FEC-D regime
Comments
-
Amazon: Fec#1 is correct for me. Thank you for keeping track of it all
Lolis: that's awesome your done the FEC. Hopefully the SEs aren't bad. I seen my gyno yesterday he explain that ovaries are resilient and can take that damage of chemo. They normally bounce right back with little effecs.
My Side effects the first two days were minimal but Saturday I ended up in the ER with a fever of 102.4 dehydration and an infection in my left breast. I've been on IV antibiotics all week at home. My PS is talking about removing my implant until chemo is done. That side just doesn't want to heal and keeps having issues. Yesterday was the first day I could stomach anything other than white rice or plain white pasta.
I don't know much about rad treatments or the rashes but there's this gel I've been using from pure nature called Natures aid that has witch hazel, tea tree, pure aloe, rosemary and vitamin E it works great on bruises from the ivs and even helped with my incisions. It's good to even use on burns and mouth sores. The lady at the store says she recommends it to all her cancer patients. I've also been taking multivitamins, vitamin c and biotin.
0 -
Amazon - my MO said that chemo can cause damage to the ovaries and possibly put me in early menopause. The fertility clinic has put me in intermediate (30-70%) risk of going into menopause due to the FEC-D treatment but hoping that my age and general good health (minus the cancer) will help with the survival of the ovaries. I should ask the fertility clinic about my ovary reserve, I did a test before starting the fertility preservation and chemo. Planning to do another test after chemo is over just out of curiosity even though I won't be able to carry my own child (stupid cancer!!!).
Yensmiles - my red blood count was below the range 109 supposed to be >115. I was tired tuesday+wednesday as I got my period on monday (usually have clots sorry tmi) so I believe that the reason for the low count. I hear that exercise helps with increasing the white cell counts so maybe you should try exercising a bit more. My kidney count has been a bit low too so on to Google for me to check out what can I do to increase it.
Jen - sorry to hear you ended up at the hospital,thats not fun especially during chemo. I was told by the MO, nurse and pharmacist to not take vitamin C supplement or eat grapefruit/citrus fruit during as it might amplify the chemo SE and be counterproductive to chemo. They said they trying to oxidice the cancer cells so having anti-oxidants in the body it's not good to achieve the desired results. Thanks for sharing the name of the cream.
As for me, round has been good so far. The same as round one, no nausea so far and fingers crossed it continues like that. I was given a couple different meds so the nausea this time since last time I was a mess. Went to bed at 8:30pm last night and feel good this morning. Had some toast and brown rice last night. Will continue with the brown rice and pasta until monday and it is back to normal eating. I don't feel like eating veggies though. Before chemo I having veggies and salad every day but now my bady seems to want a lot of carbs (haven't this much bread and pasta in a long time, DH has an Italian background and is happy to have pasta everyday).
Curios as what your dose was? Mine this last time was E 170mg, F & C both 850mg. I know the surgeon said that they would be aggressive and wonder if the dose of chemo is high.
Ang, good luck with the D part of the treatment and hope it is not as bad!!!!
For you ladies that are finished with the D part, did you put on anyway with the steroids you were taking prior to the treatment? I have a wedding on August 17 (before my last treatment) and the dress I am planning to wear is snug already and don't want to buy a new dress. Any hopes for not putting on a lot of weight?
Rads question, did your RO mentioned anything about not increasing the intake of veggies/fruit during rads? I want to start drinking green juices (homemade) as soon as I finish chemo but the MO nurse said to check with the RO first.
It's time for breakfast as tummy is screaming for some food.
0 -
jennifer: So sorry to hear about your infection and ER visit. I too developed an infection about 10 days after my first FEC because I wasn't healed up from surgery and most likely had a low grade infection that bubbled up while on chemo. I had the abcess eventually drained and packed for about 3 weeks. After that I was fine. No more infections.
I can only echo what was already said about vit C. It is an antioxidant and therefore should be avoided during chemo and rads according to my MO and RO. The same goes for vit E as well.
Lolis: When do you start rads?
My RO said food version of antioxidants are OK. It's the supplements/ concentrated forms that should be avoided. So blueberry shake or green tea is a go!
The steroids did not make me retain water. That came about 2-3 days AFTER the D infusion.
As far as the period goes, mine came back after 6 weeks PFC as a 2 day spotting and cramping event, but nothing ever since. I am 43, so technically still considered pre- menoupausal. Honestly, I wouldn't miss not having it back. Right now my body is trying to figure out what it wants to do: to HAVE or NOT to have a period? That is the question!
I think I am now getting the best of both worlds:
Having a period and hot flashes at the same time!!!
BTW, Is anyone else doings rads here?
0 -
Jen, so sorry to hear about your ER visit and whole week of IV antibiotics, i had a week of antibiotics too (tablets of ciproflaxin) about 8 days after my first chemo. hope it'd gets better. My doctor says that the reactions gets "less" with subsequent treatment. Thanks for the tip on nature's aid for the skin.
Lolis, i got my period too, a week after my first chemo, and that was the same week i had my low blood count and had to do antibiotics..certainly wasn't fun..cos i do have heavy periods and clots too! but in a way, it seemed less heavy.. probably because of the chemo. I think our blood measurements are recorded differently.. or hmm..maybe mine had a decimel point somewhere but would be pretty much the same.. cos my red blood is 11.8 (supposed to be above 12), not too concern over it, but a bit afraid now because i don't really know what caused the white blood (neutrophils) to drop to half it's lower limit than jump to twice the higher limit! the doctor and nurse didn't say much..
For the D part, i take steroids 8mg x 2 tablets (one morning, one early evening) the day before chemo, on the day of chemo, and the day after chemo. Dr warned me not to skip it because it helps with the bloating caused by the D. The first session, as i was prepared for FEC (before last minute change), i only managed to take 2mg the day before as it's a lower dose of dexamethasone for FEC, and so they had to do a 20ml injection of the steroids prior to the chemo. It gives a funny feeling at one's pubic area.. kinda like ants crawling/biting.. just for a while. This second round of chemo, because i was compliant with the tablets, doctor still prescribed the injection of steroids just prior to the chemo, but instead of 20ml, i got 8ml. Side effects of that tingling feeling down under is less. I don't really like the steroids, nor antibiotics, cos it makes me eat more.. have to eat before taking steroids, and i put on 1.5kg because of that.
Amazon, you're hilarious!!!
Best of both worlds indeed! And haha.. now i feel like i'm having hot flashes too.. or well, flushed cheeks from the chemo! 0 -
Hey Amazon, thanks for trying to track us all - I'm a little off though... I'm 8w PFC (after dropping out at round 4 of 6 FEC-D).
I did the first day of 5 day boost today of rads - 17 done 4 to go
It was a little off-putting when the radiation head stopped half way between it's two normal angles and fired up though - I wish they'd warned me about that!!I was advised NO supplements of Vitamin A, C & E during chemo or rads but that they were ok in moderation from food - basically keep away from all supplements that claim anti-oxidant properties while they're trying to attack your cells - it just strengthens them and kind of defeats the whole purpose!
My periods came on time througout FEC & the 1 D, but now I'm just over a week late - ho hum!! I'm fairly (very?) certain there's no way I could be pregnant, but have always been a 27/28 day cycle girl (just super heavy since having kids) so this is very odd for me. I guess tamoxifen which I start in another 3 weeks could also make it even more wonky??
I'm loving how active this thread is, but don't feel crazy lost like the Feb 2014 chemo thread I was trying to keep up with. Thanks Ladies!!
0 -
Amazon, I don't start rads until October, still long way.
I have avoiding fruits that have vitamin C like the plague because of the MO nurse comment and I stopped my Vit C and omega 3 supplements as soon as I started chemo (I was taking them as we were trying to get pregnant when this whole BC happened) I like to get the vitamins from the food.
This was my second full period and I had a bit of a bleeding between second and third chemo (mostly clots).
This round of chemo has been good so far. I just felt a bit tired and a bit sore now as it is the day after neulasta and it will be a bit tomorrow but I can't complain. Fingers crossed it continues like this, I have a hell of a week at work!
My hair has stopped falling and my leg hair is growing very slowly.
Jen - hope you are feeling better!!
Hope you all get to enjoy this sunny weekend.
0 -
Thanks ladies about the advice on the Vit C. My MO didnt mention stopping them when I said I was taking them to help with the healing from my surgery. She only told me to stop my birth control. But after reading all your comments and even talking to the ladies at the nature store I've stopped taking anything that will make this worse.
I'm feeling much better the last few days. I hate having to keep going back to the ER to get my IV changed every few days but the nurses are great and do it in minutes while the at home nurses make me black and blue from wrist to elbow trying to put in a new iv.
Lolis: Hopefully your SE stay minimal this round
Hope everyone gets to enjoy their long weekend!
0 -
lolis: I have been wanting to ask you about your picc. Did your rash go away?
It's great to hear that you are having minimal SE.
Jenn: Do you have a PICC line? It doesn't sound like you do. If you don't you may want to consider getting it because the chemo drugs especially Epirubicin that you are getting can cause some serious damage to the veins and surrounding tissue if they happen to leak out. Plus if you need any other IV meds in the future it is quite convenient to have it just in case.
Tam: It must have been scary when the rads machine stopped in the middle. The radiation machine broke down quite regularly in my centre, but they were always able to squeeze me in to the other units when it happened.
And you are almost done!!! Just a few more to go!
0 -
Well 12hrs ago I was so bubbly. Took the dog out for a walk in the morning and once I got home I was all tired out. So I spent most of the day today laying on the couch. Hate feeling so tired....one more day of these neulasta effects. other than that no SE for me.
I have a busy week at work next week so I hope to rebounce on Monday.
The PICC line rash is gone. Thanks for asking Amazon. I am still on a dry dressing but Flovent worked miracles!!
Jen - you should ask you MO to have a PICC line inserted, it's a pain to have it on but it is worth protecting your veins from chemo's harsh effects. No need for poking when you get your blood work done, they can get it thru the PICC
Tam congratulations on being almost done!!
0 -
Watch out!
A land shark in my backyard today!!!
**********************************************
Here comes the story:
My 9 year old son wanted a balloon after the one given to him by his favourite teacher at the end of the year flew away. He was so upset about loosing the ballon that I promised to get him another one the next day.
Well, after all, he got 'the coolest balloon ever'!
0 -
good morning!
Amazon what a cool pic!!
Hubby and I went to Barrie over the weekend to see races at Barrie speedway. Very cool! There was a cancer car there. I spoke with the driver - he was very cool!! The weather was beautiful - so nice to be outside!
Last week was a great week for me - my SEs seemed to be over and here we are on Monday - time to get my bloodwork and see my onc. I usually do this on tues but since tomorrow is canada day they pushed me back to today
The SEs with my last week of FEC were the worst. Dry mouth, the roof of my mouth felt like sandpaper, food tasted like cardboard and all of my tummy troubles for the first 8-10 days.
I am just dreading starting taxotere this wed. A friend of mine told me that a year later she still has trouble with energy and feels tired!
I'll be talking with my mo about all of this today then get prepared for returning to the chair this wed at 9
I hope that everyone has a great day and happy canada day!!
0 -
football: Good luck with your medical appointments today and your first D on Wednesday.
It's wonderful that you had the energy to get out and do a few things with your hubby and that you could have at least a week when you feel back to normal.
0 -
tx amazon!
Appt with onc went well. I spoke with him about this black line that's been on my nail since last year. Before I could tell him that I had gone to dr google and what my diagnosis was he said that he is not of the opinion that it is subungal melanoma. I was so freaked out before seeing him. Told my DH that I would survive bc but die of a rare form of skin cancer
My onc took a picture of my nail and said that he will send it to a dermatologist because I've had it for so long but really doesn't think it's anything serious
Phew!
Now I can go back to focusing on wedneday! I forgot to ask about how long the infusion will be. I was told that it will be very busy Wednesday because of tomorrow's holiday!!
Can't wait!!
0 -
football. Good luck with your treatment on wed. Let us know how u make out.
0 -
Football: Good luck on Wednesday
Amazon: That's an awesome balloon. Your son must have loved it. I should get my nephews one for their bdays
I never got a picc line my MO said since I'm only getting 6 treatments my veins should be good. She said she was only going to put one in if I needed the herceptin
I seen my PS today he took me off of my IV antibiotics but he did take my left implant out. He said he will reinsert it in October a month after my last scheduled chemo. Feeling pretty bummed about all of these setbacks lately.
0 -
football: I think that getting the fingernail properly checked out by a specialist is the way to go about it.
Jennifer: I know that you were told by your MO that you only have 6 chemo treatments, but don't we all who are doing this regime? Please, get a second opinion on the picc line. I was told by every chemo nurse that I ever talked to that it is very important to have the picc if you don't want to damage your veins. This stuff is harsh. Especially Epirubicin that can cause necrosis or the tissue to die if it ever were to leak out.
I never liked my picc, but I put up with it for all the reasons that I mentioned above.
0 -
that's a fabulous balloon Amazon!
What a fortunate boy your son is!Jennifer, glad you don't have to do a year of herceptin. i was feeling bummed to loose my hair.. starting with the edges at the forehead and some very visible hair line.. till it started coming out in clumps during shower.. and strangely, i find it an interesting process! LOL! so now am happily observing the process of a gradually (very quick gradually) shedding head!
Footballnut, i was really worried about the taxotere too.. think my doctor overdosed me on the first round (probably rounded UP my weight and made my surface area 2.0m instead of 1.8) and i pretty much slept the first week and was disoriented and dropped stuff and nearly fall a few times.. this second round, he adjusted the dosage and i felt so much better. didn't have the horribly parched throat that kept me awake even at night.. and besides the first three days (with the steroids and all), i feel fine. rather bored really.. yet don't dare go out or handle my dogs much because of the high risk of neutropenia between days 5-12. I could also cook and walk my dogs - i cut myself and felt incredibly foggy and walking on clouds the last round - this round, so much better. Feel normal in everyway besides the lack of hair!
You look incredibly happy and healthy and perhaps you'd take it with great ease! and hmmm.. if you're up to it, there's this really great herb Goshajinkigan (blend of 10 traditional chinese herbs and well tested by japanese for prevention/reduction of neuropathy while on taxotere). I'm taking it now, after finding the natural herbs at chinese medical halls and boiling it for consumption daily, since i can't find the processed tablets made by this Japanese company called Tsumura&Co,Have a good day everyone!
0 -
Amazon that's an awesome balloon!!! Bet your son was happy to have a shark in the backyard!!!
Ang, good luck tomorrow!!! Let us know how it goes!! I will start Taxorete in 2 weeks too and I was told that it takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours for the infusion. It might be quicker though as my FEC lasts for about 2 hours.
Jen, as Amazon said we all get 6 treatments and I would push for a PICC line. Although it is annoying but it is worth in the long rung if it means protecting your veins. Hang in there, October will be here soon.
Yensmiles, glad to hear that you had your dose adjusted.
Nothing special to report from my end, I just had a bad day at work yesterday. I should have taken it off like everyone else. I started noticing though that I voices changes lately if I talk on the phone for too long. Wondering if chemo has anything to do with it.
Happy Canada day!!!!
0 -
hi Lolis.. it could be the "heat" (according to chinese food theory) in chemotherapy causing the voice changes.. drink more water and see if it helps. It's great that you continued working. I decided not to.. after the round of fever during my first chemo session... trying to minimise the risk of public contact while on taxotere to prevent any complications.. it doesn't help that i've a friend who did die from infection while on chemo earlier this year.. a bit paranoid in that sense.. my taxotere infusion was 2 hours last week.. though i'm quite sure it was just an hour long during the first cycle.. doctor probably increased it to two because i didn't take well to it (the low blood counts).
and hmmm.. i know not many of us have started the Taxotere part.. for those who did, did anyone experience changes in blood pressure or pulse? I've noticed something quite interesting in my vitals..for the first couple of days my pulse will be really low.. eg less than 60 (normal is 70-80). and now i noticed from today that it has become normal pulse of 70-80 but my blood pressure is now ABnormal.. it's barely touching 100/60.. and i am normally hypertensive and on drugs.. i haven't taken my blood pressure pills in a couple of days and not only has the pressure not gone up, it's gone DOWN instead!!! ???
and to top it off, i have FRESH MINT BREATH!!! really..it's kinda wonderful besides the fact that i've not consumed anything minty the whole day!!!?!??! it is really weird.. and my doctor can't explain it too.. argghghgh.. in a way i'm thankful.. it's kinda "good problems" to have.. better lower pressure than higher, better fresh than stale breath.. just wish i know WHY!??!?
0 -
Yensmiles, I am working from home. I haven't been at the office since first week of May. I didn't want to go because I was afraid of the infections and also because of the hair loss and didn't know how my SEs would. Very that work could accommodate me.
Not sure about the blood pressure. I know that my MO mentioned that the chemo could affect the heart, in how it pumps the blood (hence the MUGA scan before the start of the treatment). But if you are worried about the BP have some honey and water, or a cup of coffee, reduce garlic consumption. I normally have low heart beat and BP (mid 60s and just over 100/60) and if I feel light headed I know th BP has gone down and reach for candies or coffee.
Great that you have a minty breath :-)
Amazon, are you done with the rads?
0 -
amazon was it you that told me about the hair growth and what to take. I've forgotten.
0 -
Football: I'll be thinking of you tomorrow for your first D. I wish I could take your worries away somehow about "what if", but in the meantime I can send you a virtual hug. (((Hug)))
gonein: Yes, I have mentioned to you that I take a Biotin and Silicea supplements for hair growth.
I started taking my supplements AFTER finishing chemo and rads.
The only supplement that I was on during the D part of chemo and rads was L- glutamine and one daily multivitamin.
The L- glutamine I took 'at my own risk' as I wanted to reduce neuropathy, boost healthy cells and weaken any bc cells. The mutivitamin was OK- ed by my MO.
Yens: I have noticed changes in my heat beat after the infusions. It felt like my heat was racing.
As far as BP, I only started to notice a difference while on rads. My RO thought that I was showing symptoms of positioning hypotension: dizziness, throbbing pulsation in my ears when changing positions to standing or walking from sitting.
Lolis: I too had voice changes during chemo. I had hoarse voice when I was on steroids and it lasted for a 3-4 days each cycle.
All: I believe that protecting yourself against infection by limiting one's public exposure is a smart thing to do, never a paranoia. When I was on chemo I literally lived in self imposed isolation.
Here is my weekly update for rads skin and hair growth at 14 weeks PFC and 5 weeks PFR. I am also including a pic of my maximum baldness from about 4 months ago and now for a comparison.
0 -
awesome amazon thanks so much. Your hair is really coming in good.
0 -
Thanks Amazon!
feels comforting to know i'm not the only one with self-imposed isolation during chemo! your skin is looking good.. much less red and raw.. i still remember the initial pictures. and your hair looks deep and rich in colour too! thanks for the infor on your pulse rate during the chemo.. i am feeling like an "anomaly".. my heart-attack like symptoms usually happens during infusion says the dr.. but i got it few days after.. and oh, i have the postural hypotension moments too..especially during the first few days.. this time less with the adjusted dosage.. oh well, am just glad my bp went back to normal this morning.Lolis, that's great to work from home. and hmm.. i've been taking garlic (just a few chopped raw cloves with breakfast) as i read that it increase white blood count.. and green tea too.. so am having a cup or two a day.. maybe it's just everything that somehow causes the bp to be low.. haha.. if it continues, on the bright side, i might never need bp medication again! yay!!!
and hmm.. i remember reading to avoid coffee in the taxotere handout i was given when i commenced chemo.. so shall take your advice and have honey water next i feel funny! 0 -
hi all!
Home from round 4! Mostly tired from Benadryl. Herceptin was given first for 90 minutes. Then Benadryl and some other antihistamine. That made me feel very tired. Then taxotere for an hour so far so good just tired!
I'm more freaked out about my nail then the bc! Can't wait to see a dermatologist!
Amazon your hair and skin look great! You are coming along very nicely!
0 -
Amazon, great pictures!! Your skin does look a lot better.
Yensmiles, didn't know that green tea helps with the white blood cells. I shall have a couple cups on a daily basis from now on.
Ang, congrats on number 4. Hope the SE remain minimal!
0 -
Glad the information is useful Lolis, and oh, certain seafood helps too, and here, the Malay nurses will say drink "crab soup", Chinese will boil abalone and conch in soups. I'm not doing that though in case i get allergies because i do occasionally, to crab and prawns/shrimps.
ouch Footballnut.. that can't be the effect of D on the nails right, because you're just starting Taxotere!? And hmm.. since you're visiting a dermatologist..i guess that means, no idea what's causing it now?
and is that how they wrap the fingers/toes in cold wraps where you are to protect them from the effects of taxotere? i went through BC Cancer Agency Protocol and saw "frozen mittens" recommended for it and i really thought you guys would have special mittens.
0 -
football: I have been thinking about you all day today and yay for finishing your first D!!!
Do you have a date to see the dermatologist yet? I would push things a bit as far as the appointment so you don't have to wait very long because waiting can only increase any anxiety. And it's better to get any concerns checked out by a professional. In fact, my suggestion would be to see more dr to get a second or a even a third opinion. I would get the ball rolling now to get to see as many dermatologists as possible.
That's exactly what I did after dx and before deciding on the scope of my surgery.
0 -
Ang: So sorry you are in so much pain.
I had to be on a regular dose of Oxycodone 1x every 6 hours to live through it.
If you don't have any effective pain meds it, I would advise you to call the MO that's on call during the weekend to have them fax the prescription ASAP to the local pharmacy that's open on Sundays and have your hubby pick up the meds.
Then again this medication bring on the big C so you need to be on stool softeners and prunes+ lots of water to helps things moving.
Thinking of you!!!! ((((Hugs))))
0 -
This is my first time posting.
I just finished my last chemo (D) on June 25th - youpie! Had 3 FEC and then 3 D. Got through FEC not too bad - some nausea and weakness but managed to stay pretty active. The Taxotere (D) was tougher on me. I had cut back on the steriods for the first treatment and ended up in a lot of pain. My finger nails got messed up too. Next 2 treatments, my oncologist increased the steroid for a couple more days and i kept dipped my finger tips in ice water during the treatments. These helped a great deal. I also had to finally realize that i need to pace myself and really rest.
Throughout treatment, i ended up gaining about 20 lbs - ugh! I did use food to comfort me and dove into the sweets especially with the taxotere. I wanted to eat the house! I am back to eating really healthy again and am slowly getting active again. I was running 5km 3times per week and doing yoga right up until my mastectomy so i know that the inactivity has contributed to my weight gain.
I first came on this forum to see if others had hair growth start before the end of chemo. Mine started growing about 2 weeks before my last treatment. I did get a bit of regrowth before that but i kept my head shaved as it was so much more comfortable. I'm just wondering if this is really my hair or just the "taxotere fuzz" i've read about.
Now that summer has arrived, i am going out without any head coverings and it's great. At first, i felt self-conscious but now i don't mind. I have learned how to draw on my eyebrows and use eyeliner to give the illusion of eyelashes and put on big earrings.
I still have another surgery coming up (axillary dissection) and then radiation but i am so excited about having the chemo behind me.
0
