starting chemo today

Hi all, starting chemo today 18 August, as it will be this afternoon am I allowed meals ie: breakfast and what would a light lunch be. After reading posts am anxious as to what to expect, will keep you posted on my progress.

Hi

yes eat - there are no restrictions.

It depends what you are having how you will feel. the chemo nurses will be able to tell you what is likely, but it is different for each of us.

They will offer anti sickness meds - I take mine!

Drink as much as you can before during and after.

Good Luck

gill

Hi Gill, thanks for info, I am on Tact 2, accelerated treatment A. I thought I had read do not have milk, read so much likely got confused. Will drink plenty of water thanks for tip will let you know later take care junieliz

Hi there

Hope all went well today. I too am on the Tact 2 trial Arm 4 - accelerated Epi followed by Xeloda.

I have 2 under my belt now and the 3rd is this Friday.

Let us know how you go on.

Take care

Mal

hello

I start my chemo on Fri 22nd August, 6 x FEC every 3 weeks. I’ve been told to make sure I eat before as more likely to be sick at the time if I have an empty stomach. Also told that frozen pineapple helps prevent mouth sores, don’t know how true that is, I had previously heard that ice cubes could help so who knows? My biggest worry is being sick so I’ll take whatever anti-sickness medication that is on offer.

Hope you’re feeling ok junieliz, I understand side effects can take a few days to kick in so fingers crossed for you that you stay well. Let us know, it’s certainly good to share.

Take care x

Hi

I had my 2nd FEC last week and like you was anxious at the beginning not knowing what to expect. But there’s a really good thread on here called “Top Tips for going through Chemo” or something like that - think it was started by Princess?? I found this so useful although be warned as it can all sound abit scary because it covers lots of symptoms that you may never get. So just remember that we’re all different and not to worry too much when you read it!

My top 2 tips would definitely be to;

  • drink as much water as possible on the day before and for the next few days after. I think this makes the biggest difference for me. I just drink gallons as soon as I’m out!!!
  • have a good breakfast (i have porridge with some prunes because I’ve suffered from constipation - I think it’s the anti-sickness drugs that cause this rather than the FEC??)

Anyway, good luck - Sarah xx

Hi all, thank you very much for your replies, I went for my first chemo yesterday was very anxious but was put at ease straight away, I tried the cool cap sorry to say it wasn’t for me, I would not want to put anyone off as we are all different but I couldn’t manage it, but I did give it a try. I was looked after throughout the treatment and it all went well, up to now I feel fine, I know it may kick in later, but again we are all different. I am drinking plenty of water so hope it will help. I will look up the tips from princess, this site is so informative, and friendly. I have bought a pinapple and ice lollies ready (thanks for the tip) I will let you know how I progress and thanks again to all take care junieliz

junieliz. So far I’ve always found the first night to worst so hopefully the drug concoction you’ve been given to help with side effects is a good mix for you like it is for me. I never bothered with the cold cap and really don’t mind the lack of hair myself. Haven’t even gone and got a wig as I like these buff things far too much. I’ll still be wearing them when I’ve got hair again I think, certainly on hot sunny days (or windy ones).

The pineapple really does work (I think I read that papaya does too).

Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

Hi vertangie, how far are you with your treatment, I hope as you say I have been given a good concoction. The district nurse will be coming this afternoon to give me injection to boost my white cells ready for the next chemo in two weeks. I have been looking on headcovers at some nice hats but they only have certain colours so will look on other sites, not sure about a wig I will see I may go to have a look not made my mind up yet. I bought a nice soft hat from the hospital yesterday feels lovely, and hats can be worn again during the cold and windy days as you say, take care love junieliz

Hi everyone

Here is the link to the top tips thread which has been mentioned

breastcancercare.org.uk/bcc-forum/discussion/12623/?Focus=230807#Comment_230807

best wishes

Ann

Hi all, had chemo Monday still feel ok today, I am drinking plenty of water so maybe that is helping. District nurse came yesterday to give me injection. When I went for chemo nurse said cells will be low by Thursday or Friday so may feel off then but so far I am no different. Take care all junieliz

Glad to hear your doing well Junieliz.
I’ve not opted for the cold cap as I’ve heard that many people don’t like them and I think I’ve got my head round losing my hair!
I agree with Vertangie about a Buff. My son bought one a couple of years ago for the holidays and I remembered how clever it was so I’ve bought one of my own (and stolen his too!) in readiness.
I looked up the Top Tips and have been out to buy ginger biscuits. I remember from pregnancy how many I got through, in fact some days couldn’t get out of bed until I had one!
I saw my dentist today who said that if I am sick not to brush teeth straight away as this just grinds the stomach acid into the teeth. She recommended just rinsing with a flouride mouthwash.
Wishing everyone well x

Hi Marita and all, day 5 and still feeling ok. I am also going to look at wigs so will keep you posted.So far I am not eating anymore than usual so hopefully the weight will not increase much - but i know early days yet. I am rinsing my mouth with mouth wash after brushing teeth morning and night so ok so far. One thing that is a problem and that is constipation and piles, I am drinking the prune juice, eating plenty of fruit, bran and yogurt. I am going to make the go cake today, see how things go. Take care all of you love junieliz

Hi all, I forgot to mention on my above post does anyone have any hints on how to remove sterri strips from wound, I had Mastectomy op on the 21 July and still the strips are in there I try to soak them in the shower but still not moving and hopefully when they do come off the scar might not feel as tight then I can massage with aquies cream. thanks all junieliz

Hi all,
Junieliz-I got mine off by lying in the bath and soaking them a bit, I think they pretty much come off when they want to but they do get on your nerves after a while.
I found that anti-scar oil from Napiers herbalists was great. Even my surgeon was surprised at how well I was healing.
Gillian

Hi Gillian, thank you for your tip I will try this when my husband is in, as I am still so tight across my chest and would not be able to push myself up to get out of the bath. It is 5 weeks since my second op and 8 weeks since first so wanting to get a bit more mobility. I will certainly try this and let you know how I go on, the shower doesn’t seem to be loosening them, so I can massage the scar area. It is my 6 day after chemo today and felt a bit sick this morning and my skin feels a bit sore to the touch but still not too many problems so far so good. Take care junieliz

Hi Junieliz and others.
Day 2 after chemo and not feeling too bad. I’ve been belching a lot and quite acidic tummy but the ginger biscuits work a treat. With regard to scars my physiotherapist said it was more the massage of the scars that helped than what was being massaged in. I just started with an aqueous cream and am now using a cocoa butter enriched with vitamin e. Really pleased with how my scars are looking 8 weeks post op.
Hope things stay well with you, take care
Marita

Hi Marita and all, glad you are feeling ok and not too many problems with chemo, I am not able due to the steri strips to massage the scar area yet, but the aqueous cream has worked wonders on the area where the drains have come out as this was so sensitive when clothes touched it. I was feeling quite off on Saturday sickness, and soreness in joints, plus tiredness but not too bad so far. I have had a bit of sickness today but again not much so can cope. I hope you all continue to stay well love junieliz

HI ladies, just registered in the middle of chemo 1 and 2 feeling not too bad keep thinking its got to get worse.

Hi all, I had my second chemo on Monday so far so good, I feel fine apart from putting my hands on my hair today and it coming out. I knew this would happen but it is a shock anyway when it does. I am reading the positives on here about hair loss and it does help. I have been out and bought a couple of hats in readiness and am going to look at wigs tomorrow. What would we do without this site and the valuable info and advice keep up the goodwork love to all junieliz