Hi Jacqs,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read what you've been going through recently although glad to hear treatment has been successful so far.

Unfortunately I'm unable to advise on your questions, but my reply here will boost your post so more people will see it and if anyone has similar experience to share to help with your questions then hopefully they'll be along soon.

Do feel free to browse or search the forum to find any discussions on the topics you're interested in.

Do also make sure you discuss with your doctor about what to expect so that you can be prepared as possible.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi jacqs the cemo is to kill any loose sells what might be in your body, it is a strong one though, i had some and [@marj58]‍ had some nether of us liked it but it does the job it's supposed to do, side effects don't worry about your hair it'll grow back mines thicker now than before, i had about five days eather side of cemo when I was OK to work, remember not everyone is same you could be OK, oh keep clear of bio yougart, cheese, and grapefruit,, good luck with treatment and best wishes for the future.... Billy 

Hi Billy, thank you for your positive words and advise which I will take on board. I remain positive, I don’t do negativity. I just don’t like this kind of change to my life, but it’s only 3 months and then it’s onwards, upwards and no looking back. 

I will keep you posted

Many Thanks

Jacqs

Hi Ben, thank you for your reply and advise, which I will be using. The forum is very informative and really does feel like ‘family’ already.

I will keep you posted as to how I am getting on. I remain positive.

Many Thanks 

Jacqs

Hi jacqs, well done being positive is a good start, it surprising how things change when someone mentions the C word hopefully you'll be able to keep on track, but don't worry if you start to stray over the line it can happen to anyone, keep strong we're all here fighting together, thanks for updating when you can it can help anyone following with similar treatment, best wishes..... Billy 

Hi Jacqs I am marj58, that billy told you about who we both had the same drug. Ok I agree with Billy. I will go as far to say it’s one really nasty drug. Yes it certainly works though. It’s one of a rare ones that do. I would say it took me longer than Billy to grow my hair again. I have long blond hair, they said it could change colour to great, but mine didn’t it came back exactly the same colour. Same thickness, only thing I remember now it was much much softer, so it’s definitely worth giving it a go. If you want the name of the drug. I am sure Billy and I would not mind telling you, so just contact one of us, I would happily tell you, as I am pretty sure Billy would too, All I would say is the hair loss can not be prevented, you may not even get the side affects we had, everyone are different, it worth talking to your oncologist about ok Marj x

Sorry I didn’t read your post, so you are already booked in for docitaxal, well it definitely works like I said in my last message. You wanted to know about side affects. Well you definitely will lose your hair, as I said in my last message that’s not preventable, my first dose although, I had a lot of all over body pain, I found I could no longer drink coffee, where that’s all I had ever drank in my life it took almost 3 years before I could touch coffee, I will not lie, it is one of the nastier drugs, I had a lot of mouth ulcers, I only had two doses myself. That was due to toxicity, they gave me a slightly higher dose than was normal. Only because I was on the antibiotics Erythromycin, because of that particular antibiotic it can interereact and the antibiotic could also lower the effects of docitaxel. It doesn’t say it’s a 100% only it could. It was only that particular antibiotic, I can not have penicillin you see. Maybe that’s another reason I had felt so ill, was because of the antibiotic. However. I do believe we all have to make a couple of sacrifices to some of the Chemo drugs, if we want to carry on living. As it turned out for me, the two was enough to have a big impact on the cancer. I have lung cancer. It’s metastatic and it’s running through my blood,. But I had the drug over five years ago now. I only had it as a palliative drug. I had been given a prognosis of 6/ 8 months with palliative drugs less than half without it. Surprise surprise six years later I am still hear. The docitaxel had a far bigger affect than just giving me a couple of months extra, also just because I had a few bad side affects when you think about the time I was given. Then it’s worth the sacrifice of my hair, and being ill for awhile. Good luck and keep either Billy or myself informed please. Fingers crossed you side affects are not has bad. Oh I will say this about myself I am not too good on any medication I am given, it’s not always about what the meds are doing it’s about my own bodies reaction to all medication. Ok x

Hi Marj, it’s great to hear from you. Thanks for the advice and sharing your personal experience. I had planned to cut my hair when I turned 50 in April of this year,  but decided to wait another 2 years( I have 8yr old long dreadlocks), I guess now it’s not such an option and to be honest I more value a long life. I’m praying to get to 100 then i’m out..I will keep you posted. Keep doing what your doing and remember, whatever your belief/non belief, no one can tell when your time is up... you’re living proof of that.

Hi Billy, you have been through it haven’t you and you’ve lived to to share your experiences and give greatly appreciated positive words and advice. Yes,  I do have a medical issue. Fortunately my neurologist is at the same hospital so I/oncology keep him updated. I’m on immunosuppressants already and i’ve been told the chemo will actually benefit my condition. I’m praying with the advance of modern medicine, positivity and faith it will be well with me. Thanks again. Jacqs