*** January Chemo Club 2020 ***

Hi West End Girl. 

Thanks so much for replying its reassuring to know others have the same worries,if i could have 6 Fec i'd be happy cos i know what to expect :) I'm not going to worry about the Docataxel until its due and that isn't until 14th Feb. 

I have had no nausea with the Fec only side effects have been the aches and fatigue but that hasn't been as bad as i had imagined it would be before hand. Oh and the emotions what come from nowhere, last time on Day 3 i was weepy for 2 minutes and the same happened earlier when i cried at an advert about donkeys lol.

Linda xx

Had my second EC chemo on Friday and feeling absolutely shocking I’m so weak I can’t eat I’m struggling to drink I keep crying I feel as though I’m dying right now 

the 2 lumpectomies and the mastectomy with reconstruction so much easier to handle then this

and I just keep thinking I’m going to get better for them to do it all over again in 3 weeks  I can’t handle it

Yep, exactly how I feel, but know this, it feels rough right now, but when you start to recover in a few days time, you will feel a lot better mentally as well as physically.  I'm going through exactly the same, after a reconstruction which is now not healing due to the chemo for a while, but we need to be strong and know we're getting there together.  So take heart, it will end soon and then we will look back and wonder how we were feeling so low.  It's just a temporary blip.  At least I tell myself that and it's not for ever, we will recover eventually.  It's just a bummer when we feel so rotten, I can hardly stand up and walk, so rest and be kind to yourself.  Housework and other stuff doesn't matter whilst we're like this, just concentrate on resting and recovering, and eat whatever seems good right now.  All the best Julus, let's hope the side effects don't last too long.

hi please ring your unit you are not expected to put up with not being able to eat or drink . They can change your anti sickness meds . To help you eat little and often . 

Sounds daft but try to eat your fluids i.e. Soups ,celery , cucumber ,mushrooms etc .

EC dehydrates your system inside and out so you need the fluid to flush  it out of your system and rehydrate .

I carried a sip bottle that I use when walking it was like an extension to my arm but it meant I just sipped all day long rather than large quantities at one time .

Keep your diary of SE and look forward to your good days mine were from about day 15 .

I'm on day 18 of cycle 6 so on the home run do it is doable .

You are only on day 3 at that point I would be lucky if I did 500 steps a day but by end of cycle I would be back up to 10000 on some days . 

Be kind to yourself and rest up 

hope you feel better soon 

margaret x

I hope you feel better by tomorrow but if not do ring your unit,some good advice from giuliella, and Margaret so wont repeat. I was the same my first cycle couldn't get out of bed for 3 days but 2nd cycle not as bad so hopefully next time will be different for you as well. The emotional battering takes its toll as well. Bit random but I've found haribo tangfastics really help my nausea more than anything else. Take care xxxx

HI Giuliella & Julus

Giuliella Thanks for your encouragement when I had my first Docetaxel last month . I was really scared at how i was feeling, but it did pass.  

Julus, I am now day 5 into my 5th cycle  and the SE kicked in a bit quicker 3rd day. Slow / non movement a times,pins and needles in hands and feet  starting, but i am standing Strong in the the boxing ring with it.

Hi fellow chemo buddies, 

I'm starting adjuvant chemotherapy today EC x 4 very nervous, but want to get started now as had surgery 6/11. Managed a few weeks of daytime normality despite sleeping poorly due to the worry of gene testing in the run up to Christmas. 

Been advised first session will be 2.5 to 3 hours, so hoping I get home before my youngest gets home from school ️

So nervous arrgh!

Thanks for listening xx

Day 4 and first FEC and feeling fairly ok. Tired and achy with pins and needles but other than that surprisingly good x

Steriods etc run out today so will see what happens next x

Hi Autumn49 I hope all goes well for you today.  Christmas did distract from worry slightly but new year hits you in the face doesn’t it.  Think it’s very natural to be nervous about this whole new world of cancer and treatments.  

I had my op on 14th Nov and still waiting to find out if it’s chemo or hormone therapy ( I opted for Optima trial).  Beginning to wish I hadn’t as they were supposed to let me know yesterday, I was all ready to try to plan the next few weeks/ months but it has now been delayed to next Monday.  

I hope you sail through today with few side effects.  Lots of love and luck

Jackie xx

Autumn49,wishing you best of luck and minimal side effects for your first session xxxx