Morning all. @idcand49, @angieb1 and @bex1 glad you’re all seem to be coping well so far. Im through my first week and ive been well enough to carry on as normal. Well maybe an extra hour or so in bed. 
. I was at the hospital yesterday meeting a lady about a wig. One of the nurses asked how id been. She did say some people do seem to sail through. 
im prepared for it to get worse but we will see. I did come home with a wig. Pretty much like my hairstyle so lm pleased with that. I do intend to try cold cap again though next time on the 26th. But it feels good to have a plan B. Off up to hospital again this morning to see physio about this cording. Wishing you all well and have the best day you can. 
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Hi @bex1 I currently have my chemo at Sutton. I have also been attending the Maggie’s breast cancer group.
For some background information I am 41 and have ER+ PR+ HER2-
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@debi1 im having a real panic the cold cap wasn’t snug enough
After my 90 min I had an extra 5 min with it off and no ice on my head !
The nurse and my husband said it was snug but I didn’t really feel cold
In fairness I also didn’t feel my suzi pads uncomfortable so maybe the painkillers I took did their job?
I’m feeling very nauseous but taken meds so hope this helps
Also on last day of steroids and have to say, I never got “the buzz” many talk about. I was expecting to clean windows last night & internet shop but slept like a log!
Guess I should be grateful!
Does anyone know how soon thrush can hit the mouth? The metal taste & icky tongue feeling isn’t making anything feel tempting to eat or drink.
X
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Hi @debi1 Pleased you’re doing ok. I’m feeling ok after my first chemo yesterday just a bit of a headache today. I too have cording so I’ll be interested to see how you get on with physio. I was thinking of asking my breast nurse if I could be referred. I’m still doing the exercises they gave me after my surgery but I’m not sure how much it’s helping.
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@idcand49 I was thinking same as you with cold cap as I was expecting it to be freezing and unbearable but I didn’t find it too bad. She did say my hair was quite thick and that might help with not feeling the coldness as much. They also left mine on for 10 mins after the 90 so my head could start to warm up a bit and the ice wouldn’t stick hair to the cap when they were trying to take it off but it came off fine and there were no ice crystals.
I’m same as you with steroids, she told me I would feel ‘wired’ and might have difficulty sleeping and increase in appetite but so far I’ve just felt normal (apart from feeling really tired yesterday)
Hope the meds help with your nausea.
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Hi Rosa, thank you. I will try and join that group. Would be great to meet others in person.
What day is your chemo? Mine is Thursdays.
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@bex1 mine is next Thursday. I have one more EC to go. How about you? The next group is 7th August. It’s on the first Wednesday every month at Maggie’s in Sutton
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Good afternoon
Thanks for posting your experiences it really helps it to be less scary. I have my first chemo & immunotherapy on the 17th and am hoping I will do as well xx
@bex1 and @rosa1 I am at Sutton too & would like to meet others in person. Think my chemo day will move to Tuesday after the first week xx
Hope you have a good break @bex1!
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@idcand49 . My cap didn’t feel that snug. I could press the top down onto my head so maybe thats huw it works. Try not to worry lovely x
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@angieb1 hi. Physio went well. Didn’t feel that brilliant today but ok to drive to hospital. She couldn’t find it at first it wasn’t that obvious and wasn’t restricted with movement. But i showed her exactly where it hurt. After five mins of her stretching and massaging shed got it sorted. It popped and now gone. Definitely soeak to your nurse. Xxxx
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@debi1 Oh wow. That sounds brilliant. I’ll definitely get in touch with my breast nurse and see if she can get it organised for me.
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Hi @rosa1 i will come to the August meet up.
It’s school holidays for me, so all a bit crazy busy. Which is life on a normal day for me, throw in breast cancer and so many appointments, etc, it’s like I just took a 2nd job,
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It’s the same for me. I’m also pregnant and have a 2 year old. Luckily I’ve been signed off sick otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to cope with the appointments and feeling tired constantly.
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Hi @imogen
Welcome to the forum.
You are definitely not the only person who thinks the waiting is the worst. I’m 6 months post chemo and radiotherapy, surgery 1 year. I was told that breast cancer generally grows quite slowly so a few weeks or months is not a problem. I found a lump in April but didn’t have surgery until July as they found a second tumour in the other breast when having a MRI to size the original tumour. So that was 3 months from lump to first treatment. It was horrible but was assured they wanted to get it right first time so getting the test and results in place was paramount.
For anyone else that HER2+ there is a group called HER2 buddies you might like to join
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@idcand49 I managed 12 weekly Paclitaxel with cold capping and kept most of my hair. Just two small patches above both ears and some shedding. It was recommended to take paracetamol half an hour before cold cap. I personally found it was still uncomfortable for the first 10/15 minutes. For me the best option was distraction. I would download a film or series on my tablet to watch or read my kindle.
Cold cap works but it’s not easy. Great source of info www.cancerhaircare.co.uk Jasmin does the www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk courses and has Videos with Claire Paxman from www.coldcap.com
Ps don’t forget to wear a headband to protect your forehead nd ears from the cold
Best of luck with your treatment.
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Hi @debs52 That’s good to know. After my node clearance 3 weeks ago I’ve suddenly realised I have what I think is cording under my arm. I’d got the flexibility and movement back but there was sometimes a sharp jabby feeling …. I’ll mention it on Weds when I go to my follow up. 
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@naughty_boob thanks for the advice
I took pain meds and made it through the cold cap
I have tons beanies on the ready and just been “paid it forward” a wig
My main gripe is the nausea
The ones they have given me aren’t cutting it tbh
It’s my first cycle so I have noted it but quite annoyed that the one thing I was pretty much promised could be kept at bay hasn’t!
Btw is does anyone know if treatment day is day 1 or does day 1 start the next day (also noting when I start to feel meh) x
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@idcand49 Ring your treatment helpline if the nausea drugs are not working. There are many different types they can swap you to. The idea is to take them an and not have nausea.
I started on metochloperamide and then swapped to Cyclizine. I had odanestron by IV on the day and was given a packet to add in if needed.
I’m not really sure how day 1 etc works, I had a booklet to complete with side effects. You marked you chemo day and then side effects. If you are wondering about when side effects will ease it may be helpful,to look at previous months to see what happens to others on similar plan to you.
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Thanks for this!
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Thrush mouth can usually hit within first week, call your unit and get fluconzole tablets don’t get fobbed off with the drops and then ask for them in your goody bag at each round so you can be prepared to start taking each round hope that helps 
Shi xx
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