This topic is for anyone starting chemo in June 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
Just got my date through
Starting 16th June
4 x EC then 4 x Paclitaxel dose dense so on 2 week cycles- am more than little apprehensive about what side effects I’m going to get.
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Hi. I had surgery in April & I had my first oncology appointment today. I’ll be having 4 x EC & 4 x docetaxel on a 3 weekly cycle. Not got a start date yet but I have a telephone appointment with the chemo nurse on 2nd June so I will be starting sometime after that. The thought of the side effects are pretty daunting 
Glad we have this thread to support each other through it.
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I got confused with the appointments.
16th is a Chemo review with the Consultant (after my first dose).
They’re putting my pic line in on 29th May and I get my first dose of chemo on 2nd June.
Anyone in the uk bought face masks? Any recommendations on what to get?
To stop me going crazy worrying about the side effects I’m focusing on the practical stuff like face masks, hand sanitiser, things to do while I’m sat in a chair for 6 hours etc.
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Hi June starters! My name is Kath, based in Bristol and being treated at RUH in Bath. I’m definitely starting in June. Had been booked for April but that was cancelled and referred back for a full clearance where 8 more affected nodes were removed. So with 10 in total Im definitely back to be zapped!
I feel like this has been a long time coming having been diagnosed in December. Im mentally ready for it but quite nervous too as the sliding scale of side effects is so unknown.
Ive been following all the other monthly threads since February and I can see what a good bond it creates to be in the same place as others in your thread. I absolutely LOVE this forum and its been potentially life saving for me already with the amount of learning and reassurance I have gained from here.
Just for context Im ER/PR+ HER-. Due to have 6 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks with 3 lots of EC and 3 lots of docetaxel then some radiotherapy, then letrozole and another ne that I cant remember at the moment (the brain fog is terrible so when the chemo fog joins the party I won’t remember anything at all!)
Good to be here with you all x
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hey @runningandgin nice to meet you. I have a stack of FFP2 masks as these are the best if you are immunosuppressed. Are you cold capping? 6 hours in the chair seems ages, Im expecting about 3 hours but Im not cold capping and I knwo that takes longer.
Im meeting with oncology to sign off the chemo on 29 May so I dont think I’ll get my dates until after that. Ive asked for 9 June which I really hope I get.
I just want to get this started now. The sooner it starts, the sooner it finishes!
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Hi. Yes I am going to try cold capping- they said add 40 minutes at the beginning and 40 minutes at the end for cold capping and the first one takes longer (so I’m told).
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Ah cool, no pun intended. I have very short hair so no point trying to save it. But I hate the cold so don’t think I could tolerate it tbh. Good luck with it though.
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I’ve been looking at face masks & other bits on Amazon & looking at head coverings on Etsy. I just can’t quite bring myself to buy them yet because it makes it real. Obviously I’ll have to as it won’t be long but I’ve noticed I’m holding back. Don’t think I’ll cold cap, feel like it will just add on more time in the chemo suite. Yesterday after my oncology appointment I was feeling all very matter of fact & stoic but today it is starting to feel a bit scary.
I too have been following the other monthly chemo threads. It’s a blessing and a curse isn’t it 
Seriously though this forum is fantastic, so much understanding & support.
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Just got a pack of info from the hospital. My first chemo is 6th June . Best get ordering my head coverings ect. Sh1t just got real.
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That’s the one purchase I’m putting off. Open to recommendations as I think when it comes to it I’ll go scarf or hat rather than wig.
Still hoping that cold capping is relatively successful.
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Hey 
I received my full diagnosis this week after months of tests because I have occult beast cancer HER2 + and just turned 40! I am having 3 weekly cycles x 6 (18 weeks seems such a long time!)I’m also trying not to google my drugs as I don’t want to see the side effects! I’m away next week so will be starting June with a port. What are the essentials for chemo and any recommendations for wigs/hair scarfs etc? I am cold capping for the first session, I’ve been heavily encouraged by the nurse as I actually wasn’t to fussed. So will see how it goes!
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Hi June starters! How strange to find ourselves here. Thank goodness this forum exists!! Here goes a scroll of blurting!
I’m 36 and was diagnosed in march. I have invasive ductal cancer grade 2 + dcis. Er+ her2- a high oncotype dx score and brac2. I’ve had a lumpectomy and 3 lymphnodes removed (all nodes were negative 
) removed at the start of April. I have been given my start date this week. I begin treatment on the 6th June. I believe I am having 6 cycles over 18 weeks EC for 3 cycles and docetaxel for 3 cycles. After waiting what felt like a very long time for an oncology appointment (my strangest appointment so far) it has all then happened quite quickly, even my bc nurse was surprised. So much information about the treatments I’ll be having as well as chemo has been a tad overwhelming.
I have decided to try the cold cap for my first session and see how I get on. I cut my lovely long hair into a bob this week so there is less stress on the hair follicles but I’m not over that so I’m very much dreading the high possibility of losing it all. I’ve also recently had my eyebrows done.
I can’t seem to find any hats/scarves that I like. Is anyone else having this problem? I do wonder if I’m having this problem because I just don’t want it to happen.
I have 3 teenage daughters and can’t help but feel angry that I have to start treatment right in the middle of my eldest daughters A-Level exams. I know there will never be a good time but its really crappy 
Is anyone up to anything exciting this bank holiday weekend?
Anyway thanks for reading
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Hi @mummybear1 nice to meet you. Sucks to be here but great to have people going through the same things at the same time.
I’m trying to do as much living my best life as I can before starting chemo. I’m just over my latest op to remove lymph nodes (grand total of 10 out of 20 affected) so this weekend I’m playing Padel tennis twice and volunteering at a charity music group.
I’m really struggling with quality sleep so I’ll be having some catch up nana naps too and maybe plant out some seeds (late I know) but I love seeing stuff grow so it’s one of my goals through chemo is to spend some time in the garden.
What are you up to?
Kath x
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Hi Kath, thanks for your response
I’m pleased to hear you’re feeling better after your op.
You certainly are with such a busy weekend ahead of you. I love that you’re volunteering at a charity music group, do you play an instrument/sing?
You really can’t beat a good old nana nap, I also struggle with sleep at the moment. I overlaid for my daughters swimming training this morning after turning off my alarm She was understanding though, 4:45am wake ups are difficult even when you have slept!
I love gardening! I haven’t done as much this spring as usual but I do love sitting in my garden and observing all the nature, it helps me get through the day. I’ve taken up walking on my local lake and the nature trail to help too for a change of scenery.
I hope you have a lovely weekend living your best life
Claire
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Morning all.
@mummybear1 I’m also starting chemo on 6th June! Same stuff as well, EC then docetaxel. 4 cycles of each for me though.
Yesterday I ordered some head coverings. I did feel a resistance to doing it I must admit, I’ve tried to find things that made me smile. I’ve already got a cap that says jammie dodger on it (love a biscuit) for when it gets patchy or I’ve had to buzz cut it. Then from Etsy I ordered a wrap type of thing in shades of blue. That was from a seller called WrapdInLove. Then 2 basic sort of soft bamboo beanie type hats. Then I treated myself to a lovely turban from Silk & Lawn which is a beautiful liberty fabric. It was a bit expensive but my logic is I won’t be going to the hairdresser anytime soon so I’ve saved money that way 
. There’s a wig service at my hospital that I need to ask about when I have a call from the chemo nurse.
Also yesterday I had to cancel my holiday I had booked for the end of June. I’ll get a refund so that’s not a problem but still annoying as we looking forward to going to the seaside.
Had a genetics counselling phone call yesterday to talk about being tested for BRACA 1 & 2. A lot of information! But it was good to talk it all through and I’m going to be tested and then take it from there.
Infact yesterday was pretty exhausting. Do you find when you get given a lot of information it makes you tired? It does me. So I’m planning on just pottering about doing nice things today.
Have a lovely weekend everyone x
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Hi @mummybear1 so sorry you’re going through this too.
Same here. So much waiting with tests, consults, surgery, recovery, then finally an appointment with oncology and pow! All happening so fast and start chemo in just over a week.
Teenage son half way through his GCSEs so I know how you feel. I feel so guilty about him having this extra stress during an already stressful time even though I know it’s not actually my fault.
I’m starting the bank holiday weekend isolating from my children as I had a bone scan yesterday lunch time and am currently radioactive, so I was advised to stay 2m apart for their safety. Reminiscent of the Covid times 
.
So far I’ve bought a puzzle book, audio book subscription, hand sanitizer, face masks, and hankies (ready for the nose drip). I’m also putting off the scarves/hats. I keep looking but not picking anything.
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Hello@mummybear I am 38yo and I start chemo 27th March wanted to welcome you to this forum that have lot of lovely ladies that support each other.
Please don’t hesitate to ask anything and will be happy to answer.
I have 4yo boy that hard to deal with but luckily my sister come two days ago to stay with me to help and as I can’t drive or go out to softplays or theme parks to prevent infection, I have no plans except to beg my husband to drive us to go to parks (open air) if he is not working.
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Hey, I feel the same as you with the head coverings I feel there is a bit of a gap in the market for some more modern ones! I’ve settled on an animal print wrap one for now. I’m awaiting my start date so just picking up bits. Some one brought me a little lifts box which has loads of lovely things that are suggested for chemo, apparently you can apply for this box on the nhs aswell, which I would definitely recommend. I’m going for a last curry tonight - just incase my taste buds change!
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Hey all! So good to connect with you all! I don’t have my date through yet for chemo but it’s expected to start June after a busy week and a bit after finding out I’ll need chemo. I’m 33, my original plan was a single mastectomy with radio therapy but my results from surgery changed that. I’m due to do four cycles of EC every 2 weeks then four cycles of docetaxel every 3 weeks.
Safe to say it’s been a bit of a shock after expecting to move onto radio therapy after surgery! Anyone else find themselves going into planning mode? I feel like it’s the only thing I can control right now!
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