I’m glad to hear you’re all OK-ish. I’m still on for 7th after a small hiccup yesterday when I went to my GP with a suspected infected Mx wound (it still hasn’t healed properly due to fluid build up). I went to hosp today to get it checked out and it’s not infected but still trying and failing to heal. I was worried that they might put me back a week but they’ve given me the go ahead for Tuesday as planned so I’m relieved in a way, having got myself psyched up for it. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Hi ladies, thanks for the messages - sometimes it’s so reassuring to know you are not the only one. I’ll blame the stereiods then, Irina. I was so weak the first half of the day, now a bit better. Had some calming mint tea and my 5-year old made me happy coming back from school with lots of ‘well-done’ stickers. Hope all of you are doing fine.
BellaLasagna, hope nothing serious with your wounds, mine took ages to heal as well, but just in time for chemo.
And Darkshaddowsfalling (what a great name!), thanks for adivce.
Be well everybody, Irina, Cat, Sally and everybody else and thanks for all the support. One down five to go!
Hello to everyone out there already on FEC and contributing to this great thread. I had bilateral mastectomy on 12 Oct - large invasive tumour in the affected breast and 27/35 lymph nodes were diseased too, so I start my FEC tomorrow. Very nervous but encouraged by this supportive thread and all the helpful tips. I have a 4 and 2 year old - they know my hair will fall out but have already got some headscarves. Interested to see how the NHS wig system works after reading some additional threads here - and the cost for the prescription. I still have seromas, one is reducing, but that doesnt seem to make a difference to starting. I do have to have a CT scan and am not looking forward to that as it is still very uncomfortable to lay flat for a period of time… Hey ho. Offering support to all having this treatment.
good luck tomorrow Tanya - thinking of you and sendung good vibes -I’ve got no 5 FEC on wed - goes very quickly -honestly - do look at top tips for chemo on chemo thread- and drink loads of water! Also wishing everybody else the same - Bella Irina Christina cat sally Sarah and sorry if I missed anybody out!
Love x
I am starting 3 FEC and 3 Taxotere on Tuesday 7th. I am feeling very nervous and need some comrades to share things with.
I was diagnosed way back in Feburary and took part in a clinical trial of oral letrozole for six months to shrink my tumour prior to WLE and node clearance. 7/17 nodes affected.
The trouble is I have had too long to think about all of this and starting chemotherapy is bothering me more than anything else. Having a CT scan on Thursday too.
Hi all… Am in the same boat as you Ray. I start on the 16th and get my CT scan tomorrow. Even though I have been told it is routine (crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s) I am really worried about it. Have already had chest Xray, liver u/s and bone scan, which all came back fine, but it’s still another hurdle. I only had a couple of nodes involved but the chemo is scaring me too.Like you, I will be on the tax over Christmas…at least that’s a valid excuse for sleeping through the festives i suppose!!! I am just taking heart from the fact that the NHS wouldn’t be throwing all this funding at us if it wasn’t worthwhile
For you guys just about to start FEC, you’ll be fine. Check the tips for chemo thread, it’s invaluable, and drink lots of water because your mouth will get very dry. My immediate reaction to my first FEC has been a bit of nausea, so my advice is that if you feel sick, take any additional anti-sickness pills you’re given. Make sure you have smaller meals and snacks throughout the day to keep the energy levels up, I’ve found dry crackers or digestive biscuits have worked well for me. Peppermint tea is also good. I found that even though I took the steroids early in the afternoon I didn’t sleep at all well the first couple of nights and forget about a rosy complexion, I looked like a beetroot. I was constantly temperature checking. I had a miserable half hour on Friday morning feeling sorry for myself but gave myself a virtual boot up the backside so I could get on with life as normal for my son
It’s really nothing to be afraid of, and even though the cumulative side effects of FEC aren’t great, it’s worth it to knock this disease on the head. Best of luck Bella, Tanya, Raywitch and Pheebster. Keep us posted about how you’re doing, we’re all thinking of you.
Morning,
I haven’t been nearly as sick as I thought I would on FEC, though still very nauseous (like morning sickness BUT you can take tablets for this!) I took Ondansetron which combined with the steroids gave me a scarlet face. I won’t be half as scared for my second one. Good luck to all the new starters xx
I’m new to the forum thing - the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. In 15 mins I’m off to hospital for my pre-chemo check (blood tests - joy!!!).
I am starting 6 x FEC next Monday 13th (what an omen!!!) - it is sooo good to read this thread and know that I’m not the only one going through this. I, and my boyf and whole family, are petrified!!
I’m 32, don’t have kids, and obviously worry about the potential onset of an early menopause…but I just want to get this darn chemo out of the way…
I actually have a phobia to being sick - so chemo isn’t going to be the best for me - but I’m going to be asking for the anti-sickness steroid things.
Hi lovely FEC ladies, hope everybody is doing well, especially new starters…
It’s fifth day of my first FEC, no sickness at all, the only side effect was very rapid heartbeat, they didn’t know what to do about it when i phoned up during the weekend, but today it’s slightly better. Had quite low blood pressure as well, and dared to drink coffee despite the hearbeat (I LOVE MY COFFEE) - and felt much better. A bit of joint pain,a bit of metalic taste, a bit of headache, but nothing serious. If it stays like this, i think i can consider myseld lucky.
I presume as most of us just started, everybody still got hair? Mine is still there, but looking so dry after the cold cap. Got some headscarves but cannot find a wig yet, I live in Oxford and we have only 1 wig shop with decent selection. A bit unsure of buying it online, has anybody tried it?
and wanted to share the news about BC vaccine on guardian website today (sorry i posted the link earlier, thanks Cat for letting me know)
Get well everybody, think positive thoughts, sorry cant mention everybody name by name, tanya and bellalasagna, good luck tomorrow,
hugs
I’m on day 5 too. The nausea is abating thankfully and I’m settling down into a normalish routine. I still have hair but not for long - after the Reading forum this weekend I’m shaving it all off, having had it cut really short already. I haven’t bought a wig online yet but have found a couple that have good selections. PM me if you want details cos I don’t think we’re allowed to post links on the forum.
I’m trying to keep very calm tonight as I know not sleeping will not help! I’ve kept myself very busy all day trying to take my mind off it (my phobia is cannulas, once they’ve got it in I’ll be OK!)
I’ve ordered a brilliant wig from Wills Wigs in Bromsgrove, S of Birmingham. I noticed that the BCC booklet about losing your (our!) hair has a list of suppliers in the back. I’m sure it could be downloaded from this site somewhere…
I’ll let you know how I get on. Love to all, Bella x
hi Cat, thanks for the offer, i will PM you. I googled some online wig shops, though a bit scared of ordering. I have loooooots of thick hair, I pay my hairdresser to thin it, now i can’t bear the thought of losing it.
You managed to go to Reading after the chemo? Well done girl, very impressed. Have you tried cold cap?
Get well, nausea will disappear soon i hope.
Hi ladies, i have had 3fec and next week start docetaxel which i think is the same as Taxotere.The nausea is horrible but thanlfully only lasts just over a week. To me the heartburn is the worst i drink gallons of galviscon but it only eases it for a bit,going to ask DR next time if there is something else i can try.Im not looking forward to the next chemo dont know if it will affect me differently.At least am half way through now ,. Start my rads 28 dec,so at least got xmas off. peppermint tea sounds like its worth a try, i do eat gingernuts for the nausea for the first week which helps a bit.Thinking of you all, big hugs xxx
Ginger nuts for nausea are good…ginger tea too! There is lots of nausea of going on for sure…just wondering who’s put on weight with the steroids? And also, how are your appetites?
RedheadTato…are you using the cold cap? I would imagine you have the ideal hair for it. I also have bundles of hair (albeit fine) and I am going to have it cut into a shorter style and pray that I keep some hair. Luckily my best friend is a hairdresser so we are going to look at wigs in readiness, so if I do lose my hair we can run out and buy one and style it.
I was recommened a good walk after having the chemo to get the joints moving - anyone else tried it?
Hi Ladies. Thanks for the tips, support and encouragement Chebsy, Wendy, Cat and Redhead Tato and Pheebster. Glad to hear you got on well Irina.
Good luck Bella, Kate and Ray - tell us how you get on.
I was really apprehensive but having the chemo was fine. We went out with the children to the theatre in the afternoon an did felt a bit odd so took some anti-sickness meds that made me feel absolutely fine. I was really nauseated last night and had the nurse out to give me an injection as I ended up being pretty sick for a while. The brilliant ondansetron unfortunately would not have been absorbed however maybe that means I escape the bowel problems of that?? Back on oral anti-sickness meds today with the steroids and feeling fine at the mooment so fingers crossed. Hoping being sick means I wont get the persistent nausea all week. Who knows! This forum is so supportive - thanks and best wishes to you all
Walking seems to be good. Just home from a two mile toddle dropping my son off at pre-school, and although I’m a bit tired, I feel a whole lot better and more energised for it. Only another 2 miles to go to fetch him home again and that’s me done for the day’s exercising.
Tanya, sorry the nausea was so bad, hope it goes really soon.
Friday didn’t go too bad…after getting a line in!!! six attempts!! Tried the cold cap but too much of a woose to keep it on too long got quite emotional about that, thought I was letting myself down…what an idiot!. Sickness has been mild over the last few days but fading when taking meds. Joints ache and feel totally out of it, how you ladies cope with kids is I don’t know. I haven’t left the house but thinking of taking a stroll down the road in a moment, I need some fresh air!!! My temprature has been a bit up and down so had to keep an eye on that. Lost about 5lb since Friday but appetite not too bad. Havn’t lost any hair yet and got an appointment with the wig lady Friday… sounds like we are lucky here in Norwich, they arrange for wigs on NHS free of charge, takes the stress out of looking for a reputable sensative supplier. Very emotional up and down but to be expected I suppose!!
OH being a real star!! My cat who usually sits with OH has now taken residence on my lap and giving much TLC (tender loving cat!) she is soooooooo sweet.
