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Tinkat's avatar
Tinkat
Member
6 years ago

Chemo Journey

I wanted to let others know about my chemo journey which started on the 16th Sept with 4 rounds of AC (after mastectomy in Aug).  I am now on the Taxol regime for 12 weeks and have completed 4.  It has all been manageable so far.  I have experienced a few of the side effects but with medication, no nausea.  The other side effects (a few mouth ulcers, Kenolab, dabbed on them first thing and they cleared up), some tingling but not too bad (reflexology offered by the Cancer Association) and fatigue (mostly in the late afternoon, where I have done nothing other than sit on the couch and read my book) have all been under control so far.   I travel up to Perth from my home of Busselton (almost 3 hours drive) each week for treatment the following day and stay with my daughter but drive home first thing the next day. I have a few friends and my sister who sit with me, so that's a good opportunity for a catch up albeit I am having the infusions.  My friends have been wonderful distracting me during this time.  I think the steroids have made me extra hungry but I have n't put on weight so far.  I have been drinking alcohol free drinks (Edenvale wines) which are acceptable when I feel I want something different over the festive season.  My oncologist has reduced the premeds for the Taxol, so that will help with side effects.  I am just hoping the next 8 weeks will progress in the same way.  Happy New Year to you all going through this journey as well and I hope you get strength from the good things that surround us.   
chemotherapy
side-effects
  • Tinkat's avatar
    Tinkat
    Member
    6 years ago
    I am sorry to hear of this but you are doing a fantastic job supporting her.  Best wishes and good luck for the next stage of the treatment.  Yes, I am also concerned about the effects of chemo overall but we really don't have a choice at the moment
  • Bridget1's avatar
    Bridget1
    Member
    6 years ago
    My partner was diagnosed in July this year with Stage 3 Ductal Breast Cancer with Lympho-vascular invasion (LVI). Had lumpectomy and now at number 10 Taxol. It is a marathon and hard yakka. The side effects largely managemable the disruption to life and work a big challenge. Fatigue, rawness, taste changes, nausea in the early period with the AC, reduced involvement in life due to lmmunity issues. She had to go on a lowered dose of 80% due to high live enzymes.
    Concern about the effects of chemo on the rest of the body. Now to have a mastectomy due to the LVI then radiation.
    She is  'over it' and a bit withdrawn but does all the right things day after day.
    Began accupuncture with a very experienced practitioner and this seems to have had a good impact on the liver situation.
    Anyway...you are all amazing people to go through what you do and we partners are amazing for holding the fort and giving the practical and emotional support. 
    All this as our country burns....what a weird and strange time life is right now!

    I
  • Nefertari's avatar
    Nefertari
    Member
    6 years ago
    @Tinkat  I hope the rest of your treatment goes well with a minimum of side effects, good job so far :)
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    6 years ago
    Well done! My oncologist cut out the steroids when I went onto Taxol (I had no nausea) as I got constipated on Taxol (not on A/C) and the steroids apparently contribute. Deal was I was not to complain if I felt sick! But I didn’t. I am still drinking Edenvale - couldn’t drink anything vaguely alcoholic while on chemo as it all tasted vile, and I wanted to keep the weight I lost on chemo off, so alcohol-free is the way to go. Alcohol-free beer on really hot days tastes just like the real thing to me! Best wishes for the rest of your treatment.