Well hello everybody, I’m not usually a forum kinda gal, but this isn’t a normal situation is it lol! Ive had my WLE and lymph removal on the 7/8/14, firstly got told I didn’t need chemo, then on Monday got told they got the figures wrong and I do indeed need it, needless to say after a week of counting my blessings it was a bit of a shock! I start 6 rounds of fec-t on Monday the 8th Sept, I’m quite a positive person, but I’m quite scared, which is totally alien to me, as I’m not usually scared of much! Any tips would be very appreciated, husband is taking me wig shopping on Friday, :-), and any other essentials you think will help, right off to Nandos, priorities and all that 
x
Hi paulS and lucky lass and everyone! Yes it’s quite a pricey old experience isn’t it lol,I’ve not got time for the pneumonia jab, fingers crossed I don’t get it then eh! Having flu jab in October so that’s something. It’s amazing how quickly all the jargon becomes second nature, even my husband and daughter are quite fluent now! I’m 45, married with a 17 year old daughter, she’s been great, sadly she had to go through this when younger with my sister, she had this when 29, sadly it came back and we lost her 5 years ago, my other little sister is getting married in Mexico at Christmas, I was supposed to be maid of honour, 35 family and friends going, but this has put paid to that. That’s what I’m most angry about, this bloody evil disease has stopped my sister having both her sisters at her wedding, but I know chemo is needed and she understands, they all do, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it though eh!! I’m off to read my book and then take dog out, rock n roll or what 
Hi everyone I’m getting so nervous now! Visit Monday start Wednesday. Had a mini meltdown for the first time since May. Felt a bit alone and decided not to involve ex partner in this so much. Not really working. It’s interesting how it makes you think about your life and analyse your relationships. Very painful sometimes. More later xxxxxxx
Please try not to worry about your first chemo, it’s nowhere near as bad as your imagination is leading you to believe, I guess it’s the great unknown!
I had fec-t : the infusion is fairly easy, I felt poorly about 2 hours later but honestly no worse than a nasty hangover and felt out of sorts for a week. Drink plenty of water (no less than 2litres) the day before, day of and day after, this helps to flush the poison out your system. Take every medication they give you, no need to be a hero… Take the meds!!
Good luck, take care x
Wait till you see the bag of drugs they give you to go home with!!!
Well I’ve got the wig, thermometer and almond oil for the sore head, it’s amazing how lovely and helpful people in shops are and full of tips, had a nice bimble around Lakeside, asked for the xyletine in Boots and they looked on their computer but couldn’t find it, so I’ll google it later. I’m also up for any drugs going, now is definitely not the time for pride in pain, lol. It’s getting very real now, I can’t explain how much these forums have helped, but I know you all understand, without getting too slushy it’s been crucial to me! Right, I’m off to talk the husband into thinking he really wants an Indian takeaway tonight :-), have a top weekend lovely ladies, Sam xxx
Well first one all done and feeling OK … nothing but a tingly tongue so far. fingers crossed it stays that way xx
Yeah nick it was FEC I had and will be keeping on top of all medication I’ve got to take… boyfriend says 6 hours on and it’s like I’ve been on the drink cause I’m hyper and my mouth hasn’t stopped… good job I love him lol… sending lots of love and kisses to all xxxx
Hi Rachael, sending you all the strength you need to help you through your chemo. I, too, had 3 fec and 3 tax as my chemo regime. Remember that everyone’s experience is completely different and you may only experience some of the side effects your Onc will have discussed with you. I had ‘cold cap’ for my first two rounds and then I gave up as it was too painful for me. It did, however, help me to come to terms with what was happening to me so think about it as an option. Nausea was by biggest problem and by round 6 I remember that I had pretty much taken every pill going! The best for me was one called EMEND, so if you are feeling the sickness don’t be afraid to ask for it. Other potential side effects that happened with me were my finger nails eventually fell off, my veins collapsed (so a pic line really helped) and the dexamethasone steroids they give you prior to the chemo gave me oral thrush and I developed mouth ulcers and a runny eye. Don’t forget that your GP can also help alleviate any possible side effects. If you are based near London, then the Maggie’s Centre at Charing X hospital is wonderful as is the Haven in Fulham. The chemo is cumulative, so each round is a little harder. Listen to your body and rest when you can. You WILL come out the other end.
I, too, am a teacher in my 40s and I found my school to be very supportive - so tell them how you feel, touch base from time to time (you’ll be surprised at how excited the kids are to see you) and take it slowly and in stages on your return - eg half days and no meetings etc for some months.
If you have ANY questions at all throughout your treatment - just ask and i will try to offer good advice and certainly offer support. Sending you love and light to help you through.
There is an upside to it all - you get to meet some fantastic people along the way!
Katie xx
Hello everyone
Thank you K for that wonderful post. Please help me out! The work side of this is a whole other issue!
Well done J and Lucky for getting first over with. Sorry Lucky you aren’t sleeping. I bloody hate lack of sleep it really distorts stuff too. I haven’t been sleeping well and I haven’t started yet! Still uncomfortable at night due to mastectomy and lymph node removal. Pre chemo visit tomorrow to Barts ( never been here before) got my friend coming with me thankfully. Anyone tell me what to expect or ask? Had no info on wigs or therapies or feel good look better courses yet? Loads of love and hugs to you beautiful strong women. Boy, are we going to come out the other side fighters!!! Xxxxxx
Morning lucky lass, hope you are feeling ok, well as ok as it gets! Big hugs to you, I really hope you got some new meds that are working better for the sickness. I don’t start first one till mon 8th, I seem to have written that date a lot lately, forever etched in my mind I fear!! Have as good a day as possible all new starters, and thankyou to the lovely ladies who’ve been there and come out the other side, your advice and stories are all helping me to prepare as best I can, it’s like going to war lol, and we will win, I’m off for a day in London, WLE has healed well but the lymph node clearance has left a horrible pain and many weird feelings in arm, got a bit of chording but doing physio, it’s only been 3 weeks, just hope it’s improved before chemo starts, one less thing to deal with would be most welcome eh!! Xxx
Thank you Katie so much for the support. This is so emotionally intense. Dodgy relationships really highlighted! Don’t think my ex will be there for the bits which are boring, involve longer periods of childcare or when he has other things to do. Want to avoid feeling let down. Anyway, hope all the September ladies are ok and the first starters feeling ok. Xxxxx
HI Sampeds I am also still sore from mastectomy and have according down arm…two things to deal with! We will come out the other side though xxxxx
We will indeed Racheal!! Onwards and upwards, it is what it is, my life has become full of cliches lol, but they work in a strange way, sometimes, lol, we will all meet up and laugh and talk and reminisce on these dark, surreal days, in a year or so, that’s a date!! Xxxx
Oh I would love that Samps…Feeling really weird tonight waiting for hospital tomorrow. Got day daughter goes back to school wrong! Whoops! Oh well at least I can still pretend it’s the holidays and I do t have to get up too early x
It is so odd but part of me stll can’t believe this is happening! Despite two surgeries. But I suppose I haven’t had the first chemo yet so realise that will probably be when reality kicks in. I have been told it will be on 11th, 12th or 15th September - so a little while yet. But SO many hospital appointments I feel this has competely taken over my whole life. When I am not at the hospital, I’m thinking about it and dreaming about it.
Ladies - good to hear you are coping with the chemo, despite some hard times. This part is even worse than the surgeries, isn’t it? And because we are all so different it is hard to know how we will respond to the drugs they give us. I also am to have 3 FEC and 3 Tax - seems the fairly standard cocktail!
I would love to meet up when we are all through this - something lovely to look forward to at the end of this nightmare. I live in Edinburgh, and I have to say the BC care here is just great. I am feeling really well looked after.
Hope all you lovely lladies cope well with whatever you are dealing with this week.
P xx
Hi PaulS I know what you mean. What an alternative reality we have entered. The waiting is horrible. I actually feel that I’m imagining chemo SEs already…Got a mouth ulcer and heartburn already wtf! Haven’t started yet lol! Xxx
Morning ladies… hope you all have a lovely weekend…3 days since my first FEW and other than feeling slightly nauseous first thing on a morning and absolutely wrecked and falling asleep by 10 on a night fingers crossed everything else is OK… had a lovely day yesterday. went out to watch my boyfriends son in a football torrent and had a few stalls there too… so wandered slowly round there having a look…then got took out for lunch as our new oven and hob hasn’t been connected yet… feeling totally pampered and this is taking some getting used too… boyfriend didn’t want to go to work today… he’s kinda fussing… so told him I’m good and everything will be fine… bless him… well I hope you all feel good and have had minimal Se this weekend… lots of love and hugs to you all xxx☺?
FEC… stupid phone!!
Back from my visit to Barts. Was ridiculously nervous going into the environment but was fine. Having my friend with me helped so much. The unknown is very scary. Feel like I’m ready for Wednesday although I’m sure I will be so nervous again. Decided to have the Picc line on my second round as can only use one arm and don’t fancy sore veins on top of anything else! Saw the cold cap…gonna try it due to encouragement from one but not looking forward to it. Take care guys xxxxx