Hi all, I’m due to start chemo next Fri 16th although having 6 x FEC 75. Does anyone know the difference between this and FEC-T/? Is mine stronger?
Also, I have a cough although it’s on the tail end so I’m hoping it doesn’t affect next Friday.
Nice to meet you all 
Fellow Sparkler
Hello Sparklers
I’m due to start FEC-T on 16th November. I too had infection following surgery - been on antibiotics for 5 weeks, but hoping the pink tinge that’s left is only inflammation and I don’t need any more antibiotics. It never occured to me I would be thinking I don’t want anything to stop me starting chemo. Before cancer I would have been thinking no-one in their right mind would want to start chemo - it’s so bizarre how your thinking totally changes once you enter the ‘cancer zone’. A couple of weeks ago I could not believe I was actually having an appointment with an Oncologist. How can something once so surreal have become so normal?
Anyway just wanted to send my love to everyone who’s started or about to start chemo - we may not have wanted to be members of this club but love and support makes it a whole lot easier!
XXX
Hi sparklies,
i have had my first proper chemo today, FEC and it went with it a hitch, it really is not that hard, go in with the idea that you want this is you it’s your allie and you cant do it won’t out it, chemo is your partner ithesis battle , I drank loads of water and will carry that on , hope it all helps , I feel ok for now and going to have a pizza , I have seen that some people eat small and light on the chemo day, but I’m starving , hope it does not bite me on the ass lol ,
good luck to every one starting their journey, be strong all and look after your self .
1 down only 5 to go xx
Evening Sparklers ,
Hope you keep on feeling this way SLM272 , I’d take tablets as prescribed though just in case. Well done! As you say only 5 to go, doesn’t seem quite so daunting then xxx
Welcome new Sparklers Fiona100 & Tatania ,
Tatania I don’t know what FEC75 is but if no-one can answer here call the helpline or MacMillan or call your oncology centre on Monday. It’s best to know why you are having something different it will put you mind at rest. xxx
Fiona , I too had delayed chemo because of post-op infection and weeks of anti-biotics. I know how you feel, I just wanted it to get going, sooner it was started the sooner it was finished! xxx
Hey PhilBM , wouldn’t mind seeing you in your Burkha, (easy to fake)!!!??? LOL xxx
I got my wig today, didn’t realise you should buy the cleaning pack though, hopefully it was worth it. Sat looking at the wig on the stand and it makes me shivver, looks OK on though, hopefully won’t need it for a while. Got it for work really as I am going to wear scarves etc when the time comes. Day 8 for me post first FEC, constipation & indigestion are not my friends!!! Lost nose hair so far, so runny snot box all the time. Going for walk and lunch in New Forest Sunday (weather permitting) so have something good to look forward to. x
Have a great weekend y’all, catch ya later, sweet dreams CK xxx
Day 3 - had another awful day yesterday and mother got me some travel sickness bands which seem to have helped. So much for my diet plan! when its time I need to take my steroids I manage either a piece of toast or banana i have managed some dry bran flakes. i am so thirsty but drinking water makes me feel sick so sipping tepid water and ginger.
Had a better nights sleep last night and feeling marginally brighter this morning. Another day in bed for me I think but aim for a small walk tomorrow.
hope everyone else is feeling ok and taking it easy xxx
Tatiana - Glad you have joined the Sparklers, just popping over from the September Sapphires - FEC 75 contains a slightly lower dose of the E part (epirubicin) of the FEC, at 75mg/m2. However, there are even lower doses. I’ve had 3xFEC 100 and will have 3xT (docetaxel). The E drug is the red one in the cocktail and is a bit of a bugger on the veins and also makes your wee red for a bit. If you are worried about it, it’s worth asking your onc why they have decided on this regime - they will have very good clinical reasons and will be able to put your mind at rest.
Your hospital will no doubt be giving you information but you can find more info on FEC at the Macmillan site here http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/FEC.aspx
Lucypenney30 - I too struggled with drinking water after FEC and found adding a little bit of apple juice made it more palatable - ginger tended to burn my throat a little bit.
All the best Sparklers
Nicola x
Day of 1st fec, feeling ok …for now
i noticed a lot of people have been buying wigs , I bought mine over a week also, and I have been out in it even though I still have all my har, my wig is called jessie and she is my alter ego , when I wear her I dress up put my make up on (which I have treated my self to some bear minerals …ok a lot of it new brushes every thing but well worth it ) when I do all that I feel fab, and majority of people never even look twice at me , as I feel confident in it already , I’m hoping it stays with me once my hair has gone , which I will be shaving off before it starts to fall out . Try thinking of your wig as a better you , as a fighter , as some one that will beat this … It’s all about confidence and I know it hard at these times but with good friends , real and virtual , we will get through this ,
look after your selfs, it’s all about you now , xxxx virtual hugs sent othere’re xxxxx
By the way jessie is not my profile wig lol , that is a primarni one , but people say I still should get it as it suits me hahahahahaha
day 4, still getting the sicky feeling 1st thing in the morn, and very tired at night, but that still is all the side effects im having which i find pretty good going. morning sparklers. xx
Hello fellow Sparklers
Sorry not been on for a while, I saw the Oncologist on Monday and he said 2/3 week wait for starting chemo. So went back to work on my full hours, have a big day at work next Weds where lots of people coming from across the country for a visit to HQ that I have organised. Big shock on Thurs, I got a call from the hospital to come for my pre chemo meeting on Weds. Cannot do I said, big day at work. The sister rings me back, if you don’t come she said, you can’t come on Thursday. What happens on Thursday I asked, you start chemo she says!!
So like Shazza, Pascal and Nadine, I am starting on 15th Nov. I’m on 6 FEC-T.
Lovely to hear about everyone’s progress, much admiration for jellymould and Zumba class.
Phil, shall we start calling you vampire?
Not got my wig yet, I have my appointment 2 days after my first treatment. Was worried I would feel unwell but the sister said I should be fine.
Col123, like you, I have decided not to cut my hair short as I want to have a long wig like my own hair. Thought it would be odd to go from long to short to long. I went to a local charity this week, cancerhaircare.co.uk and the lovely lady there said that I should cut it just a bit shorter this week, then when it starts to fall out, in the shower, in bed, in your dinner (!), then I go and see them and they will cut it short so that I can get my wig on straightaway.
CK1, I had heard about loss of nose hairs. I was told to make sure I have tissues for runny nose. So will pack tissues, water bottle, warm cardi, snacks. The advice is here excellent.
mummybear - how are you feeling this weekend?
Love from Jen x
Day 4 - managed to sleep though with no problems. Feel like I am turning the corner. Phew. Last 3 days have been very miserable. Hoping to go for a walk today. in my book it says day 5 is when immune system is down anyone got any advice or tips on what I should or shouldn’t be doing between day 5 and 10 ( I think that’s what they say is the low period). If I continue to feel brighter I would like to visit friends and go out but not sure if sensible or not- any advice welcomed!
managed some diet coke through a straw yesterday - not sure on nutritional value but made me feel good
xxxx
Hi _ Lucypenny _,
Up and up from here for you I hope. I read on MacMillan that on the FEC part of chemotherapy your risk of infection is at its lowest 10-14 days after treatment so you should be OK, on the T part its sooner (5-7) days. Hopefully you can go enjoy yourself without concern. And don’t worry about coke, we all know there’s no nutritional value, it just tastes good!! x
Take care Big Hugs CK 
xxx
Hi all, I have recently found this forum and hope its ok to join? I had my first chemo on Tuesday (fec-t) I was worried that I’d had very little SE ( started to think they hadn’t given me the right dose and it wouldn’t work) but thanks to reading through here I feel reassured. I have felt very tired and had a yukey taste consantly but other than that and a bit of heartburn I’m feeling Ok so far. I do think i will be about ten stone heavier by the end though as i have the biggest appetite for just about everything ( mainly rice puddding and tinned fruit-weird i know)
I’ve got a wig ready but I’m also trying the cold cap as I’d rather not loose my hair.
Before diagnosis I was planning our wedding which we have now decided to postpone. This upsets me greatly but I don’t want the cancer to taint either the wedding or take away from my enjoyment of planning it xxx
Morning all,
Due to start EC chemo on Thursday and starting to get nervous. The rational part of me knows its just fear of the unknown but that doesn’t help. Reading about other peoples journeys who have already started is really helpful. Hope I’m as lucky as you, Jellymould. Just about organised with tissues, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner [got Naked for sensitive scalps from Boots], hats, scarves, wig, sweets, drinks, etc. Even got a couple of books and films to watch, plus a jigsaw for when I’m ready to do something but not able to get out. Hopefuy I’lll get out for a couple of walks to get some fresh air. I’m going to see the radiotherapy consultant on Monday about the Supremo Trial [is anyone else on it?] then back to see oncologist on Wednesday before starting chemo. Also need to go to the docs to see about another sicknote. I’ve got Crohns disease and don’t know how the chemo will impact on it so hopefully playing safe.
Keep calm and carry on sparkling!
Shazza
Hi _ Shazza _,
You’re bound to be nervous it’s the fear of the unknown. My treatment was shorter in time than I expected (I didn’t use the cold cap 'cos of tooth removal day before). It’s day 11 for me now post 1st treatment and I’m feeling better each day. Just make sure you adhere to medications, eating small but regular, drinking loads of water etc you should be fine. Take anti-sickness medications even if you don’t feel sick. Although I’ve worked from home via the computer for the past week I’ve been doing normal housework: cooking, cleaning, washing no problem. If I get a bit weary I just take a little break.
I’ve suffered consipation quite badly so that might have a significant affect on your Crohns. Have they mentioned it at the hospital yet? You say you are having EC, that usually comes with the F as in FEC (maybe the F is what affects the bowel area?). Hopefully you’ll be OK.
Big Hugs, take care CK xxx
hi guys day 5 and now not taking any sickness tablets another session of zumba tonight. hope everyone is fine. hugs to all xxxx
Oh come on Jellymould you’re just showing off now!!! LOL & Big hugs 
CK xxx
Hi MrsR2B
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums where I am sure you will get lots of good, honest support from the many informed users of this site, who are brilliant at supporting each other through this.
I have put for you below a link to one of our publications you might find helpful. Also if you want to talk to someone in confidence away from the family then our helpline team are only a free phone call away 0808 800 6000, lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi MrsR2B ,
So sorry you find yourself here and that you are in a position to have to postpone your big day. I’m sure it will make it sweeter in the end. I had my first FEC-T on the 1st and am feeling ‘OK’ at the moment, bit squiffy to say the least to start with. Know what you mean about taste changes though, it takes a lot to stay away from the comfort food I know!
Hopefully you will find support and understanding here that will help you on this ‘journey’. You are not alone.
You are now officially a Sparkler!!
Keep Calm & Sparkle on. Big hugs CK xxx
hi mrsr2b, welcome to the sparklers. sorry to hear your on this journey too. hugs xx