Hi, I know this post is from a long time ago but came across it and felt like you were talking about me because my story is so similar! I turned 36 and then 4 weeks later found out I have breast cancer. I am a single mom with a 7 year old son and my daughter just turned 9 a month after my diagnosis. I have had my 1st EC chemo and will be having my 2nd session tomorrow. My hair all fell out a couple of days ago. 

I've read through each and every reply on this forum and think you ladies are such a wonderful group. You're all so supportive and positive. Hoping you are all well now and over the worst. If anyone reads this, it would be great to see how you got through it all. I still have a long way to go. 9-12 sessions of Paxitaxol once the EC is over then surgery and radiotherapy. 

Hello, 

We created a FB page to continue to catch up. But its not very active. I had an amazing wig when going through chemo.  But if I was to change something, I'd change to just wearing beanies.  I'm now two yrs clear. But my husband was diagnosed with cancer and it sent me into a spiral of depression. But after counselling it was found I'd not actually dealt with my diagnosis. 6 months later, I'm back to myself.  Treatment is hard, but make sure you take time to plan in some treats. Kicking off against cancer can help with a special family day out. It will be amazing for you as a family. Also be open and honest with your children. They're a great support. 

Hi Sonya, I read this and wanted to reach out, I'm 38 with two sons. I was diagnosed in October with stage 1, Grade 3 invasive Ductal Carcicoma, her2- node Neg and oestrogen positive. I had a lumpectomy in Nov and finished chemo on the 26th April I had 8 sessions of radiotherapy. I'm now on Anastrole and Prostap injections. I just want to say that I'm starting to feel normal agai, Trying to put it behind me. It's such a long process but you can do it!! I hope Chemo isn't too bad for you. Xx

Hello there. So very sorry you have been diagnosed. I'm 46 and was diagnosed back in January. I've done 4 x EC chemos and completed 12 x paxlitaxels. I'm having surgery on the 16th September. 

My hair fell out 20 days after my first EC, but I now have a healthy head of about half an inch of hair all over as it does start growing back on paclitaxel. Paclitaxel was a breeze compared to EC! I felt nauseous for 6 days out of every 14 when having EC. It was pretty vile. You may become neutropenic on paclitaxel as I did half way through, but I never felt ill. I just had to rush to the loo many times if you catch my drift. Your lovely nurses and oncologist will take good care of you. 

Best of luck to you. You really can get through this. The weeks will fly by once you are having paxlitaxel. My only advice would be to get some gel slippers and gloves that you can freeze and keep at the hospital. I wore mine every time I had paclitaxel and a month after my last chemo, I have had no neuropathy at all. Xx

Hi, sorry for the delay....

I cant believe in October this year will be 3 years since i finished chemo! Chemo was defintely the worst part for me but its weird that you kinda get used to it as you go along. I still have check ups every 6 months and a mri and mammogram once a year but it all seems a bit surreal now! 

Due to being diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer i found a really good facebook group and they were great at answering any questions i had. I just snooze those sort of groups now though as i find i manage better by not constantly reading things about cancer as we always focus more on the bad stuff than the positive stories. 

Good luck with your treatment. I think we are all so different with how we cope with it but i found surgery (lumpectomy) and radiotherapy a breeze after chemo. I found it hard trying to talk to my little boy who is autistic so i dont actually know how much it affected him. I would imagine its going to be difficult for your kids and would probably be worth speaking to school like we did as we felt they supported us and our son. 

Have you got plenty of support around you?

Hi there, im new to this club too having had a mastectomy 2 weeks ago and now due to attend an oncology appointment on Thurs to discuss chemotherapy. I had prayed not to have to have the chemo as like you I don't want to lose my hair and be sick. It's the feeling of hopelessness that is totally alien to me as I usually just get on with life's traumas but the total loss of control over my life with continued doom and gloom at every appointment really sucks!!! I really hope you get some good news and things work out fine - it's another pothole in life's journey I tell myself and pray I'll be strong and have the courage to see this through. Kind thoughts and prayers go out to you - one foot in front of the other day by day is all we can do x