Breast Cancer Now Forum

That's great York75, I bet your little girl will look forward to that 🙂 My hair started to fall out at day 16 after my first treatment, after some pin prick feeling in my scalp. I had my second session on Thursday and there is a definite monk ring growing! I went from long to short beforehand (sadly couldn't donate my hair as they had enough of 12" and below) and i was glad I did as it is much easier to cope with.  Have any of you started taking the G-CSF injections yet? I have to start today and was wondering if anyone had any opinion on what time of day is best? Is it hard to do? I read the pamphlet and there is along list of possible side effects, have any of you had anything? Thanks ladies. Jo xx ... View more

Hi mrsquincey, Well done, that's one down.👍 Sounds like you're having a tough time. Rest as much as possible, I slept on and off for nearly a day & a half afterwards. Thank goodness for cuddles xxxx ... View more

Hi Linda, Yes I think you are the first and I am a week behind you. I feel great now and no side effects at all to speak of. However i had my wig appointment today via the NHS by phone! The lady texted me a couple of days ago with a few ideas for wigs and colours after I'd sent a few pics of me. So they're posting it to me to try. Lets hope it fits and suits me! I had my hair cut short last week just in anticipation of it falling out but I've gone for a long wig more like the person I was. Whether I'll wear it remains to be seen! Will you go for a wig do you think? Best of luck for Thursday xxxxx ... View more

Well done Whiters14, another one past their first session! Sorry you aren't feeling well. My nurse told me to stay on top of the anti-sickness tablets over anything else as they take a while to kick in. My nausea had passed by day 6 and by day 8 I felt normal again which was such a relief. Its good you managed to walk & pick up your boys, I'm struggling to motivate myself to get outside now the days are getting colder. All I want to do is curl up in a chair. Hope you feel better soon xxx ... View more

Hi Mrsquincey, I had my first session on the 8th Oct and just wore some nice jogging pants, t-shirt and long cardigan. I definitely wanted to be comfy & warm as I had the cold cap and it really helped.  I had a mix of folks in with me but most were older. I offered them all a murray mint & that went down quite well! After that I couldn't get the lady across from me to stop talking 🤣🤣 Best of luck xxx ... View more

Well done York75, that's one under your belt! xxxx ... View more

Welcome Buochs!! Sounds like you have a tricky decision, what do your team think? Usually they do have an opinion one way or another. But as has already been mentioned we are all different and you have to do what feels right for you. It may take a bit of time to get there but you will. I had 2x grade 3 IDCs and 2 lumpectomies (diagnosed back in June)  & then they found DCIS so now I'm on EC chemo and then a mastectomy. They absolutely do their utmost to keep your breasts or at least that's what I've found anyway. All the best & you have found the right place for advice, everyone on here is so lovely. Jo xx ... View more

Hi Jane, welcome! I had 2 lumpectomies (for 2x IDC tumours and some DCIS) with positive margins in July & August but then a high oncotype result in September suggested chemo. I'm having EC every 3 weeks for 18 weeks then a mastectomy Feb/ March next year all being well. Hopefully you'll get some answers from your oncologist tomorrow and a start date for your chemo. Best of luck, Jo xx   ... View more

Hi Whiters14 & York75 I had my first chemo last thursday and I was really nervous both of the process and the after effects. I am having EC and using the cold cap so it took about 4 1/2 hours in total. The first session is busy you don't get much alone time as they are talking you through everything including your meds to take home which is usually mouthwash and anti sickness tablets. I know other people had others things too depending on their chemo. Once sat down in your chair (which usually recline) they fit your cold cap. Make sure you have the headband to cover any exposed skin. I had a headband but realised as I have quite a high forehead some bits of skin were still exposed so next time I will take a couple of cotton pads to cover those bits up. I didn't find the cold too bad at all as the room was nice & warm but a blanket is definitely useful. Some people suggest warm socks and gloves but this would have been too much for me and also no-one took their shoes off so I never used mine. There was a lady coming round offering hot drinks and biscuits and then we were also given lunch. I managed to read a little and caught up on a few messages but apart from that I didn't have time to do much else. I actually felt quite elated getting out of the chair and going home. It hadn't hurt and I felt fine. I felt OK the first evening, had a proper meal and a good nights sleep despite the PICC line which can be a bit tricky (I now sleep in a long sleeve top to stop it catching). Had some feelings of nausea and tiredness so rested the first day. 2nd day had a morning nap but then ok and 3rd was up and about feeling great. None of this would scare your children as you really don't look ill and you're not in pain. Keep on top of your meds is my best advice. I don't like taking medicine/ tablets most of the time but I ran out of paracetamol and had an awful day 5 with sinus/ achy body pains a bit like flu. Once I'd taken some it virtually disappeared. I also suffer from early morning dizziness, not sure what that is yet. Wishing you both all the best for your first session, it will go ok but I do know exactly how you feel. Jo xxx ... View more

Thanks Linda, that's really helpful. I've had my hair cut too just so its not such a shock.  I'm struggling with food etc and acid reflux/indigestion but trying to keep on top of it with gaviscon. Well done for having a walk and glass of wine, sounds lovely. 🙂 ... View more

Hi Linda, Good to hear you are feeling well. I too feel pretty goo and I am only on day 2 so I know that could change but so far so good. The fogginess has lifted and part from some nausea all is ok. Like you my appetite is picking up which like you say is nice when you have time on your hands to cook.  I'm going to try and work from home next week and see how it goes. I've also got a wig appointment for an NHS wig so looking forward to that in a weird way. Did they let you try them on? I had long hair but gone short just to make any loss a little easier to bear so now I'm not sure what length wig to choose! It would certainly hep to try them on.  And yes verbal diarrhoea is a side effect ...lol 😅 xx   ... View more

Wow well done you! Very brave Not a jockey and rightly so, we all have to do this our own way!! Way to go girl!! xx ... View more

Hi All, Had my first EC session yesterday. I was really nervous but the nurses were amazing at just getting you sat down and getting on with it. The cold cap was really hard but mainly because it was touching part of my forehead that the alice band didn't cover so will take some extra cotton pads next week. A blanket was essential for me even though I didn't think I'd need it to begin with. Plus for this first session I really didn't need anything else. They brought us water, tea, coffee, biscuits, lunch and this was on the NHS! I barely looked at magazines or books as they are doing stuff all the time, because its your first session there is a lot to explain especially with your take home meds. Coming home was fine but last night was awful, I struggled to sleep due to nausea and just an odd angst/ muscle pain. But I did sleep eventually and wonder if it is the steroid that does that. I think others have mentioned it in other chats. Felt much better this morning some nausea, headache and dizziness but very manageable with the meds & paracetomol. I have to say people have been saying oh you are brave & strong going through breast cancer treatment (and I'm not belittling those that don't have chemo) but for me this is brave, chemo is the next level. Take care all xx ... View more

Thats brilliant York-75! It looks really real!! Jo xx ... View more

Thanks good to hear about the PICC line Jojo! But rubbish about the delay. Where did you order your wig from? Jo xx   ... View more

Sorry I have chemo brain before I've even started, of course yours is on Thursday! Sorry your marker implant was a bit painful. The radiographer who did my node biopsy at the beginning of all this was not gentle either, I think they forget we're humans! I'm doing ok today thanks but quite nervous for the whole toxic chemicals into your body thing. I have to keep reminding myself why we all have to do this as it seems so barbaric to me. Are you doing ok today? Jo xx ... View more

Hi York-75  That's a great idea to use tights! You certainly need something as the port bit does stick out quite a bit. I think you can request the PICC line if they don't offer it to you. Jo xx ... View more

HI Linda, Yes a bit too graphic indeed! Glad it went ok though and I'm also glad you're not feeling sick. I have admit I'm dreading tomorrow, just the fear of the unknown and I'm sure it'll be fine once it's underway. Did you have the cold cap?  Jo xx ... View more

 Sorry Jojo I hadn't pressed post on my message last night. I do hope you see it before you go today. It really isn't that bad. Ask for a little tubular arm bandage to keep it from catching. You'll do fine, mines a bit sore today but nothing that paracetamol can't help with. xx ... View more

Hi JoJo, Just to reassure you the PICC line went ok for me today. I had a student nurse too with my chemo nurse overseeing which definitely made it harder as they were discussing what they were doing but it does not hurt, just a bit uncomfortable at times. It took around 2 hours including walking down to xray to check it was properly located and it was.  It was good to have another opportunity to see the chemo unit, last time I went in there were some very poorly people which shocked me a little.  Best of luck tomorrow. Jo xx   ... View more