Second chemo AC

Hi mel1

Sorry to hear your feeling rough but sounds familiar. I had 4 ac followed by 4 taxol. I found the first ac ok and was very proud of myself - thought this chemo thing may not be so bad after all but no 2 hit hard. Don't know why, maybe it is the build up after no 1 but second one definitely a lot harder. I got my chemo on Wednesdays, would start to go downhill around fri lunch time and wouldn't start to feel normal then till around Tuesday maybe even Wednesday. On the plus side I definitely found the taxol a lot easier - when you have had ac the taxol seems a lot easier and I'm sure you will too. It's absolutely horrible but you will get there. I finished in oct and last summer I thought I'd never get there but you will - one session at a time - tick them off. Sending you hugs and hope you feel better soon.

Bizzybee

Hi bizzybee,

Thanks for the cyber hugs, I really need them. Found myself very emotional today. I was exactly like you, first one wasn't too bad, the first week bad and had a great second week. Felt very cocky going in on Tuesday and then bang! Hopefully by Sunday I will be turning the corner again and have a better second week before the third session. Glad you didn't find the taxol too bad. I have four of them also. I'm kinda thinking I'm 50% there with the AC so only 50% more to go! Are you all finished your treatments now?

No Mel your dead right just concentrate on gettin through the ac and that's the hard part over - then your on the home run. I finished my chemo beginning oct had mascetomy a month later and am almost finished radium now - five left - happy days. Definitely through all this the ac was the worst part everything else seemed easy after it.

Thanks for that great encouragement, I had my mastectomy in Nov and will be heading to Dublin for radiotherapy in May if all goes to plan. I suppose there could be setbacks, I was told not be disappointed if chemo was put off for a week if bloods etc weren't right. Good luck with the rest of your treatment. How are you finding the radiotherapy?

Yeah I was told that too but luckily it never came to that - must be horrible to be sent home when you have yourself built up to it. I'm finding the radium fine more an inconvenience than anything. Skin a bit red and itchy but nothing major - only thing I'm finding is I'm cold all the time - total contrast to the sweats during chemo! I don't know if that has anythin to do with the radium or maybe the tamoxifen or maybe just the cold weather !!!

Yeah I find all I'm doing is complaining, will there ever be normal again!! I suppose we are on road to recovery and that's really all that matters, so I need to keep remaining myself of that lucky fact. Tough days but we'll get there!

Thanks for replying Bizzybee!

Hello ladies,
Hope you are doing a bit better now?
I found my first and second AC were more or less the same... I got mine on Mondays, I was OK until Tuesday when I would begin to feel a bit queasy, feel the same Wednesday by Thursday I would be wrecked and sucking on ice-lollies and drinking pints of iced water, I would be floored on Friday and by Saturday I was almost alright again. However, on the third AC, I was eating rings around me, (the onc liaison nurse said it was heartburn so rennies sorted that out) climbing the walls, scrubbing presses, but that was the steroids. On the fourth AC I was worst of all, and totally wiped out from it.
Taxol was a breeze compared to AC - just make sure that you tell them if you feel weird in anyway at all, especially in your fingers and feet: it's easier to put of treatment for a week or two than have to reverse the effects of it.
I hope this is of help to you; I know it's hard to get your head around not feeling like yourself - if you can just do it day by day, take care of yourself then you're doing well. X

Hi encee,

I'm on my fourth day of steroids and they are making me hyper! Talking a mile a minute to anyone who will listen!! Making me feel quite jittery but it beats having my head in a bowl. Tomorrow will be a down day as the steroids will be wearing off but if I'm turning the corner by Tuesday next I'll be heading into a good week.,hopefully!!! I'm glad that taxol was better for you too so that's good. You know when you're told you need chemo you think yeah bring it on, you really haven't a clue do you? I suppose like a lot of people on here having been saying: it's tough, but doable and it's like tunnel and you need just concentrate and get to end of it. So the 3rd and 4th Ac are harder again. It makes sense as I'm sure there is build up over each session. Delighted you are through them all and hope you're doing well.

Mel

Hi mel,

I've been through 4 A/c's and am now on my 5th out of 12 weekly taxols. I hated every minute of the A/C's! The steroids/sickness/baldness/etc/etc but once they were over it was like someone turned on a light and the weekly taxol is so much easier to handle and no sickness! Now I see an end in sight. I'm still facing surgery and reconstruction but I feel once the chemo is over I'll be able to get some sort of normality back in my life.

Best of luck with it all

We'll thank you for that lovely post spudburf,

Seems the AC is tougher for most so I know I will eventually see the end of it..... Now for the next few days. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and surgery.

Mel

Best of luck ladies with your treatment. AC was definitely the worst. Taxol is fine but keep an eye on any funny tingling etc. you will soon be at the end of it.
Ann c

hi everyone

I'm feeling better this evening after 2 horrible days. I really slumped and felt so low yesterday. A better day today TG. It's indescribable to anybody who hasn't gone through chemo. People are so good around me and everyone asking ... How are ya today? Words will never describe it really. My mantra is jut to get through it.

Oh Mel I empathise with you. It's an endurance but you'll get through it. I'm finished a year last December and doing good, but I'll never forget chemo but glad I got through it . Best of luck and cyber hugs xxxx

Thank you WicklowLady,

It's great to come on here and see that people like you have come through it... It's the only thing keeping me going. So to you and all the other posters thanks for your encouragement and soon this will all be a distant memory...

Mel

You know what Mel - your doing great. Sounds only all too familiar- just coming out of the woods too and as bald as a coote! Had 4 AC (accelerated) and 4 Taxol and finished 33 RT sessions last week - it was horrendous especially in the beginning .I found that mental attitude is what saved the day -think only baby steps Mel -engage with the process don't try and run from it -take what Meds are being offered to you and stay focus- -each hour and day will pass and you will very slowly come through. it requires Hugh patience . Dig deep. Keep going
Stargazerx

Ah thanks Stargazer I suppose I am doing great! Yeah these past few days have been good and apart from a little tiredness I'm in great form. I suppose that actual week of treatment is very tough for me but at least it's over now. I'm out again on Tuesday to start all over again.....

As you say yourself dig deep, keep going! That's it in a nutshell. Thanks for your lovely post!

Mel

Hi mel1

I know the feeling. Ive been on a lot of chemo the past few years. I started AC 3 weeks ago. Had my second one yesterday. I have to say I found the first session really tough. I get it on a Friday and I was a full week exhausted and in bed. Even though Im on steroids I was wreaked all the time, could only eat little and often and the aches and pains I got from the neulasta injection nearly killed me! Luckily I took pain killers to ease it. Had constant headaches as well. Im not sure how many sessions I have to have, hopefully only 4! All depending on how a scan goes in march. The plan is to go back on taxol after this chemo.

I have secondary breast cancer so Im on chemo all the time, just have to get through these few months. The one thing I do is plan lovely things to look forward to and be good to myself that way things seem easier. Plenty of dvds and magazines and books to keep me occupied!
Best of luck and I am glad you are feeling better

Hi Ellie,

I had a post all typed up this morning and then my iPad ran out of battery! Typical. Anyway here the gist of what I was saying,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I too try and do all the nice stuff during the second week of chemo, meet up with friends, eat out, go to cinema or whatever. It's nice to have good things to look forward to and keep me going.

I find my concentration is poor so I don't read very much. Although I do enjoy browsing this website for great tips and advice from all the excellent contributors on this forum. I got a kindle thinking it would be great to read during my treatment but I haven't bothered with it at all.

Sorry to hear you had a bad week during your chemo. But hopefully like me you will only need the 4. It must be difficult to be having ongoing treatment but I hope you get adequate rest periods between treatments to help your body to recuperate so that can cope with all the effects of chemo.

I wish you well with your ongoing treatment and hope all goes well for your with scan in March.

Well I had my third chemo on Tuesday and I'm feeling much better than 2nd one TG. So if anyone else is currently on chemo and finding things difficult there is something you can do about it.

I met my oncologist before treatment this time who I think is brilliant by yet way. I told her how horrible the steroids made me feel, how I was very nauseous and couldn't sleep well on the steroids and was a bag of jitters! She have me 2 more meds to deal with this so far so good, I'm a little groggy but I don't care! She said some people react very badly to steroids so I must be one of them. Then instead of going from 4 steroids on day 4 she wants me to now take 2 on day 5 and then 1 on day 6. A gradual come down so I don't have a terrible slump on the days coming off the steroids, like I had last time.

So if there is anyone really having a bad time on chemo let your team know and your meds can be adjusted to suit you better. Remember if you don't tell them how it's effecting you then they may think you're grand. Please God this continues for the week until I turn my corner for my good week.

So 3 AC down and 1 to go, then 4 taxol to follow.

Best of luck everyone, whether you're starting you on your treatment, in the middle of it or grateful to be out the other end. And thank u especially to all of you who having finished their treatment and who still make the effort to offer great advice, and sometimes just to listen...thank you all x

Well done Mel -your walking d walk - and your three quarters through the rough stuff!
Keep your focus- baby steps all the way and 'deep breaths' !!

I'm waiting the results of my final mamogram- two weeks to go before I get final clearance - but at this stage they could throw the book at me and i'd just have to deal with it .
.I have three important interviews with three different consultants next week and the following week I meet with my surgeon who will give me the results. All going well with her I will be having my poraclath removed after nine months . Now that to me will be a day to celebrate - and you Know something Mel - in six months from now you'll be at this stage too ,but you can't appreciate that now - and you know something, it's important to be 'at where your at' (even if it's the horrors- make yourself as comfortable as possible ) and time will pass.

Chin up and as Barak says "is feider linn" "yes we can" !!!

Hugs stargazer x

Hi Stargazer,

Yes I'm getting though them and feeling much better this time. I'm staying positive and keeping my end goal in mind.

Hope your final mammogram goes well for you and that you get the all clear. I sometimes feel it's like the throw of a dice, whatever number it lands on, theres not a thing you can do about it. We just have to take our chances or as you say yourself they could throw the book at us and there's not a thing we can do about it!

Try and stay positive over the next 2 weeks and keep than end line within focus.....you're nearly over that line. Yes there will always be wee doubts there as time goes on but I'm sure that's only natural. You've been through a life threatening major illness and you want to put it all behind and I'm sure you will Stargezer!

Let us know how you get on and I'll be saying a wee prayer oft you.

Mel xx

Hi there Mel. - how you doing now ? Thinking of you these days ....... Hope your holding up ok- and thinking only of the day that's in it and taking some baby steps .
Very good wishes for a full recovery Mel
Stargazers

Hi Stargazer,

I have been doing quite well this time in comparison to 2nd chemo. The new arrangements of meds definitely worked and I've been sleeping much better. It's still hard but doable this time. Off all steroids now so feeling a bit flat, but that's ok. The next few days are usually good for me and then next Tuesday will be my final AC.

Thank you for your good wishes Stargazer!

Best of luck with your final mammogram and that you get the all clear.

Mel

Hey Mel1

So glad you are doing well. I have to say I got through the second session a lot better than the first. I took painkillers and that really prevented the aches and pains I was having. Over the worst now, but Im feeling very tired. In bed really early night and Im sleeping well. Next one is Friday next week so Im heading away next weekend Think I deserve it!

Hope your next session goes well

Take care

Thanks Elllie!

Enjoy the weekend away - you most certainty do deserve it!

Mel

Mel- that's sounds really good -you've really got on top of things since your early days -Tuesday's was my threatment day too so hope it's a lucky one for you too.
No news of my mamogram results yet-three big meetings ahead of me before I' m set free. Radio onchologist tomorrow , medical onchologist the next day and surgeon who will give me my results next week. Had a low point tonight and shed a few tears- not looking forward to these appointments-would love to give them all a skip and just bury my head in the sand!!its probably me being tired-had a very busy day doing the 'taxi bit' for the family amongst other things .i know I should be grateful I can do it-just swinging back into action is a whole lot different then I thought it would be.

Well I suppose it will be one final effort of ' head down' and face the music for the next two days

Tired and weary
Stargazer

Hi stargazer,

Hope you are feeling ok.

I can only imagine how you're feeling. Sometimes we get through things because we have no other choice but then it's all over we can get overwhelmed by the whole thing. A bit like post traumatic disorder where it's only afterwards you respond and deal with the whole trauma. You have been through a very difficult time and you're entitled to feel stress and sadness. I'm dealing now with the difficulties of chemo ( and on anti b for infection these days) but I've no doubt that when I get over this cancer ordeal I will have a lot to deal with emotionally.

I read your post on another thread and how you were feeling blue. I hope all your rescheduled appointments go well and don't be afraid to tell them how you're feeling. It's important to look after the emotional and mental side of our health and talk about and seek help. Feeling sad is a perfectly normal emotion to be feeling after all you've been through so don't beat yourself up about, but maybe let others know how you feel and don't pretend everything's ok.

I wish you the very best and please take care

Mel

Hi mel -what a beautiful reply -thanks so much

Good news for me yesterday- I got news my scans are clear! ... Yeah one whole year to the day. It makes facing up to those rescheduled appointments so much easier.
Antibiotics Mel are a neccessary evil-I'm afraid . None of us like taking them -especially when you've been as sick as you have been, but they do their job and thats the main thing. Keep drinking the fluids! Hope you'll be feeling a bit better soon
Stargazers

Hi stargazer,

That's brilliant news about your scan results. It must be such a relief! You deserve all the good news and as you say yourself it's just the "pick me up" that you needed to finally get the rest of those appointments seen to. We'll done!

As for me I can't see myself getting any treatment this week, but it's not the end of the world.... I'll keep you posted!

Mel

Hi mel
Keep the spirits up -those white cells can spring into action very quickly when they get going -you'd be amazed . I 've been neutropenic on day 10 of my threatment and still managed to get my levels up by day 14 . Each day and each hour your body is swinging back to normal mode even though you think little is happening-give yourself a chance Mel .

Live in the moment and let tomorrow or next week take care of itself thrust all the good life that lives inside you Mel - the same life that brought you this far and will sustain you way beyond this cancer experience if you nurture it and care for it.
I can understand the anxiety of wanting to get on with things and psyching yourself for the threatment on a certain day . Please God it will all happen as planned
Hugs stargazer xxx