Having a stressful day today. Had my pre chemo consultation by phone today. Went well with lots of information given about what to expect.  However, I did forget to mention about some niggling breast pain I've been having. They come and go, sometimes slightly shooting pain. Did phone breast care nurses last week, who said probably due to all the biopsies I had. They were done a few weeks ago, so wondered if pains would only start happening in the last week. So annoyed with myself, even had it written down. I know I can mention on Monday, but will now have to go through two more days of stress!!

Hi Pippin 24, I think every little niggling pain is a worry when you're in the position that we are, try not to worry hopefully the chemotherapy will start to work killing all of the harmful cancer cells,  hope everything goes well for you on Monday,   I'm anxious at the moment waiting for my PET scan results on Friday the 8th xx

That was last Tuesday hun, but haven't heard anything back. I am with Oncology Friday morning. I have noticed on my NHS app that I am on the waiting list for geriatric medicine but have no clue what that is about. I am only 40 . Sound like a lovely chilled out day hun. I recommend the Jury on channel 4 if you haven't seen it yet 

Hopefully you'll find out a bit more info on Friday. Not heard of geriatric medicine, that will be a question to ask. Will have to have a look at the Jury, always need good recommendations. Let me know how Friday goes. Xx

Hi Pippin,

Well, hat's the first session over and you're on your way. I am glad to hear that you coped ok today and that you didn't have any nausea. Let's hope that this sets the pattern for the rest!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks so much for the ploybalm intel will take a look! I’m due to start chemo on the 19th!…so I’m not far behind you!!

 So glad to hear your first round went ok..Hope you’re feeling ok today too and that you can breeze through it! Keep us posted!

going to get my hair chopped this week and look at some wigs - all feels very surreal!! Xx

Hi ladies, I had posted previously but my cancer was more advanced than they first thought so i am now joining the chemo train. I saw my oncologist for the first time yesterday, he said there's about a 4 week wait so i expect I'll be April now. I need 4 x EC and 4 x Taxel (?), and then a whole host of other things after that including more surgery, radio and tablets and infusions. Hope you are all ok x

Thanks Jolamine, so far so good. I did  have a headache all day yesterday, but that's not unusual for me. It's the reason I didn't go for the cold cap, which I think was the right decision. Finger's crossed I'll be fine once off the  anti sickness meds. Xx

Hi Greeny80, all has been fine apart from a slight headache all day yesterday. However, I am prone to headaches anyway, which is why I decided against the cold cap.  Had a lovely walk with hubby and was able to cook dinner. Good luck with your chemo on the 19th and with your wig shopping. I was really happy with my wig and have also bought a few nice hats. I got my hair cut short last week, still trying to get used to it. I'm  a bit apprehensive about it falling out though! Please let me know how you get on. Xx

Hi Annielouise, sorry to hear your cancer is more advanced than first thought. I was initially shocked how advanced mine was, as I'd only had a clear mammogram 14 months before. It sounds like your chemo is similar to mine, I'm having EC-T. 3 cycles of EC, then 4 cycles T (Docetaxel). I think there are different T options, so not sure if yours will be the same. I had my first cycle of EC on Monday and all went smoothly. So far side effects have been minimal, with just a headache all day yesterday. Hope all goes well with your chemo, always here for a chat. Xx

Hi, mine is paclitaxel, it's a whole new vocabulary isn't it! I'm glad you didn't have side effects, hope they stay away! I'm in two minds about the cold cap, it seems a but of a faff... 

I was diagnosed 11 Dec and they initially said lumpectomy and radiotherapy, stage 2. Then it emerged there were 4 lumps, so it was DIEP, then the lumps were aggressive and I had 3 infected lymph nodes, extra capsular? So now I'm stage 3 and booked for chemo etc, it was such a shock in a short space of time x

Hi Pippin

So glad you're having minimal side effects with the chemo.  I wish my ride had been the same lol.  It's been a nightmare!  But, hopefully unless they change my regime again, tomorrow is my last chemo.  I will then have surgery some time in April (what kind depends on repeat MRI scan to check the efficacy of the chemo) then 6 months of immunotherapy (Pembro).  My hair started to fall out in earnest on Day 14 after chemo.  I tend to wear scarves around the house if I have video calls, sometimes embrace the bald to let my scalp breathe and keep the wig for going "out out".  It was strange wearing a wig at first and I was very self conscious, now I'm used to it and have a little more faith that it won't just fall off lol.  I hope you continue to have minimal side effects an that your journey is a smooth one. xx

Hi Pippin

So glad you're having minimal side effects with the chemo.  I wish my ride had been the same lol.  It's been a nightmare!  But, hopefully unless they change my regime again, tomorrow is my last chemo.  I will then have surgery some time in April (what kind depends on repeat MRI scan to check the efficacy of the chemo) then 6 months of immunotherapy (Pembro).  My hair started to fall out in earnest on Day 14 after chemo.  I tend to wear scarves around the house if I have video calls, sometimes embrace the bald to let my scalp breathe and keep the wig for going "out out".  It was strange wearing a wig at first and I was very self conscious, now I'm used to it and have a little more faith that it won't just fall off lol.  I hope you continue to have minimal side effects an that your journey is a smooth one. xx

Hi Carol, good to hear that you have your last chemo tomorrow. I'm due to start injections in stomach tomorrow days 4-10, to build up white blood cells. I think this may bring on some extra side effects, but will have to see. Also the docetaxel is supposed to be quite harsh, so people say. Good luck with your surgery in April, please let me know how it goes. I think that is the surgery I'm supposed to be having. Xx

Hello everyone 

firstly I really appreciate this group.   It is so comforting to connect with others going through the same thing. 

I had my first EC chemo yesterday with cold cap - been an up and down reaction 

firstly cold cap - not as scary as I thought.  First 5 minutes was like head rush , I counted and breathed through this and can liken it to contractions when in labor.  They only last so long.  After initial 5 minutes it was manageable just like a cold head.  I took paracetamol before hand    I caked my hair in conditioner ( bought one for hair loss from Avon) 

 have had a mild headache today but that could also be due to chemo or what happened next as below 

chemo going in was absolutely fine.  Was tired after but likely more from not sleeping night prior due to worry and anxiety 

however by around 5 pm I experienced swelling in my throat and struggled to swallow. I could breathe and drink water but phoned chemo team and they advised a and e 

spent 12 hours in hospital. ECG and chest x ray clear.  Pumped with antibiotics , anti histamine and saline.   My tonsils are inflamed so using the mouthwash. I am prescribed anti sickness day 1-3 and also steroids day 1-4 so at moment not sure what meds have triggered reaction.  I am allergic to penicillin and Diclofenac and reaction was same.  
swelling reduced following anti histamine 

anyhow stored today and mild headache 

im using the polybalm on my nails - thanks for tip Pippin. 
eating very little and soups mainly but that is due to throat.  

wishing everyone else the very best in their journeys xx

norma 

Oh gosh that sounds a bit scary. It's so hard not quite knowing how you're going to react to these drugs and everyone reacts so differently. I really hope they can work out which specific drug is triggering that reaction, sounds horrid you poor thing. I hope you're doing a little better now and that's a bit more under control...do you have 3 week cycles or 2 weeks? Really hope you start to feel better soon. 

Thank you for sharing the info on the cold cap - i think i'm going to try it and see how i go although i've got super fine hair anway i'm not sure it really stands a chance!!

Take care xx

Hi NGS, so sorry to hear you have had such a hard time after your first treatment. Hopefully this is a one off and it will be better after next cycle. I'm due to start injections tomorrow until day 10 to boost white blood cells. Apparently I could get some side effects from this, so will have to see how that goes. Had another lovely walk with hubby today, which was nice. I too have been using the polybalm and am really hoping it helps to avoid too much nail damage. Really hope the cold cap works for you. I decided against it as already get headaches anyway, so thought it would be too difficult. Have my wig and hats ready. Hope you start to feel better soon. Xx

Sorry Pippin i replied to you and then asked whether you used a cold cap but i know you have told us a million times that you haven't used one! Sorry i clearly have chemo brain before starting the chemo!!!!!

Glad you got out for a walk today, that sounds lovely. How tired are you feeling or has the tiredness not been affected? Sounds like you're doing well! Fab news...will have a look at the polybalm! xx

I did snooze on and off yesterday, but today I've been fine. Think this is due to a better night's sleep  last night. Don't worry about asking same question, it's hard to keep track of what you've said to who on here. Xx

Thankyou so much for kind words. Im Feeling better today just a fuzzy head 

 I have started the injections today for 7 days in total. Was told to have them after 5 pm as can cause bone pain so if so best just to go to bed.  Will let you know how it goes but so far so good 

xxx