Starting Chemo Dec 2014

[MrsMogg]

Thanks for that,,, I've managed to get hold of it, and its worked. now its just this ruddy sore throat. Had four hours sleep.....not helped by husband snoring. Got the sniffles too. I am starting to moan, think its the tiredness. Went to see the wig woman yesterday, I looked gogeous, just in case the cold cap doesnt work...

Mrs Mogg

[Lah21]

Omeprazole 20mg Capsules for indigestion. Great stuff.xx

[Yankee]

PS to my previous posting -- I had 3 x FEC and 3 x Docetaxel followed by 6 weeks of radiotheraphy and now on 5 years of Letrozole.   I used the cold cap.  If you click on my avatar/picture you can see a gallery of my hair and stuff before, during and after chemo.  

Yankee

[Yankee]

So sorry to see a December thread forming -- this rotten disease just seems to go on and on!  I'm from the February 2013 Valentines thread.  Last week was the 2-year anniversay of my first operation and I am still here and well again.  Just know, that this terrible experience that you are embarking on  does in fact finish -- and surprisingly quickly --, although at the moment it must seem light years away.  Strangely enough, I feel that some good things come out of the experience -- mostly about friendships and knowing yourself.  My advice to you all would be 1)give yourself a break in dealing with life at the moment; 2) take any help anyone offers, be it family, doctors, or total strangers, and 3) make this thread work for you.  There have been lots of these threads since our group formed.  Some of them have been totally useless -- in my estimation -- and others have been brilliant.  Talk to each other -- share your feelings and your fears  -- give one another all the support you can.  No one knows better what you are going through than someone who is going through it at the same time.  You can all become one another's most important friend in the weeks and months to come.  Good luck, stay positive, and remember that we are very lucky to be having the treatment that is available to us in this day and age!  

With lots of love to you all, Yankee

[Lah21]

Hi.  I get tablets for indigestion in my chemo goody bag.  I take one every day.  Cant remember the name just now. I will check it out tomorrow and let you know..  I had terrible indigestion after my first FEC and when I mentioned it to my BCN she told me to get straight on to my GP to get these. I mentioned it at my next meeting with my ONC and they appear in my bag every three weeks.  Not had indigetion since. xx

[MrsMogg]

I was out in the car after chemo yesterdat and have been driving again today.  My major problem is indigestion - its chronic - which in turn is making me feel sick.  Things are not tasting as they were - and I am really thirsty. Can't wait until tomorrow as I can wash my hair.....for the cold cap I wa slathered with conditioner and I am not to wash my hair for 2 days. I look like a greasy rag!

[Lah21]

Hi. I am from the October thread.  I am half way through 6xFEC. I don't manage to drive until about a week after my treatment.  My s/e are not too bad but my brain just can't do the driving thing. My son insists in coming out with me for a test run before I get my car back. Funnily enough there never seems to be any petrol in it so my first solo trip is to the garage.  Must evaporate while I am not using it.  Good luck girls.xx

[Jackie09]

Hi babsgriff

I'm from the April thread just popping over. I had 3 FEC and 3 TAX. I felt ropey for a few days straight after my FEC, but was never sick. I drank and rested lots. I couldn't really face food in those few days, but was tempted by mashed potato. I also had GCSF injections, which boost white blood cell production, starting days 5-12. They made me feel mild flu like symptoms. By the 3rd week, I felt pretty well again. My advice would be to take all the meds as prescribed, even if you feel you don't need them. The oncology dept will give you a number to ring if you are concerned about anything at all. They drill into you to keep a check on your temp, and ring in if it gets up to 37.5 or above. Common SEs can be constipation (I used Movicol) or yucky mouth (I used difflam). I stocked up on everything imaginable, but didn't really need it. I kept a diary throughout, as the onc asks you how you got on during your last cycle. So I would write what SE I had that day, my temp, when I went to the loo, when I had my tablets, etc. I also wrote down any questions I had for her. On the day itself, my husband came with me, which kept me amused. I also took mints/flavoured sweets as when one of the FEC drugs are going in, it can give you a temp funny taste. The chemo nurses are great and make a crappy experience bearable.
Chemo is daunting - but it is never as bad as your imagining. I took comfort in the fact that so many ladies before me (sadly) have got through it. It seems like forever at the time, but you will get to the end of it. My advice, looking back, is don't let this disease rob you of your good days by worrying. Easier said than done, I know and I'm still trying to live like that!
I could go on and on, but everyone is different in their reaction to it - and I don't want to overload you! Don't hesitate to message if you need to! You can do it!!!!! X x

[babsgriff]

Thanks for your replies.  Just want to get started on the chemo now so that I can find out what I'm dealing with.  Have bought 2 wigs in readiness for losing my hair so feel a bit more prepared now.  Has anyone any experience of feeling unable to drive for a few days afterwards?  Someone told me this might be the case and wondered if it was a common side effect.  Any top tips would be welcomed!

Bx

[MrsMogg]

Count me in too. Had my first helping of FEC today. No nausea, but I feel lousy...and I have heaps of orders to make up tomorrow ( I run a specialised Christmas company,,,,great timing!)

I opted for the cold cap...I thought if I can give birth, I can do this. Yes it was painful, but not as painful as having your jacksee sewn up. Talking of the nether regions, I think it was the first drug...the red one...they ran through. Never have I experienced such a hedgehog sensation in my lady bits....woooo...and I thought the ct scan with contrast was interesting.  Ok...think that was too much information, but I hope it gives the moderators a laugh!

Mrs mogg

[rosie14]

Hi babsgriff so sorry younger having to go on this journey sadly others will be joining you later on. Starting on Dec 9th won't be too bad for you as you will feel quite well when Christmas comes. After the first session you may feel off colour for a few days but nothing too awful. You will be given medication for any side effects that you may experience. Hair doesn't usually start to come out until after the second session. I think I can speak for all ladies on this forum by saying we couldn't have done it without each other you will,be able to share your experiences with other that truly understand. Good luck!🍀

[kmb]

Hi babs

Had my my 1st FECT on 22/11, and was very anxious, stressful,  at the very thought of it, all these chemicals entering, my  little body, everyone is different,but personally speaking i know I needed to wee for England, and it was pink , I just drank loads of fluids get rid of the crap, ate little and often, mine was ginger cake, make sure you keep up with anti nauseous pills, religiously,  walking helped get everything moving, I just walked around the block, that was enough, and also slept alot, hair now starting to fall out, can't stop crying, annoyed at myself, as my coping strategy seems to left me, got lots of scarves and 2 wigs, but still appears not to be enough!! I think the thought  of it all, blows your mind, but actually it really isn't that bad having it injected, it's being prepared for the afterwards bit, got my 2nd Fect on Wed, a funeral on Tuesday, and my husband going away on Thursday, he's my brick, not looking forward to next week at all!!  Good luck, thinking of you as you enter the beginning of the end!! Xxx ps chewing gum is good, as my mouth dried out some thing like sandpaper, but not painful at all, just different, also had a mouth wash they gave me, which helped. X 

[babsgriff]

I am having my first chemo on 9/12 and so thought I'd start a December 14 group.  Anyone care to join? I only found out today and am getting a bit stressed thinking about it.  I will have FEC every 3 weeks for 6 cycles then start Herceptin injections for 1 year and Tamoxifen for 5 years.  I had lumpectomy and SNB in Sept but then needed mastectomy in Oct and had immediate recon with LD flap.  Hope to be able to talk to others in the same boat.