I’m so sorry you’ve had such an awful time. I really hope that things are smoother for you going forward. You really have been through the mill you poor love. Sending you so much love xx
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Hi hope your treatment is going ok! I start mine this Thursday, the same as you I’m having 3 EC followed by 3 Docetaxel all 3 weeks apart. Then I’m having 9 sessions of radiotherapy. I was hoping to have the ovary suppression aswell as I’ve literally only just turned 43. I was 42 still when diagnosed in June. I had lumpectomy with breast reduction to both breasts in August & I had sentinel node biopsy too. My oncologist has said that I won’t get the ovary suppression because I was grade 2 ER/PR positive & HER2 negative. No node involvement but LVI present. I don’t understand why some people get offered the ovary suppression but some don’t. I haven’t gone through the menopause so obviously my ovaries will still release the hormones. The oncologist basically said that the tamoxifen will block the hormones from working within the body but I would prefer to be extra safe. My oncotype score was 25 that’s why I’ve been recommended chemo. Sorry for the long post hope you don’t mind. Any feedback ok how your finding treatment would be much appreciated. It’s so scary going into the unknown!
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I’m now day 8 after my first EC cycle and I feel so much better. This week has been exhausting, fatigue is horrible, and the muscle aches were an unexpected pain I could’ve done without. Today though I put make up on, didn’t need a nap and managed a walk. I’ve got a bit of a sore throat but I don’t feel unwell with it. I’m hoping this is a sign of cycles to come, with just one crappy week but I don’t want to get carried away. Here’s hoping for a strong and smooth 2 weeks before cycle number 2. Lots of love and strength to you all. xx
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I’m so sorry you’re suffering Harriet. Hair loss must be upsetting, I really feel for you. Sending lots of love and strength your way. Coll. xx
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Hi, I am 46 and found a lump in June, I had a mastectomy and lymph clearance in August, it was a grade 3 tumour in the breast and found in 5 of 24 nodes.
I am starting chemo tomorrow, having 8 rounds - 4 of EC and 4 of paclitaxel one every 2 weeks, and like everyone else, feeling somewhat scared, so thought I would join this group to help support each other and guide us through it.
Good luck to everyone xx
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Oh Rose, what an ordeal. I’m so sorry, I’m glad you’re back home now and feeling better. This whole experience is so unpredictable and a real test mentally and physically. I love how philosophical you are about it, but also giving yourself the grace to cry when you need it. Sending much love xx
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Hello, sorry for the delay in replying. I am basically feeling “normal” this week although my hair has just started falling out so that has been quite emotional. Hoping to hold on to it this week and brave the shave during half term! Are you feeling okay about Thursday? You will be in such good hands. Keep us posted! x
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I’m just starting to lose mine too 
I don’t know why I foolishly thought it wouldn’t happen, I guess I expected it to happen sooner. Sending you love xx
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Sorry to hear that you’ve had such a rubbish time. Sending lots of love xx
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Hi… just checking in with how today went?
You’re on exactly the same regime as me.
I had my second EC yesterday and actually don’t feel too bad today: a bit tired and a bit of nausea but nothing like I felt last week xx
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Evening ladies…
How are we all??
I had my second EC yesterday. I felt horrific last night but woken up surprisingly sprightly! Tiny bit of nausea and I’m tired but nothing too bad.
My hair is really starting to shred too. It started last week but it’s coming out in handfuls now 
like someone said, I knew it was going to happen but it’s still not nice. I’ve got quite thick hair so hoping it will be a little while yet before I have any bald patches. I ordered some more hates/scarves yesterday - at this rate I’ll have one for every day of the month 
Sending lots of love to you all 
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Hi,
There doesn’t seem to be many on the same regime as us so thanks for messaging
I feel ok at the moment, my arm is very sore from the picc line and I feel like I have a hangover headache but currently I can’t complain so hoping that continues!
It’s good your second seemed a bit better than the first, let’s hope that’s a sign for each one to get easier xx
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Ahh Thankyou Phebe
I can only imagine how yo are feeling now you have started loosing your hair 
Are you using the cold cap? I’m quite nervous about Thursday because you hear so many different things about the side effects. How many rounds have you had up to now? X
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Glad you don’t feel too bad… I had that headache last week for about 5/6 days. Touch wood, I don’t seem to this cycle 
I’ve been out for a 3 mile walk and seem to have an appetite today, so definitely much less side effects than last week (long may it continue!) xx
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Thanks Birdie, for your lovely message and love. Hope these were ‘teething problems’., I have used the last days to just relax and focus on taking it easy - and doing things that give me joy. Music, some singing and gentle strolls in the autumn light. I discovered that lemon cheesecake actually tastes, fantastic still- one of the few things I can taste still. And so sorry to read about some of us now starting to loose their hair. A sad and upsetting experience which I sm worried about.
I’m feeling improved now, caught up with sleep, and had my meeting with my oncologist as scheduled today. We will be starting next cycle (2) on Tuesday if the bloods are ok Monday morning… fingers crossed ! It’s nice to be pain-free now 14 days into the first cycle. I still got my hair for the time being but know that coukd change tomorrow. Fingers crossex the cold capping is working- It’s too early to judge. I know that holding my breath. Thinking of you and Tracey and everyone and hope you are all okay. Let’s keep in touch.
This forum has been a blessing and is a place where one can write more freely about true feelings, share concerns and also share good things, knowing that others will be able to relate. I read the July starters blog in the other evening- hundreds of messages and it was good to learn about everyone’s thoughts, experiences, and feelings, cathartic.
I also listen quite a lot to one of my favourite songs in the last week. It is called ‘Gold in them Hills’ by Ron Sexsmith and it is very much about finding some hope and light in challenging times. I hope we can all manage and will have many
good days. Love to everyone , Rose 
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Dear Shelby,
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes it feels scary to start the chemo. I’m feeling better now even though I had quite a rough start and ended up in hospital, but it turned out that I didn’t have a serious bacterial infection and after a painful, first nine days now In don’t have any pain to speak of - just a lost sense of taste and smell, but can still taste some things like cinnamon and other spices. I’m doing the cold capping and was told there is a 50-50 50% to keep my hair. Sorry I can’t comment on the ovary suppression because I’m menopausal. But one thing I might be able to feedback is that when my Prosigna test came back at the lower end of the intermediate category (8% risk of distsnt occurrence) knew that it would br a t kind of borderline chemo decision.
I hence decided to go for a second opinion appointment following my first one with another consultant at another hospital and Booked this privately thinking it’s such a difficult decision and adjuvant treatment had already been delayed by then.
I’m really glad I did that - because thanks to that second opinion I have been able to make a more confident decision on chemotherapy and I have to say the advice I was given in the second opinion appointment was more precise and helpful and based on it I decided to go for a third-generation chemotherapy. Wishing you really well and hope you will be okay. love, Rose
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Hi Tracey, I am glad you’re feeling improved and have been able to get out for a longer walk xo
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Thankyou for also sharing your experience so far with me. I am glad you are feeling much better now after what sounded like a scary start. It’s so difficult making these decisions on what treatment to go for isn’t it!! Now that I know I have got to have chemo I just want to get started & get them ticked off x
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You’ll be fine I’m sure, I didn’t have as many side effects as I feared and was SO worried about all of them. I’ve had one round, I expect it builds up, but I thought it would be worse. I hope it’s the same for you xx
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How are you today? Still feeling better than last week for you?
I’m not feeling as bad as I expected today, the headache is awful but paracetamol is keeping it manageable, and just feel a bit yukky and can’t decide what I want to eat but definitely not as bad as I was expecting which is a huge positive xx
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