Hi pumpkins!
Day 12 & another good day! Hair starting to shed (seems to be sideburn area coming out in clumps) & (excuse if TMI) but had a ‘tidy up’ down there with tweezers & the hairs just came right out… must admit that isnt something im worried about!! lol x
Had parents evening tonite with XH (ex hubby) - seems my chatty, attention span of a flea, ditzy Princess is ‘a quiet, studious, eager to learn & a joy to teach!’ - soooooo proud!! Also they have said if they didnt know wot was going on at home, there would be no suggestion at school that anything was wrong. Im glad to think school is her ‘sanctuary’…
Also, she seems to be on the mend finally so back in school 2moro (only for 2 days til end of term).
District Nurse came today to flush & redress my Hickman. im in quite a bit of pain where she redressed it as she put the clingfilm sticky stuff right over the wound where the line comes out so each time i move, it pulls the open wound & stitches! Needless to say, i ended up peeling it off & redressing it myself - im no Florence Nightingale but it doesnt hurt anymore!! Will pop to Macmillan Unit after my complementary therapy to see if they can do it properly - dread to think wot the look on their faces will be when the see my attempts!!! Ooops!! 
So just a quick post 2nite… Take care girlies xxx
Btw, Im in Blackpool!
Hi all
I live in the very far north of Britain about 30 miles along the north coast from John O Groats. I am lucky I can get my chemo at Wick but I will have to stay down in Inverness for radiotherapy. Just wondering if anyone else is getting combined chemo of Doctaxel and FEC and how thy are feelin on it?
Hi all pumpkins
Just wanted to let you all know that I was getting worried that the chemo hadn’t worked for me as I hadn’t had the side effects that everyone else has had (lucky me ). But I now know it has worked because my hair has started to fall out this morning and my scalp is so itchy. It’s only coming out at the sides at the moment. Can anyone give me any idea as to when to have it shaved or how long it is likely to be before it all comes out x
Lucky you Gail - hope I have the same lack of SE’s!
I had a portocath fitted yesterday which is quite sore and looks hideous. I suppose I’ll get used to it, and everyone raves about how much better chemo/blood tests are without poking about for veins.
FIrst chemo tomorrow - I can’t wait after so many delays, I’ve been given Emend to take an hour before which I’ve heard is excellent for preventing sickness/nausea. My OH took time off to take me but has stinking cold and cough so I’m keeping him as far away as I can and taking my mum with me tomorrow. It’s been good to read all your experiences. Do you all like to take someone with you for chemo - or go alone? I quite like doing stuff on my own usually - do you think I’d be up to driving afterwards? I guess I’ll have a better idea tomorrow!
TJ
PS. I’m in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Having treatment at The Manor Hospital in Oxford (thanks to husbands work health insurance.) 
Hi gail65 and all the others, im just waiting for my 2nd fec, and my head was just like you. its now been overtwo weeks since its started coming out and yes it did really hurt in the wind or if you move it around.as its got thinner that goes away and i think that is why i am still not ready to shave it. i can still see a bit of a fringe and side bits around my eyes and like that feeling when i have my hats on, i think its such a personal choice so good luck when you do, i think i may do mine in the next week, my poor scalp looks so white though!
good luck to all
amd xxx
Hi everyone, I have 2nd chemo on 1st Nov no hair loss yet!! I did wear cold cap, first week after chemo I was sick, but now I am fine apart from I get tired quickly. 2nd chemo is coming around quickly hope the rest goes as quick only a week tomorrow!! I will wear cold cap again if no hair loss before then. So annoying not being able to use straightners but suppose I should be grateful I still have hair Good Luck everyone.
Jayne M, yes I’m using the cold cap and so far I still have a reasonable amount of hair, but not totally confident it will stay - the loss does seem to have slowed down. It seems really light to me and I can see my scalp for the first time ever, but I think most people would just assume it’s a bit flat which I’m very glad about at the moment. I think we are all basically obsessed with whatever is happening at that particular moment - for now it is the hair loss, next week for me it’s FEC 2, so then it will be making sure I drink loads etc. I didn’t have many SEs either and feel guilty about all the cards etc. from friends offering to help as I don’t really need help.
Ribby72, so glad all is going well for your daughter - that is one less worry for you. You’re obviously doing a good job of keeping her informed and positive.
Teej, I also often prefer to do things alone, so I had hubby take me to chemo, see me settled in, and then leave, calling back for me afterwards. He is saying that he thinks he would like to stay with me next time, but I’m quite happy on my own. It also gives you a chance to chat to the nurses about anything bothering you which you may not want to discuss in front of others. I’m also having private treatment, but at Gt. Missenden.
Teej - good luck for tomorrow, I took my husband with me for my first treatment but I am going on my own for my second on Monday because as like you l would rather do things like that on my own. I wouldn’t drive because it can make you feel dizzy. Let us know how you get on x
Amd 66 - thanks for your reply l suppose I will just have to see how things go x
I have an appointment with my onc tomorrow so I can ask more questions then x
Good luck tomorrow Teej. I had a portacath fitted 2 weeks ago and it does take a while to settle, mine is much better now but I was very bruised for the first week or so and it is still niggling but getting better. It was certainly much easier that the canula I had for the first FEC, my hand and arm are still aching from that.
Hubby came with me the first time and my Mum the second, 3 and 4 will be each sister (they are not local so a nice chance to catch up) and the kids want to come for the Christmas one at least for some of it. I am happy to have someone with me as the lady who was there for my first two has finished so I could be on my own which would be a bit lonely (I am quite outgoing). The atmosphere in the unit is relaxed and I find the time goes more quickly if I have company - again I am private thanks to work health insurance.
I certainly wouldn’t feel safe to drive home as I was a bit lightheaded after each.
Just spent the morning taking a claw hammer to my awful fitted wardrobes with the wobble doors that would not stay closed. I had been staringat them all last week when in bed with sickness and achey bones So I decided when I felt better they had to go.
Good on you raonaid, wish I had something like that to do x
hi pumkins, feeling down today cold and cough not getting any better even though on antibots and steriods, and hot sweats doing my head in lol, just hoping that this won’t delay my treatment on monday. i’m in the west midlands (dudley)
big hugs xx
suzee
Hope the drugs work for you suzee so you can get your treatment - maybe the cold weather we are forecast will kill of some bugs x
just been to doc’s have been given some stronger antibots so hopefully will do the trick xx
Lots to catchup on again!
Suzee: hope you feel better soon.
Teej: good luck with first chemo tomorrow
Raonaid: I’m on TAC - which includes Docetaxel - doesn’t seem to be many of us around! I started a thread on TAC which now has some posts, so there might be something useful there.
Ribby: well done to the Princess, you must be so proud!!
I’m based in Sheffield. Should anybody want to laugh at what I REALLY look like (apart from a polar bear!) I started a blog of the chemo thing for friends and family (Pumpkins get a mention somewhere but chemo-brain can’t remember where!) at www.littlebearowl.tumblr.com
Well done pumpkins old and new! Xx
Day 8 and slowly feeling more human, am continuing with the anti-emetics and beginning to feel like eating normal food again. The general concensus seems to be forget trying to follow the diabetic diet and just eat what I want! I’ll worry about the consequences later.
My DH has suggested taking me away for the weekend to my Mum’s in SHeffield, it would give us a break from a small London flat and give her the chance to see for herself the state I’m in. The added advantage of being able to get laundry washed and dried is very appealling. I forgot to ask the hospital what their view would be but could phone them tomorrow. I’m wondering which hospital in Sheffield I’d have to contact if I felt ill /went neutropenic.
Am I mad for considering this? I guess I just want to nap on the sofa and have Mum bring me a cup of tea - my DH copes but isn’t that good at the noticing when something is needed!
Nonni
Hi, I hope this works. I have been looking at the site and deciding whether to join in or not. I am having fec t and had first one on 5th oct. had blood test today and having next session on 26th. Most of my hair is out so wearing a scarf today first time, my head is quite sore. I also had a central line put in on last thursday which is still a bit sore too especially my neck. Hope to share my experiences with you.
Hi story so far and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the shared experiences and support here, our helpliners are on hand with further emotional and practical support on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays
You may find the BCC ‘Treatments for breast cancer’ information useful and you can access it via this link:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Best wishes
Lucy
gail65 dont worry about not having some of the nasty side effects others are unfortunately suffering.Apart from a little nausea and feeling a little tired for a few days i have been really lucky too. my hair started sheddung on Sunday so I shaved it off last night, i didnt want to get to the point where its falling off in clumps and the wigs and hats have to come out sometime, its defo a very personal decision do it when you feel comfortable
I am in the manchester area :
Evening Pumpkins x
Woke up at 230am boiling hot - but my temp was fine (???) Wots that all about?
Been at hospital for reflexology today - 45 mins of bliss… followed by a 90 min wait to see a nurse to re-dress my Hickman (district nurse made a right mess of it) & also to take out a couple of stitches which hadnt dissolved.
Hair is beginning to shed… Bumped into a lady i was in hospital with when we had our mastectomies… she was having her 2nd FEC (mine is next friday) & she was completely bald… She said once her started, it only took about 3 days to completely go! Eeeeek, i think i need to chase my wig lady up!!!
Feeling ok - tired but lack of sleep doesnt help. Keep going hot & have tummy cramps - is it possible i could be due a period???
Welcome to Story So Far x
Suzee64 - hope u feel better soon x
Keep strong girlies xxx