Hello Hazza-Carlos

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's understandable that you were feeling nervous ahead of starting treatment. How did things go yesterday? Did you decide to try the cold cap? I hope that you're taking things easy today and being able to rest if you feel that you need to. Hopefully, you have family and friends who are on hand to support you through this phase of your treatment. 

Hopefully you'll be able to connect with other members who have been through similar treatments soon. You might also want to have a look at the website for the charity Target Ovarian Cancer where I'm sure you'll be able to chat with other women who have had this diagnosis. 

If you think it would help to talk with one of our nurses at any point you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

I hope that things run smoothly for you H. Do keep in touch and let us know how you're managing. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Try and stick with the cold cap if you can bear it. Although hair loss is still a possibility, it will protect your follicles from damage. This gives a better chance of a good regrowth. Good luck x

Thank you for your kind reply Jenn - sorry for my late response.

It has been good to get my first cycle of chemo underway and has been a week of mixed side effects. Albeit fairly mild so far, considering my fear and expectation. Have some neuropathy in feet and hands which came on straightaway, nausea was well managed with meds, some pain in legs which subsided midweek and the worst was a bit of a weird 24 hours which Im not sure whether it was coming off the steroids or due to the additional anti-sickness meds. I was very ‘jittery’ and restless, struggled to focus or settle and felt odd mentally. I suffer with hives and had the worst hives Ive ever experienced 6 days after chemo but was advised to go back onto a steroid tablet. Now entering my low immunity period and feeling intermittently breathless with palpitations but guess that is to be expected as my blood count drops… have others had similar experiences? All in all I’ve been able to function well and even managed a daily walk and a few trips out the house to visit close family. I am very fortunate to have an amazing support network of family and friends helping me through.

I decided against the cold cap as was advised it was unlikely to prevent hair loss with my chemo and there were additional potential side effects to consider. I collect my wig next week and have purchased some great hats with hair attached (from Etsy, can highly recommend).

I really appreciate you reaching out and providing the additional information and contact details, thank you so much.

H xx