Thank you so much ladies… it does help to have you all here… no one else quite ‘gets it’ right now. As much as they try… you just can’t explain that feeling you have so I’m glad to hear that things will get better. I’m only on round 1 and feel like such a wimp already! Got to power through and remind myself that I am on the countdown ??Xx
Sam, the first one is tough so many unknowns and usually still dealing with diagnosis as well which doesn’t help matters. As things go along you kind of get into a cycle routine and that does make things go quite quickly (although still not quick enough). The forum is here to help with all those thoughts and worries that no one else understands at the moment. I’ve certainly found it a real lifeline, we try to be supportive but also have some laughs all night the way and I don’t know where I’d be without all these fabulous ladies to help me through. Much love to you all ladies 
Hi Sangeetha, I start on 13th I think the feeling of fear of the unknown is worse than once we get started. I had heart scan this week and they made me lay there for 10 mins before starting as Was racing. It all went fine and was just me hitting the panic button. Let’s check in with each other on here afterwards and I’ll be thinking of you on Tuesday. Good Luck I’m sure the 2nd one won’t be so scarey. Big ? xx
Welcome Sangeetha and Fiona, sounds like you are in a great position to support each other. No idea about WhatsApp support groups but I can say that this group is very supportive, you will find many people who totally understand what you are going through. We share the good, the bad and the laughs too if which there are more than you might think. Have a read of some of the other Going Through Treatment threads and they may help with hints and tips. Most importantly don’t look ok at the big picture, just take each day as it comes. You will be through it all quicker than you think xx
Love u all… such a wonderful hearts …the more iam worrying is my kids . But anyways let me c . I do need to know abt cooling cap …dono whether to try …if it is very cool then I can drop it better …thanks in advance .
Sangeetha speak to your team about cold cap it does put extra time on your chemo treatment
I did not cold cap and after chemo 2 lost my hair but lots of the lovely ladies have used cold cap and saved their hair xx
I am sure someone who is using it will offer you some advice x
Hello everyone, I was on a few weeks ago and was due to start my FEC 100 chemo. However I had a set back as the could not insert the pic line. I’ve now to have a hick man line in my chest. Been a tough few weeks. But treatment due to start on the 12th. So hope to keep in touch with you all. I’m scared like everyone else but need to get started as being in limbo is hard going. Trying to chill this weekend. …drink plenty of water as I’ve it read does help. I’ll try whatever I can. Xx
Hi sangeetha, welcome to the forum no one wants to be on. I am cold capping and would certainly recommend giving it a go. Take some paracetemol about an hour beforehand. The first 5-10 mins are the worst after that I found it was ok and I hate the cold and have a low pain threshold. I would recommend cutting your hair shorter if possible as that reduces the stress on the hair. You will probably lose some but stick with it. I have completed 4 sessions and although very thin on top have good side, back and fringe coverage. I dud post some tips a couple of days ago on here so might be worth looking at them. Good luck ???
Cmccorry
I have a Hickman line
I had chemo 1 in arm with canulla but my veins collapsed and like you they could not fit a picc line.
I have now had chemo 2 and 3 through line and it had been fine please let us know how you get on good luck got 12th xx
Hello Sue,thanks for letting me know that you’ve gone through a similar experience. I’ve to have the Hick man on Monday. A little frightened that I’ll be aware of what’s happening during the procedure at least I’ll know this time it’ll work. Good to hear that it worked out for you. X
It is uncomfortable to have fitted because you are awake but think of the long term benefits
Mine was a day surgery and I took paracetamol after for pain relief x
I also blagged my husband into cooking so that was a bonus ?
Don’t forget to get yourselves booked onto look good feel better sessions with your Macmillan centres, you get £200-£300 of free make up and stuff plus beauticians come in and show you how to do your makeup, I’ve got mine booked for after chemo as something to look forward as a treat, lots of ladies do it during chemo too. Take each treatment one at a time, the threads will help you navigate and keep strong and positive, we all look after each other and share the ?????
shi xx
Thankq Fiona …meesh …chaffinch .will share whatever goes on hospital …need to think abt cold cap as I am allergy to cold weather …I may cut my loving hair very short …does anybody help me in dng this sorry I don’t know. Really scared of those 3 hours I don’t have friends here to chat …better to sleep ?.let me c and will post on Tuesday Eve about my 1st chemo
Sangeetha, I didn’t cold cap but meesh has, its up to you on hair, I think meesh cut gets shorter, I sent mine to little princess trust wigs for kids when I had to cut my hair, so could turn this journey into something good for a child as they give free wigs to children with cancer. We have all felt what you are feeling with the first one coming up, it’s ok to feel a million emotions but remember chemo is like having another doctor on side fighting for you and just take one treatment at a time. The love and support in here is 24/7 so you will always have people holding your hand every step lovely with tips and experience to help you get through this and then you can pass your experience into threads that will follow you and help guide them. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, take meds, keep diary of temps and meds so you can keep track of eveything and it will help you feel a bit more in control still. Hope that helps darling you will get through this, just take it a step at a time ???shi xx
Hi sangeetha, I had long hair but chose to go to hairdressers to get it cut shorter as I thought it would be less distressing whether you cold cap or not but it is personal choice. Shi has given some other good advice, just take one day at a time, listen to your body. I also got the housework done and planned some easy meals prior to chemo to try and make the week a bit easier. Remember to drinks lots of water the day before chemo, on the day and then after to help flush it all through. Good luck ???if you experience prblems let your chemo team know as they can adjust meds for you.
Thankq Shi and meesh …as ur advice wiil try to have plenty of water …
one long day more to think a lot about treatment .and still thinking why me ??..need to drop my kids at school and then to hospital. hope the people in hospital might help me to overthrow it .gud nyt all dear ones???
Hi Rabbit
Sorry to hear of your scary experience with docetaxel, hope you are recovering well now with no lasting effects. Hope the Oncologist gets you sorted with another med soon so you can get your chemo treatment finished.
I had my first EC cycle on friday (8th) and was petrified beforehand as its a big unknown going for that first cycle. After around 5hrs I started to feel very fatigued and very nauseous but one of the additional antisickness tablets sorted that.
Had 2 lots of daily steroids so far with the last day today (Mon) and have been lucky that theyve caused no insomina so far…quite the opposite although I have noticed an acidic tum and a bit of nausea about an hour after taking them and felt like everything “slowed down” but that was temporary. I guess steroids affect everyone differently.
Other than that so far Ive just felt fatigued but been out for at least a 10 minute walk each day to have a bit of exercise and done a few very small tasks in the house.
Continued good luck on this crazy chemo journey for all fellow December starters!
Jo x
Sangeetha you need 2-3 lites every day while in chemo, measure it out so you know how many cups a day. Makes it not as daunting. Chemo caddy kit to have at home, paracetamol, imbuprofen, soft toothbrush, wet wipes, sudocream, anosol, stool softener tablets, start taking day of chemo so you can go to the loo. If you get sore mouth get onc to prescribe difflam mouth wash, if you get thrush mouth get onc to prescribe fluconzole if your antisickness meds don’t work ring the rapid response and they will get you in and give you more. Always ring rapid response for anything just to check everything is as it should be. If your pee burns but no temp over 37.5 ring up it could be a uti. Just passing on as much as I can to help you so you know a bit better lovely ???remember one step at a time and you’ll get through this, ???strong and hit it like a warrior. ??shi xx
Best wishes Sangeetha, tell your team about your worries they might be able to find someone to talk to who can help you feel more in control. Do you have a Maggie’s centre nearby? They are a charity who have drop in centres where you can just sit and chat with people who have been through this and understand. It makes a huge difference. Other charities have similar places ask your team or breast care nurse they will be able to put you in touch with someone.
This is the scariest part, the fear of the unknown, it gets easier once you are having treatment. Do you have someone to take care of you for a few days after treatment? If so let them look after you, be kind to yourself x
Hi Runawaygirl, Thanks for your message, I’m not too bad now but feeling a bit rubbish from the herceptin injection. Fortunately I don’t have any nausea but keep feeling light headed, getting headaches and head feels a bit foggy. I’ve checked by BP and thats all ok so I think it is sinus related as apparently it can give flu like symptoms, finding traditional smelling salts really help.
Glad your first chemo was ok and hope your’e not feeling too bad. Hope everyone else is doing ok and doesn’t have too much snow, not too bad here in the sunny south!! xx