P.S. Lorna, I was tempted by a glass of wine last night too and just had a small glass of red - major, major headache this morning so the body is obviously not up to it. It’s so sad as I really felt like a glass…
Hi girls, glad about your scan results tanya, and everybody else for doing ok. Thanks for the email Cat - how’s the new wig?
Bella, I’m in the same state - feeling like a glass, but then getting terrible headaches next morning.
Two weeks for me now, and I’m definetely overdoing it, going to a gig tonight, having loads of visitors and shopping till i was dropping dead yesterday… just a bit of flue-like symptoms today, but i’m ignoring it and hoping it is not flue. And I have my periods! I thought I won’t have them during chemo - but then I’m thought that I’ll be sick and lose hair - which hasn’t happened so far… I haven’t lost a single hair yet, so still postponing buying a wig. How’s everybody else doing - has anybody started losing hair?
love and hugs
I’m Back and I Did IT!!! Yay - one crossed off the list and five to go!!!
I was really calm - my dog had to go into hosp yesterday for a wound repair so I was too worried about her to think about chemo - and I even slept on the sofa with her last night and slept like a baby.
I used the cold cap and though the first 2-3 mins felt like a migraine, after that I actally forgot about it and it didn’t bother me at all. Had to wear it for 15 mins prior and 45 mins after, but was still waiting for the saline to finish anyway, so not real add-on time in the end. Came home and did a 2 mile pavement walk with the dog, cooked dinner and feel absolutlely fine (so far).
I am peeing ‘ribena’ and feel a bit hyper and gagging for a freezing cold glass of Oyster Bay Savignon, but other than that nothing to report as yet.
Got my pills all lined up and taking them religiously. But thank you girlis for all your well wishes and here’s to us getting through this shit together
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Pheebster - well done you! Hope your dog’s doing well. Like the analogy with the ribena and good on ya having excellent taste - Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc’s a very decent drop. I could fancy a glass now that you mention it but don’t have any, maybe tomorrow I’ll raise a glass to you. Hope you get some sleep tonight, remember not to take the steroids too late tomorrow arvo cos they’re a b"gger for keeping you up at night.
Day 1 after chemo
Hi Cat…thanks for your well wishes. My dog is back to her normal self now. She tore her chest open, and I tried in vain to save her from a GA and let it mend itself, but just wouldn’t heal. So here I am £400 down in vet fees (thank god for pet insurance) but a happy dog again. Which is just as well as we are going on a little holiday next Friday and she will be coming with us.
My steroids are prescribed for brekkie and lunchtime, which I took religiously. However didn’t get to sleep til 1.30 and was up again at 4.00 a.m., which is a killer for me as I usually sleep 9 hrs straight. Had a hot red face when I got up too but that has gone now (even though it’s still only 6.30 a.m.). Other than that just feel like ‘me’…except eating like a bloody cart horse (in fact I am beginning to resemble one)! Have already done two loads of washing, made the packed lunches, eaten breakfast, fed the dog and finished the monthly accounts! Soon as my 13 yr old leaves for schoolI am going back to bed with something to read until lunchtime. No work for me until after half-term!!!
Anyway have a good day ladies…will be back on later to see how you all are.
bye xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PS: Cat; how are you after a drink? I was thinking I may have a glass on Sunday, but heard other people saying they get a terrible head next day after a small glass?
Wow Pheebster - what a lot of energy. Day 12 for me today - have a period too - what a drag and of course I suppose if it was going to happen it would be this week when counts hit the low and I am more vulnerable. I notice today a lot more loose hairs when brushing etc or dragging hands through hair. I still have loads of thick hair this week 
but it will be interesting to watch the progress and see how it goes. I’m hoping that it will mostly come out when washing it as that will be easier - if not will consider shaving it off with hair clippers - whatever needs to be done at the time I guess.
I loved your post about the mouse Bella - sounds like you shouldn’t have to clean for at least a week after that
Re blood counts - I agree with advice above - I guess iron in diet can help to increase haemoglobin to improve anaemia but white cells etc just have to come back on their own. I have read on here that some people get injections to assist the process but that is not everyone and only nearer the end of the chemo - also possibly related to having taxotere in the later cycles? Keep away from crowded indoor air conditioned places where there may be lots of bugs circulating and ban visitors with infections - that was the advice I was given.
Keep taking the meds Pheebster.
We have a beautiful sunny though cold morning here. Lovely. WIll be popping out for a walk and fresh air for sure.
Best wishes to everyone
Tanya x
Hi Pheebster,
Well done! Isn’t it a relief to get the first one under your belt?
Take it easy and just be prepared for the ‘bulldozer’ that may come and run you over anytime from day 3 to 5…
Hi to everyone else. I noticed a couple of loose hairs this morning, is this the beginning I wonder? Wig on standby!
By the way, does anyone know a good high street stockist of cotton headscarves that are big enough to tie? I’ll check out Tie Rack next week but wondered if any of you have got any already? I’ve got a Buff, but would like some colourful, funky scarves.
Love from Bella and her very clean and rodent-free house xxxxx!
P.S. (Chemo-brain kicking in already…I keep forgetting to type things!) Re. wine - I’m going to buy myself some nice fizzy juices and cordials to chill and drink in the evening and pretend it’s wine. Nowhere near the same I know but I can’t cope with the minging headaches.
Hi girls, well done Pheebster for the having so much energy and Bella for keeping the house clean! I had to keep the cold cap 45 mins before and 2 hours after chemo though - which type you’re using Pheebster?
I’m off for a another ECG today, though no problems with my hearbeat anymore, but my oncologist wants me to do it…
My big news is that my hair started falling today, coming out a lot in the shower. I panicked and ordered the wig finally, although i have looooots of hair and using cold cap - still want to have one on standby not to scare my son! And if it’s falling, I hope it happens quickly and I’m not becoming a hairy dog leaving hair everywhere.
I’ve been feeling fine otherwise, went to a gig yesterday, but left early, couldn’t stand very long. Friends coming over today and tomorrow and I know I’ll be tempted to drink a glass of wine.
Tanya, I did get an injection for the while cell count - I suspect they give it to everybody here in Oxford. Can’t remember what it’s called, but there is a discussion somewhere i the forum about that. When I have my blood test next week before second chemo, I’ll let you know how it worked - at least I haven’t been ill at all during those 16 days.
Ok girls, have a good day and a weekend, and be well, Pheebster, hope it will be easy for you. Cat, did you do your ‘shaving party’?
Lots of love
Tato
Hi Girls
Am on day 10 - got my period yesterday!! very much in pain but did not take any pain killers
Re steroids, I took them for 3 days after my chemo- i forgot about it once and took it until 3pm- but it does not make me stay awake at all- i could heardly feel anything of it…
My hairs are still on- no sign of falling off at all… but i hope it will as i got some really funky wigs
take care
xx
Hey ladies
Pheebster, the super-energy is the steroids, I was the same, felt unstoppable and got very little sleep.
Tanya, I had a period after the first FEC, was a bit surprised about it because the consultant made a huge issue of the menopause to me, dare say it’ll stop now.
Bella, I am losing my hair but not on my head yet! I noticed a big shedding in the shower this morning, very weird. Not done the shaving party yet, but am thinking of doing it with a couple of girlfriends this weekend. “Mamma Mia” on DVD, some wine, and a razor - nice! I didn’t have anything alcoholic for a week and a bit after the first chemo and I was OK with it. I had a glass of red wine which tasted like vinegar mixed with cat pee, yuk. But when I was at the Reading Forum I had white wine and it was delicious. I was sensible and didn’t overdo it, though.
Try Accessorize, Dorothy Perkins, or New Look for big head scarves that aren’t expensive. I found a great online seller called thats-charming - good prices on scarves, bandanas, zandanas, and buffs. I placed an order yesterday so am looking forward to it arriving tomorrow with luck. I also found another site that do Hello Kitty buffs so really looking forward to that (am HK mad!).
Tato - sorry your gorgeous hair’s shedding, looking forward to seeing a photo of you in that fab wig!
Have a great day, girls! I’m off this arvo for my prosthetic breast fitting, known in our house as fake boobie day!
I spoke too soon about hair loss, girls, it’s started shedding in clumps 
Oh I am sooo glad we are all in this together. The hair loss is so saddening, but you know what? I work for a GP and our Nurse there said that when you hair falls out you will accept it…the hardest and most traumatic time is waiting for it to happen. And I think she may be right.
Tato…I don’t know what cap I am using hon. It is like a riding helmet and they got it out of the freezer. I had 3 changes in all.
Look in Peacocks for head scarves. They have some for £2 at the moment on clearance. I will have to try one of these buffs…are they the ones that can be tied in loads of different styles? Have seen them in Milletts. Don’t think I will do the wig - but who knows?
Only have 2 more FEC then move on to the Domestos (TAX) but on the plus side, I think it is much kinder re: hair loss? Can’t remember, is anyone else on the same regime as me?
Think I will try putting something nice into a wine glass and kidding myself later. Keep thinking about getting alcohol free or low alcohol, but can anyone really see the point?
Me neither!!!
Laters girlies xxxxxxxxxxx
Cat - did your hair suddenly start coming out over an hour between your posts? Eeeek!!!
Bella, yes my hair literally started to come out in that short space of time, it was a complete shock that it happened all of a sudden. I’ve not touched it so still have almost all of it, but I bought some hair clippers this arvo so it’s coming off tonight whether I like it or not. No doubt the shaving will be aieded with a glass or two of a crips Riesling. Absolutely no point in going alcohol-free at a time like this. I have my Hello Kitty buff which is absolutely brilliant, you can do so many things with it, so I suspect that’ll be my headgear of choice this evening.
Pheebster, I’m 3 x FEC, 3 x Tax/Domestos (I believe it’s aptly named from what friends have told me). I’ll ask if and when my friends hair grew back on Tax and let you know.
I’m glad we have this thread going, it makes a real difference to be able to share just how rubbish I feel sometimes, as well as the more positive stuff.
Oh my goodness, you poor thing. I’m dreading it now.
Big hug, Bella x
Don’t dread it, Bella. The way I look at it is it’s gonna happen, I had my cry earlier and it made me feel better; now I’m going to embrace it as an opportunity to try out something new. How many women get to experience the liberation of not having to wash, style, and groom their hair all the time? And we get the chance to try out some wicked wigs, scarves, hats, and all sorts.
Or maybe it really is just totally sh1t and I’m deluded, dunno.
Thanks sweetie. I’ve just ordered a load of scarves from thats charming, aren’t they good value!
I have got a great wig but think it’s going to be itchy so will only wear it when I go out. I’ve now got 2 buffs and 4 scarves to wear inside.
I suppose the hair loss means the chemo’s working so that has to be good, doesn’t it? Bring it on!!!
Have a great weekend,
Bella x
Good for you Cat! you’re not deluded tho… sounds like you are coping as we all are… don’t we “have to”… the hair bit does scare me… but then again the 1st Chemo did too… but it wasn’t that bad after all… and I do have a Pic in my kitchen sayin “do one thing everyday that scares you”… there you go… I fullfill that with Chemo!
Have ordered 2 buffs also… and have started wearing the crochet floppy beanie out now just to get used to it… still no hair loss day 12.
I will join you in a glass of wine Cat… cheers to the new look! (sod the headache)
Cheers everyone :o)
Lorna x
Glad That’s Charming was a good suggestion, Bella - they’re pretty good. I’m looking forward to my package arriving soon. Lorna, I guess I’m kinda lucky that I’ve been wearing hats most of my adult life so no one is going to notice much of a difference. I trained in millinery at college when I was younger and although I don’t really make them any more, I might well resurrect my blocks and knock up something really outrageous one of these days. Have decided to put my wig on and go out with mates to the Local - a good way of wearing it in public and gaining confidence in it. If I hate it, I’ll have the Hello Kitty buff with me just in case.
Cheers, girls, have a great evening!