In 3 hours I'll be starting round 1 of my FEC treatment, am so scared but so determined.

Trying hard to drink and eat but the thought of everything keeps making me sick.

I am trying to think of this as day 1 off getting better but it's so hard :-S

FEC off cancer, I'm coming to kill you!

Hey,

yeah, first one is tough, because you seem to throw yourself into the un-known. Just got to close your eyes and go for it!

Take notes though from now on. Every experience is gonna be useful next times round. I have now done that first round and feel I am just getting my head above water again now! Two weeks after chemo. 

Drinking plenty, really means 2 litres, if you can manage! The more you drink the sooner the poison is gonna get flushed out. Be aware, that your pee is gonna be red after. Won't stay like that for long though! 

And take allllllll you anti emetics! I made the mistake of not doing so, as the nurse said: and these yummy want, see how you get on... Yeah, by the time I didn't get on, it seemed too late for one little tablet to cope. 

I found for sickness: eating arrowroot biscuits (get them in Asda) and flat coke - make sure you shake it quite flat, because the fizz may not be useful for your digestive system just now. But the sugar and minerals seem to be doing a good job to get you back on your feet. 

Take an iPod, and a book. You'll be a while, and it's a good way of keeping calm, relaxed and getting your mind onto other things. 

Good luck.

Dorothee xx

Hi

Hope all went well and you're not feeling too bad.

Same as Dorothee - drink and drink, and definitely keep notes - it hepls when you go back to onc and they ask how it was - i wouldn't have remembered!

Clare xx

Ooh...just had a 'phone call giving the me date and time of my first chemo session. I'd almost thought it wasn't really happening...but hey...if all you ladies can do this, then so can I.

Hi I am sure you will b fine. It is great to get started.... The quicker you get underway.... The quicker you can get it finished. You will get lots of tips on how to survive the ups and downs .... It really is not as bad a you fear. Just finished 3x FEC..... Doxcetaxcel x3 to come . Good luck xxxx

Hi

Hope it went well. I'm having FEC and not coping too bad. I am 2 rounds down and found my sickness dwindled quicker the second time. I'm on Day 13 now and have felt really well this time. I got a chest infection the first time. I've had more energy this time and have even decorated my spare bedroom :)

Definitely lots of water, take your sickness meds regularly and i found soda water really helped with sickness last round as flat water was making me feel more sick.

I have also found my lump has shrunk by what feels like half, it was a large lump too! Loving FEC, hope I get to stay on it. having a scan after round 3 to check response.

Hope you found it not to be as bad as you thought, I know I did. The first 3-4 days are the worst I find xxx

Hey Rebecca,

You can do it!!

I am 6 days past round 3 fec, first one relatively ok and 2/3 round it kicked in and was laid out for 3/4 days each time. Out and about today. Just a bit gruelling being stuck in bed all the time wiped out. But each day you tick off you feel better.

Good luck hun

Cx

I've just finished 6 rounds of FEC and came through it ok.  It wasn't as bad as I expected and wasn't as bad as some chemo people have to have.  It did wipe me out each time and I always had 3 days in bed as I just couldn't move for tiredness so kept on sleeping!  My blood count didn't recover after the first dose so I had an injection the day after every chemo which my district nurse came round to do and was very quick and painless.  It took about 5 or 6 days for me to fully recover from each chemo but then I always felt really well and had energy to go out as often as I could.  I was able to go and stay with a friend in Cornwall just after my 5th chemo and the sea air really did me good and set me up for my last dose :)

I found I was allergic to steroids so couldn't take any after my first FEC and this is probably why I was always in bed from the 2nd dose onwards as the steroids do perk you up and keep you awake.   I was sick for 2 days after my 3rd dose but it wasn't as bad as being sick when you are ill with a stomach bug funnily enough; it was mainly multi coloured bile but I started taking Lansoprazole which really helped and they gave me different anti sickness meds which were very good.  I was sick again after my 5th dose but only twice.  I tried the cold cap but my hair still fell out and I had it all shaved off after my 5th dose and I got used to looking bald although I wear a wig when out.  A couple of my friends say it suits me being bald lol.   It's been 4 weeks since I finished and my hair is growing back already and so are my eyelashes!  I didn't lose all my eyelashes but they did get very thin and very short.  None of my body hair is growing back yet which is good as I don't have to shave my legs yet so a bonus!  I did cry when I left the chemo room after my last dose as I was so relieved it was over and I had got through it.

Always drink lots of water 24 hours before each chemo and for at least 48 hours after to help flush it out of your system and always take your anti sickness meds even if you don't feel sick.  

Aloe Vera capsules are recommended as a benefit during chemo and radiotherapy and also Astragalus capsules (you can get both from Holland and Barrett) as this helps the immune system which will be low during chemo.  I've started taking both and am also going to get Resveratrol tablets and I've just read this is a 'wonder tablet' for during chemo and radiotherapy and helps increase the survival rates.  I start radiotherapy tomorrow for 15x sessions and also will be taking Letrozole so will probably have another set of side effects to deal with!  I've never been one for exercising but have just bought a swimming costume and intend starting swimming once or twice a week from now on.  I'm also going to do Pilates and Tai Chi as both as good exercises for the body and mind.  Exercise is good for helping with tiredness so do try some if you suffer.

Stay positive and you WILL get through it all.  Try and have something in the future to aim for such as a holiday or a mini break away or anything that will give you happy thoughts and by xmas your chemo will be all finished and your hair will have started growing back :)

Lots of good luck

xx