@clareheloise thanks for the reply I was told I won’t get my oncologist appointment until I’ve had my CT I suppose different areas have different routines I’m just keen to know what I’m having and how long it will be for x
I’ve decided to have a go at cold capping. Didn’t think I’d bother initially but then read that Docetaxel can cause longer term issues with hair loss, thinning etc so I have decided I will have a go. Hope everyone is doing ok and not feeling too anxious about the chemo. I am also having Goserelin at the same time as my chemo and will have it for 10 years. I thought the hormone therapy would start after chemo and radiotherapy but the oncology consultant has said he wants me to start it at the same time as chemo. The dr said the post menopausal symptoms should be masked by the chemo. I guess I’ll find out soon enough if that is true 
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Il definitely be giving cold capping a go, honestly today I just feel like a really rug pulled from beneath me day… wondering if I will ever feel normal again! Does anyone else look at everyone in the street thinking why can’t I be normal like them again or is it just me?! X
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I’ve found the cold capping gives me a few hours relief from hot flushes - every cloud 
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No, it isn’t just you lovely.
Xx
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Hello all November starters!
I was diagnosed with TNBC in July, with a small lump (grade 3 invasive ductal BC ) in right breast. Had lumpectomy and one lymph node removed early September. They were able to remove lump plus a few pre invasive cells and very luckily found no lymph node involvement .
Finally had my oncology appointment today and they say I’ll be starting chemo in 3-4 weeks, similar to a few who have posted here it’ll be 6 sessions of 3 weekly chemo-3 of EC and 3 of Docetaxel. I’ll also be having bisphosphonates at the same time. Later I’ll have radiotherapy too.
I think we’re all very understandably feeling fairly terrified at what lies ahead but it’s so great to have this forum to support each other.
@jenhopeful glad you’re all healed up well after surgery, and good to get started on next stage, and you now have a target of March to get to finish line. I also changed my mind re cold capping due to Docetaxel risks.
@star25 I was also on October thread as initially thought I’d be starting sooner. They are a wonderful group, really supportive and positive and there is lots of really informative stuff to read on their thread. Must be so hard having to monitor how your boys are coping with it all. Good you and other mums on this thread can share tips.
@emilyxxx hope your recovery from surgery goes well, and you will be able to read this thread and prepare for your December start. I found October thread really helped me . Good luck with oncology appointment!
@moonsox thanks for all the tips!!!
@kcim maybe in some ways good to do the chemo first, many people say surgery is the easier part of the treatment compared to chemo. Sounds like you are pretty well organised but I guess with young kids you really have to be!
@trixie17 totally understandable to feel anxious about further surgery, I felt same, when do you get your results ? wishing you all the best!
@natbel you are starting much quicker than me after surgery! Hope you can see that as a positive , even though chemo is scary. Wishing you all the best!
@clareheloise yes I’m also very scared about eyebrows and lashes, more so than hair, at least you can cover your head esp in winter! Also, like you feeling really fit again after surgery and now hate the thought of agreeing to make myself feel bad again 
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Aww Nib32 thank you soo much for your positive reply!
My emotions are flying right and left. I know I should take one step at the time but when I researched about the years of treatment I will be facing ahead of me with horrible side effects it is hard to stay positive. Apologies for my emotional outburst! Wish you strength in your journey and many happy moments no matter what. X
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I’m also more worried about the eyebrows and eyelashes than hair. Thankfully I’m on paclitaxel which doesn’t have the same risk of permanent hair loss and really hate being cold so going to give the cold cap a miss. Got my oncology appointments through yesterday so finally have a start date of 12 November. Nice to have an end to the waiting and be able to start treatment 
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Hi @nib32 , glad to hear you have a date for your treatment starting. I received a call this morning ref an appointment to get my surgery results on Thurs. I’m not sure if it’s complete results or the sentinel node results as I know they were requested to be fast tracked in case further surgery is required.
I then got a call at the end of the day to say I’ve been referred for a CT scan, which is tomorrow. Now catastrophising as I have no insight into the results other than there must be more than one lymph node with cancer - possibly, hence the CT scan. . The roller coaster continues.
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@trixie17 I’m sorry that sounds so worrying for you. Often hospital communication is a bit out of sync, I’ve had similar experience of getting calls to book treatment before having been told treatment is even needed. Not helpful in such stressful times, but the fault of struggling systems rather than people I think. I’ve found all the staff I deal with couldn’t be nicer. Or they might just be covering all bases and trying to get all available info ahead of your results meeting?
I got my post lumpectomy / node removal results approx 3 weeks after surgery , so timing was similar.
Wishing you all the best for tomorrow and Thursday x
@natbel don’t apologise!!! We all need to let our feelings out from time to time, and this is the right place to do it too!! It’s impossible to stay positive all the time,and unhealthy to even try I reckon.
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You are so kind replying to everyone in your post. I’m feeling much less actively sicky now even though it’s still there in the background ( if that makes sense ) x
Have you seen the eyebrow tattoos ? It’s like a sheet of them. They might be awful for I’ve got some ready. And some c lash for my top lashes. If I’d had time I would have got my eyebrows microbladed but I had less then 10 days from finding out I was having chemo to starting it. I messaged so many ppl and they said I needed a letter confirming I could have it from the oncologist.
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I feel like this. To initially be told just a bit of radiotherapy and now 6 chemo, 3 years ribociclib and 10 years hormone is daunting. We just have to do what we are told though. You’ll be ok and from what I understand if anything reacts bad they will listen and adjust the dose x
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I think I have this exact plan. Had my first EC this week. I’m a bit upset about the ribociclib as that sounds potentially awful too. X
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Thank you! You guys are so lovely and supportive! I appreciate I have an opportunity to share my experience with you and feel ok about it, not hiding my emotions. X
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If you have time, go and get temporary eye brow tattoos. The cost is a bit steep, so not necessarily for everyone, but if you do it before you start, the tattooist can follow the shape of your brow. I plan to do it.
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@trixie17 hope all goes well with your CT today I was told last week I need a scan also, the surgeon and nurse explained it’s because I had 4 positive nodes, anything less than that I wouldn’t have had one and they are not excepting to see anything , I’m nervous but just being thankful they are being completely thorough xx
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Thanks @Jaygo that is a great idea - my chemo starts next week, so might be a bit tight x
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Thank you @emilyxxx This is exactly it, i had my CT scan yday and my results post op appointment today so I had no context behind it. I had 5 out of 7 lymph nodes from the sentinel op which are cancerous. Which wasn’t expected.
Thankfully , the CT scan was all clear. They also didn’t get clear margins on the lumpectomy, so I need to have further surgery in a couple of weeks. Also now getting genetic testing & confirmed that as I’m perimenopausal & due to number of lymph nodes involved. 
Need chemo but I won’t be starting in November now.
So upset that I need to go through surgery again & start recovery all over again. The lumpectomy is fine, it’s the lymph nodes surgery that is harder to recover from for me, it’s so uncomfortable.
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@trixie17 I’m so sorry you have to go through another surgery I had a full clearance and agreed it’s definitely the hardest bit but you will get there, I think my chemo will be starting December so stay in touch we will get out the other side!! Xx
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Thank you 
Will keep in touch xx