yes good luck deb,xxx
rads update, 12 done, 7 to go. Not too sore but the exercises they gace me, which looked ridiculously easy, are actually not easy at all! I have a sunburnt breast, there is a straight diaganol line from under my arm pit going up to mid chest, looks like a bikini strap mark in reverse.
Vickie
Hi Debs
I just wanted to wish you good luck for your last chemo tomorrow, I will be thinking of you. Hoping you have minimal se’s this time.
Hope everyone else is okay, will post again when I emerge from the chemo fog, hopefully in a couple of days.
Goodnight all. Amanda xx
Hello everyone , especially those having last chemo today - tuesday 12th.
I’ll be there too , last FEC , no.6, so dreading it I cant wind down to get to bed and much needed sleep, its the cold cap & the headache it causes - thought I was going to be sick last time. will try taking more paracetemol (not too many !!) and ibuprofen before the chemo at 2pm. Must do it, as have kept hair covering my head, if very thin in places, its also very light and dead - slightest movement and it rises up - and stays there - I look like a demented old lady whose been through a hedge backwards !!
Bought myself some flowers today - no one else gives me any !! have been couped up in the house so much, felt a luxury was in order, they really cheer me up, think its the colour - colour therapy.
Good luck everyone and on to the next stage , rads for most of us I expect. I’m confused about aqueous cream - not been told anything about moisturing yet , but aqueous cream is a soap substitute and , I read, not designed to leave on the skin. Could it be , its cheapness that is influencing wide spread use of in NHS ? So, whats best then, to moisturize with , to keep skin intact during rads ?
KIrsty
Hi all
Thanks for the good wishes. Hope yours went well.
All I can say is it’s in. Now for the fall out. Take care debx
Hi Julie
I wish you well and will be joining you shortly. I am to start chemo shortly - I have my first onc appt on Monday the 18th and expect to start treatment in a couple of weeks.
Like you - I am scared stiff and not looking forward to this part of my treatment but I am taking heart with all the comments that this is doable.
Janvis
Hang in there Deb, over before you know it.
I have now 17/30 rads down and skin is fine so far despite my not bothering v much about aqueous cream. It is a moisturiser as well as a soap substitute,very bland stuff so no problem leaving it on the skin. No doubt I will be posting in the very near future about sunburn and broken skin but so far so good. It is light years of pain away from that other FECin stuff…good times round the corner, ladies!
Cxx
Debs and Kirsty, hope you’re not too full of SE, but soon you’ll be through, just keep counting the days. I’m two weeks out and barely human when I look in the mirror, but do feel a whole lot better knowing there’s no more chemo to face.
Vickie, sorry your skin’s started to break down. Are the nurses helping? My Onc said mine would look after me really well if I have problems. I didn’t know you have to exercises on Rads. In fact I know nothing about it all. Can you even wear a bra?? You’ll have to let us in on any tips.
Kirsty, I think they all suggest Aqueous Cream, and genuinely think it works. I’ve heard people swearing by Aloe Vera too, but am not sure if that’s a good tip or not. We’ll have to look into it and compare notes.
Weebuns, you’re doing well - over half way through now, which must feel great. Good to know it’s not hitting you yet. I’m having 25 rads, so have been worried I’ll frazzle; you’re cheering me up!
Has anyone else had problems with their eyes? Mine are so watery and I can’t read for long as they become very unfocussed. Am not too worried, as I had it on chemo 5 and it went before 6, but still it’s annoying.
Hi Janvis. So sorry you’ve found yourself here, but maybe as we’re a bit further ahead, we can help you. Chemotherapy throws different side effects to everyone, but you will get through. If we all did then so can you. If once you know what drug combo you’re on you want to ask any of us any questions, I’m sure you’ll get lots of wisdom from everyone on here. Good luck with your Onc appt. Julie
Hi Ladies, I’ve just found this thread. I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I was dx in August and had surgery on the 19th. I started chemo last week, FEC. I had a couple of days of severe nausea and vomiting but things settled down after that. Then on the weekend my mouth started to get sore. I was given a mouth wash, which helped to numb the area. Since then the mouth has developed thrush and I’ve had awful acid reflex whatever i eat or drink. Finding something to eat that my mouth and stomach can tolerate is getting really difficult. I’ve had tablets today for the stomach and another mouth wash for the thrush.
How long does do these symptoms usually last? And can anyone recommend what to eat? Feeling a bit low and tearful today after a few fairly good days. But great to hear that so many of you have made it through all this. xx
blueygirl, so sorry you’ve had all the mouth problems. It’s tough isn’t it, and the vomiting too. I had all of that as well, but it does pass. I remember on the first one being terrified that I’d have the same through all 6 of mine, but I’d say you’ve been unlucky with the thrush and should be through that soon. Keep gargling and take the tablets, that should stop it. Have you tried yoghurt, smoothies, oh and soft bananas worked for me too. Ice pops/ ice lollies can be a relief. Soup maybe if you can find a type that feels right. Soft pasta too with a very mashed down sauce works too.
Try and drink as much water as you can - I know it’s hard, but it flushes the FEC through. I usually found I was feeling lots better 10 days past chemo, so you haven’t got long to go. When you see the Oncologist before your next one, be very honest about your side effects and hopefully they can give you things to stop them before they. There’s lots available for nausea and for stomach problems, so they should give you something.
Really good luck. I do so know how you feel, but you can do this and you will. All of us on here have struggled at various points, but we’ve got through so use us and ask any questions you want. I’m sure we’ll all try and help.
Am sending you a huge hug. You’ll feel human again soon, I promise. Julie xx
Hi blueyegirl
Sorry you are finding fec tough. My side effects for my first fec lasted around 10 days. I was not sick but felt v nauseous. Omeprazole worked well for indigestion along with eating little and often. Eating protein at night to keep the digestive system going and stopping a blood sugar dip was also recommended. Everyone is different of course and most people seem to tolerate fec quite well. I hope you get an app to go through your side effects with the onc. I don’t think they can help with the weepiness, but you are certainly not alone there. Good luck . Debx
I never leave the house these days without a bottle of water and some cream crackers. The cream crackers are brill at soaking up within minutes the excess acid. I also was prescribed omeprazole but you can buy them at the chemist, which I take at night, 30minutes after a mug of warm milk on every day I have indigestion plus 2 after. Just been dentist today and mentioned that last FEC, number 3 for me I had 3 huge (well, thay felt huge!) ulcers on the tip of my tongue. She has since rung and suggested I get genigel available from chemist, cost about £4, so will be shopping for that tomorrow. This time last week I felt really miserable but by weekend life had got better and yesterday I had enough energy to do some DIY so it does get easier. I keep a chemo diary so I can see from previous cycles how long each side effect lasts, which helps when you ae going through it to know that there is and end in sight. There is a thread for those who started chemo recently so it might help to link up with that one so you can chat with ladies at the same point as yourself.
Hope you feel better soon
Ali.
Hello Blueyegirl
I’m feeling like an old hand ! Had my last FEC yesterday , No. 6 - but elation hasnt set in yet as usual overal icecream headache, general malaise and nausea of the first couple of days. I did also burst into tears on leaving the chemo unit but didnt know why !!
I had mouth ulcers after first FEC too - but overnight they went after eating lots of fresh pineapple, hospital said it has enzymes in it which assist ulcer healing - think it must be fresh though as any heat would destroy enzymes - so canned no good.
Our hospital routinely gives chemo patients a drug to line the stomach and gut with , taken every day throughout whole FEC course, I forget the name, my dissolves on tongue and quite pleasant to take as have trouble swallowing tablets. They said the steroids and chemo affect the digestive system and this drug helps protect it - i’ve had no hint of excess acid and can eat anything on it = GREAT , one advantage of chemo !!!
We all react differently to the chemo and I’ve found that each time has been slightly different too.
The most important thing that all profs and patients will tell you is that drinking lots really helps. I found that difficult but keep trying as it really works - its good to get really hydrated the day before the chemo and on the day of treatment. Fizzy drinks are sometimes easier to drink than still , but water as always is best if you can. Forget about any diet and keep up the nutrients , just eat what you can to feel better, I’m told the weight drops off as soon as chemo stops. Hope so Ive put on half a stone that my small frame can do without !
Are you using the cold cap ? and do I spot Tenby in your photo , was there last week ! Loved it.
Hope all goes smoothly for you from now on. It all goes to have peace of mind later - keep telling myself. Kirsty
Hi Ladies, thank you all so much for your quick response. I’ve jotted down all your suggestions and will give them a go. I did manage to eat a little tonight and didn’t have the terrible spasms I had last night, so maybe the new meds are kicking in after all. I’m looking forward to a week of feeling good before this all starts again. It does really help having your support. I did the pineapple thing on the weekend and found it really good, but the acid reflex put an end to all fruit except bananas!
Yes I did use the cold cap. Very painful to start for about 15 minutes, but okay then till a headache about four hours later. So far so good, but I did pick up a wig yesterday just in case!
Yes, the photo was taken in Tenby back in June. One of my favourite places in Wales.Unfortunately I don’t live anywhere near the sea now - I’m in Wiltshire!
Thanks again. xx
Hello Ladies,
Was very shocked to see that I haven’t posted on here since August!! In fact I haven’t posted since I started the Tax and I’ve now finished. Shows that I’ve struggled with it! It’s now 2 weeks since last chemo and am still looking forward to being free from side effects. I’m still soooooo tired, have tingly/numb fingertips and toetips, can’t taste all foods and have an upset tummy 
Really, really want to feel normal again!!!
Glad to see that so many of you have finished your chemo and are starting to feel better again.
Next stop radiotherapy!! Have got planning session on 29th October and presumably will have my treatment through November. It’s good to see treatments coming to an end 
Good luck to everyone starting their radiotherapy, hopefully it is less traumatic than the chemo.
Night night for now,
Gill x
Hi all,
Well just when I thought it was safe to rejoice the end of chemo!! Bloody neutropenic sepsis, what a nightmare, just come out of hospital. I have to tells you guys I don’t think I’ve ever been that poorly in my life and it scared the sh*t out of me. The hospital staff were wonderful as always and I am fine now and home but it has really knocked me.
I’ve always behaved the same since I was first dx, I smile and get on with it, but I just can’t seem to cope at the mo. This morning I literally couldn’t stop crying. Not huge sobs or anything just tears permanently rolling down my face. It’s stopped now but I just feel awful.
I think it might be delayed shock. I think this sounds mad but anyway here goes… on my last morning in hosp my ONC came to see me to see if I was ready for discharge and we were talking through everything and he was just explaining what medically happened with the Neutropenic sepsis. This isn’t unusual for the discussions we have as he knows I like the details of EVERYTHING. But as he was explaining what was happening inside my body when x,y,z, happened it really scared me. He went on to explain what could have happened if I had of left going to the hospital another hour, 6 hours etc, and I know he was saying it to say well done for coming in quickly and to make sure that I was really careful until immune system recovers but it’s fu**ing scary when you realise how sick you were or what could have happened.
I think on top of this I’m really struggling to work out how I’m ever going to be a healthy ‘normal’ person again. I feel like I’ve been dropped at Everest base camp and told to make it up to the summit. It just feels impossible. I don’t even recognise myself anymore, I look in the mirror and can’t believe how ill I look.
I feel like a right moaning idiot, i’m sorry guys for killing the end of chemo buzz. Just neeeded to “say” this out loud and for obvious reasons I don’t feel like telling anyone how I’m feeling. They are all so excited that chemo’s finished and it just feels like a huge pressure to just snap too and get back to normal.
Anyway thanks for being here as you always are. Hope you’re all well. I haven’t caught up with posts yet so have just blurted sorry.
Joxx
Joxx
Hi Jo, Just sending you a cyber hug and to say I am thinking about you in the wee small hours. I am glad you have been able to put down in words how you are feeling. Hugs. Val
Hi all
Jo that sounds awful. I am not surprised you are in shock and the tears came. Breast cancer shakes us to the core anyway but to have a critical situation on top is v frightening. I have not had any euphoria about finishing chemo. It was only last Tuesday and I know there is a long way to go. It is a shame really as I do think we should celebrate everything we can to keep us going. As I ended out in hospital after my last chemo they reduced the dose this time to try and prevent neutropena, so fingers crossed.
Are you having any counselling? I have found it useful, even just to say out loud my fears. I hope you got a good sleep last night and get to rest as much as possible before rads. It is going to take a while for our bodies to recover and I know from my point of view my hormones are a mess. I am glad you came on here last night and let it out. You are not alone at base camp. I think there are a few of us with our tents pitched in the wind and cold. I will collect the snow if you put the kettle on… : D.
Gill , nice to here from you. It is amazing how time passes. Hope you are feeling better.
Take care. Debx
Jo
gonna post properly in a bit as sorting brekkie out, but well done for getting thru and also for breaking down, you need to. Don’t ever hold it in, and share it here whenever you can but also share it with your family too. I felt very very down straight after the last Chemo, even without a huge trauma like you had. I felt a lot better at the three week point when I knew I was not going in that day as I had for months before. I got energy and positive and had loads of fun for a fab few weeks, then rads planning brought the tears and then the start of rads too. I have just had alrightish week but I finish rads on we’d so prob tears again. You are not alone in how you feel, we all want to help you. Go with the flow and let the tears help you. This too will pass.
Vickie
Ps. I find nutella pancakes can help immensly. Xxxx
And stop apologising!