Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, we’re in a similar position, I’ve done four rounds of EC and start weekly paclitaxel with carboplatin next week. Hope you’ve managed OK so far and good luck with the next stage, lots of new side effects, can’t wait! 😯 ... View more

Make sure to let your team know about that sensation, it’s something they’re going to want to keep an eye on! Stay strong all xx ... View more

Thanks for these tips Daisy, my husband has to inject me for the first time today and we’re both pretty anxious about it! Welcome mumbear, hope you’re feeling OK and there’s lots of support here xx ... View more

I also had a pack from the cancer hair care people. They were really kind and resent it because the first one got lost in the early lockdown chaos. I’m very impressed with all the walking - shielding is sending me bananas, I only live half a mile from the Thames but haven’t seen it since before chemo started. Not sure I can keep it up for ever ... View more

I’m getting the hungover feeling bigtime this time round. Second day in bed completely zonked! No nausea though which is a huge plus ... View more

I was given Difflam this time round despite having no mouth problems at all in my first cycle. Do you think I should use it as a preventative measure? The pharmacist didn’t really seem to know why I had it You're very brave to go for the shave Fiona! Hugs to all xx ... View more

Yes I'm dreading eyebrows/eyelashes too.  I find I can work the buzzcut with some makeup and attitude but when the facial features start to disappear too it'll be so much harder! Good luck for Wednesday Fiona, hope you find it easier this time round.  I'm not halfway through anything unfortunately... ... View more

I took the plunge yesterday and got my daughter to take the clippers to my hair.  It had started to shed gradually and I found waiting for it to get worse more upsetting than getting rid of the lot!  It's now very short - shorter than the 12mm setting on the clippers would suggest!  A few tears were shed but at least I feel like this is happening a bit more on my terms now.  No sign of leg hair falling out, worst luck! Cycle two of EC tomorrow.  I'm dreading it, have been feeling physically very well for the last week and don't want to feel **** again.  I hope they can do something so I don't end up neutropenic again Three weeks down, 21 to go... Best wishes and hugs to you all xx ... View more

Yes my temperature also seemed to hover about 36 in the first week after treatment.  Which meant when it went up to 37.7 and I felt rubbish I knew I needed to do something about it! (Three days in hospital later...) Sorry you had a scary experience Trish but glad you're weathering it.  I'm just near the end of my first cycle now and wondering what the second will bring! Enjoy the sunny weekend everyone (carefully of course!) xx ... View more

It is great to be able to chat about our concerns, isn't it?  I think like the chemo itself the anticipation of hair loss itself is the worst part - that and the actual process of it going of course!  Once it's gone it'll be yet another new normal to adapt to and we'll just get on with it (though my treatment schedule is so long it'll probably be some time next year before I have anything resembling normal hair again...) ... View more

Wow Naomi, EC every two weeks sounds punishing! I felt sick the first week and spent half the second in hospital, it's a blessed relief to have this third week of feeling fairly OK to recover.  Fiona, thanks for the hug, I drop into the May thread occasionally so will have a look there xxx ... View more

Hi Fiona, as you know I'm one day ahead of you, also with EC, and yesterday I had my first evidence of hair loss.  My hair has gone soft and floppy in the past week but yesterday I was putting some product in it after drying and my sticky hands came away with quite a lot of hairs stuck to them.  There's obviously no visible difference yet and I've had no discomfort in the scalp but I've no doubt that the hair loss is starting.  Don't want to wash it tomorrow now!  Feel quite tearful, I know this was going to affect me badly but now it's staring me in the face it's even worse.  I guess the clippers will be soon be called for ... View more

Glad you’re doing ok RainbowJoy. I had those injections while in hospital and I’m sure they made a big difference.  ... View more

Next treatment due 19 May. I don’t really have any other side effects at the moment but I expect something will turn up! Take care Fiona xx ... View more

Hello April friends, it’s gone quiet around here! Hope everyone’s OK I’m back home now after nearly four days in hospital with neutropenia. Started feeling shivery and rough on Monday evening, called the hotline and they said to go to A&E. Ended up being admitted and given IV antibiotics for three days in a side room. It was nice to have my own bathroom! but pretty weird and lonely to see no one without a mask for all that time. And of course no visitors I hope they can tweak things next time so it doesn’t happen again. It was pretty scary. Feeling better for now but my hair seems to have gone very soft and floppy. That could be the next challenge. I hate all this ... View more

We bought some clippers online to do my husband’s hair and ultimately mine. Another unforeseen side effect of lockdown - nearly all the clippers were sold out!  Daughter did my husband’s hair at the weekend, looks a bit convict-like! Dreading the moment but suppose it’ll come soon ... View more

Hi, I thought I'd pop in to this thread as well as the April one since I started chemo on 28th April. I'm Steph, diagnosed TNBC in Feb, I've had a lumpectomy with clear margins and SNB with no node involvement.  But being triple negative chemo is a given.  I'm having trouble with mood at the moment - feeling very low, just sitting at home waiting for my hair to fall out.  I'm still terrified about what lies in store on the chemo journey but I think lockdown/shielding is going to be my biggest challenge. Nice to 'meet' you all (hi Fiona from April!), sure we can keep each other going somehow. xxx ... View more

Getting pretty fed up of chugging down the water to be honest. I’m not a thirsty person and probably don’t drink enough normally, but I feel a bit like I’m force feeding myself with fluid! ... View more

Thanks, nausea is easing now - drinking a cuppa now! Starting to feel more tired, sleep’s not great either which is a shame. Onwards and upwards! ... View more