Starting chemo in March 2014

Hi I start my first chemo cycle next week FEC - anyone will to join in and support one another for the next couple of months

Hello! I have 3cm ductal with node involvement. Just had my first chemo yesterday. EC for 4 cycles then will have T. So far so good. Not too sick but did have a v poor nights sleep. I did cold cap so will wait and see re hair! I am having neo adjuvant so my surgery won’t be until late summer. I was diagnosed on Jan 16th so it feels like I have been living with lump for ages while they did all the tests. Pleased to have finally got started. Good luck to everyone and would be good to hear from others undergoing similar treatment x

Hi, I start my chemo next Saturday.
Any tips on how to cope with side effects would be gratefully received.
Best wishes to everyone else going through the same journey as me.
Lorna x

Hi ladies, just popping in from November Newbies 2013 to wish you all good look, chemo can sometimes be yucky but it’s definitely doable. When you begin your chemo journey the time ahead can seem daunting but trust me it goes sooooo quickly. In the November newbies group we’re coming close to the end now of our chemo, I’ve just had number 5 of FEC-T (3 FEC and 3 T) and have my last chemo on the 21st March (bloods permitting). I’ve cold capped and saved some my hair, enough for a fine overall covering which has been brilliant as the kids haven’t had to see me bald in the house but I have resorted to a wig when we go out, she’s called ‘wiggy’'. There’s several ladies within my group who’ve had amazing results with the paxman cold cap, you would never know they’ve been through chemo - honest!

I found FEC to be very nauseous and ended up taking Emend for FEC 2 which was a life saver. Don’t suffer in silence, make notes after your first chemo so that you can discuss these with your oncologist before your second chemo.

Good luck ladies, be strong and stay positive. This is just a small blip in your long lives XXX

Love Tracy XXX

Hello, I start my first chem on Wednesday. I am having 6 sessions of FEC-T followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I had a mastectomy and ANC at the end of January. It all still feels very surreal! I have opted for the cold cap but I am getting a pixie cut on Tuesday just in case… Good luck to you all.

Hello, I am starting my first chemo on Wednesday. I am having 6 sessions of FEC-T followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I had a mastectomy and ANC late January. It all still feels very surreal! I am having the cold cap but have just booked apointment to have a ‘pixie cut’ on Tuesday just in case… Good luck to you all.

I had my haircut yesterday. Not brave enough for a pixie cut but much shorter than usual.

 

Was a bit apprehensive but really pleased with it. Just a shame it’s only gonna last a few weeks.

 

Just been watching a DVD from ‘Look good…Feel Better’ which has great tips on make up, nails etc. I would definately recommend ordering one if you haven’t already.

 

Good luck to all of you

 

Lorna xx

 

Hello ladies,
Well, I start my FEC - T journey tomorrow. Very nervous of how I’m going to feel. I have a small baby and a 5 year old so hoping I can still look after them and don’t feel too awful. I got my diagnosis on Feb 11th and have been just about holding it together but I think it’s about to hit me really hard. Going to try cold cap but not hearing many success stories so getting anxious now about hair loss.
Good luck and love to you all xxx

Hiya. I’m starting my chemo this week - Docetaxel first, then FEC. Having chemo before surgery, so hopefully will be able to see it shrinking very soon. Had a major hair chop last week - took in a picture of Jennifer Lawrence and actually pleasantly surprised by it, despite having long hair for years. Know hair won’t be here long, but gave me some control of the situation. Am worried about the chemo as just no idea what to expect - be glad when the first session is over.

hi everyone, thanks for all your message, will update you all tmrw after first cycle of fec x

Hi, I start mine next Wednesday 12th. Having 3 FEC and 3 Tax then radiotherapy. Had my MX and expander but had just shingles so finish tablets for that tomorrow and then having my picc line put in. It seems like forever to starting since diagnosed 17th Dec.  Hope you all have a good first 1 with no side effects. Love Suzanne

Hi everyone. Mind if i join here? I am starting chemo (fec-t) on the 11th. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 27th december, double mastectomy on 21st jan, wound has been troublesome to heal but they are finally confident i can go ahead and start the chemo.

 

I had a 3.8cm IDC and 11.5cm area of dcis. Stage 3, grade 3. 3 out of 11 nodes effected. ER+ her2+. Im 32 years old from the west midlands. 

Hi Eitaki and welcome to the BCC forums

Along with the support you will find here our helpliners are on hand weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 with further practical and emotional support

You may find the following link to the BCC ‘Younger women’ support pages helpful, you will find the ‘younger women together’ information via this link whereby you can meet up with others in a similar situation:

breastcancercare.org.uk/younger-women

Take care
Lucy BCC

Hi again. Had my first chemo sesh today - was absolutely fine in honesty, so just waiting on the side effects to kick in. Managed to use a cannula in a vein above the wrist, so glad to avoid having a line put in for a while. Decided against cold cap, didn’t see anyone else using it either. Got appointment to go wig shopping this Friday afternoon, taking 2 mates along for fashion advice! Got to go back for an injection tomorrow - my doc gives the Docetaxel before the FEC so jab should help with bone pains.

Eitaki - Are you having treatment at the QE in Brum? I’m 37 and being treated there. Not had my surgery yet, doing the chemo run first - got mastectomy and implant to come.

To those who started this week how are you feeling?
My chemo finished at 1730 tues and by 8 PM I was being sick and then every 2-3 hours all night and all day tues. Could take the tablets you are supposed to take with good. I have always suffered really bad with morning sickness so they said this would probably be bad too. I used the cold cap but not feeling confident about it. Today I feel weak and pathetic. I can’t take car of my 3 month old. Miss him.

*all day weds

Couldn’t take tablets with food! Sorry for all the mistakes, im typing on my phone x

hi dh and others had first fect on tuesday morning went home and could not stop being sick. was admitted into hosp same day, still here. did try cold cap not sure if fitted properly as my head did not feel cold. will update u when I am home

OMG missy12! Thought I had it bad! Hope you feel better soon, keep us posted xxx

So sorry to hear you’re both suffering with bad sickness. So far I’ve been fine, but think it’s because I’m having Docetaxel first - had been warned sickness is worse on the FEC part. Managed day at work today with no problems, and had my injection to try and calm down any bone pain - this hasn’t started yet though. Hope it calms down soon and you can get some rest/food x