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sandyb's avatar
sandyb
Member
15 years ago

half way through chemo

Hi all I am back again, it is day 3 after last round of FEC which means in 3 weeks time i move on to 3 rounds of Docetaxel so any words of wisdom on this next 4 rounds would be much appreciated. Seems a bit scary to me that they have you start your anti-nausia medication the day before the treatment.

Went for my first visit with radiation oncology the other day, that seems to be the next added bonus to this journey, they tell me not to wear a bra while getting radiation, but do they know how much the boob that had the surgery aches when not supported?? hmmm what to do.

Hope all the ladies here are doing well, and i would love to hear from anyone with some words of advise oh my next step of my journey.

Take care all SandyX

4 Replies

  • sandyb's avatar
    sandyb
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks to you all for answering me, guess i have more fun to look forward to lol.

    I will keep you all posted as to how i react.

  • hb's avatar
    hb
    Member
    15 years ago

    I've just had my first round of docetaxel -- I was fine for the first few days, but then felt really crappy for a whole week. Everyone is different (chorus!) but the things I found most significant were a feeling that my mouth was full of glue (with associated inability to taste pretty much anything), a horrible itchy rash (on my head, neck, shoulders, chest), and really sore shins.

    I've been using a nappy rash cream on the rash (which really helps) and wearing loose clothes at night. For the mouth, only lemon juice seems to taste good. Salt/bi-carb rinsing didn't help -- I'm going to ask if there's something else I can use. Other than this (and the usual night sweats that have been driving me bananas) it hasn't been too bad. I'd bank on having about a week of feeling not-so-good, but then picking up.

    cheers, hope it goes well!
    Heather

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    I am not over endowed but yes you do need the bra.  First time around I shopped and shopped and shopped to find comfy bras - all cotton and no underwire.  This time I had it all covered - even found nice lacey cotton bras. Target have some great sports looking ones.  As Tonya said when you do the skin regime you will need a bra otherwise your clothes will be strained.  I used to wear loose clothing around the house with no bra.  You will need loose pj's as well - cotton - to stop the skin from being irritated.  There is lots of info that others, Tonya and myself  have posted about Taxetore.  Might be worth a look back on the site.  XLeonie

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    When I had radiation 7 yrs ago I was told to wear an old loose bra without wire. I had no problems wearing one.I used to plaster aloe vera gel on my boob straight after radiation and a bra stopped it from going on my clothes. I had Docetaxel last year after my second bout of b cancer - it's no picnic! It's harder on your white cells and hair follicles and you get alot of muscle/bone pain and headaches.You have about 4 or 5 awful days and then you improve. You might breeze through it cos we all react differently.I think radiation is easier than chemo.

                                      Tonya xx