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Jackie50's avatar
Jackie50
Member
13 years ago

TAC chemo

Hey there girls, I am starting TAC chemo in a week and would love any specific advice for this chemo. Its all a little scary leading up to it but at the same time Im keen to get started. Ive been told by my oncoloist its quite strong, and may have more side effects but its shorter than most chemo cycles 6 x 3 weeks, which is a bonus. Will be having dexamethasone before chemo tp help prevent an allergic reaction to the chemo concoction, Ive heard this can cause insomnia. Any tips girls I would be forever grateful.

Regards jackie

6 Replies

  • My partner has been trying to get into that. Official juicer machine not working but tried the blender. What do you use and any favourite recipes??? Bread and vegemite, soft clix biscuits and stewed pears tend to be my diet. Boiled potatoes in skins with salt too. About to try porridge then go for my half hour walk. In my better weeks I love going to the beach for a walk - have to drive for half hour to get there but worth it. Will be doing the BCNA Mother's Day 5 km walk with friends - started this tradition several years ago to recognize friends who've done the journey. Now it's me! Good luck for next Thursday. Erica x
  • Well your encouragment means a lot Carmel, great advice about the diet too, Im hoping to keep my juicing up...but Ill see I guess, it may be more porridge and potatoes or something similar after what Ive read. Eating something is better than nothing. Im a real water drinker so yes fluids should be good.

    You did so well...good on you

    Jackie x

  • Hi Jackie, I hope it all goes well for you on Thursday. I don't think I can add anything to what everyone else has written. But as my doctor told me, it doesn't matter what you eat.....just eat. I had lots of little snacks & rarely ate a proper meal &  try to keep your fluid intake up.  I finished chemo in Dec2011 & 28 rads in March 2012 so I am pretty much on top of it all now. I still have side effects from the femara but thats another tale of woe altogether !!

    All the best

    Carmel

  • Thanks so much Louie,Erica & Mich for your supportive caring comments and well wishes. I checked the blog 'what has helped' and made notes from there. I bought  digital thermometre today along with ginger beer, fresh ginger, prune juice just for a start.

    I have some wonderful meditation cds and an audio book program on my phone to help during and after chemo. Friends have given me a pile of new release DVDs incase i feel like vegging on the lounge first few days after chemo. Ill still try to push myself to go for short walks when I can down to the beach near my place here in Wollongong...I always find sitting by the ocean soothing.

    Have a lovely week girls, this Thursday is my confirmed start day for chemo.

    Jackie xo

  • I agree with Mich, Jackie. That link "what has helped.." was very useful!

    Good luck

    Erica x

  • Hey JackieI would suggest you type in to the search area at top right of the page "what has helped you through your journey".  It is a post that one of the beautiful girls on here started and everyone added to.  It is quite extensive but does give some great hints to help you.Every single person is an individual and will deal with the chemo and even the Dex in their own way so just realise you may have some of the side effects but definitely not all of them.I did find the Dex kept me awake but I just found things to do like come on here and blog away, sort out the always messy study, tidy cupboards etc etc and then I slept when I could even if in the middle of the day.The main thing is you need to look after yourself, you need to be nurtured.  This is your time and you are number one during the time of all your treatment and your recovery.I bought a lil digital thermometer from pharmacy and took my temp regularly throughout the day.  Your chemo nurse should give you something to monitor your temp and how you are feeling and side effects.  I didn't really suffer from things like lack of taste, nausea etc. but I had other things so we are all so totally different.  There are some girls that just sail through.  You just have to learn to take it hour by hour or day by day.We are here for you if you have any other questions and I am sure some of the other girls will hop on here to give you support cause we know where you are coming from and they will have a wealth of advice for you as well.I am wishing you all the best and I am sure it will all go well for you.  It is harder on loved ones than us cause we are in there doin it and they have to sit on the sideline and just be there for us.Good luck and lots of love, Mich xoxo