November 2025 Chemo thread - let's support one another!

Hi there, I just turned 46 and had a lumpectomy 4 weeks ago. I start chemo treatment on Thursday (TCx6). Any advice or tips to keep in mind would be greatly appreciated. Looking to minimize as many of the potential side effects as possible, and there's a lot of them to keep in mind before potentially getting to experience menopause mid treatment…..which will be another new experience. Thanks x

Just started chemo last Friday. Will be doing 6 cycles of TCHP. Just sending good energy to everyone going through this, as well as their support team.

Hi, I have had a both breast removed on August 21, 2025. I found the cancer in my left breast near my armpit. The doctor removed four lymph nodes on my left side and had them tested. There were no cancer found in my lymph nodes. Because the cancer was not there when I had my mammogram on August 31, 2024, the oncologist is saying I have a fast growing cancer and need to do Chemo. I was diagnosis with triple negative, Her2 negative, Stage 2 breast cancer. I really do not want to do Chemo because it has so many bad side affects to the body. But oncologist says I need it to keep the cancer from returning. I read Chemo can cause cancer years later in your body. So why would the Oncologist suggest Chemo? I had an MRI and a CT scan done and cancer was not found on any of those scans. I got a second opinion with an out-of- state oncologist and this is when I found out that the oncologist should've scheduled a PET & Bone scan on me before the surgery. The out- of -state Oncologist told me all this should've been done before my surgery on August 21, 2025. Now I am scheduled to have the PET scan on Tuesday, 12/08/2025. I fell like I am not getting the good care I need from my cancer doctors. My daughter fired the first Oncologist and now I have a new one and hopefully he will provide me the care that I need.

Hi, I am reluctant to join a group that I never wanted to be apart of, but grateful to find others walking in these same uneasy steps. I found a lump in my right breast mid-August. It had only been 10 months since my previous normal mammogram. Subsequent testing and biopsy showed invasive pleomorphic lobular carcinoma. (ER+, PR+, HER2- neg). I had been taking HRT since my hysterectomy in 2011 & discontinued it as soon as I received my biopsy results. I chose to have a double mastectomy with tissue expanders for reconstruction which was done on 9/22/25 with the hope of not needing further treatment. Surgical pathology was as expected, except that 1 of 4 lymph nodes from my right axilla was also positive. My Oncotype DX score was 27. With these findings, 6 rounds of chemotherapy was recommended to then be followed with an aromatase inhibitor. I started TC chemotherapy on 10/19/25. The day after chemotherapy I received a Fulphila injection. Side effects have been mild with the exception of a few days. I have pretty bad hot flashes- due to stopping my estrogen hormones. (My sweet hubby ordered a neck fans for me which has been a huge necessity & I highly recommend for any other “hot” ladies.). I experiences intense body aches/flu-like symptoms 2 days after my Fulphila injection which were severe for about 24 hours & then subsided. Later that week I had sudden onset of chest pain which radiated to my back & down my spine. It gradually worsened & became very severe and I was sent to the ER for evaluation. They were able to rule out a pulmonary embolism and treated the pain. It was suggested the meds to stimulate my bone marrow or the chemo may have been the cause, but we really don’t know. The pain meds helped and by the next day i only noticed minimal twinges of pain & then it stopped completely. I praise God that I have felt really good the past 4 days but remain cautious to brag because each day seems like an unknown. Sorry for the long post. I’d love to hear from anyone with similar symptoms or suggestions.

I feel blessed that I have felt really good for the past week. My 1st TC chemo was two weeks ago today. As of this morning I am noticing that my hair is suddenly thinning- if I run my hand through my hair there is a significant amount in my hand. Does anyone have experience with how long it usually takes for the hair loss to be complete?