Paclitaxel side effects

Zoffiel said:

I forget that I'm hairless. Monday was a nice cool day and since I was feeling well I decided to have a go at the woodpile. It's exercise and it has to be done. Anyway, I dragged the splitter out, fired it up and got stuck in only to be interrupted by a ute full  of lost tradies heading up the back lane who stopped for directions.
I m chatting away to them and toook my hat off to wipe my face. The looks on their faces... A middle aged woman using a log splitter is, apparently, unsettling. A bald middle aged woman... They couldn't get away fast enough. Can't say I blame them. I went inside to have a cuppa and was shocked at my reflection. Filthy and exhausted, I looked like Lord Voldemort on a bad day :)

Thanks for the post re Voldemort.   Made my day x

Hi Shaylis
I am thrilled you are able to work through AC.  I had trouble with my stomach for the first week after treatment then an couple of good days and a week of fatigue in my head which felt like I was being hammered in my head.
But Taxol is different I found that by the third round my head was clear and the bloating had disappeared. I felt better but the side affects I have are diarrhoea which is annoying because it has sent me to hospital twice. ( but this is not a common side affect ) lucky me!!
I also have a rash which is really not that worrying, just is itchy now and again. Also I have a slight tingle in my fingers.
From what I have read and heard tingling & joint pain is more common side effects. And many people work through this treatment with no problems. I would have liked to return to work a couple of days a week but because I work with kindy age children I'm more likely to catch their colds and stomach bugs!!  
Can't tell you how much I miss my little darlings but I'll go back by June. 

To have my life back....... I have a grandchild due in a few weeks & my sons' wedding next January. Im so looking forward to my life.. And yours is not to far off either!
Radiotherapy is something I'm looking forward to.... no real side effects!!
All the best Shaylis, let me know how you are going.

Hi Marina. Thanks for this post. I'm on the same treatment path exactly as you. Had three rounds of AC, one to go and then my taxol. Been wondering about side effects. Have had a few through my AC and have been working still as much as possible, 3-4 days most weeks, so have been wondering how I'll go on taxol with the side effects and then work. 
I like you don't know at times how I'll keep going through the treatment but I guess we do what we have to. As I say to everyone, around August/September I'll have a life again and start to feel normal. 
All we can continue to do is to stay strong and positive and take inspiration off all these wonderful ladies who have gotten through xxx
we can do this. 

Thanks Zoffiel for Lord Voldemort on a bad day. Loved it!

Thanks Melinda

Thanks Marina! Just remember you are braver than you think and stronger than you could ever realize. Dont doubt it, I say that having been through and come out the other end, its all doable and a life waiting beyond it :) 

Oh Melinda

i pray all goes well with the operation. You are so reassuring, can't wait till its over..
if I hadn't had the AC round I would have more strength.
but you concentrate on you! Let us know how you go

Marina yes i had a rash mainly on my hands and elbows. It goes away after treatment stops, good news! Ohh yes i just laughed bald was odd lol and it all comes back im enjoying having it back and being well. You absolutely will get there i promise. Be kind to you...i learnt to put me first and love me so much more. Such important lessons. This was a recurrence for me so was harder than first time. I have a preventative mastectomy  diep flap recon on monday bit scary but hoping to move forward after that. Xo Melinda 

I forget that I'm hairless. Monday was a nice cool day and since I was feeling well I decided to have a go at the woodpile. It's exercise and it has to be done. Anyway, I dragged the splitter out, fired it up and got stuck in only to be interrupted by a ute full  of lost tradies heading up the back lane who stopped for directions.
I m chatting away to them and toook my hat off to wipe my face. The looks on their faces... A middle aged woman using a log splitter is, apparently, unsettling. A bald middle aged woman... They couldn't get away fast enough. Can't say I blame them. I went inside to have a cuppa and was shocked at my reflection. Filthy and exhausted, I looked like Lord Voldemort on a bad day :)

Hi Melclarity 

It sounds like you're doing well that's good to know.. I know it's going to be hard but I was prepared for the nerve,joint, bone & muscle pain but not the loose bowel. But it's great to have you all understand.. at the moment I have a rash over my arms, legs & chest. 
I was wondering if anyone else gets a surprise sometimes when they see their efflection and remember their bald.. makes me laugh because I forget when I'm busy around the house. And sometimes I answer the door without a scarf and the person there looks awkward