December 2025 chemo starters

I opened the freezer earlier & saw the leftover ice lollies from my last EC infusion & was ready to throw up just looking at them the associated memory is so strong. Vile. Throw that hair stuff away-it’s not your friend anymore. Even typing that makes me feel ill!

My nausea is back today but I can feel my poor tummy trying to repair itself. Even eating a bit of porridge was a struggle this morning so hopefully will feel better soon?!

Celebrate those birthdays whenever you want to lovely ladies! We’ve booked a nice meal out for mine in late May as I seem to be completely & utterly obsessing over all the recipes & food I can’t enjoy right now.

On presents I was the same at Christmas when family asked what I wanted-um this to be over & zero interest in anything else?!

4 Likes

I asked my Mum for an early birthday present! She got me some of that Polybalm which I’ve started to use already before I start Paclitaxel.

Has anybody on Paclitaxel had any nail issues?

3 Likes

Hi @sheraldo I’m due to start Paclitaxel in a fortnight’s time, so following with interest.

I’m feeling really grumpy today, day 3 from last EC, not particularly felt this before - is this normal or just me?

2 Likes

I will try and you should too 40 is a big birthday but I completely get how you feel xx

1 Like

I haven’t so far and I’ve had 8 sessions. The nurses suggested painting them with a dark nail polish but I haven’t so far and they’ve been ok. My cuticles are dry though like the rest of my body x

1 Like

@finn1 grumpiness is definitely normal! My emotions have been on such a roller coaster.

Lunch out today - I was full after half a sausage, bacon & egg sandwich but unwisely rammed the second half in. Then tried on 2 pairs of shoes, browsed birthday cards and sat on sofas. 2.5 hours out and I was totally exhausted. Really appreciated the return of the sun after so many grey days in a row.

Really hope the nausea pisses off ASAP for you! a birthday meal out to look forward to sounds lovely. How have you been today?

I took your advice and threw the hair stuff away. I also washed my hair in warm water today for the first time since I started chemo and it was bloody lovely. I’ve been so strict with the rules and only washed in cool water. I do feel a sense of relief bow I’ve decided to give up the cold cap. We go through enough bloody torture as it is.

I’m day 8 after my 3rd and final EC and I’m still grumpy ha ha. I do feel like the fatigue is worse this time round which is probably adding to the grumpiness

1 Like

Put the cold cap behind you & enjoy a lovely shower at the temp you want-there’s so much to deal with it’s one of the only pleasures & it is at least ever so fast to shower now except for afterwards…separate scalp stuff, separate scar massage, special vag moisturiser etc!

Nausea went yesterday but don’t think it helped I’ve basically been on nystatin for oral thrush non-stop since December & it does make me feel meh & leaves a funny taste. Collecting some anti-fungal tablets today as think it’s sitting in my throat as I’m struggling to swallow liquid even though my tongue has improved. What a thing. Energy was good yesterday but think a day of some much missed sunshine helped-back to the rain today!

Nerves about starting doxetaxel continue to rise as at least I know where I am with EC now & I like being able to use my hands & feet?!

1 Like

Did you get the oral thrush with the ec ? Should I prepare for that ?

Was speaking to nurse yesterday and she said paclitaxal ( is that the right spelling ) would have more issues than the docetaxal?

It’s all very confusing, but she was very straight forward and knowledgeable x

1 Like

Hello! Yes EC-try to brush your teeth after every meal & as many salt gargles as you can. I’ve not been perfect given wiped out’ness in the first few days so guess that’s why I got it. To be honest I think I needed the anti-fungal the first time but they didn’t give it to me so I think it’s just flared back up without it.

Did the nurse say anything further about why that was the case? It’s so scary isn’t it this constant everyone is different/this one is easier/harder etc. At least I’ve got my head around EC now it’s over!

No she didn’t really specify , just said that more people have issues with that one , doce gives more skin problems and eye irritation x

1 Like

I agree that the fatigue feels worse this time - I spent most of the day in bed yesterday and did feel better for it, but still feel exhausted again today.

I did manage to get past some of the grumpiness on Wednesday by hacking sealant of the shower with a Stanley knife and replacing the sealant, which thankfully seems to have held up.

1 Like

Hope everyone is doing ok, who’s at the point of swapping chemo? Anyone doing dose dense paclitaxel? I’m so nervous about new drugs, my last EC has floored me with fatigue does anyone have any experience yet with paclitaxel every two weeks? X

2 Likes

Starting Paclitaxel on 16th Feb weekly for 9 weeks, my main worry at this point is veins. Hand really bruised from EC, hoping that the veins heal before starting new chemo.

Hi, hoping they recover in time xx

1 Like

Glad to hear the nausea has stopped now! Really hope the anti fungal tablets help. You ret have been through the mill xx

I’m feeling nervous as well about moving on to Dox. Like you say, we have just started to get used to our bodies in EC and knowing when our good and bad days will be. Now it’s the unknown again. We will all face it head on together xx

Tomorrow is the day …. I am doing the shave ! I think it’s time. Wish me luck xx

5 Likes

Sorry to hear about the latest EC taking its toll on you. I’m finding the fatigue worse this time. I’m moving on to 3 x 3 weekly Dox and anxious about the unknown. How many cycles on Paclitaxel have you got x

1 Like

Wow that’s a lot more than I could have done. Glad you managed to get the grumpiness out by doing something constructive. I just seem to take it out on poor hubby instead ha ha. How many rounds have you got left x

Ahhh good luck today! I promise you it will be fine. I didn’t cold cap & i still have so much hair (sprouting stubble!) that’s continued to grow so I look ridiculous. Not over thinking it & nurse said just leave it so the follicles can fall out if they want rather than me getting it shaved down. I’m happy in my turbans out & about for appointments. At home thanks to the hot sweats I just go bare which is only depressing on the bad days as I then look like a cancer patient (someone may need to break it to me soon that I am in fact actually a cancer patient?!)

Tummy like a washing machine the last few days & a solid poo is a distant memory but I’m ok & enjoying a daily eggs & beans & toast brekkie as was craving protein.

Still gaming all this in my brain to trick myself into getting it done…round 4 will be 7 weeks to final chemo (3 every 3 weeks). We can do this. Please be kind to us (& mean to any lurking evil cells) doxe!!

Hope everyone else is doing ok-the time is passing x

4 Likes