Hiya everyone, I’m starting to panic a little now, start chemo a week tomorrow and to be honest I have no idea what I am meant to be doing. How are/did you prepare for it, i don’t know what to take with me. I’m going for heart scan today at Christie’s so maybe I could find out some info there. But any of your help will be greatly appreciated
X
Hi all,
I’m due to start chemo next week and like the rest of you lovely ladies, I’m terrified!
I’ve been reading various threads for a couple of days, (yes another stalker in the gang) and finally plucked up the courage to join in…
I had WLE on September 9th with Node clearance which ‘went well’ but I’ve been in agony with the seroma since. I start chemo next Wednesday (all being well of course) I’m in for 3x FEC at 3 weeks apart, followed by 12 weekly Taxol and then radiotherapy for 18 sessions.
Good luck to all those starting this week, you all seem remarkably chipper!
HI Flutterby
This is a really good thread which starts with a compiled list of things you might want during chemo…im not great at the technical bits of computers, I ve just pasted a link here;
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=19110
Let me know if that doesn’t work - someone else might know a better way of finding it.
There is a group of women who post under ‘Undergoing chemo in September’ and another group of August chemo women who have lots of things to say about the side effects and what you might like to do about them.
THe only thing I’ve done to prepare really was because I was back in hospital after infections post MX, and realised that I have very bad veins and so arranged to have a portacath fitted. THis is done under a general anaesthetic but there are other things you can do if you think your veins are not going to be up to the treatment. Some people do a couple of session and then realise they want to have something fitted - and I thought about what I was going to do when my hair fell out. That’s it for me really!
x
Hello lola00
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June, moderator
Hi Alison,
Congratulations on your marriage.
Couldn’t agree with you more about the pics, I think a gallery of mishaps with bonnets and scarves would be pretty funny, even I’d not go as far as a pair of knickers on the head though, no matter how creative I thought I was being!!!
“we’re all too protected from physical infirmity in general and should all be less shocked by difference.” That statement is music to a Diversity and Management Trainer’s ears, thank you xxx
Hi Flutterby
Being the organisaed person (aka, control freak) that I am, I looked at the other threads and picked up some brilliant tips and made myself some lists, then I hit the shops!!!
For cold cap treatment I bought a little hot water bottle and a fleece throw, just in case I get really cold, and I’ll be taking my kindle to read for a couple of hours. Got myself some headscarves and a wig appointment just in case cold cap doesn’t work.
For combatting any potential se’s I bought; fresh pineapple, ginger nut biscuits, ginger ale, pure pineapple ice lollies, sparkling water, cranberry and blueberry juice, cream crackers for nibbling if I can’t face full meal!
From GP, so free prescription, I got laxative movicol, paracetemol, biotene mouthwash and biotene gel and finally got lansoprazole for indigestion. I’m holding on to prescription just in case I need this stuff rather than get it and it go to waste!
May all our se’s be teensy, Simone xxx
Hi Lola00, welcome to the October gang.
I start my chemo in a couple of days, and yep gotta be honest there’s a few beads of sweat running down my forehead!!! but I just keep telling myself, if it makes me better I’m doing it!!! I’m sure in a while this will be a struggle to keep saying but I’m going to do my best!
I also lurked around other threads for a good while, but was so encouraged when I finally did pluck up the courage to type something and found that the ladies and facilitators on this site are so supportive, and most importantly for me, they truly understood what was happening to me both inside and out and I will never be able to thank everyone on here enough for that!
Good luck for next week, Simone xxx
Had the call today, I start my chemo on the 7th. Dunno what else to say really.
Hi again everyone.
Finally got my shop done for all my chemo essentials, but even though I had a list I still managed to forget a few things! (it doesn’t help being accompnied by teenage daughter who kept disappearing with the shopping trolley) Another shopping trip beckons tommorrow I think.
Today is the first time I have driven my car in almost seven weeks - freedom to go wherever I want is so great!. Last time I drove it was just before SNB operation. My mx and reconstruction surgery seems a lifetime ago now, I think possibly because I have been working myself up about chemo so much. I am going to try a relax a bit before my first session on Friday, easier said than done though!
Another hospital appointment tommorrow for hopefully my final wound check. I have a CT scan booked for next monday evening, not looking forward to that or the results.Oh and I musn’t forget my flu jab on Thursday morning this week. Wish I could have a week free of medical appointments.
Patlufc, good luck with your first chemo session on the 7th, and to all ladies due to start soon xx
Hello October ladies.
I think I’m going to be a thread straddler as my chemo starts on Thursday, same as you Simone. I’ll remain a September lady but hope you don’t mind if I pop on to this thread every so often, as there seems to be a few of us starting this week.
Good luck and minimal SEs to all
Ali x
Hi Ali, we’re both a pair of straddlers (been called worse!!) and starting on the same day too, but the one great thing about this site is we seem to be welcome anywhere!!! This really is a sanctuary!
Good luck for thursday, Simone xxx
Welcome to the october posse - alison, lola and alibaba
Im will be starting mine 14th. If i am up to it im goin to get hubby to shave my head the day after (no 1) not going to wait for it to fall out, thats me trying to stay in control!
Someone mentioned a hijab? is that just for comfort under headscarf? where do you get them?
Simone - what time is your chemo on thursday, i will be thinking of you and sending you courage telepathically x
Hey Clare, just google hijab bonnet caps and there are many islamic clothes shops pop up, and yes they are just for comfort under scarves and can be worn on an evening to keep your head warm I believe, and very inexpensive! My chemo appointment is at 10:30 hrs, so I’ll be listening out for that telepathic message, thanks, Simone xxx
Hi everyone,
I am really starting to carp myself about Friday now. Not bought anything much yet and starting to panic :0. I have lots of lists but can’t seem to get round to buying anything.
Have been trying to contact the chemo unit to confirm I am trying the cold cap and if I have to arrive earlier. After 2 days of no answer or call back I finally got through and they said to come in 2 hours earlier, seriously? 2 hours? That collides with my wig appointment so will have to change that now. I’m not filled with confidence so far, I hope Friday proves better than my expectation.
Arghhh, it’s coming round too quickly now
Jules
X
Jules
I know what you mean about it coming round fast.
In order to tackle your list, it might be helpful if you broke it down in smaller lists eg medical bits such as Bonjela, mouthwashes etc, a list of drinks and a list of food etc, that’s what I did and it helped me (even though a forgot a few things lol!). I am doing a solo shop in tesco tommorrow to get the bits I forgot.
Hoping my daughter doesn’t eat all my ice lollies before I get to them! xx
Hi ladies
Liking the idea of the hijab caps. One of my sikh friends wants to make me a turban and I have been debating what to wear for work (if I am well enough to work) …a wig or a bandana or a scarf. I work for a firm of solicitors so they are all rather conservative here.
Simone and Ali, good luck for Thursday and Jules good luck for Friday, let us all know how you get on.
Think I need to get shopping by the sound of it as so far I onlyhave Bonjela!
I have a feeling my chemo may not start until later in October as I have opted to have fartility treatment first. It’s a major expence and may come to nothing but I want to give it a try.
love and hugs to all
Lizzyx
Hi ladies - I finished chemo in July… so may I “gate crash” and offer you some wrinkles from my experience??? Thanks!
- buffs are brilliant to go under hats/wear in bed/keep in handbag
- fringes def. make a difference to scarves/hats (much less obvious you’ve got no hair)
- In the end, I found the wig more comfortable than scarves/bandanas because I didn’t like having my ears covered (all personal choice though)
- I read somewhere on here that taking GINGER TABLETS 2-3 days before chemo helps, and it seemed to
- Don’t be afraid to ring the unit or your BCN with anything you’re not sure about. There is NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION
- my onc said their aim was for us to be symptom free… hang on ot that
- By CHristmas you may be on Taxotere, and the se’s for that tend NOT to kick in for a few days, so go carefully at Christmas - timing might be perfect! I had my treatment on a Monday and Tax hit on a Thursday… others had similar time-lapses
- don’t get depressed by reading posts that are depressing! It may not happen to YOU! I was depressed at the thought of being bald, boobless and FAT! I was bald, am boobless, but I never put on any weight… lost it in the first week post chemo and it was all back on by the next one! A nurse friend told me that eating lots of protein helped the body not to retain excess fluid…
- it seems endless at the time (bit like the stage with a new-born babe)… but it WILL pass…
- Try to laugh at the crass things people WILL say to you…
- keep sane on here, laugh, cry, shout, whatever
- follow the mouth care instructions “religiously”
- I found it helpful to stay in “today” and to try to find SOMETHING to be grateful for every day. Not always easy, but it helps the coping mechanisms. One day all i could manage was “I am fed up with x, y z, but I’m NOT as fed up as I would be if they’d said there was no treatment option available”…
- Difflam is good for sore mouths/throats
I’ve rambled enough now… Hope your se’s are little ones… Jane
Morning ladies D day for me today well at least we are going to try again Chemo was canc last wednesday due to temperature, no sign of illness just temperature but today we try again.
Feeling a little nervous have a picc line in so should be easier than canula in hand I am told. Feel really strange, want to get on with it but a little scared too, have some boiled sweets in my bag and some magazines, feel I may need a packet of tissues too as the tears are welling just typing this.
Sent hubby off to work as I am not sure he would be much help he seems in a worse state than me and the kids looked scared to wits when the left from school, my youngest asked if my new styled short hair would be all gone when I came home and what did they need to do for me? Bless them its so hard on everyone am I the only one feeling guilty for having cancer?
My mum is coming with me though so hopefully one of us will stay sain, butterfly’s yes I have them, temp still up and down so I can only hope we get this done and dusted and I can say 1st one done, have the rest of the week off work, hoping to go back Monday ??? I find the unknown is the worst bit, any words of advice out there to fill my last hour with? the hi ho its off I go. xx
hi october ladies been reading comments here and there you all sound such a great bunch of people. anyway sending this as just had the call to start chemo on 5th october so looks like i will be joining your gang! best start writing that shopping list! good luck to all starting treatment this month tazzie xx
Hiya Tazzie I’m starting my chemo on 5th October aswell, whereabouts are you from?
Thanks so much everyone for all the wonderful advice that has been given so far. I think I need to spend a full day on here reading up on everything.
Harriet I too am going to try the cold cap but no-one has been in contact with me about this, thnk I will have to ring up and check!!
I have just ordered some headscarves etc from annabandana website, it seems very good and good prices too, well worth a look.
Good luck to everyone and to you lisa-marie for today.
XxxX
Hi Jules, went to see chemo nurse before I go in tomorrow for chemo treatment. I know it sounds a bit odd but it was quite calming just to see where I was going to be, might be worth going and having a look round if the unit offers it, might help you never know, calming hugs to you xxx
Dizzycloud, just to be on the safe side, buy more lollies, if your daughter is anything like my son there might be one left!!! and he doesn’t even live at home any more!!! Hope tesco wasn’t too stressful xxx
Hey Lizzy, I’ve just gone for dark colours for work to match my worksuits, so navy and black, and then bright and colourful for out of work bright blue and patterned! Thanks for your wishes and will definitely keep you up to speed on progress xxx
Hi Jane, thank you ever so much for the advice, very much appreciated, thank goodness for the silly question clause, I’ve got a feeling I could be using that one quite a bit!! Really kind of you to pop in on the October Posse and you and your wisdom are always welcome xxx
Hey Lisa Marie, massive guilt free hugs to you and hope all goes ok for you today xxx
Hi Tazzie, sad but glad you’re here, big welcome hugs to you and good luck to you and flutterby for the 5th Oct xxx