12 weekly paclitaxel

Well to carry on from my last post when I was having ep every three weeks I am now on the paclitaxel which is every week for 12 weeks. I was quite worried how will I cope every week, well it's not too bad honestly. I am at the hospital twice a week, once for bloods and COVID swabs and the next day for treatment. I didn't know what to expect, firstly cup of tea and a biscuit (result) then on with the steroid injection, a little perculiar sensation in your front bottom which just for a minute feels as though you have just sat naked on a bunch of nettles then it subsides, over and done with. The next is the bag of pacliataxel and bag of saline attached to my picc line.( Please get one done it is so worth it) and sit and chat with new faces for an hour. I am from Barnsley and we love to chat so it's great to find out tips and dos and don't from more experienced chemo patients. That's it done. I am on my second week and can tell you so far it's a lot better then the previous  ec chemo. I have lots more energy which must be down to the steroids and then when I do sleep it's for not as long through the day. I don't feel nauseas or have the brain freeze headache anymore. My only side effects are quick sharp stabbing pains all over particularly round my breast but they are quick and don't stop you in your tracks.and a flushing of the face. But all in all it ain't been too bad. My only tip this time is drink as much water as you can. I am still enjoying my boiled rhubarb sugar and fresh ginger in boiled water from the fridge added to lemonade in a gin glass. But must admit it's better with the gin but that's saved for in ten weeks time. Has anyone tried the non alchaholic one ? I must get some. Anyway anyone who is worried about this treatment don't be. It gets you out of the house for a couple of hours makes you put a bit of make up on and get out of the pjs and feel human again. Good luck everybody and keep positive. Xx

 

  • @Lizzy79, hi luckily my nodes was clear , my breast cancer is stage1, but grade 3 its means agressive plus Her2 positive only the reason why i get chemo. Phesgo its given for advanced breast cancer , iam getting Trastuzumab every three weeks. X

  • Mines not advanced i am receiving phesgo. It can be given for both early, locally advanced and advanced x

  • [@Lizzy79]‍ hi, how is your treatment with taxol how many sessions you done ? I hope you much better with this drug as i can see many of us tolerate much better with fewer sides.Iam on Trastuzumab i guess its similar to phesgo and we dont know why they proscribed different med with same diagnosis. Main things we in safe hands and getting treatment. Have a lovely weekend xxx

     

  • Hi ladies 

    I started my 9 week cycle of PC on 13th August but don't think I was ready physically as had not fully recovered from the final EC. 

    My 2nd and.3rd sessions have been postponed due to me ending up in hospital with acute kidney injury and lower tract infection. I'm home now and feeling so much better and reading through this thread am glad to hear it has been easier for a lot of people. 

    At the end of this i will then have 10 days of radiotherapy. 

    Hope everyone has a good weekend.

    Louise xx

  • Hey [@Anna71]‍ 

     

    I've had 7 now 5 more to go. How are you getting on?

     

    Has anyone had headaches with taxol? 

  • [@Lizzy79]‍ hi iam very happy to hear you already 7 weeks on , its almost the end. Yes i used to have headaches especially after i used cold cap, but generally I managed taxol very well. Iam getting Trastuzumab injections every three weeks and thats about it, iam 10 weeks after I finished chemo and almost forgot about it. Remember you getting small dose of Taxol every week , by week 12 you may have some sides, thats what happened to me. Take care lovely x

  • Hi Isthishappening,

    Well they say everyone is different!!

    I had fortnightly EC treatment  for 4 sessions, which I felt was fine.  Suffered with burning sensation across the neck and shoulders for 3 days, nausea but kept on top of sick tablets so was fine, tiredness now and again but generally it was fine.  I'm now on fortnightly Paclitaxel.  Nausea is more often but kept at bay with tablets.  Face flushing day 1, feeling emotional, feel like jelly and weak day 2, day 3 bone, nerve & muscle pains this lasts for 3 days, extreme tiredness, nail affected have an ingrown toenail do had to have antibiotics for that, skin rashes in groin area day 5 for about 4 days.  I have had so many side effects with this.  Never mind, I have my tools to cope with it all.  Antihistamine for the skin rashes, freeze gel/frozen peas/ibrubrofen for the joint and nerve, pains and I listen to my body, if it needs rest I do it.  I have breast cancer stage III my last chemo is in a fortnight (thank god) then the surgery then to finish off a week of radio therapy.  Fingers crossed this is curable

    I think I can speak on everyone's side that cancer is a very personal journey.  Everyone feels different, some are positive all the time, some are positive on odd days, some just can't cope and need help and support during their journey.  I have found my journey has been positive but I'm struggling as this chemo comes to an end, it's getting harder now.  To be expected though as my consultant said it would near the end. I am a cancer warrior and I will use my tools including my personal space to deal with this.  I am lucky I am surrounded by family and friends which support and help me, but sometimes I need my space to have a good cry and wrap myself in my duvet and watch a film to get through my emotions. 
    Know this to all cancer warriors, you are not alone, talk to other people, get their phone numbers if they are happy to give them, support each other.  A cancer warrior is the most understanding what you are going through.  THEY KNOW 

    love to you all - keep going - every day is a new day - love yourself and most importantly know you are important and look after your body and wellbeing 

    tracy

  • Thanks for your very positive feedback . How are you getting on now and did you lose all your hair.  I have had lumpectomy and axillary lymph node clearance and awaiting 12 weeks of Packitaxel.

    Best wishes,

    Sheila

  • [@Shessy]‍ , very good morning. I had 12 weeks of Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab injections at the sane time every three weeks up to one year. I finished chemo 14 th of July. It is very doable, i was scared in the beginning as all of us. Everyone will have sise effects different levels, test change, nausea, night sweats, but this is very mild . Dont wait or look when you will feel something, if you leave your normal busy life you will nor have time to look for this or that. I managed to work part time all chemo period. Its not that bad how i was imagined... doable very doable.xxx

  • Hiya. So great to hear of people's positive posts. I've just finished my 3 x EC and starting my paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks soon. I had a PICC line fitted too as my veins ultra tiny and getting or giving blood was a nightmare!. So easy now......and don't even remember it's there. Definitely worth while. 

    One thing I'd ask....what is the injection you're referring to ?  I've not been told about that....or heard anyone else mention it. 

    X