This topic is for anyone starting chemo in March 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
Hi, I am due to start chemo either 28th Feb (fri) or Monday 3rd March, so thought I would join this group, as my journey will be throughout March.
I have my port-a-cath insertion next week, then 4 cycles EC fortnightly application, then paclitaxel 4 cycles fortnightly application. This will be the beginning of my treatment journey, after chemo i need total right mastectomy and total lymph clearance, then radiotherpay and endocrine therapy.
This is the beginning of a long road, and to be honest I am very nervous about it all, as I have 2 young children (4 & 2 years old) and I want to minimise the impact on them wherever I can. I am 37, and want to still live as active a life throughout chemo as possible.
Anyone else in a similar position, how are you feeling?
I am considering cold capping and possibly cutting my hair pre chemo to lessen the shock of losing hair… but not sure. Anyone else done this?
X
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Hi Trex,
I am in a similar situation to you. I havent got my exact dates yet but think I’m due to start chemo EC and phesgo injections w/c 3rd March , mine is going to be every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, then surgery then depending on how I respond to chemo I might need some more after or radiotherapy, the phesgo injections will be for a year though due to the HER2 positive.
I am 38 and have a 5 year old so conscious about him and trying to keep things as normal as possible but we have been advised to be open and honest with him.
I don’t think cold cap is for me after talking it through and reading up on it but I know it is for many so its a personal choice My son is looking forward to helping me choose a wig!
Its all very scary though and its going to be a tough year, but we have got this!
UTS xx
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Hi UTS,
I have been reading a book to my 4 year old about mummy losing her hair, which he had found helpful, and we too have discussed him helping me buy a hat!
I recently learned that for a few days after chemo each cycle, I have to try and avoid cuddles and kisses with my children, which was a shock, and have a separate toilet for bowel/ nausea etc. There are so many little things like this that I hadnt anticipated, its a whole new world of terminology and side effects and I am constantly trying to educate myself and prepare. Im exhausted!!
I have however bought a silk pillowcase, a friend’s mother said she found it really helpful when her scalp was tender with chemo.
Here and happy to chat x x
TREX
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Hello both!
Im not on this forum all too often but saw your post and wanted to reach out to you. Firstly ladies Im so damn sorry your here its a rough hand at any time but with little ones its crappy but Im so glad you have found here and as crap as treatment can be its the road to recovery. Im 36 diagnosed last August Luminal A, Grade 2 stage 2 multifocal IDC in my left boob. I have a 11 year old son. Full simple mastectomy with no recon in September and started dose dense chemo in November and just coming to the end of it now with 1 infusion left.
I did 4 X EC and 4 X Piclataxel.
I also have ovarian suppression implants once a month and bone infusions every 6 months. Will be starting either tamoxifen or letrozol soon on top.
Experiences really vary.
EC made me feel hungover from day 3 post treatment and for 2-4 days. I wasnt sick once. It was rubbish but manageable and from day 4 onwards it would be like a wave coming over me and I would start to feel better really quickly then. I didnt cold cap and my hair fell out on my second EC dose.
Piclataxel is a different beast to EC, I find it much more manageable again although I do experience quite intense bone pain on it I dont feel ill on it at all. I dont help myself with this though as I dont like taking anything stronger than a paracetamol. My hair has started growing back on Piclataxel which apparently is quite common! Its white and floofy at the moment though so no idea what its going to do!
A little mantra that helps me is “the only way out is through!”.
I promise you once you’re in the swing of it the whole process feels like it moves really quickly. Its hard but its manageable and you will find routines and rhythms that work for you and your families during it. Sending so many positive vibes to all of you starting this process.
Be kind to yourselves, you got this! Xxxx
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Hi Ladies
I’m 41 and has a 6yr old son.
First appt (one stop clinic) 27 Jan and diagnosed with got grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma and high grade ductal carcinoma
Her2 +, oestrogen 8/8, progesterone 4/8.
Chemo before surgery, I saw the oncologist yesterday and was told the course of chemo will be for 6 months, and it made me cry again how long is it before I can even have a surgery.
They said EC x 4 then,Paclitaxel x 12, Phesgo x 4, all scary side effects.
I was asked how many times if I have more questions I just went blank, but will meet them on Tuesday for consent. But will focus more regarding asking how to protect my son when having chemo. Lived in London, 2 bedroom flat with only with 1 x bathroom.
Might start chemo next week Thurs but still need clip insertion but still no one called me to reschedule my appt for much earlier date and also need ECHO before starting chemo.
And needs to decide if I want a picc line or port. I’m leading on having a port, how about you guys??
Happy to chat
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Here for roll call. I start chemo March 5. My oncologist prescribed chemo before surgery as they are hoping to shrink the mass. I am 31 & my surgeon says he sees masses like mine all the time, but rarely in my age group.
I am not sure if it will be a partial or full mastectomy yet.
I am so nervous. Sending love to all of you as no one deserves to go through this. I’m in tears bc one of you mentioned having to withhold affection from your babies for a time due to the treatment. I don’t have children but we were planning to try this year & I got hit w the ++ diagnosis 2 weeks in to 2025. I can’t imagine my littles seeing me sick. You all have such endless strength. Thank you for sharing your stories here. Hoping to remain encouraged.
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Hi. I’m due to start chemo for triple negative breast cancer on February 27th but thought I’d join the March forum as I’m starting right at the end of the month. I’m having 12 weeks of weekly paclitaxal and then EC alternate weeks for 8weeks. It’s nice to find this forum as I’ve felt very alone
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Pls don’t feel alone. Here to support as much as I can. Feel free to message me.
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Hi Ladies,
lovely to meet you all but sorry it has to be here! It’s such a shock isn’t it?
@jaa2019 I am having a picc line but then I wasn’t given a choice so I am not sure what the difference is, I think mine will go in next week, hoping to find out in the next couple of days my exact start date. I also have to have a echo due to having the phesgo I was told, mine is booked for Monday.
Think I’m going to be pretty nervous for the first chemo, been told people usually feel a bit better mentally after the first chemo as the first treatment is done so feels like something is being done and you also get more of an idea what to expect in terms of side effects.
always here if anyone would like to chat.
Take care x
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@under_the_sea After reading all the literature I decided to go with the port, called the CNS and she made the referral today. But she warned me if my chemo starts on Thursday. The port appt might be delay and they will just cannulate me.
Got my echo booked on Sunday.
But I still need to have a clip insertion before I can start chemo. Am already exhausted and the chemo has not even started. Everytime I try to read about the side effects , anxiety kicks in. I will go back to work tomorrow so I can just feel a bit of normality in my life, had been working from home since diagnosis.
I will try my best to be active on this chat
And if I will be the first of us who’s gonna have the chemo I will share my experience in here.
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Hi March starters, it sucks we’re all here but the comfort and support I’m getting from this forum is so welcome and appreciated.
I was diagnosed through a routine mammogram in December ER/PR+ HER2- I’m 55 with a grown up son. Initially was told it’s really early, biopsy negative in lymph nodes so prob 3 months and done (lumpectomy + 5 days of radiotherapy) then 5 years of tablets.
Had surgery 27 Jan, effectively a breast reduction as there were a lot of tumors. But both lymph nodes they removed have cancer. First oncology appt on 3 March so expecting to start 2 weeks after.
I’m being offered a trial but I’m 99% certain I won’t do it. Don’t think I can cope mentally with the risk.
I’m following the Feb chemo starters for their experiences and making a list of tips and things to prepare for.
Many of you are so young. My mum was 37 when she was diagnosed (I was 2). I wish she’d had access to something like this as my parents never told anyone, not us kids or any family. It must have been so lonely.
We’ve got this ladies! We’re way stronger than we ever imagined, it’s good to be doing it together.
Love, Kath x (RUH, Bath)
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Hi ladies. I start chemotherapy on march 7th. I had a lumpectomy for triple positive mucinus carcinoma grade 2 January 13 2025. I’m 49 have 5 children youngest is 18 in march this year. I’m having docetaxel every three weeks for 4-6 cycles alongside herceptin for a year then maybe 5 days radiotherapy and 10 years hormone therapy. Glad to find you guys 
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Hi everyone, I was diagnosed grade 3 TNBC in Nov, had WLE SNB 15th Jan, clear margins and nodes were clear, I qualify for genetic testing (i’m 60) it’s in the family and was told the results could change/add to my treatment. This realy dose feel like a whirlwind, I saw Oncology yesterday, had an ECG today and was told everything looked ok, I was advised to get the Flu jab, so had that today (can’t get covid jab as there’s non available until next roll out in April) I haven’t got a start date yet but was told there’s a 2 week wait list, so I’m guessing beginning of March.
My treatment plan is EC every 21 days for 3 cycles, then Carboplatin/Paclitaxel weekly for 9 weeks, so 4 months and I’m done with this part, my surgeon originally said it would be 6 months, so I’m pleased it’s a bit less. The Oncologist was concerned that I had Epilepsy when I was younger, she advised my husband to keep an eye out for absence seizures, so that sounded scary.
I’m actually more terrified of side effects, than I was about the op, I can’t get my head around the fact that I feel fine right now but treatment is going to make me feel poorly but also I’ll look like a cancer patient, reading the forum has helped, one minute I think I’m feeling calm about all this, then boom, it hits me what is about to happen. I’m not going to cold cap, the thought of the extra time involved and only a 50% chance of it working, I don’t feel its right for me, I’ve got short hair but getting a pixi cut next week and my hairdresser is getting a bottle of Nioxin shampoo, apparently it stimulates the hair follicles. I applied for a Little Lifts chemo box today (I’ve had the surgery box) @littlelifts.org.uk so something to look forward to. If you managed to read all this, thank you, I’m rooting for you all, much love and hugs xx
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@jaa2019 just got my date through for chemo and it will be next friday 28th, have picc line thurs, bloods weds, dentist tues and echo monday so a fun week next week! Also have a appt with chemo nurse on saturday where they talk you through what will happen etc so thats quite good.
I too will try be active on here and share my experiences.
@warmfuzzies i had the choice of either RUH or Great Western in Swindon, went with GWH in the end as slightly easier to get to for me, so we must not be too far from each other!
Take care x
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