Chemo here I go!

Hi Eastmum. I had the same chemo regime. I was one of the lucky ones who got through it all without too many problems. AC was a little tougher, days 4 and 5 after each treatment were my worst but even those days were quite ok, just very tired. I had hardly any side effects from the paclitaxol, other than numb toes and I still have some neuropathy in my feet eight weeks on from my last dose. My husband drove me to all treatments but I could have driven myself. My hair started falling out after my 2nd dose. I hope you get through yours as well as I did. I had days where I felt a bit yuck but it was all really ‘doable’. Just take it day by day and deal with things if they arise. And throw any questions you may have along the way on here- there are so many of us who have been there and can give you advice. Good luck xx

I'm on a different chemo, wishing you all the best for next week and beyond . Take care xx

Same regime but I've only just had my first Paclitaxol last week so can't comment too much on that.
AC - nausea started during diffusion - first time had to have some sort of anti-nausea treatment during the cyclophosmamide dose which knocked me out. 
1st AC left me feeling really awful.  Had it late Thursday, slept most of Friday (I think) then went into the weekend feeling really sick (should have rung and asked for better medication but relied on the Maxalon which didn't work).  Couldn't lay down due to bad reflux, couldn't sit up, felt like a jellyfish - as if my bones wouldn't support me and oh so tired.  Got a prescription for Ativan on the Monday and slept for most of the next two days.  If you're feeling unwell, RING THEM!  Started to feel more alive by Day 6 or 7.
Subsequent AC treatments were tweaked so that I got anti-nausea stuff in the pre-meds.  Gave up Maxalon as a silly joke and lived on Ativan as prescribed (4 hourly as needed) in lessening amounts as time passed - would usually be off them completely in Week 3.  I never felt the steroid rush of the Dex.  Days 2-4 were my worst.  I didn't like to drive during that time and definitely not home from the hospital.  
For 2nd and 3rd weeks, I was able to do 5km walk each day.
4th AC was worse than the 2 middle ones but not as bad as the 1st.  The main problem was that I hit a fatigue wall and I also got a bit anxious about my heart rate which was too high.
As you can tell, my main problem has been tiredness and nausea.
I started taxol last Thursday and went into it still feeling tired from the AC.  I felt ill the first couple of days and very tired but on Day 6 now and not doing too badly.
Good luck with it!

Hi Eastmum,

Same chemo regime as you are going to have
.
AC

Could not have driven on this one.  Light headed, dizzy afterwards and generally just crap that afternoon.  Day 2 and 3 I had a huge buzz from all the steroids and got heaps of stuff done.  My crash day was day 4 for the first three cycles from then on I felt fine till the next one.  The worst part was the ridiculous hot flushes and that everything tasted bland (except wine luckily LOL). The 4th one took longer to get over. A bit of chemo brain but not too bad.  It pretty much went awau on the Paclitaxel.

One thing that they didn't tell me is there is very little time between the "Hey, I have to go pee and OMG right now! " I think they should warn you about that.   I did have a major problem was the Neulasta injection.  I ended up in ED with that one. So I refused to take it after the first one.  I just had to have a blood test prior to the next chemo. 

Paclitaxel. 

 Drove there and back no problems with this one.  Minimal side effects apart from the  hot flushes continued and I was quite sun sensitive.  I did get a weird skin rash but apparently that isn't normal and I have weird skin anyway.  

I did all my usual stuff, worked, shopped, cooked. went out etc etc etc. I used the cold cap so kept my hair.

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you.

All the best
XXOXOXOXO

Hi there @Eastmum . I also had 12 weeks of AC followed by 12 weekly Taxol and Herceptin. The Herceptin then continued for 11 months total. Bilateral mastectomy followed four weeks after the completion of the taxol. I'll break it into two sections, first the AC and then the Taxol. But before I do, I feel I need to stress that I have a lot of other medical shit going on, aside from the cancer. Also remember that much like pregnancy and childbirth, there's the mythical wonderwoman who conceives, blooms, then drops her dacks and out pops a baby. Then there's the other extreme of the puking, pale, wan, varicose ridden, bleeding piles, horrible heartburn, backache, headache woman on the other side of the bell curve. She either has a premature birth, or a baby who refuses to vacate the premises. Vacuum cleaners and hedge trimmers are needed to either suck, pull or hack the little bugger out. Most fall somewhere in between.Similarly with AC chemo. I had neutropenia four times. a liquid lunch with Count Dracula for anaemia, sores in the mouth, and one day constipated (15 days was my record...seriously considered using a bazooka), and the next day with me on the loo with a blanket around my shoulders and my kindle due to the squirts. I spent a total of 56 days in hospital over that 12 week period. However, I got quite philosophical about the whole thing and made sure my bag was packed with my choice of nighties, slippers and so on, otherwise I ended up with Hubbies Choice. Generally the middle week was my worst with the few days before and after being less trying. I had my head shaved so I could keep my bum length hair before it dropped a bit at a time and went down the drain. The stubble fell out big time about two weeks after the first dose. The taxol was so much easier for me...no hospital stays over that 12 weeks. Ended up with peripheral neuropathy however, but I get on with it as I am. My advice is...How do you eat an elephant...one bite at a time. How do you get through chemo. One hour one day at a time. You may well breeze through or you may get knocked about, but if this Old Chook could do it, so can you. Sending the biggest (((hug))).

@Eastmum I’m having a different chemo to u but just wanted to wish u the best of luck xoxoox