Hi Sunny1,
Just a quick one to wish you all the best for Wednesday.
Glad to hear that you have been living it up a bit beforehand.
I think at least one hangover is in order, hope you’re not feeling too bad!
Easy to say, but so try not to worry too much. Let the nurses take over…
My last one is today, and if I can do it you can too!
Best to you too, Love2bead & all on this thread,
Lomalinda
XXX
Hi Sunny
Good luck for your first chemo. Im on different one but I’m sure all the women on here will agree no matter how many times your told its not as bad as you think it’s still scary you will be frightened only to be expected as chemo is reported as gruilling but honestly it isn’t as bad as you think. When I had my first Epi I sat that night waiting for side effects and nothing happened it was wierd three days later I called my onc to ask if this was normal as I didnt have any so much so that next time round I didnt take any pills for sickness and felt good tiredness I think is the worse mind is going ninety miles an hour body is about 1 you want to do things but your body says let me sleep. constipation can be bad so I suggest you start taking something the day you get your chemo just to keep it at bay. Hope this ok for you.
Joanne
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say thank-you for starting this thread. I will be starting chemo in the next 2-4 weeks as I’m post-op and still healing. I’ve been terrified since I saw the onc last Friday and was told I’d need chemo but you’ve allayed my fears somewhat and I’m hoping to be able to face it in a more positive frame of mind now.
Thanks again and I’m sure I’ll be on here again soon,
Bella x
Hi Sunny
The social demand can be a bit overwhelming sometimes can’t it? I’ve had contact from girls from my old school that I haven’t seen in over 20 years! But I appreciate the love and support - and the constant delivery of flowers is great, my house looks like Interflora! hehe.
Mum got back late yesterday but won’t be chatting til tomorrow… she has cats to sort out and she runs the local Meals on Wheels so I’m giving her a little (just a little) time to sette back in. Got my mobile bill for last month - £80! more than double what it normally is. Have got a great deal now as my provider screwed up my upgrade so they gave me 1200 mins a month for the price of 800 until March as a sorry.
My next FEC is Monday 22nd. Hair coming out by the handful now and thinning rapidly. Taken to wearing hats round the house as well as outside as can’t stand it falling out every where, I think another couple of days and I will have had enough and get a Grade 2. I have a wig that I ran out and bought last Friday as was convinced I would go bald overnight and my NHS one won’t be ready for 2-3 weeks, it doesn’t look much different to my own style - just more shiny.
Best of luck for Wednesday. The actual administration of the chemo isn’t that bad. Just injections given via a canula in the hand and then drips. I was buzzing from the steroids and the nurses couldn’t shut me up! (funny that!) Just remember as it has been said by many before, everyone reacts differently to the treatment. My advice would just be to get prepared for another hangover (this time not self inflicted). I’m sure you’ll be fine and back feeding the forum addiction in no time 
Chat soon
Ems x
Just another little note …
Gul - hope your first chemo went ok, and that the side effects are minimal
and Bella - I found these forums a real help too before starting treatment too…I think its great how we can all chat and support each other… Even more grateful that I have been dx in this decade as not sure there were chatrooms and the such like this around in the 90’s?
Have you both been pointed to the ‘top tips for chemo’ thread? I only found that last week and wished I’d found it earlier.
Much love
Ems x
Hi all
Love2bead/Gul - Hope all went well today. Don’t expect you to be online at the moment so when you next look here you will know people are thinking of you and wishing you well.
Lomalinda - Thanks, I will let you know how it goes. I think I am kind of relieved that tomorrow is the day because I am getting really fed up with worrying about it. Really hope your last one goes without any hitches - you must be so relieved the chemo is over. I expect you’ll have more of a spring in your step now as you look to the next stage.
Thanks Joanne for the tips.
Wishing Bellalasagne a speedy recovery.
Hi Ems - Think you’re really lucky with all the flowers, I’ve only had two bouquets, but quite a few cards and loads of emails from wellwishers. Your mum sounds a bit like mine, she loves cats and has kept them for years and years. She only has one left now though and he’s pretty old. I expect your still chatting now!
Sorry to hear about the hair, but once it’s gone it will be one less thing to worry about as the new routine of hat and wig wearing takes over. I have also chosen a wig similar to my own colour (dyed brown) and style, but will need to get another shorter one nearer the end of treatment that will need to be a totally different colour so it won’t be too different to my own grey/white hair when it regrows. My lovely wig-lady offers a full service when you purchase a wig so she will be shaving my head when mine goes - best news for me…it’s FREE!
Thanks for the advice for tomorrow, will let you know as soon as I can how it’s going. Need to go and watch this really funny new series on tv called Mutual Friends now so speak soon.
Wishing you well
Sunny1
Well I have to have my first FEC tomorrow am and to tell you the truth I am a little nervious.
Thank you all for all the tips and hints, I am sure they will come in very handy 
LisaJ
Shaved off my hair 2 days ago my word from long hair to grade 1 is sure strange,lol
Well I’ve had my hair shaved (ish) now. Grade 4 on top and grade 2 at the back, easing myself into baldness… OH really quite likes new look (poss more as it is his own handiwork) which gives me more confidence for wearing it short once it starts to regrow. I think I look like a punk activist - hehe! Wore wig out today for first time + hat on top = hot head. Roll on cooler autmun weather.
Khyrah, best of luck with the FEC tomorrow
x
It wasn’t so bad after all, thank goodness! I feel a bit strange because my body is obviously trying to fight the drugs but nausea hasn’t been too bad (so far). Last night was the worst for feeling sick because I (foolishly) had a glass of orange juice followed by a cup of tea just before I went to bed! The more I take it easy though the better I feel. So will need to be a bit more sensible. Didn’t go for the cold cap so hair will disappear over next 3 weeks or so.
I can’t bear not having hair over my ears for warmth, so will be a problem for me when it’s shaved. You were brave Ems for letting your OH do the shave! You must be pleased it looks good short. I don’t have a hat to wear over my wig yet so hopefully when I start it won’t be so warm.
Khyrah, hope all went well today and you’re feeling okay. Unlike you, I’m not brave enough to shave my hair before it starts to fall out:)
Speak soon
Sunny1
xx
All went well for me and I have been lucky enought to have had no sickness so far, the steroids make me all get up and go so take my second lot before 2pm and have a tamazapam to help me sleep I am taking each day at a time and all feels too good it is worring me (lol guess that is wrong of me) and I am thinking ‘when will it hit me hard?’.
Take Care all /hugz LisaJ
Hi all
have had friends up this weekend and went out for dinner last night, so been trying to act “normal” except fell asleep on the sofe for three hours yesterday afternoon in front of everyone. all very understanding which is good.
Am still tired now, think I’ve been overdoing it in the build up to the weekend.
2nd FEC tomorrow… wish me luck… mum had chest infection and temp so won’t be up to see me until Tuesday now (instead of today).
Will write again in few days…
Ems x
Hi all
Will be thinking of you tomorrow Ems, sorry mum can’t be with you. We’ll all be with you in spirit. Glad that you had a fairly normal weekend, but know what you mean. How can anything be normal at this time? Make sure you get enough rest from now.
I’m feeling okay, stopped taking pills after day 4 (yesterday) and still no sickness so far. My mouth feels like it’s grown fur though and am getting what feels like fizzy scalp (probably just paranoia, bit too soon). Went to the local for lunch today which was nice, but felt like I was in a bubble, watching people without a care in the world! I think I remember that feeling.
Glad all is going well Khyrah, keep being positive, it’s great to hear.
Write soon
Sunny1
xx
EmmaG, Hope your second FEC went as planned and that you are well. Sad that your mum was unable to visit but better safe than sorry tho and hope you have a nice time on Tuesday when she does come to see you
Sunny1, I so know what you mean about the fur on the tongue, it is weird sensation. I also get the fizzy scalp feeling and put it down to paranoia too
I managed to get a date for my Picc line to be put in (the day after my next Chemo,lol) but think it will help in the long run.
Take care all and thinking of you
LisaJ
Hi gals
Yesterday started off badly. FEC hasn’t touched the sides unfortunately, the alien has grown. The look on my oncs face made me burst into tears, he said kept patting me and said your only 37 we’ve got plenty of time - which scared the hell out of me. he said he was disappointed FEC didn’t have the effect he thought it was going to (me too). so put me on Taxotere. I’ve been fine today after sleeping 12 hours solid I woke up and was surprised not to be putting my head in a bucket. Mum came round and we even managed to get out for a couple of hours to the shops and for a coffee.
Have looked on some other threads and it seems the side effects for this kick in after a few days, think when the steriods and anti sickness tablets wear off. Oh joy, but at least have quality time to spend with mum - we’ve been on the ancestry site today, my brothers done the family tree for mums side, so I’m looking into my dads. Its fascinating!
Anyway I digress, my NHS wigs have come in so if I am ok tomorrow mums going to help me choose which one to go for.
Re your tingly heads - does it feel like someone has been pulling a really tight ponytail on you for hours? I had that for about a week before hair started to fall out 
Talking of which my head now looks very patchy and bald in places although I still have hair at the front and tufty sideburns - all be it about 1-2cm long, mum saw my head in a towel turban today and said to me “hadn’t you better go dry your hair” I showed there is nothing much left worth drying! … I hope you find this next bit funny, but I was describing my hairloss to my OH, i was complaining and said “its all gone patchy, it looks like I’ve got some horrible disease” to which he replies “I hate to break this to you Em…” made me think, cancer hadn’t been what I’d meant at all, but the irony of my comment made me laugh anyway! (strange sense of humour emerging!)
Thats it for tonight ladies, OH wants the laptop to check his own new addicton - ebay!
much love
Ems x
I can’t believe it’s happened again!
I keep trying to post, only to receive an error telling me I’m not signed in - But I am!? Although it could be that it takes me so long to type that I get timed out! So I’ll try a fast one.
Really sorry to hear your news Ems, hope you’re okay now. Try not to worry they will get the one which works!
Sunny1
xx
It worked! Must be me then.
I combed my hair yesterday only to find a few more hairs than normal attached to the comb! I wonder how long now. My scalp felt fizzy after the chemo, then numb for a while and now fairly normal, but slightly itchy.
Think I’m catching a cold now, typical! Just when you think you’re over the worst, something else happens.
Don’t fancy having a picc line, hope they can use the other hand next time and keep alternating. I suppose it’s a personal thing. I think it might be quicker with one though.
Keeping this short…just in case.
Sunny1
xx