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 ECHO 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 Paclitaxel weekly for 9 weeks, along side wth Carboplatin for 3 cycles, 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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Hi. I started my first chemo on Jan 31. I wanted to share my experience. I used cold cap therapy. I am on AC-T. I am so far done with 2 sessions of AC. I have 2 AC and 12 sessions of T remaining. Two days after my second session of AC my hair shredding started and within 5 days I lost 80% of my hair. I do not know if I did anything wrong. I was told that AC is hard but did not know that the side effects were going to be immediate and harsh. My body is feeling weak and I can barely walk. Good luck to everyone who is starting the process. The journey is long but we can do it!
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Hello everyone, being diagnosed recently with IDC HER2 positive.
I am 38yo with 4yo boy can’t sleep properly from overthinking, I will have my meeting with the oncologist on the 5th of March.
Keep searching what to do and what to buy and what to eat. It’s heart broken that you need to minimise physical touch with little one, he is so clingy and attached to me that he want to eat and sleep and watch tv with me, as I have no direct family in UK, I am his play body, we do everything together from playing Lego to cooking and making juice.I am very sad and I loosing my mind from overthinking. I was in verge of divorce yesterday as my husband was not happy that I may stop working and I am not allowed any sickness days and I will not be able to pay bills…Sorry sir I didn’t wish for cancer too.
I am on spousal visa and not allowed any benefit and my visa finishes on May 2025, can’t drive and I am really lost.
I feeling like shit, am living in toxic marriage and can’t leave especially with this Disease for the sake of my son.
I am constantly feeling headache and so scared of chemotherapy and doubting my partner will help as far as I need.
I was chocked that on the day of me coming back from my cancer diagnosis crying in car he ask me to cook dinner.
I am trying to be positive but it’s damn hard.
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Hey @under_the_sea I’ll bet it feels good to have the plan in place. Did you get all those appointments at your initial oncology appt?
Mine is Monday week and I’m hoping I get some dates then.
Good luck with your first round 
x
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Oh @hasnae87 i am so sorry to hear that you’re in such a tough situation. I can’t imagine having to be so strong for young children (there are many young mums on here and I admire the extra strength they need to muster to cope).
Cancer is hard enough without all the extras you are dealing with.
I don’t have any words to make you feel better, I really wish I did. Just know this is a safe space for you to share your feelings and rant whenever you need to.
Best wishes, Kath x
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Hi all my first time posting after months of lurking. Like you mighty pi**ed off to be here but I am, so let’s get it done. Far too long a post but I guess all these months pent up so please excuse the download! Like you, this has already been a long old journey and more to come.
This forum and others have been invaluable helping me reach some understanding. Comfort I’m not on my own. Lessons, hints and tips which I continue to be grateful for. Also I’m a complete incompetent with tech so I don’t even know if this post will land anywhere but here goes.
Diagnosis - Long story short: picked up through screening. Nov 2024 core biopsy said Stage 1, G2 ER/PR+, HER-
Plan: lumpectomy, SNL, radiotherapy x 5, letrozole. Fast fwd - surgery delayed but took place early Jan. Started on Letrozole in meantime (tolerated this very well just some aches in thighs and lower back which didn’t stop anything).
Final pathology - G3, same hormone characteristics, add high grade DCIS, LVI, Ki-67 over 60%. Node negative was good news. OncoDX score 33 and non-chemo risk of recurrence 21% = chemo now planned.
New plan : 3 EC and 3 Docetaxal, then Letrozole and Biphosphonates for 5+ years (as many years as I can tolerate (I think)).
I had my first chemo last week and started on the filgrastim jabs last night. Today is Day 6 of my first cycle.
The main thing I needed an answer on was what difference would the chemo make - how would my recurrence risk reduce. It took 3 calls and a meeting with an onc. Dr who went through detail with me. I now know (using the group averages) my recurrence risk of 21%will reduce to about 7% (between 4% and 9%) compared to the group. That’s worth doing and I’ll take it!
Practical tips I took from various forums and experiences.
A huge learning for me is we will all react / interact differently with the treatments. None of us will have exactly the same experiences. I only know about my own experience so sharing as I hope just as I have benefited from other wonderful posters this may help some?
Pre chem
I got my eyebrows microbladed and sorted a wig through the wig service at my NHS Trust - mentally I’m so glad I did this
Trip to dentist to make sure all OK before chemo ie if needed work done they would have fitted me in beforehand
- I bought in soft foods (e.g. soups, Farley rusks, yoghurts, frozen fruit for smoothies, made cottage pie type meals for freezer etc etc) ‘in case’ I didn’t want to eat - we have to eat so I got easy stuff ready so there was something I could shove down if it came to it (tough love)
- Good house clean especially bathroom and kitchen weekend before 1st chemo
- Bought a new thermometer (Braun ear thing but other models are available!) as old one under tongue may not be as accurate
Stocked up on paracetamol (I’m told no ibuprofen for me but your advice may be different), and Vitamin D as my levels a bit low - Bought Laxido sachets - propensity for constipation anyway and many have talked about anti-sickness drugs bunging folk up
- Bicarb of soda - I use a teaspoon daily in mug of water with a dash of salt and swill mouth several times a day to hopefully ward off mouth sores - nothing so far!
- Bought myself a new water bottle that shows how much you’ve drunk to keep track
- I don’t like water much so I have a load of blackcurrant squash which I make up not too strong. You will want to drink c2.5 to 3litres a day for a few days on the day of and days after chemo - generally, get your fluid intake up anyway as you are carrying a lot of drugs in your system and it really does help. Just be prepared for 4 loo trips or more in the night and lots in the day.
an A4 notebook - I write everything down - how I’m feeling, walk, sleep etc. Every feeling, drug, take my temperature 4 times a day (and always before a paracetamol)
Cuticle oil for nails - rub it in daily, may or may not help but a tip from another forum as well as got plenty of E45/epaderm for hands, face, skin
soft toothbrush and sensitive foaming toothpaste
boiled sweets (not needed yet but a few people had suggested)
anti-bac wipes and hand gels - a la Covid
Tip - buy some Always continence pads as sometimes it’s an urgent need to wee! and your wee will be red, orange, pink a few days after chemo (well it was for me)
Cold capping (I tried it see below) - you can’t wear your glasses! I discovered this 10 mins before I left for hospital, luckily I had contacts I could use. Once the cap is on that’s it - I don’t know if you can wear ear-buds or if they’d be comfortable, hopefully someone else knows
Work - I’m incredibly lucky as have a great boss and employer. Remember you are now classed as disabled for life with a cancer diagnosis so ‘reasonable adjustments’ take on a whole new meaning. Have only told boss and HR about diagnosis and insisted no-one else is told. Reasonable adjustments - no trips to office till I finish chemo. Work flexibly (I work online). Record sickness as I go. I am very lucky they are supporting me in this. Let’s see how it goes but have worked completely normally every day including chemo day so far. If I need a nap I’ll take one but been OK so far (it is only day 6 btw!)
Please don’t judge me but I have told almost no-one in my personal life. I could not bear the looks, comments or enquiries, and, I have finally learnt with this journey, I have to look after me and how I’m feeling, I can’t hold ‘others’ up as well. Parents/in laws very elderly, would ruin them and they are already struggling with their own physical and mental health conditions. They don’t need this and I don’t need them worrying. Selfish? I think kinder. Love my friends and I know many would be hurt I’ve not said but again, I just need to get on with this and get through it myself, my way.
Hence so grateful for this and other forums as I have you for company 
1st chemo
Honestly, it’s been fine. I’m 90% or more each day of my normal though I discovered that doesn’t extend to walking, managed to overdo it one day a bit. Only effect was I was tired and had to rest along the way a few times.
I was grateful for an early morning 1st session for chemo as unit wasn’t too busy, else that might have overwhelmed me
I cold capped - 2 paracetamol 30mins before it went on. It does NOT freeze your scalp. It’s like being out on an 18 degree chilly day with damp hair. After the first 10mins (that felt like massive ice cream freeze, lovely nurse talked to me which was great distraction) I was totally OK - I even managed a nap after infusions with cap still on, but nurses were ready to whip cap off if I wanted. We’ll see if it works or not but thought I may as well give it a go if I can bear it
- I had cannula in back of hand - no problems, no discomfort
- I did start to feel ‘loaded’ with stuff in my system as steroids, anti sickness, the chemo drugs etc but the only effect was I felt a bit full if that makes sense? was drinking tonnes too. Stayed up till 10pm each day since Day 1 but am pretty bushed then and sleep through the night (few toilet runs).
Managed to double dose myself with steriods on day 2 (twit!) - rang unit, no harm done …
The meds did their job, took them all as prescribed, no nausea, no sickness and I continue to eat whatever I fancy normally - including curried beans (anticipating constipation).
Took 1 * Laxido Days 2, 3 and 4 - pleased to reported (TMI) nice gentle BMs daily including now that I’ve stopped them. Have upped the fibre in my diet also to help
My onc asked if I had nausea during my pregnancies - I didn’t. she thought that was a good ‘sign’ of how nausea might affect me but anyway the anti-sick drugs worked
Was expecting based on what nurse and others said to have SE from day 3 - it’s Day 6 and again nothing to speak of, not quite 100%, not quite as much energy but doing what i would normally do (OK maybe a pass on some of the cleaning haha).
On Day 3 in the morning I felt like I had a slight hangover. Rang the unit and it was two hours before they said I could take a paracetamol. By then I’d drunk loads and didn’t need one.
Overall, bit more tired that usual but I’ve walked one or two 30m walks each day, one day none as I overdid it the day before. It does lift you. My onc said imagine how de-conditioned you’d be if you sat around for 4 or 5 months with no exercise , never mind the chemo. I definitely feel better for it. I just do what I can when I can
Background nausea - I have anti-sick meds if I need them for Days 4 onwards. I don’t need them, I don’t feel sick but I’ve learned eating a little wards off any mild background nausea - you know, when you’re hungry and your tummy says ‘feed me’ - that gurgly feeling
Filgastrim last night - oh my days i was worried. Not about the jab, was quite happy to do that but the potential SE scared the pants off me. Found this great article which reassured.
The jab took seconds, I have plenty of padding so didn’t feel anything. Had taken 1 paracetamol before ‘in case’. Took it at 8pm (later than I had intended as aiming for about 6.30pm which I’ll get closer to tonight), went to bed about 1030pm, not felt anything. Nurses said take it same time day every day (and early evening) so that’s what plan to do
My nurse also told me that any ‘big bone’ pain shouldn’t be enough to wake me in the night - slept through (just the toilet runs …). Didn’t feel anything and still don’t this morning
So, Day 6 today. I feel amazingly lucky and blessed so far. I know it’s all cumulative, I am expecting to have issues as I work my way through the next months. My biggest epiphany for myself is I’m sitting around waiting to have a problem - a side effect, to feel tired or sick or something. And that’s getting in the way. So I’m trying (not yet 100% successfully) to think differently. To be as normal as I can (staying away from people though as ewww germs haha), enjoy and be thankful for the good days and if I get a bad day, well I’ll deal with it when it happens.
I’m heading into the risky time for infection now so a bit apprehensive - adopting hermit liefstyle and full Covid protection mode. It’s a bit isolating not mixing and a bit awkward to keep coming up with excuses not to meet folk during the 7-14 day zone but I’ll do my best.
At some point after all this I think I’ll share with folk what’s been going on. Not yet though. Lucky me also husband very supportive. Hard for him as limits his activities a bit but a few things to look forward to (weekends away before next chemo sessions when it might be a bit safer to mix) .
Kids at Uni who know and I am SO thankful are still there and getting on with their lives. That lifts me (and husband) no end. One was angling to come home during chemo until I explained that actually that wouldn’t help me at all, I’d be worrying about them instead of me
Day 6. Could all change later today, tonight, tomorrow, next week but that’s me so far. The fear of things (chemo, SEs etc) has been FAR worse than my lived experience and I’ve realised that the fear of what might happen has been a bit of a downer so want to try and turn that around. One day at a time and lots to look forward to.
Thank you for listening, hope something in here might help someone.
and - god bless the NHS xxxx
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