Just had another thought about PJ’s have you had a look at George at Asda’s adaptive range ? Think they may do cotton PJ’s and might work well for surgery xx
Ex teacher here!
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Could you look for pjs advertised for menopause? They might be pure cotton for staying cool?
Surgery - I had a mastectomy and was in the bed for maybe 3 or 4 hours post surgery. I was a day case so went home quickly.
I’m the same, should have been paclitaxel round 3, but delayed until Wednesday.
Hospital tomorrow for bloods, review with toxicity nurse and heart echo to check mines strong enough to cope with EC. It’s known to have effects on the heart and I have existing stuff going on with mine so need an update to date echo doing.
The hair thing is rubbish. I’m cold capping but it’s like the top of my head didn’t get the memo! I’m not quite at monk hairstyle level but going from very thick hair it’s difficult. It seems to have eased off a bit the last week though. That said, my eyebrows have decided to thin, and I can see where lashes have naturally dropped they’re not being replaced. I bought some lash liner and a brow pencil today.
I’m off work this week for hospital stuff and annual leave, but I’m wondering whether I need some time off properly. Aside if the week ish where I feel tired from chemo, I feel ok pretty much. I was jet washing slabs today! I’m finding my brain isn’t as sharp as it was, I’m tiring more easily and tbh, my heart/head just isn’t in the right place. I’m trying to reconcile being off sick when I’m not really sick all the time. I just a bit below par and not quite on full power for work. Feel really conflicted and that I’d be wasting sick leave too, especially when some days I can cut the grass and do jet washing! How do you know when you need time off?
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@wibbles hopefully your BC nurse and oncologist can help with meds and info to help combat the skin issues involved - so sorry you have having to manage this as well.
I am on Day 4 post second EC chemo round - had a PICC line bleed last night from scab by my incision point coming loose - calls to oncology, and then a district nurse out to redress the PICC line. I had not realised they have a day and night service to support us with issues like this. It was really reassuring. All good as had feared an A&E Bank hols visit which I would not have wanted.
Otherwise with extra indigestion meds I have otherwise managed symptoms well this second time. Let’s hope this continues.
Good luck to those heading for infusions tomorrow - take care all.
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Hi,
I have bought some head coverings from headscarvesbyciara on Etsy. They’re really reasonably priced and are wigs, but attached to hats, so they’re like a half wig. Some of the hats are incredibly soft. I also have skin problems- I’ve bought two turban ones and two baseball cap ones. The baseball caps are more breathable as they allow for more air flow. The turbans are incredibly soft. May be worth a try with these, if you’re worrying about a proper wig. They even do some that are headbands with the hair attached. The delivery is really quick and the lady is lovely xxx
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Also, PJs wise- TK Maxx have an excellent selection- cotton as well as linen. I know it depends on the shop as you have to drop on in there, but you may find something suitable. It’s just not somewhere I’d immediately usually think for PJs, but they had loads in the other day xx
I thought the one silver lining would be that my single, very annoying chin hair would disappear- no such luck- it’s hanging on for dear life 
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Tell me about it! My witchy mole hair on my moles on my face are still there! I swear they got darker and worse. 
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I also bought some nice hats and caps from Etsy 
I’m due in for EC 3 on Weds, sorry to hear so many of you had to have a delay due to hols, but we shall all be in good company. Been for my bloods to GP, definitely a bit more ouchy now so feeling a tad nervous for the cannula tomorrow. Got a mighty bruise last time round. Ho hum. Glad to be getting over the midpoint hump on EC even if the whole chemo business has some time to run. Hair now down to a very short #1 on my head and very sparse. Feeling my way with headscarves, hats and stretchy turbans. Wig been deployed a few times but it does feel so much like dressing up!
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Thank you all, breast care nurse has said I may not need a bra as I am not opting for reconstructive surgery at the end of chemo. Will keep an eye out for any pure cotton ones with seamless cups that do not have latex. Local cancer care centre has a specilist brand fitting service so will ask them if they know of my makes. Will keep an eye out for possible cotton pj tops and tbh I do not care if they do not match well….i will be looking for comfort and ease of dressing above everything else. Roll on when the pj bottoms and anti scratch top arrive.
oncologist winced when I showed them photos of what my skin pulled on me, now on antihistamines full time, will have extra steroids for a week to help damp down my insane atopic tendency and emoillents on top of dermal for washing. Turns out paxitaxel can really amplify any skin issues that lurk. It’s coincidingwith the hay fever season and high tree pollen counts. My body always throws out excema when the tree pollen count is high chemotherapy on top has amplified Ìt.
Oh and some decent anti emetics for the appetite killing nausea and rolling stomach and some mild Imodium to help when dynorod appears. they will see me in three weeks before the next treatment is due to see if the belt and braces approach to side effects help or if they need to try other stuff and if my skin throws another spanner I can call the hospital for help.
Nice bloods team rallied round and located the low tack none latex plasters…so far my skin is behaving unlike the last time with micropore. Hope tomorrow’s cannula plaster behaves too.
thank you to all of you for your encouraging support here, Ìt really helped me to have that kind of conversation with the oncologist.
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I can recommend the videos on headwrapping that Wrapunzel produce. They are instructive, informative and they also have a blog. Their FBcommunity and responses to emails have been very helpful even though they are USA and I am in the UK.
I tend to use their regal wrap and variants of Ìt over a Bold beanie.
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It seems like it will be super Wednesday for a lot of us tomorrow! Hope everyone’s next rounds go well and that Easter has been a chilled break for most.
I had an interesting call with my oncologist today giving her feedback on my side effects after 1st paclitaxel. She has suggested that I don’t have the injection this time to minimise the bone pain as my white blood cell count is generally high! I didn’t even realise it was an option but am going to give it a go and see how it is! I will need an additional blood test to check all is ok but this sounds like a much nicer option if it works out 
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Busy wednesday for us all. Shame we cant all be in the same room, I dont think the nurses would get a word in we would all be nattering away 
Round 3 for me tomorrow. How is everyone feeling about it the day before? I think I’m dreading it less than the first 2 rounds
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Perhaps they could give your injection to me 
as my neutrophils were very low last week; am expecting call on Thursday after tomorrow’s blood test to say I can’t have treatment on Friday 
. I’ve asked for the injections before but got told no. I’ll ask again if I am neutropenic, also for a reduced dose. Sounds to my like you’d be better off without the injection especially if you don’t need it @herts82.
Good luck to everyone who’s having treatment tomorrow 
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Going to try chemo again tomorrow. DH plans to be with me as doing chemo on a mix of grief and trauma responses is not fun. Thankfully the ward sisters are fully aware and have been going the extra mile to help me feel a tad safer.
Debating if I should take my folders up trolley with wheels just so l can cart home all the extra lotions and potions for my poor beleaguered skin. 
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Hope your neutrophils behave themselves and your the right side of the line Sam.
(Youngest DD made the tofu based chocolate mousse with only a hint of sugar for me. It’s palatable when chilled which surprised me as me and chocolate/cocoa are not friends. Thanks for sharing that recipe)
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I had Pegfilgrastim for EC which also put my white count higher than baseline. When I started weekly Paclitaxel they stopped the injections and my neutrophils have dropped to around 2-ish but that’s high ‘enough’. Would recommend trying without the injections if you can because it’s great not having another thing in the mix throwing side effects your way 
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Thanks @wibbles 
. So pleased you enjoyed the tofu mousse! You’ve reminded me I need to make it again 