had a reasonable week. saw onc on weds and he now wants to see me before every chemo - he didn’t really elaborate why just said it was the norm! I thnk it’s to keep an eye on my blood count now that they’ve established i’m allergic to immune boosting injection, but like pointed out before, not everyone gets that anyway… i think they’re running away with their precious successes and don’t want me to rock their clockwork boat!
hair starting to come away too for me at the base and crown. Sarah - does your hair feel different too? like it’s been over conditioned!? mine’s gone horribly soft and entirely manageable - never happened before - always been a battle of wills - typical now it’s going to fall out! like it’s having the last laugh - evil!
not doing wig/hair thing now as i threw a girly strop when they couldn’t fit me in when i wanted! had the option of having time off work to get it all done, but soooo not in my nature to have time for a bloody hair cut! i’m in denial i know it - will have to snap out of it before i turn into kojak.
take care y’all and have a good one before next week’s horrors envelope us!!
I am adding the details of the Breast Cancer Care ‘Headstrong’ service in case anyone is interested. They give practical tips and information on looking after your hair and scalp before, during and after treatment. You will be able to try on a range of hats, scarves, fringes and hairpieces in a comfortable and private environment. You also have the opportunity to buy selected items of stock. As well as being free, you can attend as many times as you want – and you are welcome to bring a companion along for support.
For more information either click on the link below or contact the helpline on 0808 800 6000.
We have also published a booklet about hair loss containing useful tips and hints which may also be of some help to you, you can read it via the following link:
Thanx for reminder on the hair links Lucy. I’ve got a sore scalp and have developed a nasty twitch from inspecting my shoulders and flicking hair off so I guess it’s only a matter of time.
Typing taking forever as cat is v pleased to see me and is ‘helping’. Take care, all.
a
x
I have just washed hair and still intact so off to get passport photo taken as it runs out soon. No i am not going away i had to cancel my holiday i had already booked this year…
I actually feel sick this morning with fear and got to wait till thursday for treatment
Good luck everyone this week keep in touch.
x juile x
Had a bit of a full-on day today. Started with the ‘wig lady’ and came out pleasantly surprised with a wig that actually looks like my own hair ! My hair is still coming out, but seems to be generally thinning rather than huge clumps (one of the nurses said that my hair seemed to be doing well considering I was on FEC, so fingers crossed that the cold cap is working). I can’t help thinking that if it continues ‘thinning’ at the same rate then I’ll still be bald fairly soon. I’m actually not as bothered about that as I was before.
I then had my PICC line put in. It really wasn’t too bad (the most painful bit was actually the local anaesthetic and that’s only a bit of a sting) and they’ve given me a dressing to keep it covered so I don’t have to keep looking at it. It’s a bit stiff this evening but I guess that’s to be expected.
Next stop was the oncologist, followed by an ultasound and then a Zolodex injection in my stomach. What a day ! I feel quite exhausted now !
Not looking forward to the chemo on Wednesday but now feel much better knowing it all goes in via the PICC line, so no more searching for veins.
Also, I keep thinking that after Wednesday I’ll be a quarter of the way through the chemo.
hi girls
hows it going. ihope the ones that had it this week OK and the ones due in next few days good luck. i am off for blood test tomorrow and chemo Thurs. i must say last week and this i have had lots of energy and feel i am OK. keep in touch. xx Julie xxx
my hair falling out by the bucket load… so had it cut by a hairdresser friend of mine and ordered a wig off the internet. Should be interesting when it arrives! had blood tests today ready for the BIG day on thursday.and then i’ll be third of the way through, i’m having 3 of each not 4 like most of you by the sound of it.
Good luck everyone and speak soon
Been thinking of you all going for round 2 this week. I hope its not too bad. My turn next week. Feeling much better and sleeping OK now. Hair is still pretty intact.
The results of my gene test have arrived but they won’t tell me over the phone. I have to wait until my appointment with the gene consultant next Monday. I am imagining all sorts as if I carry the gene they are suggesting a double mastectomy. Still takes my mind off the chemo next week!
Had 2nd chemo yesterday and all went OK. Having the PICC line in made all the difference. I was completely unaware when the drugs were doing in and no
dreaded needles! I suppose the downside is that I have to live with this tube sticking out of my arm for the next few months but the only real inconvenience is have to get it re-dressed every week and it’s a little difficult washing, but so far I’d definitely say it’s worth it.
The tablets seem to be holding off the nausea so far and they’ve given me extra tablets for the acid reflux. Feel a bit ‘spaced out’ and tired which is to be expected.
One interesting thing - I had an ultrasound on Monday and the gut who did it couldn’t understand that I’d been told my lump is 8cm. He said he could only make out a mass approx. 3cm. He is also a research scientist in ultrasound and did an extra 3D scan on me yesterday and still reckons it’s not as large as originally thought. This could be great news but I’m going to wait for him to speak to the doctors at the breast care centre before getting too excited.
Hi, all! Had my mum visiting to…erm…‘help’ so not been online!
Birthday was Tuesday. Started with a blood test and hair coming out in handfuls. Had a good blub and went to see my trusty hairdresser, who is also experienced with wigs. She worked magic on wig and it looks lovely and shaved my hair off - such a relief as it was looking awful. My ‘hair illusion’ to wear to the stables also came (don’t want wig to get smelly) and I trimmed that a bit with a horse trimming comb and it looks fine. Same as all the other horse ladies with blond pony tails and woolly hats, really.
Chemo Weds was OK. Had a lovely chat with some other ladies so it was quite fun if you managed to forget what was happening. Not feeling as bad as last time, so I guess it must have been nerves but these blimmin’ steroids play merry h*** with my blood sugar and I do need my sleep!
Using hot packs to try to help my veins recover as I have found I am allergic to the lowest-allergy dressing there is so I really, really do not want to have a line put in.
Sarah, I’m crossing everything that your lump really and truly is only 3cm. Keep us posted!
HI
Well we are nearly all a third of way through we are so brave and seem to be a lucky little group with our side effects.
Jayne. i was sorry to here about your hair and how was it Thursday…
Jax good luck in advance for next week you are not far behind us. i hope the results of your gene testing went well. when you know let us know. how do they test for it and what was the reason you were tested. if you dont mind sharing.
Sarah. i am so glad the line was not so bad as you expected i don’t know how i would get on with that permanently in. i did worry this time as they blew a few veins on me… have you been told results yet of the scan i hope and pray it was only 3cms and the person who said it must have been quite sure otherwise shouldn’t have discussed it. do you think they made a mistake or chemo is shrinking it quickly. anyway lets hope its small.
Pinky. shame about your hair i will cry bucket lots if and when happens to me… perhaps the horses can share some of their lovely manes make a pony tail ha ha
Thursday was my d day. the time went quick again the cold cap was cold. are any of you still having it… i haven’t lost my hair i do inspect pillow every morning. i have got this far i almost think it wont happen to me now but i can assure you if it does it will be more of a shock as gone on longer. my wig is in so have to collect it next week. i had trouble getting my vein up. A different nurse this time and i told her where it went last time but she said looks better here and she blew it nice bruise now. lunch box kept me going. not often hubby and i go out for picnic lunch ha ha. i don’t feel as tired this time i sleep restless tossing and turning then i wake thinking i am rubbing hair away help. the worse thing this time is the nausea all the time i also don’t have any taste. last time i couldn’t stop eating this time dont fancy anything. i am not having immunity injections so see how it goes…a lovely day so off to browse a car boot then prob collapse in chair before cooking t.
well have a good week all keep in touch.xx julie xx
had a dreadful time again this time - needed doc to give anti sickness jab twice this time - only stood up yesterday!! felt awful with nausea and actual sickness…
today i’m feeling so exhausted - no sustainable energy at all… is it just me? HELP! Hair still falling out by the handful. After my 48 hour stint in the horizontal position - looked like i’d been sleeping with a grizzly! soooo much hair. Didn’t think i had that much… got a wig but it hurts to put on… shall i just shave off what’s left. will that stop the ‘sore’ feeling?
Oh Jayne - so sorry to hear you are having such a horrible time. I feel that I’m getting off lightly, but then I’m sure it’s going to catch up with the rest of us sooner or later…
Julie - Not heard any more about the scan - will follow up on it later in the week. I don’t think the chemo could have worked that fast - if anything I think it will have been a typo on my notes.
PinkyAnn - so glad the chemo was easier this time.
Jax - the acid reflux tablets have definitely done the trick this time,
A couple of you mentioned concerns about having a line put in. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had no problems with mine so far and it really made the world of difference not having any needles ( but I am such a wimp when it comes to needles and veins !)
Went back to work again today. Felt a little woozy from staring at the computer screen but glad for the distraction.
Hi
Just felt i had to have another say. This time i feel like … i have real sicky problems feel exhausted and very miserable. crying for nothing. my period is due friday so lets hope thats why i am feeling like tihs. Mind you i was hoping t oavoid periods from now on. has anyone else put on weight… i know i am not exercising as much, chance would be a fine thing even bending down i feel sick…have a good day the sun is shinning anyway.xxx
nausea been a big problem this time too for me. Feeling ok now, but every now and then start to feel ‘woozy’ and sometimes breathless for no reason… any ideas anyone? i’ve gone to paranoia hell and assumed it’s heart failure, but i’m sure that can’t be the case!! symptoms are very intermittent. I’d hoped once the body had it’s first hit then it wouldn’t be so surprised next time round…
Funny you should mention that Jayne - I’ve been feeling a bit odd today. Almost like palpitations (spelling ?!) or heart flutter but can’t quite put my finger on it. I thought it might have been due to going back to work a little too soon…
Julie - sending you a massive hug - had a bit of a spell myself today. It just seems like such a long road ahead…but we’ll do it !
yep that’s it… looked up more side affects for FEC and came across anaemia, - ,breathlessness and fatigue, so now overloading on green salads and spinach - just cal me popeye!
i went back to work to stop me overstressing. worked a treat…
Hi girls
Just like to give update.
Feel a little better not so sicky this morning but still head-achy…
re breathlessness. you would laugh i was half way upstairs (normal flight 13 steps) and phone rang. i went into bedroom to answer it and it was my daughter and she said oh my god you sound as if you have just ran the marathon… i thought i was feeling like this as put weight on so it is nice to hear others are the same. That’s what makes this site good. The little personal bits we exchange and put our minds at ease. have a good day. foggy here in bedford. xxx Julie xxx Oh i did have some good news yesterday my daughter is expecting a little girl in august which is gt as she has a little two year old boy.