So, I am such a baby...

I went in for treatment 11 of 12 of Taxol.. blood work was better yesterday then it was the past three weeks... then when the nurse was asking about my side effects this week, she came back, after the pre-med bag was done and said... we think we are going to pull you from chemo. Tears just welled up in my eyes and I cried like a baby. I am already both excited and nervous to be done with chemo... on one hand, gosh I want it done, on the other.. chemo is my security blanket. The doctor finally came and spoke with me, he said lets come back and try again next week before we make the decision. Bottom line, the taxol has numbed my feet so much (in their opinion) that the possibility it can cripple me is likely... anyone heard of that? I still walk, I stumble once in a while, but I think the pain in my legs particularly in the knees, is the worst pain then the invisable clothes pins on the finger is second with the feet being third... THIRD! I cried.. and cried, and I am not a pretty crier.. I am better today, but when you want to make sure you get all the chemo without being delayed or being turned away it is just frustrating!
http://journals.aol.com/sledford2001/ShansBattle2004/

Shannon this is a big side effect with Taxol. I was on it every 3 weeks and did not do the last treatment (only 5 out of 6). My feet were so numb I could not feel them on the floor, fell down stairs once, kept rolling my toes under, and then I could not hold a pen with my hands, button clothes etc. It all came back normal after stopping the chemo. If it is possible to take a break from it it is best to do it. Some times these side effects can be permanent and you don't want that. I hope this helps and I am sure you will hear from others as well on this board. Hugs, Sandy

Shannon,
I hear ya...the final chemo was scary for me too! It is such a dilemma....you want to feel better but you want to be healed completely! It is such a difficult thing to go through. Keep the faith! All of us are right there with ya! Alicia

Shannon, I had pain and numbness in the feet also, along with pretty bad aches and pains in my joints and just in general all over...my oncologist had me on Neurontin which I believe is an anti-seizure med, and it did help reduce the symptoms, plus I was told to take vitamin B complex supplements, which helps the nerves. Am also on B vits while on Navelbine; again was told it helps lessen the nerve damage from the chemo. Has your doc talked about any of these strategies with you?

Love, Lolly

Sounds like you did such a great job keeping yourself mentally tough through a rough treatment. That doesn't sound like a baby to me.

The chemo has done the hard work. Now mentally prepare yourself to let your body do the work. My original dx April 2002. My mets diagnosis May 2003. Right now I am NED and am not doing ANY drugs or chemo. I know I needed the break from chemo and, who knows, maybe I won't ever need it again.

Peggy

Shannon,
it's okay to cry. This is a very stressful time and tears can actually help.
don't think of yourself as being a baby. You are very strong, you have proven this over and over again each week with treatment.
el

I don't know what I would do without you ladies... all the thoughts and "yeah, I have been there before" makes me feel soooo good! I have re-thought where I was last friday and where I am today. I think this week off will be a good thing. I have continued to have the aches and pains but it has gotten a little better, not much, but I dont expect it to all in one night.
We are going to try agian on Friday with the chemo... where I am at today, I will be ok if they discontinue the chemo. Whereever this crazy cancer takes me, I am ready for it. My thoughts this week have really focused on quality of life. I think at this point in the game, I am just pooped... it has been a crazy couple of months, and I think at the end of 6 months, my body is just ready for a rest, well, after the radiation.

Thank you all again, for putting up with my rants and raves!

Huggers! Shan

Hi there, I have just had my 22dose of Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin and I sympathise with you with the numb feet and tingling fingers, the leg pain is restless legs and I have the lost also, I haven't been told that it could cripple me! so hopefully it won't I have another few to go I am aiming for 26 so hopefully you will be able to complete your course but better still not need it. My bloods have always got me through for treatment which is weekly, but my blood pressure has been low so I find if I throw a tantrem before I leave it is normal when get there.

Love & Hugs Lyn