Can these treatments get any worse?
 

Hi all.

This is my first post. I need help!
I have had 4 rounds of TCH so far. 1 & 2 were manageable. 3 was bad so onc tweeked my steroids in hopes it would help....NOT!
Round 4...thought they were trying to kill me. I was down for 10 days with every side effect including neutropenia and anemia. It was ugly.

Please share with me your experience of cumulative side effects for subsequent rounds of chemo.

I just cant wrap my head around rounds 5 and 6.

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

Hey Dee,

So sorry to hear. I had a similar experience but it didn't hit until round 4 which I never recovered from until I had to face round 5. I was like the poster child that chemo isn't really hard until that round. I still worked but after that, I could have been cast on Walking Dead (zombie show).

Round 5 obviously wasn't fun because I was expecting the worst. I took vacation time for round 6 because I expected it to suck just as bad but round 5 and 6 were not too bad. When round 4 was so horrific I used this site and found that it was common. Now you had serious issues with round 3, but I'm guessing you're going to do better than you think.

Think positive. I think it knocks us all down at a point. Remember, chemo was developed as such a harsh treatment that it's super bad, but they backed it down so we don't die from it, just feels like we're going to.

I was pleasantly surprised that 6 was not too bad. But for my sister it was the worst and she convinced me to take a week off to recover. I just watched movies and hung out and didn't feel like you're feeling now (and most of us know that "I'm going to die" from chemo feeling).

Hang in there, the chemo is there to kill those fast growing cells but also hits our good cells so your body is taking the hit of your life. You will recover but it's hell being in there. Just want to bring some hope that it may not continue for each round. I think the body at some point realizes it's being so poisoned it shuts down and then somehow gets used to it. Or it does well until the last round.

Just hang in there!!!! And use this site and our stories to get you through it. I don't think I'd be here if not for this site.

XOXO

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

Hi Dee, I had A/C before Taxol so found that far harder to tolerate than the Taxol which goes to show how we all are different and react differently. I'm sorry you're finding this so tough, I assume you're getting a Neulasta shot a day after chemo to boost your white cell count? if not ask for one. I know you feel like there's no end in sight but take one day at a time, you'll get there and hoping these side effects ease, rest as often as you need to.

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

DeeVee,
All I can say is hang on. You will get through it. I had 6 rounds of taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. After treatment, I was typically down for the count on day 3 and never really recovered until around day 18. On day 21, it was time to have another treatment. I took all the rx's, drank tons of water and rested, but it was still terrible. The one thing that helped was after chemo 2, they offered additional fluids via IV. It did help some, without the additional fluids, I would have been a mess. Just think you only have 2 more chemo's. Let us know how you are doing. We all will be sending you good chemo vibes. Pam

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

Devee - The first rounds of chemo are always the hardest but once your body adjusts and they tweak some of the drugs, things should get better. My oncologist always had a solution for me if I had severe effects so hopefully yours will help you too.

I had Taxol too and that was harder for me with the side effects. I had a lot of digestive issues on that drug and it wreaked havoc even when I was done. I also took the shot of Neulasta which helped me but it always gave me a day of flu like systems.

Hope you get better and hold on, you will get through! Prayers and Hugs,

Jessica

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

Well Ive answered my own question.....I may never know. After 4 rounds my MO cancelled any further chemotherapy. Just on to Herceptin for the rest of my year. I pray I never have to do chemo again. Thanks for your responses and I wish everyone well.....hugs.

Re: Can these treatments get any worse?
 

I hope you start healing and feel better each day.