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

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

Hello,,I had Paclitaxel  first with hardly any side effects ,whilst on the EC I felt slightly different ,more chemo brain and neuropathy in my little toes and fingers .Tell them in the unit about any changes and how you are feeling . Keep on drinking plenty of water and rest when your body tells you to . 
Good luck on your journey xxx

My hair also started falling out on second treatment ,my son gave me a good shave . I felt happy wearing hats and hair grew back very quickly once treatment was over xx

Oh that's odd - I had a severe reaction to Paclitaxel so they moved me on to Doctaxel then had to stop because the neuropathy got quite severe in my fingers.  They moved me onto EC which has had fewer side effects for me except for extreme nausea for about 7-10 days after treatment (plus the usual tiredness!).  Just goes to show everyone is different and how we react is very different!  Good luck on your journey. xx

Oh bless you hun, how are you feeling after the update.

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 

I think i'm on a similar treatment plan to you, starting EC on the 19th. Good to hear you're doing ok and managing to escape any major side effects, hope that's still the case and hope your headaches are easing. Keeps us posted on how you're getting on. Did you use the cold cap? Hope you're doing ok and looking after yourself. xx

Oh gosh that does sound like a lot to take in. I find that every time i go into the consultants room they seem to up the treatment! It started off like you as a lumptectomy and a week of radio...and now we're onto chemo, more radio and 10 years hormone treatment and injections and possible ovary removal at some stage!! It's a lot isn't it! It does seem to be very much a journey with breast cancer but i am super grateful that there are treatments available and i can chuck all of that at it to stand the best chance of it not coming back.

When does your chemo start and do you know what you're having or how many rounds? Wishing you all the best with your treatment and hope you can breeze through it all...i start my chemo on the 19th and it's so weird not quite knowing how i'm going to feel with it...i guess time will tell! Look after yourself xx xx

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

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