Paclitaxel

Hi Locksley
my session will be for half an hour as I also had lymph nodes removed. They  hit along my collar bone and under my arm. I had another practice this morning  I was able to keep it in the high position for 15 minutes. So I’m figuring I’ll keep practicing until the 16th and hopefully it will loosen up more. Please keep me updated on your ice treatment. You looked nice and comfy in your picture. Take care Ween

Hi Locksley,
I can answer this one. I've just finished my first 5 sessions.
You will see the frame that they use on your planning session for R/T
You are on your back, but elevated slightly. Your arms are both above your head, well supported in a frame with padding.
Your arms are not straight but gently curved.
From the time you start to lay down, it would be 15 min. All of that time you need to stay still.
The first 5 min the staff are with you getting you into your precise position.
A few milimetres up, down and sideways etc.
If you are able to put your arms above your head with fingers touching, perhaps while on a recliner chair.
You would be ok.
If that is really uncomfortable or difficult for you, perhaps a physiotherapist could assist with some stretches.
Definitely discuss this with your Radiation Oncologist at your planning session. This seems to be 3-4 weeks prior to starting.
That is when I got my 3 tiny tattoos, and was put into the frame for planning.
I had a couple of consults with Radiotherapy a month or 2 prior. These were only phone consults, due to COVID.
But you could also mention your concerns then too.
Good luck.

Hi Ween,  How long do you need to keep your arm up for the radiation.  I had a frozen shoulder years ago and don't have a lot of strength in my shoulder now.   I must do my exercises a bit more regular than I am doing!    All seemed to go well for my 2nd session.   Again had hands in ice jugs and feet in socks with ice packs - seem OK at this stage so that makes me happy.  Sending hugs xxx

Hi Locksley
glad all is okay at your second session. My oncologist stopped me after the fourth dose. I was having major problems with my feet and legs also my finger nails. I did ask about an alternative, there was one that is extremely strong and she thought I’d be too old to take it. So I had a review last Tuesday and she hopes my legs will improve. Now I’m on to Radiotherapy I had my planning day yesterday. It is going to be a challenge as I had shoulder reconstruction about 13 years ago and my arm is the same side as my Breastcancer and where the lymph nodes were taken out. Not sure how I’m going to go at keeping really still as the nerves in the shoulder start shaking after it has been held up for a long time. I don’t start until the 16th so I’m trying to stretch it twice a day and my GP has given me some tablets. Hopefully I’ll be down pat by the time I start. 

Hi @ween, how did you go with your treatment.  Did they stop it or suggest something else.   All went OK for my 2nd session except they were very late starting me.   So that just pushed the day out longer by the time I then had the treatment, travelled home.   Ended up with take away roast chook and chippies for dinner.

Hi @Manana
i also had Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel.  I did not have the symptoms you have described but I had mouth ulcers, nail issues, lot of stomach issues as well.  I initially had a lumpectomy and then decided to do bilateral mastectomies.  You can start a new post by clicking on “New discussions” on the top right.  The best person to ask about side effects would be the chemo nurse, have you been given contact numbers for the oncologist and the nurse.  Good luck with your treatment.

 Hello, im new to the group and currently doing chemo with Paclitaxel , Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab. Done 7 weeks and still 5 to go. Got such a bad side effect on my skin(face). Plenty pimples, all face red , swollen/puffy eyes. All these been treated  by strong cortisone cream and claratyne. Nothing helps much ...after day of treatment its awful and then slowly getting better but never goes away. Is anybody had those side effects? Any tips how to manage? Thank you  in advance. Also would like to ask  where should i post my post to find out  how to make decision about surgery options? thank you again.

@Locksley So good to see you with your ice set up. I'm so pleased to hear that more and more people are using cold therapy. I am certain it made a difference for me as the one week my hands warmed up I immediately got pain and numbness.
There are a few studies that show it works too, I found them with google but there are links in my other post about ice therapy. 
I actually found all my nurses supportive and all my doctors. Even though I was the only one at the start doing this and we turned up with our esky on wheels every week :D
They were really interested and happy to help me follow my plan. It helped so much that my husband was on board too, like yours. Good luck with it xx

The staff make or break the experience I think. I have had wonderful staff and others not so much. I would have thought oncology nurses would be more empathetic but, really, it’s just a job. Hook you up, obs, checklist. That’s it. See you later. They see you on the best day of the cycle; maybe if they were around to see you struggle through the next week they might be different.