1st FEC!!

Public Archive
21

HI Anne
my children are 6 and little one was 2 in september. The day is long but at least she gets a daytime nap. I havent been sick at all , but today i have been gardening a bit too vigorously and my back is seriously painful. I guess I cant do things as I did before but at least its self inflicted. Got a bit irate last night with a well meaning cousin saying you must be feeling sick and weak ! I hate to say it but am actually trying to be positive about this whole thing and apart form anything else I had just emailed her to say how well I was feeling. (with friends like those …think I should be ranting on another thread!)
On day 8 and still hair hanging on in there , hard to believe i’ve probably got a week or so of it left.

Cally x

22

Vanessa, Lenise and Anne,
Hope your second FEC went ok.

Cally,
My hair started coming out on day 14, if I pulled my hair just slightly it would come out. By Day 15 it was very thin, and my scalp felt very sore. Today - day 16 - I got hubby to shave it! I can’t believe my 15 month old didn’t bat an eyelid with my new hairdo…he is more concerned about the silly hats mummy is wearing (i have been wearing my sleep hat around the house this evening!).

A xx

23

Hi All

Hope you are all well. Had 2nd chemo friday and feeling not quite right - cannot put my finger on it. Was threatened with long line has had 5 attempts to get vein but only have 4 more left to go so decided to wait and see.

Vanessa - how was your 2nd?

A apologise for not naming more names but have chemo brain. Will go off to bed soon.

Take Care, Love

Annex

24

Hi Anne,

Hope you feel better tomorrow and sorry to hear they had trouble putting the cannula in, for me that’s the worst bit. I know sometimes it’s cold and it’s hard to find the vein, my onc said to keep myself really warm prior to arriving at the oncology unit, wear gloves even if it’s not cold, don’t know if it will help. If mine isn’t in after two tries I ask for someone else to try. I think some nurses are just better than others at finding veins. Or maybe I’m just stroppy!!

My second is on Thursday, dreading it really, but hey will be another one crossed off list eh?!

Take care,

lots of love

Louisa xx

25

Hi everyone

Sorry not to add to thread before now but 1st FEC knocked me sideways. Sick as a dog for 3 days and it finally stopped by Friday but didn’t get appetite back until Saturday. Spoke to the onc dept. and they said to get to docs before next one to get extra meds - I have everything crossed that it is not the same next time.

Went and got my wig yesterday - hair is hanging in there - thnk it must take a lot of courage to wear the wig out for the first time- have spoken to quite a few that said they lost it around day 14 - I give it a gentle tug in the morning and not a thing and I think deep down I think it isn’t going to fall out - what a shock it will be.

Anne - hope you are feeling ok after your second chemo - sorry to hear about the problems you are having with the cannula - up here they dunk your hand in a basin of quite hot water for five minutes to bring up your veins before putting in the cannula - it seemed to do the trick but maybe after a few times even that won’t work as well.

Louisa - good luck for Thursday - it is a good way to think of it as being another crossed of the list - that thought will be in my head for the next one.

Hate to mention the big C - but have you all bought your santa hats to wear on christmas day!!! Be a nice change to a wig or a scarf - Cally I bet a santa hat will bring a smile to your wee ones face.

Oh housework calls - hope you all have a good day.

Love Lenise XXXXXX

26

Hi all feccers !
well bang on cue like so many of you have said hair is coming out ridiculously today (day 14) I didnt know how I would feel and maybe I need another 24 hrs to think about it but things are moving fast. I have a morbid urge to pull it out so I guess thats my cue to get it cut off .
Amazing that it was so strong just a couple of days ago , so this drug must be on a timer.

Cally xx

27

Hi everyone,

Cally, sorry the inevitable is happening! cut mine very short yesterday. Had been shopping on Monday and standing at cash desk in H&M, looked down to see small pile of hair on white counter, v embarressing! So went for the Sigourney Weaver in Alien look (bit frightening!). Find now it’s really short I don’t touch it so much so it’s not falling out quite so badly. Think may all be gone by weekend though so have been stocking up on more scarves - Zara has some lovely silk ones!

2nd FEC tomorrow, large glass of wine tonight!

Take care all, lots of hugs,

love, Louisa xxx

28

Hi Louisa , where did you get your headwear from ? startting to wonder if i have enough options !
Cally

29

Hi Cally,

I have some nice cotton 30" square scarves from headcovers.com (based in the States, but my order arrived within a week) which were only 7 or so. They also do an extra wide headband which is good for under hats that don’t come down far enough at sides or back and a ‘scarf gripper’ which is like a headband that sits under your headscarf and stops it slipping. I have also got a couple of large square silk (not real) scarves from H&M at about £5 each which are nice and thick and don’t leave you with a ‘small head look’. Also! Zara have some lovely square real silk scarves (bit more pricey but very pretty) which are big enough to tie over and then round the front again like a turban.

Hats, H&M do a nice wool beret that can be pulled down low at back and sides and fits over small silk scarf too. And Jigsaw do a fantastic wool cap with a bobble, that comes down nice and low at the back and sides and again doesn’t leave you with ‘small head look’. Jigsaw also have a really good selection of shirts with pintucks at front and jersey dresses with pintucks which hang beautifully if you’ve had surgery and don’t want to wear anything too clingy! btw - I don’t work for Jigsaw, just love my shopping!!!

Had to cut the rest of my hair off this morning as had some very large bald patches after showering this morning. So, am wearing nice cotton scarf and feel okay about it actually. May get wig out at some point, but at moment am feeling confident about being me in a scarf!

Take care Cally,

Lots of love

Louisa xxx

30

Hi everyone

Sorry I have not been around this week. 2nd chemo knocked it out of me a bit, but today is day 7 so feeling much better. Hopefully will have a good two weeks before 3rd and final fec then on to the dreaded tax.

I got all my headwear from bandanasrus - Paula the lady that owns the site had BC herself and handmakes all the bandanas - they take about 5-7 working days to come - but are gorgeous. I know have 7 (1 for every day of the week!!!) and so many people have commented on them. I have to say I love them - and have not even put my wig on - prefer the scarves!!! Not sure OH is going to be so thrilled after the money I spent on the wig!!! (only joking - bless him - he says do what ever makes me feel more confident!!) (He actually likes the commando look!!!

Lenise - hope you are feeloing better - you need to speak to your chemo nurses and get your drugs changed- so the sickness is more manageable.

Louisa - sounds like you have as many scarves as me! HOw are you?

Cally and Andrea - how are you doing?

Sorry I have not named everyone - defo have chemo brain.

Take care, hope you all have a side effect free week-end

Love

Annexx

31

Hi Anne,

Bandannas sound good, may try them myself - any shopping opportunity!! Just had my 2nd FEC yesterday and am feeling surprisingly fine. Got my anti-sickness drugs changed and more of them and they’re working a treat! Also spoke to my onc yesterday about my regime, we were talking about changing it last time. Have settled on 4xFEC followed by 4xTAX. So, will be joining the TAX gang in Jan, not far behind you.

Hope you’re feeling better soon, is it worth trying different anti-sickness drugs or is that not the problem?

Take care,

love to everyone,

Louisa xxx

32

Hi , thanks for info on headwear , off to shop tomorrow . I had my hair cut thursday but its a catch 22 situation - in order to make my hair look neater she ended up pulling out 50% of my hair in the process (or so you can relate a large guinea pig size clump).
I still have loads at the back but the front looks very very patchy and rather unattractive ! , sods law that unless I revert to a bobby charlton look I’m going to have to go for a number 2 this weekend. I have my wig in the box waiting but am hanging on.

Did a shop yesterday at M&S and the security guard said I looked really good in my hat . God I never got chatted up with a full head of hair so maybe this is a whole new look for me !

Louisa - I also ordered from headwear oct 29th and still no joy . Did you order express delivery by any chance ? I like their stuff but want to make sure it turns up if I order again.

Anne - thanks for asking I am doing really well , had no sickness thankfully ( did my back in gardening though ) and due my second fec on tuesday. I think friends around me are really suprised i’m not sick as a dog . Think I have disappointed some that am doing so well when they are coming down with colds etc .

Cally xx

33

Hi Everyone

2nd FEC went really well. With my PICC line they just push it in very quickly. Bigger vein etc. I’ve felt more tired this time round. Actually more the mental side getting me now. I suspose I really do look like a ‘cancer victim’ now!! Suddenly people who didnt know do.
My PICC line is driving me mad, it itches and actually make my arm ache!
I didnt tell you, I have two daughters age 7 and 5. My 7 year old is getting ribbed at school. I feel like knocking kids heads together as their eyes follow me across the play ground in the morning. Why their mothers dont tell them not to stare is beyond me. I know I would.
I’ve become very selfish. Once I used to be proactive Mum, helping at school, on all the committees, church etc. Well now I’m just 100% ‘my family’. They come out tops all the time. I think that’s the cancer cells rotting my brains!!! Or primative survival stuff.
No 3 on the 27th…
Hope you are all doing well.xxx Vanessa

34

Oh just in case any of you ladies have a PICC line too. I got a lovely sleeve thing from Boots the other day to cover it in the shower. Only £5 but so so much better than the previous carrier bag and scrunchies I was using before. Totally waterproof. It’s massive and could cover your whole leg it needed!!

35

Hi Ladies

Had my first FEC on Thursday 15th November, not feeling too bad although have suffered with the “headache”, drinking loads of water and spending a lot of time in the loo. The anti sickness drugs
seem to be working, thank goodness but they definately make you constipated so be ready with your fruit juices and seeds and nuts, they seem to work for me.

Concerned about the day 14 hair loss trauma, we are going to wedding on that day, big affair and I am a witness, I am just imagining having to have my head shaved before getting ready to go !!! what a lovely thought. Have found some great cheap hats yesterday in Primark and Internationale - only £3.00 each, very soft, knitted baker boy caps that cover your whole head, invested in 4 different colours.

Think I am gonna investigate the bandana site that some of you have recommended, they sound really nice.

Havent bought a wig yet because I am not sure if i would want to wear it - none of you seem too sure of the wigs you have purchased and seem to prefer your scarfs and hats - what do you think ? It is a worthwhile purchase, have you founf any good sites, shops etc

Take care you all

jackie xxxx

36

Hi all - glad most of you are feeling fairly well, and I’m sorry for those who aren’t. Two days to go… I have had the nesting instinct this weekend. I’ve done a big shop to stock up the cupboards, cleaned the house top to bottom, washed the windows, gutted out our very messy spare room (which now contains only a futon, a rug and my old teddy bear!), and finally unpacked three boxes from when we moved in Feb! I even had an hour-long bath last night with a facepack and candles (while hubby was hammering away building walls in our shower room, so not quite as relaxing as I would have liked!)

I’ve bought my first wig off eBay - in the style I’ve always wanted… straight and flicky! I think it looks good, although how comfy it will be without hair underneath, I don’t know.

I’ve also decided (with help from my BC nurse) to use the cold cap - has anyone else tried it? I thought I’d give one a go… if it works then all well and good, if it doesn’t then at least I tried.

Love to everyone
Vicky

37

HI , all well day 18 and i succumbed to cutting my hair off last night .It was driving me crazy falling out everywhere. I’ve been wearing my wig since especially around my 2 year old. It is a good one , the make is rene of paris make but I still feel a bit self conscious . I wasnt emotional about it really whcih I was suprised about. I think its just been so long awaited it was more a relief to get rid of it.
I think I may get a going out wig too. I’m not hiding the fact I have no hair but feel more comfortable with hair when I look in the mirror so I thought this christmas I may as well treat myself to a new wig with the money I’ll save on hairdos. I have to admit I got out the house in next to time , put wig on and done !

Jackie on day 14 I was fine , hair was starting to feel weak if i pulled at it but I was certainly able to look my normal self.
I got mine from a specialist wig shop in ware hertfordshire but she stocks trendco and the big names. most importantly she took time to try on lots of styles with me and get the right colour.

Cally x

38

Hi All,

Hi Anne, am feeling okay thanx, better this time than the first, change of anti-sickness has helped I think. Also, with the new anti-sick drugs I haven’t suffered the terrible headaches I had last time, so result! Lenise, it might be worth talking to your onc about your sickness drugs, it really has made a world of difference to me this time, I called ahead of my last treatment and they had it sorted when I got there.

Hi Cally, yes I did pay for the express delivery, 25, but it’s only really £12 and I’d ordered a few things so in the great scheme of things it seemed worth it (I think my stuff came within about 5 days). Maybe if you want to order more next time we could do a joint order and save on postage? I think I will get some more cotton scarves, they are really easy to wear (am getting in to the peasant toiling in the field look, bit Jeanne de Florette?)

Know what you mean about getting rid of hair, I gradually cut mine shorter each day and has been easier than I anticipated, partly I think because I just got fed up with it falling everywhere, especially in the bathroom in the mornings. Gave my wig it’s first outing today, shopping in Reading, (mine’s rene of paris too! got it in a wig shop in Sandhurst which was good, you get an hours consultation in a private room which was nice and lots of choice). But I felt more self-conscious in my wig than I thought I would somehow (was a windy day and was bit worried about it blowing away!) Think I will only wear mine for outings and will stick to scarves round people I know, can see the value in the wig tho’ for shopping and stuff.

Jackie, my hair was okay till about day 16/17 too, so hopefully you should be fine for the wedding, hope it’s a good day! My top tip for days out is even if you’re feeling okay, take some snacks like cereal bars in your bag, I’ve found that especially if it’s a long day, nausea does creep up on me and even just a biscuit really helps.

Vanessa, could you have a word with the teacher at school, my kids school has been very supportive and helpful with my 9 and 10 year olds. I don’t think that many of the other children know but school did say that they would keep an eye out for them and if any issues arise they would try and talk in a general way about other peoples feelings and that kind of thing. I don’t think it’s a selfish thing at all to want to protect your children, I know I would feel exactly the same.

Have spent quite a bit of time looking through some of the threads I have posted on over the past few weeks and feel incredibly lucky to have found such wonderful support - comfort, friendship, laughter, advise. Just wanted to say thanks really!

Hope you all have had good weekend,

lots of love to all,

Louisa xxx

39

Dear All

Have just written a really long post and it has disappeared!!

Oh well hope this finds you all well. Good Luck to all those having chemo this week.

Andrea - How are you?

Louisa - hope you are still well after 2nd chemo

Lenise - hope you are feeling better

Vicky - Good Luck for your 1st chemo

Cally - How are you?

Vanessa - Can not believe the children at the school are being so unkind. I would go in and speak to the teachers. My little one is in year one and have had no problems. Teachers have been fab.

Jackie - How are you feeling.

Sorry to anyone Ihave not named - but chemo brain definetly kicked in.

Have a lovely day - feel good so might even do some xmas shopping!!

Can I also say everyone on this site is amazing!!!
Take Care, Love

Anne x

40

Hi All

Its nice to be back in contact with you all, thought I had been deserted… I find it difficult to remember what threads I have replied to - so when I go back to see if there are any responses I lose my place - another side affect of BC, loss of brain cells I think !!! Not only have I losy my boob I think I have lost half my brain cells - does anyone else have this problem, or is it just me.

Vicky - During my first FEC treatment last Thursday I used the cold cap, I was very undecided but my bc nurse and my partner said I should give it a go, its not very pleasant when the cap first goes on you get continual “ice cream eye” after the cap has been on for about 5 minutes the discomfort does subside, but please be aware they do change the cap every 20 minutes during treatment so as soon as it starts to feel OK they change it and put on a “new” one. I didn’t realise that they change the cap during the chemo I thought you just used one cap during the treatment. Anyway Vicky best of luck and let me know what you decide, I thought I’d give it go just to see if it does save my hair.

Cally - thank for your response regarding your wig purchase, whereabouts in Hertfordshire is the shop i am fairly close to Hertfordshire and may be able to get there to have a look.

Anne, hi babe I am not feeling too bad although I am on day 4 after my first FEC and very tired, feel very odd really, knackered , where are you in your treatement ?

Jackie xxxxxx