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Worried about chemo side effects and possible hair loss. Can someone help me through this?

Fluff1
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Hi

I have now reached the chemo stage after my mastectomy.

I am due to start 16 weeks of  chemo every two weeks  very soon.

I am very anxious and upset about hair loss and the brutal side effects they tell you about!

Can anyone who has been through this help me please 

  • Offline in reply to Natalia1991

    Hi there Natalia. I see we both can't sleep! It's nice to connect with someone in the same place as me. Sort of. I am 6 weeks post mastectomy which was very traumatic. I am due to visit the chemo suite on Monday to show me around before I start chemo. Have you not been offered this option? This will either reassure me or make me more anxious. Let's hope it is a positive experience.I can get back to you and let you know if you would like.I can't give you any advice as I too have turned to the Internet for help. I know the side effects are scary but they tell you the worst case scenario and it doesn't mean we will be affected by them all. As for hair loss I think that is a given and we will just have to cope. I do know that the team who will look after me are kind company people and they understand our feelings and are there to help.keep in touch if you would like and I will let you know how it goes.

    Sending you a hug ( we all need one of those,)

  • Offline in reply to Fluff1

    I meant compassionate! 

  • Offline in reply to Fluff1

    Fluff1 probably it's a little bit to early for me for showing me the chemo suit. Because I don't know yet my chemo schedule. But probably It will be an option.

    I'm really trying to be positive and optimistic. With hair loss I'm a little bit disappointed, because I was growing back them from pixie cut from last few years, I spend a lot of money for Hair care products and now I will probably loose them. But from other side for me the way of thinking ' it's only hair, they will grow back' it's helping. You need to look on the bright side, right now you can find very nice wigs, head scarfs or if you're 100% confident you can rock the bold head look:) 

    I know that all the people in oncology, nurses and other people working there are angels, so they are helpful and will support us during our treatment. So that's a good thing

    Sure if you want to stay in touch send me a message:) I'm here.

    I'm sending you a big hug too:)!

  • Offline in reply to Natalia1991

    Yes positive is the way to go as hard as it is. I am definitely going to put wig and hair covering on my list of things to put in place before chemo. I hope you get your appointment through soon. I will let you know how I get on as I have said.

  • Offline

    Hi Fluff, your post really resonated with me. Im five years on from my treatments...chemotherapy 8rounds,radiotherapy 15 rounds. I truly understand how your feeling ,I was petrified of having chemotherapy, my son was having chemotherapy, and he said mum  you have to have it ( I didn't think I'd could do it, the thoughts of losing my hair  and how my body would react to the chemotherapy  terrified me ,id told my son and daughter I dont think I can do it) so I out my big girls pants on ,and told my oncologist id have the chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  

    The first chemo I sat there like a deer in the headlights of a car,I didn't know what to expect,I really was petrified.  I was given anti sickness pills before chemotherapy.  I can honestly say the first chemotherapy session i had,was nothing like id built it up to be in my head, it didn't hurt  I didn't  feel sick and that was such a relief.  I did start to lose my hair after the second chemotherapy session, and yes it was distressing ,but I took charge and shaved it all off with hair clippers,yes I cried,but they were happy tears that id took control,I was getting treatments ,which was kicking my breast cancer to where the sun doesn't shine,and it felt good.  Yes as chemotherapy progressed, I did get tired,but I was never sick once,and still had a good appetite. I did have great care  and comoassion from the staff in my chemotherapy unit at the hospital . Radiotherapy wasn't as bad as id built it up to be in my head  either,yes it makes you tired  but its nothing you can't handle,its kicking cancer, and your hair does grow back once chemotherapy finishes . As I said I was petrified ,but I've come through it,I did it ,I bought three wigs  one a bob, and two other longer ones one was a real hair wig  very expensive,but I preferred the other two to be honest, I went to a wig specialist shop ,and the wigs were amazing ,didn't look like wigs when worn. It was a hot summer, so I didn't wear them indoors  I used turbans chemo head scarfs,which I bought on line.  I bought my wigs before I started chemo, so they were there whrn I lost my hair. You've got this,but if you ever need to chat, just send me a message on here . Good luck with it all, im sure you will be OK, your treatments are your way to recovery  just keep that in mind ,staying positive  really helps you get through it all . 

  • Offline in reply to Jassoscared

    Thank you for your words of support. I plan to get a wig too so I can wear it as soon as I loose my hair. I know I have got to do this but the thought distress me.I will buy some turbans too. I have 8 round as well then radiotherapy. I hope my side effects arn't too severe. At the moment cancer is consuming me.Maybe I will be better once I get in to treatment Did you loose your eye brows and lashes?

    Thanks again

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