Hi to All!
Just a wee quick good luck to everyone having Chemo over the next few days.
Will be thinking of you!
I can’t wait till 1st October when I’m due FEC No2! Is that weird?? Lol
Hazel x
Hazel,
I thought my story was bad enough until I read yours - I was misdiagnosed a year ago. I have multiple cysts but went to get a specific lump checked. The consultant (not that I now call him that!! - who was extremely arrogant and dismissive) reported on a cyst that I didn’t know I had but had not reported or taken ultrasounds on the one I went with - bit naieve of me because I thought he had taken scans of the lump I went with. He basically told me I had multiple cysts and not to worry. The lump got bigger over the year and went I went back to get a second opinion (albeit stupidly late on my part) and to get it drained I was then given the bad news. In hindsight I wish I had got a second opionion at the time because I didn’t like him and his arrogance - unfortunately the alarm bells didn’t ring loudly enough.
I am having my 2nd FEC 6th October so am just behind you by a few days. I am day 6 of 1st FEC today - had a really bad throat over weekend, difficult to swallow. Got some anti-fungals but it feels as though I have got a sherbet lemon stuck in my throat! Nausea back a bit today too - not sure why though?
Some of you are so fantastic - I read that someone was going to the gym, doing weights etc. At this point I just feel as though I have done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson in the ring…Is anyone else a bit wobbly when they walk, I feel that I can’t quite walk in a straight line!! I wish I had a more upbeat attitude like you Hazel - I can’t bear the thought of the second one!
Lynn x
Hi Lynn and everyone
Just do me a favour and check your tonsils for anything white, only saying this because i felt the same and it was tonselitus (sorry about spelling!. You probably have checked but just to be on the save side. A course of anti-biotics cleared it up.
Yes, the girls on here really cheer me up too! I went for a walk today (after i read about Helen cycling to the gym!!) and am going to get my wigs tonight and then go to the casino!! Bit naughty, but you need to do something naughty occasionally, i have been living like a nun since my first chemo!
Start new job tomorrow, am determined to do as much as i can of it but will have to be realistic, need my wigs for that as hair is
still on but not dyed my usual fake blonde and looking very greasy !
Hope the guinea pig bite is getting better!
Keep your chins up everyone! May have a glass of wine for the first time in two weeks tonight!
xx
Sorry can’t believe i wrote ‘save’ side when I clearly ment safe side! I blame it on the loopy juice! xx
Hi Lynn
don’t worry - you are only on day 6 of your cycle - it will get better. On day 6 I was just about doing a walk around the block and that was it. I found I felt ok after day 6 and all the side effects had gone by day 11 or so. Now day 19 and feeling great - just a bit dubious about disappearing hair. And not half as scared about the next lot on Thursday as I was three weeks ago. We’re all different but I’m sure you’ll feel better as the days go by.
I’ve just got back from an hours cycling and an hours exercise class and am absolutely knackered - had to walk the last hill home. But it’s good post-exercise knackered not bad fatigue knackered, if you know what I mean. I might be forced to sit on the sofa for some of the afternoon, though. I am getting some dvds ready for the forthcoming weekend and am expecting to be glued to the sofa for several days.
Is anyone else experiencing chemo brain? I am not sure but I keep catching myself doing odd things, like putting the wrong thing in the microwave or forgetting what I went upstairs for, although I did use to do this anyway. Am I going senile or was I just like this anyway and didn’t notice?
good luck with the new job Trumpet - I can’t believe you both got and are starting a new job while in the middle of this - you must have a good new employer and I hope it goes really well.
all the best
Helen
Thanks Trumpet and Helen for reassurance - did get throat checked out yesterday, I have got a few white spots but she didn’t think it was thrush or tonsillitis. And strangely its better today - hooray, can swallow properly now. Actually feeling much better today - just got to get the last side effect of constipation (sorry! - not nice talking about the bowels!)sorted out and then I think I am back in the land of the living!!
Thanks for your comments - they have been a great help
Lynn x
Hi all,
Am back from first FEC’ing and feel fine, although already things taste strange, or that might be the mouthwash I’ve just tried. It really wasn’t as bad as I imagined and I’m going to make the most of these days when the steroids are still knocking around.
How did it go for you GemJunkie??
Hope everyone else ok.
Love
Al
x
Hi all,
My first FEC was awful I’m afraid. I became terribly sick and had to go to hospital for two days. I couldn’t keep fluids or anti sickness meds down.
I got home Sunday night and just resting now. Think my mouth is getting a bit rough, headaches come and go but nausea is under control.
My next session will be done as an inpatient as my reaction was so bad the last time. Did anyone else experience pain when the Epirubicin was going into the arm?
R
hello girlies, sorry not been around, got a bit wiped last week then partied with 2 of my brothers at the weekend - wiped again (whoops). Got good blood results today so can have chemo tomorrow - good to be getting on with it!
Reemiechick and Lynn sorry you have been having a rough time, hope things get better for next time around!
Hazel, I had a TRAM flap in 1999 after first bc treatment and although it was a big op, I have never looked back from it - I love my new baby bosom - was absolutely terrified that I would lose it this time around!
Although its a long op, I think it was worse for OH as I was asleep the whole time! had a rough week afterwards but soon picked up. Very happy to talk separately about it if you would find that helpful.
Re work - I really admire those of you who are keeping it going, I have to confess I haven’t worked since the day I was diagnosed (this time, not originally!!!) thats psychological rather than physical, although i am tired all the time.
stay well everyone
lots of love to you all
Monica xx
Hi All!!
Reemiechick,
Sorry to hear you had such a rough time of it! Hopefully they’ll be well prepared next time & be able to adjust your medication prior to your FEC and you’ll find it so much easier.
My Onc nurse has said she’ll change my anti sickness drugs after my 2nd FEC to try & stop me feeling so nauseas during week 1. There are so many different drugs out there & it’s just a case of finding out what works for you.
Al,
Glad it all went smoothly for you…hope the SE’s stay away :o)
Trumpet
Good Luck with the new job!
I’m feeling almost 100% normal at the moment…a little nervous that I’m gonna get a giant slap in the face in the form if some horrendous SE’s soon tho! LOL…almost forgot for a moment today that I have BC…then my 2 year old told me that she loved me & that I was her best friend…Que blubbering wreck!
Anyone else still sobbing uncontrollably at times…or is it just me?? Beginning to think that I might be heading towards the need for some counseling…OMG PLEASE NO! Maybe just the chemo messing with my hormones tho…have the spotty teenage look going on at the moment & the tears start with very little warning!
Oh & Helen…Chemo Brain??..today I put the butter in the sink, the knife in the bin & my sons toast crusts in the fridge!! HMmm…never done that before…my kids found it hysterical!..9 year old had to phone his Granny to tell her that Mum’s having ‘Senior Moments’ too!!
:o)
Love to All
Hazel x
Hello fellow FECers
Wow breast cancer investigation and dx is so different for everyone - my heart goes out to the ladies who were cast aside for so long by arrogant ‘consultants’ i have had pretty good dealings except on first tests when i was 90% sure it was a cyst and te registrar asked me if i had any questions - almost did not ask - had to think then asked ‘oh what is the possibility of it being BC’ he immediatley looked me in the eye and said ‘It is HIGHLY possible’(or probable)I cant remember I just glazed over and had to get out of the room.
I am feeling sick as a dog tonight and very woozy and wobbly, don’y like this at all. Hope you are all feeling as good as possible my cyber friends - hope you can all sleep ok tonight - catch up with you tomorrow Lyn xxxxxx
Hazel
as for chemo brain - so far I’ve filled the coffee machine with tea leaves - it tasted absolutely disgusting and took me and the OH ages to work out what I had done. And yesterday I went to make porridge and put two weetabix in the saucepan! You’ve gotta have a sense of humour with BC!
My hair is going! It started really shedding in the shower this morning - loads of hair everywhere. If it carries on at this rate I’ll probably run out of hair in a couple of weeks! It doesn’t show yet so I’ll go with the cold cap again tomorrow and see if I can hang on to it a bit longer. I suppose I could avoid washing it completely, but I think that would make me feel truly disgusting so don’t think I could bear that.
As for the sobbing Hazel, it’s probably just your hormones - I’ve been having PMS symptoms since I started chemo. I think my ovaries and the chemo are battling out (using my tender breasts as a battle field) and today the ovaries obviously won as my period started, bang on time (unusually). But have some counselling anyway - I had some to help make the decision about chemo and I found it very good. Didn’t help with the decision but it’s good to talk to someone who is trained to listen. One of my main problems I had at the time (and still do) was that I was concerned I was feeling too good about BC which seemed to me the opposite to what I should be feeling! The counsellor and GP both said this is not unusual as with BC you don’t tend to feel ill during diagnosis -it’s all the treatment which makes us feel crap. I’m still waiting for it really to hit me, I think I’m having a very large case of denial.
Monica - maybe you need to cut down on the partying! Hope it goes well today and may your next few days be SE free.
Reemie - hope you’re feeling better now and they can sort out the drugs for you better the next time. I have a central line and was really scared when they injected the drugs as they go straight into my heart and I felt I was going to either feel it or have a heart attack. Obviously I didn’t do either and it wasn’t a problem. I really must have more faith!
May all your lives be free of side effects!
Helen.
Hey Everyone
Hope you’re all well today!
Helen, PMSL at your Chemo Brain antics! Tea in the coffee machine is classic!
And as for the hair!! Well…2-4 weeks they told me my hair would hold out!! It’s only day THIRTEEN today & it’s coming out in handfuls! So not fair…should have lasted until at least tomorrow!! :o(
Obv I knew it was coming, but it certainly didn’t make it any less of a shock! I had great fun grossing out my friends on the way back from school this morning tho! LOL…Look what I can do…huge handfuls of hair coming out in clumps…gotta make the most of a bad situation!! …OOh doesn’t that make me sound like a teenager?? :o) ‘On the way back from school’…I obv mean from dropping my kids off!! LOL
In seriousness tho I did find it too awful to bear, how quickly it was disappearing, so I’ve just done a Britney!..I soooo don’t suit the GI Jane look! In fact I look exactly like my brother, which was an even bigger shock!!..can just imagine my poor hubbies face when he gets in from work tonight!
To try & ease the poor guys impending trauma I’ve slapped on a bit of makeup & looked out the Beau Beau’s I bought in prep & now look a little more girly (opted for pink camo!)!..roll on the rest of my scarves arriving in the post, because I really don’t think a wig is for me!
…Can you believe custom & excise slapped a charge on my Beau Beau scarves?..the bleedin package even states ‘Medical Headwear’!! It’s not like I’m trying to avoid paying VAT or anything…I just couldn’t find anything similar in the UK!
Grrrr!!
Hazelx
Hi all, sounds like we’ve all been up to mischief in some way, shape or form.
First experience of FEC was harsh! Sickness and nausea a nightmare, but hope I’ve turned the corner on that now. In bed since I got home on Mon, but feel like getting up now.
My mum was so chuffed that my cat had been eating all of the food put down for her, until we just discovered she’d only been putting down half a portion! LMAO - can you get chemo brain by proxy!
Hi everyone. I’m due to get my 5th out of 6 FEC tomorrow. What an interesting thread. Funny how we all react differently to chemo. Anyway just thought I’d share my experiences. I find my taste for food and drinks changes - sometimes something very bland like soda water works for me, and my tastes for food have been different each time. After 1st chemo I wanted lots of stodgy food (think perhaps because of the steroids), but other times I have craved lots of fish, or one time it was cold milky things like ice-cream. I have had bad constipation straight after each cycle, and now take movicol as a precaution as soon as I return from each chemo appointment. It does the trick for me but is DISGUSTING. I can just about swallow it mixed with orange juice, but I can’t stand it at all after the second day, not even a sip. The epirubicin, the ‘E’ in FEC, affected my veins after the 2nd cycle, and they grew hard to touch, so the nurses decided to put in a PICC line, which has helped that a lot. Wish I had had it put in earlier, although maybe not many people have trouble with their veins turning a bit hard. I’m still feeling not too bad overall, and I’m still at work part-time, but I feel a bit more tired and my side effects are lasting longer now. I think I’ve been quite lucky so far, but you never quite know how each dose is going to affect you, and I’m nervous each time I go in for my next cycle. One thing that is constant - I am quite emotional about day 3 - day 6, and can burst into tears very easily. Then it passes and I kind of bounce back to normal. Anyone else like that or is it just me? I can’t wait till after tomorrow and I can say only one more to go. Good luck, good luck and more good luck to you all who are on the brink of chemo or are already started.
Hello all
I had my first FEC 100 on Tuesday - Tues night was very very nauseas - yesterday bad head felt fluie. This morning took the steroids and domperidone (champagne? - I wish Dom Perignon) at 8.30am and they are not working. I rang the chemo unit and said I can feel the nausea returning and at first she just said try a dry bit of toast and a fizzy drink - like when you are pregnant and have no alternative. The nurse said that I am through the critical stage and am now in the chronic phase and that there is nothing they can do - only to come in if i have bad vomiting! I explained that I suffer from sea/travel sickness and had terrible morning/all day sickness when pregnant and that I was not happy with this and immediately started crying- they tell you to ring if you have a problem and that you do not have to put up with SE’s and there is always something else! Well she then spoke to her manager and rang me back and said she would speak to the pharmacist. Rang back 5 mins later and said yes there is something they can prescribe and to get someone to come and collect it. That was after I mentioned to her that I am private and should I ring my ONCs secretary and get him to come back to me or speak to them about it?
I was not arrogant with it but mentioned that I have access to my doctors! So the moral is do not put up with their first ‘computer says no’ attitude - I have had this with banks, bulding societies, mobile phone companies etc in last few weeks and we really do not need the additional stress of bog standard answers. Had my rant - just waiting for the medication to arrive - hurry up please…yuk yuk yuk. Head a bit better today but do not feel like eating anything so far. Hope you are all coping beter than me - Love Lyn x
Hi
I had my first lot of Fec last Wednesday and had a terrible reaction to it. 2 hours after getting home I was violently sick and stayed that way all through the night and the following morning. I went back to the hospital after they suggested trying different tablets (which I could not keep down) to be rehydrated and I was then sent home with more tablets. Have felt awful since the chemo and am now dreading my 2nd lot which is on the 6th October. I spoke to the BCN this morning and she said oh dont worry they will get it sorted for you, that somehow has not filled me with confidence. Today I feel like I have a cold coming but dont know if I am exaggerating my symptoms as I think I must be coming up to my low immune time. Any advice anyone? I am really really dreading my next lot of chemo and its all I am thinking about.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Sorry to hear of your awful experience - I have a bit of a phobia of vomiting and before I had my first FEC 9 days ago I trawled this site for ideas to help. I found a new drug (well I am not sure how new it is) called Aprepitant or Emend that has proven to be very effective in preventing vomiting. I also googled it. I consequently asked my Onc for this and although they don’t normally give it as routine ( I am not sure why - I can only assume expense!)I did get it. 1 tablet is taken 1 hour before chemo, 1 the next day and the final one the day after, along with all the anti-sickness meds. I was nauseous for 3 days but no vomiting. I would suggest you ask for it as I don’t think it is widely publicised. I had the feeling that they keep it in reserve for people like yourself but I can’t be sure. I had a feeling of flu too but with no temp so I think that is yet another side effect. I have had all side effects except mouth ulcers! But I am day 9 now and feeling fine albeit a bit tired - did some gardening this morning and about to go out for a walk. I just feel that if you don’t ask you don’t get. Good luck - hope this helps
Lynn x
ps my next FEC is 6th October too - let’s hope it’s not so bad for us both but particularly you next time round
Lynn
pps sorry being a bit dippy at the moment but I just thought of another thing that I think possibly helped. I took Lorazepam (for anxiety) the evening before the chemo followed by a sleeping tablet and slept like a log (but haven’t since unfortunately) and then took another Lorazepam on the morning of the my first chemo day. The Lorazepam just helps to calm you a little (it reduces the adrenalin that’s pumping). I ate a sandwich only before the chemo and had some toast when I got home.
Think that’s all - I’ll try not to do any ppps’s!!
Lynn x