Starting chemo in March 2014

[Tracy1967]

Hi ladies who are suffering from sickness on FEC, ask your oncologist for Emend before FEC 2 as this certainly was a life saver for me on FEC. You don't tend to get sickness on docetaxel XXX

[Stelwah]

So sorry to hear you're both suffering with bad sickness. So far I've been fine, but think it's because I'm having Docetaxel first - had been warned sickness is worse on the FEC part. Managed day at work today with no problems, and had my injection to try and calm down any bone pain - this hasn't started yet though. Hope it calms down soon and you can get some rest/food x

[dh]

OMG missy12! Thought I had it bad! Hope you feel better soon, keep us posted xxx

[missy12]

hi dh and others had first fect on tuesday morning went home and could not stop being sick. was admitted into hosp same day, still here. did try cold cap not sure if fitted properly as my head did not feel cold. will update u when I am home

[dh]

Couldn't take tablets with food! Sorry for all the mistakes, im typing on my phone x

[dh]

*all day weds

[dh]

To those who started this week how are you feeling?
My chemo finished at 1730 tues and by 8 PM I was being sick and then every 2-3 hours all night and all day tues. Could take the tablets you are supposed to take with good. I have always suffered really bad with morning sickness so they said this would probably be bad too. I used the cold cap but not feeling confident about it. Today I feel weak and pathetic. I can't take car of my 3 month old. Miss him.

[Stelwah]

Hi again. Had my first chemo sesh today - was absolutely fine in honesty, so just waiting on the side effects to kick in. Managed to use a cannula in a vein above the wrist, so glad to avoid having a line put in for a while. Decided against cold cap, didn't see anyone else using it either. Got appointment to go wig shopping this Friday afternoon, taking 2 mates along for fashion advice! Got to go back for an injection tomorrow - my doc gives the Docetaxel before the FEC so jab should help with bone pains.

Eitaki - Are you having treatment at the QE in Brum? I'm 37 and being treated there. Not had my surgery yet, doing the chemo run first - got mastectomy and implant to come.

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Eitaki and welcome to the BCC forums

Along with the support you will find here our helpliners are on hand weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 with further practical and emotional support

You may find the following link to the BCC 'Younger women' support pages helpful, you will find the 'younger women together' information via this link whereby you can meet up with others in a similar situation:

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/younger-women

Take care
Lucy BCC

[Eitaki]

Hi everyone. Mind if i join here? I am starting chemo (fec-t) on the 11th. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 27th december, double mastectomy on 21st jan, wound has been troublesome to heal but they are finally confident i can go ahead and start the chemo.

I had a 3.8cm IDC and 11.5cm area of dcis. Stage 3, grade 3. 3 out of 11 nodes effected. ER+ her2+. Im 32 years old from the west midlands. 

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Stelwah

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you've come to the right place for some good, honest support from the many informed users of this site.

I have put for you below the link to BCC's publication regarding chemotherapy which I hope you find helpful, also our helpline team are just a free phone call away, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2

http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/chemotherapy-breast-cancer-b...

here's also the link to the are of this website where treating breast cancer is discussed.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/treating-breast-cancer

Take care,

Jo, Moderator

[rosie112]

Hi, I start mine next Wednesday 12th. Having 3 FEC and 3 Tax then radiotherapy. Had my MX and expander but had just shingles so finish tablets for that tomorrow and then having my picc line put in. It seems like forever to starting since diagnosed 17th Dec.  Hope you all have a good first 1 with no side effects. Love Suzanne

[missy12]

hi everyone, thanks for all your message, will update you all tmrw after first cycle of fec x

[Stelwah]

Hiya. I'm starting my chemo this week - Docetaxel first, then FEC. Having chemo before surgery, so hopefully will be able to see it shrinking very soon. Had a major hair chop last week - took in a picture of Jennifer Lawrence and actually pleasantly surprised by it, despite having long hair for years. Know hair won't be here long, but gave me some control of the situation. Am worried about the chemo as just no idea what to expect - be glad when the first session is over.

[Choccy61]

Hello Ladies

I'm just popping in from last year's March group to wish you all the best for this phase of your treatment. The end of chemo probably seems ages away, but as others have said, it does go quickly! This time last year I was just as anxious as you must all be feeling, wondering how I was going to cope. We're all different and some people cope better than others. Just make sure you ask for help with side effects, don't suffer in silence! And make sure you take the anti sickness meds, even if you don't feel sick and ask for Emend next time if it's really bad.

I've read that some of you are going to try the cold cap. I tried but I now know it was too loose and the damage was done at my first session. I tried again on the second session and it fitted properly but was too late! It must be really tight - it's excruciating when they turn it on but after about 10-15 minutes you're so numb you can't feel it! They will spray your hair with conditioner beforehand as it helps with the freezing process. Wear warm clothes and/or ask for a blanket and hot drink. Don't take the cap off as soon as they switch it off - or you will lose half your hair in the cap! Wait for your head to warm up and the ice to melt! Also, take a hat with you for afterwards - you won't look your best! Your hair may be wet and you'll feel cold when you go outside. I didn't wash my hair until the Monday (chemo was Friday) and let it dry naturally, no straighteners so I looked a sight! I'm afraid I can't give advice for ongoing use but I've read on here that some people have had success with it and it's definitely worth a try. And if all else fails, embrace those scarves - perfect excuse for a bit of retail therapy!

Plan a treat for yourself after each session - you deserve it! I bought myself a new Trollbead for my bracelet and a friend of mine bought herself a pair of earrings each time.

Definitely recommend the Look Good Feel Better workshop - you get a nice goody bag! I did mine after chemo and rads. It's nice to have something to look forward to, but they do get booked up.

Anyway, good luck to all of you.

Carol xxx

[dh]

Hello ladies,
Well, I start my FEC - T journey tomorrow. Very nervous of how I'm going to feel. I have a small baby and a 5 year old so hoping I can still look after them and don't feel too awful. I got my diagnosis on Feb 11th and have been just about holding it together but I think it's about to hit me really hard. Going to try cold cap but not hearing many success stories so getting anxious now about hair loss.
Good luck and love to you all xxx

[poemsgalore]

Hi Marchies,

I'm another February 2013 Valentine popping in to wish you good luck for your treatment. As Yankee says, the time goes so quickly and you will receive help along the way. 

hugs and best wishes

poemsgalore xx

[angiepops]

hi missy12

just to say good luck for tommorow, i sent you a private message, top right hand corner of your page.

angie xx

[Elsieoc]

I had my haircut yesterday. Not brave enough for a pixie cut but much shorter than usual.

Was a bit apprehensive but really pleased with it. Just a shame it's only gonna last a few weeks.

Just been watching a DVD from 'Look good..Feel Better' which has great tips on make up, nails etc. I would definately recommend ordering one if you haven't already.

Good luck to all of you

Lorna xx

[Roseberry]

Hello, I am starting my first chemo on Wednesday. I am having 6 sessions of FEC-T followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I had a mastectomy and ANC late January. It all still feels very surreal! I am having the cold cap but have just booked apointment to have a 'pixie cut' on Tuesday just in case..... Good luck to you all.

[Roseberry]

Hello, I start my first chem on Wednesday. I am having 6 sessions of FEC-T followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I had a mastectomy and ANC at the end of January. It all still feels very surreal! I have opted for the cold cap but I am getting a pixie cut on Tuesday just in case.... Good luck to you all.

[Yankee]

Hi Girls -- I'm from the February 2013 Valentines.  Just wanted to say that while we are very sorry that you had to join this club, there are plenty of us who have made it through the nightmare.  Welcome on board, those of us already in this community will try to give you as much comfort on your journey as possible.  As someone just said  onthis thread -- although it doesn't seem possible at the moment, it all goes by incredibly quickly.  The whole process is very structured and there is lots of help offered all along the way, so use everything that is offered to you, try to stay positive, and remember that it will all be over in a while.  With much love to every one of you, Louise

[missy12]

Thanks Tracy1967 and angiepops for your kind words of support xx

[Tracy1967]

Hi ladies, just popping in from November Newbies 2013 to wish you all good look, chemo can sometimes be yucky but it's definitely doable. When you begin your chemo journey the time ahead can seem daunting but trust me it goes sooooo quickly. In the November newbies group we're coming close to the end now of our chemo, I've just had number 5 of FEC-T (3 FEC and 3 T) and have my last chemo on the 21st March (bloods permitting). I've cold capped and saved some my hair, enough for a fine overall covering which has been brilliant as the kids haven't had to see me bald in the house but I have resorted to a wig when we go out, she's called 'wiggy''. There's several ladies within my group who've had amazing results with the paxman cold cap, you would never know they've been through chemo - honest!

I found FEC to be very nauseous and ended up taking Emend for FEC 2 which was a life saver. Don't suffer in silence, make notes after your first chemo so that you can discuss these with your oncologist before your second chemo.

Good luck ladies, be strong and stay positive. This is just a small blip in your long lives XXX

Love Tracy XXX

[angiepops]

hi missy and the march 2014 ladies

just popped over from last years april angels to wish you all good luck for your coming treatments.

hope all goes well,

angie xx

[missy12]

Hi I will let you know how I am feeling on Wednesday, as I have my first cycle on Tuesday. Have you already had your operation?

[missy12]

Hi thanks for joining this thread, how you feeling today? What was it like having first chemo, I am also trying the cold cap so will let you know how I am getting on, I will say that I have had my hair cut very short x

[Elsieoc]

Hi, I start my chemo next Saturday.
Any tips on how to cope with side effects would be gratefully received.
Best wishes to everyone else going through the same journey as me.
Lorna x

[Roxy66]

Hi
Starting chemo on the 11th was diagnosed with breast and bone mets at the same time In January. X

[Anne52]

Hello! I have 3cm ductal with node involvement. Just had my first chemo yesterday. EC for 4 cycles then will have T. So far so good. Not too sick but did have a v poor nights sleep. I did cold cap so will wait and see re hair! I am having neo adjuvant so my surgery won't be until late summer. I was diagnosed on Jan 16th so it feels like I have been living with lump for ages while they did all the tests. Pleased to have finally got started. Good luck to everyone and would be good to hear from others undergoing similar treatment x

[missy12]

Hi I start my first chemo cycle next week FEC - anyone will to join in and support one another for the next couple of months