This topic is for anyone starting chemo in January to share thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.
You can find more info on chemo on our pages: Chemotherapy for breast cancer | Breast Cancer Now
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I’m in this club 
I’ve been looking around the forum and thanks to all the members, I have learned a lot but only joined when I saw the January post.
I was recalled after a routine mammogram at the end of August and had a lumpectomy at the end of October after many appointments. I was so scared of the surgery as I’ve luckily never as much as had a hint of an illness before.
I was told the day of the biopsy that it would be nothing more than a lumpectomy and hormone treatment but the following week when I got my results, it had changed to lumpectomy and radiotherapy because it’s not hormone receptive.
The surgery was successful and thanks to the kindness and patience of all the staff, it wasn’t as scary as I’d thought. The surgeon rang me with the great news that she’d got clear margins, clear lymph nodes and it’s gone! But I would probably need chemotherapy as belt and braces as it was 1.2mm, stage 1, grade 3 TN.
The oncologist that she handed me over to was lovely and very reassuring and gave me a treatment plan for 12 weekly paclitaxol and 3 or 4 rounds of Carboplatin then 3 or 4 rounds of EC, Bisphosphonates and Radiotherapy. She said that I probably don’t need any of it, it’s just belt and braces but gave me the option of having no treatment through to the whole 9 yards so I opted for that before she’d even finished speaking!
I was given an appointment yesterday to start on 6th January with a PICC line insertion on 5th January.
I have had a wig appointment and have chosen one. I’m not cold capping as I have really fine short hair so I don’t mind if it goes temporarily. A nurse commented yesterday that I have ideal hair for cold capping,
I am really grateful to the NHS for the care they have taken this far and for the money that is being thrown at me for a belt and braces treatment. Happy New Year to me and to any other January starters.
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I am due to have PICC line inserted 6/1 and chemotherapy starts 8/1. 6 x 3 weekly cycles and 3 x 6 monthly chemotherapy, then radiotherapy and then 10 years of hormone therapy. Had lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. Infection at present and on antibiotics. Just want to start the treatment process now.
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Hi - I also start my chemo on 6th Jan - will be having 8 fortnightly cycles - 4 of EC then 4 of Paclitaxel. Here’s to a good Christmas before it all starts!
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Good evening! I’m having my Hickman line put in on the 8th and then starting chemo the week after!
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Hallo to everybody in the January Club . I have just ordered my special cold gloves from Amazon (as advised by oncologist) have eyebrow appt and wig appt. I start Herceptin, Docetaxol and cyclophosphamide on Jan 15th. A positive New Year to you all. As somebody posted somewhere, think of it as medicine not poison. Trying hard to do this xxxx
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Hi everyone. Am also starting chemo on the 6th Jan. Terrified and not very well prepared as decision taken just a week or so ago. Will be having 3 x EC and 3 x Doc for grade 2 invasive lobular cancer. Having my port-a-cath fitted on Friday. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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No tips as such as I’m new to this too - will be starting on EC at the same time as you. I have been wondering about port over picc line. They suggested picc line to me as less involved than port (which requires surgery) but I’m wondering if port is better cos it means it’s not hanging out and easier for showering / swimming… did they give you the option?
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Hi, I wasn’t given a choice but from what I’ve read the port-a-Cath means no needles etc and everything can be done through it. I’m having it inserted this Friday but only under sedation. Start my treatment on Tuesday. Extremely anxious and scared but guess we’re all in the same boat! x
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Hello! Just popping in from December-they don’t recommend swimming during chemo unfortunately due to risk of bacteria
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Same treatment plan for me - starting 7th Jan. 4 EC every 2 weeks then 4 Paclitaxel every 2 weeks - just want to get started now! Had a mastectomy on 13th Nov - ILC with 2 lymph nodes positive . Looking for support and hoping to support others. Sxx
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Hi everyone! New member to this club! I found out yesterday my chemo will be starting 15 January. I’m having neo-adjuvant chemo (pre surgery) so still feel like a total newbie to everything breast cancer and learning as much as I can.
I have been diagnosed with triple positive, grade 3 IDC. Currently waiting on MRI and CT scan but oncologist happy to start treatment whilst waiting as same regimen will apply even if results are not what we hope.
It’s all very scary but I am trying to stay positive, relieved now Christmas and New Year are out of the way so I feel like I’m starting the road to beating it! I’m 35 with a 7 year old daughter and thankfully a very supportive husband.
I hope we’re all able to support each other over the coming months!
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More on the cold ‘gloves’. I thought I would be able to wear these and carry on scrolling, using kindle etc during chemo administration. Not so! They are very large mitts which you could successfully use in an aquafit session and am now debating their value !
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I have ordered some compression gloves. According to posts on other monthly starter threads, these are just as good and they are fingerless. I’ve ordered compression socks too.
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Hello
I have been diagnosed with the exact same. I am due to start chemo in the next couple of weeks and going to see oncology on Monday
I am 36 and have 5 year old twins
It’s a lot isn’t it to get your head around
Xx
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Hi Becky,
It really is a lot to take in, I would advise taking notes at your oncology appointment as there’s so much useful information but I haven’t retained all of it so going to need some clarification when I speak to them next week pre cycle one!
My oncology appointment was only this week on 31 so it was a quick turnaround to get started.
I was so nervous to tell my daughter but she’s taken it so well, I think it’ll be tough on her when I’m having bad days and when my hair falls out, my oncologist explained this will likely be by cycle two with the regimen I’m on, so I needed to prepare her before I started!
Someone has reached out to advise me about at Her2 specific forum on here which I have started to read but not yet posted on. It may be useful for you too HER2+ and need some buddies
Sorry that you’re here but hopefully we’ll be able to support each other as we go through treatment and out the other side! X
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That would be lovely to be able to support each other going through everything
I hope it all goes well for you xx
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Feeling the same that I just want it to start. It’s the not knowing how I’m going to react that I find so unsettling. Really glad to have this group to go through it together.
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Hi, got my diagnosis on Christmas eve and hoping to start chemo on 16th. Still waiting for other tests to be booked + dental appointment. V nervous, but feeling hopeful. I’m triple positive metastatic breast cancer and have 3 month old baby. I feel so overwhelmed but am trying to stay as strong as I can.
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The mitts will help prevent neuropathy, whilst they are cumbersome , they are supposed to be effective.
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