4th day after FEC looming are Meds necessary?

Hi Louisa

I wasn't lucky enough to get a Taxotere kit but I have been putting dark nail polish on with nail strengthener under it when I am up to it.  I started off very strict in my day to day care but unfortunately with the fatigue that and a lot of other things has gone by the way side, oh well.

I have been on Zoton for reflux, something osoephagus with chemo brain won't let me remember right this second and I have also bought over the counter Somac from Pharmacy if I need a top up of something in the afternoon :-)   Drugs for this and then other drugs to counteract the drugs you are taking and then you will probably have to take another drug to counteract that second drug so it is just one big viscious circle.

When I get blisters on my lips this time I am putting nothing on them to test if they clear up by themselves quicker than if I put anything of them because I have found nothing helps.  The paw paw cream to keep lips moist only makes mine dryer and cracked.

I have just done my Neulasta injection so will see where I go from here.  Just go through the unknown for the time until I find out. 

MMMMMM speed hey, not something I have ever been tempted to try but I guess this BC gives us a taste of everything along the way.

Try to rest and don't stress over getting to the gate, there will be another day when you have had your fill of Dex and you will sprint it in.  My house is nice and clean and my washing is on the line so I am happy about that as if I go into a lil black hole for a couple of days I know I have done the work but if I wasn't up to it I can assure you it is still there when you get better :-)

Be gentle on yourself, it is only for a short period of time and then you will slowly slowly get your old life back.  Patience is something we all have to learn on this journey I am afraid.......

LOL, keep well, Mich xo

know what you mean about the high.  I always suffer from what my mcgrath breast nurse calls "verbal diarohea?" on the day of chemo when I have the intravenous dex as well as all the other stuff.  She told me that was because the dex is a cousin to speed!!!!!!!!!   Wish she had of told me before as I have spent hours sending off texts and emails to all and sundry on the day of chemo and my husband has been wondering why I am so hypo!!  At least now I have an excuse and funnily enough it has calmed me down now that I know what is causing the frenetic behaviour!    I have started on the dex today and havent had the pramin as usual.  woke up feeling ill but took the dex and again before 12 noon.  the zofran are what I had along with the fec, the dex and something else I cant remember at the moment.  I am also on losec for reflux so that I can eat and I must say it has made a difference just one tablet per day has calmed down that volcano in my tummy.

dont feel well and have been lying around.  I have been looking up the driveway to see if the cows are out of my way and really want to walk to the gate but dont know if I can get down the stairs.  I am still so scared of cows, they are soooo big compared to me.  But amazingly I am getting braver with them and just stand my ground or wave my walking stick at them and they stampede off, which is scary enough.

Hope you are getting through the day Mich and Ann.  I am worried about the nail damage with the Taxotere and have just painted my nails with the nail polish in the taxotere kit the drug company gave them at the chemo unit to hand out.  Dodgy I reckon if the drug company is giving handouts and not cheap ones at that.  Did you get yours?

Louisa:)

Good on you Ann for taking time off as it will do you good to look after yourself as at the end of the day work is just work, your life is your life.  You need to look after number one and definitely have no guilt or stress about your work on a day to day basis as you are travelling your journey.

I am up this morning and done my chickens and still feeling okay so happy about that :-)

Wishing you a good day, as Lousa says be kiind to yourself.  You are the most important person in this journey right now.  Engulf the love and support aorund you every day.  My husband is home and has been wonderful I am so lucky xx

Mich xo

be kind to yourself, I am learning to.  my brain is full on chemo fog so i couldnt even concentrate on work.  I am glad you are taking time off.  We ae all only human afterall.   Keep us posted.  Louisa

Mich thanks for your helpful report and kind words.  So glad you had no reactions. Praying for you and Louisa as you face the unknown in the week ahead. Hopefully there will be some bonuses for you both. I have decided to toake time off work. Ann

Thanks so much for taking the time to report your experiences.  It is all in front of me.  Started on the premeds today.  Gorgeous day outside and I am about to have a shower and go back to bed.  Ahhhhh life is good.  Cheers for now, Louisa

Thanks so much for taking the time to report your experiences.  It is all in front of me.  Started on the premeds today.  Gorgeous day outside and I am about to have a shower and go back to bed.  Ahhhhh life is good.  Cheers for now, Louisa

Hi Mich, thanks so much for your info.  I start the Taxotere on Friday.  Bit scared of the side effects so glad to hear how you went if you get a chance to post.  I am pretty up most of the time just every now and then the glass gets half empty.  Just went for a walk nearly to the front gate of the farm....about 400 metres.  Cant tell you how hard it was.  Ridiculous as I am (up until surgery) a runner and was running every day along gorgeous country roads.  some mornings I would see deer even.  there was always something to lift my heart.  To not even be able to walk (shuffle) to the gate even leaning on a stick,  is a bit disheartening but believe it or not I am pretty accepting of it.  I simply cannot do it.  I get too tired.  So even though I phoned my husband and told him I was going for a walk out the gate and up to the creek, (which was what I envisaged) I didnt even get as far as the gate.  I phoned him to let him know I was home again and he just said "you must have felt good to be outside".  And you know what, I loved it.  I took my camera with me and got some great shots of the landscape and some butterflies.  So all in all, the day is fantastic and I am doing great.  Yes I feel nauseas and yes I am still sitting on the chair and havent been able to move since I got back but yes i am still here and looking forward.  Good luck and keep in touch.  xox

Oh Mich, I will certainly be thinking of and praying for you tomorrow and the days thereafter as you face the unknown of this new set of treatment. So glad Hubby will be there with you. I like what you said about expecting the worse I think I will look at it that way too.

Working was very hard on Monday night with all those conveyor belts going round and round which did my head and my tummy in really bad :(

All the best, Ann

Hi Anne & Louisa

I have my first of three Taxotere tomorrow, have finished my FEC so half way there on chemo YAYYYY   I will let you know how I go if you like.........fingers crossed for me. 

I also had to stop work as every day is a different day and the fatigue is getting more intense as I get further into my journey.  It is so frustrating not working after having been working 3 jobs etc etc but my body and brain won't let me do anything else at present.  So  I have decided instead of fighting it I am TRYING to go with it.

Hubby will be home to hold my hand tomorrow so that will be lovely as he can't get to be here all the time for me and that is hard on both of us. 

Wishing you both luck and stay in touch.  We all deal with everything differently but I know the fear is real but we do get through and come out the dark tunnel ready to keep fighting.  Just remember everyones journey is so so different and every day is different for all of us.  I had little nausea where as you poor girls haven't been so lucky but then you may not get some of the other side effects I am dealing with so it is always different.  Just be prepared for the worse and if it doesn't happen it is a bonus in my eyes.

Healing hugs coming your way girls.

Mich xo