1st Tax plus 5 days

1 minute read time.

FormerMember

10 Mar 2010

Can't believe what a difference this chemo has had on me. Saturday and Sunday I felt fine, even went shopping around Birmingham on Sunday. But since then have the pains set in, they started on Monday gradually getting worse. So yesterday I called my oncology nurse and went in to be checked out because I could barely walk I was in so much pain. Trying to keep the extent of pain I am in from family because I don't want them to worry. I was dreading having Taxoter and now I know why, how long does the pain last?? Doctor at hospital told me to take Ibrufen for the pain. Apart from that my mouth has become very sore and white, especially my tongue which feels like a balloon. For this I have been given Anstatin which I hope kicks in soon because it hurts to eat and drink. I've got 3 more cycles to go and to be honest I have had enough, I feel so down just want my life back. I am trying to keep positive and look forward to the end, we have booked to go to centre parcs for a weekend. This is booked for the weekend after my last tax and I just hope I am not feeling like this or I am worried I will spoil it for everyone. Then we have a fishing holiday booked in July, but these all seem so far away.

I feel bad that when I read my family and friends status's on Facebook and they are happy or not feeling well I just want to respond by asking them to swap with my life for a short time and see what I am going through. Then I feel bad because it is not their fault, and they have been so supportive of me.

Love and Hugs to you all and thanks for this site to allow me to moan, rant and feel sorry for myself. Going to pull myself together now and get showered and dressed and try get on the positive trail once again.

Amanda xxx

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Amanda - I'm speaking from the outside looking in (that make sense ?) It isn't pleasant, but do keep a list of your symptons and your medication will be tailored to help you cope. My sister has been through this and she did suffer, but we allowed the time for this so she could stay in bed to recover. It did get better after the 4th cycle and she did go away for a week when she finished the course. Feeling down may be due to the fact this stuff knocks back your happy chemicals- serotonin. This helps you manage your pain as well - you can tailor your diet to help boost this level. This is what made my sister really low on Tax., but once she realised this she fought back as she knew it was artificially induced depression. For goodness sake stop hiding your pain and speak out - that's what we / your faily are there for - it damn well hurts more when you don't talk to us.

Rant all you like - take care & you work on that holiday.

Jewels x
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Amanda I had Paclitaxol which is the sister drug to Tax - I found keeping a symptom diary was the best thing to do - then for subsequent cycles I could plan round the worst symptoms. I too got quite severe joint pains I had chemo on Wed and I would say Sat Sun and Mon the joint pains were rough. I planned to do nothing and stayed on the sofa/bed taking regular painkillers - it does pass. As for your mouth I was told by a senior consultant dentist that I shouldnt use the mouthwash issed by the chemo unit as this strips the mouth of its natural healthy flora - instead he recommended I use chewing gum to refresh my mouth and to stimulate saliva production which should keep the bacteria in my mouth at bay. I found I never got thrush (which you obviously have) or many ulcers. I hope this helps (you do need to take the medicine you have been prescribed though so keep taking it) Love Jools xx
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Amanda,

So sorry you feeling so rough, not looking forward to that myself, although got to get through FEC first.

I know what you mean about keeping the pain levels in check for your family and I'm sure people would say oh you shouldn't, but I think because BC does turn all our lives upside down and inside out we want to try and keep carrying on (as much as possible) normally! I totally get you. Great that you've got hols booked my Dr. told me that my chemo likely to run on and too near to when I'd booked for the four of us to go to California, am gutted but we have put that on hold til next year. I keep thinking to myself lets get through the year and take each day as it comes, think thats what we have to do!!

Sending you gentle hugs, love Alex xxx
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