Hi, Can I join? I was expecting to start next week/week after but have just had a phone call booking me in for my first Carplatin/Paclitaxel Thursday 9:00!
I now feel completely unready as I had been told they would put in a PICC line first but if I don’t take this cancellation appointment they haven’t got capacity until 7th Sept.
Welcome @bryna sounds like the earlier appointment has thrown you a bit? But I guess the earlier you start the earlier you’ll be finished so maybe it’s worth looking at as a positive?
My start of TC chemo has been the opposite as it’s been delayed two weeks running due to me having an infection. I’m hoping next week is third time lucky!
@surreydeb Thank you. It has somewhat, I thought I had time to prepare! My youngest still has 2 more weeks of the summer holidays and I was hoping he’d be back to school before starting, (he’s 12 so not too young, but due to living circumstances we need to be out most days). One of his friends mums has kindly offered to have him to play Thursday 
Sorry to hear that your treatment has been delayed, but better to get on top of any infection first!
@bryna hope all goes well for Thursday xx
Thank you! I feel unprepared, I have had an appointment with the oncologist, but haven’t looked around the centre, I think it’s going to be about 3/4 hours plus scalp cooling. My partner originally said he’d come with me on the first treatment, but I now think he’ll be in work.
Hi @bryna
I hope all goes well on Thursday. I just wanted to say that I had hoped my husband would come to my appointment with me but he was unable too due to looking after our children (i have a 12 year old too). The staff at the centre and other patients were lovely though and I didnt ever feel alone. I read a book or went on my phone when they weren’t checking up on me or offering snacks or drinks.
I did the cold cap and was there most of the day but it wasn’t as bad as i expected.
I hope all goes well for you x
@bryna morning good look for Thursday if your husband can’t make it remember we are hear to message and talk to xxx
Hope everything goes good today at radiotherapy 
Hi @bryna,
Hope all goes well on Thursday.
My hospital doesn’t allow anyone else in for the chemo treatments. They stopped it during Covid and never restarted.
I was a bit worried as I wanted my husband there for support but to be honest, it was ok him not being there. I took loads to keep me entertained and looked at none of it. Spent most of my appointment taking in what was going on around me, chatting to the nurses, looking out the window (I got to choose my seat before anyone else as it was my first time) and texting my husband (poor sod was sat in the carpark) and a couple of friends and family who were checking in.
Plus like @titch1 said, we’re here too
@bella80 @titch1 @Absolutely_Not Thank you all for your kind wishes and messages. We are allowed to take someone with us for the first visit only, up to now he’s only been with me for one appointment- he’s self employed so although taking time off is up to him, it obviously impacts our finances.
It maybe a blessing in disguise, although I hate hospitals and get nervous, I go quiet and he’s a talker, he would probably do my head in trying to talk to all and sundry all day lol
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is coping ok with their treatment and how they’re feeling about it all if they haven’t started yet.
I’m finding everything is a lot to take in and like the great unknown. There always seems to be something new we’ve not done yet. My unknown today is a call with oncology today for cycle 2 on Friday (I’m dose dense so fortnightly). No idea what they’ll ask etc.
Then yet another appointment with the community nurses to look at my PICC line and get it redressed…it’s a daily occurrence at this stage! I feel bad for them that I’m taking up sin much of their time.
Work have been fab about all the appointments but I feel like I’m there in spirit at the moment. I don’t like working from home but they don’t want me in incase I catch something so I’m feeling a bit disconnected with what is going on in the office. Only a few people in work know as well.
Apologies for the novel, that was longer than expected 
Hope your call goes well. When they booked my call they said it would be to discuss any side effects and how I was managing. How have you been feeling? I’ve been ok so far, although early days and I didnt sleep at all last night, assuming due to the steroids. Going to get some fresh air later between the rain showers and see if that helps for tonight.
I’m going to back to work next Wednesday on a phased return and like you will be working from home the majority of it. I need some normality if that’s at all possible while going through treatment but i will miss not seeing people in the office x
Hi @Absolutely_Not , apart from a slight delay everything went well thank you. Was just about getting the hang of the breathing by the end so should be quicker tomorrow. You don’t feel anything during treatment itself.
How are you doing today? 
For me the unknown is the worst part, always has been. Hopefully you can get settled into a routine of some kind to ease those worries. Hope the call and next treatment goes easy on you. Big hugs xx
Good morning everyone!
I had my first round of EC chemotherpy yesterday, it was a pleasant experience as the staff and nurses were lovely!
I am to have x 3 rounds of EC (once every 21 days) followed by 3 rounds of Doxicaxel.
I think that the anti sickeness meds and steroids are helping for sure but I do feel quite weird!
Sending love to everyone 
Sam
Hi @bella80,
Call went well thanks, it was exactly as you described. Nurse spent most of the time laughing at me due to the dog barking and whining in the background as we had someone in shelving a cupboard and he was very sad he was not allowed to say hello
They have decided to change my anti sickness medication this time as I was really rough on the Friday I had chemo with nausea. It was almost nice in a way to go over all the other things we’ve been experiencing and get some recommendations. I’ve had issues with PICC and they have a plan for that now too which is good. Last week or so has been a game of ‘is it a side effect or is it an infection?’ 
That’s not good, not sleeping makes everything else feel that little bit worse I find. How was your walk? Did you manage to get a good sleep last night? The routine and normality of work has really, really helped me and I hope it does for you too. I know that won’t be the case for everyone but for me it stopped me overthinking every little thing. I just warned them if I go MIA there’s a very high chance I’m napping 
Hi @tiro,
Are you a left side too? I’m same and had read you need to hold your breath! How long did you need to hold it for?
Glad all went well at appointment and good to know not pain etc when it’s happening. Must be a thought going everyday!
Call was good, nurse went over every possible side effect and made a plan for my misbehaving PICC.
Hope today’s appointment is as good as yesterdays
Good morning @carrots0016,
Glad all went well at your chemo yesterday and you’re ok side effects wise. Hope the ‘weird’ feeling passes ASAP for you, I felt a bit spacey after mine on and off.
Sending love back
I have just finished my three ec. I find day 4/5 you get very tired so be kind to yourself. If you have any questions just reach out. Goes for everyone here xxxx
Hi everyone…
Sam @carrots0016 I think I’m on the same treatment plan as you (except I’m HER+ so having herceptin after Ive completed EC).
I had 1st session 13th Aug, and despite being tired & yeah a bit weird the side effects haven’t been too bad. I’m a week on and feel normal today.
I’ve just taken a day at a time, walked every day, and feel very relieved that every day has been better than expected.
What I have realised is I bought the Moo Goo leave in conditioner, shampoo & normal conditioner, oh my the smell, don’t know if it’s enhanced from the chemo but there is no way I can use it lol…I’ve mooved onto Simple unscented, would’ve been a cheaper to start with but hey ho!
Take care everyone
Jackie xx