hi Im on ec for my first 4. Its a very common one. Yes the main SE are nausea nd vomiting but they will give you anti sickness tablets to take with the chemo and for 2 days after.
Eat as normally as you can but you may find something light after it is best if you arent feeling too well.
Invest in a decent digital thermometer as you need to take temp regularly especially on the days when yur immunity goes low which is around days 8 - 12.
You will read lots of differnet side effects so you cant prepare for every eventuality and a lot of irt is trial and error. Some have had heartburn, indigestion, constipation or the runs butr it really is so individual. Imprtant thing is to listen to yur own body and you can minmise any sid eeffects and make sure you report them back to your onc so that they can alter the meds next time if they need to if you have been very sick.
A word of warning and again this doesnt happen to everyone but the hardest thing I found was days 4 and 5. This is because they give you steroids to take to stop being sick for few days but when i finished them I had the most awful comedown and felt very anxious and weepy, unable to sit still etc. I didnt know what was wrong with me and thought I was going crazy but if I had known it was just coming off the steroids I think I could have handled it better. Again that doesnt happen to everyone but if it does at least you will understand whats happening and that you are nt going mad.
Think you can fly as some of the June jewels are on their hols abroad but again exercise caution etc. after your first cycle you will have a better idea of when yuir good and bad days are so can plan around it
hope that helps
Morning ladies,
I’ve had my first chemo session 13/8/2013, and it totally floored me for a few days. Felt so rough from the anti sickness and steroid pills, that next time I might tell them to stick them where the sun does not shine lol. Today, I feel more like my usual self and want to be out and about after being laid up for a few days.
I’m having a total of 3xFEC, 3xTAX, hormone tabs and rads.
Exciting shopping trip this week for my wig! We are having a family outing…my daughter, granddaughter and little ole me of course. So plenty of laughs, tears from laughter, lunch etc., to make a good day out. I’m not concerned about losing my hair, and initially wasn’t going to bother with a wig, but then thought one day I might want to go somewhere without a hat etc. My 7yr old granddaughter…bless her, says I should get a long blonde wig. I think she has an ulterior motive, in that she perhaps fancies claiming the wig for herself to dress up in lol. So, sorry to dissappoint my darling granddaughter, but I’ve had short hair for years, so I think it will be a short style that I choose.
I’m hoping that when I next see my oncologist on the 3rd Sept, he will adjust my meds and I can breeze through the next session…well I can dream lol. I am wondering if any other SEs are going to surface, but am trying not to dwell on those thoughts and will deal with them as and when. My stomach still feels like a 10 ton truck has run over it, and feel that I could fill a hot air balloon with enough wind to send it to the other side of the world. I never knew a bowl of soup could taste so good as it did yesterday lol.
So it’s one down and 5 more to go!
Thanks Chezzap yes really helps, at least i have an idea of what to expect, thank you
ps I am having my treatment at Christies.
My sister in law works there but im having mine at halifax so dont really know much else about it, but it seems as if most places are reaaly good at taking care of us from what i have been reading,
Good luck everbody thats having treatment this week although im sure ill be posting again before mine on friday!
hugs to everyone!
dont forget from tomorrow there is only one thread on line as they sort out the forum. Its going to be hard for us all to keep tabs on each other next week.
Hi Nicola6, not much happens really. The nurse took me through the whole procedure, warned about possible side effects. She emphasised the need to watch out for a raise in temperature, really needs a quick response if temp goes over 38 she said. She, her name was ******, was very reassuring and put my mind at rest about the treatment to come. I got shown around the whole unit, saw where the treatment takes place. ***** looked at my veins and said they are good enough at the moment to have a cannula, quite happy with that personally. Also she sent off referral for wig fitting which I had 14th, was told I could choose 4 to look at, then choose 1 to use. Hope it all gets sorted out in time! Hope all this helps, it’s fear of the unknown that is the worst. Thinking of you on Friday, hugs all round x
Just one more thing re the cold cap thing, I decided not to use it as when the nurse tried it on me I found I wouldn’t be able to wear my glasses at the same time. The thought of 5 hours or so without reading or seeing clearly while wearing it was less than appealing so have to go cold turkey. Hide all the mirrors please!
Hi Nicola6,
I was very anxious about my first chemo session as I now live alone. The nurses are great, and if you have any concerns do not hesitate to phone the chemo unit…anytime and they will help you with SEs etc. I have a picc line in, so will be having regular visits from the district nurse…can also call on them anytime. Support is great, so make use of it when necessary.
Re cold cap…I decided against. I was told there is only a 50% chance of it being successful and keeping my hair. So the unpleasantness of having cold of -20c on my head was not worth it…brrrr too cold for me.
All the best for your first treatment .
FEC#1 Day 12
Good Morning Maisies,
Another sunny day (amazing!) Very Happy Birthday Gilly – hope you have a wonderful day with family.
I had a good night’s sleep (apart from OH snoring) and must be feeling better as very irritated by the state of the house (when having SE’s couldn’t care less about state of house!).
Those up to the bar this week are listed below. If I have missed anyone or info is wrong/incomplete please let me know and I will amend main list.
| August Maisies - Braver than you believe, stronger than you seem. |
| Week 4 : 19th - 23rd August | | |
| Date 1st chemo | Date 2nd chemo | Bar Group | Username | Regime |
| 19/08/2013 | | Dixie Chicks | Lols | 6xTAC and rads & tamoxifen |
| 19/08/2013 | | Dixie Chicks | Claire1979 | - |
| 19/08/2013 | | Dixie Chicks | Daisymegan | TCH - docetaxel, carboplatin & Herceptin. |
| 19/08/2013 | | Dixie Chicks | Rollercoaster | 6xFEC, Rads & herceptin |
| 29/07/2013 | 19/08/2013 | Dixie Chicks | Chezzap | 4xEC and 4xTax & Herceptin |
| 20/08/2013 | | Dynamic Duo | GillyR | 6xFEC & Herceptin, Tamoxifen |
| 20/08/2013 | | Dynamic Duo | Julie66 | 6 xFec-T, Rads & Tamoxifen |
| 31/07/2013 | 20/08/2013 | Dynamic Duo | Benedictus | 6 chemo incl -CMF |
| 21/08/2013 | | (21st Aug) | CarryF | |
| 31/07/2013 | 21/08/2013 | (21st Aug) | KiwiHelen | 6xFEC-T, & Rads |
| 22/08/2013 | | (22nd Aug) | Kickit’sass | |
| 23/08/2013 | | (23rd Aug) | Venice25 | 6xFEC |
| 23/08/2013 | | (23rd Aug) | Lynsey44 | 3xFEC, 3xTax with Herceptin |
| 23/08/2013 | | (23rd Aug) | Jules06 | 6xFEC-T then mastecomy |
| 23/08/2013 | | (23rd Aug) | Nichola6 | |
I hope that those starting their chemo this week are heartened by the postings that say that SE’s for those of us who have already started this month are now settling down. Chemo is not nice but it is doable.
Best to all,
Penn x
Morning Maisies , and happy birthday Gilly 
have a super day xx hope everyone is ok ? I’m doing well just still not sleeping but apt with my onc tomorrow so will tell her . Maybe we should set up a face book page like the June jewells? They have done a private one so friends who don’t know about their bc can’t see anything ? Have a happy Sunday everyone love dee xx
EC cycle 1 day 11
Morning maisies,
Happy birthday gilly have a fab day with your family.
Nicola I am using the cold cap mine us the paxman system that only goes to -5 degrees and found it doable it just lengthens the treatment time. On EC I have to use it for 45 mins before, during and 2 hours after but only having EC for first 3 then Docetaxol for 3 and times will reduce to 30 mins before, during then 45 mins after. Been told hair will probably thin and may lose 30% of my hair. Giving it a go but will see how I get on then make a decision. I was told I could drink and eat during (something light tho) little and often after is probably a good idea hun. Take the anti sickness meds they give you, don’t wait for the nausea to kick in before taking them (mistake I made). Keep your chin up and ask if you need to know anything. Sorry to hear about your mil it must be very difficult for you.
Dee that is a fab idea about setting a facebook page up for the maisies, us anyone techno enough to know how to do it?
Going to get my mum now and take her shopping abit of retail therapy now I feel normal again yipee! Dee I have pm you my mobile number if you want to send me yours hun
Love debs x x x
Thanks deb , have pm you back , hope you and your mum enjoy your shopping together Hun , I am cooking a roast beef dinner that I’ve been craving since last week lol xx
Hi Chezza No I didn’t think anyone had heard but as Ju says she is probably having a rough time currently as she is in the middle week. Even with those many of us in the group, when we haven’t heard from one we still notice it. Ju, I wondered how the hen was that’s your nursing skills that are coming in useful. Nicola welcome to the group, sorry I missed your post earlier and glad you are getting some useful answers to your questions on here from everyone. Anytime anyone needs support this is defiantly the place to get it. Xxx
well i have done it. didnt sleep at all last night aand ended up with a mouthful of hair so went round to neighbour and borrowed his clippers. went down to 1/2’’ all over and actually its not too bad. cant say i feel better but its bearable. morning of practising scarves i think then out for lunch…
Hi Maisies. I read your posts all the time but rarely have much to add myself but I am interested in all that you comment on. Especially all the SE that will most probably come my way!
Pennycrow, you can add me to your next weeks list. I will be starting my Chemo 28th August and will be having 3 x FEC and 3 x Tax with 18 Herceptin.
I will be thinking of you all under my Cold Cap.
Hi penny just thought I’d let you know I’m back up again Thursday 22nd for 2nd chemo xxxRose
Hi All. I notice that I’m up with Gilly and I think Kaz for a Tuesday start. So hope my seroma infection is deemed cured by then or they are on about delaying chemo for a week and I just want to get on with it now. I’ve decided against a cold cap as I’ve got unruly hair at the best of times so not convinced I want to be dealing with winter frizz on top of everything else. I’m off to make final choice of my wig on Friday, so good to go. Might invest in a couple of those anti sickness wrist bands too, hadnt thought of that.
If you Lot are off to Butlins on the razz after all this I wanna come toooooo!!! I might be a September star now but technically started off as a maisy! I reckon that gives me access to both camps! Xx
Status: still leaking boob with sore underside form the stickiness of the dressings- Feel like being topless all day to dry it all out!
Morning Maisies,
Well silence from me yesterday was golden cos I was out drinking and dancing all day. Every year there is a Northern Soul All Dayer so I was out from 12- 12!!! Had a fab time with OH and friends and feel amazingly well today. Trying to get a few good nights in before chemo starts evn though still waiting for my bloody appointment!! Going to ring up on Wednesday if I still haven’t heard anything.
I have read all posts I missed in my 12hours AWOL!!! Won’t comment on all as this would be the longest post but home Se’s are minimal and people up to the the bar this week are not too anxious.
Phone numbers- I have a few and will send my mine to a few so if anyone goes AWOL for better reasons than mine we can let each other know.
Deb- I am getting married next year too(May)- not relishing being a bride in a wig but not postponing it, it will give me something to look forward to during all this. x
Roller coaster I am having my treatment at Kettering I will pm you. A few of us are meeting for coffee in MK on Friday 30th August hopefully if you fancy it.
Hope we hear from Annie soon.
Liking the sound of Butlins weekend after all of this.
Gilly happy birthday- although I hope you do not read this until much later.
Talking about the group this morning to Oh and he said I am August fraud- I said I know but I am not leaving the Maisies now!
xx