Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[loulou1262]

Hi kirstie

Glad you are on the mend, hopefully tge next round will be much better xx 

Hope everyone else has a good day and thanks project kylie I will pm you xx

[Kirstie77]

Hi ladies thank you for your lovely messages, looks like I will be in here until at least Friday, my blood count is going down now up, they have said that they will lower the dose next time so it should be much better than this - thank goodness !

Glad to here everyone is getting on okay. Xx

[joan47]

I started chemo last week so now on day 6 and generally feeling better. Apart from the nausea and tiredness I've had two problems that don't seem to have been mentioned by others. First, a horrible stomach ache which I think may have been linked to the anti-nausea drug (Domperidone). When I stopped taking it (on day 3) the ache went away (leaving me still feeling a bit nauseous but that was preferable. Second, insomnia. I'm not the best sleeper in the world and was having very interrupted sleep in the period between diagnosis and starting chemo. But the last few days have been much much worse. No sleep at at the night after the chemo, which was probably due to the steroids; since then I get a couple of hours and that's it. Not helping with the tiredness. GP prescribed me something which is meant to knock you out, which it did, but only for 4 hours. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has had either of these problems. 

[rosie14]

Morning everyone hope you are all feeling ,ore bright eyed and bushy tailed! Yes I am due round 2 tomorrow- the thought of the chemo ward makes me feel sick! Aches ansd pains from yesterday all gone thank goodness. One never knows what to expect next. Going to hairdresser this am to get wig trimmed! A friend is doing my nails this afternoon and then a work colleague is coming to visit. A busy day how did I have time to work? x

[ProjectKylie]

Hi all, I'm usually seen in the started March thread but have a small FB group if you'd like to join private message me you names and profile pic description I'll be happy to add. For privacy you can change me friend status to restricted, I then only see personal posts if tagged. 🙂

[EAM28]

Good eve,just about to put my head down but just thought I'd catch up! Am feeling pretty normal apart from tiredness & headaches. Woke up with a sore throat this morn so got some advice from pharmacy & was told prob one of the s/e's. Given lozenges & advised to drink plenty of orange juice for vitamin c. Want to avoid drs waiting room if I can so hopefully won't need to go! Got used to eating a few crackers & nuts in the day & have a bigger meal in the eve. Was a little tearfull & achy this morn so prob due to zoladex injection & just general change in circumstances?!
I am so sorry to hear that kirste77! How horrid for you & frustrating when you are normally fine. I was like that on the eve of having my chemo - like my body had gone into shock! At least you are in the best place & will do what needs to be done! Keep your chin up girl!
Rosie 14 I hope you are feeling less delicate now? You must be due your 2nd dose soon?
We sound similar appetite wise wildpurl! My mums worried I'll lose too much weight then not be allowed 2nd dose of chemo but I feel fine & drinking full fat milk instead of chocolate ( that I can't bare now!) So should work out somehow?!
Hope you're hair app went well ashley97? Ive got 3 wigs to choose from & fitted on sat when it will all be coming off! My hairdresser told me to get a moisturizer with spf. Apart from that just got a few plain hats that could jazz up with a scarf.
I will be having 3 wks rads Mon - Fri also loulou1262. Never asked why or how much means but that makes sense! Only takes 5mins each session apparently & I live nearly 2 hrs away from where iv gotta have it done so that will be a long 3 wks! Im not a Facebook person so wouldn't have a clue?!
Hope everyone else doing well,night,night xxx

[Wildpurl]

Hi Loulou, I think someone would need to set up a private group on FB and then provide us a link to it here so each of us could request membership to the group on FB. The "founder" of the group approves the requests and the posts to that group can only be seen by approved group members, they don't appear on timeline. I'm in a couple of other private groups so I know that works.

Advantages I suppose are that we would see a bit more about each other, disadvantages possibly that anyone joining the thread later will need to be added to the FB group as well and there are two places to post. I'm easy either way

Wildpurl xx

[loulou1262]

Hi everyone

Just a thought, a lot of the other threads seem to have a fb page as well. Does anyone have any idea how it would be done to keep everything private. I only joined fb last night as my friend from the February thread says they go on both. Anyones thoughts ?? Xx

[rosie14]

Oh thank you Wildpurl that is reassuring!Glad you are feeling better I am getting hungry every 2 hours!

[Wildpurl]

So sorry to hear you have not been well, kirstie, I do hope you feel better soon. I am sure they will adjust everything for your next round and it will be much better.

Day 5 for me and I am feeling much better, with energy levels higher. I am SOOO hungry! I have been having to eat a cracker in the middle of the night or I can't get back to sleep. But still having to eat quite slowly and carefully. I have had two slices of toast for breakfast today, first time I have been able to manage so much, now I need a lie down to digest it all!

Rosie, my District Nurse told me I might get bone marrow pains from the injections for white cells, if those are the injections you are meaning? She said it is a good sign as it shows the bone marrow is responding. I guess we will all know better what is normal for us after this first cycle, though.

I feel as though I may be able to do a few things around the house today, so will have a go but stop whenever I get tired.

Hope you all have good or better days today. The sun is shining here, which helps 🙂

[rosie14]

Kirsty so sorry you are having an unpleasant experience. Hopefully thay will confirm what ahs made you so unwell and adjust accordingly before next dose. Don't think about how many you have to go positive vibes being sent for you to get back on your feet. One day at a time! x

[ashley97]

Oh no kirstie, hope you feel better soon. Xxx

[Kirstie77]

Hi ladies, thought I would pop my head in. I haven't been doing to well, I was re admitted to hospital yesterday and will be here until Wednesday by which time I hope to be feeling better, they are not sure if I had an underlying infection or if the chemo dose was too high for me so they have said they will reduce it next time. I am having hot flushes, high temps and stomach cramps, I look 6 months pregnant.

Everyone else seems to be doing so well and I'm normally the go getter, I feel so flat, that little number 5 is starting to feel big - anyone seen my mojo?

[ashley97]

Thanks Loulou and EAM, they told me the same thing about radio because I am small build the tumour was growing close to chest wall. Got an appointment tomorrow with a hair specialist to discuss how to look after my scalp and stuff to discourage hair loss, I will give anything a go. I just want to get on with it now 1 more week till my chemo starts xx

[rosie14]

Morning all hope this finds you ready to cope with the day? I am feeling a little delicate today, day 12 following 3 injections. A few aches and pains. I woke at 3.19am and thought I was having a heart attack as I had a strange feeling in lower chest. Took 2 paracetomol and eventually managed to get a little more sleep. Have sent a message to oncologist to tell him. It's difficult to know what the norm is and what you need to report!

On a brighter note still got all my hair!

[loulou1262]

Hi Ashley

 I will be having rads as well and my bcn said I will have 3 weeks, mon to fri. I was told I am having three as l  am a small build, size 10/12 with a C cup bra. My bcn said I would need 5 weeks if I was a larger lady, whether she meant build or boobs I have no idea ?? Xxx

[EAM28]

I'm not sure ashley 97 about radio. They told me my treatment plan right from the day I was diagnosed but have never thought too far a head. Haven't even looked up any info on radio yet, will get through all this chemo & am aiming to be back to work end sept!:) Xxx

[rosie14]

This is good advice booksandwine! I still have the mastectomy to go through and then the radiotherapy. As you say one thing at a time its too steep a mountain!

[booksandwine]

Ashley I will also have rads after chemo. Not sure if my advice helps but I have decided to just deal with one thing at a time ie just focussing on chemo first. Way too much for me to look at everything

[Sakura1]

Hi all

Just popped over to visit from last year July junkies to make sure those of you with sickness and nausea know about Emend. It is a cracker of an anti emetic and works wonders.

Take care with constipation when you take the anti sickness meds and report any issues quickly so it can be dealt with 🙂

Best wishes all xx

[rosie14]

Indeed ooksandwine where would be without them. My hubbie is doing my injections also! I hate needles!

[ashley97]

Hi EAM28, they haven't discussed radiotherapy with me yet, just told me that I will be having it after chemo. Is 3 weeks what everybody has ? I am dreading the radio more than the chemo due to its long term effects. I am finding this forum so helpful already, even though my family and friends are great it is so good to talk to other people going through the same thing. Xx

[booksandwine]

Cheeky hubby Rosie but god where would we be without them.

Wildpurl appreciate re injects hats off to you my partner is doing mine I'd be the chicken !

[rosie14]

My husband said he knew I was feeling better because I started interfering!

[Wildpurl]

Yes District Nurse came today and supervised me doing my first injection, I am going to do the rest myself I hope. It wasn't too hard. My OH faints at the sight of needles so can't help LOL.
He says I must be feeling better as I am starting to be grumpy rather than just lying on the sofa not speaking!

I find I have peaks and troughs of energy at the moment but the peaks can run out quite quickly!

[EAM28]

PS - I mentioned flu jab to my bcn also prior to chemo & she said we are out of flu season now & doubted that there would be any vaccines left at gp. You do get an injection the day after chemo to help boost immune system though ( with being on FEC anyway) xxx

[EAM28]

Hi Ashley. I found it really use full to come on here before chemo so hopefully you will too! Like wildpurl says we are all getting through it differently but mainly nausea & tiredness the worst.
I chose not to use the cold cap as was told I would lose my hair right from the start so had got my head around it all by the time they mentioned that option to me & at my Hosp they couldn't actually give me a very accurate outcome of using it as not many patients have done apparently. Plus I want to avoid any extra time being in Hosp as I live 1 hr away & have been there enough since Jan!
I was diagnosed 23rd Jan with invasive ductal,grade 3,ER & HER2 positive,had two wli's and 1 lymph node involvement. Just started 6 cycles of chemo,will be 3 wks of radio,then tamoxifen for 5-10yrs (with hope of break for pregnancy). I am 28 with a 20 month old little girl & fab hubby. Hope you find all the threads helpful:) xxx

[ashley97]

hi wildpurl, the genetics guy is expecting me to be carrying the brca2 gene I have 4 more weeks before I get the results, I have already asked to have mastectomy on the other side but doctors said I have to have the chemo and radiotherapy first. is there anything you can recommend I do in preperation for my first chemo ?? I have an appointment with the hair specialist next week so hopefully she will give me some advice. x

[EAM28]

Hey girlies,
Mornings seem to take a while for me! Day 3 for me & have found a bit of milk helps first of all then can try to eat 1 weetabix, then later on 1 egg & soldiers or well cooked poached. During the day have found crackers a good thing to keep munching on & last thing at night before bed to get me through the night! Can't even think about anything sweet & I am a chocoholic! But can't even look at the stuff! And like Rosie14 am off tea, even healthy teas my friend bought me! Thanku yes ive been keeping on top of tablets but had last this morn so only have anti sick left to take as required so will see how I go!
Auw Tij63 - what a rough time you've had!:( I am every 3 cycles too so my next one is 24th April. I hope you start to find something that will help you through. Its hard with children too bless you!
Thankyou for the mouthwash info Suzie 68. I bought a normal one before chemo to keep using but will bare that one in mind! Hope you find work OK tomorrow.
Glad I'm not the only one finding it hours to eat a meal wirldpurl! But whatever it takes eh?!
Hope you are doing well Ellie 47? Xxx

[Wildpurl]

Hello Ashley, welcome to the thread!
We are all really apprehensive before the first chemo I think but so far everyone has got through it fine. Those of us on FEC are experiencing some nausea, to greater or lesser degrees, otherwise tiredness. One lady who is ahead of us all found that she began to feel more normal from day 6.

I used the cold cap at my first chemo last Friday and it was not too uncomfortable.

I had a mastectomy with implant recon in January, so have had more time to recover than you have. I was tested and found positive for a BRCA2 gene defect last year, but I am focusing on getting through this treatment before I think about any preventive surgery.

I have found it really helpful to exchange experiences with the others on this thread, so I hope you do too.

Wildpurl xx

[rosie14]

I don't know how many sessions I am going to need yet. Yes it is a long time to wait. Mu friend explained that they have to try out various drugs on the sample to see which will be the most effective! After a week you will feel so much better!

[Wildpurl]

You are very brave, I don't know if I could face a second dose in only two weeks, or flying for that matter! On the plus side, you will be finished sooner.
That's a long time to wait for the biopsy result, hope it comes through this week.

[rosie14]

Yes to start with as I am hoping to get on a plane to UK for my dad's 93rd birthday on April 14th! Also the full lab result is not yet back form Nicosia so the oncologist said he would start me on the necessary and adjust accordingly. Hopefully he will have the lab result early this week! I had biopsy on March 13th!!!

[ashley97]

hi guys,
I like many others have been recommended to join this forum.
I was diagnosed on 26th february with a grade 3 ER positive, HER 2 negative breast cancer. I under went a mastectomy with ld flap reconstruction on 18th march. I am due to start chemo on 16th April, I will be having TC x4, on wednesdays every 3 weeks. after chemo I will be having a course of radiotherapy, followed by 10 years tamoxifen.
I have been offered the cold cap, which I have heard very mixed reviews about but feel that I cant sit at home moaning about my hair loss if I havent at least tried, so I will be giving it a go. I am very nervous not knowing fully what to expect with chemo. so was hoping to meet some people going through the same thing that I can chat to.
I have read on a few posts about the flu jab? this hasnt been mentioned to me is it worth bringing up with my nurse ?
I am 27 years old from surrey, I have an 8 year old son ( who is fully aware of everything happening) and a partner who are both so supportive.
I have also had the genetic testing done still waiting for results 😞
love
ashley xxx

[Wildpurl]

Rosie are your cycles every two weeks then? Mine are three weeks, so my next dose is not till after Easter.

[rosie14]

Well girls the good news is it gets better. I am on day10 and I feel human I even managed to take the dog for her walk this morning! I will be back on the chemo ward on Thursday for round 2!

[rosie14]

You poor guys suffering sickness! Were you given any anti nausea tablets take these and it should keep the worst at bay! Hope you both feel better soon Tlj63 and Eam28. Do keep drinking plenty of water and eat what you fancy! xx

[Wildpurl]

Morning all, sorry to hear you feel so rotten Tlj63, hope you improve over the next few days. My nausea is stable, mostly OK when I have taken the Meds but as they run out I feel queasy before the next one.
I am also eating very very slowly and take hours to finish a meal.

Day 3 today and I am really tired.
I keep telling myself that I will improve over the next few days and that I have only got to go through this twice more. Not sure it's helping at the moment!

Hang in there, we can get through this!
Wildpurl xx

[Tlj63]

Morning everyone. Hope you are all feeling better than me. I started being sick on Friday evening and continued through the night. No fun for me or hubby. Thank God the kids where on sleepovers and didn't have to witness it. Still sick in the morning, so trip to A and E for IV fluids and antiemetics. Felt slightly better in the afternoon after a nap, but didn't manage to keep my bowl of soup down and was sick once in the night.
Feel crap and struggling to eat a tiny something so I can take my steroids. I thought I would put weight on having chemo, at this rate I'm going to be nice and slim by the time I've done this 6 times.
I think I'll take my steroids and go back to bed, hoping to feel a bit perkier when I wake up.

[EAM28]

Hello all! Every one seems to be doing relatively well:). My first night of having mine was awful I have to say! Very nauseous - i kept thinking if I could actually be sick then maybe I'd feel better?! Felt very hot one min,shivering the next but that could also be s/e of zoladex injection Tue. Felt a lot better the next day & played out with my little girl & took her for an ice cream etc:). Have learnt to eat little savoury things now & again rather than big meals as can't face & takes me hours to eat! Today was back to feeling yuck again put pushed myself to go out as had wig appt at hairdressers so wanted to get the ball rolling on that & little girl to go to park for a bit. Had a good nap when got bk though when hubby got home. My oncologist said this first half (fec) would be the worst then towards the end on (t) will be easier! Will just have to see & take each day like we all have to xxxx

[Suzie68]

Hi wildpurl glad you feel okish and hope that has continued for the rest if the day. I do have the option of working from home and will prob do that next Thursday and Friday when immune system is at lowest as there are around 500 people in my building. I'm just gonna go with the flow and see how I feel on a day to day basis. My bcn nurse also said there were lots of people on dec who had minimal side effects. She tells them all to get on forums to spread the word! Hope everyone else is doing well xx

[Wildpurl]

Morning everyone, yesterday afternoon I began feeling nauseous, like I was just getting over car sickness or sea sickness. I didn't throw up or anything but it wiped me out and I couldn't do much and didn't eat much, just drank water. In the evening I took my yellow pill and began feeling better and was fine overnight. I feel OK now and am eating breakfast, have taken anti sickness pill and steroids. Still a bit tired so will take it easy today.
It's good to hear that you are doing so well, Rosie
Suzie68, I am going to work from home some of the time which I think is easier, I don't know if this would be a possibility for you? That said, the lady I sat next to yesterday said she had few symptoms on FEC and worked right through, so you may be the same.

[rosie14]

Hi Tij63 that's great that your husband has the first week off I felt a bit out of sorts the first 4 days and rested as much as I needed. Day 9 now and am driving the car, went out for a meal last night and had a bottle of water instead of the usual wine but feeling much more human! I am all set for session 2 hopefully on Thursday!
Hope everyone else is doing ok- a day at a time ladies! x

[Jackie09]

Good evening ladies - I hope you've all had good days. I'm due to start my chemo next Thursday, and, like everyone, am feeling apprehensive about it. But am very heartened to read all of your experiences about your first goes. Have a good weekend everyone. X xx

[Suzie68]

Glad it went ok take care sxx

[Tlj63]

Hi everybody. I've just returned from my 1st chemo as well. I also had problem with cannula, 3 goes to get a vein that didn't run away. But after that everything went well. Hope the next few days are not going to be too bad. My husband has got next week off work, so feeling pretty chilled.
Glad everyone else is coping well. Long may it last.

[Suzie68]

So glad we are all doing better than we expected, I think the fear of the unknown us the worst. Well done us, stay strong ladies we rock xx

[rosie14]

Glad your first one is out of the way Wildpurl do take it easy the first few days you will get tired very easily. Good luck! x

[booksandwine]

Congrats yes think first is worst and I had candula issues so picc line will be good 16 April. I am now near end of most drugs and had first inject today. Odd have had heartburn and chemist said can happen drugs and digestive system etc that has been since yesterday. Also today was a little bunged up so I plan to keep an eye on that

Try a short walk each day but be ware of this Sahara dessert. !!!

I also booked look good feel better for end of April to be ready for no eye brows etc. good luck with cold cps I decided against it

But overall this week has been pretty good just lots if rest plan to go to work next week and see how it goes

[Wildpurl]

Hi everyone, I am home after my first chemo. I was terrified of how I would feel when the drugs started going in, but I didn't really feel anything. I can't quite believe the first one is over.

The only drama was three attempts to insert cannula, but after that everything was fine. I used the cold cap and can honestly say that it was a weird cold feeling for the first ten minutes and then I didn't notice it any more. I did, as kirstie said, have to keep it on for two hours after the last drug had gone in. Main problem was I needed the loo but made myself wait until the cap was off LOL. You can disconnect and go but of course your head warms up a bit and I had done that once, so decided to tough it out at the end. Next to me was a lady also with the cold cap on her second T so fifth overall. It obviously worked for her. She said she had no realside effects from FEC and found T harder because of the joint pains.

I am feeling OK now and have had some lunch. I have a tablet to take this evening, and anti nausea and steroids to take from tomorrow for three days. I also have the injections which supposedly the District Nurse is coming to give me. I plan to get her to show me how to do them and maybe supervise me doing it myself this time and then do them myself after that if I can.

I'm a bit at a loss what to do now, as I feel OK but don't want to overdo it. I think a mix of resting and small housework jobs should be OK.

How is everyone else doing?