April 2025 chemo starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
141

Should I take the clarityn now or right before?

142

Keep drinking water to flush things through :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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143

Iā€™ve never taken clarityn. Is this to help with the injection?

144

Oh yes sorry couldnā€™t remember who recommended it xx

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145

Hi the clarityn helps the bone pain that the injection causes. I take it every morning - continuing to take on Kadcyla. I also took ibuprofen half an hour before the injection, and make sure you take the injection out of the fridge at least half an hour before!! Xx

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146

Had to go to the hospital today for blood tests prior to starting chemo in Monday. Popped into the oncology ward to pick up some info & discovered I will be having a PICC fitted 8 days after first chemo. Anyone else in this group had one fitted. Would like to know what the procedure is like.

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147

@gerbera1 I had a PICC line- I found the insertion fine. They numbed the area in my upper arm, and then threaded the line in, I watched on the scanning machine. Then had to go to x-ray to get position checked. I had mine the morning of my first chemo. Made having the chemo so easy once it was in xx

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148

Thanks for that. I like to have a little knowledge upfront so no surprises. Theyā€™ve allocated 3hrs which I thought was a long time but if x-rays are involved I can understand why. I can certainly see the benefit of it when your having so many infusions. Is it a hindrance day to day? Showering?

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149

@gerbera1 showering is a pain as you have to get a plastic cover- good old Amazon! You have to have it dressed weekly so an extra appointment!! I got lots of pretty PICC covers to cover it so it wasnā€™t obvious to folk. I had no pain or any issues with mine. Named it Percy!!

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150

:joy::joy:

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151

Iā€™ve got a picc line, very easy to fit and very easy to do blood tests and chemo. Youā€™ll need a shower cover and itā€™s a trip to hospital every week for a picc line flush x

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152

Hi Ladiesā€¦ I just found out that I will be starting chemo on 22nd April, so Iā€™m new to this thread. I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (TUG Flap) on the 1st March and have recovered well from surgery.

My regimen is EC x 4, fortnightly and then Paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks. Because Iā€™m triple positive, I will also be given Phesgo, every 3 weeks, alongside the Paclitaxel.

Iā€™ve read all your posts and feel like Iā€™ve benefitted hugely from reading about your experiences. You are all rock stars in my eyes. I feel privileged to be on this journey with such wonderfully positive humans.

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153

Hi , I start my chemo on 24th April for 6 rounds.
Are you allowed to take someone with you and how long does it last?Not had my appointment to meet the nurses on the chemo day unit yet. Thanks :grinning:

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154

Yes I take my husband with me, it takes around 4.5 hrs if cold capping x

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155

Thanks how have you got on with the cold capping, I have heard mixed reviews? Have you kept your hair? X

156

@fowkey72 it does depend on the hospital as to whether someone can come with you. I started my treatment in Reading and no visitors were allowed. Weā€™ve moved and are now in Somerset and visitors are allowed. The length of time depends on whether you cold cap or not- I did- and for EC added 2 and a half hours to the treatment xx

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157

@fowkey72 I cold capped and kept 70-80% of my hair. On the whole mine just thinned. I was so pleased with the results xx

158

@maria1970 welcome to this wonderful group xx

159

Thanks I did not realise it added so much time! How Have you got on with it, have you kept your hair? thanks x

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160

Yes I bet , did you have long hair? I have just had mine cut short in anticipationšŸ˜¬ I think I will try it xx

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