Thank you for the replies. One thing I am concerned about (along with the millions of others) is the effect it will have on my veins when the chemo is being adminstered. I have read that many of you had problems with your veins either during or after chemo. Should I request a line be put? I have read that you can get an infection in those. I had all my lymph nodes removed so I have an ‘at risk’ arm as it is. I am feeling overwhelmed tonight with all the info. I have this vision of me becoming this wreck of a person who has no hair, cant eat, chronic diarrhoea or constipation, cant walk properly because of joint pain, sore mouth etc etc or is this just me going overboard with panic?
Hope you all keep well and dont
feel too yucky with side effects.
Karen xx
Dear Karen,
We all felt the same but honestly nothing is as bad as the fear before you start. After my first FEC i asked if he had given me a placebo! Yes i knew something had happened, yse digestion is a bit “off” but the medidines help and after about a week you actually statrt to feel almost normal. Yes the effects are cumulative, Yes you will feel tired but rest and be kind to yourself and you truly will be surprised how well you cope. i agree with the advice to drink a lot of fluid, this is kind to all your organs and i noticed the difference if i did not. As others said ; it is doable and less awful that you dread. Good luck. Let us know how you get on. Chris
Sweetheart, you sound in a panic, I wish I could give you a big hug. I also wish you didn’t have to go through this but you do and you WILL be OK. Chemo is an essential part of your treatment, there to ensure you are around for a long long time. If you try to think of it in those terms it may become less frightening for you and more of a positive thing, it is there to help you.
If and it is a big if you get SE’s there is loads that can be done to mitigate them, if you are anything like me you will build up a bond of trust with your chemo nurses and they will help you through it. They totally understand how frightened you’ll be for your first one and they’ll help you.
Re the veins thing, yes the Epirubicin is rough but I managed with a canula fine for the 3 cycles, everyone’s different though. The second cycle was a wee bit sore but they put a heat pad on my arm and the chemo nurse administered the chemo very slowly, it was fine and I had no problems for the third. I was very cold for the second though because of the cold cap and I think that had something to do with it, it’s better if you’re warmer. My veins haven’t totally recovered but it’s not an issue at all and if I had to have a blood test (which is never now) they just took it out of the back of my hand. I suspect you’ll only get a line if they are having horrendous problems accessing your veins. The FEC is administered by injection into your canula and the Taxo is by drip again into a canula.
It is overwhelming to read all these threads, they are invaluable but there is a lot of information in them. Try to remember that you are an individual and you will respond in your own way to treatment and whatever that response it there will be someone to help you through.
PM me if that would help Karen. Keep going and take care
hi karen
sorry you have had to join this thread but i know you will get some sound advise, i will have my last tax on the 18th sep,but when i started i just thought to myself,i was not going to worry and just see which se i got, the nurses will advise on drugs you can take,and give you some to take away,make sure when they administer the fec that they do it slowly, and when you get home rest ,mark your treatment on a calendar then tick it off , it may not seem like it know but they soon go by
take care we are all here for you julie x
hi krisd
ive 2 lumps and because they thought i had ibc had to have chemo first saw doc yesterday who done ultrasound lump as got litle bigger and some redness back hes not sure if its because of tax but said it treats it a diff way so ive got to see onc on 21st to see what is going to happen i had to have this tax which is num 5 one more to go yippee well i hope any way then off to see bc nurse for op details if all goes ok just resting waiting for se to start see what i get this time hope everyone else is ok laura x
Thank you for your posts. When I came home from seing the consultant I was armed with lots of info on my impending chemotherapy and it scared the life out of me. Today I have tried to think sensible instead of panicking. I know I will have some side effects but last night I was reading through all of the info and I had convinced myself I would have every single one of them! I cannot deny that I am so scared and at 3am this morning I was petrified but when I read the various posts you all seem to be coping with it so I gave myself a good talking to (mad I know and Im not even on the chemo yet!) and Im now thinking worry when I have something to worry about and wait and see what happens. This is todays thoughts, tomorrows maybe different!
Take care
love Karen xx
the thought of chemo is terrifiying and very daunting. you will have seen the word doable and it is.
I too had sleepless nights before my chemo started and i didnt join this thread until after my 1st treatment and now wish id seen it before as i would have eased my thoughts alot.
my only words of advise are to rest as much as you can and with the SE you dont have to suffer, for every side effect the hospital hav something to either get rid of it or ease it, the only one my ONC said they couldnt do alot about are the dull taste buds.
I have my last one next week and i cant beleive its gone so quick even though at the time its horrible and i cant lie it does get you down but its all done for our good.
oh they also say drink alot but i had great trouble with this as drinking made me feel sick so i had to foce it down, but only for a couple of days.
Anyway Karen you will be fine even though you a petrified were all in the same boat on here and are more than happy to answer any questions you have along the way…
just remember you dont have to suffer.they are there to help us if your hospital is like mine they are more than happy to have a phone call about the tinyest of worrys rather than us sit at home and worry
Hi Ladies Old and New
Pauline how were the reactions from colleges , I wore my wig as I wore head scalf before so most didnt even notice me , one that did said sorry I havent rung I lost my phone !!! Yes but tex me your number again Ive still got same number ???
And one asked me some many questions I felt like my onc !!!
Sally I to have piggy eyes hense now wearing my wig as It has long fringe be worned ladies it seems to be taking my new hair where it rubbs . So prob best for new hair growth to do with out … False eyebrows done that to and it looked like there were to big hairy spiders crawling over my face not nice …
Karen big huggs I have had every side effect going just ask the ladies on here and Im still smiling most of time LOL good luck .
Any way just to catch up and make you all laugh I am now wearing a gum sheild so not only am I bald have piggy eyes I now have a lisp and a gum sheild in !!!
They think my facial pain may be from grinding my teeth so am now styling the lastest fasion NOT !!!
And In case its some thing more serious I spent an hour in the MRI tunnel not nice , not sure who has had one but god if you were claustrophobic !!!
listened to the carpenters but didnt help defon the noise . Why does the machine make that noise …
Any way trying not to dwel on that I will stick with the tooth grinding solution .
Start Rads on Thurs
Hi to everyone ive misses will let you know MRI results asap
Lisa x
Laura, i had 2nd tax yeasterday too! i suffered really badly with stomach cramps after first one kicked in about day 2 and was on the loo in the middle of the night, by the sunday it was getting ridiculous and i rang hospital and they told me i could take imodium!! it didnt stop completly but helped with cramps and gradually got better! spoke to onc yesterday and she said this time take imodium as soon as i get a cramp and she said you can take up to 10 or 12 a day!! but check with yr hosp first!
i just feel a bit sicky this morning so will see how it goes hopefully not as bad as last time!
lisa i can just about manage eyebrow pencil think eyelashes will be beyond me!! troble is with the hot sweats the eyebrows rub off!!!
Karen like everyone else i was terrified on 1st fec but just had 5th chemo 2nd tax and the end is in sight! as everyone says it is doable and better once u get going! we r all here for u to moan at and get advice! good luck!
i too went in for inservice day at sch on monday! gd to see everyone, my head doesnt want me to write off the whole month yet!! sometimes wish i didnt look well! well overweight and flushed face = healthy look in some eyes!!
hi all
day 12 of sec tax just feel tierd but have done my first big grocery shop in ages,and feel ok, (have been doing it online)felt quite normal
sally my last tax is now on the 21st sep, see onc on the 18th ,they are trying to speed up waiting times so have split app, just want it out of the way
karen, i know it sounds impossible but try and stay calm when you go for first chemo,i was all worked up and i was sick that night but by the 3rd i felt alot calmer and was not sick, take a sweet to suck, because they say you can get a taste in your mouth, i didnt and think the sweets helped, remember the list of side-effects that they have given you are all the possible se, they have to list them all, otherwise someone will say they didnt mention one, once you have started you will calm-down and it is amazing how quick it goes lisa could our thread be called starting rads bald and proud not!!, just a thought, have you considered playing rugby, with your new gum shield, think we have to laugh, lisa i havent had one text or phone call all summer from my so called work mates, o yes yesterday one rang me because she wanted the phone no of one of the others great
this bc certainly witles down your true friends, sorry grumbling
take care all
julie x
Im on day 12 also and i also did a shop today, managed to do one on saturday too with the help of my sons, yes that was help i said LOL.must say my eldest (14) has been really good and helped in the house washing up, putting washing out, stripping and making beds etc etc told him its good practice for when he leaves home lol
I too feel tired and have even had naps in the afternoon, havent done that since they were babies, but feel ok, dear i say it nearly normal, well as normal as we feel having chemo.
Julie sorry to hear im gonna beat you on the last chemo LOL…seeing ONC on tues so maybe i shouldnt speak too soon. but its gonna be over soon.
taste buds getting better each day now, can actually taste grapes now and there not bitter.
Debs hope your ok after your 2nd too
Glad all went well for you today Christina, rest up.
Hi all
yes I have piggy eyes too! wake up with swollen itchy lids that don’t go down, but still managing to pencil in my eyebrows and try to treat my last few remaining lashes with the treatment usually reserved for the crown jewels!
I am so looking forward to tax number one tomorrow (NOT!!!) have stock piled loads of drugs for the SE’s, thank you girls. also taking high potency vit b complex, 1000mcg vit c. evening primrose, pro and pre biotics and manuka honey so I say BRING IT ON!!!LOL
On the other thread just had a huge laff with a pall from BCC on face book so I hope this will make you laff before we get further into chemo probs.
Friend says - sun shining shud she go topless?
Me - oh yes wop 'em out but watch out for voyeurs!
friend - ok Rachel but i meant my soft top car!
love to you all xxxxx Rachel xxx
Rachel only you could fall for that one, from someone who got cought in the summer by the gas man was it? lol. See you are well prepared for tomorrow, you will be ok, just take care of yourself. I think i got my delay from going on hol and mixing with too many people in my down week, so be carefull. If you are like me and some of the others on here, on the first one you will be suprised how well you will fell for about 48 hours then BANG! the bus comes round the corner and hits you, but you will be ok and you will manage i promise, i am ready for the no69…there you go again, i ment no69 chemo to cancer bus, tut tut tut. Take care mate, we will be on the last one soon.
Debs, you be careful too, especially on your down weeks, not worth the risk at this late stage.
Julie and sally, glad to hear no 5 has been better for you too, glad you liked the pic julie, i might upload it for a bit for everyone to see.
Lisa work was good and everyone was great, as i really knew they would be. was great to be ‘normal’ even just for one day.
For those of you that dont know, there is a program on monday
called ‘my new breasts’ its a documentry on reconstruction, check out below for the web link to a great newspaper artical on it. It is on at 9pm on bbc scotland, virgin is 892 i think.
Is there only me up? Taxotere what can i say, it is 5.00am and i havn’t been to sleep yet due to the pre med steroids ready for today. Rachel are you up? we could go for a drink together, or fly your kite. Bet your snoring, lucky madam, mind you stars need their beauty sleep dont they. Won’t wake you then. Just have to settle for another hot chocolate on my own then, bye then…sleep tight everyone.
Luv from a wide awake Pauline xxx
HI,Pauline you are not alone after yeast TAx no5 -short staff coudnt get vain quick so i was late -2pm for my steroids…manage to go for sleep 10pm when 11.30 my 2 year old went, muuuum …so wake up he was thursty had a water BUT my eyes stay wide OPEN try milk ginger biscuit had indegestion…oh well here i am since 5am-dont know how i am going to manage today as i have v bad sleep if i dont get it during the night- day time cant cacth up…and then is the chores around my son during day my Oh is here BUT he still wait for me to arrange things …oh feel hungry as well and here it is time for next steroid dose…i am thinking not to take full dose today only 2 tabl in the afternoon…
Rachel by the way …if you dont mind me say about vit C high dose carefull with that i did look at it it is not v good while you are on chemo or radiation theatment…and also Vit B…that one is for periferial neuropathy …i want to tell you if you dont have it as SE you dont need VIT B as i never had those “pins and needls” .Just look at GOOGLe about VIT c and chemo or vit c and breast ca…-not mean to scare you just friendly advice…Christina
Hello, oh Pauline poor you no sleep!! bet Rachel is snoring away!! i was a bit better last night but looking forward to a proper nights sleep!
well waiting for side effects today! woken up feeling quite queasy and a bit achy, so downed the tablets!
Christina you and me both on the munchies couldnt stop nibbling yesterday! and not on fruit and veg!! hope u r ok though, leave the chores and rest! my house is a tip had to apologise to a friend who popped round, OH going to blitz it on Friday!!
pauline and Rachel big hugs to you both!!
love debs xxxx
Hi my lovely ladies
tax number 1 chemo number 4 all done! had to wait ages as short of staff. finally got home about and an hr ago to rapturous welcome from furry babies.
Thanks for adv on vit c Christine - i have been taking it for yrs but will look into it further.
I have sleeping pills to get me over the steroid high! They don’t work and I could have been choppsing away with you guys at 4.30 but poor bella needed and hug and I was only happy to oblige as she doesn’t mind the light being on and me reading. Imagine both of us in a narrow single bed when my 6ft 6in bed is amost empty next door, but i can’t readin there - I know I’ll own up I needed to go into bellas room to read! I own up!
So in 48 hrs the number 69 (bus) will hit - ta girls can’t wait LOL
One patient today said ohno dear youcan’t drink alcohol with taxotere - I thought bloody hell thats my one pleasure out the window then - the nurse reassured me it was Ok in moderation; hahh said I wots moderation in you words then…no answer - bloody alcies these nurses LOl i should know…
love to all rachel xxxxxxx
hi rachel, glad yours went well. mine went in slow today and i was the last one out. They cocked my drugs order up because i was cancelled last week so basically none was ordered. nothing is straight forward. Had mine reduced to 80% due to numb toes last time. I can live with that.
guess wot ladies a lady with the same middle and last name was sat next to me having chemo today. they have tried to keep us apart all the way through, imagine in the pharmacy this morning when they were making chemo up. doesnt bare thinking about. had her about her not turning up for pre med in april and because of that they cancelled my op. fists didnt fly, we did laugh about it.
Well ladies i had some good news i will share with you… my insurance company rang today to say they are paying out my critical illness claim !!! how good is that, i will just say we should be mortgage free in acouple of weeks.That will be a great feeling. Feel i and my family have to go through a lot to get it though so it is a bitter sweet pill. but i am not complaining, will make life so much easier. Check out your policies girls!!!
Dabbie, take care and rest up. hope you dont feel too bad.