Great news Martha, such a relief that the nodes free. I also cried hen I was told! I’ve gt 3 weeks of rads probably as tumor was very small xxxx
Hi Lisa79 - I’m sorry you didn’t manage to complete your chemo. Can you re-visit this with your BCN and ONC?
Hi PG - Chemo is not something that I’m looking forward to but something which is very necessary, especially since I have a grade 3. I’ve been on most of the chemo threads (Valentines, AAA & Moonbeams) and have got some great tips. I only mention FEC-T because that seems to be the most popular lol. I know than come Wednesday they will may put me on something different - Watch this space 
Hi DeeDee - I am so, so sorry to hear about your results. In all honesty, I said to my onc (who is also my surgeon) on the day of my op that if he had to do a mx then he had my full permission to do so. It is very scary this whole cancer thing and I completely understand your chain of thought. Be strong and remember that any decision you make has to be the best one for you - That is something which I am learning throughout this whole process. My fiance and I will work round the school runs, rugby and horse riding, just as long as I’m getting the full treatment that I need. Stay strong sweetie.
Hi Twizzle3 - I cried too lol. Crying is an emotion that I’m becoming very familiary with over the past 2 months. Good luck with your RAD’s.
Thank you everyone for your support. It’s been out of this world.
Martha xxx
Lola / Martha,
just wanted to post regarding HER2+ diagnosis and choice to receive FEC chemo prior to starting Herceptin.
It is possible to have FEC rather than FEC-T, but unlike with T, you cannot over lap the two treatments, so the full course of six chemo must be finished first.
hope this helps clarify for anyone who is reading this string new to the whole topic.
Jude
Well ladies - It went well today and I signed my permission slip for chemo.
I’m have FEC x 6. Chemo all set for 29th May. I’ve got the chemo tour tomorrow then heart scan on Friday. I’m booked in for the 30th for my wig appointment and the 11th June for the look good feel better session. So all systems go, this train is finally leaving the station
Cassowary - I’m HER2-, but the info you have given will be valuable to others who read this thread.
Onwards & Upwards
Martha xxx
Hi Martha,
At least you have your plan now with dates so things are moving for you thats good. BCN phoned me yesterday just to confirm that I will be starting chemo in the next couple of weeks then surgery. Just waiting on dates for scans x-rays etc.
Deedee xx
Yay DeeDee - Im glad things are moving for you now - Come and join just over in June Jewels xx
Hi Martha, couldn’t find it at first. But then I did kool name as my son would say lol xx 
Martha,
I only had 6 x FEC75 without the T, I was very sick after my first one but was given Emend after that and I was fine. If you’re anything like me (and you do remind me of myself!) you’ll just want to get started asap and start ticking them off. The very best of luck with your treatment.
Lydia x
Lydia
I’ve asked for Emend at my hospital and they haven’t heard of it. I’m going to google it and give them a call on Monday to see if they can get it for me for my session on Wednesday
Emend is ‘aprepitant’ and I think is an ‘escalation’ anti-sickness treatment if the standard anti-nausea meds don’t work and you are actually sick. Usual anti-nausea drugs include ondansetron, domperidone, metoclopramide (often a combination) and you will get them IV before chemo and then tabs to take home for a few days. The thread I was part of last year recommended ginger beer, crystallised ginger, couple of ginger biscuits before getting up, travel wrist bands to help with feelings of nausea, along with eating little and often as well as lots and lots of fluids…
Martha
Maryland is correct, Emend is the brand name, you need to ask for Aprepitant but to be honest i’m amazed they haven’t heard of Emend, you may be ok on the other anti sickness drugs, most people are and this is why they wont prescribe Emend to start with.
Let us know how you get on.
Lydia x
Hi Maryland & Lydia
Thanks for the update - I’ll call them on on Monday and give them the other name for it. They will probably know it by that.
I bought my ear thermomiter today as I’m terrified of the low immune system - God knows if I’ll even be able to leave the house lol. xx
Hi Martha…you may be given self-administered white blood cell boosting injections (stomach) for the 5 days or so when immune system is at its lowest. Not every hospital offers these and sometimes only for FEC-T. My Onc said that you are more at risk to yourself during ‘nadir’ days from food (you may be told to follow a ‘pregnancy’ type diet i.e no soft cheese, runny egg yolks, unpasteurised food, shellfish, pate, takeaways etc.) or from cuts/grazes. Sensible to a avoid crowded places…antibacterial hand gel will become your best friend! I worked throughout chemo in a school (business manager) and was only hospitalised once with very low neutrophils…infection unknown but likely to be mouth ulcer masked by oral thrush!! Macmillan has a very good factsheet ‘avoiding infection when you have reduced immunity’ which may allay some of your fears. Hope Wednesday goes well for you…
Hey Martha,
I just wanted to say i hope it went ok yesterday and you’re not feeling too grotty.
I asked my onc and BCN about chemo now that I’m on the mental mend; they both said chemo was belt and braces, an extra insurance policy of maybe 5%, and didn’t seem too worried I only did one. I get the impression the risks outweigh the benefits now, or rather the benefit is lost, i.e. the chemo boat has sailed, plus tamoxifen, rads and surgery are doing/have done their part.
Just hoping they are right, that I’m lucky, and tomorrow’s chest CT for my collapsed lung doesn’t prove us all wrong.
Lisa xx