Welcome MrsR2B - sorry about your wedding but glad you’re not going to let bc spoil your special day. Glad to hear your FEC experience hasn’t been too awful so far.
Hope everyone who hasnt quite had the jellymould-zumba experience feels much better soon.
I’ve got my first FEC tomorrow - eek!!! Am really nervous but it helps to read all your posts.
Good luck to any other sparklers starting tomorrow 
Love, Col xxxx
Break through!Managed a walk to the local pub and to eat a whole roast dinner!! I have amazed myself! Onwards and upwards I say!! Not sure i am ready for Zumba tonight jellymould but I plan another walk tomorrow at least:-) phew phew phew so happy to feel so much better:-)
xxxx
Hey all.
I had my first FEC on Tuesday this week and reckon I am over the worst of the tiredness now (please don’t have just jinxed myself). My first night was like someone had turned a dimmer switch down on me about 5 hours after the treatment and I was physically sick that night. I’m going to ask about different sickness meds for my next batch.
I’ve a horrible case of oral thrush at the minute which appeared within 1/2 hour yesterday afternoon but I’ve a docs appointment tomorrow for sick notes etc so I can ask about it then if its no better!! Yucky!!!
My nose is beginning to run a bit as well so maybe the nasel hairs are about to dissapear.
I did manage the cold cap so hopefully I’ll know how effective it will be prior to my next batch.
Good luck to those starting this week x
Hi Col123 ,
Good luck tomorrow, don’t forget to drink loads of water. Will be thinking of you. xxx
Glad to see you are up and running and feeling better _ WeeSharon _ & _ Lucypenny _ xxx
Good luck to anyone else starting tomorrow. x
Keep Sparkling x
Big hugs CK xxx
Thanks fellow Col!!
They say kids help to take your mind off things and my little lad has certainly done that for me today as he’s been throwing up all over the place 
. Poor little soul. I have to say it’s hard not to think give us a bloody break but it just looks like a tummy bug so I suppose it could be worse. Ah well.
Take care all.
Col x
I’d seen my blood pressure go up quite a lot since my Herceptin on Wednesday but we went for a ~2 mile walk today down the beach and back and when I checked it had gone back to normal - so there we go, just needed some light exercise.
Day 2 doing well very little sickness feeling , taking all the drugs they gave me , and even thinking of taking a leaf out of jellymould s book and making a visit to Zumba tomorrow night , watch this space
Hi girls,
Good to read that lots of you are coping well with the chemo so far.
Well, I am now definitely a sparkler - starting Fec-T on 22nd. Going in tmrw to have a Hickman line fitted due to my rubbish veins then wig shopping on Tuesday which I’m quite looking forward to. Might opt for something completely different!!
Good luck to everyone having treatment this week
Kerry xx
Hi all,
I am not sure if I am going to be a Sparkler yet or I will go into Decemeber but I do know that I am having FEC-T chemo - the plan is 6 sessions but apparently if I respond well to it 8. The thought sends shivers down my spine.
You all seem really nice and I hope you don’t mind me joining the group.
My lump is about 2-3cms and I have a fairly small chest, so they are planning to do the chemo first in the hope that it will shrink it. Last week I had my lymph nodes remove to check if the cancers spread, it looks clear on the scan and I am hoping that the results supports this.
I am 36 years old and I have no children, unfortunately I went through a divorce last year. It’s always been my dream to have children but unfortunately its not happen yet. The chemo therapy might leave me infertile so I have to go through IVF before I start. The oncologist was very direct with me when I told him I wanted to do IVF and questioned why I didn’t have kids before being that I was married - I was so upset. He just wants me to start the Chemo and he also told me not to bother with the cold cap - I left that appointment so upset and cried for 4 hours.
The thought of going through all the SE’s including losing my hair upsets me no end and I am trying so hard to be strong and positive. When I think of all the kids and people who may have cases of cancer that are a lot more serious then mine, I feel quite selfish and guilty for feeling like this.
I also started a new relationship 3 weeks before I got diagnosed, with a guy who is a lot younger then me - he’s been amazing so far and says he wants to be with me regardless and is looking at the longer term. However, the truth will remain when I hit the chemo and I start losing my hair etc. My hair like everyone else’s is part of my identity, its lovely and long - length is past my chest. Everyone loves my hair and I have never truly valued it until now - my colleagues at work have cried just at the thought of me losing my hair.
Not sure how I am really feeling right now and some days it doesn’t seem real, I am sure that will all change when I face into chemo.
Anyway, I thought I would share my story and just say that today I am feeling lost, scared, upset and angry too. Which when I read all you comments it helps to make me feel better and also i feel guilty again for feeling like this. I’ve had such amazing support from family and friends its been unreal and I am trying so hard to be a burden or upset them further.
I am also feeling that I am not sure if I should kick the chemo off just after Christmas - my partner really wants me to go to his Christmas do and I really want to go too. But I know if I kick the Chemo off I might feel and look dreadful - I know I should be thinking just get rid of the cancer and start the chemo, which I do.
Normally I am quite a logical, sensible person and this is making me feel illogical, stupid, shallow and very vain.
Sorry if this as become an emotional dump of my feelings when I know you are all going through it too.
Hello GemiNy
Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to hear that you are having a tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
best wishes
June, moderator
hi sparklers, not having a good day today was sick last night, runs this am and im starting with thrush, got doctors this pm. thought it was to good to be true. x
Hi GemiNty. If it is any comfort, I am using the cold cap and have now had 3 FEC chemo, hair is thinning, sure, but I still have a head of hair - it is a hassle, needs cutting shorter, only washed once a week, only combed once a day so doesnt look great but I wanted to hang on to as much as I could. I dont regret it, even though it does mean the chemo sessions are longer and it is uncomfortable. I am surprised that your onc told you not to bother, mine actively enouraged me to try it and even joked when I saw him last week that I had more hair than him!
Have a chat with your surgeon about the timing, I postponed my op because I had a holiday booked and then the surgeon postponed it by another 2 weeks for her holiday - I was assured that those few weeks would make no difference to the outcome and I liked the surgeon so didn’t want to switch if not necessary. I had my op first so that may make a difference and I was given a choice when to start chemo too.
I really feel for you re children too (mine are teenagers so I didnt have that to contend with) and I hope you get some control back soon in the decision making.
Hugs x
Oh Jellymould , sorry to hear you are poorly. I’m sure it was all that jiggling around at Zumba!! Hopefully it will pass quickly for you. Big hugs xxx
Hi GemiNy , sorry you find yourself here and are going through such a hard time. Don’t worry what the specialists say if the cold cap is there and you want to give it a go do so. It works differently for different people. I’m sure you will get more replies on that one. Each one of us has been, or is going through the guilt, anger and so many other emotions so don’t feel you are wrong. If you feel it is all too much call a helpline or go and see a doctor for advice on how to deal with your issues.
I think in the end you will realise that your health is more important than your hair but it is early days for you. Your work colleagues will also realise that if they thought for a moment. I am flabbergasted that someone would be so blunt about you not having children already but again seek advice, the more control you have the better you will feel.
As your feelings settle down things will become ‘easier’ to handle and you will be able to take one day at a time. You are still really young with lots of things to look forward to. Whatever you decide with the chemo etc let us know. Come here and vent when you want I’m sure there are others who will lend a friendly ear and help you on this road ahead.
Have a bit more faith in your new partner, if you start doubting him now he will only have to try so much harder to prove to you that he cares when he probably is feeling as lost as well at the moment.
Good luck, big hugs CK xxx
Hi all, this is my first post. I saw my onc today after mx in September, feel totally bewildered and terrified at the thought of the treatment which is 6 courses of chemo two different types, which I don’t know what they are. I have already picked up some really helpful tips. If this advice helps anyone please check it out for yourselves. I am large chested, and before my op went out and spent a fortune on large baggy clothes, which I have never worn, you will bsurprised how many of your own clothes you can still wear. I also had huge problems with finding underwear. I cannot recommend the genie bra enough, it gives support and is so comfortable. Also try matalan, they do a range called simply comfort, and their version is only£4. As da came out the best for really nice post op bras that go up to j cup a real find and only£6. I don’t know when my first session is but I have been told it will be before end of the month. Good luck to you all xxx
Pascal 48 I am in the same situation awaiting op in November then will undergo radiotherapy and I think will be reccommended chemo although I don’t want it!!! Who does? I am not hormone treatment receptive so will be advised on chemo but am so not looking frwrd to it and wanted to avoid it but reading all your stories it is making me think that it will be worth it in the end. Good luck and keep us posted xx
Hi everyone,
I had my first FEC on Wednesday and have been fine so far, apart from some sickness on the first evening, so like lots of you, have been feeling much more positive and happy than expected! Been out for quite few long walks as weather has been so nice, and the dog insists on going out any way! My portacath is still quite painful a week after having it inserted, but it’s definitely on the mend. My daughter (aged 23) has been giving me the injections to keep the immune system up, so have not had to do that thank goodness and I’ve taken all my medication - better safe than sorry!
Family, friends, fresh air and water seem to be my main allies at the moment, plus of course the amazing support the nurses and specialists give us and whom we have to trust so much. I am feeling so much better now than I did when I first got the news about my cancer, which seemed to get worse and worse with every set of test results, I’d nearly given myself up for ‘not worth treating’. I’m just hoping this optimism can be around at least through most of my treatment, and I think reading so many stories both postive and negative helps us to put things into perspective, so keep up the good work sparklers.
GemiNy!!!
Don’t feel bad for sharing, this is why we are here for. and to reassure you those feelings sound familiar to most of us! All I can say I was not inclined at all to go with Chemo (just didn’t want to consider it) but having read so many uplifting stories and the shortness it is in a lifetime, considering… it will be all worth it in the end!
Get yourself one or 2 buddies near you going through the same thing, I find it helps, these forums on here are amazingly informative, caring, supportive and uplifting. We will all help each other and please please don’t feel bad sharing your down times we are ALL human and have these moments and what best to share and feel better after? This is our strength as women and as human beings, so let your heart speak out with your hopes and your frustrations and don’t worry about the rest. Be strong we will be for you!
Take care xxx
Hi Everyone
GemiNy I start FEC T on Thursday (3 lots) and then 3 lots of Herceptin. When I spoke to the local Oncology dept nurse and said I wanted to try the cold cap she said that they have have some really good results. I said I was going to get my hair cut and she said not to have too drastic a cut. I have had it cut shortish and everyone is saying how much nicer it is now, may keep it like this - if I can!
I had IVF at 39, successfully. I was just never in a relationship where I wanted to have children before then.
m-c teacher I have usually started my lunch time Christmas craft club by now and started taking small groups out of class to make Christmas cards. Before I go off I have to sort cards out for 2 year groups. I don’t really have to, but I will feel better if I do - the cards get made really early and are put up all around the class room. At least I can go off knowing they all have lovely cards to take home!
I spoke to my dentist today and he advised Peroxyl mouth wash, Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste and Sensodyne Pro Namel toothpaste. He also suggested Biotene chewing gum.
Love and hugs to everyone x
jellymould - sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. Did the doc give you anti sickness meds? Have they worked? What day are you on?
GemiNy - sorry that you are here with us all. I have longish hair and today had it cut (just a bit) shorter as I start chemo on Thurs, but I have been so used to having long hair, it’s looking a bit odd. But if it falls out,that’s a small price to pay for getting better. Sorry to hear your Oncologist was so direct and unhelpful. Give him/her some feedback next time.
dealbeach/Phil - good to hear the fresh air is working, I have been advised to avoid indoor public places to avoid others’ illnesses. Glad the first week is not going too bad, I am going wig shopping 2 and 6 days after start of chemo so hope I feel OK. I am such a chicken, if they give me anti sickness meds, just in case, I’m going to take them anyway. The Onc doc said - don’t wait until you feel sick to take them.
Gritty15 - I had my mx in Oct and bought my bras from M&S, they were a bit dearer though, £18 for 2. Comfy though. Just glad I have my prothesis as that softie was driving me nuts since it was so light. I needed a heavier boob.
Sorry to be a bit thick, but jellymould and weesharon mentioned thrush, I’ve heard about thrush, but what is it actually?
Jen x
Hi all,
Today is a bad day! Feeling fine by the way of side effects however i can not stop crying. Honestly can’t stop, I’m completely exhausted, feel totally alone and all can think about is that I’m going to go through this whole awful saga and it might not even get rid of this b**tard and if it does what’s to stop it coming back! I’m 24, had a job I enjoyed, had a wedding coming up and was supposed to be thinking of starting a family in the next year or 2 and now that’s all been taken away and I’m left a 24 year old cancer patient who’s not working, had cancel her wedding, will be lucky if she can have children and even if can its going to be after another 5 years on tablets giving me early menapourse!
i just want to scream its not fair and then give up and go to sleep and not wake up!
im sorry to pour all this feeling sorry for myself on here but didn’t know where else to go and I’m feeling very lost and lonely 