I agree - we have to keep smiling and remember that all this rubbish we’re having to go through will in the end get rid of the cancer. That’s the goal and we mustn’t loose sight of it. I try to focus on the good moments, even if they are very small and seemingly insignificant. I’m getting lost of reading done and getting back in touch with friends whom I haven’t seem much of in recent years due to work/kids. I am really working very hard at staying positive, not just for myself but for my family. It is very important to me that my kids in particular see that there is a decent time to be had, even when we are faced with very difficult circumstances. I realise that not everyone can do this, but at the moment this seems to be working for me.
Tizwaz: careful with the prune juice - I went slightly overboard with that, as I was really desperate, and ended up with a lot of regular toilet trips! The other thing that really worked for me was a visit to my lovely cranial osteopath, who was able to increase the bloodflow to my stomach and liver and really helped to settle things there. This is a completely painless and gentle treatment that I have used for years to combat all sorts of minor ailments, including ear infections, stiff neck (my speciality), bronchitis etc. It doesn’t work for everyone, but for me it’s amazing. If anyone is in SouthEast London and wants to give this a go, I’m happy to pass on details.
So far my hair is behaving itself - Im cold capping - and has not shown any serious signs of thinning. Who knows how long this will last. I’m starting on EC in December and even if my current cycle of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel doesn’t cause any serious damage, the EC may still cause hairloss. Is anyone on EC at the moment? Another patient at the hospital yesterday scared me a bit by saying it’s horrendous!? :smileyfrustrated:
Tizwaz, ask your GP for lactulose (a stool softener) or Macrogol/Laxido. These will be gentle but keep you regular. You can buy lactulose over the counter I think, but as we get free prescriptions it is worth asking GP for. Kx
GabyF, As KTK said, Lactulose helps me, its very gentle and I take a dose before bed for the first few days of chemo (usually the steroids back things up) and this helps get them moving again. Good you are keeping positive when you can, its not always easy but we have to try don’t we. I like my children to see that I am still doing normal things, working, walking, cooking etc… not always possible but it was the big thing my daughter especially was worried about that I would be lying around ill all the time and she is definately happier when I am just carrying on.
Keep on being positive all you September ladies…big hugs…
Hi had my second treatment yesterday don’t feel to bad only I feel today is the day where I don’t want to do anything just want to be lazy but hopefully the sickness is staying away huppy just gone to walk the dog so sitting here quietly lovely to read all your comments xx
I’m on EC - due to have my 4th round on Thurs. To date I’ve not found it too bad. Had a bit of nausea (but so far haven’t been sick and I’ve found laying down makes it bearable) for first few days after treatment and some fatigue but nothing that a little nap mid afternoon doesn’t sort. By and large I’ve kept my appetite but have been a bit picky over what I want - first few cycles it was all about cheese. I do tend to go off coffee for a week or so too. I wouldn’t take too much notice of one person’s bad experience - it seems as though we all react differently to the same drugs and I know of a few people on EC, who like me, seem to cope with it quite well. Having said that I did lose most of my hair midway through the second cycle - I ended up looking a bit like Golum so shaved the rest and I think my eyebrows and lashes are now on their way out but that is pretty much a given. A bit of a stale taste in my mouth too but that also improves after a week or so.
Hope this gives you some comfort - some of it hasn’t been pleasant but I was expecting it to be much much worse and I’d say that out of the three week cycle I’ve had many more ok days and good days than bad days.
Hi Gaby, I am on my 2nd of 3 EC sessions (every 3 weeks) and I then go on to Taxol (once a week for 12 weeks). I have compared my symptoms to jet lag/hangover/tiredness for a few days after and haven’t had sickness or nausea. I could be one of the lucky ones and hope it continues. Fatigue may catch up with me over the months perhaps. A bit of a metallic taste in my mouth and indifference to some foods I normally like. And not so keen on alcohol either- I normally like a session come the weekend . My mother friends suggest not dissimilar to pregnancy either.
I am using the cold cap and no hair loss yet but again will see how it goes. Hair has shed from other bits below so maybe I could be ok? Will see how it goes and know Paxman has 50-60% success at the moment.
I haven’t gained weight yet and don’t want to either as carry extra weight. Maybe the abstination will help that. I am trying to walk as much as I can- 10000 steps if possible and did work at home and go to meetings come week 2 and by week 3 felt 100%. Work are not keen on me spending too much time in office as lots of colds going around at the moment. Doctor has suggested I get flu jab too.
I am also on antibiotics this week as doctor doing rounds noticed some redness and heat on shins that could be onset of cellulitis- also not unexpected with chemo so something to keep an eye out for.
I dip in and out of forum but find it good to have people going through this big challenging project like me. What I have learnt from the past few weeks is that there are about 12 different chemo drugs for BC and even people on the same one have different SE. Hope for the best and prepare for all eventualities is my motto. Best wishes Sept 2018 crew.
oh and the other thing I forgot to mention was a big kick back from my ovaries and the period from HELL coming a week early and lasting 2 weeks. Very heavy for about 5 days. I am 45 years old and get a 5 day period like clock work normally - heavy for a day or two. My nurse and doc advise this is not unusual and periods may lighten and disappear even esp as I will go onto Tamoxifen next year. That ended up bothering more than anything else for a couple of weeks !
I think i’ve been very lucky with chemo so far - just had one round of FEC. Felt tired and queasy for about 4 or 5 days and then pretty much back to normal with occasional tired spells.
I had my hair cut short a week before chemo, but I’m back to the hairdressers on Tues to have a crop, as my hair is very thick and not sure I’m ready to brave the shave or cope with hair falling out all around the house, so i’ll go short and then see what happens.
I have a dilemma re. my coil. As I am oestrogen -ve (so probably progesterone -ve too) its unlikely it will be impacting on the cancer growth, but my consultant did say its a small risk to keep it in, and I should consider having it removed. I don’t want to suddenly have to deal with periods too (after 8 years without any) so I’m wondering about waiting a couple of cycles and then doing it?
Also has anyone had, or considering having genetic counselling? My consultant recommended it (as I’m under 50, triple negative and possible multiple tumours on my MRI). I have my appointment soon, and I am starting to feel a bit anxious. I think I want to have the tests anyway (as I’d rather know) but I am just really hoping I don’t have the BRCA gene. Not bothered for me (as I’d just have a double mastectomy and reconsruction), but for the implications for my children and siblings
we’ll be ok, I’m having my second fec on friday, so we can keep in touch and get through together? how’s your hair? Hubby shaved mind off tonight as it was really sore at the folicles and I was fed up with hair getting all over the place! I’m surprised that I just feel liberated rather than vulnerable!
I am TN and have quite a bit of cancer in my family, my consultant applied for a genetic test for me in August. Can you advise please how long it takes and what is involved?
At the moment I am down for a single mastectomy following my chemo but I would push for a double if this test was positive.
Hi ladies doing FEC … don’t worry, FEC really does seem to follow a pattern and you have those few rubbish days but you pick up quickly again, just like KTK said!
Gene Testing - I’m not having that, but I am guessing there are areas on this site dedicated to genetics, also some of the ladies on the June chemo thread are/had the testing and have lots of info on there, might be worth a read, probably a few pages back though!
I had my 2nd FEC last Wednesday and my SE are similar to the first one.
I was dreading the second one too … probably because I knew what was coming, it was starting all over again and I would feel crap again. It soon passes though and I’m starting to feel brighter now.
My hair is falling out loads too … haven’t braved the shave although I have let my Mum cut it quite short just to take some of the bulk off … was sick of finding hairs in my food! Still get a shock when I see myself in the mirror tho.
Big hugs for Thursday Kath and for Friday Tizwaz ? xx
Has anyone had any vein pain in their treatment arm - my veins feel really tight and are painful when I stretch my arm out. I noticed it after the first FEC but seems to be getting worse after the 2nd one.
I mentioned to the oncology nurse and she seemed to think it was normal but if anyone has any tips to relieve the pain that would be great.
Had first session 12 days ago and first few days was sick but after that just felt fatigued. Have woke up this morning and scalp is tender and sore to touch is this normal?