December 2024 chemo starters

The additional steroids we had back on Oct17 thread were what probably caused it but do check with your team to make sure alls ok :+1: I can only liken it to being in that fire starter video by the prodigy if you remember that and by time 6th chemo came round it felt like being in the Malcolm McLaren double Dutch video if you remember that, it was surreal experience for me chemo but you will get through do it your own way and what works for you :heart:there are no right or wrongs :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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Hello,

Iā€™m new to the forum but started chemo in December for HER2 positive BC. Iā€™ve had 4 cycles of EC and due to start docataxel plus phesgo next week, nervous about what that will bring as just got used to knowing when my ā€˜sickā€™ and ā€˜goodā€™ days will be! Then Iā€™ll be due to have a mastectomy and lymph node removal after my chemo finishes (but not thinking that far ahead currently!)

Hope everyone is doing ok with their treatment, or as ok as you can in the situation!

Howā€™s everyone doing? How are you @mumto2 ?

Iā€™ve just had my 4/4 and last round of docetaxal. Pleased to be done but will be more pleased when I get thru the next week!

They had quite a time getting the IV in, 4 tried and my hand is black and blue and sore. I would love some tips on healing that quickly?

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So glad youā€™ve had your last docletaxol @bluehourd, wishing you mild symptoms. Iā€™ve just had 6/12 of my weekly paclitaxol so half way there, whoop whoop.
Delayed to weeks due to sky high liver enzymes, but all seems back on track. Hair holding albeit much, much thinner. Side effects mainly tiredness, very little nausea.
So all in all very positive! Hope everyone else getting on ok.

Hello you lovely people, sorry not posted for ages but, of course, so much going on. Had a great LGFB session and met someone who has chemo when I do, so lovely to wave to each other now. And the products I got to take home are perfect for my colouring so I have been making a bit of an effort when I meet friends and I think that distracts from the hairloss, only slight as cold cap seems to be doing its job but my parting is definitely wider. Then went to get my wig to be told I couldnā€™t get a good fit as I still have plenty of hair so they will keep it till I need it. Was reassuring to see it but felt Iā€™d wasted their time and my daughterā€™s, who took time off to come with me, but we had a nice lunch afterwards.
I had to postpone last weekā€™s chemo (#8) as my fingers and toes had gone quite tingly on CP but it was a blessing as not having steroids for a week meant I caught up a bit on my sleep so feel ready for the rest of the weeklies. Also I had awful oral thrush (burning right down my throat) but got some Nystan and thatā€™s a lot better now. It even tastes nice!
So back on track this week and so far no tingling, just heels feel a bit spongey, and the oncologist said we only have to think about lowering dose when I start dropping things or having a fall. Anyone else got peripheral tendinopathy worries?

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Hi spuddy
Im having fun getting my wig, ordered back in Dec, still not arrived yet. I havent cold capped and cut hair to no.1. Hopefully it arrives soon but having fun with hats and scarves.
Great to hear youve met someone doing chemo.
Ive just done week 8/12 of taxo and carboplatin. The side effects are building up, fatigue, taste changes, will be glad when get to no. 12.
Had good news, becsuse tnbc i had a genetic test for breast cancer gene fault. Worried that there might be something in the family but all came back normal. Just waitibg for MRI scan results to see if tumour shrunk.

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@spuddy Glad you enjoyed the LGFG session. Mine got cancelled but I have rebooked for later this month so looking forward to it.
I managed to get a wig fitted despite my hair still holding on so have it at home just in case. But fingers crossed I wonā€™t need it. Also was very organised with beanies and turban wraps that may not be needed either! The hospital even gave me a little care package the local Macmillan group had put together. Was a lovely little surprise, had some moisturiser, gentle shower wash, filter coffee (there was a choice of coffee or tea), ginger snaps and a word search. Itā€™s little things like this which can make such a difference!

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@hucky345 fab news re genetic testing, such a relief for you! :heart:

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Hi Sooz1

Welcome and hope you are doing ok, I havenā€™t been on for a while as been feeling pretty pants. Crap to be part of this gang but there is a lot of support on here x

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Hi @bluehourd

Wow I bet you are glad you have your last one over with ! Although your probably feeling rubbish right now :grimacing:

Iā€™ve not been on for a while as the last round 3 really has knocked me for 6 and I am still struggling when fatigue and aches. Last one next Tuesday ( bloods dependant of course) and I have to say whilst I will be glad that part is over of treatment I am dreading the after effects ! But on the positive side only once more, there is a lot more on here with a longer chemo journey so I have to consider myself lucky in one way itā€™s nearly over and done.

Hope your hand is feeling a bit better , thee is stuff you can take for bruising ( is it echinacea?) . but I havenā€™t taken any before and I think you have to check with your team on any supplements.

Hope youā€™re not feeling too bad - howā€™s the hair holding on ? I got a wig which I shared on here but itā€™s had to go back as it kept popping off :grimacing::rofl: new ones being tried in a couple of weeks so will see how that goes.

Also booked into a LGFB session in a few weeks so something to look forward to .

Hope everyone else is doing well :smiling_face:

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Hi all,

Interesting to hear about wig fittings and not getting them home while still enough hair - is this on the NHS or privately? I had a really bad time trying to get a wig through the hospital referral, never had a fitting just got sent a few pictures to choose from which were totally unsuitable for what I was looking for. Ended up buying one myself online which Iā€™m happy with luckily although havenā€™t had the confidence to wear it out yet!!

Iā€™m booked onto a virtual LGFB session next week, hope itā€™s as good as the in person ones seem to be!

@spuddy sorry to hear about your tingling, not sure what your treatment etc is so forgive me if this isnā€™t relevant, but would trying ice gloves/socks during the chemo help to try to prevent further damage? I was recommended to try them for docataxel as can cause neuropathy.

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Do also check if your MacMillan does pre loved wigs, quite a few of the Macmillanā€™s within your nhs do preloved wigs and you can get one for a donation of money that is another option. Also luvyababes do a good range and they donā€™t look like dressing up wigs and also there are shops on high street that do wigs where you can also buy hair extensions and shampoos and makeup, there are some markets that have these too. Also some on here have had great ones off Amazon :heart: hope that helps :heart: I went wig crazy when I lost my hair, coloured bobs, tinsel wigs the lot. :two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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How are you all doing?
I went along to a feel good look good session yesterday and really enjoyed it! Was such a boost as Iā€™ve been a little fed up this last week, fatigue is really getting to me. Got some lovely freebies but was also just nice spending time with people going through similar to me.
Got me back on a more positive note again. Got my 9th treatment tomorrow so will be 3/4 way through, I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel now. :two_hearts:

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Hi Pumpkin2
Glad to hear about the pick me up boost youā€™ve had. Ive had my 10th week of paxitaxel and carbiplatin and feeling so low, fatigued, taste impaired, bad roscea on face, insomnia to name a few joys im experiencing. Theyve given me a break from chemo this week despite bloods being fine,which Iā€™m so grateful for, chance to properly rest and regroup for the last 2 of taxel beforeI start on EC. Is anyone else having a mid treatment meltdown.

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Hi Hucky345
How are you doing? I hope the break gave you some respite and a chance for your body to recover somewhat.
Big hugs

Lovely surprise yesterday as my oncologist said he was happy that I had had a sufficient dose of paclitaxol to finish early!
I have been having trouble with tingly fingertips and really painful nails, with one of my big toes going black. The team were concerned about permanent damage so got in touch with my oncologist to see what he advised. Any way he said I could either continue with my last two treatments on a reduced dose or stop as he was happy I had had a sufficient overall dose. Mmmmm bit of a no brainer and have decided to stop!
Going to get my picc line removed tomorrow and meeting the oncologist next week to sort out my hormone medication.
Canā€™t believe I have made it to the end of the tunnel!
Hope you are all getting on ok and your side effects are mild xxx

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Thanks @pumpkin2
The weeks break was needed, mentally got myself in a place to reset and gear up for next stage. Finished final week of pacotaxel and carboplatin. Next week start on 4 lots of EC 3 weeks apart. Bit nervous about what side effects ill get.
Fantastic news on finishing chemo early you must be so pleased.

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Glad the break helped. X
Yes I am pleased at finishing, was so unexpected. Got my picc line removed yesterday and got surprisingly emotional in the chemo unit! Felt weird thanking everyone and saying goodbye.
Next step will be some form of hormone treatment, have oncology appointment next week.
Hope your next lot of treatment goes ok xxx