Good luck with all the tests SueW. I am going for a wig fitting on Thursday afternoon myself. The other salon I went in only had one longer haired wig to actually try on but they have ordered some more in. Hair has started to shed more at Day 4 post chemo. Awful heartburn here (wasn't given anything for this symptom) seems stuck in my back and still can't eat much, I start to hiccup, so sticking with plain things, though I did manage to make an apple and berry crumble for the family today, then tried a spoonful and heartburn reared its head so gave up. Drinks are a problem too, used to love my cups of tea and coffee but can only sip warm water or the coconut water when my neck swells with the bone injections. Sleep is eluding me, awake around 2.30 am most nights but don't feel tired in the day strangely. I am trying a home made beef stew tomorrow, wish me luck probably one spoonful and it is back to the dry cracker. Can't believe how hard it is to enjoy food or try to eat it. Best wishes to all
Don’t be scared by wig shopping I went expecting to walk out in a diva strop crying however I walked out with 2 wigs as couldn’t decide between them and with a huge smile on my face I am sort of glad I am signed off for 8 months but missing work and the distraction of work x
This time I am hoping to work from day 15 because I am due to cover my colleague's holiday from 19th - 25th we have given someone basic training in our job but it would be easier if I can cover. I will have to duck out of the 25th and an hour or do the day before for next once then treatment though. I intend doing nothing that I don't want to do for the rest of the time though.
Hi runnerbean good luck for Thursday & Friday. My work is the same just take each day at a time. I was planning on self certificating for first 7 days if need be, then working from home 2nd week and maybe go in the 3rd week. I guess that'll depend on how I deal with the treatment. In some ways wish I was signed off for the whole thing as it makes things easier and less to worry about!
Hi everyone, hope you are all doing ok. I got all my dates mixed up so it's now PICC line Thursday and first chemo Friday. I'm having 3 FEC followed by 3 T then onto radiotherapy for 3 weeks and Tamoxifen. I had a lumpectomy and have to say I'm happy with the results considering my 2cm turned into 4.8 taken out and I didn't really have that much to spare. just wanted to say thank you to those who have already started it really helps to read your experiences as it gives me some idea what to expect. Just wondered what others are doing about working as well. They have agreed I can just decide each day what if anything I am able to do so I will just see how it goes xx
Hi chaffinch I'm also having fecx6 followed by radiotherapy and tamoxifen. I've also always found dolls a bit creepy. Went for wig consultation last Friday in case can't tolerate cold cap/ it doesn't work, they didn't have any to match my curly hair so they agreed to order 3 for me to choose one. She did show me one which did look ver much like dolls hair, but the other one she showed me was really good. Not sure if they'll be any good but it does give another option. I also booked look good feel good session. Good luck for Wednesday.
Good luck with the tests SueW. This business really does fill up your diary. I have managed to put a few more fun things in there today like a free head covering workshop at my local Maggie's centre next week and a Look Good Feel Better course in November. Just hope I feel well enough by next Tuesday to go for that and wig consultation which hubby has persuaded me to go to. He thinks with my treatment being ongoing over Christmas that I might want another option for going out. Not sure that I will ever wear a wig I'm a bit freaked out by the idea no idea why. I just keep thinking of the horrible hair that dolls have. I have always found dolls a bit creepy. .. yes I know I'm weird 😉 At least I found out today what my treatment will be. 6 x FEC 20 rads and Herceptin
Hi karena23 I was told they like you to wear something short sleeved too so they can get to you arm easier I suppose. I'm not sure I'll tolerate the cold cap as I hate the cold and I'm also a real wimp, but thought I needed a go.
SueW gosh that's a lot of tests poor you! Still it'll keep you busy until chemo!
Hi ladies just got back from hospital do catching up on you all Appointments today for enlarged adrenal glands Had blood tests and got to take steroids tonight and go back tomorrow for more blood tests then mri Thursday and then wee in bottles for 3 days for stress hormone tests then meet consultant on 12th But also got chemo nurses next Tuesday then chemo starts Friday gosh I have a busy life 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good luck with your forthcoming chemotherapy karana23. Had my first fec last Thursday (they sit with you to put that in with a tray of large syringhes) only took a couple of hours and yes just turned up as I normally do, I don't wear alot of makeup anyway but put a bit on along with some lip gloss.
Yeah I just turned up normally dressed. They need access to your lower arm and hands so would avoid anything that might get in the way. A tip from me would be to wear loose fitting trousers or at least ones without complicated fastenings. If you need the loo during treatment you can go when they flush the lines but you have to take the drip stand with you. Trying to go to the loo when one hand is connected to a drip is tricky. Other than that just be comfortable.
Me again...I know this maybe a really stupid question but those of you that have already started your chemo did you turn up looking how you normally would on a day to day basis, as in wearing makeup, jewelry etc, I was thinking definitely comfy clothing but just wasn't sure about my face lol!! Xx
Hi Meesh....no decided against the cold cap...I hate the cold!!! Have got quite short hair at the minute so have decided that it wouldn't be as traumatic as it wld be if I had lovely long locks, still a bit scary though!! I wore a sea band while on a boat trip on my last holiday as I suffer terribly with motion sickness so will stick that on....being sick doesn't freak me out too much but I hate feeling dizzy xx
Well done Cassie. I am finding it easy to do injections too. Feeling a bit achy with them so i follow CKs advice. I take them out of the fridge half an hour before and i also take 2 paracetamol half an hour before too. Meesh, i just have a water bottle that i keep filling up so a bottle is fine too. You will need the sweets as your mouth gets really dry. I have also had ginger biscuits and bland foods to eat i.e. pancakes, plain scones, toast etc. The biontene mouthwash and toothpast are great too - a bit pricey but very gentle on teeth, mouth and gums xx
You'll be fine Meesh I just found it easier to have a cup rather than a glass that could easily fall over. Mine has unicorns on it that my sister bought me. They're usually for kids but who cares! I just found it easier to have if I didn't feel like getting off the sofa. I know what you mean about too much sugar but no added sugar drinks are ok. I didn't want me teeth to be furry you have to be gentle brushing them.
I had first chemo last Thursday so had my first injection today. Was nervous about doing it but it was fine.
Even if there's something you haven't managed to get before tomorrow you'll be fine. It's something you can pick up for next time.
Thanks Cassie, where did you get your cup with lid and straw? I'll be in a panic now as I haven't got one and start tomorrow morning! I've got some sweets but not keen because of the sugar. I also bought some root ginger so might try eating a bit of that instead. How many days after your chemo are you now? Glad you're doing ok.
First injection done! Didnt even need to call my sister or help lol.
I've been wearing sea bands. Not sure if they work or it's just the suggestion but I haven't had an anti Sickness tablet since last night so all good so far. This is probably going to sound a bit odd but I have a plastic cup with a lid and a straw. I found this best for having next to you and constantly keep sipping. This keeps you hydrated and keeps your mouth wet as mine has been really dry. Sweets are good though I'm mindful of too much sugar. Comfortable clothes to just sit/lay around in. Food or drink with stronger flavours as my taste buds have gone a bit weird. I'm on cloudy lemonade no added sugar which is nice. Or ginger beer. Plenty of snack type foods which don't take long to prepare. I find i fancy something now but if I waited half an hour to prep I'd have gone off the idea. Think comfort food.
SueW, yes boob doesn't look too bad, just where they sewed me up looks a bit weird. They moved some tissue about so was "severely bruised" apparently. My lump was 18mm but they took 26mm as there was a lot of dcis. Hi karana, sorry you have to join us here but welcome. I bought a few things with ginger in as that's supposed to be good for nausea & sickness. Also bought some travel bands as some on the forum have suggested them. Not sure if the work but any things worth a try! Are you having the cold cap?
Hi everyone....I'm starting on Wed (4th) 6 sessions of FEC...been ok about it all up until this weekend then been having a few panicky melt downs!! Off shopping today...any suggestions of things I may need 😊 Xx
Yes I'm to have hormone therapy too. I looked in Holland & Barrett on Saturday couldn't see any. They had chewy ginger sweets so I got some of those, I'll let you know if they're any good.
Meesh my consultant did a lovely job of my boob and the shop not too different just the scar underneath and considering it was a 47mm tumour he has done fab x yours look okay? X
Yes me too radiotherapy then hormones I thought I would be scared of chemo but my consultant has been so reassuring that at the moment I now just see it as a means to prevent a return though as it approaches I may get scared x I am going to look on amazon for ginger drops or maybe Holland and Barrett can’t find them in regular shops x
I had lumpectomy and they also took 3 nodes which luckily were clear. I'm all healed now but did have a haematoma 4 weeks after surgery and ended up in A&E, but was all ok in the end and healed really quickly after that. Was hoping to just have radiotherapy but oncotype test said otherwise! So will now have radiotherapy after chemo.
Had 2 surgeries lumpectomy then axillary node removal as was in nodes which they didn’t it was originally last surgery was nearly 4 weeks ago so not fully healed but definetly getting there x Are you all healed ? X what surgery did you have ? (If you don’t mind saying of course x)
SueW yes I worked up to my surgery in August. It does provide some distraction if only for a brief time. The good thing with that was I was then signed off for 2 weeks so I could tell work. This time it's a bit unknown, but I can only do what I can do! Are you all recovered from surgery now?
Meesh before surgery (I booked it for school holidays) I carried on working until the end of the academic year and being busy most defineltly helped so hope your job keeps you distracted x have a good day
Chaffinch17, I know what you mean. Sleep has been a bit on and off for the last week. I now just feel like I doze from about 1:30am and there's no sleeping after 5am. Hopefully it will be better once we've started and not so anxious.
SueW good luck with appointment today, hope all goes well.
I'm off to work in a bit, no idea how I'll keep focussed today and that's without chemo brain!
Thinking of you lovely ladies this morning and good luck for everyone starting chemo x I have xb appointment with endocrinologist nurse at 1 for blood tests etc re my enlarged adrenal glands Before mri on Thursday and kidney consultant next week Xx
The injections seem to depend on your type of chemo and which hospital you go to. I had them days 3 through to 7 ( that also seems to vary! ) and are given to boost your white blood cells, which helps fight infection. They are worth having, although they can initially create joint pain. Sometimes you have to do them yourself, but I was too much of a chicken, so a friend did them for me!
Thanks Patchwork Girl and Ali49 for the feedback on your first treatments. It's encouraging that you're both doing well and feeling better, even despite your sickness Patchwork Girl. Does everyone have injections? They never mentioned any injections but I've found through this process that they like to drip feed you with bad news rather than give it to you in one hit, so guess I'll find out Tuesday. I'm booked in for 9am and have been told to have a bit of breakfast beforehand, any recommendations of what to eat prior to treatment?
Good luck ladies having chemo this week. I am on day 4 of first chemo. Not actually been as bad as expected. Left anti Sickness tablet a bit late on first day but learnt to take it at first hint of nausea and it works fine. I was given the one that sounds that don perignon lol. Appetite hasn't been great so just eating what I fancy. Had some hot pot and veg today which was nice. Not a full portion as I don't want to overload my system but it was good to eat a proper meal. Mouth is dry and things taste strange or of nothing. It's annoying but no real issue. Tiredness is my biggest issue it just wiped me out. I start the injections tomorrow which hopefully I'll be able to do ok then should start to feel better.
Hi Meesh , i had first Fec last wednesday and apart from a bit of nausea, feeling tired and a sore mouth i am doing ok. Have had 1 day so far where i didnt get dressed and just chilled. I didnt have any meds before but was given 3 days anti sickness and steroids to take at home plus 7 gscf injections to give myself at home too (they jave been easy to do). They also gave me an extra 7 days of antisickness in case i need them. Start taking your sachets the day before treatment i would say as they didnt give me any but i have needed them. Drink lots of water and get your ginger biscuits in for nausea. I find if i eat, even if its just a little, i feel better. Re work - i am a teacher so wont be going to work but some people are working through chemo. I think it depends on your job and how you are feeling. I am not cold capping. Good luck xx
Welcome Meesh73, good luck with your chemo. I had my first FEC last Thursday went home at 12.30pm and felt fine until 4.30 pm then had severe sickness, couldn't keep the anti sickness tablets down. I was one sickness bout off heading back to hospital per my symptom sheet given to me by the hospital. Luckily I had been sent home with a box of 10 anti sickness injections which I couldn't use myself but they left me an out of hours District nurse number to ring. They came out to me at 10 pm at night and injected me, you can only have 3 in any 24 hours and she told me they are only for severe sickness as they will become useless as your body will get used to them and they won't be so effective. Think I was just unlucky though with the sickness but when I have my review will see if I can have some intervention in case it gets like that again treatment 2. We all seem to come home with different meds. My hospital won't give us cold caps, my long hair was shedding later that same night after first chemo. Hope you manage to keep your hair.
Thanks everyone, for the advice. I've found it really useful. SueC thanks will give them a call tomorrow although as I'm due to start Tuesday might be a bit late. SueW I really admire you for the shave and well done for the money raised.
Good luck with forthcoming chemo treatments Sam34 and Chaffinch17. Ali49 might be on similar chemo as you Sam34 from my memory if that helps. Yes best to expect the unexpected Chaffinch17, my sickness was much more severe so now will be asking for help for next time. All the best to you both
Sounds like you are organized meesh! Don't know about the ginger. It's not something I used. But I'm sure someone on here will know.
I was given steroids to take... Day before, on the day and day after. Maybe worth asking about those if you haven't been given any. My nurse forgot and had to be reminded! These steroids did upset my stomach though and had to take imodium for a few days.
