Chemo deferred due to Neuropathy, mixed emotions
Hi Everyone,
I finished my AC chemo. I had 4 rounds three weeks apart with a few side effects, however I was able to drive myself there and back and felt that I could get through it. I mostly had fatigue, sleeplessness at night, hot feet and hands. The worst for me was the nausea which started immediately, I lost 7 kilo as I didn't enjoy food, both the smell & taste and I had no appetite despite taking steroids.
After a three week break I started on Paclitaxol (spelling?) and I was supposed to have 12 weekly cycles. Again I drove myself there and back to the first five without too much trouble, a bit of neuropathy in my fingers but that usually disappeared in three days.
My 6th cycle was bought forward by one day due to Good Friday and immediately afterwards, I had numbness in both hands and feet, a scary drive home :wink:
The next day it spread to the soles and palms on both sides and also the back of my right leg and right knee. I also started having stabbing pains in my right underarm and a burning pain in my right hip.
After a consultation with my Oncologist he decided to suspend my weekly chemos for two weeks till I see the surgeon on May 7th. They will then decide if I have the surgery sooner or try a different chemo, I guess depending on the neuropathy?
Initially I was disappointed in myself (that I couldn't get through them all), I was quite frustrated and then secretly happy to have a couple of weeks off from the hospital. Now I find myself very weepy as these side effects are not going away and I am worrying if they ever will?
I have no idea what effect the chemo has had on my tumour but both the oncologist and my GP say they can not feel it and I can no longer see it above my skin like before.
What is the next stage? Do I have another scan before surgery to check on the size of the tumour?
I am not sure how I should feel, so much is happening in my life with four other family members dealing with cancers and I feel in a limbo state. At least while I was having the chemo, I could check another one off the list.
Did anyone else experience this frustration? Sorry to go on but I try to keep it inside as my family already has a lot to deal with and I don't want them worrying about me too.
I finished my AC chemo. I had 4 rounds three weeks apart with a few side effects, however I was able to drive myself there and back and felt that I could get through it. I mostly had fatigue, sleeplessness at night, hot feet and hands. The worst for me was the nausea which started immediately, I lost 7 kilo as I didn't enjoy food, both the smell & taste and I had no appetite despite taking steroids.
After a three week break I started on Paclitaxol (spelling?) and I was supposed to have 12 weekly cycles. Again I drove myself there and back to the first five without too much trouble, a bit of neuropathy in my fingers but that usually disappeared in three days.
My 6th cycle was bought forward by one day due to Good Friday and immediately afterwards, I had numbness in both hands and feet, a scary drive home :wink:
The next day it spread to the soles and palms on both sides and also the back of my right leg and right knee. I also started having stabbing pains in my right underarm and a burning pain in my right hip.
After a consultation with my Oncologist he decided to suspend my weekly chemos for two weeks till I see the surgeon on May 7th. They will then decide if I have the surgery sooner or try a different chemo, I guess depending on the neuropathy?
Initially I was disappointed in myself (that I couldn't get through them all), I was quite frustrated and then secretly happy to have a couple of weeks off from the hospital. Now I find myself very weepy as these side effects are not going away and I am worrying if they ever will?
I have no idea what effect the chemo has had on my tumour but both the oncologist and my GP say they can not feel it and I can no longer see it above my skin like before.
What is the next stage? Do I have another scan before surgery to check on the size of the tumour?
I am not sure how I should feel, so much is happening in my life with four other family members dealing with cancers and I feel in a limbo state. At least while I was having the chemo, I could check another one off the list.
Did anyone else experience this frustration? Sorry to go on but I try to keep it inside as my family already has a lot to deal with and I don't want them worrying about me too.
