Hi everyone. I am joining the August thread as although I had my first chemo cycle on 28 July, the July ladies are all way ahead of me so I will have more in common with yourselves. I am 53, was diagnosed with BC in May and had a mastectomy on 24 June. I also had a SNB and there was cancer in one of the seven nodes they removed. I started the FEC-T chemotherapy 34 days after my operation, which I think is quite quick as in some areas people seem to have to wait a lot longer. The possibility of having to have chemo has worried me more than anything, since even before I got my actual BC diagnosis. Although I really was beside myself with anxiety, at the same time I just wanted to get on with it and to feel as though I am moving forward. I will also need radiotherapy after the chemo has finished. I am having 3 x FEC followed by 3 x T, each cycle taking place 3 weeks apart (all being well). I had a PICC line inserted the week before the chemo was due to start (although I have very prominent veins, my oncologist said it would be better to have a PICC as there would be no scarring or collapsed veins and that any other drugs that I may need, plus all blood samples that I need to have taken, can all be done via the PICC). Inserting the PICC was rather uncomfortable (I was given a local anaesthetic cream which was pretty useless) and it has taken 2 weeks to stop feeling tender, but I was very glad of it on the day I had the first chemo. I was so anxious on the day - the fear of the unknown I suppose. The chemo nurse was fantastic and kept me talking the whole time. I watched the drugs going in to begin with but it made me feel even more scared, so I won’t do that again. Anyway, now I know what to expect on the day, I hope I’ll feel a lot less anxious next time. It was a strange day as I was waiting for something to happen all day and night. I had the odd spell of light headedness in the afternoon and evening (the steroids I believe) on the first day. Amazingly I have not had any nausea, and have not been sick at all. I was given steroids and antisickness drugs to take for the first few days so when these ran out I fully expected to start feeling ill. The only thing I’ve had is heartburn which began on day 4 and I was told to take Gaviscon. Yesterday I had a follow up with the oncologist and he has prescribed Lansoprazole to take once a day. So I am now at day 12 and am feeling great. I think we all expect that we are going to suffer from every side effect they warn you about. They tell me that side effects can vary from one cycle to another, but for now I am just thankful that I feel like this. My next FEC is 18 August, if all is well with my blood tests. Sorry this is a long post! Just glad to be able to say what’s been on my mind (or a bit of it anyway) and I hope that those about to start their chemo this month might take a little comfort in the knowledge that not everyone gets bad side effects. I am keeping my fingers crossed for next time.
Hello ladies I’m so pleased to read that so far so good. ? I keep hearing the words be kind to yourself, so go on and have a good cry niceemee it’s got to be better for you than holding it all in. It’s also definitely reassuring to know that not everybody suffers badly after each cycle. I’ve convinced myself that I’ll have every side effect possible. But this is helping me to be more positive. I have my pre assessment Monday so at least I’ll have a better idea of what to expect on Wednesday afternoon. Bali have you been through all this before? I can’t even begin to imagine that pain. ? I hope everyone gets a good nights sleep. Just wondering did anyone else start dreaming more? I’ve had the most ridiculous dreams all relative to what we’re going through. I don’t normally remember my dreams but these are very vivid. Much love xxx?
Hello EileenB
Welcome to the August group. I joined on Wednesday as I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything. I already feel much better knowing I’m not going through this alone. It’s also lovely to hear how well you are coping with your first cycle. ? I start FEC next Wednesday 6 cycles over 18 weeks then Rads and then Tamoxifen. I’m kinda hoping I might be able to get a PICC line I’m gonna ask on Monday. Only because I’m not very good with needles and it seems to make so much sense avoiding bad veins etc. Have a lovely evening. Toria xx?
Oh that’s crap! There are just no words. Sending love and hugs. ?. Xxx
Hi Eileen and welcome to the BCC forums
Along with the support you have found here, our helpliners are on hand with practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 so do call to talk any concerns or queries over
I am posting a link to the ‘I am having treatments’ area of the site where you will find lots of information and further support ideas from BCC which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy BCC
Morning all you lovely ladies.
Messaging you today from The Big Apple. ? …New York City!!! ?
Have just read all your posts & my goodness…you ladies are AMAZING!!! I am in such a positive frame of mind after reading everything. Thank you!!!
Just wanted to send you all my love & hugs ?
Hope you all have a worry free & SE free day!! ?
?. ? B xx
So glad you are having a good time. I felt really out of sorts this morning my face has been like beet root for the last 2 days but I got myself ready and my daughter took me to see my mum. By the time we left I felt much better. Hopefully it carries on. Enjoy the rest of your holiday ?
Hi ladies.
Pleased to read you’re doing OK ? Keep up the good vibes & positivity ? Remember…you are all amazing!!
Having a great time here in New York…my own BC thoughts are shelved for now but needless to say I’m thinking of you all. Sending you ?? & ?? from The Big ? !!!
It’s my friend’s 40th today so we’re hitting 5th Avenue & Central Park for a bit of classy “Sex in the City” movie pretence ? Lol.
Love n hugz …B xx
Hello all
Just joined today I am due to start treatment on weds 13th.
I’ve had mastectomy and diep reconstruction so far everything has happened really quickly for me I went to doctors end of May got. Referral and had surgery at end of June
6 x fec and then radiotherapy and then tamoxifen
I’ve been trying not to think too much about the chemo but now it’s looming I am feeling very anxious
Just back from a holiday which was great to just be normal for 2 weeks
I’m trying the cold cap I do already have a wig just in case !
Just gonna trawl through the pages now for tips for the chemo I have a port in as my veins are naff!
Thanks for the warm welcome
Going to try and keep busy tomorrow ahead of Wednesday
At this rate ill be going in with a suitcase full of stuff with all the tips I have read!!
Hello ladies. A warm welcome to Fairy472 and Krislyn as you’ve already seen there’s an amazing amount of support on here. I was getting overwhelmed with my emotions prior to joining this thread, but I’ve managed to get them back under control having realised we are not alone. It’s been so reassuring reading Eileens experience and Bali and Niceemee’s daily updates especially re side effects, fingers crossed we are all this fortunate. Hope this continues for both of you :-). Fairy472 I also start treatment this Wednesday and it’s the same regime too. I visited the chemo clinic today and was glad I got to have a look around prior to Weds. Everyone seemed really positive and upbeat so no chance of feeling sorry myself there lol! Good luck tomorrow Krislyn we will be thinking of you. Xx
Bevstar NY! How fabulous. In my best Essex girl accent “I’m well jell”. I hope you Shop til you drop xxx
Here’s to a good nights sleep ( we can but hope) xxx
Hi ladies
Am still keeping up with your posts & wishing you all well. Am thinking about you all.
Can’t believe that I’m here in New York with not a BC worry but in just over a week’s time my chemo will start ? Am gonna make the most of this trip so that if/when I feel rubbish I can at least think back to this week & smile ? Have never treated myself on hol so much but thought sod it!! Lol ?? Off on my 2nd leg of holiday today…traveling to Boston so am looking fwd to a whole new experience there.
You all take care & stay positive ladies. Will be in touch soon.
Much love… B xx ?
Well I thought I was starting treatment… I went Friday to see my oncologist for the first time. Exactly a month post op and feeling hopeful to get started.
But my cancer doctor said that there is a problem. My white blood count (neautrafils) are too low at .90 to even start. Dissapointed to say the least. I have had an ongoing query with my bloods for years and have just lived with it but now it’s a problem. I have to have a bone marrow biopsy Thursday and then decide on the course of treatment. So far I’m grade 3, no node involvement but negative ER and HER2 negative. I’m also having my PR tested so this wasn’t done at the original testing after surgery. Has anyone else experienced this. I’m worried now as treatment seems a while away and I’m scarred for the normal reasons. Any advice would be great xxxx
Hello to all you ladies, sorry I can’t go through all names but I haven’t been feeling to well for the last few days. It’s not very nice for me to be putting this when some of you are just starting. I have been feeling really sick and totally washed out. Had to go to emergency yesterday as I was worried about the infection coming back in my breast it’s all red again (had cellulitis and it’s never really got better) so I thought I had better get it sorted so now on more antibiotics which make me feel even more sick. I have felt really depressed and wanting to cry all the time. The thought of 6 months more of this is just horrendous.
Sorry to be do down hopefully will feel better tomorrow?
Toria42 I noticed we had the same routine. Good luck tmrw
I’m not hopeful of much sleep tonight!
Enjoy your holiday bevster I have just got back from mine and it’s a lovely 2 weeks being ‘normal’ !
I’m trying the cold cap tomorrow so will report back on that
I feel like it’s finally hitting me that this is it . I haven’t felt ill and I recovered from my surgery pretty quickly and felt remarkably well and I know that even if I only get a few side effects I still won’t feel myself for some time
Xx to all
Good morning ladies.
Oh my! This group is growing fast. So many of us facing tough times ahead but I know this has been said before we can do this, together we are stronger!
Glad your first one went ok Krislyn, take it easy now and keep us up to date with how you are feeling xx
Fairy472 good luck today I will be thinking of you. I start this afternoon at 2pm I have been warned that the unit is always running late so expect to be home late. Have opted out of cold cap but really hope this works for you I read some some really good things on here.
Thank you to the ladies sharing their experiences/SE’s it’s gives us a true perspective of what to really expect and how different we all are. Please try to stay positive girls even on the bad days, remember to be kind to yourselves, I’ve concluded chemo is our friend and not the enemy! We’ve got to get really ill to get better. I hope that’s not too harsh. Xx Bali2001 I echo Eileen’s advice if you can get away for your husbands birthday you should definitely do it.
Eileen when’s your 2nd cycle due? You seem to have coped brilliantly so far too. 
x
Bevster enjoy Boston, my sis in law just returned from NY with a gorgeous Gucci scarf for me. She said if I’m gonna do it then I better do it in style lol. X
Had my hair cut yesterday into a pixie crop, hoping I won’t feel so bad when the hair loss starts in a few weeks. I actually love it and feel a bit better that I can have this style again when it starts to grow back! My teenage daughters were less impressed I think it might have been a bit of reality check for them 
Anyway thinking of everyone, keep fighting, hope the side effects ease off and hope to share more of my own tomorrow. Having a wobbly moment now so off to get some tissues.
Much love Toria xx
Hi all you ladies thank you for all your support just to let you know I am feeling so much better today. I suppose we are all going to have days when we feel really down but I suppose because I am in a positive frame of mind today I think 1 down 5 to go. My mouth is feeling sore. Good luck to you ladies starting chemo it really isn’t as bad as our imaginations believe it to be and the nurses are brilliant.?
Well 1 down 5 to go!
I am so glad that’s out of the way and I kept cold cap on. It wasn’t too bad just uncomfy for 15 mins
Feel like I’ve got a terrible hangover at the moment but got plenty of medication to get me through
Its totally crap situation , and i think i bit surreal , to be in as we all know but we must stay strong
Fairy x
Ladies…it sounds like it’s a tough & emotional week for many. I am thinking about you all & hope that day by day you feel/see improvements.
Love & hugs to you all ?
B xx
Bevster
Up at 4.43am!!! That will be me next week as I embark on session 2 tomorro. Hope you managed to get back to sleep.
Toria - I remember being shocked at how much medication I came home with after my first cycle - thankfully I didn’t need them all but I managed to finish off a few packets!!!
Fairy - I too had the cold cap and a hangover was exactly how I would describe how I felt for the first few days. My hair started to shed at about day 16/17 but no bald patches yet. 2nd cycle tomorro so hopefully the cap won’t pull it all out when they take it off!! Hope your SE’s aren’t too severe and pass quickly x
Yankee
Good luck with your op. I’ll be thinking of you from the ‘torture chamber’ as my son calls the treatment room, tomorro x
Choock
I did react quite strongly to the white cell booster but I had Neulasta the day after chemo, one injection into my tummy which I managed to do myself. My bone marrow went into overdrive and because it was working so hard I had a lot of bone pain most severe in my sternum. However I only had paracetamol to start with and it didn’t touch it - as soon as I got some stronger painkillers it wasn’t so bad. There are other options ie smaller injections over a few days so ill chat with my Onc about that tomorro just before I start 2nd treatment. Hope you’re feeling a little better today - each day past is another day closer to the end of treatment for us all x
Sorry about missing anyone further down the list of comments but I have to go and walk a crying Labrador who needs a wee!!!
Happy Day to everyone.
Love Ruby x