Hi should start my chemo in 2 weeks time not looking forward got to have 6 FEC T they frighten me with all the side effects then wanted me to sign the consent form i really didnt want to but i did
Can anyone give me any advise on coping with chemo and anyone having FEC T
i thought i would start a new thread im sure there will be lots of us starting chemo in April it would be great to get through this together
i have being watching all the lovely ladies on march thread and you all seem so brave im sure im not as brave i burst out crying when talking to oncolgist and then spent all night sobbing
lots of love tracy xxxx
Hi Tracy
Just realised you have started this thread and thought you might like a friendly face to hold your hand 
Although I am still waiting for a start date, from what I have been told as a rough time frame, I feel we could be starting our chemo journey at roughly the same time. We both have 6 cycles although different drugs (mine will be TAC) but I’m sure the side effects can’t differ too much between them.
This is doable hun, and we will get through it. I am having my hair cut short next week so that it is not too much of a shock when I start to lose it (have been told I will) and next weekend I think I will take myself to my nearest wig shop which is in our local shopping centre Lakeside, along with some much deserved retail therapy. We just have to remember that any side effects we do get are all temporary and will go as soon as that final cycle has been completed.
Always here, just PM me if you would prefer.
Love & hugs
Natalie xxx
Good luck with the FEC-T, teabelly, I hope it goes well for you. I had FEC-T, started last May and finished end of Sept.
Chemo is do-able, it isn’t great, but for me it wasn’t as bad as my mind had conjured up. Side effects when I had them were managed very well, and if you’re following March 2012, you should pick up some tips.
Practically I did of lot of ‘just-in-case’ preps but didn’t need, I made melon granita’s for mouth sores, bought a supersoft toothbrush for mouth sensitivity, and had a cupboard full of ginger biscuits to combat nausea, but didn’t really need them - the tablets were good, when I moved to ‘Emend’ on second FEC. Black nail varnish for the Tax. Got my wigs early and had my hair cut short before I lost it - mine were fab, wearing my party one in my picture. Book yourself on a ‘look good feel better’ session, they have a website and you can choose your location - lots of make-up (approx £200 when I costed my goody bag) and lovely treats and they teach you to put the make-up on, which I found invaluable for defining my eyes and giving me confidence to go out during chemo and look relatively like ‘me’, plus got the chance to meet other ladies in a similar situation, outside of the chemo suite.
Best of luck to you and others that join here,
Bev
Don’t worry about ‘trying’ to be brave, just be kind to yourself, everyone is unique and will experience different side effects and feel different emotions at different times.
Starting this thread is a fabulous idea (I’m on May 2011 and we’re still posting) and hopefully (but sadly) there will be others to help you along this part of your journey. The May 2011 thread kept me sane through chemo and was a great source of comfort and support and still is.
Hi Teabelly
I have just had my first fec on tuesday, I like you are on fec-t 3 of each, It wasnt anywhere near as bad as I was expecting and im sure its the unknown thats is more scarey. so far minimal se’s queasy on/off all day but bearable, Not sleeping too well but thats the steriod anti sickness pills not the chemo. You will cope hun, we have to, im fairly positive most days but have a minor breakdown now and then its natural… this bc malarky is a real shock and if you were like me from diagnosis-surgery-chemo etc its been a whirlwind so even though im on the treatment plan still not really had a chance to let it all sink in, As im just ahead of you please feel free to post me anytime if you need too,
Good luck, Hugs Janice x
Hello ladies
Thought you might like to know that there’s already a starting chemo in April thread going.
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=36546&p=656524#p656524
Might be more fun(?) to all join in together.
Good luck and hugs
Dx
Hi everyone i didnt know there is already an april chemo so moving to join the other might as well all be together
lots of love Tracy xxxx
HI Teabelly,
I am on FEC-T too. Well 3 lots of FEC and 3 lots of T. (i always think of Father Ted when i write my treatment down!).
Anyways…
I have had round one - Rachael versus FEC. and in all honesty it wasnt as bad as i thought. I had it a week ago and yes i have had some SE’s. Mainly nausea and constipation. But its manageable.
I dont have my head down the loo or anything which is what i feared.
In all honesty, its not as bad as you imagine - i know thats easy to say. I was absoltely petrified - and i am now Day 7 and feeling ok ish.
I’ve worked all this week, and the only time i knew i had done too much was when i tried to wash the car.
Just listen to your body. If you are tired…rest. If you feel unwell, dont be afraid to tell someone. Keep a diary of you symptoms so you can track good and bad days (you may see a trend emerge).
Any questions - please feel free to ask.
Rae
x