@melsy68 mine is just implant with some kind of clever mesh thing which creates a sort of internal cradle, and luckily my skin and nipple were conserved. It’s taken a while but 3 months in it looks great and feels fine. Anyone who sees it, including my GP, is amazed! It’s still slightly bigger and tighter than normal but it’s still a temporary implant with inflator and will be replaced with a slightly smaller one once I’m through chemo. So yeh, no solution is perfect but I’m as happy with it now as I could be in the circumstances
Had my first treatment on Friday, taxol & carboplatin, and used the cold cap which was hideous but stuck with it. Developed a headache halfway through rather than at start but as soon as cap was off it went. Slept a lot at the w/e, actually managed to inject myself Saturday & Sunday evenings, massive achievement for the squeamish needle-phobic woman I am! Just seem to be stuck with a foggy feeling around my eyes & head that I can’t shift. Hoping it doesn’t last the week as it’ll be Friday before I know it and starting another treatment. Hope everyone is doing ok, sending big hugs xx
Hi everyone just joining you as I found out today my chemo starts tomorrow. I have just read through all your posts and a huge thank you as it has really helped me calm my nerves, you are all amazing ladies.
To introduce myself I am 48 mum of 3 amazing children, with grade 2 multifocal idc. I was diagnosted mid Feb followed by WLE and SNB with just 1 sentinel node involved but no clear margin so has masectomy and LD Flap reconstruction on 13th April where the multifocal tumours were found. Met oncologist last week, PICC line and talk with nurses and consultant today and start tomorrow. FEC-T x 6.
Trying to be very positive as this is best for me. My children (11,10 and 7) are doing amazingly well through this roller coaster. As we knew chemo would start soon Hubbie and chn have made me a ‘Mum go to box’ to help with side effects. Reading your posts have helped me know this is doable.
I hope you are all doing well along this roller coaster we are on together…I’m bucked in for this new ride with the ‘big pants’ on!!
My hair started coming out on Saturday day 18 but am hoping as I used the cold cap I will keep a lot half of a quarter at least. Have pre assessment tomorrow and then 2nd cycle on Wednesday.
Jem. You are amazing and as always huge hugs. And catch up later. Will be thinking of you.
Morning - soz have been out of the loop for a few days. Just adjusting. I’m ok. 4 days of steroids from weds through to Saturday resulted in my body (understandably) running out of steam on Sun/Mon. Energy was fun while it lasted though :) Taste buds disappeared entirely on Saturday, but seem to be creeping back a bit now.
Have also managed to give myself the injections - was v nervous about the first one, but it’s really not as difficult as I thought it would be.
Side effects are def there, but doable, so far. Headaches, aches, fogginess, and tiredness mainly, but none too bad, so trying to be kind to myself and give my body what it needs. Have had an inflamed gum for a few days, so keeping mouth as clean as poss, and using a baby toothbrush. I’ve been spraying a little colloidal silver on the gum which seems to be helping too. My head’s quite itchy and pimply, and not using cold cap, so assuming that’s an early sign of what’s going to happen there (eek). Skin is quite sensitive. Been using Udderly Smooth morning and night on skin to keep it m***t, and can recommend the cream…it feels lovely to spread on :)
But all of that is doable…and it is temporary. I’m having a few low moments, of course, but am keeping my head above the water and am in good spirits. I’ve challenged myself to clear a set of drawers out today that haven’t been cleared for years…foggy, tired head permitting…
@Tracey and @Ollie - how are you doing?
@Jem - good luck for today xxx let us know how it goes x
@Sarah - curly grey hair is what I’ll be expecting too lol. You’ll rock it :)
Morning all… Wow we’re all doing amazing… It’s so great logging in every morning for a confidence boost. I’m slightly behind you Sarah and I’m also not cold capping (hospital don’t offer) but am finding the odd lose grey hair. I’m naturally Curly so I wonder if my new locks will be straight and grey!! @spange I also have a slight inflamed gum, just hoping it doesn’t develop into anything too nasty.
Tracey I hope those headaches can be sorted for you, it must be draining.
I’ve got a constant runny left nostril! Not sure if it’s a side effect, any one else got this?
I’ve booked my LGFB course for July so hoping they’ll be able to work some magic on me as I’m sure I’ll need it by then!
Melissa x
Thanks ladies,
Loving all your support. It is hard to do nothing when we are used being on the go but I am definitely listening to advice today. We can do this ?
Hi hopefully i am in the right place . Starting chemo today . ( 6 cycles before op) . First over two days . Today is heceptin and perzamab . Advice what to take with me? ??
I also seem to have a constant runny nose!! Strange!! Xx
Sending hugs and best wishes to you all. We got this ladies!!!
Got my 2nd cycle next Thursday 31st and hoping that I handle it as well as I have the 1st. Can’t beli how lucky I’ve been with hardly any bad side affects ?? xx
Wow my hair just started coming out in clumps!! 12 days after 1st chemo. Thank goodness I’ve got my wig ready hey?!?! ?
You’re doing amazing Leanne… And great that you’re wig ready x
Hi all
Thank you Spange for thinking of me.
Busy day here, first cycle of drugs 
, hope all went well for you too joandbasilhitthedog. The cold cap was just as everyone on the forum said - vv hard for first 15 mins, fully understand why some of you didn’t continue. My Hubbie was amazing at distracting me. In a bizarre way cold cap stopped me stressing over the administration of drugs. Trying to eat the panini I ordered with cold cap **bleep** was hilarious- we all laughed.
Exhausted now and despite having anti sickness med feeling nauseous ?. I’m back at hospital for injection tomorrow and think more drugs may be needed.
Leanne - hope you are ok re hair.
Thanks for the ideas … day 1 on H and P went well back tomorrow for usual chemo so told to be more effects but tonight feeling very dandy … might just be the steriods. Having a think overnight about cold cap but i think not as advised not to by bc nurse due to migraines but also i was so so hot and lerthgic i just wanted to get out of there . But yes to the socks what a great idea !! Hope everyone doing ok xx
Well done. Which course of chemo are you on tomorrow? Warm socks and lip balm were the only things I used. Thinking You tomorrow.
Well done jem for sticking with the cold cap. I couldn’t stick it.
As for my hair prepared myself for it so been ok. ?. Xx
Haven’t been on for a few days and a lot of amazing things to catch up on. I’m day 13 (I think that’s how you count it, Thursday Chemo’s). The last few days I’ve been feeling better each day, and enjoying the nice weather (in the shade!). My hair was long 2 weeks ago, cut to shoulder length before chemo, but last couple of days my hair has been shedding a lot so today my friend shaved it to a number 2 all round! Best decision I could have made because now I THINK it will be less traumatic when I go bald. Would def recommend it for those of you who are not cold capping (I tried but failed).
@hets. Well done you shaving your hair I am contemplating doing it as it just keeps coming out in clumps. I had my 1st chemo on Thursday 10th too. I wish we could post pics on here!! Xx