done up an extensive list of items and things that may be required and sent it to a lovely friend of mine who has just been diagnosed with BC.
Try and be gentle on yourself and accept help whenever it is offered or ask for help if it isnt offered. Nurture yourself and soak up all the love around you.
Wishing you lots of healing vibes and good luck along the way. Try not to stress too much as that won't help you get through the healing process.
LOL
Mich xo
very helpful blog
Thanks Mich, I had a look at the blog yesterday and there is heaps of great advice there. Some of it I've heard from the health professionials which was helpful. But it is so worthwhile to hear from the women who have actually been through this or are going through it. I am still learning to navigate my way around this site so I really appreciate your suggestion.