Good for you @flipper08. I’m finding a positive attitude very difficult at times. I don’t suppose we have much choice. 
Heads up, battle on…together 
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I hope everyone has had a great Christmas so far. It seems so strange enjoying Christmas knowing that all this is lurking in the New Year.
I am still waiting for a start date which I am finding very frustrating. My target date is 9th Jan, which means it should start before then but apparently there is a waiting list in Torbay and I am on it.
Really just want to know so I can get a plan together and feel like I am ‘back in charge’ of beating these little beastie cells.
3 lots of EC followed by 3 lots of Docetaxel. Then 15 sessions of radiotherapy.
Will be cold capping and have bought some moisturising gel gloves and booties, which I have put in the freezer and they work great, don’t go hard and should moisturise my hands and feet and the same time. Will see how long they stay cold.
Bought myself a heated throw - I am rubbish in the cold, so this should be interesting.
We can do this ladies - We are not alone on our journey and it is great to have some online allies.
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Anyone got their picc line yet? I get mine tomo.
@dragonfly2
Just jumping in to say all the best with your picc line tomorrow. Hope it goes well. 
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I’ve just joined I start chemotherapy very soon
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Hi everyone,
Hope everyone had a good a Christmas as can be expected with our impending journey.
I haven’t been on here for a little while. Been busy with Christmas, oncology appointments, PET scan, and today the One Stop Shop of ECG, bloods, MRSA testing etc. Tomorrow I have a chemo information session.
I met with the oncologist last week and they have changed my plan. I am starting on Ribociclib (Kisqali) which I believe is a fairly new oral chemo drug. Apparently I take it daily for 21 days and then have 7 days off. During my days off I have tests to check my heart and liver.
I think it’s a long and low approach and could be on it for a year or until the tumour is operable.
Head spinning little bit - relieved slightly that my side affects are going to be a little less harsh but finding it hard to understand my diagnosis and scared if the tumour remains inoperable.
I have started the hormone treatment ( Letrozole). Only had 4 doses but not hot flushes yet 
I want send big hugs to everyone having PICC lines etc fitted or any other unpleasant procedures 
xx
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@puglover56 the new drug sounds good especially if the side effects are less. I can understand your head spinning especially if you had mentally prepared for the other plan. Fingers crossed it shrinks the tumour quickly for you. Sending you a big hug.
@Gander32 welcome to the group
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I e had a lumpectomy my lymph nodes are clear but lump was slightly bigger than first thought so I’m awaiting confirmation of chemotherapy !
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Welcome to the group @gander32
Hi @puglover56 , good to have you back. Boy your head must be spinning. Big hugs across the water! 
I’m heading off for a last few days of freedom so will be lurking in the wings whilst wishing you all strength and positivity. Will be back to nail it together in 2025! 
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Hi welsh-warrior it was ok. The actual procedure was 40 minutes but it took a while to set up. Aches at the moment but no pain. Im back tomo for dressing change and bloods. Good luck with yours. I’ve ordered a waterproof cover so i can shower properly (hated not being able to shower after my smx)… just need my 10 year old to stop singing at the top of her voice and go to bed.
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My Picc line fitting was fine and pretty much painless bar the local injection. They have put it on my left arm which I’m really pleased about as it is easier to shower and bath with my dominant hand free. They provided a waterproof cover - limbo - which is actually working really well. Splash proof not submerge proof.
I got to try it out today for bloods (emergency FBC as they hadn’t been run by mistake) then chemotherapy and it worked great. It is still sore but they said to expect that for a few days.
I doubt I’ll be thinking about it when the chemo side effects kick in.
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@welsh-warrior glad it went well. I had bloods yesterday although they nearly forgot to take them while they changed the dressing. Mine is also in my left arm (can’t use the right side due to smx). I’m already getting used to it being there. Its strange how a part of everyday life this is all becoming. My chemo starts Monday - take care and be kind to yourself.
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I thought they would definitely want to avoid my right arm as I also have a SMX on that side but they were actually completely nonchalant about it as I had only had 2 lymph nodes out. I was less keen though and said I would prefer the left. To be fair the nurse was happy to put it on the other side. It is less sore tonight and becoming a bit more “normal”
I hope it goes well on Monday.
X
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Just popping in to say best wishes for 2025 everyone. 
I’m so thankful that we have each other to face this together.
Im sure there will be plenty fear and frustrations but I hope some fun along the way too. Big hugs girls!
Katie
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Hi all, HNY to you all.
After waiting for dates it is now full steam ahead.
New patient talk today, PICC line and bloods tomorrow than cold cap fitting Saturday. Chemo starting on Tuesday.
Thinking of you all ladies x
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Hi
I was disgnosed Her2+ early December after my 1st mammogram. Treatment plan is 6x chemo+ antibody injections, surgery then radiotherapy and the injections to continue for around a year. Prognosis good, one lump and not spread to lymph nodes or armpit thankfully. Was due to start chemo today but they couldn’t find a vein to get the canula in despite lots of effort. Postponed until next week and having Picc line inserted the day before. Just feeling a bit crap as was all prepared for today, now its not happened and the endless waiting goes on! Been awful waiting over Christmas and New Year but the staff at my hospital have all been brilliant, cant fault them at all
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Evening all, I got my picc line fitted today. Took three goes but finally got there. I start chemo on 10 January, nervous about side effects and cold capping but ‘this too shall pass’ 
anyone started yet? Xx
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Good evening fellow 2025 starters,
Usually when January arrives I’ll be promising that I’ll be taking better care of myself by exercising, eating healthily, reading more books, taking up a new hobby, seeing my friends more regularly. This year I’m joining a new group, the January chemotherapy starters.
I’m in the triple positive group - HER2, oestrogen and progesterone long haulers as my treatment is going to continue into 2026. My strategy will be one day time a time otherwise it will seem insurmountable.
My cancer is in my left breast however on New Year’s Eve, after my initial appointment with the oncologist I underwent MRI guided biopsies of the right one as there were a couple of ‘indeterminate’ areas on the MRI scan. If it’s there too, so be it, it can go in the summer with the left one along with a good riddance!
Currently waiting for an appointment for the PICC line insertion and dates to meet the nurse and to get started.
@overwhelmednewbie there is a thread for us HER2 ladies. I have found it a really helpful and positive read particularly as our treatment goes on for more than a year. Great to hear about people getting through the other side
Xxx
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Just jumping on to say hello to the newbies
Good luck to everyone having procedures - thinking of you all.
Take care
Karen
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