How is everyone this morning?
Yesterday I picked up my shower sleeve, did the weekly shop, unpacked it, made lunch for myself and partner for when he got home. That all wiped me out. Had to have a kip for 2 hours. Felt guilty leaving the log burner duty and bringing in recycling boxes to him. Just couldn’t do it. He did make me a lovely light tea which went down well, and after a shower I felt much better.
I have to give myself the 1st injection this morning x
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Hello I will have my first session of EC next Thursday 14th. I was only told yesterday so it’s action stations to get myself organised. I need to decide if I want a PICC or a Port. I was told I would lose my hair around day 10. Has anyone else been told this?
It’s really helpful to have this forum, thank you. I wish you all well with your treatments
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Welcome to the forum Grace , I’m sure you will get lots of helpful advice from others who are a bit further along . @Shi can you share your top tips !!
Best of luck with your treatment x
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Thank you. I wish I could sleep as being tired adds to everything. I’ve had to come off HRT as I’m ER+ too so it’s back to night sweats and poor sleep. Tried on a chemo turban last night it looked ok but suddenly I started crying which is so unlike me. I’m ok and I know its not surprising that it can sometimes feel overwhelming and lonely.
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How are you ladies? I had my 1st dose EC last Tuesday. Felt ok Wednesday. Even did the shop on Thursday morning. Very tired afternoon. Did my 1st injection Friday morning and went to partner’s Xmas lunch. Slept afternoon and woke feeling like I’d been hit by a train. Glands swollen and tender from neck to waist.
Saturday was definitely a rest day. Still tender and swollen.
This morning I think I’m over the worst. Still swollen, but not as tender. The paracetamol has been doing it’s job.
I wish I could lose the horrible taste in my mouth. Got lemon sherberts, polos mint/lemon tea etc.
X
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Hi. I’ve had 3 cycles of EC now. My hair started to fall out on day 13 after first cycle. Decided to have it shaved to a No 2 a few days later but it was very prickly and was uncomfortable to sleep. Since then it has grown a little and stopped falling out. Strange! It’s much softer now so I’ll leave it for now. May fall out more after next cycle which is Docetaxel.
It’s ok to have a cry if you need to. We’ve all been there. Some days are better than others. Hope your treatment goes well. x
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Thank you @countrygirl1. I was starting to wonder what I’ve let myself in for. I have a thick head of red hair, pixie cut now. I have 2 more EC then 3 Docetaxel. I’m inclined to retreat to my bed when I have those days.
I’m finding that water, water and more water helps overall.
X
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Thanks so much for your reply and kind words, hair loss for Christmas Day potentially for me lol. I will have my 4 autistic grandchildren with me at Christmas . One is very anxious about seeing me bald which is fair enough. Weird how your hair grew a little after losing some. I know in the end you just have to go with whatever chemotherapy throws at you. Need to decide between a Port and a PICC now. any thoughts ?
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Hi Mojo. I had the first of 3 EC 2 days ago, and weirdly, it was a relief to get started. That will be followed by 9 weeks of paclitaxel and then radiotherapy. Even though I’ve nursed for over 40 yrs, I am gob-smacked at the amount of information cancer patients are bombarded with from the moment of diagnosis. The list of chemo side effects alone is enough to terrify anyone and it’s a very lonely experience having to make so many decisions about your care. My oncology nurse is wonderful and when I decided against a particular chemo drug, she helped me choose an alternative. In a few months this will be behind us and it’s lovely to know there’s a place to come to and learn from others’ experience and have a wee rant if needed😄 The best of luck to you all x
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I have a PICC so can’t comment on Port. PICC has been fine. Didn’t hurt when it was inserted and I hardly know it’s there, unless I roll onto the arm during the night. I’ve learnt not to now! Just need dressing changed and line flushed once a week which I have done by district nurses at local hospital if I’m not having chemo that day.
Hope Christmas visits go well. I bought several hats and various twisted bands from Anna Bandana to wear at home. You might be given an NHS voucher for a wig, so do ask if they don’t offer. x
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Thanks for the tips. I will take a look at Anna Bandana . I’ve had a go with scarves tying them into a turban, quite pleased with my efforts . I suspect further down the line these initial worries will become less or unimportant. I have a skin cancer on my nose which I’ve had a biopsy for, either a BCC which needs surgery but not awful or a SCC which the chemo team tell me will halt chemotherapy ! There’s a 4 week wait for the biopsy result which isn’t great. I can’t change anything, just have to go with it. Hope you are doing well. Have you much further to go with your treatment ? sending you warmest wishes
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Sorry. It all seems to hit us at once doesn’t it. I have another four cycles of Docetaxel, then lymph node clearance and radiotherapy, followed by Letrozole. We will get there one day but it feels like a long haul. Take care. x
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You too.
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I know I’ve only had 1 session so far, but I’m pleased to say that I’m almost physically back to my usual self. Smell seems to have almost gone. Just a slight taste, and my mouth feels like I’ve burned it a little with hot roasties. Maybe I did. Oops!
X
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. Hope you continue to do well. 
x
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I’ve had 1 EC of 4 so far and haven’t feet too bad, managed to function pretty much as normal. However woke up 2 days after treatment with bright red face 
didn’t expect that! Apart from that dreaded constipation already an issue, senokot here i come! x
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That must have been alarming! I thought my skin looked a bit mottled. My swollen and tender glands made me look like Sontaran on Doctor Who. Almost down now, I think due to having jabbed myself with the 5 prescribed injections. Most disappointed that everybody scarpered when I suggested I didn’t want to do it myself.
I can’t believe how much water I’m drinking. Gone right off coffee. Used to enjoy a glass of wine with main meal but can’t face it now. I can just tolerate a lemon or mint tea. X
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I didn’t expect constipation to become an issue straight off the blocks (no pun intended) but good grief, was I wrong! Cement would be easier to shift:smile:. Lactulose, movicol, more lactulose and 2 helpings of my sister’s veggie soup and there’s been not so much as a gurgle from you-know-where. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d be eternally grateful 
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Ouch! I’ve just about kept moving. Can’t suggest anything other than laxido powder which I used for a couple of days post mastectomy. Boy did that hurt! I feel your pain. I was hanging on to the towel warmer in tears x
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It looks like I’ll be joining this December crew! I have my consultation on Friday with the oncology team and should get my plan then. This will be the first stage of treatment, mastectomy is planned post chemo. Still waiting on the results of my CT scan but hopefully they’ll have that on Friday too.
The surgeon did say I would start chemo on Jan but with the being three weeks away I’m not sure if that will be the case. I really hope it will so we can have a relatively normal Christmas. It’s also my son’s 5th birthday on the 27th and my husbands birthday on the 29th so it would be good to get them out of the way! Anyway, we’ll know on Friday!
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