Hello my name is Heather I have just been diagnosed with brest cancer last week for the first time (and last I hope) Both my sisters have had cancer,one died seven month ago Im a bit scared of what to expect with the chemo. Can anyone tell me how soon after the treatment do you start to feel ill? How soon do you lose your hair?
Hi all who replied to my post and thank you. Well made my mind up if the heart scan I had is ok (I have high blood pressure) then I will be going ahead with the chemo and herceptin. This is booked to start on the 2nd Sept. I am not very good at talking and discussion groups so trying to do this is quite hard for me. Can anyone tell me will I be ill after the first chemo I am having FEC 6 lots and then 1 year of Herceptin. I will try not to be too much of a pain on here just very confused and worried at the moment. I do hope everyone who is having treatment are feeling ok at the moment. Do I sound like a wally I think so. Thanks again xx
Like me your up late and I can understand every emotion your going through. A lot of us here have bee through FEC like me and its not until you hve your first one the fear goes away. It effects us all slightly differently but one of the main side effects is a sore mouth. If you take the meds they give you like steroids and anti sikness pills on time when you should then everything will be ok as far as the sickness goes. When do you start ? Just ask awy here and we will give you our experiences which will help you along this journey.
Hope you are not too zonked out this time. If so just rest up, you know it will pass.
I'm a bit tired today, as I don't take the steroids anymore. Also my arm is aching like mad after yesterday. I had to lie flat with my arms behind my head for half an hour or so whilst they sorted me out for the CT scan and the radiotherapy treatment.
Kay and Sue.................how are you two?
Cheryl, quite a few of the ladies here have had or are still having FEC, so, as Lorraine says, you can ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to give you an answer or advice. AND NO you are not a wally. We all felt the same at the outset. Fear of the unknown is a terrible thing. You will get through this and we'll help you all we can.
Jean - It's OK I think. What disturbed me so much was that the rash was only on the bit where my breast had been, but my oncologist said it actually followed the area that had been irradiated. As the rash was flat, he thought it was likely to be a reaction to something from the skin that had been changed by the radiotherapy, and that simply wasn't bothering the rest of my skin. So, phew! Especially as the rash is now definitely on the wane. Hope you perk up soon, and can really start to get back to your pre chemo self.
Hope all those who've had treatment in last few days aren't having too bad a time.
Cheryl - as Jean says, lots of us have had or are having FEC. You'll probably feel pretty rubbish for a few days each cycle, but the severity of the side effects varies so much from person to person, it's hard to be specific until you've had your first one. It's certainly worth moisturising your hands and feet for instance, as this can keep soreness there at bay. Never feel you're being a wally. Treatment is bloody hard work, and of course you're scared and worried. Hey, I've just had a major panic over a rash, and I started treatment in 2007! This disease makes all of us feel vulnerable at times, but I promise it does stop dominating your entire life after time.
Hi everyone, just starting to wake up after Wednesday's blast, it has made me more tired than normal this time. Went shopping yesterday and bought loads of clothes which didn't help but hey ho, when you're being blasted weekly you have to fit these things in girls. Better wake up as I am off to the rugby club to run the bar and direct three men on how to cook food for 40 rugby players, (God help me)! I am going camping on Monday night, my friend has a tent that sleeps 12 so we are all going to have a barbie, a few beers and no doubt a great laugh for the night!!! Out for dinner tomorrow night and Tuesday so I had better get my act together and wake up lol. Being blasted again Wednesday so think I might sleep rather well that night! Hope everyone is ok and the side effects are not too much xxxx
something funny with this computer Sue so will say again just in case you didnt receive last message..what i basically said was I agree with you regarding should be all over scanning at point of diagnoisis for primary tumour....wouldnt lull us into false sense of security (i.e. no spread) I was like you with low grade cancer, and no lymph involvement, good prognosis, and took chemo as extra precaution and then wham bam....oncologisit was not surprised infact said to me 'yes, this happens in quite a few cases'!! not nice eh...i have pm you cause best..Sylvia xxx
Hi Sue, yes, had c.t. and mri no spread to anywhere (but now in bones!) yet again misleading eh. enjoy the fete and hope the weather keeps dry for you. Sylvia xxx
Chrystal and Sue, I agree that we should all be scanned all over so if there is anything suspicious it can be caught and dealt with as early as possible, especially if it is common for it to spread!!
Paula you do so well getting out and about considering how tired chemo has made you. Hope tonight goes smoothly with 3 men cooking! Have a fab weekend and hope the weathers kind for you camping. I love camping although all the booze and no toilet at hand would cause me a problem!! :-D x
Kay I’m glad this won’t dominate my entire life although I guess we are easily panicked from now on.
Jean I hope your arm feels better soon. I’ve got that to come on Tuesday!
Lorraine glad you’re ok x
Cheryl I’m pleased you’ve made a decision, it will all be ok x
Jenney hopefully you won’t sleep through all the bank holiday x
Stuart hope Vickys well after her 4th zapping and hopefully she won’t feel too grotty for the weekend x
Well i hope everyone has a lovely bank holiday weekend. We’re out for Pizza tonight, round my parents for Sunday lunch tomorrow with some close members of my family to celebrate me finishing chemo and my son passing his GCSE’s. Trouble is my taste buds are knackered for a yummy roast and home made desserts…boo hoo! Then we’re off to the beach on Monday as the weather is looking great here :-)
hi all hope everyone is feeling ok. I haven't had my results back for the brain scan but I'm not concerned, if there was anything there I would be having nurological symptoms which I'm not. I think these markers are showing up because of the thyriod adenoma, which is not a big problem, well at least that is the impression I'm getting from the Dr's. My brother and his girlfriend are coming out to cyprus for 10 days which will be great, especially for my husband as they are great friends and I think he needs a mate at the moment, because I think he worries more than me about the tumour markers. Unfortunatly I have to work as my collegue is having her holiday that week and there is only the two of us who work full time, and my boss is not happy about me going to the UK in september, not sure he understands that I need to see english Dr's who I can comunicate with. But tough I have to think of my health first. I am hoping I will be able to get to a computer in the UK to keep intouch with all the goings on. youv'e all become a great support for me over here so a great big thanks to you all. keep well girls and I'll let you know when I get my results re brain scan. all the best sue x
Hey girlie's, 40 rugby players later, food that is!!! It was well worth it, absolutely dead but my God the view was worth it. No doubt I will sleep tonight, hope I am not dead enough to dream lol xxxx
