I was told having FEC you will lose your hair and everyone I know has. That was my biggest worry over everything and once i had taken the decision to shave it it was a big worry out of the way.
I didn’t use the cold cap and had my hair cut shorter to a bob before starting chemo. I started getting headaches after my first FEC which i think was due to the hair and it started coming out on day 9 just a few strands and then the following day clumps of it. I got a friend to come round on day 11 and she shaved it but left it to about 2cms length which I was advised to do and am glad i did because then when I looked in the mirror after it wasn’t such a shock as I still had hair. The headaches did stop once I had done shaved my hair.
I would really recommend leaving that 2cms and not shaving it all off and I even kept some of that spiky hair and only got rid of once my new hair started coming through once I went onto TAX. I am having my last TAX today and have all over 2mms stubble on my head.
Hi all, i keep dipping in and out,and it is so helpful to read the posts but dont always have energy to write one!
Had FEC 1 on Thurs and was holding Gill’s virtual hand -was terribly sick all evening but have been fine since so hopefully that can be sorted for next time. Trying to keep busy between rests and stay chirpy as possible as side effects not too bad at the moment.
Up all night, but I am often insomniac anyway!- it all seems like a long journey but at least we have lots of loving and helpful fellow passengers.
Love to all, Cathy xxx
I don’t know what FEC is, haven’t had my Oncologist meeting yet, so not sure what I’m being given! Hopefully some Wkd Blue, Sambuca and Spiced Rum lol. I have assumed my hair will come out, got Wig Session booked at Big C centre this Friday so will have on standby. Think it’s a good idea to keep 2cms will go with that plan after trying cold cap if it doesn’t work :o(
Thinking positively - better to have no hair and lose the aliens small price to pay - and it will grow back anyway!
Think with all the shock in the last 4 weeks I’ve gone beyond worrying - what will be will be.
With the FEC you get a lovely pink drug that goes in by drip but it’s not in a bag but syringes (pink wee after that’s a shock when you forget), so can you think of a lovely pink drink it could be. I’m sure Barcardi Breezer are bright pink
Hi All November ladies. I had my first fec on friday. i am lucky enough to have chemo at home, and the nurses are wonderful. My OH stayed at home with me and was a runner with the cold caps. I fouund them quite bearable, changing them every half an hour. i dont know if it will work but I an paranoid about losing my hair so feel I have to give it a try, shallow and vain that I am. The SE so far are not too bad, felt a bit sick the same night but afterwards just indigestion, i can burp for Britain. I have a very red face today and feel light headed. However the discomfort in my MX and recon has increased and feels so tight, hopefully it is just knitting together, and finally getting rid of my seroma. Dear lost4words everybody loses it sometimes and the panic sets in. The OHs really do not have any idea how to treat us for the best, and i think mine sleeps worse than I do. they are frightened and can’t admit it.
I am off to get a wig now, best to be prepared.
we are so lucky to have this forum as a place to vent our frustrations, (i do sometimes wish i’d used a pseudonyme and generic picture, incase of OH browsing on here!) i have to confess to a screaming fit at him last week, he works away and had put a message on FB for me, which i didn’t reply to, so he took the huff, thought i was ignoring him, so i got annoyed that he was giving me additional pressure…i told him i could do it alone too, its almost scary at how similar we all seem to react to things.
i don’t want to do it alone, and i suppose it is hard to think how they are coping, with work etc. Anyway, we made up and he looked after me really well all weekend, making me food, washing up etc
i now have my wig, with some nice blonde highlights and it looks good!! in fact looks better than my real hair ever did!
Gingerrizzie - laughing at you burping for britain! (ditto)
Re all the discussions on hair. I’m really bothered or should I say terified and upset about losing my hair. In am on FECT and I was told that I will definetly lose my hair and that it would fall out 17 days after my first FEC. That was two weeks ago and my head started tingling and feeling sore yesterday. Also I had a lot of hair in my hairbrush. I now feel as if I am moulting. I am not going to have my head shaved couldn’t face the thought of that. I am getting my wig later this week so I will have that. Also I have an appointment with Headstrong. I did order last week a hat/turban off the internet - there are plenty of good websites to choose from. I was told to wash my hair in Dove shampoo as it is milder than baby shampoo.
The other side effect I had from my first chemo was that I was terribly sick after it. They have therefore prescribed Emend to take as my anti sickness drug next time so I really hope that works.
I have just started getting a couple of mouth ulcers so have started using the Cordosyl mouthwash that they gave me. They told me to only use this moutwash when I needed it and to use salt water as a mouthwash or a non alcoholic moutwash. Up to now I have been using a shop bought non alcholic moutwash. Also I have been using a child’s toothbrush and children’s toothpaste.
Other than all of this I have been feeling much better and doing more although I still get tired and know when I have done too much.
Best wishes to you all and everyone keep their chin up. It (BC) gets us all down at times and I don’t know about everyone else I still can’t believe all this is happening to me - still can’t get my head around it.
L4W I am so sorry you hit that wall, I think we try so hard to cope and be positive we don’t realise that the OHs want to support us as most usually do, we just don’t realise that we have become more positive minded and independent than normal to prove that we can beat these little aliens in our bodies.
Then when we reach melt down we wonder!!!
But I do agree with everyone a rant every now and then does no-one any harm but gets a lot of your system. I have already explained to OH that this may well happen in the next few weeks, did have a minor rant couple of weeks ago though.
Went for chemo pre-assessment today, found it very informative and feel prepared for 1st chemo on Thurs even though I am not looking forward to it. Felt a bit tearful there though, mainly, because the reception is in the day centre with everyone sat around having their chemo and that was a bit of a shock to the system but OK by the time I left and now I know what to expect next time.
I have decided to leave shaving my hair until day 9 unless the loss starts sooner than that. I have my hair 1" long normally but will cut it a bit shorter between now and the deed. I do already have a selection of turbans and chiffon scarves ready for when needed.
It’s me again. Just had a thought about song for the day. What about ‘You’ve got a friend’ by James Taylor ?
Granny22 sorry you felt upset when you went to the unit today. I know how you feel because when I went to my treatment unit to get my appointment for my first chemo I was s bit shocked when I saw everyone having treatment. Though the reception area was just off the side bays/wards (hold 6 people). But I can tell you that when I had my first chemo 2 weeks ago the staff were wonderful and my chemo nurse really put me at my ease. My husband was able to come and sit with me whilst I had my chemo. Good luck for Thursday will be thinking of you.
so, following your advice, i complained today about my treatment during the echocardiogram. the service manager was really nice and apologised profusely and said she’d have a word with the person in question. i feel much better now, hopefully she’ll be nicer to the next person she deals with. thanks for all the support around that.
L4W sorry to hear about your meltdown, but i have to agree with the others that it’s totally understandable. sometimes i wonder about us all, writing very calmly and civilly about the terribly shit we’re going thru. no wonder we crack up every now and then. i hope you’ve managed to have a good chat to OH.
Gill that wig sounds great. looking forward to the pic?
Daysie i know what you mean about how sometimes it can be more difficult to have others around. i’m single, no OH or family (altho several close friends) and as much as i can see how it would be great to share this there are many (many) times when i’m so glad to be able to go home and shut the door and not answer the phone or talk to anyone else or worry about how they’re managing.
Gingerissie i’m so glad you went for the chemo in the end, great that you can have it at home.
So, maybe we should get a list of everyone starting this week. i know it’s tricia, libralady and me on wednesday; jean on thursday. any one else?
Thank you all so much, I’ve just read all the posts and you are all so right. Think I’ve screwed the lid on so tight I needed to release it and the only way was a massive explosion thankfully I don’t have neighbours so no one heard me sitting in the garden blubbing like a baby. It’s the first time I’ve cried since dx and I can’t tell you how much better I feel. I am a strong person (some would say it’s my biggest weakness!) and find it difficult to let my feelings out (always have, prob always will) I know OH isn’t coping with my BC so don’t feel able to tell him how I feel cos if I do he might crumble and I can’t support us both. He comes with me to every appointment, yes to support me (he is my rock, just not psychic :-))but also cos he knows if it’s something bad I wont tell him. He was really angry after I was dx cos I’d brushed his offers of hand holding away and sent him to work (I know!). I’ve been through the clinic process so many times and although I didn’t know for sure I knew it was going to be bad news just by the tests they’d done and the differences in the lump to all my previous ones. It’s my way of coping, I have to get it straight in my head before I can share it with anyone, oddly enough except for you guys perhaps it is because you know without me saying what I’m feeling and it’s easier for me to try to hide behind a smile and a joke than face what we have to face. Oh this roller-coaster just keeps on going. Feel like I’ve really turned a corner today and I’m ready to face whatever . Que Sera Sera
After I’d posted I went to sit in the garden and after my good old blub I watched the birds have their early morning feed. Would you believe it my garden is full of tits (the feathered variety) at the moment, quite ironic I thought Anyway watching them flit to and fro helped me come to a decision and I have a plan. I am going ahead with the shaving (GI Jane look) this evening (day 11 and starting to moult) and I’m going to collect it all up and put it in one of my feeders so the birds can use it for their winter nests, it may not keep me warm this winter but it will serve a purpose
Tomorrows song is Michael Buble, Feeling Good (must be played loud and sung along to
Judes - really glad you got to speak with someone on that - I would say follow up but im sure the manager will tell her whether she is a friend or foe as such behaviour reflects badly on her department.
Gill - I did use a pseudo-name and picture but I know my family can work it out …stoopidly I used my birthsign! Durrrr! lol. But i dont mind…i have nothing to hide and maybe if I cant tell them personally how I feel at least they know. If I really wanna bitch about something I will send you lot a PM via the messaging system! lol
L4W - Its a really hard road isnt it…we all hold it together for such a long time eventually we break…we are like a pressure cooker, holding down the tears the anxieties until we blow again, its become a pattern with me…I feel my anxiety building up…i often go upstairs as I feel a wobble coming on and I dont want to burden anyone else with it…we seem to be ALL doing this…sparing our emotions as not to upset others…its so damn unfair. Ive had a weekend literally in bed…i come downstairs occasionally to let everyone know im “OK” then go upstairs, continue to read and surf the net and have a cry.
Im anxious to get my chemo started but also getting the jitters about it…I can imagine im gonna burst into tear when the nurse comes at me with the poison as I know this is it…no turning back. Im also having real anxiety issues over secondary spread and i have wound myself up horrendously over the last week. Im feeling aches, twinges and pains I have never experienced before and im writing myself off before the NHS has! I guess we all have these dark thoughts but i have obsessed about it (albeit secretly)for over a week and I darent say anything as I feel if I speak it it will become true.
They will be scanning me after the chemo before my mastectomy and a friend of mine told me to stop stressing over something I cannot change…but its not easy is it. She said hun dont worry…your chemo will deal with any little barstewards floating about so know you are in the right place…that offered me some comfort so im glad im starting chemo now…if I wasnt I think Id lose it…BIG TIME!
There is so much that can be done nowadays but im in such a negative place at the moment…surely the only way is up (we can add that to our list of daily songs perhaps)! loool
and im SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE TELLING ME TO BE POSITIVE!!! Im trying to be!
One thing that stopped me in my tracks this weekend was this accident on the M5, I cried my eyes out for them. Those 7 people didnt stand a chance…no chance to be cured, no chance to do things differently, nothing. They are gone.
We all have been given a chance…and by Gods name ALL of us are going to grab it with both hands! and for when anyone of us are so down and upset and cannot grab some comfort…we will all grab at it for each other…thats my personal promise to us all.
Omg…that song by james taylor, made me emotional!
Libra Lady, you are so right about being given a chance, & i don’t think i had so many people they love me since being , make you realise what you have.
L4W - i laughed at your tits in garden comment
gingerizzie - i was just reading back through theses posts, you had to change your cold caps? the one i used was plugged in the whole time, and wasn’t touched, apart from for a loo break, when it was detatched from mains.
Tricia, Libralady, Jean and Judes and anyone else starting this week - the 1st sesssion was nowhere as bad as i thought it would be, and we were given soup and sandwiches on ward, which i forgot to mention before, very nice.
i’m now a bit wary of the wig i have chosen, beginning to think i should have stayed with the colour that i am at moment, but the hairdresser trimmed the fringe for me so i think thats it. i’m sure it will be fine
i think my nasal hairs may have been the 1st victim for me, my nose is feeling bit sore and starting to run a bit, luckily have bought loads of tissues! i was a bit gutted to read Audrey getting mouth ulcers after 2 weeks, i was hoping by then most se’s would be disappearing
And just finally, i still can’t believe its happening me either…7
Hi There all, Well first Chemo in the morning, Been reading all your comments and taking it all in, still worried, its the feeling of being pushed by a disease into so many areas you DO NOT want to go and having NO choice, Sod positive, Brave etc, There just is NO choice as we all choose life… I Hate Cancer!
i’ve just made a massive pot of red lentil soup and divided it into little containers, as part of my chemo preparations. feeling rather pleased with myself. don’t anyone tell me that lentil soup is the last thing i’ll want to eat.
gooseberrygirl good luck tomorrow, we’ll be thinking of you. remember to drink plenty of fluids (i’m told).
gill, thanks for the reassurance. do you feel up to eating while you’re there? the nausea only later?
libralady i’m with you. well said. let’s not go into chemo thinking positively but rather thinking ‘screw cancer’.
L4W glad to hear you’re feeling better, thanks for being open with us about all that, it makes sense and helps us too. how’s the shave?
Hey judes, Must be catching , just made large pan of split-pea soup, and a tray of Nutty Flapjacks probably wont feel like cooking after Chemo, but no problem really when you live alone!Anyone fancy a Flapjack ! !
Thanks for fluid tip x
Hey Gooseberry - all the best for tomorrow - please come back tomorrow eve and let us know how you get on if you are up to it - if not - we can compare notes when we are all logged on.
Well done on the soup cooking Judes & Gooseberry - im so lucky my hubby has taken over the kitchen at the moment and he really is going for it…problem is I have no appetite - im just eating because I have to. I really have to man up.
Been busy reading loads of breast cancer blogs and books - if you want a good book about a young womans battle with breast cancer - buy “The C Word” by Lisa Lynch - BRILLIANT BOOK - ive been in ROFLing since I read the first page. Another good book I bought was “Even The Eyebrows”. Worth reading ladies - i purchased both via Amazon. Lisa Lynch also has a blog called alrighttit.com - again, brilliant.
Thats really spooky I went out today and bought red lentils to make soup with as well as carrots, potatoes and leeks.
Have to agree with you libralady well said we have been given a chance to get over this not like those poor people on the M5 and its up to all of us to grab that chance take it and kick this disease into space.
We will get through this holding each others hands and listening when someone needs to rant and rave.
and it looks good!! in fact looks better than my real hair ever did!
thankfully I don’t have neighbours so no one heard me sitting in the garden blubbing like a baby. It’s the first time I’ve cried since dx and I can’t tell you how much better I feel. I am a strong person (some would say it’s my biggest weakness!) and find it difficult to let my feelings out (always have, prob always will) I know OH isn’t coping with my BC so don’t feel able to tell him how I feel cos if I do he might crumble and I can’t support us both. He comes with me to every appointment, yes to support me (he is my rock, just not psychic :-))but also cos he knows if it’s something bad I wont tell him. He was really angry after I was dx cos I’d brushed his offers of hand holding away and sent him to work (I know!). I’ve been through the clinic process so many times and although I didn’t know for sure I knew it was going to be bad news just by the tests they’d done and the differences in the lump to all my previous ones. It’s my way of coping, I have to get it straight in my head before I can share it with anyone, oddly enough except for you guys perhaps it is because you know without me saying what I’m feeling and it’s easier for me to try to hide behind a smile and a joke than face what we have to face. Oh this roller-coaster just keeps on going. Feel like I’ve really turned a corner today and I’m ready to face whatever . Que Sera Sera