Thanks @chatterbox for sharing your experience and top tips , didn’t think about the hate/turban for the way home and as my journey is about 1 1/2 hours at this time of year that’s a great shout - also the wide tooth comb! Although I already have short blond hair ( well will be half and half soon as didn’t want to fork out for hair doing again this week - wonder if they do half price if you only have half your hair 
) so maybe won’t need that but it won’t harm to get one - did you wear a hairband to protect your forehead too- I’m back tomorrow to see the oncologist and team so I’m sure they will tell me more then but the more I know the better .
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@mumto2 Oh, yes, definitely a hairband is a must - I’ve already forgotten! My nurse told me at my pre-assessment appointment. I just bought the cheapest wide stretchy one from Superdrug.
I ended up with a list on my phone to check each time to make sure I remembered everything. Chemo brain is definitely a thing.
I took a metal straw so I could drink hot tea from a mug on my table in front of me while my hands were in their iced gloves, as well as in-ear earphones so I could listen to stuff on my phone. The drug cocktails as well as steriods and anti-sickeness meds generally made me quite sleepy which helped the time pass.
All the best going forward.
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hi Mumto2
No i didn’t paint my nails and wouldn’t advocate doing that as it stops them from breathing. The boots is a liquid conditioner, like a lotion which i rub into the whole nail.
You will notice with doxytaxel a red line grow up through your nail beds, but its not that strong a definition on some nails. I was proud it was visible as it shouwed i was beating the cancer through treatment. The night cream at the time was Nivea. although now i’ve moved onto Q10 Intense Night cream from lidl - Cien, after reading an article in saga magazzine praising its natural ingredients. Hair conditioner i used either 'Karen Ruggles - Stop it all, which is free of soaps. parabens ie SLS, harsh chemicals including Tea Tree which should never be put onto the skin. or Tesco’s own coconut conditioner.
Much of the initial guidance i obtained from reading all the literature books they give you including those from Macmillan.
The other key point i remember, I was advised to drink plenty of water to flush the red doxy out of your system, and to warn others of its colour. One only means for the next 24 hours, the chemical still works to fight the cancer.
I have Type 4 allergies so was naturally careful before cancer about the products i put on my skin, or wash my clothes in. The only truly free from chemical, dye, enzymes and perfume. clothes washing liquid is called, Surcare and made by Mc Brides in Middleton Manchester.
i hope this extra helps you through. and you will get to ring the bell after chemo and after radiotherapy. And seek support in you local Maggies if you have one connected to your hospital. Good luck and keep in touch if you wish, but sorry i don’t do Social media.
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Hello everyone, hope you’ve had a good weekend and big hugs to those who are finding it tough. 
I have had some internet free time which has been very beneficial to empty my head and reduce anxiety. 
Thank you very much for your comments in my absense.
@moonsox
Many thanks for taking the time to ask about my decision to cold cap. There are a few reasons really. I watched women struggling with cold capping when my mum had leukaemia. The majority were miserable, many were unhappy with the thinned hair it resulted in anyway or it not working at all. I totally appreciate these were only a cross section over many weeks but it has influenced me.
I plan to use Suzzipads on my hands and feet so I also don’t want be like an ice block for hours 
I am also a very pragmatic (almost too pragmatic) kinda girl and I’m head down, accept breast cancer chemo is known for its hair loss, so it’s part of the nightmare journey. For me, there are lots of other challenging side effects and it’s one less thing to think about.
I am delighted if woman who value their body image have had success and it has fulfilled their hopes and expectations. I get feeling a bit less ‘cancer like’ and ‘normal’ is understandable.
I have a ridiculous collection of cosy hats and I don’t intend to go out that much and collect winter bugs 
I suppose we are all different for all different reasons. 
@ chatterbox
The cancerhaircare website is really great and Jasmine Guptas video was excellent and so informative.
Love the metal straw idea. I think I’m going to take my Super Sparrow (excellent cooling and heat performance) bottle with the flippy spout. One cold and one hot. I’ll need Shore Porters to go to the unit at this rate!!
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Thanks @moonsox for the extra information it all really helps , been to the unit today for a look around and get my meds etc , Tuesday next week it is so will give an update on here after then. Thanks for the best wishes xx
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Hey there. This is the exact regime that I had, first chemo was November 28th 2023, thereafter fortnightly, By second session, my hair started to feel weird, tingly head sensation. I wanted to take control, so shaved my head the week before Christmas. Whilst it was traumatic at the time, I am glad I did it, I didn’t want the waking up with hair on the pillow thing. I’d really recommend the bamboo sleep covers/beanies, as my head got really cold at night. It stopped me from waking as much. Take all the anti sickness they offer you, get more if they don’t work, i was on three different kinds at one point, but it helped, I wasnt actually sick once on chemo - you are stronger than you think and will get through it. Sending positive vibes.
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I painted my nails in a water based black polish, I didn’t suffer any effects, they weakened, but i didn’t lose them, and it made me feel better looking at nice polished nails, #smallwins.
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Thanks @batgirl77 , that’s given me some hope and I am the same with the nails - used to have lovely long ones then had to have the gel removed for mastectomy and now they’ve gone to poo so will be nice to have some colour back on them that I can do myself. X
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As someone who’s partner is going through chemotherapy, I will want to share a couple of things that may be of help.
- Try to be extra careful of normal cold and flu , mask up everytime you step out, it’s very very tiring but will save you possible tripa to the ER.
- You are the most important at this time take care of yourself first and the rest can wait, people will want to meet up etc but you do you, do not feel obligated to push yourself if your body doesn’t allow you to. If they are well wishers they will understand.
- Try to eat as healthy as possible and do not ever feel guilty if you do indulge in something comforting over the course of the chemotherapy. Moderation is key.
- Meditation really helps, a lot of meditation apps help you process the day to day emotions through guided meditations, it helped my partner a lot through her entire chemotherapy regimen.
- I cannot emphasize enough the importance of hydration. Have as many water bottles, sipper cups filled with water around the house and sip away. It really helps with overcoming exhaustion on most days.
- Try to get in some daily movement in some form or the other. A quick walk around to the nearest park, a quick walk around the neighbourhood, or just a little walk in the garden, whatever helps.
Most importantly I just need to say " You will get through this". Sending lots of positive energy and strength your way!
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Hi
Just saw your post. I had my first chemo yesterday and did decide to try the cold cap.yes it was very cold and a bit uncomfortable at first but after 5/10 minutes it was ok.i did take 2 painkillers before and they did help.
I am taking docataxel.have to have 4 cycles of it.i think staying hydrated before, during and afterwards is a good thing it helps flush out your system.
They also gave me some anti sickness and steriods through my picc line.unfortunately i didn’t sleep a wink last night just couldnt get to sleep will try again tonight! They gave me 3 days worth but they are only 2mg so might be ok.yes ive heard about could have problems with hands and feet read that b12 is good gor your nervous system so having bran flakes for breakfast.sometimes you have to find out yourself about these things the hospital arent too forthcoming into stuff like that! Will see if i get any other side effects!
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@mich54
First step on the journey, please share your experience and tips when you feel it up to it. Wishing you a smooth ride as possible.
I’m on the tense run up to the first cycle. Double edge sword, loving quality festive time with friends and family but the tension is building and need to ‘get on with it’.
Best wishes to everyone on there journeys. Look forward to keeping in touch and giving each other support. 
Thanks for your helpful advice v encouraging
Hey. Good luck with your chemo! A few things from me.
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When on chemo, your life still goes on. You can still have fun, have a laugh. It may help having a gratitude journal or taking pictures of beautiful things every day. I took a lot of pictures of dinners with friends and my walks. When I now look back at 2024, it doesn’t seem to be such a write off after all.
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Everyone is different and feel free to do things which are right FOR YOU. There will be days when you don’t feel like doing anything, but there will be days when you’ll have the energy to do something. It sometimes helps to have a list of spontaneous things that you can do, like going to a nearby museum for a free tour or checking out camellias blossoming. Having no plans is liberating, so you don’t feel bad for cancelling but sometimes it is difficult to be spontaneous (in particular if you are like me and it’s a new concept).
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Therapy. There is a lot of free or reduced rate therapy services offered by various charities. Use it, you won’t regret it.
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Come to chemo well hydrated. Nobody told me that and it has caused delays several times, as your bloods won’t be showing great results if you are not properly hydrated.
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Good questions. I am in round 4 of 6 TCHP. Each round brought different challenges. First was the cchemi rash which burnt bright red, any and all sun damaged spots in my face chest, shoulders, arms, hands and lower legs. It was like Efudix chemo cream had been applied. It just about drive me dryness with dryness as the round proceeded, by the pharmacist sold be Bepanthan Nappy rash cream with healing B5 in it. That was a saviour. Round 2 was more rash, diarrhea and the ruination if my taste for food for about the first 12 days which lead to food and fluids aversion. While I had no nausea I found that I needed the anti nausea meds like Ondansetron and Domperidone for most of that time. It just helped me to feel ok instead of crappy all day when just thinking about the need to keep my nutrition and fluids up, dragged me down. Everything, everything tasted like what poisonous tree bark might tast like.
By the end of a very fatiguing round 3, I had lost about 6kg and was suffering from dizzyness just walking about the house of taking a shower. Entering round 4 the lack of nutrition and fluids resulted in dehydration, heavy blood in my urine, but no pain. By about day 6 of trying to see my hospital oncologist who refered me to my GP Dr for blood and urine samples, I was sent to ED at hospital for more of the same tests. It all showed the issues were indeed caused by dehydration and insufficient nutrients. But hey, diarrhea had dried up.
I had now lost about 10kg. Hospital ran a bag if saline and one if magnesium and sent me home with advice about food and fluids. I made a couple of small charts to record calories and fluids and used a calorie counter app to held manage food intake. Extended use of the anti nausea meds as advised by a poster in this forum gave me the ability to manage food intake better without having totally crappy food aversion. That was the way nausea affected me, meds did however stop the near vomit sensation which I thought was what nausea was.
At this stage I was getting really depressed about how I could possibly make it through 2 more rounds if TCHP Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Trastuzamab and Pertuzumab (Perjeta). But discussing this problems with the ED Dr and using these tools, meds and charts, I hope I will get through without another trip to hospital.
It’s now 2 days since hospital the Haematuria is much improvement, diarrhea is back, weight has steadied and dizzyness hasn’t happened.
If mastectomy of the right breast could have avoided the chemo, knowing how tough the chemo is, I have to wonder if it would have been a much better option. However my BC was stage 3 involving lymph glands so it might not have been that simple.
Hi @glowinthedark5 , thank you for your input despite having such a rough time just now with additional worrying side effects. That’s just rubbish for you.
I’ve just started my chemo regime (day 4 post EC) and ready to apply any tips and tricks when problems arise. Hopefully with my benefit of hindsight I can pass on my own. Very early days.
For those on the start date waiting game, in recent weeks I bought a large selection of lotions n potions gleaned from within these pages (mainly Moogoo, Aveeno and La Roche Posay) and spoilt myself trying them all out.
It not only gave me a chance to ensure I don’t react to them but also to know my skin well before I started. Treating myself gave me some positive focus and feels lovely.
I hope your complications settle @glowinthedark5 and best wishes going forward.
Hi
On a skin reaction I found Diprabase and cetraben cream very soothing. I’m on chemo 6 and Phesgo injections. And initially Aveeno cream and aveeno body worked well. and still good on body. But delicate skin on hands arms chest and face needed extra help as a rash and dry skin was quite delicate. Hope that helps.
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