Fast service.

[doreenharwood]

Hi well this is my second blog. Just got back from my 1st appointment at Maidstone hospital, I have been told i will be starting Chemo this month and I will deffinatly loose my hair which i have been growing for the past year. Nevermind I will look like my son who has been shaving his hair off since he was 18. I am so pleased they are moving so quickly. I want to be well and back to my normal self ASAP. So hear goes , any advise would be great thanks x

[Lizneild]

Hi Doreen

I've heard that the sooner you start Chemo the better the result is likely to be. Good luck with it and here's hoping you are one of the lucky ones with manageable side effects. Ultimately hair loss is not a such a big deal. It's only for a while. As you say the goal is getting back to your normal self. Good luck to you on your way. Liz

[wendydee]

Hi Doreen

It may well not be as bad as you are expecting and it's great that they are moving quickly. There are loads of threads on here about chemo and hair loss if you use the search box at the top of the page. All the very best with your treatment. Do let us know how things are going with you. There are so many women here who can give you hints and share your progress

Good luck

Love Wendy xx

[MargaretJ]

Good luck with the chemo! Two tips! When you get your wig take your time choosing it! I didnt and, though mine is a very nice wig I only wore it twice! I went for the elaboate scarves tied into turbans and lots of eye make up! I found no eyelashes harder than no hair! The week after chemo I needed lots of rest! Invested in a hot water bottle for the aching joints and a bedroom TV to send me to sleep.

Best wishes!

Margaret

[Teddie]

Hi Doreen, I had my treatment at Maidstone Hospital in 2008/9 as well, I was very impressed with the nurses who administered the chemo and with Dr Rema Jyothirmayi. I have also been impressed with the support from Kent Oncology as a whole and the Gynae-Oncology team. If you need any specific advice with regard to Maidstone write it on here and I will try to help.

[Whippit]

Hi Doreen

It's good you're getting treatment so quickly. I was really nervous before my first chemotherapy appointment but It wasn't in the least problematic. The staff were really kind and spent quite a long time explaining everything and making me comfortable.

Make sure you take some things to amuse yourself if you're going to be in a long time. I was extravagent and bought a dongle with an internet connection so I could spent a few hours surfing the net, and I read books online. That made the time pass really quickly. It was really good to have someone to take me and collect me and run out for drinks or snacks as these aren't provided in the ward in my hospital.

Chemotherapy affects people differently - and I also think there's a whole load of stuff going on in the background that can affect your mood. I was told to walk each day and found this to be a very positive thing. If you do have any side-effects put your question on this site and I know there'll be plenty of people who've had the same experiences and will be able to give you good advice. The only thing I noticed was that towards the end of the course I became very frustrated wth the whole thing, and I think I got a little bit tired for a couple of days after the last few sessions.

It's good you've found us on this website. I noticed you would also like to make contact with local people. Hope you're lucky there. My hospital said they'd tried to form groups but they weren't popular and there seemed little enthusiasm to try it again. I became friends with a neighbour who was going through similar experiences and that was very positive and reassuring.

I wish you the very best of luck. xxx Annie

[Hidden]

Hi Doreen

The quicker the better. Like Margaret I found the loss of eyelashes the hardest, but found that putting lots of eye make up helped. Loved the fact that I didn't have to shave legs and armpits though and once I'd gotten used to the hair loss there were quite a few advantages. No more bad hair days and getting ready to go out was so much quicker. The only advice I could give which was good for me is when your hair starts to fall out either have it cut very short or shaved. I found this gave me some sense of empowerment in a world so out of my control. I hope your chemo goes well and sending love and hugs to help.

Chris x x

[daisycandoit]

Hi Doreen, I agree with the others, one gets used to the no hair situation, eyelashes and eyebrows are difficult I still have mine although thinned as I approach 5th treatment. I have several wigs but go without indoors. I have a TV in my room and accept the fact I spend a lot of the 1st week after chemo, in bed. I have to look after myself and I think it keeps me motivated and I get some excersise, weeks 2 and 3 are quite good apart from exhaustion. Getting into the rythym of it helps as it is similar but different to each one of us, all the best for you embarking on this adventure, love Diane xx

[ScardyCat40]

Good luck with your treatment I only had carboplatin last time so can't comment on the hair loss but its something I'm dreading about any future treatments.

You may find this whole experience completely changes you and once treatment has finished its not unusual to feel a bit abandoned and to slump into depression. You are not alone, there is lots of help out there please take it and don't be afraid to ask for it or feel guilty about it.

[doreenharwood]

Thanks ladies you all have boosted my confidence. I have made an appointment for this coming Wednesday for a wig fitting and possible hair cut as my hair is quite long now. First time I have grown it in years, I have also looked at false eyelashes and I am going to treat myself to new make up next Thurs. I am still working at the moment but I think once the Chemo starts I may have to stop. Which although it sounds strange I d`ont want to stop as I enjoy my job its only waiting tables but its fun and I like all my regular customers. I have taken on board what everyone has said so I will keep everyone informed how thing go x x x x

[ScardyCat40]

Some people do work through chemo. I would say that for me the first week was always the worst in terms of fatigue and sickness and it is accumulative so you do feel a bit worse as treatments goes on so if you can take a week off work around chemo time and if you are able to pace yourself you may still be able to work if that's what you want to do.

[Hidden]

Hi Doreen

Thinking of you

Sending you love and hugs x G x and a few happy faces

[Jacks150]

Hi Doreen,

You sound really positive and even though deep down you must be scared you don't sound it!

I have lost my hair twice now and will be loosing it again in September - can't seem to keep it too long - but hey ho it's only hair I am still here to enjoy myself and have fun with my children.

I agree that the most distressing is loosing eyebrows but the last wig I got had a fringe so I never worried about my eyebrows after that.

I worked through my chemo. I am a childminder so worked round my treatments. I stopped working the week after treatment then went back to work as normal. It was tiring towards the end of treatment but I rested whenever I could.

I love my job and I am sure that is what keeps me going.

Good luck with your treatment and keep us all updated.

Hugs Jackie

[Jacks150]

Sorry meant to say getting a wig means that you can choose one with long hair so all that time you took growing it won't be wasted and you can have instant long hair!!

[Hidden]

Hi Alifit, I think you're relatively new on here, so just a tip.

Before replying to a post, check how long ago it was posted (top right of the box).

Quite a number of the women involved in this discussion are no longer with us and it can be upsetting for those who knew them to be reminded of this.

It's very easily done!

All good wishes x