Chemo recovery time

[derrynoose]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get back to full strength after FEC chemo for breast cancer?

[raysparx1]

My wife has had chemo for brest cancer, but what is fec chemo? do you mean after each session or after the complete course?

My wife had chemo monthly for 6 months, felt really tired for the first two weeks or so of every session, and just when she was beginning to feel ok, it was time for another dose, but once the 6 months was over with she recovered really quickly, are you having chemo yourself or is it a relative? whatever it is I wish you real good luck, keep smiling and keep your sense of humour, it does help, Ray

[daffy654]

I know you have probably already checked the internet for info derrynoose but I just found this great site that explains everything in laymans terms.

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Chem otherapy/Combinationregimen/FEC

I have no personal experience of breast cancer so am unable to help in that way. As ray said good luck with it all whether it is you or a friend/relative who is ill.

[derrynoose]

Thank you raysparx1 for the reassurance and good wishes.
I'm asking for a close relative.
'FEC' stands for the three three drugs used in the chemotherapy.
She had a mastectomy in March 2007, followed by six sessions of chemotherapy, then a break, then 3 weeks of radiotherapy. She also developed life-threatening neutropenic sepsis (compromised immune system) spent time back in hospital, and went back to work 3 weeks after her radiotherapy ended.
It''s now 7 months since her last treatment. Some days she has lots of energy, others she feels rather listless. She has a dry mouth, her heart pounds and she can hear the rushing in her head; her fingertips are wrinkled (as if she had had her hands in water). She would just like to know when she can expect all these side effects to end.
I think it would be wonderful if someone who has gone through this, or even part of this, could contribute to the thread.
Thanks a lot.

[cruella]

Hi derrynoose
I have a friend who has gone through the same as your friend.
It is over a year now and she is back at work.
She still has the symptoms that you describe your friend to have.
People all respond differently to treatment .
Part of the problem is the anxiety a person is left with after the treatment which is only natural.
My Husband suffers from Bladder cancer. Cannot be cured but can only now be treated with having an operation every three months to remove the tumours.
His last Chemo was the first week in January and still has days of feeling unwell.
I do hope your friend feels better soon but I think most Cancer sufferers always have the word C in their minds. It may be a good idea for her to talk and discuss her problems with someone.
Good luck. xxx

[raysparx1]

Hi derrynoose

Ray's wife here now. I can sympathise with whats happening but as for the length of time for any side effects to subside is totally dependent upon the combination of drugs used, their strength and the persons own body strength. As I understand it every chemo prescription is put together with a different combination of drugs thereby being tailor-made for each patient to suit their own requirements. Having said all that , there is only one person she should be asking advice from and that is her own oncologist. They are always there for you even after the course of treatment is finished. Please get professional advice in order to put your minds at rest.

I do hope she is back to full health soon .

Take care, June