Yes I have pick up and drop off. They say its because it's so busy to fit extra people in. So scary! X

• Are you a reader if so take a book and I always had a wee pack lunch with me just to nibble if I felt like it. I will be thinking of you on 19th. I got word yesterday to go on Thursday for 2 scans pelvis and pancreas and then a bone density one on Friday… I’ll be scanned out lol. Chin up girl you can do this God bless! Xx

I hope you get on ok with your scans Eileen. Yes I will take my tablet with books and games on it. As for snacks not sure what to take? Unfortunately I am not a lover of fruit I am more of. Cheese crackers savoury kinda girl and haribo . Keep in touch ie your scans.

Thank you so much x

Good morning  Fluff.

I know what you mean about seeing the chemo unit for the first time,that's why i said its very daunting at first. Yes the chrmo unit where I went to ,was always very busy too.  The thought of having the  pic line inserted  did scare me when they explained to me how its put in etc,and the doctor who did it could only find one vein in my arm  that he said looked OK to use,it wasn't in an ideal place as the picture line had to sit at the inside of my top part of my arm and it kept rubbing on my body from time to time  which wasn't vety comfortable.  But it didn't hurt at all whilst it was being inserted  I can reasute you about that.  And hopefully you will have more than one vein thsts good enough to use  so more options of whete the pic line is placed.  Try to keep those positive thoughts in your head...your one step closer to kicking cancer to where the sun dont shine. Do something yoi really want to.do  or trest yourself to a nice perfume or something you've wanted for a long time the week before your chemotherapy starts it just makes you feel brighter and after all your worth it . Also I don't know if any of the chemotherapy staff in the unit yoir going to have given you any advice on what to bring in with you when you start your treatments. Its a good idea to pack a few treats like a sandwhich  , piece of fresh fruit bsnnana etc,a drink  biscuits  and a good book or a kindle or a small tablet,so you can play a game or watch a film . First chemo you will probably be so anxious about it  you will be like a deer in the headlights I know I was,I was absolutely petrified i just sat kinda frozen staring at the chemo drug's going into me thinking is it going to make me throw up etc,but No it didn't,it wasn't what id made it out to be in my head,so it was a pleasant surprise it really was. Im pretty sure you will be feeling just as anxious and scared as I was, and also so surprised at how much easier it really is.  I was given anti sickness pills around an hour before my Chemotherapy started ,and I didn't feel sick once and never was.  They also gave me steroids intravenously before chemo, that was strange,it made my female parts tingle for a split second was kinda funny lol,but they do tell you what to expect before so its kinda funny when thst happens feels like a butterfly fluttering for a split second ,gone as soon as you feel it. Oh and they do flush the pic line through  before every chemo,to make sure its working properly.  And every week you go to get it flushed through at weekends that you.dont have chemotherapy . Hope this info has helped and that  all goes well and like me ,you feel the first chemotherapy session isnt as bad as you had thought. Good luck  and hope to hear all about it soon .xx

That is reassuring thank you. The thought of it is probably worse than the doing!

Thank you

Jan x

Xxx

Thank you so much again. Yes I am prepared with. My tablet with books and games. I am going to take some cheese and crackers to keep me going and of course a flask of cold drink and some  sweets as people say they have a horrible taste in their mouth Were you cold at all reading online people say to take a hoodie or similar and socks?

Jan x

Hi Fluff1

I completed 12 rounds of chemo in March last year followed by lumpectomy and 9 rounds of radiotherapy.  I had a pretty rough time to be honest and my hair started to fall out after about 2 weeks, so I had it cut short as it was going everywhere.  I then reverted to the usual headscarves and a wig, though I ended up only wearing the wig when I went out out.  There are some great websites out there for chemo head wear and Macmillan have contacts regarding wigs. Where I was Macmillan gave you £70 towards the purchase of a wig with one of their regular suppliers who came into the hospital for consultations and fittings.  I tried to get ahead with the game (pardon the pun!) with wigs before my hair started to fall out, but I just wasn't really mentally ready for it and did better once I had lost my hair.  Although I had a rough time, I did manage to work from home most days.  It was mainly fatigue that knocked me out and a loss of appetite.  I live alone, so I think I survived on toast a lot of the time lol.  You are normally allowed to take someone with you for your first treatment, then you have to go it alone.  This is mainly because of lack of space in the treatment areas.  I did have a tour of the chemo suite before I started treatment and if this is something that's offered, I would definitely recommend it.  I used to take my Kindle and some snacks like crisps, chocolate etc.  Sometimes the volunteers came round and offered sandwiches and biscuits and hot/cold drinks.  Definitely take a cold drink with you, I always took a bottle of water and you can top it up during your treatment.   the chemo suite I was in had recliner chairs and they were quite comfortable.  Wear layers - sometimes the bays are really warm and others were quite chilly so it was always hard to know what to wear.  But definitely wear something comfortable.  

I was dropped off and picked up for treatment.  I was advised that although I'd probably feel ok after treatment, sometimes it can throw up a false positive for alcohol in your blood if you are pulled over by the police for any reason.  That was an eye opener lol.  I used to find I was ok for about 2-3 days after treatment then it would kick in and I'd feel a bit poorly for another 4 days or so then not too bad after that.  I had treatment every 3 weeks.  

Good luck with everything.  The nurses and staff are all lovely and it's a very upbeat environment which surprised me.  We had the radio on in our treatment areas, but I appreciate every hospital is different. 

We are all here when you need us. 

Carol xx

Thank you Carol for your advice. I am trying to prepare myself for the loss of my hair.I do want a wig which like you I think will only wear when going out

I am prepared with things to do.I have 8 round every 2 weeks so praying it all goes to plan.

Thank you so much x