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Hi Everyone
I start my first chemo tomorrow I am having fec-t.
I am fed up of waiting and worrying.
I am also fed up of everyone saying " this could happen to you" or " that might happen to you".
Letās just see what will happen when it happens.
Anybody else having same day or close to me.
Kath xx
Hi ladies, sorry to hear some of you are struggling at the moment.Ā Iāve been there to, and still get there sometimes.Ā Ā I was diagnosed in April and have had MX and 5Ā x chemo so far (3 x FEC 2 x T) and I get you.Ā My gosh I have cried more in the last few months than I ever thought was possible.Ā Ā I have had every black thought going.Ā Ive shouted thatĀ āI want my old life backāĀ on more than one occasion.Ā Its normal, its crap and there is no quick fix BUT you wonāt always feel like that.Ā Ā WhenĀ I was first diagnosed I could not see past the next hour or two, but I spoke with some ladies who had had breast cancer and I read every thread on here and everyone saidā¦ the most difficult part is the beginningā¦ when you are waiting for answers, having more and more tests, results keep changing and it feels like nothing will ever improve.Ā Once you get treatment started you feel more in control, something is happening, you have answers, although you are always waiting for the next answer too.Ā Ā And those ladies were right, I feel better now that I am doing something.Ā Ā Remember its ok to feel scared, angry, to cry and shout, come on here and do it if you feel you can, we have all vented our frustrations and there is always someone with a word of wisdom or a ābig hugā who understands.Ā Ā I have days when I just cry and canāt see forwards, I think we always will, its human nature to be scared, but donāt be alone, we are all hereā¦ this forum has literally saved me ā¦ you all get exactly how this feels and only someone in this **bleep**ty old ride can fully understand.Ā Ā Ā Ā Also, dont be afraid to speak to your BCN or ONC nurse or MacMillan unit or GP if you need to, there is so much support out there.
Oh and by the wayā¦ you will come to laugh at some of the most insensitive things people say to youā¦Iāve had some corkers!!
Take care all of youā¦
Love Kip
xx
Hi Kip, so pleased you posted on here, I can relate to all those words, so grateful to you. My last chemo left my completely wiped out and endless tears. Having my 5 chemo later today at a lower dose, then one more after this one. I just love meeting other ladies and listening to them about their journey. Thanks again kip.?
Hi I am on day 6 of my Fec chemo, I am on antibiotics already as it was thought I may an infection but the hospital could not pin it down so a belt and bracers precaution. I have felt really sick very tired and didnāt sleep at all last night today no energy but I must motivate myself does anyone know who is on the Fec treatment does it get easier when I have the next 3 treatments Iām hoping it will be yes also I am having my haircut cut short tomorrow donāt know how I will cope with that.
Hi Pat. I am on the June thread with Kip. I found that Fec wiped me out for a few days so I just hunkered down in bed watching TV at all hours and dozing when I could. The anti sickness meds worked well for me and do make sure you drink loads, 3litres +! It is the steroids that keep you awake so make sure you donāt take them after 4pm. I did find that I recovered more quickly after the second and third session. Back to ānormalā after about three or four days. Good luck and feel free to ask anything. Kxx
Yup I agree with KTKā¦ the FEC seems to hit quickly but you bounce back again after a few days.Ā Just rest, drink and take it easy.Ā Ā I believe some people do feel the cold with it too, I got hot flushes so went the other way.Ā Box sets, duvet and PJs and rest up!
Kip
x
Hi ladies
Iāve had a blue few days. Starting my first lot of FEC on Monday and the anticipation was getting to me! Iāve been to an āaway dayā today that the lovely breast care nurses organise annually and it was brilliant. I met some amazing people, got lots of advice, information, did some meditation etc and I feel much better in myself now. I even had a go at belly dancing which was fun. Lots of love to everyone and good luck to those starting tomorrow x
Hi LittlePixie, sorry to hear youāve been feelling blueā¦ hope things pick up now youāve got the chemo underway.Ā Ā Love the sound of the away dayā¦ I definately have the belly for belly dancing!
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Pat & Gabby - Sounds like you are making the first steps to near hairstylesā¦ I had past shoulder length hair for well over 25 years and had to brave having mine cut short before having chemo.Ā I didnāt want to see the great lengths falling out.Ā I went for a very short pixie cut (as short as I could go without actually being shaved - I didnāt cold cap so it didnāt matter too much) and I was so surprisedā¦ everybody loved itā¦ in fact everyone has said ādonāt grow your hair long again you look so much youngerāĀ even the butcher told me on Saturday how young I look (I have since got a short wig and he didnāt even realise it wasnāt my hair!).Ā Ā I would never have been brave enough to try a short hairstyle if it wasnāt for chemo, and I was devastated when 2 weeks later I had to shave the lot as it all fell out very quickly but at least this blasted C gave me one positiveā¦ I now know I can rock short hair!Ā Ā Good luck with the hair cutsā¦ my hairdresser knew why I was doing it and was very helpful, I did cry but 5 chemos have passed and I am getting hair backā¦ albeit short fluffy white stuffā¦
Big hugs
Kip
xxx
Hi Everyone
Had my first fec chemo yesterday and as soon as I got home started being sick even with 8 anti sickness tablets.
Have had an horrendous night, had to have GP come out in middle of night to give me injection.
My head is so fussy I do feel horrendous.
Can anyone tell me anything to take for fussy head.
Sorry I canāt be more positive for you all but any help would be much appreciated.
Canāt keep fluids down or any tablets they have given me.
Kath xx
Hi Kath. Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for your headache as long as you donāt have a temperature. If in doubt ring your chemo helpline. Also talk to them about your sickness and the will give you different meds. Did you have Emend? If not ask for it!! Kxx
Thanks for the quick reply.
Hubby has just been and got me Nurofen melts as canāt take tablets.
Yes I had amend yesterday and this morning but not working for me. And they are supposed to be the gold tablets that not everybody is given.
Trust me hey ???
I phoned them last night and they sent a doctor to my house and gave me an injection.
They said they will phone me back today to see how Iām doing.
Am waiting for the district nurse to come out to give me injection to boost my white blood cells.
Loving all these needles when I am petrified of needles. ???
Oh Iām so sorry youāre so sick Kath1977. I really hope some other drugs will help you. Itās extra horrid if you hate needles too. Sending hugs
Well, itās done - just got back from the hairdresser! Had it cut to just above chin length. This will take some getting used to. My kids have been very sweet and seem genuinely enthusiastic. I keep looking at myself and thinking - not sure, help! But my hairdresser was so sweet, lots of hugs and encouragement. How did you get on, Pat?
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About needles - I hate them, so jumped at the opportunity of having a Picc line fitted. I didnāt actually fancy that much either, but the procedure was very straight forward and not at all painful. A week later and I am doing exercises and using my arm as normal. And the best thing is, everything can be done through this line now - no more needles! I would defitinively recommend this for anyone (like me) with a needle problem. Also, apparently your veins ādisappearā over time with all the injections and blood tests, and then they have to dig around to find them. Grrr, I just really didnāt fancy that at all.
Ā
Gx
Hi
First post here, chilling in bath reading your inspiring posts! Arenāt we amazing women??!!!
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Iāve had wide excision and sentinel lymph node dissection for grade 3 triple neg cancer, started first of 6 fec 75 chemo on Thursday 13th.Ā
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Drank loads before (usually do anyway) and had slight queasyness, I was given Akynzeo an hour before and then dexamethasone twice daily for 3 days, seems to have worked well, also took metoclopromide first day just in case.
Biggest problem has been cough (which I think may be from the enalapril Iām taking for a clinical trial) but itās making my throat sore and Iām repeatedly checking temp incase it triggers a throat infection!Ā
Also got chemo foggy head, and a bit headachy, checking temp prior to taking paracetamol.Ā
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Iāve had odd tingly tender sensation in eyebrows and hairline?? Bit early for it falling out lol?! My lovely 14year old daughter cut my quite long hair into a bob to get us all used to less hair, my main concern is people getting me mixed up with my hubby who shaves his head bald all the time, I have visions of the kids walking into the kitchen saying āoh I thought it was dad?!ā ?Ā
If we go out in public I think one of us will have to wear a hat!
Iām getting a wig but donāt plan to wear it all the time, get irritated with things on my head (thatās why I didnāt really consider cold cap, the thought of it gave me a headache!) Iāve got my family onto making a diy fringe on a hairband to wear under a hat, saw the idea somewhere in these forums but didnāt note the ladies name, Thank you to her for the idea!
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Was anyone advised to avoid fresh ground black pepper? I was but didnāt get chance to ask why, Iām vegan so donāt need to worry about avoiding the other things like prawns, but I used pepper every day and have had to hide it in case I forget?
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Itās a great help reading everyoneās experiences, love and hugs to those struggling at the moment, weāll get through this together xxx
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Hi everyone,
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after two bad nights and a day with stomach cramps, which I initially thought were very bad period pains, I took myself off to A&E this morning. Luckily itās ājustā constipation, so have been given Senna tablets which should hopefully help to sort things out. Has anyone taken these before or got any other good tips on what to do about constipation? Donāt fancy this as an additional ongoing problem.
Ā
I agree weāre all pretty amazing. I was joking with my husband in A&E that Iāve got far less concerned about whipping my clothes off in front of strangers, talking about all sorts of unpleasant bowlmovements (or lack of) etc. Youāve got to try to see the funny side of things, otherwise weāll just go completely crazy!
Ā
Gx
Never heard about pepper Tizwas! Not sure what thatās about. Our cancer support centre gives everyone a real hair fringe for using with scarves. You can get them in different colours and lengths. We were told about them at the LGFB session which is well worth going to!
Re constipation do keep on top of it! Senna doesnāt work for me but I take Macrogol/Laxido everyday to keep everything moving. Just ask your dr or chemo nurse.
With everything it is better to check and donāt suffer in silence. Loads of help out there and advice on here too. Be strong ladies Kxx
Morning everyone,
Ā
Well, Senna hasnāt worked for me either, so am picking up something stronger this afternoon from the chemo nurse. She also suggested eating oranges, so Iām trying that too. Anything to get things going! Had a lovely conversation with my nurse about wind and rabbit pellets - sounds like a walk in the countryside, if only!! So dignified all this!
Ā
Gx
Hi ladies, re constipationā¦ I get it every time with chemo, think the steroids do it.Ā I was told not to take too much senna but to get lactulose, you can get it over counter and takeĀ some each evening before bed, it rwally helps me.Ā Also drink plenty and prunes with breakfast!Ā Ā
Also ive never heard of no black pepper i add cit to everythjng especially when taste buds go walm about.Ā Glad to see you are all doing well, though.
Oh and j have a fringe with velcro on which came from Macmillan cente at my hospitsl perfect for tucking under a hat or scarf!
Kio xx