Morning ladies, not sure how I feel starting day 1 of EC today for 3 cycles. 2nd stage paclitaxel wkly so no cold cap. Think I have gotten my head round hair loss etc the apprehension of how I’ll feel during and after is worse I think. Brilliant to get on here and see so many going through the same thing and being so positive. I think this will be the place to be honest when down too which is great, being the positive happy one is what I want the family and friends to see. Here’s to us and getting through to the other side. Love and hugs to all xx
Hi Joh x sorry you are joining our club x
I had my first of 12 weekly paclitaxel yesterday after having my 3 EC I started on 9th Nov.
On EC I have not really felt ill at all I have had a few very mild side effects which were all managable these being
Constipation on days 4-5 after the steroids fixed ith just eating more fruit and drinking prune juice have only resorted to senna once on EC3. And movicol once on EC2
Heartburn and acid reflux on the night of chemo and the night after in EC2 & 3- gaviscon worked for me but others get something precribed. On 3 the acid reflux made me sick but only once then I felt OK again.
Tiredness - a walk round the block has fixed this I cant say how much getting out for at least a 15 but usually 30 minute walk a day helped. On cycle 1 i split this up into 2 15 min walks. By week 3 i was back walking round country parks and last week I did 3 mile walk in the time I would have managed it with no cheml and survived it
Im not boasting or bragging just trying to give hope you will be as well as I have been but if you are not call the hotline or see the GP get any meds they can give you do not suffer in silence and remember to get the card for your free prescriptions if you havent already the GP or Pharmacist should have the forms.
Also drink 2 litres of water or sugar free quash a day it certainly helps I do this everyday and feel it when I havent I also fit in a few cups of decaf tea too so im nearer 3 litres of fluids.
My main issue has been with steroids and them wearing off and sending me massivley down in mood around days 4-5 this may not happen to you but if it does just know itll pass and by day 6 I feel a bit better by 7-8 im back to feeling OK . i didnt know it would happen so got really upset the first time but omce I knew what it was I found it loads easier to cope with knowing I wasnt going mad.
All in all I wouldnt say its been a walk in the park but ive managed to get up, showered, dressed everyday do the usual housework like washing and cooking and hoovering maybe not to as high a standard as usual but I havent been stuck in bed once ( FEC ladies seem to fair worse so maybe its the F) but if you are knackered or feeling rough then lounge and calk for a pizza or have something easy for tea.
Make sure you look after your mouth so brushing and rinsing
You may have down days when you think itll never end believe me we all have them but it does and the ladies who helped me when I started chemo are all now finishing it is doable even if there are blips along the way.
Join the January chemo starters thread for extra support you may even find someone who is under your hospital a couple of the Nov ladies meet for a brew before treatment as both same day same hosp.
Take care and remember people are here for you if you have any questions x
Jen x
Jen Jen, sorry for the delay - note quite Sussed how the forum works ( blame chemo brain). Well I survived cycle 1 and like you thought I did quite well. Symptoms exactly as you said. I did have one Infection and fever resulting in a very dramatic Friday night in A &E ?. IV antibiotics gallons of blood for tests we were discharged at 3am with a course of amoxicillin. This i think was due to me going back to work thinking I was invincible. I do need the distraction but will rethink when I go in the office and when I work from home. Had 2nd cycle yesterday and same symptoms bad head and feeeling sick but manageable. Hair has gone now so am getting used to the wig and various headwear. Will be interested how the paclitaxil has gone. It’s the changing to the unknown when you think you have it all boxed off. Sending love n hugs Jo X
Johg if you don’t want to go through this alone, under chemo monthly threads, there is one called January 2016 where all the other ladies, who are at the same stage as you, are posting. You might find more support on there? Hope u r feeling better. x
Thanks Bibi, Jen Jen will try and join the Jan starters today ? Xx
Come and join us! We’re just a few threads up ? 
xx
Actually, now I posted that, we’re one thread below! 
Xx
Hi I am having my 1st one next Thursday, I am very apprehensive my doctor keeps saying I will be fine. But it’s all a bit scary I know it’s for our own good but it’s still very worrying.
hope yours goes well. X X
Morning Daisy.
I’m from the February thread come and join us there.
I agree it is scary but I honestly found the thought of it was much worse than the reality.
I have completed my first on 2nd February so now am at day 10 and feeling fine. I won’t denied I had some side effects but I am generally ok today. Like most ladies here we go a day at a time.
Try to keep busy to distract yourself and come join us we can support each other through this challenge.
Sending hugs
Jan
Hello Ladies x join your months thread but dont be scared to pop into previous months to ask questions x the August, Sept, and Oct ladies really helped ne when I started back in November
May your SEs be minimal I now only have 7 weeks left of chemo and 14 weeks have flown by xx
Dont suffer SEs in silence speak to your docs
Take care
Jen x