Thankyou all for your thoughts and insights. I feel a little easier about tomorrow and have my list of questions lined up. I don’t want to be a needy as always been the one that sorts whatever is thrown at the family but this has knocked me down.I’m 59 and this was found by mamagram(02/02/2011) and recalled for investigation.(16/02/2011) op (06/04/11)
My choice postponed for 1 week due to grandsons 5th birthday party with 22 first school pupils in attendance.
Will post my decision tomorrow and then follow up with whats going on for all future girlies that need to know.
I love the humour that shines through i do have some insane moments to as i’ve always had straight hair i’m told it tends to grow back curly at last body with no backcombing.
Positive tonight Chris
Dear all
Have been reading this (and several other threads) with interest as I will be starting first of 6 FECs tomorrow - feeling calmish at the moment but tomorrow morning might be a different story! I think I’m like lots of you and really dread the thought of lots of nausea and other SEs, but have some good friends who have been through all this and are doing really well now, and who have reassured me that it is do-able.
I was dx in Feb after first routine mammogram and have had mx, then re-excision for haematoma and node clearance - like a couple of other people here, they found micro-met in one lymph node. Large lump, Grade 1.
Good luck and lots of positive thoughts to everyone else starting chemo soon.
Good luck with your treatment, ladies!
I’ve just finished 6xFEC. The main thing to say is that you should not vomit after your treatment–if you do, phone the number you are given RIGHT AWAY so they can give you something stronger. I was advised to take my anti-sickness medications on schedule, not to wait until I was ill. The routine meds suit most people, but not everyone.
I was never more than queasy, and the little-and-often pregnancy approach worked well for me. I needed to use sennacot more as it went on. The really important thing is to get plenty to drink, starting the day before your treatment, so your body is well-hydrated. It doesn’t have to be water, any liquid is good. I found that fizzy water helped to settle my stomach afterwards, especially at meal times, but go with what appeals to you.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If you are tired, rest. If you don’t want any more food halfway through a meal, stop. And so forth.
In the Getting started thread, I think, you’ll find a compilation of tips about things people find helpful. Most people don’t need it, but it’s not a bad idea to have an emergency hospital bag ready–nightie, spare toothbrush, etc–and possibly a list of things someone might need to bring you if you do land up in hospital on short notice.
You should get information about side effects of your treatment, precautions to take to avoid infection (this is really the big one to be careful about) and when you MUST phone.
The great thing about posting together is that you can be honest to an extent you might not want to be with your nearest and dearest and can moan all you like. It helps.
Good luck to you all.
Cheryl
Hi everyone,
I’m going for my pre chemo assessment this morning and have woken up with a cold!!! Am guzzling vitamin c in vain hope of warding it off. Thanks for all the tips. I’m armed with questions I want to ask and pen and paper to write it down. Have spring cleaned everywhere to stop bugs and am ready to get started now.
Chris, I do hope your hair grows back curly if that’s what you want. I want mine to grown back straight after trying sellotape for years to straighten my fringe before the invention of straighteners and endless broken hairbrushes due to getting stuck in masses of curl. Have a horrid feeling it will come back even curlier and white!!! I think I will be wearing hats for quite a while until i can put colour on it again!
Good luck today Una and Chris
Love
Rachel x
Regarding the percentages, my onc. was very open and forthcoming with them and turned his computer screen around so I could see what he was looking at from adjuvant online. I didn’t worry too much about the actual numbers, I just registered the fact that my best chance came from having the chemo as well as the radio and hormone therapy. If you really want to know the percentages, I would have thought your BCN would be able to help or ask your onc. at your next appt.
Lynne, I am surprised you don’t know your hormone and Her2 status. I was told by my surgeon at my first follow up appt after surgery and my onc. went through them again when I met with him. Ask your BCN, she should be able to help.
Good luck today Una & Chris.
Rachel, My sister had wavy hair but it grew back curly (chemo curl) after she finished her treatment. Eventually the curl grew out and her hair now, if not straight, is straighter than before the chemo.
Hello
I am starting chemo on next monday 3 FEC 3 TAX. I had a portocath fitted yesterday which has given me a sleepless night, my neck feels like a bad case of mumps! I am hopefully it will feel better in a couple of days when bruising goes down. I am glad i have had it fitted as all bloods and chemo drugs are given with just one prick.
Jo Jo- thanks for your positive input on the treatment and advise. I am starting to feel the reality of having breast cancer. I had a 9mm lump removed and 1/19 nodes had C. I was also told would just need Radiotherapy and was shocked when told i needed chemo. I hate the thought of being sick and will take anything to prevent it. I am also trying the ice cap to try and keep my hair, i am still finding hair loss a problem and i am not a vain person. I know the ice cap can be quite painfull and doesn’ guarantee keeping your hair, but i have to give it a go. Is anyone else trying this? I was so shocked to find out i have breast cancer, still not sure i have taking the news in, but i am sure i want to be around for my family for a many more years to come and will suffer any treatment for them. I feel lucky i noticed a diffence and am lucky enough to be given treatment. Just not looking forward to the side affects. I hope we all get through this together without too many problems. x
Memory is a funny thing… my other half remembered the oncologist saying I had a 70% chance of recurrance without chemo and chemo reduced it to 15-20%… that really IS a no-brainer! But, reading your comments, I wonder if he remembered what he wanted to hear??? I shall ask onc. again next time. Had FEC2 yesterday, and not been sick since. They gave me the sickness drugs IV to get it in to the system quicker, and I’ve been taking ginger tablets for 3-4 days… who knows? whatever helps, helps. The onc. did say that subsequent treatments are often a bit easier, as the body is used to processing the strong chemicals, so here’s hoping! They ALL told me off for for not phoning earlier… so don’t hesitate ladies! He presecribed a mouth wash for me (presumably Difflam) but it wasn’t in the bag I picked up from pharmacy, so I’ll try and get them to sort that today… I think I might quite like to be curly for a bit! Jane
Hi all,
Glad your 2nd FEC went well Jane, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. I feel so much more positive having visited the chemo day centre today. Ready for treatment tomorrow now. Have loads of water to take with me as they told me to drink a lot before, during and after chemo. They told me to ring when I get any side effects as they can give medicine to help them all. They said to ring anytime night or day and that if I’m sick they will send a nurse to give an injection that will stop it instantly.
So I feel much better!
Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow
Rachel x
Good luck tomorrow Rachel. Your chemo nurses sound really great. x
Hi Rachel, and everyone else staring in May (esp my buddy Lynne!). I had my first FEC this Tuesday and so far so good. Have felt really good today and managed to do lots of work and function normally. Am hoping that like some of the others on here I will have an easier ride than anticipated. Good luck - I was so anxious before starting, although had remained calm until Friday of last week, and it was almost like it wasn’t happening, but it really wasn’t so bad, and the nurses are all lovely which makes it better.
Good luck!! Hope you get on OK.
Michaela
Hi
Ive been to hospital today and start FEC-t next friday. Trish, im trying the cold cap as that is my biggest fear.Really glad to have found som companions for my journey!!
claire
Did I say I was calm and ready? Didn’t sleep much and am very scared this morning. My daughter has GCSE exam today so trying to put on a normal face for her but not easy. Will be very glad when today is over
Good luck Harp1970. By the way, a teacher friend of mine told me to make sure my childrens tutors are aware that I am undergoing treatment because they can take this into account when exams are being assessed.
Lynn x
Thanks Lynne,
Their school are aware and are being fantastic. People really do care don’t they. I have been amazed just how lovely most people are and i feel so lucky to have the support of so many colleagues, friends, neighbours and family plus all you folks on here.
She had a maths GCSE module on the day of my op and she got a B so I was very proud of her. Doesn’t stop me being concerned though
Love
Rachel xx
Hi Rachel,
Good luck today, i am on fec number 5 today so will offer you a virtual hand hold & share my kind side effect fairy with you.
Sarah.xxxx
Hi all, just picked up this thread. Start chemo 16th this month. 3 x fec 3 x tax. 4 1/2 wks since ld flap reconstruction and starting to feel normal( well as normal as can feel at the moment).energy levels back, will have to make the most of them now i suppose. just had hair cut short to prepare for hair loss hurdle. May try the cold cap but am concerned about how cold it can be. I have raynauds so am always cold anyway so may be too unbearable. ( some have joked about how i will look, blueberry was the term used, bit like the girl off charlie and the cocolate factory). good luck all those who have started and about to start. x
Hi Givli, I am having my first fec on Tuesday (10th)and have decided to give the cold cap a go. As my chemo nurse said, you dont know how you will feel about it unless you give it a go. Hopefully it will be fine but I am going to get some scarves and maybe a wig just to be prepared in case it doesnt work or I cant tolerate the cold.
Lynn x
Hi Lynn,
Really hope it works for you. I decided against it but only cos I’m always cold anyway and can never get warm. It’s a scary thought that in 2 or 3 weeks I won’t have any hair. Have a good wig though and loads of scarves and bandanas. I’ve developed a fetish for them and have lost count how many I now have.
Love Rachel x
Hi everyone and a big hug
Well I am now joining the club.I did write a letter yesterday to all but seemed to have lost it. I will be starting the chemo in 2wks also have been asked to join a trial for an additional new treatment (lasts for 10yrs) but as i intend to be around for longer I thought ‘in for a penny in for a pound’ and as it includes so many checks at least I will be looked into regularly. This hopefully will benefit others if the findings remain as positive as the trials are looking.
I have to go to the dentist (rather have a baby)lol, horrified that they can fit me in tomorrow 6th May.Hopefully no work to be done.
feeling positive now that i have made the decision but still have the niggles about the effects, however decided no icecap hate being cold more than the thought of losing my hair. Im going to get a wig but dont know when i am going for fitting yet.
Still onwards and upwards love and support Chris
Hi Lynn, havent seen chemo nurse yet so not sure what to expect, will take advise. wig shopping next week anyway so will be prepared whatever outcome. Hope all goes well tues, wrap up well, lots of layers, scarves, wooly pullys and thick socks , good luck and let us know how it goes xxx