My first infusion day tomorrow and honestly I just want it done now, I have become so anxious in anticipation I feel I am going to go off pop… I will be better once I start I think
1 Like
@scribbler I start on Tuesday and I feel exactly the same - I just want to get the first session over with and just be dealing with how I feel rather than worrying about it! 
1 Like
I will be thinking of you on Tuesday xxx
and will let you know how I get on today
1 Like
Good luck today @scribbler you got this!
1 Like
Thank you xxxx
1 Like
One down!
my first EC treatment went ok, tired and a bit woozy but otherwise fine so far xxx
and I was ok with the cold cap! First 20 mins or so tough but I think after that your scalp is so numb it gets easier x
1 Like
One treatment down and mostly fine, the fear of anticipation has gone now to see what happens next xxx
1 Like
Well done @scribbler 
Glad it went ok 
I’ve decided not to do the cold cap - I’m focusing on not getting neuropathy in my hands and feet from the paclitaxel because of my work, and there’s only so much I can cope with worrying about!! So I’m going to try compression gloves and socks 
Ive just bought myself a stylus pen for my phone so I can still use it with gloves on 
Still worrying about the awful sounding trastuzumab injection the most…
I am really worried about neuropathy because of work too, when I am on the cycles of docetaxol after the EC especially, I’m an illustrator, fine detailed work 
. What work do you do? I’m interested in the gloves too.
the injection does sounds scary, I try to hang onto the thought that so far nothing has been as bad as I anticipated and hope that will continue xxx
Thinking of you xxx
2 Likes
Thankyou so much for all this advice!
Had my first treatment yesterday and decided to try coldcapping
Coincidentally there was a guy there doing staff training from the company who asked if he could use me to demo exactly how it goes on.
He was lovely but VERY determined and did end up feeling slightly wrestled with but it was certainly thoroughly in place! I think the nurses were a bit discombobulated, (‘we try to be very gentle,’) they told me as they forgot to switch me on at first and I was sitting there for a while thinking ‘well this is going to be ridiculously easy’ 
Once it was on it certainly was a challenge for the first half hour or so but after that kind of ok (I had it on for 3 hours) I am really glad I decided to give it a go, but need to get some different earphones that will work with it for next time as I need my audiobook!
3 Likes
Hi everyone. Hope your chemo going well. I am due to start week Monday . Neo-adjuvant chemo so EC 2 weekly for 3/4x then taxol. Just wondered has anyone got picc line or port? How you finding them any tips. Not sure yet which I am having. Thanks x
2 Likes
Ah hence the name @scribbler 
I’m a maker and do wood carving, turning and metalwork which also involves fine motor skills I thought about the cold gloves / socks but my team don’t offer it and it sounded pretty horrible and quite difficult to do yourself! I’ve heard compression can be as good
I’ve had no recommendations but I found these gloves which seem good..
And im going to be using juxta toe caps with compression socks (as all the socks have very little compression in the feet 
It’s a shame the NHS don’t offer this yet or do some trials to get more data as so many people suffer with it it seems!
I hope you’re feeling ok today and your head has warmed up 
2 Likes
Hi again @scribbler
I’ve also heard a mad thing that if you feel any neuropathy coming on then running your hands through a bowl of dried beans and rice for 10 minutes a few times every day can really help soothe and calm the nerves!
1 Like
Ah thanks for the recommendation! Let’s hope we can get through this still being nimble fingered my head took about 20 mins to feel normal again but the numbness stops it being so horrible I think so I don’t mind, they told me not to rinse the conditioner out til this morning though and it was a bit itchy overnight!
1 Like
Hello!
Good luck for the 22nd. It is scary and daunting but after that first one you are heading towards the end!
I am about to start week 3 of my 12 weeks on the 21st. So far, I have had only minor side effects…..feeling a bit sick, muscles and joint aches on day 3&4, then a steady incline back up to feeling like me again, before the next one! I do ice my feet and hands during the treatment to try to avoid the neuropathy. I am not cold capping and I had a wig appt Friday and loved it. I chose two wigs and have two very different looks now. It’s a great chance to try different things out.
My biggest issue has been sleeping after the massive dose of steroids they give prior to the infusion! It makes me ‘wired’, that’s the only word I can use to describe the feeling! This week I am getting some sleeping tabs to take on day 1 to help, so fingers crossed.
Good luck to you hope it goes well xxxx
1 Like
I did dye my hair bright.pink before treatment started! I now have two wigs.and am liking the different looks I can choose from! Hope it all went well and you’re ok xxx
3 Likes
Thanks @puppydogpaws77
It’s good to get a sense of what to expect although I know everyone’s slightly different! I’m glad you’re still able to feel a bit normal later in the week 
. Have you been able to do a bit of gentle exercise?
Wigs are looking good, though I’d like to see the bright pink look too 
Hello @coffeeandme popping here from May starters. Sending love for your first chemo. I have a port and its great. I didn’t have it at the beginning as was having 6 cycles originally, but I got changed to weekly paclitaxel and my veins started rebelling with bloods and drugs every week, so I got a port put in. I was really nervous about it, but it has been so great. Makes the chemo & bloods so much easier, and you can swim/get it wet no problems. I got it put in with some light sedation, and it was totally fine. I’m very slim so it sticks out a bit but otherwise it’s fine. If you end up going down that route and have any questions feel free to be in touch.
1 Like
Is there anywhere I can see your work? Xxxx
1 Like
Happy to hear. Which drugs are you on EC and? to start. Moonsox xxx
1 Like