TCH

Hi Di,

Thanks for your feedback in regards to your experience. I had the first one last week and have been reasonably ok, with fairly mild symptoms. Developed a headache on day 4 though, which I cant seem to shift. Hope it goes before the next treatment is due.

thanks and all the best,

Merryl

 

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for your feedback. I haven't found the 1st one too bad, but have had a headache since day 4 that I can't get rid of. It's now Day 9 so hope to get on top of that well before the next round. Have also been rinsing with the mouthwash which so far has worked, except I have the bitter taste in the mouth, which effects the taste of the food. Hope you are getting on ok. It looks like you live in a lovely coastal spot.

Merryl

I had TCH treatment starting Jan 27th last year so I am just through it all. First thing is to make sure you take the medication they give you to prevent the nausea. My first treatment wasn't too bad but took about 7 hours all up and I had a port in my arm. The first time they run things through pretty slowly and it will be a long day. Unfortunately with all the treatment and pain medications I was on I went from having the runs for a few days about 3 days after the treatment to constipation in the third week. You will need to drink lots of water, I found the Lime or fruit flavoured ones the best. I lost my taste buds and my appetite during treatment and ended up losing about 10kg. I was ok the day after the treatment and then was hit by a truck on about day 3. It would take about 7 days to feel better and then 1 week to feel not too bad before the next hit. The side effects got progressively worse after each treatment and I shaved my head after the first. I lost feeling in my toes after number four , started sweating after number 2 and have suffered chronic joint pain the whole way through. The positives are though that my taste buds did come back after the TC part was done, My hair started to grow back then as well and after 6 months is quite thick and a bit curly and I felt a lot better in myself. The Herceptin continued for the 12 months and unfortunately so has all the joint pain. I started taking tamoxofin straight after the TC part was finished and I have been plagued with not just night sweats but all day sweats.

I don't think any of us could say that Chemo is a fantastic experience but there are some positives. You will meet some wonderful caring people who administer your drugs and help you through the experience and you will see others who are also going through this ordeal and most will probably be at different stages so you can see for yourself what you might have to cope with. But the most important thing is that you will make it through and one day it will become a distant memory. The side effects are different for everyone and I hope you are one that can sail through without any problems. Remember you will come out the other side.

Kay

I had TCH treatment starting Jan 27th last year so I am just through it all. First thing is to make sure you take the medication they give you to prevent the nausea. My first treatment wasn't too bad but took about 7 hours all up and I had a port in my arm. The first time they run things through pretty slowly and it will be a long day. Unfortunately with all the treatment and pain medications I was on I went from having the runs for a few days about 3 days after the treatment to constipation in the third week. You will need to drink lots of water, I found the Lime or fruit flavoured ones the best. I lost my taste buds and my appetite during treatment and ended up losing about 10kg. I was ok the day after the treatment and then was hit by a truck on about day 3. It would take about 7 days to feel better and then 1 week to feel not too bad before the next hit. The side effects got progressively worse after each treatment and I shaved my head after the first. I lost feeling in my toes after number four , started sweating after number 2 and have suffered chronic joint pain the whole way through. The positives are though that my taste buds did come back after the TC part was done, My hair started to grow back then as well and after 6 months is quite thick and a bit curly and I felt a lot better in myself. The Herceptin continued for the 12 months and unfortunately so has all the joint pain. I started taking tamoxofin straight after the TC part was finished and I have been plagued with not just night sweats but all day sweats.

I don't think any of us could say that Chemo is a fantastic experience but there are some positives. You will meet some wonderful caring people who administer your drugs and help you through the experience and you will see others who are also going through this ordeal and most will probably be at different stages so you can see for yourself what you might have to cope with. But the most important thing is that you will make it through and one day it will become a distant memory. The side effects are different for everyone and I hope you are one that can sail through without any problems. Remember you will come out the other side.

Kay

Hi Merryl

I am not sure what TCH chemo is, but I'm sure it is like the other chemo's available.  They are all designed the kill off or slow the progress of those nasty little cancer cells.  Whilst they do this, unfortunately they are not very kind to our bodies.

The IV chemo I had was 2 different types.  The first (red one!) was 4 x 3weekly cycles and the second was 12 x 1 weekly cycles.  I must say the 2nd one was a little bit kinder to the system.  I didnt have a lot of nausea with either chemo (however they do give you a very high dose of dexamethazone and other tabs to combat this), but did feel like I had been hit by a Mack truck.   Extremely tired, but unable to sleep, especially for a couple of days after the treatment.  Physically and mentally exhausted.  Emotional outburst, (eg: crying at the drop of a hat) for no reason.  I found this hard to deal with, as I could just be sitting on my own having a coffee and I would start crying - this I'm glad to say passed with time.  A little testy with my partner (so he said anyway - haha), and even when surrounded by people, I had an overwhelming sense of being alone.  Chemo can play around with your mind a little bit, so even though I stand accused of all the above, it really wasnt me - it was just the effects of chemo.

You will survive it Merryl, you may not get any of the above symptoms, this was just my experience.  Just tell yourself, IF you get sick - if the chemo is making me feel like this, just imagine what it is doing to those nasty little cells!  Thinking like that used to help me get through.

You are in for a long, hard journey, so take each day as it comes, dont be afraid to ask for help, and listen to your body and remember, you are not alone!

All the best with your treatment.  Take care

Di