Hi ladies
hope you all don’t mind me joining you here. Started my 1st chemo yesterday. I am going to have 4x ec and 4x t. I notice some of you are doing fec rather than ec as I am doing. I just wonder is there a different in it or should I ask my oncologist next time I see him.
Didn’t have any side effect at present and seem to be crazing for greasy foods such as fish and chips etc. Since I found out I have BC, I have virtually become a vegetarian. Don’t know whether this will help to prevent further cancer or not.
Getting lot of tip from all of you regarding what to expect and also what will help when encountering se of chemo.
Hi Kenni and welcome,
Probably wrong but is EC given if you are triple negative? whatever we are all going through chemo!
Hope you still feeling ok, l started my first FEC last friday, and the first night l had a bit of a headache, probably stress! never really had any bad side effects, felt a bit sick for 3 days but the tablets sorted that out. My bcn told me to eat what l fancied while having chemo, doesn’t have to be healthy as long as you are eating, what dreadful advice…good job l went off chocolate, be the size of a bus by the time l have finished this rubbish. xxx
Ado, well done on finishing your last FEC, xxx
scoobs, l bought some strawberries yesterday, eat the whole lot, probably why l was sick today, but they were lovely.
It is a problem with regards to taking someone with you on appointments and so on. My friend wanted to come on my first chemo, but l said l really wanted to do it by myself, really l just hate people waiting aroung for me! but promised l would ring her if l felt ill, her husband was going to drive her up to the hospital and she would drive my car home. But l felt absolutely fine, and would have no hesitation on going alone again.
Naomi, hope your tablets are working, you can rattle for England!
Does anyone know what the wbc level should be? think l will have to look that up after, just like to know!
Sandra x
Hi there I had EC and am now on Tax. I am not triple negative. I asked my onc what the difference was between FEC and EC and he said it was just different oncs’ preferences. Apparently recent research has shown that adding the F to EC has little extra benefit.
Viv x
Hi Viv, Thank you for that, l just thought l had read somewhere EC was for triple negative, now l am interested, it ‘seems’ more people are on FEC than EC! i will ask when l have my next chemo. But if anyone else knows please let us know
Sandra x
Neutropenia: ANC < 1500 cells / mm3 ANC Absolute Neutrophil Count
Mild Neutropenia: 1000-1500 cells / mm3
Moderate Neutropenia: 500-999 cells / mm3
Severe Neutropenia: < 500 cells / mm3
Cut off point for Tax is 1500.
Hope that helps. Tina
Tina, It not only helps, it made me laugh, because when l typed it l almost put at the end ‘where is Tina’ you are like a little encyclopedia, full of useful information.
Thank you
Sandra x
Tina…have they offered you a job in the health service yet?? You are so knowledgeable :-)))
Thanks for the info
Suze xx
Hi all,
hope everyone is ok and enjoying the good weather.
Nem sorry to hear that your wbc are so low, wishing you a speedy recovery and hope the count is raised quickly. What treatment/advice have you been given to raise the wbc?
I get my bloods done on Weds this week for chemo on Thurs and dreading finding out that count is too low. I’m taking iron tablet each day for rbc and vitamin C and manuka honey for immunity, having a pretty healthy diet with lots of fruit n veggies,temp is ok and I feel ok so hoping that I AM ok.
Had hair cut urchin short yesterday as I couldn’t cope eith the matted mess that it was becoming, didn’t want it shaved so opted for scissor cut as short as poss, still getting used to it and trying to avoid reflection as much as possible. Having said that not being able to wash hair made my usual style look yuk too. Deciding whether or not to continue with cold cap…will see how much is left by Thursday as it’s really thinning out at the sides now :-((
Good news…I can pull hairs from my knees!!! looks like I may not have to shave legs for much longer hahaha!! My eyebrow partly disappeared but seems to have stopped coming out now thankfully:-))
Sandra hope the sickness has stopped…yes I think it may be a little overindulgence in the strawberry department!!! You never came on here and told us that there were strawberries to be had!!
Kenni, nice to ‘meet’ you hope you are ok and enjoying the weekend as much as possible.
Well better go have a busy weekend in anticipation of going back into the chemo hole next weekend…need to get all my jobs done
Enjoy the sun
Hugs as always Suze xxxx
Suze, I continued with cold cap (paxman) despite there not being much left to save really, but I emailed them and they said it can contribute towards regrowth, so it’s a case of grin and bear it for me, I suppose it’s one of the things I still have a choice in.
Re the neutrophils, as I have gone along in this BC business, I made my own info booklet, new topic, research and then bookmark so I can refer back to it when needed. I suppose I am a very factual person in that respect! Hope SE’s are being managable for everyone, Thursdays tax/c left me a bit tired, slept right through the football match last night despite my four blokes shouting at the screen… Hugs to all.X
Thanks Tina xx
p.s love your new pic lovely long locks really suits you xx
Hi Ladies, I have just took time to read about everyones news for getting through their chemo, sorry havent been here for a good few days, i had my 3rd Fec on Thursday, felt a little more tired than the first two, look a little less like a beetroot as the doc decided that i leave the steroids out due to bad water retention and aggitation, had some mega hot sweats, but they are to be expected i suppose, but all in all, i feel quite lucky compared to many of you ladies here, haven’t felt ill, just a little less like myself.
I have had a bit of an absess in my mouth due to a tooth which needs a new filling, haven’t been able to have the filling as the dentist gave me penecillin to take before i can have it done.
Had to check with my onc first, that was a little bit of prob, had to have a bllod test first, before i even went to the dentist, then when i went to have my 3rd Fec, i was told they might not do it due to abcess, then they said it would be ok.now i am taking penecillin until i have the tooth sorted, but have to have a blood test on the day of the filling to check it’s ok to go ahead.That’s in 2 weeks,what a pain, but i can see why i have to wait, it’s just a bit of a pain.
Sorry for the winge, but only you ladies would understand, had to get my hubby to shave my head this morning as some had grown for previous shaving but it was falling out as well, so i have about 2mm if im lucky, other bits are bald, kinda got used to it now, but poor hubby, he felt bad, bless him.
I do hope all you ladies are doing as well as is possible today,i don’t have my grandaughters today, so i am in bed resting whilst online, i think looking after my grandaughters keeps me sane, keeps my mind of bc and keeps me active, (i’m not the fitest of people) ha ha.
I do feel for you ladies with young children, it must be extremley dirfficult, it’s ok for me, i can send my gd’s hame at the end of the day, or if i feel to unwell, but you ladies have to get on with it no matter what.
Hope all goes well for the ladies that are having their chemo in the next week,
Take care to you all
Sandrae x x x
I am on the countdown to FEC no.2 - bloods due on Monday and if all well, next dose on Wednesday. Lucky to have had few SE’s, just fatigue really, and not much nausea to speak of except for day 1 - thank God for a good onc nurse who was meticulous is jiggling around my anti-sickness meds for the best effect!
Suzi - reading your question about hints & tips to raise immunity - I have had a few bits of advice from various people:
Manuka honey - taking 1 tsp a day
‘Live’ yoghurts and drinks e.g. Actimel & Yakult - 1 a day (also helps with the post chemo constipation)
Getting back to normal activity levels pre-dose - trying to walk/swim/exercise every day in gradually increasing amounts depending on energy levels. Now (day 17 post dose) played badminton twice this week (3 games Tuesday, 6 games Thursday), walked round the park, swam & one Pilates class. I have also made a decision NOT to go back to work, but to invest the time in ‘ME’ - getting as much exercise and fresh air, and as little stress as possible to boost me ready for the next dose.
Hugs to all you ladies just had or getting ready for next dose…keep holding hands virtually!
xxx Sal
Hi Ladies,
Well l have a bit of a sore throat tonight, so l am hoping after my sickness yesterday, it wont come to anything!
Just really wanted to say, l also have Manuka honey, even before bc! the other day on the forum l mentioned l also have Actimel…had lots of replies saying NO!! seems the good bacteries dont go with chemo. Some of the ladies said in their booklet is states no live yogurt’s!!
Sandra xxx
PS. Tina the hair looks lovely!
PPS. Not going to be my night, l now have diarrhoea!
Morning ladies!
Well I got through my first FEC on Friday, had the pre-chemo tour the afternoon before which was great, blood test was fine and ECG was normal for me (i.e. off the scale with white coat hypertension!).
Friday morning met the oncologist’s registrar again and he put my mind at rest re. my heart (the echo results were very good, in fact my pumping strength is higher than average. Woo!) so I decided to go ahead with it all. The chemo nurses were lovely, in all I was at the hospital for 4 hours in total, that included lunch as I was on a ward! Having the portacath fitted next time, although this one was fine, just had my arm in hot water to get a vein.
Friday was a bit of a write off, stayed awake til 10pm for my last anti-nausea tablet. Yesterday managed a mile walk, then a nap, but the steroids make me feel quite jittery so I couldn’t concentrate on much. Finally gave up and and went to bed after Dr Who but didn’t sleep all that well. Today just feel fuzzy headed but have been to local cafe and had a hot chocolate, and done a bit of food shopping. Just eating little and often, but generally avoiding sweet stuff which is good for me!
Hope everyone else is doing OK!
x
Sandra.
Hope u ok and today is a better day
Louise
Hi
I am exactly like you 3 FEC and 3 TAX. I have started 10 days ago and so far I am ok. Going to work and conducting my life as anormal as possible. Fingers cross will continue like this for the next 3 months!!!
I am using the cool cup technique (so I still got my hairs) but guess its too early to see if side effects are kicked in or not.
I have changed my eating habits and it seems to work with me with energy and tiredeness.
Good luck!!!
Ah, I’ve optend not to do the cold cap, so will be waiting the wig consultation (always wanted to see what I would be like with blonde hair, now could be my chance!).
I have also opted not to try working through it, partly because I want to avoid infection and partly because everyone at work said go away and come back when you’re through with it all.
Fine by me! Not keen on a London commute 5 days a week at the best of times!
Big hugs to everyone today.
.
Hi ladies,
I am day 4 of 3rd FEC, don’t fell to unwell, have felt a little more tired than i did with the previous 2 FEC.
Yesterday i felt so aggitated, i couldn’t sit still, haven’t got a glue why, as i didn’t have steroids this time due to slapped face look and bad water retention.
Apart from that i feel ok, i do hope you ladies are managing ok with the cr*py side affects, you all seem to be doing as well as is possible under the circumstances.
MY poor old head is as itcy as heck, since my OH shaved it for me , bless him, he is still recovering from the shock, ha ha, i had a baldy as i got sick of what little i had falling in my dinner haha.
I think i may get my wig out tommorrow and give it a try, my poor grandaughters will be wondering if they have a new nanny, as i went for o bob with highlights, nothing like my own.
Well there’s only one way to find out ha ha!
Hope you all have a good few days coming, take care, Sandrae x x x
Hello Ladies,
Really thought l was going to wake to problems today, after the last couple of day. But woke feeling alright, so pleased with that, still got a bit of a funny mouth, but no more than that.
MrsSloth, sound like you are doing well, if you managed a hot chocolate! and a mile walk, that has to be good. I think that is the best idea, i have given up on dinners mostly have snacks, little and often! xxx
Louise, Thank you, yes l am feeling ‘well’ today, pleased to see you are doing well! l always read your posts, Take care xxx
Federica, sounds like we started about the same time, l started on the 11th, as you say fingers crossed for the next 3 months!
Hope the hair stays! xxx
Gill, Yes back to ‘normal’ (i wish) xxx
Sandrae, well done, day 4 of 3rd FEC! The granddaughters will do a double take then, on their ‘new’ Nanny! xxx
Hope everyone else is feeling ‘ok’ and had a good weekend
Sandra xxx