Good luck everyone starting there chemo this week. I start mine on Wednesday xx
Hello everyone,
This may sound awful but I find it so helpful to read that other people are just as scared of starting chemo as I am.
I’am another example of someone who was first told they wouldn’t need chemo (only rads, no mention of hormone therapy), then was told I would need everything (plus re-excision after lumpectomy), then again told that chemo was probably not advisable (only rads and ht), then was offered to do an Oncotype test, and after the result came back (25=higher end of the intermediate spectrum), I am now waiting to hear when chemo starts (my oncologist said: before Christmas, oh joy).
I also did fertility preservation/emergency IVF while waiting for the Oncotype results, and am just dealing with what will hopefully be the last side effects of that.
In these past months, ever since the BC diagnosis, I’ve learnt that often going through treatment in the end is not as bad as I thought it would be before it started. I absolutely keep fingers and toes crossed it will be the same with chemo. I’m down for up to 6xFEC (although I still have doubts about F), and I’m planning to try fasting or at least eating less and vegan before and shortly after each chemo session.
So glad to have found this group - and all the best to everyone here who spends their 2018 Christmas season in a slightly different fashion from other years.
xxx
Rapunzel
Right girls we’ve got the tank warmed up and you are all safely inside and we are family playing on the jukebox ???keep ???and ???and ???Through this ???journey ???
Shi xx
ps I think there will be a few of us doing festive chemo… drummerswidow on Christmas Eve, marykamille on New Years Eve and mine should fall on New Years day…although I don’t know yet if chemo suite will be open then! The positive I’m taking from it is that for future christmas holidays we can look back and think how far we’ve come!
xxx
Saw oncologist today and start FEC 20 December. Not sure yet whether will go for 3 FEC then 3 FEC-T or just FEC. Worried about peripheral neuropathy (losing feeling in fingers) with Taxotere and also psychosis due to more steroids (on lots of meds for depression anyway).
Spent the last hour organising wig, haircut, bloods pre-chemo. Fortunately have already had dental stuff sorted. Will have to wait and see if I am up to going out for Xmas lunch as planned.
Hi all
Started my Fec yesterday. As always with me it wasn’t straight forward! The drugs hadn’t been orderd from pharmacy and then pharmacy had to send for them. So from having an appointment at 1.15 I finally had chemo at 4.15. It wasn’t nice waiting around for that long. But it went well when it started and at least I’m one down down! I tried cold cap but because I was already quite distressed from cannula (the cannulla went fine …I’m just such a wimp!) I took it off after 10 minutes… so hoping my wig from MacMillan is ready soon! feeling sad though now that losing hair is a reality.
So far so good though after chemo - taking my meds and no sickness or nausea. I hope you’re doing well marykamille. My next chemo is new years eve like you as apparently I should be in the monday group but they couldnt fit me in this time round.
Hi Pastasmissus - I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet from a previous illness. Thats why they put me on FEC. Also, although I didn’t sleep great last night I haven’t had any problems with the steroids. I had one lot at hospital yesterday and then I’m on them for 3 days. I drank loads of water from day before chemo - about 2.5 - 3 litres and I’m continuing to do so. I’m thinking thats helped with how well chemo went and how well I’ve been feeling up until now…fingers crossed!
xx
First cycle of TCH today (×6). Is anyone else undergoing TCH?
Hi I started 12th December with first of six cycles, beginning with 3 FEC. I am waiting for the side effects to kick in. Up to now nothing worse than a mild hangover but the nurse told me I could get more tired as the steroids wear off over the weekend. Hopefully I will be alright for Christmas.
Hi all,
Had left mxt and full node clearance 12thOct, no reconstruction as wanted shorter op. PIIC line fitted & first chemo was 12th Dec. So far not too bad but burping rather frequently!!
Not looking forward to injecting myself tonight but guess will have to get used to it for next week.
Had cold cap this time as didn’t want to lose hair before Christmas but so uncomfortable not sure what to do next time. Made it hard to wear glasses so hard to find distractions.
Next session a day late on 4th Jan because of holidays.
Due to have 3xfec & 3xT but will take it a step at a time - if side effects get too bad may duck out early.
Wishing you all the best Christmas possible.???
Hi Wahini,
They did but couldn’t guarantee time & it meant hanging around waiting. Also said better to do at bedtime so hopefully can sleep through some of the expected joint pain. I f it’s too hard I’ll shout for help tomorrow.
Well I’ve gone right off my Oncologist as of yesterday morning. I got told that I really needed to do something about my weight as my outcome would be greatly reduced due to my obesity. Her words not mine. I went on my own … note to self NOT to do that again. At the time I just sat there like a numpty while she looked for some exercise/gym thing to refer me to. When I got home and went over the appointment in my head I got really upset. In fact I think I cried all afternoon and evening. Yes I have a weight problem but have other health issues as well so have not even been able to walk my dogs for the last couple of years. Talk about kick you when you’re down!
I feel that I have brought the cancer on myself because I am overweight and what’s the point of having all this treatment if it’s not going to help. VERY, VERY fed up. Needless to say, she does a good impression of a stick insect!
Hi ladies I just wanted to say hello, I’m a newbie to all this… I started a thread and a very lovely lady pointed me in the right direction to here
I’m starting chemo on Friday 21st for tnbc i thought I would try a forum for some moral support and tips
Hi cat lady ??sorry you find yourself on this journey but very glad you’ve found the forum, hope it gives you 
???along the way, the love and support from every beautiful amazing lady on here will give you the ???and courage to ???it into oblivion. Mai7’s blog would be helpful to you (see earlier on this thread) we are here for you darling ???Shi xx
Minimal SE so far. No sickness, just burping for England!! Few odd things creeping in since starting injections - itchy palms, very dry mouth & sore at back of neck/hairline. Have physio this morning on scar which seems to have got very tight since Friday. Hate the thought of hair loss which is silly as minor in the scheme of things.xx
Hello everyone,
Glad to read most of you are doing quite well! I’ve got my first chemo scheduled for 21st December. Am a little worried at the moment whether I’ll be able to start because I’ve got a lingering cold and on top of that (since yesterday) a UTI. Now I’m drinking lots, resting, keeping warm, taking Ibuprofen, and hoping for the best. I have a feeling my body is telling me it would quite like a break from it all - oh well. I’m sure you know the feeling.
Wishing you all no (or at the very least very bearable) SEs and lots of good things to do pre-Christmas!
xxx
Rapunzel
Hello all,
I am starting FEC (3 then possible 3 T or 3 more FEC) tomorrow. I will get a PICC line in first.
Very anxious is an understatement about how I am feeling. I am also very worried about being able to be “normal” for my two children and looking after them over Christmas. They’re 5 and 10.
The line, the G-CSF injections, the whole list of possible side-effects - I have known all that for a while but it seems to have only hit home today (I was working until Friday now on holiday, too much time on my hand to think is what it is!) and I have done very little but cry all day.
Sorry, this is just such a self-pitying message! There are up days but today is very down.
Hello. I started 4EC & 4PAC last week. So far been lucky - no nausea or side effects. Getting port before next due to tricky veins.
I was diagnosed Aug. 1 sentinel lymph involved. Sep op was anc, smx and immed recon with TUG flap. Did start Tamoxifen as pre-menopausal but that’s on hold. Wasn’t expecting chemo but risk of recurrence score changed that but happy to be throwing everything at it to kill any nasties.
Wanted to thank everyone for sharing your personal experiences. Happy to share some of mine too as if it helps just one person I’ll feel I’ve made a difference. Many posts on this forum have already helped me so much with tips and advice - really takes away some of the mystery/fear out of treatment.
Sending you all lots of support for chemo.
Hi all - first time posting on here. I am starting chemo on Thursday. All feels a bit surreal. I am just between hospital appointments today - have been for my pre-chemo chat (which was pretty worrying) this morning and am having a port inserted this afternoon. I swing wildly between utter panic and a sort of practical acceptance of my situation where I just want to get on with the treatment.
Evening Strong ladies
First time on this thread. Had my pre chemo chat today all went well no surprises. Starting FEC T on Thursday 20th (6 cycles) followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy and 10 years of hormone therapy ???.
I am having mixed emotions and this forum will help me I am sure. I am normally in control of my life and those around me now everyone else seems to be controlling me does this sound mean? Selfish? Ungrateful? I love them all but beginning to feel stifled and treatment has not even started ???. Wishing you all well and look forward to hearing how you all get on. Sending each and everyone of you big huggs xx??
Delph hope you got on ok and that all ladies further through cycle are feeling like you’re on the up.
Nanna J and Nellie thinking of you for 20th and Catlady and Rapunzel for Friday. Having the first one done helped to see the routine and then what my body will deal with. And the nurses are so lovely, you’ll get loads of support.
Angelblue hope your tiredness is getting better. Reading your post seeing some similarities with me due to our ages. I’m 46 and pre menopause with no children so have the hormone drugs to follow for next 10 years. Taking one step at a time.
I’ve never posted anything on social media until this forum this week on this thread. So this too is all new. I’m quite a private person but this seemed the perfect safe place to share thoughts and experiences.
Take care all
X