Hi there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately no one here can make the decision about treatment for you.

We appreciate when given a number of options to choose from, it can be difficult to navigate the choices and decide the best thing to do. Talking to the team of doctors and nurses involved in your care can be the most helpful as they know all about your individual cancer and circumstances.

Others on here may also share their stories with you but do remember everyone is different and what is right for one person may not be right for someone else. It is about understanding the treatments on offer including the benefits versus the risks as well as thinking through what is important to you at this point of your life and in the future.

I hope you are able to make a decision soon and it is one you are happy with.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Best wishes,

Naomi

Hi, I had the same choice for preventative chemo and I chose EC and paclitaxel for a few reasons - 1. The oncologist said it was slightly more effective, 2. It seems to be the more commonly used one from reading and chatting to people on here, it’s what most people are on, 3. I read some stuff about people experiencing permanent hair loss from taxotere and that scared me.

When do you have to decide by? 
Emma. 

Hi Emma thanks for coming back to me yes that element of TC terrified me too so I think I'm going with the first option paclitaxel and EC take the bull by the horns and all in lol xx can I ask did you cold cap ? And if so how did you find it any tips I've got my call this afternoon xx 

Thank you so much Naomi to coming back to me I think I've made my decision now x 

Hi I am cold capping yes, I’m about to have my 4th round of EC tomorrow and I still have hair, it’s thin and shedding a lot but no bald spots at the moment, I’m really hoping the shedding slows a bit when I start paclitaxel as it’s meant to be less harsh on the hair than EC. I don’t find wearing the cold cap that bad at all, totally bearable. I take paracetamol about an hour before my appointment and I think this helps. Also make sure the cap fits really snug. 
If you have any other questions give me a shout, I’d be happy to answer if I can. Good luck with your call.
xx

That's brilliant advice thank you so much really appreciate it,  I've had my call and now I've told them to go ahead and get me started so here we go on this journey.  Can I ask why you are having EC first as I'm under the impression I'm have paclitaxel first so would be Interested to know your thoughts.  Good luck for tomorrow I'll be thinking of you xx A xx  ps I went wig shopping today it was a good day and I didn't cry either so that's a bonus 

Maybe it’s the type of cancer, I have hormone positive, her 2 negative breast cancer. I think it’s always EC first for this but I may be wrong. What is your cancer? 
That’s great, did you find one you liked? It’s definitely a good idea to have a wig and headwear sorted in advance just in case you need them. Another piece of advice if you have long hair is to cut it short and if you have a lot of hair get it thinned out. I had quite long heavy hair that was prone to tangles so I was so glad I cut it short it’s so much more manageable for combing and shampooing while it’s so fragile from the chemo. (This hair cut was when I cried though! A LOT! Seems silly now because it actually turned out really nice). Xx

Hi hope your doing ok today, im having a tough day today dont know why but I think its because ive made that final call now to start my treatment, im not regretting one bit about doing it but i just dont know how i will be so its the unknown i suppose.  Mine is ER PR positive HER2 Negative i hope thats right lol.....  when i spoke to my consultant she did say that she would get my ecg booked in so maybe i am having EC first oh well ill have to let you know when i go in....  yes i did find a couple of wigs they are not my hair but the style and colour is unreal so i am waiting on the correct colours to come in and ill pop back and make my mind up but i was very surprised by the quality to be honest.  My hair is shoulder length and not particulary thick its a decent head of hair but thanks for the advice.  Aww poor you its weird the things that make you cry isnt it i didnt cry at my wig appt yesterday but i did after i'd spoken to my consultant..... strange hey xx im just waiting on some head scarves and hats from shein to arrive so yes best to be prepared, can i ask have you got a pic line in? if so have you got covers for it and waterproof covers if you have can you recommend were to get them from, ive looked on amazon and the reveiws are mixed to be honest. anyway hope you are ok and treatment is ok for you and thanks for all your help and support.your doing amazing xxx

There’s so many different times when it all hits you and gets overwhelming, it’s all so scary. 
That’s the same as my diagnosis, I think you will probably have the EC first but I could be wrong. Have you had surgery already? No I don’t have a picc or port, I did ask but they said they don’t use them unless there’s a problem with your arm veins. Have they offered you a picc? Xx

Yes I have had my surgery on the 11th April ive receovered well just a little tender still around scar tissue to be honest.  yes they said because I could only use my left arm as i cant have any bloods taken from my surgery arm it would be best and no strain on my veins. xx