Question about chemo (Docetaxel)

[WINGER19]

I'm scheduled to start chemo in May, the supervisor is asking me for a time frame as far as scheduling time off. I'm in law enforcement and I'm not sure what to tell him. I know it's an individual reaction and no 2 people are the same. Doctor says I can work, when she asked me what I do for a living, she said don't chase any bad guys. Not the answer I was looking for. Anyone care to share their overall experiences with first round Docetaxel?

[Hidden]

My experience has been that anything strenuous during the first 5 days after the infusion was difficult at best. I did manage to walk 2 miles many of those days, but I walked slowly and sat down a lot. Sometimes I had to turn back. It's mainly that first week that is the most difficult.

My feeling is that if its a "desk" job I think it would be manageable providing you have some understanding from your supervisor. If it's a job where you have to do a lot of physical activity, I would not try it during that first week after the infusion.

Not to scare you, this chemotherapy is not that difficult. But to your body, it is a bit like driving with the parking brake on. It takes a lot energy to do physical things. After the second week, it gets much better and the third week is pretty much back to normal.

Good luck!

[WINGER19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, decided to take the first week off

[Hidden]

Something you could do is take the first week of the first infusion off from work, then you should be able to make a determination for yourself. Like you said, everyone is different and maybe you will have more energy than I did.

[WINGER19 in reply to Hidden]

Good advice, thanks, that is exactly what I am going to do

[Chiquis]

My husband scheduled his chemo on Friday so he would be able to rest the weekend.

First chemo, hardly no symptoms at all.

His symptoms afterwards were a bit of nausea, some diarrhea, loose hair and some fatigue. Overall he did fairly well considering the fact he was and still is taking Zytiga, Predisone, and Lupron. Throughout the 6 rounds of chemo, he only missed work for 7 days. I pray everything goes well for you. Thank you so much for your service. You are not alone.🙏

[Hidden in reply to Chiquis]

Good point on the Friday infusions. I fogot about that. I heard that some working people will even take them on Thursday. That way they just have one not-so-good day on Friday and get past two of the worst days over the weekend. It will still be rough on Monday, but then starting Tuesday it should be improving.

[Chiquis in reply to Hidden]

I agree. Actually out of those 7 days he missed work it was on Monday.

[RustyDakota in reply to Chiquis]

To minimize the time off, consider doing the infusion on Thursday. You will probably feel fine on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be the worst. Probably still tired on Monday, but Tuesday should be a lot better.

Drink lots of water. Lots and lots. Start now.

[WINGER19 in reply to Chiquis]

Thank you for your reply sounds like it'll be the first 4 days. Think I'll just take them off and go from there.

[JavaMan]

Sorry to laugh but your post did make me chuckle. Maybe if you just tell the bad guys you aren’t supposed to run, they will do exactly what you tell them. They might even give you a hug.

[WINGER19 in reply to JavaMan]

Yea she missed the point, I chuckled also

[Hidden in reply to WINGER19]

Make sure you give the bad guys some chemo so you are at least on a level playing field.

[scarlino]

I am on my third infusion. The first two were not bad: hair loss, low energy, some joint pain. This infusion has increased the pain and decreased my energy fairly substantially. I think you have to plan for the worst and be happy with whatever happens after your treatment. I am glad some people are not feeling side effects badly. I am not feeling horrid, but definitely not good. I own my own business so I do have to work, which complicates it a little.

Stay strong, keep a good attitude and pray for minor side effects.

[WINGER19 in reply to scarlino]

Thank you, Ive started with the entire week off during chemo, and bosses are way cool.

[Zetabow]

First session I ended up in ER with temp and needing blood transfusion. All other sessions have been straight forward. I had a lot of pain in my Legs/Ribs which has got better (5th round was just on Friday), it does seem to kick off the pain for 4/5 days then settles back down again.

Best to take the time off first and see how your body copes, then you can figure what you can deal with, the worst thing you want is too push past your limits and end up feeling even worse.

[Cheerr in reply to Zetabow]

Hi, Did you take docetaxel 75 mg (standard dose) for your 1st infusion?

And did you go to the ER after detecting a high temperature at home post chemo?

[Zetabow in reply to Cheerr]

I don't know the dosage amount, yes I went from home, a friend is a GP and I talked with her and she told me to go to ER.

[Cheerr in reply to Zetabow]

Thanks for the info. Was the high temp due to the low blood levels?

[WINGER19]

Thank you for your reply

[j-o-h-n]

BTW don't chase any good guys either.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 04/09/2019 7:42 PM DST (Uncle Sam's Birthday)

[WINGER19]

John I've been doing this for 45 yrs, I pretty much stop chasing anybody, now they call me when they need wit or wisdom, it's a young man's game

[monte1111]

I little wit or wisdom goes a long way around here.

[Muffin2019]

Not as bad as it used to be, little tired, hair loss everywhere but you will make it, drink lots of water, 64 oz a day.