Hi all. So today wants loads better than I expected!! Herceptin injection was fine, cold cap was FREEZING and for the first 10 minutes I didn’t know if I would bear it. But put my headphones in and set goals of getting through the next song…did the trick! Managed whole 2 hours!!! After first 15 mins it just felt numb - no pain!
T and C was fine. No reactions.
Just a bit concerned that this is the calm before the side effects storm…but gotta ride that one out I guess!!
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Hi ladies I hope you don’t mind me joining you! I was diagnosed on Dec 28th, I was originally scheduled to have a lumpectomy and axillary node clearance but more pre cancerous cell were found so they’ve opted to do EC-T before my op. My first session is tomorrow 17/01/18.
I had a port cath fitted yesterday and it’s hurting like hell. I can’t get comfortable in bed and paracetamol hasn’t worked.
Has anyone else been in pain after the port cath fitting?
Xxx
Hi Theresa I’m sorry about your diagnosis but welcome to the group.
Sorry I’ve not had a port cath so can’t help with that. I’m having the same chemo drugs as you. Hoping all goes well for you today. Take it easy over the next few days, drink plenty today and tomorrow to flush it all out. And take all the anti sickness meds even if you don’t feel sick. Let us know how you get on x
Hey Theresa47,
No portacath but my Hickman line was really sore for a good 3 or 4 days after insertion. Could lay down or sit up unaided and got some weird heart palps. I did paracetamol and sneaked in a tramadol once.
I found using a V shaped pillow on top of my normal pillows really helpful in bed for the first few days.
It will settle, but call in if the pain is too much. On chemo day it was so easy with my line - no faffing finding veins and no needle pains - defo benefits to standard cannulation.
Sending hugs x
Hi Theresea
I had a portacath fitted last Monday (8th January) . The first couple of days were uncomfortable but not sore. I had my first chemo on the Thursday through the port and what a dream! When they put the port in it took them five attempts to cannulate me to sedate me so imagine how over the moon I was when I realised how quick the bloods and chemo process was through the port. The whole thing took a little over 3 hours and that was my first session. I had the one neck stitch out yesterday and the other 7 are to come out at my next chemo appointment on the 1st February. Where the port is placed is very bruised looking but again it’s not painful. I’ve found getting used to seeing it under the skin and feeling the lump harder to deal with! I’m slowly becoming used to it and moving around in bed more freely.
Like you, I’m also having chemo first pre surgery. I had my first docetaxel on Thursday and I have to say it was a far better experience than I expected! Whilst I haven’t felt like partying, I certainly haven’t been floored. I’ve managed to get out each day even if it’s just to walk my little boy to school. I’ve taken all the drugs the hospital gave me and will continue to do so. I’ve got a bit of a sore mouth today so I’m going to call oncology this morning to see what they advise. All in all it’s been doable.
Good luck and hope the port settles - let us all know how you get on.
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Hi January ladies. Just popping over from the Oct thread keeping an eye and making sure you’re all doing ok.
I can’t offer advice on lines but as I don’t have one it can take 4 attempts to get a cannula in sometimes. Which is a real pain. I have learnt to drink loads the day before chemo and go to app all bundled up in warm clothes and it helps veins to stick out. Last 3 have gone in without too much issue.
Tracy, you can get prescribed difflam mouth wash for sore mouth. I’ve had mouth issues on every cycle. I alternate difflam and corsodyl.
More of the Oct ladies are approaching their last chemo this month. So don’t worry you can definately all get through this just take one step at a time. I have my last chemo on Friday. I’m very much looking forward to it.
Keep smiling xx
Morning ladies , Theresa I had. My Hickman fitted last Thursday , I’m just getting used to it , was very sore and weird heart palps too , feels and looks ok too . Bruising has come out now , still can only lie on my back but getting used to it now , I think all areas work different , I was diagnosed October 6 th , I’ve had my surgery but no chemo till 1 feb , seems to have taken ages to get started . Do I have a heart scan before fec-t ? I haven’t had any appts yet just my pre assessment on the 29 jan ? Wonder if it will be then x
Hey Jamesy46! I think heart scan is fairly standard with herceptin, by I might be wrong. You have been waiting a while for your chemo start Hey! At least you have chance to get used to your line before they start to fiddle with It!! I only had mine in Thursday… chemo yesterday!! Doh 
Fec that’s an a awesome video…
how are you doing now ?
Im feeling so much better today, slept for 12 hours which was amazing.
Working from home today and currently having a break with a cheeky pot of choc ice cream ( helps the mouth)
Got a bouquet from Work today which was lovely…so good to have a better day, every little thing that I can do today but couldn’t yesterday feels so good…x
Thanks Jay , thought they had forgotten me ! One big round of appts isn’t it ,
Rosie glad your feeling better and back home , n
Going to sort Wendy wig Thursday , don’t know if I’ll wear it but going to pick a nice one xx
Hi ladies justa quick One sorry , I got 20+ manukahoney today 500g from Holland and Barrett 48.0o but get another for 1p , bargain xx keep
Me going for a while x
Hi. Today is the first day (day 7) that I feel ‘normal’, hopefully it lasts a while. No hair loss from anywhere yet but I’m guessing it’s still a bit early. Xx
Hey ladies. Day 4, not feeling too bad, other than being really Tired, plus my head is really sore when I comb my hair…using really wide tooth comb very gently - wondering this is a sign of possible hair loss starting, or some other random side effect! Taking so many meds it’s hard to know what’s what!!!
Hi Shocked,
I bought a couple of pre-tied scarves that are attached to a nice head band from bohemia, and a chemo hat with a flower on it from Anna Bandanna when I might just need to bung something on quick! Happy with quality of both. Hoping I won’t need them but always best to be prepped I think x
Ladies I think your superstars ! All of you xx
I fetched my wigs today , I ended up having my free one and I bought another one too , I don’t know how to put photos on here else I would x
I thought I was going to get upset but I didn’t I was quite surprised , line flush tomorrow and hopefully stitches out of my neck x
Got my difflam on prescription today , I’m ready now and getting impatient to start , soonest started soonest ended xx
You fabulous lot x
Hi RosieH
I’m exactly the same as you and the same combination of drugs too! Today is day 7 and I’ve woken up feeling great! I’ve had very similar side effects although I haven’t had diarrhoea I’ve been rather loose and need to go at some unearthly hour of the morning!!! My biggest concern now is that when i went to collect my little boy from school this afternoon he came out full of the cold ?! It’s sods law isn’t it! The day our white blood cells drop is the day he gets a cold!!! My husband has also just arrived back from Hong Kong where he works and he’s got a sore throat ?! I’m thinking of locking them both in a different room!
FEC in hell - I’m so sorry you are still suffering - I really hope they can get you sorted before round 1 ?.
So embarrassed…I went to the Chemist to get some supplies and the lad behind the counter spoke with this crazy husky flu like voice, yours truly jumped back like a freak saying oh no have you got a cold. Oh no he said I have a damaged windpipe this is how I speak!!!
At which point a played the Cancer chemo card saying that I wouldnt normally ask a complete stranger blah blah blah!!
Fec…there is an old forum with pages of advice on T which suggests that its a bit different in the fact the 2nd and 3rd arent as bad as the first. That could however be a bit of a mindset thing and also when you get to the 2nd you are able to manage things as they come a bit better.
Tracey Im trying to think of a solution for poorly babies and low imunity Mums…i suggest maybe for them, gloves gowns and facemasks!!!
Day 5. (TCH)… sore mouth starting. Got cordosyl from hospital as well as something called benzydamine. mainly seems to be effecting my tounge at the mo… everything tastes ick and it’s gone a funny colour…nice. Any of you lovely lot been through this bit yet? Any advice?
Crazytimes that sounds Thrushy, have you got Fluconazole? If not Chemist will have it or the OOH doc can do you a prescription.
I ladies have had the most devastating turn of events???I cant drink ? red wine. I tried a tiny glass tonight and after 2 sips threw it away. It tasted disgusting. What a cruel blow…xx