second round of chemo

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ninjamom
ninjamom Member Posts: 142
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Ok...had my second round of chemo last Friday 30th, and I'm still trying to recover from it. Is it my imagination or does it get harder to recup as you go? The first time by day 5 I was good as new, this time is day 7 and my head is still in the clouds, I'm emotional and very tired. I'm having a hard time just walking out to pick up the mail!!!????? I'm sorry if i sound frustated. I tried to go for a walk and couldn't even last half the block. I take my meds, drink lots of fluids, take my vitamis and eat healthy. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

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  • survivorinsd
    survivorinsd Member Posts: 3
    #2
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    Which one(s) are you taking? I had a different experience... it could be that you are getting different medications... or that part of what you're feeling is emotional... for me it was rough, but not that bad... I was working every single day except for the actual treatment days... and I went on a walk (about 30 minutes) every day... when it was raining I exercised for 30 minutes at home... it is very important that you stay active... I know it is difficult to get up and get out, but it is worth it.. and once you do it it will feel good... if you're not sure you can go for a walk try to exercise at home or go with someone.
  • survivorinsd
    survivorinsd Member Posts: 3
    #3
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    I think I didn't answer your question, so I'll try again... I had 4 rounds of doxorobucin (adriamycin) + cyclophosphamide, and then 4 rounds of taxol... with the Dox/Cycl. regimen Day 6 was my lowest point... I used to have my treatment on Thursdays and I remember the Tuesday after was always my worst day (so, if you take your chemo on Friday and you're on the same regimen, the worst day would be your Wednesday)... My days were like this: the first day of treatment was always fine.. Day-2 was a normal day.. felt ok... Day-3 I started having some upset stomach and heartburn and my energy level went down gradually until I reached the bottom on day-6... I even lost a few pounds on that day... but the next day, things started getting better and by the following Friday (day-9) I was almost fully recovered and my energy level was back to normal... and it actually felt great... I went thru this cycle of up and down after each dose... so if you're on on dox/cycl. and you're like me you must be on your lowest day... I hope you'll feel better soon.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
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    Well, the chemo drugs do tend to have a cumulative effect. Plus, your body is in the fight of its life and it is not surprising that fatigue would build in spite of all your efforts to combat it with good diet, exercise, etc.
    I don't know why some people seem to 'sail through' and some of the rest of us have to claw ourselves out of bed most mornings.
    This is your time to depend on others as much as possible and discuss it with your onco until you feel he has given every aspect of your situation the attention it deserves.
    God bless.
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #5
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    survivorinsd said:

    Which one(s) are you taking? I had a different experience... it could be that you are getting different medications... or that part of what you're feeling is emotional... for me it was rough, but not that bad... I was working every single day except for the actual treatment days... and I went on a walk (about 30 minutes) every day... when it was raining I exercised for 30 minutes at home... it is very important that you stay active... I know it is difficult to get up and get out, but it is worth it.. and once you do it it will feel good... if you're not sure you can go for a walk try to exercise at home or go with someone.

    I'm taking adriamicin/cytoxin and have 2 rounds to go. My treatments are on Fridays and my husband usually stays home on Mondays too. This time he stayed home with me until Thursday as I almost passed out from lack of energy. I get up from bed and usually sit on the recliner, walk a little then have to sit again, I walk down the hallway using the walls for leverage. After the sun goes down we try to go out for a walk or we will go to the grocery store that way I get out of the house. I wanted to work during chemo but the MD said no because I work with the public.
    What kind of exercises do you do, my husband didn't want me to do exercises because he said my body was recuping and I should wait until I feel better to add exercise,(not during the bad days).
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #6
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    I can only tell you about my experience, and the answer is "yes." I believe the effects of my chemo were cumulative and became more intense and took longer with each successive round. I know its frustrating, but fortunately, there is an end to the chemo. I had to focus on that. I used to walk 2 miles every moring before bc. I'm six weeks out of chemo and up to 1 miles without getting too pooped or winded. My legs ache a little, but its getting better. hang in there kiddo. Hugs, Marilynn
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #7
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    I had 8 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan and finished in November. I wasn't too bad until my 6th dose. By then I was pretty sick and not keeping much down for a few days. The last dose was the very worst. My onc, said that it does have an accumulative effect and I agree. You should mention to your dr about the fatigue, because it could be that your blood cell counts are going too low. I kept working through out my chemo. I had the infusion on Friday and was usually pretty much ok by Monday. It was just the nausea that bothered me. Good luck and keep us posted. Lili
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #8
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    mmontero38 said:

    I had 8 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan and finished in November. I wasn't too bad until my 6th dose. By then I was pretty sick and not keeping much down for a few days. The last dose was the very worst. My onc, said that it does have an accumulative effect and I agree. You should mention to your dr about the fatigue, because it could be that your blood cell counts are going too low. I kept working through out my chemo. I had the infusion on Friday and was usually pretty much ok by Monday. It was just the nausea that bothered me. Good luck and keep us posted. Lili

    I will be getting 4 rounds, I keep telling myself "I'm half way there" and that keeps me going. My infusions are on Friday, usually the weekend is not too bad but come Monday it hits me, Tuesday gets worst, Wed & Thusdays are by far the worst days and Fridays I start feeling a little bit stronger but weak legs and arms. So far I have been able to keep food down, I eat every 2 hrs very little, bland foods, lots of protein.

    I really admire those of you who work thru treatments. I have been home since April and won't be going back until Aug. 1st. (doctor's orders because I work with the public)

    Thank you all for your replies and encouragement.
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #9
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    ninjamom said:

    I will be getting 4 rounds, I keep telling myself "I'm half way there" and that keeps me going. My infusions are on Friday, usually the weekend is not too bad but come Monday it hits me, Tuesday gets worst, Wed & Thusdays are by far the worst days and Fridays I start feeling a little bit stronger but weak legs and arms. So far I have been able to keep food down, I eat every 2 hrs very little, bland foods, lots of protein.

    I really admire those of you who work thru treatments. I have been home since April and won't be going back until Aug. 1st. (doctor's orders because I work with the public)

    Thank you all for your replies and encouragement.

    I am sorry this is so hard for you. It seems there are more like you than there are like me. I was one of the few and the lucky who do not have such a hard time. I would say talk to your Dr. and the chemo nurses...maybe there is something else they could do, or suggest that hasn't been tried yet (or maybe not). This is a time for you to concentrate on getting better...let your body do its thing and let other people take care of you. I have seen some postings about some folk who thought their exhaustion was only due to chemo and found out it was a thyroid problem. Maybe you could ask your Dr. about that? Since you are still on the drugs it's probably just chemo.

    Just keep on remembering that it is temporary and hang on. Best wishes, seof
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
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    Ninja, No you are not alone. I had 4 treatments of Adriamycin/Cytoxan and 4 Taxols. My first infusion of AC was not too bad but my second one made me ill for about a week. Nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and that dizzy, "odd" feeling. I actually considered stopping my treatment. The next 2 treatments were awful also. But I am happy to report, my last 4 treatments of Taxol were ok. Bone pain and fatigue but very doable. What you are going through is normal, hang in there and you will get through it. Just keep taking care of yourself and keep us posted. Blessings, Eil
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #11
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    Thank you all for your encouragemnt. I guess going into this I thought it would be a piece of cake, treatment friday back to work on monday LOL what dreamworld I was in I don't know.
    I'm feeling better now and planning my next round. My husband stays with me until I'm strong enught to be left alone (I almost passed out last time) but, since he doesn't have any more time off, next time he will be with me friday - monday, my daughter monday - wed and my sister will come get me wed. and take me to her house for one week (she can work from home and has vacation time).
    This I hope will give my husband a break as I worry for him. He's been wonderful and is cleaning, cooking (Joylouise..I don't cook either), laundry etc, etc. on top of putting up with my emontional outbursts.

    Thank you all for listening. Keeping you all in prayer.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #12
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    Unfortunately, the chemo doesn't magically diasppate from one round to the next! It is indeed cumulative, and the exhaustion, etc are so very normal. I didn't know that there was such a level of physical exhaustion humanly possible! But there was.

    Just know, it all does reverse itself. After chemo is through, your body will begin to shed itself of all that is plaguing you. Patience is needed, but bit by bit you will simply notice that something you couldn't do last week, you can do this week! And we rejoice with each and every milestone.

    Pace yourself, and keep doing the good things you are doing now.

    Hugs,
    Claudia

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