December 2017 Chemo Starters

[Mamadeacs]

I was going to lay off any alcohol until chemo finished but fancied one. I don’t drink that often generally so I don’t feel bad about it.

[Dramaminx]

And well done for getting stuck into the wine Macadeacs, I haven't fancied any and I usually love a glass of red.

[Dramaminx]

I am desperate to keep my hair til Thursday for my Christmas party! But it has started to come out. I haven't touched it since Wednesday and I'm trying not to but I know once I brush or wash it half will come out! Just want it for the party then it can do what it wants!!

[Shi]

Hi mamadeacs, it’s another hurdle we all have to come to terms with on this journey and you will do it when you are ready. After my first fec I ended up in casa nhs for 6 days and my hair started shedding while in there, I thought I’d end up having to shave my head in casa nhs, no control or dignity or anything, fortunately I got Home day 14 and was able to clipper my hair off in privacy of own home. It was liberating at the same time as sad, but I was so happy to be able to do at home after being faced with doing in in casa nhs. Just wanted to share with you lovely and send you 😘😘for when you are ready. 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[lesley62]

Mamadeacs - nothing vain about it at all...... if you are anything like me, your hair is a big part of who you are!   I used to go all out to show off my tits, smile and hair .... so this has been a big dent in my confidence.  

You will find your lady-balls soon...... should be easier with less lady garden!!

Keep smiling - you are doing great xx

[KirstyH]

Go for it mamadeacs, I jad said from the start that once it starts to go id shave it off, then it started and I didnt want to lol started to want to hang on to it but then thought f@*k it, im sticking to the plan and i felt so much better after it was done. A wee wobble after the wine is totally normal, ive had a few teary moments the past few days but they seem to pass and the positivity returns. Good luck if you decide to brave the shave xx

[Mamadeacs]

Kirsty I admire your braveness....I probably should do the same but had a bottle of wine and crumbled last night. It had to happen at some point I know. I hate myself feeling so vain when I know this is the start of the cancer being flushed out. Xx

[KirstyH]

Hi ladies, mamadeacs I managed to pluck up the courage and just let my husband shave it off last night, well a number 4 all over and I actually dont even mind it lol its not as bad as i feared and it def felt good taking control. I even went out to a coffee shop this morning and took my hat of with my nrw pixie hair do. Im sure in the next week tho it will all be gone so wig and hats will be on xx

[Mamadeacs]

Thanks Lesley....I feel like I’ve lost my ‘lady balls’ this weekend. Shaving feels like a big leap into the chemo journey. I’ll see how much more comes out when I wash it today. Xx

[lesley62]

Teary meltdowns are allowed and positively encouraged!!  You are dealing with a lot and I personally think it's best to get it out rather than try and carry the emotion around inside.

I didn't have a sore scalp as such but just before hair really decided to exit stage left, my hair hurt, at the scalp ..... if that makes sense, if I touched my hair, or the wind caught it.... it really hurt.  Then it stopped hurting and thats when it really started falling out massively.

I used a Wahl on a long 1 to cut my own hair off ...... I actually found it quite liberating ..... but that's because I felt it was putting me back in control.

I am 3 days off chemo 3 now and have short patchy lumps of hair and the just is pool cue bald!  I'm going to give it one last chance in the shower and then think I will shave off the rest ..... probably not whats recommended but all these little bits of hair that all over the place is more annyoing and upsetting.  I will be gentle to my scalp and look after it.

To all the December ladies, please remember that you are all beautiful..... even with no hair, whilst embracing the porcelain God ....... your hair, strength and vitality will return ........... continue to kick the ass off BC - you have an army of supporter behind you!!💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[Mamadeacs]

My hair started shedding on Wednesday and is falling out in handfuls now. I always said once a lot was coming away I would let my husband shave it but I can’t bring myself to do it yet. My scalp is really sore in places. How long does it take to lose it all? I had a proper teary meltdown last night. 😞

[SueW]

That should say a long post x

[SueW]

Katebear I did songnpiwtnon October too if you tit time to check it out but probably repetition of what’s been said to be fair

Good luck xx

[Karebear]

Thanks for all the answers I think I've every thing in that I'll need xx

[Dramaminx]

Fiona17 - it is so easy to think, I feel ok and then charge around but your body soon lets you know otherwise. The day after chemo you really should just have a sofa day then see how you feel after that. I tend to do the school run, have a rest, go to town, have a rest etc etc. If I sit down before I have to I find I do better in the long run. Still haven't written my Christmas cards though!

[Fiona17]

Hi Rabbit - It was Piriton they gave me 🤦🏻‍♀️ Clarityn is what I usually take. They ran just the once prior to Herceptin. It’s just this first time that they’re doing them on separate days going forward it will be with the chemo every 3rd week. They kept me for an hour this time and it will be 30 mins next time. So it’s 12 weeks Tax with Herceptin every 3 weeks at the same time, then continue on afterwards until 18 Herceptin done in total.

Was feeling great this am so went out to get some shopping done, must’ve over done it as got home and crashed n burned temp 36.1. Blanket, bobble hat cuppa and fire on got me back up to normal in 40 mins but it’s a reminder to self that actually I probably shouldn’t charge about at my usual rate of speed day after chemo. Ho hum it’s all a learning curve and I won’t be doing it next week ☺️Xx

[SamH87]

Ditto the comments below! I’m not on FEC but I suffered badly with indigestion and other digestive problems(🙈). I was on the phone to the team straight away and have been given things that will hopefully make round 2 easier!! They are there to support and are so good!! Xx

[Chaffinch17]

Hi Karebear, I’m also 6 x FEC 75 so slightly lower dose. I’m only 5”3” and a size 10 so that maybe the reason. My main SE is nausea on first night particularly but it usually lasts for about 4-5 days in some form or another. Take the anti sickness meds prescribed and if you still feel very nauseous call your team and they will give you something extra. Don’t suffer in silence it’s esdier to keep sickness at bay than stop it once it starts.
You may find on day 5-6 you have a down day emotionally as the meds and steroids leave your body, just hunker down take one day at a time and it will pass.
Acid indigestion and constipation are a problem again don’t suffer in silence these can be sorted.
Best wishes for your treatment xx

[DizzyBrummie]

Hi Karebear,

I’m from the October thread and also on 6xFEC 100. Just has cycle 4. I suffer mostly with nausea (all cycle but meds up to day 17) but everything makes me sick, pregnancy, car travel, boats, fairground, alcohol etc so it was expected. They say it’s easier to keep sickness at bay than get rid of it once it starts. I’ve not been sick though 🙂 I’m cold capping and still have hair, can just about get away with looking normal from a distance.

If you’ve got any questions DM me or pop over to the October thread.

Rach x

[rabbit28]

Hi Fiona, no they gave me piriton, I was written up for 2 but only had one as I had no reaction after two hours but I've read in the side effects a severe reaction can occur upto six hours afterwards. I'm going to discuss this with the Oncologist about having the herceptin and chemo on different days. Seems everywhere they do things differently.

Are you going over to herceptin injections when the chemo finishes?  I've got 18 injections the first few with the chemo then the rest at home, apparently it saves them money to have them at home, they even offered to come to where I work!! don't think so!!

I've felt quite washed out from the herceptin, sore throat, blocked nose, nausea, achy joints but guess it will be worse once I have the chemo added as well xx

[Fiona17]

Hi Rabbit,

Did they give you Clarityn? I was given it and told it may make me dozy hah! Spark you right out is what she meant I think 😂. I usually use it for hay fever but the non drowsy variety, I’m sure I’ve seen on previous threads that for some reason it helps with pains too, which by the way I’m not feeling at all.

As far as yesterday’s chemo goes I was wide awake until late, maybe steroids or maybe just my normal owl like rhythm returning who knows.

You could ask if they can do Herceptin injection 1 day and chemo next then you’d know for sure which one you’re reacting to. First ones only separated for me and 3 was time it will be both together.

Hope everybody is hanging in there and listening to your bodies. Be kind to yourselves ladies ❤️

[Meesh73]

Hi Karebear, there are 4 of us on the oct thread that are fecx6 so if you ever want to ask anything pop a post on there and one of us will pick it up and help if we can. I found when I looked back at previous threads that there aren't many fecx6 and those that are tend to disappear after a bit which I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not! Anyway, I had fec 4 last week and so far I've not had too many problems with the treatment. My main SEs are nausea on chemo day and sometimes for a day or two after I come off meds and dizziness. I fond fec1 was fine re both nausea and dizziness, fec2 was my worst cycle as I felt nauseous for about a week and really dizzy for most of the cycle, fec3 was almost sick evening of chemo but ok after that and a bit dizzy for about a week, fec4 had meds adjusted for chemo day and have just had a bit of nausea after coming off meds and one day of dizzy day7. My appetite and taste so far have remained largely unaffected 🤞🏻🤞🏻It stays that way, but I find anything I eat straight after chemo I can't even think about without feeling 🤢🤢🤢The only other thing is constipation which I haven't suffered with but that's because I have laxido which I take twice a day day after chemo until I come off the ordansetron as that's what causes your botty to get bunged up! I think I've been lucky with SEs and am very thankful fir that. It means I have been able to work weeks 2&3 of treatment (week 2 from home to avoid germs and week 3 in the office).

my tips would be drink loads of water I drink 3L day prior to chemo, day of chemo and day after chemo and then 2L a day for rest of cycle. I also wear seabands not sure if they work but I'll give anything a go! Laxatives for the botty. I also get lorazepam which I take one each night whilst on steroids and this helps with sleep. I also do yoga every morning and meditation morning and night and have found that really helpful. 

Good of luck with your treatment, have you started it yet? 

[Shi]

Karebear we have some 6xfec on Oct thread, drop a post on our thread, but I’m sure one of our girls will be over to advise you lovely. 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Dramaminx]

No, no, no! I need my hair to hang on til my works Christmas party next Thursday!! I'm day 15 so hoping to show off my glossy new bob before it all falls out (in my friends' Christmas dinners - oops!) A lady who has gone through it told me yesterday that if I try to avoid touching, washing, brushing it this week I could be in with a chance. I'll keep you posted.

Had my second fortnightly EC yesterday and this time I had 11 anti sickness tablets of various strengths after 24 hours of vomiting last time. I was totally doped up, a little nauseous and on the verge of vomiting a couple of times BUT - I didn't!! And this morning I don't feel sick. So anyone struggling with sickness please tell your consultant. I can let you know the name of the kick-ass drug when I go downstairs if anyone's interested. Apparently it's specifically for chemo and turns off the sickness receptors in your brain. Not sure how much more of my brain can be switched off! The ultimate test was my little boy throwing up all night after my husband took the kids to see Star Wars and a few too many treats were had. I shut myself away while he dealt with it. Then he was in our bed from 4am. Motherhood doesn't stop for cancer, does it!!

Hope everyone's treatments are going well, and good luck to the ladies about to start xx

[rabbit28]

Hi Fiona, glad to hear you got on alright and hope your’e feeling ok. From your experience with the blood pressure drop with the Herceptin I’m wondering now whether my failed chemo was a delayed reaction from the Herceptin as I had it the same day.

Still I must stop all the what if’s, googling etc and wait until I see the oncologist on the 21st.

Sam I think the stomach period like pains might a side effect of the Herceptin, I’ve had the same thing over the last couple of days. Must be worse for you not knowing which is a side effect of what.

Take care everyone and hope you all have a good day xx

[Karebear]

Am starting 6 x FEC 100 Is anyone else having the same treatment

[lesley62]

My Onc has now prescribed Claritin alongside injections - I had no pain at all this time! Really helped!!

[SueW]

Ladies bath with Epson saktscreally help aches and pains and I also found some liquid ibuprofens capsules by Anadin they are more expensive but work really quickly

My onc also said cocodamol but make sure you have took temperature first as anything containing paracetamol can lower temperature xx

[Ruth07]

Hi Sam I also get pelvic pain from my injections. I also get a tightening of all my leg joints but both go pretty soon after I finish the injections. I used ibuprofen to help ease the pain after checking with onc that I could. It has been quite severe on one cycle and required codeine but so far not so bad on this cycle (last injection tomorrow) ♥️💕

[SueW]

Lesley apparently grey hair is extra strong, extra wirey and extra stubborn 😢 you may be stuck with it
Pointer 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[SamH87]

I had a mega dose of Filgrastim on my first day post chemo. They said bone pain was a side effect so I wonder if that’s the cause of the pelvic pain then! Argh! Xx

[lesley62]

SamH are you having the injections - they can cause pelvis pain - if so, Clarityn anti histamines are good to counter it??

hope this helps

Just on the hair front ...... never thought I would ever say this, but I will be so glad when the last of my hair finally drops out!!  I am Day 14 of Chemo 2, I shaved to a long 1 on Day 15 of Chemo 1 but I still have patches of stubborn grey hanging around.  The house seems to be covered in a fine film of short dark hairs ..... gross exaggeration obviously - but it reminds me of when my parents had a German Shorthaired Pointer in the house!!

Hope all you December ladies continue on this positive vein!

xx

[Fiona17]

Evening Ladies 

A quick update as Rabbit was wondering how it would go on 12 wk Taxol and the Herceptin jabs. I had herceptin jab yesterday, they put some anti reaction drug through cannula first. Was fine to start with but came over most peculiar after 10mins or so, blood pressure had dropped but soon came up again. It all went fine but was knackered afterwards and slept on sofa most of afternoon, was in bed by 9.30pm, I’m normally a night owl! Only woke up for the never ending toilet visit this 2 litres a day is a pain, woke up this am fresh as a daisy 😀.

Today was 1st Taxol, 4 attempts for cannula 😩 never had trouble before, May just have been that particular nurse but if it happens again next week I’m going to ask for a picc as weekly doesn’t give much time for veins to heal. Then had piriton, steroids and omeprazole, waited 30 mins then Taxol. All went well and I’m feeling fine long may it continue but who knows. It was far easier than my wild imagination had thought.

Hope all the lovely ladies that started earlier in the week are doing well, and that this info is useful for you Rabbit xxx

[SamH87]

Hey lovely ladies.. sorry to hear that Kirsty - although if it’s any consolation I tried the scalp cooler last week and my hair feels very itchy already. I can’t imagine it’s going to stay for long and I’m only on day 8!
I checked in with the unit today - the swelling/tenderness if a damaged vein. Guessed it was but thank goodness for having a port fitted next week ready for round 2.
I’m still having stomach cramps and aches. Feels like period pains as they are low down and whenever I move anyway it feels like my lower back is throbbing. Anyone else has this side effect? Eurgh.. it’s something new every day!! Xx

[KirstyH]

Aw so you are the same mamadeacs, it seems common to happen around days 14-16 from what I have read. I felt it coming with that tingling in my head yesterday but today was first time actual strands started to come out. No headache for me tho, so maybe its just another side effect of the chemo for you 😞 Hope it passes soon for you x

[Mamadeacs]

Me too Kirsty also day 15. I didn’t want to wash it this morning. I have a stonking headache again today, not sure if connected. Xx

[KirstyH]

Well thats the hair started coming out today, day 15, when run hands through hair half a dozen strands end up in my hands each time. Think I will have the shave done on saturday night as I am out at the panto & for food in th afternoon, so may as well wait until after that x

[Chaffinch17]

This time I had swelling immediately around where it went in and it came out in an impressive bruise after a few days but now on day 8 it is fading and the swelling had gone down within a couple of days. Might be worth getting it looked at ring your unit and ask them

[KirstyH]

I had a cannula and it didnt swell but after about a week it became bruised, a yellowish colour but it took around a wee for that to appear xx

[SueW]

Hi Sam I had cannula chemo 1 on day 8 it became saw to the touch by day 13 I had a nice blue green bruise so I would say this is normal but if in doubt get it checked xx

[SamH87]

Hey Ladies - did anyone have a cannula for their chemo and have suffered with a very tender/swollen area just below the spot it was put into? I had my first round a week ago in the back of my hand and it’s still very sore to touch and feels slightly raised and swollen down towards my wrist and forearm.
I’m having a port fitted next week ready for round 2 but wanted to see if this was something anyone else experienced? Am I being over paranoid and worried?!? Xx

[Chaffinch17]

The hair doesn’t go completely until well into cycle 2 but I shaved mine on day 4 cycle 2. After 4 cycles I have a few odd hairs hanging on at the sides of my neck and by my ears. There is s theory that the ones that stay longer are the slower growing grey ones. Being blond I didn’t think that I had any grey my hairdresser kept commenting how lucky I was not to go grey but maybe I have closet pale grey 😜

[lesley62]

I'm with chaffinch, I am quite happy with my baldy head!!  It almost feels weird wearing a wig now.

Just before it all started falling out my hair really hurt, you know that feeling when you have been wearing a ponytail for too long.  Then it stopped hurting and thats when it started falling out.

I'd had my shoulder length hair cut into a pixie cut so less to lose, but as soon as I could pull a hand full out without any problem, I shaved it all off down to a long 1 ......... I can't tell you how liberating it was!!  But I am a control freak and I wanted to get rid of my hair when I wanted it to happen ... not for it just to abandon ship when it felt like it.

Legs and underarms are silky smooth, head hair is hanging on in patches..... think rabid badger!  And lady garden is very patchy........ too much information!!

If you shave your head, dont go down to nothing, your scalp will be delicate .... it's had a good covering for a number of years now,  invest in some good shampoo, try and get paraben free (I use Liz Earle) and you might find you need to use a moisturiser on your scalp too.

But embrace the new you - you are all gorgeous.

I don't have my Look Good Feel better session until after chemo 6 ..... lets hope the eyebrows and eye lashes hold on in there til then!!

[Mamadeacs]

I like the thought of turning into a butterfly. Kirsty you are right we do just have to get on with it, thankfully it is hat season. I had long hair cut into a bob too and neck chills took a bit of getting used too but I do quite like it. Xx

[KirstyH]

I am also on day 14 so just waiting for it to go, my head feel ever so slightly tingly & a slight cold sensation today... maybe that's is going to start? Nothing has came out so far. I have my wig, hats and scarfs at the ready tho and it will inevitably all be gone by Christmas but hey ho, we will just need to get on with it and sure will get used to it soon enough 🙂 x

[Chaffinch17]

I’m seeing as a reinvention if myself. Being bald is cold but apart from that, I think a bald head is actually quite a nice look. It accentuates your facial features and looks very fresh and no bad hair days! Takes so much less time to get washed and dressed too 😊.
Have fun with new looks, scarves, hats and wigs and being the festive season the glitzier the better 😜

[Dramaminx]

Mamadeacs, glad to hear you have turned the corner with the nausea. I am hoping for some super strength anti sickness in my goody bag tomorrow because I vomited for 24 hours after the first cycle and can't bear that again! I too am waiting for the hair drop. I so want to keep it til til next Thursday as its my works Christmas party but don't you just know I'll wake up on the day with half my hair on my pillow! This week I had my long hair cut into a bob as a step towards losing it all. I can't believe how cold my neck is! It hasn't seen the light of day for decades 😆 Ironically everyone is complimenting me on my new style (even people who don't know I'm ill and therefore don't need to be nice!) so I'm thinking I might be able to have some fun with some shorter styles. But losing it all is going to be traumatic and tough, and will coincide with Christmas so it's all going to be very surreal. Try to see it as shedding the old ill you and everything from now on will be new healthy hair. Reminds me of the saying: just when the caterpillar thought the world had ended, she turned into a butterfly. Channel your inner butterfly ladies. Much love xxx

[Mamadeacs]

*brave face

[Mamadeacs]

Hello lovely ladies....I haven’t been on here much but I have been following you all.
I had extreme nausea for the first 8 days and felt wretched. From day 9 it turned completely and although I have been tired occasionally I have felt good. Now I find myself dreading the nausea next time. I did phone the helpline on one of the really bad days and was told to continue the Ondandestron for as long as I needed.
Day 14 for me and lady tuft falling out, I presume head hair won’t be too long behind it. Picked wig up yesterday and have a selection of hats. Santa will be bringing me a bald head this Christmas! Dreading this phase but trying to put a brace face on. To me I’m going to look so ugly, hopefully it won’t be as bad as I have made it in my mind.
I’m going to enjoy feeling well now right up to the moment I walk in the unit next week.
Virtual hugs to you all xx

[Chaffinch17]

Could be all psychological because I should have an extra good week this cycle as postponed number 5 until 3rd January and in between is Christmas with all my lovely adult children and hubby 😊