Message for Redhead and all. I got my wig in Banbury with a £59 voucher. I think it’s worth about £175. Still feel nervous about wearing it though. Went shopping yesterday and found myself creeping round the isles in case I met someone I knew. I wish I had the energy and some nice weather to go out and get some fresh air. Going for 3rd FEC on Thursday. First one was a disaster, my white blood cell dropped and I spent 5 days in hospital. Second one was a breeze… YES! We can do it girls. Worst thing for me was constipation.
Hi girls, glad to hear from all of you, hope it’s getting better. Tanya and Swanmedicine, hope sickness is better.
Pheebster, yes, i’m using cold cap, hair still there, keep looking at the wigs online but not buying yet… Maybe i’m just too bloody vain, but after b/l mastectomy, getting acne and putting on a bit of weight i don’t want to lose my hair too! I think i’ve put on a bit of weight (I was size 6, now getting closer to 8, i know it’s not a lot, but it makes a difference now where my self-esteem is not at its highest point) - but probably not because of steriods, but because i was moving very little as had operations. but eating like a horse now, no sickness at all.
Just back from hospital, did ECG, couldnt find anything wrong with me heart, but it’s pounding fast all the time. I hoped they’ll give me some meds to calm down, but didnt get anything, so back home, hoping it’ll get better. It’s not bothering me much, but a bit unsure to drive - and i need to drive my son to school and back. I know Cat’s been great being out and about, and some of you are of to the theatre even!
all the best to all of you, take care,
Tato
Glad to see you’re coping well with the early days of the chemo journey. On the hair side of things I started to lose it at about day 14 (no cold cap for me…) but managed to get away with a ponytail and a wide hairband to disguide the thinning edges (and where I’d missed out on having my highlights redone on the day of my first chemo…). It all came out on day 21 when I washed my hair before going for chemo 2 though, so 'im indoors and my daughter shaved it all off for me that weekend. I was utterly convinced I’d never wear a wig but I can confess that I do have one now. I paid the £59.20 prescription charge (I’m in Poole) and got a wig worth about £125 I think but I do find it annoying after wearing it for a long time and still tend to stick to the good old buff option and some hats I picked up in the sale in a certain accessory shop. But I was really surprised at how good the wigs look…I tried on loads and went for one completely different to my normal style/colour 'coz I liked it.
I’m full of cold at the mo…and off work as a result. I hope I can shift it before my blood count drops…no sign of a temperature yet. Thankfully Omeprazole this time has put paid to the horrible stomach problems I had as a reaction to the steroids last time. And the dizzy spells I was getting seemed to disappear with a lot of sleep. I’ve decided that I really should listen to my body and not try and keep going when I don’t feel like it. Just very peed off about getting a cold tho’…even in 2 and a half years of working in a school before my current job I never got colds. Oh well…my stomach tells me I must eat…carrot and coriander soup for lunch.
Hope you lovely ladies manage to keep well.
Love 'n hugs to all,
Sarahxx
Hi ladies
I am starting FEC on tues 14th and was terrified - until i started reading this thread that is. It has been so reassuring. Can someone tell me what the steroids are for, my bc nurse mentioned them to me but I forgot to ask why I had to have them - too many things on my mind at the time.
Cazzb - you’ll cope with the chemo and the side effects. I was concerned when I started but finding the ladies on here all starting the same FEC chemo at the same time as me has been so helpful, everyone is so supportive and caring. Having a moan about how I feel and finding out that I’m going through the same as others makes me feel less alone.
I think steroids are given to relieve swelling and inflammation, or reduce the chance of an allergic reaction to treatment or to help with nausea . This link might be useful:
Hi Cazzb - Steroids are for anti-sickness - try to make sure you have your last dose before 5 - they do keep you awake!! Good luck with starting chemo - this website is brilliant - you can ask anything you like and someone will be able to help - Top tips for chemo are really good - I’ll bump it up for you - I’ve got no5 FEC tomorrow - all gone really quickly and not too badly at all - varies from person to person but I haven’t felt sick - just totally knackered for a few days - drink loads of water!!
Will think of you on 14th - let us know how it goes!
Thanks for your words of support. Will speak to bc nurse and see if steroids are absolutely neccesary, just don’t like the thought of taking steroids on top of all other stuff we have to have. Was also wondering if anyone else saw item on This Morning about Lifemel honey, have looked it up on website and seems to be something worth considering although it is quite expensive.
Will let you know how I get on next week.
love cazzb
Hi…
I’m a newbee here… just had first of 6 x FEC yesterday… after WLE and SNB in August.
The waiting has been the worst… fear of the unknown… I like to be in control of my life… being a single parent to two sons aged 15 and 12… and now studying a degree at Uni.
I was orginally booked in last week… had bloods done Monday and then was told the Pharmacy was closed for training for the week so had to wait till yesterday… heyho. another weekend to be “Me”… and more red wine! Guessed, as did my kids, that I would be a Zombie… but so far have been surprised! Even managed lunch at my local Mexican straight after the chemo! was wacked by 6pm… eyes out on stalks and heart pounding… did not sleep a wink! Hangover feeling this morning… should be used to that… managed a nap and then worked on an assignment… so pretty happy so far. eyes still sensitive… and planning a day in tomorrow too…
Didn’t go for the cold cap as didn’t want an extra 3 hours in clinic + uncomfortable! so now accept I’ll be a baldie in 2 weeks and have ordered a great wig from USA … half the price of here.
Good luck everyone… off to top up my glass… with Lucozade :o)
Well that’s #1 under my belt and, as everyone has said, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be! The only problem I had was a 4 hour wait at the hosp due to emergencies and getting my prescrition made up which really didn’t help as I was sooo nervous.
Luckily once I was finally called through it went well. The nurse put a heated pad on my hand as I have rubbish veins but she got the blasted thing in 1st go, which was a huge relief to me as that was what I was most scared of. She stayed with me while she fed the drugs in, it took about 40 mins in all and I didn’t feel a thing.
Now I’m back home I feel ok, a bit light headed and tired but that’s probably due to waiting for so long in a waiting room full of people. Next time I’ll go out for a walk while they make my prescription up as they give a timeslot for coming back.
So for all of you still due to start, I can definitely confirm that the run-up to it and the waiting is by far the worst bit. Once it’s done, it’s done, and hopefully I can now get on and cope with any side-effects and move on through this.
Hi, what is the Lifemel honey, is it similar to Manuka honey which can be bought in health food stores and a few supermarkets. Yes it is expensive but is meant to be good for the mouth and healing the skin.
Well done Bella - 1 down and 5 to go - well that’s just my way of coping. Hope you dont get any side effects to speak of and a good nights rest. I have certainly taken the advice of others here and made sure I take my last steroid by 5pm.
Well done you lot…wish I was starting tomorrow just to get on with it.
Had CT scan today which was scary (not the actual scan but wondering what they will see) and I still feel sick from that disgusting horses pee they gave me to drink!!
Also got my flu jab, so all in all had a lot of needles poked in me today, but at least I’m on the road…
Hi Pheebster - I have my CT scan Thurs - not looking forward to it as hard to be comfortable from surgery anyway when lying flat. Was that aspect ok for you?
Cazzb - thanks for the reminder about Lifemel Honey - one of my friends texted the info to me in great excitement. Not sure if it makes any difference, I won’t be trying it because I’m vegan, but would be interested if anyone else gives it a go.
Lorna - what a pain having to wait. Good for you having a Mexican, mmm. I went through the same highs and dips as you, good to know I’m normal.
Bella - how horrid having to wait for so long in hospital, bet that really didn’t help things at all. Is there a nice cafe you could go to while you’re waiting so that you can at least have a cuppa and snack while you’re waiting? 1 down, though!!!
Pheebster - love the description of horse pee, though personally don’t want to sample the delights…how are you doing today?
How are you feeling today Lorna? I spoke too soon yesterday, was sick as a parrot (or is it dog?!) last night, but have managed to keep my medicines down and feel much better today. I’ve got some travel bands on my wrist which I used when I had morning sickness and they really seem to help. I’m drinking loads of fluids and trying to eat, although my body doesn’t seem to want food at the moment (totally unlike me!) I also have the lovely steroid suntan, but at least I look healthy!
I’m trying to rest today and hopefully if this is the worst it’s going to get will not be too anxious about the next 5 sessions!
Luckily wasn’t sick but did get up in the night and take another Metoclopramide tablet…still didn’t get a great nights sleep… I’ve got the rosey complextion too… planned on having a few more hours kip once the boys left for school… but my neighbours kindly had Cavity wall insulation installed from 8am!!! they have only just stopped 3 hours later… so up and trying to eat ginger snaps… just reminds me of being pregnant!
Like you I keep hoping this is as bad as it gets… just worried now about days 10-14 and my low immunity… think I will end up with OCD with germ gel :o)
Hi Girls…glad to see we are all feeling nauseous together!!!
Tanya…I had to drink about a pint of liquid which tasted of a cross between liquorice and disinfectant. Take a drop of ribena to put in it - someone gave me a splash of orange to put in mine, and it made it far better - though still putrid, sorry to say, and I did retch a few times.
I was put in a gown and laid on a bed, whereby they put in a canula and hooked me up to some clear liquid stuff. When this goes in your arm it goes in fast and you can hear it squelching, so don’t freak (bit weird but not painful) and then you go hot all over - like a rush of heat from head to toe! You will have to put your arms flat behind your head…so I hope your movement in your arms is ok…luckily mine is all back to pre-mx. Then this donut type ring passes over you and you are asked to hold your breath. i had to do this 3 times. and that was it…over and done in about 3-4 minutes.
The water mixture has given me the s**ts from hell…perhaps it is a taste of the chemo dire-rear to come!!!
Anway, I decided to treat myself this morning. The dog and I went for a walk and picked up croissants from the French Patisserie down the road - so we are both having a scoff - just wondering how long it will be before the tummy starts to grumble again…oh the joys!!!
Hi Pheebster good to see you haven’t lost any of your sense of humour! Can you tell me, did you ask for a CT scan or were you advised to have one. My hubby thinks it would be a good idea to ask for one just to know that we are staring chemo clear so to speak. Apparently in Europe they give evveryone going through chemo a scan as routine. Hey Cat am going to try Lifemel so will let you know how it goes.
Hi Chris not sure if it is same as other honey apparently this one boosts your immune system and helps you produce white platelets or something. There has been quite a few studies in Italy by oncologists who say the reulsts so far have ben quite beneficial in stopping infections due to low immunity. There are a few websites with info on them.
I was told by my Onc that CT was routine and was assured by BCN that this was the case and I hadn’t been singled out. I also had chest x-ray, liver u/s and bone scan prior to surgery.
Speaking to the doctors at work they have said in our Borough it is all done as a matter of course.
Have you looked into local honey producers? Sometimes local honey can give you immunity too.