This topic is for anyone starting chemo in September 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 everyone, I know how daunting the first session is, as there is much the nurses are trying to explain as you go on. But from someone who has been through it, try and make some prep, ie I was advised to take an extra blanket so i could sleep through the procedure, something to read and something to nibble, snack bar, apple, i once took a small salad. Also a bottle of water. Although our busy nurses made us a brew at one point. For those of you cold capping, yes the first 5 ins are the worst. simply for adjusting to what feels like freezing temperature on your head, best if you remember your favourite hair conditioner, as that will be a comfort and a turban towel to use afterwards.
Focus on the future, cold capping does work, but you can still loose up to 50%, of your hair, but as you approach winter, its better to have some hair than not. Also you can buy woolly hats or scarves at reduced price from Macmillan. WE were all offered wigs for free so please don’t buy offline until you have had your session at the Christies. Also please don’t be tempted to give up and have all your hair cut off - if cold capping. Before you start get to know what is your normal hair shedding level, as this will help.
If you need more tips as I can’t really write an essay here, feel free to contact me through the forum. You will get through this you are brave and strong, and now able to focus. utilise the information given to you by the nurses, and in the booklets provided by macmillan, and ask if you don’t understand. you will get through this. My friend suggested focusing on Wimbledon … It will all be over by wimbledon. maybe you have some other date in advance to focus on. Love and light xxxx
Moonsox
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Good morning everyone,
I’m a September chemo starter and will be having Pacitaxel weekly for 12 weeks and Herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 months.
I am having adjuvant therapy because my cancer was triple positive and I need targeted treatment for the HER2+ aspect. I had no lymph nodes involvement and had a lumpectomy with clear margins in June.
Had a fantastic oncology consultant meeting in Friday, where everything was explained in detail. I am now waiting for a nurse pre-assessment appt. More waiting…..aaaarrghhhhhh
I have had a heart scan and bloods taken so am ready to start.
Is there anyone else on here who is having Pacitaxel weekly too?
Hi, looking for some advice on what to pack and must needs. Or any other advice.
My chemo starts on 15th, 8 rounds every fortnight.
Nervous to start but just going to focus on one appointment at time. And then get through it.
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Hi sunflower
I can’t offer any advice on what to take, but wanted to say hello as I have the same question! I don’t have a start date yet, but I will also be having 8 cycles fortnightly. 4 EC and then 4 paclitaxel. Any advice from anyone is very welcome! X
I have done some research.
As I’m cold capping, and got the mante brush that is recommended.
With silk bonnet.
My main scare is hair loss. I have wig appointment next week just incase.
Hoping for you to have start date soon as waiting around is the worse.
Regarding the Chemo, have you had your surgery? Or going straight into the Chemo?
Good luck with everything.
Hi everyone!
Lovely to ‘meet’ you all. I’m starting 6 rounds of EC-T on 7th September, one every three weeks.
I had a lumpectomy and full lymph node removal in May but they didn’t get clear margins so I had a mastectomy in early July. After chemo, it’ll be radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
Going to head away with my 15 year old daughter for a mini break to Dublin next week to get some rest and fun before it all begins - which means I’m ridiculously busy this week buying last minute bits (cold gloves and boots and compression socks today) and trying to put plans in place to hopefully make chemo that little bit easier when it starts!
What things are you all getting ready to make the process a little more pleasant?
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I had a lumpectomy and a sentinel lymph node biopsy at the beginning of July and then had to have an axillary clearance at the end of July as I had a 3mm met in the only sentinel node removed and I have triple negative breast cancer. How about you?
I have decided against cold capping as I feel like I want to be in control and am going to shave my head next week - which is in itself terrifying! I need to get a wig sorted asap. Hopefully you’ll keep a nice lot of your hair with the cold capping. You sound like you’re well prepared.
I really hope everything goes well for you too - not an experience anyone hopes for, but we will get through it 
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Hi Rosie
I hope you’re recovering well from your surgery, it’s horrible having to have a second unexpected op. I am still trying to work out what to buy! I will be getting some nail oil and some cold gloves and socks. Other than that I’ve also been told to get lots of hand cream and lip balm. I feel like we should all get treats too though! Have a lovely break with your daughter x
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So nice that you get to go away with your daughter before it all begins.
It’s mad how life can turn so quickly and this now becomes your life and the new norm for us.
I feel like I have been living in blur.
Not had these easiest journeys with healing from surgery, as I had full breast reduction aswell and 6 weeks since surgery I’m still in Pico dressing .
But we will all get there. 
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Hi all, I am starting adjuvant chemotherapy next week. 3 sessions of EC every 21 days followed 12 weekly sessions of paclitaxel. I have lobular breast cancer and had a mastectomy, node clearance and reconstruction in June. I had node involvement. Nervous about this next step. It’s great to meet you all on a similar journey. I went to look at wigs today. Seeing myself in a bald cap is making this all seem real.
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Hi everyone. I start my first round of EC on 15th September. Suddenly feels real! I’m not cold capping so going to shave my hair next weekend. I wear lots of headscarves anyways so will be embracing them even more! Still recovering from my mastectomy 5 weeks ago but slowly getting there. Big hugs to you all. We’ve got this!!
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Hello all
I begin 4 rounds of TC on September 3rd. Following a mastectomy (no reconstruction) I was told to expect chemotherapy due to the proximity of the tumour to my chest wall, the fact I didn’t have clear margins and the fact it was grade 3. Despite all that, my oncotype score was 26 - so I only just made it to this club.
I’m starting to feel nervous and am blighted by hot flushes and sleep issues (I’m an amazing sleeper usually) but feel determined to do everything possible to help myself.
I have two daughters - aged 8 and 9 - who fight like cat and dog, so home isn’t chill!! And school starts just as I kick off this round.
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I’m
So
Sorry you are here but hopefully starting with school starting will help. If I was tired I slept in that window they were out and was able to be ok when they were home. Main things I have found is just tiredness and feeling a bit hungover a couple
Of times. Maybe also get some prune juice as a lot of people struggle with constipation. Better to have it in than not .
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Agreed @sunflower86. It’s like one minute you were making dinner and now suddenly the house is on fire!
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Hi Everyone,
Im a 60 year old, in the early days of my diagnosis
Totally new to this and not used to chatting online at all.
I am currently one week post my first chemo and cold cap treatment and feeling completely at sea both emotionally, physically and mentally. Also just stopped my HRT. So you can imagine!!
I have been diagnosed with IDC stage 3 ER6 HER2+3. My treatment plan starts with 6 rounds 21 days apart of EC- TPH.
Last Wednesday I opted to try cold cap treatment alongside as I am keen to try and save some hair. To be frank the cold cap was so uncomfortable it made the whole experience almost intolerable. Adding in the side effects of nausea from the chemo. I feel like I have PTSD, and am struggling to process the experience.
Has anyone else had similar experiences, feel the same?
I really am stuck as what to do moving forward.
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Hi Fiwoo…Nice to meet you. I am 61 and am at the beginning of the chemo treatments. I had IDC, Grade 3 with a Recurrence score at 36. Yikes! I had my first chemo session a couple weeks ago. Am scheduled for a total of 4 chemo treatments, 21 days apart. I go in next week for Round 2. For me, the fatigue and bone pain were the worst of the side effects so far. My hair just started falling out in groups of strands this morning. Glad I had the sense to get a wig and some chemo hats. I did not elect to do Cold Cap as it wasn’t recommended for me. I hope all is well with you. 
Hiya,
My heart goes out to you. Its feels easier knowing you are not alone.
Fatigue is so weird isnt it! Im battling giving in to it but still not sleeping. Im sure I will learn.
My hips and lower back are terrible too, is that bone pain?
I made the decision yesterday to not continue with cold cap treatment, which is a relief. So wig visit done, fitting in a week and hair cut Saturday.
Its weird having this conversation about myself, I feel like I am looking in and not actually being part of it all. Do you feel the same?
Good luck next week
Fiwoo
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Hello again…..yes, it is nice that we dont have to feel alone on this crazy journey.
My fatigue was intense and although sleep didn’t seem to help much, I just didn’t have the energy to do much so I spent a lot of time in bed just trying to relax.
I did have quite a bit of lower back pain that sometimes wrapped around to the front. But most of the bone pain I had was all over and primarily in the legs.
I am still actively working remotely from home. I opted to do this in hopes it might take my mind off all the side effects.
Hope you are having a good week 
Hi all, I am on day 4 of my first round and the bone pain is the worst of all side effects for me. I’ve been trying to get a minimum of 5k steps in (having kids makes that easy) but I wondered if anyone had tips for bone pain relief? It’s mostly in my legs.