Hi Mary-Kate. Sorry to hear your treatment didn’t go ahead today. Must be disappointing when you have mentally prepared for it. Glad your son is ok though, that must be such a relief. You just need to rest up now and take care of yourself.
I’m doing ok but have felt a bit rougher after this cycle than the last. My immunity was really good but I did have a massive amount of antibiotics after my last treatment. Life has been kicking my family too this week. My father in law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and angina, my daughter is ill with a viral infection and my step daughter is in hospital with an infected cyst on her kidney.
Thanks so much Sib and Ali - it’s been a tough day, but feeling better about it all now. I really wasn’t prepared to hear that my immunity was low as I’ve not been feeling too bad for the last 2 weeks, just the last couple of days have been a bit run down. Didn’t realise your’s was lower too, Sib - reassuring that they refer it to your Oncologist, much better to be safe than sorry, and even if as in my case it does mean a delay in treatment…
Ali - shame you’re feeling a bit worse the second time round and so sorry to hear your family news this week. Life carries on doesn’t it and throws all sorts of things that we have to deal with alongside what we’re going through - and just when you least expect it. Hope you’re doing OK…
Mary Kate, sorry to hear your 2nd chemo was postponed and your news of your son…hope he is ok…
my chemo had been put back 3 days also , but because of staff shortages/sickness/holidays in the unit so they have to close it for the day on Friday 1st Sept …I’m now in on Monday 4th September…its the last thing we want is to put our treatment back…but I suppose its out of our hands sometimes which is so annoying…!! …I just hope my bloods are ok at the end of next week also… a friend of mine at work who had breast cancer 13 years ago said she used to drink Guinness shandy the night before her bloods to get her bloods right…!!
Day 16 for me and my hair hasn’t come out yet ,although the top of my head is a bit tender…maybe it will shed in the next few days…I havnt lost any hair from anywhere as yet…!! Hope everyone is well…love and hugs… xx
I am so sorry to hear about the troubles some of you ladies are having both medically and personally. I feel blessed at present that I am just feeling sick and have a real adversion to strong smells, they really turn my stomach. Started to eat a little yesterday but drinking lots. Has anyone else had problems with hiccups? I keep getting random bouts! Take care of yourselves. X
Hello ladies. I’m new here. Had my first FEC-T chemo on 17th August and have felt crap ever since!
Soworridl…had exactly the same as you, went to A&E with a racing heart and missed beats, very scary. They can only put it down to side effects of chemo. Heart and lungs are fine. Fatigue has hit hard and don’t feel like I can plan much as I don’t know how much energy is in the tank! It’s all a bit daunting. I’m hoping next week will be better than this one.
I was taken in after first fec with similar symptoms to you spent two days in hospital with extreme fatigue on fluids my onc gave me a dose reduction to make SE more manageable round two wasn’t as bad round three has been the best so far! managed to cope with SE this time the Fec is ugh! but I’m sure if you speak to your onc he might tweet the dose as they give you alot on first one x hope that helps I started mine in July my next one is the T bit!!
Good morning butterfly free, so glad you are doing better. I’m sure hospital will work hard to ensure you don’t have same se next time, they did with me and my 2nd cycle has,do far been much easier.
Can’t comment on tumour pain I had mastectomy before chemo.
As for hair loss it will be quite quick now, I had mine taken off Friday (day 2 of 2nd cycle) and was ready for it to go (despite my earlier fears) wig has been cut to suit but only wearing it out, quite happy to wear scarf and hats at home.
Hope you continue to do well sending a big hug. X
im day 14 after first fec no hair loss on head yet but i wore cold cap but my curly wurlies downstairs (havent bothered shaving for a while since i thought they fall out anyway) are falling out quite a lot from about day 11… but like my mam said i didnt wear a cold cap on my peach haha
Hi Butterfly. I saw my surgeon after round 1 of chemo and mentioned pain where my lump is. She said after chemo starts the lump can swell and seem bigger and in my case press on the nerves. It’s settled down now thankfully.
Thanks to everyone for reassuring advice, my second chemo didn’t happen today as it’s the bank holiday and my picc moved anyway so once that’s reinserted tomorrow I will have the second cycle Wednesday. I. Still on antibiotics but hope it doesn’t get delayed. Hoping to cope a Little better now I know what to expect and my symptoms are similar to others. Fear of the unknown with each new treatment. It’s really helped finding this group and reading about everyone’s experiences. X
Wow, you are all doing so well. Can’t believe some of you have got 2 sessions done already! How are you feeling about the hair loss? I’m very prepared but still unsure how I’m going to feel when it happens!
It’s been a tough weekend not knowing what the plan is. Mary kate - I also felt tired, emotional and drained - and I’ve not even had any chemo yet! You get yourself so psyched up for each next step, your life revolves around hospital appointments and the treatment schedule, it’s hard when suddenly the order is gone and it all feels out of control again.
I’m set to see the oncologist again tomorrow to find out how my bilirubin has been over the last few days to see if I can go ahead this Thursday and Friday with my firsts chemo. I’m hoping it’s all settled down otherwise I’ve been told the whole plan may change. Fingers crossed.
Cathx
I had my first chemo last Thursday, surgery is planned for afterwards.
So far SE have been minimal, nausea, fatigue, and constipation. I have had pain and discomfort around my tumour and lymph nodes. My BCN said this was not unusual.
This is a great place to ask questions and get support from fellow fighters!
Hi everyone, gosh you all sound like your pretty much taking it all in your stride. Second rounds having started for some. Sorry some of you haven’t got your second cycles when expected, this must be so frustrating…just want to get it all over and done with.
Im now day 11 after first cycle. No hairloss yet, but waiting for it to start, am prepped with scarf and hat from big c shop. Keep reminding my children (4&6) that my hair is going to fall out.
i feel I’ve escaped too many side effects this cycle, taste buds affected, tingly tongue, space cadet head, bit tired, no sickness, very little nausea, one morning of funny tummy and a 24hr period of terribly painful heartburn, BUT as on docetaxel I’m awaiting the arrival of joint pain, tightly crossing fingers not too many extra side effects will add on though. Nervous for the next cycle to be honest, trying not to think about it. I have realised today that my little one starts first day of school right in the middle of the crappy first week of the next cycle though…hope I will be ok to take her.
Hi Xena,
My little one starts school next Tuesday too. I’m starting chemo this Thursday/Friday. Hoping I’ve got everything she needs and that I can be there to drop off and pick up next week. It’s hard to be 100% present for the kids with all this going on. Have you had the lovely book “mummy’s lump” to help explain to the kids what’s going to happen? I got it free from the hospital. I’m not looking forward to explaining the situation to the head teacher too!
Cath x
Hi cathysid, yes I’ve read it to my 6 yr old, the 4yr old wasn’t remotely interested! I’ve spoken too the head at the end of last term as requested a meeting ahead of school starting again, so I will find out what can be put in place for alternative drop off and pick ups. Hes been really helpful so far. This is certainly not how I thought my little ones first day at school would be like.
Hi All,
Claire good luck to you and your mum, it is nice just to have a familiar face with you.
Butterflyflyfree I hope your second cycle is better that your first SE wise!! Are they changing any of your meds? They’ve added another anti sickness to mine for me to try (I’m EC too)
I’m just back from having bloods for 2nd lot tmrw. I called into see the scarf ladies whilst there and got a couple of scarf like hats. Last week I picked up a wig, I had cold cap but in last couple of days I’ve noticed some hair loss on pillow and whilst combing… I’ve said I’ll carry on with cold cap this time and see what happens. I’m like suec too its one of the only times apart from getting initial diagnosis that I’ve been upset so I’m trying to put it into perspective that it’s not a high price to pay short term.
I haven’t told my little girl anything yet (she’s 3 1/2 going on 30!) I have the book but it seemed a little too in depth to what I wanted to tell her as I’ve already had surgery etc so was hoping to not have to go into all that with her… It’s her first day of nursery on Monday so hoping I can manage he school run! Xx
Hi ladies. I just wanted to drop in from May starters to say I am so glad you have a good group to see you through. The May warriors have been a god send and have kept me sane. I (hopefully) have my 6th and final treatment tomorrow. Be prepared for a few bumps along the road. My finish line has moved and I needed a blood transfusion after round 3 but right now I feel great and am looking forward to surgery and being rid of this thing.
I know side effects can be hard but you will get through it. Accept help and forgive yourself for bad days.
Sending you all love and best wishes on your tough journey . If I can do it you can too. X x x
love and best wishes on your tough journey . If I can do it you can too. X x x