Chemo almost over

I have 3 lots of taxol to go. Then I am done with chemo.t I have gone pretty well on taxol. I've had hardly any side effects. I feel sick while it is being infused but fine by the next day. I have no fatigue and am busy zooming around doing lots. I had a horrible rash break out on my face, neck, shoulders, back and chest that looks like acne. I hate it as I already feel self conscious of my appearance. I haven't heard of anyone else mentioning a reaction like this. So I've been put on a cortisone cream 3x day and will start antibiotics for it too. The pins and needles have started but it's mild. Onc said if it is present the whole time she will reduce or possibly cease the chemo. She also said it could get worse after chemo so she will be monitoring it closely. I have ditched the headwear now. It is just too hot but I have so much hair. It only came out after the first 2 rounds of AC after that it just stopped growing. But since I've been on the taxol it's growing very fast. I've even had my a haircut! Well a trim of the wispy bits is all. Lymphoedema has started. Off to physio for that tomorrow. It hasn't swollen very much put I have pain in my arm, which is what caused me to get it checked out. I have a lump in the crook of my arm where the fluid is sitting. Also have had my initial appointment with the radiologist. Will be having 25 radiations to the breast and lymph nodes. Then an extra 8 boosts to the tumour site. The radiation to the nodes was optional but I choose to have it as the dr showed me a research report with some stats. What caught my eye is was that the difference with the node radiation vs without gave an extra 5.4% chance of it not recurring as a distant metastases. That was enough for me. Both my surgeon and onc said the chances of it recurring in my breasts in minuscule as it will most likely recurr in my lungs or brain. So comforting! In light of that I have asked abt follow up after treatment. I will see onc abt 3 months after radiation. She wants everything to settle and then will start testing. She will order a ct only and blood test checking 4 types of cancer markers. I have asked for the blood tests to be frequent ( I was going for fortnightly) but she said every 2-3 months is enough. My surgeon said the tests can be unreliable but argument is is you build a large pool of data you would notice what is "normal" for a particular patient. But she said something like it would take a lot of growth to show an equivalent change in the markers. Still pondering all this. Work is going well. I have increased from a half to a full day each week. I love it. Love my little munchkins and excited to be a professional person again not just a patient. Loving summer and am trying really hard to be sun safe. My life revolves around the beach and swimming pools. Lucky the radiologist told me having a swim in the salt water will be good for my skin! There's my silver lining. Thinking of you all. I hope for all the bad moments there are tons of wonderful loving special ones to heal your spirit.