I’d cut my hair to a bob pre chemo and sent to little princes trust. I was hospitalised after 1st chemo with infection back in 2017 and my hair started falling out while in there, I just sprayed loads of dry shampoo in it to try and hold it on, I didn’t brush or comb it and as soon as I got home I shaved to a grade one, felt lik taking control and I’d decide how it came out if you know what I mean, tip get your make up on before shaving, I didn’t put make up on and instead of looking like beautiful sinead O’Connor I looked like a Mattel action man 
sending 
Shi xx
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Hi everyone, quick update, I only got 1hr sleep on night of first EC on Thursday, probably from the steroids? last night slept right though, not done that in months, so far no side effects, though I took my steroid this morning and about half hr later hubby said I looked flushed and now my face is hot, so going to check temperature, if all ok then plan on going for a 2hr walk. Keep going ladies, we can do this.
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The red face is probably due to the steroids. It’s happened to me the morning after each of my three rounds. I don’t take any after I leave hospital. Dr said it was probably the steroids. It had died down by lunchtime.
Just be careful you don’t do too much today. It’s surprising how much it zaps your energy.
K x
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When is the best time of the day to take steroids
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Check with your Drs but I’ve been told earlier the better so it doesn’t affect your sleep too.
I have to take them the day before - first thing and again at lunch and then again the next morning.
K x
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Ok thanks. I’m having my first chemo on Tuesday they haven’t given me anything to take the day before
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Yes mines shedding loads after my 2nd EC, it’s obvious to me on my parting line but I think I can clip it over and wear a hair band I’m thinking I’ve had 12 rounds of chemo… I’ve got 2 left, no ones going to really see me so I’m really going to try to not shave it I just think after all this time it would be such a shame. It’s hard to see it happening but it will come back eventually just like my eye lashes have which was difficult to see too.
I went for a walk but it doesn’t really make me feel much better. Nausea is getting better and I’m eating more things than toast! Polos and travel sweets are quite good xx
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Yes I’ve had the 5 day antisickness, I just take it an hour before chemo starts and they give you extra ones through the week. It might constipate you so make sure you’ve got some lactulose or whichever laxatives if you need them xx
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I have to take 3 six hours apart, my last one is around 8pm. this is for 4days, last one tomorow
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I didn’t get any tablets before my first. Think they just gave me lots on the day and probably needed to monitor me. I then get tablets provided on leaving for taking before my next one.
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hi everyone!! I haven’t been on here for ages and I’m actually from the November start group!!
I’ve been reading a few of your messages, and it just reminds me so much of starting all those months ago…… so sorry you find yourself here but actually it’s such a positive, helpful and uplifting group, so it should benefit you a lot being here. It really helped me before and as I started, like I said, I don’t come on here as often now as you do get into the swing of things, and kind of need it less.
Everyone’s journey and side effects etc are so so different…… but I’m 38 and let me tell you chemo is nothing like I anticipated. I literally thought I’d me so ill or in bed all the time, but that’s so far from the truth. I started chemo on the 7th of Nov (before surgery like many of you) I’m HER2 Hormone postive!! I have had 4 Docetoxal then switched to EC for 4 and just had my 3rd of those 2 days ago, so one left then onto the next part of the journey. My tumor was quite big so had to have chemo first, not sure how it’s going as they haven’t said much or scanned me but I’m sure after I’ve finished they will, my breast it looking a lot better as it was pretty red, and it doesn’t hurt anymore.
So my chemo journey (for me) as been relatively easy, I’ve barely had any side affects, no tiredness at all, sleeping normal and in 5 months I’ve only had two little naps. Obviously had to take time off work as I work in retail, so germs wouldn’t be good, so I found that hard at the beginning but soon got use to it. I’m still walking 2hours if just at home, as I don’t drive so I love a good long walk. I’m still going shopping and for days out, I just wear my mask if I’m indoor with a lot of people (which is rare). I’ve never felt sick, and have eaten completely normal diet, even feeling even more hungry (probably due to steriods) hahaha. Sometimes I just want to eat everything especially spicy foods!!
A tiny list of some side effects I’ve experienced, acid reflux that was worse at the beginning, but they gave me medication so all fine now, nails have got ridged, but I keep them short and keep putting almond oil on them, I get hot flushed from time to time but nothing too bad, a hand held fan is a life saver. With the Docetoxal, it gave me a weird mouth for the whole week after the infusion, like slightly dry and I just kept craving chewy sweets or really salty crisps, it is weird thinking back, as it wasn’t nice and did slightly effect my eating habits but then it would go, they said it was normal. I haven’t had that at all on EC, thank god…… it wasn’t nice but very manageable once I knew what foods helped me 
Obviously my hair fell out pretty quickly after the second dose of chemo, I had very thick lovely hair that was just above shoulder length, so my sister cut it into a pixie cut as it got quite matted, but then not long after it just kept coming out, it was very very sore at the beginning too, so bare that in mind. It surprisingly didn’t effect me as much as I thought, I never made a big thing about it or had a head shaving party or anything, I never had to shave it, it just came out when I was washing it. No one has seen me bald, I rarely look myself, I was wearing colourful headscarves at the beginning, but then I brought some wigs from Amazon, pretty cheap and actually amazing!! my exact hair colour and for the money incredible, I wear one everyday now out and about and no one can tell!! Really happy with them!! :)) So, apart from that, nothing about my life has changed much, I’m still me, still shopping, seeing friends and family (usually outside, at parks or for walks etc…… my young nieces and nephew know as my sister told them but we don’t talk about it and they have probably forgotten now because I wear the wigs and look no different!! I am finding fun things to do, doing a lot of crafting and arts and just finding things to stop me from being bored as not being at work effected me the most at the start. My eyelashes are still clinging on but lost some of my eyebrows, and I’m dark haired, so I brought a really good eyebrow pen from H&M of all places and I really really love it!!!
So basically I’d love to be here to help, whenever I pop on, so if anyone has any questions big or small, please contact me in the message part and il try and get back to you.
I wish you all a smooth sailing journey…… keep calm, rested, do as little or as much as your body allows you, most of the time I forget I’m even going through it because that’s how well I feel but I know that’s not everyone…… so if you are able to eat well, please get all the protein and veggies that you can eat, it will really help your energy!! Walking helps your energy too as well as your mind!!! Very occasionally, especially through the winter, just sitting around does make my eyes feel heavy but once I’m out walking, I just feel so much more awake!!
Love to you all <3
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What a lovely post, thank you for sharing! I’ve also been very lucky so far. Difficult as feel guilty in a way when others are struggling. As you say different for everyone. Interested in Docetaxal - I have one more EC then start on that. Onc has said to expect aches and pains. I’ve worked throughout (drive a laptop) and want to continue not to have that affected. I enjoy my work and there’s a lot of interesting stuff happening. Great to hear your experience. Hope your journey and that of others goes well
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Any tips on the Filgristim injections please, i start tomorow 
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Hi cruising, I’m starting on Tuesday. Hope we both have an easier ride on this next stage of the journey x
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Thank you so much for posting this, I’m starting on Tuesday and woke up in a right state this morning, I’m so worried about how I’ll feel. I’m hoping it’s the fear of the unknown. Even though I’ve had my mastectomy I still feel in shock with it all. I want this awful blip in my life to be over and to get to my old life (I know it’ll be different but not have this black cloud hanging over me) x
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On nurse advice - I’m on my second lot of these. I take out of fridge at 6pm. Give myself the jab at 6.40pm. Bed about 1030pm. I’ve not had any issues. First time round I took a paracetamol ‘in case’ but not this time and haven’t needed so far. The only day I had any effect was after the 5th jab last time when had minor aches in morning and day which a single paracetamol took care of and I worked and behaved as completely normal. My nurse says if you get any big bone pain it’s not enough to wake you in the night so I think I’ve just slept through everything.
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Definitely drink loads and walk every day - even slowly, get moving - both things really help
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I just noticed on the info leaflet it says not to do injection unless you’ve been shown how, the chemo nurse only told me to do it in my stomach, Im not worried about doing it, so guessing its ok to go ahead?
I posted an Anthony Nolan video I found of how to do it - it honestly is that simple. They should have shown you what to do /talked you through it? If any concerns give them a ring?
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There’s a little video
Defo check with your team tho!
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