The bit where my tumour was is still hard. 9 weeks on. Don’t panic I believe it is inflammation and tissue changes x
I had a long discussion about this with my nurses. Picc line is great if having long rounds of chemo, more than six rounds, however a cannula not bad if only having four and the veins are thoroughly and well and truly washed out after the chemo drugs. Not all hospitals do this afterwards but The Royal Marsden does as standard. Picc lines have to very diligently looked after and as I am ridiculously prone to infection (got one after Covid jab!) I haven’t gone for it x
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Newbie1 I am really pleased you have the first round done. I was like you and just wanted to get started. Sounds like they have looked after you well and yes, take the meds as soon as you need them! At least we know what to expect now.
The fatigue really got me yesterday and today and I have a sore mouth. Rest up as you need to and take it steady won’t you 
xx
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Tiredness and nausea have hit a bit this afternoon and can’t get rid of headache but prob caused by cold cap or chemo and endocrine therapy. Did manage a small walk but now lying on sofa. Re sore mouth have you got the Corsodyl mouthwash? It is the one with the special disinfectant in it. It begins something like Chlorex…. But if not becomes a problem your hospital should give you something to coat your mouth. X
Hi all, had my first EC session yesterday. It was a bit traumatic as I’ve had cannula and they really struggled. Nearly couldn’t happen as it took 3 attempts. Then half way through had to reduce the flow as I felt awful, nausea and high blood pressure. I then vomited into my frozen grape bag…thank god I had that by my side 
anyway I managed to finish with more anti sickness tablets so that’s a bonus. I’m hoping it’ll be better for round 2! The nurse was so lovely and super helpful.
I felt sick last night and slept for an hour. I then slept all night but woke up this morning still queasy and very fatigued. PJ and couch day for me today.
On a positive I managed the cold cap , it was tough but got through it. 1 down, 5 to go 
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Well done to all of those who are getting through the first rounds of treatment - sounds like you’re all coping brilliantly.
I’m still waiting for a start date, hopefully won’t be long 
.
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Sorry you got sick @sammybp . Hope you got well look after. Do they give you anti sickness before treatment? That’s something I had along w other pre meds like steroids to avoid allergic reaction. You might want to speak to the nurses about and ask your oncologist. Also they should be able to give you stronger anti sickness if your current ones don’t do the job. I was on cyclisine for a while which make me drowsy but it worked and ondanstrone is also an option. Definitely speak to your nurses. Rest up big hugs xxx
"A pj day is a well deserved day 
x
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Hi Sammy, that sounds mizz I’m sorry. Before chemo started I was given ondansetron and steroids to damp down any reaction. I was given steroids and sickness meds to cover me until Saturday. Steroids make a big difference so hoped you can get some next time x
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Hi sammybp. My diagnosis was very similar, grade 3 triple negative clear margins and no nodes. I started my chemo today. I’m having 4 cycles of EC ( 2 weekly) followed by 4 cycles of carbo-taxol (3weekly). I’m also having zelandronic acid every 6 weeks during chemo then every 6 months for 3 years. I think they are also going to hit me with 5 doses of radiotherapy afterwards. At the moment I’m trying the cold cap. Apart from a headache and a mild feeling of nausea things aren’t too bad. Trust your oncologist. They will suggest the most appropriate treatment for you
Take care
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Hiya, your BC sounds almost identical to mine triple neg grade 3 16mm, clear margins and negative sentinel node.
I start X3 EC next Thursday followed by 3 Docetaxal.
Hopefully can tolerate cold capping. How effective do you reckon it is. I’m sort of prepared to lose my hair so can’t decide whether to go through the extra pain, length of time at the hospital etc
Hi, the cold cap isn’t guaranteed but heard lots of success stories. It also helps with re growth so I suppose it’s just your preference if you want to go through with it. I hope your treatment goes well with as little side effects as possible.
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Thanks newbie1, my consultant called me yesterday to advise he’s adjusting my pre meds to help with sickness and arrange for a Picc line. I’m hoping with that I’ll feel much better next time round
Hi Vibby. The length of time is a downer. The actual chemo treatment only took less than 2 hours. But it’s the 2 hours plus for the cold cap that’s the pain. It’s not too bad with a relatively short treatment time but I think the carbotaxol takes over 4 hours. I’m undecided whether to continue.
Look after yourself
Hi everyone,
i’m starting chemo tomorrow 3 EC and 3 Docetaxel. iv sorted of tried to carry on as normal and forget about it as much as i could which is why Im only joining the forum today 
. Hope you are all doing ok and not too many side effects. Think one of my main worries is i’m dreading feeling nauseous or even being sick for days on end. iv been even steroids to start today. Do i also get given something for sickness to bring home with me tomorrow as a just incase? xxx
Hi jcovi
I had my first treatment last Wednesday and was feeling exactly the same as you going into it. I’d bought myself some gin gins and nausea bands, anything to help!
Was given anti sickness as pre-med and also given tablets to take home. So far have coped at home with just the bands, sickness waves have been slight nausea and only lasted to day 4. So not anything like as bad as I thought it would be.
Hope this brings you some re-assurance and hope tomorrow goes well for you. xxx
That’s great, thanks so much for your reply. glad things haven’t been too bad for you xxx
Hope all goes as well as it can today for
your first treatment @jcovi.
How is everyone else that has started their chemo managing?
I have my pre-assessment appointment on the 26th Feb and my first chemo on the 28th Feb.
Do they decide at your pre assessment whether I will need a PICC line or do they generally just try normal cannula in veins first and see what happens 
.
Thank you Kitty77. Hope yours goes well too xxx
Hi Kitty77
I asked about a Picc line at my pre-assessment and they said I should be fine with a cannula each treatment. I’m one down and 11 to go and not sure how that’s going to be possible moving forward but i’m going with it for now.
Would be good to know other people’s experiences.
xxx
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Thanks for your response @suzyapple
I’ll let you know how I get on at my pre-assessment and what they say about administering the treatment.
I’m having six lots of chemo but have had full lymph node removal in one arm so I think I will only be able to have a cannula fitted in my ‘good’ arm.
Hope you’re treatment is going as well as possible.
Xx