Reality dawns
Hi there, I was diagnosed in March and have had two surgeries since (lumpectomy and follow up). I am about to embark on 12 weeks of chemo plus herceptin and radiotherapy. The things that worry me most...
Forum Discussion
I am having chemo at the moment. 3 X FEC 3 weekly and 3 X Docetaxel 3 weekly.
I have had two of the FEC to date.
First Dose, I could not focus my eyes or concentrate for 10 days then rapidly improved to work mornings on the third week.
Second dose I had Neulasta injection to boost white blood cells and was much better. Could not focus or concentrate for 5 days and then rapidly improved to work mornings from the end of the second week and the third week.
I also could not trust myself to drive while I could not concentrate.
I am self employed so can work my own hours, but am a dog groomer so use sharp impliments and the chemo made my hands shake for at least a week.
The Oncologist said, as everyone else has said above, that everyone is different in their reaction to the chemo drugs.
They did tweak a few things, such as running the chemo slower to reduce my reaction to one of them and icepacks on my head during the infusion and afterwards to reduce the intense headaches that started towards the end of the C bag. Also dosing me with Panadol during the infusion.
So if you do get sideeffects, your team should help you work to reduce them as much as possible.
For me so far, I can only really work the last week after each infusion, and a half day is enough. I am 57 and reasonably fit and healthy, but the chemo makes me tired.
I get a hot head so wigs are pretty much out for me although I have been loaned a couple if I need them.
I have lots of scarfs and cotton and bamboo turbans.
A soft cotton for sleeping is great in cooler weather, it is my favourite.
The bamboo ones are also good and stylish, there is a company is SA that makes them for a reasonable price.
I also have some from a company called Headcovers that are really nice, stylish and easy to wear. Wrap a long shear scarf around them and they dress up beautifully.
Good luck with your chemo and I hope you are one of the lucky ones who have minimal side effects from it.
Jennie
I have had two of the FEC to date.
First Dose, I could not focus my eyes or concentrate for 10 days then rapidly improved to work mornings on the third week.
Second dose I had Neulasta injection to boost white blood cells and was much better. Could not focus or concentrate for 5 days and then rapidly improved to work mornings from the end of the second week and the third week.
I also could not trust myself to drive while I could not concentrate.
I am self employed so can work my own hours, but am a dog groomer so use sharp impliments and the chemo made my hands shake for at least a week.
The Oncologist said, as everyone else has said above, that everyone is different in their reaction to the chemo drugs.
They did tweak a few things, such as running the chemo slower to reduce my reaction to one of them and icepacks on my head during the infusion and afterwards to reduce the intense headaches that started towards the end of the C bag. Also dosing me with Panadol during the infusion.
So if you do get sideeffects, your team should help you work to reduce them as much as possible.
For me so far, I can only really work the last week after each infusion, and a half day is enough. I am 57 and reasonably fit and healthy, but the chemo makes me tired.
I get a hot head so wigs are pretty much out for me although I have been loaned a couple if I need them.
I have lots of scarfs and cotton and bamboo turbans.
A soft cotton for sleeping is great in cooler weather, it is my favourite.
The bamboo ones are also good and stylish, there is a company is SA that makes them for a reasonable price.
I also have some from a company called Headcovers that are really nice, stylish and easy to wear. Wrap a long shear scarf around them and they dress up beautifully.
Good luck with your chemo and I hope you are one of the lucky ones who have minimal side effects from it.
Jennie