hey ladies, just wondering if getting a few more spots than usual is a side effect of chemo? I am day 12 post 1st FEC and still have not really had many side effects, however my skin hasnt been as good and had quite a few spots come up on my nose, just regular looking wee pimples like a normal spot, then now have a few on my chest… but im assuming it is a side effect. I will ask breast care nurse as well but just wondered if anyone else had issues like this, thanks, x
Yes you are right it is a side effect, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!
yip lol Ithought so, but since a few more appeared on my chest I thought I best ask, although they dont look out of the ordinary, just a lot more than would normally be there, thanks for confirming chaffinch :)
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Woohoo glad your nausea has finally passed!
So the teenage style spots outbreak seem to be normal then x
Your side effects sound very familiar. I usually find it takes a week to feel anything approaching normal and 10-11 days to start feeling ready to properly face the world. Days 5&6 are usually my worst emotionally and in some other ways too despite nausea abating by this time. The nausea can be dealt with but the emotional rollercoaster and jittery feeling after coming off the steroids and other meds is tough and I hate the numb tingliness I get at this stage too.
Plan some treats for the next week or so x
I’m with you all on that emotional rollercoaster! I’m Day 5 post Chemo 1 and yesterday I cried at everything! I even sat watching I’m a Celeb and cried when they got their stars for meals!! ???
Feel slightly better today and have been prescribed some anti acids to ease the sicky acid feeling I was getting. Hoping Day 6 (tomorrow) is a little better!
Ladies that have made it through to the other side… you are my inspiration right now!! Xxx
Yes, unfortunately spots are another SE I’ve never suffered with spots, but got a few large ones on my face on cycles 1 and 2. As chaffinch says it’s the gift that keeps on giving! ? We will all get there though ladies, be strong ??? Take it one day at a time, enjoy the good days and be kind to yourself on the not so good days! 
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Im with you on the emotional day 5 today Chaffinch, its like the full reality of diagnosis, surgery and now chemotherapy have started have suddenly hit like a ton of bricks. I guess it has to happen at some point just didnt expect it to be today! Also really worrying about impeding hair loss…feel that will be more traumatic than the chemo run up and infusion. Although I am prepared wirh 2 wigs, several beanies, hats and sleep caps, it still has me completely on edge waiting for those first clumps of hair to fall 
My only hope is once that begins I am brave enough to just go right “sod it, cut it all off!” That for me has been the biggest fear of chemotherapy treatment. I considered cold cap but felt it wasnt the right option for me.
Hope you are feeling good today Chaffinch and all you other amazing ladies on this December journey! Much 
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Jo x
I found that it was almost a relief when my hair started to fall. I got my husband to shave mine 4 days after chemo 2 because the bits were getting everywhere and driving my mad. He found this really hard but I found it liberating. I had my hair cut from shoulder length bob to short style a week before my treatment started which I felt would make it easier, which it did but I loved the new style and got so many positive comments that made it bitter sweet. At least I know how I want it to be when it grows back. It is a chilly time of year to be bald though, make sure that you have a couple of sleep caps to keep your head warm at night. I already had a lot of scarves and there are loads of YouTube videos on how to tie them, they are so easy to do and I feel more comfortable and more myself in the scarves than I do in my wig. A few cosy outdoor hats are a must too. I bought a cashmere and silk mix beanie from TK MAXX for £12.99 it was my best purchase, soft enough to sleep in, warm and thin enough to go under other thicker outdoor hats.
Best wishes with the rest of your treatment. You will probably find that you will wake up one morning soon and suddenly feel much better, make the most of your good days and plan some treats for those each cycle so that you have something to look forward to x
Good morning lovely December ladies, just thought I would pop over from October thread to make sure you are all ok ???
After a week delay I had my 3rd FEC last week, and this morning felt that I am starting to come out the other side. I know I will be very tired for a few more days and need to be kind to myself but hope that the worst SEs are over. I just wanted to say that you can do this ??? there will be wobbles and unexpected challenges on the way, people will call you brave when you don’t really see that you have any choice. But you will be brave and strong and each challenge will pass and you will have good days where you move forward and know that you will keep going and this too will pass. And before you know it you will be on your third chemo and checking in to make sure that the ladies in the January and February threads are doing ok too.
Wishing everyone a strong and positive day and don’t forget to wrap up warm 
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Morning ladies, I am on day 13 after first chemo (Fec) and hair not started to come out yet but I know it will any day now, I also got mine cut into a bob before treatment started and actually really like it as well, but soon as it starts to go I am going get hubby to shave it off, just get straight to the wig, hats, buffs and scarfs which I now have a nice seslection of 
at least its hat season for us all with it being winter anyway x
Hi Kirsty, buzz to a grade 2 you don’t have to go full shave, it’s is liberating to take control over hair and don’t forget silk pillowcase better on hair and scalp for regrowth. Beauty despite cancer do a hood scalp care kit but think you have to get the oil separate now as they don’t include it in the kit anymore. Keep ?Dec ladies, and keep each other safe, you will get each other through ???shi xx
Thanks Shi, will go for a number 2 I have bought a couple of sleep caps but will also get a silk pillow case. Hope everyone is doing ok today! I am at work and then meeting my new Chemo buddy for lunch today, who I met at my local Maggies and is on the same chemo journey as me, same day of the week in our ward, so will be nice to share our experiences so far! x
Day 6 and I’m still feeling low. Keep doubting everything the doctor said, panicking that this treatment won’t work and just feeling really scared. I feel like Iv completely regressed from how I was over a week ago. I need the oopmh back ??xx
Sam I keep having thoughts that the treatment won’t work and I’ll be one of the ones who has no response to chemotherapy on my massive tumour, so I know what you are thinking. Im sure we are not alone in these thoughts. But I am trying to push it to the back of my mind, keep busy and stay positive, which I am managing most of the time, then the thoughts pop in and I start googling Her2+ Er+ response to chemo. I hope you feel better soon and more like you did a week ago, trying to do normal things that you enjoy may help, if you can manage. I have found that that is helping me stay more positive. hugs xx
Yep that’s what I keep doing. Google has become my own worst enemy again and I need to just trust in what was told to me. I keep feeling positive and saying that I’m one down and have 5 to go… but today it feels like an impossible mountain to climb! I guess feeling yuck doesn’t help in the slightest though!! Xx
I had stopped googling things a bit but in the past few days have been at it again! So will try and stop. I think it’s because Im now on the treatment and I want to feel a difference, my my whole breast is still hard (as my tumour is massive at 7cm and I am small, so basically whole boob ) but there are no changes yet. I know its prob way to early but think thats fuelling the googling. Feeling yuk definitely will not be helping and making you feel more down, so fingers crossed you start to feel better physicaly in next few days as that will make things easier mentally. Ive been enjoying getting out in the fresh air for walks and runs, so a walk to clear the head may help x
Hi Sam it may help to hear that many of us have found that heightened fear and the anxiety are also a part of the mixture of side effects we get at about this point as well. I usually wake up with anxiety from days 5 or so through to 11 and have been using breathing relaxation techniques and meditation to help with it if that might help for you too. There are a few apps like relax +, calm, headspace, and insight timer that I have been trying out.
Many of the ladies have also used the time with their BCN or onc to talk through their fears so do use that time for what you need and not just what they need ??? I hope that helps a little. ???
Sorry to hear that you are struggling Sam. Day 6 is often a low point as the steroids leave our bodies and I often feel quite panicky then too, which after 4 cycles I’ve traced to my blood pressure falling very low at this stage. I strongly suspect that you will wake up tomorrow feeling a whole lot better. This usually happens to me.
As Kirsty says try to get up have a brisk walk around the house for a few minutes doing little jobs if you can helps both physically and psychologically. Then head back to bed or the sofa and catch up on mindless tv or a good book as a distraction. Make sure that you are eating little and often too and staying hydrated this also helps. The one thing that no one else can do for us is wee so if you drink plenty you will move more without even realizing it.
Stay away from that Dr Google his information is often outdated and sensationized. I am also HER2+ had surgery first now 4 cycles into 6 of chemo to be followed by 20 rads and Herceptin. I am not looking at the big picture, I just take one day at a time enjoying the good ones and riding out the bad.
Wishing you well x