December 2023 chemo starters

I’m having exactly the same treatment as you starting on the 27th. Sounds like you’re a week ahead of me so if you can please share everything you can!

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Thank you! I think it’s the unknown of how our bodies are going to react as it’s an unknown quantity! I’ve been reading up now and feel better informed. I’ve decided im not scared of having cancer, I scared of chemo and all its side effects! As I’m triple positive, the response rate to chemo is good, but it just feels like such a logg mg road ahead! I’m so glad I found this forum and wish you well x

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I wish I could say we weren’t on this journey together, but here we are! My modest is positive by default so I’m just manifesting all the positives and hope I’m up for Xmas day which is 3 days after 1st session. I’ll be fuming if I feel nauseous, I LOVE my Xmas dinner :joy:

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From what I’ve read, it’s around day 3 onwards that side effects kick in…we’ve got this!

Are you cold capping? I feel for you having younger kids, mine are. 20,17,15 and so easier for them to comprehend although mentally probably affects them more? I’m so glad they let you have Xmas before starting!

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Two weeks on from my 1st EC, my taste is just about back to normal but I have mouth ulcers. Been swilling my mouth 3 times a day with salt water. Having my picc checked on Thursday. I’ll see what the nurses can give me. And my pubes are falling out! At least I won’t need to shave. Head hair is definitely thinning around the back. I’m surprised there’s any left after the amount I vacuumed up yesterday.
@mrsbee2 I went to my partner’s work xmas lunch on day 3 as I felt ok. Very tired when we returned about 3.30pm so slept on the sofa. When I woke I felt like I’d been hit by a train. Swollen and tender glands from neck to waist. You might be lucky with your Christmas lunch. Just make sure you eat early!

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I think you’re right, it’s the unknown. I’m sure it’ll be better once we have the first treatment under our belts.

My treatment also starts on Thursday, so not sure how Christmas Day is going to be.

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Good luck today @cookie_monster1 how are you feeling???

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Thanks @mrsbee2.

I had very little sleep last night due to steroid induced insomnia and worry I think. I was anxious going in today, but no need as everything was fine and all the staff very kind and reassuring.

Had loading dose of Phesgo (pertuzumab) and Herceptin (trastuzumab) injection first, followed by doxetacil and then carboplatin. As it’s given slower for first dose, I was there for just over 5 hours.

Home now, tired but feeling ok. No nausea/sickness yet, which was my main worry.

Have a bucketload of medication and filgrastim infections to self administer.
Think I need to write it all down what I need to take when!

Good luck for your treatment tomorrow @mrsbee2, you will feel better for getting started I’m sure.

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Oh I’m so glad to hear that @cookie_monster1 ! What hospital are you under??? I’m really angry today, just the whole “life is on hold” for now, I’ve taken my steroids so I wonder if it’s that? I’m usually very calm….

Did you have your PICC line first? If you went for cold cap, how was that? Were you in a room on your own or lots of people? Are you taking anything to boost your immune system? I picked up something today when getting my steroids, not sure if it will help though?

Im sending you all the positivity!!! We’ve got this :grin::grin::grin::grin::grin::grin:

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I e told everyone we are eating at 12 :grimacing::grimacing::grimacing::grimacing: how are you feeling now??? Are you every 3 weeks?

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Hi loves, Anne here from Sept thread. Just wanted to say keep the faith… you’ll get through chemo. Had my last one today. :raised_hands:

If any of you guys are on a taxol based chemo and want some unused ice mittens and ice slippers for free (to stop peripheral neuropathy in feet/hands) then hit me up. I bought for £40 then didn’t use as Christie had some on site. I don’t want any cash, just for them to go to good home. :heart:

@Shi if I get a taker is there a secure way to share postal address? I’ll delete address from my phone as soon as I’ve put in post.

Plus if you’ve any questions on ec or docetaxel from someone now out the other side let me know. Sending you all love, you will get through this xxxxx

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I was given a book at my 1st session, that the nurse wrote my bloods, all the chemo drugs she was giving me, and the bucket load of stuff I had to take home. She wrote in specific instructions on when to take them. I’ve never had injected myself before so this was a 1st for me, from day 3 for 5 days. The 1st shot was the hardest. Actually the other 4 weren’t much easier to stick myself with a needle! Just something else we need to get used to.
Did you get this book?

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@mrsbee2 you might be ok. Just make sure you tell everyone as soon as you finish eating that you need to crash out and leave them all to clear up! ;D
I’m feeling pretty good right now. I am every 3 weeks, next session is next Friday, so I’m hoping to be able to enjoy a glass of wine with my Christmas dinner. I had my picc clean and bloods today. Asked nurse about mouth wash for my mouth ulcers. She suggested I pop into Breast Care Clinic when she finished. I clean forgot about it by the time I walked past the door! Never mind. The salt water and bonjela seem to be working. I have the phone call tomorrow so I’ll mention it then and hopefully they’ll have some ready next Friday.
My hair is really shedding now. I was hoping to hold onto it till Christmas, but I think I might be reaching for my partner’s clippers on Saturday x

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@mrsbee2, don’t worry, it’s probably a combination of steroids and stress! I’m sure everyone will be understanding.

I didn’t have a PICC, just had it through a cannula which was ok.

I’ve decided not to go down the cold cap route as I am prone to headaches and think it would exacerbate this. I’ve bought some cute beanies and was given a voucher towards a wig today.

Treatment was in a room with 6 other chairs, people coming and going whilst I was there. Didn’t really get to chat to anyone as the chairs are quite spaced out.

The filgrastim injections are to stop white blood cells from dropping too low, so hoping this will do the trick.

Sending positive thoughts your way too. We can do this.

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Annemanc if a forum member wants to private message you their address if they want it, that is their choice or you could drop off at your Macmillan. :two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles:Shi xx

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@isitreallyme that book sounds like a really good idea. I could definitely do with something like that.

I’m not too worried about the Filgrastim as I’m a nurse. Having said that, I’ve never had to inject myself before!

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Well that’s not what I expected to hear.
Onc just phoned with yesterday’s blood results and find out how I’m doing. All good apart from neuts. If they drop below 1 they won’t do next chemo. Mine is 0.79. I feel as good as I was before my 1st session, apart from mouth ulcers. I’ve got another bloods next Thursday before 2nd session on Friday. I read that dark chocolate helps to raise them :wink:

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:heart: you do find they bounce back, are you on 3 week chemo cycle? I took life Mel honey throughout chemo after my neutrophils went -0 after first chemo. I also had reduced dose chemo for next 5 rounds too. :two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

I had my first EC on Tuesday. All went smoothly with the injections and the cool cap. So on day 4 and so far minimal side effects with mild nausea and indigestion. Walking every day at least 6 miles so far. Start injections tomorrow so shall see if I suffer side effects with them.

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Well done babsey53. Fingers crossed it stays that way for you. How many are you having and how far apart?

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