Hi there, I was diagnosed last year in April, i finished my chemo in September last year, i had quite intense treatment too but i sailed through it, so please don’t be scared that chemo might make you poorly because it didn’t make me ill. As for losing your hair, you will get used to it. It’s not the most pleasant experience but it grows back. Sorry if i am straight to the point but if you’re positive all the way then you’ll be OK… 
Good luck with your treatment…
Karen xx
Hi all you AAA’s,
Had a lazy day again!
Countdown time, I have felt a bit like you Pauline over the last couple of weeks, cramming in lot of things, meeting up with friends, eating out etc just in case, got another busy week. hubby home on Thursday then we’re off to Amsterdam for the weekend before boarding the chemo train. I bought lots of scarves, bandannas and sleep caps, I got a bit carried away but they’re so nice. Got 2 wigs sorted now, one straight and one with a curl in it for anticipated nights out or if I just want a different style. Oh and a wig stand, who would have thought I would have got excited about that. Bought the medical and some foody items too, can’t find pineapple ice lollies though, may have to make my own.
Zuzy, glad u r home, take it easy
Littlescoot , u too
Joan, welcome aboard
Lori, any tips in preparation
Oh Amber - well Jell on the Amsterdame trip!!! We were due to go to Amsterdam the weekend after my 1st Op so clearly had to cancel, also had to cancel 2 other hols we had arranged this year - having said that, looking forward to the mega holiday we’ll have at the end of treatment 
Have a fabby time
Pauline xx
Hi Everyone,
Kept the new wig on all day y’day and had a couple of friends round for a visit today so popped it on to gauge the reaction…when I opened the door one said “oh youve had your hair cut again, its lovely”. A while later I came clean and said "glad you like my new cut as this will be my new look for a while…its my wig!!! So I guess it dont look too shabby!
I have started a little chemo kit too…
I have got some soft toothbrushes, mouthwash and bonjela. I have some sleep caps, my wig and a couple of hats for those colder days. I have also stocked up on antibacterial hand wash and sanitizer’s for when immune system is at a low ebb…I plan to give up on my contact lenses for a while too during treatment and treated myself to some new specs, also have some fake tears incase my eyes do get dry. I’m still using E45 wash and moisturiser since my op so will continue with that…I’m hoping that with all this and the medicine pack from hospital should see me through. Another thing I was given by my In-laws was one of those temperature monitors like they use in the hospital (hand held thingy that goes in your ear) This will be great because when I had my pre-assessment they said to get into the habit of monitoring temp daily during chemo.
Its great to hear that folks are feeling more positive and feeling more in control, feeling that way has got to help on this journey…
Take care
Lori x
Hi Lori,
thanks for the reminders, bought my thermometer ages ago and forgot about it, got the sanitising hand wash. Iam a bit concerned about our two dogs though when Iam prone to infection. I know I’ll need to be extra careful do you think I should be overly concerned. Must get a soft tooth brush though.
Pauline - thank you, my last taste of freedom for a while
take care xx
hi
just reading your posts, what exactly is the chemo essentials pack, i dont get much info it seems. seeing onc this week but now i’m wondering what youre all on about.
sorry for sounding a bit dumb
angie.
Happy Monday AAAs.
Finally dragged myself out of bed after a v lazy weekend. less background pain than after last op but when it does hurt is much worse (does that make sense?!)
littlescoot hope you’re feeling ok and get home soon, I also hope my drain comes out soon, although I still have lots of liquid draining, it’s really quite gross!
angiepops , chemo essentials pack is nothing formal, just what we think we might need from what we’ve gathered from others who are further along the journey rather than what hospital have told us, as Pauline says the how to get through chemo thread has some handy hints
Lori , glad your wig was a hit, i’ve an appy to get mine in a coupke if weeks, I’ve also stopped my contact lenses for the duration, will be £150 I can spend on a something nice instead!
Amber have a great time in Amsterdam
Hope you all have a good week xxx
Good morning AAAs
oops I think my post was a little over zealous yesterday. It turns out my drain wasn’t working. The pressure had gone so they changed the bottle. And I’ve been in agony since! I have had an extremely hard lump appear on my chest sort of half way between my throat and the op site. Almost feels like bone but they are wondering if the drain has kinked and is causing pressure build up. So they are removing my drain today then having an ultra sound. Thankfully they upped my meds from tramadol to morphine last night. feel blinking frustrated as I was doing so well and now everything hurts like bu*gery!
The GA tube has also affected my voice and Im alternating between sounding like dot cotton and joe pasquale
harrummph!!!
Hope everyone else is doing ok and you all have a happy Monday xxx
mandie
Oh no Mandie, hope it gets sorted soon, the pressure in mine went yesterday as well so had to go have it changed and then drained nearly 300ml last night so need it changed again today as is nearly full! Xx
Hurrah they have removed my drain.!!! What a relief :). If the lump doesn’t go down its an ultra sound later. But it already seems a bit easier and I’m sure it’s going down. My OH will be able to give his vote when he arrives in a little while. They’ve redressed my site and I have had my first shower since Wednesday (don’t worry I have been having bowl washes like the old ladies do) and have washed my hair. I feel as though I’m back in the human race again. Who knows I may even be able to go home today xxx
zuzy- that’s an awful lot overnight. I may start calling you “juicy zuzy”
love from a not so stinky mandie x
Morning AAA’s,
I’ve started my chemo bag. The main contents are pain killers because I’m a wus. I am on 6 x Tax/Car/Herceptin. The Tax can be a killer on the joints and muscles, so plenty of Ibuprofen seems to be the order of the day. (Non-paracetamol based painkillers are recommended for continued use because Paracetamol reduces body temp and can mask any lurking infections, although you can take them periodically.) My chemo nurse recommended Vitamin B6 high strength, plus zinc & copper tablets to boost blood cells. On my list are constipation tablets, diarrhoea tablets, stuff for mouth ulcers and oral thrush, heartburn remedies, antiseptic wipes for handbag to wipe cutlery etc when eating out, and so the list goes on!!!
Amber - I am also worrying about my pets. We have a boisterous dog and 3 old tortoises that are now out of hibernation and living in an enclosure in the shed that needs daily mucking out. I also have an army of garden birds that I feed. I think it is just a matter of constant hand washing, sanitising, and not touching any excretions or dog/bird food. My OH is being trained in looking after the tortoises and the birds, much to his dismay!
Thanks for popping in Karen. Your post has given me a lot of hope!
Lots of hugs to everyone, Linda xxx
Hi everyone
Zuzy - hope you soon have your drain removed - and glad you have done, Mandie. I’ve had two lots of surgery in the past 6 weeks and the having a drain/not having a shower has been one of the worst parts of the experience. I can’t believe how delighted I was when they were removed - it’s strange the things that make us happy in this weird world of treatment, isn’t it?!
Karen - as Lola said, thanks so much for popping in. I keep trying to convince myself that the chemo won’t be too awful but then quickly slip back into the fear and pessimism, so it is very heartening to hear that some people come through relatively unscathed.
Amber -quite envious of your Amsterdam trip but hope you have a wonderful time. We’re going to a cottage in Cumbria for the Easter weekend so are just hoping that the snow drifts have all gone by Thursday!
Linda - thanks again for practical and detailed advice. (especially useful for a fellow wuss!). I’m going for the MUGA heart scan at B’burn on Wednesday but still havent heard anything about the port fitting so I’m not much nearer having a starting date.
Have a good week, everyone - think we all need lots of treats before we actually start the chemo. 
Take care
Wendy x
Hi everyone,
I’d love to join your group if you don’t mind. I’m 38 years old, with a 14 year old son, a 9 year old daughter and a fantastic hubby, who is so supportive. I was diagnosed in January and had a right breast masectomy on 20th February. I had multifocal tumours, 1 of which was 6cm and grade 3, though only 70% invasive (I’m assuming that’s a good thing!). Fortunately they removed everything and my lymph nodes were clear. The next step for me is chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy and 5 years of Tamoxifen. I’m waiting for an appointment with the oncologist to determine dates and details, but should be starting chemo in April.
Though naturally scared I have kept pretty upbeat about everything. I’m nervous about losing my hair etc, but picked up some tips from February and March forums, which are helping me to prepare. I’ve ordered a hat and bandana from Annabandana and I’m pleased with how good they look. I’ve also ordered the dvd from the ‘look good feel better’ website. I’ll definitely enrol on one of their courses. I’ll need all the help I can get as I don’t usually wear makeup. 
My next step is to get my hair cut into a Pixie Crop on Thursday.
I’m really looking forward to sharing experiences with each other and helping to keep each other upbeat. Though it’s not nice for anyone to be in this position it’s good to know there are people who understand what you are going through. At least Easter is early this year so we can enjoy some chocolate before the sickness kicks in. 
Hi Mel A
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums where you’ll find there’s lots of support from the many informed users of this site. While you are waiting for replies I have put for you below the link to BCC’s publication regarding Chemotherapy - I hope you find it helpful.
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/chemotherapy-breast-cancer-bcc17
If you feel you would like to talk to someone in confidence away from the family then our helpline team are just a free phone call away, 0808 800 6000, lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks Jo,
Much appreciated.
I have had my first chemo in March and the next one in April, I too was and am frightened. I felt sick after it and stayed in bed. The anti sickness tablets help a lot. Write everything down it helps I am writing all about my feelings.
I am on E CMF and I am trying the cold cap. I am dreading the 2nd of April. I had BC 11 years ago and then in Feb a new cancer came in the same breast resulting in a masectectomy. I am so angry about this and am receiving counseling to cope with body image etc.
Debra.
Still draining… another 200ml so doesn’t look like it’s coming out today, grrrrr!
mandi , hope you’re feeling ok and get home today
Mel , welcome to AAAs, I’m 38 too, no children also got chemo, rads and tamoxifen (which I’ve already started ahead of surgery)
Debra , well done on getting the first one done and good luck with no 2
good morning everyone
welcome mel and Debra. Hope you find this site useful and that we are a very friendly lot
blimey zuzy you must be having my share of fluid draining too!
Quick update. Lump started to go down yesterday and pain really really eased off but the surgeon still asked to see me and gave me an ultrasound anyway- I think for everyone’s peace of mind. Turns out I have a very high bony chest wall and the tubing got stuck round it and the surgery inflamed it so there’s nothing to worry about. I also had 2 ENT drs come to my room and shove a camera up my nose and down my throat. Yuck that was not nice. My vocal chords are a bit bruised but they will heal themselves and my voice should be back to normal in about a week or so. I was reading to my OH this morning and it was getting higher and higher until I came to a final squeak!!
The good news was that they gave me the all clear yesterday and released me and so I spent last night at home much to the relief of my puppy who had obviously missed me and more or less sat on me all night! Hence I’m staying in bed for a while today to get a bit of peace lol. My results are on April 3rd
hope you get your drain out soon zuzy it’s a massive relief when you do not to mention the freedom you get back too
have a good day everyone
Mandie xxx
Hello Lovely Ladies,
Zuzy - hope you get your drain out soon, I clipped mine on to a belt when I got home, told the kids it was the new must have accessory!
Littlescoot - glad yours is out, freedom again!
Mel A - welcome to the gang
Wendy - good luck with Muga tomorrow, it’s a breeze
Lori - good luck for number 1 tomorrow, keep us posted I’ll be joining you next week
Debra - also good luck for number 2, I’ll be on my first same day
Linda- thanks for the dog tips, my hubby works away so Iam going to have to feed, clean up etc after our two at some point, have bought loads of disposable gloves, do you think that would be sufficient
take care AAA’s xxx
Hi I’m starting chemo in April, 3 x Fec 3 x t, 18 x hercepin. DX in Jan with 7mm grade 3, lumpectomy and SLN.
Looking for some support and the chance to support others.
diggy