Hi everyone
first of 8 x FEC tomorrow and now starting to get nervous, have got all the tips from all you great ladies ready to go. My bc nurse has been of work and all i have been given is a leaflet to explain how the treatment is given, nothing on drugs for sickness, is all this given to you on your 1st treatment and how long do need to take them for.
Louisa hope you are now feeling a little better.
Cath x
Hi Cath
I had FEC and I was given anti sickness drugs to take home with me. When they gave me FEC they gave me anti sickness as well. I was one of the ones who felt sick a few hours later so next time I went to see ONC I mentioned it and they gave me some other tablets to take as well. I took the tablets for 3 days but I was given a lot of information from the chemotherapy Nurses. I don’t know if that is what happens everywhere, I can only speak for the west midlands.
When I was given FEC it made me feel a bit cold and they were able to put a heat pad on my arm.
Don’t know if this any help. Wishing you well for tomorrow. Take care.
Sue
Hi Cath,
I’m on a different regime (epirubicin) but the hospital automatically gave me some anti-sickness medication by IV (injection) and then I had tablets to take for two days at home then different tablets for as and when needed (I didn’t need to take any of these). I’ve not had any sickness and only a little bit of nausea but nothing bad at all. Ask tomorrow when you go what they will be giving you for anti-sickness.
Best of luck with everything. The worst part of my chemo so far (I’m nearly 4 weeks into it) was the drive to hospital for the first session. Nothing thereafter was anything like as bad as I thought it might be.
Nicola
Dear Cath
Best of luck to you for tomorrow, it’s not as bad as I anticipated and suffered very few side effects with FEC. I had 5 and have just had 2 x TAX.
You will get some anti sickness meds intravenously at the time of your session.
I always saw my oncologist or registrar before the treatment and I got my prescription for anti sickness. I have never suffered from any sickness, they hit the nail on the head straight away.
Hope it goes well for you.
Cecelia. x
Hi Cath
I have just got home after my first treatment, I’m having 3 x FEC and 3 x Tax. Its not as bad as what you are expecting, all of my nurses were so wonderful and I was home after 90 minutes!! At the moment I’m on the sofa but I cant sit still and I feel as if I’m just waiting for the side effects to kick in!! I’m expecting to feel slightly sick over the next few days but watch this space… The nurses should explain the anti-sickness drugs to you when you go tomorrow. I’m feeling kind of weird, its hard to explain I definitely feel different and a little bit spaced out but also agitated.
You will breeze through tomorrow the experience wasn’t awful and at least its one down!!
I hope it all goes well for you, let me know how you get on.
Mel x x x
Cath
Just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow.
I am having a different kind of chemo from you but chemo is chemo and the first one is very nerveracking - you will feel much better once you get tomrrow out of the way. Each centre give you different drugs but as far as I am aware you will always get anti sickness intravenously immediately prior to your chemo then be given oral drugs home with you. Most important thing to say is take the drugs as prescribed and not wait and see if you feel/are sick. You will probabaly get a steroid as one of your anti sickness . Mine is spose to be 1 tab 3 times per day to start to but I always take 2 in the morning and one by 2pm as a lot of people get ‘hyper’ when on steroids and cant sleep - it does not seem to have made any difference to my sickness as I have not had any. You may also get another anti sickness to take regualarly for 3 days and a ‘stand by’ one - I have rarely needed the stand by one but if you do get one and start feeling dodgy just take it.
Another warning - the anti sickness drugs can give you horrendous constipation so might be best you go get yourself some drugs for that - I find dulcolax and dulcoease to work well - and of course drink loads of water - if you can do prune juice etc good on ya but dont hold your breath!!
Let us know how you get on
By the way - I have now had 5 out of 6 so you will get there (and if you have read a thread I started yesterday - I climbed 1600ft up a very steep hill yesterday!!!- anything is possible!!)
Thinking of you
Fiona
xx
Hi Cath,
Am feeling much better today, thanx. Good thoughts going out to you for tomorrow - after getting myself in complete state the morning of my treatment, I have to say it was really okay.
My b/c nurse was on hols too, but when I arrived at the hospital met the nurse who was going to give me my chemo and she spent ages putting me at my ease and explaining everything that was going to happen. Found the worst bit was the cannula (have big fear of needles!) but after that, things seemed to go really quickly and smoothly. Every time the nurse changed the syringe she explained about the drug she was giving me, the side effects, how to cope if I felt sick etc and made me feel it was all very manageable (which it is). I had some anti-sickness given through the iv too.
Then saw consultant, who went over the possible side effects again, was given two lots of anti-sickness to take home, think was finished in about two hours, but most of that time was talking about treatment. Took my anti-sickness steroids morning and lunchtime and the others Domperidone(?) every four hours. Have taken Lactulose for constipation which tastes horrid but works without being too harsh.
I found myself feeling very nauseaus later that evening and had bad headache (the hospital said it was fine to take neurofen or paracetamol for headache). Have felt sick quite a bit over past few days, but am feeling much better today. Keep eating little and often, just like morning sickness. I have reverted to going out with handbag full of snacks of crackers, dried fruit bars and jelly babies(!) and a fruit drink (have felt really thirsty too).
You’ll be fine once you get started tomorrow, take it easy, and you’ll soon have one treatment crossed off your list.
Lots of love and good wishes,
Louisa x
Hi Cath
I had my first fec last friday 19th - and to say it was doable. The chemo nurses are lovely and stay withyou the whole time while having fec. I am having 3 fec and 3 tax. Felt sick for about 3 days - kept taking meds and generally felt run down. The worst day for me was 5 days after but think I might of been coming down with flu anyway. Now feeling good - manged xmas shoppind today and some generally jobs round the house that had piled up.
You will get through this - and although it is understandable to be nervous - I was - the staff will explain everything. Have a look at the top tips for chemo - they are invalueable. Thank you
There seems to be several of us starting this month - we can cyber hold each others hands.
Good Luck for tomorrow and drink loads
Thinking of you
anne xxx
Hello Everybody having found you wonderfull crowd i go to see my Chemo brigade for the first time as well tomorrow,after only having b/c confirmed last friday ,now is that good service or are they despirate to get me going and its the first lump which b4 biopseys dident seem big at all but have been so badley bruised.
Am very upbeat as i dont want to have to sink to low when chemo really hits me so we can cyber hold hands think of each other and lets go go go .
another anne
Hi everyone
thanks for all the info at least i know what to expect tomorrow,
Anne there does seem to be a few of us starting this month and cyber hold each others hands sounds like a great idea. well done one down.
Mel well done one down.
Louisa well done one down
Nicola well done one down.
Hope to join the one down gang tomorrow.
Cecelia, Sue, and Fiona hope it wont seem to long when we catch up with you guys.
Fiona read your thread how brill are you keep it up you are an inspiration to us all.
Thanks for all the good wishes, will let you know how it goes.
Cath x
.
Hi Cath
Thinking of you today, you will be fine, surprising I slept well last night, I feel slightly quesy today but have just managed a bowl of porridge and so far so good, I have a day planned on the sofa today, good old Jeremy Kyle always good for a giggle :o)
Good luck and lots of love
Mel x x x
Cath
Another thing which is good for nausea is ginger biscuits - might be worth stocking up on them too
Hope today went fine for you
Fiona
xx
Hi Cath,
Sorry I’ve only just caught up with this thread so I guess I’m probably too late to wish you good luck for today.
I really hope all went well for your first session and you are feeling ok. I sarted E-CMF chemo in May and I don’t mind telling you I was shi**ing myself when I went for my first session!! However I found it to be nowhere near as scary as I had allowed myself to imagine it would be, and I hope this is the case for you too.
Take care and may your side effects be minimal!
Kelly
-x-
Cath
I hope today went well and you are resting at home. Do not forget to take the meds even if you are not feeling sick.
Mel - sounds like you are a little behind me - how are you feeling?
Nicola - how are you?
Louisa - hope you are also feeling better .
Anne - (another) - how did you get on today with your appointment.
Well I can honestly say I feel really well - seems really strange to be saying that - never really believed that I would be able to carry on as near normal as possible - I even fill fit enought to work - but as I had a mastectomy with immediate LD reconstruction I am off for 3 months at least.
Take care, Love
Anne xx
Hi just to jump in on this thread I am starting my 1st fec tomorrow too hopefully fit and well to carve the pumpkin afterwards without injuring myself …
I’m alternating between calm and nervous , strange really almost like this is happening to someone else. I think its because I have no idea if I will be a lucky one who doesnt suffer too badly so praying for that. Most have us have been through labour , cant be that bad surely !
I think I am more confident in myself too over this whole thing . I have read the other threads about insensitive comments and have been there. My hubby and kiddies will get me through this plus a small group of friends who genuinely want to help with domestics and help me in any way. fingers crossed , cant sleep so I guess its affecting me more than i think
Cally
Hi Cally
I had my first FEC chemo about 2 weeks ago, the next one is due next week. I was incredibly nervous and had terrible stomach pains from the anxiety but I got through it. The sickness was kept at bay by the tablets but tiredness was my biggest problem.
I arranged for my two children (3 and 6) to have sleepovers, one at nan’s and one at a friend’s house, then they had tea at friend’s houses the following day so I had almost 48hour to relax, sleep or whatever I needed to do. My children came back happy to see me looking well and had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
When I have tired days my school run friends pick the children up and bring them home, they have also offered to get my shopping, do the ironing, clean the house etc to help take the pressure off my husband. I am using them when I need to and am very grateful I have a good support network around me. They have even offered to wear scarves on the school run the first time I need to wear one!
Get your good friends and family around you, have back-up ready to step and help, when you’re feeling good it’s great but the bad days can be wearing.
Take care
Caroline x
Hi everyone
Welcome Cally and Caroline. Hope your 1st chemo went well Cally.
Caroline - we sound like we are having our chemo in the same weeks - mine is due next friday. What are you having - I am having 3 fec and 3 tax.
I agree with all you have said - I have a 3 and 5 year old and the school mums have been fab - doing the school runs etc - having the kids for tea and just generally helping out. Not sure how I would manage without them.
I also have been feeling really well this week - off to a look good feel great afternoon today - really looking forward to that.
Hoping to do some xmas shopping - seem to have a bit of time on my hands - am off sick at least until chemo over.
Take care, love
Gill xx
Hi everyone,
thanks for all your support ,well it all went better than i expected, the nurses were great and explained everything in detail as we went along , also had the cold cap which was very uncomfortable but managed to stick it out, just tried to forget it was there and concentrated on what the nurse was saying. Did not feel to bad after just drank plenty of water and took the tablets and had an early night. Feel great today but taking it easy to see how i go.
Mel just like you said a day on the sofa with Jeremy is a good idea.
Cally and Caroline welcome . Cally i hope your 1st treatment has gone well ,you do feel better when that is out of the way.
Anne I too feel like you and could go back to work.
Hope all of you with children have a great Halloween, My Son is now 20 and away at university ,so no need for me to do the pumkin. ENJOY AND HAVE FUN.
Take care all love
Cath x
Hi everyone
Hope you are well??
Well I can honesty say that I feel fine!! A little quesy but i’m doing well, sleeping ok and touch wood nothing to worry about so far, I have been taking all my medication and I think I may go into work tomorrow for a while…!
Cath - So glad to hear you are doing well - I did my pumpkin this morning altho I dont have any children my other half is like a big kid :o)
Anne - I’m doing good - 1 down and 5 more to go, bring it on!!!
Louisa/Cally/Gill - Hello!!!
I hope you all have a good Halloween and its nice to hear off you all and keep in touch on this thread, we are all going through our first chemo’s together.
Take care and hugs to all
Mel x x x
Hi to everyone
I can remember my first CMF and like all of you it was a very scary feeling. I am now on my last one on Friday and it is doable and it does go very quickly. I had to have 6 CMF in all and I wasn’t sick at all so far but I felt really queasy (for those who had morning sickness and vowed never again its like that!) The worst part for me was losing my hair (happens about 2 weeks after 1st treatment) but I didn’t lose eyebrows or eyelashes although they are very short now where new ones are coming out. It is a huge change but hang in there all of you as I thought it would never end and its nearly finished now. Love and best wishes to all of you 1st timers Good Luck
JulieG