Hannah…I have my pre-chemo appt on Tues…let me know what it entails. hope yours goes well…
Hi Pheebster. I have seen women who have used the cold cap and some who have not. My personal view is that the hair will probably thin with the cold cap anyway and it has to be worn for so long before, during and after chemo that it is too uncomfortable for the benefits. Each of us has different views and feelings about ourselves. I would rather know I will lose the hair and not add the extra anxiety of hoping that it will stay. Are you definitely going to use the cold cap?
Best wishes
Tanya x
Hi Ladies
Thanks for all the funny comments…you’ve really made me chuckle last couple of days!!!
I have been feeling very tired and PANTS all week (flu symtoms)…only managed to get out and about on my own today to see the wig lady. Got a nice free wig with ginger highlights and decided to treat myself to a graduated bob in cooper, which had to be ordered…don’t usually experiment much with hair so thought it might be exciting!! OH had to try wig on when I got home, think it looks better on him than me, told him he can borrow my dress and heels if it takes his fancy LOL…I asked his daughter (hairdresser) to cut the fringe as a bit heavy and make a bit more graduated and looking better now.
Looks like the sun will be shining tomorrow so hoping to soak up some rays (being careful not to get burnt of coarse!)
Sally
Thanks Tanya…
Yes! I’m going to give it a try with an open mind. If it works great, if it doesn’t then nothing ventured…etc.
The hospital I am under use one that requires you to wear it 15 mins prior and 45 mins after. I’ve had a pixie cut as I was told the shorter your hair the more success and I have very thick hair, so I can only try. I have sourced a wig though and have a few head scarves ready if it all goes pear shape.
how are you feeling in general?
Hi everyone,
Well I finally got some stronger anti-sicknes drugs which are helping me feel a bit better. I’ve finally got rid of the flu feeling so at least have some more energy but still feel rather weird and wobbly. Will take it easy this weekend and hope things perk up.
Best wishes to you all, Bella x
Hi Pheebster - You wanted to know what was involved in pre chemo appointment. General talk with the chemo nurse going through what the particular regime of chemo I was on involved together with details of possible side effects. Details about temperature monitoring and what to do if your temp goes up even if you feel well! A tour of the chemo suite. Routine for day of chemo explained. A pack with various information leaflets and record book for side effects was given to me. I also had my blood test ready for Tuesday and was weighed and measured yet again! I also had to have an ECG this was probably because I have a family history of heart disease and have high cholesterol which is treated by drugs. My blood pressure was also taken. I think that’s about it. Everyone was very pleasant and it is the first time someone has actually told me the results of my ECG - I have them before but when I asked at my pre-op appointment if it was OK I was told that she couldn’t tell me, but this person told me straight away that it was normal. It is good when info is offered rather than having to ask for it!
Hi everyone
Just back from the Younger Women’s Forum in Reading - had amazing time! Hope everyone’s coping with the side effects of FEC, am shattered so I’ll catch up on everything in the morning.
Cat
I had my first FEC on Friday with the cold cap which really wasn’t bad, had 2 awful nights sleep, now realise due to steriods so will be taking them earlier today! Feel really sick all the time like morning sickness which is really getting me down. No other side effects at mo other than rosy complection which I now realise down to steroids and also racing heart beat in bed!! Oh pink wee is also there but getting weaker!! Have wig in box upstairs but concerned what to wear at home so doing some surfing today to see what available. Have bought some lifemel honey but can’t face it ugg!! Nice to be in touch with so many in same situation, up until now have felt upbeat despite the devastating news thrown at me over last 4 months but mood really sunk now hope this is short lived and I will come back up.
jellybabes x
Hi Jellybabes - the sickness feeling will go away in a couple more days - it certainly did for me. You sound like you’re going through what I did with my first FEC a week and a half ago. I still have hair but am shaving it off before it falls out. I bought a sleep cap thingy for bed in case I feel cold, but not sure yet if I’ll bother with it. I feel like a Victorian granny! For the day I have a couple of nice scarves, and a really lovely lady from this Discussion Forum gave me a fabulous turban to wear! Hats and caps also look like a good option to me.
Hi jellybabes
I have also bought some Lifemel honey, does it taste horrible or do you just not fancy anything? Am starting my FEC on Tues was going to start honey on Monday. Hope bad symptoms dont last too long for you.
Take care
Cazzb
Hi ALL…
After thinking I was through the worst … day 4 was fine and out and about… day 5 felt like I hit a wall! woke up with body aching everywhere… like a bulldozer had flattened me! flu like I guess… mega headache… couldn’t do much till afternooon… so a Bad day for me… today back as I was on day 4… off out for dinner now :o)
Can do this…4 months will fly by :o)
Be strong everyone
Lorna x
hi jellybabes, hope you are feeling ok… Cat sounds like im at similar stage to you and am feeling a bit better now if it wasn’t for getting a bad head cold today. Im so not used to picking up all the bugs but i guess this low immune thing makes us very vulnerable. Iv slept alot today and will take it easy tomorrow.
Hi Carmel - I never usually get any bugs but have a bit of a snotty nose and sore throat. Lucky you getting the chance to sleep, my husband seems to think I’m WonderWoman and is leaving all the housework and childcare to me. After being away in Reading for a couple of days, the place is minging so have had more work than usual.
Hi to everyone on the FEC - I am envious of you ahead of me. I just had the first dose so far with moderate, although manageable side effects. Does anyone else have trouble sleeping - not necessarily steroid related? Shattered with 2 under 5 year olds but when it comes to the chance to rest or sleep it seems impossible - arrrrgh.
What seems weird is feeling so well before the chemo started and knowing the feeling of being unwell has been induced by the drugs - frustrating but natural.
It sounds like the Younger Woman Forum in reading was great. My BCN just told me about the one in Cardiff but it is at the end of a FEC week so no point registering this time I think. Shame. Sounds like you had a good break Cat - shame about the increased work to come home to.
Lorna68 - I echo your sentiments - 4 months will fly by and it certainly can be done.
Best wishes and lots of energy to everyone
Tanya x
Hi all,
Day 6 for me and I’m finally feeling better, so hopefully that’s it now until next time?
Lorna, we obviously have different bulldozer days, mine’s day 3! Hopefully, although it’s not at all nice, if we know when it’s going to hit we can plan for it.
Jellybabes - don’t put up with the sickness, get some stronger anti-sickness drugs from your hospital. I felt awful like you and the ones they gave me last week were about to run out on Friday night (great timing!), so on Friday I phoned the helpline at the hospital and they sent a prescription through to my GP. They said to me that everyone’s different and some people need more or stronger drugs that others, so don’t be afraid to ask for more. I felt much better once I’d got them, it helped me to eat then I started to feel stronger, which is why I think I feel better now. I’ll certainly do the same next time.
Cat - your bloke needs a word in his ear!!! I can’t believe he’s letting you do the housework etc. Give me his number and I’ll shout at him for you!!!
Love to all, Bella x
Tanya - how many days after your FEC is the Younger Women’s Forum? I had a full 6 days between FEC and going to Reading, so it might be worth considering going. If you feel rough, you don’t have to go. Having had such a fantastic experience myself, if you can manage it, you’ll get so much out of it.
Jellybabes, gotta agree with Bella; if you feel sick and the tablets aren’t helping, speak to your chemo nurse to sort something out for you.
I’m off to the hospital this arvo to see the wig lady - wiggy will come too late to be worn before my hair goes, I think, but at least I’ll get something next week with any luck so I don’t terrify my nearly-three-year-old!
CAT
Yes agree with Bella, your o/h needs sorting out. With 2 young children too. If you need to rest then rest before you have
no choice. Hopefully your side effects wont be too bad but even so you will get very tired. Have you any1 to help with your children? are they at school for part of the day. If need be, housework can wait… and as for hubbys dinners, well, need I say anything really!!!
Take care
Chris x
I only have the one child, Chris, though with my husband it feels like two! I’m asking constantly for help and am slowing down my usual pace of life, but he doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge this yet. He’ll get there eventually. I’m lucky that I have a friend who is coming every Monday to clean the house for me so if it’s less bother and I just keep it ticking over. I was just amazed at how I could be away for three days at the place was allowed to get minging, not even a surface wiped down!
Hi Cat - FEC will be four days before the forum - BUT I did have quite bad sickness then nausea last time (hopefully it will be controlled better next time) then the inevitable tummy consequences all weekend this weekend. That has just made me feel cautious however if the second cycle is better then I think I will go ahead and book. Thanks 
Tanya x
Hello ladies, this is quite compelling isn’t it? Sorry to hear your house was such a mess Cat… hopefully you can rope in some favours with your little one for the next zapping. On a good day im delighted to do my share, but those bad days, i could hardly get up let alone do the housework… That man needs telling. Bella- glad you are feeling better.
Im going to give the forum some thought…
xx