Starting TAC on Monday

Im really hoping you are feeling a little better Lara. Each day will improve remember that. I too had a shocker with chemo 1 & I ended up being admitted to hospital with diarrhea. After 2 days of tests & iv fluids, repeated stool cultures my oncologist ssid it was a reaction to the taxotere..my body couldn't cope. So he reduced all 3 TAC chemos by 15% and this worked close to perfect for me. He said some adjustment is quite normal. Its a scary tine though isn't it..you just want it all to go smoothly. I was teary through out my stay. Dont let it throw you though, stay strong & be as organized as you can in week 3 when you come good. .I was still paranoid about germs bugs etc...Glen 20 was my best friend. ..ha ha. Make you number one through chemo. Hugs to your beautiful children. Take care Jackie

Glad you are doing a bit better Lara, look after and nurture yourself and hopefully no hospital visits etc.  

See how you are feeling at the time of our next get together.

Take good care of yourself luvy or let someone else do that for you as it is all about number one at the moment. Lots of fluids.

Luv n hugs to you and yours, Mich xoxoxoxo

Thanks so much Mich, Day 3 today of cycle 2, doing ok, just vague, tired and achy all over, otherwise better than last time. So I'm happy with this.

Thanks for all your support, hoping I will be better to make it to the next catch up.

Lara

xxx

Ooooooh poor luv, I am so sorry that you have been doin it tough.  Amazing how these things can pop up and cause us hassles at the wrong time.  Timing is so cruel sometimes as I know from myself, you and many others.  It is like we are just getting challenged but you have come to the challenge and are on your way back to recovery so well done.

I am so sorry to hear your lil one is not coping well with the situation but I think probably mum is the best one to give her as much reassurance as possible that you will be fine.  If you can get her to go to counselling that would be great as well.  

It sounds like you have wonderful support in your mum but I think from memory I am not too far from you, I am in Midland??  If I can do anything at all to help in anyway all you have to do is ask.  You should also know that you have an extended family in the Perth Women Support group online who will be here for you if you need.

PS:  I had written my usual long winded message and then lost it all so I will keep this one short.

Just remember we are here for you.

Thinking of you, wishing you lots of wellness vibes and I will be doing my penguin waddle with everything crossed for you for your upcoming chemo.

Lots of love today, tomorrow and always, Mich xoxoxo

Hi All, Thanks for all the very helpful and supportive messages. Will unfortunately cycle 1 was a doozy. I ended up in hospital with chemo/steroids induced gastritis complicated by a gastroenteritis that must have been brewing when I was giving the chemo. So despite having Nuelasta I was neutropenic on day 5 with lots if tummy pain and diarrhea. So I scored iv fluids, iv antibiotics, morphine, CT scans, daily blood test, and almost no food. I lost almost 3kgs and a fair bit of blood, but all my bloods returned to normal after 6 days in hospital, my pain reduced and I was allowed to eat a very limited diet so I got to go home. My kids especially my 8yr old daughter really didn't cope well with me gone. So I am trying to organise therapy for her but she is certain she doesn't want to go. My son seemed to cope a little better but I think his school friends are more restrained about what they say because they are older. Anyway after coming home I recovered well enough to keep on track with cycle 2 of TAC which I had yesterday. Just hope I keep out of hospital this time, I can't believe I got Gastro before, as my Mum has practically bleached my entire house and its contents daily. Everyone has had strict hand washing instructions there is alcohol sanitiser everywhere, I have a strict mouth care regime, I have kept away from work and any germy people and ameating and drinking low risk foods so I'm not sure what else I can do. Fingers crossed I guess. I'm not too bad today, slight nausea and tummy ache which I have drugged myself well. Other than that I am just tired, achey and headachey. So not too bad. Thanks again for all the helpful messages, I am trying to think about the count down, so I am almost 1/3 through now which helps. Love to all. Lara Xxx

Hi Lara, just wondering how you are feeling after day 1. The first one is the worst, because we never quite know what to expect. I found the ones that followed were easier, because the fear factor had been eliminated. I only had TC, but I breezed through it. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Love Chris xx

Hi Lara, just wondering how you are feeling after day 1. The first one is the worst, because we never quite know what to expect. I found the ones that followed were easier, because the fear factor had been eliminated. I only had TC, but I breezed through it. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Love Chris xx

Hi Lara I am 5 years on from chemo now (TAC), and so far so good! I clearly remember how scared I was coming into chemo and not knowing what to expect. I had 6 cycles and I worked 3 days per week for the last 2 weeks before the next cycle but I was very tired during the first week. For me keeping some normality in my life was important. Everyone has different experiences so my best advice is to just go with it and do what feels right for you. I haven't yet met anyone who didn't complete chemo....I will be thinking of you tomorrow, and as Mich says we are here if you need us. Love Vicki

Hi I completed 6 TAC in November. I did not find it very bad at all, first three were very easy, next two my tiredness increased and the last I was back up very quickly. Knowing that I was finished helped. I followed all advice from fellow ladies and the oncology nurses who where very good. I could have worked for two of the three weeks but choose not to and concentrate on getting better. I did get a lot of the smaller side affects, lost toe nails, sore feet, no taste. But I did not have any nausea , mouth sors or bone pain. I was Also very strict with following hygiene for myself Nd famy and luckily got through without an infection. Please do not be afraid, this is something that is there to make you well again it may have a few side affects but hopefully it will do its job. Regards Robyn

Hello fello Perth girl

So lovely to hear from you. I can't believe how Onco's can be soooooo different.  One will tell you nothing and then the other had no heart and no tact and scares the daylights out of you.  I was unable to work through my chemo treatment mainly because I worked on a roster and I couldn't commit that I would or wouldn't be well to do my shifts and didn't want to let people down etc. I definitely had times where I could have worked and other times where I could work.  I had 3 FEC and then 3 Taxotere or Taxol I think they also call it.  The chemo effects do accumulate the further you get in to treatment.  Some people fly through all the chemo with minor side effects but others aren't so lucky so it is very hard to guage how you will do and I am saddened by your Oncs response to you.

Please know that on behalf of myself and all the other beautiful Perth women that we will be wishing you health and wellness through your treatment.  If you would like to connect with any of us please let us know as we are here for you and only a phone call away.

LIVE EVERY DAY, LAUGH, LOVE AND ENJOY XOXO

Lots of love today, tomorrow and always, Mich xoxoxoxo