Hello to all you lovely October Ladies
I hope you’re all feeling well… We’ve been quiet on here for a few days! ?
I finally plucked up the courage to go to the hairdressers on Thursday…
I didn’t go completely bald but I had a No.2! 
My head feels sooooooooo much better! And it doesn’t look too bad at all! (I was having a mini panic attack in case I had a horrible head!! ?) Obviously the rest of my hair will fall out at some point but for now I’m happy with a No2!
Have a lovely day x
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Hi Aneeebel and all October ladies ?
I’m pleased to hear you got to the hairdressers and you’re happy with the cut. Mine has started falling out now, not massively but each time I brush it so the big shave is approaching rapidly now ?♀️ I got a wig yesterday I’m really pleased with so the timing is perfect. I’m waiting for clumps of hair to fall out before I brave the shave.
How’s everybody doing? Hope you’re all fighting fit.
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Big hugs ??
?Fiona xxx
Yay Aneeebel! I’m sure you look fabulous ??
I sent a photo of myself to my siblings immediately after I had my hair cut to a number 1. My brother sent me back a photo of himself on his old army ID card (he was in the reserves) and we looked like twins! ???
I hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday! xox ?
Morning ladies 
sorry for the radio silence over the past week it’s all been a bit pants here but I think I’m coming out the other side now
Kateday day how are you feeling now? I suffered with the injection too its not to say the least, I hope your feeling better.
Aneeebel well done on the hair I’m going to get a wig next week and hoping to get him shaved too, I’ve got bald patches everywhere now it’s driving me mad I just want it gone!
I think I managed to do this week exactly what I did following chemo 1 and not read all your lovely words because cancers felt too much and overwhelming and then when I do wished I’d done it sooner ?♀️
I’ve found his cycle so emotionally draining, I think I’ve spent most the week crying at everything, my poor husband hasn’t known where too start!! I think it’s probably hair related and fatigue.
How is everyone else finding the fatigue? They keep telling me it’s normal (and I know I’m incredibly impatient!) I can’t do anything 7-10 days after and have to have help to look after the kids, I think that’s the worst thing 
Also the bladder problems ?:female_sign: This week I’ve been so tired I just don’t know when I need to go and am like you often having trips to the toilet lots and no water before bed!
Sorry I’ve been a little ray of sunshine! But on a positive note we’re getting there and every day is closer is anyone planning anything nice for when that happens? Or when chemo is done?
Sorry to hear you’re felt rubbish Sarah. I’m only in my first cycle and found day 4-5 worst. Such a brain fog and I couldn’t cope with noises (so especially the kids lol!).
It’s all passed now and this week my main lergy is a cold which has left me feeling bunged up and with a sore throat.
I’m reading all your hair stories. Now rapidly approaching day 14/15 and waiting to see if the cold cap has worked. To be honest if it hasn’t it’s one less faff on chemo day and I’ve got my wig and some scarves lined up.
Totally hear you on booking something to look forward to at the end of this. I’m looking at a week in may half term in Cornwall. Thought about abroad but it’ll be tricky to book in advance what with the insurance. Also not sure how much energy I’ll have, like you say fatigue is a factor.
Have a good weekend all! X
Cornwall sounds lovely! I keep looking but can’t decide
I found my hair stayed in until this cycle. Fingers crossed it works for you, I’ve heard lots of positive it just wasn’t for me.
Hi Sarah and all the October ladies.
Sarah, we’re all here for you holding each other’s hands while trying to get through this ??
I’m losing more hair each time I touch it. I was hoping to get to next weekend but now I’m just not sure. The top of my head is so tender, is that what everyone else has gone through? It’s day 16 for me and I think I want to get this next milestone done of shaving.
As for a treat afterwards, we’re supposed to be going to gran canaria in July with my sister and nieces, but I’m hoping hubby will take me away for a nice weekend between chemo and surgery ? I think to be honest I’ll just be relieved to have got through chemo but that’s too far away at the moment so just one day at a time. I think a good walk is called for today ?
Take care ladies, stay safe and warm and think positive happy thoughts. We will get through this ???
?Fiona xxx
Hello FiMillan
Just to let you know that a tender scalp is quite common when you start to lose your hair though it will stop once you’ve either shaved or your hair has dropped of its own accord. I decided not to rush to the shave and so was halfway through my third cycle before I did it - I was just soooooo fed up of looking like Golum. But it was a relief once I’d done it and I could stop going around the house with one of those sticky tape style clothes brush contraptions picking up stray hairs - my wig went on much easier too!!!
Sue xx
Aneeebel thank you for sharing :)) you’re so positive i think I’m getting to the point now where I want it gone, I’m losing so much I have to hoover the mattress every morning now ?:female_sign:. I’ve got a wig appt Tuesday so when I know how long that all takes I’m booking it in, hoping to do it before the next cycle on 22nd.
How a lovely day all, we’re already up and making cakes!!
LindaA LindaA Member
11:36 AM
Hi ladies
I was just reading this forum and the support from you all for each other.
I due to start my 2nd cycle of AC this Wed, l finally got confirmation that I have Triple negative breast cancer, it been along road with many biopsy’s ,but at least now l know the plan ahead . I’m day 18 from my first cycle and today l notice hair starting to fall out,my skull is very sensitive and feel sore in places. I had the cold cap so I’m hoping it may only just get thinner.if not then l gave it a try . I haven’t sorted a wig yet but will sort that out after this next cycle.
Sending you good wishes x
Hi
All
The effects of injections have worn off now thank goodness
I’m absolutely dreading the next cycle
My hair is starting to shed too
Welcome Linda I’m a fellow triple negative
I haven cold capped
I really hate being even slightly cold
Hope others are doing better
Badboob I hope your skin is repairing itself xx
Hi
I think they were call Frigrstimin something like that , to boost your bone marrow to create more white blood cells
You know I felt the same not wanting to go back after just one cycle and you really have been through the mill
I think I’m frightened as felt so poorly first few days then got them awful aches
Does your body get weaker each time this is my concern x
Kateday, I have those injections but I’ve been fine with them… What a shame you’ve been unwell! ?
I think the cycles are meant to get easier as you go along… I haven’t had much luck with my first 2 but the 2nd time I did recover quicker! (If that makes sense!)
Anyway, I’m not being ill or having any side effects this time after No.3…I’ve decided!! Haha!
Or I’m DEFO not going back for no.4!!! ??
We have to keep going Kate…no other option! We will all do it together…hold each other’s hands… we’re made of strong stuff… we’ll come out the other side… x ?
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Curious. I did the gcsf (Filgrastim) injection and it was completely painless. I was sh@*tt&*g myself about doing it though. Maybe I just have a lot of fat on my stomach? ??
I will try that I was advised to do them at night
The injection itself no problem
I just experienced really bad bone and joint pain one day was particularly awful
I actually called the ward I was in pain everywhere she said it can be a side effect and it could well happen every time I have them , I just keep saying the next cycle when done will mean I’m half way through the EC
Today my hair is starting to come out sepecially on my erm lady garden haha no more trimming xx
@kateday are you having one gcsf injection per cycle or is it several? I’m having just one (lonquex) and I hear this has less side effects than the version with several injections days in a row. Might be worth asking about it.
I have five days in a row
I see my oncologist ok Friday so will definitely be asking
Thank you xx
Someone mentioned the book that liz oriordan wrote (the breast surgeon who got bc). On her blog she talks about the injections under the chemo section and how she switched from daily to single injections. Here’s the bit from her blog:
“I then talked about the headaches and severe bone pain, and it was suggested that it could be the GCSF injections I’d been having. A lot of women can’t tolerate the full week of injections, apparently. Because I’d had a problem with them and had such bad side effects, they could justify giving me a different injection. It’s only given once, instead of the 6 days, with fewer side effects, but it’s double or triple the price of the weekly course, which is why it’s not given routinely to patients at my hospital”.
Aneeebel - lol! ???
Haha Mrs fingers, Aneeebel and Kateday, you’ve made me laugh! I’ve been lucky not to have any side effects from the daily GCSF injections - aside from my husband managing to stab himself with the needle more than once. Apparently even automatically-retracting needles aren’t husband-proof. ? I have one injection a day for 7 days. I’ll have to thank my daughter for my “mummy tummy” so there’s enough fat to pinch and inject into. I didn’t realise that would be a benefit! ?♀️
Kateday, if you’re not offered the wizz-bang single injection option, perhaps ask if there is anything you can do to prevent the side effects. A friend (who is in the medical profession, but not an oncologist) told me to take antihistamine alongside the GCSF injections. I would definitely check with your team to see if they recommend this, but it might be worth asking about in case it helps.