Hi
Anniej, good news that you are getting better and can start chemo. You will be a few days ahead of me.
Mai7, glad you are getting on ok, will def drink lots of water as would hate bladder problems. Did you not sleep because you were uncomfortable or just wide awake ? If its steriods then I have read somewhere to take them 8am and 12 pm, never after 2pm as you won’t sleep.
Williams500, I have decided not to cold cap and prob won’t wear a wig. I have tried one on and it is just weird although obviously I still have hair but I felt like a drag queen, that’s just me and in no way about anyone else with a wig, it is just not me!
Cold capping - my chemo nurse showed me a cold cap and it was heavy. I struggle with brain freeze from A/C and icecream so much that I end up with a migraine. The chemo nurse said it may add 15 mins only onto treatment as it needs to be on 15 mins before chemo so when they are putting cannula in and then 20-30 mins after when they are taking cannula out, getting next appointment booked ect so not major time.
I did see a lady on a forum and she cold capped and her hair was great on her last chemo. Yes you could see her roots and she said her hair was greasy for a few weeks until it got used to not washing. I just think that I have to wash mine everyday othewise I feel dirty and itchy. When I wake up in the morning I have “bed hair” and it is so messy I wouldn’t want to not do anything with it! I have brought some sleep caps, a few nice scarves, and a few chemo caps, some are plain, some have a bit of bling on them. I think I can manage no hair and after FEC 3 seesion will start to grow back as T x 3 doesn’t make it fall out.
Re sick bucket in car, I always have bags and wipes in the boot as the kids sometimes puke but not often these days.
Heather
Nice to hear you all seem to be coping well. I’m starting to freak out a little now as Wednesday is approaching. Really worried about losing hair and don’t feel prepared at all x
Hi Katie11, don’t worry too much about going through chemo, we are doing it together. Some have already started so we can learn from them and be prepared! I was worried about loosing my hair and have gone full circles with thinking about a cold cap. Still not 100% which way I will go until the day. Its the waiting to start which is making me nervous, just wish the NHS had more money and facilities so we could get started sooner!
Heather
Thanks ladies, hope your brother is doing OK Annie x
I haven’t got a wig yet, still waiting for my NHS voucher probably why I’m feeling freaked out. Going to write a list today like sick bucket, dettol wipes and spray and some juice. Anyou other suggestions?
Hope you all have nice day xx
Hi all
Sorry to hear about your brother, must be an upsetting time for you Anniej.
I am taking manuka honey before chemo starts, suppose to be good if you have a sore mouth with chemo but I like it now so have a teaspoon in morning. Also anything with ginger for nausea like ginger biscuits, ginger ale.
I have put aside 2 x 1 litre bottles which I will fill with my daily water requirements so I k now exactly how much I have drunk each day.
Also I am going to try some protein shakes like Weetabix on the go 21g protein, was look1ing at them in Asda and thought it might be good to have something nutritious with calories that I could just drink if mouth is sore.
Heather
Hi, was just having a look through the threads on here, and wanted to offer my thoughts, having been through chemo FEC-T, I finished treatment in Jan.
I didn’t cold cap, as was advised that as FEC is very unforgiving on the hair follicle and the chances are you will loose up to 90%, I was really glad I didn’t as 3 months on, I feel comfortable enough with the inch of hair I now have. IT really grows back very quickly, and I loved not having to worry about having to worry about my hair. This coming from me that had long thick hair, who spent hours straightening and colouring It.
Also don’t use hand sanitiser as your skin will become dry from chemo and the alcohol in the liquids makes it even worse, so a gentle soap, and handbag wipes will be enough. Dont get over worried about germs, which is exactly what I did, just regularly wash them as normal.
Drink as much water as you can, that will help with the fatigue, and get a good alcohol free month wash for the T part of the treatment in particular.
For all you ladies starting treatment, it is not as bad as you think, you will have days where you just feel wiped out, but no more than you would if you had flu. Rest, accept help, and get out on the fresh air when you can, and keep drinking as much water with ice as you can.
Julie
Hi Julie, thank you so much for taking time to comment. It is reassuring to hear from someone who has gone through it recently.
I think we are all nervous but will be fine once we start or get through the first cycle.
Heather
Thanks for your advice Julie. My boyfriend has spent the day making crystallized ginger sweets for me to help with the nausea and have got my peppermint tea and boiled sweets today to take with me! Good luck to everyone starting this week xx
Hi all
I have just read an article in The Daily Mail by a dietician called Jane Clarke. Her website is worth a read for nutrition advice and recipe suggestions. www.nourishbyjaneclarke.com
Heather
Katie11 and BusybeeS - wishing you the best of luck for tomorrow.
Raitchr, thanks for the nutritious link which I’ve bookmarked.
FEC day 6 for me today and I’m feeling good again and planning to work from home. For some bizarre reason I’m craving marmite on toast as soon as I wake up every morning so i’m just going with it!
Hi Mai7, good to hear you are feeling up to working on day 6, I assume you are now over the worst SE?
I have read somewhere that chemo can make you crave salty foods like crisps. Do you have any metallic taste?
A week to go until I start chemo, trying to get a few jobs done at home but also rest too. My friends are taking me out for a meal tonight, to celebrate my surgery recovery and to prepare me for chemo. Also had a lovely weekend with my boys, went out and had fun as I don’t think I will be up to days out during chemo.
Roll on end of August when the poisoning will cease!!
Thanks Mai7. Just done last minute shopping list today and also been to see about a wig 2 day so feeling bit more prepared. Good luck everyone roll on end of August xx
My hay fever is much worse this year and sounds just like what you are experiencing!
Good job we are virtual humans and you can’t avoid us!
Hate wishing the summer away but this year I can’t wait! Trying to tempt my husband into thinking about a week in the sun for Oct half term holiday, will pester him every week that I am at home off work having chemo!!
Onwards and upwards ladies, we can handle this!!
Heather
Thank you Mai7. In a way I’m quite looking forward to the start tmrw. At least then I’ll know how I’ll react to it all instead of second guessing. Good luck everyone x
So today’s the day!!! Start the countdown, good luck busybees too . Keep pestering about the holiday Heather. We are booking a half term holiday too , something to focus on. Hope your feeling better today Mai7 xxx
Hi Hannah
Welcome to our little group!
Heather
Mai7, I take Loratadine for hay fever and general allergies through out the year. Will take a look at internet about metastasis.
H
One down , 11 to go!!! Wasn’t to bad really only took 30 mins to go in. Just home and resting up . How did you get on busybees? Good luck for 2morrow Anniej xx
Glad to hear yours went ok Katie11, hope busybees went well and good luck for tomorrow Anniej x
Hi everyone, thanks for the well wishes. 1st one out the way. It was all ok today, had pre-assess and treatment and was done within 2 1/2 hrs. Came home with a few drugs. Had lunch when I got home and a snooze on the sofa. Just got back from a walk. Apart from feeling a bit ‘out of it’ and having a rumbling tummy I feel fine at the mo. So hopefully they have got the anti sickness drugs spot on. Long may it continue! I didn’t cold cap and have decided against getting a wig. Good luck Annie for tmrw xx