Hi Iam having my First chemo Weds 10 Feb.
Honestly i have no feelings left.
Terrifyed of loseing my hair.
Please share your experiance with me.
Hi *Red*
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the many informed users of this site have a wealth of information between them.
In the meantime you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 – 2.00.
best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Red,
I know where you’re at, feel exactly the same, haven’t got a date yet so you’re likely to be a few weeks ahead of me. I’m sure lots of women will post and do as you ask, I’ll read them too with interest and perhaps we can keep in touch. Thinking of you.
Kindest Regards
Lynn
Hi Red, and Lynvee,
Sorry that you are joining us on the forum but it is a great place to get comfort and support and vent your feelings.
The diagnosis and ensuing treatments can leave you feeling numb, overwhelmed and fearful. I felt like this last May and still do to some extent but the feelings do get better and as you go through this period of your life the feelings do seem to dilute a bit and you start to get back your life again.
I have just finished chemo - I had x3 FEC and x3 Tax and just about to start radiotherapy next week.
I was particularly fearful of chemotherapy - but it is often the fear of the unknown that is the worst thing. Once the first one is over you can learn to deal with the side effects (if you do get any). Some of us get quite a few and others hardly any or none.
What I would say with the chemo is to drink plenty both before and after chemo. Fluids were a bit of a problem for me so I drank little and often.
Eat a light lunch on the day ie sandwich and a light supper after again sandwich or some toast.
Take all the medications you have been given - you will work out which ones work the best for you.
I don’t know which treatment you are having but if it is likely you will lose your hair you could try the ‘cold cap’. I didn’t because we live quite far from the hospital and I knew it would add a few hours to an already long day. But I do regret not trying it. It does work for most - just makes the hair thinner.
I met a lady at Yoga at our local cancer trust - you wouldn’t have known she had just finished chemo. She had all her hair, except for losing a bit underneath which was hidden by her long plait - it was amazing.
I have tried getting through this by putting each treatment into seperate ‘boxes’ and dealing with them one at a time. It is so much to take in both physically and emotionally and it is not easy but you will do it - you need a lot of support around you at a time like this.
If you are specifically worried about anything else re chemo you can PM me if you like.
I don’t know if this helps but the very best for tomorrow.
Lynn x
Thanks Lynn - I will no doubt take up your offer as the horror approaches. Very kind of you to post back.
Regards
Lynn
Hi Red
We all know exactly what you are going through and as previous comments state, the thought of it is a lot worse than the treatment. I had my 1st 3 weeks ago and was terrified. The actual treatment was nowhere near as painful as I thought and although I felt sicky for 2/3 days afterwards, I was back to normal eating on the 4th day. I had a woozy head for a few days but that cleared up and I had a pain in base of my spine but it was bearable and only lasted 1 day as I took paracetamol. The pain I believe was due to injecting of granocyte which is to help white blood cells. My hair has now started to thin out but is only falling out a bit at a time so I’m not racing to have head shaved yet. However I am going to get a wig just in case ( also I fancy a different look) and I have some head scarves, hats etc in case wig is not ready in time.
Don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts on this web site as everyone is so helpful and encouraging.
Good luck for tomorrow. Let us know how you get on.
Babs x
There’s a thread somewhere which you would need to search for called “Top tips to help get you through Chemotherapy” which I found useful. When I had FEC chemo I was given Lorazepam tablets to take on the day of chemo which acted as an extra antisickness medication and also as a sedative, because, like you, I was very anxious. Maybe I was just lucky, but I had few side-effects from chemo, and certainly none that stopped me from working and generally getting on with my life. Constipation was probably my worst side-effect, but once I got started on Movicol it wasn’t so bad. I hope you are the same or even better than that, and good luck for Wednesday.
Hi
Here’s the link to the ‘top tips’ thread, it’s in the Undergoing Treatment - Chemotherapy forum.
breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/top-tips-to-help-get-you-through-chemotherapy-t19110.html
Hope you find it helpful. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
It’s like a journey through the topics, tests, diagnosis, surgery and now 1st chemo looming ahead, not sure what is the most scary! It is very helpful though that they are all of you out there going through or having gone through this and are able to help and support. Waiting to see the oncologist to get timetable and chemo details. Been told it will be 6 x chemo three weeks apart.
I am starting chemo on Tuesday 2 March after rather a long wait since I was diagnosed on 8 December! (Delays due to snow then an infected wound)I will start on epirubicin by drip. I’ve read the top tips which are really helpful to have. Its not knowing what its going to be like that’s quite hard to deal with. Went for a longish walk this morning which was good, but if anyone else starting on epirubicin soon, do post and we can be e-buddies. Thanks.
Hello Ladies
Just thoughtI would send my support to all of you are or just starting chemo.
It is daunting and scary at first but you will get through it, be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest in-between treatments, it does go quick! I have just finished my last cycle, and although I seriously considered not having the last one I am glad now that I did,
I found I coped well with the side effects, just feeling very tired now,but it got to me more pychologically towards the end , I would recommend having a good breakfast or lunch before treatment and drinking lots of water while you are been giving the chemo, and take all the medication that is given to you,even if you don’t feel you need it, the anti-sickness drugs do make you constipated and I found that movical was the best to get things ‘moving’,
For those ladies that are worried about their hair try the cold cap, it worked for me, it adds time to your treatment but is well worth it.
best wishes to you all,
Ann x
Have been told cap is available and will add about 1.5-2 hours before and after treatment. I will definitely give it a go. Just not used to relying on other people for help with house chores, childcare etc. even though we had lots of offers of help. May have to start accepting that can’t do everything!!
xxxx
hi im elaine im terrified i start my chemo on wed not knowing what will happen having atracer fitted tommorow hope yrs went ok r as gud as it get keep in touch
Hi elaine
Welcome to the forums, in addition to the support you will receive here please feel free to call our confidential helpline where you can speak to one of our trained helpliners on 0808 800 6000, it’s open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2. Also, you may find the following thread called ‘Top tips for chemo’ helpful to read too, here’s the link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=19110&p=403852&hilit=top+tips#p403852
Hope this helps.
Take care
Lucy
Hi to everyone who is about to start, I know you must be anxious waiting.
I had my first chemo 15 days ago, I am on a course of 6 x FEC. I will say everyone is different and that this is just my experience and I feel I have been very lucky so far.
The actuall chemo was fine the nurses were lovely. I had the cold cap. At the time I hated it and thought I would never do it again. But it’s day 15 and I fully intend to try it again, so far I haven’t lost any hair so fingers crossed. (Well none on my head :-)) I will say the nurse said next time to bring an fabric alice band or 80s stlye head sweat band as they but it round to help protect your ears, although I think this depends on the type of cap.
On the night of my chemo I was sick a couple of times, and it felt a bit like being hungover and sea sick. After that I had a couple of days of being very tired and feeling woozy. After about a week I was feeling like myself again. I have been out with friends for dinner, been to the cinema etc and I feel ok. I do get tired, but it’s ok. Like I said everyone is different, and the first few days emotionally I felt quite low, but please know you do get out the otherside and then you feel like you can take it on again.
I will say if you are sick or feel really ill, then ring your chemo nurse. They can move your meds around to help, you really don’t have to put up with it. They are there to help you through this.
I send you all the best wishes and just remember you can get through this and there is loads of support on here and tips and advice.
Keep us informed of how your getting on.
Love
Kells
Hi everyone
I thought I would share my experince of the cold cap for anyone who is considering using it. I was diagnosed last September, had surgery immediately and had the last of my 6 cycles of FEC mid February. I used the cold cap throughout my chemo. I was advised that it had a 75% success rate, but even if successful, my hair would thin. I had my hair cut relatively short before I started and bought a wig “just in case”. I lost a lot of hair just before the 2nd cycle then the hair loss slowed dramatically and I have certainly kept a respectable amount. I had one obvious bald patch around the time of my 3rd cycle but my hair grew quickly and covered it.
The upside of the cold cap is that I have not needed to use my wig at all, although I do use a hat when the weather is really cold. With a hat on no-one would suspect I was undergoing chemo as I still had plenty hair peeping out. My new hair is already starting to grow in and it is making my “old” hair look much thicker.
There are downsides to consider before embarking on cold-capping. It adds a couple of hours to your chemo session as you need to wear the cap for some time before and after the chemo. Also it is really, really cold - my whole body got very cold and I had to be wrapped in blankets during my chemo - this seemed to get worse in the last couple of cycles, however having completed 4 sessions I wasn’t going to give up and lose my hair at that stage.
I was advised only to wash my hair a maximum of twice a week in tepid water with very mild shampoo and to let it dry naturally. Having been used to washing and blow drying my hair every morning I found this difficult at first, but very quickly found it liberating and have now managed to last more than a week on a couple of occasions. The other problem for me is that my hair is now very grey as it has not been coloured since last August and I have been advised not to colour it until 6 months after finishing my chemo. I also sleep on a silk pillowcase to redduce any friction on my hair.
All in all I would say it has been worth it. I have kept a reasonable amount of hair and most of my eyebrows and eyelashes (no idea if that has anything to do with the cold cap, or if I am just lucky). I was also helped by having brilliant nurses who did everything they could to keep me warm during the process and who cheered me up whenever I felt a bit down about my thinning/grey hair.
It is definitely worth giving a try. Good luck x
Just to echo She962s message - Ive just finished 6 x taxotere and used the cold cap throughout and the results have been excellent. Ive followed the same advice re only washing once a week, no products, no driers/straighteners etc and apart from loosing a small handful on the day of washing (probably twice as much as id normally lose when washing my hair, pre-chemo), Ive finished chemo with no obvious loss at all, which I think is probably more fortunate than most.
It IS cold (mine went on at -30, how could it not be cold?!), it can be uncomfortable for the first 5-10mins with each cap, it does add time to your day (mine started 1 hr before chemo and stayed on for 3 1/2hrs after)…but for me it was so worth giving it a go. I lost all my hair with E-CMF chemo 4 years ago and know exactly how distressing it can be, so really wanted to try the cold cap. Id read success rates of between 20-90%, so obviously nothing is guaranteed.
Good luck to everyone in whatever they choose to do
K x
I suffer from migraines and wonder if anyone has experiences headaches with the cold cap? They offer it at my hospital and I see my oncologist on the 25th March to discuss treatment plan and start date. I know it will be 6 x every three weeks. Was advised that it will add time to my treatment but I will give it a go. So reassuring to read the comments. Thank you all. Tinaxxx
Hi Tina,
I dont suffer from migraines, but just to say the cold cap didnt give me any headaches at all, its just very cold! I sipped warm squash throughout, that helped me. Some women say it does give them headaches, so they take painkillers before they put the cap on.
Hope that helps a bit,
Good Luck to you
K x
Thank you, I think every bit of information helps so much, even though experiences are so individual knowing that things may happened is s bit of preparation and I personally find it reassuring. Kindest regards. Tinaxxx