@stafford22 so glad to hear of the glimmer… may tomorrow bring some sunshine.
x
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Glad to hear they are changing the next cycle x
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I will discuss it with my oncologist in more detail at my appt but it does seem like it hit me v hard z
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@boy_mum_2yrs_3yrs I am an April 24 starter and started my chemo a year ago in 4th April. I cold capped as losing my hair was such an issue for me. It wasn’t pleasant, the first 30 minutes were distinctly unpleasant but I had hand warmers for my cheeks and I sipped hot ribena! I had 3x EC, then 3x Docetaxel and herceptin. I was v fortunate and kept 70-80% of my hair, thinned on top and post above my ears where I had my glasses under my cold cap. But so glad I did it. It does add significant time to your chemo day particularly with EC. But if you can’t bear it you can always stop. Good luck x
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Hi how is everyone coping?
Went for a wig try on today and that was fun actually. I might go with this red number!
My anxiety is through the roof as chemo day gets closer and closer 
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Wow you look fantastic! What an amazing wig! Really suits you
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Thank you! My kids like it so might go for it.
Are you feeling better? Xxx
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Love the wig 
Yes having anxiety a lot re 1st chemo next Tuesday I have beta blockers from GP but not actually taken yet (I have a fear of taking anything other than paracetamol/ibuprofen in case I feel weird). So obviously chemo is way scary 
Was going to try one out in case I need it.
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Honestly try the beta blocker; I take them (propanolol) and they make you feel much calmer. I take one every morning when I wake up. Then another later if I need it.
I suffer with anxiety and I know what it’s like to feel v anxious and scared before your first chemo. The staff are lovely and talk everything through with you. They stay next to you. I had a tough time on my first EC and I’ll have an oncologist review after each cycle (you will also). This is where they ask how you managed the first cycle and they will then make changes. So if you do have a tough first one then don’t panic, also phone the 24/7 if you don’t feel well they will reassure you or get you in to check you over x
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Hi yeah loads better since day 8. Now in the nadir phase so need to be careful around germs. Off for my wig appt later but will be masking up x
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Good morning All.
Hopefully I am finally (after a bit of a battle) can post here to join a community of April starters (hopefully doing it correctly by just replaying the the moderator post to join a conversation…).
Just to say hello and say that I turned 50 while going through treatment (diagnosed in October 2024). I am starting my chemo next week and got 3 drugs (paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide and epirubicin) in my cocktail (one drug suggests alcohol in it, so very appropriate ). Reading the information on the side effects obviously makes me anxious. I am planning to shave my hair beforehand without waiting for it to fall out.
Is anybody doing/planning to do that, or it is a silly thing (though I read women did that)? I haven’t got to a wig shop or fitting or alike but bought a funky hat yesterday with lots of scarves in hand.
Also, in a podcast of already mentioned Dr. Liz O’Riordan on chemotherapy with the experienced nurse, they discussed “anecdotal evidence” that gel nails might help to keep them on. This sounds appealing to me as feeling a bit screamish when things are not natural /different to the usual state (hence drug delivery options are quite difficult to decide on as I might faint). I am not a regular user of any of the nail beauty products but would give it a go to try keeping them on, however, in the section re “nail changes” for all 3 drugs a strong advise to “avoid false nails, gels or other acrylic during treatment” is given. What’s your thoughts?
I also read that all drugs have the potential to cause a secondary cancer 
Sending virtual hugs to all who already started, dreading the first round of chemo myself 
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Hey! Not sure about the nails, but I’m shaving my hair off the week after my 1st chemo. It’s like ripping a band aid off for me. Once it’s done I can used to it. I can’t deal with anymore waiting and anxiety, it’ll be one less thing, but that’s just me. Xx
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Hello every one x I’m
Just popping in here from
November starters to wish you all
The best of luck and to hopefully give some reassurance from the world’s biggest scaredey cat !!
The day I went for my first chemo I burst into tears in the chair and cried hot snotty tears … the nurses were so lovely and reassuring and gave me a hug , and I was able to have my chemo
and nothing awful happened that day …
I was having nab paclitaxel (abraxane) and herceptin which I’m still having as her2 + …
A few tips for chemo day , take plenty to read, eat and drink , I actually take a flask of coffee and snacks !
Drink lots of water the day before , on the day and the day after chemo as this helps the chemotherapy drug to flush through your system
Make sure you have something to do on the day , ipad, books or music to listen to as it can be boring , take a soft throw if you have one to snuggle up to in the chair . I have a soft fleece gifted by a friend I take with me .
You’ll be given a cocktail of tablets to take home ! Your team don’t want you to suffer with side effects so should send you home with anti sickness drugs too . I’d recommend to anyone having chemo to ask for a laxative , Chemo constipation was probably one of my worst side effects .
I found side effects kicked in on chemo day 3/4 and for me it was bone pain, fatigue , heartburn, sore mouth , the dreaded constipation … but I didn’t feel sick .
Remember to call the triage line if you are worried about any symptoms at all as it’s better to err on the side of caution with chemotherapy.
I found that I actually had ridiculous energy the first two days due to steroids then would crash with side effects , however it was doable . I had a cycle on 19th Dec but was able to enjoy Christmas Day and Christmas dinner .
I also found that cheap wigs from Amazon looked just as good if not better than expensive ones and now I have about twenty wigs 
Don’t forget to claim your Little Lifts chemotherapy gift box too if you havent already x
Arty1
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Hi @stroud_morning Just a suggestion on the nails question…have you found the Look Good Feel Better courses? You can do them by zoom. I’m actually booked in to the nailcare one this morning. They also do hair and wigs. Really good practical advice.
I’m hoping I might be an April chemo starter, should have been March but my chemo got cancelled at the last minute because an appointment for a echocardiogram kept getting lost.
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Thanks a lot. I did have a look there and booked myself into a face 2 face one in May.
Yesterday I also asked a “Breast cancer now” nurse on nails subject. It doesn’t look anything like cap cooling available for nails. I don’t think it is a good idea idea anymore as thinking logically, it puts pressure through the weight of get/acrylic etc that might lift the nail up.
I will have a look at booking an online webinar with them.
Sorry to hear about your delay, I got mine booked a week after the start of chemo due to availability.
PS: as we now approached the end of a flu season, is anyone considering vaccination?
My oncologist doesn’t mind either way but when I enquired, my surgery has no availability until Monday when it all wraps up. So it might be a No for me, just keeping my fingers crossed.
Just talking through my concerns here or with specialist (or reading others stories) make me a bit more confident, thanks a lot.
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@stroud_morning I’m an April 24 starter and I was advised to have flu and COVID vaccinations before starting chemo. Fortunately I’d already had the flu one as I’m an asthmatic as they’d stopped doing them by this time in the year. But the COVID ones are just opening up again and you qualify as you will be immunosuppressed. Check with your team as there’s an optimum time in the cycle when it’s best to have it. I’ve just been invited for mine and need to check next week if it’s still.advised on Kadcyla xx
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Hi how is everyone doing?
I’ve been reading past forums and it seems like the filgirim injections cause alot of pain and a whole range of side effects on their own. Now I’m worried sick about those on top of the chemo. I was reading that the penfilgrim is only given once after chemo and is much more tolerable. I know they don’t always give this as it’s more expensive but do you think if I beg they’ll give in? I have appointment with chemo nurse on Wednesday, I’ll ask them but won’t get my hopes up. I hate that we have so little control over everything with this diagnosis 
I’ve had the injections and my tip is to get them out of the fridge early and take two paracetamols also do them just before bed. The one shot injections (peg) are expensive apparently and that’s why they say no but I’m def asking for them next time. They can only say no. I only got bone pain on the last two inactions. Get some inbuleve gel. I also rubbed a numbing cream on my belly 45 mins before the injection, this made it easier. You can get it from boots x