Taxotere

I will give you the "drill" that I was given.  Taxetare is the PITS - BUT I survived.  You really have to be prepared ie prepare meals; have lots of snacks in the pantry, ice blocks in the freezer.  I went out and purchased plastic utensils as people told me that I would get a metalic taste in my mouth and wouldn't be able to use s/s ones.  I didn't use any of them.  I got a really furry tongue and all food tasted like it had passed through the backend of a dog!!!.  But I did put on weight.  It is the steriods that you will have to take to prevent the vomiting. I never vomited once during my chemo - did feel quite nauseous though.  Dexametazine (something like that) is taken the day before chemo and two days after - from memory.  What it did to me was "zoom me up" on the first day. My house was surgically clean each time prior to chemo and of course I couldn't sleep.  Then three days after chemo WHAM the big MAC truck hit.  It is quite "funny" to rethink it now. At the time it isn't.  Someone told me prior to chemo "Just remember chemo is only for a short time" and also "Just go with the flow".  If you feel like Crap ....just lie down and do nothing.  Don't set any timetables for yourself; don't accept visitors during the first 5-6 days unless they want to "do something that is beneficial" and of course ONLY if they are germ-free.  You will need to manage your temps as well.  The oncology nurses will give you a chart.  It is really important as a high temp (38 degrees) means you need to go to hospital ASAP.  During my first chemo this happened to me and I ended up in hospital for 6 days in isolation.  From then on I was given an injection on the day after chemo.  What was my savour was finding a "buddy" on this site who was having chemo at the same time and same "potion" as myself.  We compared notes and it was really helpful.  Good tip:  if you have any queries ASK - your oncology nurses or here online.  There is a wealth of knowledge on this site so make good use of it.  It is really important to be HIGH MAINTENANCE and care ONLY for yourself (if that's possible).  You will need someone special (I see you have a lovely husband/partner) who is THERE for you.  I set up a bed in the loungeroom for the first three days after chemo.  Some cycles I would use it until day 5 but then I would unpack it and try to sit up and also walk around and be as active as I could.  Nearly forgot DRINK COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER - to flush the chemo through.  I found the easiest way to do this (and avoid the furry tongue) was to drink through a straw. The girls online will have some more tips for you so I will finish here.  Don't forget ASK ASK ASK.  Been there  done that and SURVIVED. XLeonie  PS I kept a daily diary so I could compare notes for each chemo cycle.

hi Penny, i am sure there are lots on here who have had taxotere, so sure someone will pick your blog up, here's to a happy and healthier 2012. Regards Moira

hi Penny, i am sure there are lots on here who have had taxotere, so sure someone will pick your blog up, here's to a happy and healthier 2012. Regards Moira