January 2023 Chemo Starters

Yes, I gave the cold cap a go and it wasn’t too bad so will try it again tomorrow. I felt a bit tired, wobbly and emotional this week but that might be down to not sleeping more than anything else. I’m keep waiting for something to happen but alright so far. Hope you find it’s not so bad. Sorry about your dad - I saw the message after I’d sent you  good luck wishes. You’ve got a lot on your plate at the moment. 

Hi cuffcake fingers crossed it starts passing now, did you take anything for the discomfort or let it pass on its own. I think mine is starting to ease now. Sore throat seems to be hanging around which im taking paracetamol for and taking advice from helpine..i did a covid test in case but that was clear thankfully and sleep is not very forthcoming either as you say, i had a really restful day yesterday..good luck going forward x

Wow abitofasparkle not what you need right now, i cant imagine how difficult it must be for you. As you say know your dad is in the best place and try and focus, thinking of you -  maybe speak to the chemo nurses re getting you some support/councelling..i dont know how we do it ladies..but keep digging deep we will get through it x

addabitofsparkle - all the very best for your first treatment today. I will be thinking of you. 
I am so very sorry about your dad. Mine had his first surgery yesterday, so I really understand how difficult it is not being with them. But the best thing we can do, is to focus on our recovery. ThEy would want us to beat this awful disease and come back stronger for them too. Sending you all my love   Stay strong!

cuffcake2000 thank you for your suggestions. You always give us so many helpful tips. Did you manage to retain a good amount of hair on your EC regime? My second EC should be this Friday and I am dreading it. At the same time I hope it can go ahead and it does not have to be delayed. Unfortunately I developed a very bad cold and cough over the last couple of days. No signs of fever/infection - just a cold. But I hope this won’t delay things for me. I will need to speak with my oncologist about vaginal dryness. Anyone with this side effect? I am on Zoladex for ovarian suppression so that could be the cause, but the discomfort is getting real. Sorry if TMI. Just wondering if I am the only one experiencing this. 

Hi Sale Bee, thank you for letting me know how that went with you. I have heard other people on site say that too. 

Just thought I ought to warn you that the steroid infusion gives you an odd burning sensation in your groin and feels a bit like you  might have wet yourself! Quite normal I’m now told, but I would have liked the heads-up about it. My nurse said to ask fir it to be given a bit more slowly, but still felt it this morning- only for longer. Take care and good luck all xx

Hi Lorraine058, I did give in to paracetamol. My oncologist suggested tonic water to (with or with out the gin ) I’ve opted for without the gin. That did seem to lessen the soreness the last 2 times and it also help with achy muscles and I did have cramping in my calf’s first time round but not since.  I know tonic water is not everyone’s taste.

Tips I was given for sore throats and I use is - buy some dissolving paracetamol tablets and gargle with it then you can drink that too after as one of the doses that you would have during the 24 hour period. Also gargling with a warm salt water rinse. I use 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a mug of warm water but don’t swallow it! - yuk. Another one I do is a teaspoon of honey (I use Manuka honey but it is expensive)so other honey otherwise plus 3 teaspoons of lemon - I just use lemon juice from the bottle haven’t got the patiences to squeeze a lemon but you can do that if you prefer in warm water. My family dread it if they get a sore throats i am armed with my remedies . These things seem to hang around a bit longer I find cause our immune system is compromised. 

Wishing you well on your journey and I hope the sore throat disappears soon.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x 

Hi cuffcake...not a fan of tonic water but my hubby is and we have some flavoured here so will give it a go. I like you am pretty much all over the honr and lemon (i do take one to bed of an evening) which is quite nice. But will have a go with the gargling...i think the helpline may suggest a visit to the gp just to get it checked. Im grateful to all of you for your comms and tips shared we would all be lost without them xx 

Hi NeedingHope, thank you for your comment on the tips. I’m a little bit ahead of you ladies, so happy to help and advise where I can. I have just had my last EC yesterday and start on my next drugs on 7th feb so a 3 week break this time to recover and hopefully boost the blood counts. I have to admit I have lost quite a bit of hair, I have a bald patch on top probably about the size of a hand and it has thinned but I had very fine hair to start with and it wasn’t very thick either. I would say the scalp cooling cap has helped as I think I would have lost it all by now. I’m going to carry on with it during the docetaxel but I fear it may all come out during that one but one never knows. I have lost most of my hair down below too, but still have leg, eyebrows and eyelashes.
I had a cough at the start of my chemo and my oncologist did say that he generally would continue even within a cold/cough providing no signs of infection and if I was feeling ok. Covid they would wait till all clear. My cough was chesty but clear phlegm. 
I’m sorry I can’t help in vagina dryness, I haven’t experienced that or had Zoladex but hopefully one of the other ladies can help with that. I think your oncologist can prescribe something to help though .  
Good luck with your journey and remember I’m hear for a chat or tips if I can . 
Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x