anyone just about to start chemo?
I am due to have EC chemo very soon and very worried
hi again jessiebearsmummy
look on the may moonbeams thread, theresall your girls starting chemo
angie xx
Hi Jessie bear mummy,
I am in the may moonbeams and I am having EC too starting on Thursday 2nd don’t think many have just the two most seem to have FEC-Tl
Mine is because of other existing conditions I think ? I am going to ask tomorrow why?
what are you worried about I know you have joined may moonbeams so just ask questions on there even ones that you think are silly are not if you want answers.
sending hugs
Marie
Hi Marie.
Got to say that chemo was not so bad as I expected. Make sure you take all the pills they give you as prescribed, and you should keep sickness at bay.
EC will be administered by a syringe, so you will have a nurse there throughout to ask any questions.
Thinking of you
x Sue
Hi Jessiebearsmummy
I have just completed my third cycle of EC on day 5. That annoying phrase ‘doable’ really does describe it well. The best I can describe the SE’s is its like a massive hangover with none of the fun of the night before. I have my chemo on a friday. Feel sick and floored for first three/four days, but it does lessen each day. I do actually notice the difference in how I feel each day. I have developed oral thrush but it is manageble with Nystatin droplets. You may find your arm aches especially after the second cycle as the ‘E’ in the EC damages the veins. But again, it is not horrendous, just niggling. By the Thursday/Friday I am definitely on the up and feel I’ve come through the cycle. Up to know I have been able to enjoy 2 relatively normal weeks in each cycle. My top tips…
Fizzy water, my tongue is fluffy and still water tastes/feels horrible. Drink loads to keep your system clear
Green Tea - keep drinking the water but 1 or 2 cups a day will help keep your internal system clear and wash out the nasties.
Freeze some simple meals to defrost for when you do feel like eating. Make them in smaller portions and defrost when you are up to it. I enjoy soups, shepherds pie (comfort food), pasta when I feel my appetite coming back
Accept your limitations. Its a shock to feel so weak, but it passes and you can have some normality of life.
Hope some of this helps. I am about to change to another chemo Docitaxal, and so am in a similiar position, wondering what this will be like.
Take care.
XX Dianne XX
thank you all for your lovely words, I dont feel that I have beem told an awful lot, I didnt even know what EC stood for until I read someone else had put it and it matches the sheet the gave me with 2 drugs on it, but it didnt even say EC, what is FEC - T1? is it better to only have the 2 or worse?
I see the oncologist Tues 7th May so not sure when chemo starts - will keep you posted
thanks and hugs
Karen
Hi Karen,
You may find it useful to phone the BCC helpline or to look at the MacMillan site which gives information on individual drugs - there’s a section on EC at macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/EC.aspx.
I have had one round of FEC and the anticpation was definitely worse than the reality. Main thing is report any side effects to the chemo team and they’ll be able to give you something to counter these. Also look at the “sticky” at the top of the “Undergoing treatment chemotherapy” which gives lots of useful tips. Also as Angiepops said join the May Moonbeams thread - it’s good to be in touch with people going through the same thing. Best of luck with it.
Take care
Nora x
Sorry don’t think that link appeared correctly I’ve shortened it to
http://tinyurl.com/6aes9ta
Nora x