Taxol is a relatively mild chemotherapeutic drug, but for some people it can really cause some nasty chest pain. I had 4 doses - one a month - with my third dose my chest over my heart hurt bad enough they put me in the hospital on oxygen and for diagnostic testing and observation over night. (Arterial blood gases at intervals throughout the night was NOT fun!) My tests showed everything was normal - heart and lungs were in great shape. They theorized that the Taxol was irritating the tissues in my chest wall and causing the pain. Treatment? - Tylenol and rest.
I did also have some shortness of breath during the time I was on chemo (and for another month or so thereafter), but as my they monitored my oxygen levels during treatments and on follow up visits and it was always ok, I attributed the shortness of breath to poor quality of sleep and the stress on my body/blood cells from the chemo in general. PLus the bodily stresses of recovering from surgeries, trying to metabolize anesthesia from my system. (Metabolic by-products of anesthesia can take 6 - 8 months or longer to totally clear the body.) I tried to make sure to eat foods that boosted the immune system and provide building blocks for new blood cells, and if I was tired, I rested - even if that meant I couldn't get other things done. Having a window open and a fan blowing for a fresh source of air helped, plus sleeping with my head and chest elevated. (Yes, it's winter now - but if you can crack a window even a little, the cold air may help, as it actually contains more oxygen than warm or hot air.)
Has she reported these symptoms to the oncologist, and what was his response? At the least I would think her bloodwork should be checked - make sure she isn't getting anemic. Pulse oximetry can be done right there in the dr's office if they have the equipment - that would show if her oxygen saturation is ok. They might want to do an EKG - see if there is a heart abnormality, as chemotherapy does have the potential to do harm.
The other thing that can be a problem with chemo, causing shortness of breath, is lack of proper nutrition. The chemo gave me pervasive nausea low-grade nausea/queasiness. I didn't vomit, but boy, my stomach just couldn't settle, food didn't taste good, and I sure didn't feel like eating. Really hard to get the nutrient basics that way. I found myself taking the antiemetic round the clock for at least 5 or 6 days after each chemo - just to minimize the nausea.
If the dr doesn't have any objection, your wife might consider taking some vitamin supplements, especially the B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin D3, if she is able to tolerate them with food. I have some articles about vitamin C and the B vitamins on my blog - you are welcome to look at them. They list good food sources for these - she should eat as much of them as she can tolerate unless the doc says otherwise. Unsweetened concord grape juice - very cold - is a good addition to meals and snacks, as it's very nutritious, and it masks the "bad" flavor of foods caused by the chemo. Really helped me be able to eat the stuff I knew I needed. I also found that I did better with sour or bitter foods, rather than sweet or spicy, or even bland. I ate more saurkraut and Klaussen dill pickles, and drank more grape juice when I was on chemo than I had previously eaten in the whole rest of my life combined - but that was ok because they are all nutritious and contain cancer-fighting nutrients!
Here's the web address for the first of my articles on vitamin B (there are 10 posts on vitamin b, plus the one on vitamin c - you can use the search box to find the rest):
http://motherearthtreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/09/buzz-on
I wish you both the best in getting through this. Keep your chins up - it may seem unending now, but take it one day at a time until you get to brighter days ahead.
Sincerely,
Tre