Hi I was diagnosed with TNBC Grade 3 (15mm) in Dec 24 and had a lumpectomy in February. My lymph nodes were clear as were the margins from the operation. The side effects of the EC-T chemo have been such a struggle to deal with, it's like 12 days of every 3 weeks I am a complete mess emotionally and mentally. I have to have a blood transfusion next week as my blood count is low which I'm hoping will give me the strength to get through my 6th and final treatment before radiotherapy. I've just had my 2nd round of docetaxel and while the nausea does not seem quite as bad once again I have oral thrush. It’s just so debilitating, I have the Nystatin from the first treatment but that’s even a struggle to take. Everything just tastes disgusting. On top of this I have mucositis where I have a very sensitive tongue with red spots on the end so anything dry, hard or crispy aggravates it. I’m struggling with even water. I have a mouth wash and am using a soft toothbrush but nothing seems to relieve it, I was sucking ice cubes last night so if anyone has any suggestions I will be so grateful to help get me through these 10 days.
Hi Jules1962
I am sorry to hear that you are having such debilitating side effects from your chemo. My own chemo was for endometrial cancer in 2022.
I found the first week after each chemo was pretty bad and the second week I would start to feel a bit brighter but it was not until the 3rd week that I felt more able to do things. And then it was time for bloods and to do it all the same.
One thing I will say was that it is always worth calling your hospital 24 hour cancer line with any side effects as often they could give medication that would help and also sometimes it helped to know that something was a normal side effect and would pass.
I also had problems with bloods and also had a blood transfusion. I found that within 24 hours or so of the transfusion, I did feel a lot better. I had it for low haemoglobin but also had issues with neutropenia and magnesium.
I remember the sore mouth- its so unpleasant- I had the mouthwash too. Its hard to continue to eat when your mouth is so sore and everything tastes differently. I did smaller meals and more often. I was told anything that I fancied. Jelly, ice cream, I was also using complan meal replacements at one point. I was offered some drinks from the hospital but didn't like the taste. Boiled sweets sometimes helped a bit. Anything to get the saliva flowing. Cleaning my teeth hurt my gums. Hopefully the nystatin will work soon for you.
I remember also I felt my lowest before the last cycle. Tired, emotional and didn't feel I could go on much longer as I felt so unwell but I was determined to finish the treatments as otherwise I had already put myself through so much. Sometimes just a chat with my CNS or consultant would help. I think also when you have had surgery and then chemo and still have radiotherapy to go- it can feel overwhelming and like the treatment won't end. But it will. Get this last chemo done and dusted and once you start the radiotherapy you will be on the home straight.
Once my last chemo was done, I did find my mood picked up as my body started to recover from it. Its a good feeling once it has been completed.
Good luck- and if you feel like you need to talk things through, please do give the Support Line a call.
Jane
