FEC Chemotherapy: what is it?I am one of the lucky buggers that gets to experience FEC chemo and all its horrific ugly charm. Fortunately, I only have to endure FEC for 3 cycles then, I am graduating to its big ugly sister, Docetaxel (Taxotere) for a further 3 cycles. So, these are some of the questions I have been up against since starting treatment: What is FEC? How is it administered? What the hell does it to to you? FEC comes from the initials of the drugs used:
Fluorouracil, makes up the substantial, and rather aggressive part of FEC. It comes in 3 big red cylinders, offers resistance when injected, tastes like alkaline, sometimes hurts and is responsible for your hair-loss and main Chemo complaints. In short, this is the bad boy that screws you up, ESPECIALLY your veins. My nurses call Cyclophosphamide the 'Bugs Bunny' drug as it makes your nose twitch when being administered. The sensation in your nose is like when you go upside down in a chlorine swimming pool and you burn your nose. FEC is usually administered through 3 week cycles. I like to initially think of it as ten days going down and then ten days climbing up, due to the fact I was told your blood cell count is at its lowest after ten days. You are usually put on (what I think is called) a Saline solution through a drip, VIA intravenous, first. Then the FEC intercepts the solution within the tube, as it is slightly diluted and injected into you very slowly. To list all the possible side effects of FEC would take me all day, there is lots of info about FEC on the Macmillan Cancer support page. The most worrying side effect is the large drop in your white and red blood cells and platelets, resulting in you having no fight in you whatsoever if you were unlucky enough to pick up any sought of infection. If your temperature rises above 37.5 C, your basically gonna die (Only joking, but thats how you feel). You will be hospitalised. If your blood cell count is not satisfactory or your temperature is not right before Chemo, they will not give it to you and you would have to undergo a transfusion. Instead of listing my symptoms, I thought it would be more ridiculous and fun to list my prescribed meds. I never knew it was possible for one human to consume so many drugs without overdosing.
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A ' no holds' page about my life with incurable advanced Breast Cancer, in the hope it will give a realistic, detailed account to other young women going through the unfortunate illness.
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September 2023
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