This topic is for anyone starting chemo in July 2025 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
Thanks for setting up this thread and hello all July starters.
I’m starting chemo tomorrow at RUH in Bath. Grade 3 er- pr- her2+. Currently waiting for information call from nurse. Wondering what I need to take with me tomorrow…
Would be good to hear from others.
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Hi @hedgehog
Here’s a link that was started last year about top tips for chemo bag, hope it helps.
If your cold capping https://coldcap.com/
A charity that can send you some goodies for chemo/surgery/radiotherapy, sometimes they are available at the hospital. I applied online and had to provide a letter about diagnosis and then they delete it. Lovely products and bag that I use all the time.
I’m also HER2+ and there is a very active thread called HER2+ and need some buddies as our treatment continues long after chemo.
Everyone’s chemo treatment is different and we are all different but I like to say it’s not great but it’s doable, if something doesn’t seem right afterwards speak to your team
The staff at your centre will advise you on what to do and when, with a 24/7 helpline.
I’m sure they will be some other lovely people joining the thread soon so you can support each other through your treatment.
Take care
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Hello to all in this rubbish club!
I’m starting chemo mid July at PCH.
Grade 2 HER2+ found after double mastectomy with implants done end of May for DCIS.
Planning on trying to cold cap, but off to try wigs on, on Saturday as I do wonder how successful it will be…
Hope we can support each other x
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Hello @anon55420842 - yes definitely, I’m so glad there is someone else in the July club! So sorry to hear about your situation. I’ve resisted contacting the wig lady so far - I’m not sure if that’s because I’m in denial or whether I just want to see if I can manage with hats and scarves.
And thanks so much for all the info @naughty_boob, that’s been so useful.
My first chemo appointment is 10.15 this morning. Am feeling terrified about what’s ahead, lots of tears shed and generally felt very sorry for myself last night, but just got to get on with it!
xx
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@hedgehog sending you lots of positive vibes today 
let me know how you get on x
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Hi Hedgehog, thinking of you today. I had my first yesterday. TCHP for Er+ and Her2+. I was there a long time due to being in a busy unit. Go prepared for waiting. I am feeling suspiciously well after it. Some insomnia last night and some cramps but that it is so far. I hope yours is as easy. I had a really nice group of patients around me too so it felt almost like a social club! Oh Cold Cap was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. Very tolerable. And I’ve got a tiny head and thin hair. So hopefully if you have luxuriant locks you’ll also bear it well.
Good Luck and much love Chemo Sis.
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Thanks @luka that’s really reassuring, glad to hear you haven’t suffered too much so far. My hair is also quite thin so not sure how much of it I’ll keep but it’s worth a try!
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Hi there about to get fitted for a wig next week .Chemo starting 23 July in DGRI Dumfries Scotland …I have had fun with this …I have asked friends and work mates to come up with a name for my wig …so far in the running are… Cousin It from the Adams Family …’ Hairy MacLary’ from Donaldsons dairy -children’s book as I ran a children’s story time in the library because they were short staffed . Auroralisous as I run an Aurora chasing group in Scotland … I’ve now asked my Onocology nurses to come up with some names too …just for fun …cos laughter is the best medicine you don’t mind hurting with … hope that helps a little xxx
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Love this @hcc5 !
Hi @luka how are you feeling today? My infusions were ok yesterday and the cold cap was so comfortable I actually wondered whether it was doing anything at all. I’m feeling ok so far, just a bit spaced out and can’t be bothered doing anything other than making sure I’m taking the complicated combination of drugs.
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Good morning @Hedgehog, great to hear that it all went with no complications yesterday. I had diarrhea yesterday in the afternoon and was feeling very spaced out after that but it went away very quickly. So far today, i’m feeling pretty much fine. I feel like a fraud, having set up friends to look after me! I’ve been reading though that days 3-6 are when the fatigue really hits. @naughty_boob is that right? I’m starting the Fili injections today so I imagine the back pain will come then. Let’s hope we both get off lightly and don’t experience the worst of the side effects. And can enjoy having some time out. Are you working through this? I am not but my work is therapeutic based so I know that I can’t focus on my service users while going through this experience, at least not right away. I’m going to enjoy having space to be therapeutic to me, in the sun!
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Hi all, I am also a July starter so posting in to say hello!
I will be 4x EC 4x Paclitaxel every two weeks, starting on Wednesday 9th. I’m also planning on cold capping. I’m ER+ PR+ and HER2 Neg. Grade 2. Have had lumpectomy and reconstruction already. I also have lymphnode involvement so will have further surgery to remove all lymphnodes after chemo.
I have very mixed feelings- not looking forward to it of course, but also keen to crack on and get out the other side. I have two small children (3 and 6) so I’m switching focus between chemo and school holidays at the moment!
I hope those of you who have started are finding the first week ok 
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Hi to everyone in the July Club - I start EC on July 25th, Edinburgh. I’m Grade 2 ER3 PgR3 HER2+1 Negative. Wasn’t going to consider cold cap but have changed my mind after reading your stories, thank you! My portacath gets fitted next Monday and I’m not so good (terrible!) under anaesthetic- anyone else? Wounds have yet to heal from surgery - do they need to be healed before chemo? All the best to everyone this week x
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I had local anaesthetic for the port which I got on Wednesday- I had no idea what to expect but I have had to take it a bit easier than I thought I might the last few days. It was a very odd feeling after it was fitted, as they used a vein in my neck (I don’t know if they do that for everyone?) and the port itself sits at the collarbone. But it’s feeling much more normal after a couple of days. I hope it goes well for you too.
I’ve no idea about the surgical wounds either! I have one part that is being stubborn to heal and they seem to be going ahead with chemo for this week- but there’s still time for things to change (as I’m learning in all of this!)
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Thanks for that, it sounds like we are both on the same path together! Im glad the port is settling down and your Wounds heal soon, its a lot to deal with and the plan just seems to keep going while you recover x
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Hello to @aliph and @teenie87 and welcome to the strangest club I’ve ever been in (and I’ve been in a few 
I had a Picc line in my arm put in the week before first chemo and it is now really settled (11 days in). I hope your ports and surgical wounds all heal up quickly. I haven’t had surgery yet. They are hoping my 6 cycles of chemo will shrink the wee beastie first.
@hedgehog How are you doing? I think I am a day ahead of you and the fatigue has set in alongside some wonderful insomnia. I got to sleep at 3.30am and am currently lying in bed listening to neighbours drilling he wall behind my head. Haven’t started cursing them yet but it has occurred to me to shout IVE GOT CANCER DONT YA KNOW!
So chemo 1/6 was 03/07/25. I have completed my steroids (so hopefully sleep will come easier now) and I am on day 2 of my Filgrastin (the fluey aches are linked to this I think i read). So far, I am not feeling bad bad or too sorry for myself. I am assuming though that the first cycle is the easiest so getting myself ready for the ride of a lifetime 
Well, Boob Pals, that was a long ramble to stop myself from murdering the neighbour. I hope you all have a good day and the sun in shining in your heart if not elsewhere.
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What on earth was you neighbour doing drilling at that time?!? Very antisocial!
I’ve just had fatigue so far, napping several times a day and managing to sleep ok at night, though am wondering if I’m getting constipated… (sorry if TMI!).
I start the filgrastim tomorrow and am dreading injecting myself. Have you had to administer it that way @luka and if so have you managed it ok?
Yep, I am going right in the belly and finding it easier than expected. I was given a lesson on how to do it on Friday and that really helped me feel confident.
I don’t think bowel movements are going to be TMI on this journey! It’s all par for the course. I am sprinkling flax on everything I can so as to avoid the constipation and so far that is working.
I came on my period on Saturday (7 days early) and it is more painful than usual but I have been lucky and never had pain with them before so I am really noticing it.
Blimey, this is all kinds of fun, isn’t it! Glad I am not doing it alone but so sorry you are going through it too.
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Hi bees! How did the wig day go? Did you find anything fabulous?