Hey everyone hope you’re all doing well! I’m starting Chemo on 3rd March, I’m having:
I’m looking for any little tips/hints/tricks to help keep me going/deal with side effect etc, basically ANYTHING at all that helped you through treatment! I’m planning on cold capping too x
Hi @katie91 sorry we are having to meet under such awful circumstances but lovely to meet you! I am in the exact same treatment regime as you. I started EC on 16th Dec and have done all 3 rounds. I start on docetaxel tomorrow for 3 rounds 3 weekly so can’t comment on that one yet!
I also cold called for my EC cycles. The first 2 rounds I coped really well. I took paracetamol after the nurse took my temp when I arrived. The first 20-30 mins was intense but after a while you get used to it. Take a blanket and a headband for your forehead. I also took a spray bottle of water and conditioner for the nurses to apply before cold cap Also a woolly hat for afterwards. However on my 3rd cycle, I had a funny turn. I felt very sick and it was just too much so I removed it. That was just my experience and it has been successfully for many others on this forum so definitely worth a go.
The side effects definitely vary from person to person but nausea and fatigue seem to be most common. Listen to your body, rest, try and go for short walks if you can as it does help. I found small and regular snacks/meals helped with the nausea as well as the anti sickness meds they give you.
Do Join the March chemo thread if you haven’t already. It’s good to chat with others going through it at the same time as you. all the ladies here are amazing xx
Hi @katie91!
I don’t have any advice as I’m not quite there yet myself but just wanted to wish you good luck and will look forward to following your progress if you’re sharing.
All the very best to you x
Hi @katie91
Your team are all scientifically driven. They deal with data, so give them data. I kept a really detailed record of all my symptoms on a daily basis and also recorded marks out of 10 for pain/discomfort. I left nothing out. I presented this to my oncologist on my first meeting with her. It helped her to prescribe me with relevant drugs to help ease some of the symptoms. I’d also recommend sharing it with your breast nurse/chemo team who can relay the data to the team at their weekly meetings. Usually there is a BCN who does the rounds on the chemo ward that you can give a print out to. It will then go on your records.
The bottom line is don’t suffer in silence. If you tell them what’s going on, there is a chance they can help to make life easier.
Wishing you well with the treatment. X
Hi @shell86 thank you so much for sharing and we’ll done to you for getting half way through!! If you don’t mind me asking, how much hair have you managed to keep?
Have you managed to keep on going with normal day to life? With abit of extra resting? I’ve got a 2 and 5 year old so hoping I can get on with my days as normally as possible!! Was there certain days each cycle you knew you would feel the worst?
Did you part your hair for cold cap or slick it back? I’ve seen people doing both!
Good luck on your 1st round of docetaxel tomorrow!! Xx
Thanks @mssteel I’ll certainly be sharing as I know how much its helped me 
how are you getting on on your journey? Xx
Hi there.
Found this thread whilst scrolling through & thought I’d reply. I finished 3 EC & 3 Docetaxel 4 weeks ago tomorrow.
The EC I found I was very wishy washy & fairly nauseous & actually being sick. The steroids kept me awake alot. But I’d be all ok by a week after.
The Docetaxel I struggled more with. I got a very sore mouth in particular my tongue & my taste was awful. Using the mouthwash provided did help though. I found eating difficult because of nausea but wasn’t actually sick. I also got sores up my nose. I used a cotton bud with a bit of Moo Goo moisturiser up my nose & that really helped soothe it. Also had the injections in my tummy which on Docetaxel it find they made my bones especially in legs extremely achey. I would need to spend a couple of days in bed. Overall recovery from each Docetaxel was longer than EC often taking 10 days or more!
I cold capped & during EC it did fall out but not all. I had the guidance from a friend who has had BC herself, is a hairdresser & a Paxman cold cap ambassador. She fitted me for the size, showed me how the nurses should be putting it on & they did do it correctly. By the time I started Docetaxel my hair was growing back. Like I say I didn’t go bald. And now 4 weeks post treatment I already have 3 inches of hair. It’s somewhat grey but hopefully by end of April I can have a colour on it. It’s important to remember cold capping protects regrowth even if you do lose some or all. I just tried to keep that in mind every time & stuck with it even though it’s hard. Glad I did & my friend was so proud of me lol
I hope you get on well with your treatment. Be kind to yourself. Rest when needed & eat that you can. Try not to worry if it’s healthy or not as long as you are eating. When you feel better you can build up again x
Wear elasticated trousers in case you need the toilet whilst the IV is in progress !
@nell5 great advice. I will add to that. I take a pashmina in with me rather than a sweatshirt. If it gets warm on the ward, or you get a hot flush, it means the infusion has to be interrupted while you take off the top. If you don’t have a pashmina (why would you, it’s no longer 2002!!!) then a light blanket would work just as well.
I found that sucking on ice cubes made with pineapple which had been through my food processor really helped with mouth and taste issues. Evidently pineapple contains an enzyme which is good for mouth health. I also painted my nails with black nail polish as I read somewhere that blocking out light helps minimise nail problems. Not sure how well it worked as I did have a few nail problems and have no idea if it would have been worse without the polish. I found week one the worst but by weeks two and three was more or less back to normal, but everyone is unique and responds in their own way. I cold capped and kept most of my hair. Hope this helps. Take care xx
Brilliant! You’re right, the support here is amazing and I find it’s very rewarding in both giving and receiving.
I’m a month out from my clear surgery results and I still potentially have another 8 weeks until I meet with an oncologist. And the longer that gap gets, the more unreal it feels!
More than anything at the moment, the cancer’s making me do a big life reevaluation and it’s put me into a bit of an existential crisis! So it’s more the mental after effects of the experience that I’m dealing with at the moment rather than treatment stuff, but I’m sure I’ll find my path and I’m taking this unsettled phase as part of the process.
Thank you so much for asking, all the best to you and looking forward to your updates x
@mssteel you have hit the nail on the head with the ‘after’ phase being the real challenge with cancer. Once we are starting to move beyond regular treatment things start to surface. At this point we may start to process the shock of what we have gone through. People around us may assume that now we are through chemo and ops that we are ‘better now’ and they stop rallying round as much. For some, this may come as a relief, but it can also lead to feelings of frustration for others as expectations on us can change. Over time we are losing the structure of our professional care which can make us feel a bit rudderless.
I found keeping a diary helpful (this isn’t my first rodeo with cancer, so I am at least prepared this time) and I am going to be clear about setting the expectations of others where I need them to keep on giving support. For me, going out in nature and doing deep reflection is a real panacea. It helps clear my head. I also have a summer house where I have lots of cushions for screaming into. I sing in there too. Loud. It helps with getting a good dose of dopamine into my system.
For anyone struggling with the psychological elements, remember that your BCN can arrange for counselling as part of the care package. It is an idea to put in for some, as waiting times can be very long otherwise.
Good luck, and I hope your reflections lead to some positive changes for you moving forward. X
Great insights as always @Jaygo! I think your zen-ness could be a good chemo hack 
Awww thanks!
Hi Katie
I had 4 rounds of docetaxel and one round of Epirubicin which supposed to have more of that one.due to the toxicity of the Epirubicin the oncologist decided to give me the docetaxel first due to me having slight angina.in total had 5 rounds.
I would prepare yourself.i did have horrible side effects ftom the docetaxel. Not straightaway I should say about 3/4 days afterwards.which included real fatigue, tiredness, no energy, loss of appetite, couldn’t taste much, watery or dry eyes, a bit of constipation. Also doctor prescribed landsoprole for my acid indigestion which I had.if you have any side effects don’t hesitate to ring the emergency yellow card number they should advise you.i also lost most of my hair though I did try cold capping.only had 2 of those as I was told my scalp was sensitive so didn’t have anymore. Give it a go by all means you might get on with it.but hair started falling out after my third week of taking the docetaxel it’s a very strong drug sonjust be mindfulness it.had chemo everyb3 weeks it was tough but you will get through it in your own way!.I had stage 3 hormonal cancer herz negative.had surgery.had an implant and had radiotherapy 15 lots.if you need anymore info or need a chat I am here to advise if I can.take care and good luck! You can do this. Keep going ! X
Hi there, I’ve just ready the thread and had same experience as shell86, started cold cap on EC, after 2 cycles I lost half my hair, on 3rd cycle had severe nausea due to lack of hair on top of head so I stopped. Totally distressing but I got used to wearing a hat. Is grown back thick and fast. My main advice is try to keep active, get outside everyday if possible even for short walks and especially when you don’t feel like it, it kept me sane! I thought Docetaxel would be a breeze after that but, as others have said, side effects creep up on you several days later, sore watery eyes and nose, sore skin, no taste…but you’ll get there! Main tip for the stomach injections at home (as a needle phobic) numb the area with a bag of ice or peas for a few mins first, you won’t feel a thing!! Wishing you lots of luck and yes wear comfy bottoms, take a scarf or ask the nurses for a blanket.
Hello,
I lost my hair in clumps, after about a week about day 10 after my first round of Chemo treatment. I finally shaved it into week 2, and it was more manageable. I have been given a wig, but I usually wear scarf or a hat when I go outside. 
Best of luck.