Pulapula, just for info. I was given steroids to take for two days following treatment (these increases with T). You mustn’t take the hem after 4pm as they can stop you sleeping. I also had Filgrastim injections to take for 7 days starting 3 days after chemo. These rebuild your immune system. Not all health authorities give them but if they were mentioned I suspect you should have them. They need keeping in the fridge so are only good Ben to you as you leave. If you have them take one out 20mins ahead to warm up. Other than that I had anti sickness meds as well. Perhaps ring your unit tomorrow?
Re your hair, it takes about two weeks to start shedding. I shaved what was left on day 15.
So pleased to hear from you Jacqs. You’re in the best place and at least they will keep a good eye on you. Hang in there, you’ll soon be feeling better and able to get back home. How many more chemo sessions do you have left?
Hi Pulapula! You sound just the same as me with my Eve. It’s so difficult with kids isn’t it? I’ve started with a snotty nose so I’m hoping I can starve it off before my next fec on 8th.
Take care everyone. Lots of love xxx
Just wanted to say hi…Had my first chemo today…I’ve got grade 2 IDC with lymph node involvement-ultrasound & biopsy showed 1 but I’m still not sure how they can be certain more LN’s aren’t involved-I’ve stopped asking for fear of sounding like a broken record ? I’m having chemo first up, 1st one today was ok- been feeling mildly nauseous. I’m going to crank up the anti sickness meds from tomorrow to pre-empt potential nausea. I’ve a 4 year old with a cold so wondering how this is going to work over the next few days/weeks…
Any advice/tips words of wisdom much appreciated!
Hi Aley! Nice to ‘meet’ you. Yeah keep on with those anti sickness meds and hopefully you’ll feel more human soon. As to advice re not catching your 4 yr olds cold…that’s tricky. I guess try not to kiss/cuddle too much and try and use separate towels maybe?! I know that’s hard…I have a cuddly 10 yr old that always seems to have a snotty nose at the mo!!! Sorry, I’m no help whatsoever but I’m sure there will be someone on here that has loads of tips and advice. I’m still a newbie to all this!!!
Take care and rest as much as you’re able to with a 4 year old running around xxx
Hi Aley. If you have had surgery they will have taken a sentinel lymph node and biopsied it. This leads to others so if it is clear the rest will be.
Just cuddle your kids. It is more important! Keep up the antibacterial wash and gel but try not to get too paranoid. You are less likely to pick up infections from home than from strangers because your body is used to the bugs!! Do up your anti sickness meds. If you are sick ring your chemo helpline so they can adjust your meds. Good luck with your treatment Kx
Sorry Aley, I don’t think you have had surgery yet. The scans can tell a lot, and your lymph nodes are linked so they will be able to tell from the location. However, to put your mind at rest, ring your Brest care nurse. She should be able to help and it doesn’t matter how often you ring her and how many questions you ask. That is what she is there for!! Kx
Just read your post about the supplements you are taking - I was warned off these by my oncologist as apparently they can interact with the chemo. Are you taking these with the knowledge of your care team? If not it might be worth asking if you are ok to continue. I was told only to take vitamin D and calcium.
Thanks for responding so quickly guys…it’s so nice to finally interact with ladies who are going through this rather than medical professionals-although they’ve been amazing! I’m having chemo first! No surgery yet so I remain puzzled about the lymph node-it’s bothering me a bit(well probably more than a bit tbh!!) as my neck node was up. I think my head is currently the only part that hasn’t been scanned!!
I was very sick this morning, all I’d had was a cup of tea so defo going to up the sickness meds. I’ve been given Metoclopramide as well as the Ondanstron-is that the max? Or is there more I can request? Thanks for all your advice lovely ladies xx
Sorry to hear you’re feeling so sick Aley. I was given about 3 or 4 different ones that I took over different days, so I’d def speak to your nurses and ask if you’re still sick.
As to your lymph nodes, I know it’s difficult but try not to worry. They’ve done my treatment all back to front because they didn’t realise how much cancer was in my breast so I had surgery first. The scans had shown it in my lymph nodes too but after surgery and pathology results, it showed my lymph nodes were actually clear which is very confusing to me, but heyho. There’s always changes and you never know, so please try not to stress too much.
Sending healing hugs x
Thanks ALittlePixie. Will defo request more sickness meds. They did biopsy the breast lump and the lymph node when I was first diagnosed and confirmed there was cancer in both about a week later-it’s been about a month now chemo, have been worried sick that it’s spread to next set of lymph nodes in that time. I’ve become a little mis trusting as a locum Gp diagnosed fibroadenosis when I first presented with the lump with no further action required. It was almost a year later that I returned (I felt sharp stabbing pain during the night) to hear the worst diagnosis of my life ? so I’m pestering the medics a lot now.
Hi my hair is falling out big time I have my second treatment Friday I had a few tears this morning as I am beginning to feel frightened again because of the after affects I am trying not to think about it but it’s really hard so grateful to reading other people’s stories and knowing how you are all coping with it tips are really useful good luck everyone x
Pat it does get easier. You can predict with FEC that you will feel rough for up to a week and then have two good weeks?. So batten down the hatches, taking all the meds on offer for the first few days then enjoy the next couple of weeks and have as much fun with your family as possible! If you feel up to it visit your hairdresser and brave the shave. It fells better than losing clumps if hair. Good luck brave and lovely lady. Kxx
Pat73, I fully agree with KTK, you do see a pattern as you go through FEC and know what to expect and what you need to take. but you do get back to normality after a weekish and then can enjoy some normal time. And totally agree with KTK, the hair thing is really difficult and emotional but once you have dealt with it, you feel in control and watching it go was so hard for me, I braved the shave when it became just too hard to sit with it falling out… sending big hugs… and oh by my first T cycle my hair was starting to sprout, now have some fluffy hair all over, like a very short skinhead!!
Due to get my second FEC treatment tomorrow and losing hair big time? I did do the cold capping although was just frozen caps and not the machine. I wonder if anyone else did the cold cap and if they are losing a lot of hair?
To be honest bring in the chemo as that’s what going to win this battle for me?
Pat 73 I’m just a few days behind you with the hair loss, my scalp is sore and I’m finding hairs all over! I really want to be brave enough to just go out bald but not sure if I’ll be able to, can’t bear hats at the best of times so scarves and wigs are going to drive me nuts!
Jacqs i hope you’re getting better, sending hugs xxx
I’ve been taking senna regularly but I think I’ll try the prune juice instead!
