Nope, no one has told me I can take antihistamine although I’ve noticed a lot of people do. Might ring up tomorrow and ask as this is awful. I don’t get any bone pain or muscle pain anywhere else, it’s all focused on my ribs and chest 
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Well written. I had a no.8 last time but it was May 2018 and the hottest Summer for years so I just used hairbands to cover my bald bits. I think I will get beanies if need be as I didn’t use my wig but we shall see. I’m hoping that I can keep short hair but as the cold cap machine broke down who knows although I didn’t lose as much on Docetaxel and I’m having Paclitaxel so fingers crossed.
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@luckyduck1 beautifully written and you have summed up so well the many conflicting emotions that comes with this.
I braved the crop yesterday because the big clumps of hair and sore scalp just got too much. I cried after because a pixie cut on my middle aged puffy with steroids face looked less edgy and cool, more frumpy.
But! It’s way less distressing than pulling out long strands of hair and my scalp is much less sore. In a couple of weeks I will no doubt need to get the clippers out and properly embrace the chemo look.
For now, I am going to pop on a headband to accompany my new hair style to give it some ‘edge’ 
.
Thank you for sharing your blog 
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I had aches and pains until a hotline nurse told me a loratadine antihistamine may help, it really has (psychologically I still struggle with doing the injections but the pain isn’t quite so bad). While you can get them over the counter my oncologist even added some to my cycle pack that they give me at the treatment unit.
Worth having a chat with the hotline or your oncologist.
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@lizk thanks 
what a ride huh! This is our frumpy era for sure but i know that we will stick it out and bounce back even more fabulous than ever!
Are you cold caping. I want to continue so may need gauze or nurses caps. Im going to ring ahead and prepare them
@Linda_Corinne one of the benefits of having super long hair is that im terribly low maintenance, a bi annual trim was my lot! Ive never spent so much time thinking about my hair!!! Ive one more EC and the Docetaxel, hopefully ill lose less on that too.
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You can also use cotton wool pads that you use on your face.
No, I decided not to as I suffer with migraines currently embracing some headwear to cover my bald patches
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Looks good! Like you i wear glasses which is extra hassle with scarves etc. I really need to set some time aside to have a play around
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Aw I wish I could pull headscarves etc off! They just don’t suit me at all, I think I’m too boyish. I’m managing with just a baker boy hat at the moment.
I’ve bought a load of statement earrings to jazz things up a little but now I’m worried I’ll look like a peaky blinder Pat Butcher. There seems to be no end to what I will overthink 
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sharlou I remember buying some turban type caps a la Liz Taylor thinking I’ll style it out back in 2017 but made me look like spare from carry on up the kybhur I stuck to wigs after that 
Shi xx
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Good luck for anyone having their chemo this week - I think there’s a couple of us tmrrw. Must admit I had a - why me - meltdown this afternoon . Locked myself away for an hour and just cried so I’m feeling a bit down about my 2nd treatment tmrrw. Need to pull myself together quickly !
Is anyone painting their nails black? Tbh I can’t be bothered but I had some black nail varnish given to me in a little lifts pack - i thought I read it was for when on taxines . I’m on EC currently .
BTW - I think you all look amazing with your scarves etc . I’ve not braved the shave yet . I’m cold capping and has a massive shed yesterday so might have to very soon xx
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My chemo was last week but meltdown central here for me too since then. Hard for me to acknowledge this but I am really struggling to keep it together at the moment (but feel I have to for my little one & husband). I was due to have an appt at a wig shop this morning (finally found one that may have something for my gigantic head) but I didn’t think my mental health could take sitting looking in the mirror at a wig so I cancelled it, the irony being i really do need to sort a wig out.
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On a less gloomy front…does anyone with a PICC who is a side sleeper know if you can actually sleep on your PICC arm side? I’ve been told different things by different nurses…been trying not to (and it doesn’t feel like I should) but the side I sleep on has obviously significantly less hair & until I can brave the shave I feel like I need to even it out a bit more
I have been painting my nails black as on a tax and & also read this - but it ends up like this very quickly and tbh I’m not sure I cba anymore!
@sunshineandunicorns I had my PICC inserted today and the nurse made a point of telling me there’s no problem sleeping on that side if you’re comfortable. I’m glad cos I’m not really comfortable on the other side since my lumpectomy and lymph node clearance.
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The wig thing is not easy. I took a friend with me and the lady in the shop was so lovely. She let me try on about 5 or 6 different wigs til I found “the one”. It was nearly the last one I tried and it was the first time I looked in the mirror and actually saw myself. The first one I tried was hideous, one was too light, one too dark, and the one with a fringe looked like Claudia Winkleman on a bad day 
but she persevered til we found one I liked. I hope you can manage to go to an appointment if it’s what you want to do. I still think mine looks a bit weird, not going to lie, but I’ve worn it a few times and nobody has laughed or stared! I called into work today and a couple of people actually thought it was my own hair and that I’d gone for a blow-dry I’ll see if I can attach a picture. Excuse the red face and PJ’s
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All the best for tomorrow. My second cycle is on Wed, although I’m currently dosing up on honey and lemon as I seem to have acquired a head cold. Really hoping it’s not an issue for Wed.
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Hey @epic1 I am also on round 2 of EC tomorrow. I had my meltdown over the weekend, sending a big virtual hug, this rollercoaster is emotional!
I hope tomorrow goes well and here’s hoping we get minimal side effects.
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