1st FEC!!

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Hi All
Hope you are all well, i got my 3rd FEC last thursday after being delayed a week, my onc changed my sickness tabs as i suffered with the first 2 she also gave me heartburn tabs and it has worked a treat so i feel like i have won the lottery although i feel very tired body aches and flushes the lack of sickness makes up for everything else,although i am gratefull all these tablets are working i have promised myself i won’t take any after this is all over unless i really have to, with the chemo and other drugs our bodys are taking a bashing, ive got my date for my first TAX and HERCEPTIN im changing hospitals for this so routine will be different but with the added bonus of not starting untill 31st dec for clinic app then TAX 2nd Jan / HERCEPTIN 3rd so hopefully will have a nice christmas, just a bit worried about having TAX and HERCEPTIN together, my onc told me the sickness is not as bad on TAX but other symptoms can be worse, but hey only 3 TAX so hopefully will go as quick as the FEC.

LOVE TO ALL MIZZY *****

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HI Mizzy,
I also would have started my tax on jan 2nd but hospital staff aren’t working unfortunately so will do it a week later. I’ll be keeping tabs on how you are getting on.

Feels bizarre as my wig is coming up for a wash , havent had time to do it ! Its just like the old days when it was attached.

. My friend suggested febreeze (if that how you spell it) got to laugh really . Its the ones taking the mick that get you through it.

How are you 3rd feccers eyelashes doing ? I’ve been heavy on mascara with going out a bit more frequently recently. They still look ok , am monitoring them like a hawk.

night all

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Hi inurdreamsz2

My hubby came with me, but my treatment was over lunchtime. So I wast given hospital lunch and he got nothing! So I sent him packing to get something to eat. I had assumed that I would want him to be there while they were giving the injections but I actually felt better once he’d left - and it just so happened it took him as long to eat his unch as it did to administer the treatment., So I was sitting waiting for the anti-sickness pack etc when he came back and it was all over.

A part of me wishes he had seen all the syringes etc etc to give him some idea of what it involved (but that’s maybe just the cruel streak in me lol!) - he isn’t coming for my next one but that’s mainy cos its at lunchtime again and he need to be at work.

Hope you managed to get some sleep

Margaret x

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Hope it goes well for inurdremasz2. I am having my first FEC on 20th December, so I will be thinking about you.

a

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Hi folks

Just home from hospital after my 3rd FEC and the feeling of knowing half way through is great, it is my birthday so maybe thats why i’m feeling more smiley today.

Hope everyone is doing good, eyelashes are hanging in there and have my first Tax on 31st Dec!!!

Take care
Mel x x x

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Hi Ladies

Here I am back again - bloods again tomorrow so I can hopefully go back for my second FEc that was cancelled last week. What happens if they are still low ? Has anyone experienced that ?

Have felt really crap all weekend, my OH took me shopping last Thursday to buy some clothes - not a good idea, couldn’t find anything I like, feeling very fat and now losing my hair ! Oh what joy, having a bad day again !! Thought as I am week four after my first FEC that I would now be feeling a bit better, can’t get enough sleep, slept for about 12 hours saturday night, back in bed my 1pm Sunday and was there till about 7pm, back in bed again at 10pm.

Not a good day ladies, cuddles to you all
jackie xxx (caroline 2, when are you having your bloods done for your second chemo ?)

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Hello to everyone,

Hi Viv,
I am on day 13 after first FEC now. I’ve been pleased with the way things have gone and the way I have felt so far. I drank loads of water or liquids before and after the treatment. I also ate a small meal before at lunchtime, then had the treatment at about 3pm. I then ate a small dinner. I probably could have eaten more but had heard it was good to keep it small. After that eating small things very often seemed like a good idea.
I didn’t feel too sick, just tired and a bit strange (just not quite with it.) Apart from a bit tired in the afternoons I feel in good spirits now.
My husband came with me as I wanted him to hear everything incase I couldn’t take it in. They tell you loads of things on your first visit and give you lots of tablets and instructions.
I am sure you would be fine on your own. Go with your gut instinct. All the best for Friday.
Love Lorna XXX

Hello Margaret,
Are you still feeling OK. Sounds like you have been out and about. I am still tired thought are you? Had my bloods done today to check the neutro-thingies. Have you got anywhere with the papier mache? I completely surprised myself yesterday afternoon. I got the old crochet hook out and started messing about. Wel l,after about 2 hours I had made a lovely hat. It’s quite unusual, but I’m testing the reaction of friends and if I don’t get the thumbs up I’ll just make it into a tea cosy. I don’t think we use enough tea cosies these days!

Hi Mel,
Happy birthday and congratulations on your third FEC! It’s my birthday tomorrow and my husband has bought me a Yamaha piano. I told him I could play it (grade 3 about 30 years ago). However, it’s just arrived and it turns out I can’t play it. I’ll have to come up with something by the time he gets home.
Hope you are feeling OK. Let us know how you get on. XXX

Mizzy - It’s good they sorted out the sickness. How are you feeling now?

Jackie - Hope your bloods are OK this time. Sounds like you are having a hard time. Are you sure you’re not doing too much when you get up? Sending a big hug.X

Love Lorna XXX

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Hi all

Viv - I’m on day 13 after first Fec (had mastectomy on 13th Nov, started chemo on 28th) - so just waiting for the hair to fall out now ! As Lorna said - I would go with your gut instincts re hubby - if he looks pale as they start the treatment tell him you want a paper or something and send him off lol

Mel - Glad you are getting through your treatments - and Happy Birthday - hope you had a good day !

Jackie - so sorry you’re not having a good time. I can relate to the sleepy-ness - I have never slept so much in my life. Hope the bloods are okay and you get your 2nd out the way

Lorna - I’m feeling fine at the moment, apart from a sore armpit - keeps swelling and then going away again. Have been out and about quite a lot - just walking round local town - usually in the morning when I feel okay. Am also tired, have a lot more afternoon naps than I used to that’s for sure!!. Have told my boss that I don’t intend going back to work till my treatment has finished - unfortunately had to relay that message by email as she is never available )works for the NHS - always in meetings lol!) - she hasn’t contact me at all since I sent the email (mid wek last week) and is still always out when i try to ring - so I guess that went down well !!!
Well done on the crochet - I haen’t done a thing - paper mache, knitting or jigsaws - keep meaning to but mever get round to it lol. How come you’ve had your blood done? Is that routine or cos you were unwell? I don’t get mine done till 2 days before chemo. How’s your hair bearing up - still all there???

I’ve got a busy day tomorrow. Lady is coming round to sort out the design for my daughters wedding cake (she gets married next July), then I have to go see solicitor (haha seems silly now - when I had initial diagnosis the first I did was go and make my will lol) - haven’t signed it yet, then…I’m going for a wee drive in my car (in I can remember how lol).

Love to all - and happy birthday tomorrow Lorna if I don’t get on xxxx

Take care all
Margaret xxxxxxx

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Hi All,

Good to hear your new anti-sickness are working Mizzy, I will start my Tax in Jan too, but still have another FEC to go in Dec beforehand, want to get it over and done with so will be halfway through.

Hi Cally, I also do close daily inspection of eyelashes, which seem to be okay at the moment as do eyebrows (they do look like they’re thinning a bit, but can cope easier with that than eyelashes, I think - probably won’t be saying that if they fall out tho’). Washed my wig this weekend too! really seems to hold smells more than hair, like perfume and food - is yours the same?

Hi Viv, good luck for your first FEC, I think everyone on here says it wasn’t as bad as they thought. My OH does come with me and waits while I have the drugs, find it helps to have someone to chat to, I usually get him to read the funny bits out of the newspapers - think he likes to feel he’s helping too. But having said that, if he couldn’t come for any reason I think I’d be fine by myself too, I just don’t like the cannula being put in and find it’s good to have someones hand to squeeze really, really hard at that point!!

Happy Birthday Mel!! and congrats on being half way through - can’t wait for that point myself, keep crossing them off that list!!

Hi Jackie, sorry you’re feeling low. Hope your next one goes ahead on time, fingers crossed for you. Will be nice to get another one over with. Hopefully you will feel better after next one, I have felt different after each one of mine for no obvious reason, so hopefully just because you’ve been rotten this time doesn’t mean it will happen again.

Hi Lorna, Happy Birthday for tomorrow! Good on you with the crocheting - like the idea of hats, very tempted myself, used to be quite handy with a crochet hook, not with a piano tho’ - completely non-musical (have been known to belt out ‘I feel like a woman’ by Shania Twain on Karaoke once or twice after several large glasses of wine at New Years, but it’s not something I’m proud of!!)

Went to see a nutritionist at the Haven in Fulham today. Was really good actually, she didn’t tell me to give up lots of things, just told me to eat more of other things, which was okay. Got healthy cookbook from her which looks easy to cope with (am not good cook) and am going to try some new recipes - more soups, more tasty salads, more seaweed (maybe not!) Will let you know if I find something irresistible!

Take care everyone,

Lots of love,

Louisa xxx

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Hi all

Haven’t written for a while - I’ve been really busy (back at work). 2nd FEC tomorrow, so I’m not looking forward to it. My hair decided to be nice to me and not fall out before our Xmas party, although it came out in massive chunks over the weekend. My mum’s coming round tonight to cut it (because I threatened to attack what’s left with nail scissors and clippers!). I had my first outing with a wig today and had some lovely comments. I wore the shorter wig I have and most people either ignored me (not recognising me) or did a double take. My class were hilarious and most of them walked past me standing in the hall before they realised who it was.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating!

Vicky

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Hi all

Not having a good day today - day 14 after first FEC and, having felt so good for the last couple of days the worst I was expecting was for my hair to start coming out - it didn’t but I started with the most awful sore throat so took mysef off to the docs - who says I have inflamed tonsils - is going to take bloods tomorrow and make a decision on whether I have second FEC next week…I will be so angry if it is delayed. I already have an appt for getting bloods done next Monday (FEC due on Wednesday) - I’m not having him make a decision tomorrow - I could get better over the weekend !! Here’s hoping…

Hope everyone else is well

Margaret

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Hi all
3rd fec tomorrow and not looking forward to it but want to get it over at the same time. Think its because of trouble with the cannula last time and the horrible resulting bruise . Feel like its just another thing to do in the run up to christmas. I’ve got the 6 year olds school concert that afternoon so I may need to have a box of kleenex attached to me all day.

Of those who are further down the line do you still have hair left ? I am practically bald but what I do have round the nape of neck and hairline is pretty strong and am wondering will that stay .

I’m currently thinking of planning a nice thing to look forward to in January, think after the decorations have come down and the hols are over its going to be a bit tougher . I am pretty upbeat most of the time but January sucks at the best of times !

keep well everybody
cally x

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Hi Louisa
just wondering if the lady at the haven have any good dietary advice you could pass on ? whenever I have asked the medics they just say 5 fruit and veg etc , eat well.

Cally x

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HI all

I’d be interested in the dietary thing too - I am not the best of eaters, have been a very faddy eater since I was young. I don’t eat vegetabes at all, and prior to diagnosis didn’t eat much fruit either. I have tried to up my intake of fruit to five a day (which appears to be wreaking havoc with my digestive system lol).

Maybe soups are the answer, where I could puree the veg - maybe I could eat them like that? Perhaps we should start a recipe thread??

Hope everyone is well. After feeling so awful yesterday, all my symptons seem to have disappeared today - so I’m going to ask doc if he’ll hold off taking my blood and leave it till my appt on Monday. My hair is still hanging in there - although there do seem to be quite a few strands adorning my keyboard as I speak???

take care all

Margaret x

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Hi All,

The dietitian did say a lot of what I was expecting I suppose, but a bit more specifically. She said to aim for 8 portions of fruit and veg per day and to make sure I include parsley and watercress in those. She raved on about smoothies, homemade ones ideally because they’re cheaper and less refined than anything you can buy. Said to cut down on sugar, coffee and dairy products, also cut down on red meat, especially pork, smoked, salted and char-grilled foods. Things to eat are: pulses, beans, berries, peas etc, oily fish, oatmeal, red peppers, tomatoes, heavy rye bread (not just brown), garlic, avocados, seaweed, mushrooms, white fish, salads, chicken…lots of nice food in fact, just not on my everyday menu at the moment!

I did ask her specific questions about my health at the moment so her advice was somewhat aimed at those. I bought a basic recipe book from there which has some nice recipes for soups, salads and some rice and bean dishes. I think you could probably buy the book from them through the internet or post, it has a nice section at the front on diet, cooking methods etc.

Well, just off for a cappuccino and a cream cake - only joking! (but now I think about it…)

Am not feeling too good today btw, bit shakey, really cold, hope I’m not coming down with something, think after feeling so well after first 2 fec have been a bit cocky about this chemo lark! hope I’m not coming down to earth with a bump!

Take care, stay warm,

Louisa xxxx

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Thanks for that Louise - unfortunately the list of things to eat includes almost everything I don’t eat - time for a change of diet methinks.

I am not a happy bunny today - I feel excellent, but after seeing young registrar doc yesterday I was abit annoyed at not being given anti-biotics, given that he could see I had an inflamed throat. Anyway, went back today because he wanted to take my blood. Told him I felt better, no sore throat at all, nothing except a snuffly nose. He said it would still be better to take my blood just in case. So I asked why he hadn’t given me anti-biotics yesterday. He didn’t really have an answer except that I had seemed well in myself.

Anyway - he took my blood and I asked if I should ring for the results tomorrow. He said No, and that if there was anything amiss he’d ring me.

So, at 5.30, my own GP rang me and said he understood I had seen the registrar, so I said yea and that I wasn’t too impressed. He didn’t comment on that lol but said that he had personally rung for my blood results - and that my white cell count is at a dangerously low level and I need anti-biotics urgently!! So hubby has just had a mad dash to chemist to get them before they shut.
I KNEW I should have had them yesterday - partly my own fault, I guess I shoud have pushed harder for them - but I wil certainly be asking for my own GP next time I have to go. Hopefully the anti-biotics will put it right so I don’t miss second FEC next week.

BTW Louise - I was like that yesterday - could not get warm at all, had the heating on and a coal fire going and was still moaning about how chilly it was - so take heed and look after yourself !!

Hope the 3rd Fec went ok Cally - that’s a good idea about planning something nice in January - it’s a depressing time of year under normal circumstances, all dark and cold and no decs to cheers us up. Re the hair - I’m behind you (just coming up to 2nd FEC next week and I have an almighty bald patch where I used to have a parting lol back seems to be holding on but the hair on the top of my head is coming out in handfuls today. OH is going to get the clippers to it in a minute !!!

love to all

Margaret x

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Hi re nice things to do in Jan

may do tea at claridges or ritz just before the next installment .The credits cards are taking a bashing anyway , what the hell I’ll just tell the hubby I’m nipping out for a cuppa with the girls ha ha.

Dont know about everyone else but I’m feeling bogged down by the whole chemo thing. Number 3 today and again 2nd attempt to get the blighter in. Chemo nurse is being super cautious about it being in the right place so I cant complain.
(to all those new to fec dont worry its just me . I break out in a sweat at the sight of a needle!)

I think thats freaking me out more now. So thats the last of my fec ! onto tax in the new year. An hour after chemo I was all moist eyed watching daughter in school concert . Having distractions is the best way to get through this . I have fared very very well overall so far and am just thankful to have no sickness.

So do I stay on the fec board and continue my journey or do we start a new tax board ? may hang around here until the new year :wink:

love all x
Cally

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Thanks for the food tips Louise
my chemo nurse also told me to avoid char grilled/barbequed stuff but I sort of knew that anyway.
dont suppose chocolate and red wine is on that list is it ?

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Well done on getting the third and last fec out of the way Cally. I defo think you should start a new tax board in the new year - and give me tips! I have 2nd fec of 4 next week, then have to have a break for 4 wks of rads - then its onto the dreaded tax - by my reckoning won’t happen get to tax till March some time.

Tea at the ritz sounds very luxurious - hope you get to do it !!

take care

Margaret x

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Hello Everyone

Well day 13 post 3rd and last fec - feel good. (feels really strange saying that). Managing to keep busy - saw daughter in Nativity play today - it was lovely.

Louisa - hope you are feeling better.

Cally - how aare you feeing?

Andrea- Have you had your 3rf fec? When do you start taxotere?

My tax starts next friday - so may well start a new thread and ask advice - not looking forward to it -after everything I have heard. Apparently if you do well on fec you do not do so well on tax. Feel Ihave done well on fec - oh well - got to have it - roll on the spring - just rads then.

Hope you are all well and organised for christmas.

Take Care, Love

Annex