Hi zoey,

I was hoping to avoid chemo but unfortunately my onco test score recommends I will benefit from it. Initially I was upset but now like you I just want to get on with it.

I will be getting Tc chemo and 4 cycles is the initial plan to see how it goes. So hoping in 12 weeks time to be done with chemo then onto 15 sessions of radio. 

I've made the choice not to bother with a wig and just look for some hats which I best do soon. My nurse has said the cold cap will add 2 hours to my time in hospital but if It maybe saves my hair then what's another 2 hours.

Try and enjoy your weekend

Nikki x

Hi Nikki,

Just checking in to see how you are?

Hope your first chemo went ok and you havent had too many side effects. Was it a long day for your first session?

Take care,

Zoey xx

Hi zoey,

I had a bit of a drama with my first chemo on Friday. I had to get the chemo called TC. Was supposed to start about 10am but it was more like 11.30..they couldnt get the cannula in. 3 attempts it took. I then got the cold cap on which wasn't as bad as what I have seen written. I first got some doss of the Cyclosophamide chemo out in manually with the nurse which was fine. Just very cold hands at this point. One that was in I got the infusion of docetaxel started and this is when it went wrong. Within minutes I had took a reaction. My throat felt like It was closing and I was breathless. Then my back when into spasms. I had to alert naotge rlady who was in the unit having treatment to run get a nurse for me. Before i knew it I got something put into me and the infusion had to be stopped. As my oncologist or breast nurse weren't available a decision was made to postpone the rest of that days  dosage of  my chemo which I only had 1 moe hour of to go.

I have had no side effects whatsoever apart from really tired Friday night afterwards but that's probably because of all the steroids I was given to take.

I need to wait now and hope someone calls me back tomorrow to see what happens next..

When is your chemo zoet is it Tuesday? Do you know what your type is called? I have been given my appointment for my next dose but I'm very apprehensive about it all now and debating just asking to go to radiotherapy and right onto tamoxifen instead. I really don't know now. 

Maybe once someone is able to explain what happened my nerves will be calmed.

Nikki x

Oh Nikki, what a nightmare!

It must have been scary, I've heard they do the first dose slowly so they can see if you have a reaction, at least they got it stopped.

I'm guessing your call back will be to discuss either a lower dose or an alternative drug?? I hope you hear soon, you will be fine once you've spoken to someone x

I'm at the oncologist thursday to get my plan, it seems ages since surgery, I just want my plan so I can get mentally prepared for it! 

Take care and keep me posted, when is your next chemo due?

Zoey xx

Hi zoey,

Yes it wasn't the best experience but up until that point it was OK. Nurses etc were all really nice.. 

I think my call back on Tues this week was a general follow up as the letter was dated Thursday and my chemo never went wrong until te Friday.

I will def be calling back tomorrow to see what happens to me now. I don't want to wonder until Tuesday.

At my 1st oncology appointment they explained chemo and that was about it. They then left me a week to think everything over. Then I was called back to sign forms and have more bloods done.then I was given a prescription for steroids to take the day chemo, on the day and the day after. I was also given a thermometer to keep an eye on my temperature. 

Hopefully you get your plan all sorted on Thursday and get the ball rolling too. 

I have my next chemo scheduled for Fri 11th June and bloods etc Wed 9th June. I also was given another 35 steroids to start on the 10th June. 

So much stuff to take in. 

Let me know how u get on come Thursday. 

Nikki x

Hey Nikki how are you?

Got my chemo plan, I start Tuesday on EC for 3 cycles, 3 weeks apart and then onto paclitaxel weekly for 9 weeks with herceptin injections. Then radiotherapy after, don't know the plan for that yet.

Feeling ok now I know what's coming, I've got bloods and pre assessment stuff on Monday but totally ready to do this!

Hope you are feeling well and ready for your 2nd one.

Zoey xx

Hi Zoey,

I am good. Glad to hear you have a plan and place and you are very much like me in The sense that you are ready juts to get on with it. It seems still like a long haul ahead for us both but I just keep thinking by the end of the year it should be done with. Good luck for Tuesday but I'm sure you will be fine. The only real side effect of my 1st chemo for me was a few days where I felt drained and had very heavy legs as if I had ran for miles. Apart from that I was OK.

I have to get a cardiogram and ecg tomorrow because of my reaction to TC chemo. I am being changed to one called AC and my next dose is next Friday. Hopefully I don't react to that one. Have you decided to try the cold cap? I did and it really wasn't as bad as all the horror stories I had seen.

Best of luck for Tuesday and be sure to let me know how you get on.

Nikki x

Hi [@Hopeoverfear]‍  nikki,

I've sent you a pm, I didnt get a notification from your message! X