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Lindyloo's avatar
Lindyloo
Member
10 years ago

Change of chemo

hi all,

had a bit of a rough ride lately. Diagnosed with stage 3 cancer back in May, put onto TAC to shrink tumour before surgery. It has certainly worked as tumour has shrunk by half. However, because of the taxotere, I have been in hospital numerous times. The last time, a month ago, dr.s sent me for ct scan of heart and lung function test. This has shown that I have damage to the lungs and inflammation and infection. So put on a strong course of steroids for two months. This has definitely helped although there is not enough oxygen being taken in by the lungs so get puffed out quite easily. Has anyone else had this problem and do the lungs recover?. I am due to see a lung specialist. Haven't got the appt as yet. So due to the taxotere causing problems (I had four doses in total), I have now been put on AC for the remaining two doses. I've heard this will not be as toxic. Thank goodness!!

so I can now see the end of chemo in sight. It's looking good! ??

Keep well everyone xxx

4 Replies

  • Lindyloo's avatar
    Lindyloo
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Sharon,

    cracked ribs sounds so painful!! You poor thing. I was getting rib pain but that seems to have settled down now.

    i just take one day at a time and hope this time I don't end up back in hospital for whatever! Certainly over having a load of needles put in me!!

    love to you all. Thanks for your replies, they certainly help. Xx

  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    10 years ago

    grrr. Cancer treatment, the gift that keeps on giving..  well sending you a huge dose of turtle hugs xoxoxoxox.. 

    I have had issues with inflammation and infection in the chest before.  I originally had it before starting chemo so was behind the 8 ball. and it was tricky but the chemo certainly got in there and did a great job. (I was coughing so very badly that I cracked 4 ribs!!!)

    After that my gp helped be to settle the lungs down with asthma meds as it was so inflammed and cranky..  it took around 3 months but it did certainly improve. (they even found a scarring which was not from cancer but from previous infections!!!)

    if you take my ongoing treatments out of the equation (as they can cause issues with the breathing) I am turtling along quite well.. with no real after effects.

    I have my fingers and toes crossed for you that the steroids settle it and your lungs remember what it was like pre infection/inflammation and give you more oxygen to function with really really soon.

     

    cheers, Sharon (pink66)

  • Lindyloo's avatar
    Lindyloo
    Member
    10 years ago

    Definitely get them to check it out. My heart scan shows that I have two leaky valves, one mitral, the other bicuspid. This could have happened at any time, they couldn't say for definite that it was chemo because this can happen to anyone at anytime. Could be my age (54). Also known as a murmur, I believe. Both my siblings were diagnosed with this when a very young age, so could be family related in my case. They didn't seem too worried.

    regarding resting heart rate, when I was in hospital, even talking would raise it. Having a shower would make me breathless. I developed a small dry cough, nothing to complain about I thought, but this was obviously down to the inflammation of the lungs. Steroids have definitely helped there and I can do a few little jobs now, make the bed, hang out the washing, before I get breathless.

    also ask for a lung function test.

    hope all goes well. Let me know how you go. I'll keep you updated on here when I see the lung specialist.

    Linda xx

  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Lyndyloo, sorry you've had such a rough time, but glad there's an end in sight. I was also diagnosed back in May, & have had 3 cycles of FEC & 3 of taxotere, with surgery probably at the end of the month. Last one just over a week ago. Whilst I haven't had the problems you have, you've made me think about my what has happened.

    Since starting chemo, I've had a rise in my resting heart rate, and any activity sends it soaring, sometimes 140+. I also find I get out of breath quite easily. I've mentioned it regularly, but only on my last visit to the med oncologist did he offer a referral to a cardiologist. Now I have to wait for that, and see what they have to say

    Hope your remaking cycles are uneventful, Lyn