I had a separate perfume I wore all the way through chemo so when chemo was done I never wore it again so I didn’t associate the damp musty smell of fec to anything if that makes sense. Your nostrils will become immune to the smell a bit, but it’ll still be there a bit. Lots of perfume was the way forward for me 
Shi xx (BCN Forum Community Champion)
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Hi everyone, omg I am so glad I have found this group been reading all your comments and I feel exactly the same, I got diagnosed mid June with grade 3 her2 negative, I had the lumpectomy 7 1/2 weeks ago and lymph nodes are clear, lump was a lot bigger than they first thought so now having chemo then radiotherapy, due to have my picc line fitted tom and start chemo on Thursday, the emotions are crazy and head is all over the place and not to mention the hot flushes!!
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Hi @cat-woman-3
Welcome to the group. Sorry to hear your diagnosis. We’ll get through this together.
I had my PICC line on Wednesday and just returned from a 75 mile round trip with extra diversion as I’d had allergic reaction to the dressing and the dried blood underneath was also irritating. I took two paracetamol half an hour before the procedure and again after for a few days. It’s still uncomfortable when raising my arm to shoulder to get dressed. The info they gave me said expect some bleeding, bruising and irritation from the securacath for a few days, obviously it’s different for everyone.
Due to the allergy I opened the kit sent home for the district nurse to change dressing to find latex gloves. I have a latex allergy and, we’ve been a latex free house for 13 years as family member is anaphylaxis risk, so I’ll have to give them a call tomorrow to hopefully collect replacement kit with latex free gloves and different dressings when I’m in clinic on Tuesday. I’m so glad I checked the kit as it was sealed. If the district nurse had opened them inside my house it would be contaminated and life threatening for the family member. With everything else going on you’d hope the staff could deal with an allergy. I mentioned it several times in the PICC clinic and they even said it was odd they had latex gloves as they usually have the blue nitrile (manmade) gloves.
This is on top of having a real ‘down’ day, the discomfort from the PICC line this morning and thinking if I phone the helpline I’d have to travel the 70 mile trip to have it looked at. I sobbed my heart out for over 20 minutes, then had to try to control myself as I began hyperventilating! It’s getting nearer to my treatment starting next week and I think it’s all getting to me. I’m had a wig fitting last week and the colour is a bit darker than my own hair, the man was so lovely but I’m not 100% sure about it. I’m torn between phoning and asking if they can find the same wig but lighter colour or just live with it. Again this isn’t close to home, it’s a 30 mile round trip.
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Happy Sunday all
Managed the full time of cold cap on Friday thro my chemo but had a banging head still
Feel really nauseous and not wanting or able to eat
Sleep is all over the place with vivid dreams like after my mastectomy so absolutely exhausted
Anyone love to all, we will get there xx
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So sorry you’re having a rubbish time @naughty_boob - could be worth a call to your local gp to get some non-latex gloves. I’m sure they’ll have some and I’d hope they’d understand a 70 mile trip for them isn’t on.
It is overwhelming and sometimes for me hard to know what will knock me off my feet. Am learning it’s not what you always expect. I did find the few days before it started particularly tough. Sending you a hug xxx
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@Craftyj am a day on from you and feel less chemically (is that a word?) as time progresses and like I’m getting more sleep. Thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon. Xxxx
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Ps. I bet they’d understand if you decided to wait on getting a wig to make sure you’re happy with it. You’re going through a huge thing, now is the time to make sure you’re getting what’s right for you. Xxx
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Hi, I’ve just found out that I’ll be starting chemo next Thursday. I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in July. Mastectomy and lymph node removal in early August. Then told they weren’t able to get all the affected lymph nodes and its already spread into the fatty tissue around them. Im having a picc line next Weds and chemo the following day. 8 rounds every 2 weeks. Probably followed by radiotherapy. Very scared about the treatment but also about whether or not it will work. Trying to be positive but really not feeling it.
Hospital were great when it came to my breast care but so far really poor at communication where my cancer care is concerned.
Also just found out my partner has cancer too but he’ll be having treatment at a different hospital. My tratment will be a 45 mile round trip and his is about 90 miles. Not sure how we’ll manage but will have to beg lifts from friends.
Ive been reading your threads and it is a little reassuring to know im not the only one going through this nightmare. Best wishes to everyone.
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I understand what a difficult time you must go through. Don’t get discouraged and see each day as it goes. My diagnosis is similar to you, I had my first chemotherapy on Wednesday, today I’m ok
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Hello all
I had my first chemo last Thursday, just wanted to wish you all well, it is very overwhelming. My regime was changed the day before so I’m on weekly chemo for 12 weeks then once every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. But I can’t think past a day! Feel quite strange and spaced out. And besides feeling odd physically, just feel overwhelmed.
Sending love to all of you who have been thrust into this new world.
Xxc
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Hi @milly156
Welcome to the group you don’t want to be a member of.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis and that of your partner. I’m having weekly Paclitaxel on Thursdays so be thinking of you while having my treatment when you start yours next Thursday. Be lovely to get to know you.
Glad you have your treatment plan, what chemotherapy are you having? Paclitaxel seems to be common for weekly. I start this Thursday so we can keep each other ‘company’ on our weekly treatments.
Hope everyone else is good. 
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Hi @naughty_boob and @daffodil1 and everyone else,
I dont know yet what chems ill be given. I had to sign something when i saw the oncologist 2 weeks ago and i could see there were drugs named on the form but its all a blur now.
Hope everything goes well for you both x
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Hi everyone, I’m due to start EC next Thursday 21, I have two pea-sized lumps in my right breast and lymph node positive so doing 5 months of chemo first, then lumpectomy, then maybe radio and herceptin for a while, I guess we wait and see.
Im keen to get started but also anxious- I live alone so trying to figure out support but also really don’t want to be a burden on my friends. My parents are 100 miles away and don’t really have the space for them to stay- I also would find it quite stressful on top of everything else.
Also just received wig suggestions this evening, but seems I should have had something already lined up due to the time they take to make/fit!
All that to say- It’s a minefield! Grateful to have found this space x
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sorry you find yourself here, do have a look at luvyababes wigs and also wigs in shops that do haircare products and makeup if you are in a city/town tgst has these shops also pre loved wigs at your local Macmillan that could tide you over till your wig arrives and is fitted I ended up wearing one frim luvyababes more than a very expensive real hair one, it’s whatever you feel comfortable in and when you look in mirror and still see you wigs are so good now snd many people wear them anyway to change their looks few of us over the years had tinsel wigs, coloured bobs the lot do what’s right for you BCN and everyone on the threads is here so ask away as much or as little as you need Shi xx (Community Champion BCN Forum)
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Hi everyone, it’s so helpful reading your posts and makes me feel less alone.
Like a couple of you, one of my lymph nodes from the SNB was positive, I found out the day before my birthday, which threw me.
I share the worry of is this working, will things be OK, and still have post-mastectomy pain, especially into the underarm area. Apparently this is not unusual. My cancer is triple negative. Also having genetics tests.
Had second paclitaxel now, not too bad so far, awake quite a bit in the night and a little nauseous.
I am trying to take a day at a time. I recommend the book Reconstruction by Rosamund Dean, it’s very useful.
xx
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Ps managing chemo without picc line or portacath so far, is anyone else? Only two infusions so far though and won’t be able to have cannula in other arm due to lymphodaema risk …
xxxx
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I had my first Paclitaxel and Herceptin injection yesterday.
Been told in clinic twice that it can cause diarrhoea and take tablets at first instance rather than fourth in leaflets. On leaving clinic I was given anti sickness tablets only and queried where the anti diarrhoea tablets were. I firmly told they don’t given them for Paclitaxel. Roll on 7:30pm and it hit three times before 10:30, phoned the helpline after the first and they apologised I had not been given the tablets and have update electronic records. Husband had to make a trip out to buy Loperamide (generic Imodium) so took 3 tablets in total and no further problems.
Had a terrible nights sleep, tossing and turning, lots of trips to the loo for a wee, I suppose it was all the fluids I’d had! Mouth is tender, having some indigestion, odd feeling in big toes and lower back pain. The helpline are calling back today to check on me and will mention other symptoms.
Tried cold cap it was so painful for first 15 minutes but I preserved. The leaflet from Velindre had stated a starter kit would be given including a headband so I didn’t take anything with me. They stated they had some donated but no longer give anything out, would have Ben nice to know as Paxman website stated you get a headache if forehead not protected and I did, so asked for gauze which helped a bit. They did rush to put it on, so next time I may get mys husband to it it instead. They placed cold cap and cover on at the same time rather than separately as they have been trained to do.
Another issue is that i have to travel 70 mile round trip as it is and now they want me to possibly go to another hospital even further away, driving 20 miles past two other centres! My husband is still working on my treatment days and the extra travel is very problematic. We also have a dog and means the difference between having someone pop in at lunch to doggy daycare and having to drop him off before travelling for treatment. Not sure how they work out who goes where but I understand if you live in Cardiff you’d want to do there but why do those of us who have no treatment centre near are being sent even further. The Welsh Government policy is to send you to the nearest centre. Id already mentioned the issue in clinic.
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Hi @daffodil1
Sorry to hear you have a positive lymph node. I had a PICC line for as I was bilateral (both) breast but no lymph nodes but still a risk of lymphoedema in both arms. Also referred for genetic testing. The PICC is a central line to the vein near your heart. Yes it’s in 24/7 and need district nurse to change dressing and take bloods weekly. It’s not pain free procedure but does make bloods and treatment so much easier. Also limited arm movement can’t stretch about head so some of the post surgery exercises can’t be done for 12 weeks so will have to resume for the radiotherapy.
Weekly cannulas must be hard on your veins.
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Hi @plum1
Welcome to the group.
I have a wig fitting, with a local (ish),15 miles away, he was so lovely. In Wales you get a voucher towards a wig but doesn’t cover all the cost. I cut my hair short in June as I had expected to have chemotherapy before surgery then it changed. The wig is a bit darker than my hair and I’m having second thought but don’t want to make a fuss. My husband and kids said it looks good, just darker and would look like I’d changed my hair colour, which is something I did for many years.
As @Shi mentioned look for a local fitter who will try many styles and will cut if necessary. I wasn’t keen on doing online and having the hassle of returning if no good.
Keep us updated. Everyone is here to listen and help.
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