Scared about the side effects of treatment

@Caity

Paclitaxel can be very effective but can also have some side effects. Most are short term - loss of taste buds, an easily bloodied nose - and resolve very quickly once treatment stops. Peripheral neuropathy - damage to nerve endings in fingers and feet - can linger. Get advice quickly on any finger or toe tingling. Best wishes for an easy run. 

I think the ice blocks are more for the EC or AC, that some of us have. Perhaps the mouth ulcers are more common with that chemo. Burnside is a lovely hospital. 

Sending you all good vibes for Wednesday @Caity - in my case my chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments were all administered without incident. 
I found it helpful to read and also found audiobooks a great option; I borrowed them from the local library using an App called BorrowBox. The hospital I went to had a Wifi network that day patients on the ward could use.

Thank you for the tips @Abbydog! I will make sure to speak to the nurses about what you have mentioned above re the wet hair and iceblocks. I will be having Paclitaxel x 12. I'm going to the chemo ward at Burnside hospital. I can have someone with me for my first session but they said because it's quite a small ward they would prefer if I just go by myself for the others- I do like reading so have lots of good books lined up luckily.
I'll let you know how I get on  :)

Dear Caity,
I will be thinking of you.
Perhaps the Cold Cap will be a distraction. 
If you can do at least 2 Chemo sessions before giving up on the Cold Cap.
Ask the nurses putting your Cold Cap on, to make sure your hair is very wet, and fitting well.
The moisture conducts the cold from the cap to the scalp.
You can't do much styling of your hair. Treat it gently.
I had my hair cut shorter, as it is naturally curly.
I was told not to straighten it, as I would normally have done.
I did a very slight blow dry to my fringe. I got away with it, but I don't recommend it.
The first Chemo I had was EC, ie Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide. (some people call it the Red devil, as it it is red) I don't know if you have which Chemo drugs you will be having?
The first side effect that I needed to manage, was constipation.
The Chemo suite nurses prepared me well,
with all I needed to be aware of.
Coloxyl with Senna, was enough for me.
Chemo was at St Andrews Chemo suite. They offer and encourage sucking ice blocks. And did not give hot drinks.
The ice block sucking, is supposed to prevent mouth ulcers. 
I did this, and had no ulcers.
I'm not sure if the principle behind this is the same as for the Cold Cap.
I went out to lunch after most Chemo sessions.
 Take a book, if you like reading.
 Or are you able to take a friend with you for company/support?
 Covid was new when I had Chemo in 2020, and no one extra was allowed in the suite.
 Wishing you all the very best. I'd love to hear how you go.
 

Hi @Abbydog, thank you so much for your comment and sharing about your experience. I'm glad to hear that the side effects with your chemo and RT were manageable :) And thank you for the insight about the cold cap. I wasn't sure whether I would bother with it but after hearing your relatively positive outcome and speaking with my Dr last week, I think I will at least give it a go! I start my chemo this coming Wednesday so I'm feeling a bit nervous  :#  
Thanks again x

Dear Caity,
I'm sorry for your diagnosis.
I haven't had exactly the same as you.
I had Stage 2 Grade 3 Er +ve
Mastectomy, Chemo and RT
My Chemo was EC x4, Paclitaxol x12. 
I did not have a hard time with Chemo or RT. All side effects were manageable.
I did use my Income Protection, within my Superannuation.
I recommend applying for this soon, if you have it. There is usually wait time. 
I also used the Cold Cap, with good results. I thinned slightly on top, where the cap didn't fit well sometimes.
If you are interested I can send photos.
It does add time to being in the Chemo suite.
It goes on 1/2 hr prior to chemo going in, and stays on for 3/4hr ( or 1hr, I can't remember)
For me, it was now 4 yrs ago.
If you use the Cap, it goes on and drops approx 5 degrees, every 5 min. Over 1/2hr.
So it is gradual bursts of cold.
Ask more if you need.

Thank you so much @arpie, @FeR, @Tri, @Afraser and @Suki. This is all so helpful. I already feel much better about everything with your inside knowledge and advice. It means a lot that I have this support here, thank you for taking the time to respond  <3

Hi @Caity

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I can empathise - I felt the same shock/fear about being recommended chemo.  I was diagnosed with Triple Positive in Dec 2023 - I am older (48) and with two teenage kids.

I completed 6 rounds of TCHP chemo/target therapy, finishing in April this year.  I absolutely agree with all the suggestions from others above (Oral 7 mouthwash, eye drops, hydrolyte, gastrostop).  I didn’t cold cap, but wished I did (in hindsight) as my hair is slow to grow back!!

Try to stay physically active as much as you can during chemo.

That’s wonderful @FeR my comment was meant to read “agree with all @FeR suggestions…” 😃😃😛but I managed to mangle it!