There are no head strong sessions anywhere near my area.
Thanks Roseberry - my next one is Weds as well, been for blood tests today and seen my oncologist, so good to go for round two.
Sounds like most of us losing significant amounts of hair. I wore my wig to work today for the first time, good reaction though very itchy after a full day. I ordered two headscarves from website called Annabandana. They arrived today and are brilliant - no adjusting or fancy tying needed as come with a scrunchy to tighten it up and are elasticated at the bottom. Definitely wearing one to work tomorrow, and just ordered another three!
Welcome Buttercup - sorry to hear you’ve had a rough time of it. I hope your panic attacks subside now your first one is over, I definitely had a ‘fear of the unknown’ for actually having the chemo and also just having no clue what the side effects would be like.
Hope you all have a good week ladies. One down, onwards and upwards.
I’ve been postponed a week as poorly with flu like symptoms, temperature and high pulse. Gutted, just want to get on with it 
Hi all the March girls. I had my first fec yesterday, but was sick 3 times overnight and fainted a couple of times, which freaked my poor hubby out as he’s never known me to faint. Ended up in a&e getting fluids and iv anti sickness drug. Felt better when I got home and managed to sleep for a few hours. Managed some breakfast but now been sick again so seeing gp this afternoon. Not a good start to chemo but going to ask for stronger anti sickness drugs next time. Glad first one is over but wishing it was July already. Glad though for the group support. Feel it will be easier to get through with everybody going through it at the same time. Sending hugs to all the March girls Pansy50
Debs, so sorry your suffering with the sickness still, ask for Emend, its amazing!
Eitaki, same here on the hair front, hands full coming out constantly which lead me to having my head shaved today, No1 all over! I did cry just before hand, but feel so much better after! I feel I’ve taken a bit of control back so go for it!
I’m out tonight with friends for a meal so ‘Whitney’ is having her first outing :smileyhappy: I’ve just put her on and it feels really strange but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
Hi all, forgive me for gate crashing, I’m from Sept 2013 and had my last dose of fec-t on Christmas Eve.
With fec I and many of the girls from the September thread found drinking copious amount of water the day before, the day of and the day after chemo helped tremendously sounds too simple but it honestly worked, I tried to drink 2/3 litres a day, I drank from a litre sized sports bottle and just kept sipping it all day.
Debs sorry you’re still not feeling good.
I went for my bloods etc today and due to start FEC on Friday. I asked for Emend but was told I wouldn’t get this unless sickness uncontrollable on meds they give me. Let’s hope it’s not as bad as I think.
Will give drinking plenty of water a go.
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to have the chemo? I was told about 30 or 45 mins today. Thought it would be much longer.
Thanks Donnaandfamily. Hope I will be the same as you. Wish I could have been given Emend too but will see how it goes. I see from other comments it’s about 3 hours after chemo when you can start feeling unwell, so oncology unit will still be on call.
Hi ladies. Great to read your anti-sickness tips. Had no sickness at all so far on Docetaxel, I have one more round of that before moving on to FEC. Nurse said FEC is toughest for side effects, so try and take heart that you’re having the tough one first and getting it out of the way. Had my second round of Tax today, had to wait 2 hours for a chair to become free so lots of hanging around.
Can I ask if anyone has had a PICC line put in - how was it being put in, and how are you finding it day to day (eg flushing it, keeping it dry in the shower etc)? Been told I’ll have to have one before starting on FEC, not looking forward to it at all.
Hi ladies. I have to agree with all of you who are singing the praises of water. I followed this advice and think it really does help flush the drugs through your body and have tried to keep this up every day - although I always need the loo which is a downside!!
How long the chemo takes can really depend on your mess and also if you are using the cool cap. I use the Paxman cool cap and find it bearable, but does dramatically extend my time in hospital. I have to keep the cap on for 2 hours after the chemo!! Brrrrrrrr!! Well, let’s hope it works.
I’d be interested to hear what people think about PICC lines as I’m having one fitted on Wednesday.
Keep it up ladies - we can do this!!
Sad day. Literally handfuls of hair coming out. Part of me wants to keep it as long as I can but on the other hand I can’t stand my clothes being covered, everywhere in the house is covered, my babies are covered, it’s in my food. Should I just get rid of it?? What is everyone else going to do? Hugs to you all xxx
Thanks for that Suzanne. I think it’s the right choice as they can’t use my other arm due to SNB a month ago. I think that it should be worth it. The only thing that concerned me was the risk of clotting and the cleaning of it as they want my OH to do it! It gives me greater freedom not having to wait for a District Nurse every week, but it worries me if something is wrong with it. I guess it’s just another challenge I’ll have to overcome.
Evening All,
Just thought I’d check in before I take my first Lorazepam to chill me out ready for tomorrows 2nd dose of FEC. Feeling extremely apprenhensive, especially as my meds have been changed to try and eliviate the anxiety I felt last time.
Went for a facial today (a treat from the bestie), it was amazing! Does anyone know if I can have body massages? The spa were a bit concerned as it increases blood flow etc…
Dh, feeling for you with the hair loss, I shaved the remains of mine yesterday, I couldn’t handle it all falling out anymore. Felt much better after (although it does show up the patches more) and gave the house a good hoover through. Cleaning is good for the soul I say!
Looking forward to the head scarves arriving which I ordered from Annabandana (recommended by a fellow March lady).
I’ll post again in a couple of days, let you all know how I get on with Round 2. Love to you all xxx
Thanks for the PICC line updates ladies. They’ve been fine giving me Tax through vein each time, but said FEC can leave veins hardened or cause damage so insisting on a line for that. Had wondered if the thought of it would be worse than the reality, so sounds like that may be the case. Will try not to worry about it for now.
Have worn my wig three times now, and three of my increasing selection of bandanas. I ended up taking scissors to the back section of my hair as the moulting was doing my head in. Have some longer but very thin sections of hair on the top - picture that 80s ‘happiness is a cigar called Hamlet’ ad with the guy with the bad comb over in the photo booth! Had intended to shave it off, but head feels a bit sore and thought even having a bit of hair would make the wig feel more comfortable. No longer upset about it as so much has gone, think it actually coming out and filling the bath plug is the most upsetting so really feel for you ladies that are at this stage. Made me feel better having some bandanas, a hat and wig to match with my outfits, and been making an effort to do my nails etc to still have a bit of glam. Love idea of having a facial, will def treat myself to this - top tip!
I’ve been quiet due to no hair loss except for an autumn lady garden and been feeling for you all losing hair already, it’s my turn, just noticed my first threads of ginger curls shed. Inevitable I know. FEC1 with cold cap was 17 days ago, FEC2 Tues 1st April. Other SE, nausea, eliminated with meds, rough gums, exhaustion, brain fuss, feeling lucky really. What will be will be xx
Due to have first dose of FEC this morning but woke up with a slight headache and a bit of a blocked nose. Not sure if it will go ahead now. Just want to get started on this. What a rollercoaster. Has anyone been similar?
Hi ladies I had bold patches so had my.heaf shaved on.tuesday, like everyone else it was falling all over the place. Had second fec yesterday have been sick.in.the night.even though have been taking.anti sickness tablets
Wig shopping Monday , any advise would be appreciated. X
Hi All,
Well considering how awful my first chemo went I was dreading round 2 yesterday, however, with the adjustment in my steroid dose I can’t believe how good I am feeling. I seem to be waiting for that sledgehammer moment but its not arriving! Yipee! Just tired all the time, dosing every couple of hours.
Just waiting for the disctrict nurse to turn up now to give me my white blood cell booster.
Ali24, Did you end up having your first treatment yesterday after? How are you feeling?
Eitaki, sorry to hear your news, I hope your chemo can continue on tuesday, we all want to get through this as quickly as possible!
Donnaandfamily, can’t say my bowel movements have been normal! Bit all over the place really, but as long as I’m not sick and drinking lots of water I’m not that worried about it.
Projectkylie, Wig shopping is easier than you think, I never thought I would find one that I liked but I ended up with the second one I tried. I was adamant that I wanted a two tone/highlighted one but slightly darker than my usual bleached blond look that I’ve had for years. I thought it best to go more on the natural looking side so it didn’t stand out. The parting and hair line are made of a see through mesh and are so clever when on, it really looks like the hair is coming out of your scalp.
Love to all Buttercup01 xx
Evening all, my wig shopping session was moved to today, it was a hairdressing salon in Eastbourne. I tried 3 on, all reminded me if Gloria Hunniford, not the look I was going for. I ran my hands through one though it then became more me, £125 though. I haven’t bought it yet as I haven’t had the, yes, that’s the one feeling at all. Inside had mesh and size adjustment, I wish I taken more notice and noted the brand. It just didn’t sit right though. Time is against me as FEC2 is Tues and I need to disguise hair loss from my 82 year old Mum with dementia, I haven’t been able to tell her about my BC diagnosis or treatment, there’s absolutely no point upsetting her