This topic is for anyone starting chemo in May 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
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Hi I’m Emily. Due to start chemotherapy in may but don’t have a date yet. I had a local recurrence and although it’s er+ and her2- I’m apparently one of only 2to4% who get this in 10 years and there is no data or clinical guidelines so chemo it is 
Got to be honest I’m a bit anxious. I seem to have got myself a reputation for being brave and taking this all in my stride…I had dmx with diep reconstruction…so whist I let everyone else carry on thinking that I hope you don’t mind if I come in here and have my wobble. 
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Hi, im Trisha. Im due to start chemo w/c 12 May - 4x EC then 4 x Paclitaxel. Ive a Grade 1 cancer which doesn’t usually indicate chemo or radio but i have 45% of axillary lymph nodes involved, including apex lymp node so we are going tge whole hog! I’ve had single mastectomy and diep reconstruction in Dec 2024 followed by full axillary lymph node clearance in February 2025. Tbh - im a bit fed up being ‘brave’ and ‘positive’ and ‘coping so well’!! Im having my hair cut into a pixie cut this week so the shock of losing it is (hopefully) less, and I’ve ordered a couple of cute wigs which my hairdresser will trim to suit. Ive also been practicing hair wrapping in cute scarves!
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Hi Emily & Trisha, my name is Kerry and I had a lumpectomy for a grade 3 tumour and breast reduction in the middle of Feb. Originally I was told HER+ from biopsy but then this changed after further testing following surgery so HER2- ER+. I am also due to start the same Chemo regime as you Trisha (4xEC and 4x Paclitaxel every 2 weeks). They are planning for me to start at the beginning of May and I am just awaiting my appointment for pre-treatment checks. I too am feeling very anxious and nervous about how I will cope, the unknown is very scary. Hopefully we can support each other as we go through this process. Hope you are both having a good week.
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Hi I’m Kate,
Nice to meet you all. Even writing this first message, I’m already grateful for this group and to be able to ‘chat’ to people who understand.
I had lumpectomy and node removal in March. Triple negative grade 3 cells, ductal invasive, nodes clear.
Starting chemo 8th May. 9 weeks of EC (3 weekly) followed by 9 weeks of paclitaxel (weekly). Then radio to follow. PICC line fitted 6th May.
Taking it one day/appointment at a time and also digging my head in the sand, trying to pretend this isn’t happening for the next 2 weeks while I enjoy a normal Easter hols with my children, as I’m terrified of what’s to come in the next 5months!
@trishap1 I’m inspired with your organisation and planing for the wigs and head scarves. I’ve looked online at a few but feel overwhelmed with the choice and unknown of it all. I have always had long thick hair and I’m not great at wearing/applying make-up, so I’m nervous about being bald and also not being able to do my make-up (drawing on eyebrows and eyeliner etc) to a suitable standard. Sorry to sound so vain, I just don’t want to scare my children. We haven’t told them much about the treatment and I want things to be as normal as possible for them. I have also booked in with my hairdresser to have a pixie cut next week to minimise the trauma of losing hair 
. I’m hoping my hair is long enough to donate to the princess trust.
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Hi all. Really nice to speak to you all.
Go and look at Preloved reloved breast cancer and beyond…it’s a charity run by a lady called Jo. For a donation she will send some wigs and scarves etc. she’s lovely to chat to too.
I’m dithering about my hair. I was 50 in February…yay happy birthday me and I’m scared what to do. Pixie cut does sound good. But I just don’t know.
Kate I’m having my eyebrows microbladed today. It’s fine as long as 2 weeks before you start. I found a lady who does it half price for chemo ladies. It’s not cheap though but I decided I could lose my hair just not my eyebrows.
Trisha nice to find another DIEP lady. How are you getting on. I’m 8 weeks post surgery today x
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