Yes I start these on Monday.
Yes Iām doing the injections too. Just waiting to feel somewhat like myself. Hope youāre well xx
Iāve been struggling with constipation since my first chemo. I think the anti nausea medication is causing this. Iāve taken my last dose this morning and also taking lactulose. Iāve increased the dose to 15ml but still struggling. Has anyone else experienced this?
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Just wanted to wish everyone well whoās having their second EC this week, Iām feeling much better now, Iām on day 11 and back at work, very thankful of this good weather, been out walking quite a bit and snoozing when I need to.
Main side effects for me so far are that Iāve constantly got a horrible sour taste in my mouth, my lips are weirdly numb and my gums are sore - Iām trying hard to prevent ulcers. I seem to have a lot of mucus in my throat and nose, and my nose is constantly running! @rosa1 I did have constipation and quite bad heartburn but that has passed now thankfully.
Hairās hanging in there (no cold cap), Iām not brushing it as much and just pinning it up. I think Iāll go for a cut early next week before my second cycle on 30th. Got a couple of caps and wigs now, so Iāll see how I feel about those when I have to.
Thinking of everyone - keep on keeping on! xx
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Glad youāre feeling better and I hope the cold cap works for you. Day 14 (no cold cap) and my hair was coming out fast so I shaved it and felt much better.
Next chemo tomorrow and I hope to go back to work on Tuesday after the bank holiday weekend. Hope we get good weather! X
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Good luck with your chemo. I hope you donāt suffer too many side effects. X
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Hi
Iāve my next chemo on Thursday and starting to feel nervous about it. Probably more nervous than last time as I know what to expect.
Hair wise, Iāve noticed more loose strands than usual but not enough to concern meā¦yet.
@hopefulheart Iāve found certain foods that are acidic, like tomatoes, quite painful to eat so watch out for those!
Canāt help with the constipation question as Iāve gone the other way 
sorry if thatās TMI!
Managed to get a few days away with family this week, which has been nice, but also very emotional for me. I feel like it may be the last bit of normality for some time.
Good luck with the next rounds ladies x
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I think itās inevitable to feel more nervous now we know more about what might happen- Iām the same and Iāve got another week to go.
Agree on the tomato front! 
Iāve cut those out already. I seem to be eating way more carbs than normal as well - guessing thatās the steroid effect.
I feel well enough but my blood pressure is really low (102) which is not normal for me, Iām usually text book 120/80. The nurse who came to flush my line yesterday wasnāt too concerned, he said it might just be how my body is responding to the chemo - Iāll see what the oncologist thinks next week.
Great that you managed to enjoy some family time @tori123 hope it wasnāt too tiring - Iām finding āpeoplingā quite hard at the moment.
Sending positivity to everyone this week xx
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Hi everyone, hope you are all doing ok.
Iāve got my 2nd EC on Friday and had a check in appointment with the nurse today. My bloods are normal and I didnāt have any adverse side effects so sheās happy with everything going ahead as before. I found it was day 11 before I felt back to my normal self again, I feel lucky not to have had any nausea but did have a bit of heartburn which I donāt usual suffer with and my tummy and appetite were definitely not right.
I cold capped and will continue to do that but have noticed definite shedding over the past two days, seems to be mainly my grey hairs so perhaps thatās not so bad 
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Iāve noticed more shedding the last 2 days, Iām going to stick with cold capping as Iāve read that it can settle down. Also trying to focus with whatās on my head not in my hand/on the floor. The hoover will be working over time between me and the dog!
A question about bloods and check ins though. Iāve been told I have to have bloods done the day before chemo and havenāt had any contact with nurses or anyone from the chemo unit since my first one, is that unusual?
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@dragonk good to hear your update 
glad youāve not had too many side effects, hope that continues!
I didnāt cold cap because my hair is super-fine and it seemed to be falling out a lot even before my diagnosis. But itās still there for now, Iāll see how much longer I get. Not shaved my leg hair for a few weeks, just so I can watch it fall out determined to find a positive somewhere!! (sorry if that was too much sharing! )
@tori123 the pre-treatment arrangements for me are; Tuesday bloods, Wednesday see the oncologist to look at my blood results and talk about any side effects etc to make sure Iām good to go, then back Thursday for chemo. Afterwards Iām sent home with a party bag of medication and dressings 
but then apart from seeing the district nurse once a week (they come to my home) to flush the PICC, thatās the only contact I have with the hospital until the next one. I would hope youāll see someone before round 2 but I think different hospitals do different things xx
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Errm, hi, newbie here. Hope you donāt mind me joining. I had a single mastectomy on 17th April following diagnosis of Grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma - two tumours same breast, ER + in March. HER2 was negative on one but borderline on the other. I found out last weds at my final histology appointment that that pesky borderline one is actually HER2 and i also had high grade DCIS so im glad now i chose mastectomy. I am now heading for 4 cycles of TC with 7 Herceptin followed by tamoxifen. I start on 29th May so just slipping into the May starters. Will be trying the cold cap and after pre chemo chat and tour of the 10 chair outpatients ward today and meeting another lady who was using it I felt a bit less anxious. There just so much to take in isnāt there? And prepping the kids (6 and 11) on what might happen is also pretty tricky.
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Welcome to the chat. I hope youāre recovering well from surgery x
@tori123 I have my bloods done on the same day as my second session. I have bloods in the morning then meet my oncologist then have chemo from lunchtime.
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Welcome to the group and the best of luck with your treatment. Iām also a grade 3 IDC with high grade DCIS ER+. It is really such an anxious time especially before the first chemo. Donāt worry youāll be fine. Drink plenty of water not just the day of chemo but a few days before and remember to take paracetamol if you plan to cold cap. Cold capping isnāt too bad, just the first 15 minutes then you should be okay. Just try and get lots of rest after and take it day by day, enjoying the small wins. If you can get help with the kids and home then definitely do, take up any offer of help. I also have young children (12, 9 & 3). I find being truthful and letting the children ask any questions was the best for me and my family. Even my youngest understands that āMama is not feeling wellā and lets me rest and gives me cuddles! If you experience any severe symptoms then ring the hotline and they will help. Wishing you an easy road ahead. Let us know how it goes. Xx
@tori123 ring the hospital looking after you to make sure your scheduled in for bloods a day or two before or else you wonāt be able to have your second round. Explain the situation and Iām sure theyāll let you know whatās going on. My first session was messed up and I contacted the Marsden and they were really helpful scheduling it in properly. How are you feeling? Xx
Iāve been told to book my own blood tests so I know thats ok thanks, had them done yesterday and checked theyād be ready for my next session today. I was just curious as I was told I had to have them done the day before which seems different to others. Also not spoken to my oncologist or anyone else since first chemo, assumed that was normal!
I booked my bloods at the hospital rather than GP as I have thin veins and I thought they do it every day theyāll be better at doing itā¦they used a massive, big fat needle! Ouch! Lesson learnt, GP next time.
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My breast nurse has called to check on me but I wonāt see the oncologist until the day of my second session.
@tori123 yes, Iām recovering well. Thank you. Just over 5 weeks post surgery now. Arm movement almost back to normal after the four lymph nodes were removed. My scar looks much better than they did - I had a post surgery rash from the wound glue but thatās healing up nicely now and my lymph nodes scar, which looks a bit like a dogs bottom, looks less swollen everyday. Have a bra fitting at Nicola Jane in Chichester on Tuesday so I have bras ready for my prothesis clinic appointment. Wore my softie and post surgery bra a few times this week and actually forgot once or twice that I didnāt have a boob. Its not been as hard as I thought to adjust.
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Hi ladies, hope youāre all doing ok, was due my 2nd EC on Tuesday next week, but bloods taken yesterday have shown liver is struggling so treatment has been delayed for a week, which is so disappointingš, as been feeling pretty good.
Hair is shedding quite a bit now, it seems to be quite even across the head, but the way itās going gonna have none left soon.
Take care 
xx
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