Half way through chemo!

Well I havent posted for a while here as I just hate typing out longish things on my phone and I havent even turned on my laptop in weeks and weeks........Anyway.

I had only mild (meaning managable) side effects with my first and second round of TC.

A disgusting tongue for the first week and a bit after each dose.

Bone ache in my ankles, knees and shins.

A blood in my nose each morning.

Speradic dodgy gut.

A rash under my arm and..... my belly button got infected! Where my stitches were removed from the fertility part of all this got so gross so quick! Needed antibiotics but it seems to be doing ok now.

I dont have much energy but I am making it through work each day though I have taken a couple of days off work when I need them! There is a lady that gets the same chemo as me but one round ahead each time I go in and she ended up in hospital for a week which scared me a bit. I am making an effort to still do things BUT health comes first and not letting myself over do it. The only other two people I know who have been through this both also ended up in hospital while on chemo so it reminds me to be good and rest.

My boob is still trying to heal at one end where it was a bit puckered but otherwise all those bits seem to be going really good. I still have blue skin from the dye which I am shocked about as it has been 2 months now!

I am SO sick of people asking how I am FEELING that I posted on facebook for people to be more creative and got a good response from that :)

Oh. I have counted forward to see when my last dose will be and....... My last chemo dose will be ON MY 35TH BIRTHDAY! Not exactly a fun way to spend it but at least its the last right?

chemotherapy

11 Replies

Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Rest up. Once those antibiotics kick in you improve pretty quickly! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care. Deanne xxx
Karen_T
Member
11 years ago
So yesterday I went to work feeling fine just VERY tired. Sat on the computer all day essentially not doing much and taking it easy. By 4pm I started to crash feeling really not good by 5pm. Caught the train home, took my temp and it came back 38.2 Called my oncologist and he told me to go into hospital as I was 9 days out from my last dose when apparently your count is at its lowest. Took my temp again after hastily packing a bag and it had gone up to 38.6 At the emergency room my oncologist had phoned ahead so straight through for blood tests. Everything is crazy low so have had two bags of iv antibiotics so far and looks like I am staying the night again. At least I have a room now! Trying to sleep in the emergency bay is bloody hard! Physically feel ok but going hot and cold a little still. Feels silly to be in the hospital when I feel fine! Wish I had thought ahead to write a list of what to bring to hospital. Forgot a few essentials and dying of boredom with nothing to read. Maybe I will have a nap and catch up on those missing Zzzzz from last night.
Karen_T
Member
11 years ago
Good call on taking the extra time off work. I am wishing I had some sick leave up my sleeve. The side effects I have had for TC have been annoying but barable. Panadol Osteo is great for the bone aches. Having meals ready in advance is a very good idea too. By the end of the day I'm pretty tired so meals have been pretty random chosen on what we can be bothered cooking lol.
Chris_P
Member
11 years ago
Hi Karen, I was lucky enough to not end up in hospital I was pretty good apart from a cold and eye infection ( I'd been nervous about catching something as I work on reception at a school). So don't worry too much it think it's the luck of the draw. Try Biotin for your nails, my nails started to go dodgy ( and it started with them being tender and achey) and the Biotin seemed to make a big difference.
Chris_P
Member
11 years ago
Hi Karen, I was lucky enough to not end up in hospital I was pretty good apart from a cold and eye infection ( I'd been nervous about catching something as I work on reception at a school). So don't worry too much it think it's the luck of the draw. Try Biotin for your nails, my nails started to go dodgy ( and it started with them being tender and achey) and the Biotin seemed to make a big difference.
Michelle70
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Chris I am glad your experience so far has been good. It's nice to be able to communicate with others going through the same thing. Just being able to ask questions about side effects and how others are coping, what works/what doesn't and just life in general. Take care, I hope things continue go well. Michelle xx
Chixon
Member
11 years ago
I commenced my 1st TC Chemo. last Friday..so am one week ahead of you. I haven't had any unmanageable side effects so far...just a very red 'glowing' face the next morning. ( I rang the hospital and they advised a anti-histamine which cleared it up ). Other than that the Dexamethosne which they prescribe may cause a few sleepless nights, but it is a wonderful drug which stopped any nausea. Also a few joint, back pains feeling tired today (day5) but nothing unmanageable. Just be kind to yourself rest and exercise as you can. I actually had a lovely walk with my husband yesterday..Still eating well. II will be thinking of you on Friday. If I can be of any help just let me know. Take Care. Chris xx
Michelle70
Member
11 years ago
Good to hear your side effects have not been too bad. I start my first round of TC on Friday and starting to get a bit anxious. It is good to hear what someone else is going through because most people I have spoken to have had FEC or AC. I am trying to prepare as much as I can. Spent yesterday cleaning the house, today have blood test and lunch with a friend and tomorrow groceries and cooking so my family have meals if I am not feeling well. Not knowing what to expect is hard. I have taken extended sick leave at the moment to deal with everything because I know I am not the type of person to ring in sick either and know that I would not cope at work being on the go all day teaching PE to year 1 students or being around lots of kids while my immune system is low. I hope your side effects continue to be not too bad.

I agree with Deanne celebrate your birthday and finishing chemo after your last treatment. Good luck for the rest of your treatment and look after yourself!!

Michelle xx
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Not completely sure what caused my stay in hospital. I had a temp of 39 and my oncologist admitted me because of this. I did feel very sick and run down, very sore throat and diahorea. When they checked my bloods, I had neutropenia (low white count) so I was put on IV antibiotics until my white cells recovered. My onc said sometimes they don't find the source of infection but the antibiotics seemed to clear things up for me. I had the very sore nails too. My nails hung in though my thumbnails were discoloured and I lost a part of one of them after chemo finished. They soon recovered and are back to normal now. If you feel a bit run down it is probably ok to have a day off. Your body will be working really hard to recover from each chemo. Chemo is accumalitive so you do find yourself getting a bit more tired each time. Take care. Deanne xxx
Karen_T
Member
11 years ago
Hi Deanne, Just wondering what landed you in hospital? Is it something that just happens as part of this BC adventure that can't really be avoided? I've dragged myself to work today and feel so tired. Like its 1am or something. Trying to learn a new way to gauge when is ok to call in sick to work. It's hard changing your thoughts on stuff like this. Never in a million years would I take a day off for being tired but maybe it's important currently? Sorry. Tired ramble lol. Oh and a side effect I forgot to mention yesterday is my nails feel so sensitive like they have been slammed in a draw or something! Crossing every finger and toe that they don't get any worse and fall off like I have heard can happen. Ek!