Surgery is on Monday
Hi all, I'm new here, having been diagnosed 3 weeks ago. And what a rollercoaster it's been! So comforting to have this amazing support network of those who have been through all of this before me. T...
Forum Discussion
All the best with your surgery. I had a Mastectomy with Axillary clearance at the same time. So a bit different. I had 2 wound drains in for 5 and 6 days. My surgeon did not want my dressings wet. I had to keep my wound dry until my first post op check. About a week later. I have a shower with a hose and shower head. So I became expert at having a careful face washer and bottom half shower. Or shallow bath.
I personally wouldn't shave my head yet, perhaps cut it shorter. You won't lose your hair until 2-3 weeks after the start of Chemo. For me that would have been 7weeks after the surgery.
It may not be important to you. But by shaving your hair, you would be inviting people to ask questions of you, perhaps before you are ready, re your condition.
I've almost all of my treatment done during COVID times, op on 22/2/20, then 20 weeks Chemo, now doing radiotherapy.
I'm now doing Radiotherapy at a public hospital, and finding out the different COVID interpretations between Public and Private Hospitals here in SA of the hospitals, that I have accessed.
Privately I was able to successfully use the Cold Cap, it does add 1 1/2 hrs to every Chemo session. I wasn't allowed any support people during my 20 weeks. ( finished Chemo 10/8/20)
But now at a Public hospital for Radiotherapy (no fee or gap) I have found out that their Chemo Unit allowed a support person with each patient, but that they didn't use the Cold Cap.
You and some others may not agree, but I had my eyebrows Tattooed prior to starting Chemo. I didn't have much eyebrow before, but I have none now. I would have trouble drawing them on now. So I was happy to have had them done.
If you consider this, it probably wouldn't be considered safe during Chemo. For risk of infection, especially if you become neutropenic.
Try not worry about all of the possible side effects, just be aware of the possibilities. If concerned discuss with your Oncologist, there may well be treatments/drugs available. I consider myself lucky. My side effects were quite manageable. I had no nausea at all. Some change in taste. I had Epirubicin+ Cyclophosphamide and then Paclitaxel.
Once again, all the best. I hope all goes smoothly as possible. Try not to worry too much, and take each day a day at a time.
Keep in touch.
I personally wouldn't shave my head yet, perhaps cut it shorter. You won't lose your hair until 2-3 weeks after the start of Chemo. For me that would have been 7weeks after the surgery.
It may not be important to you. But by shaving your hair, you would be inviting people to ask questions of you, perhaps before you are ready, re your condition.
I've almost all of my treatment done during COVID times, op on 22/2/20, then 20 weeks Chemo, now doing radiotherapy.
I'm now doing Radiotherapy at a public hospital, and finding out the different COVID interpretations between Public and Private Hospitals here in SA of the hospitals, that I have accessed.
Privately I was able to successfully use the Cold Cap, it does add 1 1/2 hrs to every Chemo session. I wasn't allowed any support people during my 20 weeks. ( finished Chemo 10/8/20)
But now at a Public hospital for Radiotherapy (no fee or gap) I have found out that their Chemo Unit allowed a support person with each patient, but that they didn't use the Cold Cap.
You and some others may not agree, but I had my eyebrows Tattooed prior to starting Chemo. I didn't have much eyebrow before, but I have none now. I would have trouble drawing them on now. So I was happy to have had them done.
If you consider this, it probably wouldn't be considered safe during Chemo. For risk of infection, especially if you become neutropenic.
Try not worry about all of the possible side effects, just be aware of the possibilities. If concerned discuss with your Oncologist, there may well be treatments/drugs available. I consider myself lucky. My side effects were quite manageable. I had no nausea at all. Some change in taste. I had Epirubicin+ Cyclophosphamide and then Paclitaxel.
Once again, all the best. I hope all goes smoothly as possible. Try not to worry too much, and take each day a day at a time.
Keep in touch.