First AC done, finding it tough

Hi Irishgirl

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time I finished AC 3 weeks ago. I did find it tough but can't believe it's past so quickly. I know it probably seems endless now but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I always seemed to have a " bad week" followed by a "good week" I was getting it every 2 weeks. I got my treatment on Friday and found that evening quite bad but was ok on Saturday ( filled with steroids) but seemed to start going downhill around Sunday afternoon with Monday and Tuesday being the worst days. Exactly what you describe nearly a zombie feeling absolutely no energy I couldn't concentrate on even the most mindless television. You hopefully will start coming around in over the next few days and will have some good days then.

Tick off each one as you as you do it. You will get there. If you ever want a chat or a rant feel free to pm me. Thinking of you.

Ann

Sorry also meant to add, and probably the most important part. That although the AC was tough going my tumour had been 6.5 cms and when my oncologist checked last week both he and myself found it very hard to locate anything. So it's worth it. When it's clearly been doing it's job killing off those cancer cells.

Ann

Hi Irishgirl

My house was so clean when I was on the steroids, but I learnt as time went on that I suffered after the fact, if I over-did it just after treatment. The time frame you described was more or less the same for me when getting AC.... I had treatment on Monday, Wednesday evening I had gone downhill, by Thursday I wasn't fit to wag, Friday I was banjaxed but Saturday I was right as rain. However, the more it went on, I found the chemo hangover lasted longer. And then I was finished AC before I know it.

I also found as time went on that I felt continuously hungry, but the onc-liason nurse said it sounded like heartburn, which it was... On the banjaxed days, I also felt that drinking water with loads of ice or sucking on ice-pops really help me if I was feeling queasy.

I hope it all goes well for you, take care x

Hi Irish girl, I feel your pain. I hated AC also but it does fly past. I had mine every 3 weeks and the first week was always the toughest and by week 3 I felt normal again only to start all over. My concentration levels were awful - I didn't read anything for most of my treatment and TV was boring all the time!!! I never got the steroid high to clean, clean, clean but my sleep was affected badly so my onc gave me some sleeping tabs to help - I only used them when totally necessary though!
On the up side it really does work. I'm now finished my AC and taxol and have had a left mastectomy and the results were fab - no cancer in sight so 100% response to chemo. Just try and be patient and look forward to when all this is behind you.

Best of luck with the rest and pm me anytime if you need any help.

[quote="spudburf":2l9xjvma]Hi Irish girl, I feel your pain. I hated AC also but it does fly past. I had mine every 3 weeks and the first week was always the toughest and by week 3 I felt normal again only to start all over. My concentration levels were awful - I didn't read anything for most of my treatment and TV was boring all the time!!! I never got the steroid high to clean, clean, clean but my sleep was affected badly so my onc gave me some sleeping tabs to help - I only used them when totally necessary though!
On the up side it really does work. I'm now finished my AC and taxol and have had a left mastectomy and the results were fab - no cancer in sight so 100% response to chemo. Just try and be patient and look forward to when all this is behind you.

Best of luck with the rest and pm me anytime if you need any help. [/quote:2l9xjvma]

Complete response ! This is what it's all about. I will never know as I had surgery first. It must be very reassuring to feel the tumor shrink.

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time, Irishgirl. Let your team know because they will be able to help a little by adjusting the meds.
I had sleeping pills prescribed after 1st one, they are cool with it and you will be much more able to deal with chemo if you are getting enough sleep. And all your treatments will follow a similar pattern so you will know when to expect your bad days and plan for them.
Be good to yourself x