Spent!!!

Hi Susan,

Thinking of you and on reading this I can only hope things are beginning to improve. There is nothing worse than being in pain and not being able to ease it. So far so good I haven't had any pain as such on AC but I have just had 8 days in hospital with dangerously low neutraphils - 0.2! I went in with a temp of 38.1 and a massive headache but no other symptoms! Bizzare. they put me on broad spectrum antibiotics and sent me home after 4 days only to come back with a 38.6 temp and another 4 days in hospital on IV antibiotics. They couldn't find the source but my levels had returned to a healthy 4.1! Very weird!

Hang in there and i hope the remaining treatments treat you better,

Thinking of you,

Al xxx

Hi Susan,

Thinking of you and on reading this I can only hope things are beginning to improve. There is nothing worse than being in pain and not being able to ease it. So far so good I haven't had any pain as such on AC but I have just had 8 days in hospital with dangerously low neutraphils - 0.2! I went in with a temp of 38.1 and a massive headache but no other symptoms! Bizzare. they put me on broad spectrum antibiotics and sent me home after 4 days only to come back with a 38.6 temp and another 4 days in hospital on IV antibiotics. They couldn't find the source but my levels had returned to a healthy 4.1! Very weird!

Hang in there and i hope the remaining treatments treat you better,

Thinking of you,

Al xxx

I know your leg pain honey. I felt so sad as I read your words and then happy to hear you have a plan to help you with the pain. Take what ever you need.

I was doing 2 panadol every 4 hours and Endone over a period of 4-5 days the fifth day after each of my last three chemos. That's when I was on Taxotere. I was told it was a combination of this and the neulasta injection. I just had to stay in bed, I could feel all the bones (all 26) in each foot as I walked or rather shuffled in pain about the house.

Doesn't matter what they tell you - the side effects are a shocker. A combination of the toxins building up in your body doesnt help.

I did have some very relaxing salt baths which I found helped.

All the very best.

Maria333

Hey JoJo,

I didn't have the injections or the FEC I'm just having the TC 4 rounds, but I got it sorted today anyway they gave me celebrex to relieve the pain although its day 7 and it seems to have subsided alot as of last night so thats the up side !

Hair, yes I did clipper it off 2 weeks before hand and it just seemed to hang in there like a crew cut but when I was in the shower rubbing my hands over my head it just all started to come out and yes I do rather look like a baby orangutang haha!  Thanks for the advice though it is greatly appreciated!

Brightest Blessings,  Susan  xxx

Just sending my love to you.  Just go with the flow in knowing that this is how it is - unfortunately.  Don't put any unnecessay pressures on yourself.  Chemo is the pits but it has to be.  The light at the end of the tunnel is magnificant.  Before you know it you will be advising others of "the end" feeling.  Hang in there in knowing that others have felt the same pain and are here to support yours.  I'm sorry that I can't wave a magic want but if I could I surely would.  Take care, my thoughts are with you. XLeonie

Hey Susan, I found the same. Im 5 cycles in (FEC) and I will be honest, no 2 cycles have been the same in terms of effects. The biggest change between cycles 1 & 2 is the effects of the intro of the booster shot. did you receive this as part of your post chemo regime? This white cell booster - if u ask me - is worse than chemo. It causes the bone ache which basically delivers a massive face ache and makes sleeping very uncomfortable. If this is what you have received, it may help you to know this lasts (for me) no longer than 2 days.

HAIR: you know what - it's good once your hair finally goes. It's one less thing to deal with. the falling out of hair is worse than having no hair. I cant recommend it enough to clipper off any random stray hairs that remain. I felt they made me look like a sick person (or a baby orangutan) but when it's fully shaved it's lke you take control. One perk? the feeling of the shower water pulsing over your head. It's a nice sensation. xx

Oh Susan

So sorry to hear that chemo is knocking you around. What chemo are you having? I have had 2 rounds of FEC and Im starting to notice how some side effects build up. My tummy doesn't sit as well and my eye's are terribly irritated. Hope the onc can shed some light on better ways to dealing with your side effects. Hugs to you

xo Christie

Hi Susan,

I did well first cycle so I expected to be much the same the second time around. I was wrong as yourself I felt worse the 2nd time around. As for the pain if you take panadol on a regular basis such as 2 tablets 4 times a day it is more effective for pain relief than just taking panadol when you get pain. You could also try panadiene but make sure you only take a combined 8 tablets a day of panadol and panadiene as you should only have 4000mg of paracetamol per day. I was advised not to take any nurofen during my chemo as it can upset your stomach which the chemo could be doing as well. If panadeine or panadol aren't working you can go to your doctor and ask for a prescription of either panadiene forte or endone which are stronger pain killers. If you take anything with codeine in it be on the watch out for constipation. I hope this is helpful.

Good luck with the rest of your chemo. I used to think after each cycle that is one less to go.

xox Renata