hello
like the others waiting to start I am counting the days and finding it scary. Helped so much by everyone on here.
Caro - the dry run thing was just babble - I meant booking in at the chemo unit etc, I am already suffering from chemo brain even at the thought of it! so sorry about that
I’m really sad for you younger people, my first time with bc I was 38 and I found hard to believe it could happen to me. At least this time (I’m 50) my kids are young adults and I don’t have the same fears.
Congrats redcell, and all you others who are coming to the end of treatment, it must feel like quite an achievement and I hope it has done the job
take care everyone and good luck in the coming days
monica
I had a left masx last sept and i am one year on waiting for another mammogram to make sure the right one is ok it was last time so fingers x love to talk with anyone as just on my own with this
Hi moocow,
what a great username you’ve picked. Its just horrible isn’t it the waiting for the next mammogram and then the wait for the results, i was surprised how stressful i found it, was quite tearful. Hang in there, you are not alone, sending you hugs, and trusting this result will be fine for you like the last one.
Take care, rivergirl.
hello everyone
moocow got all sorts of things crossed for you, its a scary time but you have people on here who understand and are rooting for you
sending you love xxx
monica
Welcome moocow; we’re all here to give you support. What date is your mammo? Let us know so I can send you lots of positive vibes on the day. Try not to worry too much; you’ve come a long way and should be proud of yourself!! The waiting for results is def the worse thing about all this. I’ve just had a routine blood test before starting my chemo on Monday, and I’m terrified of the bone results because I’ve had an achey back the last few days and have convinced myself it’s bone mets.
Trumpet, sorry I can’t help on the ovaries front, as I’ve never wanted kids so it’s not an issue for me. Have you discussed it thoroughly with your onc?
Hey Michelle (tealady); wishing you all the luck for your first chemo on the 24th. What time are you scheduled for? I’m at 09.30 and will be thinking of you, and you too Jayney!
Hi All
I know a few of you already,Caro, Jayney and evie, hello to everyone else.
I have my 2nd dose of fec on Wednesday(my 14th wedding aniversary- no romantic meal for us)unsure if it’s 50,75 or 100 then i have 1 more then 3 or tax. Do take all the recommended medicine and have some form of laxitive ready in case. also don’t push yourself into doing too much, i thought i would be ok after 3 or 4 days but in fact still felt very poorly 7 days later.
Hi Folks - I’m starting 3 x Fec and 3 Taxotere in Sept (just waiting for a date), and have taken away heaps from the reassuring comments of the experienced FECers Thanks for all taking the time to help out us newbies.
Can’t say I’m looking forward to it either, but keep my mind on the fact that it is transient. I’ve bent over backwards to avoid additives in my diet, aluminium in deoderants etc, so the idea of chemicals in my bod makes my toes curl!
My initial acceptance of the fact that I shall loose my hair is waning rapidly as I think about the impact it will have on my life, and can’t really see me doing the wig thing - has anyone come up with a more funky way of dealing with being follicularly challenged? I’ve got some bandannas and buffs, but am interested in any other creative ideas that might be out there.
Having got that lot off of my chest, hope all you other newbies are faring well, and that you find things are as do-able as our contemporaries have found it.
I started to loose my hair on day 10 just when i was about to go to a wedding reception and 2 days before a 15 day holiday in Portugal.
I got my next door neighbour to shave most of it off the day before we went as hubby couldn’t do it himself. Sadly i must say i looked quite good. Each day more and more feel out little short hairs are now all over the villa. I too am not a wig person so bought some fitted scarves 2 which are now too big. Whilst on holiday i have worn them but last night it was too hot so went around the local town scarfless just a big white head. I did get lots of head turning which upset me a bit but then thought what the hell i know it will grow back.
just got back from a fab week in France before starting chemo on Thurs. Just off for my ‘dry run’ - basically just to meet the nurses, see the unit and get my drugs I suspect - these steroids I have to take before it all starts. Not my idea of a fun week ahead, but time to look at it positively - zap any last remaining b*ggers lurking in my system.
Glad to have some people to chat to through all of this. I’ve stocked up on lillipops - heard them advertised on Chris Evans on Radio 2 - they are naturally flavoured pop ices designed for pregnancy sickness - thought they might be good to alleviate chemo sickness - I’ll tell you how well they work. I get motion sickness so am expecting to get very sick after chemo.
did anyone else get wig/scarves before it all starts? Has anyone heard of hairdressers who can cut wigs to make them look better?
Hi Janet - thanks for the link. I’ve downloaded it and will have a read shortly; looks interesting.
Peppa - thanks too for your comments. Must’ve been a nightmare time for you and your hubby when facing the prospect of shaving! Gulp! Hope you can enjoy the rest of your holiday without too much anguish.
Just completed FEC No 4 today so I am half way through - yay! The time does really pass quickly - it’s surprising - you get used to planning your life in 3 week cycles! I make the most of the good weeks! I think the worst is not knowing what to expect - the drugs are good and I’ve had no issues with them, they help keep the nausea at bay for me. I just eat what I fancy, when I fancy it and chemo week it’s not a lot. Yogurt is good as I can taste it and it goes down easily!
I have 2 wigs (darker one in pic), but in this warm weather wear scarves and bandandas. Square scarves are easier to tie, but even the long ones can be doubled over as long as they are wide enough to cover your head. I have picked up some really nice ones in Asda, Tesco etc - so you don’t have to spend the earth. Check out bohemia fashions on line, their padded front ones are fab and really comfy! It is surprising how you get used to having no hair. I still have my eyebrows and lashes but think the TAX may make those disappear! Good luck to you all!
love
jayney
x
Hello everyone
thanks to everyone who has sent such reassuring posts to the newbies among us.
I am off to the chemo unit tomorrow (my 25th wedding anniversary) for intro day and start on Weds. not much time to sort a wig out and I promised my daughter we would do that together but she’s off to Leeds festival on thurs so she may lose out on that one…
going out tomorrow night with some friends and family for my ‘final supper’ before I have to be more careful. Got the champagne in etc, and feel ready to just get on with it now, after all the anxiety of the last few weeks. Getting bolshie head together which I hope will see me through, Strange isn’t it, how moods swing about (or is it just me???)
take care everyone
good luck to all fellow virgin FECers and you more experienced friends
love
monica xx
Well, had my first FEC yesterday and so far not too bad. Felt fine all day then a bit queasy in the evening, so just ate small portions of plain food. Feeling a bit nauseous this morning but have had much worse hangovers!!
Jayney, well done on getting half way through!!! Glad to hear you sound a lot chirpier. Did you meet with your bcn?
Good luck Monica and Helen for later this week. The anticipation is worse than the reality! Let us know how you get on.
HI All
had my intro yesterday and have to have a central line as I have no veins! Well, obviously I have some, but none of any use. And of course being bank hol there is no-one around to insert it till next week so I have a week’s reprieve. To be honest, I wish I could just get on with it.
I go to choose a wig on Thurs - not sure if I should stick with the same style or be radically different.
Bleached my hair this morning - highlighted with a cap which I do often but won’t be able to do once I start chemo so thought I might as well go for it. I might add some red streaks later - what the heck - if it all falls out at least I get three weeks or so with a new funky colour. And if it doesn’t fall out then at least I have some colour for the next few months to brighten up life.
well done on your first FEC Caro, hope you stay feeling well(ish).
Happy wedding anniversay Monica Hope you didnt turn up for chemo with a champagne hangover - not sure that’s quite the right attitude (or perhaps it is exactly the right attitude although probably swanning onto the ward, champagne bottle in one hand and glass in another, a la Ab Fab might not go down too well) - don’t worry, I’ve been feeling bolshie since I was diagnosed - I even had some counselling because I was concerned I was feeling too good!!! I think the chemo is going to bring me down to earth with a bump but I don’t think anything can be as bad as the tests and initial diagnosis.
hello everyone
Caro, well done - hope things get no worse and you feel OK, its great to hear that its not floored you
Helen, I did laugh about the veins - just your clarification that you do in fact have some! Enjoy your week - but I know what you mean about getting on with it, am so psyched up now.
take care everyone
sending love - monica xx
I have had 2 doses of FEC so far, and just missed out on my 3rd today as they suggested a portocath implant this Friday as my veins are collapsing because of abortive attempts to find good veins.
Have around 4 days of general malaise and by about day 10 I feel normal again and the 3rd week I am up and bouncy again.
Hair started moulting on day 17 of first round despite coldcapping but it has kept me enough to get away with still with a hairband.
You must approach this positively and you will get on fine.
Goodluck!
Hi everyone
day 7 and I’m back in the land of the cheerful - day 5 was the worst but really just sickliness and extreme tiredness, and I’m glad to be feeling back to normal. Wig shopping tomorrow and looking forward to a quick trip to the metrocentre while I’m out.
hope everyone is well
take care
monica xx
Thanks for all taking the time to help out us newbies.