Hi Juliet,
I am about a month or so in front of you on this journey. Diagnosed on Nov 10th with Triple Neg BRE Grade 3 (no definite DCIS identified). I started chemo on the 20th Nov so it all moved pretty quickly.
AC x4 dose dense and now I’m on Taxol and Carbo weekly for 12 cycles. Then I’ll have double mastectomy (I also tested positive to the BRCA2 gene) and potentially radiation after that. Although last scans showed I might not need that. Yay.
I found on AC that days 7-10 were my worst days then I’d slowly feel better although I do remember that freight train feeling after my first cycle. Not great. I find each cycle kinda follows a similar pattern (without the train).
I’m only 3 cycles down on the Taxol and Carbo so still learning which are my good and bad days. Seems to be worst day 3 and 4 maybe then slowly better.
AC I had very bad mouth issues; very dry throat and mouth, ulcers, oral thrush. I got the impression from the ladies at hospital that not everyone has it that bad so don’t fret. Nilstat helped with the oral thrush. I found salt water made my mouth dryer so I’m now using Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash which has helped a lot (and keep on top of the mouth hygiene, use the mouth wash a lot). Otherwise, I find coke no sugar gives me some relief weirdly. I get to have a break from constant dryness in the throat. Thankfully I’m just thirsty on the Taxol and Carbo, no ulcers etc so far.
I’ve also had permanent nausea but found getting on top of reflux helped that feeling during AC (not so much Taxol & Carbon). Also eating first thing and always before you get hungry. Even when the mouth and throat are bad, I make myself eat something as keeping on top of hunger really helped that sick feeling. I’ve eaten a lot of soup.
Drinking a heap of water helps with the dryness and the nausea (as the other ladies have mentioned it flushes the chemo from your system faster). So drink up. I have 3x 1ltr water bottles on rotation. I found very cold water painful though as it constricted my throat.
My skin has been dry and a little problematic so avoiding all added ingredients. I’m using Moo Goo wash in the shower and their moisturiser for my skin. I still have no idea what to use on my head as I have a little hair as I’m using the scalp cooling thing. Hasn’t worked great for me but everyone at the hospital says it also helps with regrowth so I’m powering on with it. If you find a good head moisturiser, I’d be keen to know what it is.
I was also advised to use dark polish on my nails by my breast care nurse and so far, I’m going ok but I believe I’ll know more towards the end of the Taxol.
Ok, I’ve written heaps now, so I’ll stop but please reach out if you had other questions.
Good luck with everything and go easy on yourself. :smile:
Kel.
