I’m ok, bit nervous, but I was diagnosed in October so it feels like it’s been going on forever. I’m just quite bored of all this cancer stuff now!
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@katie91 all ok thanks! Felt more fatigued same day as you but the following day was better. I’ve managed to pick up a cold but it isn’t as bad as I feared so far. I’ve stopped the anti sickness stuff now and haven’t felt nauseous (still eating like never before!)
@foxgem so proud of your hair positivity! I’m expecting mine to start coming out next infusion and I think I’ll struggle!
Xxx
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@2kittens that is a lot to deal with. I can see why you feel that way! I am also stage 3 (pre surgery but seems like 3C). My PET CT picked up something else which is still not conclusive. It’s such a marathon. Hope the echo etc goes ok and if you can start the paclitaxel that at least gets some of it out the way for you xx
That’s very annoying, I’m not sure whereabouts you are but I’m in Manchester, UK and you get given a 24 hour hotline number here that are really good!!
Hope you get your date through soon 
Glad you’re getting on OK too, amazing how different it is in our heads isn’t it!
I’m going to stop the anti sickness today, and see how I get on! Hope you have a lovely/back to normal-ish weekend with your little ones xx
I’m not sure if I’m counting my days right here but 1st chemo was 3rd March…is that day 0? Anyway I think I’m on day 4 (7th March) after 1st EC and I’m feeling normal-ish.
My rough timeline so far has been:
Day 0-1: pretty much OK and getting on with things as normal other than the sleep which was all over the show (wide awake 2-6.30am), think the steroids were running riot the 1st couple of days.
Day 2: felt OK was able to walk, go to playgroup with my 2 year old and pick 5 year old up from school, but then got to 5pm and went for a lie down when my husband got in and the next thing I was being woke at 8.30pm, I must of needed that sleep! Then slept all night too. Just little niggly things like abit of constipation but nothing major.
Day 3: yesterday my energy really dipped and I felt abit foggy/spaced out/just wandering around the house was an effort but I did manage to get them both to school and nursery on time! Then I just vegged on the sofa and by 1/2pm I was feeling much better. Walked for school pick up which helped to clear my head too!
Day 4: it’s still early but I’ve woke up feeling OK today so hopefully it stays like that! Constipation seems to be easing too thank god!!
For those of you starting next week I would say get some nutritious meals in the freezer this weekend, some high protein shakes (Huel back edition are good, thanks @foxgem you’ve got me addicted to them 
), make sure you have time to fully rest but also little walks really, really help too!
We’re all full of a really bad cough too at the minute which isn’t helping my head but hopefully I’ve made it through the worst of the 1st cycle, it’s all been very tolerable and nothing like what I expected it would be. xx
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Thank you so much for your timeline @katie91 it really helps 
I think I was a week or 2 ahead of you when this all started, then my extra surgery has put me behind and I feel bad you have to do it all first (my crazy brain)
The nerves are kicking in. 2 days to go and I woke up with a raging headache, probably hormonal as I eat and drink like a king at the moment trying to be as healthy as possible. It could be nerves/stress. Either way it’s made me panic a little about whats coming. I’ve been getting 10k steps in a day the last week and I am tired but I keep thinking to myself just you wait haha
I also woke up with the hair of a teenage boy Though thankfully all I need to do is throw my head under a shower and its done! I think I’m starting to enjoy the short hair. When else can we try it but now?!
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Oh and the huel drinks I think will be a lifesaver! I really struggle to eat enough protein. Ive got the strawberry and banana ones at the moment. They go down super easy. Every little helps right?
Dont forget Vit C, kiwis and mangos where you can.
The oncology nurse I spoke to said pineapple was really good also and helps with any taste issues. I will chuck a few tins in the cupboard 
I think I might buy some frozen mango and pineapple to whizz up in smoothies 
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I was hoping it would help those going on to their 1st dose of EC, although we’re all different it helped me reading others experiences!
Awww yes I was always just a step behind you, my brain has been like yes I can help you this time and lead the way on this crazy journey we’ve been forced on
Its definitely nowhere near as bad as it was in my head and nowhere near as bad as the agony of waiting for results, honestly you are going to absolutely smash it!
Yes to the vitamins too!! I was really good the 1st few days hitting my protein goals and ALL the vitamins but got a little lazy yesterday and raided the snacks like I’d never been fed I was ravenous!! There was so much fruit but I was that tired I couldn’t even be bother to cut up some watermelon so I went for the lazy option and ate chocolate buttons instead I had a mcdonalds too, I don’t think I’ve had a mcdonalds since before diagnosis and then YUKA came into my life haha! Anyway I’m back on track today!!
But I would say have everything prepared to make it as physically easy as possible like fruit cut up and ready to just take out in a pot or something that’s what I’ll be doing for the next round, especially when the day 3 tiredness hits! I got some pineapple before after I read your message! We eat lots of mango and kiwi too! Good idea about the smoothies.
The one side effect I seem to have is a dry/funny tasting mouth and it makes you feel like you’re really thirsty, like hungover in a hot country haven’t had water in 12 hours thirsty 
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Very strange! Hopefully the pineapple will help 
I love that you had chocolate buttons and maccy ds. I spent all day out today, our town centre had a big event day so I was in crowds of people, I ate fried chicken from a stall living on the edge before I have to be a bit more careful
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Had the dry mouth thing too! Squash is helping mix things up a bit but also things like foxs fruits and other hard boiled sweets can be really helpful to cut through the dryness xxx
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Hiya @katie91 
… yes, there’s a section for TN of which I found quite early on, and several ladies who have been through it all and come out the other side, have been in touch of which has been lovely 
I hope that your friend is continuing to do well, so-to-speak, through her surgery, etc … x
My ‘Phase 2’ is EC and Immunotherapy for 4-months, 3-week cycles so I’ve just got to keep my head focused on the weekly cycles first, ticking them off as I go!
Have a good weekend, Katie … and thanks for your message - Kerry 
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@katie91 @foxgem @jululemon very helpful threads - thank you for helping us manage our expectations. Catching up as sleep is evading me tonight - probably not helped by my achy extraction point from my tooth removal yesterday. My mission to be bald and slightly toothless for 2026 continues! Oncology nurse phone call on Monday, hair chop on Wednesday and first EC chemo on Thursday. I have a 4pm start which seems rather late in the day but I think the oncologist said the chemo suite is very busy atm so we take what we can get. Hopefully it won’t be delayed.
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Hey Kerry! Lovely to hear from you and I’m glad you’ve found some support on the forum.
That’s it, we’re head down focused now aren’t we, get these sessions ticked off!
Same to you xx
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So good to hear how you’re all doing. Tomorrow it’ll be a week from first EC for me.
Eating lots (used anti sickness meds as advised for first 3/4 days but been off since) and drinking lots of water have really helped. Eating way too much chocolate though too - kind people sending brownies etc from work!
Challenge for me has been small hours and night and stopping my brain as I just worry about my prognosis etc!
I’ve still got a cold which I bet will linger - hope I’m all ok for round 2 in a week.
Sending strength to you all xxx
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Hey @jululemon great to hear from you and so glad all is going as well as can be at the minute!
We’re still full of acough/cold bug too and have all been waking each other up coughing our guys up bt hoping it doesn’t linger too much longer! I was surprised my bloods came back OK but I was allowed to have my 1st chemo with this cough.
I’ve had a couple of days this weekend of eating crap, enjoyed every sugary mouthful I’m having an early mothers day today because we’re both working next Sunday and my daughters friend has a party too so I’m prob going to enjoy a few more sugary treats today and then tomorrow which will be day 7 for me get back into the gym for a small weight session and knock the sugar habit (probably until lday 3 of the 2nd round again haha)
Oh it’s rubbish when you wake in the night 
I’ve already had my surgery but I remember that all too well! I woke up between 2-4am most nights and my mind would just go over what ifs, I started middle of the night Colouring an adult Colouring book in to calm my mind or had some podcasts ready to switch on to tune the noise out.
Sending you lots of love xxxxxx
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Hahahaha I love this, look at us going wild eating fried chicken and mcdonalds 
I’ve started my day with a huge bowl of fruit!! Hope you have a lovely Sunday xxx
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I get the odd video come up on my facebook of a cancer nutritionalist and she encourages brownies! Especially homemade. I guess that’s the cocoa that can be good for our bloods.
Its my last day before chemo today and I’m having a big fruit smoothie, a veggie soup, probably a protein drink and then a slow cooker chicken stew.
I don’t know how much all this prep helps but I do believe that our minds play a big part in our recovery. Our resilience, determination and stamina through this depends on how we feel. And not just physically. So do what you need to, do what makes you feel strong and in control 
My power move today will be a big walk in the local woods haha
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Sounds like perfect preparation to me @foxgem . You’ll smash it tomorrow
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