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tammyp26's avatar
tammyp26
Member
13 years ago

Round 4 - new opponent knocks me out

I don't like docetaxol. That's the new drug for the next three rounds. It starts off fine due to the steroids and then the pain kicks in - the aches all over my body, like I've been continually punched or worked out way too hard at the gym (as if I'd have the energy!). The pain doesn't subside at all and constantly wakes me during the night. Some stronger painkillers help ease it a little - I still function. The nurses recommend seeing my GP to get stronger meds but I can't get in for a week so there goes that idea. Lightheadedness, nausea, loss of appetite and tingling in my fingers and toes accompany the aches. By the end of week one it eases a bit - I look forward to enjoying school holidays with my kids, maybe even get away for a few days.... My daughter gets a cold - I get a viral flu. Completely wiped out. On day 2 of having the flu I can barely lift my head off the pillow, my temp rises and I feel awful - more aches, dizziness, aching throat and the usual head cold symptoms. This results in a trip to emergency and an overnight in hospital. They want me in two nights, I just want my bed so I go home. Feeling better, still weak but the dripping nose, dizziness and sore throat eased. I feel guilty my poor kids spent the second week of the holidays farmed off to friends and family, we didn't do any of the fun activities we had planned. To complicate things, we have rented a new home, not ideal timing but houses for rent with pets are so rare where we live, it was too good an opportunity to pass up (no dog at current place, we miss our pooch). So now I have chemo, work to go back to, a townhouse to pack and a new one to move into at the end of the week - sucker for stress in my life! Once again I dread chemo today but I've also got the clinical trial person coming to chat so that should be interesting. I'm on the road to it being over (well maybe, depends on outcome of clinical trial talk) and after today there will only be ONE more to go. It's sooooo draining - I mean when a girl avoids the shops because she knows she can't walk around the whole centre things are bad! I just think of the money I'm saving on shopping, haircuts and waxing too! I'm constantly fatigued, I'm barely exercising and I just want my normal energy levels back.

1 Reply

  • Maria333's avatar
    Maria333
    Member
    13 years ago

    I feel your pain Tammy, don't be so hard on yourself. Why do you have to wait to see your GP, can't your GP write you a script just by speaking to you on the phone. What about your oncologist they can write you a script and you can pick up pain meds at the hospital pharmacy.

    The first thing that comes to mind is to speak to a social worker at the hospital and ask for help, with getting your place sorted and anything else they can do. There is no shame in accepting help - especially now when you need it. I remember feeling like i would rather die than go thru. another chemo, the joint pain and fatigue alone.

    After my journey (of hospital visits due to chemo, surgery, radio and specialists and tests) almost one year on I do see life differently, i have met many wonderful strong people, some have passed away thru their bodys' deterioration due to their cancer and meds journey. I have lost friends and made new friends. Thats just life I guess. It has been sad, but so rewarding as well.

    I use to joke that i was saving on no waxing, no haircuts .Keeping life light, and learning how to let go of the things that weren't going to be so important at the end of the day - has helped me immensely. Some days are good and some days aren't so good, but that is the way with us all.

    Just do the best you can when you can - and rest when you need to. Hope you feel much better soon. All the very best.   Maria333