Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Karen, hope you're getting thru the first chemo. Just a few things that I've found helpful. Eat small but often. Little pots of fruit that you get in the dessert Isle. Also I was very sensitive skins, eyes. Mouth etc. I got aveeno cream and shower gel. They're amazing products from the chemist. I also used a soft toothbrush and forever gel toothpaste which is fluoride free. Another amazing product. All these little things help. I got biotin alcohol free mouth wash on prescription. Let me know if they're anything I can help you with x ... View more

Hi Karen. I finished my 6 fec in April. I know you're scared. That's completely normal. The first one is hard as you're going into the unknown. You'll find your way in chemo. Just take all your meds and listen to your body. I've been lucky to have support. Ask me anything you like about fec. I'm glad to help you in any way I can x ... View more

Wishing you luck unicornmummy. You've been through a lot from reading your posts. Keep that strength. It's what will get you through x ... View more

I've not posted in a long time lme but have been reading all your posts. Kirsty, you've done so well. At least you know that the chemo was worth it all as it reduced the amount in the nodes. You can relax and recover from your surgery. ... View more

Crazytimes2017 , I'm from the December thread. I have had a hick man put in as they couldn't insert a pic. The hickman sounds and looks a lot worse than it actually is. I asked for a sedative for the procedure. It did help as is a fairly intense feeling. I hour this helps you. Anything else I can help you with. Just ask. I'm here! ... View more

Lesley62 you've hit the nail on the head. All about resources and 'saving of'. However as you rightly say the time, energy and strain on resources with nurses having to find veins must exceed the time for nurses using lines. I was in shock when my chemo was inserted in 15 minutes. That was the nurse taking her time as it was my first chemo. That was me done! ! Heading for my second next Tuesday and not looking forward but as you say each time one is done it helps mentally. ...only a good thing. ... View more

Happy new year to everyone. Hoping we all find the strength to go through what we have to to beat this thing that had changed our lives. Sorry to read about the difficulties with administration into veins. Sounds very painful. I had a hickman line fitted and although not pleasant to have put in. It appears to saved the veins. Not sure why this should just not be standard practice 😕 ... View more

Wishing you all some happiness and rest over Christmas. Emotions are high.....that I know xxxx ... View more

Thanks for that Shi. I will definitely be talking to my onco. I know that they can't tell how I will react until I take the meds but it was a frightening experience. My head and eyes were rolling. Anyway all makes me stronger. This chemo will not beat me.!!!! ... View more

Hello everyone, had my first chemo last Tuesday. Had normal SEs. However had a allergic reaction to one of the anti sickness tablets . Apparently it's very rare. Sums it up for me as they couldn't get a pic line into me either. Anyway I think my first session is hard to judge due to the reaction as ended up in a & e and was given more drugs with different side effects. Drug free now that I'm in week two. ...at last. Just in time to get ready for Christmas. I'm a little scared now of session 2 when I thought I would know what to expect. Have you all found it easier or just the same?xx ... View more

Hello Sue,thanks for letting me know that you've gone through a similar experience. I've to have the Hick man on Monday. A little frightened that I'll be aware of what's happening during the procedure at least I'll know this time it'll work. Good to hear that it worked out for you. X ... View more

Hello everyone, I was on a few weeks ago and was due to start my FEC 100 chemo. However I had a set back as the could not insert the pic line. I've now to have a hick man line in my chest. Been a tough few weeks. But treatment due to start on the 12th. So hope to keep in touch with you all. I'm scared like everyone else but need to get started as being in limbo is hard going. Trying to chill this weekend. ..drink plenty of water as I've it read does help. I'll try whatever I can. Xx ... View more

Thank you scooterbek for your kind words and support. I've really not had much understanding about my fertility. The medical team just want me to start chemo and worry about it not coming back. I think that is such an important decision to have the option for children after treatment but not everyone sees it like that. Going to take a little bit of control back and have my eyebrows microbladed😊 x ... View more

Sam H87, it's good that you've had the option for zoladex. It is a hard decision to delay treatment and zoladex offers the peace of mind during and after chemo. My oncologist has refused me the zoladex. Its not used for preservation in my area. He also said that my grade 3 is the reason but I'm not sure if it's a financial reason. They are hard to trust at times. ... View more

Kirsty, Sorry to hear that. It was a tough decision but like you said. You Feel it was the right one. When it feels right then it's much easier to live with I guess. But you are young so hopefully the'wait and see' option will work out for you. I am lucky to have my son but felt that my family was not complete. Although no partner either but always had the hope that things would change. I will be thinking about you staying this week. I've to have my pic in on Thursday. It's all getting very close x ... View more

Thank you so much for the tips and supportive words. I will most definitely stay with the thread and look in on other months. I think knowledge does give you a little control back. Feeling prepared mentally I hope will help me. Chaffinch I too am small but the 75 FEC had not been mentioned so I may discuss this tomorrow with my onco . Even though he does not like me asking too many questions. I've asked him for zoladex to preserve my ovaries during chemo however he has said no to this. I'm 41 so I think he just thinks I'm too old anyway. Hard to take. Grieving for this alongside my own diagnosis. ... View more

Hello everyone, starting FEC 100 on the 5th December. I'm hoping this thread will help get me thru treatment. I'm grade 3. Had a lumpectomy with clear margins and nodes. So I'm lucky. Very scared about chemo. Feeling in limbo right now. Xx ... View more