thank you everyone. I’ve printed all this out and it’s now in my macmillian book ready for the big day. Will get my results from hopefully final surgerywise next Thursday. Next stage please!!
Vanessa
Just nudging this up a bit x
Hi Kelly
Thanks they are really helpful tips.Thanks for taking the time to send them to us.
I haven’t anything extra to add.
Just had number 3 FEC this afternoon and I think it was really helpful to eat before hand. My next is at 8-30am not looking forward to that.
The best think I have done is to talk to ONC about side effects of drugs and have them changed top more suitable ones. Also call out out of hours service if required ASAP don’t let yourself suffer if you don’t need to.
Karenx
Hi Karen,
glad you found it helpful, thanks for adding your tips too,
Cheers,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Hiya,
Just giving this a nudge up for the newbies!
Kelly
-x-
Hi All,
Thanks Kelly for these tips, i have printed them off for future reference as i start my EC chemo next Thurs.
onward and upward ladies/gents 
Val x
Best of luck to you Val,
Hope all goes well next thurs, will be thinking of you,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Hi all,
Nothing much to add, but just to tell you that I prepared by making myself a ‘chemo caddy’. Just a basket with a handle which had been delivered with some little pot plants in. I put in all the things i thought I’d need, so i could have it by the bed upstairs, or carry the whole lot downstairs to crash in front of the tv. I put in edibles (ginger bics, minty chewing gum, root ginger to nibble), treats (nice hand cream, chocolate, an octopus-shaped back massager, nail cream and buffer) , essentials (tissues, glasses, lipsalve, bottle of water), a straw (in case i couldn’t lift my head up from the pillow) and a little bell (to summon the family if i wanted something fetching or a cup of tea!). It might sound a bit over the top, but it helped me feel more prepared and it felt a bit of a treat.
Good luck with the chemo everyone
love jacquie
Just bumping this up for the newbies xx
Thanks Kelly and everyone else for all your tips.
Cath
Hi all,
thanks for the info. had my first EC on thursday, being good and doing what I am told for a change, lol, how ever was sick as a dog yesterday. Was real disappointed side effects kicked in so fast, was told it would be 48-72 hours.
I have 3 more EC to have and then 4 taxatere (?spelling)
Your tips are brillant, I will try to remember them.
Keep them coming, anything that helps us deal with this treatment is nothing but a bonus.
Thanks again.
Jackie xxxx
Hi Manic
I’ve jusy completed 4th session of epi and am now on oral capecetabine(on tact 2 trial) but like you was very sick after my first chemo-but do tell them-I had a super anti sickness drug prescribed for me to take1 hour before treatment and then for the 2 days following which cured all the sicky feelings.I also did the cold cap and have managed to keep my hair-although thinned but everyone assures me its ok.The only disadvantage with the cold cap is you have to have it on a good hour before treatment and two hours after so it does prolong thing-but worth it I felt.
Another tip for anyone using the cold cap-use the migraine patches you can buy at chemists on your brow -it does tend to alleviate the initial discomfort of the “freeze”
hi everyone
This is what I have been looking for
have had 3 ops over the last 2 months, started with lumpoptomy with lympth node clearance,then WLI and finaly bye bye boob. am glad that they tried to keep my boob it has made it easier to accept it going.
I now have to decide if I have chemo.am 90% certain I will. it was easier when I was told by bs that I would be having it, the onc said it’s up to me. have till 15 nov to decide.
ohhh its realy weird putting this in writing.
These pages have been realy helpful,its good to know I am not alone and many of you are going through this too .
I think the hardest thing was telling my mum & was glad 1 of her sisters was staying with her (she had had masectomy years ago)
thank to you all
the stupid comments are great realy made me giggle
jj
ps escuse spelling the spellchek wont work
hi jj,
I was in a similar position-had a wide local exicision and then removal of lymph nodes because sentinal node biopsy said there was involvement-luckily other lymph nodes were ok but I was expecting radiotherapy for next treatmnet so was thrown in to confusion when oncologist offered me chemo-said it was my choice.Didn’t hesitate initially because felt I should take everything available .offered.So far I’m doing ok-have to keep reminding myself that all the aches/sickness etc are about the medication.Just on a week off from capcitebine and only 3 more lots to go.There are so many people in the same position it helps to remember this.
take care.
K
Hi All
Have only registered today. Its good to know there are others out there to speak to. I am going to try some of the tips especially for sickness. I have just had my 3rd cycle of E-CMF. Have really suffered from nausea have to take anti sickness tablets until the end of week 2. Am now on my third different type as the others didnt work. Even though i drink lots of water and fruit juice i always have a very dry mouth which also makes me feel sick.(This is a commom side effect form the anti sickness drugs, so i am told) Its a vicious circle though. Any more tips ?. I have just text my daughter to get me the travel band from Boots as anything is worth a try. I am very often sick before i get the chance to take a tablet and struggle to brush my teeth and use mouth wash as this starts me off too.
Sorry to sound like a right moaner but no one else i have spoken to has had the nausea as bad or last so long. I am not a hypochondriac honestly !
Ann
hi all,
This is a great idea, thought I would add a few things now I have just had chemo no 5 which passed by OK compared to no 1;
I bought myself a V pillow after no 1, I had 4 days in bed and couldn’t get comfortably propped up, its made a big difference to subsequent ones.
I used cold cap for 1-3 but couldn’t cope with it anymore [felt sick thinking about it, and also gets colder as your hair thins]. I was all ready to shave it all off but as its already short I seem to be managing the hair loss by not washing very often, and wearing a buff/hat in the daytime, but I feel less self conscious by having a fringe and bits poking out the side. I don’t feel I need to wear a wig yet [my wig looks very wig like on my head!]. I know that I will have another major loss just before no 6, but then it will only be another month or so before it starts growing back for good. Somehow this seems more manageable than facing 4 months with no hair.
One more personal thing which has helped - I have a greyhound who is undemanding but always willing to go for a walk, short or long, and keeps me company when I am too ill to go out. After each chemo I feel like my aim is to get out in the fresh air, and build up my stamina again. When I see her running it never fails to bring a smile to my face. I know this is not for everyone, but I put it here as its about finding ways to pull yourself back after each treatment and try to increase energy levels, and feel yourself again.
Good luck and take care,
W
Thought I’d bring this back into play as there are some great tips here for all newbies.
Hi all
I went to see my GP when I was feeling low and miserable and got a referral to my leisure centre for cheaper use of the fitness suite and swimming pool. It is great to get out of the house and do some gentle exercise. It is supposed to be for 9 weeks but as every 3rd week I can’t get in they will add it on to the end of my session.
Might be worth asking at your surgery in case there are similar schemes in your area (I live in West Dorset).
Take care
Caroline x
Bump.
Hi everyone
Just keeping this one going as the tips are very useful as a referral as we are going through different treatments and side effects. I have recently had my second dose of the second cycle of CMF - only 2 more cycles to go - hooray!! Well, as Mrs smug I was coping very well until last weekend when the diarrhoea caused by the chemo kicked in and I was on the immodium for 2 days and didnt make any difference at all. Then the cramps started and I found them very painful until I called the doctor in yesterday and he prescribed some codeine tablets. They immediately stopped the runs and cramps and I had a lovely nights sleep. He did say that I wasnt to take them for too long as they can cause constipation, but does any one know how long I should take them for? They definitely relax me and I feel nicely chilled although I read they can be addictive so I will be extra careful. I was wondering how to prevent this happening next time i have my chemo.
Any advice would be helpful, thanks
A very chilled, Annabelle xxx