Docetaxel Chemo Fail - falling off a cliff

Hi I think the first Chemo is pretty difficult for most of us, no matter which drug combination you have. At the end of the day, they are giving you drugs that damage a lot of good cells as well as any cancer cells that may be there. I had 3 x FEC and have now had 2 of 3 Docetaxel. While the FEC was not pleasant, it did not make me feel as bowled over as the Docetaxel. I can barely stand up on the Sunday/Monday after having Docetaxel on a Thursday. I think the DEX keeps me going for the first couple of days before the real effects kick in. The first D I ended up in hospital for 3 days with an infection and neutropenia. This round I am just getting over the worst effects (pain and extreme fatigue) on day 12. My face has a rash and is very dry and scaly. I have had very bad headaches and sore mouth and throat (thrush). I would not want to go through anything worse than this as for a few days I cannot do anything! Am really just focusing on the end of Chemo now and certainly hope that it has done its job! In 3 weeks I should be over the worst of the last dose! My Chemo nurse told me that people either breeze through Docetaxel or have a tough time like me. I am very glad that I only have 1 to go and also that they did not start my treatment with this drug. Your oncologist will find the right alternative for you. There are many drug combinations that they can use. Hope you are feeling better soon. Just keep remembering that if you feel bad that hopefully means the drugs are doing worse things to any cancer cells! Take care. Deanne xx