brain fog post chemo treatment
Hi All Just a question about brain fog and how long people experience this after chemo treatment has stopped. I finished chemo about 5 weeks ago and am in my last week of radiation. I expected to have a clearer mind by now. Just wondering about other people's experience with brain fog post treatment. thxs fiona
Getting prepared for 12 cycles of Taxol
Hi All, Hope everyone is doing great here and managing the side effects well. I completed my 4 cycles of the AC/Dc combo package and will start with the 12 cycles of weekly taxol from mid September. Luckily for me the red devil was not too bad apart from I have lost complete taste Nd my hair is gone . The nausea and minor reflux issues were managed well with medication and fatigue was also ok for me. I was constipated though and needed coloxyl. Can you all share your experiences with taxol. I can make a list of what to expect and atleast be mentally prepared. I am returning to part time work from 1st October and hoping to get some experiences as how work can be managed? The support and stories give a lot of encouragement :) Thanks Priya
Hair loss
Sitting here with tears streaming cos my hair has started coming out in big clumps. I'm on day 19 since start of chemo so I've been expecting it but that doesn't make it any easier. I feel overwhelmed by this and more distressed than I did about my mastectomy. It feels like I've barely had time to process the diagnosis, and then the mastectomy, then chemo, and now this new big horrible thing. I know I need to phone my hairdresser to book to go in and have it all taken off, I know it's time. I just don't want to. I know it grows back and I have a wig and some head coverings already. But none of that makes me feel better. I just feel this big huge grief for the loss of my hair, my look, my identity, my appearance of seeming healthy. Thank you for reading this. I know there is a whole community of us warrior women out there experiencing similar challenges. I know my emotions are spiking right now and they will settle. I just needed to vent and put my feelings into words.
Newbie alert! First round of A/C complete - a few questions
Hi, Newbie here. Diagnosed on New Years Eve with a Grade 3, triple-negative DCIS in my left breast and axilla lymph nodes. Bit of a journey ahead - A/C, Taxol, mastectomy, and radiation. I had my first round of A/C on Thursday. I am recovering ok - Day 3 hit me like a freight train, but I gather that is normal? My scalp is already tingly, and today my skin (especially my face, chest and arms) feels dry, hot and sensitive, like after a sunburn, but I haven't been in the sun for days. What have you all used on your skin to soothe this? Is there anything that might also soothe my scalp? Conversely, the skin on my face is suuuuper soft, an unexepected benefit! Has anyone else noticed this? Also, is it true that what I experienced after the first round will be similiar in subsequent rounds, aside from cumulative exhaustion, or have some of you found that the side effects compound a lot each time? And does anyone know why I am thirsty to the extreme still four days later? I am so sorry to think that there are so many of you out there who are more experienced than I on this subject, but would really appreciate you sharing any insights you have. : ) Juliet
Surgery is on Monday
Hi all, I'm new here, having been diagnosed 3 weeks ago. And what a rollercoaster it's been! So comforting to have this amazing support network of those who have been through all of this before me. There's been a lot of information to absorb and whilst I'm sure I've been told, I'm not sure when I'll be able to take a shower after my surgery, due to bandages etc. It's not the thought of being unable to shower, just that it may be difficult to wash my hair! I'm considering shaving my head prior to Monday so it's one fewer thing for me to worry about. Plus it will be on my terms! I know that I'm going to lose my hair when I start chemotherapy and radiation anyway because I can't use a cold cap because of COVID. Do you think shaving my head prior to surgery will be too much for me to cope with because of the mastectomy? Thanks (sorry if this has previously been discussed. I'm still learning how to use the network)
Chemo and food
Hi all, I am relatively new to all of this. Diagnosed at the beginning of this month IDC left breast, tests have now shown 3 nodes involved. Initially lumpectomy was going to be the first option, but once the nodes came up as positive that has been flipped and I'm starting chemo next Thursday. I'm trying to find some positive things to put aside as go-tos when I'm not feeling great - some good books, hand craft etc. things I enjoy and don't require too much concentration. I'm a foodie - love cooking, love eating and often a coffee or making something delicious is a huge mood booster. I'm very worried about the impact of chemo on this. I know different people will react to things differently but I'd love to hear from others who have been down this path - what couldn't you stand/did you need to avoid food/drink wise and what could you tolerate (even enjoy perhaps??) during chemo? Did it vary depending on the particular drugs? TIA
Tears in the Dark.
Last night, My Wonder Woman Shield got laid down. I took the suit of Armour I have been wearing since the day I found out I had Breast Cancer in February and I smashed down the wall I had built around myself for protection and unleashed the ocean of tears that been closed up inside. In the quietness of the night, I howled and gasped for breath as the heaving wave came crashing around me. Why, did it happen last night? Simply, the fear, the worry, the unknown and frightened woman I have hid away needed to let go and accept for the moment, I had done all I could and it was okay to feel the fear. I cried on and off for hours, whether awake or in my sleep - I just cried and cried. This morning, I dressed, ate breakfast ,swallowed my first dose of pre meds and went to the Chemo Clinic with my Husband at my side to begin my first round of Paclitaxel. (Due to some complications from surgery - they switched me to 12 cycles of Taxel then the 4 x 2 double doses to give my white cells a boost - hopefully). I got greeted, walked into the inner sanctum of the Chemo Ward, asked to choose a chair - next thing the fucking fear, reality, shock hit me and I took off, out the door, gasping for breath and crying looking for the exit. That really shook me to the core - that need to run! Holy shit, never in my life have I run when faced with adversity. I have always stood there and fought even I could fight no more! Not today - I wanted to bolt, run, hide, never face anything again! it took my husband, my breast care nurse, two oncologist nurses to guide me inside, place me in the seat and soothe me back to the Lois they have come to know - The Warrior Woman. They let me weep, while i told them of my shame at my behaviour, the loss of face before the other brave souls within the room who had witness me bolting for the hills at high speed....then told me it was time. The fight was over, I sat there and accepted there was no where to go but to sit quietly and let Chemo and the Chemicals, play their tunes and fight my battle for me. Just like to point out - that there a song through my head, I normally play this song, when I am feeling overwhelmed and do not have the place to scream out loud. It is a song called "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent. That played over and over as they put the cannula in, turn on the drugs and I felt it begin to flow throughout me. I did have a reaction to the dose - almost within minutes. Shortness of breath and a flushed red face hit me. Holy shit was i bloody frightened. Next thing I had a swarm of staff around me. Gentleness prevailed, not one bit of hysteria emanated from them. That helped me so much - the calmness, methodical protocols they applied and I was given a 20 minute break before they halved the dose and I was able to go ahead and finish the dose. I must admit the Phenergan helped and I fell asleep for the next 1,.5 hours before being gently woken with "Lois, Darling - you have finished your first cycle - Congratulations!" I burst into tears of pure utter relief and joy! As the night has begin to come now, I feel a sense of peace prevailing. I still have had the odd moment of bursting into tears over anything and everything but that is okay! The confidence and hard core Bitch will once again pick up her sword and Armour and come out to fight but just not today. Wonder Woman is having a rest. Lois has bought herself a nice packet of Phenergan and for the first time in 2 weeks, she is going to knock herself out tonight and sleep! Sorry it is a long post - I never could just write two lines! Just like to point out I am a novelist..lol So - I will finish this post with one song you will know - "Let it Go, Let it Go!" Love to you all and Big Hugs. Lois ( who did not know she possesses the talent to sprint 100 metres to no where - in a nanosecond)
Neutropenia
Hi guys I’ve just had chemo treatment no:13 but my 1st AC treatment for the first four days I was flat an unwell and trouble moving my bowels. could feel myself improving more and more over the next 3 days but by day 8 was feeling really good but still not moving my bowels had been using Aculax and Coloxyl that night I had Severe back pain and a temp of 38 thinking it was bowel related I went to hospital and am still here 3 days later having intravenous antibiotics. Apparently blood test came back saying I had an infection and my Neutrophils went as low as 0.2 Dangerously low they are back up to 3.7 now But if my back and bowels weren’t playing up I wouldn’t have had a clue how at risk I was of Serious life threatening infection i still have 3 rounds of AC to go the next in 4 days and am worried I’ll end up in hospital again or at risk of becoming Seriously I’ll has anyone experienced Neutropenia and still managed to get through further treatments without it happening again? I want to make it through my treatment’s for obvious reasons
Vaginal Sores is a side effect of chemo?
Hi, I have done 4 sessions of AC followed by 6 sessions of Paclitaxel , counting down to 12. I just noticed slight bleeding and upon further investigation ,what looks like an ulcer in my vaginal area. I had noticed a few weeks ago some bumps and sores in the area.No pain. Is this a side effect of chemo ? I haven’t heard anyone mention it before.
An Oncologist with Breast Cancer - what she has learned from her own treatment ....
Along with the 'must read' Liz O'Riordan's blog (she is a UK breast surgeon who had 2 bouts of Breast Cancer) who writes candidly about her own diagnosis, surgery, chemo, tabs & treatment overall .... http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/ Here is another good read - this time by an Oncologist who also has breast cancer & had chemo in the lead up to her surgery. Like Liz, she found that what she had been telling her patients with treatment was not really 'what happens' in reality. https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2018/jun/07/oncologist-breast-cancer-chemotherapy