Hi Gang.
Well it definitely wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be !
Cold Cap was horrid initially but manageable ! This will make you laugh… nurses put cap on and tell me it’ll be on for half an hour b4 pre meds. So I’m sitting there all nervous , preparing myself, hubby looking at me asking am I ok. After 5 mins Nurse comes back over & asks how I’m doing. Fine I say, strap is uncomfortable but otherwise great. I’m thinking if this is Cold Capping it’s s doddle ! Nurse then realised she’d forgotten to turn the pump on on the machine ??? Boy then did I feel it ! Hair crisp when they removed it 3.5 hours later.
Felt ok once home but about 3 hours later felt very sick. No vomiting , but couldn’t manage any tea. have slept a few hours but woken up feeling really sick ? Sipping my water and trying to find better position to relieve this feeling!
I start 3 days of steroids tomorrow . Have been told will feel great but been warned of a massive ‘low’ that will hit me emotionally on Monday! Anyone any advise ?
Oh well will try & get some kip x
Hi Jacksprat
Well done, one down! Oops regarding the cold cap though! I cold capped and apart from some thinning I have kept my hair, so fingers crossed for you.
I hope the sickness subsides soon. If not, give the unit a ring and they will change your meds. I was sick on the first round and for the next round I was prescribed Emend. What a difference. So don’t be afraid to ask. Also good oral hygiene is a must. I ended up with a huge ulcer on first round, even the nurses were impressed by the size! They prescribed Gelclair which cleared it up. Also saltwater is good.
With the steroids, they seem to “carry” you through the first few days and then you do get a low. My worse days in terms of feeling rubbish were days 6-9, BUT everyone is different and some people find the first few days the worse. Also they make you very hungry! I have never eaten so much whilst having chemo! For my last round, the Onc suggested reducing my steroids to reduce the lows so I did and it was a bit better.
Hope you’ve managed to sleep.
Sarah. X
Well done for getting through your first FEC and the cold cap. I am on my 3rd FEC and found I got a bit low around about day 5, but it cleared really quickly. It is all about being as positive as you can, that has certainly helped me. It really isn’t as bad as I thought I get that we are all different. Once you are off the steroids you will find you sleep,a lot better. I have been taking Manuka honey 24+ which really helps me sleep and makes me feel generally ok, I am convinced it helps. If you can try and stomach a smoothie of blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, spinach and orange juice it will really boost your immune system too. Just some tips that might help you.
Julie
I start FEC next Friday. I am more worried about the steriods as I am supposed to be getting married next August (8months) and have already ordered my slim fitting dress! Had my hair cut short (from long) on Monday so that impact is hopefully lessenend and have been strengthening my nails in readiness of the chemo. Also bought navy OPI nail varnish for my toe nails as suggested in some other threads on here.
How does does it feel when you are actually having the chemo; do you feel anything whilst having it done? and how quick do some/any of the symptoms arrive.
Not nervous to be honest, just relieved I actually have a date through. I have had to chase up lots of my apointments and just need this to start