Hi ladies I’m day 4 of second cycle and also feeling fine at the moment. I too shaved my head bald after days 17 and 18 of first cycle as mine literally fell out within 2 days. I’m also enjoying the new image and experimenting with big earings and make up. Booked in to LGFB in July. Hope your all doing well and making the most of the weather Im in Caerphilly Wales and it’s lovely today stay ???
@Tanya, I live just over the mountain from you in North Cardiff, my work is based in Caerphilly. Do you go to Velindre for chemo?
Glad you are doing well. My FEC number 2 is this Thursday 7th
Thanks everyone for your support x
Got home at 5pm having got there at 11.30am, been a long day! Had a bit of a wobble ?My bloods from Friday were too low so they weren’t sure if I could have chemo. Tried putting cannula in vein and it just wouldn’t go in. Made my arm very sore… I just got tearful at the thought of not having the treatment. ANYWAY, eventually got a vein, took more bloods and my white cell count had improved from Friday and chemo finally went ahead without any further problems!! Now laying on the sofa like lady muck! xx ?
It’s really encouraging to hear how well those on cycle 2 are doing… I’m hoping to follow in your steps!
Had an ultrasound today and she said it looks like its fragmenting so good news but they will discuss at the MDT meeting. Also went to the docs who can’t see anything but has given me cream to use as it may take 8 weeks for the pain to go and I also have some constipation powder to use when I have my third chemo. So a good day and went to work before docs and again after ultrasound. The doc said it could be a small tear due to constipation. I also have a rash under my breasts and underneath them which is slight but doc said nothing to worry about. I think its a heat rash.
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Tanya, I am going for bloods and seeing nurse this morning in preparation for chemo on Thursday.
I am a District Nurse Team Manager , I am not doing patient visits because of our low immunity but I am able to base myself.in the offoce on the days I feel well. You are a week ahead of me, let us know how you are feeling.
I have LGFG booked for July at Velindre xx
Morning lovely warrior women - I’ve been catching up on all the news 
I’ve been a bit radio silent for the past week or so. Essay update follows (hope you sitting comfortably with a glass of cold water…) x
I’m heading to get blood tests done today in prep for tomorrow’s treatment (TPDC). Second cycle and all in one day rather than two. Am more nervous about it this time round, as the past week has been just lovely so not looking forward to doing it all again, but teeth will be gritted and brave face will go on. Also, I know a bit more about what to expect this time round, and so hopef better able to handle/counter the effects.
I thought might be useful to share what I experienced in the cycle - I hope so anyway :)
Days 1-4: Mainly the steroid effect and feeling a bit spaced out. Lots of energy and not enough sleep. But a positive head. Lots of soup making and walks. Taste buds went on day 3. I have bought some dark choc with raspberry (Montezuma) as a treat for this time round - hopef the taste will cut through :)
Days 5-10: Main things were v dry mouth/nose, inflamed gum, constant soreness around SNB wound, fatigue, feeling low and not wanting any social interaction, low appetite, headaches and general malaise! Things to hopef help this time round? I found that pineapple chunks REALLY helped with dry mouth, so stocked up on those. Someone also said that cucumber might also help so will try that too. Fatigue/low mood - am going to try to listen to my body a bit more…and not say yes to things I don’t need to. Also, I’m going to write a low energy list of things that I like to do, so that when feeling low, I can give myself good things to choose from - even if it’s just getting up and going outside and sitting on the back step for 10 mins to experience something. I have borrowed an online audiobook from library, so that’s on there too. And Netflix boxsets of The Good Fight, and Alias Grace, and The Rain lol. Need to be kind to gentle to myself on these days.
Days 11-13: Woke up on Day 11 and recognised myself again Taste buds starting to return too. Main thing from these days for me is to take it a bit easy. Great to have energy again but all too easy to overdo it and then crash!
Days 14-21: Good days - looking forward to these days will help me with the hard days that will come before. I will write down the good things I did on these days as a reminder to myself! Actually, keeping an ongoing list of the good things throughout this process might be a bloody good idea! Hmmm.
Main other thing from cycle 1 was hair loss, as I see it is with most ladies. My hair was very long (down to waist) and I cut it short just before start of cycle 1. Started get itchy head and to lose a few strands from day 12/13 and then much more day 14, so got clippers out and did number 2 on top and number 1 on back and sides. Gulp! Glass of Chablis helped…While it’s not a choice I’d ever have made, it’s actually OK. I echo Leanne and am trying to rock the bald look. I’ve decided not to wear a wig (though do have a cheeky blue bob that I think I will wear on occasion), and will go with beanies and turbans, or naked (so to speak). Found some nice turbans at hipheadwear.co.uk/jersey-with-knot. Going to try for the Macmillan grant (I thought was means tested too, so thanks for steer), as can only use the NHS wig grant for wigs rather than for other headwear, and am booked on LGFB workshop end of June.
So that’s me. I’m feeling positive ooverall atm, but nervous about next cycle. But know that the symptoms are temporary. I went to my acabella group last night and for warm up we sang a song with the words below, which are holding me up today
I am a tower of strength within and without
I am a tower of strength within
I let all burdens fall from my shoulders
all anxieties slip from my mind.
I let every shackle be loosened
I let every shackle be loose!
And repeat from beginning! Tune - if you want to check out here’s the tune (not me singing lol, but gives you an idea!) youtu.be/WxK2CSTACYI
Have a good day ladies - and if you’re feeling low, sending you a warm and gentle hug xxxx
We can do this xxxx
So much on here now it’s hard to keep up! @spange your post has really helped. I sailed through the first cycle and am also loving the bald look. But yesterday morning, day 5 of 2nd cycle, tiredness, headache (?), and lowness really hit me like a bus, and last night the headaches in my dreams were awful. And today I feel the same, so this must be what I managed to escape last time. Def now need to pace myself and the way I feel atm there is no way I could work. Hi hum. I was also more sick yesterday so stuffed myself full of carbs and my rocking bald look is starting to look distinctly puffy!! 2 down, 4 to go!
Melsy68 and Sarah, you both look bloody gorgeous and I love the idea of sharing pics. Nice to put faces to names. Here’s mine…
Melsy68 and Spange, not able to see your photos, please send again would.love to.see them
Hi All. I’m Ria. Found a lump in April and have been diagnosed with Triple Negative Grade 3 Stage 2 Invasive Dunctal Carcinoma. Just completed the second EC on Monday and shaved my hair off about 10 days ago. Wasn’t easy, especially as it was shoulder length and blond and had taken many £150 sessions in Toni and Guy to make it look as best it good. Have tried to post my baldie look but awaiting approval and then I’ve had a rather lovely wig made which I’ll post as well. Only worn it once so far because it’s been too hot but is fun to wear. Will be annoyed if I’m still having to pluck the hairs of my chin if the hair on my head is gone…
Can you see this picture? I’ve changed setting from hidden to public. Sadly every strand is now just placed on my head, can’t touch or wash it. Had shower last night and where the water hit my hair line all the hair came out. I’m trying to last a few more days with hair ! My pubic hair have pretty much gone. Hoping to keep brows and lashes for as long as possible. I feel once they go I’ll begin to look poorly. those a week ahead of me how are your brows/lashes lasting? It’s day 2 of cycle 2 for me. I have to say Emend anti sickness is marvellous…no nausea, just a little tired today, but I did wake at 5am so that’s not helped. Are you now wearing a wig Sarah? I’ve got mine ready but also have a lovely summer turban I bought at the wig shop which I almost prefer if I have the courage to wear it out!
Good luck to Everyone having treatment this week xxx Melissa xxx
I still have eyebrows & lashes & most leg hair. Am using the cold cap so hoping to keep hair on my head too. I am day 15 of cycle 2.
Ive lost all the hair on my body apart from my eyebrows and eyelashes. I’m hoping they’ll last but doubt it. Loving the fact I don’t have to shave or wax and it’s great as I’m going on holiday in July so don’t have to worry about doing my bikini line haha. I’m day 6 of cycle 2 but lost most of my hair 2 weeks after 1st cycle.
I’m loving the pics you all look amazing. I can’t post mine as I’m on my phone ?
Leanne xx
Photos are awesome, you are rocking the look, so proud of you.
I am having my 2nd cycle tomorrow and will use the cold cap again.
Hair coming out running my fingers through it bit not too bad yet.
Welcome Ria, let us all know how you are doing x
I do t think shaving my legs was a good idea in case I cut myself and I was told not to wax. What’s everyone doing re hair removal on legs? Thanks.
Welcome Ria - the hairs in my chin and on my upper lip (yes, I have a few yuck) seem to have stopped growing (silver linings yay). And the hair on my legs has def slowed down - I am shaving (carefully) but only needing to every every three days or so at the mo.
I had my second treatment today and all went to plan. No probs. And pumped full of steroids, but starting to feel a bit shivery from the immunotherapy which happened a few hours after on cycle 1 too, but nowt for me to worry about - will just go to early :)
Eyelashes and eyebrows. My nurse today at the chemo unit at the unit gave me some advice about eyebrows and eyelashes and suggested that I buy a product that will help them NOT fall out. No guarantees, obv, but worth a try, less cos of the aesthetics (though that’s obv a driver too) but cos of the impact of not having eyebrows/lashes, which help stop dust and other crap getting into dry eyes, which nurse said is most unpleasant. Here’s a link to the product she recommended. Not cheap, but seems might be a good buy, but…amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000TD5KR6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tracey - you have your second treatment tomoz don’t you? Hope it goes well - sending peaceful vibes xx
Will try to repost my bald pic - using public option rather than hidden. I’ve gone shorter now as was getting bit patchy…number 1 all right round now. I have a pic with a blue wig too, which is quite a fun alternative But not worn it yet. Too hot, and too busy getting used to bald look…
Lots here again. Will try to share my pic but like many I mainly seem to be getting triangles. Day 7 of 2nd cycle I have spent the last 4 days in a state of feeling sedated, with headache etc but coping with painkillers and also just taking it easy - eating a lot of chocolate! @jem I’m being treated privately and like you there seemed to be a question mark around getting nhs voucher (which is ridiculous because lucking out in private healthcare because of work doesn’t make me rich!). However I called the healthcare provider and they covered a wig up to £250. Worth checking if you haven’t already. I’ve lost 90% of hair on my head but shaved when it started and just go bald everywhere. Pubic hair much thinner but not bald (yet), legs and arms 90% bald, eyebrows much thinner but were bushy before (result) and eyelashes still there. My prediction is that all will go by end of 3rd cycle latest
Hi all,
Great to catch up on all of your stories and to feel that were not alone. Also some lovely photos.
I’m day 14 now so expecting everything to start dropping out but not just…it’s only a matter of time.
im cold capping so we’ll see about the head hair but touch it only when I need to and wash it once a week. First time my dry frizzy thick hair has been an advantage!
No idea what will happen to the brows and lashes yet. Hearing essential oils are good to put on them but who knows. Everyone’s experience seems to be different and good to hear that many of you have kept yours for some time.
Was looking forward to my ‘good’ week but now booked in for a port on Tuesday to ruin that ahead of cycle 2 chemo next Friday. Still it has got to be better than 4 collapsed veins and agony last time … I sympathise with others going through that.
Other than a few headaches and sore throat, I’ve been ok this cycle so far with the help of Mr Ginger, lots of water, green tea and walking every day. Let’s hope this continues.
Hope you all have a good day today.
Tropic_al xx
@tropic-al I’ve got a port-a-Cath and love it- it was
Sore for a week after but since then haven’t looked back. Def worth getting for anyone who can.