Just checking in.Due to have Picc line weds and 1st Fec Thursday.I was previously posting with fear and frustrations - why was treatment taking so long to get going? I need chemo,ghen Mastectomy then rads (going yo be a long journey).Now things are moving it is beginning to get real.Bit surreal feeling well now but anticipating the opposite?.So grateful to this site for real tips and experiences.Hoping us Feb chemo starters can hold each other up.(Is there anyone doing the same plan as me ? - 3 Fec then 3 T)? xxx:heart:
Hi Macneeth - yes I am on that same journey - 3 FEC 3T then surgery and radiotherapy.
Had first round of FEC on 1st Feb - feeling really well now - have been lucky I have had few side effects just sicky feeling and heartburn for about 4 days.
Had that same feeling of wanting to get started and not knowing what to expect , actually feel better now it has started so hope it all goes well for you too. X
Hi Mcneech - yes I did use the cold cap and it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting- they put it on and then cooled it down rather than put it on cold - they said they can get a better fit and your head gradually cools down that way so think that is why it wasn’t so bad.will have to wait now and see if it works - going to do again next cycle.
I was diagnosed on 27th Dec and started chemo 1 st Feb - seemed like the longest time and I was anxious the whole time but honestly feel so much better now it’s started - hang in there xxxx
Thanks Chaffinch - i had a feeling it was linked to that…horrible feeling.
Flora - just search for Judith Fryer on just giving and thank you. Well done to your nephew - fantastic amount ! I can honestly say that it has been very liberating ! We had a lovely evening , no tears but loads of giggles…can highly recommend to anyone. I needed that last bit of control and so glad i did it. Im getting my wig on wed so be interesting to see how it feels with no hair now - i had a right egg head when i tried it on last week ! Hope you start to feel a bit better soon x
Bibi - feeling much better today thanks and shave was fab ! Will look into the Clarityn.
Macneech - know exactly what you mean with the waiting…feels like forever. I actually work on the other side so to speak. Im a cancer pathway co-ordinator so part of my job is to ensure everyone gets their treatment on time ie withing the national guidelines. I’ve had fantastic support from work but knowing what should happen and in what timescale has been quite hard to deal with !
Hello girls well my last day today before I start chemo tomorrow .
Hello macneesh I am having 3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 T . I was diagnosed on 5th dec with triple neg and node involvement .i have had mast and implant reconstruction and sent. Node biopsy on 21st dec .
Initially there was no indication it had spread and that’s why I had implant . My plan is now chemo then rad followed by either wide node clearance or extra rad . Am very nervous about tomorrow.
Went to see mamma Mia last night which was very uplifting and today I feel like just forgetting it all and flying to Greece!!
y
Hi Macneesh that’s funny as I’m a health visitor must be working for the nhs. I’ve found my colleagues great support . But people assume you know everything being a patient is so different to being a nurse x
NHS club it is then ! Good luck for tomorrow Chrissy x
Yes I agree we are so lucky to have such a great service in our country. Thanks for your comments it made me laugh just what I need. Have to start chemo at 12 today. Thanks for your suppport.
I wanted to ask a question before I go someone has bought me molasses and expensive honey told me to have it twice a day and black olives. Now I have researched that cancer cells love sugary foods yes these are more natural sugars but does anyone know if is there any link to this theory?
Ive read a bit about this subject Chrissy but there’s so much out there it gets very confusing. I believe the link with sugar is not as simple as that but there is a definite link with breast cancer and being overweight (not saying you are but i am !) and my initial thought is that mollases and manuka honey contain a lot of sugar - they may be natural but still have the same effect in the body. I am of the view that a healthy diet with lots of diverse and varied foods is the way forward. There is also a lot of new research on gut bacteria and the effect it has on our health. I have been doing intermittent fasting on and off for a few years but properly since last sept. Ive lost quite bit of weight and feel so much better when i am doing it. There is quite a bit of research on this and the effect on cancer cells whilst having chemo - zaps cancer cells whilst protecting normal cells and can drastically reduce side effects.
Its a minefield !
Hello, I am due to start FEC-T treatment on Wednesday, assuming everything is ok when I see oncologist tomorrow. I had my first ever routine mammogram at end September, was called back for additional mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy at end of October, cancer diagnosis confirmed in early November and had WLE and sentinel node biopsy on 20 Dec. I am HER2+ and now to undergo the chemo and have herceptin. Also to have radiotherapy and hormone therapy after all of that. It feels as if I’ve been waiting for ever to get started on the next phase of treatment but now that it’s so close I’m getting a bit apprehensive.
I haven’t been at work since I had the surgery and feel like a complete fraud, as I’ve been physically well since mid-Jan. (It’s quite a busy and stressful job, though and any time I’ve been in touch with my work colleagues it has made me realise that at the moment my head isn’t in the right place for it.) I have been trying to do as much fun stuff as possible before we start - have been away on holiday with my family (husband and 2 grown up boys, 21 and 18), husband and I also had a sneaky weekend away together with the dog, and have been to visit my parents who live 150 miles away.
I’ve been to see the wig lady and am trying to decide whether to go for something the same length as my hair is now (ironically it’s the longest it’s been in 25 years!) or a shorter style.
I’ve been told it’s more or less certain that my hair will come out, even if I decide to go for the cold cap, and so am intending to get it cut short and donate my hair to the little princess charity - might as well put it to some good use rather than just moult all over the place. Am still trying to decide whether to use the cold cap - the chemo nurse says it has had variable success with the patients she has seen.
We have tickets to see the comedian Jimeoin tomorrow night (booked before I had my first mammo), so am looking forward to having a few good belly laughs to take my mind off the impending first treatment.
I have just about filled my freezer with home made soup and as much other healthy food as I can think of, and have a Waitrose meal for 2 waiting for us for our Valentine’s treat on Wednesday (although no idea if I will feel like eating or not).
At the moment I think the worst thing is the waiting and the fear of the unknown. Any hints and tips would be gratefully received. Reading through the thread I think I probably need to add paracetamol and ibuprofen to today’s shopping list!
Look forward to hearing from you all!
Afternoon everyone and Hi Wee Burd ?- aah that waiting to start period is quite stressful but you sound like you have plenty of activity to enjoy and distract you. I did the same - filled my freezer with homemade meals ready to cook and it’s been really useful.
I think nutrition is so important to keep healthy and fight this thing - I am trying to keep a varied diet as much as possible and home cooked everything, my hubby is learning new skills as he is not much of a cook but he is having a real go as I prefer everything cooked from scratch so I know what’s in it - doesn’t always happen don’t get me wrong but we try - he has made some excellent soup as I found that first week after chemo I craved it.
I had also heard Manuka honey is really good for fighting infections - some mixed reviews and research on its cancer fighting properties but I thought for fighting infections when body is low it was worth a go - I just take about 1/2 - 1 tsp in the morning with my breakfast so I don’t think the amount of sugar would be too much.
When on the steroids I found I just wanted to eat everything in the house - having to curb my cake enthusiasm now ?
What about exercise - are you all up to doing much? I am trying to get out for short walks with the dog ? when the weather is not too cold/ windy/ rainy - which has been a challenge but being in the fresh air makes me feel good. I normally go to the gym to do yoga and swim but am avoiding as I don’t want to pick up germs there - but am doing yoga at home ( Yoga with Adriene on You tube - can recommend) when I have the energy and I find that good for stretching and always feel more energised afterwards.
Have a good day everyone and good luck this week to those starting xx
Thanks Bibi. As someone who generally enjoys eating pretty much everything (and drinking) I have just frightened myself by reading a website on nutrition during breast cancer treatment! However I do agree that nutrition is important and most of what was on the “Good” list is already in our regular diet. I am going to play it by ear to start with and listen to what my body wants. I am hoping that the anti sickness drugs will help. The oncologist says that they are pretty good at adjusting the dosage to be effective.
I have been doing lots of walking and hoping to keep that up as much as possible. We have a dog so it’s easy to find a companion at any time! I used to do tai chi classes and have started trying to get back into chi gong exercises at home. There are tai chi sessions at the hospital which I would like to try but I will need to see whether I feel well enough to drive there once the chemo starts.
I have never tried yoga but thanks for the tip - that might be a good way to get started.
Hi Macneech thanks for the good vibes - hope all goes well for you too. Hopefully after the first one is done things won’t be as scary
Hi Wee Bird, and welcome.
And Chrissy, I hope today went well for you xxx
Sue, my oncology team said that paracetamol is OK, but you need to take your temperature before you take it if you’re concerned you might be unwell. But they haven’t said not to take it. I took a combo of paracetamol & brufen for pretty much the whole of last week (carefully timed and counted), as I ached quite a lot.
Like you all, I’m just trying to eat a healthy and varied diet. I’m trying to reduce bread, potatoes, rice, pasta etc to lose a bit of weight anyway, so swapping out for healthier vegetables and bulgur wheat. But I’m not a fan of a fad diet or ‘miracle’ cures. Some people swear by manuka honey, but I think it has to be a high grade to be any use. This article gives a bit more info: webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses#2
One thing I am trying is Kefir - too much listening to The Archers, and then Waitrose started stocking it! It’s a bit like those probiotic drinks, I think. Tasty, anyway!!
For round 2, I’m going to try having both kefir and loratadine (antihistamine) for the few days before, during and after, and see if that helps with side effects. oncologynurseadvisor.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-bone-pain-loratadine-reduces-treatment-risk/article/709511/ "The authors concluded, “[g]iven its tolerability, its ease of administration, and its potential benefit, treatment with loratadine should be considered to help prevent bone pain in patients receiving chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim.” "
Hi Wee Burd - you sound like you have everything in place, very organised ! I agree about the work situation. I worked right up to the day before surgery but also realised that my concentration was going - too much whizzing about in my brain. I have missed the routine of going to work but having been off work now for 2 months I think i have finally got used to this being at home and have enjoyed a lovely day gardening today.
Oh yes Flora - forgot to say i have kefir every day. I love the Bio-tiful range especially the Riazhenka - slightly less ascidic than the original. It has loads of gut friendly bacteria and isnt loaded with sugar or sweeteners like Yakult etc. Will also ask about the Loraditine at my next appt - could do with getting on top of that.
And thank you so much for the donation - very kind of you x
Chrissy - hope today went ok xx
Thanks Jude. The one I’ve got from waitrose is the Biotiful one, cherry flavour. I haven’t come across Riazhenka but will look out for it. Their Quark sounds intriguing too.
And you’re welcome, re: the donation. Good for you on taking control of the hair loss. I did that by cutting mine shorter a couple of weeks ago. I’m focusing on being ‘lucky’ I only have 4 cycles to get through, so it will start growing back before I know it. I don’t mind losing it, so much, but the regrowth last time takes a while and it came back curly for a good while. And this time it will be even more grey!!
Hello everyone I didn’t want you worrying about me and thank you for your comments.
I won’t say much as I had a very sick night and I’m in bed all day today as feel rough. But I won’t say to much as the other girls are about to start chemo and remember everyone is different especially me !!
will write more when feeling better. Take care all of you xx
chrissy x
Good to hear from you Chrissy - take care and catch up when you feel up to it xx
Hope you feel better soon Chrissy , rest and let your body recover xxxx
Wee Burd - hope your oncology appt went ok today and you are enjoying your night out. Good luck for tomorrow xx