Good morning lovely people.
I am new to the community, having read some wonderful helpful supportive suggestions over the past few months. I now have a bit of a dilemma. I had breast cancer, so had a left breast mastectomy, plus 23 cancerous lymph nodes removed, last July. In October I began chemo. I've had four EC treatments (the last two being reduced doses) with delays for infections, and now two Paclitaxel treatments. The first Paclitaxal treatment left me (from day 5) with terrible burning lower leg pains which then spread up to my back, which was agonising. Thankfully it settled after several days. The oncologist agreed to lower the next dose by 10%. I then had a severe reaction on my second treatment (chest/heart/neck/flushed face/ high blood pressure). The (brilliant) nurses immediately stopped the treatment and pumped in antihistamines, before checking with the oncologist and starting again slowly after 30 minutes. That was fine but I've now had the terrible burning leg pains again. I'm also getting zigzags (but not a migraine headache).
My worry is that I'll be doing permanent damage to my legs, and am also scared of another reaction so I'm considering giving up on the last two treatments. I'm a young 76 and normally quite active. I still have radiotherapy treatment to face afterwards plus the hormone tablets. I'm just trying to weigh up the risk factors with giving up and risking the cancer returning or going ahead with the treatment and suffering permanent damage. Of course, no one can tell me one way or the other, but I would be so grateful for a bit of encouragement or reassurance or positivity from anyone who has been in the same situation. Thank you so much! Love and best wishes to you all xxx
Hi. Oh gosh that sounds quite distressing. I wondered if it might help for you to have a chat with the lovely folks on the Macmillan chat line. They are great at listening, providing advice and allowing you to just talk things through. You can call them on 0800 808 0000 from 8am to 8pm daily. Best wishes
