Hello to all you ladies out there just to let you know that it’s just a week since I had my first FEC the first few days after I have to admit were horrendous I really felt very down and emotional and thinking I can’t go through this for 6 months (as I’m sure you read about on an earlier post) I now want you all to know that for the last 2 days I have felt fine like my old self? I hope this bit of news give you hope and that we will beat this horrid time.
I keep touching my hair and yippee no signs as yet that anything is happening?
Good luck and big hugs to you all xxx
Day 2 still feel hungover really but tmrw I’m going out for a walk get some fresh air!
Went back for the cell boosting injection today so expecting some aches and pains tmrw!
Many best wishes to u all
Hi everyone …
New here and just wanted somewhere whenre i can talk to lovely ladies who are going through the same thing… Had my 2.1mm lump removed on 3rd july… results 2 weeks later were amazing … clear margins and no lymph node involvement… Today ive been to see my oncologist and he’s now put me on a course of chemotherepy i will be having FEC chemotherepy 6 sessions over an 18 week period and then a 3 week break before i start a 3 week course of radiotherepy …They did say that i would most deffinatley lose my hair which being a woman and a hairdresser is very scary for me … so i wondered if anyone could advise me in do i go the cold cap route or just grin and bare it so to say…( currently have long bright red hair and its my crowning glory… so do i go cold cap and no dyeing and killer roots for 6 month or more or amazing wig and a new startover after treatments finished ) no doubt when hair does fall out it will freak me out a little i’d be lying if i said it wouldnt but the minx n me is quite liking the idea of shaving it all off lol:womanvery-happy:
Sooooooo i Just wondered if anyone else was on this treatment and how they have coped/coping with it and any helpful hints tips and advice would be great…
TIA
Maxine 
Hi there I had my first fec yesterday and had the cold cap . I had it on for 3 hours in total it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. If you get through the first 15 mins it’s ok.
I already have a wig in standby which is amazing!
I have very thick hair which I had cut into a bob a few weeks ago. I also will have roots (i colour my hair every month!) If I keep some of my hair, but if I do manage a night out or 2 I may just wear the wig!
My thought was I will give it a go see how I get on
X
Hi Maxine. Just popping in from May thread. I’ve used the cold cap and so far have had 4 FEC and 1 Docetaxol and can report it’s worked for me as I still have a full covering of hair although it is thin on top so I use Bastille dry shampoo for brown hair which costs my scalp and you really can’t notice the small thinning patch. I was blonde and dyed my hair brown before chemo so I wouldn’t have roots however I’ve found once chemo started my hair has not grown at all so root growth is not a problem although once it does start growing I’ll find out how grey I am. The pax man leaflet I got from hospital said you can start dying your hair 3 months after chemo if all the strand tests are done first and other ladies on this Forum have used a vegetable dye from Holland and Barrett. It may not work for everyone but for the last 3 cycles I’ve sat next to ladies that have all kept their hair too so I’d say give it a try you haven’t got anything to lose. Hope this helps and good luck with your treatment.
Ah Eileen I feel for you , but a Champagne tea will work wonders enjoy x
Had my first chemo on Wednesday first the nurse couldn’t find a decent vein got to have a pick line in next time.Had cold cap on coped with that pretty well,note to self warmer clothes next time I was shivering .on the up side at the moment I feel fine.
I’ve got a port inserted for my chemo had to have a small op for it but my onc insists his patients have one! If they can am I the only one who has one?
First time used was a bit sore but they take all blood from it as well . I guess cos can only use 1 arm on me after mastectomy n reconstruction makes sense and I do have naff veins!
Day 4 after 1st fec feeling dicky but managing to do few bits and pieces around the house
Have a lovely weekend all
I’m just about to start my chemo so am in the August group - expected to be September. You all sound so supportive and encouraging of one another! Can I ask a question? I have booked to have my hair cut on Wednesday and to get my roots done at the same time. No bleach, semi-permanent. Is it Ok to get this done so close to beginning chemo? I wanted then to go and get a wig that matched the colour, and am putting it in a cupboard in case I need it. I know the cold cap does not work for everyone but hope to try it and so hope it works for me. Thank ladies.
P x
Morning luvlies.
I’m back in blighty after a most fabulous week in New York & Boston with my girlie friends. It has been just the tonic I needed to shelve BC for a while. Despite missing my boyfriend it’s been an ideal escape from it all & relief to just feel normal without hospital visits etc.
Now I’m ready to hit the ground running. Should have my pre-chemo assessment on Thursday &, all being well, first FEC due on Friday!
I’ve opted for cold cap & am hoping this will help retain my hair. Went for a short cut a couple of weeks ago & have got used to & like it so want to try to keep it that way. Haven’t organised wig appointment yet…maybe am burying head in sand in that regard!!!
So I have 3 days to keep myself busy & prepare for the unknown ? but all your posts on here are so very informative & helpful ladies - Thank you!!?
Hope everyone is doing & feeling OK (as best as poss). Wishing you all a worry free & SE free day.
Sending much love ?
Bevster xx
Hi everyone,
Can I join your chats? I have a clinic appointment tomorrow and am due to start chemotherapy on Thursday. I am quite anxious about it and suspect I will be in a right state as time gets closer.
So far I have been much more positive than I thought I would be about this “roller coaster” and hope to continue the rest of my treatment with that attitude.
Warm wishes to all of you.
K xxx
Hi Everyone
Back now frm my weekaway. Arrived home late last night and up first thing this morning to get my picc line fitted. Not too bad a procedure… another step down and ready to start first Fec tomorrow.
Glad to see so many ladies getting through teir treatments with minimal side effects and being so positive. Wish I could feel quite so positive as you all. All this BC stuff is really starting to create huge problems in my relationship and I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll make it out of the other side. Feel like BC is raping me of everything at the moment… my breast, my hair, my life, my health, my independance and my relationship. Think I’m probably at my lowest point in the journey so far. Sorry to be such a moan in what has been such a hitherto positive thread… just needed to get it off my chest!
On a more positive note, it seems my ANC scar has healed sufficiently for the first chemo to go ahead as planned tomorrow. I’ve been given the Amend tablets in advance. When do I take the first one? How long before chemo starts?
Hope everyone is having a good day x
Hi 27Kate and welcome to the BCC forums
Along with the support here, our helpline is open during the week 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 and our team are here with practical and emotional support for you
Here’s a link to the treatments area of the site where you will find lots of information and further support ideas:
breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy BCC
Chemo Countdown! After several postponements and veins being unsuitable for a picc line ~ On Thursday
morning I am to have a Groshong Line fitted under sedation and then in the the afternoon the first Fec.
Would have preferred chemo on another day ~ Has anyone else had both on the same day?
Serenity :-
Thank you do much for this booksandwine - such useful information. Good to hear that you are doing do well and are nearly there. I like you am upset about work and about losing out. I do not work somewhere that deals well with illness - they will simply get someone else to do my job and I have worked so hard to get there. And I can’t bear the thought of them feeling sorry for me or seeing me in a headscarf, so depressing, but I’ll get over it.
Hi ladies.
How are we all doing today?
3 more sleeps on chemo countdown for me! Have just spoken to hospital & am in for pre-assessment on Thursday afternoon then hopefully all systems go for 1st FEC on Friday. Just wanna get started now ?
Sending love & best wishes ? B xx
Hi All
First fec yesterday. Was a bawling mess beforehand but fine once it got underway… point of no return and all that…!
So far so good… was given Emend to take beforehand and together with the antisickness drugs given iv, I just feel like I’ve got a bad hangover, but without the headache. I’ve had plenty of practice with them so I can handle that… knew my love of red wine would come in useful! Lovely shocking orange diarhorea too!
I’m really not looking forward to the next bit… hair loss… but I’m sure, like all you fab ladies on here, when it gets to it I will deal with it as we have dealt with everything else so far. I opted out of the cold cap so it’s just a matter of time… Will check out Annabandana… thanks for the tip Eileen. 
Morning all.
Sounds like a day of mixed feelings ladies ?
Eileen B - Thanks for the tip re Annabandana! I had a brief look at the site & there look to be some nice items on there. Hope your SE’s continue to be few & far between x
Mel 66 - Well done!!! You’re 1treatment down 
Hope the hangover feeling abates soon & SE’s are manageable. Perhaps have some red wine anyway ?
Bali2001 - Sorry to hear you’re feeling rough & now having to deal with lymphoedema!! ? Reiterating alijay, no need to apologise for feeling grumpy - feelings & problems shared are hopefully halved. Tuck in under that duvet & listen to your body. Tomorrow is another day on the road to full recovery hunnie ?
Alijay - Good luck with the wig shopping! Go funky ? I’m sure your daughter will make sure you look great!! Think I should make an appointment to look at wigs too.
Here’s a laugh for you all…my boyfriend reckons he’s gonna draw a face on the back of my head if/when I have to shave my hair off!! ? Told him he’ll be freaked out in the night if he wakes to find the back of my head staring at him LOL!!! ?
Take it easy everyone. Sending love & best wishes ? B xx
Good morning to you all. I haven’t checked in for a while but having been keeping up with all your posts. I have been having problems with my leg as I have developed phlebitis and it’s so painful.
Bali 2001 sorry to hear you are having a bad day. Try not to worry too much about the lymphadema I was told I had the start of it but I use and excersise my arm all the time and although under my arm is swollen and uncomfortable the rest of my arm hasn’t swollen very much. Try to stay positive and look after yourself. ?
Mel 66 congrats on getting your 1st session out of the way the spaced out feeling will go. I didn’t feel very well for about 5 days after. Feeling sick, very red face and no energy but I listened to my body and relaxed when I needed to. I feel a bit of a fraud as my SE have been minimal - hopefully it’s the same next time round.
Alijay I too got my wig before my first session I went with my friend and we had a good laugh especially when they put the little cap on - I thought now I have a some idea of how I will look. Frightening? I bought a couple of bandanas from Annabandana they look really good and very light cotton very inexpensive too they are elastic cared at the back so no messing.
Eileen B I am on day 13 of my 1st session so it was interesting reading your post as to how your head felt. I will know what to watch out for, the top of my scalp has felt a bit tender but as yet no hair coming out. I was sat waiting to see doctor the other day and I said to my partner I wonder what my head will look like I hope I have a nice shape head lol
Bevster I am with you there about taking the dog for a walk? it definitely makes you feel better even tho sometimes you don’t always want to go.
Take care everyone. It’s good to keep reading all your posts makes me feel I am not on my own xx?
Toria42
The chocolate sounds good!! Go for it ?
Bali2001
I was considering pouring myself a glass of pinot grigio & have now been convinced as it’s only right that you don’t endure your large red alone ? Cheers!! ?
Will bid everyone goodeve & will tune in tomoz. Take care all & hope we all sleep well & feel OK tomoz.
Much love…B xx ?