***FEB & MARCH 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

Thanks yes, it’s been an unnecessary added stress. I’ve added the saga to my profile. Feel free to read when you feel up to it. I haven’t really had the BCN support either so have been doing a lot of ringing around myself trying to find out what’s going on. 

But enough about me... sorry to hear that the blood transfusion hasn’t done as much as you hoped, but so pleased to hear that you have finished chemo! You’ve had so many awful side effects but you kept on going! Thank you for all your support. I remember after my 2nd session I was feeling low as I’d had to give in and stop working and you answered with one of the kindest replies. 
Well done Judith. I feel proud of you, even though we’ve never personally met. Good luck with the rest of your treatment plan.As you know I occasionally drop in on the awake thread too so may well see you there! 

xx

Hi all,

Welcome to those just starting out on their chemo, take each day as it comes, I found the waiting to start worse than the actual chemo. After four months of chemo which started at the end of October I am now near to the end. I am due my last cycle of FEC next Thursday, and can't wait to get it over, part of me is hoping the oncologist might cancel it. My local unit has closed so I have to travel to Winchester for my last session and get to know a whole new team.

I have been using the cold cap for the whole of my chemo with good results. Since I started the FEC I am losing a lot more hair and it is now very thin, however I don't think it will all go and if you didn't know me you wouldn't know I had lost any.

good to hear that your chemo has finished and sorry that you are feeling so tired, hopefully you will recover quickly now you have no more chemo.

Daydreamer6 good luck with your next stages. I think I will be close behind you, there is a meeting to discuss my surgery on 16th March. I've had a good response to the chemo so hope this will be minimal.

Morning everyone. Hope that you have all got some beautiful sunshine like we have here - it really is quite warm and definitely makes things seem at least a little brighter.

Daydreamer6 , so sorry to hear that you still don't know if you have to go through another lot of chemo after thinking that your surgery would be done soon. I have just read your updated profile and that is really so annoying - all seems to be  based on admin rather than clinical need. I dod hope that you get it sorted and can move on to your surgery.

Sorry that the transfusion didn't work as hoped but at least you don't have to suffer the dreadful side effects for any longer. You really did go thorough an awful lot with the chemo. Hope you can now rebuild your strength and wishing you lots of luck with the rest of your treatment. 

Hollythecat Almost there. I know just what you mean about hoping that the oncologist may say that you don't have to do the last one! And its must be hard having to go to a new unit just for the one treatment. Hope it goes well and good luck with surgery. Really good news that both you and Daydreamer6 have had such a good response to your chemo.

And good luck to all those of you who have just had your first treatment or are just about to. It will seem like an awfully long time to the finishing line now and you will be wondering how you will cope and what side effects you will suffer but you will get through. I have had a shorter journey than some of the others on here as my regime was 3EC + 3T, rather than 4 + 4, as some have had. Also, my T was accelerated, so the final two cycles are 2-weekly. But when I started in December it still seemed like an eternity to the last treatment and I didn't think I would ever get through. But I am now less than two weeks away from the last cycle - I will freely admit that I have hated every minute and would happily have run away before each treatment but somehow I have got through. And you will all get through too and go on to start rebuilding your lives. I have been very fortunate with only minimal side effects but whatever you suffer remember there is always lots of help available from your team and an awful lot of support and advice on here. 

Hi PatsyP2, thank you for your kind words, like you I just want to run away every time I have chemo, but the nurses are wonderful and have made it as comfortable as possible. Overall the side effects have been manageable and when I've felt down the nurses are only a phone call away. I hope all goes well for you with your last sessions.

Hi everyone. So blown away to find this thread & know there are so many other gals out there going through their chemo journey too!!

I started my 1st EC cycle 2 days ago. No major side effects other than feeling SO lethargic & as though I am walking through glue, very slow & woozy. I am usually a champion sleeper but the last 2 nights been rough & I keep feeling anxious I will get a blood clot or a serious side effect. Doing a little meditation & breathing exercises. Trying to enjoy the sunshine, walk a little & keep eating a bit. I did a cold cap & found it was the worst part! Not sure if I will continue with it. Think I have accepted I will likely lose my already fine hair! I know everyone's journey is different but be great to hear from those who felt this crushing lack of energy & how long it lasts??!! I have some clients to see tomorrow & keep hoping I'll feel up to it! Sending you all love, hugs & hope xxx

Hi PinkLady2021, I am at the same stage as you - had my first EC yesterday! I've been a bit tired, lightheaded and slightly nauseous today but all manageable. Sat in th garden for about 15 minutes and enjoyed the sunshine and the spring flowers. Hoping to do a short walk tomorrow.

I decided against the cold cap - it seemed like quite a bit of extra hassle. I'm thinking of doing a charity head shave for Penny Brohn, the cancer charity. I've done lots of their amazing online Zoom support sessions - worth a look.

I've also set up an online page for friends to cook for me on chemo days and a couple of days afterwards. It's called Meal Train - you say which days you'd like food, send friends a link and they can add whenever they want. Felt very cheeky to start with but everyone kept asking how they could help and they were all more than happy to do so. I'm taking any offers of help at the moment!

Hope you have a better night, tonight!

Xxx

So I am 15 days after my first Nab Paclitaxel session of chemo and feel ok today, the fatigue is unbelievable and the hip and back pain I am taking pain relief prescribed by GP now as paracetamol was not helping at all,also taking anti sickness 3 times a day to keep the nausea at bay. 

Day 12 my head was really sore to touch and lay on and my hair started falling out, this was so upsetting, just seeing strands and clumps every time I touched my head so I asked my hairdresser to come and shave my head which she did so now only tiny bits to fall out and catching some in bed cap.

I have not been outside yet and still cannot decide whether to bear all, get a wig or use the headscarfs I have?

Thanks PatsyP2 I agree it’s all admin which makes it even more frustrating. I was in tears Weds thinking I may have to go again next week. Wanted to hide under that blanket! 
Monday, hopefully,  all will become clear. In the meantime I’m going to have a glass of wine (the first one since chemo started!) and enjoy the weekend side effect free! 
Hollythecatalso frustrating for you that you have to go to a new unit for one treatment. A change in routine is not ideal! Glad to hear you have your meeting to discuss surgery booked in and hope you can have your preferred surgery option! Let’s try and keep in touch as we move through the next stage.. surgery!

Have a nice weekend both xx

So I had a small allergic reaction to the herceptin. I was dizzy, red face & chest, anxiety, small cough and tickle in my throat.  I thought it was just from my low iron which makes me dizzy then I get anxious. But when I told the nurse I don’t feel right they called my MO and gave me Benadryl & something else through my IV.  My MO didn’t sound concerned and they’ll just give me more premeds next time. The Benadryl almost knocked me out I was so tired from only sleeping 2-3 hours. When my husband was driving me home I said I think I’m either high or overtired. He said we are both high. (We were on a high point of a bridge & about 200 m above the water) I just laughed. Darn Dad jokes.  No reaction with the carboplatin this time, they did the saline at 50% with the carboplatin. 
Jejke sorry to here it didn’t go too well. I know how you feel with the fatigue.  I’ve been anemic many times but never needed a blood transfusion. 

it looks like some people will be leaving us and we have many newcomers. So welcome and goodbye & good luck with the rest of your breast cancer chapter.

Hi, I had my first Chemo on Thursday. Was very tired that evening but surprisingly I actually felt fine on Friday. Took my anti sickness meds as prescribed but didn’t feel sick. I’m stage three.