Continuing the discussion from August 2026 chemo starters:
Hi I found out today I will be starting chemo in 2-3 weeks time.
I’m aged 64, diagnosed through routine screening with invasive ductal cancer triple negative. Was grade 2 size 5mm at biopsy - a few weeks later after surgery (lumpectomy and two lymph nodes taken) had gone to grade 3 size 6.5mm clear margins and 2 lymph nodes taken were clear. However had some lymphovascular invasion.
Plan is to give Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide by IV every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed after chemo by radiotherapy.
Been told I will most likely lose my hair and given lots of information sheets about wigs and about all the possible side effects from chemo I might experience. Bit overwhelming.
Not sure how I’m feeling today to be honest - was hoping to get away without chemo as the lump was tiny but the change to grade 3, the triple negative status and the change in size in a short time means it’s necessary.
Interestingly my oncologist said her ladies who wear dark coloured nail varnish (black, dark blue or dark red) on their finger and toe nails seem to not lose their nails as often as those who don’t wear it. She thinks may be because uv light doesn’t get to the nails. That’s me going to buy some nail varnish this weekend! At least it’s something positive to do.
She also said she doesn’t mind her ladies getting their eyebrows microbladed as she recognises how important this can be for self confidence. I’m not too sure about that at the moment having never had it done before.
Be good to hear from other ladies starting chemo soon how they are feeling etc. I’m having a course of counselling from Macmillan which I started this week so I’ll have lots to talk through next week and maybe it’ll help me get my head around what’s happening.