Hi cuffcake2000, I am triple positive and was given THCP (Taxol which was the Docetaxol) I have just finished 6 rounds as neoadjuvant before surgery in order to shrink and aim for lumpectomy in Dec. Keeping a diary of symptoms has helped me as side effects have followed a definite pattern and knew what to expect on what day. Docetaxol is a powerful chemo and can be reduced and if not tolerated there are other effective combination…everyone reacts differently. Biggest side effect for me was altered taste..though late on I read on a blog which suggested sucking on ice helps whilst receiving the chemo. I think it did mitigate that particular side effect for me a little bit. Wishing you all the best x
I was fine the first few days then diarrhea relentless, I'm drinking loads, had sore mouth and banging headache had to go back to hospital for magnesium drip as my levels were dangerously low. This sucks.
Having my next chemo on Tuesday (docetaxel )no 5 having a reduction we will see how I get on if I react this will be my last dose probably...straight to radiotherapy....
Hi Ask for reduced dose or change. I had so many horrible side effects from Docetaxal. I want bore you with them but my oncologist stopped it after first dose and I went back to FEC for last two sessions. Not great but not so horrendous and was adjuvant therapy so hopefully ok.l had it in Feb and still suffering with neuropathy in my feet x Take care we are all different and react differently so see how you go but ask the questions. Xx
Hi LifeslikeThat, thank you for replying with your diagnosis and how you have been with Docetaxel. I’ve heard about keeping a diary whilst having chemo, like you say hopefully you can see a pattern so you know what’s going to happen after each cycle. I will need to get myself a book to keep my notes in to. As my tumour was smaller I was able to have surgery first but they did find cells in one of the sentinel lymph nodes so have just had my 2nd op to remove all the nodes. Now waiting for results before moving on to chemo. I hope the chemo has worked and shrunk the tumour for you in prep for your op in Dec. Wishing you all the best for your journey and thank you for your reply.
Thanks cuffcake…mid scans show reduction in tumour and proceeding with lumpectomy so hoping for clear margins and nodes okay..surgeon thinks a partial response to chemo and not complete..oncologist bit more hopeful but iF not I have joined the Kadcyla thread on here ‘chemo light’ which seems the next course after radiotherapy to mop up any detached live cells that could break away through surgery I believe . Taking each stage as it comes…all the best x
