I have received my date for my first chemo, Wednesday 10th, I’ve been good up till now, wle and snb 3 weeks ago. Triple negative with no node involvement so in a way I suppose I’m “lucky”. Now I’m terrified, think I’ve been too “brave” and now feel I can’t change. I checked here for tips for chemo, could anyone give me any, the only one I could find was from a couple of years ago, I’m getting 6 x FEC. It would be nice to have a wee list of things I might need, thank you x
Angela
Hi angela, I start chemo in September. I was sent a really helpful list by a friend. I will cut and paste and send to you in a private message.
Keep posting, we will all support you as much as you need.
Hugs SGL xxx
top tip from me is ginger tablets BEFORE chemo (and for a day or two afterwards) read about them on here somewhere and I believe they made a difference… Drink loads (I aim for 3 litres)… follow the mouth care advice slavishly… do not be afraid to ask questions - there is no question too silly. My Onc said their aim was for us to be symptom free. PHone the help lines. Or phone the breast care nurse - whoever you find most helpful. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF! Emotinoally as well as physically. I was very brave… (apparently) but there are times when the wheels come off - and they need to. It needs to come out… don’t beat yourself up when it does… it’s better out than in… As ASG said, we’re all here for you as you enter the woods… but there are some corners of the site I choose not to visit, because I’m not in the same place - so protect yourself as appropriate… God bless, Jane
Hi I have sent that list to you in a private message. I hope it helps.
Hugs SGL xxx
Hi Angela,
It is normal to feel like that at this stage, and it really does get better once you are started. Your chemo unit will probably give you a session of Chemo School before you start when they tell you lots of stuff, some of it scary but should basically be “If you have a question, ask us sooner rather than later”
I am TN, nodes negative like you. I had to have a mastectomy and axillary clearance as I couldn’t have radiotherapy (other illness problems), and was really pleased to have FECx6. OH thought I had lost the plot, when I cheered when they gave me the go ahead.
I have never regretted it, and it is doable, with the support of those wonderful chemo nurses and an onc who believes in you being symptom free, mine was like that too.
Out of the long,long Top Tips for Chemo thread I would recommend the Go-Cake for when you need help to go. Will try and dig that out.
The Go Cake recipe is in the first post by Jo of BCC, Angela. on the Top Tips Chemo thread
Hi Angela
I feel like you scared and apprehensive I had lumpectomy and 14 nodes 11 of which were cancerous. Am starting chemo FEC-T on Friday 5th, just want Friday to hurry up and come so that I can jump of that worry tree. I think after first one will know what to expect. Its just this waiting about that is stressful. Will let you know how I get on. I am posting under starting chemo in august. Please join us all on there.
Difficult I know but lets all try and stay positive together.
Sending you big HUGS
Thank you to all of you who have replied, it really does help to hear from people in a similar situation. Will keep you all updated, hugs to you all
Angela
Something the nurse said to me on my first pre-chemo appointment, when I said I was worried I’d spend weeks throwing up in a bucket. She said “If you’re throwing up, we’re not doing our job properly. We can get your medication sorted out so you DON’T end up throwing up.” So if you DO find yourself being sick or feeling very nauseous, don’t sit there being brave, give them a ring and wail at them. THERE ARE NO PRIZES FOR PROJECTILE VOMITTING!
I also found it really, really helpful that I had a very sympathetic friend who was two cycles further ahead than me whose phone number I had. Poor thing got texts and phone calls from me on that first day and it was her who persuaded me to call them. As it turns out I was so sick they took me in and sorted out the vomitting, so thank you Peachez! I also had my meds adjusted so I got Emend (Aprepitant, a newer, but very expensive, anti-nausea drug) for the remaining 5 cycles, which meant I got away with very mild side-effects, the main one being an unchallengeable need to go and take a couple of naps during the day.
If you need to go off for a snooze, do so. Don’t struggle on, just get that head down. THAT’s what I would mean about “be kind to yourself”. The energy levels take a real dive, so give into the tiredness and sleep, or at the very least rest, horizontally, so you can doze off if you need to.
Lots of other good ideas on here, and on the list you’ve been sent, but you may not need all the things on the list.
Just echoing what Choccie said. My BCN actually PROMISED me that I wouldn’t be sick as the drugs are so good nowadays. I didn’t believe her - I’d been out shopping for sick buckets and everything - but she was totally right. So if you, or anyone else, does find themselves being sick, definitely bring it up (pardon the pun) with your onc or BCN and make sure you get the stronger antisickness drugs.
My only other advice is to take some control and prepare as much as you can - but don’t panic buy!! I honestly imagined my head in said sick bucket for the next 4 months. It is not the case! I panic bought lots of scarves and hats that I don’t really like, a wig that I do like, but am doing OK with the cold cap so far, stocked up on pyjamas and all sorts of stuff to keep me amused as I didn’t think I’d be leaving the house. Rubbish! Apart from feeling more tired (esp when I come off my steroids) I do everything normally - meet up with friends, clothes shopping, food shopping etc. The only thing I’m not doing as much of is exercising. Although I keep telling myself that I will with the next cycle.
Good luck. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s nowhere near as bad as you think. Take it easy with round 1 and keep a diary of your side effects, Mine have been the same each round (apart from getting a bit tireder). This makes it easier to tell the nurses if you do have any side effects that you might forget about (eg for 2 nights I had acid reflux and didn’t think anything of it. I mentioned it to them and they gave me some great tablets. I could now drink 2 litres of orange juice and do cartwheels round the room and still feel OK!) and it also helps for making plans (ie if you get an invitation somewhere you’ll be able to work out if it’s on one of your “good days” etc.
Hope it goes well. xx
Thought of a couple of other things.
Get your prescription exemption form fron your GP. Your surgery will know how to do it.
Book yourself on a Look Good Feel Better session. Well worth doing.
Have a dental checkup before you start chemo, as it can be a bit hard on your teeth.
Erm, there are a couple of other things but I can’t remember them, I’m sure someone will come along with other suggestions.
If getting scarves, get cotton ones. (Personally I found Buffs brilliant, while it was cold at least.)
Ask about the cold cap. Some people have had good success with it.
Hi chocciemuffin
can you tell me about the Look Good Feel Better sessions. I start chemo tomorrow.
lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/site/index.cfm
There is a bit on that page that says Find a workshop near you. They are brilliant, can’t recommend them enough,partly the wonderful eyebrow pencil which made me feel normal nearthe end of chemo, partly the wonderful goodie bag, but mainly the first time I found myself in a social group of people going through the same thing rather than a medical group. Get on the phone today and book a session for the end of a cycle if you can, although the lady sitting next to me wennt immediately after her chemo!
You’ve had lots of good advice - also be prepared for disturbed nights as the steroids they give you to stop any allergic responses keep most of us awake for a large part of the night and hoping the “sleep fairy” visits - and eventually she does after the first few days. So plan on the night activities - reading, meditation tapes, music, pillow speaker so OH does not hear sounds etc - this might help the nights seem “normal” and then be prepared to catch up with naps during the day.
Hello Angela and All,
I have had my first cycle of FEC and have found that i have felt slightly nauseas when ever i get a bit hungry. Porridge in the morning with chopped banana is very helpful for settling this feeling. Normally when I feel sick the last thing I would do is eat, but I find eating something bland and comforting is the best remedy!
best of luck to you xxx
Thanks again for all your advice, I am going to book one of those LGFG sessions, not just for the make up but to meet other people as well. Had my long hair all cut short yesterday and I was bloody angry! I know it’s only hair etc as people say but to me it was the cancer controlling what I had to do, anyway feel better today x
The only people who are allowed to say “It’s only hair” are ones who have lost it themselves IMHO!