Hello and newly diagnosed

Hi sfr09, like all here I am sorry that you have had to join us.Like me though I am certain you will find this forum a huge place of support, understanding and honesty. I also have had to have Chemotherapy prior to surgery to shrink the tumour. I have just completed my first 4 x 3 weekly rounds of AC and initially tried the cold caps, my hair started to thin quiet substantially 3 weeks in and along with all the other restrictions related to using them I decided my hair wasn't worth the added stress. My oncologist was upfront from the start though and told me that it was a 50/50 shot at keeping my hair so I went into using the cold caps with that attitude. I am really glad I tried them though and am so happy that we have that option available to try. I start my next treatment in just over 2 weeks, weekly taxol for 12 weeks and Herceptin 3 weekly for 12 months. Surgery is in there in some form just after my Taxol treatment has finished. Chemo can be overwhelming as it is a great big unknown as to how you will respond to all of it, I have been extremely lucky in the first round and have suffered minimal side effects and am happy to report that the tumour is shrinking. The next round for me is scary as again it is unknown, but hey we just have to get in there roll our sleeves up and beat this!

xx