I would like to introduce myself. I had my first invite for mammogram in February and diagnosed with stage 3 with lymph involvement following a recall and biopsy. I had a mastectomy with ANC on March 20th. Just had CT results which thankfully were normal. I will be starting FEC-T on May 17th.
Being a nurse myself, I am finding it difficult being on this side of treatment. No-one truly understands until they have gone through it themselves. The uncertainty and fear when waiting for results and outcomes is indescribable .
I have been reading the forums and although I have incredible support from family and friends I feel I will benefit from this group and hopefully we can all support each other.
Wishing my best to all of you
Janie some of the ladies who were on my thread used seabands on their wrists, might be worth s try too, don’t forget to ring your unit and tell them antisickness meds aren’t working, they would rather know so they can get you on something that’ll work. ???keep ???And ???Shi xx
Hi May ladies.
Janie ask your chemo team for different anti sickness meds. Not all work for everyone but they’ve got loads to try so can easily switch you.
Hi Tracey and all the new comers. This forum helped me so much when I was going though chemo I hope you all find it useful. If there’s anything you have a question on let us know and we’ll try our best. Or pop onto the October 2017 thread and post on there.
Cassie x
@jk71…we’re having our first chemo sessions on the same day!
Mine was going to be after lunch but it’s been brought forward to 9.30am, much better for me as there’s less time to worry beforehand!
A few more tips that might help, silk pillowcase for when you loose your hair if you are not cold capping, gentler on head, luvyababes dressing up shop have had a brilliant new range of wigs in 14.99 - 19.99, all colours and styles blooming brilliant so worth a look at and a ladysgaver for afterwards no more razors in case of lymphodaema. We had some cold cappers on Oct 2017 thread if any of you are doing that, they will happily help. Hiya mai7 my beautiful ???Shi xx
I started FEC on the ROSCO trial on the 2nd May.I feel ok now apart from cold sometimes not hungry and abit tired. I used the cold cap and it did hurt to start off with but went after abit and I was determined to persevere.i rinsed my hair on the same day and washed it 2 days later and just ran my fingers through it until nearly dry with a medium setting on the hair drier. I have 4 cycles initially with an ultrasound after 2 to see if its shrunk it. Then a mastectomy and radiation. Am talking to the dr on tuesday re reconstruction but am getting a second opinion to check i have all options available. I am 51.
Hi Linda
Welcome to the thread.
You will feel tired for the first few days. I found that I gradually improved, and felt back to my old self after a week.
Please come and chat whenever you like.
Sue xx
Can i ask where you are having your treatment? Mine doesn’t start until May 17th but in am already not sleeping/worryimg/contemplating. If they have made those suggestions it’s all for a reason, go with it. What time is your appointment?
Just read through all the May starter threads and thinking how awesome you all are.
I’m not quite sure how to introduce myself, or quite what to say so I guess I’ll just dive in and see what comes out! I’m 48, live in Brighton and been diagnosed with ER/PR/HER2+ level 1 - I think that’s the right terminology! Treatment is 6 cycles of chemo, and then mastectomy/reconstruction and then more Herceptin. I have a chemo info session today, echo tomoz, a sentinel node biopsy on weds, and then chemo starts on 15th and 16th May.
I’m coping ok so far I guess. Have discovered that I’m more stoical that I realised which is working for me…went to a Darren Brown talk last year all about stoicism and its really helping me now. I imagine myself as a rock in water - solid - but with holes in so the water can easily pass through. Actually if I’m honest, I’m actually stoically pee’d off, which I guess is an acceptable position to take!
Handing over at work this week which is quite heavy on my mind, so I’ll be relieved when that’s done and I can just concentrate on me. Trying to get all my ducks in a row - and the messages on here about how to make things easier are hugely helpful - creams and lotions and potions…
I’m ordering some black nail varnish, and luckily have a friend whose business is wigs so meeting up with her at some point. I have v long hair - down to my waist, so bit nervous about that. But I’ve seen that there are charities that you can donate your hair to, so thinking about doing that.
Ange ??? you are ???and beautiful too lovely, keep focused and positive, there is a lot of love and support on here and also don’t forget the BCCF helpline too. Send your hair to little princess trust that’s what I did, you take back some control then and you turn it into a positive, and it helps a child ??all the ladies having treatments this week, keep your fluids up 2-3l a day if your meds don’t work phone rapid response and for anything phone rapid response it’s about keeping safe through this and your team will ensure you do ??Shi xx
Well, I’ve just finished my first FEC cycle and am back home waiting for thd side effects to kick in.
So far I just feel slightly light headed the feeling you get after one glass of wine drank too quickly in the sun.
I was very anxious getting up this morning, and when the canula was put in, that was quite emotional, as it was reality.
The biggest shock was the size…and array…of syringes…six in all…they filled a large tray!!!
But the treatment itself was painless.
I’d dilligently packed a large back with juice and a sandwich and ginger biscuits, alongside a book and goodness knows what else, but the only thing I actually used was the socks
