Anyone starting chemo aound end of May?

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone,
My scary week just got scarier...divorced and .... FINALLY I START CHEMO TOMORROW 6 X FEC (1000mgs) and i just cant stop crying!!

happy birthday Julie xx
Debs we are "chemo sisters" so we have to get through this together now!!Anyone else joining us?

kittenkat thank you for your help, Im only just starting the journey
15 weeks to go!!

Going to find a hairdresser now and do the deed....

[hollymeg]

Hi mary when is your last one? lucky you!!!

Julie, 45 isnt old!!!!! we're still young girl, have a good day shopping x

Luv to you all having a scary week, Pauline xxx

[kittenkat]

hi julie - yes rads after......and happy birthday!!!!! mary x

[Guest user]

hi all
well done debs on your first treatment, and good luck to kittenkat for your last treatment, do you have rads after,
have had another lovely comment on how nice my hair looks from someone who dosent know i have bc,resisted the temptation to say its a wig today and took the compliment, bit windy today though so dont want it to blow off yikeeee,is my birthday today and have had some nice prezzies for a old git (45)going shopping now
hugs to all julie

[Guest user]

hi Debs

I dont know if this is any help but my nurse said to be if you havent been sick within 36 hrs after its pretty unlightly you will be. she also said if you feel sick having something to eat might help and it did for me . i found I ate little and often for the 1st 2 or 3 days..

take care Sally xxx

[Guest user]

Have felt a little sick, hope the tablets work!! and the ginger biscuits!!
love debs xxxx

[Guest user]

thanks for the advice about the t-shirt as i hadnt even thought about that as ive been avoiding wearing anything close fitting cos im so conciouse..(sorry about the spelling. im hopeless at it) that my booobs are so uneven...

hope your ok Debs, and the 1st isnt affecting you too bad xxxx

hope everyones ok xx

Sally x

[Guest user]

Hi Mumszy-sorry this is a bit late, but glad the divorce is being sorted.Really hope you get the chemo sorted this week. I think you said ,at the beginning, that you were moving as well-how's that going?

Hi to everyone else-this thread is getting so big that I've lost the plot.Anyway I am getting more used to the strange lady in the mirror now, but she's still pretty scary! Funny how hair or lack of it makes so much difference.
Good to hear how we are all doing.I'm 5 days after 2nd FEC and back at work and doing ok.

Love to all Annie x
PS
Dinner with Rosie is sounding good!

[Guest user]

Evening all,
Sally, getting my new boob was really a high point in my treatment, I felt so much better with a new boob. take a tight t-shirt with you so you can check out your shape when dressed and look at your outline - its amazing what a difference the different boobs make! I love mine, (kinda preferred the real thing tho!)

Debs - well done for your first FEC. I still dont know when I will start, (7 weeks since op) have an appointment for Oncologist at 9.40am and he will decide, there were 10 mls in my seroma today, the BCN thinks he might go ahead.

Rosieff - dinner sounds delicious, Im vegetarian so would love all of that!!

have a nice evening ladies xx

[Guest user]

Hi Pauline
Day 7 for me and as you say feel fine without the tabs. Didnt tke the steriods and dropped the anti sickness ones on day 4 but take the 1 Lansopranole in morn for indigestion and so far great. I think it really is trial and error as each time may be different and i think you know your own body and what you can tolerate. Good to know your feeling great and long may it last.

Txs Bev for info and like yourself hopefully periods will be gone for good, as being ER+ and oestrogen level 8/8 want these to disappear soon. As to hair, some dont lose it you might be lucky. Would luv to try the eyelashes as i do mine losing these compared to hair....is there a specific type as cant imagine we wud be advised to use the glue if eyes sensitive??

Kittenkat im on Tax for last 3 so hoping for the same outcome as yourself..then again PMT will probadly be replaced with Hot flushes etc...ya just can't win!!:-)

Mags your so rite re the Gaviscon as it was a God's send to me during my pregnancies. They have a double concentrate one at mo will have to get a bottle as had completely forgotten about it. Txs.

Having a healthy cooking day and enjoying having the time to do it. Dont know what this FEC is doing to me as cooking and washing/cleaning all the time and thats without the steriods!:-)
Your all invited...Mexican Bean and Courgette Casserole, Roast Nut Loaf and Cheese and Broccoli Quiche. Strawberry Cheesecake for afters!
Big hugs and wishes to everyone xx

[Guest user]

Well girls, had my first FEC today. At home now waiting for any SE!
wasn't do bad actually having it, nurse was lovely, tried the cold cap too!

love debs xxx

[Guest user]

hi pauline
Fingers crossed for you that you do manage to hang on to it 'til take that. even if you have to super glue it.xx

had phone call today to say i can go for my boob fitting on friday as i had a mascetomy 6 weeks ago and have had to live with a cushion type boob which is ok but my bra tends to ride up on that side as its so light... so im getting excited about it, sad innit what makes us happy these days, just hope it dosent pop out in the middle of tesco's or something ha ha.

Ive found ive had more indegestion while on my routine antibiotics than on the sickness pills, but cant take any tummy things within a few hours of antibiotics so im just having to put up with it for a coule more days.. might go when stop taking the pills.

Sally xx

[hollymeg]

hi sally, im day 6 and praying i can hang on to my hair for another 12 days so i dont have to go and see take that with a wig on, keep fingers crossed for me. i have noticed extra hairs knocking about though....

dropped all my antisickness drugs off today, cant stand the idegestion pain. not felt sick at all so hoping i will be ok.

Luv Pauline x

[Guest user]

hi everyone, ive just been having a read and its funny but the way ive described the indigestion an d sicky feeling in week one was just like morning sickness, weird or what, getting sick of ginger biscuits already,ha ha

ive seen the stick on eyebrows as well was really tempted to get some in ready but they did look like two hairy catterpillas so decided to go down getting the skin tinted route my eldest son (14) said can you get stick on mustashes to replace mine, charming or what ha ha, least i'l save money on the waxing , glad we can laugh about it as its worrying me how my sons will be when the hair goes,but as yet ive still got all my hair in tact and im day 11 now a few extra strands on the brush though....

Sally xx

[kittenkat]

rosie - still had my periods with fec albeit very light and manky looking as if not normal but none so far with the tax so will see....didn't have the usual pmt signs though, recently have had niggly pains but no period.....debs you'll be fine - I do that too with the wig - telling people its a wig! mary x
ps pauline - the one a day tab is great for indigestion.....

[Guest user]

Hi Rosie
I had my period as usual start 5 days after my first FEC - I was gutted! Although the usual build up of PMT, tenderness and the like didn't really happen, I still had that added inconvenience to get through. I'm hoping it might disappear with future treatments.

Day 15 and still got all my hair - a friend bought me some stick on eyebrows by Nubrow - has anyone tried them? They don't look very realistic in the packet but might look better on???

Big hugs to everyone 🐵

Bev

[Guest user]

hi
picture seems to be on my profile, but not on the thread
julie x

[Guest user]

hi all
sorry about the picture , will try again,had a lovely compliment from a lady round the school saying how nice my hair looks, me like a fool told her it was a wig,why did i di that,probely as i am just getting used to it myself, and still think everyone can tell
good luck to all this sunny tuesday

[Guest user]

hello all,my chemo was FEC,started last Dec,finished April,I had heartburn(like pregnancy)for about one week every cycle. It didn`t matter what I ate,boiled fish had the same effect as a vindaloo. Gaviscon was my salvation,all the remedies that you suck worsened the sore mouth. If you get constipated,week 1 usually,dont worry,you`ll make up for it later. On a more cheerful note,my nails and skin were in fabulous condition all through.
Good luck,it passes really quick, love Mags xx

[Guest user]

Hi Guys
Definitly way too many names to remember at this stage, glad everyone is doing great and on the road to starting chemo. Well its day 6 for me and as you say 'so far so good'! definitly not as bad as you imagine although District nurse(perks of the trade ladies, male and gorgeous)!! told me today may find SE are accumulative. Anyways, weaned off all the tabs now and find that 1 Lansoprasole 30mg in morning is fantastic and keeps the indigestion at bay. It feels like pregnancy and having morning sickness again!!
Can the girls who are further on with Chemo tell me if they still got symptoms of PMT and can period still come, as my breasts have felt very tender for the past two days? Hopefully not and the chemo will put an end to it(another perk)!
Enjoying sunshine, enjoying tennis and enjoying new potatoes! what more could a girl ask for! Oh! and male nurses!!!!:-)
Hugs to everyone xx

[hollymeg]

hi sally, i went to docs today about the indegestion. i have decided it is the anti sickness drugs that is causing mine so she just changed them for me. dont know if its worked or not yet, only had one and still have indegestion.

Day 5 and felt a bit rough today, i think it is the antbiotics i started this morning.

Debs good luck for tommorrow, you will be fine.let us know how you go.

Elaine, hope you have a good night, i was nervous the first night worrying what might happen

Hi julie, glad to see your back with us, happy birthday for wednesday

luv to you all pauline xxx

[Guest user]

Thanks Debbie, should be ok for my wig appt at 12 then!
love debs xxxxx

[Guest user]

Hi Debs, the FEC takes no more than and hour to go in, depending on how quick or slow the nurse plunges!! Absolutely pain free and nothing to worry about. All the best sweetie, thinking of ya, debbiex

[Guest user]

Thanks Christina, isn't it silly how we don't ask the obvious!!
appt at 9:30 and wig clinic at 12, so hopefully will be ok, don't know which is more scary!!!

love Debs xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi,Debs -not long i think 1hr but with all blood test -first time maybe 3 hrs all together..my first one is wedn
Hi,MUMZY i am glad now you can focus on your treatment...
Hi,Elaine so it not tooooo bad....as we all think let as know how it goes ....xxxxChristina

[Guest user]

Hi all, just realised I don't know how long it takes to have my first dose of FEC, its probably some where but easier to ask my knowledgable friends!!!

love Debs xxxx

[Guest user]

hi all can join this thread as ive been suffering with a bit of indigestion since starting my anti-biotics (roution)last friday and as i cant take milk with them i was having a look on here for any suggestions,was gonna wait til next cemo on 26thbut might give gp a ring tommorw for the omeprozole,(however you spell it)
Hope everyone is well
thanks sally x

[Guest user]

Evening Ladies..

Well this thread got bigger this weekend..

Mumszy..congratulation on your new granddaughter and the divorce..

Fluffyduck...glad your 1st treatment went well...

Julie...|Welcome to our lovely thread

Good luck to the ladies having thier 1st treatments this week...

\just had my PENULTIMATE ( if thats how you spell it!!!) Tax....1 more to go..cant believe how quick it has gone...Hopefully you will all find it goes quick too....
For me the Tax has been worse than the FEC but thats how it goes..

About losing hair...I gotso fed up with it falling out...I was even beating the dog at it...Shaved it off...grade 2...Looked in the mirror..looked like something from Belson...but hey got used to it in a few days..Now I forget to wear my scarves and go out of the house and scare the neighbours!!! went to work the other day...lucky for me it was raining as I stepped out...No scarf...I would never have lived that down at work...

hope everyone is keepiing well

hugs down the line to 1 and all

Barbara
XXX

[Guest user]

Well done Fluffyduck!! Thank you for the words of encouragement, I just want to get started too.

Welcome Julie to the "Crazy Gang", all volunteers are very welcome!

As you can all tell, today has not been a great one for me, I've been on the computer most of the day!! since i got back from Divorce but feel really exhausted and tired, didnt sleep too well last night, worried I suppose.
xx

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone,
Have had my first FEC and feelin' fine! Slight fuzzy head......... but my Brother tells me I've always had that(cheeky sod!)Have been given loads of anti sickness stuff and some injections for District Nurse to give me at the weekend.
To all Ladies out there waiting and worrying about 1st chemo, good luck, chat to the nurses about it and ask advice, relax and try not to worry, It's not that bad!
Thanks to all who have helped me through this 1st stage, you've kept me sane girls.
Lots of love to you all.
Elaine xx

[Guest user]

hi
hope you dont mind me joining in, my good friend pauline said it is a lovely thread,
due my second fec friday,my first was not bad appart from being sick first night, but will ask for better anti-sickness drug this time round
i wanted to show you my new wig, had a bad couple of days when hair was coming out,so have now had it cut really short,and have started wearing my wig, even when im in the house on my own to get used to it,which was good today as i had three visitors which i wasent expecting, had a couple of nice comments round the school this morning from people who thought i had had my hair cut, my nine year old said i look lovely anyway which was nice.
you sound a lovely bunch and good look to all of you
love juliex

[Guest user]

hello everyone,
just got back from divorce court so that is one problem solved as I now have a decree nisi!!!! the party will have to wait until all this BC stuff is over. The seroma is still there but very much smaller so im still keeing fingers crossed that i can start chemo this week, I should find out when i see BCN tomorrow. xx

[hollymeg]

sorry forgot to turn my page over

Debbie, thanks for the suggestion of omeprazole i will give the doc a call but i cant take any indegestion remidies at same time as the antibiotics they have given me. I will tell onc next time and she may be able to give me something i can take at same time.

And Marion, sorry to here your not feeling too good and having to rest in bed, not nice you had to miss the lovely sun this weekend. Hope you feel much better soon and get back on here talking to us. We have lots of ladies to get through there first week.

Luv Pauline xxx

[hollymeg]

well what a good thread we have going here, lots of support for everyone, its great. lets keep it going.
So i didnt leave anyone out from this weekend i had to make a list

Elaine, good luck for today, hope you will be fine, let us know how you get on as soon as you can type. will be sending you good vibes all day. Indegestion still only problem but im not complaining.

Debs, same as elaine for you, except i will save your vibes for tuesday. You will both be fine, we can get through this together. Let us know as soon as you can.

Krisi, another first on wednesday for you, i will send good vibes to you all day, let us know when you can.

Mumszy, got fingers crossed for you on wed and thursday, lets hope you get the dreaded first one out of the way on thursday. will be thinking of you, let us know as soon as you are able.

Lisa, hi there nice to here from you again, thanks for the sdvice but today i had to start 5 days of antibiotics (routine) and i cant have milk, indegestion remadies with them so it looks like i will just have to put up with it. Am starting to drop anti sickness ones off now, it is them that is causing the indegestion.

Alice, what a bad time you have had. Must have been very scary for you. take it easy and look after yourself.

Bev, the wig thing is my biggest step to get through, im dreading it. got a nice one but still doesnt make it any easier. day 5 and i just picked a hair up off this lap top while im typing, oh god. Going to see Take that in 2 weeks, i just want to keep it till after then, not looking good though.

Julie, you've not been on this weekend, having a bad time with your hair i know, didn't want to leave my pal out. I know you will be sending all these ladies good vibes this week.

And finally but not least, mary, how you doing? had a good weekend? nearly at the end for you.

Sorry if i missed anyone, so many nice ladies to talk to, basically

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL THIS WEEK luv Pauline xxx

[Guest user]

Hello All

Not been on for a few days feeling really tired. So have been in bed all weekend. Not sure how I feel this morning. Does any one else get bad hot flushes, I had them before all this but this stuff has made them worse I wake every 2 hours with them. Dont you just love being a woman.

Only on here now as OH needed help with his emails. He is still learning and I'm not a very patient teacher at the mo.

Mumszy, Congratulations on your new Grandaughter,here is nothing like cuddling a new baby. I always found that no matter what sort of day I'd had once I sat with a new baby It was like calm and peacefull and all the days problems went away. They really help to keep you going mine do. I have 4 and one step grandson. Hope you get to start on the chemo road this week.

Daisy Daisy, It does get beeter looking in the mirror. I have no been able to walk round the house with no scarf on. I still have little tufts of hair and it very strange all different colours. Very dark on the crown and light round my face If i didn't know better I would say that is still growing like fine baby hair. DOnt thik I'll look much like a baby though!!

Alice, Hope your feeling a little better today.

Debs,Elaine and anyone else having there first chemo, Hope all goes wekk this week. Remember that it doesnt last forever. Enjoy the time when you feel well

Love to all Marion xx

[Guest user]

Hi girls, lots of positive messages on here. Just had 3rd Fec and feeling good if a little tired - Pauline, I also got prescribed Omeprazole for the indegestion which was awful and its done a great job - jsut ask your GP for it.

Mumszy, hope you can start this week - you are doing so well with all the messing - reading about us all you must sooo want to get going and I'm sure this is your week!

Debs Elaine and Kris good luck for Tues/Wed - it will be absolutely fine!!

Alice sorry to hear about your ups and downs take it easy eh??

Hope we all have a good week, take care all, xxdebbiexx

[Guest user]

Hi Mumszy-Really hope you join us this week,it's about time! Many congrats on your new grandchild,mine are one of the reasons I am going through this.

Hi Bev- Sorry about your holiday, I am going away next Fri with the blessing of my onc.Hope I'll be ok.Had my hair shaved off on Fri and I'm finding it very hard to look in the mirror. Not too bad if you are young and gorgeous,but I am 59 in a week or so and look about 90.However everyone is very complimentary about the wig and scarves,as I'm sure they will be with you.My hair started to come out about day 16 even though I used the cold cap.Take care x

Hi Alice- Poor you, I am so sorry you have had such a tough time. Hope you are doing ok today x

Hi Debs- welcome back and good luck with your first chemo this week. x

Welcome Krisi and good luck to you as well.There's lots of support
here x

Hi Elaine- Good luck to you as well- I wil be waiting to see how you all get on x

Love to all annie xx

[Guest user]

Just to say 'good luck' to all (like me) having their 1st chemo this week. Lots of love to you. Also, love to everyone having any other treatment this week.

Pauline, hope you're ok and managing to get rid of the indigestion.
Elaine.xx

[Guest user]

Hi,mumzy i hope your seroma just go away so you can go on with your treatment-have you try genlte exercise it does help the fluid to move around the body..
Hi,Debs i will look forward to your post tuesday if you feel like typing on the computer..
Bev my lump was 21mm -i had lumpectomy no chemo before i am having it now , had they told you if you need onother chemo after opp?
Love to everyone Debs will think of you tuesd....Krisi

[Guest user]

Hi ladies
Hope you are all doing well, thought I'd drop a line here as I'm on day 12 now and almost through my lowest immunity week - the thought of which really terrified me as I expected to be really ill, but touch wood I've been ok. I guess I'm also getting closer to that dreaded day when my hair falls out - it's cut shorter now but it's still going to upset me when it happens. It will be about the time of my husband's birthday (we were due to be abroad on holiday this week) so that'll be a nice shock for him!
I've got the 2nd of 4 FEC on 23rd June, then 4 x Taxotere, which I've heard can give worse SE's - does anyone have any experience with that? Only then will they know if my lump has shrunk (25mm Grade 3, no lymph involvement) and how much I will lose through surgery, but I'm not thinking that far ahead just yet. I guess it's just about properly sunk in now - as I had to miss one of my best friend's weddings yesterday due to this crappy disease and cancelling holiday etc - it's very depressing, but I'm trying to keep positive and take it as it comes.
Good luck to anyone starting this week and big hugs to you all anyway!!
Bev

[Guest user]

Well done ladies, glad to know you are all ok, Im just hoping I can start travelling this road soon just so I can complete the journey!

Pauline, its probably the steroids that are giving you indigestion, have you tried having something to eat before you take them so they get digested with your food in stead of on their own? just a thought!Bet you are pleased that you have got one dose under your belt now. will I ever get started?

Alice - poor you I do hope that you are taking things nice and easy and that you are feeling much bettter!

Debs, Krisi, and Elaine, I think I will be joining your gang, so long as seroma stays under control my first FEC will be Thursday! Seeing Onc on weds so will know then for sure, Good Luck all of you, very positive vibes coming your way

[Guest user]

Alice that doesn't sound much fun!Glad you are feeling better!

Krisi will let you know how it goes Tues and will be thinking of you on WEd

Pauline, so glad all is well apart from indegestion!

love Debs xxxx

[aliceblue]

Hi all, good to catch up on everyone and how you are all doing. Have been in hospital for 7 nights, finally out last night. Managed to get an infection on first FEC! neutropenic sepsis, count 0.0 from Friday to Wednesday! All under control now, loads of IV antibiotics and then finally I had bone marrow boosters. Unbelievably back in on Monday for port-a-cath operation and then FEC second cycle starts on Tuesday. I will have bone marrow boosters and then loads of antibiotics after that.

At the time I didn't even feel really ill, that's the scary part of it. I was even thinking of going back to work!!! Decided not to now. Normally very healthy and have decided to take it very easy now - even though nothing to do with it.

Lots of love Alice xx

[lisa_lisa]

Hi Pauline been waiting for your post so glad its going ok for you ,hospital gave me Omeprazole 20mg after I had probs used over counter stuff first but this is much better .
Ive just had week 4 on Tax which I must say is suiting me much better than Fec so must be all the steriods Im poping only prob I cant stop eating Ill be coming off this bigger than ever and I thought it would be better than weight watchers lol .
All the best for every one on first treatment fingers crossed it goes as well for you as it has for pauline if not tax seems even kinder to you ....
Lisa xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Guest user]

Hey! You're looking good Pauline!
I was wondering how you were getting on. It gives me hope for next week. Thanks. Don't know what to suggest for indigestion, apart from the usual over the counter stuff.
Have a restful weekend.
Elaine.xx

[hollymeg]

Hi there just letting you know, all is well day 3 after first fec. slept better last night, just suffering with indegestion, must be all the drugs, any advice for that would be greatfully recieved.

Good luck to all you ladies on your first ones this week. you will be fine, believe me it isnt as bad as you think.

Have a good weekend luv pauline xxx

[Guest user]

Hi,Barbara thank you for the good advice...yes i hope i will be ok ones is starts will be near the end as well...yes i had look at chemo advice-very kind to be written down so you know how to prepare yourself ...
HI,Debs so you having your first one tuesday,mine first one is wednesday...keep fingers crossed ...i will think of you...All the best for everyone...Krisi

[Guest user]

Haven't been on this thread for a while but as I have my first Fec on Tues at 9:30 thought I now qualify to come back on!
Read all posts with interest, thanks ladies it helps so much to see the positive.
Debbie, pleased to see you are managing to work as I would like to aswell!
Hope you are all well and Pauline heres hoping it doesn't hit you this weekend,
love Debs xxxxx

[Guest user]

hi ladies im glad your all doing ok glad all the new ladies chemo went well i had first fec tue but unlucky for me have not been to good was sick about 15 times had to return for drip and new anti sickness which im hoping as worked only prob is they knock me out and im unsure wat feels worse apart from a few aches pains and i seem to have dev a red rash im ok dont want to put any new plp off as we are all dif and unfort for me i am a bit of a sicky person cant take any thing but hoping next one will be a bit better have gd weekend everyone t care laura xx

[Guest user]

hello all,
Well after couple of horrid days and seeing 3 more Docs they've decided the extra lumps are just different seromas... |They have now been drained under ultrasound and if they dont return (haha) I can start chemo next week... Just hope that is the last i see of them
Have a great weekend evryone.
By way i have a new granddaughter, shes very cute!!