This topic is for anyone starting chemo in June 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 going to kick this thread off!
Found out today I’m scheduled to start chemo on Tuesday 2 June, so I’m a June starter.
Summary
Will be having 3/4 cycles of EC every 21 days, then the same pattern of docetaxel. (Multifocal cancer: 44mm IDC and 17mm ILC both in the left breast plus two lymph nodes.)
Have found lots of the threads on here useful, especially food ones (I never knew how useful cocoa can be!).
Today’s appointment for PICC line insertion wasn’t successful - I have narrow veins and a blockage which meant I now have a tender arm but no actual PICC. We’ll try again next week!
I find reading calming, so will be taking my Kindle and maybe a book with me to chemo sessions. Also enjoy a podcast (Wanging On anyone?!) so any over ear headphone recommendations welcome. I’m not going to cold cap - now I have a starting date I’ll pop up to the barber beforehand.
Looking forward to ‘meeting’ other June starters. Hopefully we can support each other through the next while.
Summary
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Hi
Nice to meet you.
I’m starting chemo 5 June. I have DCIS grade 3 with HERS2 (still learning the lingo) and a 40mm mass so chemo before surgery. I was only diagnosed couple of weeks ago and it’s been a whirlwind of emotions. My husband has been so supportive but my sister is taking me to first chemo. She had breast cancer 12 years ago - so I know there is hope and I’m trying to stay positive but absolutely petrified, the leaflet I was given said my first chemo will take around 9 hours!! Any advice greatly appreciated and looking foward to hearing from others in same boat as we get through this.
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Hi both, I’m also a June starter although haven’t had my date yet.. but definitely starting in the next 2-3 weeks they said.. I had lobular and ductal in the same breast and will be having TC chemo for 6 cycles.. which sounds very daunting followed by radio and letrazole and cdk4/6 inhibitor.. lots to look forward to!
already had mastectomy which went really well..
be nice to keep in touch through this next phase of our treatment plans..
how’s everyone feeling?
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Hello! I hear you about the rollercoaster of emotions. It all goes very fast! Glad you have good support around you but yes, it is all daunting.
My chemo is prior to surgery as well and it feels as though things have gone from ‘normal’ to weird really quickly with such intense treatment first up. 9.5 hours for chemo sounds a really long time - I hope it may not take all that time!
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Your overall treatment sounds not dissimilar to mine (similar multi focal diagnosis) but my op will be after the chemo.
I hope you get your date through soon - I found that waiting for treatment to start was difficult (although you may feel differently, having had a mastectomy).
Overall I’m enjoying this time with my son prior to the unknown of chemo. I’m slowly preparing here at home too. I am not looking forward to them attending the PICC line again; my arm is quite sore at the moment, but the chemo nurse said yesterday they can use my vein initially if necessary.
Yes I’m not too bad waiting as I have had my surgery with clear margins but I do want to start something quick smart as I did have it in one lymph node.. I’m also enjoying a week away whilst I’m waiting so not getting too hung up with waiting.. although my treatment can’t start until I’ve had an echo and they just phoned me to have it done tomorrow but I’m away! going Saturday instead so will have to come back early.. how old Is your son?? How has he taken everything?? Assuming you’ve told him something.. I have a 9 year old.. she’s been amazing!! But I’m very careful not to make it too drastic.. she excited to help me choose wigs and eyelashes etc..
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Hi there think I’m starting chemo next Friday- docitaxel, carboplatin and phesgo. Was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma HER2 positive. Sending you all love and hugs x
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Hi all
I also start chemo - EC 2 wkly for 4 cycles then paclitaxel 2wkly for 4 cycles on the 2nd….which is also my birthday 
meant to be going to the theatre that evening…but now spending it on an oncology unit instead!
Trying cold capping…anyone got a good list of things to take with you for the session?
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I was thinking headphones, some predownloaded box sets, kindle, water bottle, ginger nut biscuits, hand cream, lip balm and thought I’d pack a wee overnight just in cases bag with toiletries, PJs etc.
I’m not sure whether to try cold capping yet, speaking to the Onco nurses tomorrow about it all
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Hi, nice to meet you and also you @beef2000 .. I’ve heard that you can get cold throughout the infusion so may take a blanket too.. but not sure if that’s just if your cold Capping.. has anyone thought about cold gloves and socks oT compression ones to help with neuropathy in hands and feet? If taking a taxane?
Ginger sweets I will take and water to keep Hydrated.. I have a friend who used to work on oncology unit and she has a bible of how to get through it that she had learnt over the years.. she will Give me some tips when I see her so I will share anything that seems useful..
hopefully it’s doable for us all!!
Has anyone cut their hair yet? I’m
Booked to have a pixie cut next Friday !! So my little one can get used to me with short hair before it goes..
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Hi @eils85 I have my first chemo tomorrow (or today even since it’s after midnight!) so a May starter but I saw your post and looks as though I’m on the same drugs as you and also HER2+ (although ductal not lobular) so just wanted to say hi since we’ll be getting the same stuff 
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Hi All! Also starting chemo on 2nd June - 4 cycles EC then 4 cycles paclitaxel. Have spent the last few weeks doing lots of research, buying bits in preparation, but also doing some lovely fun stuff and catching up with people.
Am planning to cold cap but realise there are lots of pros and cons. Will be interesting to see how it goes! I’ve bought a wig anyway and am pleasantly surprised by how good / realistic it looks 
Almost just want to get on with it now to find out how I’ll react and which of the many side effects I might get 
PICC line being inserted on Monday. @birdofprey hope your next PICC attempt goes better 
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Wigs are Fab aren’t they?? I really didn’t expect them to be so realistic! How’s do you feel about the picc line for month? I’m really not looking forward to it.. sleeping on my back again for 6 months! Love sleeping on my picc line side
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I spoke to someone last wk who said she can sleep on her PICC line side without any issues so may be possible?
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Thanks @beef2000 i will give it ago..
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Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi.
I was diagnosed in late January with oestrogen receptor positive and HER-2 negative BC. I had a mastectomy in early March and a full lymph node clearance in April. I had a total of 4/12 positive nodes.
I’m starting chemo on Monday - EC x 4 for 8 weeks and then paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks. Going to try the cold cap and mittens.
Feeling completely overwhelmed and petrified, more so than I did with both my surgeries.
Sending positivity and strength to you all
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Hi @harri2026 , welcome to June starters.. so nice to be able to talk to everyone else in the same boat!! Have you had a look at the previous months starters? It’s really useful to see how they have been getting through it and the tips you can pick up.. there are some really good ones!!
It’s absolutely terrifying thinking ahead but we have to just go with it as we don’t have a choice, that’s how I look at it.. I’ve had a really good cry today with my 9yr old little girl and it’s heartbreaking just how much she’s trying to hide.. that’s what terrifies me more than anything that she doesn’t see me poorly as in her head I don’t have cancer anymore ( mastectomy already done) so I’m not poorly ..
she made me a bracket today stating never never give up!! as the words on it.. she’s so grown up!!
We will be here to support each other as best we can and wil cheer you along the way.. we are stronger than we think !! I’m sure of it!
Good luck for Monday and let us know how you get on.. enjoy tomorrow whatever you love to do. Xx
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Good luck for tomorrow I’m also going to try the cold cap. But what are the mittens???
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Hey all I start on 2nd June also - seems like a few of us starting on the 2nd! I’ve got EC every 2 weeks for 8 weeks.
I’m also going to try to cold cap and see how I go with it!
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