Sissy, I’m from October 2015. For the T steriods I took as soon as I woke up, around 8.00am ish then around 2.00pm for the second dose. I felt fine with that regime and did not have huge problems with sleeping. My documents said “early supper” but my chemo nurses said “late lunch” would be fine for second dose and would probably help with sleeping not to take too late.
Good luck
Ruth xx
Fiona, are you thinking about double mastectomy? What about reconstruction, what are your thoughts to having any? I’m getting in touch with my BCN this week to discuss as I’m not meant to be meeting with my surgeon until a week after my last chemo then surgery is pencilled for 3 weeks later on for 19th May. It is so hard thinking about what is best for you now and in the future.
Sissy, I took my 1st steroids as soon as I wake up (between 6.30-7.30, depending when kids wake me!!), then 2nd lot between 12-1. I took my last ones from this cycle yesterday and last night I woke at 4.30am until my husband for up at 7 with the kids and I slept for a couple of hours. I do think earlier in the day the better. Good luck for tomorrow, let us know how you get on.
Debbie x
Hi Fiona, yes I’m with you on the same reasons, my breast size is 34E so quite similar to you, my lump was 50mm on ultrasound but nearly 70mm on MRI, I had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago and it has reduced by 40% so that’s good. I just think if I’ve missed a lump that size in my left breast am I worry I am going to miss a lump in my right in the future. I know all that I’m going through now will make me check, but life is so busy with 3 little ones. I’ve looked at that website a lot, it is good.
Debbie x
Fiona, I had a single mx before chemo and I asked to have the other one off at the same time, but they wouldn’t do it. I’m a gg cup so it does look quite lopsided when I’m not wearing the prosthetic. I’m waiting for the results of gene testing, if it’s positive then I’ll be having a mx on my remaining breast. I’m not planning on having reconstruction xx
Thanks Claire, I’ve started on my big bottle of squash as I don’t like plain water much any more! Are you going up to London for your test or did you choose whitstable? Mine was in London next door to the shard so popped in there for a cocktail after!
Just about to start my pre chemo house clean before cooking a roast dinner, I’ve got into a bit of a routine now before each treatment! Xx
They just have a chat about family history and do a family tree then take some blood. I was only there an hour.
I took my last steroids too late yesterday, I’ve had no sleep so far, all I think about is food and have chemo at mid day. Xx
Good luck today Sissy, hope it all goes well 
Maybe you’ll sleep through it?!
Claire, good luck for your appointment today too - everything crossed for a good outcome.
Debbie - how are the side effects? Are you our first one having T? Been trying to scroll down and work it out.
So nice to be in the good week before first T next week. My sore arm has improved so I can nearly completely straighten it, so hopefully another 7 days will get it back to normal. The chemo nurse said the F chemical if FEC is the hardest on the veins, so fingers crossed it won’t be so bad next time. Got a fair bit of socialising planned this week and reflexology tomorrow - bliss!!
Hope everyone has had a good weekend with lovely Spring sunshine!
Xxx
Hi Everyone,
I think I’m first to have T with FEC-T, I’m day 4 now. Aches and pains started last night, I had a very weird nights sleep, lots of hot sweats and very vivid dreams. I had to be at the hospital for 10 to get my first herceptin injection, then got home and took my filgrastim (for immune system) injection, so feeling quite woozy!!
Claire, I got some anti sickness put through my drip before chemo as a precaution and they also gave me some anti sickness to bring home, but I haven’t felt sick at all. I do feel like I am coping much better with T than FEC.
Good luck everyone.
Debbie x
Hi all, first T went well, apart from I was so tired but couldn’t get comfy to sleep. Am feeling pretty good at moment, slightly flushed from steroids and so hungry. Had a healthyish dinner of turkey spag bol, but have since eaten two hot cross buns and am thinking of what else I can eat! I feel strangely happy at the moment, I feel pleased to have gotten this far…not sure if I’ll be feeling so happy in a few days time! Claire, I also had anti sickness through the drip before hand. Took my steroids at 1130am so hopefully I’ll sleep! Xx
Glad it all went well Sissy
What has/is everyone doing about their nails? I’ve coped with the hairloss, but dreading anything happening to my nails!! I’ve been religiously putting oncolife nail drops in them twice daily since before FEC1 but although they’re still strong, the half moons are blueish. I was going to get some nail polish tomorrow and some gentle remover from Body Shop and give that a go for the next 3 cycles.
Xxx
Kim, I’ve got a gel nail kit at home so painted mine a dark turquoise sparkly colour last night. On my toes I just used a normal dark burgundy nail varnish. I’m more concerned with my eyebrows. I’ve done nothing with them for a few months and they look shocking. I really want to get them tinted and waxed, I know they’ll prob disappear by the end of this but they look so awful now. Xx
My eyebrows are thinning out and look very strange. I put eyebrow makeup on them the other evening when I had friends round and by the end I’d managed to rub half of it off making me look like I had half an eyebrow! That and the fact I keep pulling at my wig like its a hat - I’m really going to have to practise at all of this before I return to work or I’m going to get done very strange looks from the kids!!
Hope you get some sleep tonight Sissy
Xxx
Not chemo related, but I’ve been busying myself with arranging a charity race night to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, I’ve got so much support from the forum so it’ll be nice to give something back. It’s not going to be until September, but it’ll be nice to have something to plan! My brother and his friends are running the Hastings half marathon next Sunday for this charity as one of their friends has also recently diagnosed, she’s only 29yrs of age! They’ve raised nearly £5000 now xx
Hello all, regarding nails, some places used led lights rather than uv lights to set the nails I think, though the machine I have is uv, I’ll try not to do them so much and will be gentle when soaking the old gel off.
Managed to get to sleep around 2.30am, then awake at 7 to take first steroids, fell back to sleep and just taken second lot. Am feeling a little achy, especially my jaw and mouth and soles of feet. Does everyone else have one of those red chemo books? I’ve been getting them to write down my blood stats on each cycle, it’s quite interesting so see how they change. My neuts really jumped from just over 1 to just over 4 on this one, I was quite surprised as I thought I’d been feeling a bit under the weather before my last bloods.
Claire, I’ve been using the harmony trust as well, there’s a lady in Dover who’s fab, have had a massage so far and am going to go for an Indian head massage next. I’m also booked in on a look good feel better course, mines on 29th March at the QEQM, apparently the goody bags are great! Xx
Hope everyone is doing ok.
I’ve been struggling yesterday and today with aching, tiredness and really bad constipation. The kids stayed at my Mums last night as husband is away and I’ve been in bed all day with a hot water bottle. I haven’t taken any pain killers as I’m trying to get constipation sorted (tmi I know!!!). Husband is home tonight and kids back soon, let’s hope I can manage to do there tea and get them to bed!!! It’s tough, but still not missing FEC!
Keep strong.
Debbie x
Hi all, SE’s from first T started to hit last night, started yesterday with mouth feeling funny, not tasting things very well unless they have strong flavours, are spicy or cool. Woke up feeling very tearful today and aches have started though is so far controllable with paracetamol. Stomach is also churning and a bit upset, but I’m also so hungry.
I’ve been eating a lot of Greek yoghurt with berries as well as tuna and egg salads, lemon squash is also starting to taste a bit bland so am mixing with with tonic water. Hope everyone else is well xx
Sounds like everyone is managing ok with T se’s.
I’m day 7 and I feel like I am getting worse. I’ve had aches and pains, constipation has been a major thing this time, I’ve had it with FEC but not this bad. Today I’ve also started with nausea, I’m not sure if it is connected with taking dioctyl for constipation or just because! The filgrastim injections do carry there own se’s too, thankfully I take the last one tomorrow. I’ve been in bed most of the time since Monday, feeling very tearful, it is so difficult feeling this poorly with 3 young kids to look after too.
Sorry for rant, I’m sure you will all manage excellent, I just seem to be very unlucky with all chemo!!
Debbie X
Debbie, so sorry you’re feeling rubbish again. It must be so difficult too with young children to take care of too. Really hope you start to be on the up again soon. Then just 2 more to go?
Sending you loads of love xxx
I had my pre-T appointment with the oncologist this morning. I had a list of questions written down and managed to ask them all! I’ve come away with a prescription for cocodamol and Gaviscon and he said I’ll also be given antibiotics to take. I also had an X-ray of my lower spine and pelvic area because I told him that my hip is painful (didn’t X-ray the hip tho - do t know why!!)
Totally forgot to show him my nails that are looking a little more bruised, but I know that’s quite common - just hope I don’t lose them. Will be painting them on Monday in preparation for Tuesday!!
Xxx
My temp has spiked up to 37.7 so I’m currently in Kent and Canterbury minor injuries as a precaution. Ache all over and not allowed any meds at the moment. Debbie, sorry to hear that you’re not doing too well xx