February 2019 chemo starters

[WhyteFawn]

Hi ladies. I'm from the Oct 17 thread like Jencat. I've just passed my 1 year since chemo finished anniversary. It all seems quite scary now but you can do it. If you have any specific questions then please feel free to post on the Oct 17 thread and if we can we will help out.
Stay positive ladies
WhyteFawn x

[Jencat]

Glad you've got it sorted Trixie  and good news about the voucher x Btw, it might be worth taking someone else with you to help you decide which wig suits you x

[Trixielady]

Hi I read a lovely book called T& Chemo by Jackie Buxton, I found it lite hearted but informative, also read lifeafterloa think it's available via a link on Decembers thread xx

[Neecy]

Hi Trixielady, I start chemo on Wednesday but my nurse advised to go beforehand if I wanted a similar style. I've gone for something a bit longer than my own at the moment. I will have to go back once I lose my hair to have it adjusted slightly. Good luck with your trip and I hope you can turn it into a positive experience too. The cocktails afterwards were amazing😉😘

[Trixielady]

Thanks Jencat, I've rang the shop and that's what they have suggested, so will brave that sometime this week, no appointment required also, said my area NHS provides a voucher possible £180 so pleased about that x

[Jencat]

Hi Trixie, I'm from the Oct '17 thread. I tried on wigs before I lost my hair and also I was able to get one that matched my usual hair colour by doing that x

[Trixielady]

Hi Neecy, I'm pleased your able to laugh and enjoy yourself, when did you start chemo and when did your hair start coming out, is your head fully shaved or could you try on wigs anyway? Xx

[Neecy]

Hi ladies, just wanted to share with you that l went for a wig fitting yesterday. I was dreading it but it turned out to be a really positive experience with laughter and (a few tears). I took two of my best, straight talking friends, tried on about 6 wigs and loved the first one so much, I kept it on! We went out for cocktails and a meal and had a great evening! Here's to good friends!

[Trixielady]

Hi Ladies, my first Fec is 4th but booking in is the 1st, strangely looking forward to it, I'm managing well so far but not looking forward to the possibility of losing my hair!. Hopefully we can support each other through this unfortunate journey, best wishes & positive thoughts & cuddles xx

[Neecy]

Hi , I am due to start chemo next week too and guess what, I'm a nurse too! I've found this site very useful so far but agree that reading too much can possibly further any anxiety... Not that I'm retaining very much these days and that's without chemo! X

[JJ24]

Hi there

I'm due to start chemo in February and will find out full treatment plan when I see Oncologist next week. Funnily enough I'm an ex nurse and  I've been reading whatever I can too,  but beginning to wonder if that's counter productive as its too easy to imagine that you will get every side effect going. My head is swimming with all the info too.  I'm generally a positive person so I''ve decided to try very hard not to worry and take it one step at a time and cross all the bridges as I come to them - I might not have to cross all of them!    I've been reading the Jan 2019 thread and am so impressed with such a supportive group of ladies. I'm sure this group can be too. Wishing good luck to all. 

[MBJ]

Hi Everyone. I will be starting chemo in February I saw the oncologist yesterday. I thought it would be an intense discusion, but no he just said you have come to me for chemotherapy these are the drugs you will have and these are the side effects. I was only there about 10 minutes. As a nurse and nurse educator I am fairly well informed about the issues involved, however it's very different when it's a personal decision regarding such drastic treatment. My ONCO DX result was 27 and I had a positive lymph node ( had clearance and one more was positive) so I already felt certain that I would be having chemo. Thank goodness my BCN is fantastic and we have discussed everything in detail . Her advice to me yesterday was to stop reading. But I find it very difficult not to analyse everything about breast cancer, treatment and side effects. I hope to get to know you all soon and find a supportive group of strong women.

[Mai7]

This thread is for anyone due to start chemotherapy in February 2019.  Others will be here soon but please come on here and introduce yourself and you can all help one another through this phase of your treatment.  If you have any questions please post away on here and others in the community will watch over you whilst you are getting started.  Once you are into it you'll be pretty good at helping each other.  You can also ask the nurses on this forum if you have any concerns.  In the meantime, the top tip is always to stay well hydrated throughout chemo, aiming for 2 litres of water per day.

Here is the BCC guide on chemo:

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment...

I finished my chemo over a year ago and doing very well again now.  Here is my story which has some chemo tips on how I coped which were collectively shared from others who had gone through the same from this forum:  lifeafterlola.com

Best wishes xx