I haven’t done anything about wigs or hats yet, but I am planning on a sick bowl! My daughter is getting married in May and I haven’t done a thing about getting an outfit. The last few months have been energy sapping appointments, procedures and surgery, but I really must do something before chemo starts. I’m having 6 rounds of FEC too but no start date yet. Good luck to all with a chemo start date. Z x
Anyone else feeling gloomy about the prospect of wearing wigs, scarves or hats. I looked on some websites yesterday and didn’t like any of them. Perhaps I shall feel more inspired when I need to cover my bald head. I may get a start date for chemo tomorrow.
Wow lolk, they didn’t give you much time to plan for your chemo. I hope all goes well and take care driving. Thanks also for the chat about wigs, I had better plan a wig fitting sometime soon. Z x
Hi linda - uk March Marvels xx
I’m starting my chemo on 10th March and as you say all the side effects sound scary.
I’m a novice re Facebook but do have an account opened years ago by my daughter. Do people stop posting on this thread and use more private forum of Facebook?
Jets, how do I message you my email address if I want to join FB group?
Hi zizzles - I think you need to enable messages on your account here first - I can’t remember how but maybe if you click on your name ? If it’s enabled if you click on my name there should be a ‘message’ area - if you email me your email address I’ll send I the facebook link x there’s a good crew on FB and its a bit easier then the forum for chat /images 
links etc but I exoect there are others who don’t use facebook x also we will all pop along here x
Hi, this is my first post on here. Found lump in December and had various tests just after Xmas. Diagnosis came on 2nd January ( yeah Happy New Year and all that! lol!). Had lumpectomy, sentinel node and full axillary clearance on 6th Feb. Saw Oncologist last Friday and had a phone call yesterday to say chemo starting on Monday 9th. FEC treatment, 6 courses. Got the talk and Pre-chemo bloods on Saturday. PICC line being inserted on Monday morning just before the chemo. Bricking it isthe operative word. I know the op was a success and that I am on the homeward run but it is all the side effects that are stressing me. You see I don’t do I’ll very well. When I was younger, I used to think people were dying when they were vomiting. As soon as my daughter tells me there is a sickness bug at school, I go into panic mode!
Seriously considering cooling cap, even if my hair does disappear, it apparently aids faster re-growth. I’m not too bothered about losing my hair to be honest, it always looks like a birds nest anyway!! As I have said all along, it is better to lose your hair than lose your life!!!
The only thing that is bugging me this morning is that my Oncologist recommended me to have the pneumonia vaccination ( already had flu jab through my work). So I had booked an appointment at the GP surgery but I have just realised that the appointment is for Monday. Has anyone else been told to get it done? Is it possible to have it done oce chemo has started?
Ps I enjoy reading everyones posts. It’s good to seem we are all in the same boat but have our own unique experiences!
Hi Blakie x welcome and please join our FB group if you would like too xxx
I am also terrified of the sickness as live by myself with teenage twin girls. I’ve been recommended to ask for emend anti sickness drug - so I’m trying to work up the courage. Reading your post I realise that I haven’t had flu jab even and now not sure if I have time as start chemo on 16 … I think the injections you can’t have during chemo are ‘live vaccinations’ and I don’t know if the one suggested to you is one? I’m also doing 6 FEC but not been suggested picc line which I now don’t understand as I’ve had bilateral mx and don’t want to increase risk of lymphodema… You CAN do this xxx lots love sarah
Hi everyone :smileyhappy:
I found out today that i am starting chemo on Friday. I’m having a tour of the unit on Thursday at 4pm then having my chemo Friday at 2pm.
I have joined the facebook group March Marvels as well so will see you there xx
Hi z, good luck tomorrow - will be thinking of you but you will be fine I’m sure. I think the lead up is often worse. My partner and I were both like two rabbits caught in headlights too at the presentation we had to attend and in fact my other half disappeared afterwards as he hates hospitals and couldn’t be in same room when I had bloods done! We don’t live together so he has escaped the self injecting - he would faint I’m sure!
I think I have mastered the jabs and use an ice cube before hand and it seems easier?!? Its only for a week post chemo and think they are being over cautious with me having children at home. Are you definitely having them?
The only other thing I have noticed is the urgent need to pee!!! Apparently it causes bladder irritation - great! Oh and the horrid metallic taste ain’t nice but a bag of sweets helps that!
I have generally been okay over the past week apart from last night when I woke with soaking bed sheets. Temp was fine but I called the hospital and they think with my age (45) the chemo has brought on menopausal symptoms (ie night sweats) but already??!!
Let me know how you get on. I am going to join the March Facebook as I am struggling with this website! ! Keeps locking me out and can’t get back on!
Lorraine x
I had PICC line insertion and first dose yesterday (FEC x 6). Felt ok to start with but nausea kicked in in the evening, had my back up anti emetics but took most of the night to subside. Woke up at 3.30am but think that is due to steroids. Feeling better this morning but a bit washed out. Heeding advice and have arranged for people to do the school runs for me today!
Thanks for that Sarah! Not used Facebook in ages so need to familiarise myself with it again!
Lorraine x
Hi all, this is my first time posting. Was diagnosed in Feb and had my first of 6 FEC cycles on the 9th March. Will have surgery following chemo then radiotherapy. It’s going to be a busy year! I was admitted to hospital last Friday 13th because I was suffering from chills/shivering and had a low temp. My pic line that was put in on the 9th had started to bleed too. Thankfully I only spent 1 night in hospital, no infection but had penicillin/antibiotics IV.
Like other posts I have read I am hungry as a horse! Loving real savoury stuff like Marmite and cheesy things. Rubbish at pacing myself but now the fatigue is coming to meet me I am beginning to listen to my body and be kind to her.
I am becoming more anxious about being around people, except my lovely hubby! So scared I will catch an infection. Scared to leave the house at the moment. Hope these feelings will ease over time. I have the rumblings of a cold right now, temp ok in between the hot flushes. Got a fab remote control fan from Argos who is my new best friend. The nights are long, I sleep for about 4 hours max. Watching the dawn rise is my new pastime. But the dawn chorus is beautiful.
I am a total chatterbox! My posts might be long! Love and hugs to us all 
Hi Alicemax and welcome to the BCC forums
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Lucy BCC
Hi everyone
I was diagnosed on 5 Feb and had a left mastectomy on 24 Feb and have now been given my chemo start date for next week - Friday 27 March. Rads still TBC one way or the other and Tamoxifen to follow for ten years - it’s the gift that just keeps on giving!
Am having four cycles of TC which seems unusual as most others seem to be having six cycles of FEC or FEC-T. My Onc told me that TC x 4 is proven now to be as effective as 6 x FEC so I’m going with her advice.
Am not planning heroic measures to save my hair as I understand TC is fairly certain to see it start falling out after 14 days of first treatment so am just going to embrace the baldness and use scarves and a wig when I need to.
Am going with the dark nail varnish tip in the hope that I hold on to my nails. If anyone has any other tips for TC it would be great to hear them!
@JETS - I too have teenage twin girls - mine are 16! Hope you can send me the link to the Facebook group as that sounds like it will be really helpful.
Thanks a lot, Sarah xx
Thanks Sarah
I will request to join the group today and check out those drops - sounds a much better alternative than painting finger and toe nails!
My girls are doing first year of A Levels as they’re 17 in July - wish I wasn’t having chemo during exam season 
They’re very robust young ladies so hopefully they can maintain their focus whilst it’s all going on around them.
Sarah xx
Hi had my wig fitted just before my first chemo which was yesterday. They bring quick a few wigs with them for you to try. I have choice one that is almost identical to my own colour and hair style.
Hi, I’m hoping to start treatment soon. Was diagnosed on feb 20th, They’ve changed the plan a few times, chemo first then op first, then last week they wanted to do a sentinel node biopsy first and as a bonus they whacked a picc line in as well. So waiting for the wound to heal and then hopefully chemo!! Will send a request to join the fb page, cheers for all the lovely comments, it’s nice knowing your not alone, xxx
Hi stocko - hope you feeling ok today x
Sarah