First chemo date

Scorpion queen is right, you can't flush chemicals...but the hydration is so incredibly important. I wasnt able to remain hydrated at all, thats why I ended up in hospital for the first 4 rounds of FEC. I couldnt eat either, just snacked when I could, and sadly gained 5kg, 6 months later, watching my diet and exercising only got rid of 1kg uuugh. Annoying!! but chemo threw me into early menopause so I feel thats the reason I cant shift the weight moreso and have put it on. 

Hope it all went well Leila xo

I ate continuously on steroid days and gained over 10kg. I just ate little and often  and because of lack of movement had quite a over calorie balance. Even though foid tadted bkah...I still ate hoping the next thing would taste better. When not eating the gastritis and feeling sick got worse. Funny how diff we all are.

Yes agreed about the water......you can't really flush all of the chemicals out of your body....but staying hydrated is of upmost importance! I could barely eat through chemo (you lose your tastebuds!) and i actually lost 9 kilos.....but i drank heaps of water....and still do.....

Hoping you got through your first round today without to much fuss.....

Thanks Melinda, appreciate your feedback xx

Thanks lovely xx

Leila,

I have to say Scorpion queen did describe unfortunately how it was for me also, but I cannot stress how everyone is different. You have a pre med infused first then the red one. Generally you are there for quite a few hours. Id take on average 4hrs depending how busy they were. Though I found I only peed red just that day only. Its not painful or anything, so nothing to be alarmed about. The actual process is all fine, its the side effects that can be very difficult and it takes them a while to get on top of how to handle things specifically for you. So its very important to stay in touch with them.

There is a thought that people have that drinking lots of water flushes it out??? just want to clear that up, that is purely for hydration. My medical team made it very clear, there is no flushing the chemicals out of your body, it doesnt work that way. I unfortunately was not able to stay hydrated, I couldnt really eat through it all, and any liquid was too hard too.

Take it from your first infusion. That will tell you how you will travel with it. Day at a time. You'll do more than OK!

Melinda xo

How long did each transfusion last? 

Thank you, I would much rather know, so I can be prepared! Hope you're healing up well xx

Forgot about the dry mouth.....rinsing with bi carb mouth wash helped and kept ulcers at bay....and Movicol for the constipation....

Hi Leila...

I wasn;t going to post regarding the side effects of FEC, but you know what? here goes.....

But please note that these may or may not happen to you! Just letting you know how it was for me....MY chemo regime was FEC-D 6 rounds, 3 weeks apart.....It's now been two months since my last chemo and i have since had a bilateral mastectomy (24/6) and am recovering from that and having expander fills

Now onto the side effects.....The FEC part.....While you are given steroids and anti nausea meds at the time (and before) your round.....Withing hours of having my first dose I was literally knocked off my feet I couldn't even get my head off the pillow!.....I peed red for a few days (part of FEC is known as the red devil.....it's actually red and you pee it out immediately and for a few days) , I walked around like a zombie, felt faint, couldn't think straight, was nauseous (I lived on weet bix and toast if at all), had a hell fire in my tummy, and a mega headache....I could not be bothered to be bothered! 

Now, things did get better about day 10 (after dose) so I had a few days of feeling "human" again.....only for it to be time for the next round :/

I lost EVERY hair on my body, eyelashes and eyerows included! I just kept in mind the money I was saving on waxing and hair care products! I still have no hair anywhere!

I'll also add that ALL of these side effects are treatable with various medications...and once I had them on board it made the experience a bit more easier.....Please be sure to take note of any side effect no matter how small and tell your team! Get on top of them straight away!

My motto going into this was "expect the unexpected and if that doesn't happen, BONUS!!" ......now you may get all or none of these side effects, but just remember take one day at a time....hour by hour if need be....rest and drink PLENTY of water to flush those chemicals out!

Remember to breathe....really breathe....you've got this!

Tracy