December 2024 chemo starters

So glad you’ve had your last docletaxol @bluehourd, wishing you mild symptoms. I’ve just had 6/12 of my weekly paclitaxol so half way there, whoop whoop.
Delayed to weeks due to sky high liver enzymes, but all seems back on track. Hair holding albeit much, much thinner. Side effects mainly tiredness, very little nausea.
So all in all very positive! Hope everyone else getting on ok.

Hello you lovely people, sorry not posted for ages but, of course, so much going on. Had a great LGFB session and met someone who has chemo when I do, so lovely to wave to each other now. And the products I got to take home are perfect for my colouring so I have been making a bit of an effort when I meet friends and I think that distracts from the hairloss, only slight as cold cap seems to be doing its job but my parting is definitely wider. Then went to get my wig to be told I couldn’t get a good fit as I still have plenty of hair so they will keep it till I need it. Was reassuring to see it but felt I’d wasted their time and my daughter’s, who took time off to come with me, but we had a nice lunch afterwards.
I had to postpone last week’s chemo (#8) as my fingers and toes had gone quite tingly on CP but it was a blessing as not having steroids for a week meant I caught up a bit on my sleep so feel ready for the rest of the weeklies. Also I had awful oral thrush (burning right down my throat) but got some Nystan and that’s a lot better now. It even tastes nice!
So back on track this week and so far no tingling, just heels feel a bit spongey, and the oncologist said we only have to think about lowering dose when I start dropping things or having a fall. Anyone else got peripheral tendinopathy worries?

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Hi spuddy
Im having fun getting my wig, ordered back in Dec, still not arrived yet. I havent cold capped and cut hair to no.1. Hopefully it arrives soon but having fun with hats and scarves.
Great to hear youve met someone doing chemo.
Ive just done week 8/12 of taxo and carboplatin. The side effects are building up, fatigue, taste changes, will be glad when get to no. 12.
Had good news, becsuse tnbc i had a genetic test for breast cancer gene fault. Worried that there might be something in the family but all came back normal. Just waitibg for MRI scan results to see if tumour shrunk.

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@spuddy Glad you enjoyed the LGFG session. Mine got cancelled but I have rebooked for later this month so looking forward to it.
I managed to get a wig fitted despite my hair still holding on so have it at home just in case. But fingers crossed I won’t need it. Also was very organised with beanies and turban wraps that may not be needed either! The hospital even gave me a little care package the local Macmillan group had put together. Was a lovely little surprise, had some moisturiser, gentle shower wash, filter coffee (there was a choice of coffee or tea), ginger snaps and a word search. It’s little things like this which can make such a difference!

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@hucky345 fab news re genetic testing, such a relief for you! :heart:

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Hi Sooz1

Welcome and hope you are doing ok, I haven’t been on for a while as been feeling pretty pants. Crap to be part of this gang but there is a lot of support on here x

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Hi @bluehourd

Wow I bet you are glad you have your last one over with ! Although your probably feeling rubbish right now :grimacing:

I’ve not been on for a while as the last round 3 really has knocked me for 6 and I am still struggling when fatigue and aches. Last one next Tuesday ( bloods dependant of course) and I have to say whilst I will be glad that part is over of treatment I am dreading the after effects ! But on the positive side only once more, there is a lot more on here with a longer chemo journey so I have to consider myself lucky in one way it’s nearly over and done.

Hope your hand is feeling a bit better , thee is stuff you can take for bruising ( is it echinacea?) . but I haven’t taken any before and I think you have to check with your team on any supplements.

Hope you’re not feeling too bad - how’s the hair holding on ? I got a wig which I shared on here but it’s had to go back as it kept popping off :grimacing::rofl: new ones being tried in a couple of weeks so will see how that goes.

Also booked into a LGFB session in a few weeks so something to look forward to .

Hope everyone else is doing well :smiling_face:

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Hi all,

Interesting to hear about wig fittings and not getting them home while still enough hair - is this on the NHS or privately? I had a really bad time trying to get a wig through the hospital referral, never had a fitting just got sent a few pictures to choose from which were totally unsuitable for what I was looking for. Ended up buying one myself online which I’m happy with luckily although haven’t had the confidence to wear it out yet!!

I’m booked onto a virtual LGFB session next week, hope it’s as good as the in person ones seem to be!

@spuddy sorry to hear about your tingling, not sure what your treatment etc is so forgive me if this isn’t relevant, but would trying ice gloves/socks during the chemo help to try to prevent further damage? I was recommended to try them for docataxel as can cause neuropathy.

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Do also check if your MacMillan does pre loved wigs, quite a few of the Macmillan’s within your nhs do preloved wigs and you can get one for a donation of money that is another option. Also luvyababes do a good range and they don’t look like dressing up wigs and also there are shops on high street that do wigs where you can also buy hair extensions and shampoos and makeup, there are some markets that have these too. Also some on here have had great ones off Amazon :heart: hope that helps :heart: I went wig crazy when I lost my hair, coloured bobs, tinsel wigs the lot. :two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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How are you all doing?
I went along to a feel good look good session yesterday and really enjoyed it! Was such a boost as I’ve been a little fed up this last week, fatigue is really getting to me. Got some lovely freebies but was also just nice spending time with people going through similar to me.
Got me back on a more positive note again. Got my 9th treatment tomorrow so will be 3/4 way through, I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel now. :two_hearts:

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Hi Pumpkin2
Glad to hear about the pick me up boost you’ve had. Ive had my 10th week of paxitaxel and carbiplatin and feeling so low, fatigued, taste impaired, bad roscea on face, insomnia to name a few joys im experiencing. Theyve given me a break from chemo this week despite bloods being fine,which I’m so grateful for, chance to properly rest and regroup for the last 2 of taxel beforeI start on EC. Is anyone else having a mid treatment meltdown.

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Hi Hucky345
How are you doing? I hope the break gave you some respite and a chance for your body to recover somewhat.
Big hugs

Lovely surprise yesterday as my oncologist said he was happy that I had had a sufficient dose of paclitaxol to finish early!
I have been having trouble with tingly fingertips and really painful nails, with one of my big toes going black. The team were concerned about permanent damage so got in touch with my oncologist to see what he advised. Any way he said I could either continue with my last two treatments on a reduced dose or stop as he was happy I had had a sufficient overall dose. Mmmmm bit of a no brainer and have decided to stop!
Going to get my picc line removed tomorrow and meeting the oncologist next week to sort out my hormone medication.
Can’t believe I have made it to the end of the tunnel!
Hope you are all getting on ok and your side effects are mild xxx

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Thanks @pumpkin2
The weeks break was needed, mentally got myself in a place to reset and gear up for next stage. Finished final week of pacotaxel and carboplatin. Next week start on 4 lots of EC 3 weeks apart. Bit nervous about what side effects ill get.
Fantastic news on finishing chemo early you must be so pleased.

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Glad the break helped. X
Yes I am pleased at finishing, was so unexpected. Got my picc line removed yesterday and got surprisingly emotional in the chemo unit! Felt weird thanking everyone and saying goodbye.
Next step will be some form of hormone treatment, have oncology appointment next week.
Hope your next lot of treatment goes ok xxx

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Hi @hucky345 how are you getting on with EC? I think I am just behind you as had my 2nd one today and at least I will be more prepared for the fatigue this time - spent most of the week in bed after EC no. 1 mainly because my legs were too weak to do anything. Not much nausea so that was good, and I did start feeling better after about 10 days and much better by this week. Hope you recovered before cycle 2. Best wishes to you.

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Hi @spuddy
I’m a bit behind now as I had an extra week after wk 10 on paxitaxel as not well.
Ive had the first EC on Mar 19th, I agree the fatigue is something else, no strength in my legs. Unfortunately last Friday still not feeling better, and ended up going into the chemo unit,they took bloods and white blood cells dangerously low. Ended up going into hospital for 24hrs to get some IV antibiotics. 5 days letter and after more antibiotics feeling a lot better. Think it was a sinus infection that I think has been there a while.
Anyway that was enough drama, still on track for no2 next week depending on bloods. No nausea thank goodness, hoping the fatigue wont be as bad on round 2, from what I’ve heard the first round of EC is the hardest.
Let me know how you are getting on with round 2, hopefully it wont be as bad. All the best

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Hello. Hopping on from November! The first EC was definitely the worst - the second and third were much more manageable. Best of luck! x

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Thanks for that @flojo (and popping over from November chat!), and @hucky345 had heard 1st EC is the worst so that has cheered me up (relatively!) as I didn’t know. Fingers crossed as my white blood cells have stayed high enough not to concern the oncologist. Are either of you two injecting something into your tummy in week after chemo? That is meant to stimulate white cell production so can make thighs ache as “the bone marrow is squeezing out new white blood cells”. Ho hum, always something going on to make you feel not quite right but it all helps with the treatment so you just put up with it don’t you.

Oh poor you @hucky345 I do hope you feel “better” now and stwying in hospital was a good rest and not a horrid ward. I definitely felt better by last weekend so had a good week before 2nd EC; collected my wig and went out for a couple of lunches, but have learned my lesson and don’t stand for more than 30 mins then rest for a bit which NEVER used to be me. I got run down over final 2 CPs but not as bad as you, just a tummy thing that meant I was only eating bland food and I think it made a difference not having my fruit & veg so had to have potassium tablets. All OK results from this week’s blood tests. My hairloss is getting worse by the day even though I still cold cap, but now I find as well as the chemo, one of my meds causes it too so am glad I was well enough to get my wig. Hope you are able to do a few nice things before EC 2.

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