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Docetaxel for breast cancer - struggling with injections

Keeleyl1977
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Hi everyone, just a little update iv just had num 5 out of 6 chemo. The first 3 were EC an the 2nd half is docetaxel. I remember starting it all and feeling terrified of the unknown, I was lucky enough to get through the 1st half with only minor side effects (no sickness at all).

I'm now in the 2nd half an iv really struggled with the injections I have to do into my stomach (zarzio filgrastim) the pain in my bones is really quite bad. I'm thinking of refusing them on my next lot as it's my last chemo. Has anyone else done this?  I also wonder will I ever look in the mirror and recognise myself again? I feel like I'm watching everyone carry on with life and I'm stuck in limbo will it ever get any better. ?

I started this process so strong an positive an I feel now I'm almost at the end of chemo I'm more tearful than ever. Iv still got radiotherapy an hormone treatment to come also. I think when I started on this journey I didn't realise how long it would actually all take which is silly of me really!!

Has anyone found anyone to talk too about things ? I think maybe I need to chat about feelings etc with someone. 

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    I had horrendous bone pain first 2 cycles of chemo with zarzio jabs in my tummy. A wonderful nurse told me to try an antihistamine which I did and it was like a miracle. No pain at all!! Can't guarantee it'll work for you but it did for me. I took citirizine which you but very cheaply over the counter or ask your oncologist to prescribe it. Be warned though, my consultant hadn't heard of antihistamines for bone pain so I was the one educating him! Give them a try, hope it works for you too, wishing you well, xx

  • Offline in reply to snow-drop

    Hi,

    Im on Tamoxifen yes, and managing really well .

    With radio I waited 5 weeks after the chemo, I needed that break, I had  the planning scan within that 5 weeks. I moisturised the area twice a day leading up to the radio and afterwards and luckily my skin hasn't been painful or sore, just a change in colour which I was warned about. 

    I had a full node clearance ( 33!!!) after chemo that area would ache but nothing more, Ive been given exercises which help.

    I had a CAT scan after my surgeries which showed no spread . I asked about another scan now treatment has finished but the oncologist said I don't need one, which goes worry me but she said any change would be to small to detect... so im Just trying to get on with things and find my new normal xxxxx
     

  • Offline in reply to snow-drop

    Hi my final chemo is 11th March, I go for an xray an marking to be done on 22nd March ready for radiotherapy to start on 5th April. And at the same time as starting radiotherapy iv got to start my hormone treatment which looks like il go with tamoxifen.  I had a lumpectomy and all 20 lymph nodes removed. Hope this helps xx

  • Offline in reply to Moggymad62

    Ahh thats a great tip which I will try thankyou, I was hoping I could avoid the jabs on the last chemo? The jabs for me have been the worst part of the full chemo xx

  • Offline in reply to Keeleyl1977

    Really hope it helps you. It's worth a try. Fingers crossed for you, xx

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