@leotee13 good luck for today. I’m here now waiting for iron, then first treatment starts in a couple of hours 
xx
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Hi @flojo1
I have what feels like a fairly long chemo plan too (5 months as long as there’s no delays, so EC x 4, every 2 weeks then Paclitaxel x 12 every week)
Have just had my 4th EC.
I too felt a bit of a low when my hair was falling out and was all patchy, it’s such a big part of our identity isn’t it and so visible to the outside world that there’s something wrong with you. I’m now almost bald which is actually better although I am self conscious in public.
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Oh no, what a terrible time youve had. Really hope youre feeling a bit better on it now
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It is thankfully I can’t say I’ve got any bald patches just yet just very thin, hoping I can keep holding off the have but good on you for getting rid of it. How have u found the 4 EC’s? Any tips for me to keep me going for the next 2 rounds 
I hope the next 12 weeks go as smooth as possible for you xxxxx
Thank you. I really am, and I’m actually looking forward (if you know what I mean!) to getting the next cycle underway. My oncologist is reasonably positive that this was a one-off and that things should be much better next time.
I’ve got blood tests on Friday to make sure everything’s OK to start chemo again on the 28th.
@anyakuro my initial chemos proved hellish for various reasons amd the impact of side effects, though I managed to avoid ending up in hospital. I am so sorry to read you have been so ill.
That said my oncologist has taken all my allergic and adverse reactions seriously. They have worked with me to try to come up with a combination of drugs to help manage the side effects, flagged concerns on my hospital health notes so others know it could be a bad reaction and generally picked up and seen me very fast if anything went squiffy. I truly hope you have a similar proactive compassionate and genuinely caring oncologist in your corner.
With the ongoing medical help and support of mine l have gone from being stuck inside four walls and the hospital to being able to then manage to get out for an hour to being able to go out for most of a day (very recent) and even plan for a few days away with their help. ( just ended chemo pre surgery) May your oncologist be able to help you regain some semblance of normality and May your future chemo rounds be a little kinder to you too.
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Thank you @wibbles I’ve not seen the same oncologist twice yet! This morning’s one was reasonably positive that this was a one-off, and that things should be much better next time.
To be honest, there’s a fair mixture of “right, let’s get on with this!!” and a little fear and trepidation that it might all go wrong again.
I suspect that’s probably quite normal after an experience like this.
As I approach the next cycle, I expect I will experience a few nerves, but at least I now know what to look out for, when to ask for help, and that the amazing NHS team here will be there if I need them 
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Hi - well done getting yourself out during that hot weather. My first chemo coincided with the heatwave too and I am not good in hot weather! I had quite extreme fatigue for about 7 days and didn’t really realise how bad it was until I felt better again. My hair is so far staying where it is so I’ll go cold cap again as I really didn’t find it uncomfortable at all. I was thinking of asking if I could bring it home for the hot weather. I at least know what I’m facing with my second round of chemo which is Friday this week. I think my mantra is day by day step by step so hopefully that gets me through. Big girl knickers on everybody, you’ve got this.
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Hi - I haven’t worked out when my plan takes me to but it’s sometime towards the end of the year. I’ve got 4 lots of EC+P every 3 weeks then 12 lots of paclitaxel weekly. I’m one EC down and having the second one this Friday. I’m cold capping and so far so good but I know it’s early days regarding hair. I think I’m more worried about losing my eyebrows! I was fine for the first 4 days after chemo then poleaxed tired and low for 7 days before being back to myself. At least I now know what to expect with future rounds, and once I’ve had this week’s cocktail I’m halfway through the ECs!
Yes u are! Congrats!! that’s a great way of thinking about it actually so im half way through too that has really helped thank you! Its good to keep a diary of how u felt I did the same and wrote ‘sad day’ last month so knew it was coming although didn’t make it easier. My self esteem has taken a massive hit, the girl from March to now look very different and that’s hard 
xxxxx
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Popping in from June starters, I’m exactly the same. Three cycles of EC down now and it’s predictable- chemo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday okay, start sliding down Monday evening. Days 4-6 Tuesday- Thursday are a right off.
I get up to make meals, water my plants and off back to bed, read, sleep and watch crap telly. I’m usually very busy and active, but I’ve stopped fighting it though, as I know I will pop back up starting Friday and next week will be tired with no stamina but will be able to do one or two nice things each day. It feels easier knowing it’s predictable.
Hang on in there, it may not get easier but it will pass and the only way out of this is through.
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Are you the same regime as me? Yes exactly that, u get to know the days don’t you. I messed up a bit really as I asked for my chemo days to be changed from a Friday to a Monday thinking I’ll be at the worst when the boys are at school but now it’s a Monday my worst days will be at a weekend
you’re nearly at the half way point now keep going 
xxxxx
Similar but not exactly the same - 4 cycles of EC every 2 weeks, then 4 cycles of Paclitaxol also every two weeks.
Had surgery in May, the lymph nodes biopsy showed the lodger had decided to go on its travels to a few of my lymph nodes. So dose dense chemo first, then surgery to clear lymph nodes, before radiotherapy etc. The length of time the treatment is going to take is a lot to get your head around isn’t it?
More power to you, that you are looking after your boys too - that’s next level. it’s just me and the other half, three cats and a dog and that can feel like a lot. Thats tough about weekends, could they shift you?
It’s helping me to see my poor body as a good friend who’s had some bad stuff happen to them that wasn’t her fault. She’s doing her best to heal, I just need to be kind to her. It has stopped me feeling like my body is my enemy. Xx
Aah okay u don’t get an awful lot of recovery time do u but just enough! Yes it’s alot but I keep ticking them off as we go lots of people say the weeks come round quick so hoping that’s the case. Are u cold capping?
I know 2 very energic boys at that
I’ve also had surgery no escapees so my treatment is preventative xxxx
This is an amazing way to look at it!! I am going to steal your philosophy if you don’t mind.
I have also named my Port, and telling people she’s an angel who is going to help (helps me come to terms with the soreness and the fact it’s not that nice to look at), and I have called my tumor Tony Baddingham - he’s tried to take over a territory that doesn’t belong to him but his mistakes will catch up with him. I am seeing chemo as cancelling one of his TV shows and eventually his whole network will be destroyed!
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@sisters_of_percy steal away. It has really helped me come to peace with myself - I wouldn’t be shit to a mate going through this.
Oh my god ‘Tony Baddingham’ is absolutely genius. Love it!! I’ve been watching Rivals on my good weeks. So good.
I give things names too. We have a life saver portable AC unit in our bedroom - he’s called Coolio Inglaciers. I imagine him as a smooth talking Greek singer who’s here to make us all feel loved.
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Not cold capping, my oncologist wasn’t very positive about it working and I have really fine hair - it was easier for me to accept it was going than hope it wouldn’t
. I’ve kind of adjusted, although I’m now the spitting image of my dad! I have got an nhs wig prescription that I’m going to use for something fun.
Energetic boys and summer holidays 
hopefully you can watch them running around the garden from the comfort of a wee chair! X
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Can I just take my hat off to you, looking after your boys whilst dealing with this monster. I can barely look after myself and I’m one of the luckiest people in that I have a husband who is incredible in his care for me. I don’t know how you do it, but look at yourself in the mirror at the end of each day (good or bad) and say “I am a Superstar” because that’s what you and all the other Mums dealing with this s**t are.
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Bless you thank you. They are my biggest blessing, I’m a mum first and foremost before I’m a cancer patient and that keeps me going xxxx
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Hi all,
I hope you dont mind if i have a bit of an offload. Had my 3rd chemo of 16 today and this afternoon ive just felt so low and like it’s such a mountain to climb, and no guarantee that I wont just drop dead at the top anyway.
I was supposed to being going on a big holiday to Canada with my two little kids and husband next week, but that’s of course been cancelled. I feel like i cant plan anything further than a day away because i dont know how i will feel, or what cancer has thrown at me next.
Ah. Sorry. I know you will all understand. It just feels incredibly hard and incredibly scary and I just want to find my old life and walk back in.
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