Anyone also starting around then ? would like to hear .
have a starter of 3 x fec followed by a main course of taxotere , with hair loss on the side .
Not sure I’ll be up for trick or treating but somehow got roped in last week to cook ridiculous amounts of fairy cakes for the kids halloween disco at school. I guess people will think I’m trying to bail out if I use the chemo excuse so better soldier on.
Cally
The very best of luck with the chemo and get those fairy cakes made…send some to me please!
Hi Cally,
Starting my Chemo on Thursday, treatment plan the same as yours.
Appointment with Onc today, to get results of Muga heart scan, then breast care nurse for prosthesis fitting.
Hopefully I have prepared myself, got Wigs, scarfs, anti sickness wristbands and digital thermometer.
Fairy cakes sound wonderful, can I put my order in too?
I will be thinking of you, and all those who are on this unwanted journey.
Best of luck
Rosamund
Hi there,
I’m starting chemo today aargghhh!!
3x FEC, 3 x TAX. Good luck everyone and catch up v.soon to swop stories…
Love A xx
Hi Cally,
Starting my chemo tomorrow, first of 6 x FEC. Still haven’t made up my mind about the cold cap, still haven’t got my mind round the whole chemo thing really. Had mastecomy and node clearance five weeks ago and am feeling fine now and think that’s part of the problem, don’t want to go back to hospital!
Am telling myself ‘short term sacrifice for long term gain’ but still feeling pretty down about whole thing. Probably feel better once it’s started then I can start and cross the treatments off the list! Perhaps I’ll try baking therapy too, or costume making, face painting - plenty to do with kids around this week for half term!
Thanks for reminder about digital thermometer Rosamond, will add to my list, hope it goes well tomorrow,
Louisa
Hi Cally
I am having my fourth FEC on Halloween so will be thinking of you. FEC hasn’t been as bad as i thought and has been quite doable. I am using my chemo as an excuse not to decorate the house this year, we usually go the full hog. Will still carve a pumpkin and dish out sweet but doesn’t think i could stand hoards of kids coming through the house. Trying to convince my children that i am not bah humbug has been a challenge but i think the Internet ordered costumes instead of one of my homemade creations have done the trick.
Keep me some fairy cakes too or can i scrape the bowl please.
Lesley
X
Hi
I have let my house go to pot these last few weeks (little bit of dust didnt kill anyone ) but will get those cakes out !
Nobody has mentioned the digital thermometer to me ? I have one anyway but is it something we should keep an eye on for adverse reaction ? Apparently I am getting a fantastic chemo nurse (he was head hunted by my onc !) but he didnt go through any of that stuff yet.
Jokes aside am pretty nervous too but probably due to the fact havent got myself sufficient headgear (apart from wig) so need to get cracking on that . If I can get the kids off the computers I’ll get onto it. Theres a few of you out there starting too so best of luck to all. I cannot quite believe by the end of Nov I’ll be as bald as a coot if not sooner.
cally
Hello to all you ladies about to start your chemo journey.
Just to say that I started my chemo on Halloween last year, 6xFEC and it seems to have passed really quickly. I was unlucky in that I was quite poorly with mine, still, If I had to I would do it again.
Am now sporting lovely short curly hair, was wavy before and is even better now, same colour as well. So wanted to say all the best to you all, it will go quickly once you get going.
Best wishes to you all, Deborah.
Hi all,
Thanx for kind thoughts and reassurances Deborah, am sure will get easier once first session is done.
My onc suggested getting digital thermometer just because more accurate than old mercury one (and certainly more accurate than a hand on the forehead which is what I usually rely on!) and said if I got a temperature of 38 or higher must call hosipital immediately which I guess is routine.
I too have a wig at the ready and also need to source some more scarves, am told silk ones slip less so may be able to justify splashing out on some nice ones (another shopping opportunity!). Also have got some false eyelashes although not convinced they will stay in place very well if I lose all my natural ones but thought would be worth a try anyway.
Hope your treatment went well today Andrea, loads of positive thoughts going out to you all day!!
Louisa
Hi Cally & Louisa07
I will be having my 3/6 FEC on Halloween. I’ve told my husband he has to take the children out “Trick or Treating”. I will put a sign on the front door asking for children not to call, but if anyone does, I’m sure I can scare them by opening the door without any head gear on!
I tried the cold cap the first time, but unfortunately a significant amount of hair came out 2-3 weeks later, so when it was time for my second FEC, I decided not to continue with it as the hair that remained could not be called a hair style! I then asked my hairdresser to come round and she gave me a “No 3”. (I was also worried that my vacuum was going to blow up, with all the hair that was clogging the filter!) The remaining hair is now falling out so I imagine I’ll be completely bald in a few days.
I would suggest that you try the wrist travel bands which are used for sea sickness - I used them last time (along with a revised cocktail of anti sickness drugs) and they seemed to help.
Good luck.
Hi TW,
Thanks for tip about travel bands, the onc nurse suggested them too, but they feel quite tight, I’ve had all my lymph nodes cleared in left arm and am bit worried about it. I didn’t go for the cold cap in the end so am also waiting for hair to go. Have wig at the ready, in fact my eight year old regularly walks in to room I’m in and his greeting is ‘is that a wig?’ as it’s still my natural hair, I’m a bit offended - oh well!
Hope you recover quickly after your 3rd treatment, take it easy, loads of good thoughts going out to you,
Louisa x
Hope it doesn’t hit you too hard, louisa. I am starting chemo tomorrow morning. Onc. says it is AC which I’ll have six times. I’m not nearly as prepared as the treatment was first suggested to me Mon. I was always told surgery would come first, but now they reckon chemo first might shrink the tumor so I’d have (fingers crossed) a lumpectomy later. The time in between has been spent getting tests/scans and taking care of the kids today: swimming lessons and trick or treating. Got my last proper haircut for months today. They said I will lose my hair, and they think the cold cap doesn’t help when you hare having A/doxorubicin.
14 days after chemo 1 my hair fell out and I ended up having most of my head shaved, I kept my fringe!!! (looks good under hats).
I am now due FEC 5 next week and have fuzz growing really quickly now almost covering my head approx 1/2 inch. I will now cold cap 5 and 6 to save my fuzz!!! I am like a kid at Christmas showing everyone my fuzzy head. Now hoping I wont loose it again, because eyelashes are going fast at the moment.
Good luck
Take good care
Kim x
Hi ScottishHoosier!
Hope your chemo went okay today and hope ur feeling okay now. I think it’s hard to be really prepared for the first treatment - I know I wasn’t, you just don’t know what to expect do you? but, like everyone on this site told me, it’s do-able and not as bad as you expect.
After three days I was feeling fine really, a bit sick still, but kept on top of it with the anti-sickness. And if you’re feeling ill, rest as much as you can. Know it’s not easy with kids (I have three) but even having a lie down for ten minutes in peace and quiet seemed to keep me going those first few days. I’ve still managed with all the domestic drudgery etc, just do a bit, rest a bit - pace yourself!!!
Take care, loads of good thoughts going to you!
love Louisa x
Hi Cally,
Saw your message on another thread bout your first treatment, am really glad to hear it went well. Male nurse - lucky you! Actually was gripping my husbands hand so tightly during whole thing wouldn’t have noticed if George Clooney had been there when I had mine!!
Take it easy, rest loads if you need to, I was feeling back to normal after three days really, but am still taking things at a slightly slower pace than I normally would. Also am feeling sad about hair, but have wig ready and some nice scarves and it’s only for a while - I tell myself it’s not a permanent change to me, I’ll still be the same, just no hair for a little while.
Hi Rosamund, Deborah, Andrea, Babyboo, Lesley, Kim, TW hope you’re all doing good,
Loads of love, loads of good thoughts…
Louisa x
HAHAA! Louisa, that’s so funny about George Clooney!
And am a week after my final chemo and have fuzz…all over my head!
Wish all the best to you all.
Cecelia. x
Hi Cally,
I had my first chemo 27th oct, the first of X4 EC and X4 Taxatere (?spelling), so only 4 days ahead of you, hope our journey with the dreaded chemo is a smooth one.
I was sick the day after, felt a bit odd but other wise not to bad, but been real tired since and having to nap in the after noons…strange, normally so active.
Is there any one else out there having 8??? I must ask my onc why I am having (what seems) more than others, I am worried now!!!
Good luck and hope your not feeling to bad.
Jackie xxx
Hi Jackie
There seem to be be a lot having 8, frankly I’m worried I only had 7! I actually wondered if I should ask for 1 more…
Cecelia. x
Hello Jackie
I am having eight treatments as well. I am due to have my fourth Taxol next week followed by four EC. It seems to be shrinking the tumour so it must be worth it.
Hi Green bean and CeceliaL,
I also am having chemo pre surgery in the hope of having breast conserving surgery. My tumour 3.5cm x 3.5cm which is nesting in my very small right boob.
Greenbean your treatment seems to be the same as mine but the other way round.
I was reading the information booklets and there doesnt seem to be one for EC, so many seem to be having FEC and there was a booklet for that one,
I guess I need to stoping worrying and except that my Onc is going to give what is best for me. I know I having Taxatere because I am non hormone receptive,
I sort of had a scared day yesterday (normal I know).
I will be attending my first support group for younger women on wednesday.
Take care all.
Jackie xxx