Really fast! These are all such great ideas. It has come round very fast for me as I was initially going to have surgery first and now chemo is first! I have two babies (3 and 1) so I’m very nervous about getting viruses etc.
I have never really worn hats or head coverings before so it’s all a whole new world! Frantically trying to work out what might be good!
Really hope your first cycle goes well.
xxx
Thanks for thinking of me @katie91 appointment Friday afternoon. Preparing to be blinded by the science and stats of my cancer - will have the big girl pants firmly in place. At least we will have an idea of what, and when and how long for to manage my expectation for 2026!
Well good luck for tomorrow!! Yes at least you’ll have a proper plan in place 
Oh wow its hard when the plan changes isn’t it!
I have a 2 and 5 year old who are constantly snivelly but the bugs do seem to be easing now going into the lighter days so I’m hoping we’re over the worst of it I don’t know how I’d of coped during winter as we were constantly poorly!!
No I haven’t ever really worn hats or anything either it’s quite daunting isn’t it. Going to order a couple of cheap ones off amazon and see how I get on. I know there are quite a few wig places that are free near me but I can’t bring myself to go in just yet, maybe when and if the time comes I’ll feel bait better about it!?
Thank you, I’ll keep you posted how the 1st cycle goes xx
Hi Sam, thanks for your message I’ve seen your posts in the Feb thread. You seem like you’re doing absolutely amazing through treatments, any tips that you think have really helped you?
Have you cold capped? Xx
Hi @katie91 I think I may have been too optimistic as I’ve just found out today I’m now neutropenic so no chemo for me this week. High risk of infection etc etc. Bit of a bummer as I was really hoping for no delays.
So not sure any of my tips are any use now 
!
No I haven’t cold capped, my hair is coming out now but it’s taken 3 weeks for it to start.
Get out in the fresh air everyday even if you feel like crap. It does help. Even in the rain!
Try to keep a routine even if you’re feeling rough. Have lots of different things to do to take your mind off it. Not just TV (though it has its place!).
Eat a high protein diet, little and often. Drink, drink, drink - as much water/squash/tea etc as you can - flushes the nastiness out.
Get a decent moisturiser as your skin will go dry and flaky. There are plenty of recommendations elsewhere in these threads (Moogoo, Aveeno, Cerave…).
Poly balm or something similar to protect your nails - otherwise they’re likely to be damaged, go black or even fall off.
Be really careful around people with coughs and colds, your immune system is compromised right from the start even if you’re not neutropenic. Infections are dangerous and will delay treatment as well as making you feel even more lousy.
There’s probably loads more I could add but it’ll just go on and on! Happy to answer anything specific.
Oh and try to keep a positive mindset as much as you can. It’s really tough but it does help 
Sorry about your latest bloods @sam1204 You are on weekly treatment is that right? So like you said before you definitely wont be the first and wont be the last. I’m sure it’s quite common. Just another sign you are human. I’ve always hoped I wasnt haha but apparently my body is very “normal” Rubbish. I was shooting for super human 
Do they give you a week to get back on track and start again? If so its sounds like a great excuse for some super pampering!
Just back from my oncologist appointment.
Looks like my plan is 3x EC chemo in three weekly intervals, followed by 12 week course of weekly Paclitaxel and eventually 2/3 weeks of radiotherapy dependant on their decision about how much armpit to irradiate.
Husband and I have worked out all being well ( ha, ha, ha - what’s the saying about making plans and the Gods laughing?!) I will have finished this active treatment phase just before my birthday at the end of October. Whether I have the energy to party on that day is debatable but it will be celebrated!
Ha ha @joodles yes I had it all worked out when mine would finish so I could go on holiday but here we are and I’m already at least one week delayed cos of my low neutrophils. You can hope but don’t make plans that can’t be changed!! I’m on 12 weekly paclitaxel which was going really well till this. 
they bounce back for next week.
@foxgem yes weekly. So I have a week off, usual blood test next Wednesday, review phone call Thursday to see if my levels have gone back up and if so I can have chemo next Friday. If they haven’t then I have another week of waiting. It’s very annoying! I also can’t have much of a life atm as I’m at super high risk of infection with neutropenia so it’s self pampering only I’m afraid 
. No nice meals out unless someone can organise an empty restaurant for me!
Hi all, i hope you are doing okay? I have my oncology appt next week so i wont be far behind you, dreading it so bad but i know its got to be done! x
@sam1204 definitely “remaining fluid” as have been down the treatment road with my mum a few years ago so have lived experience of the “worrying ECG”, “low bloods” etc etc that delay treatment and then push schedules. No extreme plans or anything that can’t be cancelled. Hope you are able to continue next week.
How have your side effects been from it? The weekly schedule does not leave much room for feeling better inbetween. Xx
@joodles very sensible. My paclitaxel side effects have been almost none existent so far touch wood - no nausea, no fatigue, good appetite, sleep and energy. I realise it might not last the full 12 doses but it’s a good start! Hair loss, bloody nose, dry face, a few headaches and that’s been about it so far
It’s fairly relentless being weekly but it does (in theory if you don’t get delays 
) get it done quickly. I’m also have herceptin every 3 weeks at same time which has made me a bit achy but nothing that’s stopped me getting on with life. Just want to get back at it!
@sam1204 that does sound positive - I also keep telling myself my 12 week stint will be over the summer months too and not in flu season so that’s a small positive!
I’m starting on Friday- 6th! EC first.
Hey @joodles ahh thank you for keeping us posted I’m glad you’ve got your plan now!
Haha I’ve worked out if all goes ahead as it I should be finished chemo by mid June before my birthday in July (but I’m told radiotherapy, apart from the fatigue, is a doddle compared with chemo), let’s hope we can celebrate properly!! Xx
Hey @twink1 your only a few days behind me then! How are you feeling about it xx
From first diagnosis last August, it’s been the bit I’ve dreaded. However, having something worse happen in the family is the best distraction (!) and I m not even sure I have what I need. Warm clothes (canula appropriate for this first session), gloves and socks all clean, must remember to charge earphones and kindle. Ginger teabags bought and litre water bottle rescued from garage and washed. The nurses will wet and condition my hair so I dont have to think of that. I’m coming over as a bit frivolous even to me. What have I forgotten??
I’m starting next Friday 6 March. 4 x TC chemo. No cold capping where I’m going unfortunately. I have gotten compression gloves and socks. Hospital is nearly 2 hours away.
It’s a huge thing to be facing isn’t it nd although a distraction sorry to hear something has happened to a family member
What gloves and socks have you got and what are they for? Just keeping warm? I feel like there’s so many little things to remember isn’t there 
I never even thought about a cannula appropriate top! What kind of top do you have!?
I can’t think of anything you’ve forgot but I know who can help us it’s @foxgem she’s the queen of organisation