Just started chemo yesterday

Hi Nannasuki,

Sorry that you have been dealt this card too - one minute you are just plodding along with life and the next you find yourself in this situation.  Feels as though you have got on the wrong train somehow and you are going to have to take a very long and tortuous route just to hopefully get back to where you started!

I have had once cycle of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin with a side order of Avastin, next cycle tomorrow.  I have stage 3c ovarian cancer which has spread to liver and lymph nodes like yours.  I had very achey legs and feet for a few days after the first treatment, food became a bit tasteless and tea tasted like metallic hot water (distaster!) but I had no nausea at all and, apart from a urinary tract infection, it wasn't too bad at all. After about 10 days I felt pretty normal though easily tired.  My hair started to fall out after two weeks and is now well on its way.  I saw a wig consultant last week while I still had some hair so that he could assess what I wanted and yesterday I was fitted with my new hair - perfect colour, nicely trimmed and thinned to suit me.  It looks so much better than my natural hair which was pretty fine, flat and useless!

I'd love to know how you get on and if our side effects are similar or different - all quite fascinating in an grim sort of way.

Best wishes, Nell x

Hi Nell, thanks for replying. It's nice to be able to compare notes with someone having the same treatment. Looking forward to the hair loss - not!! I'm hoping to visit a wig supplier next week to sort out a wig. I don't think I want to wear scarves all the time. Did you buy yours outright or did you get a NHS prescription? I don't know if it's worth the hassle to save £25.

Nannasuki xx

Hi Nannasuki,

I bought my wig outright. My chemo specialist nurse referred me to Maggies cancer charity for a free wig - that seems to be available at my hospital to all cancer patients who will lose their hair due to chemo as I wasn't even asked about my financial circumstances, and I had no idea that it would be free!  I went along to the Maggies centre on the hospital site and chose a wig with the help of the lovely consultant there but I already had an appointment with a private business so I went there as well.  They had a much greater choice of wigs and colours and the experience was much more personalised. He ordered some in for me in the right colour and styles he knew would suit me and then trimmed and thinned it for me.  I decided that if I was going to have a wig rather than only scarves and hats I was going to need to love it, so I went with the one that I loved despite the cost.  My daughter is getting married in August so I will need to look good for that!  Also, taking into account the cost of a year's haircuts and highlights I think it isn't too much more money to spend.

Best wishes, Nell x

We don't have a Maggies centre down here. I think I'll do the same as you and go to a wig specialist. You don't have to pay VAT do you? 

No, you just have to fill in a vat exemption form - thank the chancellor for small mercies!

Do you do that at the shop or do you have to do it before online?

Oh sorry, at the shop.  Just a simple declaration form to say that you are undergoing chemotherapy and the only information it required apart from my name and address was the name of either my oncologist or my GP.

Best wishes, Nell x

Thanks! Quite looking forward to choosing a wig now whilst wishing I didn't have to. 

Nannasuki xx

I did quite enjoy the experience thanks to the lovely guy at the salon and the help and support of two of my daughters.  I was dreading it but it turned out to be a little ray of sunshine in a rather gloomy patch.  I hope you find something lovely to brighten things a little.

Best wishes, Nell x

I've just had my 2nd round of Paclitaxel and carboplatin. I've lost my hair and have very sore legs for a few days, but apart from that the only other issues I've had have been a really nasty ulcer on my tongue and fatigue. The antisickness drugs they have given me seem to be doing their job thank goodness! I have a wig (NHS freebie) but am happier with scarves and hats, but it's nice to know I have it if I need it. I had very long thick hair before, which I cut and donated to the little princess trust - hopefully a little girl will benefit from my misfortune!