Im having my FEC no 2 tomorrow and dont want to go…
My first treatment three weeks ago was a nightmare… I am normally a healthy happy person… but the first week I was extremely sick… the second I couldnt keep my eyes open and grumpy, had to have 7 days of anti biotics and white blood cells too low for the next treatment…
My hair is falling out big time with the use of the cold cap… bought a wig, liked it in the shop but now I hate it… resorting to wearing scarves…
Have a vile taste in my mouth… and feeling so p***ed off and angry
I am still working full time… is this realistic,
I am after advice, help and words on how other people are feeling… I know everyone is different…
oh van sorry to hear your having such a crap time… explain this when you go for your treatment and hopefully they will give you stronger anti sickness meds and may even adjust your dose of chemo which i know they do with some individuals.
be good to yourself and dont put a lot of pressure to be ‘well’.
sorry the cold cap hasnt worked for you and that you dont like your wig but some hairdressers will trim it to a style that you feel happy with.
Hi Van
I am on the same schedule as you - due for second FEC tomorrow and I echo a lot of your feelings. I was very sick the first few days. I don’t know how anyone can work during the first part of the cycle. I just slept for the first three days and even after that was exhausted. I live on my own and just managed to look after myself and sleep!
I used the paxman cold cap and hair started to come out day 20. At present I still have a good covering and will use the cap again tomorrow. I have a wig ready but not sure I will wear it much. I will decide when I have to. I have also bought hats which I think I will be happier wearing.
Of course we don’t want to go tomorrow but we will and it will be another one down. Keep positive and good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you while I have my treatment too.
Petal.
Hi All Oh Van you sound like you are having such a tough time.We are all here to listen and commiserate with each others bad times and celebrate the better times. Have you got some good anti-emetics? I found domperidone works for me, but I had to take 2 before getting out of bed,if I got up first the nausea kicked in within a minute and was harder to shift I do so hope your SE will not be too bad this time.I too am using the cold cap and although some hair is coming out on the comb it is still fairly OK, greasy fine nad floppy as am too scared to shampoo it.But one of my eyebrows is looking v.patchy My Onc left me in no doubt that it will go the last time I saw him before 2nd FEC. Carry a hat every where with me just in case.Oddly my white cells were better after 1 FEC than with the 3x MM although I am having GCSF injections on days 5,6 and 7 after FEC and will need to continue.I too have a wig ready and whilst I liked it in the shop have had to put it away in the cupboard as cannot bear it sitting there looking smug ( I talk as though it had its own personality)I have been working F-T but need to conserve full paid sick leave( I am on my own) as I do not know if I will need 3x Taxetere that will be chemos 6-9, then surgery and rads. It is becoming harder as 3 F-T ( out of a team of 4 have left) in the last 2 mionths and we were all working at over capacity with a bid in for 2 more F-T so only me left. Have finally had to take 2 weeks off this week and next week ( almost keeled over at work) and the relief is immense and the nausea has disappeared completely.I do not know what to suggest but You are the most important person and need to look after yourself. Can you at least take the day of the chemo off and the next day? Sending you thoughts and hugs for tomorrow please post and say how you are, will be thinking about you.
Love Libby 2010
Hello Van,
Make sure you ask for better anti sickness drugs - you shouldn’t be sick for so long.
I don’t think working fulltime is realistic at all. It is not surprising you have been knackered and needed an anti biotic. You’re asking way too much of your body. I know it must be really difficult if you don’t have much sick leave.
I’m lucky and took sick leave from the first day of my chemo. You’ve got to be kinder to yourself.
I’ve felt sick, tired, sore throat, no taste, bad taste, heart burn etc. But I can pace my day, do something nice if I feel up to it and stay under the duvet if I don’t.
Work is good for taking your mind off stuff, can you work part time?
Hi Van & Petal
Like you I am due to have FEC no 2 tomorrow & know how you both feel. Hair just falls out whenever I touch it (whole head seems prickly) so don’t know if I will use cold cap tomorrow, need to start thinking about wigs -I can’t do the bare head. Will be thinking of you both whilst I am at the hospital & hope all goes well for us all.
Mazz x
Hi Van, im having my second FEC on friday… After first one felt not too bad had terrible heartburn which seemed to be my only symptom until the sore throats started, feel tired in the afternoon so sometimes have a nap. Ive heard from others you can have different side effects each time so not looking forward to experiencing anything else… good luck for tomorrow let us know how you get on
Anne x
Van, I hope it goes ok for you today! Do tell them about your side effects and I’m sure they will look at your medication. I too tried the cold cap on the 1st FEC but it didnt work and hair started coming out before 2nd so I didnt bother again! Wore hats and scarves, as mine was last summer and wig was too hot!!
I worked full time for 1st 2 FECS just had a couple of days off, but as Im a teacher my 3rd fell in the summer holidays. I have to say I then didnt return till after chemo finished, I just had to give in. But everyone is different, just listen to your body and rest when you need to!
Take care, love Debs xxx
Hi Van and Petal Good luck to-day not sure what else to say, be sure to tell staff/Onc about SE as they may well be able to change your meds to reduce SE Love Libby 2010
Just to say good luck everyone who are having their 2nd chemo this week.
Also to those having the cold cap, you do loose loads after the first treatment, even after the 2nd. But after that is does slow down. I had my 3rd FEC a couple of weeks ago and used the cold cap and still have hair - thin and patchy!
Do speak to the nurses about your SE’s they can be adjusted. I felt quite poorly after my 3rd - it seems I wasn’t taking enough of my medication.
Manuka Honey 15+ (£11.50 from Sainsburys) is supposed to be good for low blood count and general well being.
Joining the FEC club on Thursday, what kinds of foods should I be buying in, lots of water, too I suppose? Will try cold cap but get migraines so not sure if I can last the hours being strapped in the cap. How does the honey work?xxxTina
ihi everyone,i had the cold cap 6 times while havin fec,the pain the last two was bad when my hair was really thin i carried on havin it because i got away with wearin hats but i had my head shaved when i finished so my hair grew back the same length,try not to worry about your next fec the time flys by,i can still smell the cold cap i wouldnt recommend anybody to have it,but then again the worse part of chemo is losin your hair.stay strong luv dawn xxxxxx
You have such lovely long hair - but if you are going to try the cold cap they recommend you cut it very short, so that the cap is in good contact with the skull. I had mine cut to 1" - was a shock at first, but got to like it quite quickly - in fact I don’t think I will go back to my old style. Anyway I still have most of my hair after 3 FEC and 2 Tax - it’s thinning now more with Tax but not so much I need to wear a hat, probably I’m the only one that notices.
As for food - lots of bland stuff in case you get nausea. Ginger biscuits are good - also I drink a lot of very weak squash as I find chemo makes water taste horrible - and you must make sure you drink at least 2 litres a day. Good luck - just go with the flow and try not to do too much.
Manuka Honey is a premium medical-grade honey, exclusively found in the New Zealand region. It has been discovered that this unique type of honey contains extraordinary healing properties that are capable of treating a wide spectrum of health conditions such as ulcers, acid reflux, gastritis, strep throat, acne, wounds, burns, eczema, ringworm, wrinkles, MRSA Staph infections, etc.
Hi have just seen the comments about Manuka honey. My WBC were better after the FEC than after the MM chemos and definitely not expected.A friend had sent me a cutting about some honey, which I could not find, but I remembered that I had an unopened jar of Manuka that I brought back from NZ. Not sure how much to take but I have been having
1 tsp first thing at breakfast straight off spoon and my first blood test showed WBC back to what they were before any chemo( I have a WBC count on the low side of normal which I was not aware of) so easily compromised.Will see what my WBC does next Tues, day before 3rd FEC.Thought it might be a blip? Re cold cap I thought I was going to faint when I had the 2nd of the 3 caps I have during chemo. I felt so dizzy and my head WOW.( Think this may have been when I was having Cyclophosphamide part of FEC which can cause dizziness) so will check this out if it happens again. Thought I would have to tear off cold cap. But did relaxation breathing and it passed quite quickly. Still have hair so it was worth it, every day is a bonus.Re food I have nothing really to add except that we really need to stay well nourished to be in best state for surgery. May be easier said than done as I have a very poor appetite and malfunctioning taste buds too. Have been advised to drink loads of water or dilute squash too as I am told this keeps kidneys flushed through to excrete chemo drug residue and also small snacks instead of 3 larger meals if this suits you better. I guess we are all so different it is trial and error as to what suits you. But any tips are always well received.Love to all Libby 2010
Thank you for all the advice, getting a bit anxious now. Will get in lots of plain nibbles. Had really bad pregnancy sickness/nausea last baby and bit phobic about the sickness part now. The honey results are impressive, it’s expensive but worth a try! Have not had a big appetite since all this BC business started at the end of Jan10, trying to recover from the surgery and now getting head around this! Did ask chemo nurse about the haircut, had about 2 inch taken off last week, it’s just about chin length now and she said it’s fine. Glad the kids are on holidays so no school run to manage but no3 son has a bad cold! Typical.
We will see how it goes on Thursday. Good luck to all this week. xxxxTina
xx