6th CarboTaxol Overwhelming Fatique

[Jan213]

I had my last of 6 CarboTaxol treatments for IIIc about a week ago, March 8th. In the last month I have had two chemos, surgery for a fistula repair, and was hospitalized for dehydration. I am so tired and there is not a bone in my body that doesn't hurt. I am still thowing up in spite of phenergan, zofran and ativan. In my mind I am outside gardening but the reality is I can't do much. My biggest accomplishment yesterday was dragging myself to get my blood work done, and sticking a chicken in the oven. Today, I am having trouble just writing this. My chemo nurses kind of led me to believe I would be right as rain within a couple of days of my last treatment. I know alot of you have gone through this and I would love to hear how you all faired after your last chemo. Thanks
    

[dkw139]

I had my 1st chemo treatment Carbo/Taxol on Thursday.   I did not feel any bad effects from it and I fill pretty good this morning as well.  It probably won't last...I know the exhaustion will set in. I did take a Zofran pill that night and again the next morning to help prevent any vomiting.  I still feel ok, except for a little itchiness on my arms and legs.  My next treatment is on April 4th so at least I have a reprieve for awhile.  The port really hurt after the doctor put it in and I can't lift anything heavy with my right arm.  It is very tender and even a little swollen. It's hard to even comb my hair or lift my arm at all. I hope the tenderness goes away soon because  I'd like to be able to comb my hair a few more times before it's gone!!!
Thanks for all your info on what to possibly expect from all of this.

[SimplyStar]

Leslee is 4 months out from chemo and still gets extremely tired.  Your bodies have all taken a terrible toll on all your systems,  eat nourishing foods, drink plenty of fluids, get as much rest as you can and excerise daily.  It won't happen over night but you will get stronger. If your body needs 9 - 10 hours sleep per night, try to get it.  Did you know that sleeping is when the body repairs itself?  Do some relaxing therapys before bedtime,  music, good book, aromic candles, quiet time, use a sleep aide if you have too. Leslee goes to bed most of the time now 2 hours earlier than before she got sick. She trys the hot tub most nights, and drinks Sleepytime tea some nights.  She still just works half days,  because exhaustion hits her after 5 hours at work.  If someplace on her body is hurting she heats up a rice pack and takes it into bed with her.  Plus she tells me her dogs keeps her feet warm.  I told her to imagine I was holding her like when she was a baby and rocking her to sleep at night.  Free your minds of the thoughts of your problems.  I know , easier said than done,  but try to rest your brain too.  If you can,  give all those problems to God,  you will be surprised then how good you feel to know that  He will be there to help you.   Know that there is an gramma in Iowa that cares about you, and you are all in my prayers each night.   Marty

[dian07]

I can hear the plain exhaustion and desperate desire to "get back to normal".....wow...those days were so tough to endure....I did the best I could but it was tough......the first two weeks were really difficult....the third week I started feeling better...then it was time for chemo again.
Right now I am nearly two years out from diagnosis....16 months out from my last chemo......I am still tired.  I don't fight it or feel guilty anymore....this is just how it is.....I am okay with that.....I do get frustrated with the effects on my memory and my concentration skills.....oh well......I am not complaining at all.....I am a very lucky lady....you will be here too.....just take care of you.....if you are tired or feeling sick do whatever you need to do.....no guilt....your onlly job is gettint through this....and you will.....just take care of you.....
Peace.
dian

[Jan213]

You said you push yourself to keep doing stuff and I guess that is good, but don't push yourself to much.  This isn't like you had a bad nights sleep and can force yourself to get through the day. When you are tired don't push it.  There are alot of reasons I am still so tired and sore.  I didn't take any steroids with my chemo and I only weigh 102.  GYN ONC said the weight loss alone would make me tired for awhile. Couldn't take the steroids cause I have bad reactions to them so don't have much but a gallon bag full of pills.  Good luck to you on this round of chemo.

[Helmar]

Hello... I'm  sorry to hear of your fatigue, but I'm going through something similar, although I'm on Taxotere/Carbo. I had this combo in '04 and didn't get fatigued at all, but I've been on other chemos since. It's really bad for almost 2 weeks after the infusion, but then I'm back to my best in the 3rd week just when they dish up another lot. :-)   I push myself though... I refuse to lay around, and I do the usual stuff, although at a slower pace of course. Do you sleep o.k.? I don't sleep too well, but I'm not taking sleeping pills.... I must be getting enough sleep, otherwise I would lay down during the day.
Everyone is different in how they manage all facets of this disease and treatments, so I'm sure your fatigue will pass, and you will soon be feeling much better soon. My appetite has stayed with me, so maybe that helps too... if you can eat good nourishing good after the chemo.
Wishing you all the best.... and hope you will soon feel really well. *hugs*//Helmar...

[westgal]

I completed my 6 treatments in October 2006. It was four weeks before I felt like the chemo had left my system. Then I was very tired for another four months even though I received two units of blood the day after the last tx. There is an excellent book called After Cancer Treatment: Heal Better, Faster, Stronger by Julie K. Silver, M.D. that is a great guide to recovering from chemotherapy (along with regular check-ups). Take care.

[westgal]

I completed my 6 treatments in October 2006. It was four weeks after treatment ended before I began to feel the chemo had left my system. Then, I was very tired for another four months even though I received two units of blood a day after treatment ended. There is an excellent book: After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger by Julie K. Silver, M.D. that I found on my own that is a great guide to recovering from chemotherapy (along with regular check-ups). You have been through alot and need time to heal. I hope you had a good response to the Carbo/Taxol like I did. Take care.

[westgal]

I completed my 6 treatments in October 2006. It was four weeks after the last tx that I began to feel as though the chemo was leaving my system. Then I was very tired for another four months after tx ended even though I received two units of blood a day after tx ended. You have been through alot and it takes time to recover. I hope you had a good response to the carbo/taxol like I did. There is an excellent book After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger by Julie K. Silver, M.D. that I found on my own that is a very good guide to recovering from treatment (along with your regular check-ups). Take care.  

[westgal]

I completed my 6 treatments in October 2006. It was four weeks after treatment ended that I felt as though the chemo was leaving my system. Then, I was still very tired for another four months even though I received two units of blood a day after tx ended. There is a book called After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better Stronger by Julie K. Silver, M.D. that is an excellent guide to recovering from chemotherapy (along with regular check-ups). You have been through a lot and need time to recover. Take care.

[Jan213]

I am so sorry for the 3 entries.  When I tried to submit it I kept getting an html error message so I didn't think it went through.

[westgal]

I completed my 6 treatments in October 2006. It was four weeks after the last tx that I began to feel as though the chemo was leaving my system. Then I was very tired for another four months after tx ended even though I received two units of blood a day after tx ended. You have been through alot and it takes time to recover. I hope you had a good response to the carbo/taxol like I did. There is an excellent book After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger by Julie K. Silver, M.D. that I found on my own that is a very good guide to recovering from treatment (along with your regular check-ups). Take care.  

[Jan213]

My fistula was caused by the surgery.  I can't blame the Dr. though, it was a mess in there.  Had to have blood transfusions.  My ovaries were 11 and 14 cm and he was trying to get them out whole since all of the cancer was inside.  I had a vaginal/bladder fistula and had to have a catheter for 3 months until they could do the surgery.  It sounds like your sister has a vaginal/rectal fistula and that is a little more compllicated.  I hope your sister does well with her treatments. I have found great comfort in my local Gilda's Club and I would encourage anyone to go if you are close to one.  Good luck.

[Jan213]

My fistula was caused by the surgery.  I can't blame the Dr. though, it was a mess in there.  Had to have blood transfusions.  My ovaries were 11 and 14 cm and he was trying to get them out whole since all of the cancer was inside.  I had a vaginal/bladder fistula and had to have a catheter for 3 months until they could do the surgery.  It sounds like your sister has a vaginal/rectal fistula and that is a little more compllicated.  I hope your sister does well with her treatments. I have found great comfort in my local Gilda's Club and I would encourage anyone to go if you are close to one.  Good luck.

[Jan213]

My fistula was caused by the surgery.  I can't blame the Dr. though, it was a mess in there.  Had to have blood transfusions.  My ovaries were 11 and 14 cm and he was trying to get them out whole since all of the cancer was inside.  I had a vaginal/bladder fistula and had to have a catheter for 3 months until they could do the surgery.  It sounds like your sister has a vaginal/rectal fistula and that is a little more compllicated.  I hope your sister does well with her treatments. I have found great comfort in my local Gilda's Club and I would encourage anyone to go if you are close to one.  Good luck.

[kmoe]

I am so sorry for your troubles. My 45 year old sister had second round and had a very hard time 2nd and 3rd day. She also had fistula from first chemo after one week, residual cancer on sigmoid may have been the cause. That is creating all kinds of problems with pain in rectum and up front. Her heart rate is also high and she is on Beta blockers. I was wondering how the fistula surgery went and what they did. I think she has a large one and was told no surgery unless cancer mass goes away on scan. They would perform a temporary colostomy for minimal recovery. She had some tumor supposedly grow back before starting chemo. She is grade 3 Endometroid type, Stage 2C. I am just praying the chemo works. Her CA-125 went down from 195 to 95 after first round. I think this chemo is going to be very tough for her with everything going on as she may even need more than 6 rounds if it keeps working. I hope you get your strength back soon. If you feel like commenting on any suggestions on dealing with fistula thanks but I totally understand if you don't. There are so many woman fighting this battle and it is so hard. A loving brother. God bless.