Which post chemo days were the worst?

Hubby
Hubby Member Posts: 325
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
After first AC on Wed. and doing "okay" Thurs. and Friday, Donna did too much on Saturday, taking my daughter to the mall; shopping for most of the day. Then yesterday; she was miserable all day; felt weak; and couldn't really describe the bad feeling in her body. Is day 4 the worst day? Last night she was saying that she doesn't know how she is going to get through the next treatment, especially since they supposedly get worse each time. Rough night last night; not sleeping well.

Bob

Comments

  • heidijez
    heidijez Member Posts: 441
    for me it was the 4th and 5th days
    i had my first AC on June 10 (a Thursday), and the worst days for me were Sunday and Monday. I went back to work on Tuesday, but wasn't feeling the greatest. After that, I have been okay - really tired and nothing tastes good so I am not eating well - but I learned from my first course of chemo that ended in April that I need to sleep when I am tired, so sometimes when I get home from work, I go right to sleep. That seems to help me. I don't know about AC, but when I was on TC, I was told that it's not cumulative, so I would not be feeling worse as chemo progressed.

    Good luck to Donna, I hope she gets the rest she needs.
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    heidijez said:

    for me it was the 4th and 5th days
    i had my first AC on June 10 (a Thursday), and the worst days for me were Sunday and Monday. I went back to work on Tuesday, but wasn't feeling the greatest. After that, I have been okay - really tired and nothing tastes good so I am not eating well - but I learned from my first course of chemo that ended in April that I need to sleep when I am tired, so sometimes when I get home from work, I go right to sleep. That seems to help me. I don't know about AC, but when I was on TC, I was told that it's not cumulative, so I would not be feeling worse as chemo progressed.

    Good luck to Donna, I hope she gets the rest she needs.

    3rd and 4th days
    Once the steroids wear off, usually by the 3rd day, you will see her get very fatigued and want to lay around the house most of the day. I did not start feeling better until the 5 or 6th day after chemo. As the treatments go on by the 4th one, it took me a few more extra days to get some energy. How many treatments is she having? I am sorry that she is not feeling well. Make sure she is getting alot of water, eat fruits and vegetables. I also drank an ensure every day the week of chemo...that does give you a boost. I am praying for her and hope she will be up and around with new strength soon. love and hugs.
    Lorrie
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    Balentine said:

    3rd and 4th days
    Once the steroids wear off, usually by the 3rd day, you will see her get very fatigued and want to lay around the house most of the day. I did not start feeling better until the 5 or 6th day after chemo. As the treatments go on by the 4th one, it took me a few more extra days to get some energy. How many treatments is she having? I am sorry that she is not feeling well. Make sure she is getting alot of water, eat fruits and vegetables. I also drank an ensure every day the week of chemo...that does give you a boost. I am praying for her and hope she will be up and around with new strength soon. love and hugs.
    Lorrie

    Ask for some ativan so she can sleep also
    You may want to ask the onc to prescribe her some ativan to take at night. It is an anti-nausous med and also helps you sleep. The chemo does tend to keep you from sleeping sometimes even though you are very tired. Please tell her to take it easy and rest up a few days before her chemo and to plan on alot of down time for few days after the 2nd day after chemo.
    Lorrie
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    Worst chemo days
    As women especially moms it is really hard for us to let go and accept that our bodies will now have its limits. Like Donna, I too have a really good hubby, he took the reins of household chores together with my 17yr old daughter. Worst days when i was on 3chemo meds, taxotere, carbon, and Herceptin, were 3-5 days after. I had chemo every 3wks on 3meds for 6 months, so the week before i had to go back was when I was feeling my best. Though I've been done with chemo med taxotere and carbon back in April, Im still on Herceptin for another 4months,my bad days are less and my better days are longer. Sleepless nights, yeah, very common and hard when you have to still get up to go to work. No taste and hard to eat, yeap that too is very hard to manage. Tell Donna, it will get better, food will taste good again, but in order to keep her strenght up she must eat even if she is not hungry or just taste awful. Small meals every 2-3 hrs worked the best for me. It controlled the nausea together with the meds. Good luck to her.
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    worst days
    for me it was the week after the infusion.....I just fall apart....tired, ache, intestinal issues...etc. The 3rd week I just start to feel normal....and then whoops, time for another infusion to start the cycle. I have finished 4 cycles so far with 4 more to go. And yes, for me at least, it is cumulative and is a bit worse each cycle.
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    I was on Taxotere and
    I was on Taxotere and Cytoxan...day 3 and 4 were the worst for me. Lots of fatigue, sometimes diarrhea, sometimes a fever. I did not get any worse for the remaining treatments.

    Judy
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    cavediver said:

    worst days
    for me it was the week after the infusion.....I just fall apart....tired, ache, intestinal issues...etc. The 3rd week I just start to feel normal....and then whoops, time for another infusion to start the cycle. I have finished 4 cycles so far with 4 more to go. And yes, for me at least, it is cumulative and is a bit worse each cycle.

    For me the 3rd and 4th were the worst!
    I'd have the chemo on Thursdays then by Sunday I was a mess and on Monday I was so sick and tired of it, that it SEEMED worse than it might have been.

    I keep thinking if I had made sure to eat something every hour maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. You gals going through it try it and let me know.
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    She is on this dose dense
    She is on this dose dense regiment; every two weeks; 4 rounds of AC followed by 4 rounds of Taxol (and I think it's five day after Nuelasta shots). We've heard that the Taxol is a lot easier. But by the sound of it a lot of you needed that third week to recover, she won't have that. She did have both extremes of the intestinal issues.

    She is also tired of taking pills. Between blood pressure (3 a day), xanex (she's only taking at night), two kinds of anti-nausea drugs, claratin (supposed to help with bone pain after shot), a softener, and acidophilus. We needed to make a spread sheet of what pills to take and when.

    She keeps telling me that she is not strong enough to do this; and I tell her that she is stronger than she thinks she is.

    Bob
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    Hubby said:

    She is on this dose dense
    She is on this dose dense regiment; every two weeks; 4 rounds of AC followed by 4 rounds of Taxol (and I think it's five day after Nuelasta shots). We've heard that the Taxol is a lot easier. But by the sound of it a lot of you needed that third week to recover, she won't have that. She did have both extremes of the intestinal issues.

    She is also tired of taking pills. Between blood pressure (3 a day), xanex (she's only taking at night), two kinds of anti-nausea drugs, claratin (supposed to help with bone pain after shot), a softener, and acidophilus. We needed to make a spread sheet of what pills to take and when.

    She keeps telling me that she is not strong enough to do this; and I tell her that she is stronger than she thinks she is.

    Bob

    Thankful
    Dear Bob,
    I am thankful to God that she has you as her supporter and encourager and a strength. Many husbands end up feeling so helpless and drained that they give up and don't know what else to do. You are doing what God desires for you to do....just being there by her side in her support and being led by God as to what she needs and performing those things. You are truly her hero and are to be applauded for that. It is also a blessing that you are reaching out to find information from others going through the same thing so that you can help your wife. Yes....she is having a much more aggressive treatment plan than I did so I hope some other ladies here that have had that coctail and frequency will be able to give you more advice. Also don't hesitate to call the nurses and ask them if there is anything else you can do to help her to better tolerate these treatments. Also, please look upward to God because you need Him to replenish you and guide you....otherwise this will drain you. Remember that He is the source of your strength and that your help comes from Him. God bless.
    Lorrie
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    I was on taxotere and id
    I was on taxotere and id have my treatments on monday, and wednesday & thursdays were my bad days. some were bad and some were tolerable plus i also had insomnia because of the steriods.
    Tell Donna to hang in there...and good luck to you Bob!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    jo jo said:

    I was on taxotere and id
    I was on taxotere and id have my treatments on monday, and wednesday & thursdays were my bad days. some were bad and some were tolerable plus i also had insomnia because of the steriods.
    Tell Donna to hang in there...and good luck to you Bob!

    Hubby and Donna .. I was on taxotere, carbo and Herceptin
    every Tuesday for 18 weeks straight .. I endured chemotherapy. My bad days seemed to be the 3rd to 5th day after treatment .. and these days increased as my chemo treatments wore on.

    Neulasta shot .. threw me for a loop ... my acky body. Insomnia also made frequent visits during my chemo.

    As the insomnia increased, so did my mood swings. Please tell Donna to hang in there, and I wish the two of you .. all the best.


    Strength and Courage:D


    VickiSam
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Your Wife is unique! As all of us are!
    For ME - A/C was much easier than Taxol! I was 'tired' on days 3 & 4 on A/C but napping/resting helped. On Taxol I was comnpletely exhausted on days 2 - 6 and napping/resting did not help at all. That was EVERY week as opposed to every 2 weeks on A/C. Days 1 & 7, I was tired but could function to some degree - I made it to infusions. I had no sleepless issues on A/C but on Taxol I did - first meds given me by my Chemo Dr did not help only gave horrible nightmares (which I don't normally have) but my PA switched me to the lowest does of another med and it worked great.

    It's great to ask for input of experiences BUT There are NONE of us who can tell you what your wife will experience - we are EACH so unique in how our bodies handle the onslaught of the battle - we can tell our stories but we cannot tell you that what happened to/with us will happen for your wife.

    Susan
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    I too had AC followed by
    I too had AC followed by taxol. As she feels better, your wife will realize that she CAN do it. My experience was that how I felt after my following treatments was similar to my reaction after the first treatment. Like many have stated, I was OK for the two days following and then felt like sh*t for two or three days and then was on the mend and better until the next treatment. That was on the dose dense A/C. My reaction to Taxol was different. In some ways was easier, in others was more taxing (pun intended)! Of course, we each respond as individuals. It's important to take things day by day. Thanks for being such a grand support for her. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • heidijez
    heidijez Member Posts: 441
    Rague said:

    Your Wife is unique! As all of us are!
    For ME - A/C was much easier than Taxol! I was 'tired' on days 3 & 4 on A/C but napping/resting helped. On Taxol I was comnpletely exhausted on days 2 - 6 and napping/resting did not help at all. That was EVERY week as opposed to every 2 weeks on A/C. Days 1 & 7, I was tired but could function to some degree - I made it to infusions. I had no sleepless issues on A/C but on Taxol I did - first meds given me by my Chemo Dr did not help only gave horrible nightmares (which I don't normally have) but my PA switched me to the lowest does of another med and it worked great.

    It's great to ask for input of experiences BUT There are NONE of us who can tell you what your wife will experience - we are EACH so unique in how our bodies handle the onslaught of the battle - we can tell our stories but we cannot tell you that what happened to/with us will happen for your wife.

    Susan

    susan is so right!
    we can share our experiences, but that is what they are, OUR experiences. we are all individuals with our own health issues, and the way we react to a drug, or pain, or anything is unique to us.

    i think we all wish you and your wife nothing but good, and we can offer hope that you will make it through this, because you will get through this ; )
  • 2Floridiansisters
    2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
    lynn1950 said:

    I too had AC followed by
    I too had AC followed by taxol. As she feels better, your wife will realize that she CAN do it. My experience was that how I felt after my following treatments was similar to my reaction after the first treatment. Like many have stated, I was OK for the two days following and then felt like sh*t for two or three days and then was on the mend and better until the next treatment. That was on the dose dense A/C. My reaction to Taxol was different. In some ways was easier, in others was more taxing (pun intended)! Of course, we each respond as individuals. It's important to take things day by day. Thanks for being such a grand support for her. xoxoxoxo Lynn

    Hi Hubby
    I had my first chemo treatment this past Wednesday also and I have been doing fine all along except for Friday. I felt sicker than a dog but it only lasted for 15 minutes and then it passed. I was feeling like I was going to throw up, I felt like when you've drank way too much and you need to puke, but I sat on the edge of the bathtub, my husband brought a fan in and aimed it at me, I had a wet washcloth rubbed all over my face and for 15 minutes I thought I was gonna lose it. But nothing ever happened and it passed as soon as it happened. I stood up to brush my teeth and instantly felt better.

    I have been a bit achey on Sunday with that nueropathy stuff in my legs and feet but other that that I am doing GREAT!!!!!!!!

    I hope she's feels better, my prayers are with you and she during this time. Love Ronda
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    Rague said:

    Your Wife is unique! As all of us are!
    For ME - A/C was much easier than Taxol! I was 'tired' on days 3 & 4 on A/C but napping/resting helped. On Taxol I was comnpletely exhausted on days 2 - 6 and napping/resting did not help at all. That was EVERY week as opposed to every 2 weeks on A/C. Days 1 & 7, I was tired but could function to some degree - I made it to infusions. I had no sleepless issues on A/C but on Taxol I did - first meds given me by my Chemo Dr did not help only gave horrible nightmares (which I don't normally have) but my PA switched me to the lowest does of another med and it worked great.

    It's great to ask for input of experiences BUT There are NONE of us who can tell you what your wife will experience - we are EACH so unique in how our bodies handle the onslaught of the battle - we can tell our stories but we cannot tell you that what happened to/with us will happen for your wife.

    Susan

    Susan is right everyone is
    Susan is right everyone is different. I had AC on Wed by that night I was having stomach issues. Thurs. went in for Neulasta and was completely out of it until Sun. I also went in every 2 weeks for 5 months. However she feels the 1st time is usually how she will feel for the remainder of that drug. The next drug will effect her differently.
    Most don't understand the battle is not only physical, but mental, emotional, and spiritual. It effects a person on every level possible.
    I wish you two the very best. Take care.
    Jennifer
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    5th and 6th were the worst for me

    while I was on AC. On the 6th day I could hardly get out of bed all day, just slept and felt dreadful. I did however take 2 Ativan (Lorazepam) each night for week after the AC chemo just so I could sleep and take the edge off the feeling of anxiety. The onset of all my side effects were predictable after the first round of AC.

    My last AC chemo was the easiest, the side effects were not that bad at all. However I do admit I did over the course of 4 AC treatments (3 weeks apart) felt almost depressed in the sense that I had little motivation to do anything, even getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating although I was hungary and going out in public became increasingly difficult for me.

    Taxol, so far has been significantly easier for me although it still has its side effects, some not too great but I feel more motivated and happier. Could be the steroids.
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    Bob
    My chemo cocktail was different than Donna's, but I did have infusions on Wednesdays (Cytoxan and Taxotere every 3 weeks - 4 treatments) with a Neulasta shot on Thursdays. I worked through most of my chemo, but did take off Wednesday - Friday on the weeks of my infusions. I would feel pretty good on Thursday and Friday and could have worked, but I used those days to do the errands I normally did on the weekends (grocery shopping, etc.) so that I could totally veg out on Saturday and Sunday. I was really good at that! By Monday I was OK to go back to work, just a little tired.

    For me the fatigue was a bit cumulative. Between the first and second treatment I bounced back pretty well, but between the 3rd and 4th it took longer. I did find that some of the other side effects actually were better with successive treatments instead of getting worse (GI issues and mouth taste/texture).

    As others have said, everyone is different. I would definitely talk to Donna's doctor about the sleep issue. It's important to get as much rest as you can. Her body is going through so much right now.

    Hang in there,
    Cindy
  • 109339
    109339 Member Posts: 10
    chemo
    Your a lovely husband. When I went through chemo, I was down for 1 week each time. My first treatment it was a couple of days, then 1 more day, until it was a solid week. If she knows that, then she could adjust her life that way for a while. After the week was up, I was almost my old self again. And one day, it will be a mere memory. Good luck and take good care of her.
    Michele
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    Round 1
    Well if I score this like a boxing match, so far I'm giving round one to Donna. After taking the early lead she got knocked down and almost couldn't get off the mat. But she got up (still a little wobbly)and is making her way through the rest of this round. I think the hard part is going to be coming out for round two.

    After Wednesday chemo; It was about 36 hours until she hit the wall; and then days 4 and 5 were the bottom. Last night about 9:00 the fog started lifting.

    I do know that everyone is different, but I just wanted some sort of idea what everyone elses bad days were. One of the chemo nurses (the nice one) did call her yesterday and say if she wasn't feeling better today to come in and they could give her some fluids, but I think she is gonna make it through without it.

    Thanks for all the input.

    Bob