Forum Discussion

Maria333's avatar
Maria333
Member
15 years ago

Day 4 after 4th Chemo Taxotere (3xfec & 3xtaxotere)

My first hit of Taxotere after 3 rounds with FEC100. This is a tough one. I have managed to get to day 4 - I don't know how. The muscle aches and pains in joints and my feet bones are only just bareable with regular pain meds. I have had an epsom salt bath every afternnoon - lucky hubby is home as it is school holidays.

I am still bloated as I was with the FEC. Still very tired and am taking more time to rest. I have been expereiencing hot flushes with the Taxotere. This is did not have with the FEC.

I have a new juicer, making some exotic drinks (taste buds keep changing) but mainly beetrooot (good for liver- to clean toxins) pineapple and celery and have added spirulina + chlorella to give me an extra boost as my iron levels are low.

I've also seen a naturopath to help give me an extra boost and of course keeping my oncologist in the loop. No herbs only vitamins as the herb can muck up the effects of the chemo.

I can no loger cope with pilates so I am only doing meditation which I find is really helping me with relaxation and energy. Two in particular from the cancer council (you can get for free - on their site) which goes through breathing so opens up your airways ge more oxygen in - seeing as I am not exercising as much and another that goes through all the body parts to help relax the muscles.

Thats about as much energy as I have got tonight. Hope it all makes sense - feel like I am off in some surreal land.

7 Replies

  • melphilp's avatar
    melphilp
    Member
    15 years ago

    Well I had my second round of Taxotere and while I did end up in hospital for three days (with a temperature), the side effects were not quite as bad. Maybe because I was being dosed up with antibiotics???? My stay in hospital was really restful until the end. The doctor who was assigned to me told me I needed to lose weight and to zip my mouth so I wouldn't eat!! I sat there amazed - I have put on 15kg's due to the chemo but weightloss is not something I can get my head around at the moment. The doctor also thought my black finger nail polish was amusing!  Then a nurse told me I had the typical steroid face!! Feeling really great about myself!! I went to my oncologist after being discharged from hospital and he told me to tell that doctor that he likes his women round with black nails!!!! He is the best doctor - keeps me laughing all the time!!! 

    All the best ladies!

    Mel

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    So sorry for you Heather and Maria.Taxotere is a nasty piece of work.I was hoping the mack truck wouldn't come your way Maria.Perhaps they can adjust the dose like Heather says. - it shouldn't be that cruel,surely.Good luck for next round- and a luck of the draw it is with chemo.

                                                    Tonya xx

  • Maria333's avatar
    Maria333
    Member
    15 years ago

    Ah yes hit me day 4 in the afternoon (as Tonya said) like a mack truck. I have put everything on hold - one day at a time.

    I will keep your words of round 2 & 3 were much better, but I will have a back up plan.

    Just starting to come out of it today - day 7.Still have bone pain but I can walk around without feeling like I am walking on my bones.  If I only have day 4 to day 7 completely off the planet well that will be a total of 8 days for the next 2 rounds. Sounds like a boxing match - new oponnent is a tough bas***d.

    Maria333

     

  • Maria333's avatar
    Maria333
    Member
    15 years ago

    OMG Mel,

     Awful is not the word I would use for the bone pain, I don't know how you managed the second dose of Taxotere. Bring on the pain meds. I say. I will have a plan for the next two rounds.

    I can relate to you feeling like the michelin man, maybe the excess weight you are feeling are all fluids. I ate all through the FEC stage but my taste buds have left me now so not sure what will happen.

    Thank you for your kind words - I will try to stay positive inbetween all the other emotions experienced.

    Not sure what I have learnt from this experience yet - better be dam important is all I can say.

    I cant believe you have to have radiation as well. I feel so sad for you - I still have to have surgery, havent even thought about that yet.

    Maria333

  • kay's avatar
    kay
    Member
    15 years ago

    I know what you mean, although I felt really good on it until day 3 in the evening I think, then it hit. I was feeling so good the first couple of days, that I said I'd go to a wedding for my niece, because it was due on the next round of Taxotere. Then when day 3 hit, I said, I couldn't go if I felt like this, but they held a place for me so I could see how I went.  I was able to go, as the next round wasn't so bad.   Lucky my husband was home for the first round,as it was a long weekend.  The 2nd and 3rd round were much better for me. I also had vitamins from a naturopath.  Hope things are better for you today.

    Kay

  • kay's avatar
    kay
    Member
    15 years ago

    I know what you mean, although I felt really good on it until day 3 in the evening I think, then it hit. I was feeling so good the first couple of days, that I said I'd go to a wedding for my niece, because it was due on the next round of Taxotere. Then when day 3 hit, I said, I couldn't go if I felt like this, but they held a place for me so I could see how I went.  I was able to go, as the next round wasn't so bad.   Lucky my husband was home for the first round,as it was a long weekend.  The 2nd and 3rd round were much better for me. I also had vitamins from a naturopath.  Hope things are better for you today.

    Kay

  • melphilp's avatar
    melphilp
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Maria,

    I had my second dose of Taxotere this week (after 3 goes of FEC). The bone pain is awful and I can only control it with pain meds - not a nice feeling at all. I have put on 15kg through my chemo - trying not to stress about that till I am finished!! i was hoping to be throwing up all the time to lose weight - lol!! I feel like the Michelin Man!! I am 43 and have been having lots of hot flushes with this new drug too.

    I am focussing on the end now - only one treatment to go before radiation! It has been a very hard road but I always try to learn something from these experiences - I really believe everything happens for a reason -just sometimes difficult to see the reason! Keep positive Maria and know we are all thinking of you.

    Mel