Hi Linda, good to hear from you. It must be a relief to have more of a plan? I can’t comment on docetaxal I’m sure others can, but looking on forums and from other friends it seems some people cope better with it than FEC and some find it harder. X
@hets67 yep its a relief to have more of a plan now. Most people respond to docetaxel and they said assume you will have 7 cycles. Is anyone else working full time once they get over the chemo each cycle? I am just worried re infections and stress as I work in insurance which can be stressful.
Hi Linda, t can make you have squitty bum, so you might need to up your carbs. If you suddenly go hot during the infusion and your chest tightens shout out to the nurses, they will need to stop it, it could happen on any of the infusions with t, just wanted you to know so you keep safe. If it does happen ask your onc about abraxane as alternative, they don’t isually give it as it’s more expensive than t, but a few have been switched to that if they rest to the t. Keep ???all of you, you are doing amazing ??
Shi xx
Hi Linda,
Regarding working full time, I have been taking a week to 10 days off after each cycle of FEC and then working until the next one. I felt more tired after the 2nd and I just had my third yesterday which is likely why I am up at 3am! Returning to work is an individual choice based on how you are feeling and the nature of your work. Are you office based? Can you work phased return hours and see how you cope? Don’t make yourself work because you feel you have to . I choose to do it because I enjoy the week and a half of a more ‘normal’ life between treatments. Stay well and put your health needs first xx
@JemPD when are your friends doing the race for life? You have amazing support but it does turn the emotions on when people show they care.
TraceyMac the steroids keeping you awake is awful- hope you got some sleep.
My friends are amazing - this week (week 3) appears to have been a social whirl of walking, coffee and lunch! 1 friends runs this Sunday and then the other next Sunday - it is so humbling, I cry more over their kindness rather than this awful bc.
Hope se aren’t too bad - be kind to yourself.
Xx
I am working full time but have taken 4 or 5 days off plus bank hols after the chemo. However i went in today and someone has a cold so i came home again as although its week 3 i dont think its worth the risk. I work in an office and like you want to feel normal for 9 to 11 working days when i feel ok to work as it stops me worrying about stuff.
Linda Corrine, you are wise to stay away from me of who aren’t well. Even though we feel better, we are still immino suppressed and prone to picking up viruses and infections.
I take laxatives the night of chemo and will again tonight if nothing happens, it has happened each time with FEC if that helps xx
Hiya, re not sleeping on steroids. I happen to have zopiclone (3.575mg) prescribed to use as and when (had this before being diagnosed) and I am finding it a godsave during steroid nights. If
You have an understanding gp/oncologist you may want to consider asking for the same. Of course it’s a personal thing.
Thank you Hets,
I think i will give that a try if I don’t sleep tonight. Thanks for the tip. Much appreciated xx
Hi Tanya,
I am unable to open your photo from my phone, will try on the computer later. I am day 4 of FEC cycle 3 and only managing the same sleep as you, it’s so tiring along with the constant feeling of a hangover without alcohol.
Glad to hear that you are starting to recover, it gives us all hope. Are you switching to taxotere for cycle 4?
Hope everyone is trying to somewhat enjoy the weekend of sunny weather despite what we are going through. Love and hugs xx
Hi Tracy I start T on Friday 13th aarghh !!! And have appointment with the doctor when I have my bloods so I expect she will tell me more about it all then. As for sleep I was told not to take my second steroid of the day no later than 12.30 pm or I would not sleep and that if I was tired try to only sleep before 1pm it did start to work. I’m now feeling more myself so it does get better. I’ve also upped my water to 5 pints a day and that’s stopped me rading the fridge all the time as all I want to do is eat when on the steroids x
Thanks Tanya,
I slept better last night as the dex has finished. I drink so much but always feel thirsty, I am able to stop the munchies that way too.
The worst is the fatigue and constant unclear head, it’s difficult to focus. I wouldn’t feel safe to even drive in my first 5 or 6 days we have to just ride it out and trust it will pass.
I hope all you ladies have had a weekend filled with overcoming your side effects too ?
Hi ladies
Hope everyone is doing ok. I’ve still had no bad side affects post cycle 3. Feel so lucky. The only issue I have are me veins and arm are very sore. Veins are raised and can’t straighten my arm without pain. Has anyone els got this?? Any tips to help?? I’m worried I will have to have pick line for final 3 cycles. Really didn’t want to have it.
Got my holiday first tho so 4th cycle will be postponed until 27th so hoping it will be better by then. Xx
Hi Leanne
Just wanted to let you know that I have found the picc line to be an absolute godsend. Drawing blood and chemo infusions are so easy and totally pain free( I am a bit of a wuss with needles)!. Yes it has to be covered to shower, but other than that I’m happy I had it,
Jacq x
Found out today I am having 3 or 4 more cycles depending on the side effects. So last one is 15th August or 5th September. So I may be halfway through or I may be over half way or two thirds of the way through “hell on earth” (thats my name for chemo) tomoz as had 3 already.
Thanks jacq
I’m trying to prepare myself to have it but would rather not this time of year. If it was winter and covered I wouldn’t mind so much!! But hey ho what will be will be. Xx
Cycle 3 today - felt teary before but held it together. This one felt tougher, slept for 2 1/2 hours when I got home. Now trying to focus on the football! At least I’ll be able to watch Wimbledon?. Hoping SE not so bad, planning on walking a little more.
Leanne - no SE - that’s great and hope it continues. Sorry veins not good. I had PICC line from the start, it has been easy for bloods and chemo , but yes it is very obvious. There are so pretty covers.
TraceyMac hope you are now the other side of SE.
Herts- really hoping no more hospital hours for you this cycle. Wrap yourself in cotton wool?
Linda Corrine - it must be hard the not knowing - is this because of the trial? When will you know how many more. ‘hell on earth’ - really understand that. However I’m also trying to be thankful that we have access to this treatment when there are other women in other parts of this world that don’t have access, someone on another thread was encouraging by saying chemo is our friend- in my dark moments try to focus on this and find for me it helps.
Second half of footie beckons.
Big hugs to all, ??
Hi everyone,
sorry I’ve been away trying to enjoy some good days with friends and working from home. Even went to my friend’s 50th fancy dress last weekend which I thought I wouldn’t go to…dressed as a burglar (B party) so that I could wear a black bandana over my thinning hair on top from the cold cap. Just had bloods taken and preparing myself for cycle 3 of FEC on Friday ?. Have been ok really on these drugs so just need to keep hydrated and sit out the horrible fatigue next week made worse by the hot weather really. At least there’s the football and tennis go watch. Really dreading changing to T and Herceptin next time but have a few weeks to go before that.
I could ups see the chat about PICC lines…I have a port which needs less flushing than a PICC line and sits under your skin. Was still a faff for them to get the needle in last time (and bit painful) but hoping for better things this time. It really depends how many more cycles you have to go I guess and any problems with veins. I was struggling with cannulas and have lots of treatments to go still, but either are nicer than cannulas in my opinion.
Right…must go and do some work before a walk and the tennis!
Hope you’re all feeling ok today.
Tropic_al xx
Linda Corrine hope you get clarity soon. We have so much to cope with.
Cycle 3 day 2 - all good today- taken it easy, went for a walk to see the sea, sat listening to the gentle waves and seagulls reading my book?it really is my happy place. Need to hold onto the good days.
Tropical-al sounds like you have been enjoying week 2 and 3?. Sorry hair thinning. My hair is looking sad, when I asked nurses at assessment if ok to cold cap- they thought I had lots left which was encouraging, I wore a wet theatre cap to ensure no ice burns on areas thin. Good luck for Friday- I’m guessing half way- that’s also 100% fec 
.