6th August 2004
Hi Kalie,
I had cancer of unknown primary (also called CUP}), which is fairly rare. I was treated with taxol and carboplatin. With taxol, you must take a heavy dose of steroids the night before treatment to prevent serious allergic reactions to the taxol. So, on chemo day, I was full of energy, and ready to eat everything in sight! My doctor also treated me with iv zofran before the chemo, and oral zofran for 3 mornings after the chemo. I experienced absolutely no nausea, not even the slightest queasiness. In fact, I gained two pounds while on chemo.
The only side effects I did have was, of course, the hair loss...but it grew right back when I finished chemo (took only about 2 months before I stopped wearing head coverings and only about 4 months to be back to normal.) Also, the taxol caused very severe pain pretty much all over my body, but since I already have fibromyalgia, my doctor knew that particular side effect was likely to be bad for me, and he prescribed vicodin. The pain, by the way, was only for 3-4 days after chemo, and I only had chemo once every 3 weeks. I also experienced some neuropathy, especially in my feet, from the taxol, and it took about 18 months to really go away, but it did go, finally. All in all, I'd do it again in a flash if I had to. It really wasn't that bad.
My mother had breast cancer many years ago. It was 3rd stage when discovered, and she was on and off chemo for about 8 years. In that entire time, she only missed one day of work, and that was for day-surgery for something else!
My wish for you would be to have as easy a time of it as both I and my mother had, and hopefully, to experience a lifetime remission!
Ruth
I had cancer of unknown primary (also called CUP}), which is fairly rare. I was treated with taxol and carboplatin. With taxol, you must take a heavy dose of steroids the night before treatment to prevent serious allergic reactions to the taxol. So, on chemo day, I was full of energy, and ready to eat everything in sight! My doctor also treated me with iv zofran before the chemo, and oral zofran for 3 mornings after the chemo. I experienced absolutely no nausea, not even the slightest queasiness. In fact, I gained two pounds while on chemo.
The only side effects I did have was, of course, the hair loss...but it grew right back when I finished chemo (took only about 2 months before I stopped wearing head coverings and only about 4 months to be back to normal.) Also, the taxol caused very severe pain pretty much all over my body, but since I already have fibromyalgia, my doctor knew that particular side effect was likely to be bad for me, and he prescribed vicodin. The pain, by the way, was only for 3-4 days after chemo, and I only had chemo once every 3 weeks. I also experienced some neuropathy, especially in my feet, from the taxol, and it took about 18 months to really go away, but it did go, finally. All in all, I'd do it again in a flash if I had to. It really wasn't that bad.
My mother had breast cancer many years ago. It was 3rd stage when discovered, and she was on and off chemo for about 8 years. In that entire time, she only missed one day of work, and that was for day-surgery for something else!
My wish for you would be to have as easy a time of it as both I and my mother had, and hopefully, to experience a lifetime remission!
Ruth