Hi all hope you are bearing up. I signed the consent forms today.. chemotherapy on Friday. Feel scared but resigned to it all now . I might try the cold cap but I am getting a wig anyway so I don’t have to stress about it if it’s too much for me.
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I had my first of 12 weekly paclitaxol infusions last Tuesday and didn’t want to tell you that I had a really scary reaction. The team sorted me out quickly (then went for a lie down in a darkened room I should think 
) they restarted the infusion slowly and increased the speed at 20 minute intervals and it was fine. I also had carboplatin.
I had no side effects all week and went for my 2nd infusion yesterday and it was fine at a slower flow rate. So far so good 
I had a consultant review yesterday and she’s happy so no need to tweak anything at the moment.
My very fine hair is much finer already and I have a wig that I just need to have the form signed off and collected.
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Glad you are feeling better now , we just need to tick these sessions off and keep positive ( and that’s coming from a severely anxious person 
)
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Hey guys , first Ec done yesterday and I was severely anxious going in , but they made me feel really at ease
Couldn’t believe how quick it was …. An hour or 2 after getting home .. well , I felt like I’d been floored , the nausea was like never before and that was after the meds
Dozed on and off
Up this morning , anti sickness tablet in me and shall see how we go today
How is everyone doing x
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Is it ecd you are having Annacuk ?
I just keep saying to myself the only way is through this. We just have to keep going. Also very anxious here xx
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It’s nice having others on here to talk too as we all know what it’s like to be in this position
I don’t want to keep feeling like I’m stressing my family out- and they have been amazing
I think we know we are all doing what we can
Also going to get myself a digital thermometer for ear etc as my readings were so up and down last night x
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Hey everyone 
Hope you’re all doing OK! I’m still in the waiting period for confirmation of if I need chemo, I was borderline on the PREDICT tool so I think it’s a highly likely! I just had a couple of questions for those that have already started…
How soon after it being confirmed you need it do you actually start? I know all hospitals are different but just to give me a rough idea.
Once you start do you get all of your appointment dates upfront so you can plan around them or just 1 at a time?
I have 2 young children so my biggest priority is planning everything around them!
Lots of love to you all x
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Hey Katie , I was given a week or so to decide as I couldn’t wrap my head around it
It was all meant to be radio and hormone , but due to one pesky lymph with traces it was given as an option
In the end I was still so indecisive, but I knew I needed to throw everything at it to prevent it coming back
Lots of prayers , faith and family support 
All we can do is try our best
They are usually quite good with appointment - though your 2nd session won’t get scheduled until speak to oncologist usually the day before ( well that’s what I’ve been told ) as nurse checks bloods and picc etc to make sure all good to go
so after yesterdays session all I have on my app for appointments is nurse visit x
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Hey @bird25 thats good you had a week to think on it, did you then start chemo straight away after the week to decide?
I was told from the offset most likely lumpectomy and radio along with hormone blockers but potentially chemo dependent on surgery results so I’ve had a couple of months to really process it, I’ve heard a few people had the same experience as you so it must of been a big shock. Its not fair, I know they probably don’t want to bombard you initially but I think in my case it’s helped me process, research and make plans for if I do have to have it.
My PREDICT score came back in the “grey area” so its been sent off for onco type test which should hopefully give some clarity as to whether I will benefit from it. I take lots of inspiration from the ladies on here who have walked this path before me and are now thriving!
How are you feeling? Hope you’re ok 
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Feeling ok at min , still a bit nauseous, injection to take shortly to boost cells so hopefully that won’t be too bad
You will know the right decision for you and your family
I was told it would be a small benefit ,wasn’t going to do it but because I couldn’t make a decision either way , I think that was decision made for me - I needed to at least give it ago
I was thinking more about kids and family in these decisions
Well everyone is different and knows what is right for them
X
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That’s what I was told initially too as scans etc were clear - but when done node biopsy traces were in one of the 5 , when they done clearance the rest were clear
So I had my head set on just the radio and hormones , so head was all over the place when they gave the other option
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I couldn’t agree more-I think without all the shared experiences/wisdom/lived through it on here the experience would have been even more terrifying. As it is the ability to just say I’m scared/is this normal etc here is just incredible. As a dear friend said to me they can never know how this feels to go through & they’re just so sad about it -but we all know here as we face the same challenges & that’s invaluable as we have to get it done so thank you.
My first thermometer was scary in how inaccurate it was-in ear does show how much I go up & down between 36 & 37 but at least seems consistent. Definitely worth getting a good one x
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It’s so true , I felt like iv constantly been crying and in a state of anxiety , and I was thinking ..is this normal or is it just me
But it’s perfectly normal , we are all in this together and we will get through it by doing the best we can
My temp was floating between 35 and 36 last night but I was freezing anyway
And it gradually started to go up to normal
Nurse told me to not check it constantly ( try telling my anxiety that ) just when feel unwell or off
So I’m trying that
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Anyone had any picc pain day after session , can’t see any swelling or anything and it’s not overly painful but just a wee bit x
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So I’m on TC (4 cycles, 3 weekly). It’s absolutely ruined me this week with side effects but hopefully I’m in for a good run until the next cycle now!
Honestly the anxiety is absolutely normal, I’m all over the place with this plus the panic I feel whenever I take my temperature! I think that’s what’s great about here, we all understand! x
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Hello! So in my case I found out I needed chemo on the 29th December when I went to get the results of my second op. I saw the oncologist the day after on the 30th and had blood tests done, was called on the 5th January and told it was starting on the 7th January. I was given the dates for my next cycles when I went in for my first chemo session, but the regular oncologist appointments are being booked in just ahead of each one x
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Indeed…mine hasn’t really settled since it went in but I do have blood clots in that arm so that I think that’s the reason why…my line is ok, not infected or swollen or anything but I’m on blood thinners (that was the fun of round 1 of EC) & it twangs constantly
Hi @anncuk Wow thats really quick! I hope everything moves that quick for me if I have to go down that route. What are the oncologist appointments? Do you have 1 before each cycle?
How are you finding it after your 1st cycle? Hope you’re doing well
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