Hi Ladies may I start by saying gow amazing this forum is! Sadly I found myself being diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer in July of this year and has a Lumpectomy Aug 17. Surgery was fine and surgeon got clearance first time around. Ive been doing fine until now and im due to start FECT tomorrow session 1 and I am terrified…loads of good hints and tips on here but I dont know what to expect? Is sickness a given? Can I drive after? Thank you in advance x
Hi Mikala. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but great you’re on the forum.
I had my first FEC treatment last Thursday. That actual appointment was fine you just sit down and the drugs are given through a cannula into your hand. I was give anti sickness tablets to go home with. You might not get sick but always best to have something in case. My hospital told me not to drive on the day of chemo but every other day was fine. You don’t know exactly how it will affect you until you’ve gone through it. You’ll get a contact number to ring in case you have any questions 24 hours a day.
Best advice is not to panic. Relax and it’ll all be fine.
Let us know how you get on tomorrow
Cassie x
Hi Mikala, I had my first FEC treatment today. The treatment itself is ok whytefawn is right they give you antisickness meds to take home. Are you cold capping? I did and that wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought it’d be. I wouldn’t drive as you don’t know how it’ll affect you. I had a slightly woozy head (probably from the cold cap). You might to join the October monthly forum as there are a few of us just starting our treatment on there and all sharing experiences and worries. Good luck with your treatment tomorrow.
Hi there thank you so much for replying : ) I hope your treatment was ok and you havent suffered any after effects! Thank you for helping trying to put my mind at rest, ive been doing really well and everyone has commented on how strong minded and positive ive been but as tomorrow is getting closer, the more anxious im getting! I will certainly update the forum…you ladies are doing a fantastic thing here x
No worries, I was exactly the same. I wasn’t actually too worried about having the treatment (apart from the cold cap as I’d heard it can be painful and I’m a real wimp) I was more concerned with SEs, nothing so far but it’s early days!
Also forgot to say the nurses are really great and really look after you. If you’re worried about anything let them know and they will reassure you.
Yeah don’t worry Mikala. You will be well looked after. Helena might even be on here at some point she’s got a stock of tough pants which she hands out to us so we can be brave. If you’re feeling nervous just think of her pants and it will bring a smile to your face lol
Cassie x
Thank you…well done on having your first treatment today…hope im as brave as you are! Im not cold capping…ive heard mixed things about it and couldnt decide so im just going to let whatever happens hapen. Med team have been great and got fab breast cancer nurse and of course this forum x
This has cheered me right up thank you…wished id came on the forum sooner xx
Never underestimate the power of Helena’s pants. We’ve all used them and they’ve done us proud. Make sure you join the October starters forum too. There’s loads of us on there who have started recently. We’re all there to help each other.
Cassie x
Thanks…daft question but how do i join the thread? X
I know what you mean about the cold cap, I was in two minds about it. Weirdly having my hair cuts short made my mind up! I had long curly hair and hadn’t had it short since I was about 12. Everyone loves it short and so do I, so much so I want to try and save it. Not sure if it’ll work or not but after today I was glad I gave it a go. I know there is a concern that it may not get to all the cells but I do not have any nodes involved and they were happy with the margins from my surgery, my oncotype text was high borderline for having chemo, I’ve been told this is just extra precaution to stop it coming back, so I thought it worth the risk.
Just keep an eye on it and post whenever you want too. Everyone has either just started or about to start so in the same boat as you and will have the same questions.
You just click on October starters thread and then reply to a comment. That’s all I did. I too have read through forums but never joined until a couple of days ago, when like you I was having a bit of a meltdown. It’s really helped me!
Hi Mikala, i had my first FEC last wednesday and i was so frightened!! It was fine and you will be very well looked after. They will give you what you need for any side effects that may occur. So far for me, it has been manageable and i have been out for a short while each day - but one! Good luck tomorrow xx
This is so reassuring so thank you and well done to you for getting on with things…hope the rest of your cycles go as well x
I did Meesh. Only a 5 minute drive to the local M& S with my friend. Picked up a fee bits then back again. Even a walk around the garden (or yard for me) helps xx
However Meesh just do what you feel you eant to do. On Friday, 2 days after my treatment i didnt even get dressed. Take each day as it comes and be kind to yourself x