With my chemotherapy regime fast approaching (4 x EC fortnightly and 4 x Paclitaxel fortnightly, I’m wondering with the benefit of hindsight are there things you wish you had done or not done and what do you consider are your best tips. I’ve read screeds of posts but I was hoping to condense some helpful information in preparation. I definitely won’t be cold capping but all other info is much appreciated. Thank you. 
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@indigo2 I’m sorry to hear you are facing this but you will be ok and you will get through it eventually!!
I’m pleased you’ve already made the cold capping decision. I dithered and eventually did it but regretted it in hindsight as I found it far more stressful wondering if it would work, would my hair fall out, should I get a wig etc. Anyway irrelevant to you.
Firstly, any symptoms/side effects, worries - report to the chemo nurses, or of more urgent, to the emergency chemo number they will give you. Even if it seems minor, eg a rash, heartburn, sore eyes, then report it as usually something can be done.
Be kind to yourself and don’t try and overdo things. You will be beyond tired. Allow yourself to sit on the sofa and stare at the telly if you feel like it. Have a nap in bed if needed. Dont try and do housework etc if your not up to it.
Lay in stocks of yummy treats, flavoured boiled sweets, squash, in case your taste goes weird, mine did on Docetaxel.
One thing I started after the first cycle ws to have a spreadsheet of the drugs to take each day and when to take them, steroids, anti sickness etc. I also wrote any side effects, how I felt each day, which i found really helpful to look back on as I could see patterns emerging and anticipate the next time.
Get some Loperamide in case of diarrhoea. I didn’t and hubby had to do a late night trip for some. The chemo nurses should be able to give you some.
I’m sure there’s lots more!
Good luck!
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Also following this as I too am about to start - 4 x docetaxal and cyclophosphamide 1 every 3 weeks and looking for top tips on what to take in with me in the day , what’s worked for other - wish you all the best on your journey x
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I didn’t cold cap and started quickly losing my hair after my third session. I found that more distressing than shaving it off, which felt like gaining a bit of control. So get some hats, scarfs and or wigs beforehand. I got my wigs for £10 each from a local BC charity. Even if you fancy braving the shave ( I didn’t ) it’s surprising how cold your head feels. I developed a bit of neuropathy in my fingers and toes just before my penultimate session but found gentle walking helped. Most days my energy levels were fine during the day, but I crashed every evening. Just do what you can manage and say when something is too much. Hope you’re lucky like me and find the side effects are tolerable.
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You too, I’m sure it’s like all the other steps to get to this stage, once it’s started the apprehension perhaps lessens a bit. Preparation and prevention better than cure!
Many thanks for your input, much appreciated
Agree the apprehension is the worst , not quite as bad as waiting for the dreaded results of different tests and having to tell your loved ones , will be glad to have the first one under my belt and then know a bit more about what I am dealing with 
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I’m getting my second lot of the dreaded results tomorrow morning. 1 lump and lymph node have already been diagnosed with cancer but then another MRI showed up 5 more sites. 3 look clear but 2 potentially not.
Wishing everyone the best and lots of love xx
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@mumto2 Hi there. I would take in something to do - I took my Kindle with an easy to read book on it, but it could be crosswords etc, as there may be waiting around, plus the treatment is an hour minimum, more like 2 with faffing about. Headphones for music or an audiobook. Make sure your phone is fully charged!!
I took coffee/tea, mainly because I cant have dairy but probably would have anyway as the cups they give you are tiny!! Our nurses were very good at providing water. Take some snacks too.
Wear short sleeves to allow for the cannulae but have a cardy for the other arm in case its chilly.
Tissues. Lip balm.
Can’t think of anything else I took at the moment.
Hope it all goes ok xx
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Hi @sarah411 the waiting is awful, I don’t know about you but my head always goes to the worst places. Mine has never been quite as bad as I thought it was going to be, having lots of support has really helped but unless you have been through it yourself no one really knows so just even looking through this forum has helped. I had a full right side mastectomy 6 weeks ago and a sentinel node biopsy which showed up 1 dodgy node. I was so worried about the op but whilst none of this is easy it was actually much better than I thought of in head. Sending positive vibes for your results and I keep this thought in my head from my consultant - this is a very treatable condition and things have changed so much that the outlook gets better all the time x
@indigo2
I had 3 EC and 3 docetaxel so different to you but I found the first of each was my learning.
I would suggest don’t plan anything for first week. Then if you’re fine, you can do some nice last minute things. If you don’t feel great, you can chill.
I kept a diary noting down appointments, but also when I needed to take prescribed medicines, and when I took anti-sickness/pain relief.
I set timers every day to help me keep to times.
I also noted in the diary how I felt each day, temperature, if I had a poo… then looking back I could see improvement, and plan for my next treatments.
For my first treatment, I bought and took everything with me, then quickly realised I didn’t need it.
I wore joggers as good to sit around and pull down with one hand (once cannulated). Also a short sleeved t-shirt and hoody over then took a pashmina/scarf in case cold.
I found I could taste the IV meds so took sucking flavoured sweets and flavoured soda water, snacks in case sitting around, hot drink in a insulated cup (although they did have a drink table with biscuits you could help yourself to).
There are many distractions so I found a book too heavy. I electronically joined the library which allowed me to read magazines on my ipad - smaller chunks.
Do buy a digital thermometer, paracetamol.
I had some back aches after taking the injection to increase white cells and a hot water bottle really soothed them. My daughter got me one that went right round my middle.
Some people try the sickness bands - I didn’t but thought I would put it here in case you suffer sickness at first round and want to consider for subsequent rounds.
I didn’t always feel like eating more than a few mouthfuls or like making something, so I had prepared fruit in the fridge, little pots of yoghurt and rice pudding, milkshake… My husband used to nip out for bits as sometimes I just ‘felt’ like something. Hopefully you have deliveroo in your area just in case you fancy something last minute.
Have your oncology nurses number on the fridge or somewhere handy just in case.
I cut my hair very short before starting chemotherapy, then had it shaved as it started to shed. It felt like sleeping on razor blades and shaving it when it got to that stage felt better.
I used to find week 1 was rubbish, week 2 was turning the corner and week 3 was doing nice things but hopefully once you have had your first, you will work out how it affects you, as I know we are all different.
Big hugs and good luck
x
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All the best with your results Sarah, it’s such a worrying roller coaster.
@LauraR Thank you for such a detailed message, your input like all the others who have replied to my post, is much appreciated.
Were there any medications or creams that anyone felt were particularly helpful? Interested to hear about oral care experiences.
@mumto2 ,
Hi . I did my first session of 4 x docetaxel last Wednesday. The ward staff were really nice and friendly. Kept having my BP checked first as it shot up with nerves but a sit down and some calm reading and resting in a chair brought it down so they could start. I took a bag with a bottle of water, a bag of sugar free sweets to keep my saliva going. They had lollipops to suck by each chemo chair. I took my tablet and played the games also a word puzzle book. Made the time go much quicker. Also had a natter with 2 others sat in the same bay also having a session. Everyone very polite. All in the same boat I suppose. I took a sandwich and a graze snack bar. There was trolley round on the ward offering sandwiches and hot drinks also. It was a long afternoon. After the session was over lots of prescriptions to take home and instructions. Anti sickness, mouthwash and the injections and how to administer them to myself. Went home and had a light tea and settled down for the evening. Was able to sleep and was next day I started to feel what I liken to a hangover. Everyone feels it differently. Today is the first day I feel back to myself. Had a good day today . Been out Christmas shopping and to meet a freind for a coffee. Tomorrow I plan to take it easy. All though it is an unpleasant scenario to be in I’ve found it manageable and know that cycle 2 can be manageable too. Wish you well with your first cycle. Xx
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Thanks so much for your input and tips. You seem to be off to a good start, hope it all goes smoothly for you.
@indigo2 I found that I had slightly sore gums after the first EC and started using mouthwash, from the chemo nurses, and a bamboo toothbrush. With the Docetaxel I had a furry tongue 
and lost my sense of taste, which returned after 10 days. I tried various thing to relieve the tongue situation, none of which worked but oral nystatin, for thrush, made it alightly less furry. Drinking iced drinks was much more pleasant and slightly stronger tasting foods. I think in this everyone is different so you just have to experiment. My skin became very dry so I used Moo Goo creamm which is great.
The bamboo toothbrush and Moo Goo i got in a free gift box from Little Lifts
You can apply online and if approved you get a box with lovely stuff in it. Really worth doing. There’s a chemotherapy one, they’ve just started a surgery one, and I think there’s a radiotherapy one. You have to upload photos of a letter or something proving youre having treatment, its immediately deleted once they have confirmation, and its very straight forward to apply. I got my box pretty quickly.
Love to you all 
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Some more great help there thank you. Yes I’ve heard of moo goo.
My little box is on its way! 