1st FEC!!

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Hi to all my beautiful new friends,

I bet Gordon Ramsey would be proud to be the main topic of conversation in this thread - bless him.

Anne - have a great night out with your girlfriends tonight.

Its lovely to hear that you are all quite well and coping with things. I am having a good couple of days and have even managed to do some ironing and housework today, although I will probably suffer later.

The new bed is getting better and better and had a wonderful nights sleep last night for the first time in ages.

The tax and nail thing was a subject I picked up on from another thread, apparently your nails can actually fall off - how painful must that be ? Oh well something else to look forward to.

Had a quick look on ebay yesterday at wigs, still can’t actually bring myself to buy one. Think I might get caught out, probably lose my hair and won’t have a wig ready … oh well live on the wild side.

Just off to do a little retail therapy- always seems to help, what would we do without shoping?

Glad to hear you are still enjoying your work Mel - you nutter.

Love to one and all, catch you later

Jackiexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Hi All

Sorry to butt into your thread, but just to say my nails are going after taxotere. During chemo they just got interestingly stripey, but now, five weeks after the last tax, I have lost my left thumb and index finger nails, and the right toenail is desperately trying to join them. I am hoping the rest might stay put! It is apparently quite common. On the upside it isn’t actually painful. Just looks horrible. But you can see where they will grow back. Just another little thing sent to try us, my loves!

All the best

Dilys
xxxx

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Hi all
jackie , just going back on your question . My oncologist said he doesn’t use cold caps due to the tiny possibility cancer cells can retreat to the scalp plus he didnt seem to think they worked too well. Oh well choice taken from me I guess.
The loss of fingegrnails freaks me out on tax , hope its not that common ! just about keeping it together with scar, bruises , no hair and putting on weight . All in the run up to the jolly season . typical that am getting more social invites this year than previous .

cally x

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Hi All!,

Sorry haven’t posted on here for about a week for various reasons, most of them dull! and wow, come back and so many new feccers!! Hello all!

Had my 2nd fec last week and with a change of anti-sickness have felt much better this time round, less mouth ulcers too. Strangely though have felt really down in myself. Know it sounds strange, but think have realised this is now part of life, if that makes sense. Am fine with my ‘mums at school’ group who have all known what’s going on since the begining I guess, but last week had to go out to social thing with people I don’t know so well and this weekend met up with really old, good friends but who we hadn’t seen since pre-bc and I found it really, really difficult. They were great, I just didn’t feel like me. Hard to explain, but really feel like I’ve gone back to how I felt just after mastectomy. Sorry, to sound gloomy.

On positive note, done loads of Xmas shopping (definitely not like me - but in a positive way!!) Gave my wig it’s first major outing to Reading shopping centre, felt okay, but can’t stop fiddling with it as it’s a lot more bouffant(?) than my normal hair. Think will try and get hairdresser to cut it otherwise may give up on it.

Cally - glad your headgear stuff arrived, too long to wait really, definitely share another order with you, would like some more of their handblocked cotton scarves for everyday. Well done - 2nd fec down too! hope ur still feeling okay.

Am also big Gordon Ramsey fan, will put his book on my xmas list, hope there’s lots of pictures, think he’s v gorgeous! and cooks - what more could a girl want?

So, won’t go awol for so long again, hard to catch up on everyone’s news, but everyone sounds good! Take care all,

love Louisa xxx

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Hi Louisa,

Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling so good this week. Since bc dx there seems to be so many psychological stages that we have to deal with and overcome. Try to take one step at a time. I think that you have been brilliant to go out socialising with friends, and I’m sure you’ll feel better at time goes on.
Regarding the wig…I did get the hairdresser to cut mine, but i still feel very self conscious of it. I only wear it when I’m out and if anyone looks at me I feel as though they’re staring at my wig!! It does get very uncomfortable and itchy if I have it on for too long. I’m glad your second fec went ok…i found my symptoms were worse this time around…I’m just keeping my fingers crossed no. 3 is ok!

Anne, how are you and how did your night out go?

Hi to everyone else…so many of us now! Hope everyone is doing well.

Is everyone on the same treatment? 3 x FEC and 3 x TAX ??

Has anyone lost all their hair yet? I’ve still got about a third head hair remaining!
and look like a balding hedgehog!!
I’ve still got all my body hair…when do we lose that…and the awful facial hair and nose hairs!!!

Jackie, glad your new bed is allowing you a good nights sleep…enjoy!

Managed some xmas shopping as well today… but it’s soooo tiring with all the crowds and 3 children in tow!!

Anyway…good luck to everyone and speak soon, A xxxx

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Hi Everyone

I have been reading the forum for ages, but haven’t ventured on … until now!

I am beginning chemo (FEC 4) again on Tuesday and dreading it ~ I had FEC 1, 2 and 3 and then had a break for Radiotherapy which has been taking place over the last 5 weeks ~ I just don’t want to start Chemo again! At least it’s a step closer to the final chemo though … so will brace myself!!!

On the hair front ~ I shaved mine off once it began to fall out, and over the last 5 weeks it has really started to grow again ~ I have a really good covering of hair now ~ I know ~ it’s going to drop out again with the next Chemo! At least I shall know what to expect this time ~ to be honest it seems harder to face 2nd time round.
The weather is colder now too!

On the headgear front ~ I have been using Buffs (www.buffwear.com) ~ you can also buy them in Outdoor/Walking/Millets type shops ~ I haven’t bothered with a wig ~ I either go commando! or wear a Buff ~ you can wear one to cover the head (like a hat) and then a matching colour to add a bit a extra pzzaz! Hey ho! They are REALLY comfortable though!

Anyway ~ sending lots of hugs and good wishes to everyone that is reading this! I can’t tell you how good it is just to read your comments, but now hopefully I will be joining in more often. Hope all goes well this week for you all.

DiptfordpatX

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Hi everyone

Hope you are all doing ok, I too have felt ‘down’ this weekend! I spoke to my mum’s best friend who is a chemo nurse and she assures me that i’m just ‘normal’ and after I had my 2nd FEC on Monday, this weekend was were I would feel tired and upset again. I keep imagining every single ache and pain is something, its just seems like a long road until treatment finishes, but then I pick myself up and smile and try to get on with it! I just cant wait until we are all here saying that we have finished our chemo, thats the inpatience in me.

All of my hair is now gone except eyelashes and eyebrows, oh and typical! the side I had surgery I have a hairy armpit so I bought some hair removal cream today to get rid of it!! I just feel so unfeminine… :o(

I know that time is a great healer and I will probably wake up tomorrow feeling so much better but today has been a bad day hhuummppphhh!!!

Sorry guys, i’m not going to get down, i’m off to get chocolate x

Take care all of you
Mel x x x x

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Hi all ,
Mel and Louise sounds like I am in the same camp as you . I have been down since my second fec too , not sick more just the fact I guess we’re not half way and feels like a long way off, hair loss is a struggle to deal with and it feels like you have to keep a brave face. People are thinking you’re doing great when its taking all your effort to be normal for the children especially.

I went shopping for clothes today and just do not feel attractive at all. My wig is good but I am still conscious of when people get close up. Probably didnt help that I bought a second wig the other day and hubby not keen …

sorry to have a gripe gals . I’ll probably feel better in the morning. Hubby is working away for a few days too so I’m probably a bit nervous about that as I’ll be in my low week . ho hum…

(anyone elses kids have an annoying habit of leaning on your wig when putting their shoes on )

cally x

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Hi all

It really is so nice to be able to read how you’re all getting on with FEC - I know we will all be different (but not that different it seems). I go for my heart scan tomorrow then have first FEC (of 4) on Wednesday, and I’m just beginning to get the jitters about it. Hubby taking me for chemo, but then he has to go back to work on Thursday, he’s already taken time off to be with me after mastectomy op so can’t really afford for him to be off longer.

Fortunately (I think) my daughter is on holiday from school on Weds, Thurs & Fri of this week so I won’t have to be getting up to get her school or anything but I’m dreading feeling sick and being lousy when all my own with a 9 yr old.

Sorry to whine when you are all being so positive - just having one of those days !!

take care all

Margaret x

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Hi Margaret

Hope you get on okay tomorrow ~ I have FEC 4 on Tuesday (I’ve had a break for 20 Radiotherapy sessions since FEC 3) and am just putting together things that I know I am going to need later in the week. Hope you find some of my solutions helpful. I decided to make myself a ‘wellness plan’. I keep a tin of pineapple slices (they are great when you don’t feel like eating anything else), I keep the fruit bowl topped up, as I usually fancy fruit, oh yes, and jellies. Drink plenty of water on Tuesday and keep going with it through the rest of the week ~ make sure you take ALL the anti sickness tablets ~ … now what else? Rest, eat little meals ~ learning from experience I also take 1 senokot on the morning after Chemo, as far as I am concerned it has saved any constipation problems, this combined with 1 or 2 doses of Lactulose (which I bought over the counter at the chemist) has meant that I haven’t had any ‘toilet’ issues. It seems that constipation is a common problem with FEC.

A bit more extreme!!! But I was given Life Mel Honey (as a gift)! Costs £45 for a small pot!!! Which I couln’t afford ~ but my OH (bless him) has supplied me with a pot for each round of Chemo ~ I have 1 teaspoon full each morning! (www.lifemel.co.uk) ~ I don’t know whether it has helped me or not as I have taken it for each round of FEC, but it’s good phsychologically! OH rationalises it by saying it’s only the money that I am saving on hair do’s!!

I can honestly say that Chemo wasn’t quite as bad as I had expected. I was only sick 2nd time round, but I think that was because I tried to do too much, because I wasn’t feeling too bad ~ I also had a large meal!!!

I REALLY hope that all goes well for you and that your Chemo goes as well as these things can.

Take Care

Pat xx ~ I shall look forward to hearing how you get on.

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Hi All,

Sorry to hear your symptoms were worse this time round Andrea, I had felt so sick after my first fec I asked if they could change my anti-sick which they did and it really made a difference. This time round I had dexamethasone for 5 days, ondansetron for 5 days and domperidone as much as I liked (which I didn’t need to take often as the other two seemed to work a treat) so maybe it would be worth asking for a change when you go for number 3? btw I’m having 4xfec and 4xtax.

On the hair /wig front - I still have bit of hair although have trimmed it to a number one and have some bald patches, but it’s so sparse it looks pretty bad (oh, and most of what’s left is grey - typical!) My wig is a bob which I like, but it’s just not me and I feel like a lady in a wig, rather than Louisa in a scarf if you see what I mean. Actually am worried I look like Pam Ayres - may break in to poetic verse any minute!

Hi diptfordpat, welcome! must be really hard going back for more chemo after a break, bit like starting again? but at least you know you can do it, just keep thinking ‘one more crossed off that list!’ Easy to say eh! I’m having rads after my chemo, do they knock you for six like chemo?

Hi Mel, hope you’re feeling more cheery today, know what you mean about the hairy armpit thing and the general unfeminine thing - I perscribe buying nice bottle of perfume or adding v expensive bottle of perfume to xmas pressie list!

Lol Cally bout the kids and wig thing! Getting them out the door in the morning is nightmare isn’t it? shoes, school bag, lunchbox aaahhhh! Must remember to wear scarf under woolly hat too - met other mum in playground this morning who asked me back for coffee with some others and when we got back to hers realised only had multi-coloured bobble hat on and nothing underneath, so had to sit sipping coffee in said hat - bit embarressing!

Hope your 1st chemo goes well on Wed Margaret, am sure loads of people have told you it won’t be as bad as you think and I would say the same. Was very scared before mine (have now done 2) but it really was okay. For the 2nd one tho, because I had worked myself into complete state before the first, I took half a Lorazepam tablet which my gp perscribed for me before my surgery in sept and it really helped. Didn’t make me feel sleepy or out of control or anything major, just took the edge off my anxiety. Will take same prior to no. 3 too - if it works…?

Lots of hugs to everyone, how are you anne?

Love, Louisa xxx

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Hi All

Hope everyone is feeling well this monday.

Welcome Pat - have to say would not also be looking forward to chemo after a break - but just be positive - you have done it once - you can do it again. Just think no rads at the end of this chemo. Have you anymore treatment after the chemo?

Dilys- thanks for the comments re the tax - something else to look forward too!!!

Jackie - HOw is the bed? Hope you enjoyed your retail therapy - I seem to be doing alot of that recently!!!

Margaret - Good Luck for your 1st chemo - it honestly is not as bad as you imagine - you feel better when the day is over.

Lenise - How are you?

Louisa- Glad you are feeling better this time after 2nd fec - glad they altered your meds. I know what you mean about the head gear - I am so used to getting home and taking scarf off - keep answering door nearly bald - frightened the postman just now!!! Also find I get headaches if keep bandanas on all day - think it is because I only use them when going out.

Andrea- Good to hear from you. I think many people are have 3 and 3. My Onc Con told me it was the gold star treatment for my type of bc. NOt sure how they make the decision re how many as have noticed some have 4 and 4. Re the hair - still have some stubble on head but many bald patches!!! Why is all the other hair taking so long to go - mind you not complaining about eyelashes and eyebrows!!!

Mel - Glad you are feeling better. Know what you mean about looking forward to saying we have all finished chemo.

Cally- How are you after your 2nd chemo? I have trouble with my bandanas - I think kids go for what is easily accessable - our heads at the mo!!! My daughter keeps running her hands through my stubble - says she likes the feel!!!

Vanessa - how are you? Your 3d fec is this week isn’t. Good Luck.

I am well thank you and really enjoyed my evening out. Glad I made the effort as nearly cancelled as went to bed at 1600 feeling like I was getting the flu. Woke up feeling better but not quite right - went for an Indian - did not get in until 0030!!! The latest I have been up for choice in a long while.

Have a question - these last 5 days (so days 13-18 post chemo) have been getting flu like symptoms - can not get warm, shaking and shivering ache all over - usually lasts about 4 hours from about 1600 onwards. Seem to get relieve form paracetamol and ibrufen eventually but takes about 90 minutes after I have taken them. Then I go really hot and have to strip off!!! No tempurature - have kept a close eye on that.

Well, hope I have not left anyone out - if I have I am sorry. Blame the chemo brain. We really do have a nice of thread of support - it is really nice “talking” to people that really understand.

Take care, love

Anne x

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Hi Anne,

Nice to hear from you, just a quickie in relation to your shivvers…
On Fec no.1 in the last week (around days 14 to 21) I felt cold ALL the time. I just couldn’t get warm. It felt as if I was coming down with something…but actually I felt ok in myself. My temp was also very low (around 36.3) so I think it was my body desperately trying to re-regulate itself. Strange hey!
Can I ask if your medical team mind you taking paracetamol…just thought it could mask a temperature?

Bye for now, A xxx

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Hello all

I have written for a while as I only seem to use this site when I am feeling low-its a good way to boost my mood.
I have my 3rd FEC on Thursday and it seems to be a pattern of feeling rough for a week and then steering clear of bugs for a week and then going full throttle to get the household ready for my next treatment (hoovering, dusting, freezing meals etc). Most important though is getting in food which appeals to me in my sicky state, you know the sort of thing, teacakes, chocs etc!

This time round my arm which the drugs go in has been really sore and I have been unable to lift heavy things ( my 3year old!) or straighten it out-makes going to Pilates interesting!

It is lovely to read this thread and share similar experiences, my hair started falling out 2 weeks after the first chemo. I have had it shaved off now and my children laugh at me! Better that than them being scared of a bald mother… The hair on my legs and underarms have not grown back since the last shave 2 weeks ago but I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes (thinning slightly).

I went back to work after my 2nd chemo and I am so glad I did as it brings some normality back to my life. They have been very suportive and don’t expect too much from me if I am feeling out of sorts.

Take care ladies and keep smiling(grimacing?)

Caroline xx

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Hi Caroline

Good to hear from you. You have your 3rd fec a day before mine. What is your regime? I would love to go back to work - need some normalitiy but not allowed too as childrens nurse and too dangerous for my immune system.
You hair sounds about the same as mine.

Takr care, love

Anne xx

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Hi Anne

I am on 3XFEC, 3XTAXOL as far as I can tell, my next treatment on the 20th will also include Herceptin, so that starts another load of visits to the hospital for heart scans. Is it me or does one method of making you well affect other parts which may then need ‘curing’ at a later date!

What are you doing to keep yourself occupied if you can’t go back to work yet?

I am at work now writing this, they are so laid back its great, I am also organizing the Xmas work meal, obviously for a day when I will be well, can’t have the social secretary(!) missing.

All the best

Caroline x

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Hello Margaret,
I am pleased to announce that I am also having my first FEC on Wednesday. It was delayed two weeks as the wound was still bleeding. It is still bleeding a tiny bit but oncologist suggests I go ahead anyway. I will be relieved to get it under way. (Never thought I would be saying that.) It is just that the sooner I get started the sooner it will finish.
Hope you get on OK.; My appointment is at 2pm.

It is so helpful reading all your comments and hearing how you are getting on.

Pat - i enjoyed reading your tips. You seem to be having quite a positive experience. I am really keen to avoid constipation as a lot of people say that is one of the worst things.

It is very scarey. I will try to take all the advice into consideration but I’ll just have to go with the flow and see what happens with the first one.

Speak to you soon everyone.
Love Lorna. XX

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Hi all

Just back from my heart scan in Edinburgh - ridiculously long way to drive for a 20 min scan lol - been away from home for 8 hours in all and knackered now!

Pat - thanks for the list - I shall be stocking up tomorrow!

Louisa - i am having the same 4 x FEC, 4 x Tac, but split in the middle by 16 radio sessions so tax won’t start till approx next April, followed by a year of Herceptin

Anne - my sis in law suffered similar symptoms with the coldness - used to sit in the house with hat goves & scarf on! She was warned that it would happen though but I have to say I haven’t seen it listed as one of the side effects?

Caroline - glad you have supportive empoyers - i am hoping to go back to work asap - I fortunately work for the health board that are treating me so they too are being very good, unfortunately the rads next year will mean I need to take a whole month off work as I have to travel to a diff health board for them and its 5 hours of travelling a day!!

Lorna - good luck I will be thinking of you - my appt is 12.30! - I was a bit concerned about it starting so soon after my mastectomy (13th Nov) - but take the same view as you - the sooner it starts the sooner it finishes!!

take care all and keep in touch

Margaret x

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Hi all

Anne - I’ve been doing the cold/hot thing too. I can’t seem to get to a comfy temperature… last night I went to bed with PJs and my dressing gown on only to strip off 20 mins later and then dress again at 3.30! My temp is normal and not fluctuating. I’m glad it’s only a minor inconvenience!

Margaret - wow, that’s like going to Russia and back! 8 hours!!!

Hope everyone’s well. I’m feeling back to my normal self now. I went into school today to say hi to the kids and they were all disappointed I hadn’t yet lost my hair. They made me promise to wear a wig next time I go in, even if I still have my hair! Hubby has decided to buy a new car with the money we had saved for skiing this winter, so I threw a strop and he’s taking me shopping for a posh frock tomorrow! YAY! I almost fell off my chair with shock that he offered to go clothes shopping with me (has been twice in the 12 years we’ve been together). I’m liking the guilt trip… is that a bad thing?

Vicky

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Hi All
I too am on 3 FEC X 3 TAX 3rd FEC on thursday then 5 wks rads and then 1 yr Herceptin, been sick for a couple of days with 1st and 2nd FEC and indigestion / heartburn for the first week but then fine apart from being knackered, i have to change hospitals for the TAX ( sheffield ) so that will be strange, my hair came out over 5 days before my 2nd FEC and i am left with just a few short stubborn strays, i didn’t bother with a wig ( the idea just didn’t appeal to me ) i just wear scarves and bandannas and sometimes nothing in the house (my head not my body!!) although i quickly reach for a scarf if theres a knock at the door ( i don’t want to give anyone a heart attack!! ) i’m quite suprised at how quickly i have got used to not having hair, i’m not looking forward to thursday but at least i will be half way through, and i am gratefull that i havn’t had any infections or high temps like a lot of you have had, the highest temp i have recorded is 36.2 and is normally between 35.5 and 35.9 which worried me at first but onc wasn’t too worried as long as it didn,t get too low, oops is that the time my sleep pattern has gone haywire…

love to all MIZZY…