This thread is for anyone due to start chemotherapy in January 2021. I’m sure others will be here soon but please introduce yourself and you can all help one another through this phase of your treatment. If you have any questions please post away on here and others in the community will watch over you whilst you are getting started. Once you are into it you’ll be pretty good at helping each other. You can also ask the nurses on this forum if you have any concerns. In the meantime, the top tip is always to stay well hydrated throughout chemo, aiming for 2 litres of water per day and get a thermometer and check your temperature every day.
I finished my chemo in October 2017 and doing very well again now. Here is my story which has some chemo tips on how I coped which were collectively shared from others who had gone through the same from this forum:
If you decide to set up a private group its good to stay on here also during treatment as I know from experience there are some people who watch but don’t immediately pluck up the courage to join in. Your conversations can be a real comfort to others.
Been here for a month or so but first post. Starting chemo 30/12 so figured that kind of counts as Jan?? Really quite nervous now, had consult today and signed the consents which made it all rather too real.
Diagnosed around 4 weeks ago, her2 triple positive. Some discrepancy as to size, initially 19MM so op then chemo was the plan, but mri was measured again and docs decided on 20MM which took me into chemo before op category. I feel like I’ve kind of floated in shock thru it all mostly… Diagnosed after routine mammogram, thank god for them! No lymph nodes they think but it’s a long haul…
Hi everyone anyway, be great to connect and say hi. Your support really means so much x
Like Belinda I signed my consent forms last week and I start first chemo this Wednesday (30 December). I also Her2+ but am scared and worried about my prognosis. I am having EC x 4 every 2 weeks and then Docetaxel x 4 every 3 weeks. That seems so much more intensive and longer than everyone else.
Hello everyone, it has taken me 30 minutes to work out how to reply to you all on here. Firstly, ladies, good luck with all that you have ahead, I think it might be daunting but it is a means to an end and we will get through it! I have not read your posts yet as I just wanted to sign up to this group. Mine starts on 7th January, not sure about a cold cap, but I don’t think it is available anyway in my area. Not sure what my chemo meds are, I will post this later but I had a lump in my left breast around about 12:00 and had a therapeutic mammoplasty, I am HER2 negative. Not really sure what this means though, so still struggling with the terminology and treatment. I am hoping to get more information on my first visit to the chemo suite next week. I am up late, I am a night owl, so now it is the last day in 2020 and I have to say Good Riddance to it; it has been a difficult year in so many respects. So good luck ladies for you all to have a much better 2021. xx
My name is Pip, I’m 32, and I was diagnosed 22nd December after finding a lump four weeks prior.
I have a grade 3 tumour approximately 1.5cmx2cm. At the minute we don’t think it has spread to my lymph nodes but I have just had a CT scan and hopefully, will find out next week. I’m due to start chemo first, then have surgery, radiotherapy and finally hormone therapy.
Ive already ordered some headscarves and hats because I like to be prepared lol.
Hope everyone is well, and I look forward to getting to know you all.
Hi I am in Aberdeen and diagnosed last month with ER positive. Due to have surgery in a couple of weeks followed by chemo and or radiotherapy.
I am terrified of needles particularly the idea of them being left in for more than a minute or two. Last time i had a general I tried to pull one out when I was drugged up. I don’t think I can face hours with one in even though its vital
I also get really squeamish at the idea of a PICC. I know I may be thinking too far ahead but I can’t help thinking about it. My consultant said there would be options if it comes to it - It all depends on the sentinal node and HER2 results.
Hi ladies, finally got my start date… next Friday. Hope those of you who have already started are doing ok! Any advice gratefully received!
I’m 35 and have a 3 year old. She’s too young to understand but I’m terrified that she’ll be frightened if I do lose my hair. Have any of you had cold cap therapy? How have you found it?
Xx
I’m starting chemo on Tuesday 26/1 … PICC line in, Echo done (painful as on operated breast!), Covid test later today and bloods on Monday. My life has just been a series of hospital appointments recently. I’m HER2 + but think I’m a little different in that I had the tumour removed in November and had reconstruction first. Unfortunately, the margins weren’t great so will be having MX after the chemo. I had to have my chemo induction over the phone with a lovely chap but he had a really strong accent so was difficult for me to understand. I am having Docetaxil, Carboplatin and Herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Am packing my bag with a scarf, blanket, hot water bottle and puzzle books. Anyone else on the same path? Any advice?
@donkeywoman suggest I join you as I’m the only February starter so far and it’s a bit lonely over there. I’ve been following you all month and am so impressed by you all. #GoGirls
I went to my GP during England Lockdown 2.0 with an enlarged node so knew it was serious. Mx and ANC on 8 January. That’s going well - op was a breeze to be honest. Got a seroma (had problems with my drain so was still draining when it was taken out) but that has started to go little by little. I was back at work this week after 2 weeks off. Any surgery related questions, do ask.
Final results were: DCIS found as well as a 34mm grade 3, 31 out of 48 nodes infected, ER+ and Her-ve.
Got my plan on Tuesday 3 x EC and 3 Docetaxel with bisphosphonate intravenously. Fly in the ointment is that I had Hepatitis B 40 years ago and that could rear its head again. ? Consultant all over it though. Found out yesterday, I start 5 February.
By-passing the cold cap - looking forward to finally getting the platinum blonde rock chick hair that I strive for. My hair’s natural curly so one hint of fresh air and ping - so looking forward to that not happening. #EveryCloud Dreading other side effects although feel better about them today - had a mass wobble with bone scan on Thursday as I had a 30 minute wait for a rescan on my lower back/hips with an unmentioned CT scan thrown in after I was told there would only be a 10 minute wait. I was thinking they’d seen all sorts. I got the results yesterday. They had… arthritis which I was aware of though not in my lower back nor shoulder. Not too bad though. Hence feeling more positive after a good night’s sleep, helps that I have my start date… and can circle my end date.
Sorry for the ramble and I hope you do not mind me gate-crashing your thread.
Happy weekend and willing wellness feelings to you all.