Struggling with chemotherapy

Are you having FEC-T? If I'm reading it right, you have one more FEC to go, is that right?

My wife had EC-T, and felt awful after each EC (she had 4). But with the T, she felt much better. Her Onc said they do it that way so you go from worse to better, rather than the other way around.

She had her T weekly over 12 weeks if I remember correctly.

What really helped her was focussing on the fact that eventually it would be over. For her it now is (Chemo, Surgery, Radio), and she's back to her normal self pretty much.

A lot of people say it's horrible, but doable, and I think that's probably the best description. Good luck!

Thanks for replying, I gave one more round of FEC left then 4 3 weekly rounds of T. My word for chemo is brutal!! I just can’t seem to pull my self out of the hole this time...

Hi Janey sorry to hear how much you are struggling just now but you are quite right in that it does feel brutal. 

I found the second part of the chemo easier to manage as it didnt have that quite spacy/dizzy feeling the E part gives you.  I have just completed my last Chemo and feeling better already so you do get yourself back again. 

If you phone your breast nurse they will discuss your side effects with yourself and your oncologist especially the low mood as it sounds like you need abit more support.  They really are there to help us and can do lots to help with the side effects. 

There is another thread on this cite especially for going through Chemo if you wanted to look it up.  It really does help sharing experiences at the different stages of treatment.

I wish you all the best and keep posting.

Take care

caroline

Hello Sarah, I know how you feel. There were times when I felt I couldn't go on. I'm awake for 22 hours a day so it feels like I'm living the nightmare 2 times over. I have just turned a corner re depression, I was the lowest I've ever been in my life. It's hard to remember this when you're down but the drugs and the steroids will be affecting your mood beyond the anxiety this disease gives us. I did not want anti depressants because I wasn't down for the entire week (I've had three rounds of AC and I'm going through 12 rounds of Paclitaxel, I'm on week 9). All I can say is that you're not alone and I believe you'll find a way through it. Try not to think of the mountain, try to think day to day. Easier said than done I know. I wish you courage and strength. Anna 

Hi Sarah

Sorry to hear that you are struggling with chemo. Have you talked to your oncology nurse about how you are feeling? I know how you feel, there were times I thought that I couldn’t do this anymore when thing got difficult but then I thought of all the support I was getting from family and friends and it got me through. I also got a lot of support from my oncologist and her team.  Just take it one day at a time and you will find that you will eventually get through it.

Wishing you the best of luck for the rest of your treatments.

Best wishes

Daisy

Thanks Daisy, yes I've had a lot of help from team, counsellors, husband and daughter. Still bloody tough though isn't it? xx

You're welcome. You can say that again particularly when you have appointments cancelled on you,

Best wishes

Daisy xx

Oh no, how disappointing/frustrating. Best wishes to you too. xx