Newly diagnosed and start TC next week. So nervous

MyConfusion

Hey ladies. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer in February. It has been a roller coaster ride since then. When I went to doctor they didn't even think it was breast cancer. So imagine my surprise when it came back cancer. Fast forward to now. I have learned I will start chemo this week, TC. I am extremely nervous. I am a healthy 43 year old with no medical problems. So this is a huge step for me. Not to mention the fact that I'm sure I'll go bald eventually. 😱

Meow13

You could do cold caps to save your hair.

Good luck to you.

MyConfusion

Thank you! My doctor did mention cold capping. However, they do not offer it where I am receiving treatment and my insurance does not pay for it. Any ideas on affordable Cold capping?

Meow13

I would contact the Rapunzel project. There are threads also on BCO that talk about cold capping I will bump one for you.

MyConfusion

Thank you Meow13! I am brand new to this site.

Moderators

MyConfusion, we are sorry you had to join the club, but happy you found us here.

Indeed, the Rapunzel project is great to check into, as well as Hair to Stay Foundation (both links can be found at the bottom of this page:

Cold caps

One day at at time, and know you are not alone!

MyConfusion

Thank you! I will check it out!

CoComedy

Hi MyConfusion, Sorry your here but it’s been a place of tremendous support!!

I am also newly diagnosed (end of January) and am still waiting on what the rest of my treatment will be. The waiting seems to be the worst part! Best of luck with your upcoming chemo. Just know you are not alone!

MyConfusion

CoComedy yes it is a bit overwhelming especially at first! Thank you for reaching out! Really was not expecting a cancer diagnosis. This really caught us off guard. Hoping and praying we are making the right decisions with my care and treatment options. Best of luck with your upcoming treatment. 🤗

DebAL

myconfusion, some days will be overwhelming and some are better. I'm not sure about others but I now find myself in moments of forgetting I have cancer. This comes with time. Hoping those periods extend as time goes on and that you will find this too. I have had 1 TC treatment with zero and I mean zero side effects. I am not focusing on the next treatment but enjoying how I am feeling now. The next will be what it will be. Please remember to hydrate well the day or 2 before and the week after treatment. I'm at day 14, scalp tingling but I'm ready with wig and scarves. I wish you peace as you make your decisions. I am new to the forum as well so we can go through this together. Take care and take a deep breath. You can do this!

letsgogolf

DebAl, I noticed that your stats are exactly like mine, from what I can see. I assume you had a micromet since you were stage 1B. Just curious about your Oncotype score since you are grade 1 and having chemo? Was it high?

DebAL

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I added more details to my history but they don't show in the post. I'm a newbie so I probably did something wrong. No micromet. Oncotype 27. I think due my lack of PR. I was 3% at time of surgery and PR "positive" although barely, oncotype PR neg at 5.1 and cutoff 5.4 to be positive. Ki 67 24%. It is baffling that stage 1 can still yield chemo. I've learned to more about tumor biology than I realized!

OCDAmy

I had 4 rounds of TC and it was honestly not nearly as bad as I had feared. I worked through it only taking a few days off each treatment. I had my hair buzzed but it never completely fell out. best of luck to you. Once you get through the first treatment you'll know what to expect

letsgogolf

DebAl, So sorry. I thought 1B always indicated a micromet. I haven't really read the new staging that just came out in January. You are probably correct. Looks like you have a really good prognosis. Best wishes!

DebAL

no apologies!. I am a luminal b. Early stage but not as good prognosis as luminal a. I was in a more positive mindset at first when all I had was surgical path report. ER/PR + etc. Early grade, stage. Then oncotype dampened my spirits a bit with the low PR and 27 score. Still working through it. Thankful first chemo went so well and ready to move forward. Are you doing well?

letsgogolf

I am doing well. Thanks for asking. Your situation sounds very similar to my sister's diagnosis. She has similar stats, also having a lower PR. Her ER was 90% but PR was only 14% and considered weak. Her Onco score was also a bit higher than mine at 17. Her KI67 was also higher so I suspect she may be luminal B. Strange thing is that her nodes were clear but 1 of my 8 had a micromet. She just passed 3 years and is doing great. You will, too!

DebAL

letsgogolf, glad to hear you and your sister are doing well There are a lot of "strange" things in this disease i have learned over the last few months that's for sure!. Even as a nurse there is so much more I have learned over the last 3 months. The journeys are so different for each one of us. Forums like this help us know we are not alone🙂

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MyConfusion

Debal so glad to hear you haven't had any side effects from the TC! Hope that will be the case with me! I was just thinking the other day, I spend so much time planning and dealing with this cancer. How do I not let it define me and live life? There has to be a point where you can't let it define who you are but let it help you become a better and stronger you! I start my chemo this week. I'm a little anxious but ready to get it over with. I am thankful we can have each other for support!

OCDAmy so glad your TC went so well! I hope mine will too! I would really love the idea of not losing hair! Still debating this whole cold cap thing and question how well I would do with cold on my head basically all day. With that thought maybe a wig doesn't sound so bad. But then I worry later I'll wish I had done it.

DebAL

myconfusion, you will do fine! Hydration is key. I was not a huge water drinker before but have turned in to one. I actually kept a log for the first week not just for water intake but just how I was feeling in general. As far as not letting it define you I think going as as you did before your diagnosis when you can helps. I was glad to get back to work. It was there that I was so busy that I "forgot" i had cancer for a bit. For me that was a really good sign that I even had a moment like that. I have gotten better about appreciating all of the good things in my life too. Getting the first treatment under your belt is huge and I know u will do great!

Meg101

Hi MyConfusion - Be sure to follow the "Starting Chemo In April" thread. You'll join others going through this journey at the same time you are. If you look at the "Starting Chemo" threads for several months back you'll find many great tips about how to prevent or ease side effects. We all experience different SE (side effects) because our bodies react differently to chemo. There is also a separate thread dedicated to tips and tricks for handling chemo. Just explore all the threads and you will find everything you need to know. Don't be shy about asking questions and expressing your fears, anger, and successes. I don't know what I would have done without the knowledge and support offered here. Best of luck to you. Meg

Meg101

Hi MyConfusion - Be sure to follow the "Starting Chemo In April" thread. You'll join others going through this journey at the same time you are. If you look at the "Starting Chemo" threads for several months back you'll find many great tips about how to prevent or ease side effects. We all experience different SE (side effects) because our bodies react differently to chemo. There is also a separate thread dedicated to "Tips and tricks for Handling Chemo". Just explore all the threads and you will find everything you need to know. Don't be shy about asking questions and expressing your fears, anger, and successes. I would have been lost without the knowledge and support offered here. Best of luck to you. Meg

MyConfusion

DebAl praying all goes well this week! I'll be glad just to get it over with. I will keep you posted! Hope you are doing well as also.

Meg101 thanks for the tips! I will most definitely check it out.

Elle2018

hi i.waa diagnosed last wed so.only just getting on the roller coaster I've had my bone scan n having M I r and c.f. scan thus week to find if it's anywhere else really scary waiting for all results in 50 years old

Elle2018

hi i.waa diagnosed last wed so.only just getting on the roller coaster I've had my bone scan n having M I r and c.f. scan thus week to find if it's anywhere else really scary waiting for all results in 50 years old

MyConfusion

Elle2018 So sorry you have to go through this journey. Thankful you found us. There is a lot of support in this group! You are not alone. Praying all goes well with your tests. You will get through this.