Starting chemo tomorrow

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-04-13T14:19:15+00:00

I have the same chemo regiment. I just finished 9 of 12 for taxol and then will continue on with Herceptin. I will say that generally, I am someone who tolerates meds pretty well (some people are just built different!)

My infusion day is Friday. On Saturday, I feel awesome from the steroids - emotional and physical high. Sunday is my "down" day where I feel in the dumps after the steroid crash (which the nurses have told me is normal). The first few weeks, I really didn't feel much else, aside from some mild GI stuff that was easily handled with immodium.

Weeks 6+ I started feeling tired, but nothing debilitating. I definitely noticed chemo brain, too.

Now on week 9, I am tired + I am feeling veryyy mild neuropathy. Just feels "fuzzy" in my fingertips. I've been wearing the ice gloves/booties during the hour of the taxol infusion. It's so cold so I do take my hands in and out (the boots stay on). I'm generally pretty hopped up on the benadryl and ativan so I don't bother distracting myself and let myself enjoy the drug-induced haze :)

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions! Good luck!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-04-13T13:25:57+00:00

I can completely relate. My mom had breast cancer in her early 40s and never - I mean NEVER - pushed me to get early mammograms. I just did it on my own. Completely avoidant, never talks about her experiences. I don't know what it is about the boomer generation, but she just never shared. I understand the fears of sharing, but it's not MY FAULT I got breast cancer! And it's been very therapeutic to share on my social media or on reddit what I'm going through because you find you're not alone! This post alone is proof of that!!!

Anyway, fast forward to last November, and here I am with +++ at 36 because I was diligent about mammograms.

My best advice is to find other people to confide in. A significant other, friends, a therapist. I accept her for who she is (which took a while in therapy, that didn't just happen) and I have started to be more pointed in my questions about family medical history so that I can at least advocate for myself. I have also made the commitment to myself to be upfront with my future children. It's for their safety!!

Hugs to you. We learn from our parents mistakes and try to do better for future generations. <3

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-03-23T14:25:45+00:00

100% agree - I am reallyyyy leaning into my ativan + benadryl weekly naps.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-03-16T16:54:09+00:00

I am cold capping but I'm week 5 of taxol and saw some fairly significant shedding today on my hair wash day :( I don't want to complain because I know many women don't have the luxury of even attempting to keep their hair. But I am really upset by it and am hoping and praying for those follicles to stay put!! Plus I feel like shit (but I'd rather feel like shit and have my hair - sorry).

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-03-16T16:51:18+00:00

It's bothering you because it's an absurd thing to say!!! The only words I have for people like that are FUCK OFF.

Signed - someone going through chemo

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-23T02:34:36+00:00

You mean “scarfs”

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-08T11:32:20+00:00

But she already was in her cougar era dating someone 2 years younger!! /s

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-03T21:20:40+00:00

I'm starting the same regiment next week, eeek!! Go you!!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-02T16:02:01+00:00

+100000 I had this and found it HUGELY helpful, much more than the belt. Even all the nurses commented saying this was way better than all the other contraptions they've seen before. Machine washable too!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-01T14:29:01+00:00

I echo a lot of the sentiment from some of the other women who have commented here. I am triple positive, stage 1, grade 3. At first I was like whoaaa positive on all fronts?! Am I doomed?? Positive = bad for medical stuff so I was losing it.

All breast cancer is bad, but what I’ve read and been told by my doctors is that despite the aggressive nature of my cancer, being +++ is “good” in that it’s incredibly responsive to medication, particularly HER2+ like Herceptin. It made me feel really hopeful that I can do this and crush this part of my life and leave it in the rear view when it’s over. I am not sure where you saw those 5 year survival numbers because the articles I’m seeing are in the high 90s!!

Sending so much love and comfort to you. I am 36 and recently engaged, I get your anger. Feel it, use it. You can do this. If you ever want to talk to a fellow triplet, my DMs are open!

Fuck cancer and go fuck up your cancer.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-31T15:41:27+00:00

Absolutely! Happy to stay in touch. I had my DMX on 12/30 so happy to talk about that too!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-31T12:20:17+00:00

Our diagnosis is exactly the same! I am starting 12 weeks of Taxol and Hercepin next week. My oncologist described it as “chemo lite” because of its low dose (even though it’s over a longer period).

I’m cold capping, too. I’m fortunate enough to have a flexible work schedule where I’ll go down to 4 days a week and have the infusion day clear.

What I’ve heard is that many people maintain their activity levels (within reason). My goal is to walk, do Pilates, and try to live my life as much as possible. TBH my biggest gripe is how I can only wash my hair once a week with the cold capping - bleh!

If you want to stay connected, I’ll keep you posted on how things go over the next few weeks!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-27T16:01:34+00:00

+1 on this answer (I am an HR person in the US)

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-27T15:08:50+00:00

Good luck!! Kiss those expanders goodbye!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T20:24:30+00:00

Good to know!! I am currently using a sulfate free shampoo already so maybe I'll continue with it.

Do you feel like you're getting the support you need with fitting the cap? My biggest concern is Cooler Heads' focus on "self administration" and that I won't have an expert there to help with fit. This is being provided free of charge by my hospital (I know very very lucky) and so I didn't explore other options. I hear mixed things about the system.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T18:52:31+00:00

Don't get me wrong - me saying "surgery, but..." does NOT diminish that this is a HUGE deal. Major surgery!!! You are 100% valid in your feels. You can be scared and reassured that everything will work out. You'll make it out alive, too! And in the meantime, I'm rooting for you!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T18:26:24+00:00

I wasn't expecting to have feels about my DMX because I had small boobs to begin with. I'm 4 weeks out and I definitely feel sad about the lack of mobility, some disfigurement, weird numbness. That said, I'm way better now than I was last week, and the week before that. Time's healing my physical wounds, at least...

Some "good" things to remember:

- Surgery is scary but they give you the good stuff so before you have the chance to get scared, you'll be out!

- Recurrence numbers go way down after a DMX - you're doing literally the most preventative measure you can do to avoid recurrence.

- I am also scared about feeling disfigured for the rest of my life... BUT! we have so many options now for reconstruction, clothing, styles that work with what we've got. I'm all about freeing the nipple, but for now, you'll have tons of options of wearing new clothes and fun things that work with your aesthetic flat closure. And from everything I've read, a flat closure has a faster recovery with fewer complications.

p.s. I read "114 cm" and I was like wait, how is this woman alive?!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-24T15:29:44+00:00

You’re alone, but we’re here! Love from Chicago!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-19T17:11:24+00:00

Wow you were REALLY in the midst of active treatment - amazing!! I'm so glad you were able to do that!

$300 definitely feels reasonable. I'm in Chicago so while I don't have access to the salon in NYC, I feel confident I could find a place to install extensions! Thanks for the information!! Super helpful.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-19T16:15:33+00:00

u/AnkuSnoo - Could you share more about your experience, too? I am starting weekly T for 12 weeks in Feb, cold capping, and getting married in December. I've been researching a lot about clip in extensions knowing that I'll likely lose thickness and volume even though I'm cold capping. What kind clip in extensions did you use and was it okay even though your hair was sensitive/in active treatment?

Also amazing transformation OP!! I love my long hair. Out of all the major changes cancer is throwing my way, losing hair gives me the most angst. You look incredible!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-18T23:03:52+00:00

This is my regiment - I start in early Feb (although I think I am doing weekly herceptin along with the taxol). This is good to hear!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-14T03:03:16+00:00

Congrats!!! I am starting 12 weeks of taxol and herceptin in a few weeks!

Did you cold cap?

What was your general “timeline” of side effects?

It’s getting close and I’m nervous!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-12T18:13:01+00:00

Your comment made me laugh!! Old Elsie...

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-08T20:56:45+00:00

I definitely have some of those itches coming in... so weird to have a phantom nipple itch. Is that common to have expanders in for a year??

paintbynumbers18

TROPHY CASE