Breasy cancer chemo

[meercat23]

Just a bit shell shocked and looking for some advice. I had surgery for breast cancer a couple of weeks ago, Appointment with the oncologist today, expecting to hear about the plan for radiotherapy. Was a bit shocked to hear that, on the basis on the test on the tumour he is recommending 12 weeks of chemo with Taxol, also Herceptin every three weeks for a year and (cant remember the name) six monthly infusions to prevent bone thinning. Also, radiotherapy after the Taxol. Chemo was never mentioned as a possibility until today.

It is probably just me being shallow but the thing that really hit home was the mention of hair loss with Taxol chemo.

I have said that I will opt for the ice cap treatment to reduce hairloss.

Any advice as how to cope with this. Anyone used the cooling caps? Did it work? What side effect for Taxol and Herceptin?

Sorry, a bit of a blurt. As I said. A bit shell shocked

Sorry, even the title is wrong!! Breast cancer chemo.!!

A friend of mine has recently finished chemo for breast cancer (I'm not sure which drug/s specifically). She opted for the cold cap and although she lost her eyebrows and eyelashes etc she kept the vast majority of her long hair. She had her eyebrows microbladed and tbh unless you knew what she was going through you wouldn't have guessed to look at her.

Very best of luck with it, hope it all goes as smoothly and successfully as possible for you!

Thanks Blueowl. That sounds hopeful. I know it sounds shallow but the hair thing felt like the last straw somehow.

Tax - I had it sessions 4-8 and it was ok - no nausea, but days 4-6 after it I was hit by the “tax train” - basically you feel like you’ve been hit by a train - exhausted and achey. But it passes.

Zometa might be the bone one - again, bit exhausted for 3 days but it wears off, and by session 4 I barely noticed it.

People have great success with cold capping. I didn’t use it, didn’t care about hair, just wanted out of hosp ASAP after each session and cold capping adds about an hour or 2.

But, you would barely have noticed my friend had chemo - it worked for her really well!!!!

Hi OP
You're welcome to join us on the cancer support thread if you like - you'll find lots of support on there.

People generally have mixed results with cold-capping. It does extend the treatment time on every occasion but the nurses will explain more. There are other options too of course, eg wigs. And make sure you sign up to a Look Good Feel Better session! They're marvellous -and hair or no hair you come out feeling a million dollars.

Thank you. I will come and find that thread.

I linked it for you - just click on the link