Hello everyone - still getting to grips with the new forum. That’s probably bit of chemo brain fog
How are you all? Thinking of you and hope all is ok.
Quick question. Anyone lost their eyelashes? Mine have gone on the bottom and my eyes are sore!
Thanks for any advice xxx
I’m back !! Hello all!
I had my 3/8 chemo cycle yesterday.
Been wearing a cold cap and amazingly I still have a head of hair! (Lost a lot in my brush but no bald patches yet)
I’ve been using a cannula in my veins. I have good veins but the risk I take (the oncology nurse) told me is the chemo can leak outside the vein. However the pic line also has risks (infection, blood clots). As I can use only one arm (as I had my lymph nodes cleared from the other arm) so I have less veins to choose from. I have one more EC on 1st September and then will switch to Docetaxyl which is intravenous first an hour !! Any tips what to do? Difficult decision whether to go for pic line.
Keep strong all pink ladies. I was very nauseous last night but prayed to god !! Anything to help.
Hello! Good to see your update. You are doing brilliantly. I have a port not a line but I think its good to avoid vein problems. I had a couple of times they used a vein but they are not keen.
Is your family back? Well done on the hair, that is good news. I had the shave today but feeling ok about it. Just too many bald batches and then weird strands of hair. I looked like I’d emerged from a swamp!
Hope the next round goes well on 1st and you can tick that box as done. I’m joining the EC group on 31st and then every three weeks and still dreading it - fear of the unknown. But then I read all these messages and think we can do this 
Lovely to hear from you. What chemo are you on at the moment? Keep strong! Sorry to hear about your hair. Really hope you’re coping.
Yes I will talk to my oncology nurse about the pic line. One of my veins is already weak.
Yes, my family all away till 1st September. But my friends have been AMAZING. One came and cooked for me, ate with me then cleaned up my kitchen last night. So lovely. I’m truly blessed.
I can’t post a “new message” here just reply. Not sure what I’m doing wrong!
Missed you all during site maintenance.
Hello @Vanelliope,
We haven’t talked before but I was on this before site maintenance.
We seem to be on similar treatments. I’ve just completed 3/4 EC. Ivd still got a head of hair as wearing cold cap. However my pillow was full of hairs yesterday and my brush also. I’m dreading washing my hair today.
I also stopped work as I’m a teacher but don’t think I can go back in Sept. I’m starting 4 more cycles of Docetaxyl after EC which will take me up to December. I’ve heard numbness in fingers and feet are common with this drug and dreading that now I’ve got used to the side effects of EC. I’ve signed up for research into that particular side effect.
Luckily I still have energy to walk after the initial nausea and side effects subside. I’ve been on some great walks with friends. I plan to join a choir in sept. I also want to register for breast cancer now “moving forward” when I’ve finished my hospital treatment as I’ve heard from other breast cancer patients that it really helps and is good fun,
Keep going !
Hi @Artylady
How lovely to hear from you.
I still haven’t got used to this forum and missed you all !
I’ve had 3/8 EC and am waiting for one more before I’m switched to docetaxyl for 4 more cycles.
All my family (hub and three kids) went on holiday end of July and return 2nd sept) I’ve been alone but loving it (me time) and my friends have been amazing.
Keep strong.
Hello again!
Similarly to you @Beeza66 I’m just finished with the EC and moving on to start docetaxel (T) next .
The Doctor’s been saying its much tougher and I’m worried about all the horror stories out there so I’m wondering if anyone can share less scary experiences and any tips to help me feel better about this next stage.
I got terrible nausea and vomiting with the EC, and am hoping these next sessions won’t be worse. It starts tomorrow, so please wish me good luck!
Cali 
docetaxol can give you a bit of a slime mouth and also give you botty runs, so get some Imodium in just in case and up your carbs Epsom salt baths helped if you end up with the vice like bone pain that docetaxol can cause but it’s do-able dig deep if any of you who have switched to docetaxol get a reaction to it, don’t panic your teams have seen it all before and will know what to do 
Shi xx
Sending you loads of love for tomorrow and will be sending you positive vibes. You can do this. Hope you check in when you can. Xxx
Hey everyone, hope you are all doing well X I had my first of twelve weekly paclitaxol treatments Thursday. I’m not sure why I’ve been given paclitaxol rather than docletaxol (as lots of others seem to be having docletaxol)? Does anyone know? Side effect wise I have muscle aches, a weird taste in my mouth all the time and I feel a little ‘out of it’. Less nausea than EC which is good. Anyone have any plans for the bank holiday? X
@rachel - my bottom lashes are gone. My eyes water so much and gets sticky mostly the left one. I got some potted eye drops and wash with warm water. The top ones still there - the off eyebrow hair is going and it’s thinning too.
Good news is after 3 EC my tumour has shrunk a bit. Phesgo side effects lasted almost a week. A bit of a reprieve now thankfully waiting for next cycle (29th).
Hope everyone is well and all the best - keep fighting the fight and stay strong x
Lovely to hear from you Cali !
I’m also dreading starting docetaxyl especially as I’m getting used to EC. Have my last EC on 1st Sept and will start Docetacyl two weeks after that but every three weeks for those next 4 docetaxyl.
I’m worried about the nerve damage, numbness and pins and needles in fingers and feet that docetaxyl can cause. Has anyone experienced this ? I’ve signed up for a research study for that side effect.
Hair all over my pyjamas and pillow case today despite cold cap but still have a head of hair unbelievably! So scared to brush or wash it!!
Nails are fine - but think this damage may come later. My oncologist said wear black nail varnish ? No mouth ulcers yet but I’m gargling with coconut and peppermint mouth oil or water and salt,
I’m putting bio oil on my mastectomy and ax clearance wounds which appears to help lighten them (nurse said to massage them)
Big hug to you all!!
Black nail polish has helped preserve nails on docetaxol kept all of mine apart from little tow nails and others have used other nail products too, I’m sure they will be along to tell you what they used the pins and needles will be monitored by your teams during docetaxol but you must tell them if you get this sensation so they are aware and keep close eye on it Shi xx
Toe 
not tow sorry predictive text 
Shi xx
Great news you’ve had the first week. I recall those side effects. Drink lots of water, rest when you need to. Keeping mobile helps with any pins and needles. Xxx
Greetings everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve heard from all the wonderful women on this forum, but I’m happy to see that everyone is making progress and staying strong 
. I completed my final round of EC on August 3rd, marking the end of my chemotherapy journey. Starting from September 4th, I’ll be undergoing radiotherapy and I’ll begin taking Tamoxifen tablets this Thursday. Throughout the EC treatment, I experienced some side effects including severe constipation, increasing fatigue with each cycle, and the hardening of my veins. On the bright side, I managed to retain about 90% of my hair, along with my eyelashes and eyebrows. I used a cold cap and didn’t wash my hair throughout the 10-week treatment period. With a 4-week break before starting radiotherapy, I’ve decided to take advantage of the time and go on a 2-week vacation abroad, which was planned before my diagnosis. It’s heartening to see a glimmer of hope ahead, and I’m looking forward to the day when all of us here can celebrate the conclusion of this challenging journey.
So pleased you are through EC. I start my 4 EC next week. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy every minute. Xxx
Great to hear you have finished your chemotherapy. Enjoy your holiday you deserve it.
Hi @Beeza66
Glad you are doing ok. So nice to hear from everyone on their treatment plan.
Regarding ‘reply’ if you want to reply to a person you click the reply button below their comment. If you want a ‘new message’ you need to scroll to the bottom of the whole thread and click the ‘reply’ button there. Hope this helps.
@Beeza66 this is from the reply button at the bottom. You can see my previous message has your name tagged on the right top of the message and this doesn’t. X