**SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

Hello Gilliebean

Really glad that your daughter is better, that must be such a relief.  I cared form my husband for 6 years before he died and I was always so worried about being ill and unable to care for him.  I sympathise with your feeling of isolation.

Sorry that you can't get the cold cap.  My hairdresser, who cut my hair shorter yesterday ready for chemo, said that he was not sure that it works that well anyway. 

I am starting on 22nd and also have to get a picc line put in place.  I don't have much idea of what to expect but will do my best.

Good luck with your chemo. Hasn't it been very heartening to read the posts from those who have got through it? Everyone is an individual so it may affect people in different ways, but the main message is that it is doable.  Each cycle of chemo will be one nearer the end of it.  Take care.  Sending you a virtual hug.

Yes, me too! Iblodwin It’s weird seeing hair in places it hasn’t been for a while  
I’m so glad I used the RapidBrow and RapidLash serums, my eyebrows and eyelashes are way better than they were pre chemo…result! 

Also forgot to say in my earlier post please do look after your skin and  nails ladies, chemo wrecks them, for months afterwards too, so get that moisturiser, hand cream and nail cream on…I used Polybalm on my finger and toenails (available online) though others found alternatives worked too and although my nails are damaged I didn’t lose any through chemo. I found Dermal lotion and DoubleBase which your GP can prescribe fab and Aveeno Unscented for very dry skin helpful for me. 

denise x

Just to echo what Denise said and mention teeth....get a check up with your dentist and ask if they have any advice.

Chemo can affect so many parts of the body and it's worth trying to get as many things in order beforehand as possible.

It's all doable and I have to say coming into winter is probably the better time to be starting. I found it harder as the weather got better, but of course everyone is different!

For those getting PICC lines in, it's not painful just uncomfortable. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

Lynne xx

Hi, It looks like we will be on this journey together. I'm having the PICC line put in and first chemo on Tuesday. I actually decided not to use the cold cap as I really hate being cold and feel that it would just add another stress to the situation. I'm hoping that as its winter I won't look too out of place wearing hats and scarves and that by the spring it will have started to grow back.

The anxiety is just awful and sleep is almost impossible. I have reached the stage where I just want it to start though as the wait is making me feel unwell.

I'm glad to hear that your daughter is feeling better. Covid is such a nasty disease.

I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow. xx

Hi Lynne,Denise,daisy& red ruby 

how are you all? I hope that you are all feeling stronger every day. Hi to all the newbies who at this moment will be wondering what’s going to happen. I am 9 months post surgery, mastectomy with immediate reconstruction a  latissimus dorsi (LD) flap,16was post chemo chemo is hard but is doable have your meds ready and take them they do help.as Denise says look after your nails only lost part of my thumb nail but the others were week new nail has started to grow and are getting stronger.8wks post radiotherapy which was a breeze again look after your skin I used aveeno and had no trouble at all. When on chemo take one day at a time listen to your body and rest. I’m hoping to get back to work around November.

Take care everyone who has treatment coming up 

Anne Xx

Hi Anne,

Diamondgirl good to hear your doing well and nails improving, who’d have thought that was a thing with chemo ‍

Like you I’m much improved, still got a little bit of peripheral neuropathy going on in fingers and feet but it’s definitely less now. Going for physio for my shoulder so hopefully that will help too. 
I’m back at the gym and have managed to lose 14 of the 21lbs I gained during chemo so feel so much more like myself. Those sugar cravings have a lot to answer for!

Just bought a dress for my step daughters wedding and enjoying looking and feeling normal again. 
Maybe we could meet up for a coffee at some point as not too far away from each other? 

Good luck to everyone starting chemo, the waiting is the hardest part, once you start it’s just take it a day at a time. 
If you’re struggling with sleep and anxiety…which is perfectly normal…perhaps try some sleep hypnosis…Michael Sealey on YouTube was really helpful https://youtu.be/zCC5RoUklAA or try using Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer for mindfulness and meditations to relax your mind which is naturally trying to help and work out every ‘What if’ imaginable and stressing you out. 
Wishing you all minimal and manageable side effects…take the meds! 

denise x

Hi Denise 

Great to hear from you so glad your starting to feel normal exciting times with the wedding coming up well done on losing the weight. Same hear still have a little peripheral neuropathy going on in my hands feet are ok except they are always coldstill taking the Amitriptyline. Would love to meet for a coffee sometime. 

Anne xx

Hi Anne, I also still have cold feet and am taking a hot water bottle to bed. I have a hot water bottle for my cold feet and a chill pillow for under my back for the hot flushes lol

The neuropathy in my fingers has almost gone, for some reason showering seems to trigger it but it is lasting a shorter time as the weeks go by.

Tha pain in my finger nails is also almost gone, they are a bit yellow but not too bad. I'm still using the poly balm.

How did you manage after the LD flap? I was put off it by the fact that I would have wounds front and back and couldn't imagine being able to get comfortable. I was told we wouldn't get enough theatre time for the diep flap due to covid so I have an implant

Lynne xx

Hi Thirds

Thank you for your kind words.

Sorry to hear that your husband died, it is hard being a carer but we do it out of love. 
I’m just back from taking our dog for a  walk  round our village trying to take my mind off tomorrow.

Hopefully in a few months it will be us reassuring and supporting the newbies.

Gillie x

Hi Lumpy 1 X new to this discussion but just wanted to say that I was really struggling with lack of sleep and anxiety and the waiting to start was torture !! I had my first treatment on Thursday and was really emotional and terrified . But once I got into the unit and the staff were amazing , caring and supportive I felt so much better  and less anxious . The support on this forum is amazing X wishing you all the best xKaren x