FEC-D regime
Comments
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wow, Footballnut!!! way to go! volunteering and a holiday while on chemo.. my week certainly feels better reading your post, it's like the positive energy (despite the morning challenges and tired days) shines through and is contagious!
Wishing you a wonderful time at Niagara Falls! 0 -
I am feeling that I am finally turning a corner with this nasty cold as I don't seem to cough my lungs out any more even though I am still stuffed up and having quite a bit of mucous.
I am 1 week PFR and my radiated skin is itchy, turning blotchy in red-purple colour with brown freckles, has a grainy leathery feel and is painful in certain spots especially under my armpit.
Here is my update regarding hair growth after 10 weeks PFC. I never knew before that my hair was growing in a swirl like a spinning galaxy.
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That's a very nice even hair growth Amazon!
and lol! do i detect armpit hairs growing too? and hey, what does PFR and PFC mean?0 -
yens: PFC- means: Post Final Chemo
PFR: Post Final Radiation
And here is a pic from my garden this morning. It lifts my spirits. Enjoy!
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amazon ure garden is beautiful! Ure hair looks great! I hope that ure skin feels better soon!
I am so excited!!!!! My meeting with the cdn cancer society went well. I will be an outreach volunteer and do presentations for corporations! I will also have an opportunity to share my story. I can't wait!!!!!!
I am so excited and look forward to developing some good contacts!!!!!
:-)
Yensmiles funny how tired I feel just sitting here! I must get moving!!!!!!!! Can't wait for a change of scenery. Even if we just sit outside doing nothing!!!
Last FEC is next wed and I am very scared about what taxotere/ herceptin will bring so thought that we should do something now. Hopeful that we can do get away in October when I'll just be taking herceptin
Hope all are doing well !!
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I can't believe my luck! On top of having a nasty, dry cough, a painful and itchy radiation burn I bit my tongue really badly!
It happened when I was eating a tomato. I feel that after chemo my tongue doesn't have the same sensitivity hence the accident.
Football: I think it's great that you are going to volunteer and share your story.
People need to hear from us.
It's wonderful that you can get out with your hubby and spend some time together.
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Amazon, your hair looks great!!! But ouch you chest must hurt!!! Ask your doctor about Flamazine, it's a cream for burns and looks like you need it.
Today I had a day of full pledge period, not fair, I had a period just 13 days ago :-(.
My MO sent me for an u/s to make sure there was no blood clot in my right arm and luckily there was none. I got another bruising in my right arm as they couldn't draw blood out of my PICC as they were concerned about the clot. Got poked twice. The MO prescribed a puffer to be used on my skin to help it dry out. If it doesn't get better she said that will remove the PICC after the last FEC treatment, which is due in 3 weeks (doing my second on Thursday). I am hoping the SEs will be the same as I have a forecast due the first week of July and people at work don't know that I have BC (just a few people know).
Ang, hope you have a wonderful time in NF!!!! It's awesome that you are volunteering!!!
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amazon sorry about your tongue. It must be the tomato's fault!! Lol
Lolis glad to hear that all is good
Funny I can't wait to get away for a few days. At the same time part of me feels that I should be living in a bubble until my treatment is over. Don't ask me why!
Part of me feels afraid of eating in restaurants. I don't know why. Part of me is afraid of being out in the sun - even of I'm slathered with lotion. SPF 30!! Lol. Part of me feels that we should wait until treatment is over and smother part of me says get out and LIVE !!!!
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I know Ang, I walk outside when it is 25+ C and I am wearing long sleeves and DH that's doesn't want me to go anywhere for fear of catching something.... it sucks but it's only temporary so hang in there it will over soon!!!!
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Hi ladies,
thanks Amazon for the explanation on the abbreviations! learning somethng new everyday!
Ladies, I'm a little hesitant on my FEC-T treatment - TOMORROW's the day, after this morning's echogram showed that i've Grade II (pseudonormalization) diastolic dysfunction. The LVEF - 74% which is adequate for this chemo regime and herceptin if it's not affected drastically. Yet, I'm concern. I'm concern about whatever this diastolic dysfunction is and also trace mitral regurgitation and also trace tricuspid regurgitation. Would you share what your echogram results were and how your heart fared through the chemo session and/or herceptin?
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Yensmiles, sorry to hear about your heart issue. Mine was normal (I have a family history of heart issues but they manifest later or at birth). My father has had atrial fibrillation for a few years now and he takes meds. I have had no issues with the heart so far, I don't feel it racing nor missing a beat so the treatment has not affect it so far. Ask the doctor if they will put you on any medications, blood thinner or anything else.
Sorry couldn't be of any help.
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good morning all!
Yens I'm sorry that I can't be of any assistance. I had a MUGA prior to starting chemo and was never told snything. Of course I never asked. Lol. I suspect that my heart is strong - never had any issues. I hope that things go well for you
Well we have decided that we are going to Niagara Falls and I plan to have a good time! Lose some $ in the casino, see a few shows, eat the wrong foods and live!!
Lol
Have a good day all!
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Thanks Lolis, Footballnut! I'm probably just overthinking it. LOL! Maybe unconsciously trying to weasel out of chemotherapy. The MOs did say it's okay.. they look at what's called LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) and if it's above 50 it's considered okay.
and Amazon, did you do gardening throughout treatment? The garden looks beautiful and well-cared for!
Potted plants are all around my house, and they're surviving thanks to plentiful rain - am overlooking all the much needed pruning work though! 0 -
good luck yens!! I remember my initial thoughts about chemo too and still hate going but I've met some wonderful people because of it!!
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Yens: I would listen to your Dr. If he/she thinks it's OK then you most likely will be fine. I too was worried about my heart condition after doing the muga scan because hear conditions run in my family. It came as normal, so that was good news for me. If you are still not sure, would it be possible for you to seek a second opinion?
I tried to dye my hair today with all natural henna based product. The idea was to colour the white hair dark brown. After an hour of keeping the thick paste on my head I washed it off only to find out that my white hair actually turned.... Wait for it.....ORANGE!!! I never imagined that one day I am going to be a ginger!
Thank goodness this stuff is only temporary and will wash off.
As far as my rads skin, today I noticed after 8 days PFR that the little grainy blisters are turning into dry, itchy, peeling skin. The underarm area feels like an abrasion. Yay! Some progress!!!
Here is a pic of my hair creation.
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Yensmiles - I agree if you are worried ask for a second opinion and also since your rating was 74 that's well over 50 and given that MO is saying that is okay, I wouldn't worry that much. Definitely keep and eye out if you feel anything abnormal. Remember to take your chemo meds on time and if they give you just in case pills to help with nausea take them as soon as you feel a small queasiness. I was carrying them in my purse just in case I needed them for the first 2-3 days.
Football enjoy yourself, you deserve it!!!
Amazon, nice colour!! Just in time for the soccer world cup!!
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LOL! Lolis, you make me laugh - with what i think is an entertaining, and fun-forward and apt description of Amazon's hair! It truly is lovely Amazon!
Thanks ladies for the support...I did chicken out again this morning.. woke at 5:30am to do last minute googling and decided to just change back to TCH regime and also change hospital and doctor.. So today, I've DONE CHEMO! yay!!! my first round of Taxotere-Cyclophosmide-Herceptin. and you ladies have been so wonderfully supportive, i'm still going to hang around on this thread and enjoy this journey to wellness with you!
I'm fortunate, very blessed indeed.. no side effects (besides an upset tummy) and am writing in the hospital now.. while waiting for my sister to pick me up after work!
of course, the side effects might come..and i'm hoping it wouldn't! 0 -
yen congrats on being done !!! Now go home and relax n unwind. You deserve it. Football ,go live dangerously for a few days we all deserve to do that once in awhile Amazon congrats on being a ginger. I was told yesterday that I need a haircut. Lol. I told my husband n he said no way !! lol. I can finally c it blowing in the wind when I drive or it's windy out. Posting a pic
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gonein: Lol - you indeed 'need' a haircut!
Lolis: YAY- I am ready for the world soccer cup!!! Lol
Yens: I am glad you made a decision about your treatment and yay for your first one down! How many cycles are you getting?
My hubby commented on my hair length saying that now I don't have 'fly hair' any more, but a 'WW2 Japanese soldier hair'.
There is some progress!!! Lol
I am 9 days PFR and my skin started to peel. So my patchy looking hair is matched by my patchy looking radiated skin. Actually the colour of my skin ranges from pink to red to more purple. I feel like I am blotchy all over:,from my partially regrown lashes and brows, through a partially regrown scalp hair, to a partially regrowing skin.
Yay!
I am PARTIALLY REGROWN !!!
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Congratulation on your first chemo Yensmiles.
Amazon - which team do you root for?
My second round wasn't as great as the first round. I had it in the morning and forgot my snacks at home so I was very weak and a lot of nausea. Didn't like it that it was in the morning longer day :-( Not looking forward to tomorrow, Neulasta time :-S
Have a good evening ladies!!!
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Thanks Gonein and congrats on the hair!
It's nice and evenly grown!:)Amazon, you are one colourful girl!
Is that the progression..from pink..to red..to purple.. and then back to normal colour? Thanks Amazon, I'm having 4 cycles of Taxotere-cyclophospamide-Herceptin, followed by herceptin alone for the rest of the year. I'm wondering now what to do with the "bloating" or water retention..fingers and toes are obviously bigger and yesterday evening whatever i drank seemed to have been lurking inside my tummy.. it was only in the middle of the night, that i woke up almost every hour to pee.. then again, it's because i pee, i drink again (parched throat +mouth), pee and drink again.. the cycle repeated till morning! LOL! How did you ladies get rid of the bloating while on the D?
Lolis, does your doctor give you neulesta as a regime or only after testing blood levels?
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Yensmiles, I think it you reduce salt intake it can help with the water retention and maybe exercise/walk. Not sure not there yet. Are you hormone receptive -?
Yes, I take Neulasta 24 hrs after every chemo I think they make part of the regime to help against infections. Yesterday I learnt that they look at baby white cells and mature ones.
Woke this morning and I feel better. I ate nothing but crackers and rice yesterday, everything tasted off, even my cucumbered water. Will to eat some watermelon or other melon to help with the water intake.
Gonein40 your hair is growing evenly!! That's really good.
Mine is still falling in patches and the lint roll is amazing
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Hi Lolis,
have you tried Zinc supplements? I've been taking after my lumpectomy for faster healing.. and just today was reading (somewhere on the net) that it helps with the taste buds while on chemo. I did notice my buds were a bit off, though still manageable.. pineapple tasted saltier.. i've enhanced salt taste! :LOL! had a pineapple, carrot, apple + berries smoothie pre-dinner last night, and it tasted off!!! drank it all anyway for the nutrients and also for the pineapple to help with digestion. this morning, my taste bud was better..not too sure if it's because i eat my zinc tablets in the morning and hence the taste buds worked better than as compared to last night!
and i also use porcelain spoons or chopsticks to eat, after reading on one of the threads on this discussion board that it helps to avoid metal utensils. I'm rather against anything plastic, so chopsticks and porcelain spoons for me. I've not been using added salt in my diet since surgery.. and hardly add salt to anything.. so nothing to minimise there.. might walk my dogs again tonight..once it's sundown..
Lolis, have you tried celery, carrots + parsley juice? It's quite palatable for me.. love it! And it's good for liver detox.. i'm drinking it every morning.. to cleanse the liver since we're taking in so much toxins with the chemo. If you'd like to make it more sweet, can add apples and cucumber to it!
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lolis: As far as the world soccer cup, I am leaning to cheer for the host country- Brazil.
Are you taking Claritin with Neulasta? I took it a couple of hours before the shot and also the following day and I only had very mild aches which I treated with a hot magic bag.
Yens: Taxotere is the culprit for the water retention. I agree with the reduction of salt intake as lolis already mentioned and of course a LOT of hydration. There is however a herbal tea that you can try to reduce bloating. It's called field horsetail.
The only supplement was I was taking was L-glutamine. 30g for 5 days starting on day 3 of your chemo cycle to reduce neuropathy, help with digestion and to increase the effectiveness of chemo.
As far as vitamins I was taking one multivitamin daily plus extra vit B6 50mg per day.
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I am posting my chart of SE while on Docetaxel for your reference, so please ignore this if you read it earlier.
With D-part the pattern of SE was following:
Day 1: feeling on the edge (due to Dexamethasone), horse voice, water retention in the legs, abdomen, face
Day 2. flushed cheeks, hunger pains, horse voice, hot flashes/ cold sweats, discomfort in the lower ribs/ liver area (after the 3rd D only), tired, light headed, Neulasta pains
Day 3: puffy face and abdomen, heavy legs, dry mouth, horse voice, shaky, abdominal cramping, restless night with wild dreams, swollen throat
Day 4-7: moderate to severe bone and joint pain, bloated, rash, BM spotting, loss of taste,
Day 8-10: bubbly, cramping, leaky stomach, body aches and pains, heavy and stiff legs, bloody nose, BM spotting
Day 11-16: heavy legs, fatigue, hands and feet heat sensitivity, achy post mastectomy site and axilla, sensitive gums
Day 17-20: very tired, hair loss, dizzy, depressed, watery burning eyes, weak, axilla pains, muscle twitching (after the 2nd D)
Day 21: anxious, feeling on the edge
Here are my PFC lingering SE for several weeks to come: stiff joints, painful thigh muscles, neuropathy in 3 fingers on my right hand, muscle twitching, abdominal & lower ribs sore spots, watery eyes, fatigue, hot flashes and cold sweats, heat sensitivity
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Thanks Amazon. No I haven't had any juices. I like eating the fruit. Would that have the same effect? If not I will buy a juicer and start making some of these delicious juice!! I didn't have the metallic taste last time not as pronounced. It is better today.
No pains from neulasta yet. I am trying not to take anything else since I was on antibiotics for a week now, two more to go, they are so bitter.
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oh gosh, thanks for the detailed side effects Amazon!!! helps in my mental preparation!
I'm trying to get L-glutamine too.. not a popular supplement for sure!!!! And am taking neurobions and mecomine.. both for nerves, neurobion has B6 in it too..
and lol! i'd rather have leaky stomach than constipation. .really find that i can't go besides after my morning juice!!! and i do eat healthily! being pretty much vegetarian/pescatarian now, i do go quite often before chemo, 2-3 times a day depending on how much i've eaten!!
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Well, here is my weekly hair growth update taken after 11 weeks PFC.
My hubby even gave me thumbs up for being ready to go 'topless'.
I think that my hair is still a bit too short, so I end up wearing summer hats when going outside. It's a good sun protection for my radiated skin.
I am 14 days PFR and my skin appears less red. It's dry, peely and feels leathery.
In the areas where the old skin came off new pink skin is growing underneath. I am still tender and puffy, but was able to wear a sports bra for the first time since I finished rads. Yay! Some progress!
I saw a PS today and he said that the only option for recon is latissmus dorsi flap because I don't have enough tummy fat and a regular TE would not work because of the damage to the skin and tissue by RT. Oh well, something to think about for the next 9 months. That's the time he recommended before any surgery.
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Amazon, it's looking good!!! I think you can go topless :-)
Are you feeling tired? What SE are you having?
I will probably go for the same recon surgery but my PS told me that I would need 1 year in between rads and surgery. I am a bit afraid of that surgery to tell you the truth.
Did you ladies get a prosthetic? I forgot to ask for a requisition from MO for it, will have to remember to do that in 2 weeks
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Hey, you look great amazon! That's speedy hair growth!!!
Lolis, hope you're better now after the antibiotics last week...
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