May 2024 chemo starters

Hi Sophie, welcome! I’ve noticed the April group is very active I imagine it was easy to get left behind there. Glad your new drugs have been easier on you.
Great idea with the steroid buzz, I’ve been dreading the insomnia from those as my mind goes into overdrive at night.
Any recommendations on rubbish tv appreciated! X

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Had my second EC today. Felt more tired so far and nausea was milder. Not looking forward to the insomnia from the steroids. My oncologist said I should get similar effects as last time but I may notice more fatigue. So far no hair loss. Feeling anxious when this will start to shed. I cold capped again today.

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Morning ladies, hope everyone is doing ok :crossed_fingers:t2:just catching up on this thread so just wanted to say I too am a fellow nose dripper @snoop182 and I hope your cannula site has eased for you now.

@nicole3 i just wanted to say I too had terrible brain fog after my first round and can totally empathise about feeling a shell of yourself! I really struggled with that aspect, but speaking to my team afterwards they said because I had such terrible nausea to the point where I was struggling to keep my fluids up that this would contribute towards that feeling. One of the nurses suggested that if it happens again I should try rehydration sachets to replace my electrolytes as this is the most important thing and should hopefully lessen some of that fog.

Hi @tsoph and welcome to the thread :blush: sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to your first round and although I’m sure this round won’t be without those dreaded side effects I’m hoping they won’t be as bad as that :crossed_fingers:t2:

I also had my second EC yesterday @rosa1 like you felt very tired after, but was greatly relieved they got a vein first try this time as still no word of PICC line… nausea is ever present but have different meds this time so am hoping no hospital vists this time. I hope your daughter enjoyed her birthday party and didn’t mind it was early :blush: and also great news about your hair!! Keep going with the cold capping as mine was falling out in such quantities I had to get it shaved as it was stressing me so much :confused: trying to adapt to the wig and hats life now!

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@kiltie her birthday isn’t for 3 more weeks. My 3rd cycle was meant to have been on that day but luckily my oncologist has agreed for me to have it the day after instead which is great. We can go out on her birthday and I’ll be well enough to celebrate it. The hair loss was slightly more than unusual. It’s definitely the hardest part. Im trying to prepare myself for the big shed but hard to imagine how I’ll feel. I guess now it’s started I’m hoping I’ll still have enough hair to use the cold cap as heard when you have less hair it hurts more. Definitely feeling the tiredness. Hardly slept last night. I felt awake and then had to keep using the toilet. The joys of the steroid. They reduced my anti sickness meds by half but can take the full dose if needed. They also gave me movicol to prevent constipation. I’ll see how it goes today and take it tomorrow or this evening if needed. Feel shattered today.
They managed to get a cannula in although it did hurt a little but nurse said it looked ok and that’s it doesn’t appear swollen.

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Welcome to the group @nicole3 and @tsoph . I’m fairly new in it myself and the others have been so helpful and welcoming.

I spoke to my nurse yesterday about my nose and red arm. Apparently all normal so that’s good. Feels like I constantly have to wipe when there is only a tiny drip there so I’m trying to avoid it as my poor nose is so sore. Drapolene to the rescue at night. My head hair is shedding so I wouldn’t be surprised if my nose hair was. I’m not losing great handfuls but more than normal when brushing and my husband’s even finding it in the dishwasher of all places!

I was at hospital for a breast form fitting yesterday and have now adopted Betty the Boobie! I didn’t mind being asymmetrical at times but it’s nice to now feel more ‘put together’ if that makes sense. I also felt much more myself yesterday at it was one week after chemo, less tired, no longer on filgrastim etc but having tidied the lounge this morning and hoovered im ready for a nap now so energy reserves are clearly still low.

Take care all x

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Has anyone found that since starting chemotherapy they’ve noticed age spots on their face?

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My hair has started to shed from yesterday and today a large handful came out when I brushed my hair. I expected this to happen but still upsetting. Not sure how much will start to come out.

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Hi Ladies, how is everyone getting on, hope you’re all doing ok. I’ve just been catching up on all the posts.
I’m now on day 6 after 2nd EC and starting to feel normal again, had fuzzy head all week and woke up yesterday feeling like I’d done 10 rounds in the boxing ring, but today I’m feeling pretty good #onedayatatime#.
I’m starting to get used of the baldly head look and now have an obsession with buying hats😂. It’s really good to hear the cold capping is working for some of you, keep it going guys, your all amazing…
@rosa1 i haven’t noticed any extra age spots due to chemo, but the treatment does make our skin extra sensitive to all the elements.
Take care everyone, we’ve got this :muscle::heart::heart:

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:heart:rosa1 sending big hug :heart: it is upsetting when hair sheds :heart: :two_women_holding_hands:everyone’s got you :two_women_holding_hands::heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

Yes it is. Even though i expected it, it’s still hard when it starts as you don’t know how much will fall out each day and what you’ll be left with.

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:heart: I didn’t cold cap had my hair cut into a bob before starting and donated my hair to little princes trust so always knew I’d buzz it to a grade 1. Do get some makeup on even if you don’t feel like it :heart: when I buzzed mine off wish I’d had makeup on when I did it because rather than a hip sinead O’Connor look which I though I’d get, I ended up looking like action man :heart:and the gold turban I thought I’d style out that made me look like an extra out of carry on up the khyber :roll_eyes: it’s not easy and everyone here understands :two_women_holding_hands::two_hearts::heart: but it still doesn’t make it any easier :two_women_holding_hands::heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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@rosa1 I’m not sure I’d call them age spots but I’ve certainly reverted back to being a spotty teenage in the last few days. Round my nose and chin in particular.

Sorry about the hair loss, I’m day 10 post chemo and everyday I’m expecting it. I did find some great turbans from suburban turban and from chemo headwear in preparation if you needed to buy anything. They look pretty ok and one or two came with a wide headband in a lovely colour. I haven’t bought any wigs, I’m rather waiting and seeing if I need it. I’ve also had recommended the Look Good Feel Better charity so they may be worth checking out. I’ve got a haircare and skincare course booked with them in July as I have a feeling I’ll be needing some tlc by then. I hope family and friends are able to support you x

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Hi everyone.
I’m just starting to mentally prepare for my 3rd EC on Thursday :face_with_spiral_eyes: To say I’m not looking forward to it would be an understatement. Does anyone else get really emotional a few days after? I wasn’t sure if it was a side effect or just me.
@rosa1 good news they moved your chemo for your daughters birthday, hope you have something nice planned. I’ve noticed I have a slight bald patch on the top of my head, nothing I can’t hide at the moment but I’ve ordered a head covering from “dothetwist” in preparation. I couldn’t say I have age spots but my skin is dry and definitely looks old.
I did a look good feel better make up course last week @snoop182 it was good and the goody bag was great so well worth it.
Hope everyone else is doing well xxx

Yes it is @tori123 as we can at least take her out that day and not worry about being unwell. I’ve got some headscarf’s to wear. May also get a nice fancy headband if it only starts thinking on my parting. Will wait and see how it goes. I may not need anything but we just don’t know.

Good luck for your 3rd cycle. How many more do you have?

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Thinking of you, this has been me this week. Started shedding 3 days after 2nd cycle so I had it cut into a short pixie style. Hubby then took his clippers over it on Saturday. I was glad to do this as my scalp was really sensitive and was hurting a bit.

It all really affected my mood last week and has definitely been my lowest period since diagnosis in January but I can honestly say that now that it is almost all gone, I strangely feel better about it. I’m trying to see it as a step nearer to full recovery and that the drugs are doing their work. Am experimenting with different scarves and I do have an NHS supplied wig, which looks much better than I thought it would, although I’m not convinced I’ll wear it often but it is good to have the option.

Keep your chin up, you’ve got this :heart:

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You’re so brave. I’m not sure id be brave enough to go for the shave but I guess if you start to lose too much hair then it is easier to shave. Hair loss is awful isn’t it. But there’s so many nice scarfs and turbans to wear that look very pretty and it’s only for a short term. This time next year it would have grown and you no longer need to wear them.

I’ve got 1 more EC then 3 x Docetaxel which I hear is brutal :grimacing: but short term paun and all that.
I met a lady the other day who kept her hair on EC then lost it on docetaxel, I’d been quietly optimistic about my hair until meeting her.

@tori123 i heard the paxol based chemo is less harsh on the hair but it could be different for everyone. My oncologist wants to try and squeeze in 5 EC before I give birth so will see how the side effects go and when I’ll likely to give birth x

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@tori123 I’m on docetaxel - it’s weirdly the T in my TC chemo because Taxotere is the brand name . I cannot compare with anything else as to whether it’s brutal or not. But I do know that Docetaxel is one of the ones where you can lose all your hair. I still cannot get my head around all the different drugs and cycles and why one is given in one case and another in someone else’s case. Also why some cold cap and seemingly keep all their hair. The lady who was next to me in the chemo ward a was on her third TC and hadn’t lost any.

I seem to be shedding daily and favouring a wide headband as I’m trying not to wash it too much. This also seems to hold it in until I comb it before bed. I’m also suddenly seeing more gray hairs than before.

Anyone else’s scalp very tender? I had bad psoriasis on my scalp as a teenager and it’s feels like it’s returned.

I’ve started using a wide head band as well partly because i managed to get sunburn on my scalp as i forgot about the thinning :woman_facepalming:
I think I’m just going to keep going with what I’m doing and hope for the best.
My main concern at the moment is my entire family seem to be getting ill! Daughter has just shaken a bug, dads ill, partner has got covid!! Praying neither me nor my daughter caught it from him before he moved out this afternoon.