Today my hair has started shedding and my scalp is v tender. Mainly shedding around the ears. V odd feeling x
Feeling very low today despite some good news. Did MRI on Tuesday and it seems that my tumor shrinked from 4-5cm to only 1,5 after 3 cycles!
my oncologist said itās a very good result.
On the other hand, my one single immunotherapy session caused thyroid inflammation and apparently Iāll have to take hormones for the rest of my life now. How messed up is that?! They will monitor it for a month now to make sure.
At the same time my boyfriend got to the limit apparently and decided to break up after 3 years
he suggested to live together as friends till the end of my treatment so he could support me but Iām not sure I can. This kind of stress is the last thing I need right now⦠Iām very upset and angry but not sure I can handle the treatment on my own
@stafford22 sorry your shredding while cold capping, be interesting to see how much your able to keep and how well it comes back but yes the sensation is weird, mine felt like id had my hair in a pony tail too tight and if the wind blew it the wrong way then it was pretty uncomfortable, I recon Iāve got aprox 20% left, hate it, tried to hide it quickly yesterday from hubby but he said he saw it ![]()
@chita thatās great news on the tumour shrinking, hopefully after monitoring for a month you wont need the hormones fingers crossed for you but so sorry to hear of your breakup, crap timing for sure, I realise its a lot to take in but itās us that ultimately are going though all the horrid treatments, sending you my love, we are all here for you xx
Thank you ![]()
Yeah, I just hope this whole experience makes me stronger or has some other positive side in the end.
When my hair was shedding and the wind blew I was really scared that my hair will fly away with the wind
at least it felt like it could
Sorry youāre having a tough time @chita. The thyroid thing must be so disappointing. Are they stopping the immuno completely then and just monitoring? I really hope you get some good news or recovery but so scary the unpredictable side effects of it all. It really is a powerful treatment but so bad when it attacks other things. Also sorry to hear about your relationship. This stuff really just puts strain on all aspects of our lives doesnāt it. Itās just like a bomb just comes in and blows everything up and life as we know it is completely different now. I hope you have some friends or family close by who you can lean on. Happy to catch up if you wanted to chat and are anywhere near me up north. So glad we have the forums to support each other too. Feels like we are not alone going through this shit. I think we are similar diagnosis and treatment plan but you are a little ahead. Iāve just finished my first cycle doing the 3 treatments with Pembro week 1 and PC week 1,2 and 3. No more paclitaxel for me now though as Iāve had two reactions so looks like theyāll switch it out for nab-paclitaxel for next week but need to check in with the oncologist.
Thank you @wren8 ! They decided to completely stop immunotherapy since it seems that Paclitaxel and Carboplatin are working well for me and they donāt want to add any risks.
This inflammation showed itself only after a month after my first session, I just really hope there will be no more delayed side effectsā¦
I would love to catch up but I actually live very north, in Sweden
I was just looking for an English-speaking forum and this seemed very helpful.
I just want to get out of this treatment healthy, even without a boyfriend. So trying my best to fully focus on myself and my treatment right now.
Good news about the tumour shrinking. ![]()
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So sorry to hear about your boyfriend, this cancer thing either makes relationships stronger or weaker. Iāve read so many chemo threads where relationships have broken down whether that be friends, it happened to me or partners. Iām sure you will be stronger. Take care and look after yourself.
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Hi gang, yesterday I felt good so we went to a holistic fair, I had a Reiki treatment and was surprised I actually cried a few minutes after starting, she said tears were good, meant I was releasing, at first her hands on my shoulder were red hot, she said they felt like they were on fire, just before finishing I noticed they had become quite cool, canāt wait to have another session. We went on to a steam railway exhibition got chatting to a realy nice lady and she asked ācancer?ā (wearing my hat) i said yes so she held my hand kissed it and said Iāll get through this and my hair will grow back, so sweet. Then got treated to lunch, so thankful for my husbands support through this.
Starting the lovely jabs tonight for 7 days (I did win a long hot water bottle yesterday so it will come in handy for the back pain) but this post it just to remind you make the most of the good days and do something enjoyable.
Hi there Iām so glad you made it to the event, and great with the reiki. What a lovely day you had and good you let out a few tears. I hardly used to cry but now itās a daily thing! The weather is glorious. We had a nice day yesterday and went out and about. I start my next cycle of EC on Wednesday, got oncologist appointment tomorrow and blood test. Iām praying theyāll make a few changes as my first cycle was v hard and I could hardly walk x
Hi all. I decided to brave the shave today after a few days of increasing amount of hair coming out when I brushed and washed it. By this morning there were literally clumps.xoming away in my hand. I feel so much better now although Iām not convinced I look great. At least I donāt have to worry about clearing the drains after every shower! Wore my wig out this afternoon and donāt even think my in laws noticed until I told them! Iām not sure how confident Iāll be to wear a bald head out but it feels nice sitting in the garden in the sun just now.
Hope everyone else is doing ok. Seems itās been a tough ride for various reasons. Iāll see the oncologist again on Tuesday before I know if I can go ahead with cycle 2 this week. Iām not convinced the antibiotics have made any difference yet to redness or swelling around mx site.
I was thinking of you earlier as I know youāre a day behind me. Iām the same as you, losing lots of hair in the shower but still got a good covering of hair. Will possibly shave later this week. Your wig sounds a v good match. Iām also pleased with mine. Iāve got my oncologist appt tomorrow and cycle 2 on Wednesday. Iām praying the oncologist will make some changes for cycle 2 as cycle 1 was v hard. I really hope your treatment goes ahead this week x @fubc
Hi Iām due to have chemo (EC) at 830 on Wednesday. When would you eat? Would you eat a good breakfast and then an evening meal? Or will this make me feel sick?
Oh I donāt know. I think Iād have to eat something beforehand but maybe a light breakfast then play it by ear for the rest of the day. Mine is at 11am and for first round I felt fine on the day. Even managed a sandwich during the chemo session.
Thanks for thinking of me. I was due to go for cycle 2 last week but that was delayed. If Iām honest I think they shouldnāt have started the chemo yet as I was only 11 days after my emergency surgery - 6 weeks after first surgery. Will see what oncologist says this week.
I really hope they change your doses and/or meds this time around for you as you should not have felt the way you did. Good luck x
Thank you. Yes it does seem early after your emergency surgery. Let me know how you get on. Xx
I would have something light, mabie some toast, my 2 cycles have been at 11.30 am and 11 am and ive had 50g of porridge at 7.30 am, sarni for lunch and dinner at 6.30pm not felt or been sick so far (oh, I had a sarni during my first cycle too, it was yum lol)
Just checking in with you all.
Iām had my third session on Friday and it affected me more than previous ones in that I slept for most of it. Then I was ok to see people Friday and Saturday but have been shattered today. Iāve got a super dry and bloody nose so just looking that up. Also had a painful tongue this week but they had subsided since chemo on Friday, wonder if it will come back?
Iāve not really lost any hair yet but have got an itchy scalp and my hair feels a bit different.
Today Iāve felt really low, it could be the Easter hols not feeling very much like a holiday! (Iām working anyway but we usually go away and this year itās not looking possible).
Any top tips for getting out of a funk?!
Iāve just been to oncologist and theyāre reducing my next EC by 20% due to the bad side effects I experienced, so fingers crossed itāll be slightly easier.
Hope everyone is ok. X
Hope youāre ok, I would try and go for a walk for a change of scenery, treat yourself to a nice lunch and get lots of protein into you. Iāve also read that multi vitamin drinks are good x
Hi all - done all 3 EC now. Havenāt really commented as still not really had issues to speak of compared to you guys. Sorry to those experiencing problems, shows though itās individual for all of us.
I ate eg curried beans on toast or PBJ toasted with banana and coffee pre each EC. During the session ate pears, sandwich, nuts and crisps. Ate normally all through (see below about constipation!)
After 2nd lot of filgistrim jabs I had a few days achey legs and stairs were a bit hard. Still managed 16k steps on a few days though. Onc nurses told me I should have taken paracetamols (I hadnāt) and to take the 8 a day you can have next time if I need to. Interestingly the aches didnāt start until a few days after Iād finished the 5th jab.
Been a bit constipated after 3rd lot EC so took a laxido on days 5&6 as well as days 1,2,3,4 which havenāt done before . definitely had a change in taste for a few days which affected appetite tho seems to be improving now on day 7 after 3rd cycle. More sensitive to some smells also especially scented candles, toiletries etc
3 lots of Docetaxal next. Bit nervous as expect will be completely different and I know chances of reaction. No point worrying until it happens so just have to wait and see as I canāt change it
Been cold capping as shared previously. I do not enjoy it at all but I can do it. Lost a bit of hair and my parting is now quite wide but havenāt had to cover up or wear a wig yet.
Good luck to all of us as we progress this journey ![]()