Hi Anjaya, although I have no advice to give you, I do understand how you are feeling. I too am due to start chemo on 4th March and feel really nervous. I had my hair cut short yesterday in preparation and also purchased my wig. I have been keeping busy spring cleaning the house, doing jobs that I maybe won't feel like doing while on chemo. I too am interested in any tips people have to offer regarding side effects. Someone recommended a book called The complete guide to Breast Cancer, written by a GP and breast surgeon, who have been through breast cancer themselves. They discuss different types of breast cancer and treatments. They also give lots of information on side effects and tips on how to deal with them. Good luck with your chemo, would like to hear how you get on. Xx

Hi , how did your 1st chemo go? I hope you're ok xx

Hi Anjaya, sorry for the late reply, have only just spotted you message. First chemo went really smoothly and side effects minimal. I've  had a few headaches, which I'm prone to anyway. Sleep is my biggest issue at the moment. I wake up about 4.30am, then can't get back off. I think it's more to do with hot flushes since coming off hrt, than the chemo though. Started my 7 day course of injections yesterday, to boost white blood cells, that has also been fine. Try not to be too scared, it definitely effects people differently. I'm on Ec for 3 cycles, then move onto docetaxel  for 4 cycles. The docetaxel worries me a bit as I've heard this is a bit harsher. Hope your chemo goes well and I'm always here for a chat. Xx

I'm pleased that you have had minimal side effects.  I'm having the same drugs as you but x3 of each.

Glad the injections have gone well too. Have you seen any hair loss yet?xx

Hope your sleep pattern gets better. I'm worried about the docetaxel too xx

Thank you and likewise xx

No hair loss as yet, feel a bit apprehensive about this to be honest.I have heard the docetaxel can be hard on the nails, so I've already started using a product called polybalm. It was recommended by someone on this site, after a bit of research I decided to give it a try. Do you know when your first treatment will be?

How are you feeling now? Hope you're ok x

Hi Anjaya, I'm actually doing really well thank you. I've been lucky having minimal side effects. A bit of constipation and tiredness. I did also have a sore tongue for a couple of days and a slight backache. I finished the 7 day course of injections yesterday, so can enjoy the next 10 days, before I have the next cycle. Good luck with your treatment, hopefully you'll be lucky like me with minimal side effects. Xx

I'm so pleased you had minimal side effects. Yes, try and take it easy for the next 10 day xx

Thank you,  I will keep you posted xx

How are you keeping?xx

Hello ,I also had to have dental checkup ,apparently the Bisphosphonate infusion which I have to have every six months now for three years can cause jaw necrosis .This infusion is to stop bone secondaries and osteoporosis.I haven’t had any side effects xxx

Hi Anjaya, I'm doing great at the moment, thank you. Go out with hubby for a 2 1/2 mile walk most days, which strangely seems to give me more energy. Still no hair loss so far, keep giving it a little tug in the morning just to check, stupid I know. I have my next treatment on the 25th and a port being fitted on the 4th of April. Would have preferred to have had the port fitted before my next treatment, but there were no appointments available. Hope your treatment goes well on Thursday, hopefully your side effects will be minimal, like me. Let me know how you get on. Xx

Hi Anjaya, I'm doing great at the moment, thank you. Go out with hubby for a 2 1/2 mile walk most days, which strangely seems to give me more energy. Still no hair loss so far, keep giving it a little tug in the morning just to check, stupid I know. I have my next treatment on the 25th and a port being fitted on the 4th of April. Would have preferred to have had the port fitted before my next treatment, but there were no appointments available. Hope your treatment goes well on Thursday, hopefully your side effects will be minimal, like me. Let me know how you get on. Xx

I'm pleased to hear you're doing ok despite everything with minimal side effects.  Good to see you out on walks too xx

I will keep you posted xx

Hi,

Todayd didn't go well

They have had to stop my chemotherapy half way. Hand and arm are all swollen from administratoring it, snoI had to wait to go on a drip which I dud today, have to do tomorrow and Saturday xx

Then I have to start chemotherapy from scratch next week, if all is well. If not we'll, then it will be delayed xx

Been here sine 7.30am and got home at 8.05pm xx

So sorry to hear that there were problems for you and it delayed your treatment. Do they know what caused this to happen?

It's been an absolute nightmare. 

It wasn't administered correctly through my vein, and they said next time they will find the longest vein by heating the area for a longer period of time. I'm stressed even more and currently sat up in bed crying. It's all too much for me. It got so bad at the hospital that the nurses had to call the plastic surgeon who took photographs of it, in case he needed to make incisions in my hand to drain it all out. Luckily, I didn't need this. The nurses managed to drain some of the chemotherapy out with a syringe.

This was one of the rare side affects of administering chemotherapy and I'm just unfortunate it happened to me and also on the very 1st appointment. 

So back to the hospital for another two days to get this all flushed. Still need to take my medication and injection tomorrow.

I still had to have the cold cap on for the 3.5 hours and it was ok. I didn't find it unbearable at all. 40 minutes before the end, I got a slight migraine, but as soon as it was removed the migraine went. I guess everyone reacts differently to this.

How are you getting on? Hope you're still doing ok xx

Oh no that's awful, 

Thats horrific, absolutely horrific sending you a huge hug.

When I had one of my lumpectomies. The anesthesist put the needle in the wrong place and I felt as if my arm was about to explode, I was screaming in pain, they took it out pretty quickly and sorted it but the pain was horrific 

That was certainly not a very nice experience for you to ho through. Has anyone suggested having PICC line or port fitted? to avoid this in the future. I have a port being fitted on 3rd April, unfortunately after my second chemo, so will still need a canula for this one. Pleased that all was good with the cold cap, fingers crossed it works well for you. My hair started to fall out on Tuesday, which I found really upsetting, even though knew it would happen. I went to the wig shop, who shaved it to a number 4 with the clippers. It's Easier to cope with the small bits of hair coming out, rather than long strands. Have now started wearing my wig and hats. Good luck next time, let me know how it goes. Xx

Yes, I've been referred so now I'm waiting for an appointment to have a PICC line but may have to use the canula until this happens. 

That's a shame its after the 2nd chemo. It's so stressful,  isn't it?

That's understandable,  il be upset too because our hair is a part us. I'm thinking of shaving my hair depending on how well the cold cap works.

How are you feeling now you're wearing a wig?

I will do. Please let me know you get on too xx big hugs to you xx

I'm getting used to wearing the wig, but still think people might be able to tell it's a wig. Family say it looks great and that nobody would be able to tell. It's probably just that I can feel it on my head I suppose. I had a phone oncology consultation today. They said my next treatment can go ahead on Monday, although my liver function is elevated, which they'll have to keep an eye on. Not sure what will happen if it continues to go up. Glad to hear that you will be having a PICC line put in, it will save you the risk of a repeat of what happened. I agree it's a shame that they can't put these things in place prior to any treatment. I know it's probably due to being so busy and just can't fit all of the appointments in before treatment starts. Wish you well moving forward, hope you don't have to wait too long for your treatment to start again. Xx

It's probably just the feeling of wearing. I felt the exact same way when I got my wig but in the kast couple of days,  I've seen so many patients wearing wigs and I wouldn't even known.  It was only through conversations that the topic came up xx

I really do hope your liver function gets sorted and doesn't have sn impact on you next chemotherapy session. 

I managed to get my next treatment for Thursday.  They did the PICC line yesterday just before I had my drip.  It needs to be cleaned etc once a week so I will discuss it today when I go to the hospital. 

Thank you do much for your kind words.  I hope Mondays treatment goes well for you. Let us know how are xxxx