@nikkilc Thanks for posting your experience x I think in the U.K. they tend to give picc lines over ports , but I have said I wanted to try without one as it will be going into my right arm which is a pain ! How did you get on with taxel as that’s the regime I’m going on , as well as herceptin
Will they consider holding off on port to see how you do with your veins… if they are willing to work with you… i recommend this…( this is what worked for me) day of chemotherapy drink 3 liters prior to infusion…you will be urinating alot but well worth it…also layer up…layer your clothing to increase your body temperature causing your veins to dilate so veins are are at maximum potential…day before and day of limit your sodium intake…minimal amount…you dont want to dehydrate…( while waiting for chemotherapy put your hands under your tushy to promote blood flow to veins)
The best and most important piece of advice is your nutrition. Just feed your body good things, it works wonders. First 2 rounds you will get steroids/ benadryl like medication…you will be tired so plan on nothing. If you plan on preventing/ reducing hair loss/ neuropathy start icing…literally with ice from ice machine…cap your hair 30 minutes prior to infusion…and until your herceptin is completed. First you will get your pre meds, then you get chemotherapy (Taxol) and lastly your herceptin. Alot of this is mental as well so if you can push through and consider this chemotherapy just medicine, serious medicine that will help you thats literally half the battle. The chemotherapy is out of your system in about 3 days…during that time and throughout you have to drink water…its very annoying but it works…3 liters daily…i did not experience any nausea or vomiting because i consumed raw garlic and dried parsley prior to treatment which have anti inflammatory/ anti nausea properties…oncologists do not recommend any herbal substances during chemotherapy so went the natural way with food and it all worked…down to the hair on my head thats still here… just stay focused…if you focus on your body and what it needs you will get through… its a tremendous amount of work vut i reaped the benefits…i followed the mist strict regime everyday for 12 weeks and got to the finish line…
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They gave me a pack that explained what to do. But if you are worried about anything or for example feeling sick on your pills then you can call. I haven’t called so far as my side effects - mostly tired and a bit flu like feel manageable. But they are they to help. Temperature is the big thing. I think.
This might help: Chemotherapy side effects | Breast Cancer Now
I am sure the nurses will talk you through it and make sure you are ok before they send you on your way though. They are very kind.
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Yes your temperature is a very big thing…especially in the beginning once your body begins to recognize the chemotherapy/ herceptin it should adjust but watch it closely. Flu like symptoms are normal but i want you to keep moving your fingers and feet…keep your blood circulating very important. Drink plenty of fluids lemon water is great and so is gingerale of you have nausea…
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Great advice thank you so much!! 
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Amazing advice thank you so so much. My treatment starts tomorrow at 8.30 so going to bed now, feel shattered already! think from all the stress and anxiety……
I’ve brought loads of lemons and loads of ginger sweets…… and packed a little bag for tomorrow too if snacks and entertainment.
Xxxxx
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You will do good, sending you positive thoughts all the way…stay strong! Go get this!!! Here if you need me🥰
Xoxo.
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@stevie86 we are all cheering you on ! I have a therapist as part of my long covid treatment and she told me that rather than seeing chemo as something terrifying. To try and embrace it and see it as good treatment … it’s hard to change the mindset but it’s worth a go xx
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@nikkilc That’s great advice , thank you . They automatically booked me a picc line appointment but I told them I don’t want it , I’m going in tomorrow to see the oncology dept so I’m going to stress this again . I have reasons for not wanting a picc line so would like to avoid it if possible x
awww yes please express your concerns always!! I’m not getting a picc line until Jan so when my next set of x4 sessions are given, so hoping they find a good vein tomorrow and the rest of the sessions, lol,
Hope you’re ok, il let you know how my first treatment goes!! I’m ready for sleep now, as il be up super early!! I feel tired but scared to sleep as I know it’s all happening tomorrow. I might be less nervous once I get in there and speak with the nurses etc. hoping they put my mind at rest♥️
Sending big love always! X
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@stevie86 I felt like that before my surgery … by the time I got down to theatre I was slightly grateful to be knocked out tbh 
then I just slept all afternoon after the surgery !
Follow @nikkilc advice and drink plenty of water … you’ll probably find you sleep well after tomorrows appointment x
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Thank you so much, just called for my taxi♥️ scared but pretty chill at the same time!!
Speak soon!! Xxxxx
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Just been to look at the oncology day unit - everyone looked relatively calm, they were going round with refreshments when I was there .
It looks like I’ll have to have the picc line as the nurse who showed me round said if I chose to have a cannula I’ll have to organise getting my bloods myself which on a weekly basis would be a nightmare with my gp as they won’t book blood tests at such shirt notice or block book them .
Sadly I’m not allowed anyone on there with me , husband isn’t even allowed to walk onto the unit to drop me off or pick me up
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Stevie I used my rapid response card like it was batmans bat phone anything I wasn’t sure of I rang them they didn’t mind they were happy I was being vigilant it helps them get you safely through 
Shi xx
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Hi everyone-- joining now as met with my oncologist yesterday and they are recommending EC X4 bi weekly, followed by paclitacel X4 biweekly, or 3 rounds of docetaxel on a 3 weekly basis. To start ASAP. I have to decide between them and it seems quite similar, apart from the reduced times to take the docetaxel.
My cancer is Er+ Pr+ HER-, and I had surgery to remove in early October. Good margins on the surgery but 2 nodes were involved so onto chemo.
Dreading losing my hair, it’s been a big part of my sense of self all my life (lots of curls!). I like to research things thoroughly so am very interested in suggestions about how to keep body hair! Good luck to you all.
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This all makes sense-- tell me more about your approach to cold capping and whats this about icing your eyebrows?!
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Hi! So i was offered the paxman or peguin cap cooling system through sloan Kettering and i refused…the time they wanted me there before and after chemotherapy was simply not feasible with children at home and after reading data analysis the resultsof hair retention didn’t seem promising…so i started investigating…more and more…chemotherapy kills the bad cells as well as healthy cells so if i could halt the blood supply/ circulation while my chemotherapy was administered maybe just maybe it would work… now please know this only worked with my regime that was Taxol/ Herceptin weekly 12 full rounds.( Not sure how it would work with other chemotherapy)… so here go this is what I did alongside a minimum of 60 grams of protein , 3 liters of water,daily avocado, Brazil nuts, castor oil nightly to eyebrows eyelashes, cocunut oil shampoo daily to hair, no heat drying ( slicking it back and cutting it short to neckline and tying it in a bun so you dont mess with it…) Your NUTRITION is just as important as icing your head eyelashes and eyebrows because you want to keep them healthy…
Pomni migraine ice cap sold @ Walmart 30.00 …i bought 2… Icing would begin at start of pre meds after IV insertion…i would change them out halfway through as they defrosted… ( i brought a cooler and kept them on ice during chemotherapy) i used gallon size plastic bags filled with ice to submerge my fingers and toes during chemotherapy to prevent neuropathy…i had NONE,NOTHING… i used a eye gel pack from my local dollar store froze them the morning off and (bought 3) and put on my eyebrows and closed my eyes so the coldness hit my eyelashes as well… the process continued until IV was removed folloit was extremely annoying, very time consuming, but i have to telll there are only 4 people that know i went through chemotherapy and that because I told them…besides my immediate family and doctors…i kept about 60-70 percent of my hair…ALL my EYELASHES and EYEBROWS… your hair will thin but like i said between your nutrition and strict adherence to icing you can do this!!!
Continuing the discussion from November 2024 chemo starters:
Hi - I have had a quick diagnosis and start chemo next Tuesday. It’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment! Does anybody know how I get an appointment for a wig consultation/fitting please?
Thanks Kim
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Have your doctor write a prescription for cranial prosthetic wig and then call local wig stores because sometimes its covered by insurance…
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