Hi Ladies,
Well done Helen, how brave are you, def in need of a gold star. It will be a lot easier than waiting for the nurse to come everyday.
Reemiechick, I have been waiting for a while too for results re Herceptin, the ductal cancer they found at the beginning was HER- but they then went on to find a large amount of lobular cancer which ended in my having a mastectomy and why I am having chemo even though my glands were clear. My onc told me they were waiting to hear whether the lobular was Herceptin + or - as it could have been the opposite to the ductal. Luckily for me I finally heard this week I am HER- so I won’t need to have it. I thought it was a tablet how wrong could I be.
I’m a week past FEC 2 and still feel pretty grotty but then my lovely OH decided to share his cold with me so that is not helping.
For me one more FEC and then I too move onto Tax.
Reemiechick, try enjoy a few days away and hope everyone else is feeling well.
Love to you all,
Jane xx
Hi Anna
When you say the side effects are more intense with Fec does that mean the sickness as well. I have one more Fec to go then move onto the Tax. I have asked my consultant (who is not the most likeable person)If I could have emend when having Tax he says I wont need it. My argument is he cannot guarantee that I wont be sick so I want the Emend to prevent me from being sick. What are the side efects of Tax. Im dreading it also. My arm is also aching from chemo, plus I am getting aches from the tum injections, feeling pretty yuk at the mo.
Take care all.
Love Karen xx
Hi Karen, i actually felt more sick on the docetaxel than the EC but was not actually sick. And as i say more so with the 1st cycle. The side effects i had started with feeling very flulike, felt i had a temp, but not when checked. I had a furry mouth and throat, but kept brushing teeth and rinsing with salt water. I also had pains all over my body, and was very very tired. The backache i had was due to the injection i had to boost bloods. Also sensitive fingers nails, and almost a numbness in my fingertips. This does all sound dreadful but by day 6 of that 1st cycle i was feeling much better. And i have still experienced the side efects this 2nd time round but they were no where near as bad. That last cycle was the easiest out of all 6, fingers crossed the last 2 will be the same!
take care
anna
Thanks Anna
Do you think I should insist on having the Emend? He seems so adamant that I wont need it but I had such an awfull time with Fec with sickness that I dont want to go through it again. Really wish this was all over. Would have loved to be finished chemo in 2009 but its going to be mid jan, as long as all goes to plan! Did you have an alergic reaction to the Tax as I hear this can also happen - what a blxxxy nightmare!
Karen xx
Hi Karen, When i told my oncologist i felt sickly on the docetaxel he said it wasnt the docetaxel, he said more likely to be the steroids making me sick, so i doubled up on the omeprazole that i take for acid reflux. I still felt sickly but not as bad as first docetaxel. If you are that worried id insist on it, i had codiene waiting this time round for pain, but never used it. It was nice knowing it was there if i really needed it though. I too was worried about allergic reaction, esp on 2nd cycle as nurse had said its more common on 2nd cycle. I took my steroids as directed and everything went well. I didnt even get the racing pulse that i got on the EC that was put down to anxiety. You wont believe how scared i was, believe me i was terrified, and i know we all say this but apart from that 1st docetaxel being really rough, it hasnt been as bad as i imagined it would be. I had even got some diazepam (which i didnt take) because i was so worried. We can beat this.
Thanks Anna
Did the hospital give you the codene or did you buy it yourself? I have been told the best thing to do is take painkillers before the tax so it is already in your system. Are the trots also a side effect? sorry for all the questions. I know the side effects will be different for all of us but I dont think it hurts to be aware of them.
Karen xx
Hi Karen, ask away, i am glad to be of use lol. Yes i got the codiene from my oncologist as i had quite a bit of pain with the 1st cycle, as i say though, not used it so thats great. The pains didnt kick in till about 4, so it wasnt straight away. My bowels were exactly like with the EC, constipated with antisickness tablets, no trots at all. I had my chemo on the wednesday and then by the monday i felt normal again. I also didnt get the mushy brain effect that i got with the later cycles of EC.
Hi All,
Just reading all the posts on Docetaxel - anyone else starting soon? My first is booked for the 17th November (my OH’s birthday!) and am starting to freak a bit. The sickness/nausea is the big one for me… I am day 9 following my last FEC and I still feel nauseous, well a sort of rotten feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Just looking forward to next week when I have got a few complimentary therapies to look forward to. Am having reflexology and something called Shiatsu…sounds like a dog…hope that doesn’t mean dog walking!!LOL.
Lynn x
Hi Lynn, just to say that i have found that most people say they dont get nausea on the docetaxel, so hopefully you wont.
take care
anna
Hi Wills
just to say that I had Emend for my latest (3rd) FEC cycle last week and it made absolutely no difference - felt just as sick as with the ondansetron, so it’s not a guarantee it will be any better. I think there are some of us who are just ‘sicky’ people and no matter what they give it doesn’t make any difference. Some people, unfortunately not me, don’t get sick at all, even without any sickness meds.
I have 3 more FEC to go, so have to do what I’ve done so far all over again - it’s a bit daunting.
Good luck with everything.
Helen.
HI All
I have been following this thread for the last few weeks but thought that I would introduce myself. I had my 3rd FEC on Wednesday. Generally I have not been too bad just sicky feelings for the first 10 days. for me the worst thing was taking the steroids as I cannot settle for 2 minutes. This cycle my GP has given me sleeping pills for the days that I am taking the steroids.
I have my first tax on nov 26th which I am dreading, heard so many bad things about it but it has been good to hear that some of you have not found it too bad. I am paritually worried about the steriods as I have to take much higher doses that with the FEC. I already have gatritis from before which has got worse and the GP has put me on the maximum meidication. Not sure what else I can do the onc does not seem happy for me to have a lower does.
RP
Hi Redpark,
Sounds as though you are doing OK. I start my first Tax around a week before you and have been told the reason for the high dose of steroids - (I have been told to take 4 tabs am and 4 pm) is to prevent an allergic reaction and fluid retention. I don’t like the idea of lots of steroids either as they give me bad indigestion too - but I think it’s just the standard protocol that they follow, so it’s probably the same dose for everyone.
Hmmm - can’t say that I’m looking forward to it either, I’ll let you know how it goes…
Lynn
Hi ladies,
I am a little confused here, I have just read my chemo card which says FEC/T. Does that mean Docetaxel and not Taxotore as I first thought. I know I am to have 3 of each. I’m sure somebody here will know.
I have to say that it does not take much to confuse me at the moment.
Can’t say I particularly want either but I suppose we have no choice.
Lynn, I see elsewhere you are next up on the 17th of Nov at the Marsden, I am also on that day but at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill. I am only about 20 minutes from Sutton and have asked to have my Rads there in the New Year rather than have to go to Guildford every day which is where I shall have to go for the T part of my chemo. They can’t do it at Redhill I think something to do with funding?
Hope you all have a reasonable weekend, this is the first day since last Tuesday, my second dose that I have felt well. I can even drink tea again!!!
Take care, love to you all,
Jane x
Jane…LOL we always seem to post at the same time!!
I assumed that Docetaxel is the same as Taxotere…I think??
I probably live in the same neck of the woods as you as East Surrey at Redhill is my main hospital but I am actually being treated at the Marsden Sutton. As you are only 20 mins away from the Marsden Sutton could you not have your Tax there as well as your Rads? When are you due your first Tax? - they could probably refer you to the Marsden as it sounds much closer to you. Anyway just a thought…
Glad you are feeling better - I had mine last Tuesday too and think am just emerging from the fog. Sounds like our chemo is on the same time scale.
Lynn x
Hi Lynn,
I am one behind you, my last FEC is on the 17th at Redhill. I never thought to ask about having chemo at Sutton as I thought it would all be done at Redhill. It may be too late now to change, I don’t see my onc again until 10th Nov.
I live at Caterham, had my dx at Crawley, surgeries at Redhill, chemo Redhill and Guildford but did ask to have rads at Sutton. I suppose I am halfway between Sutton and Redhill but Guidford will be a horrible journey. Mmm might make some enquiries.
Take care, have a good weekend,
Jane x
Hi again,
Said I was confused, my onc appt is 3oth Nov not 10th. Duh good job I write everything down. It was for the week before but that would have meant seeing him 6 days after next chemo and I don’t think that would be a good idea. I shall probably still feel pretty sick and won’t be able to take anything in he tells me as my head is usually pretty fuzzy at that stage.
Def going to bed now…
Jane x
HI Jane
I have had my Fec at REdhill as well, are you going to guildford of the Tax? I am really sad not to be having it all at Redhill becasue the nurses are so lovely.
RP
Hi all, thought I’d make a post - day 6 of 3rd FEC, feeling poopy but like you I’m already starting to think about Tax and all it holds for us. I’m up for mine on the 23rd, so around the same time as you Lynn and RP (sorry if I missed anyone else)
My onc nurse said the increased steriods are for fluid retention, helps to reduce allergic reaction (one of us are bound to try it), relieves inflammation so helps with joint pains, and sickness. So, bit of a cure all? I think Doxataxel is just the trade name for Taxotere???
It sounds as though the SEs are intense and have a nasty bite, but that they don’t last for so long - this is what I’m hoping for. My onc did say on Monday that I would feel more tired than I have done until now, and to take each day as it comes.
Please can I pick your brain…hints and tips required!
Had a proper weepy day yesterday which was horrid, but today I’m feeling perkier again. The side effect that is hitting me the hardest at the moment is not the sickness or tiredness (although they’re pants) but my sense of loss of liberty. I can’t do the things I want to do and it is very frustrating - I can’t even settle to watch tv or read - and I’m so not used to feeling tired; it’s an alien concept for me that I can’t get my head round. I think it might be easier when I am home again as I’ll not have any one else to consider, but has anyone got any ideas on learning to be patient and to go with the flow that each day brings?
I do hope your Shiatsu was not of the K9 variety Lynn- thanks for the laugh - LOL
Keep perky FECers and Taxers alike:)
Lotsalove
xxx
Hi Loocie,
I think you’re doing really well - I empathise with all the things you are saying and I think it is a general consensus feeling. I am normally a very busy person with lots of work/projects on the go. I feel just like you - as though everything has been sapped from me (particularly the first 11 days). I can’t think straight, I can’t concentrate, I have no motivation for anything and as well as all the side effects I find this very de-moralising. I also have weepy days when I feel so rough - I think it’s Ok to cry occasionally, I don’t see it as a negative thing - it releases tension and stress. I have given up and given into the first week to 11 days and then start giving myself a boot up the backside after this by either going out with my friends or setting myself tasks to do to keep myself as active and positive as possible.
Actually as I write this I am probably not the best person to be answering as I am very impatient and find feeling ill very debilitating.
Shiatsu and reflexology this week - will let you know how the shiatsu went!
I am sure I haven’t been much help - I just think putting into perspective just what we all feel is pretty much the same and it really is a s**t time for us all. Keep strong, you will feel better in a few days.
lots of hugs to you and everyone
Lynn xx
Actually you’ve been really helpful; you’ve summed it up well - the ‘it’ being the fact that it is a sh***y time for us all, and I was a bit disillusioned to think you could go through this without being affected in someway. What a plonker! And, you’re so right, 24hours can make a massive difference can’t it?
Being busy, having lots to do, places to go, people to see is very much what I am about, and it has probably done me a great deal of good to realise that this is something to be cherished, as it is vulnerable. Wont ever take ‘being able to do’ for granted again!
Funnily enough this time round I’ve taken the same approach as you, in so far as I’ve written of ten days and will let them be ‘chemo’ days; after that I’ll strive for a little normality.
Thanks so much for coming back to me, did help, muchly 
Have a good day folks - although it is grey, and dark as hell here in Hertfordshire!
xxx