@WendyNev. I had (and still have) a terrible relationship with my oncologist who I call the Ice Princess. She is the most aloof and disconnected person I have ever had the displeasure to deal with, but I don't want her as a friend, just to treat my cancer. I mention this for a reason. During the AC twelve week nightmare I was hospitalised after each dose and after the third treatment, she told me that she was going to delay my final one by eight days and as well, cut the dose by 20%. I protested and asked if we could discuss it, but her words to me were "No...I will not be bullied by you, or anybody else regarding this...this is my decision and it is final". So it may come as no surprise that when I started on the Taxol, I was like Manuel in Fawlty Towers...."I know nothing...I say nothing..." Peripheral neuropathy started around dose five, but I said nothing. My personal choice was that I'd rather go into my coffin later with velcro, than sooner with buttons. They kept on asking if I could still do buttons as a yardstick for finger problems. When the very last drop of the last dose went in, I mentioned the increasing and by now bad neuropathy. She got the shits with me for not saying anything earlier, so I threw her own words back at her, and told her that I wasn't prepared to be bullied by her in that matter, that MY decision was MINE and that it was final. I realise that this was quite possibly not best practice, but for me having been diagnosed with Stage 3 Grade 3 cancer, I had one shot and one shot only before the horse bolted out of the breast and off to other parts. A year later, still with numb fingers and feet, I have no regrets. Given the same situation tomorrow, I would do the same, but I do realise that this is my nature...go hard or go home.
