Hi everyone, excuse me for butting into this thread as I’m a bit further ahead than most of you. I am having chemo before surgery and I had FEC5 yesterday. I was dreading it because number 4 hit me really hard but touch wood I don’t feel too bad today. I have managed to do most of what I did before. I still work most of the time, have been on the occasional night out and have just been away with my friends for the weekend (even had a few glasses of wine). Its true what they say that you just have to listen to your body and make plans a bit flexible. it affects everyone differently so there are no hard and fast rules.
I was terrified by the list of possible side effects but luckily apart from indigestion and constipation I haven’t suffered with any too bad.
I hope everyone just starting has as much luck.
Take care
Debs (ps, there seems to be a lot of Debs on here. Must be cos we’re all of a certain age. Common name in the 60’s! I had 5 in my class!!)
Hi girls
Welcome to the pinkies thread sophie.
Debbie-good luck for wednesday, you will be fine. Will be thinking of you. Fingers x’d you dont get bunged up again!
X
thanks Kimmie - I’m stocked up on prunes! Cant decide what to do about hair yet, cut it shorter, shave it off? Like you, my OH has offered to shave it but seeing as he’s only got one glass in his glasses at the moment (dog chewed them), I think I’ll pass on his offer. x
Hi barneypaws
Get some senna off the nurses if you need it.
My hair was shoulder length and i didnt cut it short but i think they say cutting it shorter if your hair is long due to the weight of your hair is best. I went straight for a crop then shaved it to a gi jane a wk later. Youll know what to do when the times right. Get your oh specks fixed though ha ha
X
Hi to all
Not read all the threads but from what I have it sounds and ‘feels’ so much how I was that I wanted to just send a ’ hang in there’ post. I never thought I could be where I am this time last year but hey here I am - it is ‘doable’ . We are all different so I wont give a blow by blow account but look forward to see your posts when you are the other side of chemo. We are all on the road to the rainbows end - Good luck …
Hi pinks,
Sophie - sorry you got the news today that you need chemo. The waiting for results is almost worse than knowing, but now you know what needs to be done, you’ll be fine.
Went for my wig fitting today, taking my sister and daughter along. We had a good laugh and I ended up with 2 wigs(and they’re much nicer than my real hair). If anyone is from the north west and needs a wig, I cant speak highly enough of ‘Dignity’. It’s been set up by a woman who had BC herself and her friend a hairdresser. They are fabulous. If anyone needs info, let me know.
Sounds as though there are a few of us starting chemo next week. My first cycle is Tuesday and I’m getting wobbly about it, but also want to get on with it.
Thinking of you all.
Di
xx
We haven’t hit the homework troubles yet. Got one Y12 and a Y9…and a Y5, others are at uni and tbh the uni ones expect more input with homework! Schools don’t know and won’t unless they have to. They knew for my divorce and made no odds, so what’s the point? Little Angel…we spent the day in Wolves after my second inflation…the last appointment for a few months there. Have to meet up sometime
Hair things…well like a few of us I start the FECx3 on Tuesday next. Cold caps taking up a whole shelf of the freezer…my onc nurse is very keen. So glad I asked her after the consultant said no can do. Pleased to be having it at home too. Anyhow, will need to have hair appointment number two if things don’t work out…the ones she brought were too small.
Kimmie, lol, I told my son I’d shave mine to a mohican with x loves his mum written on the sides. But if the cold caps work, might hang on to it for now.
So, next stage is making little ice cubes to suck, and working out the meds schedule…onc nurse is looking up a sensible dose for aspirin and recommended milk thistle which I asked her about, so will be taking both.
Barneypaws…yup, I’m left handed and have been left handless since the op…just started to work a bit better this week but after the zeppelin job at the hospital gone backwards again today. Got cording and the nerve behind my arm has only just stopped being sensitive to clothing in the last few days (op was mid Oct).
Sophie…how did you get your HER so fast? Usually second chemo cycle round here before people know…only a couple of months then!
((HUGS)) to all. Going to try and have a good w/e with the family.
bacca - I think it was prob. tested for HER status at initial biopsies, certainly the Oestregen status was done straightaway, but I didn’t know then to ask what the status was - I’ll ask on Monday how quick the result comes back. Initial core biopsies were done about a month ago now.
Speed of biopsy results really seems to vary - I’ve only had to wait a week since mx for all results, I know others have had to wait much longer. I can’t fault the hospital so far - even my onc. appt is only a couple of days away now - the only time I’ve really had to wait was for the very first appointment after my gp referred me, now I’m solidly ‘on the system’, touch wood, all is working very well. Please, please don’t let me have put the mockers on it now!!!
Hi there
I am starting FEC 75 x 6 next Friday and thanks for the heads up re being bunged up!! Will be eating dried fruit until it comes out my ears :)(it seems to work normally). So desperate to avoid as codeine bunged me up good and proper after op!!
Wasn’t offered cold cap, but feel that if the hair’s going to go, might as well take bull by the horn and get it shaved off!
Wig fitting on Monday - going with my mum, to a local lady who set up her business after her daughter had to have chemo, spoke to a friend who used her, she couldn’t recommend her highly enough - so hopefully will have a bit of fun too!! Also, attending HeadStrong at local hospital to gain some insight into tying scarves…
Also have physio as due to severe infection post op, cording very bad and arm very painful. Trying to keep busy because although both my pre-chemo visit and people’s experiences have set a lot of fears to rest, I am very anxious.
It also makes me feel like I am doing something pro-active, rather than having everything done to me!
Thinking of everyone xx
For the list, my real name is Sarajane (SJ), I’m 47 & live in Hertford. Grade 3 with full node clearance - 0/23 positive. 6xFEC, rads. & Tamoxifen.
Hi pinkies good luck to all those starting next week Glad you got your date Reeb ( fingers crossed) the 3rd boob doesnt come back and continues to reabsorb.I usually cut my OH’s hair and i think it was a bit of a revenge and getting his own back for all the times ive caught him with the shears.(it is very upsetting but you will feel better once you take the plunge you know its time when you cant even touch it or wash it without handfulls coming out between your fingers and i didnt want to wake up and find it all on my pillow doing it myself i felt more in control),and remember its not forever.I got OH to measure mine yesterday its an inch ive been taking a photo monthly to see the difference in growth.Ive thankfully never had a duvet day and i found keeping active walking and doing my normal routine stopped me from thinking about side effects and takes youre mind off it .You ladies will be able to do your usual things and plan nice events on youre 2 weeks after chemo .Girlie days and nights out should be on prescription they are definately a tonic,ive been out for tea tonight and treated yet again by my girlies they are so lovely.thinking of you all xxx Julie
I decided to have my hair shaved off on Wednesday - it had not started to come out but wanted to do this before it fell out. I was the same as Julie and wanted to be in control.
I saw onc today and I have the go ahead to have my second FEC on Monday - Then it will be 2 down and 4 to go. I want to get 3 in before christmas if possible.
I was anxious before my first treatment but nurses really good and sit with you throughout. It was very informal and chatty between all the people having chemo.
I am in my third week and have been out with my colleagues from work tonight - in my wig - which I am getting used to now.
Hi Janette
Thanks for the reassurance, I’m convinced all will be fine (99% of the time), but like everything else to do with this, it’s the fear of the unknown and the waiting that stresses me. I had my op on the 4/10, and comparatively seemed to have to wait quite a while for my onc appointment.
This time next week, it will be one down, 5 to go!!
Hi SJ,
Good luck with your first FEC, I’m sorry you hve had problems post op: you are a lovely lady and helped me a lot last weekend when I felt low post chemo.
The nurses at the chemo ward are brilliant. They are so adept at talking to you about absolutely anything to take your mid off it. Topics ranged from X factor, holidays, local area anything really all while putting the drugs in: it is a bit like being in the hair salon for the sociability bit.
One nurse offered me a hug because I had had a cry going in to get started. They will really look after you.
Hurrah for headstrong: I had my head strong appointment yesterday; the ladies were really lovely. Both had been through BC and recoveed and tehy were so very kind. They will look after you also
I had scalp cooling. You coud ask for it I think it is available in most places. I had scalp cooling two weeks ago: my first FEC and although it is too early to tell my scalp hair is still in place while it is disappearing elswhere.
Dried fruit is a good idea; Juice will help to keep things moving as well. I have found an appetite for Bovril, liver and onions, black pudding, cabbage, tomato juice: anything savoury.
Once you get started you will be closer to the finish line. I kept telling myself it is do-able, it really is.
I would ask re the scalp cooling: It’s worth a go.
Sending you lots of love and hugs, will be thinking of you.
Sue x
Hello lovelies:-) how quicky a week has gone by!! We all seem tobe getting on/ moving on!
Had a horrid night:-( shuted at husband cos he didn’t cook the jacket potatoes enough!! So went to bed in a strop:-/ woke up crying, not knowing where I was:-/ stoopid chemo, messing with my head!
Feeling better, just starving hungry! This chemo has a lot to answer for!!!
Hope everyone is ok:-))
sending big pink hungry hugs to all.
K x
Hi all, had a real down day yest, went to bc to have wound looked at again as on tues my physio marched me over cos it was very red, got put on antibiotics, then yest bcn drained some fluid for testing and surgeon came and looked, have now changed antibiotics, gotta go back on monday for results and to see if redness gone and ultimately to find out if chemo will go ahead next fri, have worked myself up for it so hoping it dont get delayed but also know they wont do it if infection present grrrr!!! hope you are all having a good wkend, hugs, julie xx
Hi pinkies i just said that to my OH i think when i was having chemo in the summer it certainly keeps your spirit up cos the sun was shining and i could chill out in the garden with my factor 50 on and potter in the garden this weather just makes anyone want to have a duvet day ,even if youre not having chemo.And yes totally agree all bad temper and outbursts are always blamed on the chemo ( what excuse have i got now though at having a rant at my OH ha ha ) xxHope everyone have a side effect free weekend and feeling better xx take care all and all yous starting next week dont forget to read all the chemo tips on page 2 of this thread they are really helpfull . xx
Good to hear about the hypo cap Sue…I’ve decided to give it a try. It’s not offered at the local hospital but is for home chemo. Pleased I asked. My chemo nurse seems to take a pride in the psychological side…logical as she’s 1:1 and doesn’t want my moaning on the phone all the time…lol. I’ve always hated stuff round my head like hats and hoods so a bit worried about things. Time will tell as it often stays in for round 1.
Tbh more worried about the -T. I can have 6FEC but onc wants to try 3FEC 3 T because my children are dependent on me and it ups the odds another 2.5% on his programme (gulp :/) but the extra toxicity bothers me a bit and there’s quite a few who never get their hair back with it at all. Now that is a big deal…the constant reminder. Hmm.
Julie, really hope you get sorted over the w/e. The bcn was waving a swab about over my “junction stitch” yesterday…still catching, red and sore and spitting out bits of thread. But consultant said no. Didn’t really fancy a third load of antibiotics and gallons of live yog.
So hope you’re all right about that precious third week before treatments. Though with it being winter it’s riskier being about town.
Feeling very strange today, don’t know why really. The seroma is sorting itself out at long last, still can’t get a bra on but i don’t think it will be too long now. Have a wig which I keep peeking at in it’s box and can’t bring myself to get out. Looks like a sleeping animal and i’m frightened it might bite.
Picked up form from gp and sent off for the free prescription card. Didn’t much like looking at the bit that says I have cancer. I know that. OH thinks my hair needs a trim!???***! My usual cool is being tested by everyone. Fed up listening to conversations with people moaning about stupid coughs and colds. I do feel i’m gonna blow! Be ready ladies…
Six more sleeps, hope to feel better? when i’ve got over the first hurdle. Roll on Friday. SJ and Julie, hope you’ll be joining me, infection free.
Good weekend everyone,
Minny
AKA Gill. Ist dx in March 2000. grade 2. IDC. No nodes. mast + reconstruction + tamoxifen
2nd dx Sept 2010 grade 3 regional recurrence. 1 node + chest wall. FEC + rads + letrozole
Don’t freak! I’m the only one from my group of 10 years ago that has had another problem and the only one that didn’t have either chemo or radiotherapy!! X
