Hi Roadshow,
I started out at Mount Alvernia, having annual mammograms, but moved to the Royal Surrey when formally diagnosed. I’m actually going to the Fountain Centre tomorrow to try out a treatment in the hope that some of these awful side effects can be alleviated. We probably have the same surgeon too! Hope your side effects are minimal over the next few days.
FEC 75 Starting 21 Mar.
Summary this week - 2 hours in dentist chair -Tooth extracted n root canal. Big gap when i smile. Wig fitting session that didn’t inspire. Regular neck ache, migraines n nightmares. Met a lovely lady who completed chemo FEC-T - Lost all her toenails. Busy trying to sort house n work. Terrified. On positive side, had the energy to meet up with 3 families n feed 2 over the weekend 
Calais, thanks so much for your reply. I’ll call chemo ward again tomorrow to find out about ECG/ ECHO.
Welcome Roadshow, sorry to hear you’re feeling yuck. Carrots n apples juiced is yummy. I hear one should try eating melon too as it is high in frolic acid for healthy development of cells. I’m not planning to wear the cold cap at the moment as I think I’d rather come out of hospital asap
Llisag, how r u? Was it worse without the steroids?
Hi All,
Penguin68 I bet we do. I keep meaning to get to the fountain centre for a treatment but it’s an hour’s journey round trip which has put me off so far. Hope you enjoy yours tomorrow. Let me know if it helps and I’ll sign up for whatever it is too.
Nipinuk - I had totally forgotten about melon - it’s going on the husband’s shopping list now. Thanks for that.
Take care folks
FEC 75 Starting 21 Mar
Roadshow, in case you’re interested, you could try 1/2 pint apple n fennel (equal parts) with watercress and celery and 1/2 pint carrot juice. You prob already know this, but don’t exceed 1/2 pint carrot juice per day or you might turn orange let me know if that together with cold capping is helping. I’ll try the no cold cap with juices and vegan diet n update everyone later. Ginger is supposed to help with nausea. honey n fresh ginger in hot water might be more palatable!
I had 14mm tumour (WLE) with 1 node positive. Oncotype DX was recommended as I wasn’t sure to go ahead with chemo or not. We’d have to pay for it ourselves. I did a lot of reading n compared it with Mammaprint. The problem with these tests is that it is not 100% accurate. I decided to stuff the tests n go for chemo in the end because I want to do everything possible to minimise recurrence. A low score or in between score would put me in a right dilemma n I think I’d have gone for chemo anyway. As yours was a high score, it helped make your decision.
MrsB - what chemo regime r u on? If I try to go back on prev pages, I lose all that I’ve typed!
Penguin68, let us know how u get on twitch treatment today. hope u feel much better!
Hi All,
Have I missed loads being off line for a few days! I had my first FEC on Friday and felt OK for about 8 hours afterwards, then nausea, sickness and exhaustion hit me really hard, and I spent saturday and Sunday in bed, struggling to keep even water down. Following an emergency prescription for more anti sickness drugs, I feel hungry today! Still exhausted, but determined that the children don’t see an invalid parent for four months, so have managed to get up this morning to do school lunches!
I don’t have the energy to catch up on all the posts, but wish to welcome all the newbies, I will catch up with your news soon.
I hope everyone is doing as well as can be hoped, may all our SEs be small!
Best wishes
Christine
Christine,
sorry to hear that you such a hard time over the week-end. Hopefully whilst the kids are at school you will be able to get back a little more on an even keel.
Jude
Nipinuk,
If I can recall my discussion with the onc correctly, it is the T in FEC-T which causes the nails to lift from the nail bed. This can be minimised if the nails are painted with a dark colour to prevent sunlight getting to them (socks and shoes should also have the same effect!) You should be OK with FEC75, but worth checking.
Thanks for the tip regarding the melon - I have just remembered a book which lists all the foodstuffs which give the maximum of each vitamen and mineral - I will have to look up Folic Acid and let you know.
Roadshow - I am another Guildford patient, being treated at the Royal Surrey. I have a session booked there during the week after easter, hopefully when my neuts are back up and I have some energy back!
Best wishes,
Christine x
FEC 75 Starting 21 Mar
Christine poor you! How awful, I’ve been sick when there’s nothing left in me and it’s just horrible. Are you keeping a record of all your side effects? Hospital might be able to manage it better for you next time. I’ve got children at school and have just managed to get the older one to do his own pack lunch. Trying to get them to do more chores around the house is like pulling teeth at the mo!
Christine, when you’re better, would you let us know what anti-sickness drugs you’re on? Try to have some flaxseed in your food to keep you regular as about 40% of epirubicin (not sure if you had that) is eliminated with no.2s! Only 10-11% is eliminated via urinary excretion in 48 hours.
Finally managed to get hold of the chemo nurse (have been trying since last Wednesday). She was in a hurry and wasn’t particularly helpful. Maybe I’m just expecting too much!
- Baseline cardiac evaluation via ECG and MUGA/ECHO - I’ve got a family history of heart problems and nothing was mentioned about this. Someone please correct me but I think I may be at a higher risk for cardiac toxicity due to dad having irregular heartbeat and uncle having had a triple bypass. Called up and she had a quick word with oncologist and said,“We’ll do an ECG. Remind me or one of the nurses before you start your treatment”. I didn’t feel like I could ask for more and was surprised that I’m to remind her.
- FEC 75 - Her answer was “Don’t worry about it” I wasn’t worried, just wanted to know what it is. Asked her if it was linked to the epirubicin dosage and she said no. She then asked me, “Why do you want to know?” I had to justify myself. My background is in electrical and electronics engineering and it’s always been in me to find out about things. Was told not to worry so didn’t get an answer. I wonder why can’t they just give me a straight answer??!!
- Elimination of chemo drugs via diet - any tips or advice much appreciated!
FEC75 CYCLE 1 DAY 14
hi everyone, kept being interrupted when trying to add my post to all your latest ones. Thankfully i have a whole day to myself as OH has gone to France for the day. So, i can please myself today! I am now the proud owner of my NHS wig (supplied by Browns & worth £213). it is almost the same as my own hair colour so not many people will notice i think. I was going to go for a different colour, but wasn’t shown any lighter ones. it will do quite nicely. on thursday i’m going to “headstrong” to try out hats and scarves with a friend. it’ll be fun, even if i end up empty handed. My friend from nigeria (a dress designer) is going to find some wraps/scarves to coordinate with what i have in my wardrobe (actually not a lot, need to shop!) it’s a shame there is no photo gallery on the site where we could post all our finds (beautifully modelled by us of course).
Lisa, i was referring to Pathology Reports. I don’t envy you, or anyone, having to self inject, I don’t think I could do that.
Calais, I was not told to stop driving, except for 6 weeks after surgery, so i am back driving now. I have had, in the first week, had a muzzy head, which went when i took omeprazole strangely, so maybe nausea, reflux etc cause head issues (though i can’t think how that could be)
Karen well done for getting throughyour chemo, and may your low level SE’s continue to be low level. I have read that the effects are cumulative, aqnd can increase with each cycle. Lets pray that is not the case for us though.
Nipinuk, I’m at the hospital tomorrow for a heart echo, and i’ll press for the path reports then with the PALS team. I only want it to understand what was done in surgery in more detail, I know it was a lumpectomy, but the size of tumour was double originally though size, and didn’t present that large (50mm & 40mm) on mammogramme, so i’m interested to know where it was hiding itself!! Regarding nails, my registrar told me that only black nailvarnish was in any way effective for protecting them. She didn’t know why, but said that even dark red or blue wouldn’t do. at my age, i think i’ll give that a miss, my daughter & grandaughter would worry i was going through 2nd teenage rebellion time, next step being 2nd childhood!! your health professionals don’t sound very helpful, that is a shame. Hope you get the info you want soon.
Christine, sorry you have suffered so badly, i hope you are recovering now. i was ill last night and took an anti sickness med, and after 30 mins felt better. i think it was probably what i ate and lateish in the evening that caused the problem.
well, i hope taoday has been a good day for everyone. take good care,
love Angela xx
FEC 75 Starting 21 Mar
Angela, go on, do the black nails! Your granddaughter will think you’re a cool goth granny! 
Eek must go and get food on the table! xx Will think about how we can post pics somewhere with password - I developed websites. Up to my ears at the mo with 4 possible new sites! Why do they all come at the same time and at this time???
Hi March Marigolds
So sorry to hear that a lot of you are having massive SE problems. I’m having my last Fec on Thursday, then it’ll be Tax for three cycles. I’ve got my black nail varnish and will probably use it on my fingernails, but I don’t think I’ll bother on toes. Got ingrowing toenails so wouldn’t mind them coming off so I could start again!! As long as it’ not painful. 
Take care, and good luck for those due to start treatment.
Poemsgalore (February Valentine’s Poet Laureate 
)
xxx
Nipinuk Take a look at this link might help re FEC75
http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/regimen.asp?regid=173&title=
suzy xx
Hi all, still struggling with nausea on what is now day 4 (had FEC on Friday). As I’m running out of all hospital meds my doctor has prescribed Cyclizine which is an anti-histamine with anti-emetic properties. I’m already taking Clarityn to combat any side effects of the Neulasta injection so I’ll just have to see if the Cyclizine helps. Got heartburn for the first time ever and also acid reflux and constipation. Really weird. Sorry to hear others are also struggling with SEs. It’s a miserable time.
Nipinuk - regarding removing the chemo drugs from the body post treatment I’ll be embarking on the Gerson Therapy. It’s hard core but it does get great results.
Hi Roadshow,
I am so sorry you are struggling with the side effects. We can read up as much as we like about the side effects, but everyone suffers slightly differently. I am hoping that I have broken the nausea now, but there are no guarantees. I’m still struggling with vision, surprisingly, I can see things well, just can’t focus properly.
Jude - thanks for your message - I have only just managed to read through all the history.
Nipinuk – I am having my heart scan/ecg before my second FEC. It is booked 1½ hours before my treatment, so might try to get that changed! Not sure I can cope with so many injections in one morning!
Dianne – I have spent the whole weekend in bed as I had no energy. Thankfully this has lifted today, I really didn’t want my children seeing an invalid parent for four months.
I hope everyone has a quiet evening (unless you don’t want one!)
Best wishes,
Christine xx
Evening Marchies,
Just popping in from the Valentines to let you know I have my start date - next Monday 25th. I will be on the TCH regime. I have the Herceptin on its own on Monday - the initial loading dose. Then the Taxotere and Carboplatin on Tuesday. Then subsequent cycles will have all 3 at the same time.
Anyone else on TCH?
Take care all of you xxx
FEC 75 Starting 21 Mar
Just got off the phone to my sister in the US who’s a GP there. Found out what 75 in FEC 75 is and came here to post quickly.
Suzy , thank you so much for the link as it confirmed what my sister told me. Don’t understand why that rude chemo nurse just couldn’t tell me.
The 75 in FEC 75 is the dosage for epirubicin, 75mg/m2. The m2 bit is the surface area of one’s body. That is calculate using your height and weight. So the oncologist would have a table for FEC 75, FEC 100 to refer to.
Roadshow - I heard Gerson therapy is definitely hard core Please keep me updated with how you’re doing.
I’ve emailed my senior dietician to find out how much protein I should have as I’m not eating meat. Not sure if nuts and tofu is enough.
Christine - lovely to hear from you. I hope my vision won’t be affected as I’m a blind bat as it is! Wanted to make this text espcially big for you but there wasn’t an option!
Lola65 - you must be relieved to finally have a date. I’m sorry I don’t know anyone else on TCH but will let you know if I stumble on someone. Might be worth posting elsewhere in the forum. How many cycles would you have to do altogether?
Poemsgalore - thank you so much for dropping in and for your lovely message. Please pop back soon!
Nightie night!
Does anyone know of a good body surface area (BSA) calculator?
Found this on the NHS website using [color=#000000]Mosteller method:
http://www.ukmicentral.nhs.uk/resource/calcs/bsa.htm
Mine is 1.61m2!! So my epirubicin dosage should be about 121mg. If I go through the 6 cycles, I’ll have 726mg. Sorry, I like numbers!
I took a sneaky peek at oncologist’s table and the dosage changes for every 2 kg of weight and every 2cm in height.
Lifetime epirubin dosage is 900mg.
5FU, 500mg/m2. So dosage = 805mg
cyclophosphamide, 500mg/m2. So dosage = 805mg
Can’t wait to compare the figures on Thurs!
Woo hoo! Saddo
Good luck Lola65 on the start of your chemo treatment.
Nipinuk - I checked my ‘chemotherapy record’ book and looks like I got Epirburicin - 100mg, Cyclophosphamide 800mg and Fluorouracil 800mg. That’s being 5 feet tall and 47kg (about 6.5 stones which is a stone lighter than my fighting weight and probably down to stress and change of diet).
I’d been doing Gerson for 6 weeks prior to embarking on chemo (and had wanted to continue on it but a high Oncotype DX score got in the way). It sounds bad but it’s nice to have a bit of a rest from the relentlessness of it. Also, my treatment time will allow me to put things in place for when I need to go back to it as I just wouldn’t cope on it without employing someone to help me out. I was spending about 5 hours a day in the kitchen. It’s time consuming and expensive setting it all up and purchasing all the organic produce although Riverford and Abel & Cole have come to the rescue there. It comes to something when you’re looking forward to the 15 minutes of rest a coffee enema will afford you. Still, it allowed me to get my body battle-ready and my blood work up to scratch. My GP delivered the results (you need to arrange them monthly whilst on Gerson) with the words “If I didn’t know you had breast cancer I’d say you were in perfect health”. Well, you can’t say fairer than that.
What is everyone else finding to eat whilst going through chemo? I’m finding there’s a fine line to be drawn between eating foods which will nourish the body and those which will nourish the soul. My husband bought me some organic Halva yesterday and then had to take it off me when I couldn’t regulate my portion size. And I haven’t even managed a green juice since last Thursday.
Husband is off to attend a conference tomorrow so I hope that I’ll be feeling better and able to cope with the nausea. I’ve squirrelled once last steroid anti-emetic away just in case. Take care all.
Hi all you marchies, just a few tips that might help. For nausea i find ginger biscuits, giner beer flat, pineapple juice or chunks and mint tea/infusion all really help.
For the acid reflux especially on TC youwill probably need omperazole or similar, ive been using those plus gaviscon liquid and could still do with more. Bland foods, ie., chicken breast, sardines,vegetables, pots, rice, pasta and marie biscuits seem to be the least troublesome.
Because of low white cells especially during the nadir, low point, I was told to totally avoid anything that has`nt been cooked or anything with bacteria , like soft cheese and yoghurt.
Of course everyone and every health authority is different but it is something to think about. Hope all goes well for everyone and you all have the absolute minimum of SE`s. xxx