@sunshine-smile and @dianne3 I have a PICC line (left arm) and had axillary node clearance on the right, but the nurses have been doing my BP (this is at chemo sessions) over my PICC line, so upper left arm not lower left arm and it’s been ok - have you been told not to do it over the PICC line itself for a reason?
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Couldn’t have put it better myself. Might be worth telling you that I am 74 and have come through the whole slash/poison/burn nightmare and am now back to leading a very busy and fulfilling life. You sound very positive and determined and I just know you are going to do great.
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@bramble1 On reflection there was never a reason for not using the PICC line upper arm, does it hurt?
@dianne3 no not at all, they just place the cuff carefully around the PICC and it’s no worse than having it done without the PICC there
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Hi all, just wanted to say that to all the wonderful ladies who have braved the shave, you look fabulous. It helps to have control over some part of our lives, another point to us. My hair was very fine, grey and thinning before all this started so going bald actually gives me some hope that when it grows back it might be thicker. I think that the lowered dose of EC has made a difference this time round, not so much nausea. Still get the stomach pains from injections though. Keep going ladies, one step, one day at a time, we’ll get there. Sending hugs to all xx
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Your son is testament to your upbringing … I hear you on the night sweats they are not nice … I have a fan in the bedroom which helps. I cut my own hair off and then sent it in to be made into wigs … I now am frozen most of the time so have a series of beanie hats , scarves and a Jack Sparrow pirate hat … its a bit like having multiple personalities LOL … how shall I be today … dress up for grown ups … snicker . I try and find the fun side of it . Cos it’s hard to come by . Hope that ramble helps xx Hazel
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@sunshine-smile You look amazing!!
We are all rocking this new buzz cut so well. … I think we are superheros going through all of this together. Strong has a new look ladies 
@dianne3 I hope you are feeling ok today and the BP has settled. Its a rough ride already without these extra stresses.
I had horrible dreams last night and sleep in 90 minute bundles and a treat of a migraine when I woke up. Eurgh. Just grim, hoping day 6 after chemo is better.
@teddy271 disobedient by nature, this is my new mantra for every day. Hope you got your dog biscuit. Haha.
@louise15 are you close to Penicuik, Pentlands or one of the Edinburgh parks? Could meet for a foot burl…?
@toad I was on a work meeting today with my golf baseball on, I’ll be telling them I’m away to the course if anyone ever asks. 
Remind me to not wash my hair for a while, although it is falling out every time I move anyway.
@rosiebob Too tiring not to laugh. YES! I just hit the whole pity party and awkwardness head on these days. Too exhausted to be futtering about with awkward sad faces.
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Hello - you all look fab!
I loved mine when I shaved it, but it’s started falling out now and is very patchy. Not a great look! I look like I’m covered in dog hair, so have resorted to beanies to try to limit the trail of hair that wafts behind me whenever I move.
I went to a Look Good Feel Better workshop today. Highly recommend it, if you can find one near you. And you get an amazing goody bag.
Had to call the nurses today - my resting heart rate hasn’t gone below 100 all day. We suspect that I’m anaemic and they’re happy for me to keep an eye on it, until I’m back in for bloods on Thursday. I hope it doesn’t delay EC2 on Friday - I want them all over with!
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@bramble1 I’ve only had my BP done once since having my PICC line fitted and she just did it on my forearm. I’ve got EC2 tomorrow so I’ll see what they do then. Good to know that it doesn’t feel any different over the PICC xx
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@schwartzwald thank you! And thank you for encouraging us to share photos - it looks like it may help others so very happy to do that xx
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@preferablywithfood I’ve been looking at the workshops but there isn’t one near me. They do them online though so may have a go at that - I’m going to need assistance with eyebrows as I’ve never done anything with mine before!
Hope your heart rate settles soon, it’s a horrid feeling xx
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I hope everyone is doing ok on this sunny Tuesday morning (well, it’s sunny where I am 
) and @sunshine-smile I hope your 2nd EC goes smoothly.
Just when I thought I’d settled in to a bit of a side effects routine…….boom……insomnia 
I was awake until 05:30 this morning.
The nausea is manageable with the lovely meds I have, I’m now used to flitting between mega-squits and constipation, the hot flushes & brain-fog are merely a throw-back to my menopause symptoms and I’m embracing my balding baby hedgehog look. So I was a little pissed off with the insomnia.
But, I used those extra waking hours to plan the living shit out of a short break away with my bestie for when this chemo crap is done. So screw you insomnia!
Unfortunately, due to me sleeping through my pug’s usual breakfast time, he was fed late this morning and ate too fast which caused him to puke on my lounge carpet. I’m overlooking this and still taking the win 
And I bought a 4 pack of Curlywurlys for only 38p yesterday
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So EC 2 is done, yay half way through EC 
. I also got some new meds - an extra anti sickness called Aprepitant and some Lansoprazole for the heartburn so feeling more positive about this round 
.
@dianne3 so I had my BP done on my forearm again today and it was normal. I hope yours has settled down.
@schwartzwald all went smoothly and much quicker than last time. So far so good! Ahhh your poor little pug and poor you having to clean up doggie sick. Not nice. I was waiting for the insomnia last time but thankfully it didn’t come, we’ll see how it goes this time. Hope you manage to nap and catch up through the day.
So I’ll probably have a nap or maybe a little walk first and definitely won’t be doing the gym this time and hopefully will keep things under control xx
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Curly wurlies for the win!
I’m also gripped with 3am wake up wakey wakey time. Mid afternoons are a slog. I need to crack the 40 minute nap and still manage a full night sleep. Hilarious, said every woman over 38 ever…
I’ve been in a work meeting since midday and my potato salad is still sitting waiting for me to eat it for lunch. Maybe I’ll have it for dinner instead… 
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You look FAB X
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@sunshine-smile Glad to report my BP is starting to behave again, I think it may be the filgrastim injections that are making it spike. Rapid Response checked in with me today and said if it goes up again to contact my GP.
I attended the Look Good Feel Better skincare and makeup class today. Really worthwhile both for the education on makeup and also the contact with other ladies going through this cancer journey.
You ladies who have braved the shave and published your pics are an inspiration. I have managed the cold cap for my first two EC rounds but start to feel sick about doing it again and don’t think I can possibly do it every week for 9x Paclitaxel. Hair is still sorting of intact but very weak. Don’t know whether to abandon it or not?
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Hi all, just catching up with everything on here after a break.
@sunshine-smile @toad @louise15 @schwartzwald love the shaved looks! I did mine 2 weeks ago. Still have a little left.
@dianne3 hope BP behaves. The weight thing is horrid. Lots of great advice 
Down with beige.
@rosiebob love the humour. A good coping mechanism for sure.
@preferablywithfood thanks for the workshop tip. Ill have a look. Hope your tachycardia gets sorted/they get to the bottom of it.
I’ve been ok, apart from picc related dvt days after getting it. Daily heparin injections for me now.
Have my final EC tomorrow.
Managed some runs, walks, cycle rides and had a go at weights…to see how it feels with the PICC. Finding needing to plan ahead with waterproofs hard to get used to.
Had a nurse tell me to slow down…which I will be ignoring completely.
Paclitaxel soon. I’ll hunt a picture of the baby hedgehog look.
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@outdoorsy You look fantastic 
I’m in awe of your incredible bone structure! If you didn’t have a short haircut before, you should definitely consider keeping a cute pixie cut when your hair grows back.
I’m sorry to hear you had a picc related dvt. Daily heparin injections doesn’t sound fun 
But yay to not slowing down 
I feel that I’ve achieved something just by walking the dog and I still think you’re incredible for your active-ness.
Looking forward to the baby hedgehog picture
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@pg92 sounds grim
@sunshine-smile & @outdoorsy you both look incredible! I love that we all shared photos, it’s been really encouraging and I think everyone looks beautiful. I myself have started the little baby hedgehog look, just going to rock that too - it’s all temporary!
@outdoorsy my final EC is Friday if my bloods today are all good. Happy for us both being near the end of that part at least! Glad you’re also still being active. I’m trying as best I am able, walking most days, weights (to a much lesser weight than I can usually throw around!) and occasional run. I’m trying to enjoy it just now as know in the latter couple of rounds I may not feel able.
@sunshine-smile I hope you’re doing ok today. Yay for halfway through EC! 
@schwartzwald I am just outside of Edinburgh so can get myself to any of those places easily. Walking seems to be my main social contact with anyone at the moment 
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