@toad fab news about your daughter 
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Hi everyone! I just found this group and it seems it might really help me. I was told today that I will start chemo on Monday, Aug 18th. I’m a mix of scared and relieved about getting started. I’ll be having 3 x EC followed by 4 x pertuzumab, trastuzumab & docetaxel, all given every three weeks.
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Hi @nutmeg5326 I start my chemo on Monday too so can relate to how you are feeling. I go from being all brave and practical to being so very anxious. I go to the hospital tomorrow to have a PICC line inserted as my veins are not great. Do you plan on Cold Capping? This group is a really good place to be honest and share all your concerns as well as positive experiences, I am very new to this, diagnosed in March, lumpectomy in April, SLN biopsy in June. ER+, HER2+ IDC.
Hi Dianne, thanks for responding! That is so like me…I waver between being rational and feeling strong, to being a complete mess and totally overwhelmed. I think it’s the uncertainty of what it will be like/how I’ll respond. Then waiting game is tough too…
I’m trying to tell myself it’s not forever 
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@nutmeg5326 sounds like we are on similar treatment plans though my cycle numbers are reversed and my EC is every 2 weeks. I have my second infusion on Tuesday. I felt the same before my first - scared but also just relieved I was getting it started! I hope all goes well for you. I felt rough after, obviously it’s not the best but thankfully I didn’t feel as bad as I had built it up to be in my head and this week I’ve been back at work, the gym and I’m out meeting friends tonight so semi normal. So just to reassure, that though it isn’t pleasant hopefully you’ll find it tolerable.
@dianne3 hope your first infusion goes well too! I tried the cold cap, it wasn’t for me at all however so many people can tolerate it so I guess my advice would be to try it and see if you feel you can tolerate it.
For both of you, that wavering between emotions is exactly how I feel. I know I’m strong, I know I’m resilient, I know this is temporary & I’ll make it through BUT equally I feel scared sad and angry and all of that is valid. And I like being here and seeing other people in the forum able to also help me validate that all of those feelings are very expected and normal to be feeling going through this awful thing.
If it helps any, I tend to try to focus on things in my control so in the run up to my first chemo, I knew I couldn’t control how it went or how I would feel so my focus was on what I could do to make it easier for myself on the other side. What I could do to keep myself comfy during chemo. What nutritious foods I could make sure I had in/batch cooked etc. What things I would like for comfort, or to keep my mind occupied - just focusing on all the things just to care for myself on the other side. Hope that helps some
@nutmeg5326 I think that is the best way to think about this journey, managing the risk of reoccurance is where I am. Just had my PICC line fitted, not as bad as I thought 
. I plotted all my dates (3 cycles of EC 21 days apart and then 9 weekly sessions of Paclitaxel) it will all be over by Christmas as long as all goes to plan:evergreen_tree:
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@louise15 thanks so much for your post it is so useful to hear other people’s coping strategies and experiences. Just got my appointment card for treatment on Monday a 10.30 am start. Do you or any other ladies have any tips as to what to take to a chemo session, I plan to cold cap so conditioner is a must I would think. What sort of snacks do people take.
We’ve got this ladies and the collective support is awesome 
xxx
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Hi, I’ve cold capped all the way through, simple conditioner has been ok for me, I had my hair cut (my theory being less weight pulling on your scalp). Take a towel, a blanket and either a hair band to protect your forehead or a tip I picked up on here use a panty liner across your forehead and across your neck at the back to protect from the pipe which is also very cold. I was advised to take paracetamol before treatment too. Take a drink, and snacks, biscuits etc and sweets to suck. All the best on your journey!
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@toad that is great news about your daughter, I imagine it’s such a relief! Haha I’m not sure about the catwalk but we’ll see.
I’ve ended up having a blood test today and having another appointment at the hospital on Saturday afternoon but at least I got away with most of the week free!
Had a couple of quite down days the last two days, just couldn’t get myself out of it. But felt a bit brighter today. It took me 3 days to call my hairdresser and get booked on for a bit of a chop next week - it’s all getting so close now xx
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@dianne3 I took a big jug of water and at the suggestion of something I read on a forum I took gin gins (to help with queasiness) & lemon drops (helped with a weird taste I got in my mouth!). I also took some crackers & a banana but didn’t eat as I didn’t feel the best with the cold cap. In terms of the cold cap I took a blanket but my hospital also gave me a heat pad. My hospital provided all the stuff for the cold cap, but in case yours doesn’t take a towel, wide tooth comb & conditioner.
I also had a puzzle book, a book & my journal for something to do & had downloaded some shows to watch just to keep myself occupied 
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@sunshine-smile sorry to hear you had a couple of down days, I had one of those on Sunday. Glad you’re feeling better today