wiped out from chemo #3 of 6....

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mrs gadget
mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Guys...
I am doing my chemo prior to lumpectomy. I just finished 3 of 6 rounds of TC. For some reason, I tolerated the first two rounds very well and was back to normal after about 3 days. Here I am at day 5 after treatment number 3 and am finding that this round has kind of knocked me on my butt!! I took off teaching for the rest of the week and am just trying to rest at home. I don't quite understand why this round would hit me so much harder than the other 2. My doc says that TC isn't cumulative, but I kind of think that it is...

Any ideas???

Mrs Gadget

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  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #2
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    TC
    I had 4 round of TC and found it harder with each one. My onco told me it IS cumulative so expect to take longer each time to recover. By my 3rd one it would take me at least a week to "sort of" get back to normal. I also worked full time during chemo (and rads) so maybe that's why it took me so long....who knows!

    Good luck with the rest of your treatments!

    Patti
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #3
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    I get TAC, just completed
    I get TAC, just completed round 3 of 6. And each one has been slightly different.

    Was everything the same in the days before your 3rd? Any changes in stress, diet, exercise, blood work, allergies, sleep, hydration, etc. that might account for more difficulties this time?

    I know you've heard it over and over, but hydrate hydrate hydrate. To be it is even more important on the icky rounds.

    Hope you feel better soon, and wish you the best with the next treatments.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • mrs gadget
    mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
    #4
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    pattimc said:

    TC
    I had 4 round of TC and found it harder with each one. My onco told me it IS cumulative so expect to take longer each time to recover. By my 3rd one it would take me at least a week to "sort of" get back to normal. I also worked full time during chemo (and rads) so maybe that's why it took me so long....who knows!

    Good luck with the rest of your treatments!

    Patti

    I know what you mean!!
    I am a pretty active person, so it is just killing me to sit still, but I have no choice. I just called the doc and he said to take the rest of the week off of substitute teaching and just embrace the tired for a while. On the good side, I am almost done so that really helps keep me going. I guess I just have to do what I am able to do and go from there...

    Thanks for the encouragement...
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #5
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    Mrs. Gadget,
    First off,
    Mrs. Gadget,
    First off, CONGRATS for reaching the halfway point in your chemo!! Once I reached the halfway point in mine (also 6 treatments, 4 of AC and 2 of T) it seemed to go by really fast. Tomorrow is my last chemo.
    I also felt that after the 3rd one it was harder, and took longer, to recover. My best advice is to just rest and try not to do too much. When I have days where I'm feeling good, I usually end up over doing it and end up feeling like crap & sore the next day! Listen to your body, and rest & relax when it tells you to.
    Hang in there sister, you'll be done before you know it :)
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • heidijez
    heidijez Member Posts: 441
    #6
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    the good news is that you are halfway there!
    i also had 6 rounds of tc for my first time around with chemo. i was also told that it isn't cumulative. that said, it doesn't necessarily mean that we won't feel worse after some treatments. i worked all through my chemo treatments, just taking the day of chemo off and then only working about 5-6 hours on the following (neulasta shot) day. i think the fourth tc treatment was the worst for me.

    the important thing is to listen to your body, when you need to take it easy, be good to yourself!

    and remember, you have half of the chemos behind you! you can do this!

    hugs to you from heidi
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #7
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    sorry you are having a hard time w #3
    I remember that feeling so well! I had TAC and is was cumulative and it knocked me down a few times. But you are 1/2 through your chemo now!!!! And it will be over soon... I know it is hard, but you can get through this. Rest, drink fluids, and rest! If you need more hydration, let your onc know. We are all cheering for you to get through this! Hugs
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #8
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    sorry you are having a hard time w #3
    I remember that feeling so well! I had TAC and is was cumulative and it knocked me down a few times. But you are 1/2 through your chemo now!!!! And it will be over soon... I know it is hard, but you can get through this. Rest, drink fluids, and rest! If you need more hydration, let your onc know. We are all cheering for you to get through this! Hugs
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #9
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    Hang in there.
    My 4th and last really kicked my a**. Took me a while to get back to semi-normal. But after that, things started to get back to normal. Hang in there. Just take it easy. Rest is the best thing to combat this. Hugs, Jean
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #10
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    I also have done my chemo
    I also have done my chemo prior to surgery ( mastectomy ) T.C.H. and Mine were progressively worse each time. It does accumulate in you system. the first two only took me a couple days. By the third one it was taking me a week to bounce back. And it had stayed about a week. but been a little harder each time. There are things you can do to make it a little easier. Try extra protein ( Ensure, protein bars, Vitamins, Alcohol free mouth wash for sores in mouth. Good lotion for dry skin. Moisturizing drops for dry eyes. Tylenol. Tylenol pm if you have to take steroids they will keep you awake. Hope you are feeling better Take care Kay
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #11
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    I'm in the same
    cycle as you. First 2 TC treatments I was ok. #3 (on Sept 21) I was very tired afterwards and after getting Neulasta shot on Wednesday I found myself sleeping 12 hours at night from Thursday through Sunday. I had zero energy. My face, legs and feet have been swollen and my breathing is labored. I've also had a cough for 3 weeks. I had chemo #4 yesterday and Neulasta today. I went for a chest xray this afternoon too. I now have a drippy eye and saw my first dark spot on a toenail. My oncologist did say I would feel more tired after each chemo. I have chemo #5 on Nov 2 and #6 on Nov 23. I'll probably sleep through Thanksgiving......
    {{hugs}} Char
  • turquoisea
    turquoisea Member Posts: 14
    #12
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    Sleep and rest
    Our pink sisters have already given you great advice.. My worst chemo was also number 3.. But what you definitly have to do is just rest.. remember that it is when we sleep that our body is recovering and re-strenghtening.. I am also very active, but if you feel tired, don't push it, just rest... If you happen to have some energy, use it for things that will make you happy.. hope you feel better soon,
    Hugs
  • turquoisea
    turquoisea Member Posts: 14
    #13
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    Sleep and rest
    Our pink sisters have already given you great advice.. My worst chemo was also number 3.. My advice is that you just rest.. remember that it is when we sleep that our body is recovering and re-strenghtening.. I am also very active, but if you feel tired, don't push it, just rest... If you happen to have some energy, use it for things that will make you happy.. hope you feel better soon,
    Hugs
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #14
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    turquoisea said:

    Sleep and rest
    Our pink sisters have already given you great advice.. My worst chemo was also number 3.. My advice is that you just rest.. remember that it is when we sleep that our body is recovering and re-strenghtening.. I am also very active, but if you feel tired, don't push it, just rest... If you happen to have some energy, use it for things that will make you happy.. hope you feel better soon,
    Hugs

    Your body is taking a beaten right now
    Your whole system is out of whack. I was hit hard from the beginning. Keep hanging in there you are 1/2 way there.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #15
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    Vitamin D
    As we are into the shorter days now you might be lacking Vitamin D. Blood test will show so check with your Drs.

    I'm S.A.D. so Vitamin D is my friend during the less light days (as is my light box) even though I avrage about 2 hrs a day outside no matter the weather - have horses that have to care for no matter how cold.

    Since about 1/2 way through Taxol I've had a problem keeping K (potassium) levels where they need to be - nobody can figure out why. So I take it daily but still occasionally get night leg cramps which an extra pill takes care of.

    Just a couple of thoughts.

    Susan
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #16
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    Rague said:

    Vitamin D
    As we are into the shorter days now you might be lacking Vitamin D. Blood test will show so check with your Drs.

    I'm S.A.D. so Vitamin D is my friend during the less light days (as is my light box) even though I avrage about 2 hrs a day outside no matter the weather - have horses that have to care for no matter how cold.

    Since about 1/2 way through Taxol I've had a problem keeping K (potassium) levels where they need to be - nobody can figure out why. So I take it daily but still occasionally get night leg cramps which an extra pill takes care of.

    Just a couple of thoughts.

    Susan

    Chemo #3
    My third chemo was definitely the hardest, and I spoke to my oncologist before the 4th infusion and inquired about my loss of weight and the amount of chemo drug being administered. He felt it was necessary to continue with the same strength of TAC on the 4th infusion, and within a week I had developed walking pneumonia. Treatment #5 was reduced in strength (I had lost 22 pounds - from 137 lbs to 115), and I tolerated it much better. Maybe this is what you may consider discussing with your onc. Hydrate and rest...the two most important things as you continue your next three treatments. We will be thinking of you...hang in there. Hugs, Judy

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