Living alone

Hi Sallyann

So sorry that you have had to find your way to this group, but there are plenty of folks here to give support.

I had six cycles of Docetaxel earlier this year finishing at the end of May for my Advanced Prostate Cancer. And yes it can be tough! I kept a daily diary using the CRUK booklet I was given and noted each “symptom” so that the next appointment I could remember to tell the wonderful nurses what if anything had been going on and what I might need some help with - for instance I suffered with  a very upset stomach which they were able to sort out for me with some tablets. 

I found that the first couple of days were ok then things are to get worse with what I can only describe as nerve pain in legs and arms and the fatigue increased. Also remember that there is a period when you will be especially immunocompromised. Into the second week things got better and then week 3 was usually ok.

I did find though that the cumulative effects over the cycles meant the last week of feeling good reduced to a few days - but that was how I was affected. Not all react in the same way, and I do hope you will be OK with it all.

I learnt to just accept things - and roll with it. The six cycles seems a long time but it will pass and then you can get onto feeling better. It is amazing how much Telly you can catch up with!!

I have recently had abdominal surgery so have had to recover from that whilst still on hormone therapy  and still feeling the effects of chemo to a certain extent - it all adds up to being very fatigued al of the time.  But I did ride 15km in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 in September which is a goal I set myself halfway through my chemotherapy.

Don’t forget there are some wonderful people to talk to as well on here if you have a look into the helplines.

Do you have any local support groups?

I wish you well and lots of hugs to help you get through this - which I am sure you will do and be able to look back at it in a few months time.