My plan is as follows, I’ll start 3 cycles of EC followed by 3 cycles of Docetaxel in the next 2 weeks. So many side effects and hoping I’m a lucky one who doesn’t get them all. I’m also going to give the cold cap a go to see if it works.
Are there any other recommendations to assist the treatments? Food, exercise or anything else I can do?
Good luck to all of you going through this, I’m trying to keep positive thoughts 
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Hi Everyone. I’ve got my 1st lot of chemo on 8th feb which is 4 x 2 weekly EC and 4 cycles of taxol and carboplatin. I’ve got my nurse appointment on Monday. Not sure what to do about cold capping so have read all your comments with interest. When I saw the oncologist she was suggesting I had a picc line but I was hoping to just cope with cannulas. Has anyone else thought about pros and cons of this. Must say I’m apprehensive about starting the chemo. Take care
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I’m apprehensive too but we are all in this together 
how much better is it to get rid of all the cancer and go back to life knowing we have fought the good fight. X
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Hi everyone, just back from my initial oncology appointment.
They are aiming to start my chemo in around 3weeks and I’m also having 3 rounds of EC followed by 3 rounds of Docetaxal - lots to take in. I also will be having filgastrim injections as part of my treatment.
Good luck to everyone, here’s hoping we all get through with not too many side effects 
.
I don’t think I’m going to cold cap - just hoping to get a decent wig.
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Hi Everyone,
I start on Thursday 8th Feb and having my portacath fitted on Tues 6th Feb, day after my 39th birthday!
It’ll be 2 weekly cycles of chemo
4 x EC (epirubicin cyclophosphamide)
4 x Paclitaxel.
Im very oestrogen positive and had a single mastectomy on 9th December.
I start my 4 weekly zoladex injections this Friday 2nd to suppress the ovarian activity and plunge me into early menopause.
I’ll definitely be coldcapping. Wish me all the luck in the world as I’m generally not good with the cold but I’ll take my paracetamol 30 mins before and bring all my hot drinks, gloves, scarf, electric blanket.
I just hope I don’t need to use ice gloves and socks if I start to develop neuropathy.
I have twin boys doing their GCSEs this year so could’ve really done without all this but here we all are.
Wishing you all so much grace, compassion and courage 
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Hi amanda,
By cannulas do you mean using your veins in your arm? I’ve read and been told that it really knackers out your veins. I’m “fortunate” enough to be able to have a portacath but I understand a piccline is preferrable to rely on the veins as annoying as it might be to have one.
Take a look at Jan and Dec starters to see if anyone mentions anything there.
Sending you lots of courage
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Ah yea combat the cold! Fabulous idea. Ok ladies sounds like we are rolling for February. We’ve got this ladies x
To be fair not sure picc line hasn’t been given as an option but maybe they will do it on my first session. Starting on Tuesday 6th. Nervous but also understanding this has to be done. So glad you all here and we can share news and insights. X
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Thanks. I will have a look. I know it can mess with the veins but I am sensitive to the adhesive on the dressings so I’m worried what effect that could have if it’s constantly on my arm. Something to discuss with the nurse on Monday
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Hi everyone,
I start chemo next week and I’m super anxious about side effects. I’ll be doing AC - Taxol every two weeks, first 4 cycles AC and then 4 of Taxol. Don’t plan on doing cold cap as doctor says it does not work for everyone but I’m really sad about losing my long hair, it’ll be a reminder of what I’m going through which feels like a nightmare so I plan to cut it after my first chemo, I don’t want to see it fall and as someone I know who went through told me I want to do it on my terms, this gives me some control.
Yet part of me wants to sleep and wake up til this is all done. I’m trying to have hope to not get many side effects. How can the medicine that will cure this make me feel bad and worse than I’m feeling now?
I pray for everyone stating chemo or in chemo this month, God give us courage, strength, healing and hope in this journey.
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So yea if the adhesive on your dressing is an issue then talk to them. Are there any dressings you can tolerate? I am pretty good with Aquacell x
I hear you on that. Yes to courage and strength. I had a long talk with my breast cancer nurse and the feeling is that a lot of chemo is well tolerated these days. She even talked about me going to a gym class if I felt well enough! A friend of mine said it was okish and a lot of people didn’t even know she was on chemo x
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Thanks that makes me feel a little better. They say it’s good to be active and it helps. Did your friend lose her hair? That’s the other thing that’s making me sad
Might be worth suggesting. I’ll see what she can suggest as well
She cold capped and said she kept most of it. It thinned but didn’t go x
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Hi Pinksister777, I feel exactly the same about the apprehension of feeling well and then having a drug that could make you feel terrible.
I had a long chat with my nurse and she said everyone is different so try not to focus on the horror stories. My saving grace is that I have a close friend who is actually 4 cycles in and she’s been great with limited effects so I keep focused on that.
In terms of the hair loss, this is my worst fear too hence trying the cold cap, if it doesn’t work at least I’ve tried. I have been online looking for eyebrow stencils and wigs just in case.
Sending lots of well wishes and hope you get through this. As well as everyone else x
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Hi Newbie1, I’m hoping I can get back to the gym in the next 2 weeks. My scars have healed so it’s all dependent on how I react to the chemo session. I’ve been told Yoga can also be good so I’ll see if there are any classes I can join.
I hope your treatment goes well with limited effects x
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Hi sammybp,
what your nurse says makes sense, we probably just hear the bad stories and not the ones that have little symptoms so I’ll pray for that be our case.
Good luck with the cold cap, I am tempted to try but worry about my sinuses, the cold gives me headaches… I was able to lend a wig at the center I go to which looks almost like my hair.
I’m having a hard time accepting what’s coming it feels surreal 
but gotta keep fighting, I pray all goes well with you and everyone this month
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I wouldn’t consider having chemo via a normal cannula. Those veins will be destroyed for life, if they even survive one dose on the day. The chemo drugs are extremely toxic.
A PICC is much safer and kinder to you xx
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Hi Charlie1, I hope today went as well as it could and the next few days aren’t too bad. Take care and good luck x
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