Hi to all,
Just new to this site and was wondering if anyone could give me any info on my journey head. I start Chemo on the 5th of April 4 rounds of Docetaxel / Cyclophoshamide and Herceptin. Anything would be a great help. Feeling quite lost at the moment not knowing what lies ahead of me.
Cheers........
Better to do one day at a time. It is a little way off for your radiation so I will leave my comments until after we finish chemo = might be fresher than when you need the info. I am not too keen to start on Docetaxil from all the comments . I think I will ask my medical oncologist if there is an alternative. Having a relaxing time at Woodgate even if it is raining. Our young friends and their two children from Bundy have joined us for a night. XLeonie
Better to do one day at a time. It is a little way off for your radiation so I will leave my comments until after we finish chemo = might be fresher than when you need the info. I am not too keen to start on Docetaxil from all the comments . I think I will ask my medical oncologist if there is an alternative. Having a relaxing time at Woodgate even if it is raining. Our young friends and their two children from Bundy have joined us for a night. XLeonie
Hi Sharnie, I had my first chemo 10 days ago & am just starting to feel "normal" again. I am on 3 x FEC then 3 x docetaxil followed by rads. I have mostly been feeling nauseous & have gone off food I usually like. . .a bit like when your pregnant & that was a very long time ago for me!! My eating habits are getting back to normal now. Not sure what else is installed for me, just taking it one day at a time.
Best wishes.
Loretta xx
Hi Sharnie, I had my first chemo 10 days ago & am just starting to feel "normal" again. I am on 3 x FEC then 3 x docetaxil followed by rads. I have mostly been feeling nauseous & have gone off food I usually like. . .a bit like when your pregnant & that was a very long time ago for me!! My eating habits are getting back to normal now. Not sure what else is installed for me, just taking it one day at a time.
Best wishes.
Loretta xx
Thanks Tonya, I think I have everything crossed hopping that I just cruise through the next couple of mths.
Sharnie x
Hi Sharnie,
What with having 2 bouts of breast cancer,I've had every treatment except reconstruction.Radiation is the most "doable".The staff will tell you which creams to use.Sometimes presciption ones if skin is too red or breaking.It's just tedious cos it's every day.You will get tired towards midway and need to have a daily nanna nap.My skin never broke down and I"m fair like you.
Chemo is a whole different story- much more invasive.I had Docetaxil and after the first round,landed in hospital/isolation for 4 days cos no white cells.My doctor told me that it was "too strong"for me and that it is alot harder on your hair follicles.As with all chemo ,you feel like road kill from a mack truck by around day 4 .This goes on for about 4-7days and then you start to come good.You lose your appetite and food takes weird.It's like you have a fur lined mouth.You get muscle and joint pains and the tiredness is like no other.By day 14 my hair was falling out all over the place.It is very distressing and I think,underestimated. I was TOTALLY bald for almost 3mths after chemo stopped and my hair growth has been sooooo slow. PLEASE talk to your onc. beforehand about this issue with Docetaxil. Ofcourse,it may not be a problem for you but I must be vain cos it upset me no end.We all react differently and I am hoping you girls sail through it.
luv Tonya xx
Hi Sharnie,
It is all daunting before your first chemo. I had 6 rounds last year and after that radiation in Brisbane, which finished at the end of June. I found my first round of chemo was the worst for side effects and then when they changed the drugs on the 4th round that was the worst. The first week everytime I was feeling nauseous etc. I'm still tired and lose energy after the radiation treatment. I had radiotherapy at the Brisbane Royal Womans Hospital and was able to get transport to and from my daughters house at Northlakes. I couldn't get accommodation nearby as it was booked out. I was glad to be able to stay with my daughter and her family. My grandsons lifted me up. Hopefully you can get accommodation nearby. The parking isn't free, so maybe you could check out what Leonie said. I suppose you would have to check out where the accommodation is and how far it is to walk. The treatment doesn't take long. For the hospital transport I had to be ready an hour before and seeing I was at Northlakes, I was away from home for about 6 hours most days.
They tell you what cream to use, and there is a different one for after.I was able to fly home a couple of times. One for my daughters 21st. You can get remimbursed for one I think.
Kay
Kay
I know it is a way off but where are you planning on having your radiation? I had mine at the a Mater Radiation Clinic at Woolongabba. This is nestled in near the Mater Public Hospital but is in fact part of the Princess Alexandra Hospital. I have had treatment here both times and I found it good. This clinic is Free as it is public. Another tip to consider is - they have a free carpark!!!! Anyway that's a way off and we will all be able to "give" you some tips. I am on my way home from Brisbane and have stopped off at Woodgate beach with my husband for a couple of days. I had a swim in the ocean this morning (and hopefully each day) to sooth my irriated skin. Didn't get any problems last time but was radiated differently this time. Some parts covered previous radiated areas so this made issues a bit worse. Off for an afternoon nap now!!!!!XLeonie
Thanks Amanda, and good luck for wednesday keep us posted.
Hi Sharnie
I'm doing a different regime - they are many it seems and everyone seems to have different reactions. I am doing Fec100 x 3 and then the Docetaxal (taxotere) +Herceptin x 3 then continuing Herceptin for 12 months. I start on Wednesday 30th - no radio for me. I was node positive (2/14, Her 2+ve Grade 3 - largest tumor 2.2cm and I'm 38) but I had an axilla clearance. I have no idea really what I am in for - I a struggling with the looks of pity because I don't feel sick but I guess I may feel a little different next week - I keep telling myself it is an insurance policy and all about staying well long term. Some of the other ladies on here had some good ways of thinking about it - gold running through your veins and full of little pac mans eating up the nasties! I kind of like those :-) I wish you the best for your treatment.
Amanda
