1st FEC!!

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Hi Mel

Just wrote a huge long thread and then lost it - it’s like being back at work, all that effort. Oh well never mind I haven’t got anything else to do. Moan, moan.

Your OH sounds wonderful I can’t begin to imagine how they do it, (can you imagine if it was the other way round, I think I would be useless). I am sitting here typing away on my lap top and he is sorting the laundry and cooking the dinner, mousakka tonight I think, yum, yum,

I have hd my first session of FEC last week and apart from feeling very drugged up and extremely tired I haven’t had any other side effects - too good too last I think, but I’ll take that for now.

I admire you for managing to work through your treatment, you are a star, i couldn’t do that at the moment, my brain is mush, its not working at all at the moment, maybe later through my sessions i will be able to contribute something to the workplace. It must be nice to have some normality - daytime TV is driving me mad, and I am getting bored, think I will have to start my christmas shopping or something.

We also had the snow and it looked wonderful very Christmassy, have you made any plans for xmas yet or are you going to play it by ear ?

With regards to the Tax which I have also got to have, what is that about your nails falling off ??? I love my nails, always long and always painted !!! God this s…t is cruel, everything we love about ourselves taken away - body, hair, skin, nails, being female …crap isn’t it ?

Enjoy your evening - doing anything nice ?

Jackiexxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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HI all
Jackie sounds like you are over the worst , once my tiredness was over I was back to normal for the remainder two weeks . Am replicating eactly what I did for the first lot i.e drinking 3 litres of water in 24hrs - still overdosing on green and black choc but small pleasures go a long way…

Louisa eventually got my order from the states , pretty much 3 weeks after I ordered so yes I would be happy to split an order express , will have a have a look on the web . One of the hats from there I’m not too keen on as it makes my head look too square ! but the sleephat is lovely .

Also asked onc about tax i.e as am feeling so good on fec will the tax get me and he said not necessarily but I may feel a bit more with the first one as its stronger. The thing is we are all so different and it affects us in different ways so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. We’ve all got this far its another step to deal with .

thanks all , good to hear how you’re all doing

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Hi Cally

The water thing seemed to work for me and its not really a chore as long as you can also have the odd glass of wine, haven’t tried the green and black choc, have to give that one a shot. Off to have bloods tested tomorrow and see my surgeon, wonder if he will be able to tell me why I still have a large lump on my chest, looks like a small boob ? Think it is still part of the swelling from op but thought it would have gone by now ??

jackie xx

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HI Jackie
I find the whole blood thing really interesting , on paper I look in better nick than I did before chemo as far as white blood cells go ! I started to drink wine in the second week just because I didnt fancy it really. I think week 3 is now going to be my indulgent week
Cally

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Hi Cally

The blood thing also intrigues me as I also have pernicious anemia which means I have to have a shot of vitamin B12 every 4 weeks, this is an on-going thing that was apparent before the bc, I am concerned as
this type of anemia messes with your blood count and white cells and also messes up your immune system, so i could be in for fun, fun.fun.

They have told me that they will be keeping a very close eye on things, can only hope that my experience mirrors yours and the chemo actually helps my blood count

You go for it week 3 and have some fun - chocolate and wine the perfect combination

Jackie xxxxxxxxx

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Hi Jackie

Mmmm I love Mousaka, one my my favs!!! I hope its good. Tonight I will be watching Gordon Ramsay, that man always puts a smile on my face. I’m just going to rest up tonight and then should be feeling a little bit more with it tomorrow, after my first FEC I felt worse at the weekend, not ill or anything but more spaced out and stuff so I have a weekend planned of doing nothing, just to be on the safe side.

I hope you have a good night, good luck with the bloods tomorrow, my boob is still hard and swollen after my op which was the 3rd Oct, surgeon assures me this is normal as he moved some tissue around for me after he had taken the lump away so I wasnt lop sided, I dont have an appointment with him until April now but my BC nurse has been wonderful and she said to call her when I want her to give me an exam just to put my mind at ease, I think I might do this before Xmas!!

Love to everyone and sweet dreams Jackie

Mel x x x

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Hi all - good to see you’re all okay! It gives me hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel!

Had my first FEC yesterday (with scalp cooling). Very boring waiting around, but got through it okay. I was feeling quite pleased that I suffered no major side effects, had (a small) dinner and spoke to my parents… then promptly got very acquainted with my toilet. I can’t face food today, even drinking water brings me out in a cold sweat.

A very miserable Vicky
xx

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HI Vicky
sorry to hear you are feeling sick but the fluids are the key as far as I told , hard as it may be I am forcing myself , trying to get juices in too, so far so good.

what anti sickness are you on ?
Cally

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Hi all

I’m glad I’ve found this thread - have posted on others but as I move through the various treatment stages, so it seems I move through the threads too !

Was diagnosed on 1 Nov, had liver/bone/lung scans on 8th,(which were clear), mastectomy and full lymph clearance on 13th - and have just been given results today - consultant is confident that all tumour removed, 5 of 11 lymphs were affected and I can now look forward to 4 x FEC, followed by 4 weeks of rads, followed by 4 x Tax, then a year of Herceptin.

In many ways it is such a relief to know exactly what’s happening now - having a plan makes a difference somehow.

I have to go to Edinburgh for a heart scan on Monday 26th, then have first FEC on Weds 28th - just 15 days after op!! I had hoped they’d let me have christmas first but hey ho - the sooner I start the sooner I finish I suppose!

I’ve been reading all your posts, and they have helped tremendously and given me some idea of what to expect and how to deal with it - so thank you very much

Hope you are all coping - I’m off to look for hats/scarves/wigs - any excuse to shop will do me !!

Margaret x

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meant to say - though it probably belongs in rads thread - I’m not looking forward to the radiotherapy as my health board don’t do it here so I have to travel to edinburgh (a 2 1/2 hour drive each way) - they have given me the option to stay in accommodation but I have a 9 year old who is nervous enough about all this as it is so I really don’t want to be away from home - will have to think about this one!

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Hi Mel and Cally,

Good morning to you all, sorry to go AWOL yesterday had a hugely busy day, went to get bloods tested and also an appointment with my surgeon who drained my wound - again, don’t know where all this fluid comes from think it must be all the juice and wine I am drinking !!! Surgeon was happy and said he won’t be seeing me now for about 12 months - hell that sounds a long time. Also had to have a mammogram on my one remaining boob, god I hate them, in this day and age you would think they could come up with a more comfortable procedure…

Mel - I also watched Gordon Ramsey the other night, he does has some front, have you read his book “Humble Pie”, its a really good read and its quite interesting to see how hard he has had to work to get where he is.

We also went and invested in a new bed yesterday from Ikea and I have only just managed to drag myself out of it this morning (11am) !!! My poor OH was building it until 11.30pm last night, sweating like a pig…ahh bless, he really is my hero.

Vicky hope you are feeling a bit better today, how did you find the scalp cooling ? It’s not pleasant is it ? Are you taking your sickness meds ? Maybe they need changing, are you still being poorly, give your Onc a call and get them to give you something to help. xxxx

Hi Margaret and welcome to our little exclusive club, I can’t believe the journey you are gonna have to make to have your radiotheraphy, that ridiculous, is there really no alternative ? Is there not a local hospital or ward who can administer your treatment, whereabouts do you live ?

I have also bought some scarves and hats - just in case, don’t think my hair will be staying, it doesn’t feel right and my scalp is quite sore and tender. You can get some really cheap caps in Primark, H & M and Interantionale, don’t know if you have these stores in Scotland, I know you have Primark as I was recently in aberdeen and shopped like mad in Primark there. Zara have some lovely scarves but they are expensive. Happy shopping.

Anyway I suppose I should have a shower and get ready for a day in front of the tele !!!

Love to you all
Jackie xxxx

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Hi all

No more sickness, although I still can’t eat a full meal and it takes all morning to drink a glass of water. Thanks for all your messages.

Jackie - I didn’t find the scalp cooling too bad - the ward was boiling hot and I sat under a blanket. I think my head just went completely numb anyway! I have bought 2 wigs on eBay and have a nice hat from H&M. Next I need some scarves. I’m pretty sure my hair will fall out anyway… I’ve ignored all the advice to get it cut shorter before it falls out, so it’s bound to come out in major clumps! Oh well, I have always complained about my hair, so I shouldn’t be too upset. Anyway, my class want to see my bald head and a fashion parade of wigs and hats!

Cally - I’m on Dexamethadrone and Domperidone. Not sure how effective they are being - I’ll last the course of the Dex and see what happens afterwards.

Love to everyone
Vicky
xx

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Hi all and welcome Margaret to this exclusive club

It sounds like dexamethasone and domperidone are the cocktail choice - that is what I have and it seems to work although I never feel really right the 1st week after chemo then week 2 and 3 are ok just ready to go again.

Vicky and Cally - glad you managed the cold cap - I could not even try it. Jackie I take it your are a teacher - are you managing to work inbetween your chemos - I feel well enough to work weeks 2 and 3 but unfortunetly not allowed to as a childrens nurse and it is too dangerous for my immune system. Have planned to go back to work after last chemo and before I start rads - also to work during rads - not sure how that is going to work though.
Jackie - glad you liked the new bed.
MArgaret - I can not believe you have so far to travel for rads - I was complaining of 1 hour each way - think I will think how lucky I am it is so close now!! Do you know why you are having 4 chemos then 4 weeks rad the 4 more chemos - only asking as I am having all my chemo first then rads after. It is probably to do with the Health authority.

Have managed to do some retail therapy this week although not sure bank manager will be too pleased but tough!!

Vicky and Cally - hope you are feeling better - how is the mouth.
Vanessa, Lenise, Andrea - hope you are all right.

I am trying to plan a busy week-end -making the most of well week-ends and the fact we are all home together. (usually work opposite shifts for childcare- so nice having some time together - but could of thought of better ways to do it!!!)

Take Care, Love

Anne x

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Hi all , theres a gang of us now
I am feeling fine after tuesday - worst bit was trying to get the IV in and that made me pretty upset to see the bruising afterwards. funny isnt it that made me cry rather than the chemo and me cutting my hair off ! all I can think of is covering my arm over christmas if it doesnt heal and most of my going out stuff has short sleeves ! another shopping excuse …

I feel fine after my cocktail of anti sickness , no probs.
Hi Anne , didnt do the cold cap , my onc wont use them and am sitting here in my wig that has fooled lots of people. I am upfront though as I’m not pretending to anyone its not my own . I just cant keep a straight face when they ask if I’ve had my hair done.

will look for a more going out wig too I think. This wig looks like me but wouldnt mind a change once in a while.

Does anyone else look a bit pink after chemo . I think its the epicirubin coming to the fore.

take care
cally x

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Hi Cally

Why won’t your ONC use the cold cap - does he know something we don’t ?

Jackie xx

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Everyone’s doing so well.
I’m well, looking forward to FEC number 3 and last one, then on to Tax. PICC line has been a pain. I have an infection and I’m now on massive bullet like antibiotic pills. They gave me a vascular scan to make sure it wasnt a clot! Hitech stuff.
I now have a grade 1 hairdo (very thin) and love the feel of it! It’s like velvet.
I think the kids at school have got used to my look now. Abigail is telling them why I look like this, I did have a word with her teacher.
All going well, hope the same for all you ladies too.
xxx love Vanessa

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Hi Everyone

Cally - Yes am pink, pink. pink!!! Altho seems to die down after a couple of days, I was the same with my veins 2nd time round, I have booked some reflexology an hour before my nexy chemo to see if it helps x Glad to hear that your doing well x

Hi Margaret - Just wanted to say hello and welcome you to this thread.

Jackie - I’ve just got in from work and had an awesome day!!! Such a saddo eh but i’m doing whatever it takes to put a smile on my face :o) Have got humble pie but never got round to reading it so its on my list of things to do x

Hope everyone else is ok, sorry not saying hello individually as OH just made my sausage casserole and going to stuff my face ha ha x

Take care all and speak soon
Mel x x x

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Hi all

Jackie - I did ask if there was an alternative way to do the rads but apparently not. I live in Dumfries & Galloway and they have an excellent Macmillan unit - but don’t yet offer radiotherapy there unfortunately. Luckily for me a lot of family members and friends are offering their services as drivers so hopefully we’ll be able to find a way through it

Anne - I have no idea why the rads are being plonked in the middle of the chemo - I was originally told they would come at the end - and never thought to ask why it had changed - but I have that on my list of questions for BN now !

Off to Edinburgh on Monday for heart scan - hope we don’t get the same jobsworth car park attendant (although I do now sympathise with him a bit) - when I had to go there for my bone scan, my appt was in the nuclear medicine department. Parking at the Western Infirmary is atrocious and we couldn’t get in anywhere, so we went round the other side to where the Maggie’s centre is - the car park that side is barrier controlled so hubby stops and asks the guy if there are any spaces. His reply was ‘depends what you’re here for mate - only cancer patients can park here. What dept are you going to?’ So hubby says nuclear meds dept, but my wife does have cancer. Attendant says ‘No sorry mate you can’t come in - it’s only for people with cancer who are having chemo or rads’. Having already spent over 3/4 of an hour trying to park hubby was less than polite and reversed up!! and it’ll be the same on Monday cos its nuclear meds dept again lol

Still I guess on the bright side - I know I’ll get a space when I do go for my rads !!

oh and while I’m rambling - talking to my BN yesterday I discovered one of the upsides to BC - I’m suddenly a ‘young woman’ again (I’m 46 btw) :slight_smile:

ty for all the welcomes and take care

Margaret x

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Hi

I have juxt finished reading humble pie - I too really enjoyed it - his childhood was not great and he has worked really hard to get where he is today. It really opened my eyes.

Glad we are all feeling well.
The pink is definetly from the epirubicin - I went to a look good feel great day recently - it was fab - would definetly recommend it - they gave me some green!!! like foundation to put on the pink areas before usual foundation -worked a treat.

Jackie - just read your post about tax and nails - what is that about? Will need to do some research as starting tax 21st Dec!!!

Am off out tonight with some girlfriends tonight - looking forward to some nomality!!

Hope you all have good days - housework calls.

Take care, Love

Anne x

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Hi all

Have just put Humble Pie on my xmas pressie list!

Hope you have a good time tonight Anne - my BN gave me info leaflet about tax which will be my second course of chemo next April - it does talk about possible pain in nails, and I know I have read a thread on here about someone losing nails ! not sure if it was Jackie’s or not - I’m off to try and find it.

I’m off to chill out on the couch - hubby still off work so the housework is calling him !!!

Take care

Margaret x