@welsh-warrior how are you feeling after your first chemo?
Hi @dragonfly2 - thanks for asking.
I feel better than I thought I would but definitely worse than I would like!
Mainly Iām tired and really not up to doing much but I can get out of bed, shower, get myself some food, do the odd useful job before collapsing under blankets on the sofa.
Day one after chemotherapy I felt mildly nauseous all day and that has continued (Iām now day 3 post chemotherapy). But it is not terrible, just background. Iām on less anti sickness medicines now and it is no worse so I assume it is starting to ease.
I felt better on day 2 than today and managed a 4km dog walk but I havenāt gone out the house today and hardly want to move much. However, I think my guts have gone on strike so I have started to take some fybregel to see if that helps. Iām not sure what are just side effects from medication Iām taking to avoid side effects from chemo.
Steroids were probably the cause of me waking every hour and a half through the night on day two. I took an antihistamine sleeping tablet that my GP prescribed last night and I slept until 6.30am so that was much better. Steroids also made me really thirsty but I saw that as a good thing.
Iām trying to drink more than I usually would but have been less good today.
I expect to be in bed by 8.30pm tonight. I think all the cell damage is probably now starting to kick on and I feel tired and a bit down too. Itās the first time that I have thought can I really do this. I know I will though and better days are ahead. Itās tough but doable.
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Evening everyone!
Such wonderful messages in this challenging month for us all x
Starting chemo on 14th Jan, 6 rounds / 3 weeks post a successful lumpectomy and extraction from first lymph node and some vascular spread - so here we go, was a shock as imagined the next step would be 5 days of radiotherapy. Virtually got bingo with pst surgery issues so hoping chemo may be more straight froward! Also going to get the chilled mittens / slippers as slightly concerned with Neuropathy as already get bad pins and needles and mainly concerned with the fatigue.
Randomly a new wig shop is just opening at the end of my road so going for a fitting next week, but more excitingly managed to fast track our wedding from July to next weekend (eek!) so some good things to distract from constant chemo scrolling! Iām in Cheltenham and have signed up to some of the courses at Maggies this month.
Wishing you all the best and so grateful for all the support and references here.
Happy New Year xcx
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@welsh-warrior you can do this. Be kind to yourself and just set small goals for each day.
Iāve decided to move myself and my two children to my parents house for the first few days of treatment. It will help knowing i have someone on hand. My mum found out on Friday that she starts treatment for a different cancer the week after me, so we are tag teaming xx
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Hi Everyone
I started chemo on the third of January ECT 3/3 six weeks apart.
Diagnosis of ER8/8 HER2 low one lymph node involved from biopsy with macromets.
Two failed lumpectomies. Will be having mastectomy after chemo as widespread DCIS in breast.
Still processing everything badly and thinking it is not real,
First chemo was OK but long as I am trying cold capping. Main side effects from chemo so far seem to be tiredness, constipation and a very red and puffy face and itchy scalp. Also feel like my teeth want to fall out. Iām hoping these are the side effects of the meds not the infusions. Managed a 1 hour walk yesterday.
Just trying to keep it all together.
Best wishes to you all x
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Hi all,
I have had my pre-assessment and am scheduled to start my first of 4 cycles of EC on a 3 week schedule followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel.
I know that this group is for January starters, but wondered if anyone else here is doing their treatment at ARI in Aberdeen too?
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Hi everyone, dare I say happy new year to everyone as we all head into the unwelcome, unknown challenge of 2025.
Welcome to the newbies, the more buddies the better! 
After having a little BCN break, Iām trying very hard to change my mindset and strangely feel much less anxious following bloods and unit tour on Friday. Still have a knot in my stomach though which I suspect might live there! Iām sure we all feel the same.
4 x EC fortnightly and 4 x Pac fortnightly for me starting on Thursday.
Best wishes to everyone waiting and thank you to recent starters for the feedback.
@catlady1
Iām starting in the Spey unit in Elgin, but my mum had leukaemia fairly recently and the unit in Aberdeen is fabulous. Very friendly, spacious and organised.
Best of luck with your treatment 
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Hello. Im starting chemo in under 2 weeks.
Had mastectomy & rebuild in October. All scans were clear but nodes & tumour larger than expected. So they want to blast me with chemo, so it doesnt return.
Ive already visited a fabulous wig salon, managed to find a couple which the salon is keeping for me when or if I need them.
Also bought some soft beanie hats. Im preparing for the hair loss, but giving the cold cap a go. Itās going to be tough, I know theyve taken it out, & I dont want it back.
Iām nervous, but am keeping strong. My daughter has just started Uni, so I have to keep working, gotta pay for her accommodation! Lots of pressure. Love to hear from similar ladies!
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@indigo2 happy new year, I start on Friday on the same regime. Iām dreading it but trying to get as prepared as possible. Iāve had some pretty bad hangovers in the past so Iām hoping itās something I can just about deal withš
Iām having my treatment at Chase Farm in north London, luckily itās only a 10 min drive. You have to grateful for the small wins.
@redsez hello, Iām in a similar situation. Had double mastectomy and implants late Oct as I have the palb2 gene. Good job I did as they found so much more in my boob than initially thought. Also in one lymph node so they want to take them all out on right side but having chemo first.
I too have a daughter in uni but sheās living at home. Iāve protected her from this as much as I can but Iām slightly worried how sheāll react as I go through chemo. Itās her last year and I just want her to live her life with no stress.
Iām also working, Iām thinking one week on one week off from home. Work has been an amazing distraction and they have been wonderful and allowed me all the time I need but itās a critical time in my career and I need to stay in the loopā¦ so yes, be good to share experiences.
Iāve also just turned 47 so be good to hear from anyone who is a similar ageā¦and how people are managing with their partners!!!
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Oh for anyone interested, I was sent a great podcast with lots of great advice https://open.spotify.com/show/4pXPnBxEhIDjfMNCgnBTDI?si=dOEMKmCoTtmwt7SDXuvafw
And for those who want to exercise Iām following this page and thinking of signing up https://www.instagram.com/getmebackuk?igsh=MWh5djVpZmh1djF3Mw== I really really donāt want to out weight on. Thatāll be the final straw!!! 
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Hi @indigo2 - its been a weird journey so far.
I initially had no lumps but my nipple lay flat & I knew. You do donāt you. It was incredibly surreal listening to the doc telling me I had breast cancer.
They took 27 nodes out. Yep that shocked me. Im worried incase it returns to my other boob im going to discuss the possibility of removing that, but I donāt think its up for discussion yet.
Im also worried about losing part of my salary, I work on commission which pays towards my daughterās uni bills, but I will get docked pay
Makes me sad, maybe after this, I will contemplate my future, we are going to have lots to think about.
I took my daughter to tge wig salon, including her was an important step. Maybe you could suggest that too, include her & make her realise her contributions & comments matter. I am so close to her, she is scared but she is with me on my journey. My husband, well before this happened, I wasnāt very happy & now, its all up in the air. Who knows?
Whenever you want to chat, Iām here.
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Hi @jnra
Iām lucky that my centre is very close by too, takes the worry out of bad weather on the roads. Itās minus 5 up here and have realised that my buffs for my baldy head are just not going to cut it, so having some retail therapy for a bigger choice of cosy ones! Any excuse to spend, have spent quite a lot on this cancer lark up til now 
needs must I suppose.
I have a daughter who has just finished uni and started her first job as a nurse, Iām getting heartfelt rookie advice on video chat daily.
Iām not a stranger to the odd hangover either but I suspect this one might be on another level and sadly not be cured by a rescue glass of orange Beroccaā¦ if only!
However, on the positive side we are all in this together and itās so lovely to have support on here.
Best wishes for Friday and to everyone ploughing through.
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Hello everyone,
Iām starting chemotherapy tomorrow. Iām due to have 16 over 5 months. Iām definitely finding the lack of certainty super challenging. Iām wondering if anyone opted not to have a picc line?
Thank you,
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Bit of a lurker here. Really i only looked at the forum a few nights ago. Buried my head for a few weeks to manage Christmas for the sake of my children. 11, 8 and 4. My 11 year old is really struggling too.
I started chemo and immunotherapy today too at velindre. So glad to have started.
I have tnbc. Having weekly chemo for 12 weeks and then 3 weekly after that. Planning 6 months chemo, mastectomy and then radiotherapy.
Its been an emotional rollercoaster to get here. Really cant imagine what the side effects will be like. Just taking it a day at a time. Glad to have this forum xx
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1st round of chemo done. It wasnāt anywhere near as bad as i thought it would be. Iām cold capping and even that was ok (its like a cold shower on your head) after 20 minutes it feels normal - does make the session longer. Finished at 4 and so far all us normal except peeing red (Iām having EC-T).
My children after dealing with it in their own unique ways. Son 12 - it very loving as always, he has had a good cry and picked himself up saying we can do this mumma. Daughter 10 adhd pda - very vocal at bed time and packs to leave each night (finally asleep at 12 last night). Her school (normal as she is high masking at school) have been great and she was refered to a play therapist charity specifically for children dealing with parents who have cancer. She has loves the sessionās- definitely worth asking if their is anything in your area if you have school age children.
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Starting 17th.
Good luck to us all. We got this ladiesš
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Im glad your first chemo went ok @dragonfly2. Mine did too. The anticipation was far worse. Im feeling fine and feel im waiting for dreaded side effects now.
Im really glad you said about the cold cap feeling normal after a short while. I asked them the staff if mine was on as i didnt find it that cold so guess i was lucky today. I found it very tolerable even though im very likely going to lose my hair but at least i can say i tried. I know its not for everyone but i expected it to be so much worse than it was. See how next week goes!
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Evening all, another tip if anyone hasnāt already done it but I called my doctors and got them to give me Imodium, lansoprazole and difflam mouth wash on repeat prescription. Not sure if they give you this at hospital but thought it best to be safe than sorry 
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@mags3 I have a picc line and started chemo today made it super easy but the line gets in the way on a day to day basis. Ive asked to be refered for a portacath- no dressing changes and far easier to shower/sleep. The med im having have to go through a picc line or portacath xx
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@letsdothis im likely to lose my hair too but as you say its worth a try and i understand can help with hair growth. Its not for everyone - reminded me of when i used to sail a dingy (wetsuit smell and a cold wet head) and capsized haha
I was advised to only use a shampoo without phosphate and not baby shampoo. Good old amazon delivering tomo along with a silk bonnet.
A lady i know wore a tiara to her chemo sessions - great idea but i couldnt pull it off with the cold cap xx
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