Morning Sue and Ali. I am doing better, still a bit nauseous before tablets are due but haven’t been sick for over 24 hours now. Was very sick during my pregnancies and have been told that there does appear to be a link. But managed to eat a bit and drink plenty, plus had a small walk with the dog . Still can’t believe I have this , 2 months ago I was 'normal ’ no bc diagnosis. How quickly life changes and throws you into a world that seems so surreal! On the positive our wonderful nhs move so quickly and efficiently when you are diagnosed and we should be so grateful.
Hope you are doing ok today Ali, and thanks to you both for your support, it means so much. Xxx
Hi Sib and Sue. Had a bit of a rough evening yesterday but was only sick once and had a much better nights sleep than I expected. Feeling better today but still taking it easy and managing to eat little bits and trying to keep up with the fluids. Hope you are doing ok Sib xxx
Hi Ladies
I’m also an August starter. I’ve been reading loads of posts on here over the past few weeks to help me try and get prepared. I’m starting Chemo tomorrow with 6 cycles of EC-T. Met the Chemo nurses today and also had a PICC line put in, a bit uncomfortable having it fitted, so I’m glad that’s in place now. Decided I’m going to give the cold cap a go and see if it works, although I’ve seen mixed comments about it.
I had my diagnosis back in March and had a lumpectomy with lymph node clearance, but had complications with a haematoma and also breast cellulitis, which was not pleasant. Since then had 2 further re-excision op’s and ended up with a mastectomy at the end of June, so it’s been quite a challenge recovering from 4 lots of surgery.
Feeling apprehensive now it’s about to start and how it’ll be coping with the side effects. Also a bit overwhelmed by all the information and drugs I came away with, I suppose it’s all part of entering this strange new world. Just want to get on with it now, this waiting has been hard and it all feels quite surreal…
Hi Mary Kate. Hope everything went ok for you today. Sue, I’m doing ok today thanks. Really fuzzy head this morning but that has gone now. No more nausea thankfully.
Welcome Mary Kate, hope you are doing ok? How are you Ali? I too had fuzzy head ( and stuffy nose) but straight after chemo, it went within hours though.
I’m doing good, managed out on Friday for a bit of look round shops and had virtually normal day yesterday, bit of housework, grocery shopping, collected my wig and made and ate dinner!! Just decided, against my normal nature, to go with this, when I feel good to do things and when I’m bad to stop and take it easy. I’m normally a bit of a martyr but not during this fight.
Thanks Sue and all for your supporting comments it really helps.
This is a battle we must win.
Hugs to you all. Xxxx
Hello, I’m doing ok today. Reading that you have been out and about Sib I decided I should also get off my sofa! So I’ve been to the cinema with hubby and made some dinner. Back on sofa resting now though xx
Great Ali, glad you are doing ok, getting out takes your mind off things and it definitely lifted my spirit. X
Hi Ladies
My first Chemo on Saturday went well thanks. 1 EC-T down, 5 more to go! Just so glad to get the first one out of the way and have a better idea what to expect the next time. The Chemo nurses were brilliant and so reassuring. I managed to tolerate the cold cap OK, even though it was -3 degrees, my head seemed to go numb after a time! No idea if it’ll have any effect though and it does add a couple of hours to the treatment.
Had a bit of a rough time since, quite nauseous, dizzy and headachy - I’ve just been resting and taking it very easily, taking all the anti-sickness drugs and drinking plenty of water. Felt much better today, fuzzy as you described it, Sib and Ali. A bit of surprise about the daily white blood cells injections, had the District Nurse out yesterday to teach me and eventually mastered it - another little hurdle to overcome in this new world we’ve found ourselves in.
Sib and Ali, you both sound like you’re doing really well, hope that’s continuing today. Can’t believe you’re both up and about, well done! You’ve spurred me on to hopefully do that tomorrow! It’s really good to talk to other people who are going through this at the same time, so we can support each other, although I’m sure we’ll all have some differences along the way…
And thanks Sue, for all your supportive and helpful comments, really appreciate them. Good luck to the other ladies on the August thread who may be starting Chemo soon. xx
Hi Mary Kate
Good to hear from you!
Days 2,3,4 are probably the worse, so hopefully you will start to feel better as the week moves on.
I didn’t enjoy those gcsf injections! They spring those on you at last minute don’t they?! I was too much of a chicken to do them myself and really had a battle to get the nurse to come out and do them. So in the end a friend/nurse kindly helped me. You may find that you get some bone/joint pain with it, but it is short lived. I just took ibroprofen and it was fine.
Take it easy for a few days.
Sue xx
Glad you are doing ok Mary Kate. I don’t have to do injections (yet) think they might be with my second 3 sessions of chemo and not sure I will be able to manage it!. But like everything just now I just take it one day and one stage at a time, the future is just too scary to look into at moment.
Don’t worry about getting out and about, we are all different and I am just doing things as and when I can . Take it easy, listen to your body, it’s fighting to get well
for us, so we need to listen to it when it says slow down!
I’ve got mouth ulcers and nasty taste in mouth for last 2 days , another lovely side effect!. But managing.
Hope you are OK Ali.
Sending hugs to all. Xx
Hi ladies. Glad you are both doing ok. I’m feeling very tired today so am back on the sofa but I have been and picked out a wig so have achieved something. My mouth is a little sore and furry too Sib but no ulcers yet. I’m trying Manuka honey to see if that helps (although I hate the taste).
Mary-Kate, I was originally told I would only be having the injections for my last 3 sessions but I was sent home with 5 this time. The lovely chemo nurse showed my hubby how to do it and he has managed very well so far. xx
Hi AnnieJ , using baby toothbrush and manuka honey 20 +each morning in warm water. However tongue was swelling today, with inflamed throat so saw GP who prescribed difflam mouthwash, which has made a huge difference after 3 uses, managed to eat some soup and a soft roll. Thanks for all tips it’s so good to know you are not alone. Xx
Rest up Ali, had to get mouthwash from GP for my mouth as tongue and throat were swelling, (despite manuka honey 20+, I take it in warm water with lemon) mouthwash has made difference to swelling and can eat a bit now.
Did you choose a wig like your own hair or go for something completely different? Xx
Hi Sib, glad you have something to help with your mouth. I’m impressed that you saw your GP so quickly, mine would be a 3 week wait, they are hopeless. I might try your idea of the honey with water and lemon as I really hate the taste.
My wig is similar to my own hair. Same colour (well the colour it used to be before I had to dye the grey), a bob like mine but it has a fringe which I don’t usually have. I did try a a platinum blond one on for style (I’m chestnut brown) and It didn’t look as bad as I thought it would but it wasn’t me. What did you go for? xx
Hi there August ladies, this is my first post and having spent half an hour reading your posts I’m already feeling less anxious, so thank you!
Am starting FEC chemo on Friday, and am seeing my oncologist tomorrow for bloods beforehand. Had a lumpectomy in June with no nodes involved. I have triple negattive BC, found during a routine mammogram as I’m 50m this year and was sent an appointment to attend the Breast Test Wales clinic - thank goodness for routine screening eh?! They told me only 70% of women attend their appointments, thank goodness I did!
I got to go on hols before treatment starts and got back on Sunday, and boy has the reality hit me since then. Have been in tears for two days on and off. Have a wig appointment tomorrow even though I don’t think I’ll want to be seen wearing it, hubby has been amazing and is convinced I’ll feel differently when I see how good they are, here’s hoping.
Am pretty down about it all really, I’m a primary school teacher and when diagnosed was in the middle of job interviews for September as my current position was ending in July. Now I find myself without a job. Such bad timing!! Does anyone know if I can claim some kind of sick benefit for the duration of my treatment? I prob won’t be able to look for work until after radiotherapy in January/February.
It’s great to be part of this forum, you’re such a supportive bunch. xx
Hello and welcome ladies.
Helen, I am also triple negative. I’m having chemo first before the lumpectomy and I was only diagnosed 3 weeks ago. The chemo started so quickly that I’m still having all my tests done with an MRI booked for tomorrow. As Butterfly said, you will be surprised by how good some of the wigs are. I’m sure you will find one that you like.
Butterfly, good luck for Thursday x
Hi Ali, I phoned 24 hour cancer helpline about my mouth (not sure if this is national or just a Scottish thing) they advised me to see GP who had me in within 30mins , I am totally amazed overall at how quick and efficient my whole experience has been .
I have eaten my dinner tonight so mouthwash is working.
My wigs (I have 2) one nhs and bought one. One is very like my own hair, matched colour exactly to my highlighted shoulder length hair and they will cut my fringe to match mine. Other is shorter, sassy style again my colour but more dynamic (I’ve called it Erica!) she will be for when I want a change and feel more confident changing hairstyles . As I have long thick hair I have been advised it could take18months to get it back to length it is now. X
Hi Helen, good luck for Friday I’m on FEC for my first 3 , had 1, last week, and managed though was a bit sick. I’m trying get to stay positive by thinking side effects mean treatment is working! (not always easy).
Work thing isn’t easy, I had only been in my job 7 months before diagnosis , I’m hoping to work from home some of time during chemotherapy to help.out financially. Macmillan are very helpful about financial matters but unfortunately it seemed for me the government offer very little help…
The forum is very good and will be your sanity during the days ahead. I’m a very private, independent person but on here I can express my fears and get support without upsetting family. Hugs. Xx
Welcome Butterfly, good luck for Thursday. Im E+ and HR+ too, so face Herceptin and tamoxifen treatment after/during my Chemo.
I’m dreading losing my hair but have wigs in place and am actually happy with them (or as happy as I can be) this is not an experience that any of us would choose, but we will get through the ups and downs together, hopefully still managing to smile on the way. Xxx
I am starting EC chemo this afternoon. I don’t want to go… help me 