May 2026 chemo starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
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Extra special (slightly late…so sorry :heart::heart: I missed your date :heart::heart::bouquet: :folded_hands:) shout out for you @bluebird14 from your May cheerleaders.

:bouquet::bouquet::bouquet::heart::heart::people_hugging::people_hugging::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::bouquet::rosette::sunflower::blossom::sparkler::fireworks::confetti_ball::speaker_high_volume::speaker_high_volume::heart::heart::bouquet::bouquet::bouquet::rosette::blossom::sunflower::confetti_ball::flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::clap:

Really hope your PICC fitting went well and that your first chemo session was manageable. :heart::bouquet:

It seems to have been a busy week this week with a number of strong ladies having chemo for the first time. :flexed_biceps::flexed_biceps::heart:.

Hope saturday was ok, and that you are not too knocked out over the coming days. I slept all day yesterday :sleeping_face::sleeping_face::sleeping_face::rofl::rofl::person_in_bed::person_in_bed::person_in_bed:

Make sure you drink loads for 7days….it really helps to wash through the drugs. Though down side is you need to rush to the toilet a lot. :toilet::roll_of_paper::person_running::scream::rofl:

And eat plenty of Protein to help your body repair itself. I felt its helped me a lot.

Make sure you pamper yourself for the next week.

Ask any questions if you feel uncertain. Or just want a grumble. All emotions are encouraged :wink::hugs::heart::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Goodness it is the 31st May. I cant believe it has gone so fast. Maybe because Ive slept alot :person_in_bed::rofl::sleeping_face::heart:. Now got chemo brain setting in fast :exploding_head::scream::rofl:

But Ive been reading through our May Cheerleaders group and realised there have been 19 of us in this group. Wow. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:. And what a wonderful group of strong ladies you are. :flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::clap::clap:. Though we dont always feel it, we will get through this. :mechanical_arm:

So this is a very special shout out to all of you: @daffodil_dream @want2beme @wibbles @neonnomad @drella74 @alannah172 @dcfc84 @hopeful2025 @bea4 @mssteel I can only list 10 people in a post :thinking::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

So I will type the others and list them in a second post.

Sharync, maystarter, lou222, jordx90, rh88, birdofprey, jaybee, and the lovely bluebird :bird::bird:

Well Done. Feel proud of our achievement.

:mechanical_arm::flexed_biceps::clap::clap::clap::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::heart::confetti_ball::bouquet::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::woman_dancing::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_with_bunny_ears::people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging::fireworks::fireworks::sparkler::sparkler::sparkler::folded_hands::folded_hands::hugs::hugs::flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::clap::heart::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::people_with_bunny_ears::woman_dancing::bouquet:

What strong ladies we all are. Even though some days are abit/lots/hugely hazy to say the least. :scream::sneezing_face::face_with_medical_mask::thinking::enraged_face::hot_face::face_with_spiral_eyes::woozy_face::exploding_head::nauseated_face::smiling_face_with_sunglasses::face_with_thermometer::money_mouth_face::person_in_bed::nail_polish:

With all the compassion and kindness shared in this group, we have all got through our first, some second, some more, treatments. We have survived. It gives us hope. :people_hugging::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::folded_hands:Thankyou.

Ive valued all the sharing and all the kindness. May we keep the sharing going throughout the next months. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts::heart:.

This is a journey. Pop into the group anytime. If the going is tough just rest and recover :person_in_bed::person_in_lotus_position:. Just know we will be thinking of each other and sending out positive vibes and virtual support. Always.

:flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::heart::people_hugging::person_in_lotus_position::person_getting_massage:

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Hi Poppy261,

Thank you for your lovely message and for thinking about me. Also thank you for all the advice.

I burst out crying the night before and cried in the shower and cried when we got to the reception at the hospital yesterday-the fear had built up in me so much!!
I had the picc line put in my upper arm & typical me I passed out in the middle of the procedure and they had to elevate my legs but they got me back before I blacked out! :face_with_peeking_eye:
Apparently it is rare for people to pass out but not for me! Ha ha :joy:

After that I had a lady come and give me 5 boxes of tablets to take now and take home with me (the anti-sickness ones and the steroids).
Then had sandwiches and a pot of jelly from the sandwich man :smiley:

Then the Cold Cap put on and then I had all my EC (the Red Devil and a mustard gas drug) pumped through the picc line. Then I finished with the cold cap on. I felt really sick afterwards even though I had taken all of tablets however I was allowed to take my special other tablets which helped immediately. We got home around 4:30pm, it was a long emotional day but I got through it! My Amazing husband was an amazing help throughout. My Amazing daughter cooked a lovely chicken dinner (good protein) to come home to as well :smiley:

Many thanks

Bluebird14

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Thank you @poppy261 you’re such a good cheerleader :tada::tada::heart_hands::heart_hands:

How did round two go?

@bluebird14 well done for getting through what sounded like quite an ordeal, bless you :people_hugging: how are you feeling now? It’s a bit of a journey of discovery I found after round one as you don’t know what you might get as side effects, but take the meds, and paracetamol, well in time and it makes it manageable :heart_hands:

Round two and I’m feeling exactly as I did last time, even timings of side effects! Like I’ve woken up today with a red, hot puffy face from the steroids, just like before on day 3! :hot_face:

I’m struggling with losing my hair though. I thought I was prepped by shaving it early, but god it’s emotional seeing the hair come out in clumps with a gentle pull :flushed_face: weirdly, it’s coming out mainly on the right side, where I had the cancer, coincidence? :woman_shrugging:

On the plus side I don’t have any of those annoying menopause chin hairs anymore :joy::+1:

I’m also back to 7 daily injections which I really hate doing :confounded_face:

So gang, stay strong, stay positive and let’s get through this shit show :flexed_biceps::tornado::woozy_face::heart_hands:

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@maystarter Yes I’ve chosen that route with lymph nodes :raising_hands: I couldn’t face more surgery after my mastectomy and reduction, plus if I’m having radio anyway, I figured adding another spot was easier! :woman_shrugging::grimacing:

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What a lovely message, thank you so much @poppy261 :two_hearts: So very thoughtful of you!! One of our most dedicated cheerleaders - such a good memory for everyone’s treatments and start dates :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

Started my day off with a smile - especially after my third treatment on Friday!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend :heart:

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@sharync @maystarter @lou222 @jordx90 @rh88 @birdofprey @Jaybee @bluebird14
See my previous post.

Its the 31st of May. So Ive sent a Special Message to all our May starters but I could only list 10 people in a post :scream::person_facepalming::person_shrugging:. So I typed your names, but sent you this one just to ensure you know you are being thought of :heart::heart::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::hugs::bouquet::bouquet:

Ive had to now queue up as I can only send three posts in a row. :rofl::rofl::rofl::heart::heart::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:I love technology. :bouquet::bouquet::rofl::rofl::heart::person_in_lotus_position::person_in_lotus_position::person_getting_massage::flexed_biceps::person_facepalming:and a chemo brain :exploding_head::folded_hands:

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Goodness @bluebird14 that must have been so hard for you. :heart::heart::heart::person_getting_massage::person_in_lotus_position::bouquet::bouquet:. It shows how strong you are for getting through it all and surviving. :flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::heart: Its definitely not easy. Its a weird toxic feeling, as you say Red Devil and mustard gas. :scream::skull_and_crossbones::alembic::test_tube::goggles:. No wonder our hair falls out. But it hopefully will kill that cancer, plus the extra meds do help hold that serious sickness back :nauseated_face::woozy_face:. I feel marginally lurking nausea today, but Im eating light meals, which helps. And lots of protein.

I was up 3 times in the night needing wees :person_facepalming::toilet::roll_of_paper::person_running:But that helps drinking gallons to flush out the drugs. Im looking forward to the “cleaned” feeling in 7 days. It was a lovely feeling last time.

Stick with it, cry as much as you need. Its important to just let the emotions happen. They give us strength later. Im definitely a believer in not being the tough guy or the martyr. We are human and life can be tough. :heart::heart::heart::people_hugging::people_hugging::bouquet::bouquet::bird::bird: Sending you extra hugs. :people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging:

What a wonderful husband and daughter you have. Their love will get you through this :heart::heart::heart:

@alannah172

I definitely think the hair loss is a hard side effect. I coped with the pixie and the extra 2 head shaves ok. But seeing it come out in patches, is not the best look in the mirror. :pensive_face::cry:. . Though using the lint roller has helped me not have the hair in my hands. And rolling it over my head is like a mini massage. :wink: . I do it loads each time. Im glad its short and not long. Its made it easier. I then wear my pink primark bonnet that is very cosy and hairs dont stick to it. My wigs and hats are great. So I feel fine going out. At least the heat has stopped. So I can stay out for longer. :hot_face::woozy_face::smiling_face_with_sunglasses::wink:.

Seriously brave ladies who are cold capping….:cold_face::cold_face:. There are many successes with it. I just didnt want to be in hospital for any longer than needed. :heart::tada::smiling_face_with_three_hearts: . So im still happy with my choice. Im only in for2.5 hrs.

But like you, alannah172, I like having no chin hairs . :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: :rofl::rofl:. It was seeing one of those just drop off my chin when I touched it :scream:that made me realised the hair loss phase had started. 150000 hairs is a lot of hair and very distressing. But like my good male friend said jokingly….youre like me now, but at least yours will grow back. :rofl::rofl::rofl::person_bald::person_curly_hair::person_red_hair::person_white_hair::person_blond_hair:

That was very true. He made me laugh..:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Chemo brain has kicked more this time. I read Bank Holiday in my diary, so thought Oncology were working on Monday regardless of Bank Holiday. Then my friend mentioned going to the dentist monday. :thinking: . Curious…how could that be :thinking::person_shrugging:. Checked my diary and it was Republic of Ireland :person_facepalming::joy::joy::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:.

So I accept my brain is on half functioning. :person_in_lotus_position::person_getting_massage:. So for all you lovely ladies out there …. It is not a Bank Holiday tomorrow for some if us, but it IS for others. Enjoy the day regardless, although Monday does look rather wet. :cloud_with_rain::cloud_with_lightning_and_rain::sun_behind_rain_cloud::umbrella_with_rain_drops: probably a pamper day is a good call. :bouquet:

@daffodil_dream goodness you are zooming through your treatments fast. 3rd one :tada::heart:. Hope you are coping with the side effects, and you are not as woozy as your first one. :heart::bouquet::people_hugging: You are one strong lady. :flexed_biceps::mechanical_arm::clap:. Thats a lot in one month. :heart::people_hugging:Thankyou for your kind words. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

Well done to all us 19 May ladies. And all the others across this Forum especially to @foxgem and @sam1204 :heart:Thank you for sharing all your experiences and compassion. You have shown us how the path pans out, and cared enough to pop over to say Hi. We will beat this. :heart::heart::heart::heart::bouquet::bouquet::person_in_lotus_position::person_getting_massage::people_hugging::people_hugging:

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Just a big Thank You to @poppy261 for all your shining positivity, which I reckon we all need as we wander woozily through this time. It helps, knowing we’ re not alone.

My blood tests tomorrow and second chemo cycle on Wednesday, all being well. I’ ve been doing daft little things like filling up olive oil and rapeseed oil glass bottles and washing up liquid squirty bottle from my big ‘stock’ containers, so I don’ t have to try decanting stuff during the woozy time that will arrive! Getting ‘ organised’ in other words. Not my best trait!

Good luck to all of you during the coming week. I’ll be thinking of you all. Sending love.

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Well done @bea4 . We do the most silly things dont we. :joy::joy::joy:.

Im normally quite “free” living. But Ive seriously been organised with this, so I dont have to think of anything during the bad week. :memo::spiral_calendar::alarm_clock::open_book:. Its made things so much easier. But its takes some doing doesnt it. :heart::people_hugging:

I forget where I put things all the time, risk forgetting appointments etc. So I have to put everything in my diary every day. Check my diary every day. But I still get confused. :rofl::rofl::rofl::joy::joy::person_getting_massage::person_shrugging::person_facepalming:

Sending you love and hugs for Wednesday. :heart::people_hugging::bouquet::person_in_lotus_position:

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Going for my second chemotherapy session
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3 days past chemo and my goodness. I have not felt fatigue like this. Doing a couple hours up and about then crashing. Had thr filgrastin last night and have been aching lots today just feel tired no matter how much I sleep! Dreading second cycle tbh.

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Sending you extra hugs and love @jordx90 . :people_hugging::people_hugging::heart::heart::bouquet::bouquet::flexed_biceps:

The fatigue is my worst hit. :person_in_bed::person_in_bed::person_in_bed::sleeping_face::sleeping_face::sleeping_face:. Ive slept all weekend after my second chemo on Friday. Like I did after my first.

Even vacuuming was a chore last time. I had to stop after a couple of minutes.

But symptoms gradually improved over the week. I drank like a fish…seriously helps….ate more protein/lots of fruit and veg, like I was going to starve. :person_facepalming::person_shrugging:.

Then I suddenly felt much better. I still naturally had side effects as the chemo started to work eg. Sore mouth, hair loss, some fatigue to be mindful of (afternoon naps always), caught a cold. But it was manageable and I was able to get out in my car. Be more independent.

Its a tough ride but its important to rest as much as you can. I just gave in to it and accepted the fatigue. Accepted I needed to sleep. I had Oncology appointment today. Last time I was seriously woozy day 3. This time I was tired, not at all woozy. But more nauseous. But less yeuk.

The weird thing with the nausea, is as soon as I eat I feel much better. :person_shrugging::wink::thinking::face_with_monocle:So its counter intuitive. Ive been having smaller portions and more often.

Ive a selection of different options to eat….crackers and cheese, rice/chicken, lasagne, fish and veg, fruit smoothies for breakfast with scotch pancakes, nuts and seeds…. So if I dont fancy one thing there is something else that tempts me. One day I want eggs, the next I cant face them, but I will happily have vegetable soup.

Ive been drinking: ginger cordial with ginger slices in; fruit juices; milk…lots; herbal teas; water. Ive kept off tea and coffee. I drink 3 ltrs a day to wash out the chemo. It really helps. But you do need the toilet loads. But its worth it and seriously important to do.

Sending you mountains of virtual love and strength.

:heart::heart::heart::heart::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging::bouquet::bouquet::flexed_biceps::flexed_biceps::flexed_biceps::heart_exclamation::heart_exclamation::mountain::heart::heart::people_hugging::people_hugging::bouquet::bouquet:

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Having a crosspatch day today! Got pre chemo bloods done no trouble at all, but was supposed to get a phonecall from a Nurse consultant between 13.00 - 17.00…..so here I sat, twixt mobile and landline……waiting……waiting…….for four bloody hours…..nothing. Not a peep. As soon as 17.00 had passed I emailed both the oncology bods at the hospital and my poor beleaguered BCN, who is lovely, and asked what I should do next. I’ll maybe get a reply tomorrow.

Any of you lovely girls enlighten me on what these post-chemo telephone appointments are about because nobody’s actually explained them to me? I had heaps of questions to ask her, too

Sorry to be a damp squib when it’s not a big issue in the grand scheme of things, but something we can do without when we’re already having to put up with such a lot. It’s tiring, being brave!

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So sorry @bea4 that you got no phone call. Thats a long time to wait.:bouquet:Fine to have a cross day :face_with_steam_from_nose::enraged_face:. Weve all had those :heart_exclamation::people_hugging:

I would call the 24/7 helpline and ask them to check your records. In my area they are very accessible and will check things out for us. Or give us reassurance. They are also a little less rushed overnight.

I know generally staff are run ragged some days. Or there is an emergency that needs attending to. Bit like A&E…i.e. we go in first, but get seen last due to priorities. :heart:

I personally have never had a phone call like the one you are talking about. I rarely see my BCNurses now. One attended my previous Oncology appointment, but today only the Oncologist was there.:thinking:.

I have pre meds in Oncology the day before Chemo, which I then have to ring Oncology, on the morning of Chemo to check chemo can go ahead. They dont ring me.

Sorry I cant be of more help. Trusts are very different. Sending you a hug. :people_hugging::heart::bouquet:

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Ps @jordx90 ring 24/7 helpline for the injection pain. They ask us to ring them about anything that is a concern. They are a wealth of information. Mine will stay on the phone until I feel ok. But if they are too busy they may have to be quicker. Generally they have been wonderful.

Many ladies seem to have problems with the injections. I have just the one strong injection. So far Ive not had any pain from that.:crossed_fingers:

But 24/7 Nurses will go through ideas re coping with the pain. Meds can be adapted for you. :people_hugging::heart::heart_exclamation::bouquet:

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Hey @jordx90

I’m a week ahead of you on the same regime. I had the “big three” on Friday 22nd May and I’d say the tiredness really hit on the Sunday and I did a pretty long stint in bed. Didn’t feel too bad on the Monday and Tuesday apart from moderate bone pain in my lower back and upper legs, but all side effects were completely gone on the Wednesday.

I had the Paclitaxel on its own this Friday just gone and had a reaction to it while it was being administered, which was scary but short-lived as the nurses were really quick and efficient at sorting it out and I was able to complete the treatment on a slower drip. I’ve not had any side effects from this as yet.

I really hope this improves for you soon. Hang in there!

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Thank you all. Spoke to a nurse last night who confirmed the fatigue is normal :rofl:. Feel like all i have done is sleep, which im just allowing when I need it as its obviously needed.

Bone aches are not terrible and manageable had a hot bath yesterday and got a heated out to help my hips.

Chemo nurse said hopefully next round will be gentler due to it just being the pax has anyone else found that?

I have also found eating with the nausea has made it better :face_blowing_a_kiss: I thought id be OK working from home this week absolutely not has been horrendous. Today is school run, a quick snack top up and back home to rest again.

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I did the exact same thing and spoke to a nurse about the fatigue when I was on the old treatment plan with the EC and as soon as she said, “it’s normal, feel free to just stay in bed if you want”, I felt instantly better.

Glad the bone aches are manageable and yes, I found the Pac on its own to be much gentler with no side effects at all for me so far.

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Well done you @jordx90 . :heart:. Glad you spoke to the nurse.

Chemo hits our bodies like a hurricane :tornado::tornado::high_voltage::umbrella_with_rain_drops:.

Sleeping lets us recover. Housework can wait. :person_taking_bath::person_taking_bath::heart::person_in_bed::bouquet::people_hugging:

Build in Pamper Moments. Mine was Tiramisu at 1am this morning :shushing_face::rofl::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::chocolate_bar: It was yummy. :wink::heart:

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Apologies for my belated response @poppy261 - I’ve just been catching up on all the new chat from this lovely forum :two_hearts:

I cant quite believe that I’m three treatments in! One more EC left and then onto the next joy - Docetaxel :joy:

I made the decision to stop cold capping during this round - my hair shedding was still ongoing, which was expected but it made the cold a little more intense a bit further into the treatment which was causing me to feel queasy. It did ease my queasiness so was the right time for me to stop - very proud that I gave it a good go though :smiling_face: I had two wonderful fellow patients who were so kind and encouraging alongside me - very inspiring :heart: So overall I felt a little better this weekend as a result - but I can fully sympathise with the fatigue all round :joy:

I second what everyone says about reaching out to their Wards, Nurses and utilising that emergency Helpline - all wonderful services at our disposal :two_hearts:

I had some concerns last night as I had some arm pain in my treatment arm and I felt a bit silly calling them up when I feared others may need to be seen more than myself - but they couldn’t have been kinder and reassured me I did the right thing getting my arm checked for complications. It did mean a bit of a long night at the Centre to be checked but at least I have the assurance I have done the right thing (as guilty as I still feel about calling up!!!)

Keep going everyone - we’re all soldiering on and will be all the stronger for it :two_hearts::two_hearts:

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