l’ve just had my first dose of docetaxel and I’m having GCSF support injections for a week ( had3 injections so far). I’ve completed my 3 doses of EC chemotherapy with few problems but 4 days post docetaxel I’m struggling. My temperature started to increase 4 hours post first GCSF injection, I have been checked out at hospital and my bloods are ok, cultures due back today but not expected to be abnormal. Last night I changed my night clothes twice as woke up drenched in sweat. My bones and muscles ache, no they are painful. My heart rate which was 62 pre chemo is now 90 at rest and walking up the stairs it’s over 100. One week ago I cycled 30 miles. I was a fit 62 year old, now I feel like an old woman. How have others felt whilst on docetaxel?
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Multigravida1956
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Sorry to hear your having such a tough time I had TAC chemo which includes docetaxel. The day after the TAC I would have an injection in my stomach with the health visitor to stop me getting infections but cannot remember its name. The chemo I have to be honest was pretty bad it does do things to your body you would rather not happen. I had an aggressive cancer and was only 48 years old at the time and still having periods which stopped when I had the TAC. I have now been clear 12 years so please keep up with the chemo it is worth it in the end. You do forget the side effects but I know that the first week I spent in bed in between treatment and it was only by the third week I felt like getting up to do anything and then bang another treatment. All I can say is stick in there and keep going and all my love and thinking of you. My feet and ankles did swell up and that happened for many years after the treatment I have to be careful now because of it.
Thank you, it’s good to hear you’ve had a successful outcome. I did pretty well whilst having the EC chemo and just wasn’t expecting this one to be so tough . I will get through it. I have a grade 3 which was in 2 lymph nodes so I know I need this, just hoping my body is strong enough to complete the course.
Yes mine was a grade 3 and in my lymph nodes but I felt it was worth the aggressive treatment as it works in making sure it does not return. You will come out of it there will be an end for you thinking of you and all the best.
Sorry you are struggling. I did not have that medication so I can not speak to it. 🤝But after you are thru it and come out on the other side you will improve.
I am 56 and like you, was a fit healthy woman prior to this treatment (having built myself up again - but not quite to 100% - from cancer treatment in 2020).
As we get older, we ask ourselves “Do I want to deliberately destroy my health and fitness now, and risk not getting it back fully after treatment because I’ll then be X years older and X chemicals weaker?”
“I wonder if, in 1 or 2 years time and I’m less able to regain fitness, if I’ll be therefore more vulnerable to other cancer, metastasis or indeed non-cancer related illness. Am I losing quality of life now, only to lose it later too?”
When you’re sure this treatment is what you want, my advice to you is DISTRACT YOURSELF TO PASS TIME. Don’t think about how tired you are, try not to compare what you did last month with this month, and be kind to yourself all the time. Take the good days and accept the bad days and this too shall pass. If you can’t do anything, don’t. Accept help. And remember how quickly Christmas comes round each year and imagine what you’ll be doing then, or when spring comes again.
Drink plenty of water.
These are my opinions, thankyou for reading, do with them as you wish. Stay brilliant xx
Thank you, I’m 4 weeks today post chemo. I’m trying to regain my fitness, I’ve had a cycle ride this morning and have been walking each day, but I was 12 days post chemo before I could find the energy to go for a walk. My heart rate after exercise is a lot higher than previously which is concerning but I’m hoping that will improve. Starting radiotherapy next week and have recently commenced Letrozole. Reading your experiences and advice has been helpful.
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