@Yasmeink I’ll definitely let you know how I get on with the coverings. I’ve not had any hair loss yet, so it’s difficult to tell, but there seems to be tons of different styles to buy and ways of tying your own that I’m sure there will be something that works and we’ll still look fabulous ?
How is everyone doing?
I had my first round of EC today and so far doing OK - slight headache but I think that might be due to the 4 hours of cold capping. Also using Daniel Field hair products so hoping it will be worthwhile at least!
How soon does the nausea etc kick in for EC? I’m really hoping it isn’t too bad (they have thankfully given me lots of drugs though)
Hi @Vanelliope and everyone
I am starting on EC next Thursday and was going to give the cold capping ago, sounds an interesting concept effectively having an ice pack on your head for 4 hours so not surprised if that alone gives you a headache!
I have decided to get my just below shoulder lenght hair cut in to a short style and my lovely haridressers have said I can come in on Saturday before the salon opens to get it done. I’ve been fairly ok with my emotions but think getting my hair cut may trigger some tears.
After the failure to get a PICC line in me earlier this week I am going back tomorrow to see if they can give it another go. Fingers crossed. I did joke with the nurse that she had given me the big sell on how important a PICC line would be especially with EC and when she couldn’t get it in that they couldn’t back out now!
Hi everyone,
I’m already funding it hard to keep track of all these great threads as my mind is fuzzy! Like others I felt sick and giddy on the first day, I might try to find out what I can do about the sickness for my second cycle. It was fine once I had my big antisickness meds and went to bed. Then 2 days of 2 big steroids which I could feel propping me up, but no sickness. Today just down to 3 times a day smaller anti sickness, will see how I go.
I’m wondering whether I stopped drinking so much water on the first day after my mammoth 2L before chemo? I was told keeping fluids up would help with sickness and I’ve had no problem with water so far. My taste is slightly metallic but I dont mind that, at the moment though i can feel my mouth getting more senstive. Thanks for the toothpaste ideas, I’ll get some in case.
I’ve been enjoying being outside for short walks, fresh air seems to help too.
Good luck with the picc line, I think once it’s in it makes things easier I hope it goes well. I didn’t try cold capping but my hair isn’t great at the best of times! I got my hairdresser to give me a clipper cut and am enjoying not having to worry about it in the wind and rain. I bought some little bamboo hats deresinaheadwear.com/
and some scarves, there’s a video on how to tie various types of scarf here: youtu.be/29pY2bjASlY
I also looked on Instagram for ideas. I hope everyone is doing OK, seeing all the comments is really helping me both for tips and knowing I’m not alone, thank you x
Ps the Headspace app really helped me to get a bit of, well headspace really. They have sleep casts too if you wake up at night and focusing on breathing, I find helpful.
Hi, my first cycle was on 3rd . My hair still OK, it seems to be falling more but think more I’m not brushing it as much . I have been to charity shops specifically cancer research and bought soft cotton headscarves , they had turbans too, but my go to at minute is the wide headbands off amazon. I put it on and tuck my shoulder length bob in to get use to having no hair round my face . I think I’m going to miss my fringe tho. I wear my hair like this shopping and going outso I can see people’s reaction , not sure if anyone else is same but my cancer is removed ,I am cancer free in my body and never looked like I had cancer… but now with chemo the cancer sign will be over my head for people to see
hi guys,
thank for the toothpaste tip @Lucy52 put it on my Amazon order that is getting longer and longer.
@Emvers I’m the same as you head wise, struggling to keep up with the threads but trying to hang on in. The woozy head is mad, hoping I’m turning a corner today, you never know! I think drinking the water is necessary but finding the balance between enough and filling your stomach too much can be tricky.
I bought some different head coverings from Amazon as much cheaper than what was suggested by Macmillan
amazon.co.uk/dp/B071Z7LFPK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TQ46IY8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G5DZ41J?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CV123N3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
the one above is a wide brim hat which will be great in the sun if it comes back out! It’s quite sturdy, but will probably need a thin beanie for underneath so it doesn’t slide off with the lack of hair.
anyone doing the filgrastim? Bone pain?
hope everyone is doing ok xxx
@emsj look I managed to do this ? the hat looks good for the rain too! I’m also doing filgrastim which was a bit if a leap of faith but 2 down and I know I can do them now. No bone pain that I have noticed. I’m concentrating on them putting the good stuff back in which is helping.
I did some charity scarf shopping and practicing before I started chemo, and found a few things I liked. Some stay on on their own, some will need something underneath. I’ve not had fatigue before and have really noticed already I need to sit down after being out for a walk to stop my head spinning. I guess its planning for resting as well as doing things.
So far so good just on the anti sickness and no steroids but def less energy. I’m also really hungry so making the most of it!
X
Hi @emsj ,
Thanks for a the links. I have quite a long possible list going in Amazon, too.
I had my first TCHP July 3rd and felt pretty tired at the doctor on day 9. Day 10, though, I started to perk up, although I was using Immodium, and today (day 11), I feel 90% normal! I actually walked twice as I committed to 2 different people at different times. Oops. So if you are still in the slump, I hope you turn the corner soon, too.
I did have a shot of pegfilgrastim, which probably helped (no bone pain, but I have Claritin, which the nurses swear by). And I still have hair, which is a mental boost. I agree that cancer takes your option of privacy when it takes your hair.
Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!
Speaking of losing hair, I know that many lose eyebrows right at the end of treatment. I watched a video where a woman traced her eyebrows on a plastic transparency sheet. I’m thinking of tracing mine on a part of my bathroom mirror. If I mark the corners of my eyes, I’ll know where to stand to line up the outline and can just pencil my eyebrows back on.
I know you don’t know me, but using eyebrow pencil is WAY outside my skill set. So this might make it easier and less…lopsided. ?
Good idea, I’m just going to embrace the baldness once it happens.
not sure when it will start falling out…not lost any yet and I’m on day 4 of my first chemo cycle.
Ive brought different style hats and caps, scarfs as my face is fat and round and no hat suits my head/face…I think once It starts falling out I’m going to shave it down short then shorter if needed…this is this bit that will upset me the most!
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Glad you are feeling 90% normal @Lucy52 !! I’m all for that, we need some normal days. I will keep my fingers crossed as starting to feel a bit better if not normal. Bone pain finally gone but I will ask about the Claritin as they give me 7 days of filgrastim.
agree with the hair and the privacy. It’s a very weird situation. I did get a voucher for a wig from the nurse on Monday, not sure whether to make an appointment or not yet.
Really hope everyone has a decent weekend xxx
Anyone else struggling with constipation.?
any tips?…im drinking lots and eating prunes!
have you tired senokot? Worked well for me back in 2017, found starting to taking it on day 4, 5 and 6 after infusion for round 2 and 3 of chemo worked well. Didn’t need it with docetaxol, needed Imodium on that. Hope that helps ??
Shi xx
Eyebrow drawing can imagine the nightmares my grandkids will have after I try to do it . The ladies that was in hospital with me (bay 3 babes) keep in touch and go out every so often .
In August we have booked for a workshop through Macmillan for skin care and make up. It’s free you just need to fill in a few details on booking . If you Google Look good feel better. They cover the eyebrows in the workshop. They also do virtual workshops too . This is good for me too as I makes me exit the house, my hair is dropping out this morning , day 14 of session 1 EC . Not clumps yet but at least 5 or 6 strands every time when I touch it.
I’ve woken up feeling a bit better this morning!
Going to have a look for the make up session, I hardly wear any normally but it sounds like fun and I think we all need a bit of fun at the moment.
I was told slippery elm is good for constipation and diahorrea but haven’t tried it yet, tbh it sounded like something I might not be able to stomach when I was feeling queezy but might give it a go if I need to.
Is anyone else really hungry? I was craving meat yesterday and a baked potato - don’t usually eat much meat but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. And cheese. I guess our bodies are busy replenishing all the good cells so need feeding!
I’m waiting for my hair to go, I cut it v short and on the upside it’s quite practical in this rain as I don’t have to dry it. It will be a shock when it goes, I might try wearing a scarf out a bit to get used to it.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone.
Thanks for the tip,
I ate a lot of prunes yesterday and drank a lot and it seems better today, but will get some anyway.
im on day 6 and felt like I was improving yesterday was hoping for a better day today but have got up feeling so much worse, feel very giddy and very tired and shaky…?
Back on track - bloods tomorrow, doc on Tuesday, 1st cycle on Wednesday.
Strange question but are you able to go to the toilet during the session? There’s a lot of water to drink in advance!
Good question! I’m having my first round tomorrow and I was wondering the same thing.
You can walk your IV stand to the bathroom! The ones in my infusion center plug in but also have a battery. I told the nurse up front that I was drinking a lot of water, so she made sure the battery in mine was charging. I was there all day, and I probably went to the restroom 6 or 7 times.
Elastic waistband pants help, especially if you have an IV. I have a port, so at least I can use both hands.
The nurse actually offered to unhook me in between each infusion last time so I could travel without the IV. I agree, it’s hard to drink those fluids before and during if I am thinking about the bathroom.
For mine the nurse had to administer it by hand - she said its just the way the hosp do EC-t, they don’t all do that. It meant I could take my drip to the loo when not administering but not when she was. It was manageable but I won’t be drinking 3 cups of tea on top of the 2L water next time! I do really think the fluids helped though.