Hump Day! Taxol #6

Question

Half way there with Taxol! Home run now - 6 to go.
Minor side effects (which really didn't rate a mention before because they seem so minor in the scheme of things) but will add for the record....

dry - so moisturise after shower; moisturise hands during day; drink water (soooo sick of it but add lemon sometimes); chew gum to keep saliva glands going; sometimes eyedrops too
bloody, crusty nose - not really a blood nose but it dribbles sometimes and whenever I wipe it the tissue shows blood colour (charming! but not debilitating)&nbsp;
vein -&nbsp;has reacted to the initial Phenergan given as a pre-med for first Taxol; just below elbow&nbsp;and on the top of my arm; tiny lump and enlargement of vein; was already enlarged (not visibly) and sore to touch but does not affect the use of my arm; now have nasty fishy smelling cream to rub on it twice a day for this next week; not really an ongoing problem as it is a superficial vein and others around it are happy chappies

Finding a good vein and getting blood has still been a concern but Trevor&nbsp;is successful every time! (Two separate but related issues) Using a vein running over wrist from thumb currently. Some times use below the wrist then next time above the wrist.&nbsp;It doesn't bother me. Not painful once in and no after effects except maybe a little bruising.&nbsp;Trevor is good! I hope not to use a port on my chest although I know it has suited others.
The two times that it was a bit trickier getting blood out of me to do the initial tests I know I had not been drinking enough.&nbsp;I&nbsp;now aim to&nbsp;drink more water (all the time really - have set a reminder on&nbsp;my phone to drink a glass of water 7 times a day! - my family and friends are getting used to&nbsp;the specific beep&nbsp;and go and get me a glass of water - haha). But I especially focus on the morning of chemo and&nbsp;getting bloods has not been a problem since.&nbsp;
NEW WIG (cheaper one cos not eligible for rebate) and new glasses: re-inventing myself yet again! Wig is a short bob in a darker colour (hair colour in profile pic pre AC has been lightened!). New wig colour&nbsp;is closer to my natural colour - fuzz is getting thicker! Sooo much easier with this one as there is no hair over my collar. It fits my head better and I feel I can wear it more often. My glasses have a readdish (haha - how's that for a 'clever' typo - was about to correct....)&nbsp;frame and are the bigger, more modern look. Nothing like a new look! Life is all about adjusting to changes - good to be in charge of some of them!

joanne50steve · Answer

I know how you are feeling. I also reached hump day with my Taxil. On the home stretch now. I too have been suffering with the bloody nose, sore and inconvenient  than anything else. My skin is so dry. I'm fair skinned and on my arms are these red blotches that come and go. I only had half the normal dose yesterday due to low white cell count, but still feel crapy and unusually a low mood. Not myself at all. Do you also have to have radiotherapy Erica? And tablets for 5 years as well? I have hit the wall and don't want to climb it anymore. But tomorrow is a new day and hopefully I will be in a better frame of mind.

erica_shadiac · Answer

Luckily I am feeling 'good'/'normal' besides the above mentioned. Yes I have radiotherapy daily for 6 weeks starting a month after the taxol finishes. I am also having Herceptin intravenously every 3 weeks for 12 months - started with the taxol so will go through to mid next year. I'm Hormone negative but Her2 positive - hence the difference I'd say. You can do this! We all have shit days where we think WHY and I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS. But there are always positives and we must focus on them. My wonderful man had his mother visiting from the country but still came to my chemo treatment with me today - hasn't missed an appointment or a treatment yet! Beautiful boy! I made a yummy green veggie soup today! Tomorrow here in Adelaide it is going to be fine and warmer! I'm going to go for a leisurely drive to the beautiful Clare Valley. What was a highlight for you today?? What can you look forward to tomorrow?? Going for a walk ALWAYS makes me feel good - I try to do this every day (or nearly!).

erica_shadiac · Answer

Thanks, Michelle. Will get on to that!!

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Hump Day! Taxol #6

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