Taxol side effects

Hi Chrissie,
I'm afraid I cannot comment on the chemo as I was spared this due to the onco type test, but I found the radiotherapy very easy to cope with. I had mine in St Luke's and I cannot speak highly enough about all who work there. I was lucky in that I coped very well with it and didn't end up with many side effects, my skin got a bit sensitive at the last few sessions but nothing I couldn't handle.. that was almost 2 years ago now and I never would have thought that I'd reach a stage again where it wasn't on my mind every waking moment but I have and for the most part life is back to normal .. So remember that although you are now going from one hospital appointment to another, this won't always be the case and you WILL come out the other side .. Good look with the rest of your treatment and sorry for rattling on !!
Resolute x

Thanks for the advice Resolute.

Hi Chrissie, glad things are going well for you! And best of luck with radiotherapy.

I put on about 2.5 stone when having treatment; to be honest, I can't really lay all the blame on chemotherapy - it may have more to do with allowing myself to take things easier, not be as active as I normally was, and eating every bit of cake and biscuits and chocolate that very kind visitors and friends brought... no willpower!!!

My hair started to grow back towards the end of my taxol treatment, the only side effect I really had was a bit of peripheral neuropathy towards the end of Taxol too, so I ended not getting my very last treatment because if it.

With regards to going into radiotherapy, the best thing you can do for yourself is keep your skin in tip-top condition. The key is not to have any lotions or potions on you going into radiotherapy, as this can accelerate the skin burning. What I did was have my shower in the morning, washing any traces of moisturisers off, then have my radiotherapy as early as possible, so that when I got home, I put lashings of E45 on myself, and lay on my bed with no top for as long as possible. I did get some burns despite all this, but nothing too horrific, the nurses gave me some magic gel to put on, and also specific dressings to wear over the weekend to help with the burns. If it does feel peculiar at all, don't hesitate to say it to the team, as the last thing they want is for you to be affected.

Take care, and good luck again!

Hi encee,
Thank you for your advice especially on the radiotherapy.
I agree that much of my weight gain (1/2 stone or more) has been comfort eating and lack of movement when on AC treatment as I was not too good going through that at the start.
Best wishes,
Chrissie