Hi ladies!
Day 20. Due to have 2nd round of chemo on Friday, bloods done today and I’m feeling good so hopefully all will stay on track. My scalp started tingling on day 13 and started to come out on day 15 (I decided against the cold cap), and much more came out on day 16. I didn’t expect this to happen so quickly in the first cycle!!! Went to collect my wig last Friday and just got them to shave it all off because ut was getting a bit messy. I was absolutely dreading it, and expected to totally blub but the lady was fantastic, I didn’t have the courage to look in the mirror but my friend was so supportive and I finally turned round with one eye open after she’d finished…it wasn’t half as bad as I’d expected because the discomfort and pain I was experiencing instantly eased. With lots of encouragement I bit the bullet and wore the wig straight away to the local pub for a bar meal and am so glad I did. I’ve now done the hardest thing by embracing the hairloss and going out in the wig. My teenagers were fab when they saw me without hair, I was really worried they’d be upset but the three of them said I look quite cool and even liked the new grey colour I’ve been left with cos I haven’t done my roots since July!!
One day at a time is our new mantra ladies, keep up the positive attitude, your posts are helping us all
Xx
Although I was dreading my second chemo today ( can’t control the anxiety) I was actually disappointed when they wouldn’t go ahead. Bloods were okay but I have a urinary infection that seems to improve and then symptoms flare up again . Advised to defere for another week and revisit GP for review. I had it all so neatly planned on my calendar. 8 cycles due to finish in the year! I guess it may not be as straightforward forward as I’d hoped but at least we have started the journeys ladies.
Cookie xx
Poo! Bloods taken earlier show white count of .6 so can’t have 2nd chemo on Friday. Repeat bloods on Friday and chemo Monday now…pants!
Hi Helenp and Cookiesim, sorry to hear your second Chemo has been delayed as well, it seems to have happened to a few of us now. So frustrating isn’t it, just when you’re ready to get on with the next stage. I’m trying again this Saturday, hopefully the white blood cell count will be higher so it can go ahead. Don’t know what happens if it’s not at a safer level this time. I’ve been trying to recoup my strength this week, taking it easy and have eaten so many fruit and vegetables I’m getting a bit fed up of them - no idea if it’ll make any difference but I’m giving it a go!
And that’s a great mantra to have, Helenp - one day at a time and keep positive! We’ll get through this…
Hope everyone is doing well and hello to the new August ladies. xx
Good luck tomorrow Butterfly
…I had the same UTI symptoms as you and was told no infection…but it felt like it…but my bladder was very irritated… another FEC side effect? Hope you get a good nights sleep… xx
Hi Butterfly, good luck for today xx
Sorry to hear so many of you have had the second treatment deferred. I know how frustrating that feels. Our lives revolve around these appointments at the moment!
I’m finally heading in for my first pertuzamab today and will be having the herceptin taxotere and carboplatin tomorrow.
Lack of sleep last night had me contemplating how I will use my time while I’m off sick. I’m thinking of trying to do the yoga mindfulness and relaxation courses at maggies to try and find my calm and patient self again.
Cath x
Morning! Those of you who have had their second dose of chemo delayed due to blood count, did you feel well in yourself, so were surprised by this result?
Good luck sending a hug. X
Hi all, thank you for your messages of welcome and support. Taken me a while to read through the thread.
I went with my mum on Wednesday for her first FeC.
It was surprisingly ok and didn’t take as long. My mum’s second language is English so I will be there for her to explain everything. Even I got confused with al the tablets to take!
She has been very very well yesterday and this morning. some slight nausea which she took an extra pill for and also some niggly feeling in chest and tummy.
It’s scary as we are waiting for the next SE.
She has to start her tummy injections tonight. For 7 days. These are for bone marrow and blood cells and we are expecting bone pains…
It is the unknown that is scary.
Though today she ate watermelon for breakfast and loved it.
Just trying to find out tips to help her boost cells etc…
You are all amazing. As someone watching on the sidelines I can’t tell you all how inspirational and strong you are.
2nd dose done yesterday. I managed much better than the first but the nausea kicked in more quickly this time I’d only yous been home about an hr before I started to feel rough. They’ve given me an extra anti sickness drug to take at night only as it’s also a sedative and that seems to have helped as only slightly nauseous this morning.
had cold cap again but I wasn’t as happy with how she got it (I had a different nurse) and when she took it off the front of my hairline wasn’t as wet/cold as the back so not sure if it will have worked as well…time will tell!
I hope you’re feeling ok butterflyflyfree & everyone else who just had and awaiting their 2nd round xx
Hi ladies. 2nd chemo delayed yesterday because of white blood count of .6 on Weds, they like it to be at least 1.00, yesterday it had come up to 2,0 so all good for Monday as long as I behave myself and stay out of trouble for the weekend!!!
One day at a time…
Morning all. Sound like your all doing well so far with second cycle and managing side effects. I hope it continues to be manageable. I have my second cycle due this coming Friday. I’ve had to go into hospital for a sore throat and am now on antibiotics for that, along with the injections for white blood count, hopefully all will be good to go Friday because of them.
Butterfly - good luck with the shave. I’m sure you will look beautiful and rock your new headwear!
Helen - glad to hear you are back on track. It’s so hard waiting and dealing with delays but by the looks of things it may be something we will get used to as time goes on.
Xena - hope the abx sort out your throats before the next one too.
I had my first TCH yesterday - felt great leaving the hospital - apart from bloated gassy guts from the steroids. Diarrhoea kicked in overnight but loperamide seems to have put a bung in it. Having an Epsom salt bath then planning on relaxing in the hammock in the back garden this avo as the sun is shining,
Love and strength to you all and your families,cx
Hi butterfly,
I had a port and highly recommend it, you can have it put in under a general or a local. I had a local. Once the wound has healed there is little chance of infection and no faffing with covers in the shower and no weekly appointments to have it flushed. My mum is a retired theatre nurse & knew the vascular surgeon that inserts the portacath - he said if it was his loved one, it’s what he’d recommend - best of luck x
I was advised to take steroids at 8am & noon, I didn’t have any problems sleeping at night. You might not have a problem on FEC with the steroids but when you switch to T the steroid dose is doubled, take care x
Hi all. Hope you are all doing well this weekend. I am on day 9 of 1st cycle fec-t and seem to have got away quite lightly although I have had nausea, fuzzy head which I dont think is helped by lack of sleep. My head is tender and itching like mad and I keep thinking I am goin to wake up with all my hair on the pillow! Decided to have a very short cut next week day before wig appointment. Can anyone help with one issue I have. Since Wednesday, each afternoon and evening I start to get pains which feel like indigestion in my left chest and the bit in-between ribs. I dont think my heartrate has increased but seems like it is pumping harder. When I lay down at night it is excruciating so I sleep ( I say that but got 3 hours last night!) propped up with 4 pillows.
Sam ,
Sounds like you have heartburn, otherwise known as acid reflux up the oesophagus from the stomach. I would speak to your breast cancer nurse and describe your symptoms. Many people on chemo get given antacids and it really helps with the discomfort.
Cath x
Thanks cathysid. That is what I was thinking just damn uncomfortable.
Hi everyone…hope your all doing good ? How are the cold cappers doing after chemo one ? Do you still have hair? Still waiting for results on my bloods that were taken Friday morning, I havnt heard anything as to whether they are ok or not !!! is it normal for them to let you know either way? Hopefully I will get chemo 2 tomorrow but worried as I havnt heard anything and have already been put back 3 days due to the ward being closed due to staff shortages !!!
Love and hugs xx