March 2016 chemotherapy starters?

[Platinum]

SusieQ good luck on 14th &15th - not sure how to ease any panic, can only say look at Feb, Jan monthly threads as well as march starters. You are not alone, people here care. Look after yourself, treat yourself, remember to love yourself.

Mary xx

[SusieQ]

It's getting real scary now. PICC line goes in on the 14th, then start chemo on 15th. Panicking!!!

[Platinum]

Sandi - my PICC line is now in.  My experience today:  Nurse consultant explained procedure in detail, answered my questions (is it ok to drive? - yes, do I continue with post surgery exercises? - yes, use arm as usual, what about having blood pressure measured? - they will be careful and measure lower arm or calf) told me he would be gowned up (to prevent infection) and that preparation would take longer than the procedure (he was right).  I didn't watch, kept my eyes closed (counting backwards from 1000 going back to 1000 every time I made a mistake) and followed any instructions to move my arm or head. After line inserted I was sent for a chest x-ray to make sure everything was in right place, then allowed to go home.  I have taken a couple of paracetamol and am "aware" of the dressing and sleeve around it.  When I got home there was a message from the vets saying it was ok to collect my kittens, so I took a deep breath and got in the car.  Changing gears cautiously I managed to get to vet & back home.  Don't plan on driving tomorrow, but it was doable.  "doable" seems to have become my new mantra.

Good luck with your procedure, I hope you get the time, explanations and kindness that I had.

Mary xx

[Platinum]

Hi Sandi

Horrible & **bleep**ty are excellent descriptions of BC.  About the picc line:

My Picc line goes in tomorrow, will report back on how it goes. I know there will be a local anaesthetic. I am assuming I will still be able to drive after as I have to collect my kittens from the vet when I get back (dropping them off before I go - their neutering appointment booked before my picc line insertion).  I'm trying to make sure that my life goes on as normal as it can be under the circumstances.

When I had my cycle 1 on Friday, there were problems finding the vein and getting a blood sample - I'm looking on the picc line as reducing these problems.  

Don't know how I will manage, but taking the view that "I am able to deal with..." and only dealing with one thing at a time, anything else can just disappear.

Take care of yourself, and look at the threads on the other  monthly forums for inspiration.

Mary xx

[Kim555pink]

So, just realised Daisy is on the Feb thread!!

[Kim555pink]

Hi Daisy, just seen your post in another thread re. feeling breathless. I tend to get breathless about 3 days after FEC, feels like pressure on my sternum and lasts a for a few days after that. I always worry about it! I take a deep breath and am relieved when I'm then not in masses of pain!! I'm day 6 of 3rd FEC today, and definitely feeling breathless!
It does seem that as one side effect disappears, another comes and replaces it! But there is always that good week to look forward to, and that's what keeps us going (along with the fact we have little choice!!)
Hope everyone who has started now are surviving the side effects and managing well and good luck to those of you about to start next week.
Take care xxx

[Sandi1977]

Hi All ,
I'm due to start fec on thurs 10th but having a picc line put in and an ECG done on the 9th.. Worrying a bit about the picc line and whether its going to hurt ??
This is all just so horrible : - (
Xxx Sandi

[Platinum]

Hi All,

Have had Cycle 1 today, it was a struggle to find a vein & in the end a canula put in "awkward position" -their words - over wrist.  Will be having a PICC-line put in Monday. I have now discovered the cold cap should be renamed the really, really cold, wet, and heavy cap BUT found it doable, and if it works, worth it.  Glad to be home.

Respect to the others sharing my bay on the ward - a strong, stoic, humerous bunch (& I include their companinions in that description) who were also kind to the newbie (me!).  And me?  I fell asleep and snored my way through treatment!

Good luck to all, positive thoughts your way,

Mary xx

[Bibi44]

Hi Mary

Just to give you the opposite perspective, I did FEC x3 & Paclitaxel x12 & requested a port on the advice of a friend, which sits under your skin, so you can bathe normally & do sports (should you wish to.  I played golf throughout & the exercise really kept me going.  Sounds mad, but it helps reduce fatigue). I used to sit there on chemo/blood test days watching all the other ladies struggling for access. Mine was in in 2 secs & they give you anaesthetic cream, so you don't feel a thing.  A lot if people get nearly to the end & end up having one anyway, so I thought I would go for it right away & save my one-armed veins for the future.  I also think these drugs are super toxic & are best put into a big vein with fast blood flow. Just a thought. It was a god send as far as I was concerned & it come out as soon as you finish. Good luck with it all.

Hi JenJen...only a few more to go whahey!  Bet you can't wait.  Last rads for me tomorrow exactly 10 months after I found the mutant boob lump.

You'll get there ladies

x

[JenJen]

Hi Mary

Im from the November starters

I have managed to have 11 treatments (3 EC and 8 Weekly Paclitaxel) without a picc line and have only recently had access issues on the last 2 , but I do still have both arms available as im having neoadjuvany chemo. I am now having a line put in for my last few as the stress is increasing every chemo day that I will get cancelled as they cant find a vein. I dont really want a line but its easier and less stressful its entirely your decision but id say its less hassle and risk having a line before your immunity is lowered but chemo is doable without one its just more hassle and stress , if I had the choice id have one from the start

Big hugs to everyone xx it does get easier

Jen x

[snowdrop44]

Hi, I started my first fec cycle yesterday(Picc line), have had waves of nausea and dizziness since and sleeping was difficult as I felt on edge, probably due to a full on day I'd had and the steroids, suppose there is more to come?? Xx, how's everyone else feeling? Xx

[Amylou]

Hi Mary don't really have an answer for you regarding the picc line, sorry. They told me that they would only put one in me if they were struggling to find veins. I'm now on day 3 after my first cycle of fec and not doing to bad at all. Was feeling very sick for first 2 days but that's much improved today.
The unit where I was was very busy but the nurse's were fantastic. No where near as scary as I was expecting. Xx

[Platinum]

Hi Folks,

I had my "chat" with the Chemo nurse today and came away with feeling that I was being pushed to agree to picc line.  Not sure I want to - any of you with experience of it have any feelings either way? Treatment will be Herceptin and Taxol with the cold cap, and I know that there will be blood tests every week.  Feeling more scared now than I was about the surgery and knowing that they treat about 100 patients a day with chemo is not makiing me feel better (I know it should inspire confidence but has left me feeling more of a number and less of a person).

Take care of yourselves out there,

Mary xx

[pjlady]

Hello ladies, I start fec-t 8th get my Picc 7th.
Good luck to you all x

[1981mun]

Hi all !
Just stopping by to wish you luck as this was me last year.
I had stage 2 ER+ diagnosed at 33 weeks pregnant
I had a small, healthy baby and breadt fed for a week !
8 round of chemo - 4 AC 4 Docetaxil
Chemo is bloody awful, first couple were bare able but it gets harder and harder, this site was my saviour x
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, your hair grows back and you start to feel better and better every day once the chemo finishes x
Good luck to everyone if I can answer any questions I'd be happy to help x
PS - I think my BC was triggered by 3 rounds of IVF and the pregnancy- too many hormones for my body to take x

[Jomo]

i am starting in two weeks, had quick look today, i am at burton

[Amylou]

Hi all. I'm also starting fec-t on the 1st of March (tommorrow) feeling nervous but glad to be moving on. I was diagnosed in Feb 2015 had mastectomy in March 2015 and tried to take tamoxifen but couldn't tolerate it due to migraine's. Was told at that time I didn't need any chemo or rads. But unfortunately in October I found a lump in my scar which was chest wall recurrence. I've had 2 further wide local excisions but had failed margins on both occasions, so now they have decided to hit me with everything. 6 cycles of chemo followed by another surgery then rads to finish.
I'm 32 (33 at the end of march) so having Zoladex injection to protect ovaries and induce menopause (er+/Pr+) I am blessed with a little boy who's almost 5 so decided not to preserve any eggs. Hug's and hope being sent to those of you who are going through IVF, Losing the ability to have your own children is just so heart breaking and another awful aspect to this horrible disease.
I've used this site many times over the past year taking in everyone's advise but this is the first time I've felt the need to post myself. Stay strong and we will get though this xx

[Kim555pink]

Just wanted to say loads of good luck to you all as March arrives and you're probably feeling a strange mixture of 'it's finally starting' and 'oh no!'
The best bit of advice I can give you is drink water - as much as you can. 2L the day before, day of and day after. Then as much as you can stomach after that!! Be kind to yourselves, rest when you need to, go for short walks when you feel up to it - fresh air really does help.
Any worries, questions or advice needed, be sure to drop into the other monthly threads where we will all be more than happy to help!
Take care, lots of love Kim (Jan starters) xxx

[Nw31]

Hi hayley9699,

thanks for your good wishes. Weirdly for me so far the IVF has been the worst bit. Physically it's fine but I find the process really stressful! I'm sorry to hear your first cycles didn't work.

Masectomy was ok, not as bad as I imagined in the build up... And it's a pretty nice moment afterwards when the lump was gone (obvs along with the rest). It felt like progress towards getting this whole nightmare over had jumped forward a mile. I had a diep reconstruction with it which was difficult for the first 2 days or so but recovery has gone well. It's been 4 weeks and I pretty much feel like Im normal, except for increased nap requirements!!

I don't think there is such a thing as 'backwards' in treatment... Everyone seems to have such an different plan for their treatment. How are you feeling about starting chemo?

x

[snowdrop44]

Hi all

Me too, I start on weds the 2nd, just want it to start now (or go away)

plots of love and hugs to all

Tracey

x

[Hayley9699]

Hi NW31,

I've gone through 2 cycles of IVF prior to finding out I had BC. I know what you are going though, it's an emotional journey and can be very stressful. I wish you all the very best. I'm a year older than you, got married in July last year whilst doing IVF but unfortunately both cycles didn't work. I may try again once this roller coaster is finished.

How did you find the mastectomy? Sounds like my treatment is "backwards". I'm starting off on chemo then having surgery.

Xx

[Nw31]

Hi everyone. I'm sad to say I'm joining you for March starters. Though happy to find a place where people can share there experiences. I'm 31 with multifocal, grade 2, idc, er+, pr- and her2 as yet unclear! Had left masectomy and diep reconstruction 4 weeks ago. Lymph nodes are clear. I'm due to start FEC on March 22nd. Bit delayed as I'm currently going through an ivf cycle to preserve some fertility (which is not going very well) and then I'm getting married on March 12th (which hopefully will go well). Bit of a rollercoaster since diagnosis in December as I would guess it is for all of us!!! I hope you are all doing well
Xx Natalie

[Tooks951]

Hi everyone,

I am due to start 4 cycles of EC chemo on Friday 4th March. I am one of those "low benefit" patients that has had to make decision whether or not to have chemo.

Since January I have had  2 lumpectomies then finally a mx and full node clearance.  I had a 1.3mm grade 2 invasive tumour, 8 cm of DCIS and 1/22 nodes positive. ER +,PR+, HER -. I am married, 51yrs old with two children 12 & 13 yrs.

it has been such a hard decision to make but I have received some excellent support from this forum.  I still sometimes wonder if the Tamoxifen would be enough on its own but I know I would worry every day that I hadn't done all I could to try and beat this horrible disease.

I'm certainly not looking forward to this next journey.  I was recently speaking to a friend and I described having cancer as being placed on a moving conveyor belt. You don't want to be on it and it won't stop moving forward..taking you to all sorts of places you don't want to be.

Anyway, I hope we can all stay positive and support each other.  I find I am constantly trawling the internet trying to learn more although it does frighten me at times.

Sorry we all have to be here but I shall look forward to sharing our hopefully positive experiences .😀

Lisa X

[Hayley9699]

Hello everyone,

I hope you don't mind me jumping in my on this thread! I start chemo for the first time on Tuesday 2nd March. I've been told I'm going to have FEC-T once every 3 weeks for 18 weeks. I think the doctor said I may change to something else half way through... Sorry I've forgot now, so much to take it!!

I'm 32 from Suffolk being treatment at JPH and I'm gonna try the cold cap.

Wishing everyone all the best xxx

[em32]

Hi Mary. I've just joined the Feb starters. I'm on fec-t 6 cycles then rads then herceptin injections. I too had a lumpectomy and 4 nodes removed end of Jan. Nodes are clear but like you I'm her2 positive so here I am. The support on this forum is amazing and more addictive than Facebook. Emma x

[JenJen]

Hi Platinum,

you go through things with the children and do dry runs to make the scary less scary so and therefore less stressful, I think your dry run was a good idea! 🙂 I often do dry runs for locations im unfamiliar with if I know on the day I will be less stressed doing so, I am under a specialist cancer hospital so finding the hospital was easy but I did go and find the chemo unit a few days before I even knew I would need chemo while I was being diagnosed just incase I needed to know where it was

x take care and be gentle with yourself these early days are scary, crazy but it gets easier

Jen x

[Platinum]

As I read the threads my eyes start and I have to blink a bit - the support means so much.

On a lighter note, has anyone else besides me done a "dry run" to find the exact location of the cancer Day Unit?  My appointment isn't until next week, but I went on public transport, found the hospital, the right lifts, the right floor, put my head around the door then went home, satisfied that I knew where I would be going next week!  Made me wonder if a little bit of Autistic behaviour had rubbed off on me (I teach in a Special School, young people who are on the Autistic Spectrum and others who have Moderate Learning Difficulties) as I drill/go over events well in advance with my students!

I have tremendous admiration for those who continue to work through diagnosis & treatment - can only say that by being "signed off" I am giving a Supply Teacher a block of work.

Look after yourselves,

Mary xx

[Loolyboo]

Hi
Thank you all for the great advice and lovely comments 😊
Loolyboo xxx

[rosie14]

Really sorry Mary and Loolyboo you have had to become part of our community but you have come to the right place!
Everyone of us in this forum has made the journey or making the journey that you are starting. I started my chemo at the end of March 2014. I joined the April thread as some of the ladies in the March thread were already on their second chemo session. I live in Cyprus were there is no emotional or practical support. The forum has been my lifeline and 5 of us are planning to have our second reunion! We met for the first time last summer and we just all immediately clicked. As you go through the treatment you will find you chat about far more than cancer! We still have our ups and downs but we all support and encourage each other.
I wish you all good luck on your journey- it is only a short space of time in the grand scheme of things and you will come out the other side!

[JenJen]

Hi All

I am from the November 2015 thread and am 5 weeks off finishing 21 weeks of chemo

Sorry you are having to join us like Bibi said it seems like a long hard slog at the start but you hit a point where you start looking forward and it just seems a bit easier. 

there is lots of advice on the forum so please feel free to pop into previous months threads and ask us. 

My top tip is sometimes a few days after chemo a couple of days after you stop taking the steroids they give you , you feel a bit down its normal it happened to me and its happened to others you arent going crazy and it'll pass in a day or so 

Drink lots of water/decaf tea or coffee /squash etc it really helps 

even if you feel really tired unless you feel dizzy or unstable on your feet try to get out for a little walk each day it does help with the fatigue 

dont become a hermit ! 🙂 its easy to get worried about infection and lock yourself away but it becomes very depressing very quickly,  you should be cautious to avoid sick people and that person coughing and spluttering inthe supermarket avoid large crowds etc but trips to the supermarket , library etc when its not busy are what breaks up the day and makes you feel loads better mentally just remember alcogel is your friend when out and about 🙂  

the build up to chemo is worse than the actual chemo you can and will do it xx

Jen 

[Bibi44]

Sorry to hear your diagnosis ladies & all the best for getting through your treatment.  It will seem endless, stretching out in front of you at the beginning, but once you get over the chemo halfway point you will see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. I was Aug 2015, so just finishing rads right now. You will have some low points, but also some laughs with the ladies here.  There are lots of fixes for side effects so please ask the ladies on earlier threads for tips as well as your doctors.  Everyone is happy to help & support you.  All the best. xxx

[Loolyboo]

Hi Mary
'We poison people!' Really do hope my oncologist has the same sense of humour 😃
I'm going to my local breast cancer centre today to meet other ladies in my position (I'm 39) therapies, lunch etc - looking forward to this, as you say it's the feeling of being part of a community and knowing you are not alone that will get us through this 💕
It's looking like you are a week ahead of me on your chemo start date, keep in touch!
Big hugs
Loolyboo xxx

[Platinum]

Hi Loolyboo, 

people here not just supportive & inspirational - it's the feeling of being part of a community that is here, that knows  and understands what it is I (& others) are/will face and that I (& others) will come out the other side.

this afternoon I had phone call from Guy's to say that my "Chemo chat" with nurses will be next Tuesday, chemo to start next week.  Only know that the sooner I start, the sooner I will finish.  Good luck with your oncologist meeting.  I liked it when mine described themselves with "we poison people!" - good to  know they have a sense of humour.

Take care of yourself,

Mary 

[Loolyboo]

Hi Mary
I had a lumpectomy and lymph node clearance (0/11) on 4th Feb, stage 1, grade 3 - I am also HER2 positive and due to start chemo in March, just awaiting a start date after my appt with my oncologist.
This is the 1st time I have used this forum and find the members on here so inspirational!
Big hugs
Loolyboo

[Platinum]

Thanks Claire . xx

[Platinum]

Thanks Kim - I'm finding the waiting (for the start date) difficult, my sister wants to attend with me & I know she has work commitments to take into account. It also seems strange to have chemo after being told surgery a success. I have been told it's preventive, and to get any stray cells.

Will be getting in the water!

Mary xx

[Kim555pink]

Sorry Mary - have just noticed that is your name not Platinum! Xx

[Cs66]

Hi Mary, I'm so sorry you have had to start a March thread. If only there was nobody having to start new monthly threads. I'm sure you won't be alone for long. Like Kim I'm from the January thread and have found so much support from others going through it at the same time. The December thread has been really helpful too. I'm having FEC t which seems to be what a lot of people have but there will be others I'm sure on your regime.
Chemo has not been as bad as I thought it would be. Apart from a chest infection this time round I have been pretty well.
Good luck Claire xxxx

[Kim555pink]

Hi Platinum, just dropping in from January starters 🙂

I'm sure you will be joined by others starting chemo in March soon, its sad to see another thread start, but also good because it means the support continues.

Be sure to come and drop in on the other monthly chemo threads for support, tips and advise - or just a general rant!  I'm always dipping into the December thread to see how they are getting on. I find it really helps. I also drop in on the Feb starters to see how they are getting on too.

I'm on a different regime to you - having FEC-T which is 3 cycles of FEC and 3 cycles of T (doxetaxol - I think!) but the biggest piece of advice I can give and I'm pretty sure it would go with any chemo regime, is to drink masses of water! 2L the day before, the day of and the day after chemo. I then try to keep drinking as much water as I can for the next week or so.  

Wishing you all the very best 🙂

Kim xxx

[Platinum]

Hi,

I have had my surgery (lumpectomey, 4 sentinel nodes removed), pathology results (HER2 positive) and am now waiting for a start date for Herceptin & Taxol. Anyone out there due to start soon?

Good luck to all Feb & Jan starters!

Mary