@hucky345 @kerryw22 @daisy11
Hope it went ok for you today girls, I bet you’re exhausted. One down… 
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@kerryw22 @daisy11
Yes went better than expected, was in from midday to 6.45. Lots of admin, had taxol, carboplatin and 
pembrolizumab, immuntherapy. Thank goodness didnt have any reactions, just tired but yes first treatment done.
Hope you ladies are ok after today?
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Hey all,
Been reading through some of your posts and I hope everyone is getting on okay with their treatments 
I start my first session tomorrow and am feeling a whole load of things about it! It’s felt like a bit of a whirlwind getting to this point as it’s relatively quick from my diagnosis, which I’m thankful for.
I’m starting on carboplatin/ paclitaxel and pembrolizamab tomorrow for triple negative breast cancer.
Nice to have a group of people even if it’s a group no one really wants to be a part of!
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@lsher
Ive got TNBC also and looks like having same treatment, 1st one today. Went well, feel ok and have lors of medication to stop any sicness so fingers crossed.
Its been a month from finding lump to starting chemo, so agree irs a whirlwind but im thinking its positive to get going just need my brain to catch up.
All the best for tomorrow, hope it goes well
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Hi All,
Thank you, and yes, treatment went well today. It was a bit overwhelming as the room had 18 patients in, plus all the nursing staff, so the noise levels were quite high… I’m used to a very quiet environment, so was a bit of a shock to my senses. I’m glad I took my ear buds and had Audible to listen too. I went in at 0930 hrs and was out by 1230 hrs, so I was quite impressed at how efficient the operation was. I’ve taken my anti nausea meds and haven’t felt queasy or nauseous yet, I just feel extremely tired. So I’m off to bed. Thanks again for all the well wishes and moral support, it’s very much appreciated! 
xxx
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@hucky345 @kerryw22 @daisy11 first ones all done , a mini celebration even though it’s a party you don’t want , ticked one off that’s one less to go.
@lsher good look for tomorrow , we are rooting for you.
Just quick message from me as I’m a mardy arse as haven’t slept for two nights - no idea why - not even on steroids 
and feel absolutely fine - my penance for sleeping on steroids ? 
Hope everyone is doing ok, take it easy all x
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Hi @daisy11
I just wanted to reach out to you on this as I had a similar experience hoping to give you a bit of comfort in a shared experience.
I originally thought it was going to be mastectomy followed by radio therapy following my biopsy results. I then had my results from my op and I went from a grade 2 to a grade 3 and just short of a 6cm invasive tumour. So they suggested a oncotype test to see if chemo was going to be beneficial to me and a CT scan, the CT came back clear and the the oncotype came back. 7 which is really low as the surgeon told me and I was due to see the oncologist for the first time the following week. So I went in there thinking this is great I won’t need chemo and it will be just radio. So it was a bit of a shock when they told me that the test was only one of the factors and the fact I was a grade 3 and only 48 meant that they wanted me to consider chemo to give me the best possible chance - I think that was harder than them saying I had to have it, giving me a choice. I ultimately said to myself that if I didn’t do chemo and then it came back that I would never forgive myself so said yes. None of this is an easy decision or journey and there are certainly massive bumps on the way . We can only do the best we can and make the decisions that are right for us and our lives and effectively roll with the punches (although some times I want to fight back and throw some punches myself )
Thinking about you today after your first treatment yesterday, rest and take it easy xx
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I’m in the “surprise! Your cancer is stage 2 and chemo benefits arent totally clear but you’re young so we advise you to do chemo” club as well. It’s such a shock, but I went with their logic— do everything possible now to stop it coming back.
Hope everyone is doing okay leading up to Christmas— that’s you’re finding time for rest and recovery in this hugely busy time of year.
I’m getting mentally reading for infusion 2/4 on the 27th! Going to celebrate Christmas then onto the steroids again on Boxing Day. On the plus side illl be half way done by NYE.
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I hope everyone who has just done their first treatment is doing okay! Be kind to yourselves and do ask for help from the helpline if you’re struggling at all with any of the side effects.
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Hi
It’s crap isn’t it the worst surprise ever !
I did far too much yesterday and then crashed for the rest of the day - I keep getting told off for doing too much - stubborn ass I am
Good luck for the 27th I am NYE so just a few days behind you and will be the same halfway through. I’m wondering if this time the steroids will kick in and I will actually run around doing things rather than sitting on my backside.
Hope everyone who’s had treatment in the last few days is doing ok and everyone gets to have some enjoyment on Xmas day 
Take it easy everyone xx
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I’ve got my hair coming out now at +2 weeks. 
I cold capped so the question is how much is actually coming out. Got a handful this morning…
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@mumto2 Having fun with steroids, only slept a few hours last 2 nights but strangely don’t feel tired. I’ve had a bit of a reaction with a flushed red face so advised not to take last dose and they’ll halve medication going forward. Learning its all about how body reacts to all the drugs and about what we can do, Im hoping I’ll get a decent sleep tonight.
Thanks for your posts, hope you’re recovering,
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Hi @hucky345
That’s an interesting side effect to steroids I think they may need to double my dose I was still sleeping like a baby ! Shame your not getting a good nights sleep although positive that your not feeling tired, hope it’s a better one tonight
Oh @bluehourd big hugs, it’s another bloody thing to deal with ! I know they say that on cold capping it’s considered a success if you keep 50% or more of your hair so I guess we are going to lose some - I’ve seen a few extra hairs on my brush but nothing more yet maybe another thing to look forward to in a few days time.
Keep going , if nothing else and we do lose our hair and for those who aren’t or can’t cold cap we could have fun with a the worst wig comp ?? Just trying to be a bit light hearted in these 
times.
Take it easy xx
Hi @hucky345, hope you had a nice rest over Christmas. I am interested in your redness as I had noticed my neck & chest are very red but thought my skin had just got sensitised with the chemo & didn’t link it to the steroids. I wasn’t sleeping more than 4 hrs a night but have no chemo this week (can’t decide if that’s good or not) and I am starting to sleep a little better.
Sorry not posted for a while; time flies when you have weekly chemo! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and received lots of useful presents. I now have lots of lovely hats and scarves and sooo many lip balms and hand creams. Also got given a silk pillowcase which I can recommend for comfort.
Hi @spuddy
Yes had a relaxing Christmas and nice time with grandkids.
Its worth checking with your oncology dept about the rash, my symptoms went after stopped taking steroids.
Sounds like you’re all set up with the headgear😀. Hope you get to the bottom of the skin reaction and start to get a bit more sleep.
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Hi everyone
I have just had my second round of paclitaxol. I have been prescribed 12 weekly doses for a recurrence of oestrogen positive BC. The effectiveness of chemo isn’t fully understood with a recurrence but hey ho would rather try it and it not work than not bother and it would have, if you get what I mean
It is 10 years since my first diagnosis - lumpectomy, chemo (6 rounds of EC) , radiotherapy and 10 years of tamoxifen. So as you can imagine a little disheartening! But CT scan has shown no spread elsewhere - whew! I had a mastectomy (2 tumours removed) without reconstruction at the end of October with two nodes removed, both positive. I won’t be having radiotherapy as I had it last time.
I have had a picc line inserted. I hated the idea of this but love the reality as getting a vein for a cannula is such a nightmare after my previous treatment.
Effect after first round not too bad, just had one day of feeling really rubbish but hardly any nausea. Had some joint pain and a sore mouth, they have given me mouthwash this time.
Happy that was feeling good again by Christmas Day so had a lovely day with my family!
Hope that those of you further along your journey also managed a good day too!
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Hello everyone. I am due to start 8 rounds of chemo on 31 Dec so thought I would join this group. Any tips on what to take to each appointment? Something to read or watch and a snack and water is what I have heard so far.
Also anything you recommend I should do before it starts? Very many thanks!
Hi @pumpkin2
Welcome to the group - sorry to hear your having to go through this for a second time. Whole heartedly agree with the throw everything at it, well that’s my mantra it’s very much a personal thing isn’t it .
I have a portacath fitted which is a godsend as my veins always go into hiding as soon as a needle appears so can understand the picc line being easier too.
Glad the second treatment has gone well and you were able to have a good Xmas.
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Welcome but sorry your having to go through this too, lovely set of ladies on here so I will give you my tips but I am sure others will be along.
Are you cold capping ? If so I took an electric throw with me to keep me warm ! And a hat for the journey home as your hair actually freezes .
I took snacks , water and a thermal cup with hot juice in as trying to avoid coffee and don’t like tea but wanted something warm.
I took something to read but didn’t end up doing that as had cold mitts on so was impossible to hold anything properly . I ended up watching a series on my iPad - downloaded just in case bad signal.
If you are cold mitts and boots fingerless gloves and leg warmers so you can keep everything but the ends warm. Or jus of some socks helps and use them.
I have a portacath so made sure I had something on which could give them easy access.
I think that’s it for on the day stuff. In the days before I made sure I was eating healthily and drank lots and lots as that’s been recommended a lot.
I’m on doxetaxal and one thing they told me was to paint my nails in any opaque colour and keep them painted the whole way through - blocks the UV . Not sure on your chemo but worth a try?
Also stocked up on a few things, difflam mouth wash , Imodium instants and dulcolax plus ibuprofen and paracetamol. I was able to get the difflam and the Imodium on prescription which is free now on the medical exemption.
Also bought moogoo shampoo and conditioner as good for the scalp ( there are others though ) and some aveeno body wash and body cream as your skin can get dry. Oh and Vicks vapour rub for my nails - that was another recommendation on here .
Can’t think of anymore for now , but good luck for the 31st I am also in on that day for my second round of treatment and ask if oh have any other questions .
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