Now I know what my potion is

Hi Leonie

I had Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide (not sure if its the same thing or not??).  It is not pleasant but do-able.  If it is the same that I had, I felt pretty ordinary for a few days after chemo and felt back to my old self about a week after, feeling good for the next 2 weeks and then back for another treatment.  Every treatment was different for me - some better than others - so I never really knew what to expect.  I had 4 treatments too.

If you need any specific info, please ask :)

Louise

I think for everyone it is a bit of hit and miss.  No one really knows the effects until they actually have the chemo themselves and gets their own reaction.  I am hoping for a "heads up" so to speak and not get too sick XLeonie

I think for everyone it is a bit of hit and miss.  No one really knows the effects until they actually have the chemo themselves and gets their own reaction.  I am hoping for a "heads up" so to speak and not get too sick XLeonie

I had the same as you Leonie.I'm not going to sugar coat it -it was bloody awful! My doc. told me it's harder on your blood cells and hair follicles than other chemo combos.But he told me that after I started it.I had the worst headache and fatigue,along with all the other side effects.I ended up in hospital /isolation with an infection and no white cells. On the upside it hopefully killed off any stray cancer cells if it was that potent.Let's face it ,they are all horrible.If you go with FEC then you have the vein distruction and heart risks.I had no lymph node invovlement or cancer anywhere else so I had the luxury of telling my doc.I didn't want to finish it.He was quite ok with that so long as I started Tamoxifen.I think they make it up as they go along!! Well lots of girls on this site have coped  better than I did and I hope that will be the case for you.

                                 Tonya xx

Thanks Lee.  What keeps me going is that there have been many strong women before me who have met the challenge.  I know that I can do it but am still apprehensive of the unknown.  I will have to meditate more I think to give me extra courage from my "guides".  I commence next Wednesday 6th April.  I will have my portacath inserted on Tuesday, stay overnight in hospital then off I go to my .................UNKNOWN activity.  My husband is going to take the day off to be with me - he will be bored WITLESS.  At least it will give me a distraction trying to keep him amused. XLeonie

This is the second time I have had bc.  Same area but this time it was in a stray lymp node under the arm.  The tumour was full and had broken through.  There was no other "sign" of any tumours anywhere else in my body which was a good sign.  I had  a lumpectomy  and radiation therapy last time and started on Tamoxifen back in Jan 2007 - I chose not to have chemo.  This time the lymph node was removed but the specialist surgeon couldn't get a good clearance due to the confined area.  I was started on Arimidex straight away then have had radiation therapy.  I was told that this will be my last chance to "get rid of it" with chemo.  The Radiation Oncologist (I love him) said that I am curable.  This is keeping me going with treatment.  I am scared Witless about chemo as I already have a blood disorder.  Losing my hair - I am coping with that - have now cut it really short and intend to have it shaved in about 3 weeks or when it starts to "fall". BUT I hate being sick.  Today might make a difference.  I am seeing the Medical Oncologist and he will have the results of my recent blood test.  I think he will get a shock when he sees my platlette count - it is always really low.  I have to stop being "scared" and hope for the best.   I am one of those people who always looks at the worst scenario so I can get a "surprise" when it isn't so bad.  Thanks again for your comments.  I will let everyone know how I go. XLeonie

Good luck tomorrow Leonie.  Hope you don't feel too bad and sail through your chemo :)

Louise x

Good luck tomorrow Leonie.  Hope you don't feel too bad and sail through your chemo :)

Louise x

This is day 2 after chemo and I am doing okay.  Coming down from the drugs today but doing alright.  I think one of the worst aspects of chemo is the apprehension of not knowing how your body and mind will deal with it all.  Power of Positive Thinking is so good.  XLeonie

That's great to hear that you are doing ok....some people seem to sail through chemo and others have horrendous experiences.  Let's hope that you are one of the ones that sail through and have no hiccups at all :)

Louise x