Hello everyone. Oh my goodness I’ve missed loads of posts!
I have found a lovely website called Suburban Turban which does some beautiful (though not cheap) headwear. Something for all occasions!
I’ve had a look on Suburban Turban and yes there are some lovely ones but you’re right they aren’t cheap!
Yes they are lovely. I’m flaunting my charity shop scarves today, getting my daughter’s approval! Hard day today but getting through it and had a lovely surprise. A friend sent me a card and flowers through the post. Cheered me right up. Hoping to go to work tomorrow so need to stay awake till late. Found lists of chemo headwear on breast cancer now and macmillan pretty comprehensive. Hope you have all had a good day take care Gigi
Been feeling very low yesterday, felt better today but then washed my hair and it all matter up on top of my head. Thankfully my daughter is home at the moment and she spent an hour combing it out. It is constantly falling out I can see why people shave it off. It is quite soul destroying. I’m going to ring up my centre today to see if me and my husband can get some emotional help. I am finding this so tough. X
Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time at the moment Michelle. The hair aspect seems particularly cruel - especially after the extreme discomfort we out ourselves through with the cap.
Mine has really stated to come out a lot over the last few days and virtually all my public hair seemed to fall out this morning in a single shower which was a bit of a shock!
I’m due round 2 tomorrow and, as I was before the first session, finding myself quite tearful today. I don’t think the horrid weather is helping.
I’ve been seeing a specialist oncologist psychologist since I was diagnosed and I’ve certainly found it extremely helpful to try get some sort of a grip on this. She’s based privately in London but her name is Amanda Ramirez if interested.
Thanks for the suburban turban tip noahandwillsmummy… . I quite fancy the 1950s looking one and it’s quite reasonably priced as well as the big grey/lavender one.
I hope you find some comfort today michelle and send positive thoughts to you and all the April ladies xx
Fiona
Hello everyone, stayed home. Sore throat at 6am but feeling bit better now. Hoping to go in tomorrow. My hair has eased up with the shedding I washed my hair yesterday but read not to put conditioner on the top, let it dry by itself and combed it just enough to detangle it. Thank goodness for your recommendation for the Silke that helps so much at night. Michelle big hugs I hope there is a ray of sunshine in your Wednesday. Xxx
Hi Michelle. Sorry to hear of your problems. i think we all under estimate the emotions involved in this. i have always tried to deal with things alone and have still not spoken to councellor or therapist. but i do probably need it. i am not sure where to go for help or what to say but i am aware mcmillan have people ypu can talk to.
i have always tried exercise as my therapy but this had been hard with the tiredness. this morning i did actually go back to the gym. couldn’t do a proper session but i did more than i expeted. Bumped into a lady i see quite often and caught up with what she had been doing too so it felt a bit more normal. one of the songs on my ipod did have me a bit tearful though.
I hope you find some help Michelle. I think we all will need it at some point.
Fiona how are you this afternoon? Did you treat yourself to a turban? I looked them up again and they are so lovely I want them all. There’s even one called Gigi! Waiting for my daughter to help me choose one. I’m going to treat myself. Good luck for tomorrow. Xxx
Hi Michelle 21 sorry to hear your a bit low .I didn’t get up till 10.30today had a week of no sleep so my body must have said sod it haha.Had chemo last Wednesday and had to go back to hospital yesterday not feeling good at all for a check up as I had a allergic reaction.Met a lovely lady while in waiting room .
So sorry for this bad patch you’re having, Michelle. When you’ve gone through cold capping and this happens it must be a bitter disappointment. It sounds as though your hair is quite long. I hope you get the emotional support that can help.
And your body hair is going, too, Fiona. I’d gladly exchange my pubic hair for the stuff on my head but that’s not going to happen. Day by day I can feel my hair getting wispier. As it’s short, I guess it’s just washing down the plughole. I keep running my hand over my head to check and more hairs fall out. I think tearful is exactly how I feel. I got my wig out to practise, and the caps I’ve bought - didn’t make me feel noticeably happier.
Hope you’re feeling better, Gigi. With the best efforts in the world, what we’re going through is a tough call.
The dressing the nurse put over my picc line has removed a strip of skin. Can’t say I’m thrilled about this as I’m terrified of its getting infected.
Moan over.
Hugs
xxx
Thanks everyone for all of your kind words. I know we will all get through this, what choice do we have!
I rang the Macmillan helpline earlier and they were helpful and have helped me to realise I perhaps need more info re my diagnosis. I plan to speak to my nurse or oncologist soon.
Christine I use exercise to help me think life’s problems through too, usually. I run but I have decided not to run because I’ve had a couple of falls and don’t want to throw that into the mix of getting through treatment. I am walking regularly which I enjoy but it’s not the same as sweating it out!
Fiona, your psychologist oncologist sounds like a very good idea, unfortuanately we are in different parts of the country. I am going to look into getting counselling, and possibly someone to help my husband too. How is everybodies OH’s coping. I would say mine is doing great however in reality this is also a massive shock for him too and I think he needs someone outside the situation to talk to.
I hope tomorrow runs smoothly Fiona x
Hi all.
Glad you like the Suburban Turban site! I’d fallen in love with a floppy summer hat but it’s out of stock now. Hopefully it’ll cone back in - I could look so very elegant drinking Pimms wearing it!
Sorry you’re feeling low Michelle. I know everyone I know is so impressed at my calm positivity - little do they know! You’re right as well that it’s so hard for our partners. I did ask my BC nurse if there was support for them but there didn’t seem to be anything specific.
I’ve been watching YouTube videos to learn different ways to tie head scarves. I’m going to need a lot more practice…?
If we can’t moan here Dorabel then where?! Just another unfair point re the hair loss it might be dropping off my head and body, although not in one shower, (that must have been a shock Fiona) my legs look like gorillas!
It’s good to feel your positive vibes Noahbandnwills mummy. I really need scarf/turban tying help, Utube is a good idea!
Here’s to a sunny day tomorrow for all of us xx
It’s definitely been difficult for my husband too. On the outside he’s been amazing but he’s definitely had some tough times - mainly driven he says by seeing what I’m having to go through and not being able to take it on. After the surgery was really tough for him but it definitely broke his heart seeing me hooked up for the first chemo. He’s very open about how he feels though, probably due to his Russian upbringing rather than being a repressed Brit like me! But we have been super lucky and our nurse specialist has been a huge support for both of us separately.
Gigi - I did buy a turban - well I’ve actually ordered 2 to try… The merle and the maye so will see how they look.
I’m trying to decide whether to give up on the cold cap and just to brave the shave on the hair and go for turbans…anyone else thought whether they’re going to keep going with cold capping? I thought I could stop it when i finish EC and start with 12 weekly Paclitaxel but seems I’d need to do it weekly then too which seems necessary suffering!.. I know it’s a decision only I can make unfortunately but keen to know others thoughts if you can bare to discuss.
Christine, good for you going to the gym - I really need to get back into it. I’ve been walking but like you and Michelle, I feel I need to sweat it out some more… Maybe next week!
Gigi, hope your throat gets better, windshell I hope the extra sleep will help revive you and Dorabel, hope your skin heals quickly, maybe some gauze over it might help?
Sorry for the super long message, I think I’m getting it all in there as know I won’t feel like it over the next few days.
Thanks for the good wishes for tomorrow - on the plus side, it’ll be another one down!
Fiona x
Glad the cold cap is working for you, Christine. While your treatment must be very hard for your elderly parents, that you are in this situation is in no way letting them down.
I like the suburban turbans better than any of the other head coverings I have seen. I’m going to get one of the headband ones to cheer me up after chemo 2.
Hope it goes well tomorrow, Fiona.
xx
Hiball felling much more ‘up’ today. Been for a lovely walk, the blossom looks so beautiful at this time of year.
I am having very similar thoughts to you Fiona re the cold capping. I can understand why people shave as this constant shedding of hair is messy and quite honestly looking less and less like me anyway. The thought that the cap can help speed regrowth up does make me want to persevere but I question if I am putting myself through unnecessary discomfort to still not look or feel like myself. I had a look at the 2 turbans you are ordering and love the flowery one! I wouldn’t have gone for that one, I’ve been looking at the plain ones to not draw attention to myself however maybe I should shave and go flowery turban I think it looks pretty trendy!
I rang around yesterday to find a bit of counselling help. I have been referred by my BC nurse so I think that will help me a bit but there didn’t seem to be much on offer for partners. I am hoping if I can keep myself upbeat it will help get the family through.
It is difficult with parents isn’t it. My for mum can’t do right for doing wrong. I seem to be angry at anything she says or does but I know she is finding this incredibly difficult.
I’m off to collect my wig today so I guesssbthatbis a start in head covering! I’m even a bit excited to see what it looks like. It has been almost a week since my second chemo and I am feeling much better. Looking forward to a sunny bank holiday weekend of gardening and cooking oizza’s in our new pizza oven. Gigi I’m sure you have some great pizza topping suggestions! I hope your throat is better now and you are maybe back at work?
Fiona hope today went well.
Everyone else, have a good day. X
Hello Everyone
I would just like to say how inspiring all your comments are to me. I had my first FEC-T (FEC part) on 25 April after having had surgery and reading about all your experiences helped me put it all in perspective as, quite frankly, I was very scared. My next cycle will be 18 May and although I have had a couple of wretched days of sickness and bone ache I am trying to keep positive. I have ordered some headwear from Annabandana - what a wonderful site - and will take any assistance offered to me to get me through the next five or so months.
Any advice as to whether the second cycle will be worse with side effects than the first and whether this will continue to worsen would be much appreciated… at least that way I can mentally prepare myself. My husband has been amazing, there is only the two of us and no other family, so he has now had to go back to work as has no holiday left after my surgery time.
I will certainly try to pop in to catch up as often as I can - staying awake allowing!
Nice to chat 
Hello Blissie I agree, this is a lovely friendly place to be when you’re going through this process!
I finally feel like I’m emerging back into the world again after my first trip down the chemo rabbit hole last Thursday! Have learnt a lot, and will do quite a few things differently next time. Have also spoken to my BC nurse at length and am going to meet with my oncologist re managing periods/treatment if we have another clash in the future - although we’d discussed it and checked that the different meds wouldn’t affect how well the chemo would work, we should have thought more about the actual experience (I haemorrhage without meds, so not taking them wasn’t an option). Currently being monitored for anaemia, and still feeling pretty wobbly at times.
That being said, I don’t think I’ve been too bad… no sickness, any queasiness sorted quickly with meds. I’ve found the utter fatigue - going to rest and waking up unrested - very strange. I’ve felt pretty stuck in my own head, and a little panicky at times, especially as the process was all so new and I had no sense of when it might end - hopefully familiarity will help with this in the future.
I’m so sorry you’re having a hard time Michelle… it’s definitely not a reflection on you, as cancer and and chemo is a @#%ing hard thing to deal with on any level. And I appreciate worrying about your partner… I do too, and our instinct is to help them but at this point we can’t do very much more than try and express what we need. My BC nurse has been really helpful with this - she has been happy to have H with us for appointments and to spend time answering H’s questions and concerns as much as mine (also laughing at H’s terrible boob jokes, which she can only blame herself for) - do you have a nurse? Could they spend some time talking to your partner?
Through this whole cancer carnival, I’ve found the Breast Cancer Care line really helpful - for practical info for me, but my dad has also had some really good support with general questions, understanding the process and some more emotional stuff I think (he says he “just had a natter” - not one for counselling or headdoctors!). I’d definitely recommend giving them a call :)
I have also been visiting my local Breast Cancer Haven (breastcancerhaven.org.uk), and am finding them a huge help and resource. They have recommended to me by my BCN, my oncologist and other patients, and offer complementary support. They’re a little more airy-fairy than I’d normally choose, but they provide some really lovely, relaxing therapies and classes, plus info in an environment that’s much softer and less clinical than a hospital. They provide a number of hours (12, I think) free support - so I’ve had a couple of massages and a nutritional session so far - but this includes up to 4 hours or support for a partner. Am currently persuading H it would be a good idea to use at least one, if only to check whether they are “too mung-beany” for her :smileylol: If there is a Haven near you, it is definitely worth looking in to.
And last - in what I now realise has turned into an epic! - I second the suggestion for Suburban Turban! I have also found Pinterest really good for ideas on scarves, including from very simple guides for tying them to inspiration for some of the most stunning headwraps! I searched for “how to tie headscarf”, but also “headwraps”, “headscarves”, “kerchiefs”. And the other day I found myself asking a lady on the bus who had a really stylish wrap on how she had done it… we were both a bit shy at first, but she was happy to explain
Now, sun’s out, bloosom’s blowing and I need to go and vote!
Hi Blissie. I’m wondering, too, about how bad chemo 2 will be and whether the effects are cumulative. Even if they are, I’ve another magic week before the bus hits me again. I’m grateful for what you wrote, Michelle, as you’ve had the second chemo session.
Went to my favourite exercise class (Fitsteps) today and it felt wonderful. I’m in bed now but it was worth the effort. I’d forgotten my picc cover and the sweet girl on reception gave me her own piece of tubigrip when I asked if they might have some in first aid. I didn’t want other people in the class to see the mess on my arm. They know what’s happening but I don’t want them to see the off-putting details. That’s where this forum is so helpful. I don’t have to guard against oversharing with kind friends who have no experience of what is involved.
Thanks, Fitfulhead, I never thought of Pinterest for headscarf ideas.
Hope you all are having a good day - sunshine!
Thanks to Fitful Head and Dorabel for their responses - been out having my PICC line cleaned etc this afternoon and am surprised how much it has taken out of me - lie down on the sofa for a quick nap I think.
Keep smiling everyone