Hi Ladies
I am 28 years old and have a lively 2 year old girl. I’m starting 3 rounds of FEC followed 3 Tax next week. To say I’m petrified is an understatement ? I’m a very sickly person and the thought of such toxic chemicals circulating my body fills me with dread. I also suffer greatly with anxiety and the fear is getting the better of me
. Can anyone offer advice and a realistic idea of what to expect?
Thanks ? Xx
Hi Kate, I have only had 1 round of FEC wth the rest to come (same chemo as you), so its still early days for me BUT I would say the fear and dread of the unknown before you start is very overwhelming. Having started I feel more confident and calm. The actual day of chemo was really not that bad and all the nurses and other staff were lovely so I left feeling that it was good to have made a start. Are you cold capping? For me that was easily the worst part on the actual day. It also extends the time you are in treatment which may be a consideration for you as you have a little one.
Come over to the Jan 2017 starters thread, which is those of us starting chemo during this month. I think there may be a couple of others due to start next week so you can be chemo buddies.!
Hi Kate
I had chemo last Autumn, followed by radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
The thought of the unknown is much worse than the reality. The day of the treatment is fine and you will be well looked after. The difficult part for me was managing the fatigue days 2 to 7. Any other side effects were short lived and easily dealt with. If I could offer you some advice at this stage it would be to do as little as possible that first week after the treatment. Prepare in advance by filling up the food cupboards, get the washing down and arrange childcare. The following weeks are much more manageable and more than likely you will be fine.
Hope this helps. As the last lady said, join the January thread so you can talk to people going through the same as you, and you can support each other through it.
Sending a hug xx
Hello Kate. I have had 4 EC and 7 Paclitaxol so far - so similar to what you are having. I also have medical phobia and anxiety so I completely know where you are coming from! Firstly, please be assured that for the majority of breast cancer patients, the chemo does not have unacceptable side effects and we can carry on as normal to a large extent. I am even going to work, part-time at least. I agree with other posters that you should get as much help as you can with cleaning, child care etc so you can concentrate on you and the activities that are most important to you. Call in all your favours! Ask your hospital or your GP urgently for a referral to a counsellor and whether they can prescribe you Lorazapam (similar to Valium but also good for nausea) next week for anxiety in the short term. Many of us take Lorazapam when having chemo cycles to manage anxiety. Ask about all possible drugs you can be given to lessen side effects of chemo. These can be really effective. I have only had tiredness and constipation as side effects with EC but as long as I paced myself I felt fine. Also hair loss, but I have even found that manageable in reality. First 3 or 4 days after chemo will be hardest but then you will feel much more normal for a couple of weeks. Get outside and walk about every day esp. if the sun is shining. Activities like Yoga can really help with anxiety too. Many hospitals also offer reflexology and massage treatments to chemo patients or try The Haven if you can get to a local branch where you can access complementary therapies like acupuncture and aromatherapy free or at low cost. Again, these all help with relaxation and coping skills. Have some treats to look forward to - a meal out, visits from friends, a trip to the cinema, whatever you enjoy. Finally, I promise you the anxiety is worse than the reality so you will almost certainly feel better emotionally once your treatment is under way. Take care xx