Hi everyone
feeling decidedly rough today 
once the movicol kicks in I hope I will come around a bit,
welcome to the platform Carol and weāll my room for you as well Lynn :).
facebook is a good idea.
Kate a d Nel have a great holiday 
Kim x
Morning Angels,
I agree with Angiepops to wait for the one year check up. It would be awful for us to move on and not have the support of this thread should anyone of us need each other. Some of us are on 5yr hormome treatment and 1yr Herceptin. I havenāt had a facebook account since my daughter was serverly bullied on it and I had to involve the police. I donāt trust it anymore but would try again if it meant my losing everyone.
I really do trust this site and itās been here for me when the chips were down and it has moderators overlooking every detail and itās nice for others to gain inspiration from our stories and itās personel to us.
A few of the others have gone under āAfter treatment has finishedā. Theres Darling buds of May from 2009 and Marvelous Marchies from 2012.
Maybe after our one year check up we could move over to there. We get to keep our name too. What do you think?
Mel and Lori hope your ok and anyone else we havenāt heard from lately.
Carol - Yaay another Party on the Platform 
Lynn - All the best for today. 
Lv n Hugs everyone. Sandy. x
Hello Angels, Havenāt been on for a couple of days and looks like the postings have been working overtime. Went with daughter and two small children to Trafford Centre, yesterday. Very slow journey thanks to herd of cows on the motorway but when we eventually got there it was enjoyable albeit tiring. Spent most of the afternoon in Carluccios - I had liver and onions, a real celebration meal!
Welcome to the platform Carol. No doubt you/ll be there by now as well, Lynn. Hope it went well for you today.
Can quite understand you feeling ropey Kim. This last one was definitely the worst lot of s/es for me but at least theyāre the last lot! Same for you Judy - just keep telling yourself that once these aches and pains go they wonāt be coming back in three weeks time. That really is cause for celebration. By the way, love the picture. You really are very talented.
Thank you for the year-on update Southpool. Itās really good to know that this time next year Iāll be able to use the hairdryer. A facebbok group is the obvious next step for all of us. Iām on but have no idea how to set up a secret group. Someone out there must be able to help us get going.
I mentioned a while back that a friend of a friend had had mx and immediate reconstruction using tummy fat. Seems that she was in hospital just over a week and although sheās really pleased with the new boob, sheās had probs with the tummy tuck. Has had to have it drained twice and itās still swelling up. Theyāve told her sheās trying to do too much too soon and she must rest more. So all of you due to go for surgery, make sure you rest up afterwards. After the frustrations of chemo, resting should be second nature.
The nurse who regularly took my bloods told me that celery juice (diy with apple and carrot) was good for hot flushes. Sounds a bit nicer that sage tea but having done the whole hot flushes thing a few years back, I canāt say anything did that much good. I took Magnesium OK pills but not sure whether they would be frowned upon this time round.
Good news on the shrinkage Sandie. Chemo and prayers are a powerful combination.
Mel, the singing party sounds a wonderful idea. Do they do it for grown-ups as well? I love to sing but not everyone loves my singing!
Hope you have lovely relaxing holidays, Mel and Kate. Amber, have a fabulous time at the wedding. My friendās son married a Polish girl in Poland and the celebrations continued for three days.
Thank you for all the positive comments re the new wig. I.m saving it for best at the moment but did wear it to the Trafford Centre yesterday and definitely felt like a glamorous grannie!
Hope the sun shines on you all over the weekend,
Moira xxx
Hi Angels,
Just to let you know the February Vals have a āsecretā Facebook account that works brilliantly. It is 100% private and secret. No-one can see it until they are a member, and only the nominated administrator can invite you to be a member. It is locked. Very much worth you investigating. It is far more private than even this forum is, because any member of the public can see our posts without even having to register, and Google picks it all up too!
Hope you all have a lovely weekend
Linda xxx
Got the usual red face but otherwise have popped all the pills and potions to deal with regular side effects, and feel ok. Usually it is the injections that make me feel most ropey so start those for 5 days tomorrow. Trying to make myself do a little bit of exercise every day if possible, so just off out for a short walk.
Started my first knitting project designed to keep me occupied when I am spending hours sitting (but not sleeping ). However have already finished my wrist warmers, so onto the beanie, then might have to progress to something more adventurous, but maybe by then I will have the patience and motivation for some more painting and printmaking. Hereās hoping.
Have a lovely weekend Angels,
Look forward to seeing you on the platform Lynn xx
Hi angels
well its raining sideways today at this end of the country, only because my front garden is being landscaped,
ive got lemon juice and honey to try the sage tea, after being awake on and off all night with hot sweats, i havent started taking the tamoxifen yet - so whats that about,
Moira , you sound like you had a lovely time, where were the cows going, shopping trip? celery, apple juice and carrot? as a smoothie? worth a try, iām so tired today iām even going to retry the sage tea.
Lynn - welcome , enjoy the day
Kim, - big hugs, i hope youve got your feet up, rest is good. hope you feel better soon.
Caz p - iām having a go at knitting too, its a good way of resting i suppose. my first project is a blanket haha
Sandy - iām with you, i have no facebook page either. i like the idea that this site has moderators and its own section for after treatment has finished too. iām not likely to say anything so private that it would need to be on a secret page anyway, i would pm someone instead. i also have 5 years of hormone therapy that i think will have its own set of challenges so it would be nice to be in touch. I dont like the idea of facebook, it does have a bit of a reputation.
happy friday angels,
angie xx
Cycle 6 last docetaxel day 1
Hi Angels I have arrived on the platform hello to you all we are waiting on all of you to arrive feels good, not looking forward to the side effects but will enjoy today and tomorrow before they kick in.
Will crack open the bubbly later feeling a wee bit tired just now.
I was thinking of taking up knitting again I did quite a lot as long ago as 30 years I had all my grans knitting needles she taught me to knit when I was a child. I think I should still have then in a bag up the loft keep asking my hubby to go up and look,I donāt do the loft since we has mice visiting it about 10 years ago still could not bear it if I saw anything I would die off. Not done any knitting since my children were small . I have seen wool in some of the discounted shops but no needles did you have your own Carol or buy new ones. It would keep my mind occupied instead of playing candy crush ps I donāt pay them a penny either.
My son moving back in temporarily on Sunday they have had a burst waste pipe in their rented flat and they are coming to rip the bathroom out and lift the floor on Monday he is on holiday from work next week so he says he will look after me we will wait and see be lucky to get a cuppa.
Hope you all enjoy your weekends the best you can. Lynn x
Ps forgot to say posted this on my new toy, it arrived today. New Kindle Fire HD. Still working out how to work it I will get there asd have an expert moving back in Sunday.Lynn x
Welcome to the platform Lynn, enjoy the bubbles tonight and keep them in your mind through any side effects!
Angie - my ONC said the hot flushes I was getting before Tamoxifen started were caused by chemo affecting hormones and that they may or may not get worse when Tamoxifen starts so Iām keeping my fingers crossed that they donāt get worse!
I used to knit, I knitted my teddy bear a dressing gown when I was about 7 - he still wears it now! I did knit my OH a jumper when he was away at sea the first time, about 24 years ago and then I stopped knitting and use the needles to test my christmas cakes are cooked!
Hope everyone is okay and looking forward to the weekend, its our 22nd wedding anniversary tomorrow so hopefully weāll have bubbles at my friends 25th wedding anniversary party!
Kate
x
kate
congratulations for tommorow, enjoy your weekend 
angie xx
Evening Angels and welcome to the platform to all who have finished there chemo.
ive had an odd week? Lost my voice on Tuesday and it is still missing! When I attempt to talk it sounds something between a squeak and a whistleā¦OH has been enjoying the piece, but Iām getting really fed up now. Ended up back at GP yesterday as cough and chemo throat still bad, only to find that the sputum specimen I gave them whilst in hospital was very infected but no one told my GP? What that about! Now after 2 days feels better but no sign of voice.
i have started knitting again since starting chemo, currently on a very complex Aran pattereed jacket with hood for my granddaughter, but had to take breaks due to chemo brain, now that has gone I should get it finished soon. Love knitting and listening to the radio. My ambition for August is to get on Popmaster on R2 at 10.30, so letās hope the voice returns son.
Mel I see you used to work in East Didsbury, that where I used to live, last house on Kingsway before the rive Mersey.
hope you all have a good weekend with minimal s/e, also for hot flushes, Red Clover is supposed to be good xx
Philomena
what is red clover?
angie xx
Lynn, I have not knitted since I attempted a cute outfit for my niece 21 years ago and even then it was very simple and I got my mum to sew it all together for me. My gran also taught me to crochet and i am on the look out for something to make that doesnāt look too 70ās. It is amazing though how it all comes back to you. I didnāt have any needles from way back then but found everything I needed at John Lewis on the way back from my consultation the other day. Some amazing wools, whole range of needles and the staff were very helpful in sorting me out. Have finished my wrist warmers (so simple but I really like them) and now onto my hat. Aran pattern is definitely out of my league!
Also suffering with chemo induced hot flushes, donāt think I am going to start the tamoxifen till after rads. A bit of a break and knowing what side effects come from which treatment might be useful Onc was perfectly ok with this, in fact suggested it.
Moira, sounds like you had a nice time at the Trafford centre incl Carluccioās. This isnāt that far from where the rest of my family are (in Wigan) so a good day out whenever I am up there. i bet you felt great in the new wig, looks fab!
Sleep well Angels, Carol xx
Hi Angels,
I canāt keep up with you all! Must just say how good I think Judyās picture is, tho. Youāre so lucky to have such a great talent. I used to knit loads, maybe youāll inspire me to do some miniature knitting I got patterns for a decade or so agoā¦ During chemo I havenāt been able to concentrate on any of my crafty things; maybe that will change soon. I get to the station in a week & 6 days - and yes, Iām counting! Well done to you ladies that are now finished with the hard stuff this week. Last leg for you now.
Feeling better today, did some packing for the weekend and generally up and about more, which means Iām doing quite a lot of nagging - since my friend Nobody has been really busy keeping house while Iāve been on the sofa!
Looks like Iāll have a permanent souvenier of chemo - seems Iāve been harbouring an infection in my jaw that means Iāll probably lose a front tooth. Dentist was a young woman and totally unconcerned about how I might feel about this. She was probably still miffed after Iād told her that my onc had said she couldnāt do any treatment other than an x-ray and antibiotics. I also need 2 fillings and when Iām allowed to have dental treatment Iāll be going elsewhere.
Have lovely weekends, everyone.
Virtual hugs,
Ros
Philomena, I try to listen to old Ken most mornings while lying in the bath. So now Iāll be listening out for you!
Moira xxx
Evening Angels,
Angie, Red Clover is like the sage I think, supposed to help with menopausal symptoms.
Moira, hopefully you will here me in the next few weeks as my chemo brain disperses. I will give you all a mention when I get the runners up T shirt! Where were the cows! Iām used to that when I go home to Ireland but never in Manchester.
Judy, forgot to say how impressed I was with your painting, not having an artistic bone in my body something like that is amazing to me.
Roa, you will soon be at the station, the time will fly.
Everyone else I do read your posts but brain still not quite there remembering everything to write down, so hope you have a good weekend, holidays etc. Angie when do you go to Inverness? Xx
Who turned the heating up, I am so fed up with the hot flushes already. My skins on fire today too,itās like sun burn but Iāve it been in the sun, donāt you just love these s/e. Iāve just been talking to my sister in law in New Zealand, sheās a psychiatric nurse. She said that its the steroids that are making me the grumpiest cow on earth, I really am awful at the moment. I was ready to pull the lady through the ticket booth window at sewerby when she asked to see our season cards to get back in when we had gone out past her 5 minutes earlier, we see her every day and say hello every day, but every day she makes us put out cards through when we go back in to get back to the car park. I thought I was just turning into old miserable old beggar but its the steroids, thank god for that, I was beginning to not like myself.
now the other thing she told me was that tamoxifen can cause depression, she was put on it a few years ago following breast cancer and she had to come off it as she was getting seriously depressed. She said she has treated quite a few women through the pschyiatric unit at the hospital with depression due to tamoxifen, so we need to be aware of it ladies.
i think your right ladies about staying on here, this forum helps us and other ladies later on as you can search for specific things, if we went over to Facebook it wouldnāt help other ladies in the future that may be checking s/e or whatever.
my brains mush today, so sorry for not replying to individuals, Iāve read all the posts but I theyāve gone into the abyss of my chemo brain at the moment. I just hope you all sleep well and are getting through it. I just keep saying, last one, it will soon be over, youāll get through it, Iām all but clicking my red glitter shoes together as I say it! Canāt wait to feel normal again.
i have to say, I think I prefer the total bald head to the grey white bum fluff I have going on at the moment. Ive still got the receding bald front which doesnāt help but the fluff looks that bad Iāve taken to wearing my scarf out again, which is awful as its too warm. Kim is your hair growing at the front yet.
i canāt knit but I. Have done a bit of freestyle crochet since Iāve been on chemo, I canāt follow a pattern so freestyle is good for me.
moira Iāve been listening to dan browns inferno audiobook today, have to agree, itās not as good as his other books, or it could be my brain not making much sense of it today.
Hi ladies, Iām back now from few days away down Warwickshire and then York. Had a lovely time with OH and we had more sunshine than expected so added bonus!!
Iāve been lying in bed this morning recovering - although I had to take loads of rests when we were out and about due to aching feet, swollen ankles and sore legs it was fab to be able to escape for a while. The above seās along with the fatigue, cording and swelling in arms seem to be hanging on for longer than I expected. I am 4 weeks post chemo now so hope the problems with feet and arms are not a permanent thing its awfulā¦mind you the fatigue is hard too but I did expect that to be a longer term se. Moan over still feeling the benefit of my break away so will hang onto that nice feeling as long as possible!!
I start the Herceptin on Monday and also have Tamoxifen in the drawer ready to start but will check with unit if I can leave that another week to see how I react to herceptin. First infusion they said Iād be in for six hoursā¦apparently they like to monitor patients after first one in case of any reactions - fingers crossed it will go smoothly!
I have also started on the Aveda hair treatment and now that the wispy hair is coming through I will try and strengthen it with the shampoo & conditionerā¦like many of you it is coming thru grey but grey hair is better than nae hair!!!
Judy your latest picis great - clever lady!!
So many others are getting creative too it seems with baking, jam making, crochet and knittingā¦I must try and find my niche and get creative - as soon as I have regained a decent concentration level!
Glad to hear a few more arrivals on the platformā¦great stuff!
Good luck with minimal seās and hope the time passes quickly for the few still going through treatmentā¦not be long now!
With regards the future contact Iām not active on facebook but would like to keep in touch so will go where the majority choose.
Sorry not to respond individually but it has taken me an age to catch up on almost a week of posts and chemo brain would just not allow it!Thinking of you all and hope you have a great weekend.
Love Lori xx
Philomena
i should be in inverness mon to fri for first 3 weeks of september - they let me home for the weekends lol
anyone coming to maggies for a hang out? (at raigmore) thats where i think iāll be most of the time, going to try and use their internet
angie xx
Hi Lynn , welcome to the platform - hope you managed some bubbly last night!
Got my CT results - all clear! Bit of good news for a change, no guarantee for the future but at least, for now, I know there is nothing sinister lurking in my vital organs and can rest easy for a while
Have a great weekend Angels
Love Pauline xx