The two Chemotherapy drugs that I receive are Taxol and Carboplatin.
Chemo days used to be about 6 hours. I get some pre-meds which are antacids, liquid Benadryl, and something else that I cannot think of at the moment. (Chemo brain is a real thing, y’all!) I say used to be because I had an allergic reaction to the Taxol in February, 2023 and now my Chemo days are about 8 hours. (A separate post about this is coming soon.)
Both chemo drugs have similar side effects. The side effects that I get are:
- Hair loss – I’ve lost my hair 4 times now. Every time I’ve taken a break from chemo, my hair grows back. Once I start the chemo (well 17 days after – funny how they can pin point it down to the days like that) my hair starts falling out again.
- Neuropathy/tingling in fingers and toes – I also get these little zings (for lack of a better word) in my legs, arms, hands, and feet. The zings are totally random and are more frequent closer to chemo.
- Mouth sores – They’re not even sores per say, but more like the skin on the inside of my mouth is cut up. I don’t know, it’s weird.
- Food doesn’t taste right or I just don’t want to eat – this is right after chemo and lasts a few days to a week.
- Constipation and diarrhea – it’s a fun combo of both.
- Joint pain – I personally think this is more bone pain for me, but it’s the worst pain I’ve ever been in. Now mind you, I have not been through childbirth, however, I have had a complete hysterectomy and that was pretty painful.
- Nausea – I am *very* lucky in that I do not get nauseous regularly. I also haven’t had days where I vomit or anything like that. I have been nauseous a few times, and usually taking Zofran helps for that.
- Body chills – These happen the day of chemo as well as the day after and sometimes into the 2nd day after. A friend who has been through chemotherapy for Breast Cancer recommended I get an electric blanket for those days. I haven’t done so yet.
- Exhaustion/tiredness – This is a constant while I am going through chemo. Like today, I am 2 1/2 weeks out and I am exhausted. I cannot get enough sleep.]
Now the above are the side effects that I experience. You, your family member, or friend may experience different side effects than I do. My oncologist gave me a binder of information and I’ve found that most of what was in there was true for me.
Tomorrow I’ll post about the allergic reaction I had to chemo.
Till then…Heidi
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