B74 - you're not being depressing at all. This is just a safe place to vent where we know that other people on here "get" us x
MMJJ - if the T is for Taxol, that's what I'm on. I know I only had it yesterday but so far I'm surprised at the lack of side effects. I've taken my stomach lining tablet, and my anti-sickness ones, and haven't felt bad at all (I know it could still hit me like a ton of bricks)
Debs
x
PS And sorry to be depressing! Everyone experiences it differently so this will not be everyone's experience by any means.
Also MMJJ - is the 'T' for Taxol? If so I've been told it's much easier than EC / AC
MaMa JuJu - that sounds truly awful, so sorry for you. I found it bad enough with 'just' nausea and no violent vomiting. I really hope they can find you better meds for next time.
The thing that's really taken me by surprise are the psychological effects. I expected to feel sick, tired etc (though the 'hangover' and 'flu' analogies they used didn't come close to the reality!). I didn't realise I'd feel like my whole essence had been stripped away so nothing was left except a husk. For the first few days I couldn't care about anything. Friends were trying to remind me that I'm doing it so I can live to see my kids grow up, and I felt too depressed to care. I'm only just beginning to feel more like myself again (mostly).
Yes next stop is hair loss! I know I have about another week, but like the rest of me, it no longer feels like itself. Very limp and lifeless. At the beginning of this journey I thought hair loss was the least of my worries, but as with everything the reality is often a bit more confronting!
Hello HelenBumbleBee. It is all a bit overwhelming to start off with, isn't it? But, don't worry, you've found this lovely site now (I'm so glad I did).
As Kip says, we're all just starting off so in the same place as you. We'll just support each other every step of the way.
Debs x
Hello HelenBumbleBee, so sorry you find yourself in this nightmare but you have definately found the place to be.. everyone on here gets exactly how this feels. Talk and read away, these lovely ladies are doing great with their first chemo sessions.. you'll be the same. Its so tough at the beginning but when you get into a pattern you'll be fine. I finished my chemo at end of September 18 after having masectomy, I then had ANC clearance and 15 x radiotherapy finishing on 19th December. All went ok, never as bad as I thought, yes some grim days with the chemo and surgeries etc but always picked up and moved on and always always always came on here, asked questions, moaned, whinged and chatted to the ones who really get it.
Take care... let these lovely girls guide you along..
Kip
xx
I've also been feeling pretty nauseous & generally rotten, but also busy replying to messages from friends and family, and also just taking a break from the internet because I'm sick of thinking non-stop about cancer and chemo. DebsE - I'm having Taxol after AC and my Dr told me Taxol is much easier so hopefully you won't have too bad a time of it. All the best everyone. xx
Hi Welshj and all. I tried to post, telling you how it went today but kept getting error messages (several posts might all appear at the same time).
It was better than I expected. The nurses were great, talking me through the drugs and what they were for, as they were being adminstered.
I need a bigger cold cap as they had to force it on my head (which won't help the roots) but after the first 15 minutes I was numb so it was fine. Heavy though.
I'm home now, have had a good tea and am ready for bed.
D
Hi Welshj and all. I'm home now and it all went really well.
There was a bit of waiting around, mainly because they're still playing catch up after Christmas. The administering of the drugs was very straightforward, with the nurse naming each one as she gave it and telling me what it was for. There were 4-5 of us in the room. The chairs were recliners and there were heated pads to put over us to keep us warm (that sounds a bit like we were all huddled up together - we weren't!)
The cold capping was a bit troublesome, mostly because they didn't have a cap in my size so I had to have slightly too small one. I had a pain in one temple to start off with so the nurse put a piece of gauze between the cap and my skin and the pain went straight away. After about 15-20 mins it was all numb so I couldn't feel anything. It's a bit heavy though. At one point I nipped out to the loo and could see in the mirror I didn't look as daft as I felt!
So home now and I'm feeling fine though tired. I'll see how it is when the drugs wear off, but they've sent me home with half a pharmacy to use if I need to
D
Hi I had my information appointment today and the nurse was so helpful and I feel a little less anxious now. She went through some of the side effects and showed us around the chemo area so that we know what to expect when I go for my first FEC-T tomorrow. I just hope it all goes well for all of us new starters. Good luck everyone.
I'm also starting taxol tomorrow, weekly for 12 weeks and her herceptin for a year. So anxious re side effects particularly nausea and vomiting as due to previous abdominal surgery I am unable to be sick. Going to try the cold cap, fingers crossed. Good luck to you , let me know how you get on. I also have a picc line. Can't believe this is happening and will I ever reach acceptance.
Hi Alif. I start 12 weekly Taxol sessions tomorrow at 9.30am. It's the fear of the unknown that gets us isn't it? But we'll be absolutely fine, you know.
I have a huge mound of stuff put aside to take with me - everything from cross-stitch to sherbert lemons - you'd think I was going on safari!
D
Stuck at 14 - I'm also a bit older than you (44) with 3 kids aged 7, 11 and 13.
My older two are actually more anxious than the 7 yo, but maybe it's also a question of personalities.
My 13 yo stayed up til midnight last night, turned out she was making me a book of "50 quotes for tough times"! Very sweet.
Hi I'm starting fec-t on Tuesday 8 January. I've already found the tips on here so useful. I am very nervous about it all but it helps to know that others feel the same. Good luck to all of us starting this journey this month.
Well done first timers! Thats one ticked off... now just rest up and follow your body. Well done B74 on your fasting.. crikey I couldn't do that... in fact I found I ate more.. hence the need to diet now!
Big hugs to you all.
Kip
xx
PS Good luck and hugs to G and MaMaJuJu - not long now! I hope it goes equally smoothly for you.
Hi everyone, I had my first AC (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) about 4 hours ago and I'm glad to say the infusion itself was very straightforward and not bad at all. The nurses were lovely and reassuring. I also met a young (mid 20s?) girl who is now on Taxol having completed 4 rounds of AC so she had lots of advice for me. Now I just feel a bit dizzy/spacey/weak - but given I haven't eaten for 57 hours I don't know if that's the drugs or hunger!! I reaaaaallly hope I am feeling up to eating tomorrow at 4pm when my fast finally ends!!
Thinking of you all today ladies. I hope everything goes well - in fact I know it will!
D
Hope everyone's chemo goes well tomorrow x
Thanks Kip and Fluffysunshinepants for your kind words.
B74, we are in it together as I also have my chemo tomorrow. I wish you all the best and will be thinking about you. Sending you big hugs.
I am anxious too but know that it's only going to be for approx. 6 months out of my life.
We can all do this.
What time is your chemo? Mine is at 1030.
Will let you know how I get on.
Wishing everyone else that is getting chemo tomorrow all the best.
xxxx
Deep breaths B74.. I remember that feeling, I was beside myself with worry. I actually sobbed for the first hour or so of my chemo but the nurse was so lovely. If you are having FEC they have to adminster it manually (rather than having a drip fed one) so the nurse sits with you throughout which was really nice as she chatted to me all the time and put me at ease. They are always checking for leaks or problems so don't worry nothing untoward will happen. No 2 chemo onwards I used to take a different friend with me and we would sit and chat, eat and drink and pass the time..
Big hugs to you all this week....
Kip
xxx
Hi All,
Welcome Rachel50........starting to feel nervous now but I just want it to happen. I go for my pre-chemo appointment tomorrow along with my ECG and Echocardiogram.
I also got my hair cut last Friday, not quite the Pixie look but much shorter than normal just to soften the blow when it actually happens. I am always thinking that it is going to grow back.
I have ordered the Travel Sickness Bands along with other bits and bobs from Amazon.
Kip, thanks for your tips about going to the toilet. I shall pop both of them on the shopping list.
Not long to go now girls........I hope you are all doing well.
Sending lots of love MMJJ xxx
Hi LB, hope everything goes well for you on 8th January. I had the same chemo regime as you, I started Oct '17, so if there is anything I can help you with, please ask. You might want to want to post this on the January '18 thread so you get the support of other ladies having chemo at the same time as you x
Hi ladies, I'm from the Oct '17 thread. I just wanted to add that I wore sea/travel sickness bands whilst having chemo and for a few days afterwards and didn't suffer with any sickness, so they might be worth giving a try x