Hi, I start chemo tomorrow and have joined the July thread but there’s no one else in it yet!
For those who are a bit further ahead, do you have any tips for me in terms of what to take with me to my first session? I will be trying cold capping though have just been told by the nurse that it only works for about 1/4 people, so that’s made me wonder if it’s worth the discomfort.
Also how do you see the most recent message in a thread? I seem to keep seeing the oldest message and it takes ages to scroll to the end.
Many thanks!
Hi 
if you press the three pink lines at the top of the screen right hand corner, then you can choose a catagory , for example going through breast cancer treatment, this should then show you the most recent topics …… I think 
I really hope that works. Sorry no one else is in the July monthly thread ye. See if you can find the June one, we are all quite new in there and you might find some good advice. I didn’t cold cap so can’t offer ideas of what to take for that but generally a book or puzzle book, drink, snacks are good. There can sometimes be a bit of waiting about but once you get in the chair the nurses will look after you and it will be over before you know it. What chemo are you having? I’ve just done my 2nd cycle of EC. Best of luck for tomorrow x
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Sorry you’re joining this rubbish club. For cold cap I take a stretchy headband (to protect forehead and ears), some warm squash in a flask, a cardigan. I have a little pot of conditioner but my unit always have some. Some people take paracetamol beforehand to help with headaches.
For me cold capping has worked well. I’m currently sat having my last treatment, and although I’ve lost a lot, most people can’t tell. It’s just thin on top/if I part it. I do have very thick hair and I think that has helped. Good luck!
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Hi
I wrote a long list of things to take to chemo and cold capping in May 2023 threads
You can use the search buttons top right but here is my starter for ten
- take paracetamol hour before starting cold cap ( helps with headaches)
- wear comfy loose clothing, layers that you can off/ on when you feel cold or warm during your session
- take fluffy socks for your feet as you’re stting for a long time and feet go cold any day if the year
- kindle or tablet to read, listen, play films , games etc
- book to read if you don’t like kindle or tablet
- headphones/ buds to listen to music, films etc
- non sulphate hair conditioner ( I used Tropic Hair Feast) as you’re going to wet all your hair and then slather on conditioner to help the cold cap go on and slip off after the freezing
- i used a tena lady stuck on my forehead to stop cold drips from the cold cap ( got some funny looks but it works)
- mints or soft sweets to suck and help breath stay nice
- refillable water bottle - stay hydrated every day!
- lipstick to put on after it was over at the end of the session to help me feel normal and also helped lips stay lovely
- a hat, turban or scarf to put on head when leaving the unit
- pen and note pad ( i kept a journal throughout) to keep notes and names of the team looking after you
- big hoodie to go home in to keep warm ( mate or hubbie drove me there and picked me up)
- snacks if unit don’t offer them…ours did teas, coffee, hot chocolate, water, squash, sandwiches, yoghurt, fresh fruit and the odd donated cake
Good luck x
This is so useful, thank you @Curlywurly1
Tena lady 
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Thank you @filibuster64 - am off to warm up my flask now for some warm squash!
Thank you @twinks77. I’m also having EC but not sure if combined with something else. I’ve been told a couple of sittings which have confused me (still getting used to the acronyms) but I’m sure it will all become clearer today.
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