Had my 2nd EPI a week ago (1st one had pancreatititis so was obviously tired through pain) This time the fatigue has hit me and although you are told this is the scenario, you cannot comprehend how debillitating it will be. Just having a shower is like climbing North Face of the Eiger. Does age make a difference I am 61 but was always active before BC. How do you mums cope with little ones,??
I feel so guilty my husband ends up doing most of the household chores.
Bobbie
Hi Bobbie
I found my second chemo hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember naively thinking after the first one that this was going to be a piece of cake - WRONG ! I don’t know if age makes a difference, I was 41 when diagnosed last year, married with two girls. I had 8 sessions of chemo, followed by a mastectomy, radiotherapy and am now on herceptin (oh, and just to be greedy, a reconstruction is on the cards for April). I do sympathise with you, the tiredness is cr*p and particularly frustrating if you’re used to running around like a headless chicken (which I was). All I can say is give into it, I know its hard, but if you need to rest/sleep, do it. Please don’t feel guilty about your husband doing the chores - I know I did too, but remember this is only temporary, and I’m sure he doesnt mind.
You’re only at the start, but I promise you my love that things will get better. Make the most of your good days, which before long will outnumber the bad. Take your friends/relatives up on their offers of ironing etc - its tough when you’re used to doing eveything I know, but you must do what your body tells you - and if that means spending all day snoozing on the sofa, so be it !
Good luck with your treatment, you’ll be fine.
Lots of love and a big hug
Julie xx
Hi, Bobbie and Julie
(Julie, you sound a lovely lady 
)
As Julie says, give in to the tiredness, Bobbie. It’s your body telling you it needs to rest. I’m 58 and, like you, I felt very guilty about my husband doing the shopping, cooking etc. Until my next door neighbour pointed out that I’d done all the chores plus held down a full-time job and looked after our two sons for all those years. Then I didn’t feel guilty anymore. Also, I treated myself to a cleaning lady and she’s an absolute treasure. Mother-in-law irons hubby’s shirts (she wanted to help us) and nothing else gets ironed. I’ve mastered the art of taking clothes out of the dryer just before they get totally dry, and putting them on the maiden. Then when they’re properly dry, they get folded and put away. All those years spent over the ironing board - I could kick myself now.
You will feel stronger, believe me, and then you can take control of your home again.
Good luck to us all
xx
Hi Bobbie,
Sorry to hear you are feeling rough, I have just had my last chemo, and like you I felt so tired, and at first I used to try and carry on, but bad idea, I soon learnt that when I was tired to just give in and rest that way I seemed to get my good days far quicker.I used to feel guilty too my OH doing the chores, but there are times when you have to let them he is best friends with the Dyson now!. I used to be a bit of a “The house must be tidy” person, but since my diagnosis I have put things into perspective, who cares if its a bit untidy, just catch up on a good day, it really is not important, But you are!!, Be kind to yourself . it is a long journey and honestly you will feel the benefit if you rest when your body tells you to. I wish you well Bobbie with the rest of your treatment. Be Thinking of you
Love and a Hug
Jillx
HI Granny scouse ,Jillian and Julie, Thank you all for taking the time to get back to me ref Fatigue , I have had to drop my standards a little and realise whats important and what is’nt . This should teach me a lesson for the rest of my life hopefully and when I’m clear of all this crap will try not to fall into old ways of should do this… must do that!!!
Love and hugs to you all Bobbiexx
Hi Bobbie
Can I just ask how many days steroids you get - for my first chemo I had 3 a day for 3 days then stopped - after this I was absolutely floored and bascially couldnt move for 3 or 4 days - for the second chemo they changed it to 3 a day for 3 days, 2 a day for 2 days, 1 a day for 2 days then stop and it made a huge difference.
Maybe you already get yours like this but just thought I would tell you my experience.
Hope you have more energy soon
Fiona
xxx
Hi Fiona ,My ONC had to alter my steroids drastically after my 1st chemo and the pancreatitis. LIke you I had three a day for three days but this time was allowed to dec to 3,2,1 because the steroids where more likely ty be the cause of panc: So was ok this time , they are supposed to give you a high,but I hate the blooming things and feel shaky can’t sleep and to be honest feel absolutely c**p on them. Have been told after two more EPI cycles will not be given for once I’m on CMF. Love Bobbiexx Thanks for geting in touch.
i started my first epi cycle yesterday but decided to not take the steroids as i hate taking them i have been fine with the anti sickness tablest so far , don’t know if i’m making a mistake not taking them but the chemo nurse said it was entirerly up to me so i will just have to see if i can do without them i hope i can. They also said if i did take them not to take the last one after 3pm as they would make it difficult to sleep. Hope you all get on with your treatment well , would like to know how your hair is doing, i have been told it will fall out about the second wk so will wait and see but can’t stop hoping it won’t although
everyone say’s it’s the last thing i should be worried about.
Good to hear from everyone Renneexx
Hi Renee Did’t realise Steroids were not obligatory, obviously I’ll have to have a word with my ONC, thanks for that!!! Yes my hair did fall out second week flaming great clumps that stuck to everything even the tiles in shower, bedroom carpet was like shag pile had to get my son to bring his Dyson round. Dump the hair have a NO 2 cut, honestly it was more upsetting seeing the mess and bald spots
Have very good NHS wig , also you might be interested in websites I have used
headcovers USA site but it does take about 4wks delivery, luscious lids, UK bohemia fashionsUK. I have purchased bandanas sleep caps and a fringe to wear under bandana. I cried my eyes up when hairdressers attacked mine but its far easier to cope with than the misery of watching it fall out. Good luck with EPI !!! Keep in touch. love Bobbie Would moderator please comment on not using steroids please!!!
Dear Corsa
It’s important to speak to your own medical team before deciding whether to stop taking any medication which has been prescribed for you.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Corsa, Please take all the advice your medical team gives u, i wouldn,t want you to stop taking your pills you may really need them i’m doing ok at the moment but i am feeling quite queesy at times, but i’m taking the other pills, as i said i will probably pay the price for not taking them, but thought i would try it. I will probably take them the nxt time if things get worse because i’m a big wimp. Thanks for the hair advice i keep touching mine , i keep hoping (i know i’m being silly) that it won’t fall out. How r u doing with the 2nd cycle do u feel worse or much the same. Good to hear from u.
Take care Reneexx.
just to let everyone know i’ve been reading some of the other stories about hair loss and they have been really making me laugh, which is good because i,ve felt like a sourpuss all day, doesn’t make u feel so bad when u know ur not alone.
Thanx everyonexx
Hi Renee Much better on 2nd chemo thank goodness. Haven’t been on computer for a few days staying with my brother just to give me and hubby a little break. Have 3rd Epi Wed 13th and its the Steroid Days that frighten me more than anything But it is only 4 days including chemo day. Onc nurse
states that once on CMF won’t need Steroids. That happens after 4th Epi.
Hate the whole scenario but was never told it would be a walk in the park.
Love Bobbie aka Corsa
hi Bobbie, Glad u went to your bruvs it’s good to get a break and a wee bit tlc,this is my ninth day and still feeling rotten, the nausea seems to be getting better but have terrible heartrurn doesn’t stop me from eating though, iv’e been terribly breathless, i hate that, i have had chemo before and it definately was not nearly as bad as this but they said the regime is much stronger now. I can’t believe i’ve still got 7mnths to go but like everything else when u r faced with it you get on with it some people don’t get that chance, i keep telling myself to stop complaining, your family can only put up with so much. I get my nxt dose on the 19th yuk the very thought, it’s the smells that get to me as well, i heard that a lot of people suffer from that. But you r right we all hate it, hope this time is even better for you gives me hope. Bye for now take it easy.
Love renee.xx.
HI Renee thanks for getting back to me sorry it’s taken so long to reply. I am on rabeprazole take 40mg during chemo week, then drop to 20mg after that have a word with ONC or GP I do’nt have any acid or heartburn at all also helps with my pancreas. I do try and keep off the fat and NO alcohol. Hope this is of help Good luck for the 19th . MY penultimate EPI is today.
Love and hugs Bobbie
Hi Bobbie, Just replying to your post i hven’t been on the website for a few days myself as the chemo took a lot out of me, i’m feeling back to normal now just very tired. Needless to say my hair is now all over the place cant seem to get it of all the furniture or pillows it’s horrible. I’m feeling a bit down just now knowing i have to go on tues for more chemo but what can u do. I’ve been to headstrong and it was very good they had scarves and things you could buy very cheap and they showed u a lot of ways to tie them. The Haven and the Hospital have offered me therapies so going to take anything i can get.How are u getting on with your 3rd chemo i hope you keep well, it makes all the difference if you can control the symptoms, and i hope you enjoyed your break. I will ask my onc about the rabeprazole and see what he says, it sounds good.
Lots of Love Reneexxxx.