Taxotere

Hi Penny, I also had 4 rounds of taxotere last year, and like Celeste, I didn't have a really bad time. I agree whole heartedly with the others, who said, look after number one, and be kind to yourself. The first round for me was the worst, mainly because I was anxious and didn't know what to expect. I learnt a few little strategies following the first round that made the other 3 rounds a bit easier. Things I learnt, take all anti nausea meds given to you even if you don't think you need them. My Dr said, it is easier to prevent nausea, than to treat it if gets a hold on you. Take panadol 4 hourly from the first hint of leg pains, which usually start on day 4. I use to spend day 4 on the lounge, as it was my blob day. Eat little and often. The nausea was a little like morning sickness, and food helped to ease it. I had diarrhoea on the first round, but not the other 3, and I was never sick enough to vomit. The furry tongue stage is grose, and water tasted awful. I discovered that the clear, flat, lemon or lime flavoured mineral waters in the pump packs were fantastic at over riding the metallic taste that comes from the chemo and the furry tongue. My finger nails survived well, due to the ice mits and nail polish. I did develop ridges on my nails, one per each treatment, rather like age rings on a tree. They all grew out without issue. My hair has regrown, and like Tonya, it took many weeks before it sprouted, and it is still curly, but it is not quite a year since I started chemo and I have had 3 trips to the hairdresses since, and my hair is about 6 to 7 cm long now. My eyebrows fell out well after I had finished chemo, but they too have started to grow back, and whilst I still use eyebrow pencil, they are have thickened up considerably. Wishing you all the best with the taxotere, and remember, it may not be as bad as what you imagine. Chemo didn't stop me from doing anything, and I actually had quite a social time with friends during my treatment months. Love Chris xx