I have not cried yet - from Mammogram to now…
Felt near to it on Friday when I was being told what was ahead - it was a bit brutal…
But reading some of your posts now - I am choked up…
Thank you, brave Ladies!
Hi, think I’ve coped pretty well with the first chemo session but 5 days in and I’m struggling with a sore mouth. My breath is pretty gross too, no ulcers just feels swollen and a bit peely? Any ideas on what would help?x
Hi, is anyone else feeling a bit crazy? I think it’s the steroids? But I’m not being very nice to my husband :/. I am up and down like a yo yo. One minute I’m chilled the next minute I’m hyper/anxious. I’ve finished steroids today for this cycle now so I guess tomorrow will tell me if it’s the steroids affecting my mood. Hope everyone is ok. Buster1 how are you getting on? Glad you’ve had some treatment for your sore mouth Belle. My throat is a bit sore but the mouthwash seems to help xx
Evening All.
Hope you are all doing OK and coping with the SE’s. Its 12 days since my first treatment and I feel OK, just a bit of tiredness and some headaches lingering on.
Just curious if any other June starter is trying the cold cap or am I the only one?
Julie x
Hi B and everyone else on the thread.
Thanks for all that advice. It’s so much to take in. My life is going to completely change very soon considering how well I feel.
My OH started a new job soon and his works have been so good with him. Letting him take time off for my appointments. One of the staff has offered to let me borrow some head scarves from her as she had breast cancer last year and had finished active treatment which was very kind of her.
Someone I have met at the hospital told me not to worry too much about diet and just eat what and when I want. Even if it’s only small bits during the day rather than 3 main meals. She said concentrate on making changes after treatment has finished but I suppose everyone is different.
I have shown people pictures of my wig and everyone has been so lovely about it. I haven’t had one negative comment which has really boosted my confidence. I keep trying it on as want to make sure I’m wearing it right. I can’t get over the fact that you get it for free as they are so expensive.
This week I’m planning to make soups for the freezer so that I’m prepared for when chemo starts so I will be mostly in the kitchen.
Sending love out to all you lovely ladies.
Sonya xx
Hi all
I’m a newbie! Starting chemo in 4 days - yikes! Diagnosed 8 weeks ago and post op from a double mastectomy and axillary clearance! Recovered really well from that - but anxious about Friday. Finding all the support and tips on here really great, and good luck to all
Rosie
x
Hi Belle.
Thanks for the reply. I found the cold cap ok. Only felt it uncomfortable for the 1st 5 minutes and then it was fine. So far haven’t lost any head hair but early days yet.
Julie x
I tried the cold cap too but didn’t manage to keep it on. Some people have found it ok though. I think they look at your type of chemo plus you height and weight and stuff and have a chart for how long to keep it on. Mine would have been a total of 2 1/2 hours including before and after. Apparently if you take 2 paractamol and 2 ibuprofen about half hour before starting it makes it easier to get through the first painful bit until it goes numb. Make sure you tell your nurse you are going to do that though as some of the pre meds include paracetamol so they will need to adjust your dose. X
Hi Rosie.
I found the cold cap ok as long as you are prepared for 5 minutes of it being very very cold and uncomfortable.
Mine was meant to be 30 minutes before and 90 minutes after. I had it on for 5 1/2 hours in total as the unit was so busy it took a while for my treatment to be completed but I found it fine even if you look a bit funny.
I did take 2 paracetamol about half an hour before as I had read that it helped.
Hope this helps. I have my 2nd treatment on the 22nd June so fingers crossed it’s the same 2nd time round. Let me know how you get on .
Take care. Julie xx
Hi Ladies. I had an appointment with consultant this morning, and now have been told full macetomy on left side and full node clearance after chemo. As there is more cancer in my breast than they originally thought. It’s made me feel scared, anxious and stressed again. And now I feel like the chemo isn’t working, but I know I’ve only had one session, next one is not until 30th June, and I want it now. I have a CT scan on Weds too and am dreading it. Trying to stay positive but feeling stressed which I know isn’t good. Sorry to be all negative today. And it’s my birthday today, my consultant forgot to give me any good news 
:(.
Although it sounds scary, once you have a full mastectomy plus node clearance and chemo you can rest assured that it will all be totally gone and you’ve done everything possible to give you a long and happy future and you won’t always have that niggle in the back of your mind that they may not have caught it all. You’re having surgery anyway so may as well go the whole hog and sleep easy. In a year from now you’ll look back and realise it was all worth it. Xx
You ladies are wonderful!!!
Yes we went into this well, and what a ride it’s been so far…
But most of you must be starting treatment with sore boobs, wounds and swellings …
I had med lump out 24th May (3 weeks) and nodes removed, 2/8 positive. I am having a lot of swelling underarm which makes it so sore - absolutely dreadful over weekend, so 200ml was drained today (10x with small syringe). It’s tender and sore and up a bit already. 2nd time to be drained.
So really you are starting your chemo already feeling rough - a double whammy! I start on the 24th.
On on a lighter note - where do I go to turn my lovely profile picture (with hair, for now) the correct way - I look stupid!
Hi there.
Just having a catch up on the thread. AngeNut you are entitled to a free wig. Try the support centre of your hospital. I start chemo on the 24th like you.
Happy birthday Millasmummy, sorry to hear your bad news. Hope you get to celebrate it in some way.
Glad you are out of hospital Buster.
Hi to everyone else.
I’ve been asked to go for an echocardiogram on Thursday. Is this normal procedure?
Love to you all xx
Hi Sonyacheet,
Echocardiograms are entirely normal when you’re having epirubicin - the E in FEC - although some centres just do ECGs I believe. It’s because one of the rare side effects is heart damage so they like to check our hearts before we start.
B x
Thanks for that Belle.
Xx
Rosie. Give the wig shop another try. I got my wig in March “just in case” as I am using the cold cap. I have lost 50% of my hair but still glad I used the cold cap. I think It will be easier for my hair to regrow if I still have half of it. Anyway with not been able to colour it or wash it often I decided to start wearing my wig on Friday. I did feel like a cancer victim for two days but now I love it o mentioned the wig to a colleague today and he said “what wig I just thought you had your hair cut”. It really isn’t as noticeable to other people as we think it is. O wish I had put it on weeks ago.
Hi all can I join you? Another Rosie! Starting chemo on Tuesday and awake at 3:20am stressing but reading your comments has helped so I may get to sleep at some point lol. Xx
Hi Everyone. I’m nearly a week in after having first chemo treatment, and was just wondering what everyone’s energy levels are like who have started already too. I am still feeling pretty tired, and napping in the daytime. I dropped my daughter off at nursery this morning and had a 45 minute nap when I got back home! I guess I thought my energy levels would be coming back a bit. Hope your all doing ok today xx
Hi Belle, i am also all the above, yes just generally off really. My scalp isn’t tingly as such but a few more hairs are coming out when I comb through my hands than normal. I guess we are just at the first week. I keep wanting to eat as well but like you say have to be careful that I don’t overeat and then feel sick. I’m craving chicken strangely xxx
Hi Belle & Millasmummy, hang on in there it does get better. I am now on day 13th have been feeling more like myself since day 10.We need to listen to our bodies and be kind to ourselves we have been through a lot already it’s no wonder it takes a while. I am trying to pace myself as still get tired and find my concentration is all over the place but that’s manageable.My hair is still there although scalp beginning to hurt like I’ve got a tight ponytail, but as I coldcapped not sure what to expect. Hope you both begin to feel much better soon Bubbles62 x