December 2017 Chemo Starters

[Chaffinch17]

Some people are lucky with the SE’s I’m pleased for you x

[KirstyH]

Hi ladies, welcome funkyscot. Just dropping in with an update so far, I had my first FEC on Thursday 30th Nov so now on day 5 and still not had any side effects so far... touch wood, I have been taking my anti sickness meds they gave me and seems to have done the trick, been at work and been out walking and one mini short run, then resting with feet up and a book in between. I seem to have been very lucky so far with the SE's, but takign each day as it comes as I know it could change any day.

Been putting on lots of moisturiser and also wore black nail varnish thanks to the tips on here, the thread has been a great support x

[Sue C]

Morning funkyscot and welcome to the thread.

Please ask if you have any questions. We hope to provide help and support along the way.

Best wishes

Sue xx

[Ruth07]

Morning lovely ladies just popping in from the October thread to see how you all are ♥️♥️
Welcome funkyscot I am sorry to see you here but you will be surrounded by support and love and lots of advice as we pay it forward from all the different threads and share everything we learn on this journey. 🌈🌈🌈

Just to add to the nails thread a lady on my lgfb course recommended uv filter top coat as the main aim of the dark nail varnish is to stop the uv reacting with the chemo in the nail bed. I bought some from Amazon for about £10 and am wearing it on top of my dark nail varnish to be doubly sure 😁

Good luck everyone and remember it will pass And the good days are wonderful ♥️♥️♥️

[Karebear]

I start my treatment on the 20th funkyscot and this group of ladies have helped me get my head round all the treatment am going to have.
They have great tips and advise to give you and make your journey easier xx

[funkyscot]

Hi all

Hope it’s okay to post here. I start fec-t next Tuesday (12th). I’ve had a port fitted today and am a bit uncomfortable tonight hence posting so late. ! My veins are not great so had port fitted before chemo starts.

I had a lumpectomy to remove a 3cm triple negative tumour at the end of October. 6 rounds of FEC-t and radiotherapy ahead.
You all sound so positive and brave. Reading through your tips is very helpful. Thank you.

[Shi]

Washing up gloves even 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[Shi]

Yep it’s the t for nails but I’ve had black polish on since start on fec too, used vitamin e oil round cuticles, keep short and keep hands well moisturised, Washington up gloves if you do the dishes too, wise words of wisdom passed to us Oct thread from the May thread 💕💕hope it helps Dec ladies 😘😘✨✨✨shi xx

[AnnaKarenina]

Hello December starters, jumping over from the November starter thread to say that my consultant (male) suggested the dark nail colour himself to me which was unexpected. I obediently went for a dark rouge noir shade for cycles one and two. I also put an Auriga nail treatment base underneath before painting them. I hear that Nail Envy is good too. So far my nails seem in good shape when I take off the colour (Acetone-free remover is important too apparently). I shortened my nails quite a bit and also use nail oil. I do hear though that it is the Taxol rather than the EC which is most rough on nails and one or two people have said that sometimes clinicians like to be able to see any changes/damage. I figure that if my consultant is happy and I am removing the polish between cycles to check for change, that is probably okay and it makes me feel tonnes better. xx

[Dramaminx]

Yes I have. I'd heard this and asked my consultant and she said go for it. So I treated myself to some Chanel Rouge Noir! Lasts quite a few days and at least I have time to sit and do my nails which I never did before!

[Karebear]

Ladies
Have any of you got your nails painted a dark colour. I heard this prevents your nails becoming brittle

[SamH87]

I think mine will be combined for round 2 — at least I hope so!! 🙂
Just want to get it started now!! Xx

[rabbit28]

Hi Sam, I too am starting this week but my chemo and herceptin is being done on the same day.  They have told me I can expect to be there for 4-5 hours each time as they need to keep an eye on you after the herceptin. The herceptin is 18 treatments being given by injection.  It seems they are all different. Good Luck. xx 

[Dramaminx]

Meant to say the only way is up!

[Dramaminx]

Don't be nervous SamH87, I promise you the lead up to it is the worst. Once you start treatment you know you are stopping the cancer in its tracks and the only way is are never on your own, from the wonderful team at the hospitals to the lovely ladies on here. Good luck xx

[Dramaminx]

Speaking too soon alert!!!!!!!!!

i am full of beans! However no steroids today so I'm sure it won't last. But it's a lovely feeling to get up and just feel like me. Going on a gentle dog walk with my friend this morning, then need to have nothing to eat or drink for six hours because I have an MRI at 5. Hope everyone is coping, if you don't feel like doing much just sit and write some Christmas cards. But ease up on the online shopping 😜

[SamH87]

Ah that makes sense!! Thanks ladies! Hopefully it all goes ok! Nervous now!! Eek! X

[Jay68]

SamH87 - The first one of each is done slowly and separately and they keep you after just to keep an eye on you. As long as you have no reactions, next time they will speed up the infusions and although they run a saline inbetween chemo and H, they don't keep you for observation.

[Mamadeacs]

I was told 4 hours after 1st herceptin then 1/2hr for next 2 then drop and go so-to-speak for the rest. Xx

[Chaffinch17]

They like to keep an eye on you for a while after Herceptin I think if ok first time it does get shorter. Good luck x

[SamH87]

Hi Ladies! Quick Q.. I am in this week for my first round of treatment. I’m having Herceptin on Wednesday and then Chemo on the Thursday. I’m in for about 6 hours both days. Does this time reduce for the next cycle? Has anyone else had it split like this? 🤔

[Mamadeacs]

Hi Meesh - Yes I’ve had the dizziness but it’s coming with the hot sweats and palpitations. I have been given Venlafaxine for the sweats but too scared to start it at same time as start of chemo. Xx
Hi Chaffinch...it’s hard to get to grips with so many people (caregivers) having so many differing opinions. I dare say it’s as broad as it’s long so I have to trust them. Good luck for Wednesday. Xx

[Chaffinch17]

I’m HER2+ and on 6 x FEC too followed by Herceptin. Round 4 for me on Wednesday.

[Meesh73]

Hi mamadeacs, I had that hangover feeling fec 1 for a day or 2 then it cleared and I was ok after that. Fec 2 i was ok the day after chemo then felt a bit worse for the 2 days after that. I always find that I feel I have to get out of the house and do something the day after finishing the steroids, dont know why that is but I've felt it each cycle. I don't seem to get a slump after the steroids. I have suffered a lot with dizziness which aparently is an SE of fec. 

[Mamadeacs]

Ha...some epic typos in my last message...trust to tryst! Sausage fingers on phone 🤣. Onc suggested he printed off 4 studies for me to read that proved his way of doing things was right which was a bit of a knobish thing to say given it would all be in medi-speak, I’m pretty sure someone else could print off 4 more proving the other way best too. I’m going to stick with what he has suggested as want him on side. You would think there was just one way.
Who would have thought a shower could wear you out...I’m ready for a nap again! Xx

[Sue C]

Oh mamadeacs, that all sounds very confusing. There are a lot of variables between oncologists and between hospitals. I had TC chemo, which doesn't seem very common. But my oncologist seemed convinced that this was the right one for me and I trusted her decision. Would it be possible to speak to your bcn just to put your mind at rest?  You don't need the worry of this, when you have enough to cope with with the side effects.

Take it easy today and give them a call in the morning.

Sue xx

[Mamadeacs]

Hi Sue...I’m really bad at the minute I feel a bit better I try and go back to normal so I will be careful. No injections to do. My treatment plan has changed a couple of times, it got really confusing. I opted for FECx6 followed by Herceptin because of the heart damage risk but then Maggies arranger for me to speak to the oncology pharmacist so she could explain what the different cocktails do and she said it is more usual for someone with a HER2+ diagnosis to have FECx3 then Docetaxel and herceptin. She said you don’t want to delay the herceptin. When I had pre chemo it looked as though that was what was selected for me anyway as she gave me paperwork for FEC-T and told me about injections. I spoke to Onc again and he said she shouldn’t have says what she did and he knew better so I’m in just FEC now. As if everything else doesn’t screw with your thought process they can’t agree amongst themselves! I’m still not sure if I’m doing the right thing, it does seem to vary trust to tryst and probably onc to onc. I do have to start antibiotics tomorrow though as I’ve had 8 UTIs since end of June, he doesn’t want to take the risk. Xx

[Sue C]

Hi mamdeacs

Glad you're starting to feel a bit better. Once you come off the steroids, you may find that your energy levels dips, but that muggy feeling should lift. For me, I struggled with the fatigue in the first week. I was gradually able to do more things around the house and then started to go for short walks at day 7 onwards.

I think the fatigue was a big factor for me.....other ladies seemed to get out a lot sooner than that. But what I would say is just take things gradually. The danger is that you do too much on one day and then it can set you back. Just listen to your body. Have you got the injections to do?

Sue xx

[Mamadeacs]

Morning all...day 4 and I’ve woken not feeling anywhere near as bad. Yesterday was definitely horrible. This morning got up and had a banana and a coffee, my usual go to, and a bit of toast on the go. Hope you are all feeling ok today. It’s seriously dreary here but I know I need to get out for fresh air today and stop my joints aching from so much time laid down yesterday. One question - does the ‘hangover’ come back tomorrow when I’m off the steroids or can I assume the worst is over for this cycle?
Big hugs xx

[Meesh73]

Mamadeacs, it might be worth calling your chemo team as they may be able to advise what to do about your nausea. They may suggest you take more meds or prescribe you something else. Don't suffer in silence it might just mean they haven't quite got your meds right.

[Meesh73]

Hi Karebear, don't worry about the injections, I'm having fecx6 (due chemo 4 on Tuesday) and I  haven't had any injections. As Shi, says it seems to depend where you are and I think maybe what type if chemo you're having as many of us ladies just having fec don't seem to have the injections (I think only one out of 4 of us and she's having private treatment). 

[Sue C]

Hi rabbit
I had 4 cycles of TC, so it is possible that that is correct. However, I was told this right from the start. Is it possible to query this, maybe with your bcn?
Sue xx

[scooterbek]

Hi Karebear, I'm on EC-T. 3 EC then 3 Docetaxal. My oncologist said they rarely give the F part any more in this trust. The E part is epirubicin which is bright red & turns your wee a red colour, and cyclophosphamide is the 2nd part. I will then switch to T for 3 treatment & also have Herceptin along side as I am ER positive.

[rabbit28]

Hello all, hope you're doing ok. I've finally got my chemo start date for Thursday 7th. Just want to get started now and with all these winter colds about just praying I don't pick up anything.

Has anyone had their amount of cycles changed? when I saw the oncologist she said I would have six cycles of TC + 18 x herception my copy of the letter to the consultant says four TC + 18 herceptin. I queried this yesterday with the chemo sister and she checked and said it says four.

I'm thinking was it a typing error and did the chemo sister just look at the same copy of the letter? xx

[Mamadeacs]

Thanks Sue...I think I was expecting it more either yesterday or Monday when steroids and anti sickness meds’ finish. I keep gulping as though I’m going to be sick but nothing there 🙁xx

[Sue C]

Hi mamadeacs

Unfortunately what you're experiencing is quite normal! The first couple of days are the worse.....I too didn't leave my bed for a few days. Just rest, drink loads and eat small amounts when you can. It will start to improve after a few days, I promise.

Best wishes

Sue xx

[Mamadeacs]

Hello ladies...I’m day 2 of chemo 1 and feeling rubbish today. Worst hangover ever is the best description I can say. Headache and nausea that just won’t go... even though I got up and showered it wasnt long before I got back into bed. Hope everyone else coping ok. Big hugs xx

[lesley62]

Just as an aside ..... as Shi and Meeesh say, beware the internet shopping frenzy.

I now know most of the delivery drivers by name now!   But I must remember to put something on my head when I go to the door ....... I keep startling them with my bald bonce!!! 

Happy shopping girls!!

xx

[lesley62]

Morning all to you lovely december ladies

Day 3 of chemo 2 for me, I really struggled with chemo 1 with nausea and fatigue, but flagged it and I can't believe the difference in this round!

Day 3 last time I was only out of bed for a few hours, this time I have been out and about and done a sneaky sainsburys shop for all the things I am craving.

Be kind to yourselves and listen to your bodies, we are all here for you and everyone will hold your hand thru it all.

Plenty of crappy christmas films on the telly for you to veg out to - drink plenty, nibble lots and rest.

[Shi]

Typo should have said you are all on, not all be gone. So sorry ❤️❤️Shi xx

[Shi]

The wonderful May, July and sept ladies are guiding us Oct girls through and we are passing things onto Nov and Dec threads, we are all in this together, through the 😁😁😁😢😢😢😲😲😲🤪🤪🤪you’ll soon be sharing 💩 tips and lady garden vanishing with your sisters on the Dec thread it’s all part of this journey, you’ll all be gone, hang on, love and support each other and 😁😁😁and keep 💪💪💪💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Karebear]

Thanks Shi it means alot to have a group were you know there's women who've been though this and can help others xx

[Shi]

Karebear, don’t worry, it’ll be fine, just take one treatment at a time, the forums hear 24/7 to support, love and guide us all through this, we will all get each other through safely, you’ll never be alone, keep strong, keep positive and get your warrior pants on lovely 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Shi]

Fec-t is the chemo I’m on, some people get just fec, some just t and some a fec-t, there are other chemo’s for bc too, so a community champion should be able to advise you what they are, think some of the nov thread are doing ec-t which doesn’t have the f drug bit of the fec. Do you know which one you’ve been advised you are on yet? And how many rounds of it you are to have? 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Sue C]

Hi karebear

The gcsf injections are given to boast your red blood cells, which help fight infection. They are not always given....it depends what hospital you go to. I had 5 to take, some are given 7. It is the nurse at the chemo unit that gives them to you, to take home. If you are not given a them, it may well be worth asking.

Best wishes

Sue xx

[Karebear]

Thanks Shi it's alot to take in.
sorry what's Fec and T mean

[Shi]

The injections are to kick start bloods after chemo, it differed from trust to trust, some get 5 done get 7 done don’t get given any. They will give you them after your chemo on fec and t this differs. You usually get given a antisickness tablet to take 1hoyr before chemo, at chemo you’ll be given steroids to take before they start if it’s fec and then more steroids antisickness and the jabs to take home for after, that’s what my trust has done. I don’t start t till next week as I’ve dobe 3 fec then I switch to 3 t. I’ve got steroids to start day before for the t but no antisickness meds yet and I know they are giving me 7 injections to take home afterwards. Hope that helps 💕💕✨✨shi cx

[Karebear]

Hi what are the injections for??
When were you told you needed them?xx

[Meesh73]

Morning ladies! Well done to those of you who've just done chemo 1. That's one down and you're on your way! As annakaranina, says don't suffer in silence, call your team no matter how trivial or silly it might seem. After my first chemo I think I called them every day for 4 days but they didn't mind, they listened patiently and told me that what I was experiencing was all normal and what to do about it. They also advised which tablets I could take for longer if I needed to.

Hope you all have a good day with minimal SEs ⭐️🌟🌈✨✨🦄💫🦄🌈🌟⭐️✨🦄💫

[AnnaKarenina]

Well done Scooterbek on ticking one off and I hope the next few days are okay for you. Dramaminx, I'd echo the advice to let your clinical team know early about side-effects. I mentioned at my pre-cycle 2 appointment that I'd had some problems after coming off steroids with nausea and the oncologist was sorry I hadn't mentioned it before because they would have liked to help then. I minimised it and he said 'you don't need to put up with anything unnecessarily and you are NOT bothering us'. He may regret that advice . . .Seriously, I hope you are able to get treatment to manage the SEs better. As one shampoo brand (bad choice from a bald woman) would say "you're worth it". xx