I actually never painted my nail during chemo. Didn’t feel like it but know that when I paint them after a week they get brittle and I didn’t want that. They suggest you pain them a darker colour as they somehow get darker like a bruise overtime. But mine didn’t during and only showed bruised lines post chemo!
My hair is also very dark and I have been blonde all the time. To the point someone asked me if my natural hair colour will come back (they thought it was blonde) and I said this is it and they said, but you were blonde before the chemo changed your hair colour?? Nope I’ve always had dark black however I definitely have gained a lot more grey’s! 
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Hiya
You might find this website helpful w lots of advice, look good feel better is a charity helping men and women feel better during cancer treatment, advice on nail, hair care, wig, brows, lashes…
https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/support/women/
@Vibby I’m with you on this one. My chemotherapy regimen will last 6 months and I want to look as normal as possible during this period. I use a hairdryer but cold regime only (I think even Paxman is ok with the cold regime), otherwise I would wait for hours to leave the house after each hair wash. I also wash my hair twice a week, as no amount of dry shampoo can save me from having really dirty hair. I’m prepared to lose all of my hair at some point during chemo but before I do I want to look good, as it indeed gives me some level of control. I bought a fairly expensive natural hair wig which looks almost exactly like my hair, just longer (the length that I had before chemo). I conveniently dyed my hair right before chemo (1 week before I had the diagnosis actually) so at least I’m blond as usual. During Covid my husband discovered that my actual hair colour is brown!
My hair started matting which I never had a problem with so I need to use quite a bit of conditioner and oil to comb it (and I’ve got a short bob now! I’m so glad I had a haircut before chemo)
I do not do anything with my nails but they actually look normal, so no black polish is needed. I’ve got a pedicure appointment this week which I actually look forward to (even if I will only go to English beaches this year!)
Hello my friends
Lots to read since last checking in. You guys are fab in so many ways.
@Vibby I love your attitude when it comes to hair. Good on ya! I have had a topper fitted on Thursday which blends in with my own hair. I think it is ok. Pic attached. Cheaper than a wig.
@kartoffel Firstly, those baked spuds on that Instagram post have inspired tonight’s dinner. I have 5 massive spuds ready to go.
In terms of the UK, I love Brixham as it is near to so much and is a lovely earthy place that still has loads of locals and a thriving fishing industry. You can get to Dartmoor in no time so you have the best of both worlds. Also love the North East Coast around Robin Hood’s Bay, Chilterns, Cotswolds and Scotland in general. The UK has so much to offer in terms of places to see. We have a camper van which I’m sure I’ve mentioned before so have been all over.
@sammybp How is it going now a few days down the line after your first Paclitaxel? Still ok? Please… 
@shonas Dry eye…yes. It just won’t go. Yesterday was dreadful. I have had to give up make up entirely as they just run and run due to the dry eye. I have been carrying on with the Viscotears which kind of work. If you find anything which is a revelation then please share.
@healing24 That’s a fab rundown of your Paclitaxel experience. I’m so interested to hear how everyone does on it ahead of my first on Thursday. Sauna is a grand idea. I hadn’t thought of that.
@tinatin I just love that you say you barely notice Paclitaxel. This is so encouraging. I too have been suffering from the low haemoglobin breathlessness in the days after the last 2 ECs. It’s ok again now though.
Happy Monday everyone. Hope you’re all getting some sunshine. Sorry for yet another pic of my head but I think that it shows that toppers can work quite well.
Salbert
x
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That looks amazing 
Love your posts.
x
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Oh, thanks @emmaxoxo, a vote of confidence! I may well wear it out of the house. I’ll try it on my walk this afternoon as if it blows off then there shouldn’t be too many people about along the Bay Pond Path. Then again, I don’t want to have to retrieve it from the pond. I’ll give it some thought.
A big xoxo back atcha!
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The hair topper looks great 
@salbert.
Been good to read everyone’s posts particularly from those who have started their Taxane chemos.
I’ve been for my bloods again this morning so all being well I will have my first Docetaxal tomorrow morning 
. I’ve had my eight steroids for today so now feel a bit flushed - red face is coming on as I type this. Does anyone else get the face flushing from steroids?
I have to say that so far I’ve not suffered with dry eyes, seem to have had plenty other side effects but not that - at least not yet!!
Talking about UK places to visit I’m biased because I live up here but the Northumberland coast line has some amazing beaches, views, castles and places to eat 
.
My heart is still set on a trip to New York at some point once I finish treatment though 
.
Sending positive vibes to everyone for a good week in terms of ticking off treatment and hopefully not too many side effects Xx.
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@kitty77 Many thanks! 
I, as we know, cannot do the steroids due to the madwoman effects but nothing would surprise me about those little buggers.
You are very lucky to live up that coastline. It really is a stunning part of the world. That’s 2 votes for the North East/Northumberland coastline so far @kartoffel
New York is top of my bucket list after this is over. Not sure how I’m going to afford it as my wages are down quite a lot at the moment but I believe I shall find a way. I can access one of my pensions at 55 and I’m 53 and a half (she says, sounding like a preschooler) at the moment so I actually may get some of that out if it’s possible in a year and a half. BC has made me realise that there are no guarantees and that you have to have fun and fulfil your dreams while you can. No putting things off waiting for ‘one day’ as that may never come if you don’t pull your finger out. Alas, I can no longer turn to my nipple tassel twirling skills as a last resort!!
Good luck for tomorrow’s Docetaxal. Everything crossed you breeze it. XX
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I’m steroids tomorrow and 1st Docetaxal Wednesday !!! I’ll be 1 day behind you.
Praying it’s not harder than EC 
Went to my favourite old style sweetie shop today to get my supplies of pineapple cubes and rhubarb and custard sweets and it was closed - disaster !!! Will despatch hubby whilst I’m in the chemo unit on Wednesday.
My friendly oncologist has prescribed extra ondansetron to stave off the diarrhoea, utilising it’s usually unwanted side effect of constipation !!!
So feel I’ve done everything I possibly can 
and bloods came back as a stunning 2.3 neutrophils !!! So I skim by yet again !!! Although unfortunately this has won me 7 days of the evil filgrastim jabs instead of 5 
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@salbert love the hair topper, you look fab.
All these comments and posts about holidays is definitely putting me in the mood to start looking and book something for later in the year.
On the down side I started 4 x paclitaxel last Thursday, I am getting it every two weeks so its described as a dose dense…Friday felt great, even went out for lunch with my hubby, Saturday was a bit ache but Sunday, wow ! Every bone and mussel in my legs were screaming, shooting pains and cramps all day. Was advised to take paracetamol and ibuprofen…they hardly touched the sides !
Slightly better today but still struggling, will be speaking to the team again tomorrow to see what else can be done as the thought of this side effect for the next 3 sessions is a none starter and that is after 4 xEC!
Hi all, thought I’d give an update on Docetaxel! No diarrhoea but constipation same as EC. Although not eaten loads as I’ve lost all tastebuds! I was great on Wednesday night and Thursday then Friday started to go downhill. The weekend was awful, pain, shooting pains and felt like I’d been hit by a train. Every part of my body ached and I was not prepared for this.
I need to prep myself for next time round as it hit me hard. I’d got used to EC and so didn’t expect this.
I guess the saving grace is surely it can now only get better!
I’ll definitely be speaking to my team to see how I can manage this better.
I’m wishing all of you much better experiences and fingers crossed it all goes well Xx
Hope your first Docetaxal goes as well as it can @Vibby. I have 7 days of filgastrim too but I had 7 with my EC.
I might ask about something for diarrhoea when I’m in tomorrow as I’ve not been given anything for that going to request more mouthwash too as that was really effective with the problems I had with EC.
It’s good to get updates from those already going through side effects - do you think the pain is from the Docetaxal or the filgastrim?
I currently have codeine prescribed for the joint pain but the nurse said I could get oramorph if it was really bad. Hope the pains are easing @shonas and @sammybp
Xx
I love Rhubarb and Custards
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Have you been taking loratadine for the joint pain ? I haven’t experienced it but was told it’s the filgrastim that causes it and because it’s an inflammatory type reaction loratadine helps (antihistamine - OTC).
Fingers crossed it’s not too bad this time for you.
I use loperamide for diarrhoea but because ondansetron (usually used for sickness) also causes constipation my oncologist said let’s try it.
Xxx
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Morning
Yes I do take a loratadine daily when I start my injections and they have worked I think as the joint pain for me only kicks in with the last couple of injections so if that’s the case with the docetaxal I’ll be reasonably happy 
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Will let you all know how it goes today.
Xx
@Vibby you only had 5 days before of the filigrastim jabs? Lucky! I’ve always had 7 and I thought that was standard…
@salbert That topper looks fab on you! Where did you get it from? I know what you mean about the wind, I stuck my head out the window yesterday and nearly lost my beanie… it’s dangerous out there!
I’ve got my first docetaxel on Friday and haven’t heard anything about additional steroids to take before the session, maybe I need to call the nurses to find out if there’s anything I need to do in advance. I’ve been reading more about chemo induced alopecia from docetaxel and it’s terrifying me. It’s almost making me want to switch to paclitaxel instead because it doesn’t happen so frequently on that one.
@kitty77 I think in my case its a side effect of the Paclitaxel rather than filgastrim as I only have one filgastrim injection the day after my chemo.
Joint and bone pain is listed as a known side effect of Paclitaxel.
Good news is its not so bad this morning, so hoping it stays that way.
Morning everyone
Thanks for all the nice comments about the topper. @kartoffel It’s from a hair salon in Sanderstead which is the southern end of Croydon called Tana B who specialises. She is great as she has been doing it for years and has a discreet room at the back where she does mainly breast cancer and alopecia customers. The topper is, I believe, a Trendco one. I went with a friend who used her when she was going through BC and it was like a lovely outing to the hairdressers. Honestly, I’m taking my disabled Dad and 14 year old son to the McDonalds Drive-Thru today while my Mum is at her hospital appointment and I’m really looking forward to it! That’s how limited my social life has become. I genuinely a bit ashamed to admit that but I’m afraid that the McPlant meal has me in its grasp and the prospect of an outing has made it the highlight of this week. 
(Note to self: Get your life back as soon as possible.)
I am like you in that I only get 1 x Filgrastim injection which I have 24 hours after chemo. There must be different ways of doing it.
@Vibby Really good luck for Wednesday and keep us posted.
@shonas and @sammybp - I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve both been suffering so badly from aches and pains. It affects every aspect of your life when you are in pain like that so I hope and pray that it eases as your bodies get used to it and that your teams can come up with some help for you. I’ll also be ready for that.
Countdown to Thursday now. Can’t believe I will have to do chemo and that hideous cold cap weekly for 12 weeks. Still, it’s got to be done. I’m tired today and I know that is the red blood cell levels being low. I’m sure that a McPlant meal won’t help that but I’ll chuck some edamame beans in my soup for lunch. My brother has been researching all these cancer busting foods and making them for me, bless his lovely face. He went picking stinging nettles and wild garlic recently so I have that soup today. Despite what you might think, it’s absolutely lovely!!
xx
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Hi ladies
Well that’s me had my first docetaxal 
, I’m still at oncology unit as they’re keeping me for an hour just to make sure I’m fine but all seems to have gone well.
Just got to wait for my side effects kicking in now 
.
Xx
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I’ve developed a Macdonald’s chicken nugget and sweet and sour sauce habit !!!
I think it’s the salt and strong tastes I crave !!!.
My husband says I’m a dead cheap date these days 
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