Starting FEC-D tomorrow

Hi Robyn

I just wanted to say thank you.  This is the first time I've been on here and reading your comments  have helped me enormously. Recently diagnosed (on my birthday of all days :) ) and had my first chemo last week.  I thought I was going mad; couldn't sleep and having the weirdest food cravings. You have put my mind at rest.  I've also got a nasty rash and my head is so damn itchy so I guess this would be an indication that the drugs are working which is not such a bad thing. My treatment was last Friday and I have to say, yesterday (Friday) was the first day that I felt a lot like myself which has given me the much needed boost that I can get through this and like you said, there are some ladies here that are doing it worse.  Thank you  Leigh

Hi Tink,

Thanks so much for your advice.  I must admit, posting on here for the first time today has helped me MASSIVELY.  It's good to hear other people's experiences and to know it's not great but it might not be as bad as I am imagining (then again, it might - and hey ho).  Just got to do it.  Simple.  Thanks again...

Esther

Hi Esther

I am two thirds of the way through FEC.  As Deanne said, every single one of us reacts differently to chemo, however this is what I experienced.  Low level nausea - easily managed by the anti-nausea tablets I was given plus the one that drips through in the treatment.  I had broken sleep for the first 3 treatments so I got some sleeping tablets from my oncologist to break the cycle and it worked.  I have hot flushes as I wasn't menopausal before treatment but that's happening now.  The worst thing I experienced was the steroids causing INTENSE hunger!!!  I ate everytthing and anything before I knew about the steriods and porked on quite a bit of weight.  I"ll lose it after treatment finishes as it's too much to deal with at the moment.

I too was 'cancer free' when I started chemo.  In fact I was grumbling with one of the oncology nurses today while having my picc line dressing changed that it wasn't fair to have to go through this when I don't even have cancer!!!  Still, I'd much rather be safe than sorry, even if I am minus a boob and 15 lymph nodes!!  You'll have your good days and you'll have your bad days.  Cry when you want, laugh a lot, surround yourself with positive loving people and keep checking on this website.  I have taken incredible strength from the lovely women who post on here and are going through the same trials and tribulations as you are.

Much love

Tink xx

Hi Esther

I am two thirds of the way through FEC.  As Deanne said, every single one of us reacts differently to chemo, however this is what I experienced.  Low level nausea - easily managed by the anti-nausea tablets I was given plus the one that drips through in the treatment.  I had broken sleep for the first 3 treatments so I got some sleeping tablets from my oncologist to break the cycle and it worked.  I have hot flushes as I wasn't menopausal before treatment but that's happening now.  The worst thing I experienced was the steroids causing INTENSE hunger!!!  I ate everytthing and anything before I knew about the steriods and porked on quite a bit of weight.  I"ll lose it after treatment finishes as it's too much to deal with at the moment.

I too was 'cancer free' when I started chemo.  In fact I was grumbling with one of the oncology nurses today while having my picc line dressing changed that it wasn't fair to have to go through this when I don't even have cancer!!!  Still, I'd much rather be safe than sorry, even if I am minus a boob and 15 lymph nodes!!  You'll have your good days and you'll have your bad days.  Cry when you want, laugh a lot, surround yourself with positive loving people and keep checking on this website.  I have taken incredible strength from the lovely women who post on here and are going through the same trials and tribulations as you are.

Much love

Tink xx

Thanks so much Deanne.  Adding mouthwash to my list of goodies.  And I am planning on trying to "mind over matter" it a bit - as much as I can :-)

I am very hopeful that I will cope well.  I have a friend who had a horrible time of it and had every side effect plus some and now she hates the Tamoxifen.  She's the only person I know in person who has gone through this, she's on the other side of the world, and it was rotten for her.  But... she's 5 years on and still with us and living life to the full.  

Thank you Robyn.  I had my "pre-chemo briefing"  last week and I have remembered a lot of what they told me, and forgotten a lot too.  But I think they told me I would feel okay for 3-4 days afterwards and then start to fade.  Can't remember when I should start to feel better. 

Reading your comment about the constipation to my mum and we're chuckling - which is definitely good medicine.  I'm 42 with a 6 year old boy and an 8 year old girl, so I have to get through this. 

I'll keep you updated...

It is really difficult to accept that we need to have chemo when we are told that the surgery had clear margins and so the cancer we had is gone. But as you no doubt understand there is that chance that a few stray cells may still be in the body somewhere and chemo is very effective at killing these and preventing future problems. I had FEC-D chemo last year and it is a challenge. I found each round resulted in slightly different side effects so it became a matter of being prepared for the most common effects and treating these as they occurred. With FEC I had some nausea, headaches and fatigue. Someone said it is a bit like the flu or a hangover that lasts about a week and that is how it was for me. Then I would feel relatively normal (although you do need to e careful in the middle week becuase your immune system will be at its lowest) until the next dose. Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush it through your system particularly in the first 48 hours. Your idea of going for a walk each day will help to lessen the nausea and tiredness for you. Make sure you take your anti nausea medication even if you feel ok because it works best if you can avoid feeling sick in the first place. It is probably best to blog back on here when you are about to change to Docetaxel as this has different effects and it is probably best to just deal with FEC for now. Just take it one step at a time. It is surprising but after a while you get used to the routine of it and the time actually goes quite quickly. Another important thing is to look after your mouth. Biotene mouthwash is good because you get a yucky taste in your mouth and a very dry mouth. I used to rinse my mouth out everytime I ate. I am sure that there will be some other ladies who can give you some excellent advice from their experiences with this chemo too. Let us know how you go. Take care. Deanne xxx

This time a year ago,I started chemo.Just like you,I was so scared about what it would do to me.By the way I am 59 years old.I remember the first day.I say there waiting for something to happen,as they put the needle in.Nothing happened! It was a real non event!!! When I got home I thought well it will probably start soon! I am not sure exactly what I thought would happen but I was sure that something would!Still nothing :) For me,it went like this .... For the first 3 or 4 days,I felt pretty good,because they give you a steroid called Dexamethasone,and it keeps you feeling great.It also makes it hard to sleep.Make sure you drink at least 3 litres of water per day for the first 3 days ,because you need to flush the toxins through your body.From about day 3 to maybe 9,I felt very fatigued( on and off,not all day) I got a very itchy rash(Zyrtec fixed it) I got a red face,my throat felt sore,I had very intense food cravings,but that was about it!! From day 10 to 15, I stayed away from everyone that I could,because I didn't want to risk an infection,and then the 3rd week I felt pretty normal again,and then it all started again.I walked EVERY day of my chemo,rain or shine,and even on the days that I didn't feel like it I still did it.I had my chemo at Chris O Brien LifeHouse in Sydney,and they strongly suggest exercise as a way of combatting the fatigue that you will feel.It really does help!!!I should say here though,that I consider myself one of the luckier ladies.There are some ladies on here that had worse side effects than me,but just remember,most can be treated with medication.Oh yes,one more thing...if they give you medication for constipation,just take it,don't wait for symptoms!!!! All the best and stay in touch on here so as we can support you as you begin.Cheers xoxRobyn