Hi, anyone out there who like me is waiting, feeling very sick already, about the thought of chemo (3xFEC then 3xTax starting March). I’ve read so much that is good but also scary but one thing that stands out is the group support when ladies are having their chemo around the same time. I’ve read about PICC lines and anti-sickness in particular because these are my two phobias. In all blood tests so far nurses and flobotamists have struggled to find my veins and I’ve been left bruised before I even start chemo so the PICC line sounds better but my onc said it would have to be put into my inner upper arm which sounds REALLY tender area and I can’t see any veins there - does anyone know if that’s right and whether it hurts a lot - sorry I do sound feeble! I was really really sick in hospital after my mastectomy 2 weeks ago and then got Norovirus from my children’s school so I’ve absolutely had enough of being sick and I’ve always been prone to sickness - travel, bugs etc. People seem to talk about Emend as being good for anti-sickness but weren’t offered it automatically because it’s expensive. Do you suppose I can ask for it straight out? Just hoping that there’s others out there about to start the same process because I’m becoming more and more scared.
The 'getting ready to begin ’ has been going sometime, but has a couple of people starting at the same time as you. It always helps to have company,
Tracey
Ps, I’m just finishing- can’t say it has been easy, but a lot easier than I was imagining in my nightmares! All the best x
Hi
I am waiting to start chemo in March too, seeing the onc on 1st March so hopefully get a date then, like you I think the waiting is awful just want to get started but very apprehensive too.
Hope we can tag along together x
Me too… starting and hoping to help and be helped by everyone xxx
Hi, me too!
First of 6 FECs on March 3rd.
Oh joy 
Cathy xx
Hi I just want to give all a big (((hug)) and wish you all the best when you start chemo,it is a scary place at the beginning,I know I was really scared before chemo started but once the first one was done I felt a bit less anxious.Sorry you’ve had soo much sickness captainhaddock (lol great name) I would ask about emend.
I am nearly 3 years post chemo.I know it’s seems a long road but you will get there.
Wishing you all the best Love Melxx
Thank you so much for the support - I can’t believe there are so many of us out there; it all seems so isolating at first when you are diagnosed and taking it all in, then you realise what an amazing group of people there is to support you. I’ve learned so much in the last couple of days on this forum. I don’t like to keep phoning the breast care centre in case I sound a bit of a wuss! I’ve had great advice about PICC, tips for dealing with side effects on chemo, anti-sickness etc. that now I’m keeping a note book so everything is in one place to refer to. I’m keeping all dates of each treatment, 'phone numbers, top tips, names of drugs etc. it’s about the only thing I can control for myself! Glad you’re doing so well since b.c. Mel. Good luck, Cathy, with your chemo - hopefully I’ll be sharing experiences with you on this forum; the waiting for it all to start is bad enough!!
Fliss x
Just seen your comments too, silvershar and sailingmungo, great to tag along with you - we can groan, moan and recover together! I met with the onc last Mon but couldn’t then have the CT and bone scans the next day because I got the sick bug so am having them tomorrow and results Thurs. I’m assuming they’re waiting for results before I get my start date in case they find anything else but onc said I had to start before mid-March and confirmed it would be 3x FEC and 3x TAX. I had to sign consent form with onc - I really wanted to say “no, i don’t consent to being sick, sore mouth, hangover symptons or whatever else I’m likely to feel” but the awful truth is that we have no choice do we and i really do recognise that i’m one of the lucky ones i.e that it is treatable!
Hi Fliss and all March chemo starters - just to wish you all the best from a recent finisher of FEC-T…my advice is please please don’t worry your socks off before you start - easy to say I know but the drugs affect everyone so differently that it really is impossible to tell how you will be - except that is with sickness; if you are prone to sickness then make as much fuss as you need to to get the strong antisickness drugs first off…some centres use Emend but also there are other drugs available so just ask for the most effective. I KNEW I would be sick but was being all polite and not wanting to be a demanding patient so just took the regular stuff and then was very sick the first round - but never again!
Also keep in mind the chemo is doing a good little job all the while its driving you mad, AND the end does arrive too!
best Nicola
Thanks ever so for your kind thoughts and helpful advice, it really helps to chat on this site, and also to hear off someone who has wore the t shirt! I am a very sicky person so I think i will ask for the good stuff!
Love Sue x
Just got the post and my chemo starts March 3rd too - great to see all the appointments so I know the date of the last one too - 16 June, just a few days after my birthday so I’ll celebrate in style after the last one. I agree, I’m normally terribly polite and don’t like to make a fuss but I’m going to TRY to be more selfish this time and ask for the best possible anti-sickness. Feeling pretty sick now to be truthful, just knowing the date is looming but I’m hoping that preparing for and expecting the worst might make the reality not quite so bad…I can hope I suppose!
Good luck for the 3rd March, let us know how it goes I wont be long behind you, see onc for 1st appointment on 1st March so hopefully will find out date soon, just want to get started now ( well sort of)!
Love Sue x
Wow, this is my first post after weeks of watching!! I am yet another (hopefully) March starter altough here in rural Shropshire things tend to go a little slower than the rest of the world so although I meet with the oncologist next week I’m not sure of my start date though am told it will hopefully be before the month ends.
Part of me wants to start, part of me wants to delay and ALL of me is dreading whats ahead though reading the posts on this site have given me a little insight into what to expect and how to cope with it. Looking forward to starting the journey I guess though as each step along it is one step further to it all being over.So… Good luck ladies one and all (that sounded like something out of A Christmas Carol didnt it??)
Hi
Just to wish you good luck. I’ve just had my 3rd FEC of 6 and can honestly say it’s not been too bad. I’ve had 2 weekends away and can still be ‘mum’ to the kids. I’ve had woolly head and 1 day of sickness, so really can’t moan.
My advice is drink, drink, drink, the day before, during and after to help flush it through, it doesn’t need to be water. You’ll find that when you go to the loo at first it’s pink, i use this as a measure of how quick it’s been flushed, managed to get mine normal within about 5 hrs. Clean your teeth and rinse with mouthwash religiously (my hosp gave me some free) and if you do get ulcers ring them and they’ll give you stronger stuff. Eat loads of veg to keep you ‘regular’ (prunes and porridge!!)
Don’t go for the ‘Most Patient Patient’ award, if you feel rough tell them and they’ll sort you out. And don’t overdo it, try to think of yourself as one of the video game characters that only have so much energy and once it’s gone, so decide how you want to use it.
Once you start it will all seem much easier and will go quicker than you think.
Best of luck xx
Hi Daffodil,
I am from sunny Shropshire too! We can all tag along together and help each other, this site is very good with loads of helpful advice.
Thank you staycalm, I am going to try and drink lots of water that does sound very good advice,
Love Sue x
If all suggested drugs fail ask if you can use Scopoderm patches, available on prescription. I use them for sea sickness and found them brilliant as my back up med while on FEC. The combination of that and the Ondantreson worked. The Scopoderm patches stick on behind the ear and stay there for three days. I too feel sick at the drop of a hat but the hospital will have a range of different drugs they can try. I also found my seasick pressure watch which works off batteries and creates a pulse over your acupressure points, useful.
Thanks Jane, is it best wear pressure watch while you are actually having the chemo?
Sue
Hi Sue,
I tended to put it on in the car on the way home. The make is Relief Band and we bought it from one of the sailing mags. It was expensive at about £80 but it really works. (This comes from a woman who tried everything for sea sickness including ginger, homoepathic pills, everything on the shelf at Boots and even stuffing cotton wool in her ears).
Hi Jane,
Thanks ever so for getting back to me, I will definetly buy one, just told my children they can get me one as an early Mothers day pressie more useful than chocs n flowers!
Cheers Sue
Hi Girls , I see the ONC on 8th March and will be starting treatment very soon after as I have Lung mets, hope I can tag along with you guys as I need and want to give my support to help us get through it.
Hugz to all
Jean