July 2017

[Carole M]

Doggymum, sorry to hear yours has recurred.😟

[Carole M]

Hi Rachael

Glad your first cycle was ok.  Mine was too and like you I just feel a bit fuzzy headed today.  Didn't sleep at all last night, possibly because steroids taken at 3pm.  I was very tired by 8pm but still couldn't sleep, but not unusual for me.

For the benefit of anyone not started yet, I'll give you a summary of my first of 6 FEC-T. Started off with choosing cold cap and then nurse sprayed a bit of water on my hair followed some  lovely conditioner.  Actually the same salon one I use at home, donated by someone to hospital. Then on with the cold cap as it needs to cool down for half hour before drugs start. Whilst waiting for this I had a saline drip connected to my PICC and was given steroid tablets and anti sickness. Nurse changed my PICC dressing which had been fitted 24 hours earlier and was getting very sore. At this point we discovered I'm allergic to the dressing and skin had gone red with a blister, burst by dressing removal.  Painful having it cleaned but arm is much more comfortable with a sensitive dressing (looks like cling film).

Cold cap now ready and I'm coping with the cold easily.  Worst part was the chin strap being tight and restrictive.  Don't plan on eating your lunch wearing cold cap. It didn't have any bad effects on me, not even a headache and I sat in my tee shirt throughout. 

The nurse sat with me and chatted whilst pushing  the three drugs through.  I didn't feel anything. 

All done after an hour or so and then I had to wait a further 90 minutes of scalp cooling.

Cold cap does make it a much longer and more uncomfortable process, but not painful and no bad effects for me.  If it works I'll keep on with it. If it doesn't I've got a wig and lots of headgear ready.

Good luck to everyone who has not started yet and don't worry it's not to bad. 

[Doggymum]

Hi Carole and all you other lovely ladies!! I was diagnosed with recurrence of breast cancer I had nearly 20 years ago when I was 31. I had a mastectomy at the time so this lump was in my lymph nodes. Very worried and upset at it coming back but fought it once, can do it again. I have had an auxiliary clearance now waiting to start chemo next Friday. A Facebook group would be fab, I had no one to talk things over with first time around. Look forward to talking with you all xx

[Doggymum]

I would definitely join Clare, start my FEC on the 7th xx

[feelthefear]

Hi Rachael. Glad to hear your first session went well. I'm also going to try the cold cap at my first fec on Tuesday. Your count down to the end of all of this is now on. 😀

[Paddy07]

Dear Carole,

i hope your first chemo session went well yesterday. It was my first one  yesterday too and I had felt very apprehensive but it wasn't as bad as i had anticipated. Only 7 more cycles to go! I am feeling slightly fuzzy headed but ok at the moment- how about you?

I did try the cold cap (despite the fact that I am a migrane sufferer) - it was bearable but I'm undecided whether to continue with it or not. I have already ordered a gorgeous wig  from a lovely lady based in London who i can definitely recommend. 

I'm trying to keep everthing as normal as possible for my 4 children but it isn't always easy is it?

best wishes to everyone,

Rachael x

[Maryann]

All the best for today Carole, no rush for the fb group just whenever you feel you can, we can all chat here ❤ xx

[feelthefear]

I'll be thinking about you this afternoon Carole. I'm sure everything will go well. X

[Carole M]

I'll try and do Facebook group but may not have time today with chemo this afternoon x

[Carole M]

Thanks Perrie. I had my PICC yesterday, quite a long and technical procedure and took about an hour but nothing to worry about. All very clever and takes longer because they keep everything sterile.
Little bit sore today but glad I've got it now and don't have to worry about them poking about with my veins.

[Carole M]

Mishy you only need a PICC if you're veins are not very good for cannulating. It always takes them several attempts for my little veins and then sometimes it leaks out when they put fluid through. Chemo does make your veins more temperamental too. PICC gives a line in for chemo or other fluids and can also take bloods. Saves numerous needles but not necessary if you have nice big strong veins.

[Mishy18]

Sorry not on Facebook so will have to catch up here too! Bit of a dinasour with social media!!

[Mishy18]

Daft question does everyone have a picc line for Fec T starting on 10th have my pre assessment on 3rd nobody has mentioned a picc line! Or is it just in certain circumstances?

[feelthefear]

Morning ladies. I'm not on Facebook so will just catch up with yous here. X

[Perrie]

 I start FEC chemo next Thursday 6th July and having PICC line in on the day before. Feeling quite apprehensive!

Good luck for your first one today Carol and yes I would love to join a Facebook group if you set one up, great idea!

Hugs to all

Debbie x

[Carole M]

Oh that's lovely Myshy. Something wonderful to look forward to x

[Maryann]

Brilliant Mishy18 😊 xx

[Maryann]

Yes Carole, I would like that 😊 xx

[Mishy18]

Well I start on 10th July! On a total high today say my gorgeous little Grandaughter on scan today while at daughters antenatal it was amazing she's nearly 26 weeks and they were checking growth as part of a check for gestation diabetes, perfect little girl lovely size average for this stage beautiful little face I swear she new we were watching as she faced us on the screen can't wait for October now as it means the BC journey nearly over and a lovely little girl to spoil xxx

[Carole M]

Is anyone interested in joining a Facebook closed group for July chemo starters.  If so I will try and start one, unless someone else wants to do it.

[Maryann]

Ah that's good, I won't be driving to the hospital I'll get transport for that, I live in a very small village where I need to drive to get to the nearest shop, I'm just worried I'll be to tired to drive! What drugs are you getting clare2121? Xx

[Carole M]

Clare2121 I may have missed it somewhere, but what is not feasible for you? What drugs are you on?

[Carole M]

I think my hospital say they don't want you to drive for first chemo, but ok for later ones so long as you feel ok.

[Clare2121]

Wish I could but it's not going to be feasible with my mix of drugs 😣😣

[Mishy18]

Yeah I can't wait to meet her my first thought when diagnosed was crap I had such great news a few weeks earlier about the baby coming then I was hit with that, was terrified my daughter would get too stressed and it would spoil her pregnancy so the early days were spoiled by it as it was all I could think about the what ifs but now I'm so excited to be a granma!! I'm just wanting to get this over and done with and put it away with all the other rubbish times you have in this journey to meet her!! although the glamorous bit might have to go out of the window haha!!!

[Maryann]

Hi Jo, thanks for the positive message, it is good to here 😊 a question I forgot to ask at the hospital, are we ok to drive while getting treatment? I'm worried about this chemo brain I've read about on here so wouldn't want to make any mistakes behind the wheel, probably being paranoid xx

[Carole M]

Thanks Jo.  I think I'll take something soft to go between me and the chin strap.

[feelthefear]

Hi Jo. Thanks for taking the time to pop in and give us an update. I hope things continue as well as they are.
I keep telling myself it's mind over matter. 🤞🤞

[Jo_Carter]

Hi July starters,

I started FEC-T chemo on 23 June, and thought a postitive story from June might be useful here...

I am on day 5 and I think things aren't as bad as I'd led myself to believe.  I managed the cold cap - the cold was OK, but the strap under my chin was tight!  Very few side effects - day 4 I felt a bit fuzzy in the head, but very manageable.  It's no worse than a bit of a hangover.  I'm feeling a bit of a fraud!! People keep asking me how I am, and I'm feeling fine.

Good luck all!

[feelthefear]

Hi everyone. It's good to see that I'm not alone as a July starter. Just wish none of us needed to be here.
Im also waiting for the gene test. Four of my mam's sisters had bc. One died when it spread to her brain in her 30's. However, she was misdiagnosed for two years and this was 35 years ago, so things have moved on leaps and bounds since then.
Mishy, lovely you have a grandchild to look forward to. My daughter gave birth four days after my op to a gorgeous girl. At the time I was scared of bonding with her as I was convinced the bc had spread and didnt want to break my heart more than it already was. It sounds silly now, but I lost at least two weeks of bonding while I was waiting for results. 😳
Never again. I'm living for today. X

[Carole M]

I've just been and collected my wig but I'm going to try the cold cap just because I'm scared of the small chance of permanent loss. Wig looks ok.
Also saw oncologist this morning and all fit for chemo on Friday. PICC in tomorrow.
What a fun life I lead.

[Maryann]

What a lovely thing to focus on Mishy18 😊
I definitely do not want to try the cold cap I don't deal well with the cold lol, I get migraines so don't want to risk triggering them. I have already cut my hair short to prepare myself and it felt good taking that bit of control xx

[Mishy18]

Starting week July 10th had a call yesterday to say app being made and should get it in post probably 10th July but will need pre assessment First!! Fec t for me too 6 rounds been urged to try cold cap due to small links to permanent alopecia with this treatment not looking forward to that bit but raring to go so I can put this behind me and get back to Work!!!! I have my first little grandchild due in October and don't want to miss out on cuddles!!! A little girl what a lovely goal to get me through my treatment to be my daughters birthing partner my onc said!!!

[Maryann]

He Carol, both my mum and gran have had BC but at an older age, I'm 40 so that's why they are testing me, if it comes back positive I will get a double mastectomy and also my tubes down below removed xx

[Carole M]

Hi Maryann and welcome to the group.
My sister has had breast cancer twice and had the BRACA test done a few years ago because there's lots of family history. It came back clear but I've still got it!
Why does your result determine surgery?

[Maryann]

Hi everyone, I'm starting next Wednesday the 5th, getting FEC-T, I've had the gene test done due to history so waiting for the results of that to determine whether I get surgery or not.
I'm eager to get started as all this waiting has been driving me potty, good luck everyone ❤ xx

[feelthefear]

Thanks for the info.
I had a full lymph node clearance so they can't use my right arm, but here's hoping they have plenty to work with on the left. I dont really like the idea of having a line inserted throughout treatment, but nurses usually struggle to take blood etc, so I have a feeling I won't get through chemo without one.

[Carole M]

Hi Angela
Yes I've been diagnosed since February.
My veins are a bit small and now I've only got one arm to chose from thanks to ANC to the other. Chemo makes your veins worse too. It seems to take 3 attempts every time they cannulate me so we've gone for the PICC. It's quite a common procedure and saves needles and cannulas whilst in.

[feelthefear]

Hi Carole.
Yes, I've been hanging around here since early April when I was first diagnosed. It seems forever ago.
No one has mentioned a pic line to me? Doesn't sound very nice. I wonder if I'll get one when I go for me chemo ward visit on Monday. Ahh the joys.
Angela x

[Carole M]

Hi feel the fear

ive seen your posts over the months.  Welcome to the July starters, although strictly I'm a June (30th). 

Think I'm going to try cold cap, but I'll see how it goes.

[Carole M]

Hi Clare, you have the same name and spelling as my daughter.  I too start my chemo this Friday.  Getting a PICC line fitted tomorrow. I'm having FEC-T, what are you having?

 I'm eager to get on with the chemo, this has all been going on too long for my liking, but I'm not really totally recovered from surgery yet.

[feelthefear]

Hi Carole.
I'm due to start on July 4. The gloves are off and I'm ready for battle with chemo as my closest ally.
I'm going to try the cold cap. I've had my hair cut and I'm now rocking the pixie look. I'm hoping because there's less weight in it, less will fall out. I've got a wig consultation on Monday as a back up. My bc nurse says most people who cap lose around 40%. That will do for me, so it's worth a try.

[Clare01]

Hi Carol nice to meet you I start my chemo on Friday for twelve weeks so I fall on June and July group. I've decided not to use the cold cap if I'm going to loose my hair any way x

[Carole M]

Hi
I'm just starting the July group for all of us lucky people about to start our chemo.
Bet you're all raring to go!
Who is going to try the cold cap?