HER2 Positive and about to start EC. Hand holding please!

No experience of port, sorry, but my first FEC was 15th March. No horrid side effects, slightly low temperature, headache on day and for few days. Indigestion type pain which was eased by Gaviscon. Coped really well, no hair loss yet (13 days). Coped okay with the injections at home, hubby does them for me. You CAN do this. Jo x

Thanks Gander, I really appreciate the reply. Great to hear that you didn’t have any nasty side effects. Are you using the cold cap?

Hey 

Had first EC on Weds just gone , keep up with your anti sickness meds , plenty fluids too . I’ve just got some omeprazole for my stomach too 

holding your hand , you can do it , if you feel overwhelmed or worried , contact your BCN, they are there to help you 

Tried cold cap but might not again as added a lot of time on to the session but I know it can work well for some people 

don’t have a port so can’t advise there 

sending hugs , after tomorrow you’re a quarter of the way there ! 
L xx

Hi Daisy06 have a read on my profile just click on my name .

I was diagnosed 2019 Her2 + I had EC x6 ( couldn’t have docetaxel ) . I opted out of cold cap as I didn’t want to extend time in unit and felt I could cope with hair loss .  Think I coped better because I expected to lose it rather than hoped it would stay  
Have a read of how my treatment went and ask any questions you want 

Not having cold cap, as suffer with headaches, plus neck problems. BCN advised me against it. Jo x

Thanks so much for your reply. How did you feel after Wednesday? Hope not too nauseous and you’re doing ok now.

It’s just the port tomorrow, have to wait until Friday for the first EC. It’s like torture all this waiting around! xx

I was really sick on weds evening and into Thursday , but , I didn’t expect it that quickly which sounds ridiculous now but take all your meds and they should help . Also I’m the kind of person that always gets travel sickness etc so probably more prone , you might well be absolutely fine re the nausea x

The waiting is horrible , I agree , you’re nearly there tho and once you get started you’re on the road 

hugs

L xx

Hi Daisy06, I'm reading this a day after your posting so you probably have your port in now, I hope that was all OK. I've had a port in for 4 weeks and all good so far. I had 3 courses of EC Aug-Oct 21 (having had 4 rounds of docetaxel before that). You'll know that we all react differently. For many people, myself included, it's obviously not a pleasant episode in life, but it is completely manageable and you will get through it. If you are struggling with side effects then talk to your team as there's often more that can be done. Hope it all goes okay, xx

Hi Dokur, thanks so much for your message. Yes, had the port fitted yesterday so am feeling a bit sore today but hopefully it’ll make the endless bloods and chemo that bit easier.

I’m glad you managed your chemo and got through it. I’m sure I’ll feel calmer once I’ve got the first round out of the way, it’s just total fear of the unknown x

Yes, the fear of the unknown is the hardest bit. I've found with any IV treatments that the first round has always seemed to hit the hardest. Although there's the cumulative effect of the chemo each time which may/may not make side effects worse, once you've had the first round you have a sense of what you're letting yourself in for each time so can be that bit better prepared for the next hit.