FEC-T starting 1st cycle on Tues

[Sandie]

Hi Franci. I've just had my second cycle of FEC-T and used the cold cap. The first time my head didn't feel cold at all and I lost a lot of hair from my crown. They did check the neck hair but my oncologist thinks the cap size was wrong. The second cold cap was very cold. I did have unusually thick hair and the first time they sprayed it to damoen it and I did think it wouldn't have penetrated to my scalp. Now I wet it at home.

[bettymoo]

Hi Franci

I've just finished my course of FEC / FEC-T today - 3 x FEC and 3 x FEC-T. I did try the cold cap originally but it didn't seem to work for me, even after just one session, my hair went extremely thin on top, so I almost had a monk style, so I shaved it off, best decision I made, I think, bit more comfortable. I had a PICC line in, so that's been in the top of my left arm for 18 weeks and that came out today after chemo had finished.

I'm booked in August 1st for my mastectomy, then will have a course of radiotherapy at possibly 3 weeks with 3-5 sessions per week then have the reconstruction after all that's healed and settled down.

If you do feel really sick with chemo, ask for Emend, it's great, really stops you feeling as bad, I had that the 2nd lot as I was sick 3 times after my first session. But they do give you a good supply of anti-sickness to help, that's dexamethesene and kytril. Are you having the filgrastin injections too (usually start 3 days after treatment for 5 days)?

[Franci]

Hi Cassa

OH YES I'm prepared to have bad days . I only hope they will be few and far between.

 I am ER+,  PR + but Her 2 Negative. My tumor turned out to be 39mm and my margins weren't clear.

Once I have finished my Chemo, radiotherapy and mastectomy I'll be on hormone therapy oestrogen blockers tablets for 5 years .

A long road ahead for both of us.

Be gentle with yourself and stay strong.

Francesca x

[Cassa]

Hi Franci just thought I would mention after my 1st Fec on day 4 and 5 I was quite down and a bit weepy, but by day 6 felt so much better x

[Cassa]

Yes Franci, sounds pretty similar to you, 3xFex then 3xDocetaxel but with Herceptin, followed by Radiotherapy. I also do my own injection but only have the one 24 hours after chemo ( 6 mg pegfilgastim ), but I have heard from others that have to have a few injections ?
I was diagnosed in March following a routine mammogram, the lump was only 8mm and I could not feel it, lump was removed and lymph nodes clear but told I am her2 positive, that where the Herceptin comes in, but as I said so far so good, best wishes, hugs Cassa x

[Franci]

Hi Cassa

Thanks for sharing your journey.
Both of us have a long journey to go .
It's had at times for me too.

So far day two and not too bad but very early days.
Today I've injected my first of 8 Filgrastim injections.
Are you on FEC-T 3x fec and 3xdocetaxel?

Best wishes to you keep strong.

cheers
Franci

[Cassa]

Hi Franci, hope your feeling ok following your first Fec, I had my 2nd Fec yesterday and feeling ok, so far I have been lucky and not had many side effects ( hope I've not spoken to soon !! ) I had a cannula and so far not had any problems. I decided not have cold cap as my hair was very short and I didn't want to stay at the hospital any longer than I had to, although everyone is very nice and really take care of me, my hair started to come out after 2 weeks and my scalp was very sore so my husband shaved my head last Saturday and it was such a relief and nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, a lady at my session is have cold cap and it seems to be working for her so good luck with that. I tend to feel a bit down sometimes because it's such a long haul ahead of us, but we have to give it our best shot, so stay strong and we will get there together, hugs Cassa x

[Franci]

Hi Lisa C

Thanks for telling me about your journey.
Sorry you had problem with your vein.
Can I ask whether your Dr or nurse daid if your damaged vein will heal eventually?
It's now only day 2 after my Chemo and my vein feels normal.. How long after your did you get pain or was it straight away?

Best Wishes

[Lisa_C]

Hi Franci

I had 3xFEC and 3xDocetaxel end of 2013

I had my first 2 FEC through a Cannula but after that I had a Port put in

I found that my veins did get a bit painful during the first 2 FEC so it was advised to have the port put in. We were also having problems getting blood out to be tested before each chemo cycle.

One vein is still damaged even through I have finished treatment. I would see how you go but I did suffer quite a bit of pain with the Cannula and I am glad I had the port put in.

I didnt use a coldcap but my next door neighbour did, her hair thinned but she did maintain most of it. I lost all my hair but it is growing back really quickly now

Hope this helps 🙂

[Franci]

Hi Sodastream
Thanks for sharing you story. I will take on board all you said.
I do hope your chemo journey goes well.
Best Wishes
Franci

[Sodastream]

Hi Franci
I'm having 8 x FEC-T and had my second FEC on Friday. I am having it via a canular and the first time after day 5 my vein went red and was very sore. I was told to rest my arm and alternate ice with ibrufen cream. The vein has now healed and although it still feels hard and looks dark it is not causing any pain. As I haven't had surgery yet they are able to use both arms so I had the next one in my opposite arm. I can feel a little pain in that vein but not to the extent of last time.
I've had the cold cap twice now and can report I still have a full head of hair. I am washing it, brushing and blow drying it every morning and I lose a small handful every morning but it is evenly spread and has just thinned out a little. Every morning I inspect my pillow to see if this is the day I lose my hair but can report to date not one single hair on my pillow.
Hope your chemo goes as well as it can. X

[poemsgalore]

Hi Franci

I think most chemo day units have a 'fridge and ice box in the waiting room. Ask the chemo nurse when you go for your induction meeting if there will be ice cubes available. If it's a large hospital there probably will be, but if not you will need a cool bag to put them in.

The steroids help prevent nausea and sickness, and you will feel quite good whilst taking them as long as you don't leave them too late. The first infusion you have will be anti sickness medicine, then Epirubicin, followed by liquid steroid to calm the veins down. then in goes the cyclophosphomide and finally the flourouracil (5FU). The whole procedure only takes about an hour unless you use the cold cap, and the nurse will sit with you throughout as she has to keep changing the drug cassette as each one finishes.

I am well over one year since my active treatment and have had my first annual breast check in January and I'm living happily in NEDLAND in a state of NED (No Evidence of Disease) I now take Anastrazole every day as my cancer was 100% Oestrogen positive and 70% Progesterone positive.

I'm only too happy to help, take care. xx

[Franci]

Hi Pomesgalore,

Very usefu,l thank you so much .

Do I have to bring my own ice cubes or does the chemo unit automatically provide them?

As for steroids is poor sleep the only side effect?

I do hope that you are well and I really appriciate ypu taking the time to answer my questions.


Best wishes.

F x

[poemsgalore]

Hi Franci,

I had FEC-T starting February 5th 2013. A cannula in my hand was used every time with no problems. I didn't use the cold cap myself, but one of my group (February Valentines 2013) did. She lost a little hair, but kept enough for it to look reasonably good. Other tips, when they are infusing 5FU (the last drug to go in) suck ice cubes until it has finished, to stop your mouth getting sore. Epirubicin (the first drug to go in) makes your wee red for a while, so drink plenty of water for a couple of days afterwards. They will give you steroids to take for the first 3 days afterwards, take them as early in the day as you can, but no later than about 2pm, or you won't get any sleep. Make notes of any side effects you might experience and tell your oncologist so they can give you drugs to counteract it next time. Join one of the monthly chemotherapy threads. You will meet a group of women going through the same as you, so you can support one another and exchange advice, tips, worries and good news - yes, there will be some along the way.

Good luck

poemsgalore xx

[Franci]

Hi Wildpurl

Thanks for shareing your experiances with me.
I will look at June Chemo forum as well.
Wishing you a smooth path ahead and quick recovery
Best wishes
F x

[Wildpurl]

Hi Franci, I have just had my fourth of 6 FEC-T, the first Docetaxel. I have had a cannula each time and it has been OK, I am expecting to continue with a cannula for the remaining two.

I have also been using the cold cap and although my hair thinned a lot after the first treatment, I still have hair covering my whole head and there is now new hair growing, albeit still very short. The hair seems to have stabilised after the first session. I did not take ibuprofen and found that the cold was not noticeable after 10 or 15 minutes. I agree that the cap needs to fit closely and have used conditioner but it is not essential, as long as the hair is wet.

Good luck with your treatment. You might like to post on the June 2014 chemotherapy monthly thread as well, where there are several ladies going through chemo at the same time as you and you can compare notes.

Wildpurl

[Franci]

Hi
This is my first time on Forum.
I need some practical advise before I start Chemo.


I had wide local excision and axillary clearance last month. Histology showed 35mm grade 2 . Lymph node clearance showed 4/26 . Margins not clear so will need mastectomy. But first I'm having FEC-T chemo , radiothetapy and then masyectomy with free flap reconstruction.

Next step is Chemo FEC-T on Tuesday so I'd like have tips from gals who have had simular 3 x cycles FEC followed by 3 x cycles of docetaxel .

CANNULA in hand. Pros and cons. Has anyone nanaged their whole 6 x cycles this way or did they have to have PICC line or Implant port ?

COLD CAP does it work with FEC-T . I'm going to try it.
Have been told to use conditioner in hair ,to make sure cap fits cotrectly and to take ibuprofen 1/2 hour before as can case headaches. Any other tips please

Look forward to your advice and tips.

Thanks Xxx.