April 2024 chemo starters

[mlp74]

Hi @pollyanna1
Sending you lot of love today. Take care x

[mlp74]

Hi @ivy-cat hope all goes well today. Sending good thoughts your way

[gromit12]

@hc1973 I got my wig from a private shop as I couldn’t get an appointment at the hospital hair clinic. All the wigs were £450, but due to chemo we get the VAT removed- just had to fill in a form. I am aware many folk can’t afford this, but I did think it would be more xx

[gromit12]

@pollyanna1 what a couple of days you’ve got ahead- hang in there, we’re all behind you. Virtual hugs xx

[isthisreal]

Best of luck @ivy-cat for today x

[ivy-cat]

@altoan - I totally get this! I only wanted a few people at work to know as I didn’t want any fuss or people to treat me differently. I also only told close friends and immediate family, however, unbeknownst to me my mother contacted basically everyone she could think of, including distant relatives and told them I had cancer. I was so angry with her - it wasn’t her ‘story’ to tell and we almost fell out about it. I was particularly annoyed as she had BC a couple of years ago and didn’t want anyone to know and I respected that. There are still some family members who don’t know she had cancer. Obviously they all know about my diagnosis though, thanks to her

[ivy-cat]

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone! Booked in for 1pm so miss the free sandwiches but will hopefully get a snack. Hope yours goes ok tomorrow @pollyanna1

[ivy-cat]

@mlp74 - thank you xx

[elle16]

@pollyanna1 thinking if you today and sending you lots of love

[bettysmum]

Hello I started my chemo on April 5th, having my first cycle of 3 of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide prior to paclitaxel.
Other than tiredness ,a muzzy head and indigestion I experienced worse side effects of pain on day 8 after the filgrastin injections.
I wondered if others have had similar and if it lessens in the next cycle.

[gromit12]

@bettysmum welcome! My bone pain was days 6-10, so a couple of days after filgrastin stopped. I just kept telling myself it was my bone marrow battling to produce white blood cells!!! Took ibuprofen half an hour before every injection too. It seems to have eased now - I’m day 12 now, on EC too

[gromit12]

I’ve checked about the COVID vaccine - advised to have, and mid cycle, and certainly not week running up to chemo. All booked

[bettysmum]

Thanks for the advice @gromit12, it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone.

[hc1973]

Thanks you so much everyone for all your helpful messages about the wig. I’ve actually gone to a wig shop that’s not far from my house today and managed to order one. At least then I’m organised! I hope everyone else’s next chemo sessions go well this week. I’m feeling really nervous as I had the 2 anaphylactic shocks last time on the TC so I’m now having EC then moving onto Abraxane. I’m sure it will be fine, it was just a bit scary last time. I also feel a bit more prepared this time as no one had told me about the side effects from the filgrastim I wondered what was going on as you feel so achey don’t you! Anyway sending lots of love and positive thoughts to everyone on this chat. H x

[altoan]

Hope all goes well this week @hc1973 . I called a local support centre today and have been offered an appointment tomorrow with a lovely sounding lady who offered to help me look at hats, wigs etc through the NHS wig service! I don’t know how I missed this service before- she sounds lovely and I’m almost looking forward to tomorrows outing

[isthisreal]

My mum has been the same - even her postman, her own doctor etc etc it seems like she has no other topic of conversation. I’m trying not to get too annoyed about it, as I think she needs to tell everyone to give her the strength to support me and see me going through this, but I’d much rather she zipped it!!

[isthisreal]

I had a lot of bone pain with those injections too! The pain moved up from my hips to my ribs by the end of them so couldn’t even breathe without it hurting. Luckily it stopped about a day after the last injection.
I have a consultation with my oncologist tomorrow in preparation for next chemo round on Friday. I was thinking of asking if i could have fewer bone injections but I’m guessing he’ll say no. Any useful tips of things to ask or mention in the meeting to get most out of it and ideally a better experience for round 2?

[ivy-cat]

@isthisreal - do you take an antihistamine the day of your injections? A lot of doctors advise this but mine has never mentioned it - could be worth discussing?

[ivy-cat]

Yes - she said to me the last week ‘the whole village sends their regards and is rooting for you!’ Honestly, it’s not ideal but I guess she’s done it now @isthisreal

[isthisreal]

Hmm. I started antihistamines part-way through, but not sure they did much to be honest I wonder if I take them from the start next time they may help. Did you try them?