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tammyp26's avatar
tammyp26
Member
14 years ago

Round 3 - winning

Well about to head to the hospital for Round 4 - a new drug this time called Taxotere with different side effects. Once again I dread going in, waiting for new side effects to happen, the tiredness, the unknown but I have to take a deep breath and just do it. I've heard all about the bone and muscle pain, the possibility of nails falling off, swollen ankles, etc - which ones will happen to me? I hate the uncertainty. The last round of FEC was really a breeze. I had the usual fatigue but must be getting used to it, a sore throat most of the time and a little nausea but really that was it. I've felt really good physically these last couple of weeks - almost like my life was normal again. Emotionally however I've been a bit of a mess. I know I'm over the halfway mark but it still seems like there's so much to go - when I was diagnosed I really thought that this would all be over in a couple of months, but it's going to be the whole year by the time I have radiotherapy as well - one very long year. I still have some concerns over a benign spot on my liver as the oncologist pointed out to me that when I have another scan to check it then we will really be able to tell if it's cancerous or not. So what I've been told is benign may not be! There's no way of finding out however so I really just have to put it to the back of my mind for now until after chemotherapy. Am I going to live with these constant concerns of cancer spreading for the rest of my life? It's such a burder and it's really been weighing me down. I have a great family and friends however and had a fabulous day at the stunning Murwillumbah racecourse to celebrate my 40th birthday yesterday - I could almost forget for a day that I had cancer! It was a great fun day of frocking up and a few quiet champers. I even got to meet the handsome world surfing champ Kelly Slater who happened to be having a punt!! Well off to face another chemo today with my lovely friend Suzy to accompany me and maybe a nice lunch afterwards. Focusing on the positives - only two more to go after this one.... Tammy xx

9 Replies

  • chipmunk's avatar
    chipmunk
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tammy

    Me to..... I have been having the exact same as you. I think its the menopause starting as I to have just finished my 3 FEC's. I am going the enquire with my oncologist this Friday, as will be just starting Paclitaxel.

    I wake up real hot, throw the blankets off and then feel the cold. I also can't sleep as I tend to wake up each night around 1 - 2am. Then can't sleep, so need to take a sleeping tablet.

    I will let you know what the oncologist says, as I will be asking her this Friday.

    Love Julie 

  • Julia44's avatar
    Julia44
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tammy,

    I was getting regular periods until I started FEC and have not had one since so I am guessing that somehow this put me into menopause.  It has been about 11 months now.

    I also kick covers off and drag them back all night but find it better in the winter than summer.

    Julia

  • tammyp26's avatar
    tammyp26
    Member
    14 years ago
    Last few nights I've been waking up at regular intervals feeling super hot - kick blankets off and few minutes later I'm back to being chilly (cold nights in northern NSW). Penny's just dropped that maybe its the start of early menopause - does this sound familiar? Does it normally take 3 FECs to start or is it just another of those things that's different with everyone? Could explain the emotions too I guess...
  • tammyp26's avatar
    tammyp26
    Member
    14 years ago
    Thanks everyone for your kind and comforting remarks. I think my hair is growing too after last FEC so hope it stays that way. I haven't lost my eyebrows and eyelashes so might be lucky enough to hold onto them too. Chemo was ok today. Went for a lovely lunch after - always feels like a day out then. I'm hoping I'm all good tomorrow from the Dex as its my bday day and nurses seemed to think day 3 might be the start of feeling yuk (great kids home from teachers strike!). Thanks again for your comments and support - it really helps . Xx
  • chipmunk's avatar
    chipmunk
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tammy

    We all hate the waiting game.... I hope the liver spot is of no concern. i also have spots on my liver and was told they were nothing to worry about... so I hope you get the same result. Keeping my fingers crossed for the next scan result.

    I have just finished 3 rounds of FEC and now Friday off to having 9 rounds of Paclitaxel. The unknown side effects now of having Paclitaxel is having me abit anxious. But apparently these are supposed to be not as yucky... hope so.

    Yes, its always on the back of my mind,whether any cancer will rear its ugly head later on in life. It's the unknown. But, I try not to think about it too much.... but it does play havoc on some days...

    Great to hear you had a terrific birthday at the races... Hope  you also won big time.... And Kelly Slater is a hottie... great body...

    Hope  chemo was good today, and you feel good.

    Love Julie XX

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes,all these bc treatments take a big chunk of time from your life.You just have to schedule in more fun days like you had at the races. I had Taxotere and I found days 3-6 to be the worst - just curled up under the doona.Your muscles and bones ache so ask your team what analgesic you can take. The unknown is the scary part- it's a little easier when you get through the first iv bag without a reaction.I'm so sorry you have the worry of a liver spot.It would be so hard putting that on the back burner.I'm 2 years on now and just starting to feel abit more confident in my health.I think it takes that long.So it's normal for you to feel anxious or unsure about your health and future at the moment.Distractions are good,staying positive is good but "crying days"are ok too.I hope chemo went ok for you today.

                                       Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes,all these bc treatments take a big chunk of time from your life.You just have to schedule in more fun days like you had at the races. I had Taxotere and I found days 3-6 to be the worst - just curled up under the doona.Your muscles and bones ache so ask your team what analgesic you can take. The unknown is the scary part- it's a little easier when you get through the first iv bag without a reaction.I'm so sorry you have the worry of a liver spot.It would be so hard putting that on the back burner.I'm 2 years on now and just starting to feel abit more confident in my health.I think it takes that long.So it's normal for you to feel anxious or unsure about your health and future at the moment.Distractions are good,staying positive is good but "crying days"are ok too.I hope chemo went ok for you today.

                                       Tonya xx

  • Julia44's avatar
    Julia44
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tammy and others new to Tamoxifen, ask if you can have frozen gloves for hands and feet whilst getting the treatment.  I did this and did not have any nail problems.   The good thing(and there are not that many unfortunately)was that my hair started growing back after FEC finished!

    Good Luck!

    Julia

     

     

  • annz53's avatar
    annz53
    Member
    14 years ago

     I hear what you say about the unknown and feel for you as I am just behind you in treatment and have my first Tax in 2weeks. All the best for today Tammy, let us know how you go. xxx