EC Chemo

Hi

Well done HAD not HAVE ! Hard isn't it when your still hasn't accepted you've got it then someone with a knife comes along and says all gone ..yippee ! BUT you need this treatment .The Had /Have is still with me lol

My story on profile just click on my name and have a read if you haven't already put a little info about yourself on your profile it helps others when replying to you .

Before I talk about EC please remember we are all different and therefore react differently to chemo .I presume you have been told all the SE that are possible . Please believe me you won't get them all and certainly not all together that would be down right greedy

Also don't ask doctor google he's usually out of date .

If you go to the thread Chemo March 2020 on front page there is a hint page to help make it more comfortable . Also read the chat lots of info . Then you can talk to people who are on chemo now 

I also had ECx6 And I'm still here 12 weeks after finishing getting stronger everyday.   Oh and hairier ! Had to pluck chin !!!

So I was told def will lose hair on EC within days of first treatment  but it differs mine hung on til cycle 3/4 then started to shed I didn't get a shave just had it cut very short until it got whispy just before no 6 . 

I had mine cut in pixie style ready for loss so not too big a shock . It also meant less handling and no heat or product . Finger dried ..should have done it years ago.  I gave used hats and occasionally my wig same pixie cut . Nobody notices or overreacts if you go bald when out and about . Hair now coming back quickly 

My cycle was 21days ..day one is the day of treatment  I kept a diary then you can see a pattern of S Effects emerge .

Sorry but you will get nausea ( be a miracle if you don't ) but you are given tablets..  take them prevention better than cure . You shouldn't vomit if you do you report it to your team they will change your meds . 

The main thing to remember is listen to your body rest when it wants but be active within reason . Eating small and often helps with nausea and taste bud changes 

I started straight away with mouthwash etc to minimise ulcers etc also Vaseline on lips .

Come back with any questions you have after getting more info if I don't answer someone else will . 

It is all doable your imagination makes it worse it's not pleasant at times but you don't need to be a hero ask for help from your team .

margaret x

Thank you- it’s the fear of the unknown I guess!  Did you use the cold cap treatment?

Hi  

It is the fear of the unknown and most of us would say that the waiting inbetween appointments or treatments starting is the worst time .

Once treatment starts it feels better to be getting on with it .

I didn't use the cold cap ,that was my decision as I felt I had enough to deal with and for me it was the right decision. Lots of people do use it with varying degrees of success .A lot of whom chat on chemo thread also radio thread .

My attitude was I wasn't too concerned about losing hair and it would grow again ..which it is .

My advice would be to try and chill before your treatment starts Have a couple of treats . Meals out or days away .within your cycle of 21 days you'll find you build back up so from about day 15 til 21 you will feel nearly normal lol we used to go over to our van in Cumbria . 

Margaret x

Thank you - you’ve made me feel so much better. Have a wonderful weekend- 

Hi I was very sick with my first treatment ( they did give me standard anti sickness)  but just let your team know if you have issues. I was given an extra strong sickness pill to take an hour prior to my next treatment and fine from there in it in. I am now a year past chemo and it feels like a distant memory. 
stay strong - take all the rest you need and remember this will all be over and you will appreciate being well for ever more x 

Thank you so much- great advice. I am and will remain positive. Health and happiness is all we need x

I have replied to your other thread. 

I am 47, 3 and 1/2 years on doing great!!

Cwtches at 3m away,

Gay xx

Hi , I also had 6 x FEC but barely had any side effects. I lost a lot of hair but still kept a covering (I didn't go completely bald), and had a bout of vaginal thrush. That was it apart from feeling very tired immediately after chemo but right as rain after an early night and back to normal the next day. I didn't do anything different to normal, didn't avoid people with colds etc (althoughobviously the current climate is a bit different). No nausea or any horror stories. It can be done. Good luck

PS I've no idea why my text is now dotted with fingers crossed !