adjuvant Chemotherapy

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with early stage IDC breast cancer.. I’ve already had lumpectomy, and have recently completed radiotherapy. And now, I will be undergoing chemotherapy.

I’d like to ask if anyone has undergone FEC-T regimen and have experienced severe side effects or complications. And if so, did you continue with the same regimen, changed regimen, or another option. And if you have completed FEC, how would you rate your quality of life after treatment? Thank you in advance for your opinions.

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  • Hi Angie, 

    Although I’ve visited the chat forum I’ve never actually posted anything but I saw that you are going to start FEC T so thought I would share my experience with it . Before I started I was really worried but It was not as bad as I had feared and I actually found the T part more comfortable than the FEC .For me the biggest thing was the tiredness, I was wiped out for 4 or 5 days after each one  . I was very lucky and although at times I felt nauseous I was never actually sick ( They give you lots of anti sickness meds ) . I had several side effects but nothing drastic and it says a lot that already only a couple of months later I am struggling to think of them . Heartburn was one of them along with very sensitive finger tips and toes ( I still have a bit of neuropathy in my feet ...it feels like I’m walking on a stone under the ball of each foot ...not painful but just feels a bit weird ) I started to lose my hair straight after the second session of FEC ( I chose not to use the cold cap ) . I had my op in March ,finished the chemo at the end of September and have just finished 5 weeks of radiotherapy. My hair is just beginning to grow back . I’m still very tired but that is as a result of the radio as well and it is still early days. I hope that you also get minimal side effects and that your treatment goes well ....good luck ! 

    Jackie

  • Thank you Twin Two and Jacqi for your replies. Doing everything to prepare for chemotherapy, but I know that you can never be prepared enough for this whole life changing process. 

    Trying to decide on cold capping; however,  I hear it only works for some, but not for others. How often would I actually wear a wig? Bald is beautiful. Though, it’s winter now, so I won’t dare to test that theory so much.

    Wish all you ladies continued success in recovery. 

    xx 

    Angie29

  • Hi angie

    I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Try not to worry, take it one day at a time..I hope you dont mind but im just hoping you may have some tips for my mum whom is starting her radiotherapy soon, did you hear any tips along the way? Could you explain what happens or what to expect to help put my mums mind at ease? 

     

    Thanking you, geraldine x

  • Hi Angie29

    I see you  were undecided about trying the cold cap. I tried it for the first cycle, it takes a little while to get used to it but it is manageable. I was surprised at how much hair I have lost, it started on day 13 and  I'm losing more hair each day, I'm not sure I will have any left by cycle 2. As soon as I get my wig  I think the rest has got to go. I don't know how often I will wear the wig but I guess once I've got it its an option. 

    Do whatever feels right for you on the day, keep in touch.

    Evie 18

  • Thanks Angie,

    with regards to cold capping I chose not to because it adds to the amount of time you have to spend at each session and also because I had also heard that some people still lose their hair ( my sister in law used it and lost most of hers ) I also decided not to have a wig ....I feel more like me with a hat or scarf than I would have in a wig . I go commando at home ( my lovely hubby said I remind him of that one in ‘Snowhite ‘ when I asked him which one ( visions of snowhite in my mind) he said ‘Dopey’ ! Lol Good job I love him .....having a sense of humour helps get you through most things !. My hair is just beginning to grow and as soon as it is even all over ( even if it is still really short I intend to ditch the headgear when I go out too ....I find it very itchy ) of course everyone is different and what suits one person doesn’t suit the next so the important thing is to do what you feel most comfortable with .....

                                       jacqi

     

     

     

Reply
  • Thanks Angie,

    with regards to cold capping I chose not to because it adds to the amount of time you have to spend at each session and also because I had also heard that some people still lose their hair ( my sister in law used it and lost most of hers ) I also decided not to have a wig ....I feel more like me with a hat or scarf than I would have in a wig . I go commando at home ( my lovely hubby said I remind him of that one in ‘Snowhite ‘ when I asked him which one ( visions of snowhite in my mind) he said ‘Dopey’ ! Lol Good job I love him .....having a sense of humour helps get you through most things !. My hair is just beginning to grow and as soon as it is even all over ( even if it is still really short I intend to ditch the headgear when I go out too ....I find it very itchy ) of course everyone is different and what suits one person doesn’t suit the next so the important thing is to do what you feel most comfortable with .....

                                       jacqi

     

     

     

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