January 2025 chemo starters

Oh blimey @jnra well I suppose whatever works for the time being! If you can eat, eat is what I say!!
Although my current diet of chocolate would say otherwise… :laughing:

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Hi @indigo2 my nausea wasn’t too bad, but I did take the tablets occasionally after the first 3/4 days to keep on top of it.

I think those injections have been worst part for me so far, but again if you get painkillers right the aches do go after a day or two.

Ooh, my mouth… can’t remember if I mentioned it before but everybody, get some mouthwash just in case, mine has been dry/sore and fuzzy for days now… x

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Good luck today @leelee1 hope you get the news you want :heart:

@indigo2 how have you been? You seemed to have skipped the nausea which is great. I’m slowly getting there but it’s very slow!!!

I took my first shot yesterday. I do t think I done it right as some liquid came out. Think I was scared to jab it in first :scream:

I keep looking at my hair but it doesn’t kick in for 14-21 days does it. I’m expecting a big shed but I’m going to continue cold capping as it’ll grow back faster…

I’m currently looking at retreats in Thailand. That’ll be my first stop once this is all over :raised_hands:t4::raised_hands:t4::raised_hands:t4:

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I have finished the filgrastim injections on Saturday but the bone pain became worse yesterday, like contractions in my pelvis and pain down my legs. I called the helpline as it was very painful. I have been sleeping well though and my digestion has improved as has the nausea. I am having my anti sickness meds if needed and ginger while I wait for anti sickness sweets.

I generally feel out of it. I will talk to the oncologist about reducing my dose of steroids on the first three days of each treatment as this gave me palpitations and a red face. I also don’t think it did much for the nausea.

I’m not sure how people manage to work through this but as I have a patient facing role it would be difficult for me in any case. I am however hoping things settle down this week and before my next round.

All aspects of this need to be endured really including the mastectomy I have to have this year. Just hoping survive it all.

Pickle

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Hi @pickle I work for the nhs and my gp signed me off from December until today… I’m not in the right head space just get to try working again I don’t think, but also have an occy health appointment looming so fingers crossed for sick note extension and positive appointment.
As if we don’t all have enough on our minds…!

How are you doing?

Good luck with your appt and I hope you can get this worry off your mind.

My Surgeon gave me a lack of fitness to work form for 10 months to cover the duration of treatments without me even asking. My manager and team have been great and I am on full pay then half pay which gives me one less thing to worry about.

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@redsez i am doing ok so far thank you no nausea. Had second chemo yesterday.(just paclitaxel) Im having carboplatin and immunotherapy and paclitaxel every 3 weeks but single paclitaxel weekly.

Do you start treatment this week?

Cold capped again. Tolerable, bit of a headache at the end but going to buy a better quality head band to wear as i wonder if that was the cause.

Ive got a wig on order. I keep saying im assuming hairloss is a given and im doing cold cap and getting a wig for my daughters but honestly ive not prepared myself for hair loss. I think it will effect me worse than i know but will deal with that when the time comes.

Has anyone had bad side effects of paclitaxel?

Bit of a funny tummy this morning but mainly ive had insomnia but with young children im used to it.

My husband is off woth me at the moment but for his benefit I’d like him to work 2-3days a week. He’s also self employed so no paid time off.

Luckily i have a good sickness policy in work so I am paid still but im not the breadwinner. We are also waiting for a critical illness policy to come through. Blummin hope it does! Not sure how long they take.

I was signed off in December for 2 months by gp but decided yesterday i will stay off for all my chemo at least so will ring gp and ask them to extend it.

I hope everyone has a good day today x x

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Keep on eye on your mouth, the fuzziness could also be thrush which will need treating with Nystan. I had thrush twice. Your GP can prescribe it contact your helpline to get it checked.

:smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Hello all … I have had my first chemo (Pembro, Paci and Carbo) last Thursday and powered through the nausea by sleeping a lot. Yesterday I was due my next pre chemo blood test at my local hospital and was anxious to feel better in order to get it done.

Instead I found myself faint and dizzy and clinging to the floor without even the energy to lift my head … long story short a phone call to the chemo helpline suggested Lucozade - husband was dispatched and soon I was drinking like my life depended on it … within 2 minutes I felt life being restored …

I was well enough to attend phlebotomy (although the 45 minute wait in the crowded waiting room didn’t help)

So my little message today is “don’t forget the lucozade!”

This morning I felt well enough to attempt some gentle yoga … but I kept falling over!!! So I just lay on the mat instead :upside_down_face:

Apart from nausea and nosebleeds and lack of balance I count myself very lucky so far.

My second chemo is tomorrow.:muscle:t3:

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Guys!!! I can’t stop eating junk :weary: I’m going to be 20 stone at this rate. Anyone got any advice?

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Just be kind to yourself. During chemo many drugs change the taste of things, so for a few months I would suggest eat what you can. Worry about the weight later.

Also some chemo drugs and steroids can add weight during treatment.

On another group we say cakes don’t have any calories for BC patients!

Take care, you are doing great :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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My 1st day of EC with cold cap. Cold cap was not as bad as I thought it would be. Just see how I feel over the next few days. :heart_eyes:

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I hope to be starting this month, will get date tomorrow from Oncologist.
Diagnosed on 21st December at after having a mammogram. Appointment with surgeon on 3rd January where I found out I had two areas in my milk ducts and 1 in lymph nodes. MRI on 6th January showed calcification in right breast confirmed by a CT later that week. Sample of that area done yesterday….feel like a pin cushion :rofl: Hopefully I join you guys on the January starters page. Keeping notes of what I need to bring with me.
Keep well everyone, we’ve got this :muscle:

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Just a little note to ask how everyone is getting on with having kids at home. Mine have flown the nest but I realise it can’t be easy and sending you hugs and support with all the extra juggling and emotions that you are having to deal with. :hugs::sunflower:

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So, I am definitely joining the January chemo starts. My first EC session is on 31st January. I have been told it will every 3 weeks for 4 sessions then and MRI followed by Docetaxel every 3 weeks for 4 sessions.
Just looking through previous posts to see what tips everyone has. I’m not planning on cold capping.

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Hi @fimac1 what a way to finish/start the year hey!
Don’t know about others, but I found first couple of days ok (other than tired). By day 10 (ish) worst of my side effects were over. It was the brain fog and mouth that hung around longest.
I’ve been pretty much back to normal (whatever that is!!) since the weekend, and ready for session 2 on Tuesday!
Any questions, we’re all here for you :slightly_smiling_face:

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I echo this… I don’t have kids (just my two feline fur babies) but don’t envy of you who have deal with all that side of family things too… I’m in awe of you all x

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@fimac1 Welcome :smiling_face::sunflower:

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Hi @indigo2 i have 2 children at home b12 and g10 who is adhd pda. Strangely my daughter who i thought would find it more difficult is coping remarkably well (she likes structure) my son has started to argue against anything to do with school (could just be his age as his hormones are through the roof - full moustache bless him).

I also had to tell them this week that nanny (my mum and their favorite person in the world) has cancer too. She started her chemo on Wednesday ( not for BC) - both children asked to use a swear word (love them so much).

I also changed my picc line for a portacath this week - first use will be today for bloods. I’m badly bruised and its sill sore at night but I’m glad to get my arm back and it should settle in a few days.

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