Hi ladies, I have posted thisalreafy on another rhread but for my ladies who haven’t been on the other thread and are to start chemo soon here is a briefing about my app with the chemo team. I have grade 2 Ductal invasive BC Herc+! I have had a lumpectomy but now need 6 cycles of chemo, 18 m months Herceptin, another op to clear pre cancerous cells in margins, rads and 10 years of Tamoxifen! Phew!!! Just a little time out of my life to help towards leading a better quality life in the future and to stop recurrence. Just a small price to pay:) Yes,we could all do without this but its there so deal with it and use whatever they give us to get mended!
S, we sat in the cold cap room for rhe meeting! Yes, it was cold even though not in use and doors open! Mum sat in the lounge instead! Decided not using cold cap and shaving for charity but nurse told be not to shave shave as your scalp can get sensitive and be more prone to irritations and infection so just have a number 2 with clipper and no razors. No, she didn’t mean number 2 on the loo:D I’ve heard that coconut oil or wax is good for bare heads so be sure to get some. Avoid forest sun…fat chance of any more of that here soon anyway!
Then got to my weight and height which was done last visit. They had 550 kg written for my weight, which is about 10 of me, haha, yes should be 50kg! That would have been a lot of drugs for little me!
Asked why I’m on EC and not FEC? 6 months ago the took the F drug away as they found it wasn’t really doing anything! So 3 cycles EC and 3 cycles of Doxataxol and 18 months of Herceptin.
2nd week of each cycle need to inject GCSF to build up immune system. 2 anti sickness drugs will go in with the EC! First cycle be there about one and half hours to 2 as no cold cap. Longest will be the first Herceptin for 6 hours. Herceptin will not have side effects, feel just as normal.
Heart will be checked after cycle 2 to make sure treatment not affecting my heart. Advised to take temperature twice daily. Get an ear thermometer from Tescos. They are quickest way. Shouldnt be above 37.5 degrees or lower than 37.5
Wear dark nail varnish for the 3x Doxataxol to block light from nail bed to stop infection and damaging nails. I think will wear all the time through chemo.
Have a deep purple one free with No 7 products.
Hair loss will be between 7-14 days. So cutting short is good even if having cold cap as that’s 50/50 so short hair falling out is more manageable and won’t get as tangled easily.
Avoid shellfish, raw meat, reheated food, take away food, unpasteurized yoghurt and cheese.
Wear rubver gloves to clean as to avoid any infection!
Don’t go anywhere with big crowds as someone could have a cold or infection. You aren’t the risk but someone else could pass it on.
Best bit was that they are giving me an extra anti sickness drug Amend to take on top of the 2 drugs going in the line. I’ve heard that it is very good! Maybe mention if you are a sickly person.
All in all came out feeling positive and ready to start on Monday morning…of course I hope I see the muscular handsome security guard who smiled and winked at me as I arrived! Nothing like a bit of eye candy at times like this!!!
The best of luck to all my lady chemo starters and also to all those going through all the different treatment plans and diagnosis. We are just like family, or even better as we understand each other and can rant, rave, moan and share our emotions and feelings without worrying about upsetting anyone.
Lots of love to you all.xxx