Today I had my 3rd chemo (Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide). I was on a high thinking after this I only have 1 more treatment to go. Everything went good but during my chemo treatment they were taking my bloods. I asked the nurse why and she told me that they needed to check my potassium level again because they were high. Am I suppost to be worried? Anyway I got home after chemo and feeling very tired, eyes are heavy, and my legs feel stiff as if they are full of fluid. After this chemo I'm feeling the worst I've ever felt during my chemo treatments. So I'm thinking maybe the more treatments you have the worst you feel after each one. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Now I'm feeling so down, thinking negetive thought and wondering what this treatment is doing to my body. If I'm going to get a severe side effect which will effect me for life. I'm so scared of having a reoccurrence of breast cancer because I don't ever want to have chemo again. I'm trying to decide whether I should have a double masectomy with reconstruction straight away or if I could have it after chemo. I could go on and on all night with the questions I have. All I want to is my health back but I feel that has been taken away from me. I usually deal with things as they come. I'm just having a bad evening. I'm hoping tomorrow I'll be in a better frame of mind and being my positve self again. I do apologise in advance for my negetive thoughts but I need to vent, it just seems to help.

Hi Johjoh You are doing really well, Yes it can be worse after each dose of chemo but YOU only have one to go girl..... :D remember to pamper yourself with allowing your body to deal with the chemo onslaught. Yes each new day is another step on the chemo regime, taking you closer to finishing. I had a double Mastectomy with no reconstruction my choice. I am 12mths today from my last chemo and Life is becoming routine again. I Hope you have support around you and that you are getting time to sleep and recoup after each dose of chemo. I am sure others will say the same this path is not one any of us would chose but one we are put on. Take time to eat well. I began juicing while on chemo and it was the best choice for me. heaps of nutrients straight into my system via healthy juices and smoothies. You can always Private message if you want to chat more specifically.

Hi Jojoh, Unfortunately side effects are common consequences of chemotherapy that affect individuals in different ways. The answer is yes that highly elevated levels of potassium can be detremental to your health butyour medical team is looking out for your welfare just by monitoring your blood levels. If these levels become significantly high then additional medication may be provided to you to decrease them. Talk to your oncologist about your concerns and make them aware that you expect to be informed of any health issues and respective consequences. Also, do some research, be informed yourself so that you're able to ask all the right questions and get the responses that will help you. Chemotherapy does tend to knock you around as it specifically acts on destroying dividing cells and as a result, will also act on those which are 'normal' and not tumour cells. Lysis of cells can increase potassium levels and these elevated levels happen to all of us. It's just that everyone's kidneys function differently to excrete potassium when it becomes too high. I believe it's a tough time for you. I've just now got to some semblance of normality where I can return to work after being home for just on two years. And yes, recurrence is something we all think about. When it happens then you'll cross that bridge but for now, just stay focussed on getting through your therapy. You can make yourself loopy just be worrying about so many things which haven't even affected you yet. You've mentioned your chemotherapy as consisting of four sessions. Is this to shrink the tumour prior to surgery (as the standard is 6)? Is a double mastectomy your choice or the expected surgical route that your doctor(s) have suggested? Take one step at a time. We're all here to support you so you can vent as much as you want. Kind regards, Lilliana

Hang in there jojo. It will get better. I went thru all the feelings you describe. I was most worried about the long term damage to my body. I found that champagne and potato chips, two things i love, cheered me up. Look for small things to make you happy in the now. Capetribber

Scared & feeling down | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

SoldierCrab
Member
11 years ago
Hi Johjoh

You are doing really well, Yes it can be worse after each dose of chemo but YOU only have one to go girl..... :D remember to pamper yourself with allowing your body to deal with the chemo onslaught.

Yes each new day is another step on the chemo regime, taking you closer to finishing. I had a double Mastectomy with no reconstruction my choice. I am 12mths today from my last chemo and Life is becoming routine again.

I Hope you have support around you and that you are getting time to sleep and recoup after each dose of chemo.

I am sure others will say the same this path is not one any of us would chose but one we are put on.

Take time to eat well.

I began juicing while on chemo and it was the best choice for me. heaps of nutrients straight into my system via healthy juices and smoothies.

You can always Private message if you want to chat more specifically.
SoldierCrab
Member
11 years ago
Hi Johjoh

You are doing really well, Yes it can be worse after each dose of chemo but YOU only have one to go girl..... :D remember to pamper yourself with allowing your body to deal with the chemo onslaught.

Yes each new day is another step on the chemo regime, taking you closer to finishing. I had a double Mastectomy with no reconstruction my choice. I am 12mths today from my last chemo and Life is becoming routine again.

I Hope you have support around you and that you are getting time to sleep and recoup after each dose of chemo.

I am sure others will say the same this path is not one any of us would chose but one we are put on.

Take time to eat well.

I began juicing while on chemo and it was the best choice for me. heaps of nutrients straight into my system via healthy juices and smoothies.

You can always Private message if you want to chat more specifically.

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Scared & feeling down

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