4th day after FEC looming are Meds necessary?

Hi Louisa & Mich, so sorry to read of the pain, hospitilzation, etc that you girls are experiencing.

I still have 2 x FEC100 to go and then on to the Taxotere what you two are having at the moment. I want to be well equipped for Taxotere as in taking the pain pills earl and any other tip you ladies may have for me. I have blood pressure issues so need to be careful with what I take so I will be talking to the Oncologist.

May the days ahead be better ones for us all.Ann

hi mich, just spent last night in hospital with temp 38.2.  Was really impressed with care.  Kept me in isolation and gave me chest xray, antibiotics and lots of fluids.  Came home again and have a weeks worth of antibiotics.  better to be home instead of at germy hospital.  I am 150ks from hospital in SE Qld.  Feel shocking but hopefully the antibiotics will help.   Another gorgeous day and my daughter flying over from Perth today.  Louisa:)

hi mich, just spent last night in hospital with temp 38.2.  Was really impressed with care.  Kept me in isolation and gave me chest xray, antibiotics and lots of fluids.  Came home again and have a weeks worth of antibiotics.  better to be home instead of at germy hospital.  I am 150ks from hospital in SE Qld.  Feel shocking but hopefully the antibiotics will help.   Another gorgeous day and my daughter flying over from Perth today.  Louisa:)

hi girls, 4 days later....joint, bone, leg, feet etc pain.    Was at surgery yesterday to see dr about something else and chemo nurse grabbed me and told me to try endone if panadeine didnt work.  Not panadol, not panamax but panadeine.  I have tried it but doesnt work too well so am now going to hit it with the endone and see how I go.  Hope everyone else is going ok.  Gorgeous day here.

Louisa:)

Hi Ann

I have also tried Panadol Osteo to no avail :-(

I wish us all a good week this week ladies.

Mich xo

Thanks for that info Mich. I am so sorry that you are in pain. I too have read of Panadol, in fact I read somewhere of someone taking Panadol Osteo, maybe that would help you more.  I will check this out with my Oncologist when my time for Taxetere comes down the track.

Louisa and Mich I do pray the week ahead will get easier and easier for you both. All the best, Ann

Hi Ann and Louisa

Happy Mothers Day Ladies.  Wishing you a beautiful day.

I have just been laying there thinking and thought I would pass on to you something that is going through my mind right now.

I have read numerous blogs where the ladies say take Panadol from the onset of having your Taxotere and that should help keep you pain under control.  I have tried that and feel that there is no way that Panadol even touches the sides of my pain.  I have pain through every bone in my body, and I mean every bone.  Currently it is day 5 and it started day 3 and has worsened as it has gone.  I just want you to know that if Panadol doesn't cut it for you that is okay.  I have been told many times by Medical staff that I have a very high tolerance to pain but I am struggling with this pain.  Because it is so wide spread I am unable to control it with heat packs etc. 

You may be a lot luckier than me and not have an much pain but if you do it is okay to take something stronger than Panadol is what I am trying to tell you.

I just feel I need to let you know that if you need to take something stronger to keep your pain under control like I am that it is okay and you are not to feel guilty.  I am a tough nut but I am struggling with this pain unfortunately. 

Just wanted to get that out there for you.

Mich xo

Hi Ann and Louisa

Happy Mothers Day Ladies.  Wishing you a beautiful day.

I have just been laying there thinking and thought I would pass on to you something that is going through my mind right now.

I have read numerous blogs where the ladies say take Panadol from the onset of having your Taxotere and that should help keep you pain under control.  I have tried that and feel that there is no way that Panadol even touches the sides of my pain.  I have pain through every bone in my body, and I mean every bone.  Currently it is day 5 and it started day 3 and has worsened as it has gone.  I just want you to know that if Panadol doesn't cut it for you that is okay.  I have been told many times by Medical staff that I have a very high tolerance to pain but I am struggling with this pain.  Because it is so wide spread I am unable to control it with heat packs etc. 

You may be a lot luckier than me and not have an much pain but if you do it is okay to take something stronger than Panadol is what I am trying to tell you.

I just feel I need to let you know that if you need to take something stronger to keep your pain under control like I am that it is okay and you are not to feel guilty.  I am a tough nut but I am struggling with this pain unfortunately. 

Just wanted to get that out there for you.

Mich xo

Hi Ann/Louisa

I can't believe it is day 11 for you already Ann, that seems to have gone fast but I am sure not so for you.

I have been told about the infection risk can vary from day 5-12, others have said day 7-10??  That is when your white cell count is at it's lowest and you are more susceptible to infection.  That is when you need to be more aware about cleanliness, if you are like me you just about wash your hands away every time you do something, I wear gloves all the time if hands in water or I doing anything for chooks or dog.  Also it is good to stay away from crowds (shopping centres, doctors surgeries, schools, young children etc. - anywhere there is a chance you can get any form of infection)  Take your temperature every day and if it spikes to approx. 38 degrees then get yourself to the hospital straight away, also if you have a fever other than your hot flashes, more like shivering and then sweating or feeling unwell in general, as my onco said don't put yourself to bed with a glass of water get yourself straight to hosptial.  I have an emergency hosptial bag packed with pj's, slippers, knickers, toiletries, medicare card and my emergency Febrile Neutrapenia card which I will grab should I need to when rushing out the door.  It is always better to be safe than sorry and if I am prepared there is less chance I will need it, is my motto.

Thank god I have not had this problem to date but then I have also been on antibiotics for the term after my last surgery so whether than helps.

Another thing I thought of that is helpful for you girls is a probiotic.  I have been lucky enough :-) to suffer with mouth ulcers and thrush (antibiotics wouldn't be helping with that I guess) but if you can get a probiotic that doesn't need to be kept in fridge and take one every morning with your other meds that will help with thrush and tummy upsets.  I thought yoghurt very morning would have been enough but obviously not.

I hope you are both going okay and my thoughts are with you especially today Louisa.

I feeling fairly ordinary today so not even bothered to get out of my pj's.  Hubby looking after me and making me eat so I am being a bit spoilt.  I a bit achey, bit tired and quite fatigued but nothing major to speak of yet.

Thank you for the quote Ann, a good one to remember for all of us.

Mich x

thanks for all your kind words.  the drugs are amazing arent they.  As you say you take this to counteract that and on it goes.  But i am grateful that we have these not like in the bad old days when you threw up for days and couldnt get out of bed. My poor husband has been through all this before with his first wife.  I feel so sorry for him having to have another sick wife.  At least  this time it is easier, comparatively.  I dont like to see him suffer, he has suffered enough.  I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

Goodnight Mich, I will let you know how I go when next I blog.  Cheers for now, Louisax