December 2015 chemo

Hi ladies,

 

well fourth day now and not been too bad.  Had chemo Tuesday, Wednesday was fine, yesterday had heartburn so rang onco nurse and got some lansoprazole which has helped.  I have not felt sick but had a funny taste in my mouth and have to eat what I fancy.  Funny I fancy white bread and havent eaten it for years.  Yesterday I was tired and felt like you do when you are getting flu maybe, but today am better just tired. My next Friday after chemo will be xmas day so if I feel like this will manage.  I have been on Emend anti sickness which is the best you get apparently, make sure you ask your consultant for them if you can.

 

And yesterday I bought my wig, looks really like my own hair, pleased with it.

 

 

keep in touch xxx

Hi Gillian

Im on EC so thats part of FEC but im not having the F bit. glad you are feeling OK and got on the phone to sort out heartburn that would be my main advice for your group there is a hotline ans you have a GP use them please dont put up with any side effects x

Gillian if you have been on steroids just to ket you know I felt a bit down a day after I stopped them, bot unwell just low if you do dont worry it goes away x

Look after yourself, rest up and take any offers of help you get .
Jen x

Hi Ladies, I’m from the October group and thought I would pop by and offer you all moral support and good luck wishes. I am having FEC T, I have had my 3 sessions of FEC and I am due my first cycle of T (Docetaxel) next Thursday, so a little apprehensive as to the different side effects I might get.

 

All I can say is I found it not as bad as I thought and it is doable. 

 

If if any of you have any questions, please ask and I will answer if I can.

 

love Jayne xx

Hi Gillian

Sorry to here you’ve had a few side effects, glad to hear that you got advice and help from your team. Hope your feeling better soon

I went to the hospital for Pre assessment on Friday and I am having my first FEC on Thursday due to demand for the cold cap I have been put back a day, glad I’ve seen the unit and met some of the nurses.

Take care xx

Hi all, I’m due to start my chemo on the 24th! Being fitted for a port a few days before that, as my veins are rubbish, it’s even stated in my notes that the anesthetist found it difficult to find one for surgery! Starting ivf tomorrow. I haven’t seen the chemo nurses yet so don’t really have a clue what to expect or how I should prepare? What would be the best moisturiser’s, shampoos etc to get?

Yeah, I’m hoping nothing kicks in until after Christmas!

I think we should be OK, I’m just going to ask them what we are to do in this situation. I’m sure they will have prepared for it. I am concerned about how everyone in work are down with a bad cold, do not need to get it!

Hi
Your hospitals will have chemo hotlines they are 24/7 and 365 days a year they will make sure you are OK over festive period, you should also get a book/card which is kind of a fast past via a&e in that you show it ans you will be placed not in a waiting room and will getvseen, the duty GPs who cover xmas just need to be told if you call you are a chemo patient and they will come out, the hospital will call them if you dont have any luck when you call the nurses and doctors on call are Very good at ensuring their patients get what they need. Please dont worry everything is geared up over xmas to ensure you are looked after

I got told today my chemo starts next Monday !!!
Xx

Thank you Lynne
I agree the waiting is so difficult.
Xx

Hi everyone,

My first chemo is this Friday and I’m having a dilema about my hair. The onco told me it would fall out in about 18 days after chemo, and I’m going to get it cut short, it is shoulder length at the moment.

The problem is I don’t know whether to have it cut before the chemo or after. Not sure if I will feel up to it after, and also not sure if it will start to fall out sooner if I go to the hairdresser after chemo and with the wash, cut and blowdry it will start falling out sooner with all the handling.

I’m waffling but the nerves are kicking in, fear of the unknown.

Marina

 

 

 

 

Hi Nicola Top tip: try 2 paracetamol/co-codamol 1 hour before cold cap goes on.  It makes it a lot easier.  If they have machines ask for one.  You feel it as it falls between 18 & about 10 degrees & then the intense cold goes.  Just stick with it & hopefully it will work for you.  You should know that you will probably lose a fair big of hair, even with the cap, but I’ve had 8 treatments now & still have full cover, albeit I reckon I’ve lost 50%. Also worth investing in some Topik from Amazon in case you get any thin areas.  Sounds mad, but it works. BBx

Hi girls,

 

thought it was time I gave you an update :). I had my first FEC last Tuesday and this is how I honestly have fe over the last few days

 

day 1 felt ok, treatment itself is nothing to worry about, was wide awake through the night

day 2 had a fuuny taste in my mouth and was mega thirsty.  I made a mistake and forgot to take my steroids

day 3 was ok in the morning, got my wig.  By teatime felt like I was getting the flu aches and pains and was really tired.  Not sure if that was because I didnt take the steroids the day before! Bad heartburn so got some Lansoprazole fro GP and that sorted it out.

day 4 was just tired was trying to do things and really couldnt be bothered

day 5 same as day 4 and fed up I think that was the steroid low that Jen told me about.

day 6 felt much better, walked the dog and did some jobs in the house.  Bit of a funny mouth feels rough inside.

 

in summary not as bad as I thought.  My advice is dont do too much and if you are suffering give the team a call.   If you want to ask me anything drop me areplyand will try to be honest with my reply.  

 

All the best girls

Gillian

Glad to hear things are looking up Gillian, and thanks for the update.
Take care
Marina

My chemo has been moved a few times over the last 24 hours but now it’s happening tomorrow !!!
My first TAC .
Xx

Hi ladies,
Had a drastic haircut today - very short! First chemo tomorrow…
Marina

Marina
Mines tomorrow but can’t face cutting my hair yet
I know it has to be done xx

All went well today. No side effects and eating normally.
M xx

Glad m
Ditto here to x

Hi, my chemo starts on the 24th, I haven’t met my chemo nurses yet and have no idea what to expect. Am I meant to organise my wig myself? I don’t know what I need to prepare for it.