She had an aggressive 2.5 cm (1 in) tumour with 4 positive nodes, and has had a lumpectomy with reconstruction - she's doing really well so far.

On Monday, she starts chemo with 8 treatments of FEC planned
(5-Fluoroucil, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide). Peg Dietrich has kindly sent tips relating to chemo generally (Thanks Peg).

Have you any specific tips/hints to help Liz through her treatment?

I'd be grateful.

I've been greatly helped by all of your posts so far - and have shown some to Liz, although she is frightened to read the group herself just now.

-I have a text file that comprises a harvested bunch of postings on chemo in general. Some folks have found it handy (actually it's grown to two text files).

If you'd like me to send you a copy, please just email me privately and I'll send them on their way

-My wife was diagnosed with bc in September. She had 4 FEC treatments and she is now coming to the end of 4 Taxotere treatments, given as part of a trial. Initially she was very troubled with vomiting caused by the FEC chemotherapy
(but this does not happen to all women). This can be well controlled in even the most severe cases so contact the hospital as soon as possible if this happens. I don't think GPs have all of the equipment required to treat this problem and some of the drugs are not stocked by high street pharmacies.

Does your hospital have 'cold cap' treatment? This can help to avoid hair loss for some women. It is a felt cap filled with refrigerated gel that is put on the head during treatment. I think it stops the chemotherapy drugs being absorbed in the scalp but, unfortunately, it does not work for all women. It is very uncomfortable at first but I'm told it gets much better after the first few minutes.

The hair loss problem is, understandably, very distressing for women. My wife found that she preferred wearing a hat to wearing a wig. I think that the biggest part of the problem is that women look so different when they lose their hair and some tend to think it makes them look disfigured or unattractive. I try to reassure my wife about this as much as possible. Our oncologist told us that he has never known a case where the hair did not grow back though.

The treatment is not easy but it gets easier as time passes. My wife finds that after the first week following each treatment, she is able to lead a fairly normal life, feeling quite well and doing things she enjoys like a bit of gardening and driving around to visit friends. The first few days of each treatment are the worst but things do get much better.

There is a lot of good information on the Internet about cancer treatment. We have found that the good, clear information available has done a lot to dispel our fears and uncertainty. Some web sites are: -

http://www.komen.org/bci.asp http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/ (very useful site)

There is also a group called Breast Cancer Care
(http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/splash) that I think can put your wife in touch with somebody who has had cancer and who can talk to her about it. There is another group called the Lavender Trust that helps younger women.

During my wife's treatment we have been planning a holiday for when she gets better. Having something like this to concentrate on and to look forward to has been a great help to us both.

Lastly, don't neglect your own health and wellbeing. You will have a lot of unavoidable stress and worry in the months ahead. Accept help from friends and relatives if it is offered. Do go to see your GP if you have problems with stress, depression, insomnia, nausea etc.