All the best, I’m glad you got over the first chemo easier, I’m on the second and it was much easier than the first chemo. I hope you recover faster at the next chemo. All wishes from health to your husband too, and stay positive and look with confidence.
I love hearing that the second was easier for people @Camy_Radika ! Hope it stays this way for you! Sometimes I read it’s an accumulative effect but others have said the first was the worst - I’m so hoping this is the way for us
At least now we know what to expect,what to expect, the first round was bad for me too, but I hope that the next ones won’t cause new side effects…I’m glad you answered me, I have 2 AC left and then I start 4 Paclitaxel, then radiother All my best, take care
So glad your second went well @Camy_Radika I’ve got my second EC on Thursday. Feeling apprehensive as physically I’ve bounced back after first one. So it’s tough to gear up to go again.
This feels like a test of resilience and endurance - not easy. I keep daydreaming about holidays and adventures I want to have when it’s all done. X
We cannot give up and for our children we must think that the next day will be better.How is your little one, I hope she is not sick anymore .Don’t think too much about the future, follow the treatment and day after day passes somehow, you will see that next year we will talk about how strong we were and how we succeeded.I try to stay positive, I know you have small children and it’s hard, honestly I cry at night so they don’t see me, I have three children, the oldest, 17, 12, 8, but I still feel worried .If they see me well, they are also well. Do not let yourself be carried away by the wave of difficulty that is to come.I have a full masectomy with lymph nodes removed.I’ve been through that too, honestly, with the shock of the diagnosis, it didn’t matter what it looked like, I just wanted to start the treatment to be able to return to my normal life. I still don’t know how it will turn out but I trust that it will be fine or I have to, I have no choice. Keep your head up and together we will make it.
You used the cold cap?I cut my hair short, my scalp felt sore and the hair strands started to show right after the second chemotherapy But I feel better with it short. I have a wig and I wear a cotton hat in the house The smell is more pronounced on me too and my skin smells weird too. I have a slight razor allergy on my hands .How is your hair .
Sorry you are in this situation, stay positive and follow the treatment and day after day we will get back to our normal life.Good luck and health in the coming days. Take care of yourself
Thank you Nikki, looks fab!
Hi annemanc, how frequently are you having EC? Did you say weekly?
I’m due to go to EC after 12 weeks of paclixatel but am wondering why it will only be 3 cycles once every three weeks …seems everyone has different plans
Also wondering how hair loss is going for everyone? My scalp started tingling and was sore in bed on Sat night and is starting to come out. I’ve yet to order my wig. Can’t decide whether to go for similar style or something completely different. The neighbours don’t know about the breast cancer yet so will be puzzled if my hair grows and is a different colour! But nice to have a change.
Anyone else still sore in underarm area after sentinel node biopsy? Mine is still achy 8 weeks on and I’ve done all the exercises from Day 2 post-op.
Best wishes to all of you lovely ladies
xxxx
Hello everyone on the September Chemo starters. Taken me a few weeks to post but been a comfort to read others’ stories. Started on EC every two weeks on September 6th (transitioning to weekly Taxol at the end of October/early November). Chemo post mastectomy (5 tumours under 2 cm, ER+, HR2-, 1 of which grade 3 which genetic testing showed chemo could reduce by 5% distant recurrence). So here I am.
First EC wasn’t too bad- but second hit me harder (nausea and fatigue which is very frustrating). Hair starting to fall out too although not yet noticeable but I imagine I won’t be one of the ‘lucky ones’- so off for wig fitting tomorrow. The cold cap I am having has to be changed every 20 minutes (it’s not plugged in) and they don’t put it on before the treatment or after- so a bit skeptical that it will actually work.
What tips do you have for nausea that isn’t excruciating (ie no vomiting) but gets in the way of feeling ok. I’ve tried Zophren/Ondansetron but not doing too much. Made myself a smoothie for when I was doing the chemo and every time I think about it I want to retch!
And is your hair falling out on EC? I imagine if it doesn’t on EC it will on Taxol- so wondering if it is even worth doing the cold cap (it’s not too bad for me).
Thanks and so glad to be able to share experiences on here. xx
Hi new to breast cancer, diagnosed last month with triple negative stage 1 grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma 2.1cm in breast, lynph nodes clear. Meeting oncologist tonight, having blood taken and will start soon after that I imagine. A bit scary as I live alone, 43, actually found out on my birthday whislt having had a double trapezectomy 10 days earlier! Mad. Also strange, but keen to start, so I can resume a normal life in a few months . Will have to have surgery and radiotherapy. On private medical care for now but contract job end in December and will be unemployed and medical cover will stop soon after that.
I think I will shave my hair but looking for any advice on best to manage side effects. Any tips on anything else welcome 🩵
Hi @daffodil1 I’m on EC once every three weeks. I cold capped and have been ok so far, not really has much shedding. A little bit has come out when I’ve washed my hair, but am only washing it every 5 days so seems ok so far. I was brave and went swimming today which was nice.
@Camy_Radika agree on staying positive for the kids. It is hard, but they’re so full of energy they also are a good distraction. One of my little boy’s friends even called me during chemo to ask if my son could play Minecraft with him! It made me and the nurses laugh. There’s always humour even in these strange times. Taking it day by day is the only way. Xxxxx
So sorry you’re going through this too @pinklilli3s after other surgery. The initial diagnosis is such a shock. Do you have support (friends and family) living nearby? Xxxx
Hi @annemanc
Thank you. I do not have family here they’re all in France, am French. I do have friends. It sounds like I’ll be going every week for EC- Carboplatin- paclitaxel for 12 weeks and Pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for 12 weeks
If anyone has had experience with these drugs, would like to know the side effects you might have had. Every one is different but would be great to get a general sense on how it landed with a real person (aside from the long list of side effects they give you read ) Gwen
do let you team know and they will tweak your meds till they get right combination don’t struggle through thinking oh this is chemo Shi xx
Good health my dear,Listen to the nurse’s advice, and any concerns you have, call and ask, any symptoms you have written down in a diary and talk to the oncology nurse, they are very helpful and you will see that it can be tolerated and everything will be fine It’s hard being away from my family, I have my children and my husband, but I’m helping. Take care of yourself l
Hi, I’m doing ok, just feeling really wiped out. Haven’t had any nausea which is a blessing but so low energy and not sleeping so well. A little sore where the port was inserted, washed my hair this morning and have had to come back to bed! Thanks for checking in!
Hi everyone. I am a late bloomer on the September starters. Not due to start until 28th. Six rounds at three week intervals before surgery. Mentally feeling okay although am not good with needles so am not looking forward to the treatment day.
It has been good to see all the advice from you all and looking forward to getting through this together.
Hi dear, welcome to the forum,
All my best wishes.
I am glad that you are positive to stay like this, follow the recommendations of the oncological nurse, they are doing miracles, Here on the forum you will find many experiments and you will see that you are not alone I have a problem with the needles but they introduced picc line in the hand and it is easier and safer. I no longer need to be pricked every time I have an blood test or chemotherapy
Keep positive and send you lots of health