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@submarine I did ask my oncologist about taking supplements during my chemo and he said as long as I wasn't taking anti-oxidants, it should be fine and I sent him the list of supplements my naturopath prescribed me and he was fine with it. Apparently anti-oxidants can interfere with the chemo. Good on you for being so strict with your diet. I'm normally hopeless with dieting as I love cooking and baking and basically just love food but I've been pretty good recently and have cut out most sugar, gluten and cut down heaps on carbs and have lost 5kg since my diagnosis. I think we all need the occasional treat to stay sane though!

@primek, you have given me hope - hopefully I am like you and round 4 won't be as bad as round 3!

@Ro10, I have been taking some supplements too and I think they are helping in addition to my new strict diet. I am too scared to try treats at the moment, but I was thinking of what special food I would get for Christmas, so I'll see how long I last without sugar!
I know it was meant for another post but my oncologist doesn't want me to take anything my naturopath would prescribe because she said it might counter the effect of the chemo... So I have to wait till the end of my treatment to take all the good stuff that will help repair what the lovely poison has destroyed... I am  glad yours is okay with it!

Hi @submarine - welcome to a group that we all hope did not need to exist but is here to help us all. I too had never joined a forum and wished that there was something similar when I was initially diagnosed in 2003 - also with 2 little boys. Can totally understand how overwhelming, shocked, angry, fearful you may feel - all in 1 day sometimes ! It is ok to have all or some or none of these feelings and if we can provide some sort of sounding board then that's what the forum is for. My very best wishes to you and your gorgeous little boys. Sheryl xxx  :)

Oops posted this on the wrong thread! I'm blaming my chemo brain... :wink:

Hi @primek Its funny how people think you will be feeling great after essentially having poison pumped into your veins for 6 months! I would think it would take at least 6-12 months minimum for your body to recover from something like that. Unfortunately I'm just at the start of my treatment so I have all that to look forward to at the end!  Would you consider seeing a naturopath who may be able to give you some supplements to help your body recover and repair itself? My naturopath has supported quite a few people through chemo and she has had good feedback from them about their recovery times and general health and wellbeing. I know it's not a magic cure and it's not for everyone but it won't do any harm. She also said that a few of her post-chemo clients follow a ketogenic diet and have had good results in terms of their health and energy levels. Again, it's not a magic cure and may be hard for some people to stick to but maybe worth looking into.

I agree @primek round three AC knocked me. I was having it fortnightly with the nulasta and still became neutropenic.

i am doing two drugs, carboplatin with taxol (not braca positive but apparently carboplatin has good results with triple negative, ask your oncologist) and have been feeling ok at the moment. Only a quarter of the way through so I know it might change. @submarine Hopefully your nutrition is helping and if you ever feel like walking it's great for the mind and to help with side effects. I know exercising is tough with chemo but if you feel like watching a good documentary about it look up ABC doco about chemotherapy and exercise

I found  Round 3 AC the hardest. Round 4 wasn't as bad bizarrely. Maybe the joy of it being finished. I was even able to do some  exercise again. Taxol is quite  different . ..comes with its  own set of side effects but the wipe out week isn't  there fortunately. Take care. Kath x

Hi @submarine, it's funny that you relate the side effects to pregnancy. For the first week, I felt like I was in my first trimester with morning sickness. All I wanted to eat was salty savoury food and the thought of eating a salad made me want to vomit! And I get heartburn and reflux which I had badly at the end of my pregnancy. I can imagine it would be hard doing AC every 2 weeks as I think it takes the body about 3 weeks to recover from the dose so you probably never really recover properly before you are dosed up again. At least you only have one more round left! I have also changed my diet a bit to a low sugar low carb diet (with a few occasional treats) and I'm taking a few supplements from my naturopath which I think is helping.
@Glemmis I got the rash over my face and neck, I felt like a hormonal teenager going through puberty again! Luckily it only lasted a few days but I'm going to speak to my oncologist about it. 

Hi there

Good luck, it's a tough road but you will get there. Most people find Taxol much easier, but a few tips. You can lose your taste buds and they will come back! Most people find spicier stronger flavoured food best (because you can taste it!) but I found eggs, salad, bananas and avocado were the things I could enjoy most. Fingers and toes can be affected. I only got minute discolouration on my fingernails but my toenails weren't so good. Check with your oncology nurses, ice water is sometimes recommended. The nerves in fingers and toes can be affected too. Report any tingling early and get advice on how to minimise it. Numbness in your fingers or toes can be an awful nuisance, but it will improve after your treatment ends. Taxol is a bit of a hurdle race, count down the hurdles leapt over. Each one jumped deserves a celebration!

I am so happy to have joined this forum - it is "funny" how one can feel connected with a group so quickly. Thank you for making me feel so welcome. 

My AC rounds have been every two weeks (instead of 3 I am told) which is why I think my body didn't get to recover after each time. 
I felt great after the first one and had assumed it would be the same each time (how naive!).
I too had terrible reflux after the second one (felt like I was in labour for 4 days - but no baby at the end), doctor gave me Pantoprazole and it has helped. And I have also changed my diet - no more processed food, starch and sugar (basically I eat meat, veggies, fruit, cheese, yogurt and nuts), and I think this has helped my stomach a lot. 

I have my 4th and last AC on Tuesday, then 12 Paxol then radiotherapy for 6 weeks. I am a bit scared of the last AC round as I spent 4 days in bed this week and I wonder what this one is going to bring... But it will be the last one and I too was told the next ones will be easier! 

My 2 little boys help put a smile on my face every day no matter how bad I feel, love is powerful!! :)

Have a great Sunday everyone,
Marine xo