The hair loss is just such a hard one to cope with. I don’t think I’ve felt as traumatised by anything as seeing my lovely hair coming out. I’ve not braved the shave yet even although I have only a pathetic few strands left but at least I can see a bit of hair under my scarves etc. I’m now wearing my wig quite a bit and feeling quite confident in it now… still a bit itchy mind you but not sure you can avoid that??
My hubby sounds like yours Lisa-T, he’s doing his best but always says ‘It will be fine’ when I try and talk to him about my fears. But I know he’s putting a brave face on for me which I admire and appreciate? Not easy for our other half’s either.
I am due my third FEC on Thursday. So the next few days I will be catching up on all my housework and getting a big food shop in preparation for a rough week of SE’s. However after the first week I am usually feeling fine so I can cope with that. Head down and I will be half way through treatment after Thursday…woohoo??? And closer to ringing that bell ??
I’ve not braved the shave yet either (although I have cut it shorter). I’ve got a few strands all over my head left, but thought I would be completely bald by now, or is it usual to keep some hair?
Good luck for Thursday … half way whoo hoo. We are getting there ?? Lisa xx
Hello girls, justbwanted to offer a bit of advixe for thise of you eith “itchy wigs”. I have bamboo wig liner which is realy soft little skull cap which you wear under the wig and makes it so much better, j got it from the wig shop, also found once all hair gone it was more comfy. Foe those of you approaching half way, my hair began growing by T No 2, now 3 weeks post last chemo and have fluffy hair all over head!! As for husbands mine struggled with talkingnto me aoart from saying “be positive” and “,it will be ok”… its hard for them to know what to say or to voice how they feel i i think, but there is help for partners from macmillan if they need it.
As I was walking back from the hospital after bloods and Picc Line care this morning, I started to feel rather breathless and my chest seemed to tighten a bit. The feeling only lasted while I was walking (takes me about 30 minutes door to door) and it’s completely gone now that I’ve had a rest, but it was a bit odd. Has anyone else had that? I assume it’s just another new SE, but will check it with my nurses tomorrow when I go in for chemo.
I had a lovely day out with my other half yesterday. He/we enjoyed the time “out” so much, he has booked another day off work in November. If you can persuade your hushand/partner to do the same occasionally, I really recommend it as a way of getting some quality time away from everything, chores at home, cancer, children, and just enjoying eachother’s company. He even felt relaxed enough by mid-afternoon to ask me how I was coping, something he has not done for a few weeks. He then just listened to my answer, put his arm around me, which was perfect - just a bit of love and comfort. :heart:
Hope everyone has a good / reasonable week. :smileywink:I’m on number 6 of 16 tomorrow, or 6 out of 12 carboplatin/paclitaxel (which sounds much better), to be followed by 4 EC in December.
Looks like my breathlessness and tight chest were caused by my digestive problems, ie basically too much acid. They offered me some medication but as it’s only happened once and I don’t want to take any additional medication unless it’s absolutely necessary, I declined for now. My neutrophils were also down again, but luckily bumped back up to acceptable levels over night. What fun all this is!
Hi Paula I have had the same problem with my gums after my second Fec but after a a couple of days it eased off but my dentist recommend a toothpaste called oranurse unflavoured toothpaste which I am sure will help went to see my oncologist yesterday she is pleased with my results as the tumours has shrunk they may be able to operate earlier rather then later which is good news for me have another treatment Friday hopefully won’t be as bad as the second also I have booked for my beauty day can’t wait you seemed to have enjoyed it hope you get on ok Pat
Hi Pat73,
Had my Look Good Feel Better day yesterday-it was awesome & so many freebies! I’ve got my second FEC on Friday so ‘living it up’ re: food next few days!!
Hi Ladies.
Hope you’re all having a good day.
My name is Cat, I’m 40. I was diagnosed with HER2+ BC on 6th August, within a few days I had MRI, CT and PET scan but although being told the results (no spread) I’ve never actually been told what stage I am or the size of the tumor. I think it’s in 1 lymph node if I remember rightly.
I started FEC on 11th Sept, shaved my hair just after my second FEC and I have my 3rd FEC on Tuesday (23rd). My SE have been standard really, constant nausea for about 7 days (I take Emend, Ondansteron and Metoclopramide)
On 13th November I start THP chemo so I’m going to ask my onc what the side effects are with that. Im such a baby when it comes to being sick and nausea.
Mentally I’m getting stronger, I lost the plot when I was diagnosed as I lost my mum 11 years ago to BC. Hubby works away in the week so it’s just me and my 6 year old son Parker. He’s amazing and has dealt with my hair loss amazingly. I always wear my wig to school for him as he said he’s worried for me that people stare but today I went out in just a beanie and he didn’t even notice bless him. He is off school at the moment with a sickness bug, I’m praying I don’t catch it until after I’ve had my bloods taken on Friday.
Anyway, I think that’s it about me!! I’ve read all the posts in the thread so I’m all up to date with everything now I think.
Hi CatGarland,
Scary similarities! I was diagnosed on 6th August…I’m 45 I have 26mm grade 2 tumour with 1 lymph node involved (so far) Ive Had MRI of breasts and CT of abdomen…No PET scan though & I have wondered if I should ask for it…I’ve got a 4 year old who started reception in September, thankfully he’s fine & settled in well…I’ve got my second FEC on Friday so a little behind you, I think I’ve got 4 of each. Im having chemo first so was told by BCN they can’t stage it as I haven’t had surgery yet…
Welcome Cat. I was diagnosed 8 August so similar to you. Ive also been told they can’t stage til after surgery but I’m grade 3 (Triple negs are always grade 3) and from googling I think I’m stage 2 as tumour is 30mm and sentinel lymph node biopsy results were negative.
Pat - I’ve got some toothpaste and mouthwash on prescription so my mouth is much better now thanks. Good news on your tumour shrinkage. Mine had shrunk (touching only - not scanned yet) by around 5mm after 1 FEC which was encouraging.
My kids aren’t bothered by my hair loss - I just have half an inch of fuzz. No eyebrow loss yet. Still on the waiting list for my pamper day but looking forward to it.
Has anyone on here thought about claiming PIP? I’ve got the form from DWP and filled it in but don’t know if I’m wasting my time applying?
Hi ladies, i fully understand the taste issues, some of the things i found helped were regular salt water mouth washing, salty things were ok, anything ginger, tonic water, fruit teas, fizzy haribo sweets, pineapple. It really is try and see, some soup was good too. Also if your mouth gets sore ask chemohnit for mouth wash and for ulcers try Iglu and ask for fluconozole for oral thrush. Brush yiur teeth after eating too. Hang in there your taste wil return.
Hi All,
Lovely crisp autumnal day. Had my 2nd FEC Friday. Had grotty couple of days feeling bit better… still got oral thrush?brushing after every meal plus got moushwash and antibiotics… any suggestions?
Hi Jacqs
Thanks, yes my Gp prescribed that last cycle…the chemo unit have given me antibiotics for it plus I’m using the corsodyl. Still looking (and tasting) yuk tho! I wonder if I should have Nystatin as well or if this is too much…
I have a port in my arm. I had it put in about a week before my first chemo. It was very easy to put in…I have little arms so protrudes a bit and I found it a bit sore and annoying at first - now I don’t even notice it. The nurse basically pushes a needle into the skin above the port…it can hurt a bit and they can apply an anesthetic but that takes another half an hour to kick in so I’ve not bothered. Once needle is in you can’t feel anything. They can draw blood easily and drugs just get pushed in!
I have good veins but hate cannulas so have been happy with port.
?