I lost so much hair in the shower this morning the water had trouble draining down the plughole. My husband cut my hair once and I ended up with one side 2” shorter than the other so I wouldn’t trust him to do it. I look the plunge and ordered a wig yesterday.
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Please look at www.coldcap.com Paxman’s own website about continuing with cold cap when you have patches and that it can help with regrowth. Gauze and a surgical hat can be worn under the cap.
Also Cancer Hair Care is a charity run by Jasmin who advises people about hair loss and care. If you contac5 them they will give you individual help and guidance.
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beautiful sharlou remember all of you book your look good feel better sessions through your Macmillan’s at your trusts 
Shi xx
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Bloody marvellous, you look fab. 
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Has anyone else had red flushing of your skin one or two days after EC? The front of my chest and neck went red up to my chin on day 2 then included my whole face and a bit on my arms on day 3. I rang the helpline who were very helpful and suggested antihistamines which definitely helped. The trouble is we’re not sure if it’s been a reaction to one of the anti sickness meds or the chemo itself, or neither. It’s odd cos I actually had the same flushed skin the day after both of my surgeries so I’m thinking maybe they gave me similar anti sickness meds then too?? I’m going to phone the breast care nurse tomorrow as nobody on the weekend could access the paper notes from my surgery and everything isn’t online yet in our Trust. I skipped the Levomepromazine on day 3 and 4 and took metoclopramide instead but I’d like to get to the bottom of it before cycle 2.
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I have something that might be a mild form of that. I’ve had three cycles and for the first two days after all of them I’ve had vivid rosy cheeks. I’ve never thought to ask anyone about it because it goes away by day 3.
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On second thoughts I’m on Paclitaxel, not EC.
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Thanks for replying. Who knows? I’m second guessing every little thing and trying not to spend my days waiting for things to happen. I’m not normally one to catastrophise but it’s hard not to read into every little twinge!
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@pod123 it’s really hard isn’t it. I’m day 6 and every twinge I’m like - what’s that 
had a terrible headache all day today
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I know what you mean. I’m always on high alert for signs of hideous side effects I’ve read about on the internet.
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Thank you for your message! I shall certainly explore those links - though not the one for younger women which is not relevant for me.
Sorry I’ve not responded before. I’ve had my first chemo and got caught up in managing things! For example, the blood bank can’t cope with chemo walk ins with no appointment so I had to get online and book as many as I could. Actually, I was really pleased to find that with the exception of this week I could book all of them early morning - which is important for parking! It’s these little things that can increase or decrease the stress levels. So all set for further treatments. I’m finding I’m a little scared of myself - aware of every itch and twitch and monitoring how I feel all the time. Need to get more realistic about that I think and as there has been nothing too unexpected (just hated the nausea) I trust I will be a bit more relaxed about it going forwards. I chatted with some lovely people whilst having chemo. That really helps doesn’t it.
I hope everyone is coping okay. I’ll try and participate more in discussions now. I was feeling totally overwhelmed with information for a while. I’m sure everyone has felt the same at the start.
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Well done for getting the first mile stone out of the way.
Re parking. My hospital has given a six month free parking pass. The nurses gave me a form to take to the Transport Office on my first day. The barrier recognises the number plate and automatically rises when entering or leaving. There’s also a laminated card that says “Chemotherapy Patient” to put on the dashboard. It’s marvellous and there’s no restriction on where to park.
I don’t know if this is universal but it’s well worth asking about.
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Hi Magl. Thanks for that information. I can ask but I don’t hold out hope. I was at the hospital at 7.45 last time and getting anxious about spaces being available! They don’t actually charge a lot and you pay on exit so that helps (not having to find the pay machine and get a ticket when you are already late!). The big issue is the place is just overwhelmed. There are masses of new housing estates in surrounding towns and whilst they now seem to have to build a school and shop, the hospital seems to be expected to just cope with the extra load. The staff are amazing. They are clearly busy - even chemo is buzzing - but they manage to be cheerful and calm which is so good for us patients. I’ve gone off topic, of course, but if there is a pass perhaps I can use it in the restricted car parks, which may help. Can but ask.
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I get redness and flushing but I think it’s either steroid or pegfilgrastim induced. It tends to last a few days and then disappears, this past cycle it went right down my upper arms too 
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Thanks, I hadn’t thought of it being the pegfilgrastim but that’s a possibility as I’m on that too.
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Steroids I’m not sure, as I was only given those on the day of treatment, not for any subsequent days as it seems others are 
Every unit seems to do things differently. I never even asked which steroids I was taking.
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@nellyh and @epic1 I took Loratidine an hour before my second Filgrastim injection and I didn’t get the awful reaction I did with the first. I took it a bit earlier too because my idea initially was to just take it and get to bed. But if you might have a reaction, this is not a good idea. So thanks for the advice.
@sez I still feel very nauseous on it though, most of the time and a little light-headed, so like you have mentioned. I’m going ask for Pegfilgrastim when I speak to my Oncologist. I have another phone appointment just before my next chemo, I haven’t actually met them yet!! And the phone call last about 30 seconds so I need to write things down what I need to say. (Covid leftovers).
Thank you so much ladies, I feel less alone and I think I’m luckier than most, I do hope everyone in our situation has a network of support like we have here.
Jane xxx
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@sharlou You definitely rock the short hair look, you’re gorgeous, I did similar before chemo started. Just went to the hairdressers and asked for it all off. I’m still getting used to it but I quite like it and like you say it normalises us. I don’t wear makeup much unless I’m going out (I’m 65) but I’m not looking forward to losing my eyebrows and lashes. But at least I lose my leg hair too, so there we go. Bonus times.
I’ve found I have to wear my contacts when I have the cold cap as glasses don’t fit. Which I was warned about beforehand thankfully and I popped them in before I had it on. I think it would’ve been a lot worse if I couldn’t see around me and use my phone etc.
I’m following @Shi idea and I’ve ordered 5 ‘colourful’ wigs off temu. I like the chrysalis to a butterfly analogy.
We’re all beautiful butterflies ladies, just waiting to bloom again. x
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Did you not get given a chemo record book? I’ve got a book with a record of each treatment, it lists all of the stuff they give me IV on the day (including dosage) along with the stuff I get sent home with. It also documents my blood results and lists all my upcoming appointments. I’ve found it really helpful.
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I haven’t received anything like that @sharlou in fact my medicines were literally just dumped on me during chemo, you take this one for 3 days, this one for one day etc. No idea what my blood results were either. It seems your trust has this nailed.
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