@leanne17 we’re on exactly the same dates. Looking at my scalp which is already bald in patches I def did it just in time. Worth thinking about getting it done tomorrow if you can find someone nice with some clippers - luckily my friend had some so she came over
Yes will definitely think about it!!
Do u all know about the McMillan grant you can get. It’s up to £500 for anything you might need whilst going through treatment. The benefits adviser in the chemo unit told me about it and filled in all the forms. Worth looking into if u haven’t already. Xx
Hi all,
Just joining this thread as about to start chemo on Friday…a great hot bank holiday weekend in store! Lovely to hear all of your positive posts and I’ll be taking some tips in with me for this first unknown experience. Considering trying the horrible cold cap but will abandon if too much and embrace the baldness. Will then have to crack on and get my wig organised quickly. Daunted by the whole experience and very nervous but I know I can do it like you lovely ladies.
Thanks
Tropic_al
Hi Tropic-al sorry that you have had to join us but a warm welcome.
Thinking of you in the run up to Friday. What is your regime? I’m 6x Feb-t. I had my first one yesterday, it was OK and pleased I didn’t loose the plot. I was very tired and a bit nauseous- meds helped. Today up, bathed, dressed and about to go out for short walk.
Any questions on what to buy/ take just ask and someone will answer quickly.
We’ll all get through this one day at a time
Take care Jem xx
Hi Sarah thanks for your wisdom - gnocchi sounds v good. Nauseous has made eating anything a struggle today but have some more meds to try - hoping dinner may be good tonight. Know what you mean about tea and coffee. Xx
So day 2 of 1st cycle over . ( docetaxel and carboplatin) … thanks jem and sarah , socks were the answer than wearing shoes ! All went well … off to bed … just waiting for signs of anything to start sickness wise but all seems fine so far . Good luck Tropic for friday … jox
Good morning ladies,
Sounds like a mixture of side effects going on here, the advice and tips are so helpful.
@mustardandgrey…cycle 2 almost starting? Where did that time go? I might try your yoghurt tip as I have woken some with sores on the tip of my tongue, my mouth felt ‘different’ yesterday and now i know why.
I am day 8 of 1st cycle, headaches still not gone but more manageable. I have also gone from 4 days constipation to having stomach cramps and a bit of diarrhoea but again nothing I can’t cope with. I had days 5 and 6 of extreme tiredness and had to give in and rest.
I feel.like I am picking up again now and hoping for some energetic days to get some things achieved.
Well done @joandbasilthedog to get number 1 under your belt.
Hope Jem and tropic doing well.
Food advice, I would go with what I was advised, eat what you fancy when you fancy it, little and more frequently seems to help with the nausea and drink lots of fluids ???
Day 14 of first cycle and despite a few days of oral thrush that has now cleared up I’m doing ok. I do get very tired all of a sudden Now and again and have to sleep, but that may be due to the fact that every morning around 4am I’m in the wide awake club and can’t get back to sleep. My hair has just started shredding a little but I had it shaved before my chemo and it’s not that noticeable yet. Hope all you ladies are feeling well this morning we can all do this and fight the good fight 
So had my 2nd treatment yesterday.got in and just wanted to sleep so went to bed and ate toast with marg.had my tablet at teatime and another for as and when needed both for nausea.slept on and off and had breakfast.
Persevered with cold cap. It gets better after 10 or 15 mins.just take paracetomol an hour before. Been told hair will just thin but not be noticeable so fingers crossed.
Am using a silk pillowcase to prevent hair loss and my Silke turban is arriving today which was recommended on previous chemo threads. Its all the rave to improve hair quality and prevent hair loss. Just google Silke and you will find it. Its quite expensive but worth trying.
Linda
Well my hair is just shredding so bad now. Hopefully getting it shaved later and getting the fringe on my wig trimmed. Looks a bit funny as my face is tanned and can see how white my scalp is. Got a bit emotional this morning but plodding on.
Got my McMillan grant cheque in the post today. Nice surprise. Xx
Sorry Leanne - hope you’re doing ok. Big hugs xx
@leanne, thinking of you, it’s not easy. Since I had my head shaved I have been learning to enjoy it (weirdly). Makeup seems key, and a tinted moisturiser should help with your paler scalp - that said I’m a redhead so there isn’t THAT much difference. I’m getting my wig tomorrow. Great news about the cheque, is it means tested?
Anyone had a burning throat? It was bad last night so rang for advice. Need to take tablets with food especially steroids. Also take mouthwash and go to doctors for a prescription for indigestion if need be rather than going to chemist as taking steroids so need a prescription.
I havnt washed the conditioner out yet as told to leave it 2 days so just got my Silke on which is dark blue. The conditioner is put on when you have the cold cap. The Silke will catch the hairs falling out. I have a big clump in my hair which may be loose hairs so cant wait to was it later to see what comes out.
Have people had their operations yet? How old are people and who has not got children like me as this may be a factor why we get breast cancer?
Morning 
Day 18 for me, just been for bloods before bout 2 on Monday.
@TraceyMac, my mouth ulcers cleared up a few days ago, I found they lasted a week or so and tge difflam mouthwash worked really well.
My dentist gave it to me on prescription.
My hair started shedding on day 11, but it’s only really been an increase in loose strands when I brush and wash it. Yesterday morning it picked up the pace with shedding but this morning it seems to have slowed down.
No cold cap and I’m putting off the shave as right now it looks the same as notmal, just very slightly thinner overall.
Hope side effects are minimal for everyone,
Sarah x
I had my hair shaved today. Such a strange feeling. The white scalp looks funny ? thanks for kind words everyone xx
No the McMillan grant is not means tested your all entitled to it. I got £400. The benefit adviser in the chemo unit filled in all the forms for me all I had to do was sign it. It took just over 2 weeks for me to receive the cheque.
@ Linda. Yes had bilateral mastectomy and diep reconstruction in March. I’m 36 with 2 children. No history of bc in my family. Xx
Thanks Sarah, tongue feels much better and have more energy today despite the rain ?
Leanne you are so brave, well done for shaving your hair.
We will all get through this together ??
Help. I have a big hard mass of hair on the top of my head which is after using the cold cap and not washing out the conditioner for 2 days. Tried Aussie detangling spray and now leaving in Palmers intensive conditioner for an hour or so with cling film over it as tried for around 20 mins or longer but only made it a bit softer at the front. My hairdresser recommended the oil leave in conditioner which is intensive so may try that next but wanted to not use anything else with paragons in it. Anyone got any suggestions? Ta.
@leanne17 well done! Feels so weird doesn’t it! I went down to a number zero today (from no 2) - first time I’ve ever had a free haircut at Toni & Guy ?. Also thanks re McMillan, I’m on the case! @Sarah I had a right side mastectomy with implant at the end feb with reincision end March to get clear margins. Will have follow up surgery with permanent implant and ‘boost’ to my rather depressed other boob once through chemo. Really hoping to get everything finished by Christmas!
@linda. Ouch sounds painful hope you get it detangled as soon as.
@ hets yes feels really weird. I went straight to grade 0. Feels so cold all the time. Just been down the pub with the new wig on. No one could tell. ?. Xx
Hi Linda, I’m from the October thread and Shi asked me to pop in and see if I can help re: cold cap. I cold capped through my fecx6 chemo and kept a fair amount of hair. Did you have your hair cut shorter prior to chemo? I had mine cut to a short inverted bob as I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to stand the cold cap or if it’d work. I used to wash and comb mine only once a week and the rest of the time styled it with my fingers. How many cycles have you had? I found I lost quite a bit just after my 2nd cycle and unfortunately the hair seemed to get matted. You could try something like almond oil or olive oil as this would not have any parabens in it. I ended up losing most if the hair on the top of my head but the back, sides and fringe all stayed so it didn’t look too bad. Feel free to pm me if you’d like with any cold cap questions.
Good luck ladies, hang on in there and look after each other! It’ll soon be over and you’ll be out the other side ?