Hi New to all this - not coping too well

Hi, I am a 34 year mum to three young kids. I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in August. 

I have since had two surgeries and started the first round of my chemo (fec-t) yesterday. It was simply horrendous. I was constantly sick from 5pm, got stronger anti sickness tablets that didn’t work and ended up at out of hours at midnight to get anti sickness injection that has eased it a bit I was only sick again at 3am. I am now currently struggling to go to the toilet. Please tell me this gets easier.

  • Bless you. Seems like we are at a similar stage of treatment. I was diagnosed in Aug, surgery sep and start chemo next week, fec. I’ve been told to expect nausea plus a long list of other stuff, so not looking forward to that. The oncologist did say they’d review me after the first chemo as they could always adjust things if The side effects were too bad.

    I hope you can get it under control and that this is just a rough start which will improve xx

  • Hi, I’m sorry you’re having such a terrible time! It does get easier, and you’ll have days where you feel great. My first chemo was scary too, and I was terribly sick. I had my antisickness changed and also given a tablet which acted as an antisickness and an anti anxiety med- that was a godsend. My first 4 chemos were epirubicin (EC) so the EC part of your fec-t. And I’ve now had 3 docetaxel (also called taxotere - the T part of your fec-t) and it’s totally different, no sickness but flu like symptoms instead.it does honestly pick up, I promise you that you can do this - I felt the same as you on day 1. Sorry I should have mentioned that I’m 30, I’ve got invasive ductal breast cancer, grade3, HER2+ and oestrogen receptor + too. Chemo before surgery, 8 chemos in total- had 6, number 7 is tomorrow (hence the reason I’m wide awake due to the dexamethasone steroids!) good luck, I promise you’ll feel better soon. There will be some bumps in the road, but look forward to your good days and ask as many family members and friends to help you - you’ll appreciate it towards the end of treatment x

    oh ps, my oncologist said to avoid probiotics like actively, pro biotic vitamins, Brie and blue cheeses x