Had my phone consultation and 1st cycle of EC definitely going ahead tomorrow. I thought that I would be relieved but I’m feeling a bit scared. It’s an afternoon slot so I’m going to yoga to keep myself occupied. I’m still a bit confused about drinking 2litres of water - is that during the day or in total before the session? Did anyone take in ice lollies?
Icing is highly effective for preventing neuropathy. So effective in fact that my top rated NCI hospital in the US automatically assumes you will ice and provide you buckets of it for just that purpose unless you specifically tell them you’re not interested. I iced all through my four treatments. It was horrible but I had and still have no neuropathy whatsoever and my nails looked great throughout treatment. Just an FYI.
Pajr1 
the 2l is through the day helps flush things through I sucked ice lollies during fec infusion helped preserve my mouth but didn’t stop thrush mouth that chemo can cause but my team sorted tgat with fluconzole tablets each round in with rest of goody bag you’ll get packed off with do keep eye on your temperature throughout chemo and if your wee burns even without a temperature ring your team, it will probably be uti infection and require antibiotics while on chemo not just a bit of over the counter do it yourself stuff. reminder to July gang have you booked your look good feel better sessions with your local Macmillan’s just reminder if any of you have not been advised about them ??
Shi xx
@Pajr1 I hope it all goes well x
@Shi good to know the 2L are for the whole day not before you go in, I’ll slow down for the next treatment ?
Emvers I drank 2-3l a day during chemo. Your teams will keep eye on liver function during chemo it can take a battering and there has been people have chemo delayed it’s a rollercoaster, just hang on hang onto each other too you will get through do it your own way and we’re all here and do treat yourselves, new top, new lippy whatever don’t let it take your joy, it tries but don’t let it you still yiu, still amazing ??Shi xx
Good luck Pajr1 ?
So pleased the forum is back, I’ve really missed it. Have my second round of EC on Monday, so far feeling okay. Have been using the cold cap but have lost lots of hair aver the last week, just about have enough to cover my head now, I just hope I don’t loss any more. How is everyone doing? X
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Hi all,
I had my second round on 1st August, i think it hit me harder in some ways but ive found it really helpful to jeep a journal of side effects and they seem to mirror what happened the first time. Its sort of reassuring to know. Also i know i felt better after the first week so have that to look forward to!
Ive lost my hair but it seems to be growing back quite fast - fluffy but not sure whether that will go too, i guess it keeps falling out and regrowing!
How is everyone? Also glad to be back on the forum, i couldnt work out where it had gone! X
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Also does anyone know anything about D mannose and chemo? I use it normally if i think i might have cystitis brewing and would be at the moment but dont know if it has any interactions. Ive asked the chemo line but no one seems to have heard of it. Its a fruit sugar and is normally very effective at stoppng cystitis before it happens. I wo t take it till i find out but wish i could!
Nice to see the forum back working, took me a while to get a new password to work, chemobrain wasn’t coping with the technology….
I’m 12 days since second round of TCHP, some side effects were less after docetaxel was tweaked which was good. Have a high heart rate which is exhausting (have checked with oncologist who said it was to be expected with this treatment 
). Now have an annoying nervous twitch in one eye, also a side effect, and neuropathy in hands and feet are still happening. This has to be monitored as can cause permanent problems.
I’m just thinking 2 down, which means closer to the end of this part of treatment.
Today I’m feeling more myself, will head to a nice forested park for a short walk and might just chill in the trees for a bit.
@Emvers I would assume your body is going to struggle to fight infections more than usual and would go with treatment from your gp or what the chemo treatment team suggest rather than risk it getting bad.
Hope everyone is doing ok. XXX
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Hi, how is everyone doing?
The monthly thread has gone a bit quiet so hoping everyone is ok.
I’ve got my third cycle tomorrow of TCHP, not looking forward to it but it will be the halfway point for this part of the therapy.
I managed to get some kind of chemo rash on my scalp the past week or so, sorted out easily enough with betnovate scalp treatment but I do seem to be getting all sorts of side effects😕.
I’m wondering how you are all feeling about going out and mixing with other people? With all the side effects I feel like my immune system has just given up so now I’m worrying🙁
Having said that the sun is out today so I think I will make the most of it and get some fresh air before tomorrow!
Hope your are all well x
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Hi @emsj and everyone. It took me a while to be able to log into this thread again, it kept saying i didnt have permission, that might have put people off!
Im staying away from places with too many people as worried about infection and putting off treatment, i just want to get through it. Ive had a couple of people giving me hugs by surprise - I do appreciate the care but makes me worry!
Sorry to hear about your rash, glad youve managed to control it. My scalp has been ok so far but it is weird thinking about it all the time, sun lotion if im going outside and scarves/hats. I’m having the last of my EC treatments on Friday, not looking forward to it but then changing to Docatoxel.
I think going outside and having short walks round the park when i can has really helped me, also Penny Brohn do online courses which I have found so helpful.
I hope everyone is ok x
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Hi @Emevers,
Thanks for the reply, I feel exactly the same as you, just want to get through this with no delays. I also have a disabled son so I can’t actually just go off to the hospital in the middle of the night and leave him by himself which has been stressing me out no end.
I know other people carry on much more normally but I think I’m going to stick to what I’m doing, no busy places etc, it’s not forever. I’ve also had a couple of surprise hugs! I know I can’t avoid everything, especially as my son goes to a day service, but I am going to try and avoid some risks if I can, and I feel a bit better knowing it’s not just me.
I really hope everyone else can get back on line ok, I had some trouble in the beginning too.
I’ve had my 3rd of 6 TCHP so half way through this bit, the next few days will likely be rough but I feel more prepared. Going to take it easy on myself as much as possible and I hope everyone else is doing the same. I have a hypnotherapy tape which is for anxiety which helps a bit. I was eating a teaspoon of honey when my mouth felt like it was getting a bit sore, it worked well but then afterwards I was thinking am I ok eating that as it isn’t pasteurised and there is a very small risk of botulism??? But I did also see some articles saying it could be helpful for sore mouth from chemo??? If anyone knows anything please let me know.
Anyway, I hope everyone is doing ok 
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Hi @emsj,
Tbh at the moment i think you just need to do what you can and what you feel comfortable with. As you say, its not forever and it sounds like youre doing loads and doing really well. I’m staying with my sisters and mum for a bit, i wore a mask in the car with them at first as was so worried about it but have abandoned that now… and that’s my family! But it all feels pretty scary and tiring.
My son works at an after school (and summer)club so gets exposed to everything - you cant avoid everything but I’m happy not to be going out much at the moment and will carry on the same too I think.
Would pasteurised honey do the same thing? It might be worth sticking to that for a bit if theres a risk? I froze some pineapple and sucked it when i had my first treatment but it makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it now, I love pineapple so hope that wont be forever. I’ve switched to eating yoghurt thats not live for now, just in case.
I’m using Headspace and was recommended Insight Timer for relaxation - I find Headspace really useful if I can find a time that my dog isnt sitting and staring at me!
X
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I had trouble getting back in the site, too.
I’m a week out from my 3rd round of TCHP. Whew, halfway but wishing to be done. I mask up a lot, which helps deter people from hugging. Plus I want to stay on schedule!
My hair is a sparse buzz cut, so I usually have on a ball cap. However I am getting “the look” where people know something is up but are hesitant to ask. I’ve decided to give the short version, “chemo for breast cancer,” and they can ask if they want a longer version.
I work for a school, which starts back next week, and I’ve been nervous about what to tell kids who ask. I work with 5-18 year olds, plus all the adults. I’m going to consider it a social experiment to see who asks and how they react. I predict that young kids won’t even notice or comment.
My eyebrows and eyelashes are a bit thinner. But my nails are doing okay. Mostly I am concerned about neuropathy. I’ve been doing acupuncture and have a massage scheduled tomorrow. I’ve been taking L-Glutamine, too, and B complex vitamins. But each cycle is a bit worse.
Hope your 3rd rounds go well!
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@Emevers , that made me laugh about your dog watching you😀.
@Lucy52 , does your hospital offer icing for your feet and hands? Mine doesn’t, I did get some cooling socks which I tried yesterday, they don’t get very cold like an ice bucket would but my feet were cooler which I guess slowed some of the flow of chemo to my feet. Will let you know if I get the same neuropathy. They did already reduce the docetaxel and the neuropathy was slightly less last time but still needs keeping any eye on.
I’m in awe you are going back to work! I feel like a pile of poo until about day 10/11.
I’ve been wearing a beanie, I think some people just think it’s a fashion choice😆 no one has asked so far, kids I imagine are more likely to ask though.
Sending good healing thoughts to you all x
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Morning, how’s everyone doing?
Just had my third EC yesterday (last one of these, yay!)
Didn’t sleep much last night (steroids!) and taking alllllll the anti sickness meds today. Still have plenty of hair thanks to cold capping so very grateful and hoping it stays that way.
Also pleased as I now can’t feel the lump at all (my chemo is pre surgery as HER2+) so hoping that’s a good sign this is all worth it!
Just slightly dreading moving on to docetaxel - has anyone had this yet and how awful is it?
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Hi Vanelliope,
Well done on the completion of your EC, I have my third and final EC on Tuesday and feel like it’s a bit of a milestone reached but also not looking forward to the docetaxel and would be keen to hear how others have got on with it.
Take care
Niki
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Hi all,
I’ve just had my third and final EC, also having docetaxel next time. I’ve been give my steroids to take the day before, wondering what it will be like too!
Emily x
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Same, Tuesday I had mine, really not looking forward to chemo number 4 as when the oncolonist is telling you it will ‘flatten me’ I’m already worried how it will effect me daily.
Not sure how to prepare other than plenty of paracetamol (which I managed to get on prescription now exempt) and complan in case I loose my appetite again.
How are you guys preparing?
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