Hi, I'm half way through mine.  I guess you're on FEC-T?  I'm on FEC- -75 plus herceptin, because it hadn't spread but I'm HER-2 positive.  I used to do Karate, but had to stop some years ago, due to arthritis.  I have kept fit though, through walking and gardening.  I was told that starting the process from a position of fitness gives you the best chance of recovery, so I hope that's so for you.  It is a terrible shock.  I wasn't too shocked at the start, because I was told it was small and I'd only need an op plus radio, then hormone tablets.  I was told that mine was highly unlikely to be HER-2 positive because it was tubular.  It was a terrible shock to discover it was HER-2 positive, because that means I now lose 2 years of my life to chemo & herceptin..  Keep strong.  

I currently have x4 lots of EC CHEMO then x 4 of Paclitaxol to have then 4 weeks of radiotherapy.. I'm not sure if mine is Her2 receptor...will find out. hair is falling out today

If you know what treatment is planned, you won't be HER-2 positive.  They'd have told you you'd be having herceptin along with the Paclitaxol, so your treatment should end after the radiotherapy, unless you need hormone tablets.  I think they'd have told you about that by now too.

Sorry to hear this is hair loss day.  That's psychologically the hardest part.  I found it particularly difficult seeing it all over the place for days.  Having a nice wig & lots of soft hats helped me.  I haven't let anyone else see my head and my husband doesn't want to see it.  It got better for me once most of it was out and I didn't have to look at it on the floor/shower/pillow/sink etc, so I hope it does for you too.  I'm coming up to cycle 4 and I've got about 10% of it left, but the Paclitaxol might take the rest of yours, I'm afraid.  The nice bit was after cycle 2, when I found I could pluck my legs.  They're lovely & smooth now and the head hair will grow back.  Several friends who've been through this say theirs was better afterwards than before.

I was thinking about the karate after I did my last post.  You're well used to digging deep to go through the pain barrier and it'll stand you in very good stead.  You'll have taken more pain doing that than you will with chemo.  It's keeping your mind centred that matters through this.  Being without energy is tough on someone used to being active, but it's worth it and it will get better once this is over.

ok that's very informative...  i can imagine seeing it everywhere is upsetting mine is dark and long even though I have cut it.     I'm a home too for a while and not used to not working.  I'm teaching still on the weeks that I'm good and really should nip it in the bud with the hair thing going forward but it's easy to want to hide away too.   I have great support but I think everyone feels a little helpless at times.  the oncologidt mentioned about the tablets for 5 years after...he said I was bang in the middle with regards to it being hormone related...

did you try the cold cap at all with your treatment?

Just thought I'd say hi

I was diagnosed this time last year with breast cancer at the age of 47  this was a complete shock to me as I had no symptoms they tell you to look out for . My life then became dictated by appointments I had to attend.

I have been through a mastectomy (left side) with lymph node removal then six rounds of chemo and 15 sessions of radiotherapy all finished late October. I am now starting to arrange my reconstruction.

I'm also now on Tamoxifen which I seem to be coping well with apart from the hot flushes, although my husband says it's saving on the central heating bills so there is always a positive

It's been a long and at times a difficult journey but stay positive you can do this with the love and support of family and good friends and talking things through if you need to. Remember everyone's journey is a very personal one and you do it your way!

I did try the cold cap and it didn't work for me, and to be honest I found losing my hair and eyebrows harder than my surgery but felt so much better when I finally decided to have my hair shaved it was such a relief. 

You take care 

xx

thank you for taking the time to reply to me... .mine was also eft side...i know ive only just started the chemo but already feel my body has taken a bit of a battering.  did the cold cap just not work or was it not bareable? i wanted to rip it off and throw it at the wall but decided to give in a cry for 20mins..after that it wasnt too bad.  how long did it take for your hair to grow back and what happens now? do they test you to see if it's all gone, I'm a bit nieve on that part of the treatment.   

I tried the cold cap and like you the first time 20 mins were horrid but then it became more bearable, although I did notice some hair loss i did wonder if I should try it again and on my second chemo I did do but to be honest I found this more uncomfortable and decided I wouldn't bother for the third also by this time as my hair started to rapidly fall out on the top and at the back of my head making me look a little like friar tuck!

i remember going for my check up the day before my third chemo and cried all the way back as I felt so horrible, but I drove straight to the hairdresser and asked him to shave my hair which he did and I can assure you please don't be scared of this as it was the best thing to do ( well for me it was) I then didn't have to worry about how much was coming out it was done and that was that. 

I did invest in a lovely wig and a few head scarves, I ended up wearing the scarves more as I found these much more comfortable as I found the wig very hot.

i finished my chemo on 7th sept and had very little hair and my profile photo was taken on New Years Eve so you can see my hair is growing back quickly, I've had it cut three times to even it up and to shape it. It has grown back a lot thicker and although quite grey I'm happy, my eyebrows and eye lashes have also grown back.

I am cancer free but will have yearly scans and mammograms and on tamoxifen for the next few years.

i am having my reconstruction surgery sometime in March when I will have the implant removed a new one put in and then fat taken from my sides and pumped around the implant to make it look more natural. After 6months I can then have my right breast reduced to the same size so this year is still one arranged around my treatment but it will be worth it in the end.

Listen to your body and rest when you need to but I was also told to make sure I did some exercise as this can help with fatigue, you soon get to know your limits.

thniking of you 

sadly I'm also not holding up much hope with the cold cap as a neighbour after two attempts lost all her hair.  look I suppose although upsetting it not the end of the world just a period or harsh endurance on our feminine side.  I'm also going to come through grey as as 44 with two children it's inevitable .  I'm so so pleased to hear about the all clear, you are blessed.  I've seen some reconstructions and tattoo covers that are truly beautiful....I'm not sure I could do it but think they look awesome.   all my ops have been performed within the armpit so the breast satellite hugely unaffected.   the lump I found was in the tail of the breast tissue.

I enjoyed reading your post thanks x

There is no right or wrong in how you deal with your treatment, I only told a few good friends and very close family who were all fantastic.

I didn't want to keep it a secret but I also didn't want to broadcast my health issues either as I still wanted to treated as 'normal ' whatever that is and not to be looked at with sympathy. 

I wasn't going to let it beat me and all through my chemo and radiotherapy I never once stayed in bed I made sure I got up washed put my makeup on put a smile on my face, not always easy I admit but looking back I'm proud of how I managed it.

Not everybody is the same and don't feel bad if you feel helpless and tearful on some days.

I'll be thinking of you, stay strong and positive and you will come through what is thrown at you! Xx