**OCTOBER CHEMOTHERAPY CHAT 2019**

I’ve ended up speaking to my oncology dept with regards to the sickness so I’m just waiting for the call back to say they’ve organised this with my docs. I’m definitely slowing up! I’ve had two naps already! Just want to feel better.

Giuliella I’ve not been for my wig yet. I’m trying to convince myself I’ll be ok when my hair falls out but the closer I get to that point the more emotional I seem to be feeling. I’ve always had fine hair and sometimes I’ve suffered with alopecia so I’m not sure why it should bother me now. I guess it’s just this whole process xx

Giuliella

hi I got my wig from a specialist shop and paid lots for it as I did not like any of the free ones I was offered. I was told to wash it as little as possible and not to use shampoo but to fill my sink with cool water and a small measure of washing powder and a small amount of softener. Gently put the wig in and out a few times but be very gentle, rinse with cool water and let it dry naturally. 

I got my wig before I even started my chemo, I can count on 1 hand how many times I wore it. And I only wore it then because I felt bad about spending the money. Would tell anyone who has not got a wig to go with the free one first, if you can cope with how hot you will get then fine but I believe I wasted my money. I just wore beanie hats when it was colder and then as we went into the warmer weather very thin head wraps. Got all mine very cheap from amazon. 

Giuliella, I got the shampoo and conditioner from the shop I got my wig from. Dignity wigs - it’s T range Fibre hair shampoo by Trendco I’ve attached a pic. 
hope this helps. 

Hi Giuliella

I was lucky my Hospital brings in a really good wig company and you get a £200 allowance . Don't wear it all the time .only when I feel my bald head may be an unwanted centre of attention .

what  I have done is got some cheap bamboo sleep caps then went to primark  and bought knitted head bands the type you might wear walking to keep ears warm . Then can change the look / colour to match outfits by changing headband . Certainly cheaper than buying lots of hats lol

I think cancer cost enough as it is and would rather spend money on healthy fresh diet etc.

enjoy the rest of your day keep well 

margaret x

A little off topic

but don’t you just love it when you’re suffering from the worst nausea, you speak to your oncology team who arrange new tablets, only to find no pharmacy’s have it in stock

Its going to be a really long night!! And what doesn’t help is I’m off ginger ( I’ve got nausea bands on)

Yes, I bought several turbans from Amazon, but one never arrived from China, might have been from eBay that one, so I had to settle for a refund and it was the nicest one too, just my luck.  Still, I have two other nice ones, plus the lilac beanie and one zebra striped bandana, with plenty of warm hats which I already had, as I like wearing hats, summer and winter.  Is your wig a real hair one, mine is synthetic, so needs different treatments to real hair ones?

Hey hope you are feeling better today. I completely understand how this bump in the road knocks you off track from a normal active life but we have to see the chemo as medicine and it is helping us get back on track. Before this, I was lucky that I was hardly ever ill so even the slightest side effect - and I've been lucky not to suffer too much - but even the slightest woosy, sicky, under the weather feeling is something I'm just not used to. I have found though that they do move on quite quickly so just because I  might feel bad one day, I will probably feel tons better tomorrow :-) Also, if it helps, I know we are all different but I didn't find my 2nd & 3rd EC treatments any worse for SE.

I did find it hard when my hair started to fall out, I had fine, short hair but I really didn't want to see myself bald. But then I did end up feeling better when we finally took the plunge and hubby shaved it for me - think that was 3rd week after 1st EC. At least then I didn't have to worry about the clumps coming out in my hand or on the pillow each morning and shedding all over the house.

With regard to wigs, I got a voucher from the hospital so I did go to the recommended wig shop to buy. I spent a bit more than the voucher but I have to say the wig I have is fab. It looks just like my own hair and even my friends couldn't tell it's a wig. Around the house, I wear the bamboo beanies but when I go out, I can wear the wig confidently not thinking anyone is noticing and I feel really nice.

The dark nights are helping me I think. At least I don't feel like I'm missing out on long summer days, I can cosy up with the blanket on the settee with a nice candle lit and watch TV. I'm just hibernating for a while and by the time spring comes, I hope I will be right back out there!!

You know ladies, you don't have to look too far into this thread to see how much progress we are all making....and quite quickly. I read  posts from someone who has just joined and their fears as they are about to embark on the first treatment. Then you realise it doesn't seem that long since that was you. Before you know it, you've made it through that first treatment and you are on your way, you're coping....maybe it wasn't as bad as you thought. Then suddenly you find that you are the person giving the encouragement to the next newbie who arrives. So let's not forget how well we're all doing and keep our eyes on the goal!! :-)

Hugs xxx

Oh dear, I didn't find the sea bands helped me at all, so I hope they work for you tonight.  Just try not to eat much and I found when the cashew milk came back up, it didn't burn my gullet and throat much, almond milk would probably be the same, so if you need food, maybe one of these alternative milks with cornflakes would be a good bet.  Better to bring up food than just fluids like I started to do!  I don't care for ginger either, but am going to try crystallised ginger pieces from Holland and Barrett.  I found fizzy pineapple drink called KA was soothing and settling for the stomach.  Good luck.

Hi Di think it's called Sod's law my pharmacy rang me after a week and said they couldn't get mouthwash so could I ask Gp to precribe something different ! 

As it happens my chemo unit has a lovely pharmacy cupboard and they now provide my mouthwash,eyedrops and anti sickness etc when I attend chemo . If I have a problem like when I had oral thrush I rang them there answer was come here we can provide better than anywhere else  Brilliant service .

Must be harder for you being fairly rural .

Did I ever mention We have friends in Balnagubs Netherby He used to be Manager of BHS in Aberdeen 

margaret x

Hello everyone,

Sorry, I've been quiet for a while! I hope everyone is doing ok, or as ok as possible. Hugs to all of you who have been having a tough time with SEs.

Interested to hear your takes on the wig / hair covering options. I've had a lot of hair loss already (it seems to come out at night in chunks) but I've just been wearing headscarves and hats. I honestly feel more comfortable like this - but on the other hand, I don't want people to think I look weird! On the other hand, it's London, so nobody really bats an eyelid!

I've got my second cycle coming up next week and I'm really wanting to um, avoid the constipation problems this time round. I'm wondering if I should dose up on laxatives in advance? I'm just a bit nervous about that since it's been basically one way or the other since my first treatment - either I can't go for days or I'm stuck in the bathroom for the whole day! Sorry, a bit too much information... but any helpful hints gratefully received!

J xx