Hi All
Starting chemo 18th 0ct 3 x FEC and 3 x TAXOL ( PACLITAXEL) i would appreciate any advice i have read the fact sheets ( all sounds rather scary ) but its nice to hear from people who have been through it…
MIZZY xxx
Hi Mizzy,
I have been on E-CMF chemo since May. I started a thread on this page called ‘top tips for chemo’, I know I’m not on exactly the same chemo as you, but the FEC you are having first is pretty much what I’ve had, just slightly different. So, all the tips will certainly apply to you for at least the FEC. I know there are many threads on here too about Taxol so do check them out.
I wish you well as you start your treatment,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Mizzy
the only advice I can give is just take it as it comes as no two people are the same, it is as they say do-able even though at times I thought it wasnt as personally most of the time the FEC made me really poorly, I had 6 of those and ended up at hospital twice with sickness they eventually gave me Emend a really good anti sick drug…just try to keep your chin up and stay on here as people will help you through it as best they can…
best wishes
Love
Pamela
Thanks All
Do you know of any good websites for bandannas / hats i want to get stocked up !!
MIZZY xxx
Hi Mizzy
I Purchased one from chaopelo.com/ they are a bit pricey and come from the USA, the rest I got from Ebay…
hope this helps
LOL
Pammy
XX
Hi Mizzy,
Ive just finished my treatment-3 x FEC and 3 x TAX followed by 20 RADS. My advise to you is make a day of each chemo trip, I used to meet my mum on the train, we would go shopping for presents, have lunch, then off to the hospital. In a very strange way we started to look forward to each 3wks coming round again as we had such a good time beforehand!! Try to stay as positive as you can hun but if you feel like crying, kicking and screaming then you go for it!
I won’t go into all the side effects (possible) now but if you want to ask me anything then go ahead-i’d be only too happy to help!
Good luck to you, i promise you it will be over before you know it,
Sending cyber hugs
Tracy xxx
Hi Mizzy
I had 3 x FEC and 4 x Taxol. The fec was truly vile and I was very sick but the taxol was a breeze. I was not sick once and was up and about the day after having it.
Good Luck.
Alise
Hi Mizzy
I had 6 FEC earlier this year and can echo the comments above - you will manage it and will get through it, but it does affect your life while you’re going through it and there’s no getting away from that. You have to know about all the side effects in advance, but you’d be very unfortunate to get them all. You’re thinking about dealing with the hair loss and that’s a really positive way to be - be prepared before it happens. My main advice to you would be to think about the treatment in terms of weeks - each time you have a treatment, say to yourself, that’s only XX weeks to go. Also, since you’re a planner, I would plan some contingencies in case you have a spell of not feeling great. i stocked the freezer up in advance and made sure I had lots to read. In the event, I didn’t need food or books much, but it was reassuring to know there was a fallback.
I do hope it goes OK. I’m glad Kelly has pointed you to her top tips thread - loads of ideas there. And do come back on to tell us how you’re getting on - or for a good moan!
Sarah
XXX
Hi All
Thanks for all the advice and Kellys "top tips
Also waiting for appointments for bone scan / ct scan / chest xray( i thought waiting for the bills to come through the door was bad enough!! )
My daughter is a dab hand at tying bandannas so going for a lesson tomorrow
MIZZY xxx
Hi Mizzy
Just caught up with this thread, I am on 3 x FEC and 3 x tax, and have just finished FEC last week, and I have to say, I have had no bad side effects from FEC apart from hair loss. Am dreading tax, as read a lot about the side effects, but everyone is so different and react differently. I can honestly say I have not really felt sick at all during my last 3 chemos.
Hope you get on ok.
Take care
Love
Dawn
x
Mizzy,
I have seen www.headcovers.com recommended more than once in these threads. There is a big selection, and I have just ordered myself but not yet received delivery. The prices all seem very reasonable (in US dollars). Although I have now finished chemo I’ve got very fed up with my current selection of scarves!
I did 4 x FEC & 4 x Taxotere (I start rads the same day as you start chemo). I found FEC alright - I was sick the first night, but got more anti-sickness tablets after that and was never more than nauseous. I had a couple of days of tiredness with each cycle but other than that worked all through. ON FEC I was given steroids to take for the three days after each treatment - this gets you over the worst of the chemo, then I found the tiredness kicked in after the steroids wore off. So I had chemo on a Friday, took steroids Sat/Sun/Mon and started getting tired Tuesday night.
It seems to be common that if you are alright on FEC you find Taxotere worse, and vice versa - I don’t know if that holds true for Taxol, but be prepared for that.
My advice would be to accept any offers of help you receive, and to take it one day at a time. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
I’ll be thinking of you when I have my first rad
RR
xx
Hi
Just to say I ordered a few hats and some eyelashes from headcovers.com and they are brilliant, but not had to use eyelashes yet. The order I think came within 5 days and prices very reasonable. Well worth a look. Think I might order some more stuff from there too.
Good luck
Dawn
Hi Mizzy,
defo check out www.headcovers.com as the other ladies have already said. Their ‘terry towelling sleep cap’ is a must!!! I got the lovely pink one and it kept my head nice and warm at night,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-