Starting chemo on 6th MAY 2015 - triple positive with HER2 - tips please?

Hi Sid,

I've only been in my job for a couple of months and it is a job that it took me a long time to find. Luckily for me it is not a physical job and they have been so supportive, I obviously don't know how I will feel during the treatment but I have been told that it's completely up to me and they will adjust my hours to fit however I want. I also also had so much love and support from my co-workers and it really does make a huge different. I am worried that if I was to stay home throughout the whole treatment my whole life would revolve around the cancer and that would probably make me quite depressed so hopefully it will work. I will let you know how I get on.
I would really appreciate it if you would share your experience and side effects too.

Hi all. The sun has come out for the bank holiday and we are off to a farm later. :)

Mimselina, I have two young children but I have been signed off from work for as long as needed. I am not expecting to feel well enough to work, but know that I will have good days too.

Will your work be supportive of you if you do need time off?

I am not going to have a wig, just hats and scarves. I had long curly hair but now have a cool pixie cut.

Did anyone watch the C word yesterday? I have recorded it but not ready to watch yet.

Have a good day.

Hi Mummyoftwo,

We both sat and watched it last night, but it is 3 years down the line for us (Class of May 2012) The C word is brilliantly portrayed and very well researched and acted.

There is quite a bit of screen time devoted to the chemo stages and the emotional effects of that, so I think you are right in waiting a while before you watch it.

You see it from a totally different viewpoint if you have already been there, done that.

Best wishes for your chemo starting, don't forget if you are having FEC your pee will be pink for around 24 hours or so, so don't go thinking this is blood in your urine.

Take care, G n' J

Hi Mimselina

I'm guessing you've taken advice from oncology about working through treatment. I would imagine it depends on individual circumstances. Like Mummyoftwo, I was signed off from work at the outset. My employer told me I shouldn't return till I was completely fit. I have to commute on public transport and work in a large open plan office so the potential for infection was huge.

With luck you'll feel fine and I hope you can manage to do all you want to do but don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Look after yourself and your children. Good luck with your 1st treatment.

Hi MummyofTwo

How did your FEC go on Wednesday? How are you feeling? Did you get the odd little side effects whilst receiving the drugs?? Weird.

Have you had any reactions?

My treatment went well. I used a heat pad on my arm to try and keep the veins nice and soft and that really helped. Although I am getting a picc line put in for next time followed by a port for the duration!!

I unfortunately reacted really badly after I got home. Suddenly was very tired, headachey, and queasy. Then it started.....

I didn't know what to do first, stick my head down the loo or sit on it. So I sat and had my head in a bucket! I got really cold and shivery - couldn't keep any of my tablets down so ended up in A&E on an IV being pumped with pain killers / anti sickness / fluids. They sent me off for various x-rays too.

I felt like I had severe food poisoning. My temperature dropped to 35! Although they weren't too worried about this. My blood pressure dropped as did my pulse. The hospital was amazing and the doctor looking after me just wanted to get me stable and back home to my comforts. After another round of anti sickness and painkillers (including tablets) I started to settle and finally got home early hours Thursday. 

Still in bed Friday feeling a bit better - no sickness thank goodness. I will try to eat today.

I have to go back to the hospital from Sunday for a few days for daily injections to boost my white blood cells.

Got to be positive - this is saving my life!

I do hope that you have had a better experience so far. 

1st one done for both of us.

Oh no Sidney. That sounds awful. I'm sorry you had such a hard time. It certainly looks like your body didn't take too kindly to FEC. Fingers crossed it was a one-off and the next one won't be so bad. Maybe they'll reduce the dose next time.

I was very sick after my 1st FEC but nothing like your reaction. 2nd time I had anti sickness dugs through the i.v and that was much better.

I'm going later for Herceptin number 3. The most traumatic thing about that is when they ask me to jump on the scales!

Hope you feel better soon.

x

I am so sorry to hear that you had such a bad time with it Sidney. I really do hope that it was a one off reaction for you and that the next one will go better. Maybe they will be able to tweak the tablets they give you, I am sure I have heard that some people can get the anti-sickness via drip instead of tablets.

I had my first FEC yesterday and I haven't been too bad, just feel very tired and as if I have a hangover.

Take care of yourself x

Thanks Mimselina and Weeble

I am starting to feel better today - crampy tummy still but managing to keep things down. I was given anti sickness through IV during the chemo but clearly not enough. They are going to keep me in longer after my next one. I have a meeting with the consultant the day before my next one so I can discuss this with them. I knew it wasn't normal but kinda expected it.

Hope you are both feeling ok and managing well enough. I am really grateful for the support and responses. Although I have to say despite being a techie person I am not working my way around this site at all well. Ha ha. 

Off for another nap. I will check in again later.

Keep smiling summer is on its way.

Good Morning Mimselina

How are you doing today? Hope you are ok. 

How's the FEC hangover?? What a shame to get a hangover without the party!!

I'm day 5 now - just started my daily injections to boost my white blood cells. Trip to the hospital for midday but that's ok. Gets me out of the house and I have to have a week of injections.

I'm home alone today for the first time - friends and family have been great but nice to think I can have my own space today too. Although my son is visiting and wants to come to the hospital with me today - despite his uni exams this week! Anything to get out of studying.

Sid

Just a quick reply Sid,

You can get bone pain when it kicks in and / or a few other side effects from the G-CSF.

Some here in the past have posted with fears they were getting bone mets when it started, so just wanted to forewarn you.

There is more info about G-SCF here if you haven't got a patient info leaflet.

G n' J