Going mental

Thanks Summer chemo was cancelled so I'll see what appt on Thursday brings love to you xx 

Thank you Doll my chemo was cancelled today still experiencing pretty bad pain in feet appt with oncologist Thursday I'm kind of hoping as the nurses have said that after mastectomy 4 acs 8 taxol they will stop chemo and then I'll do radio xx hope yours improves I don't want permanent nerve damage and I'm still surprised that it took 8 doses then wham bam 

Hi Alsopt

I am so sorry to read the complications you are having and can fully understand your distress.  Unfortunately, when you are feeling so bad you may not make the right decisions.

Take a breath, make a list of questions for your oncologist and make that important decision together.  Lay the cards on the table.  List how you are feeling, how it is affecting your life (physically and emotionally), tell them your concerns for the future and tell them they need to find other drugs to help you get through this difficult time with minimal discomfort.

Give your furry kids an extra cuddle as they will know you are upset.

Hugs  Summer  :-)

What a relief to have a break from chemo today! Gives you a couple of days to clear your head and prepare for decision making. Hopefully the % are good and you are all done with chemo, love, Tracey

Hi Alsopt,

Lots of good advice from the ladies here- ask questions of your medical oncologist and make decision with them.  If you don't see your Medical Oncologist before your next cycle of taxol then let the chemo nurses know because it is their role to ensure it is safe to administer your chemo and they can contact the doctor on your behalf.  

I'm just one week behind you with same treatment and the Medical Oncologist warned me to look out for pins and needles/ numbness and tingling (peripheral neuropathy) with the taxol.  She said that if function was affected for example: unable to do up buttons then that is when she would manage with dose delay/ modification, or of that didn't work stop the taxol.   She explained that benefit of the treatment needs to be balanced with risk.  She reassured me that the 12 weeks of taxol is an arbitrary number and that i may not be disadvantaged by stopping earlier.  Their bigger concern is that i would be left with a permanent neuropathy which could affect my ongoing quality of life.

I've had increased numbness/ tingling/ pins and needles in hands and feet over the past few days.  Feet felt all spongy when i was caught in the rain and tried to make a dash for shelter.  When i went in for my taxol yesterday and told the nurses they talked to the Med. Onc  who came in to see me and review.  She felt it was ok to continue for the moment but will review again next week.  She did tell me to take some magnesium tablets and said that there are other medications that can be given for this type of nerve pain.  Of course they also have side effects so it is back to the risk and benefit thing again!  It is frustrating.  I have to keep reminding myself of the thing that is often mentioned on these pages- to take things day by day.

Hang in there.

Hey Tracey thank you for your response I got a call from chemo unit this morning cancelling today's due to not being able to feel my feet see my oncologist Thursday if my percentages are good after all the chemo I've already done I think I'll stop chemo but I have to know the odds 

Hi Alsopt,

so sorry you are having a rocky time. One more thing on top of everything else! I too have peripheral neuropathy, front half of both feet numb & whole foot burning. Have had it now for 3 months and starting to think that maybe, just maybe, it is starting to improve. It never affected my ability to move, only sensation. My Onc wasn't concerned (it's not her feet!), and we continued with the last three taxol. Sounds like you've had a generous dose of chemo already.  Whatever choice you make about continuing chemo will be the right one for you. Wishing you all the best, Tracey ??

Hi!  Agree with the advice of others, write notes and speak with your Oncologist.  You need to ask what alternatives do you have?  Ask what % is your current treatment and if there is a greater % chance on a different medication regime.

Take a deep breath and prepare your thoughts and notes for a conversation with your medical team that will benefit you 

Take care

Christine xx 

Thank you so much I'm sure I've made my decision no more chemo if it's .5 percent I'm done this is my life buggered if I'm an experiment I know I was fit healthy now it's too much I want my life whether that's 20 yrs or  5 I can't and won't allow it I'm sick to death of the doctors I know I only hope I live which I'm sure I will time to stop them time for my life back 

Thanks sweetheart I'm very debated xxx