Hi
There is no need to be worried. It will be no where near as bad as you think, I promise xx
Please join the ladies on here and share your worries and concerns.
Let us know how you get on and we will try and help as much as possible.
Sue xx
I was there for approximately 3 hours, but that may depend on your meds. If you cold cap, it will take a little longer.
Will you have someone with you? It’s nice to have moral support, plus someone to make you a cup of tea xx
Sending you a hug. No one wants to have chemo. It isn’t as bad as you think, each one you have is one closer to the end. Remember the sun always shines after the rain!. We are all here for you. Let me know how you are.
Shirley xxx
Hi Helenp,
I’m also having my first FEC T chemo on Friday 11th August. I’m in at 9am ,I’m very anxious, but also glad to get this chemo session done with so I will know what to expect for the rest of them . I’m also going to use the Paxman cold cap in the hope of saving some of my hair… I had my lumpectomy 21st June with full lymph node clearance then ended up with cellulitis in that boob and my chemo was put back a week so I could get fully fit…
I also work in a school as a teaching assistant and hope to get back in January/ February to work, all being well…hope all goes well on Friday for your first chemo. And hugs to other August chemo ladies going through this right now x
Hi Ladies
Sib - I hope your mouth is getting easier now, that sounds uncomfortable but looks like you’ve had some good advice.
Ali - I hope you’re going on OK and are feeling well after resting. I’m doing OK, I keep feeling like I’ve got lots more energy and then the fatigue hits you. You just have to go with it, don’t you? Most of my nausea has gone now but I’m still quite fuzzy and headachy. I’ve been able to do a couple of short walks and it’s good to get out in the fresh air for a bit. And I’ve manged my daily injections now, although they did say you don’t have to if you don’t want to – I just didn’t want the tie of the District Nurses coming in every day.
Well done Ali for choosing your wig - it’s a hard decision, isn’t it? I found going for my wig-fitting quite overwhelming with over 200 wigs there, some very scary! Decided in the end with mine to stay longish and blond as I am now, need to feel sort of similar to how I am now. At least it’s one thing I can still be in control of… Also decided to have all my own hair cut off soon which’ll be hard to do, but I’m sure it’ll be more manageable than having long hair falling out – and even though I’m trying the cold cap I’m sure I’ll still lose a fair amount.
Hello Helenp, Butterfly, Soworridl and Sue58 - I hope we can all support and help each other along the way as we all go through this right now. This time last week I found the thought of starting chemotheraphy very surreal and daunting but the reality, so far for me anyway, hasn’t been as bad as I thought - although it’s still early days as I only had my first treatment on Saturday. It’s the fear of the unknown that’s hard. I left the hospital afterwards much calmer than I had gone in, knowing I’d got through the first session and with more of an idea what to expect next time. The Chemo nurses are so reassuring and experienced and they help you cope with it all.
I hope your treatment has gone OK today Soworridl. And good luck for Thursday, Butterfly and Helenp and Sue58 for Friday. Let us know how it goes for you all.
Hope the cold cap goes OK, Helenp – I found it bearable after I got through the first half hour, but was pleased I took in a fleece blanket to wrap up in as the rest of your body feels so cold as well…
Thanks Mary-Kate for your lovely reply… lets hope this time tomorrow my head will be well frozen and the chemo regime will be going in my arm ok…!! Will keep you posted. Xx. Big hugs
For every one who is going through chemo this week and this month. Good luck to you all , I hope everything goes well for you all…its another step in our cancer journey…one we have to take even if were not sure how we will cope…but somehow we find our inner strength and get on with it…even though inside were a mushed up mess…!!! Good luck ladies, let us know how you did…xx. Big hugs to everone xx
Hugs to all the August ladies. Strength in numbers ? Xx
Good morning!
Am overwhelmed with the supportive and helpful comments on here, thanks all.
Well I went kicking and screaming to my wig appointment yesterday with my best friend and hubby, ready to cry throughout. It was fantastic! Heather, the consultant wears wigs for ‘fun’ so it was a great icebreaker when she showed me proof that it was indeed a wig! I was totally at ease and genuinely feel the wig I’ve chosen is a great match to my actual style and colour and can really see myself using it whereas yesterday I thought I’d buy one and leave it in the box…so much so that I’m considering not bothering with the cold cap tomorrow. I really didn’t expect it to be a pleasant experience but I feel totally different about wearing a wig now, before yesterday I was only looking at headscarves. I took some scarves with me and the ladies showed me how to tie them so that was really useful too.
Well Sue58, we dive into the chemo together tomorrow then. Today I made a list for my ‘chemo rescue kit’ so am making a trip to Boots is this afternoon so that I’ve got everything I need to make things easier. There’ll be plenty of room for chocolate in the box too!
Good luck Sue58, speak tomorrow.
Thanks Sue.
Shopping done, washing done, collected bits and pieces together that I might want by me. Taken first anti nausea pill, so it’s feeling real now! Not long until I leave, will let you know how it goes. Xx
Thanks Helenp …hope all goes well tomorrow for you too…and butterfly…hope all went well this afternoon for you xx
Hi everyone,
First time posting here (or second if you count where I just posted this by mistake ???) so sorry if I ramble or anything!!
I’m 36, 2 kids 3yr & 1yr old, when I’m working ima nurse (only made it back for 4 weeks after having 13 months mar leave ?)
I was diagnosed on my birthday in June, brilliant response from hospital within 13 days if had all investigations etcabd was in having lumpectomy & SND. Grade 3, no lymph involvement 1.8mm so got it early!
I started my chemo yesterday I’m having 6 rounds of EC, then some radio. It’s Er -ve, HER2 -ve, Pr+ve…they’ve said prob some anti-hormone treatment but not specified which yet and still referring to genetics as some family history.
The 2nd drug made me really dizzy/woozy they had to lie me flat ? & took the full 90 mins of remainder of cold cap for me to come around…hoping next time I’m better than that.
Ive felt blurghhh so far (no other word to describe it) nauseous but not sick, head achy and can’t sleep.
I used the cold cap today…extremely hard going but will try to persevere if it works fab…if not hey ho! Also saw the wig lady who ordered me a couple to try in my colour/style.
I’ve got my anti emetics, mouth wash, injections for next weeks & steroids to take morning of my next dose…
I’ve read loads of posts on here and find them all helpful and inspiring!!! Xxx
Good luck Friday chemo ladies. Every treatment done is a step closer to the end. Sending positive vibes and hugs. Xx
starting chemo monday, hair cut into a pixie style tomo and looking forward to startin the process of gettin rid of this cruel c thing! hope all you ladies are doing well x
Morning ladies.
Treatment yesterday was ok, lovely nurse talked me through each drug as it went in and explained, extremely accurately, how I would feel! Steroid kept me on a high until 8pm when my head started aching. Went to bed early but didn’t sleep very well. Good to know that’s normal ?
Feeling a bit weird today, again good to know I’m not alone, but haven’t actually felt sick which was my main concern, so I’m pleased the drugs are working. Trying to be kind to myself, and taking it easy. Can’t remember the last time I wasn’t dressed by midday, but got a good excuse now!
I’ve read elsewhere that someone refers to this journey as a triathlon, which in my case is chemo, surgery, radio. I like the analogy and that it’s a reflection of the different stages. Each one bloody awful and hard work in their own way. We will all deserve a medal at the end ?
Hope everyone else is managing ok, and getting the support they need. Thank you for all your posts, it is hugely reassuring. Xx
Hi Ladies…well chemo went well and so did the paxman cold cap…the whole procedure took about 3 and a half hours, I was very impressed with the lovely nurses who explained every drug and its possible side effects as they went in…luckily I didn’t get any nausea or side effects ( but I’m sure I will get some later !!! lol) the cold cap was a little uncomfortable for about 10/15 minutes then fine after that…better than I thought it would be, I took a paracetamol an hour before the cap went on…the chin strap was tight…but I managed…sort off…!.. Butterfly , glad it went ok for you. And Helen hope everything went well for you too…Soworidl hope your doing ok from Saturday ?.. love and hugs x
Thanks Sue C I’m fine for now… wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…Mary- Kate hope you are OK ? X
Hi Sue C I’ll keep that in mind that next time may be slightly better. Ywah to child care it’s fallen lucky in a way that it’s the 6 week hols for my first 2 sessions and my hubby is a teacher. There’s also my mum, his mum & both our sisters to help out!
I hope everyone going today is ok and others are feeling as ok as poss today xxx
Off to hospital as have woken up with a high temperature. Not the way I wanted to spend my Saturday morning…
Hope all you ladies who had your chemo last week are doing ok today xxx
Hello Ladies. I have been reading with interest your posts as I am just waiting for my dates. Went to see oncologist last Wednesday who gave me all the details, most of which I have forgotten. As well as all the side effects, etc. Like I said to him though, I just have to suck it and see. With a bit of luck most of them wont apply. I have to wait for a picc line to go in and then we can get rolling. Want it to start but there is a little bit of me that doesn’t, cos then it is very real and life changes (for a little while anyway). Even though I have had 2 lots of surgery, I still don’t feel that there is anything wrong with me. That probably sounds mad! Can anyone please give me advise on wigs. Do you just ask your nurse, she did mention it, but I was quick to push the idea away at the time. When you go, do you just get offered what they have? I just feel that if I have one, I am going to have to have a wild one! To match my personality!!