dreading having the next lot of chemo

Hi Amanda..........I can't help you out on this one but I am sure some one will. I just waned to say that having hot sweats this time of year can be an advantage, I had mine in the summer, not good. Good luck with your treatment love. You take care.....love carol x

Hi Amanda - sounds like you have had a poor run of this like my sister. I slept with my phone nearby during her chemo with this stuff. You just have to take extra care with the Taxotere as it lowers your white cell and resistance to colds etc a lot more than some other chemo. Be adamant and keep anybody away / anybody who has been near somebody with colds / fevers when you have had this. It isn't pleasant stuff and you are aware of this, but you will get through it as it does have quite good results. My sister has had just completed her sencond batch of chemo & to be honest she wouldn't have gone through it again if it was that bad would she ? You should have womething like Nulastin to boost your system & steroids (watch what time you take these as well - the nurses are usually a lot more informative than the Dr's). My sister had Neutropenia after the 1st dose, but we since found out she probably already had an infection before she started (on hindsight we should have refused this 1st dose), but a friend of hers had been in contact with some child with scarlet fever. Just be careful & no raw foods etc and you will be ok. Make sure you have some strong co-codamol as well ready & something for itchy rashes which you may get.

Hope this helps - I know I'm on the other side looking in, but I'm sure a lot of others will have 1st hand advice & support on here if you look for the Taxotere tag.

Take care, Jewels

Hi Amanda

I had 6 of the fabulous taxotere.  Am not going to pretend to you it's a barrel of laughs, but you will get through it.  Jewels is spot on about its effectiveness - in a way I was lucky (ha ha!) because my tumour was very visible, and the tax melted it away before my eyes, which is a huge boost.  I managed to go on holiday abroad twice on it and have a pretty good time, although having seen photos of myself I looked a bit ghastly.  I had the classic symptoms - had to write off 3 days every cycle where I had deep muscle ache and generally very bad flu symptoms.  These were "DVD and duvet days": what I'd recommend is be really nice to yourself.  Don't get up if you don't feel like it; don't pressurise yourself to do anything you don't want and eat what you damn well like!

As for the monthlies, you should have a chat with one of the nurses in oncol about this: it would be v unusual for them to return and one of the very few advantages for me of chemo was a very easy menopause.  The flushes stopped after a couple of months and since then (a year later) no further symptoms except savings on the price of tampons.  

Basically, I remember saying at the time "I'll never do this again"; now I know that when/if I have to, I'll do it immediately.  

Lots of love

Catriona x

hi amanda,

just wanted to add my experience, i had my last taxotere two weeks ago, after having 3 fec. to be honest i found the taxotere easier than the fec as the fec made me very sick, the taxotere didnt make me feel anywhere near as sick which was a bonus, i suffered more on the taxotere with my tummy, constipation and then the runs not nice but by the 3rd one i had learned not to worry too much about the constipation it would pass so to speak! and found it easier, took my movicol laxative which seemed to work, i too now have the hot flushes but if it means this has worked and im gonna be well again i can handle it! everyone has different side effects thats what  have learned, i would say dont be afraid to tell them whats happening cos they really can help you with any side effects you get, my docs and nurses have been amazing. had achey joints a bit but paracetamol helped, you will have a few days which i agree are best as duvet dvd days, dont push yourself listen to your body. hope it goes ok for you. if you wanna ask anything else about my experience feel free to message me.

all the best

lots of love

sam

xxx

Hi Amanda

Can't help with the chemo I have ECMF, but I am on Tamoxifen and have hot flushes/sweats, in the night and when I wake up so really sympathise.

Hope your treatment goes well.

Carol xx