Phew, Shellbell, lots of stories shared on this thread. I was going to post about something different and relatively frivolous, but your Paclitaxel post of 3rd August (I think) caught my attention. As did, scrolling down, your comment about being strong. I don't know if you've started with Paclitaxel yet, but I wanted to give you some reassurance...
I''ve only got primary breast cancer, quite large (> 4 cm on diagnosis end March) and I was initially scheduled to have 4 cycles of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by 4 cycles of weekly docitaxel plus 2x3-weekly antibodies (pertuzumab and trastuzumab). After a NICE report, this was changed early on to paclitaxel instead of docitaxel. I tolerated the EC well, constipation being my main problem. I also had the first 2 sessions of Paclitaxel without problem, apart from the beginnings of diarrhoea. I kind of half-ignored the diarrhoea symptoms, largely because of the constipation question. But, on my 3rd Pacli transfusion, I did have a quite severe reaction minutes into the session. I do admit that there were some moments of feeling quite seriously bad before I came round and realised that I'd passed out and been sick all over my T-shirt. So I don't want to be glib and tell you that it's all necessarily fine. I was told that what happened to me was quite extreme. After that, I was banished from the Day Unit to a ward for my next 3 sessions (managed to escape each evening to go home), having each transfusion over 2 hours instead of one. I'm happy to say that I'm allowed back to the Day Unit tomorrow (Monday) for a further 2-hour infusion and am as confident as possible that all will be OK. Then a further 6 weekly sessions to go. I would like to encourage you to go with Paclitaxel - especially as you are quite a bit further on with this business than I am. I have found it more difficult to deal with than the EC, though I was told that EC is more aggressive, but the Pacli has given me serious diarrhoea problems, which have affected my trace elements (potassium and magnesium) and so had effects which I had never even thought about. It's derived from the bark of the yew tree, for heavens' sake... Don't be too concerned, strong Shellbell. After 5 weeks of it I'm sure I feel a definite difference in my tumour. And if it's affecting my good cells so much, it must be really hurting the bad ones which are so much more active at trying to reproduce. I'll have some ultrasound results later in the week which will show 6 weeks of progress and, hopefully I'll be able to come back with some encouraging results. Meanwhile, I'm battling the diarrhoea, being more aggressive with the Loperamide, paying more attention to my diet and noticing a gradual improvement. For me, it's definitely livable-with. And 3-4 days a week of feeling relatively normal. But, I do admit, welcoming the dexamethasone effect (despite what my friends tell me when I interrupt them mid-speech).
Shelly doesn't get up till after 10.00 she needs her beauty sleep (joke), I've got to be careful what I say or she'll send her hubby to beat me up,. no she's struggling a bit, like a lot of us, thanks for joining us and your info it help her get an idea what to do,, hope you start feeling a bit better soon, i was going to put love, but we don't really know each other yet. Best wishes.... Billy
Take no notice to Billy saying i need my beauty sleep. I do like lol. Wait till i speak to him. Only joking Billys my lovely friend and hes great.
My god youve had quite a rough time of it. Not looking forward to it but i have no choice. This will be my last chemo then my onc said there is nothing else they can give me. So did you have to stay in hospital for the full 3 weeks?. Hope it works well for you and you have no more problems. I had horrible side effects of dexamethasone felt really depressed and crying all the time. Couldnt stop eating. Think i had nearly every side effect you could get. Thank you for replying to my post. Wish you all the very best. Good luck hun. Love Shelly. Xxx
Hi shelly what did I say nothing but the truth, hehehe would I lie hand on heart, who don't you want me worrying about, (Peter coming round and hitting me, or you), took Bella small walk today she started flirting with this other dog never known her like that before she's normally a good girl, usually any dog comes sniffing her she sits down not this time, then she chased after it pour dog didn't know what to do Bella did, she got a right telling off, she wasn't bothered at all, typical woman, (joke) oops, hope you get sorted today. Worried about you, love.. Billy xxx XXX
i know you wouldn't lie, and the worry bit was Peter, it was a joke.
eehh what a little flirt she is. Must take after her dad. At least she was enjoying herself bless her, bet it was nice to see her running about.
nurse come they are putting my meds up and doctor supposed to be coming out tomorrow. Nurse thinks it could be my lungs hope it isn't. I can feel it wheezing and cracklling. Still really painful. If it gets too bad I have to phone the district nurse to come and give me and injection. She thinks I have an infection.
dont worry about me, you have enough to worry about. Hope your all ok.
Don't forget to tell us when you're OK you've got alot of cuddles and hugs to catch up on, I'm not a flirt I'm a casenova, (some hope I can't even spell it), love and kisses... Billy xxx XXX
No, Shelly, I was only on the ward on chemo days. But apart from that one reaction (and the diarrhoea) I haven't found Pacli too bad. I really hope that this one works for you and isn't too heavy on the side effects. Love, Denique
