I was diagnosed with Cancer in March and although we knew it was Cancer its still a shock to be told it. I have had 2 chemo cycles now and have my 3rd at the end of the month. I would love to chat about the chemo side affects to anyone..
I hope you don't mind me chipping in, I saw that there were 460 posts in this thread and I don't really want to read them all, but I get the feeling this may be the best place for me to post.
My wife has ovarian cancer, she had full pelvic clearance in December and started her chemo mid January. She is on TaxolCarbo also, but it is a dose-dense regimen that was trialed in Japan with good results. This means she has weekly treatments, as opposed to 3 weekly. I posted about it here but not much response as yet. I just wondered if anyone else was on this so we can compare notes.
She has just had the 2nd treatment of the 2nd cycle (so 5 of 18 treatments), and apart from the occasional upset tummy and tiredness in the evening, she has been feeling really good for the majoity of the time. I know that this may get worse the more treatments she has, certainly her upset tummy was worse after her last treatment, but then the next day she felt really good again.
Her hair has just started to thin gradually over the past few days, so this is the next thing to deal with. We already have a wig and some headwear sorted, and although I have managed to keep her positive and upbeat so far, this could be the tough part.
It has also been suggested that she has a PICC line put in, as her arms are reacting badly to the 3 weekly carbo. Because she has another 13 treatments to go, it may be a good idea, but she is ancious about having yet another procedure, does anyone here have a PICC line?
I hope we can help each other with our experiences, best wishes to you all,
I was on Taxol/Carbo, 3 weekly but the side effects I was experiencing gave cause for concern, severe pain in my shins, pins and needles in my fingers and toes and tinitus among other things, they suggested I went on to weekly chemo, (nothing was mentioned about it being a Japanese regimen). I am assuming it is the same thing but I cannot be sure. The side effects were reduced drastically for me and I was told they had great success with this procedure. My chemo finished in December and apart from being a bit lethargic I feel fine.
My hair started to fall out by the second chemo, I just shaved it all off and felt great afterwards, yet that was one of my greatest concerns.
Weekly chemo take its toll on the veins and many women had a picc line, all of whom said they were glad they did. I did think about having one but eventually got through the course with out it. I found near the end it was quite difficult to actually find a decent vein to use and it could take several attempts... but they do recover. I do understand how anxious your wife must feel.... if I had to have chemo again I would opt for the picc line.
I have found that everyone reacts differently to chemo, some have little side effects others have a hard time of it.
I am sure others will reply on here who have had the picc line.
Don't worry about the Grandchildren as my 2 boys aged 10 this year thought it was cool. Try not to make a big issue about it and they will be all right. I bought some lovely bandanas from a shop near me and have a few different colours to mach what I am wearing, I went out the other day with a red & white striped top ( very loud ) with a red & white polka dot scarf, I do like to noticed ha ha but don't try and hide away let people see how you / we are positive people with a lust for life..
Welcome to the group of mad women ha ha. I think it's fantastic for you to have sent your lovely message to the site....
I haven't heard of the Japanese regimen either. I was on Carbo/Taxol and started mine last April. I had 5 all together then a full hysterectomy with de bulking in October, I was supposed to have 6 but refused the last one as I felt so ill from it. Each one you have it gets harder as everyone will tell you but we all come out the other side. I lost my hair just before the 2nd chemo but it grew slowly. I then had to have 3 more chemo which started in November so again I lost my hair. I only managed another 1 as this time it was harder. ( My Dr said that after surgery the chemo hits you harder ) Anyway my hair is growing back again and I don't see my Dr until May as it goes to a 3 month check up.
I think your wife is very lucky to have you as you sound a lovely man. If she wants to talk to us about any worries she has then we are here and I hope you continue to post your thoughts with us. ( we are very nosy you know ) Ha Ha just watch out for Rose she is the comedian out of us all, Jackie is the wise old owl sorry about the old bit Jackie, and Dot Sharon & anyone else I forgot are the quiet refined ladies. I am the barm pot who waffles on all the time.
John - just to say my boyfriends dad has a picc line for his chemo & said it's the best thing, it makes things so much easier. I'm gonna try and carry on as I am as I only have 5 more to go. Although my veins are very small and it is rather painful when they start stabbing!
Sharon - I'm with you with your worries of hair loss. I too am very scared. I've cut my hair short, but think there might come a time to shave it when it starts falling out. I'd only just bought some new hair straighteners when I was diagnosed how typical is that!
Well for a 33yr old I feel like a 90yr old today! My joints have started to ache and it's very uncomfortable. Didn't sleep very well last night. I felt so guilty that my boyfriend had to cook tea and stuff when he'd been at work all day. There was I moaning that I hurt. But I was so tired I had no energy, which isn't like me I'm always doing stuff.
Anyway, hope you are all well have a good day & keep smiling,
John welcome to the group, I've never heard about the japanese method but I've been here from the start and therefore know that none of us have had exactely the same treatment though generally the drugs used are the same! As for the PICC line go for it!!! I would have, I even asked for it but then managed to take the dr and myself out of it due to my blood clotting disorder! Generally PICC lines do not cause problems, there is no faffing about trying to find veins that only get worse as treatment progresses and they are eary to care for, 1 needles verses 6 wins in my opinion lol
Sharon and John's wife, hair loss usually happens at week 3, best too get the shave over and done with as soon as it starts to seriously fall out. Chances are you won't (I didn't either time!!!!!!!!!) but it really is the thought of it more than the reality, once the hairs gone its fine its the lead up to it thats tourcher. I don't have kids but as a baldy seem to attract every youngster in the place, tiny little uns smile and grin at me and I find myself playing peek a boo when in que's!!! Older kids are a bit more reserved, thnk they've learnt that women should have hair but they soon get past it. As for it growing back thats the fun bit, it takes ages (bearing in mind how often we visit hairdressers normally) both times I've grown back very grey but gradually it fades and I get my old colour back, the frist time I ended up with corkscrew curls this time it seems to be straight!
