Dont forget your polyblam.
Well done @kjg for getting through it! Yes, it would be great to hear about your experience once you are ready x
@cass2 whats polyblam?
It works really well to protect nails. Pricey, but my unit recommended it and nails seem ok so far.
1 Like
I’m on paclitaxel and herceptin - dose 4 tomorrow. Am cold capping and suzzipads on hands and feet- eyebrows and eyelashes ok so far.
I’ve done loads of pre prep getting a lot of stuff in for the what ifs - but haven’t for lashes and brows- I figured I’d deal with it if/when it happens. The most I’ve done is a bit of light research - there are lots of products out there.
I think we can drive ourselves a bit bonkers before first chemo, trying to be 100% prepped. Truth is, you will have time to get what you need after day 1 too. Xx
1 Like
@tessie86 I bought 4 lots of these from Home Bargains less than £1 each … freeze, pop them on during active treatment, swap as they warm up. Hold them on not elastic. I look a right state, lol. Cold cap, blue eyes and suzi pads with compression socks and compression gloves. 
Other option is to bring ice cubes to suck for ulcer prevention and to rub on eyebrows and eyelashes.
1 Like
@buggeringon goodness that is expensive. Someone did say its expensive having breast cancer!
Good to hear people dont seem to always lose the eyebrows and lashs.
You are so right i am over thinking it all and worrying about things shouldnt worry about until ive started. I am a planner so can be tough to roll with it lol
Thank you @lumpybyebye that is alot to be wearing. How do you manage to get ice cubes there without melting? Lol
1 Like
@tessie86 I worried myself to tears at one point because I didn’t have/couldn’t afford everything I saw people listing for chemo.
But the hospital will give you things like mouthwash and constipation/diarrhoea meds at your first session. And my son-in-law kindly bought me suzzi pads, but when they arrived I just knew it would be too much for me as well as the cold cap, so they were returned and I bought much cheaper compression socks and gloves, which research shows are just as effective. I definitely can’t afford £50 for a nail treatment, as I’m now on half pay.
I think it’s a bit like those lists you see when you’re pregnant for what you need in your labour bag…and then half the things don’t get used or don’t help lol
For chemo, you need a good thermometer, and for everything else just pick what you feel comfortable with and can afford. You honestly dont need All The Things.
I think chemo is such a massive thing, getting prepared and buying things is a way of exerting some control over a frightening and unknown experience. In reality, it’s not a disaster if you don’t get or can’t afford some things…and you can still get things after chemo starts and you find out what might be best for you x
4 Likes
Thank you @dilly that does make me feel so much better! And you are so right it is that form of control over the situation, your body has been so mean and created this cancer and caused you to have all of these treatments, and being able to save part of yourself does seem like such a desire and need!
Goodness the whole taking time of work, they really try to encourage but cant afford to go on sick pay, I live on my own and have rent and bills to pay, so trying to work as much as I can through chemo. So much to think and worry about! X
2 Likes
Yes, the whole money thing is a big worry. I only started last year on a sort of rolling one year contract (expected to be made permanent after a couple of years) which was extended to this academic year before my diagnosis, so my sick pay is one month full pay, 2 months half pay then SSP. I doubt I will get my contract made permanent now for next academic year, but can’t even think what I will do then if I have to look for another job.
As I work part time my pay was already teeny, so half pay is microscopic. We can just about get by, but it’s going to be a very tight few months.
Like everyone, we have financial obligations and future plans that were all nicely covered before breast cancer 
1 Like
So sorry @dilly, the last thing you should have to worry about is work and money on top of all this, its bloody shit all this hey. Fingers crossed it all works out for you xx
Surgeon is happy with my mastectomy recovery so is happy for chemo to start next week. Just the pre-assessment to go this afternoon and it’s the cold cap I’m most anxious to talk through as I’d really like to check the fit before next week. Like you guys have mentioned, it’s probably the only thing I have some control over so I’m fixating on it.
2 Likes
Thanks @Mairead_49, I know I’m not alone with money worries.
When I had my first chemo, the nurse tried different sizes of cold cap on me before it started x
1 Like
That’s good to know @dilly, thanks. I’ve created an info sheet for myself about getting the right fit etc so I’ll hopefully get the opportunity
1 Like
@tessie86 Hiya, you can put ice cubes in a food flask or a normal thermos - keeps them frozen ish until you use them.
@Dilly sounds like you work in a school like me, when you are on 1/2 pay you should get ssp as well on top then just ssp. Im going to apply for PIP and ESA (when I go to half pay). Pay taxes and NI so we’re entitled to claim something!
I did buy quite a few things but it was gradually over months before chemo started. Yes, control of this shit show! I found a cuticle oil in Home Bargains which is as effective as polyblam. They’re only any good if you religiously use them 3 times per day. I got brilliant compression socks off Amazon and gloves- didnt cost the earth. Found suzi pads for feet great but the hand things absolute pants soonly half the kit was worth it in the end. Apart from that all meds and things were stuff that we had in the medicine cupboard anyway. Do get your Dr to get you the medical exemption certificate if you havent applied yet. 5yrs free prescriptions.
Kx
1 Like
@lumpybyebye our office manager told me I’d get a letter from HR once half pay had finished re moving onto SSP? A quick Google says you only get SSP on top of half pay if your employer offers that, it’s not an entitlement?
Hiya @Mairead_49
So EC chemo went ok yesterday, the nurse manually did the chemo for this it wasn’t though a drip.
I had a cannula then 3 syringe or E (red) then 2 syringe of C (white ISH)
I had the cold cap for 30 min then chemo inserted, then cold cap stayed on for 90mins after.
Felt ok during the session. When I got home I felt really tied though so was in and out of sleep.
I had 1 tablet to take last night.
Have 5 to take day 2/3 then on day 4 I have an injection to put in my stomach. Then no meds until 1hr before my next chemo session.
I’m booked for bloods 31st then next chemo 3rd.
Generally feeling ok today just really tired.
Everyone has asked how I am feeling and to be honest I don’t know how I am feeling , think my mind set has been, I have to do this I need to get through this and get well, I thought emotions may have hit yesterday but they didn’t which surprised me.
Good luck for your 1st chemo session I hope it goes well for you xx
2 Likes
@dilly No harm in checking - Im Wiltshire Council and they give it. Worst anybody can say is no.
2 Likes
@lumpybyebye I’ve just emailed…!
2 Likes
@lumpybyebye Have you got life insurance. Check if you also took critical illness cover if you did you could make a claim. That will help you too and be less stressed worrying about money etc while off sick. Xx
2 Likes
Thanks @kjg that’s helpful. You can feel or not feel whatever it is. This is a strange old journey!
2 Likes