Sorry Debs,but that Docetaxel is very hard on you.The first few days after you have it you don't feel too bad.But by day 4 you feel like road kill from a mack truck.The nausea wasn't too bad cos you can take some pills but you lose your appetite and inside your mouth feels like fur.The bone/muscle aches and headaches were awful and the fatigue is like no other.You feel crap for about 4 or 5 days and then you improve.This drug is harder on your white cells(neutraphils)and by day 10 mine had dropped to 0.1 and I got a gum infection and spent 4days in hospital in isolation.This chemo is also harder on your hair follicles and it can take alot longer for hair to start growing when you finish.You have to weigh it all up because the other chemo used(FEC)damages veins and may cause heart problems later.
What terrible choices we have to make! Stock your cupboards with vegie soup tins,dry crackers,lemonade iceblocks,lemon cordial.That's about all I could eat.Tea,coffee and chocolate were the first to go-my favourites. When my hair began to fall out I cut my hair short so gradually got used to it going.Some ladies like to shave it off -we are all different.Also your experience with chemo may be different. My motto has become"prepare for the worst but hope for the best"- has a slight negative edge to it but hey, after 2 bouts of cancer it may take awhile to become a glass half full kinda girl again!
Tonya xx
