Hi Hannah yes you do need to put on conditioner, mix it in a little spray bottle (they should have one) with water and make sure you wet all your hair with it, I found the best to be Boots sensitive expert conditioner the whole range is good for this treatment and not too expensive. Also make sure that yor our cap fits properly and that it fits the top of your head, no bubbles . I lost my hair mainly from the back, as the cap not always fits at the back too well. But it is the top that is the most important. You will find that you will loose hair after the first fec, I did, I was really worried, but it stopped and I kept on, and people who dont know me would not know that I am having chemo. fou want to know anything. Feel free to send me a message if you want any help. Good luck Lots of love Elainexxx
Hi all
Michelle, hope it went ok.
Pauline and Hannah, I hope your preassessments have helped your nerves. IT’s so much easier when it all starts.
After a very dodgy start I’m feeling completely normal. It’s bizarre.
Evening Diamond Chicks just catching up on the posts. I’m using the cold cap and I asked my Oncologist about the brain mets, she said it was a theoretical risk but there had been no reported cases. She said that where there is a risk of brain mets or treatment for the head is necessary the cold cap would not be used. This was good enough for me. I found the cold cap quite uncomfortable initially but after about 10 minutes it settled and didn’t cause me any discomfort. I would echo the advice about ensuring the cap is in contact with the scalp and the cap needs to be as tight as possible. I was advised to take 2 paracetamol half an hour before starting and to use a migraine gel pad to place under the front rim of the cap as it is tight on your forehead. The cap can give you a headache afterwards and I needed a good 24 hours of regular headache pills, it’s individual choice I guess in the end, I’m going to carry on in the hope that I can retain some hair xx
I went back to work on Tuesday following my first of 4 FEC last Thursday and it’s been fine. My SEs were minimal just very tired on day 1 then a steady improvement over the next 2 days.
I was advised to take the anti sickness tablets and not to wait to see if I needed them - again this worked for me and I took the advice of other Diamond Chicks to drink drink drink!!!
Hope everyone getting their chemo has minimal SE
Yvonne xx
Hoya lily, welcome to our little sparkly nest.
Don’t worry about the cold cap. My onc won’t allow it’s use… But if I had the chance I would still use it… My hair is thinning now and I’m dreading it going patchy and having to shave it.
Good luck with your treatment and keep in touch when you can. It a bit of a roller coaster this cancer thing but we seem to manage each hurdle and we are in it together <3
I went to the headstrong appointment, got my free scarf and shown how to tie it. Also offered therapies free so if your not already involved it might be worth looking into.
Pauline and lillyflowers have you thought about the make up one? Look good feel good I think it’s called…it’s in Glasgow. We could try and go together…
Elli xx
Elli. X
Evening ladies,
Well that pre assessment lark went ok. I now have an official date Wednesday 27th…bring it on!! Feeling ok in my self but will no doubt be bricking it as Tuesday night falls.
Been told I don’t need to bring any conditioner as they supply so that’s a bonus. I also get to choose a little treatment such as reflexology, massage etc each time I have my chemo. Things are looking up!
I hope peoples SE’s are ok today.
Sleep tight lovelies
Xx
Hi Ladies,
Well first session over with I decided not to have the cold cap i was so worried about brain mets and also because I wouldn’t be able to dye my hair I just didn’t want something else to worry about ( but I hope you ladies who are using it keep your hair I’ve got everthing crossed for you) I will just have to say a pray every night.
But I’m so dreading it falling out 
Have to say a few hours in I’m feeling ok and I hope I continue to 
Hope everone is feeling ok?
Keep smiling
Michelle xx
Hi Ladies,
Well first session over with I decided not to have the cold cap i was so worried about brain mets and also because I wouldn’t be able to dye my hair I just didn’t want something else to worry about ( but I hope you ladies who are using it keep your hair I’ve got everthing crossed for you) I will just have to say a pray every night.
But I’m so dreading it falling out
Have to say a few hours in I’m feeling ok and I hope I continue to
Hope eveyone is feeling ok?
Keep smiling
Michelle xx
Hmmm there seems to be such a varied approach to treatment - I’ve not been offered free therapies whilst having chemo. Ypud think there’d be a standard approach wouldn’t you, regardless of where you live. I’m going to speak to my onc about this on Friday. It’s just not right! Lol
Glad you’re 1st session went well Michelle. Hope your SE’s stay minimal.
Glad your pre-assessment went ok Hannah and take all that they offer you!
Nanite precious diamonds, sleep well and sweet dreams xxx
Hiya! I had my first chemo today (TCH - taxotere, carboplatin & herceptin) was there from 8.45-5.15 but the experience was so much better than I thought it would be and the staff were super. I saw the ladies from Headstrong, got to order a free wig from Trendco, and had an amazing aromatherapy foot massage. Have to go back tomorrow for neurostama(?) injection as neurophils were low. Think side effects of achiness and fatigue will hit fri/sat. I didnt get given any mouth wash, will salt water do as I am allergic to corsodyl? Does anyone use the biotene mouth products? Helenx
sorry neurolasta injections!
Morning diamonds Read the latest posts. Big pat on the bacj for everyone! Quinny, where are you? Hope ur ok chick. Elli you will need to tell ua about ur scarf tying session . I would love to try the LGFG classes . How do you go about it. i take ut its by appointment only? Stopped taking diazapam yesterday and felt sooo much better, hence the wee trip to Largs. I managed to go out to dinner with OH at night. My neighbour popped in for a chat and brought me some stuff from clinique. I dont buy that as its way too dear, so I was gobsmacked to say the least. she is going through a separation just now so its not as though she is having an easy time herself. hope everyine us feeling chirpy! Love and ((((hugs))))). Pauline. xxxx
Good morning Diamond Chicks,
Well, decided to fly the nest for a week. Feel fine and have been given antibiotics and antifungals so armed with these are going away in the caravan for a week. Trust the weather forcast to change! Was going to be nice, except for Thursday, now lots of rain forcast. will still enjoy a break away though. Lots of pub lunches and BBQs when it isn’t raining, with coat on if necessary! lol! Hair will probably be falling out on way back, Thursday, and get wig on friday.
It is Taxotere that can affect nail beds so no cold water needed for FEC or similar. At my centre they put E in by hand the old fashioned way using a syringe so they can stop if there is a problem. This means it takes longer.
Well done to the ladies who have started their chemo journey and good luck to all those yet to start.
Lynn xx
Enjoy ur break lynn, rain or shine . It doesn’t rain in the pub. where is ur caravan? Take care. Love, pauline.
It’s a tourer and we are taking it to Devizes. Doesn’t sound very exciting but it is on the side of a canal with pub next door. Close to Bath, Cheddar and a bunch of close relatives. Rain won’t stop us enjoying ourselves but sunshine is always a bonus and we are hoping for some!
What a wonderful neighbour! I am still amazed at the kindness of people.
love Lynn xx
morning chicks hi catloving woman i been a bit upset as went for my pre assement yesterday and been told i got to have picc line as my veins are no good im so scared …hope all chicks are ok and has anyone had a picc line and can u tell me bout it plz xx
Afternoon ladies…
Quinny, I think the pick line is probably kinder. I wondered if I should ask for one. They tell you how to look after it and I don’t think it’s troublesome, but I have never had one… I think one of our flock is getting it so m sure you will get reassurance soon.
Pauline… Wow how kind of your neighbour, there are a lot of wee blessings with this dreaded disease… People can surprise you. I think lgfg thing is at maggies ctr… Not sure where that is but I will look it up online.
Emma… The therapies seem to vary so it must be a funding thing… My hospital referred me, I have an appointment 10th July, but when I was at headstrong yesterday it was in a cancer support place called the Haven, they offer therapies too as does maggies ctr and places like that. Might worth a google.
Hannah…Great you’ve got something to plan towards.
Ij… Glad your well enough to grab a break. Been said before but doesn’t rain in the pub… We may all ave wet breaks this year… If the sun refuses to shine.
Michelle and Helen… One down eh… You have no idea how quick the time goes before your due your next oe. Fingers crossed it won’t be too bad. I would go with salt water Helen, I had a few wee ulcers nothing to stop eating n drinking with… So you might be ok without requiring anything else.
It’s a really wet n miserable day. I’ve been reading the 50 shades of grey books… Only got book 3 to go… So nothing much Is getting done except that lol… And I’m tired but I think it’s the doing nothing but reading that’s doing that…
Have a great day ladies whatever you are doing… Catch up soon.
Elli. Xx
Yeah this weather is a real nuisance… I’m baking again, much to the delight of my OH. Lemon drizzle cake this time, only I’ve made two because the loaf tin wasn’t big enough - another excuse to shop haha. Made a banana cake and a triple layer choc fudge cake at the weekend too. Fortunately, we took them down to my oh’s mum so they got eaten by everyone else there. Got a brilliant baking book from my sister for my birthday - Hummingbird bakery - loads of scummy recipes in there. The Brooklyn blackout cake was the choc cake I made at the weekend - was v popular with everyone Death by chocolate indeed!!
Got the appointment with my onc tomorrow, preceded by bloods, in readiness for 2nd chemo sesh on Monday. Jeez that came around quickly. Also going to the young woman’s forum in Leicester Fri-Sat, organised by BCC. So Monday will come round pdq I’m sure.
Elli - I read the 50 shades of grey trilogy - all within a week lol. Be prepared for nothing much to be done until you’ve read thm all 
Enjoy your break lj - it’s lovely to get away even if it does rain. Sure it won’t dampen your spirits too much
What lovely neighbours you have Pauline. Restores a little faith in humanity doesn’t it
Congrats on getting cycle one over and done with Michelle & Helen. Don’t forget to listen to your body, rest lots and as Elli says, time will fly.
Hope you all have a great day fellow diamonds,sparkle despite the crappy weather.
Emma xx
thank you elli i just scared it will hurt when it goes in …and im booking up 4 that lgfg to hope u all have a ovely evening chicks and will speak soon love to all xxx
thank you elli i just scared it will hurt when it goes in …and im booking up 4 that lgfg to hope u all have a ovely evening chicks and will speak soon love to all xxx
thank you elli i just scared it will hurt when it goes in …and im booking up 4 that lgfg to hope u all have a ovely evening chicks and will speak soon love to all xxx