Hi, I am going to have my first chemo on Monday FEC any suggestions before and after treatment I would appreciate. thank you
Gul
Hi Gul, I am going to start mine on Wednesday so can’t reall give any advices (apart from suck on ice poles/lollys during chemo,aparently).
But I would like to wish you good luck and I hope all goes well for you 
Hi Gul
There is a very good thread on here called Top tips for Chemotherapy, I’ll see if I can find it and move it to the top. Loads of good advice and tips.
Pauline
Gul
For FEC, the nurse will be with you the whole time as the drugs are inserted through syringes. You will also have a bag of saline attached via a drip which goes in at the same time. You will get some anti-sickness drugs through the drip first. For me it took about an hour to get the drugs in, and ofr me my first wee straight after it was bright red (the E is Epirubicin which is red going in, so it stands to reason I suppose).
Drink lots of water and take all of the anti-sickness drugs at least for the first cycle.
Let us know how you get on, and good luck
Kinden
x
Hi Gul
I’ve had two FEC so far and would endorse all the comments so far, especially drinking plenty before and after. I am also finding eating a bit more than usual very helpful, as advised by my nurse when I suffered a couple of bad headaches. Eg something like tea and toast before bed and a gingernut whenever you have a hot drink (I’m consuming large quantities of peppermint tea). It seems very naughty when one is used to watching the calories but it has helped me cope with slight queasiness and yukky taste in mouth.
I wore travel bands both times, and for a few days after and wasn’t sick, so they may have helped too.
Good luck - I’m sure you will be well looked after.
Kermit
Hi Gul
Had 3rd EC ten days ago, some tips I was given.
Drink lots of water before and after ( helps to get rid of the pink wee )
Eat little and often to help avoid sickness ( I feel sicker on an empty stomach )
Suck on ice lollypops when having your treatment to help with the taste also pineapple is meant to help
Travel bands ( as above )
Don’t worry about what you eat just make sure you do
You will probably find that you feel very tired for at least the first few days so rest and take it easy.
Good luck for Monday one struck off after that.
Take care
Ann
xxx
Gul,
I have my next chemo on Tuesday, I am on 4 x E and 4 x CMF, currently about to start number 6. I treat myself the same way as with travel sickness (never been sick on chemo yet though) by keeping my tummy full. So I will eat a lot before I go, probably a cooked breakfast, then if I get delays I won’t be hungry. I take a bag full of my favourite snacks and sweets to suck with me and favourite still drink. On the day I will eat and drink as much as I can to wash the drugs out asap and continue this for days afterwards too. Just remember it is much easier to drink and eat a lot before you go and while in there, than it is when the side effects kick in. The tummy seems to be the most common problem, so don’t get hungry. I wear layers as sometimes it is hot and at other times the air con makes it freezing as you are sitting still. I don’t plan anything for the rest of the wek as you just don’t know on the first ones how you will be. On the first epi I slept non stop and was hardly awake. The last time I slept 4 hours in 3 days. We are all very different.
Wishing you good luck and will be thinking of you
Lily x
second everything Lily says… don’t have an empty stomach, drink as much water as humanly possible and another glass if you can manage it. Have a pee before leaving the hospital (as they’ll have pumped another litre into you) and take the pills when they say, don’t wait to feel queasy as they work better at stopping the effects from starting.
I too have not been sick and only slightly nauseous in my case I’ve generally felt worse on new years day, and yes fried eggs on toast do make you feel better just like new years day! Actually simple proteins like eggs and chicken do seem to my mainstay while on chemo. But I must confess I had a curry tonight (no chilli though. chilli is like torture to me at the moment).
If you feel woozy (it’ll make sense), sit down, breathe slowly and if you feel hot try a cold wet flannel on the back of your neck. Hope you all cope as well as I have if not better 
My Last chemo’s Tuesday and to be honest the time has flown by but my friends and family know that I would wait patiently for my opportunity to pounce if they dared to say that themselves (other than fiance he’s allowed to take the p*** as he has a sense of humour that I appreciate and would have been lost without), oh yeah look for every bit of fun and laughter it IS actually good for you so comedy that actually make you laugh may actually keep your chemo dates on track and make you feel a lot better, so avoid movies that are weepies for now.
Good luck Ladies, you’ll cope better than you think based on everything I’ve read on here and if you feel it’s unravelling you talk to us, we know exactly how the steroids make you feel unlike yourself (but you’re still in there and it only lasts a few days)… Lily (bouncing tiger will vouch for that)… just call me reluctant dragon LOL.
Angie
Hi Gul
I’m starting FEC also 1st thing in the morning. Only got told Thurs pm so has come round quick but then I know its better to go straight for it and get the treatment.
Best Wishes
Sam xxx
Hi Gul, I started my chemo last thursday, I also had the cold cap it was no way near what i expected, the cold cap was do-able no hair loss yet. I did house work yesterday and went out to dinner last night, i asked my daughter if they had injected me with a colourful dye instead. Still waiting for the crunch. What combination of chemo are you having? I will be having 3 fec (1 down) and 3 tax. Enjoy today, the is shining have a glass of wine in the garden , you will be fine, keep me posted.
Good luck x
Hi all, thank you very much for all your tips and support. I have spend most of my day cleaning and crying the same time , cleaning so I wouldn’t worry about the house work for a couple of days but a cry I am not sure why. I thought I was ok and ready for tomorrow but couldn’t help feeling weepy all day. Called a friend and went to see Mamma mia second time this week I enjoyed watching it like the first time and took my mind off from thinking about the morning chemo for couple of hours.
I would like to wish you all the best , it is so nice to have you all here supporting it is really comforting feeling not being alone.
Big hug to you all
xxx
Gul