Struggling through Chemo
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It's good to know it's not just me, not that I'd wish glue eye on anyone. I'm looking forward to my eyelashes growing back. @Rona I will be thinking of you on Thursday I'm sure you will be fine. I'm still waiting on a start date, but I'm quite happy to have a few weeks off.
Hi @GorgyS I think we've all had to miss a round on paclitaxel for one reason or another, mine was severe mouth ulcers, but you are over half way now 😃 my feet were ok, but the tips of my fingers felt weird, although they are improving now. My fingernails lifted, some of them half way down the nail, so I'm nursing them along hoping they'll grow out, and not fall off. I'm using nail strengtheners, cuticle oil and gel. Same routine for my toenails which are looking better than ever with all the TLC they've been getting.
Hope you are feeling ok @CeeCee0 -
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Nice to hear from you GorgyS. It’s great to read that we all are normal 😊 with similar symptoms.
5 to go is better than 12 and way better than the AC treatment.
My Oncologist told me that the tingling can get worse for a period of time after treatment so I’m not too concerned, washing my feet is a very strange feeling.
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I am now day 7 after the first Chemo, started feeling a bit normal on day 5.Did you find that how you felt with the first one was a pattern for future treatments or do you feel worse the more that gets pumped into you?
Also I’m not looking forward to the 12 weekly sessions when the 4 AC’s are over. Does your body have enough time to recover in that time? One of my sons gets married in the middle of that and I don’t want to be feeling sick for that.
Once again, I know everyone is different.
It has been great reading stories of those that have been there before me. Thanks so much xo0 -
Ha! One of my replies disappeared, but has now reappeared, I didn't type as much on the second go!
Hi @CeeCee, I found the first AC the worst, the rest were slightly better, and all pretty much the same. I had more energy on paclitaxel and went back to work 2 days a week. I did start feeling a bit tired after round 8, but then I got the mouth ulcers and they reduced the dose by 30% and I felt ok again for the last 4. If I had to pick between the 2 paclitaxel was easier, even with the changed sensation in my fingers and damaged nails and other side effects which were all manageable.0 -
I’ve just read this post from the beginning and this has been so helpful for not only me but I’m sure many others. I’ve learnt things here that I haven’t been told elsewhere so feel very prepared for what may be coming up. The fear of the unknown is very real, I am grateful for you all, thank you 💕🙏
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Hi Ladies
Just thought I'd share that I've been able to drink black tea again over the last day or so!!!!! We have to celebrate the small wins!
@Katie46 I've also experienced the old glue eye with no eyelashes...except mine was my left eye in the morning when I woke up....my husband thought I was winking at him 😉
I have my radiotherapy planning session tomorrow so am prepared for snorkelling and bean bags (and a ct scan of course).
Hope everyone is going well (or as well as can be expected going through all that we are!!)
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I try to keep quiet until I finish Taxol. Three more to go. Hopefully, my blood test will be OK so I can continue until the end, which is June 20. My nurse told me that it is very common not to finish all 12 cycles of Taxol. She said that 8 cycles can give the same survival outcome as 12 cycles. Apparently, many women cannot go through all 12 cycles because of the side effects. For me, Taxol has been much easier than AC, although I have numb feet and I am very tired on days 3 and 4 after chemo. Everything is shorter with Taxol. I also have a strange taste on those two days. I have learned how to "ignore" the side effects, but I report them to the oncologist. I cannot wait to have the PICC line removed from my arm on the last day of my chemo. It served its purpose; it saved my veins and no needle pain. After that, 3 weeks break before 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Aren't we all so brave? Keep going lovely ladies
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Yay! @Coastiejas, it's so nice when things start returning to normal 😃 my hair is definitely starting to grow, I now have a definite fuzz coming through, not really sure of the colour, its lightish.
My first radiation treatment is provisionally booked for 11June, I'm just waiting for confirmation.
@GorgyS I was told the same re the paclitaxel, I got to 8 full strength and 4 at a reduced dose after the mouth ulcers episode. They did consider not doing the last one because of my fingernails and sensation in my fingertips, but decided to go ahead as it wasn't any worse than the week before. The tips of my fingers still have an odd sensation, but it's definitely improving.
I'm 2 full weeks of no chemo and I feel a bit better every day. I've been able to increase my walking and I've done a yoga class which went well, but I'm as stiff as a board! So I'll need to keep doing that.
@Rona I hope your radiation is going ok.1 -
Hi Ladies
I had my radiotherapy planning session yesterday . It took a couple of hours. They made my bean bag and I was drawn all over with texta (it's come off in the shower). I found the breath holding no problem at all..... but I have a background as a musician and also have been doing breath work with both meditation and qigong so all of that might have helped me. I didn't get a snorkel or tattoos which was disappointing, they said it was because of different types of machines. They have a treatment room called the ocean room so continuing on with the holiday theme! I am going to be in the rainforest room apparently. @Katie46 I have my first fraction as they call it 2 days after you on 13/6. @GorgyS I had one of my paclitaxel rounds delayed too due to liver issues, then I had a reduced dose from then on and managed to soldier on for 12 rounds , hang in there!. I thought I'd got away with no nail issues but I noticed one of my big toenails has started to go black in the corner. Also I've got muscle pain in my legs like I've run a marathon, it actually gets better with movement which sounds counter intuitive.
@Rona how are you going with the radiation? @CeeCee and @Paris_24 I hope you are both going ok.0 -
Hi @Coastiejas, I've found the same thing, my muscles have tightened up since stopping chemo, but stretching in the morning and yoga seems to sort it out. It does sound like you're going to a retreat rather than radiation therapy, a relaxing retreat would be lovely right about now!0
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@Katie46 it's strange isn't it that we get these issues when the chemo stops..... I thought that would be the end of all the side effects but apparently not! At least my sense of taste and smell is very gradually starting to come back...0
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@Coastiejas @Katie46 good to hear that there is a new normal forged after the chemo, that your bodies are healing up and you have rad plans in place. @Rona hope you are going ok with radiation and conquering the snorkel. I am down 2 Taxols now and just like you all and @GorgyS find the Taxol less full on than the AC. I was told Taxol has a cumulative effect to be felt around round 7 rather than the big upfront whack AC gives and then you recover. I am getting the taxol over longer time to minimise reactions. Love having the clear head and know my limits find day 4 the fatigue sets in and I sleep for a couple of hours - the cooler weather also helps to stay in bed. The nails changed day 1, end up with a rash on the face day 2 and the joint aches and pains set in week one but the Panadol oesto helps keep at bay, also taking magnesium, Vitamin D and shares in hydraltye 😂 - am determined to get through these weeks and keep moving on. @CeeCee hope you are also going ok moving through AC. Stay warm and keep your strength and spirits up warrior women!1
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Thanks for thinking of me, I am having some good days now and cooking up a storm and walking lots. Today I saw the surgeon about putting the PICC line in which will happen next week, the day before I get my 2nd AC. Also my hair started coming out today in clumps, while we know it’s going to happen, it still hits home. My husbands giving me a buzz cut tomorrow and my surgeon got his wife to ring me about some great sleep caps from America, apparently they’re not available in Australia. She has been on the same journey as us and swears by them so I ordered a couple. Attempting to make this journey fun which is not always easy. Sending lots of good vibes to you all.0
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Hi @CeeCee, glad you are doing ok. My husband buzz cut my hair for me. When it started coming out my scalp was tender and buzzing it off really helped reduce that feeling. My first shower with my buzz cut felt like a spa on my head, a strange but nice sensation. Most days I use coconut oil on my scalp, it stopped it getting dry and smells nice as well. Look Good Feel Better run a session on wigs and scarf tying which is worth attending. Definitely have fun with the hats and scarfs, I wish I was more crafty and could make my own, I like a bit of sparkle and I haven't found a sparkly cap I like yet.0
