@lumpybyebye @Mairead_49 @slc1 thinking of you today, hope everything goes well for you 
@nastynork blimey, glad you had oncology sticking up for you, hope you are doing OK
@dilly sorry to hear you have shingles too, if there isn’t enough to be dealing with. Hope that’s not making you feel too poorly.
Hope everyone else that’s had chemo this week is doing OK, and going to have chemo this week.
I’m pleased to report that the leg pains are getting less painful as the days have gone on….
@lumpybyebye WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST TODAY!!
@Mairead_49 HOPE ALL GOES AS WELL AS POSSIBLE TODAY!! XX
@slc1 good luck today!!! xx
Thanks so much to you all for the well wishes, what a bloody fantastic group here 
I’ve got 45 mins left of my post cooling and that’ll be chemo #1 done. Only 15 to go 
The anticipation of today was so much worse than the reality. Cold capping is not enjoyable but it is absolutely bearable and I’m hopeful I can continue it throughout.
I didn’t like seeing the bright red EC going in so god knows what my body is going to think. I started taking Loratadine yesterday in preparation for the Pegfilgrastim injection which I think will be tomorrow. I’m thankful mine will be just 1 injection. Let’s wait and see what side effects happen and deal with them just like you all have.
To those starting tomorrow and Friday, my experience, and I know its the same for others, is that the anticipation is much worse than the actual experience. You’ll be so relieved to get the first session done.
@dilly how are you with the Shingles today?
Good luck to others having your chemo today xx
Thanks @Mairead_49…the shingles is mild so no problem there, but I think the antiviral meds have triggered diarrhoea 
. Or is it the chemo? I’m going to muddle through until tomorrow and then if it’s still bad, call the helpline in the morning.
So glad your first chemo was manageable…well done you! One step closer to being cancer free x
It’s been a Very Weepy Day! Lots of hair came out when I washed it, stomach woes, and I’ve got stuck inside my own head about a repeat CT scan I need. Urgh.
Totally understandable @dilly, we are all going to have many weepy days, and you have a lot going on this week. This journey is tough, and its hard to deal with all the horrible side effects, especially knowing that you have to go back in and take another dose. Let it out, and you will feel brighter again x
Thank you @Mairead_49 x
What have you guys done with the anti-sickness meds you took home? Nurse says to start taking them only if I feel nauseous (and then take the 5 day course), but I’m quite terrified of being sick and have seen talk of people taking them regardless to get ahead of it. What are your experiences? To clarify, I have had an Akynzeo tablet as a pre-med today and I think that should last a couple of days (according to Chat GPT), and I was sent home with Metoclopramide. Thanks
Most of the advice in my unit’s handouts, macmillan etc. and what my nurses said was that it’s better to take them before the nausea kicks in. If you are sick after you’ve taken the tablet - you shouldn’t take another because you can’t be sure if the tablet has been absorbed or not and you need to avoid overdosing.
I think you’re on paclitaxel? I am too and have been given metochlopramide for anti sickness. I’m prone to nausea and vomitting without chemo - but in reality have found the stomach effect to be more like mild indigestion/reflux feelings. So I’ve only been taking one on first evening and managing with gaviscon chewable, ginger tea and sweets and stem ginger biscuits the rest of the time.
Obviously, everyone has an individual response though 
. But I think paclitaxel is only known for mild nausea, whereas some of the other treatments are known for more severe nausea and vomitting. Also, I’m on a weekly (lower) dose, you may experience worse nausea if you are on larger dose given on every 2/3 weeks regime xx
Ah, just read your post update - I have a shorter acting anti sickness tab as a pre med
Thanks @buggeringon thats really helpful. I’m on EC for now and will move to Paclitaxel later. As the Akynzeo is a longer lasting medication, I’ll wait as I know I have some protection, but will take the Metoclopramide if I start to feel at all nauseous. Thanks xx
Hi I found out today I start my chemo next Wednesday so officially a November chemo starter I found out yesterday my diagnosis had changed to triple neg after re testing of the removed tumour I had a 30mm IDC no lymph nodes involved and as my heart scan showed an issue and I can’t have Epirubicin I am scheduled for 4-6 cycles of Docetaxel & Cylophosamide I was originally meant to have 4 cycles of Epirubicin & Cyclophosphamide and 12 weekly paclitaxel
@Mairead_49 Glad you’ve got #1 down … I’ve just got home from #2. I took the anti nausea regardless for 4 days. Rather stop before an issue than try to play catch up. I felt grand with that side effect!
@Strafford13 I was moved to the same treatment as you, again due to a heart issue. I’ve just had round #2 of Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide minor hiccup but resolved during #1 - hit the button, if you feel weird. Chemo nurses are fantastic. Coldcapping. Getting hair fall but not clumps out.
You’ve got this 🩷 Ask away if you want you know more about TC
I was told by the nurses to take them at the prescribed intervals regardless of whether I felt nauseous. They said it’s far easier to prevent it than it is to control it once it’s happened. That was good enough for me as I am definitely on the emetophobia scale and that was one of the biggest fears for me with starting chemo!
So I take the meds for the first 5 days no matter how I feel!
Hope you stay well x
As @lumpybyebye says - There’s a few of us on Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide here if you have any worries we can help with.
I’ve just started cycle 2 today
Just you wait… as you go through chemo I’m as bald as a coot now and chemo gives you free total body waxing with no pain or wax involved 
LOL
🩷🩷🩷:ribbon:
