Lou are you on Facebook? We've got a lovely group going, people who are April chemo starters. It's a secret group so only members can see. If you are and want to join tell me your Facebook name and profile pic and I will search and friend request you I should then be able to add. Helen I'm pretty sure you've joined? Have a great weekend both of you before we start with the rubbish feeling on Wednesday xx
Exactly Sarah. One of my friends from Uni just got in touch we have contacted each other for a while. Dropped my bombshell but was lovely to be in touch . Need to get sorted at work Monday and Tyes day did do a big shop before Chemo Round 1 x
Hi been to Oncology and my treatment FEC x3 and T x 3 starts on Wednesday. Hospital had a cancellation so I going at 9AM for pre-assessment and first treatment. I was expecting to start May but the sooner I start the sooner it finishes. Told my Oncologist I wanted to try cold cap and she was positive about it and was happy for me to give it a go. Short lived return to work but plan to work from home during treatment. Lou x
Hi Lou that's exactly what they said to me, belt and braces, preventative, how old are you again? I'm 42. Hair so far touch wood is fine but I think it would still be at this stage. I should know in next week what the shedding is going to be like, keep everything crossed its minimal. Hope your appointment gives you a clear plan xx
Hi all and thanks. I understand from my BCN that the Oncology Dr has recommended chemo then rads so I am expecting the chemo. Necessary evil, belt and braces approach, preventative treatment etc. I know it isn't going to be pleasant. I am preparing myself for the hair loss and thinking the sooner it starts the sooner it's over. I anticipate I will start chemo in May. Sarah how is your hair coping? Helen how are you doin re side effects . Lou x
Hi Helen. The steroids weren't great I struggled with sleeping, vertigo, and then the chemo fuzzy fog but that only lasted about 5 days then the next 2 or 3 I started to feel better. Now I feel fine on day 15. Just in time to start again next week. They are lowering the steroid dose next time so hopefully those side effects won't be as bad. I've also got 6 lots to have, and one down. Lou we've got a good chemo April 2016 starters group going in the monthly thread section, maybe you will be joining us after tomorrow? Are you having chemo do you know? Helen will you be having radio after? Xx
Hi Lou. That's great news. I agree with Sarah that you will feel better once you get your treatment plan. When they told me 6 lots of chemo so 18 weeks in total It seemed like it would take forever but already on week 5. Time is passing quicker than I expected.
Hi Lou I'm doing well thank you. Still got a week and a bit before the next chemo. I'm working from home and teaching some classes via Skype isn't it nice to do normal things. I'm really glad you are enjoying being back. My work are super supportive, hopefully you will be able to work some during chemo just feels great to have something else to focus on. Hope you are both doing well too xx
Hi Sarah and Helen how are you both? I had my CT scan earlier this afternoon and have an appointment with Oncology on Thursday at 2PM . Went back to work today which I enjoyed even if it is just for a few weeks until Chemo starts. Hope CT scan doesn't show anything bad. Lou x
From what I read it is common with the braxon implant I have had. I don't feel unwell just red area on the left bottom side of breast under the scar which is effectively right across and in the middle of the breast. Glad your putting the Insurance money to go use Sarah. Helen hope you get a fab wig I am sure you will. X
Sarah it started shedding slowly on about day 15 of cycle 1 but then in the last few days it started coming out in handfuls. To be honest I don't think the cap was fit correctly on cycle 1 so the damage had already been done before I suffered cycle 2. Devastated that it hasn't worked but just have to move on!!! Helen x
Hi Lou I've not heard of red breast syndrome. We are getting a new garage/office/garden room with critical illness money too, nice to have something to plan I find. Apparently some of the wigs are fabulous, I'm sure no one would know the difference xx
Oh I am sorry Helen. That said I met a lady yesterday who has had chemo and now having radiotherapy she didn't cold cap and got her husband to shave her hair. She had a beautiful wig and if she hadn't told me I wouldn't have known. Sarah glad your feeling ok. I have just had a kitchen designer here . Planning new kitchen and having a conservatory. Critical illness cover paying out so we are spending it on home improvements. Got appt for CT scan 5pm Monday. Getting nervous about that but think it is standard at my hospital prior to chemotherapy. Think I may have red breast syndrome as still have a red breast but not feeling unwell. Lou x
Hi Helen and Lou. Helen sorry to hear the cold cap hasn't worked, can I ask did it start coming out in handfuls or just lots of shedding? I'm on the alert, nothing so far but chemo was only 8 days ago. Today I feel not bad, done some more work had friends for lunch, just been to see a counsellor too which work arranged for me. I think it helps. Hope you both have a good evening and have something to look forward to over the weekend, Sarah xx
Hi Lou and Sarah. Hope you are both doing OK. Sorry to have to repair that the cold cap hasn't worked for me and today my hairdresser has been to cut what's left very short. Wasn't ready to shave it yet!!! She's also restyled the wig that my friend gave me as I have to wait for a wig referral on NHS now. Hope it works for you Sarah. Helen x
Hi Sarah good to hear from you. Hopefully you will feel better shortly . The teaching will keep you occupied. I have been on Skype with work today and am going back Monday until treatment. Got CT scan Monday at 5pm. Keep us posted re progress. Helen hope your Ok.
Hi Helen and Lou I'm not bad think I've hit the slump just feel very drained but annoyingly still not sleeping well, they are going to halve my steroids next time as my body doesn't seem to like them at all. Got a bit of work to do today I'm teaching my top set year 9 class by Skype! Lovely to have something else to think about. Glad no infection and second cold cap, well done! Love Sarah xx
Great Helen that's 2 down so 1/3rd complete. Sounds like the cap was fitted better this time. You can do this Helen. I was back at hospital Monday no infection just appears to be fluid build up. I have to have CT scan prior to chemo. Did you? So waiting for an appointment for that and chemo. Going back to work Monday until treatment starts. Had hair cut today and gone shorter in preparation for chemo. Sarah hope your ok. Lou x
Hi Lou. I'm 2 down 4 to go!!!! Felt a not funny during chemo this time but it soon passed. Cold cap was a better fit this time so much colder and had ice on my head this time. Hair still coming out much faster than I was expecting but mum and other half both say they can't tell. How are you doing? Helen x
My hair comes out when I brush it and that's without chemo . Getting it trimmed Tuesday to tidy it up terrible dry ends. Yes I understand cap has to be very snug. What we have to go through to make us all better. X
Hi Lou. Hair is thinning a bit at sides and at back which is where I thought the cold cap wasn't snug enough. It probably looks worse than it is as no one has commented yet. Still upsetting to see it in the bottom of the sink!!!! Will be cold capping again next week as I know some thinning is common. No panicking just yet. Helen x
I'm having chemo first then mastectomy and reconstruction. Maybe it's because auxiliary node clearance was OK when did lumpectomy. Just wish they had got clear margins buy hey hoe!!! These things are sent to try us as they say!!
Chemo no 2 on Tuesday and can't wait to get it over with.
Lou that's brilliant news cancer free! Yes I'm ok feel a bit agitated the hot flushes annoying but it's not horrendous and I'm coping. Great day for you today hope you sleep well xx
Good news no cancer in any of the 15 nodes they removed or in the breasr tissue. So no cancer and being referred for chemo. I might possibly have an infection re the implant as red area on boob and lots of fluid drained. That is getting tested and in meantime am on antibiotics just in case. Back Monday for results. Boob is now much smaller and soft I assume do to the draining. I will need to resting my softie to even myself out. Sarah hope chemo is being kind re side affects. Helen how is the hair. X ul
Glad you are feeling OK Sarah. The steroids had that affect on me. My whole body felt restless and like it didn't belong to me. I had terrible hot flushes too. Oh the joy!!!! X
Hi Lou and Helen, good luck tomorrow Lou. Yes I managed with the cold cap and feel a bit groggy tonight but not horrendous. I was told that everyone sheds hair Helen, at least 10 % so don't give up yet. Have you got a silk pillowcase to prevent rubbing in the night? I'm heading to bed will see how I feel tomorrow, so far a bit yuk but not horrendous. Night, hope you both sleep well xx
Oh bugger Helen but agree you should stick with it. Hopefully you won't lose too much. Boots where doing 3 for 2 on hair products so I stocked up on Baptiste . I haven't been able to wash my hair properly sInce Op so needed to get some and thought it would come in handy during treatment. I am ok slower recovery this time and nor back driving yet but I am getting there. Results tomorrow so feeling a little nervous. X
How are you healing Lou? My hair has started to shed today. Minimal at moment but still upsetting. Trying not to fiddle with it now and don't want to wash it again. Will try cold cap again next Tuesday as not ready trying give up yet. Will ask them to make sure it's extra tight this trying.
That's good Sarah. Fortunately for me I only have to wash my hair once a week. So I should be ok and can always use dry shampoo. Going to get my hair cut this week as normal go to hairdressers every 6-8 weeks for colour and trim. Haven't been since November due to diagnosis. Not going to get any colour as need my hair in best condition for treatment. I don't have any grey yet and my hair is ombre so roots shouldn't be an issue. Just want split ends sorting. Like you I am going to give the cold cap a go. Glad your making some memories of your trip. X
