A little bit about me. I’m 36, two kids (5 and 3). I first found lump in my left breast in January and was diagnosed with breast cancer on 2nd of April. First they decided that I’ll have lumpectomy but after all tests, scans, etc, I had mastectomy on 21st April. I was really scared before my op. Maybe some will think I’m silly but for some reasons I thought I’ll never wake up after op. But then everything was fine, wound is healing ok; both bone scan and CT scan are ok. Now I’m starting chemo (8xFEC) on 28th May and I started to feel scared again. I don’t know if I’ll cope with all side effects, worrying how I’ll look without hair (although I decided to try cold cap- maybe it will help me). I understand that chemo is just another step to good, happy, long life but can not stop worrying.
Will be very grateful to any responds.
Natalya
hi natayla,
i dont know what kind of chemo you are having but its really not that bad. what bit are you scared of? i have fec treatment through the vein in the back of my hand, you cant actually feel anything happening., the only side effect i felt was like you had chlorine up your nose, felt peculiar but not painful. i have my next one on the 29th may, the only bit im not looking forward to is the sickness for a few days (but not everyone as that.most people the medication for the nausea works, im hoping to change mine) the hospital and district nurses are brilliant, they do all they can to make it comfortable. try to enjoy this week, thats what i intend to do, take one day at a time, and try not to think too far ahead. as the saying goes “dont spoil today with tommorows troubles” i know this may not be easy for you, it worked for me
god bless ill be thinking of you and soon you will have the first one under your belt. at the worse you may feel poorly for a few days, but the rest of the month should be ok
Everyone reacts differently with chemo. I think it may depends on your age and state of health beforehand.
All I can tell you is that I was very scared as people told me that it was totally debilitating. I found that I had sickness that started about 4 hours after and lasted for 12 hours ( my anti sick drugs didnt work ) I just didnt eat anything and went to bed. After that just mild nausea for a couple of days and then ok just tired at times. I still managed everything around the house, I have 2 kids 7 and 11 so I had to really.
As for losing your hair its a shock at first but then you get used to it. I had a high maintenance hair style before and being able to jump in the shower and be out in 2 minutes and ready in 5 was great.
Everybody on here will tell you that its totally do- able and i personally did not think it was that bad. Best wishes to you.
lots of love Andrea x
Thanks for your comments. I will try tp follow the advice “dont spoil today with tommorows troubles” . Today is a lovely weather so I spent morning with kids in the garden.
Is anyone used cold cap? How did you get on with it? Did it help to keep hair?
Hi Natalya
There is another thread I spotted this morning, asking the same question.
I am waiting for my path results after my mast 12 days ago (and counting), so may need to have to have chemotherapy also.
I like this thread - it puts it all into perspective.
See the thread below:
Hi Natalya
Im 35 and my hugest hurdle was the surgery as terrified of not waking up but like you say wonds heal and then the next worry starts. Im terrible and fear the worse of everything, however, I had my first fec on Wednesday. It was wierd and emotional but felt really sick that night and nigglly tired and sicky since and today my body is aching but not as bad as I expected it to be - dreading the hair loss, dont know how Im gonna handle it but its gonna happen so cant change it, think that’s when I’ll really feel like a cancer patient.
Try and enjoy your weekend as I did before my treatment and now starting to think that I might enjoy some of my time even during the chemo - let me know how it goes
Lisa
xxx
hey hun take one day at a time you cant know how you will react so why worry i start my chemo 28th and I want to enjoy everyday till then so I try not to think to much about reactions plenty of time after i have it enjoy the sunshine your family and friends and laugh if were honest we are all scared but life goes on and yours will too… I have planned to start college in August half way through my chemo because its always something Ive wanted to do and what better time it gives me something to aim for and not just the end of my treatment plan something and look forward to that if nothing else it gives us something to live for
Thank you for all your comments. You gave me a great support, feel much better now.
To Joanne 42
I think it’s a good idea to start college, I’m in the middle of my German course with Open University but I must admit that now sometimes it is difficult to concentrate on the studies because I think about something else. The bigest chalenge for me proobably will be exam in October and my chemo will be coming to the end. But if I pass exam I’ll get a degree and it will be a good reward for me.
I’m 41 with 2 kids 16 & 15. I’ve had lumpectomy, lymph node clearance & have had 3 of 4 FEC and still have 4 Taxotere to go. The question I was asked when I was told I had to have chemo was “did you have morning sickness?”. I didn’t - not with either child. And the oncologist was right - I have suffered no vomiting, and very little nausea, so far. I still take each chemo as it comes, and am prepared for side effects just in case (I will admit to dreading potential Taxotere side effects!). With regard to the hair loss - I took the view it would grow back, and have got several wigs (including a pink one for friday night at the pub!) and loads of scarves etc. The only thing I have started to do is wear make up daily - to detract from the wig/scarf. Ooh - and big silly earrings are good with the scarves.
Get everything organised so you are free to take it easy once chemo starts. I am given to understand days 2,3 & 4 after chemo are usually the worst - so try to sort out childcare cover for that time. I organised my chemo on Thursdays so OH is at home days 2 & 3 (weekend) and day 4 they are off to school again!
Take it one day at a time - you’ll be fine.
All the best next week
Sue xx
Just to add a few words to the ones you’ve had. I started 1st of 6 FEC on 8th May so next one is on 29th. I am trying the cold cap and so far my hair seems to be hanging on! I’m waiting to see what happens in the next few days as to whether I continue with it. Straight after my 1st FEC I wasn’t going to bother as it keeps you in the chemo ward for longer and got my wig and scarves all ready but as I don’t seem to have lost a single hair I’m now thinking I’ll continue with it. I had a ‘chemo chat’ with one of the BC nurses before my 1st treatment and she had just been on a refresher course about chemo. The current thinking is to dampen your hair before putting the cold cap on (I bought a small spray bottle from Superdrug and took it with me) to help it work. She also said the view now is it’s about 80% effective rather than the 30% I’d been quoted. It obviously doesn’t work for everyone but I’d say give it a go and decide if it’s right for you after the 1st one. I found it not as cold as I thought but quite uncomfortable as it has a tight chin strap to hold it on. I did get cold during my treatment so this time I’m taking socks and wear warmer clothes!
I have posted before about the chemo part and it really wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined. I felt fine during and after. Ate a small meal that evening and I suppose started feeling queasy during the night. Didn’t sleep well the 1st night, that’s down to the steroids I think, but have slept like a log since! I was queasy for 5 days but still ate and was up most of the time except a 17 hour sleep between days 1 and 2. Felt better overnight after day 5. I had read about being nauseous if you had morning sickness so I was expecting it. However the ‘up’ side was it was only for 5 days rather than the 20 weeks I suffered with both my pregnancies!
Do ask me any more questions if you want but also try not to get worried about it too much. Enjoy the next few days before starting treatment and as we all seem to say it is ‘do-able’.
I’m trying to enjoy my last chemo free days with my family. Will try to do something special with children on Monday or Tuesday becasue unfortunately my first chemo right in the middle of half term, so my husband will have to entretain them the rest of th week.
As for cold cap - I will give it a go, although I hate beeing cold so will see how I’ll get on with it.
Hi Natalya
I started chemo on the 7th May and have planned 3 x FEC and 3 x Tax. I am having 2nd FEC tomorrow (29th May). Like you, I was absolutely terrified, cried most of the time and found it hard to come to terms with. I joined this site to find some kind of support and have received loads. It made a great deal of difference to how I looked at things and approached it all. I spent the first 3 days after chemo in bed, feeling sick, but just shattered, so I slept all the time, which is good really as you sleep through the sick feeling. As each day passed, I felt better and better and began to eat more and more. All I can say is, approach with an open mind, we are all different, make sure you have help for a few days and rest when your body tells you to. I feel sure it wont be as bad as you think. I wish you luck and will be thinking of you.
regards
debbie x
Hope everything went well and you don’t feel too bad over the next few days. We all seem to be a bit different so listen to your body and take it easy. It doesn’t last forever even though it may feel like it! I’m also due my 2nd FEC tomorrow and hoping bloods are OK to go ahead (have been on antibiotics the last 5 days for an infected insect bite).
hi everyone
hope everthing goes ok for everyone having chemo tommorow. i have mine at lunch time, feeling a little apprehensive but am just putting thoughts to back of head.
who knows we might be pleasantly suprised ( dont worry im not going mad) just wishful thinking. but we all get through it and the rough stuff only lasts a few days.
got the baby wipes ready for forehead, fan for sweats, cordial, and lots of water,
and bell to ring if i need anything ( only joking as if). going to have a nice bath now and relax. so everyone take care x
Hi everyone,
Had my first FEC on Wednesday 28th May. First day wasn’t too bad just was very tired and was feeling sick. Next two days still felt sick (it was like being pregnant again ) Today feel a bit better although still a bit tired. Hope things will get better in next couple of days.
Welcome back. Had my first fec 7 hours ago and am feeling fine right now, drowsy but fine.
Sounds like you’re picking up, great to here, I went for a short walk earlier which really helped I think. I’m tired now but it feels right so that’s OK.
Natalya and Angie - see - told you you could do it!!! Well done. Take it easy, be kind to yourselves, and you will soon be through all this. Sending you both positive thoughts…
) Today feel a bit better although still a bit tired. Hope things will get better in next couple of days.