well I have my cocktail

Hi Moira, thanks for your reply. I like the idea of taking a dvd player but I'm also nosey so people watching sounds good too. Might just have to try a few different things and see what works best for me.

Cath xx

Wow thanks for all the info Amanda. It's great to hear from someone having the same cocktail as me. My girls are 10 and 12 so old enough to help out and do some stuff for themsleves.

I start on the 22nd, not long to go now. The nerves are starting to kick in and I'm really worried about how I will handle it. Are there any things I should buy before I start?

How long does it take to feel normalish after each round?

Glad you are nearly finished your chemo.

Cath xx

Thanks for the suggestions Heather, might have to borrow my daughters ipod.

I'm glad your treatment isn't as awful as you thought it was going to be, I hope I'm as lucky as you.

Cath xx

That's the Cocktail that I have been having (althought I also have Herceptin now with my taxotere) - I am 2/3 through now.  

I stayed overnight for my FEC treatments but not all Oncologists do this.  You can take your laptop, listen to music, read, talk to a friend (I think it is worth taking a friend or partner with you) - I don't think you will want to be driving home.  It might take about 3 hours to put in but you will likely be there longer with pre-medications and all the administrative stuff that goes on.  

With my first taxotere, I was there for 5 hours.  

If you search some of the blogs - maybe use FEC as a search tag you will come up with some good tips.  

Since you are starting with FEC:

- Nausea - you might just want to eat small meals to keep nausea at bay - I liked vege  and chicken soup, toast with citrus jams and marmelade

- your taste sensation may be altered - lime cordial in water, soda water, mineral water, ginger bear, lemon and ginger in hot water, mints, mint chewing gum may help

- rest - listen to your body and rest up.  I found having a nice warm bath everyday really relaxed me and helped with the muscle aches.

- I got hold of the Spooks tv shows and am now halfway through series 3 - I just chill out when I can in a recliner and watch these.  Short enough for me to concentrate but (for me) more entertaining and engaging than daytime TV.

I'm not sure how old your kids are but having a little extra help for about 10 days has worked for me - a friend has organised a meals roster so I don't have to cook on chemo weeks, we have others that help with pick up and drop offs at school. 

Taxotere so far is a little different to the FEC.

When do you start? It isn't nice but it is doable and you have periods of feeling almost normal.  I can't believe that I only have 2 to go.  For me I have managed the chemo really well - it's not all horror stories.  One of the best things the ladies on here told me is to think of the chemo as gold coursing through your veins :-) - works for me.

Good Luck

Amanda xx

That's the Cocktail that I have been having (althought I also have Herceptin now with my taxotere) - I am 2/3 through now.  

I stayed overnight for my FEC treatments but not all Oncologists do this.  You can take your laptop, listen to music, read, talk to a friend (I think it is worth taking a friend or partner with you) - I don't think you will want to be driving home.  It might take about 3 hours to put in but you will likely be there longer with pre-medications and all the administrative stuff that goes on.  

With my first taxotere, I was there for 5 hours.  

If you search some of the blogs - maybe use FEC as a search tag you will come up with some good tips.  

Since you are starting with FEC:

- Nausea - you might just want to eat small meals to keep nausea at bay - I liked vege  and chicken soup, toast with citrus jams and marmelade

- your taste sensation may be altered - lime cordial in water, soda water, mineral water, ginger bear, lemon and ginger in hot water, mints, mint chewing gum may help

- rest - listen to your body and rest up.  I found having a nice warm bath everyday really relaxed me and helped with the muscle aches.

- I got hold of the Spooks tv shows and am now halfway through series 3 - I just chill out when I can in a recliner and watch these.  Short enough for me to concentrate but (for me) more entertaining and engaging than daytime TV.

I'm not sure how old your kids are but having a little extra help for about 10 days has worked for me - a friend has organised a meals roster so I don't have to cook on chemo weeks, we have others that help with pick up and drop offs at school. 

Taxotere so far is a little different to the FEC.

When do you start? It isn't nice but it is doable and you have periods of feeling almost normal.  I can't believe that I only have 2 to go.  For me I have managed the chemo really well - it's not all horror stories.  One of the best things the ladies on here told me is to think of the chemo as gold coursing through your veins :-) - works for me.

Good Luck

Amanda xx

I take my ipod and just try to zone out, listening to music. Lots of people read; some ppl take a friend and just read mags and chat. At my treatment centre (RAH) it's a relaxed, open environment so you can do pretty much anything you want to (sitting down) -- knit, read, nap, do a crossword, write a letter -- whatever.

Good luck with your treatment. My 'cocktail' is different from yours, but so far it hasn't been as awful as I thought it might be.

Go well!
Heather