Hi, I’m new to this forum. 2 months ago i was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergone 2 ops WLE & axillary clearance, followed by a mastectomy. 46mm grade 2 mixed invasive ductal & lobular. 3/15 nodes involved. I started on Anastrozole 4 weeks ago and due to start chemo on 11th Sept (3x FEC & 3x taxotere) I am totally sh*t scared about the whole experience. I’ve got through the surgery (although feel tired alot of the time) and now i’m about to embark on this horrible journey. I’ve read some of the threads and it just looks so so daunting.
A couple of things i’d love some advice on:
1)I’ve been told i’ll feel terrible for 3-5 days after the chemo and then ok for about 10days before the next session. Is that the case? I’ve been told to try and plan a normalish life but is that almost impossible to do?
2) My daughter really wants me to try the cold cap. Has anyone tried it? is it worth the pain? I’m assuming my hair will fall out after second chemo.
3) From reading it seems Taxotere is alot worse than FEC .
4) Keeping immunity strong - how have you ensured this, i’ve been told not to have supplements so intending on eating lots of organic and healthy food.
5) How tired do you feel? I’m planning on my son and my grandchildren coming over from america for xmas- will i be too tired to do this? difficult to plan.
Any advice, help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Marysia - sorry you’ve had to join us here but welcome - there’s loads of advice and help here - take a look on this thread for Top Tips for Chemo - lot of good advice.
I’m having six FEC and am halfway through - yay! My best advice was to drink loads od water day before and for next couple of days . Obviously everyone has different reactions - I haven’t been or felt sick - my worst effect is total tiredness KATT ( Knackered All The Time) Fine on chemo day and day after and then just KATT for about four days - described as chemo fatigue = just give in and listen to your body - if it tells you to do nothing then do just that! Then I beging to feel better BAAB (Bright As A Button) until the next hit - It certainly is doable as many others will tell you. I decided not to cold cap or wig it. The cold cap puts another couple of hours on top of chemo - some have good results but I already have an hours drive to hosp and felt that it was too much time for something that may or may not work - pleanty of experiences you can read up on here. I
I haven’t got a wig either - just wear hats- With a six month old grandson I have become a bit of a biscuit and am now know as Granny Baldy - it’ll grow again!
Don’t worry too much about diet - you eat what you feel like -I mostly eat organic anyway and felt my diet was good to start with. OOh and have breakfast on day of chemo - I always have porridge!
As to family visits - it’s my big60 on Sept 13th and I had it all planned before bc - I live in Cornwall and family are all in west country so have rented luxury apartment in Bath (OOOOH er - get Her!) fo ten of us - in Royal Crescent no less- Luckily it’s worked out that it will be just before my next chemo so should be feeling BAAB - try and work out what stage you’ll be at if family come to visit- Oncologists can be very sympathetic and work round things you really want to do - so do ask.
Anyway - wish you luck and hope this helps make it not seem so daunting!
Love and hugs xx
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. I am sure you will get lots of help and advice from the many informed users of this site.
You may find BCC’s booklet on chemotherapy useful. All our publications are free of charge, if you would like a copy just follow the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/chemotherapy_07_web_0.pdf
If you feel you need to talk to someone in confidence then please give the helpline a call, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 the lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Kind regards
Sam
BCC Facilitator
Hi Marysia
I had mastectomy and reconstruction at the end of June and had my first chemo 9 days ago. Im on 6 x FEC. I was really dreading being sick but followed alot of the advice given on this site and haven’t been too bad. Within a day I had very acidic burps which have continued and at the first sign of nausea I eat a ginger biscuit which settles my stomach (did this during pregnancy too). I have been told to expect my hair to go, usually after a couple of weeks, and have bought a couple of Buffs in readiness. I too was KATT, it really is important to rest, grab a good book and make yourself comfy! Feeling a bit brighter now and it was good to get out and do a bit of gardening yesterday.
It’s all so horrid and daunting but just knowing how many people have been through and are going through it with you makes it more bareable. Being in touch with others who really do know what is going on inside your head helps enormously. I still have a good cry but I’ve tried to stay positive, remember it’s all part of the recovery process and is making us well!
Take care of yourself and best of luck x
Hi Marysia
I had mastectomy in June and have had 3 x FEC and 1 X TAX. I felt really sick on FEC which lasted about 9/10 days then completely back to normal and loads of energy. I eat really well normally vegy orgnanic, but when on FEC just eat what I fancy, usually hangover type food and try to drink lots of water. I found the energy drink Purdeys helped with tiredness and nausea. I also used travel bands, I think they helped a bit. Just remember it will not last for ever and that gets you through. Tax I’m finding hard, no nausea but really aching and sore mouth.
Stock up on some romantic comedies or any easy to watch films and rest when you need to. I also found doing 10 mins yoga every morning helped.
Good luck , it is doable.
Take care.
B
xx