Supposed to be starting chemo Wednesday with taxol for 12 cycles followed by 3 cycles of ec chemo thinking of not doing it but would appreciate anyone's experience of this chemo
im on fec for 6 cycles. Everyone will have different experiences and side effects.....I know some ladies ( on my chemo forum) tolerate T better than the fec....and it's worth remembering they want to keep you as well as can be during chemo and doses can be tweaked...as mine was...
While chemo is no walk in the park it's doable, my first week is pretty horrible but then I rally in week two and three, plus I can still carry on working in week two and three.....
please think very very carefully about chemo....for me it's all about reducing the risk of future occurrence......xxxx
I was on FEC-T and had docetaxel rather than paclitaxel, but they are both taxanes just very slightly different.
I had 3 cycles (3-weekly) of the FEC then 3 cycles (3-weekly) of the T. I'm not sure what is making you consider refusing this treatment, but I do understand that people often have unfounded fears about chemotherapy. Sadly sometimes those fears can come true in the form of psychosomatic symptoms, which obviously doesn't help as the fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I had a very easy time of it on the FEC (of which you are having the E and the C bits). I did feel nausea but realised very quickly that I could use mind over matter to get rid of it. I did mind over matter every day, sometimes repeating it again in the afternoon, and in the end there were only two days on the FEC when I actually vomited. We cannot underplay the fact that pretty much all of us when we hear the word 'chemotherapy' think sickness. Our brains know this and go on to expect it and, in doing so, they create it. That's not to be dismissive of any real nausea that may occur, just to stress that it is always worth trying mind over matter in case the symptoms are psychosomatic.
In contrast I had a fairly rough time on the T part but my reactions were incredibly rare (my oncologist hadn't seen them before). Even then some of the side effects made me laugh, I still managed to have a social life, and I used the time when I was bedbound to learn a new language and a new craft (wire-knitting), I also managed to do a bakesale for MacMillan, and I took myself off to Lake Como and climbed up to Faro Voltiano on my crutches.
When you first hear your chemotherapy plan it does seem like the end of treatment is a long way off, but I cannot stress enough how it flies by. You get to the end of it and it's like you've blinked!
I don't know the details of your diagnosis or what treatment you have had so far but if you are having this chemo suggested it is presumably to try and clear up any cancer you still have. I did lose my hair with the FEC, but it started growing back while I was on the T, and I can't say it bothered me. In many ways wearing chiffon scarves on my head in summer instead of having my thick hair helped keep me cooler.
The important thing to remember is you can always stop or tweak treatment if you aren't tolerating it. Just because you start the process doesn't mean you have to complete it.
Anyway, just my views. I'm on a different chemo now and again am finding that mind over matter is key for many of the side effects, I've only learned this on cycle 3 so hope to go through cycles 4 to 6 with my brain now knowing that those side effects aren't real, then I won't experience them to start with.
Let us know what you decide, and if you have any specific questions please just ask.
Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply to me, had first cycle today, just back from the hospital so too soon to know about any side effects, but the actual process is doable once you get over your preconceptions I too am a great believer in the power of the mind, it was meditation that got me through the operation so hopefully will help with the chemo.... Just seems to be forever, 12 taxol followed by 3 weekly EC then radiotherapy! But I know I not the only one going through this and the inspiration on this site is amazing!
