October 2024 chemo starters

Guh morning all!!

Hope your all feeling okay today. Ive been reading your posts this morning and its just been so helpful and made me feel less alone.
Got my pre assessment today and subject to that going okay will be having my first EC on the 31st.
Got the tail end of a cold/congestion still lingering which Im really hoping doesn’t delay anything as Ive had a stuffy nose now for what feels like about 2 months.

Ive spotted a few of you who are also doing dose dense where its administered fortnightly! Im 4 x EC and 4 x Taxol. Im trying to see it all in steps so for now Im just looking at the 4 ECs and thinking Thursday Il be 1 down 3 to go.

Im not cold capping although probably should as Id spent enough money going bloody blond just before all this. Going to see how today goes and probably brave the shave tonight and just bite the bullet.

Sending you all lots of love and positive vibes, Ive never been one for social media at all but all of you on these forums have helped me so so much. Xxxx

3 Likes

Hi just want to say hope your pre chemo appointment goes ok. I’m sure it will be fine. I started my chemo last Thursday & I also had the tail end of a cold & was praying that my treatment wouldn’t get delayed. Luckily for me it didn’t.
I was quite nervous for the 1st round as didn’t know what to expect but it honestly wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, I was nervous obviously but it’s doable.
I decided to cold cap but was only given the gel cap out the freezer rather than the machine if that makes sense so they have to swap it 1/2 way through because it starts to warm up so I’m not holding out much hope. I have always had very long hair which I have had cut to above shoulder length now to prepare.
My treatment plan is 6 rounds of chemo in total 3 weeks apart. 3 EC followed by 3 Docetaxel. Plus Filgrastim injections from day 5-10 for the white blood cells to reproduce. I started that injection last night & it wasn’t bad I just went a bit hot & heavy temporarily. I had steroids for 3 days after my chemo which I think helped with the nausea & dull headache I had. I am also taking 1 antibiotic tablet a day every day in between cycles.
My diagnosis was grade 2 invasive ductal ER/PR positive & HER 2 negative. 25mm tumour removed with good margins & lymph node biopsy that were clear. I also had bi lateral breast reduction. They did say that I had LVI present (lymphovascular invasion) :tired_face:. After my chemo is complete I will have 9 radiotherapy sessions & tamoxifen as I am 43 & haven’t gone through the menopause. Good luck with your treatment!!

3 Likes

Just thought I would pop on to say good luck today. I’m sure you will be fine.
I had my 1st round of chemo last Thursday, I had EC. I’m having 6 rounds in total 3 EC Followed by 3 Docetaxel all 3 weeks apart.
I was very nervous about starting but I was also glad to finally be in the chair & getting number 1 ticked off :white_check_mark:.
I have generally been ok since chemo it’s just the fatigue that’s difficult because I’m usually on the go all the time. Also the 1st 3 days I had a dull headache & felt a bit nauseas but I think the steroids along with the anti sickness helped with that. After day 2 I started with quite bad heartburn which I’ve never had before. I started the Filgrastim injections last night & so far that’s going ok too.
I drank loads of water the day I was having chemo & had a some snacks & took some mint humbugs to suck on because it did give me a bit of a funny taste in my mouth.
Anyway enough of me rambling.
Good luck & keep us updated how you are finding it all.

2 Likes

Hello lovelies!!

Well its a flying visit into the October group for me.
Had my pre assessment done today, everything went fine but although they at one point said it was no problem they are now going to delay my start date until after my heart scan on the 6th. Really hoping Im not delayed by too much as Id really mentally worked myself ready to get it done this Thursday.

Wishing all you October superstars the absolute best in your treatments!

Much love xxxx

3 Likes

Thanks, really enjoyed reading, thanks for support. A couple of hours post chemo, feeling ok, sat wondering when something is going to hit, but by that time I’ll hopefully be asleep and stay asleep for a good nights rest.
Sounds like we are on a very simlar regime. Starting injections on Thursday, so will watch out for bone pain. They were rushing a bit at the end of my treatment, i was the last one left on the unit, i had a reaction in the first minutes of the docetaxel so they had to stop, inject some other stuff, wait and then carry on at 50% infusion rate.

Let us know how your second cycle goes, its nice to follow someone :blush:

We are sooo up for a family holiday next year, havent had a proper one since befoŕe covid, eldest was 17 last week, she’ll be gone before we know it

Big up to everyone :rocket:

2 Likes

Hi @shelbylou81 I’ve just jumped in from Sept thread and I see you’re on the same chemo regime as me. I had bad heartburn with my first cycle so I mentioned it to the Dr before my second cycle and they give me omeprazole tablets which have really helped so it might be worth asking for something. I probably should’ve phoned the helpline about it and could maybe have started the tablets sooner. If it’s bothering you, you should give them a ring. I’m now day 5 after cycle 2 and starting to feel a bit more normal. Still very tired, but overall not as bad as I thought things might be.

4 Likes

Thankyou for your reply I will definitely mention it Thankyou. I’m still feeling quite tired after my 1st round last Thursday & I’m 6 days on now. Hope to feel a bit normal again before my next round :crossed_fingers:
Hope you keep sailing through your treatment & it will be over before you know it!! X

3 Likes

Hello everyone,
Good to hear about your experiences with the first cycle and that you ars okay overall.
Yes the tiredness is quite bad isn’t it? My second cycle yesterday went ok -.haven’t been able to sleep much and feeling quite exhausted/tired today and sickly from the steroids I think -and chemo. But anyi-nausea med keep it ok. Will have to do my first of 05 white blood cell booster injections in a half an hour. Bit worried as last time I had a lot of pain linked to this but it was higher dose one and now I’m having five separate ones which is worth a go.

Yeah I think water drinking is really important and taking it easy especially in the first week. Fingers crossed we will all feel improved in week two. Thinking of you ladies - take it easy and stay in touch, Rose :sunflower::two_hearts::four_leaf_clover: xx

2 Likes

Hey ladies, just wanted to say good morning. Its just lovely and reassuring to have you out there going through the same thing at the same time sharing your thoughts and experiences. This is us for the next few months :melting_face:
Following on from my reaction during chemo i had full on rash yesterday, sent photos to the hospital, luckily the same dr was on so she reassured me it was an ok reaction. I get hot flushes anyway as i had to stop hrt. I’m worried about taking painkillers for anything in case that masks a high temp, but then i worry that im worrying about that too much, and should just take some paracetamol if i need to, i dont want to just tough it out.
Hey ho, i guess its just navigating all these wonderful new normal. :kissing_heart:

2 Likes

Hi Kew,

Thanks. It’s really good to share experiences and feelings here…

Glad that your rush isn’t concerning the Dr.

Yes it can be a bit unnerving to having to negotiate these different pains and aches and consider painkillers or not. I have been doing ok so fat compared to last time- with a different anti-nausea drug. Cyclisine.
. So far the pain linked to booster injections is ok - better than last time when I only had one injection which gave me a lot of pain.

I am taking my temperature and if it looks okay, have taken some paracetamol when needed to.

Struggling sleeping a bit more deep and long enough but hope that will come. I can recommend for the dry lips to go for Wekeda lip balm. It is very good and I got the following range of shampoo and conditioners which are very good for dry and itchy, scalp and hair. Hair shedding a lot now.

Wishing you well for the next days. It will be interesting to see how things go. I’m feeling very tired this time - more sore than last time but guess that’s normal. Hard to take it easy on Halloween had to do some pumpkin carving with my son - good fun -and then answer the door to kids. Now back to resting. :slightly_smiling_face: :four_leaf_clover:

2 Likes

Hello ladies. Just wondering how you’re managing the hair loss. Mine is shedding at great speed and I’m tempted to just keep brushing it until no more falls out. I also want to keep as much hair as possible but I think I’m kidding myself by not brushing it as it’s clearly coming out anyway. What are you doing? xx

2 Likes

I shaved mine this week, couldn’t handle it anymore and it was very bald in one patch. It’s a relief but I did cry a lot…I don’t think here’s an easy solution really! Thinking of you! X

3 Likes

Oh wow Phebe that’s a huge decision, I can’t imagine how tough that was but well done. I wish someone would tell me what to do, I can’t make these decisions. I’ve got my second cycle on Monday so if it carries shedding like it is now that might actually make the decision for me. Thinking of you. xx

3 Likes

I didn’t use the cold cap so I never expected to keep my hair. The oncologist said it would come out around day 14 and sure enough it did. I’d cut it really short before it started coming out then once it did, I shaved it with my husband’s clippers. I didn’t actually cry although I thought I would have. I just didn’t want to be annoyed with hairs all over the house and it was certainly less dramatic coming out when it was only an inch long. I’ve read some people using the cold cap keep what’s left long and use headbands etc to cover bald patches but I do think it’s important to brush it so it doesn’t become matted. It’s a tough decision :face_with_diagonal_mouth:

2 Likes

I didn’t cold cap either and also started shedding like mad on day 14. I’m on an accelerated dose so this week was falling out like crazy. I was literally hoovering 3 times a day as it was everywhere. I woke up on Wednesday and just decided to get it shaved off. Soooo glad I did and although I did cry, I feel so much better that I made that decision. I thought I’d care more that it’s gone but I actually don’t care now. My other half and son have told me I’m rocking the shaved look so I’ll take that :rofl: xx

3 Likes

My 10 yr old asks me very regularly about when my hair is going to fall out. First cycle was on Tuesday, Ive been in so much discomfort from the filgrastim jabs ive not looked in the mirror or gone near a shower. Ive just not got the energy to deal with thinking more about hair, so ill just have to suck it up when it comes out, i did have an initial short cut at hairdresser.
Lots of the patients around me when i was having my chemo had varying degrees of hair loss, i take some comfort that what ever happens wont be too traumatic.
Meanwhile spoke with weekend onc team, theyve suggested i could stop the daily filgrastim injections, risk of infection is greater, maybe move to the pegfilgrastim next time.
Im going to miss tonights injection and see if i manage to sleep tonight, as long as sickness doesnt kick in again. :expressionless:

3 Likes

Thanks for your reply. My hair gets so matted when I was it it’s unreal, then it sheds when I condition and brush it. Cutting your hair short sounds like a great idea and well done for braving the shave, it sounds quite liberating. So much to think about. xx

1 Like

Hi Tracey. Oh how wonderful that your son likes your shaved look and you’re happy too, that’s so great. xx

1 Like

I’m sorry to read you’re having a rough time with the filgrastim, I hope that having a night off and switching to an alternative medication helps. My eldest asks me about hair loss daily, it’s so hard having these conversations with children but needs must. I’m considering stopping the cold cap if my hair is going to shed at this rate anyway but I’m not sure I’m brave enough to stop. Hope you sleep well tonight. xx

Hi ladies hope you are all doing ok? I am booked in to go & look at some wigs this morning :grimacing:. I am 11 days on from my 1st round of chemo & feeling more myself again now. I had a couple of bad days with back pain & pelvis pain from the filgrastim injections but that seems to have subsided now. I wasn’t to bad from my 1st round of EC, I felt very fatigued, had a dull headache on & off & nausea from time to time & heartburn. I have however felt really hungry & just wanted to eat quite a lot. Not sure if any of you have felt like this?. I cold capped for my 1st round but have made the decision not to bother going forward. I haven’t shed any hair at all yet but I’m expecting to any time now. I made the decision as I felt after reading a lot of posts most people loose their hair with EC even with cold capping. I would rather it all grow back at the same time rather than have patches if that makes sense. Hope everyone else is as well as can be x

1 Like