Hi all, Well survived 2nd round chemo yesterday and had a porta cath inserted. I think this porta cath is going to be my saving grace as far as my veins go..feeling okay this morning, nausea is at bay & about to take my morning dexamethasone so insomnia will be my friend for the next week which is what I found last round. Also the fogginess, I was just not with it but at least I know what to expect now. Hair has come out so wearing some nice head wraps still not sure on the wig, I'm still thinking about that...I have 2 more rounds of AC every 3 weeks then 12 weekly taxol with carboplatin then radio, the end of the tunnel seems along way off..after my 1st round & felt so crappy I had moments where I didn't think I could do it but I then picked up about 4 days before my next treatment, it was good to feel relatively normal again...at least it was a breather before the next round... I've decided to call it the 'merry go round' ha ha. Thank you for listening to me, just needed to off load where people get what u r going through Cheers Theresa

Good for you Theresa,you are going well.I can relate to the thing where you feel crappy,then you pick up just before the next treatment and think,'Hey,I can do this!' then it all starts again!!Before you know it,the end will be closer than the beginning.:) Take care and stay in touch.It always feels good to chat on here doesn't it? Cheers Robyn.xoxo

Hi Theresa, What a feeling................I hope you are alright I would really want to stay with you and hold your hand, my turn will be 7March, I don't know what will turn up to me. Take care. Lots of blessing. {{Big Hug}} Rosanna

I was diagnosed triple negative in Nov, made it through my 4 AC and have completed 3 taxol so far with 9 left to go. Looking back on AC it was like being a zombie for a 5-6 days then waking up just in time to go again. But I promise you it will get better on taxol. So far the side effects have been limited to tiredness and a few aches and pains....and I've actually had a few days when I've felt almost normal again. Hang in there....you'll get through it! It's a long marathon we are running so remember to be kind to yourself, rest when you need to. I lost my hair 8 days after my first AC and had a wig ready to go but with the hot weather I couldn't wear it all the time so it's bandanas for me. I was a bit self-conscious about wearing a bandana to work but it's all good and the most important thing is that we are comfortable! Good luck with the rest of your chemo! I've met some incredible women on the journey and we are all in this together! Love, Maryanne xxx

I had a port inserted after my second chemo and it made the third so much easier. I have now finished 3 lots of 3-weekly FEC cycles and am moving on to weekly Taxol for 8 weeks, so the light at the end of the tunnel is a bit closer for me, but it still seems a fair way off. I do feel like I can see it now though. Hats and scarves are a lot of fun and I have been getting so many compliments on my new style. Finally tried wearing a long wig out to a party on the weekend and then a short one to work today, but they are so much less comfortable than hats and scarves that I will keep wigs for occasional use. Hope you feel better sooner in this cycle than last one. Knowing that it does get better is a huge help I find. Hugs, Viv xxx

2nd round chemo & port inserted | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

mandycoop
Member
12 years ago
Time for a second opinion I think. My tumour was 3.2 cm grade 3. Clear sentinel node. But I'm not getting a platinum based chemo. :(
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Michelle, can't wait to be active again with A big holiday will be planned. Taking it day by day xx
Michelle_R
Member
12 years ago
Like you, I had a Grade 3 TNBC tumour, and also was givenTaxol and Carboplatin. My Oncologist is at HOCA on the Gold Coast, and I had 12xweekly sessions in 2012. I coped well until the last week - first time I felt really rotten throughout the whole 3 months. (Afterwards I had 28 rads, and a hysterectomy as extra insurance.)

I just wanted to tell you that 2 years later I feel completely normal, strong and healthy, and have just returned from 2 months travelling overseas. There is life after treatment!

Your port will make things so much easier for you. I found that walking really helped during chemo, green tea with ginger in the mornings, and ginger beer. All the very best - will be following your progress.

Michelle xx
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
I had 2.7cm grade 3 TNBC tumor & lymph node involvement 1/22. had aux clearance & started chemo on 6/2. I'm having treatment at the Wesley hosp brisbane. My Onc has been to a symposium in the states in Dec & thought my treatment would benefit from adding carbopatin into my taxol, so when I finish my AC the carbopatin will be added to every third taxol treatment. Hope u r doing well Theresa
mandycoop
Member
12 years ago
Hi Theresa, Glad to see you are getting through the treatment. I am also TN and have finished my 3x FEC and have now started Docetaxol x3. Can I ask you what stage you are and where you are having treatment? I'm just curious about the addition of Carboplatin, I know this is common I the states but not often used here. Mandy x
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
It's so nice to be able to talk here where people know what u r going through. I have been coping really well through all the surgery & a bout of infection but chemo has not my friend. Not feeling so great tonight but hopefully some sleep will help..good night all xx Theresa
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
It's so nice to be able to talk here where people know what u r going through. I have been coping really well through all the surgery & a bout of infection but chemo has not my friend. Not feeling so great tonight but hopefully some sleep will help..good night all xx Theresa
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
It's so nice to be able to talk here where people know what u r going through. I have been coping really well through all the surgery & a bout of infection but chemo has not my friend. Not feeling so great tonight but hopefully some sleep will help..good night all xx Theresa
TheresaW
Member
12 years ago
It's so nice to be able to talk here where people know what u r going through. I have been coping really well through all the surgery & a bout of infection but chemo has not my friend. Not feeling so great tonight but hopefully some sleep will help..good night all xx Theresa
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
I had a port inserted after my second chemo and it made the third so much easier. I have now finished 3 lots of 3-weekly FEC cycles and am moving on to weekly Taxol for 8 weeks, so the light at the end of the tunnel is a bit closer for me, but it still seems a fair way off. I do feel like I can see it now though. Hats and scarves are a lot of fun and I have been getting so many compliments on my new style. Finally tried wearing a long wig out to a party on the weekend and then a short one to work today, but they are so much less comfortable than hats and scarves that I will keep wigs for occasional use. Hope you feel better sooner in this cycle than last one. Knowing that it does get better is a huge help I find. Hugs, Viv xxx