November 2024 chemo starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
101

@nikkilc in the U.K. they usually give you a wig voucher towards the cost … however I asked today when I went in and was told they don’t do it at my hospital . I’m with Beneden health who can assign a cancer care nurse who can arrange wigs but I just went to a wig lady and got one exactly like my hair and then ordered some online from headscarves by ciara

They don’t do the pomni Ice cap on the U.K. as we don’t have Walmart but found what I think is similiar in boots , it’s a cooling migraine head wrap ? £19.99

@kimmy4 where abouts are you based ? I go to a wig lady in Didcot near Oxford

2 Likes
102

@bluehourd welcome aboard - we are all starting chemo this month at varying stages and all here to support each other x

2 Likes
103

@stevie86 Hope today went ok for you x

2 Likes
104

Hi lovely!! It went really well thank you!! I posted about it on the other thread that I started about starting chemo very soon…… not sure if you can find it??? :wink:

But, yes went so well, I couldn’t even tell anything was happening, I was in my nice comfy chair for about 6 hours in total but the chemo was actually only 3ish, but with waiting around and checks etc, just took longer. Chair was super comfy and I watched a movie on my phone most of the time, as well as just watching everything going on, it’s quite interesting. I met a lovely lady that just started hers yesterday too so that pasted the afternoon away.

I definitely recommend taking things to do and take lots of snacks as it definitely passes the time by snacking and takes your mind off of it all. I was properly scared of allergic reaction to the chemos, that was my main fear but nothing happened, thank god. I was quite hot and flushed near the end but I’m warm blooded anyway and the room was boiling, so was thrilled to leave and have fresh air!!!:smirk: I went for a walk around the hospital before I caught taxi home, much needed!!

They come around asking if you want drinks and snacks etc too., which is nice!! He filled my water bottle up for me at one point, I took water with lemon in it and just kept sipping on it throughout.

So far so good then, obviously I’m on steroids at home and anti nausea, I ate pretty normal yesterday, I’ve just woken up so will have my next set of tablets now and I feel pretty ready for breakfast. Ive slept for about 6 hours, which is quite good actually.

I will just chill today, probably a walk later, my nieces birthday is today (17) so she’s going to pop in to open her presents, I haven’t seen her for a few months with all this happening, but I will just keep my distance and it should be fine!! no kisses and cuddles unfortunately, incase of infections but at least I can see her.

Any questions anyone has about anything, il be sure to answer.

When do you start your again @arty1 ?? I can’t remember?? How are you feeling??

Take care everyone!! Big love!! Xxxxxx

4 Likes
105

@stevie86 thats really good to hear ! I’m so pleased it went well :smile: what regime are you on ?
I start two weeks today … panic is slowly setting in :see_no_evil: like you reactions are my fear as taxels are more slightly to provoke a reaction

You are probably fine at the moment to have a meet up with your niece as I think the days you are more at risk from infection are after steroids finish , lovely that you can see her on her birthday x

2 Likes
106

Aw yes so excited to see her, she can just sit far away from me and like I said no kisses or cuddles but I want to see her open her presents etc. I miss my nieces and nephew so much already through all of this​:sleepy: BUT I can face time them no things have settled and my chemo has started, it was just the fear on the unknown before and I just wanted to hide away from everyone. But feel relieved that the first on is done!!:muscle:t3:

Awww you will be absolutely fine!! They go through the major reactions with you and put your mind at rest, they stop the chemo straight away and give you antihistamines that should work right away so as long as you let them know if you feel weird they’ll sort you out STRAIGHT away!! everyone was really chill in the room, and just reading and snacking etc, very calm environment.

They only side effect so far is a little jaw ache/pain when I eat, came on last night, so il see how that goes, only the one side so hopefully it goes away quickly otherwise I mention it, but so far so good. Il keep you posted!!

Big love!! Xxxxx

2 Likes
107

@stevie86 ah it will be lovely to see her and do something “normal “ :heart_eyes:

Jaw ache sounds annoying … how are you feeling apart from that ?
I’ve just had a call from the hospital , due to having a castor oil allergy , I can’t have weekly paclitaxel as it contains castor oil . They are changing me to Abraxane (nab paclitaxel) but every three weeks . Good in the sense that I won’t be chained to the hospital but meh in that it’s going to take longer

2 Likes
108

I’m absolutely fine right now, eaten scrambled egg on toast as I was starving when I woke up!! Jaw ache isn’t too bad now but not good if I eat something hard like apple. Il see how it goes, nothing too awful right now.

I’m just doing a sainburys order, in case I crave things and I need to stock up on snacks etc for the coming weeks…… I’m gluten free/veggie so isn’t always the easiest for me to eat snacks things, apart from a lot of fruit.

Glad you’ve head from hospital about that, sounds promising!! they do always ask about allergies. I only have sesame seed allergy so they weren’t too bothered.

Xxxxx

2 Likes
109

@stevie86 That will be the steroids ! So good that you are feeling ok for now … apples probably best avoided unless you can cut them and peel them ? I’d probably be careful with crusty bread too x
Good idea to stock up , I like to get stuff in from Cook and bulk bought from there so we have easy but nutritious meals (although the fussy 14 year old is hard to please :rofl:)
I didn’t mention castor oil until last week as I didn’t think I’d have it in my chemo … no wonder people on paclitaxel get the raging trots :see_no_evil::rofl:

3 Likes
110

Sorry I’ve been on the quiet side
Picc line insertion was awkward but second try all done , cold cap was cold ( ha ha no surprise there ) but after 90 mins of pressure I questioned on how uncomfortable it was ( despite the distractions of Rivals , Disney plus a bit raunchy for the chemo suite !! ) it transpired my cap was on the small side . Me and my big head !
Change of cap what a relief , chemo side ok
Influx of drugs and timings for home administration all new to me , nausea bearable ( although drinking gingers shots with meds ) headachey , bouts of tiredness
Started Filgrastamin injections last night. So far so good . I’m on the ECT regime .
Good luck lovely people each treatment is another step closer to the end of it . Great to have this forum if sharing and support - love and care to you all :two_hearts:

5 Likes
111

I’m glad you are ok. I had the same thing with the picc. My arm is black and blue from the first attempt!

I am a week in today and have one more injection to go, thank goodness. Other than stabbing myself in the finger last night when I removed the cap, I have survived…so far! The nurse said main issue is joint pain but I think I have escaped the worst so far.

I managed to go a day yesterday without retreating to the sofa for an afternoon kip so that felt like a victory. I also had my picc cleaned up and redressed. What a high life we lead…xx

4 Likes
112

I asked the nurse about eating fresh fruit - as I am also veggie and like my fruit. She said it should be ok as long as it is washed. That said, I’ve been peeling apples! I feel like my diet has gone way downhill when I should be eating healthily!

PS a friend mentioned Cook earlier. I have just been having a look - definitely one to try!

2 Likes
113

Isn’t it just !

My husbands doing my injection , it will be nice when we have a breather from the meds / injections before the next cycle

I’m glad you are becoming less tired :kissing_heart:

Happy weekend all :rainbow:

1 Like
114

@mrso2 I’m so glad you are managing ok , I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you were .
I’m amazed you didn’t have everyone in the suite crowded round you as you watched Rivals , it’s definitely a raunch fest :rofl: We’ve been binge watching and are up to the last episode now , I’ve been hooked !

I’m in awe of you that push on with the cold caps as I couldn’t face it due to suffering from migraines , I was worried it would make them worse , how many cycles are you having ?

I’m not looking forward to the white cell injections I must say

@flojo is it a week already since your first ?!
I hadn’t even thought about fruit and veg , I guess as long as everything is washed well it should be fine

Sorry to hear you both had issues with the picc line insertion … that doesn’t sound fun :tired_face:

Friday evening injections … this will be our new wild ! :see_no_evil::see_no_evil:

2 Likes
115

Hi @bluehourd - I’m on the September starters group but came across your post - take a look at Daniel Reid cancer hair care products. Very pricey but work with the cold cap to minimise hair loss.
Also - for lashes there is something available on prescription called Bimatoprost. It’s prescribed off-label (ie. Not for its intended usage) for cancer patients to help eyelash growth (it’s actually a glaucoma eye drop that has a side effect of making eyelashes grow).

2 Likes
116

I did the consent forms on Monday, the PICC yesterday and the echo today. 1st infusion a week today. Feeling overwhelmed.

1 Like
117

Just found this thread. It’s encouraging to hear other people’s experiences - thanks. I had my first EC chemo on 1st Nov. Have 6 cycles at 3 week intervals. Having Picc line fitted day before my 2nd treatment on 22nd. Was wiped out days 2 and 3. Started injections on day 4 - last one for this cycle tonight. Felt good yesterday and had a walk for about 2 miles. Sore gums started yesterday and a tiny bit of a sore throat today - OH started with a cold yesterday - so I’m wondering if I’ll catch that and how it will affect me. Keeping a close eye on temperature. I like the idea of trying to see chemo in a positive way - rather than as a poison - I’m going to have to work at that a bit harder.

3 Likes
118

:heart:keep eye out for thrush mouth as your entering your nadir phase where your neutrophils will be at their lowest, if you get thrush mouth you’ll need your team to give you meds ask for fluconzole don’t let them fob you off with drops, if you don’t feel right even without a temperature do ring your team to let them decide if you need to go in or not. Back when I had chemo had burning wee but no temperature, I rang my team and they called me in it was a uti and needed antibiotics, just keep vigilant and keep safe :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

2 Likes
119

That’s only natural. Good luck with the echo - that is fine to do. What chemo are you having?

120

We started the same day! Am glad I don’t have to an injection this evening. Are you having six EC? I am having three and then three Doc.