Hi Suzy,
You do right to be where your husband is. I would do the same, but what a lot of money to fork out in advance of getting some back. Just had a look at your profile. Your stone cottage in the middle of the woods sounds idyllic, and I hope the renovations are going smoothly. What a lovely home to look forward to.
Good luck with your first FEC next Friday - and I wish my oncologist would prescribe Emend. No such luck … we only get it at my hospital on the second cycle if we were very sick on the first. It is supposed to be the most effective as some of the ladies in the February group can testify.
Chanson1 - sorry you are feeling so rotten - hope you feel better soon.
My first chemo was due today but postponed as seroma needed draining. Feel a strange mixture of relief and disappointment!
Hope it can go ahead next week as although I find the prospect uninviting, to say the least, I just want to get it over and done with
NB x
Thanks to AngelaG for starting this thread and hello all those starting chemo in March. At last I have found a thread that I feel I can join in with. I am fairly new to this and never quite sure how to navigate the site or where to join in -do you go to the last post or reply to individuals? I am also just getting used to some of the abbreviations.I was diagnosed 21st Dec with invasive lobular carcinoma and had a mastectomy on 30th Jan with immediate reconstruction meant to be DIEP flap but i think ended up being a tram flap.(that is another story- feel as if the surgeon inserted a sneaky gallia melon in there) two weeks late had axilliary node clearance as sentinel node affected but other nodes removed clear. So now have chemo to look forward to starting soon. felt calm to begin with as I had anticipated that that would be the case and have read about the side effects. I found the list given on here a bit daunting I do like to be prepared but if nothing else this journey has taught me that one size does not fit all and to take one step at a time. I am already starting to look for wigs tho -shopping helps! Would love to keep in touch with all those just starting chemo though.
FEC75 CYCLE 1 DAY 9
Nipinuk - for some reason i missed your post on monday, sorry. i definately WON’T be trying jane plant’s regime then. My GP gave me that flavour gaviscon and i can’t stomach it. We should only be prescribed delicious tasting things whilst on this unpleasant journey, just to make life more…
Well done with your dietary successes. I have been reading “The Fast Diet” which I will try at some point as i badly need to lose weight. i have struggled for years and never seem to manage more than a few pounds. i actually broke below 15st for the first time in years this week, so that’s a celebration. My OH says chemo is good for something then. Eating smaller portions helps, i don’t have the appetite now, and don’t fancy a lot of the “normal” stuff.
Remember everyone to take your anti-sickness meds, it’s worth it. Also, apparently good hydration helps to wash away all the toxic stuff in our bodies quicker.
It’s great to read everyone’s posts today. Such encouraging stuff.
Does anyone have a solution to what is not exactly reflux or indigestion, but an uncomfortable feeling in my throat and downwards. It’s kind of hard to describe what i mean. Usually in the evening and at night
Blessings to all
Angela
Funkilala - thank you, i finally got hold of the script for just that after asking for it on friday. it took til tuesday for it to get to Boots chemist! so i will be taking it tonight again, but it didn’t seem to improve this odd feeling in my throat. maybe tonight will be better. thanks for replying. angela x
Thanks Lola. I read the information with interest, especially the guidance for medical profressionals. Didn’t specifically help me with my question though. Ciccia, I am hormone +. I am having three cycles of EC and then three Tax. I recall at my support group last week that this combination seemed to be the preferred for my local NHS. Seems there are many options or medications that are sometimes similiar in affect. Angela, am hoping to reduce my reflux symptoms, as I am already on an ant-acid. I warned the onc team it is something that already affects me when I have an upset tummy. Hope you are okay. You do seem to be ‘getting on with it’.
Hi Ladies, I’m number 3 of 6 fec… First chemo, side effects dreadful, I was toxic because I was so constipated that my system felt poisoned. I struggled for 7 - 10 days afterwards. From then on I made sure I took Dulcolax 4 days before chemo to clear the pipes lol, and since then no probs. flux/stomach/ throat remember chemo is stripping your stomach lining so you must take the anti sickness, they do help! I learnt to my cost I wouldn’t take them because they made me constipated, but once I found the Dulcolax worked I was able to take anti sickness…it’s all trial and error I’m afraid…
Holland and Barratt do Ginger capsules also good for sickness…Drink milk too, I mix with banana nesquick really helps and less sickly than milk alone… Malted Milk biscuits and water biscuits…you find that you constantly graze on rubbish first few days…just eat what you fancy.
Good luck
Maggie x
TAC Cycle 1 Day 2
Hello everyone, just to let you know how I got on with the start of chemo yesterday. It all went very smoothly but Iwas vey nervous but as everyone has already said, the fear of the unknown is worse than the actual treatment. The nurse was lovely as well as all the other staff and treatment took from 11am through to about 1.30 pm. I went home armed with different pills (steroids, anti sickness etc) and an injection that had to be given at lunchtime today (forgotten the name but its to aid the bone marrow produce white blood cells). My twin sister managed to do this without too much difficulty - she was a bit squeamish at first.
As for SE’s nothing too bad to report yet. I had some very mild nausea last night but the drugs seemed to keep it at bay, plus some ginger biscuits - I love them. I’ve also had a bit of a light headed feeling. The nurse did say though that any SEs I do get will generally be in 3 days time so I will keep you all posted!
I am eating little and often and drinking plenty of water as advised by others here so hopefully that will help a great deal.
I hope everyone is ok and that if suffering SE’s they don’t last too long.
Hugs and best wishes to all.
Jess x
Mrs B - looks like it is you and I tomorrow. Hope it all goes smoothly for you. I have been advised to drink plenty today (a bit late, but am trying to catch up!) tomorrow and Saturday to keep hydrated. Oh yes, and to keep a supply of nibbles about the help stave off nausea. Where did I put those biscuits???
Jess, I’m glad your first wasn’t too taxing, and I hope your SEs are small.
Angela, I hope your tum settles soon. I am gradually building a list of all the over the counter stuff I should stock for emergencies.
I’ll try to send the sleep fairies out to everyone who needs them tonight,
Best wishes
MM x
Good luck with the chemo tomorrow, Mungos Mum.
So far, all my treatments at the Royal Surrey have gone extremely smoothly. I was quite fearful of the actual administration, but it was quite painless and the nurses were great. Just try to drink as much as possible during the day.
Sandwiches were brought round and we were offered tea and coffee. I took bottles of water with me and was able to wheel my drip to the loo when necessary!
I got my wig, coutesy of NHS. looked on Browns website (which is where wig comes from… £213!!! I’m really pleased with it. i also took delivery of 2 hats from suburban turban… very nice. also ordered 1 hat from “headcovers” it’s quite fun, but i’m in danger of going overboard! need to slow down a tad.
hello woolfie, and welcome to this thread. You made me laugh re the melon! can’t really be a laughing matter for you tho’
Mrs B & Funki, all better thanks, omeprazole seems to have done the trick. phew slept like a log last night (and woke up in the fireplace haha). I wonder if meds will be changed to comppensate for the reflux issues.
Maggie, thanks for your advice, malted milk bikkies… yummy. shopping tomorrow i think
Jess, well done for getting through your first session, may your SE’s be minimal, and after day three may you be pleasantly surprised.
Mrs B & MM, all the best for tomorrow (1/2 an hour away, just looked at the time! where is this energy coming from?
Hello Penguin!
i love the humour displayed on this thread from various of you lot, it keeps us all smiling. here is one for your enjoyment:
Patrick went to the Antiques Roadshow with 2 stuffed dogs.
Peter Durmut the well known taxidermist was really excited by the discovery, and asked Patrick
“Do you know what these would fetch in good condition?”
Patrick replied,
“sticks”
_ Thanks eveyone _ Slept really well last night. I don’t go until 2pm so think I will end up spending the day cleaning to take my mind off it. Good Luck to you mungosmum. lets hope we sail through this first cycle
FEC-T cycle 1 day 1
That was not anything like I expected it to be. The nurses were so busy, but still managed to treat everyone and spend the required hour it took to infuse the drugs. (seven syringes!) Apart from the odd prickling sensation in various parts of the body with the F, and the fuzzy head, I feel fine. It must be the steriods…
I think I will need an early night tonight,
Best wishes all,
Christine x
Hi ladies
Today I had my first AC chemo, I had been seriously stressed beforehand imagining I was going to the electric chair, however I want to offer all you nervous newbies some reassurance. I went for a reflexology session yesterday which helped me to destress sleep and feel much better. I tried the cold cap and managed to wear it for 4 hrs and it was a breeze. I had my treatment and the time flew in. The nurses were so friendly and reassuring. The other patients were full of chat I enjoyed fruit salad, lots of tea and a nice soup.I left with a spring in my step and a sense of relief. I can still taste food and drink. no SE to report so fsr just slightly nauseous. Who knows what tomorrow will bring but I’m thankful it went smoothly.
Best wishes and big hugs to you all
Karen xx
Slept really well last night. I don’t go until 2pm so think I will end up spending the day cleaning to take my mind off it. Good Luck to you mungosmum. lets hope we sail through this first cycle 