December 2017 Chemo Starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
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Hi all

 

Can’t see a thread for this, so hoping good to start one! Just confirmed yesterday that my chemo starts on 1st December (the Christie, with Dr Chittalia), after having had mastectomy towards end of September. Kicking straight off with a portacath insertion as twice I’ve been sent home from scans as unable to get a cannula in. Will have 3 x EC, and 9 x weekly paxatol…

 

Joined Optima trial as was hoping might be one of the lucky ones to avoid chemo, but nope. Blogged a bit about some aspects - drbexl.co.uk/! 

 

Bex

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Hey! I’m starting mine next Thursday 30th so Can I please join this group too. I’m super scared as I have been told by the oncologist that the treatment is a tough cocktail of different things… so any tips will be most appreciated!!!
My chemo is before my surgery… so next week is officially the very start of the treatment!!

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Hello ladies, I will be joining you in December have my chemo induction on 1st Dec then they will give me a start date to start a few days after the 1st.  I had lumpectomy beginning of October, will be having 6 x TC with Herception then 12 herceptin injections, another op after chemo, then radiotherapy, then Tamoxifen.

 

I think everyone is aprehensive and the waiting is the worst bit. Once we all get started and help each other along the way hopefully it won’t be as bad as we imagine!! xx

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Hi Ladies

Just popping in to welcome you all and thank you to Bex for starting the thread.

I had chemo last year, so if you have any questions please ask.

My general advice is to prepare for that first week, when you may get sickness and fatigue. Stock up the fridge, sort out the washing and have all your meds at hand. Then just sit back and rest. If anybody offers help, then say yes! It’s time for others to look after you!

I will pop in from time to time, but if I miss a question, please feel free to PM me. I might not know the answer, but I can point you in the right direction of someone who can help.

Best wishes

Sue xx

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Hello December ladies, I’m from the October thread just thought I’d pop by to wish you all luck??? with your treatment. I had chemo 3 last week and am halfway through fecx6, I’m also cold capping so feel free to ask me any questions if there are things you’d like to know I’m not an expert but I’ll try to help if I can as I’ve found the forum invaluable for support, tips and laughs. Feel free to pop along to our October thread and post on there we’re a friendly bunch.

 

I’ve been relatively lucky so far re SEs and have got off lightly compared to some so you’ll probably find it may not be as bad as you think. I hope the chemo treats you kindly and you suffer minimal SEs.

 

First tip for you - if you’re suffering or unsure of anything call your chemo number straight away, they can give advice or meds to relieve things or just put your mind at rest. I called nearly every day for 4 days after first chemo, nothing serious just small worries which they confirmed were all normal things.

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Thanks for the tips ladies! And good luck to all of us starting over the coming weeks.
I do have a questions and please forgive me for my ignorance!! I keep hearing TC , FEC, or just EC etc… what do these stand for?? My medication doesn’t seem to fit some of these abbreviations??
X

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Hi all…I start my chemo 30th November too. I have had two WLE’s and SNB and having 6x FEC, followed by Herceptin, radiotherapy and hormone tablets (don’t know which ones yet). Had 5 inches cut off my hair last night…have been worrying I am really vain bothering so much about losing my hair but now realise we all go through the same sort of emotions. Today I went with a friend to the shop in the oncology unit that organises the wig appointments (booked in next week) and bought two skull caps then over to the Maggies Centre and promptly dissolved before I even said hello. They were amazing and clearly very used to that sort of entrance and took me off to a lovely little quiet area…lots of questions, suggestions and follow up. Totally lovely, next time I promised not to grizzle and stay for cake! XX

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Hello & Good Evening ladies. Bex thank you for starting off the December thread. I also begin my chemo 1st Dec. 3 EC 3 Docetaxal & Herceptin. I had a lumpectomy in Sept, 2nd WLE to gain clear margins & lymph node clearance in Oct. Trying to get myself organised before 1st with haircut & wig fitting appoint’… I have followed Oct & Nov threads & thank all the ladies on there for sharing your journey so far.
Scooter X

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Hi Dec starters I’m from Oct thread, few things to get before starting chemo, silk pillow case gentler on head and scalp, biotene dry mouth slosh, sudocream, anusol, senokot (usually start these day after chemo to stop steroids backing you up) always drink over 2l fluids a day really important. If on fec, then ice lollies while they put the red one in, helps preserve the mouth. If you get sore mouth get onc to prescribe difflam mouth wash. When going onto t chemo paint your nails with black varnish and keep skin moisturised, I use acqueous cream and for nail beds vitamin e oil. Just a few tips I hope you find useful and take it one treatment at a time, there is a lot of love and support on these threads and we are all in it together, we have ladies mentoring us on our thread and you will too. Wishing everone ??:sparkles::sparkles:shi xx

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Another thing if you are not already aware get signed up for a look good feel better day, your Mcmillan centre should be able to book you onto this, you get beauticians giving you makeup tips and you also get a bag of goodies to take away. ??:sparkles::sparkles:shi xx

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Thanks Shi for all the top tips. I’m just putting together a shop list for Boots chemist & Holland & Barratts. Luckily a friend of a friend works at H&B so will get 50% discount in December.
I went on LGFG course last week & was so impressed with the way it is run & all the lovely products as gifts. I have been practicing applying more makeup for when I really need the confidence boost.
Scooter

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Another October starter here. I’m 6 x FEC then Herceptin and rads.
My advice, don’t suffer in silence, if you are sick after first treatment contact your team and they will sort you out with extra anti sickness and mention any SE to your oncologist or chemo nurse at next appointment and they will tweak your meds.
I had low neutrophils (white blood cells)after first cycle and was only just borderline for having treatment 2. I’d heard that Manuka honey can support your immune system because if it’s anti bacterial quality. I have had a teaspoon of the Tiptree 10+ sold in Morrisons morning and night during cycle 2 and it seemed to help because my levels were much better before cycle 3.
The best advice of all I would say though is just take it one day at a time because really bad days are often followed by really good ones so don’t look at the whole daunting journey just live in the here and now.
Best wishes all x

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Hi December starters. I’m a November starter just about to have 2nd FEC on Friday  ( I am on 6 cycles  of FEC-T, these are my prescribed chemo drugs). This forum is  a great place to chat to others going through a similar journey to you. You will experiencing all sorts of worries, but you’re not on your own  - we’ve all been there.  If you have any thoughts or questions just ask them here because someone will be able to help you.

I was recommended to drink 2l of liquid on the day before, day of chemo & day after. I also have a spoonful of manuka honey daily. It’s also important to try and go out for short walks as this helps fight off fatigue . Take all your anti sickness medications as advised and remember your chemo team are there to help you. They will give you a 24 hour helpline number, just call them if you need to.

Sending you all hugs and I wish you well on your journey

???   ?:comet:?

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Hi Bex, I’ve just had a portacath fitted as my veins are narrow. It’s under my arm - hopefully they be using it on Friday for my 2nd chemo.
The insertion wasn’t too bad, the prep & paperwork took as long as the insertion (around 2 hours). They couldn’t take my blood from it today as you need a trained nurse.
Good luck with everything & well done for starting this thread ?
?:comet:?

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Hi December ladies, not wanting to bombard you with information and advice but a couple of other tips. Keep a journal that way you can record everything in one place and refer back to it through the cycles as there is often a pattern to the SEs and how you feel, it also helps you see that there are good days which can be a positive thing.

 

Lots of us from the October thread have bought and worn travel bands/ sea bands to help with the nausea, we’re not sure if they work but I wear mine for about a week after treatment. Oh and don’t eat your absolute favourite thing on chemo day as it’ll put you right off it!

 

The waiting and not knowing is the worse, the administration of the actual treatment is relatively simple. Once you all get going with it you get to know the SEs and how to handle them and get into a bit of a routine. I’ve also been doing a bit of yoga and meditation each day which is also supposed to help with fatigue and mood.

 

Oh anyone cold capping? I usually take paracetemolx2 and ibuprofenx2 about an hour beforehand. The first 5-10 mins are the worst after that it’s ok. Make sure they get a good tight fit. Treat your hair gently, I wash mine day before chemo and then just once a week using warm water with a jug. I style daily just using my fingers. I would recommend a shorter cut as you will still lose quite a lot and it can become matted.

 

Good luck to you all???:star:?:star:???:star:?:sparkles:

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Hi everyone. I have a real fear of vomiting ( either me or other people around me) — I also know in the grand scheme of things that this is a small price to pay over the next 6 cycles!!
Is it inevitable that I will be sick or are the anti sickness meds generally pretty good? I know everyone is different but is there a general feeling?? Xx

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Hi Sam
Sickness can depend on the chemo that you’re having. I had TC and wasn’t sick at all. Also there seems to be a correlation between chemo sickness and sickness during pregnancy. You will be given medication for it. The trick is to take it regularly even if you don’t feel nauseous at the time. Unfortunately the first cycle can be trial and error, so if you have problems, let your chemo team know and then they can try something else. Some of the lades on here are also using a sea band, so I’m sure someone will come along shortly to tell you about that.
Best wishes
Sue xx

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Morning ladies…I have a couple of questions.
I keep getting infections (started one yesterday, last one two weeks ago), they dipstick like a urine infection with protein and leukocytes sometimes blood and temp but when sent to lab they say not a urine infection. My GP says clearly there is infection there but they don’t know where. Trimethoprim generally clears it. This is 8th bout since end of June. GP didn’t want to send me to urologist while cancer treatment going on. Would this affect my bloods during chemo do you think?
Second question simpler…do I need to remove shellac during treatment?
Nikki xx

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Oh I’m having FEC btw.

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Morning Dec Ladies

I am from the November thread.

I can only echo the advice that you have already been given.

I am on the FEC-T cocktail with a side order of zoledronic acid for 3 of the 6 and then every 6 months for 3 years.

 

The only things I would add is around your medications… as has been said, take everything and if it isnt working… let everyone know about it.  I suffered for 5 days with nausea, I was sick on day 1 and day 2 and then the hospital meds stopped, the nausea for me was overwelming.  I wasnt sick again but it is still debilitating.  I tried to ‘work thru it’ and ‘not bother’ anyone, which in hindsight is absolutely ridiculous!  When I did contact the unit, they advised me to contact my GP to get alternate meds.  Within 90 mins of ringing the GP surgery I had new tablets and was feeling better than I had for 3 days.

 

If you are given the injections then a possible side effect can be  severe joint pain.  However, if you take Clarityn - the over the counter hayfever tablet one a day alongside the injections, it does help to counteract the pains starting.  I took the Clarityn in the morning and did the jabs at night just before bed and only had one episode of pain on the last day which was relieved with 2 ibruprofen.

 

The other thing you will find that might be puzzling/alarming/worrying is that although we are all on very similiar chemo treatments, the bits that go with these treatments can be very different from one trust to another.

Some only give injections if your blood count is low - some give for 10 days, some for 5.

Some give sterioids and anti-emetics prior to chemo, most seem to start on the day and send you home with a large goodie bag.

Some trusts give Vit D and calcium tablets to run throughout chemo - others dont do anything.

So dont worry if people are talking about stuff that you aren’t aware of.

 

And finally, use the forum.  the October ladies have supported us so much thru the beginning of November, and we have walked in your shoes as you build you to your first session.    No comment or question is too stupid.

 

Really sorry to have ‘met’ all you girls … but always here for you!! 

 

xx