Hi dragonfly2,
Thanks so much for responding. I hope you’re feeling okay. My nurse suggested I might be able to get away without one, Ive built it up a bit in my head, I think. After surgery, the one thing I found really hard was not being able to shower properly. My first treatment has been delayed until tomorrow but I did have a chance to talk about it and my guy suggested a portocath so we are going to explore that route. x
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Just had confirmation of my 1st treatment of EC next Wednesday. Going to use the cold cap and already have a Picc Line.
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@dragonfly2 Love the idea of tiara too-the cold cap and a face mask is not the most glam!
Thanks for the tip, ive also ordered a pillowcase and bonnet off amazon.
I have a wig appointment on Friday. 
im well enough to go.
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The thing is we just dont know if we will lose our hair. Everyone is different. Just been told i have to have a blood test 2 days before each treatment- another thing to arrange, amongst still working!
I feel like my brain cant take in anymore information…too much to take in.
Glad I have you to talk to & supporting each other. 
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@letsdothis fingers crossed for friday. The only side effect I’ve had so far is my sleeping is desturbed. I start my injections tomorrow so I’m not looking forward to those xx
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@redsez do your unit not arrange the blood tests. Mine are booked while im having my infusions. I totally get that your brain is full. I have to write everything down. I had hoped to work when i could but my job has to be done in my office at school (finance), with so much flu and nurovirus around this area i been told I’m being signed off for whole treatment xx
@dragonfly2 ha yup broken sleep here too. Glad I went up early to bed.
My injections start tomorrow too. Picc line flushed on Thursday and bloods on Sunday.
But my second cycle will change from monday to Fridays going forward so it will all change again.
@redsez It is overwhelming but we have started, which is the most important thing and we can do this. We are in it together xx
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Hi. Can i ask are you getting paid in full whilst youre signed off?
Good luck with everything x
What is the Picc line like? Wishing you well x
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@redsez i am entitled to so many days full pay and then so many again at half pay (i work part time term time only at an academy school).
The picc line is ok and make treament easier but can get in the way of evwryday life ie showering, clothing and children. I am currently waiting for a date to have this chanedbto a portacath.
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I had my picc line fitted last friday and started chemo on 3rd. Ive been lucky no great discomfort from it. Im used to very quick showers with kids so im in and out pretty quickly and although I have a sleeve to cover it i dont really get it wet.
Had a bath earlier ans kept my arm out and managed.
My picc is in my right arm which was hospital choice. I tend to sleep on my left side or my back so again ive found this tolerable.
My husband has bought me a jumper from porto and bello which has zips on arm and chest and will be really beneficial when on treatment to access the picc.
Hope everyone having a good day, if not tomorrow is a new day xx
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Hello everyone,
I’m home after my first dose. I experienced one wee wobble when I signed the consent forms, but apart from that, I felt alright. I feel an immense sense of relief to tick the first one off. They served a lunch, but I think I’m going to dust off the thermos and start taking in some home made soup. I’ve read that some folks fast before treatment, is anyone doing this? I found something warm in my tum helped to normalise things. I’ve looked at that Porto and Bello website- those jumpers look ace! In the bag: stretchy comfy clothes, slippers and a fluffy blanket, sugar free sweets ( I could taste the Paclitaxel at one point…so these helped), my book and lip balm. Unexpected delight: my neighbour sharing his playlist with everyone and the nurses singing along to 4 Non-Blondes. It was the music of my youth and reminded me that once I’m though this, I’m unapologetically channeling that riot grrrl (well…late 40s woman) again.
Love and light,
x
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thanks for sharingGlad first chemo went ok. I think i was the same, just relieved to begin.
I had read people had said they fast before but i just had a late lunch the day before. A cooked dinner at about 2.30. Cant remember if i had a snack in the evening but i didnt go to bed hungry. My chemo was in the morning and I took with me some oaty bars, beef hula hoops, mints and fruit gums and ginger biscuits. Drank a lot of water during treatment and have been doing so each day since. Tomorrow im day 3 post chemo so see how i am then.
Main side effects are insomnia and a bit constipated but managing so no need for any meds yet🤞
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Hi all
I got diagnosed IDC stage 3 plus DCIS in November and had my 1st EC and cold cap on NYE!
Today I finish 5 days of injections too for white blood cells.
I have found that the brain fog is worst, and aching bones from the injections. My side effects seemed to kick in most after about three days and last for about a week.
I’m triple positive (HER2, eostrogen and progesterone receptors), but not 100% sure of plan as yet, as currently waiting for results from biopsies on both sides following MRI results… 
Original plan was chemo, surgery, radio so assume will be the same…
I cold capped - it wasn’t too bad. Take a paracetamol before and if you can get thru first 15 mins then you will be fine. Be warned if you wear glasses though, I couldn’t put them on so was blind throughout! 
Hot drinks, book, sweets for while you’re there. If you cold cap, take a towel to wrap your hair in afterwards as you’ll be leaving with it wet. If you don’t have a hair band to cover ears and forehead, they can give you a bit of tubi-bandage to use. My place provides the conditioner, but whether cold capping or not try and use sulphate and nitrate free shampoo/conditioner (I’m using simple).
I have a PICC - it went in fine and I’m really glad I have it. Yes it can get in the way occasionally, but I don’t have the best veins and expect over the months all this poison will ruin them even more!
We’ve got this ladies, we won’t always feel that strong, but you know we can do this xx
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Morning lovely ladies.
I had my first chemo on 7th so day 3 for me.
Having EC for first 3 cycles and will have 3 cycles of Docetaxel.
Cold capped which wasn’t too bad. It did give me a headache after a few hours when the paracetamol had worn off but took some more when I got home. I have had a headache since but painkillers keeping it at bay.
I was very dizzy after chemo and came home and went straight to bed. Woke up expecting to feel awful, but actually had a good day 2.
Feeling ok today and put my big girls pants on and did my first injection. Being a little needle phobic it was a tad daunting. But like so much of this journey we surprise ourselves and just get on with it
Had a small nosebleed this morning but understand this is quite common.
All in all I think we are all doing fab and grateful to hear everyone’s experiences and helpful hints
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Morning everyone. Finding it so helpful to hear everyone’s experiences. Thank you. 
Looking forward (
) to getting my first cycle of EC over today.
Soooo nervous.
Hope everyone has an ok day today whatever stage you are at. 
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@indigo2
Good luck today. I know exactly what you mean my ‘excited to get it underway’.
One down is one less to do.
Thinking of you x
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Thankyou for sharing your experiences. Hope all goes well for you.
Brilliant tips. Thankyou- wishing you well.
X
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