December 2017 Chemo Starters

[KirstyH]

Thanks Shi, will go for a number 2 🙂 I have bought a couple of sleep caps but will also get a silk pillow case. Hope everyone is doing ok today! I am at work and then meeting my new Chemo buddy for lunch today, who I met at my local Maggies and is on the same chemo journey as me, same day of the week in our ward, so will be nice to share our experiences so far! x

[Shi]

Hi Kirsty, buzz to a grade 2 you don’t have to go full shave, it’s is liberating to take control over hair and don’t forget silk pillowcase better on hair and scalp for regrowth. Beauty despite cancer do a hood scalp care kit but think you have to get the oil separate now as they don’t include it in the kit anymore. Keep 💪Dec ladies, and keep each other safe, you will get each other through 😘😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[KirstyH]

Morning ladies, I am on day 13 after first chemo (Fec) and hair not started to come out yet but I know it will any day now, I also got mine cut into a bob before treatment started and actually really like it as well, but soon as it starts to go I am going get hubby to shave it off, just get straight to the wig, hats, buffs and scarfs which I now have a nice seslection of 🙂 at least its hat season for us all with it being winter anyway x

[Ruth07]

Good morning lovely December ladies, just thought I would pop over from October thread to make sure you are all ok ♥️♥️💕💕💕
After a week delay I had my 3rd FEC last week, and this morning felt that I am starting to come out the other side. I know I will be very tired for a few more days and need to be kind to myself but hope that the worst SEs are over. I just wanted to say that you can do this 💕💕💕💕 there will be wobbles and unexpected challenges on the way, people will call you brave when you don't really see that you have any choice. But you will be brave and strong and each challenge will pass and you will have good days where you move forward and know that you will keep going and this too will pass. And before you know it you will be on your third chemo and checking in to make sure that the ladies in the January and February threads are doing ok too.
Wishing everyone a strong and positive day and don't forget to wrap up warm ❄️🌈✨🦄💕🌈✨❄️💕❄️🌈✨❄️💕

[Chaffinch17]

I found that it was almost a relief when my hair started to fall. I got my husband to shave mine 4 days after chemo 2 because the bits were getting everywhere and driving my mad. He found this really hard but I found it liberating. I had my hair cut from shoulder length bob to short style a week before my treatment started which I felt would make it easier, which it did but I loved the new style and got so many positive comments that made it bitter sweet. At least I know how I want it to be when it grows back. It is a chilly time of year to be bald though, make sure that you have a couple of sleep caps to keep your head warm at night. I already had a lot of scarves and there are loads of YouTube videos on how to tie them, they are so easy to do and I feel more comfortable and more myself in the scarves than I do in my wig. A few cosy outdoor hats are a must too. I bought a cashmere and silk mix beanie from TK MAXX for £12.99 it was my best purchase, soft enough to sleep in, warm and thin enough to go under other thicker outdoor hats.
Best wishes with the rest of your treatment. You will probably find that you will wake up one morning soon and suddenly feel much better, make the most of your good days and plan some treats for those each cycle so that you have something to look forward to x

[runawaygirl248]

Im with you on the emotional day 5 today Chaffinch, its like the full reality of diagnosis, surgery and now chemotherapy have started have suddenly hit like a ton of bricks. I guess it has to happen at some point just didnt expect it to be today! Also really worrying about impeding hair loss...feel that will be more traumatic than the chemo run up and infusion. Although I am prepared wirh 2 wigs, several beanies, hats and sleep caps, it still has me completely on edge waiting for those first clumps of hair to fall ☹ My only hope is once that begins I am brave enough to just go right "sod it, cut it all off!" That for me has been the biggest fear of chemotherapy treatment. I considered cold cap but felt it wasnt the right option for me.

Hope you are feeling good today Chaffinch and all you other amazing ladies on this December journey! Much ❤.

Jo x

[Meesh73]

Yes, unfortunately spots are another SE I've never suffered with spots, but got a few large ones on my face on cycles 1 and 2. As chaffinch says it's the gift that keeps on giving! 😬 We will all get there though ladies, be strong 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Take it one day at a time, enjoy the good days and be kind to yourself on the not so good days! ⭐️✨🌟⭐️🌟💫⭐️✨🌟

[SamH87]

I’m with you all on that emotional rollercoaster! I’m Day 5 post Chemo 1 and yesterday I cried at everything! I even sat watching I’m a Celeb and cried when they got their stars for meals!! 🙈🙈🙈
Feel slightly better today and have been prescribed some anti acids to ease the sicky acid feeling I was getting. Hoping Day 6 (tomorrow) is a little better!
Ladies that have made it through to the other side... you are my inspiration right now!! Xxx

[Chaffinch17]

Your side effects sound very familiar. I usually find it takes a week to feel anything approaching normal and 10-11 days to start feeling ready to properly face the world. Days 5&6 are usually my worst emotionally and in some other ways too despite nausea abating by this time. The nausea can be dealt with but the emotional rollercoaster and jittery feeling after coming off the steroids and other meds is tough and I hate the numb tingliness I get at this stage too.
Plan some treats for the next week or so x

[KirstyH]

Woohoo glad your nausea has finally passed!
So the teenage style spots outbreak seem to be normal then x

[drbexl]

My content been picked up in a BCC  blog - https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/about-us/news-personal-stories/%E2%80%98what-can-i-do-help%E2%80... 🙂 

[drbexl]

I've been having all that the last few days, much tears, wondering how the heck I am going to make myself go in for th next one, etc. Today is the first day felt not dizzy enough to drive (11 days post-chemo) + the nausea has pretty much gone - hurrah! 

[KirstyH]

yip lol Ithought so, but since a few more appeared on my chest I thought I best ask, although they dont look out of the ordinary, just a lot more than would normally be there, thanks for confirming chaffinch 🙂

[Chaffinch17]

Yes you are right it is a side effect, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

[KirstyH]

hey ladies, just wondering if getting a few more spots than usual is a side effect of chemo? I am day 12 post 1st FEC and still have not really had many side effects, however my skin hasnt been as good and had quite a few spots come up on my nose, just regular looking wee pimples like a normal spot, then now have a few on my chest... but im assuming it is a side effect. I will ask breast care nurse as well but just wondered if anyone else had issues like this, thanks, x

[rabbit28]

Hi Runawaygirl, Thanks for your message, I'm not too bad now but feeling a bit rubbish from the herceptin injection.  Fortunately I don't have any nausea but keep feeling light headed, getting headaches and head feels a bit foggy. I've checked by BP and thats all ok so I think it is sinus related as apparently it can give flu like symptoms, finding traditional smelling salts really help.

Glad your first chemo was ok and hope your'e not feeling too bad.  Hope everyone else is doing ok and doesn't have too much snow, not too bad here in the sunny south!! xx

[Chaffinch17]

Best wishes Sangeetha, tell your team about your worries they might be able to find someone to talk to who can help you feel more in control. Do you have a Maggie’s centre nearby? They are a charity who have drop in centres where you can just sit and chat with people who have been through this and understand. It makes a huge difference. Other charities have similar places ask your team or breast care nurse they will be able to put you in touch with someone.
This is the scariest part, the fear of the unknown, it gets easier once you are having treatment. Do you have someone to take care of you for a few days after treatment? If so let them look after you, be kind to yourself x

[Shi]

Sangeetha you need 2-3 lites every day while in chemo, measure it out so you know how many cups a day. Makes it not as daunting. Chemo caddy kit to have at home, paracetamol, imbuprofen, soft toothbrush, wet wipes, sudocream, anosol, stool softener tablets, start taking day of chemo so you can go to the loo. If you get sore mouth get onc to prescribe difflam mouth wash, if you get thrush mouth get onc to prescribe fluconzole if your antisickness meds don’t work ring the rapid response and they will get you in and give you more. Always ring rapid response for anything just to check everything is as it should be. If your pee burns but no temp over 37.5 ring up it could be a uti. Just passing on as much as I can to help you so you know a bit better lovely 😘😘😘remember one step at a time and you’ll get through this, 💪💪💪strong and hit it like a warrior. 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[runawaygirl248]

Hi Rabbit

Sorry to hear of your scary experience with docetaxel, hope you are recovering well now with no lasting effects. Hope the Oncologist gets you sorted with another med soon so you can get your chemo treatment finished.

I had my first EC cycle on friday (8th) and was petrified beforehand as its a big unknown going for that first cycle. After around 5hrs I started to feel very fatigued and very nauseous but one of the additional antisickness tablets sorted that.
Had 2 lots of daily steroids so far with the last day today (Mon) and have been lucky that theyve caused no insomina so far...quite the opposite although I have noticed an acidic tum and a bit of nausea about an hour after taking them and felt like everything "slowed down" but that was temporary. I guess steroids affect everyone differently.

Other than that so far Ive just felt fatigued but been out for at least a 10 minute walk each day to have a bit of exercise and done a few very small tasks in the house.

Continued good luck on this crazy chemo journey for all fellow December starters!

Jo x

[Sangeetha p]

Thankq Shi and meesh ..as ur advice wiil try to have plenty of water ..
one long day more to think a lot about treatment .and still thinking why me 😭😭..need to drop my kids at school and then to hospital. hope the people in hospital might help me to overthrow it .gud nyt all dear ones💜💜💜

[Meesh73]

Hi sangeetha, I had long hair but chose to go to hairdressers to get it cut shorter as I thought it would be less distressing whether you cold cap or not but it is personal choice. Shi has given some other good advice, just take one day at a time, listen to your body. I also got the housework done and planned some easy meals prior to chemo to try and make the week a bit easier. Remember to drinks lots of water the day before chemo, on the day and then after to help flush it all through. Good luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀if you experience prblems let your chemo team know as they can adjust meds for you. 

[Shi]

Sangeetha, I didn’t cold cap but meesh has, its up to you on hair, I think meesh cut gets shorter, I sent mine to little princess trust wigs for kids when I had to cut my hair, so could turn this journey into something good for a child as they give free wigs to children with cancer. We have all felt what you are feeling with the first one coming up, it’s ok to feel a million emotions but remember chemo is like having another doctor on side fighting for you and just take one treatment at a time. The love and support in here is 24/7 so you will always have people holding your hand every step lovely with tips and experience to help you get through this and then you can pass your experience into threads that will follow you and help guide them. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, take meds, keep diary of temps and meds so you can keep track of eveything and it will help you feel a bit more in control still. Hope that helps darling you will get through this, just take it a step at a time 😘😘😘💕💕✨✨✨shi xx

[Sangeetha p]

Thankq Fiona ..meesh ..chaffinch .will share whatever goes on hospital ..need to think abt cold cap as I am allergy to cold weather ..I may cut my loving hair very short ..does anybody help me in dng this sorry I don't know. Really scared of those 3 hours I don't have friends here to chat ..better to sleep 😕.let me c and will post on Tuesday Eve about my 1st chemo ❤❤❤

[Shi]

Don’t forget to get yourselves booked onto look good feel better sessions with your Macmillan centres, you get £200-£300 of free make up and stuff plus beauticians come in and show you how to do your makeup, I’ve got mine booked for after chemo as something to look forward as a treat, lots of ladies do it during chemo too. Take each treatment one at a time, the threads will help you navigate and keep strong and positive, we all look after each other and share the 😁😁😁😁😢😢😢🤪🤪🤪🤣😂🤣😂🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💩💩💩🌪🌪🌪❤️❤️❤️💕💕✨✨✨shi xx

[SueW]

It is uncomfortable to have fitted because you are awake but think of the long term benefits

Mine was a day surgery and I took paracetamol after for pain relief x

I also blagged my husband into cooking so that was a bonus 👍

[cmccorry21]

Hello Sue,thanks for letting me know that you've gone through a similar experience. I've to have the Hick man on Monday. A little frightened that I'll be aware of what's happening during the procedure at least I'll know this time it'll work. Good to hear that it worked out for you. X

[SueW]

Cmccorry
I have a Hickman line
I had chemo 1 in arm with canulla but my veins collapsed and like you they could not fit a picc line.
I have now had chemo 2 and 3 through line and it had been fine please let us know how you get on good luck got 12th xx

[Meesh73]

Hi sangeetha, welcome to the forum no one wants to be on. I am cold capping and would certainly recommend giving it a go. Take some paracetemol about an hour beforehand. The first 5-10 mins are the worst after that I found it was ok and I hate the cold and have a low pain threshold. I would recommend cutting your hair shorter if possible as that reduces the stress on the hair. You will probably lose some but stick with it. I have completed 4 sessions and although very thin on top have good side, back and fringe coverage. I dud post some tips a couple of days ago on here so might be worth looking at them. Good luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[cmccorry21]

Hello everyone, I was on a few weeks ago and was due to start my FEC 100 chemo. However I had a set back as the could not insert the pic line. I've now to have a hick man line in my chest. Been a tough few weeks. But treatment due to start on the 12th. So hope to keep in touch with you all. I'm scared like everyone else but need to get started as being in limbo is hard going. Trying to chill this weekend. ..drink plenty of water as I've it read does help. I'll try whatever I can. Xx

[SueW]

Sangeetha speak to your team about cold cap it does put extra time on your chemo treatment
I did not cold cap and after chemo 2 lost my hair but lots of the lovely ladies have used cold cap and saved their hair xx
I am sure someone who is using it will offer you some advice x

[Sangeetha p]

Love u all.. such a wonderful hearts ..the more iam worrying is my kids . But anyways let me c . I do need to know abt cooling cap ..dono whether to try ..if it is very cool then I can drop it better ...thanks in advance .

[Chaffinch17]

Welcome Sangeetha and Fiona, sounds like you are in a great position to support each other. No idea about WhatsApp support groups but I can say that this group is very supportive, you will find many people who totally understand what you are going through. We share the good, the bad and the laughs too if which there are more than you might think. Have a read of some of the other Going Through Treatment threads and they may help with hints and tips. Most importantly don’t look ok at the big picture, just take each day as it comes. You will be through it all quicker than you think xx

[Fiona17]

Hi Sangeetha, I start on 13th I think the feeling of fear of the unknown is worse than once we get started. I had heart scan this week and they made me lay there for 10 mins before starting as ❤️ Was racing. It all went fine and was just me hitting the panic button. Let’s check in with each other on here afterwards and I’ll be thinking of you on Tuesday. Good Luck I’m sure the 2nd one won’t be so scarey. Big 🤗 xx

[Meesh73]

Sam, the first one is tough so many unknowns and usually still dealing with diagnosis as well which doesn't help matters. As things go along you kind of get into a cycle routine and that does make things go quite quickly (although still not quick enough). The forum is here to help with all those thoughts and worries that no one else understands at the moment. I've certainly found it a real lifeline, we try to be supportive but also have some laughs all night the way and I don't know where I'd be without all these fabulous ladies to help me through. Much love to you all ladies ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[SamH87]

Thank you so much ladies... it does help to have you all here.. no one else quite ‘gets it’ right now. As much as they try... you just can’t explain that feeling you have so I’m glad to hear that things will get better. I’m only on round 1 and feel like such a wimp already! Got to power through and remind myself that I am on the countdown 💪🏼Xx

[Sangeetha p]

Thankq sue w..

[SueW]

Sangeetha glad you found the thread just comment on here and the lovely ladies will offer you support xx

[Sangeetha p]

Hi all ..iam Sangeetha..I almost gone ..my chemotherapy is on 12 th Dec ..I couldn't even able to txt or even to read😱😱.I am very scared ..I need all ur valuable suggestions ..is there any watsapp grp .I was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma ER7/8 PR7/8 and HER 2 3+..my treatment is lyk neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by breasts conversation and r therapy in West Middlesex hospital .sorry for interrupting

[Meesh73]

Hi Sam, I felt very down on about day 5-6 after chemo 2. I think it is an overload of all the drugs and then comedown from coming off them, our bodies don't know what p's going on! Hopefully you'll feel better tomorrow. As the others say you will get some good days just take each day at a time and look forward to the good ones! ⭐️💫✨🌈💫🌟

[AnnaKarenina]

Aw Sam, another voice to tell you that I promise it will pass and you will feel better, I know it is so rubbish when these emotional lows hit (I find days 5&6 horrible emotionally), but a) you are allowed to feel it; and b) there is always someone here who gets it and can make things feel better. Hang in there and know you've got a team here cheering you on. Xx

[Sue C]

Hi Sam

I think its probably because you've just come off the steroids. You will pick up again in a few days, I promise. Just take it easy now.

Hugs xx

[Shi]

Sam, we all get days like that darling, luckily the threads give us all a lot of love support and laughs, I have a post it up in the kitchen where I’ve ticked off the dr chemo sessions with a big note to ring the bell against the last one, gives me something to aim for, just take it one treatment at a time and like chaffinch says week 3 is usually the best week and I look forward to that. Treat yourself after each chemo to a new jumper or something then it’s also something to look forward to instead of 😳😳😳its that time again you can turn it into a positive, 😁😁😁treat time again. 😘😘😘I found on 3rd round fec last time, I got weepy as it was half way point, went onto first t this round and 2 more to go now do our Oct 🚂That our brilliant meesh is holding driver gun point is getting us all there, we’ve gold hot pants on some are surfing the roof and we’ve got partybon in the carriages too and we’ve all got hold of each other onnallvthe threads we will get each other through safely. Keep strong and positive lovely we are all here 24/7.😘😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Chaffinch17]

Hi Sam, sorry to hear that you are feeling down today, it’s quite a common feeling a few days in from each treatment. You will feel better especially in the week before the next one. Just take one day at a time, ride out the naff ones and enjoy the good ones. Don’t look too far ahead, it’s too daunting. The time goes surprisingly fast x

[SamH87]

Feel absolutely meh today. Think the enormity of all this has hit. Please tell me there is light at the end of this tunnel! Just want normality again!! Xx

[Meesh73]

I also get the puffy hands after chemo they seem to go down the next day. The hot cheeks could be the steroids or hot flushes at 44 I was pre menopausal prior to chemo, I haven't had a period since prior to chemo and now get hot flushes (some cycles more that's others) mine are usually in the evening and at night, although I do sometimes get the odd one during the day.  Keep an eye on your temp but Call your chemo team if you are worried. 😊

[Dramaminx]

I had flushed cheeks and puffy hands and put it down to the steroids.

[SamH87]

Yep I had the Herceptin first and then the chemo straight after! Keep checking my temp but seems normal at the moment. Just keep feeling so hot and it comes in waves!! Xx

[rabbit28]

Hi Sam, I found in the book about the herceptin that it can be a reaction.  I mentioned it to the nurse this morning when they called to see if I was ok after yesterday and she said to check my temperature which was ok.  Did you have the herceptin on the same day as the chemo? x

[rabbit28]

Hi Sam, I found in the book about the herceptin that it can be a reaction.  I mentioned it to the nurse this morning when they called to see if I was ok after yesterday and she said to check my temperature which was ok.  Did you have the herceptin on the same day as the chemo? x

[Chaffinch17]

Think it’s probably the steroids they have done that to me the last 3 chemo cycles but weirdly not on the first one!