Debra you’re nearly there. Keep your chin up. Whilst you are ill at the moment it will pass and you will soon be looking gorgeous in your wesding outfit. It is scary to face this horrible disease and it can be too easy to worry about the future. Remember the future is completely unknown and that ‘what if’ could be a very positive,long happy future with your OH. The fact is you’ve fought this damned disease twice now and you are coming out at the other end. You need to look at that brave lady in the mirror and tell her well done. Be kind to yourself and rest when you need to.
Judy I hope you are ok and not too uncomfortable. Big hugs xx
Sandy - well done for joining us on the platform. Bye bye chemo for you 
Rozz - enjoy Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Kate -it’s worrying that your GP doesn’t know how to counterbalance the side effects of Tamoxifen, though I suppose specialist drugs are usually left to the experts. At least you’re still under the oncologist to ask.
Angie -any hair tips will be much appreciated
Hope the sleep fairies come for us all tonight. Xx
Hi all
So glad you’re home quick Judy. Take it easy get everyone to wait on you!
Sandy congrats on your arrival. Another thing ticked off.
Debra hope you’re feeling a bit better now. You’re so strong to go through this twice.Nearly at the end of chemo just hang on in there. We’re All rooting for you. I’ve had 2 cycles of Cmf now. Ses are not as bad this time so far. Mouth tastes disgusting, sick and v tired, but coping.
Had 2rads now. Much quicker 2nd time.in and out in half an hour. Feeling a bit sore round lymph node scar. Don’t know if that’s rads or having to keep hands above head! Think my bra is going to be rubbing there so trying not to wear one in the house but have to say I feel more self conscious braless in a t shirt answering the front door than I do without hair! Chicken fluff has been dropping out in patches but now my head feels like velcro so maybe tougher hait is growing through. Still grey sadly!
My 85 yr old dad is staying to drive me to the hospital everyday. He’s been great. He’s made it his mission to fix all the little things in the house that we just don’t Get round to. So far he’sfixed a radio lead, changed fuses, put new brake pads on sons bike ,fixed daughters fairy lights in bedroom which she’s been on about for weeks. Today he’s planning to put new saddle on bike and change washers on taps! He’s Amazing- but he is developing a fascination for our junk filled garage and keeps finding things ! My mum died of cancer last year so he’s on his own and lives an hour drive awayso its great to be seeing more of him. I’m still in bed but can hear him sweeping the patio! Must get up!
Can’t Keep up with you all but love to everyone. Angie no3 today for us.
Mel xxx
Judy - glad to hear you escaped, albeit sneakily. Good on you Makesure you get plenty of rest and take your painkillers.
Debra -hope you enjoyed your wine:-)
Mel - your dad sounds amazing!
Angie - I hope you pick up soon. Enjoy a rest while you can. Did you pick up any good hair tips?
I went in work for an hour and half this morning to help the deputy with some special needs stuff. It actually felt good to be doing something normal, though I was tired by the time I left and my left leg was weaker than when I went in. That makes me think that a lot of it is fatigue related rather than just muscle weakness. As I’m starting to feel better in myself I’m not dreading work any more, though after today I know I’m nowhere near ready to go back yet. I think I’ll be ready to go back when I do.
Hi angels so glad to hear all your rads are going well. I just received a phone call from Beetson they are delaying my radio therapy by one week because my planning is not ready will not start now until 16th should have been Monday 9th I am so disappointed I was all psyched up to start Monday sitting here bubbling . I told her I was disappointed as I have a hol booked to go away 22nd oct would have been nearly 3 weeks after finished now will only have just under 2 weeks to recover, she said I could phone docs secretary to complain what’s the point I am just gutted. 
Lynn x
Thanks Philomena I phoned the secretary, who got the head radiographer to phone me said my plan is more complex and needs additional work she said nothing to worry about but guess what I am worrying , I will just need to deal with it, , but can’t stop greeting. Jam sounds great though x
Hi Angels,
Sorry to hear about your delay Lynn. It’s a right b*gger. You deserve to blub a bit. I’d have had a full-on melt down!
Well, sitting here with half an hour to spare. Just back from 12.00 zapping and about to go to local hospital ENT dept for 3.00 appt. re my hearing loss. You’re having problems too Mel. I know that some forms of chemo are linked to hearing loss and tinnitus - the platinums - but the EC I was on isn’t supposed to cause problems. To be honest my growling and whooshing noises seem to have subsided. Still completely deaf in right ear but that was long before chemo so I definitely want my other ear checked out.
Angie, I’ve got a bit of pain in my bc breast - like small electric shocks. Was told this was to be expected. Also my nodes scar is looking more red and sore than its ever been. I was also told that to zap the whole area would mean zapping a small part of your lung which could cause a cough or wheeziness. The amount of radio given to the lung is very small - nothing like as much as if getting rads for lung cancer - but it does mean that if ever a chest xray is needed would have to explain had rads for bc because will always leave a shadow on the lung.
Hope all is going well Judy. Let us know how you are doing when you can. Hope you can feel the perpetual warmth from Philomena’s candle.
Sandie, how does it feel to be free of the chemo cycles. Just remember every s/e now should start to fade and not come back.
Rozz, I’ve just read a diet book, The Harcombe Diet, How to stop counting calories and start losing weight. Actually making the decision to motivate myself to do something about my lousy diet is the hardest part. Perhaps Ditching Diets is the way forward.
Mel, If your dad runs out of things to do I’m sure there’s a direct train from Birmingham to Wakefield that you could put him on. I’d be very grateful…
Debra. Hope you’e feeling a bit happier with yourself knowing that you only have one more chemo to endure. Keep your chin up. We’re waiting for you to reach that platform.
Moira xxx
Lynn I’m sorry to hear your rads appointment has been put back. Hopefully they will not affect you for your holidays. I’ve had 6 so far and they are much easier than the chemo.
Moira my onc said that hearing loss is not a side effect of the chemo I’ve had so I need to wait until treatment has finished before I can be referred for a test. In all fairness I struggled to hear with a lot of background noise before chemo, it just seems to have got worse over the last few weeks.
Pauline how are you finding the power plate? My brother has one that I could borrow for a while. Have you noticed much benefit from using it?
Philomena that blackberry jam sounds good. I hope you’ve had a lovely afternoon.
Glad to hear you’re up and about Judy. Don’t overdo it. Let them spoil you rotten! My boob pain is small fry compared to what you’ve been through. I must stop moaning!
Angie, have a lovely weekend. I like your take on rads. You say one down, two to go while I’m seven down, eight to go. I’m starting to get impatient now - just want it all over and done with!
I’m going down to London tomorrow after rads and back on Monday ready for the next session. Going to see my beautiful baby boy (he’s 29) and his gorgeous girlfriend. It’s just the sort of cheering up I need at the mo :smileyhappy:
Night night,
Moira xxx
Judy I’m glad you’re up and about but please do take it easy. The drugs knocked me out the first few days after my op so I slept through most of it. You must be like wonderwoman as I couldn’t walk very far for about 4 weeks. Do take care not to overdo it.
Pauline I might give that powerplate a go to see if it strengthens my muscles a bit. I’m hoping to do a gentle yoga class after my rads have finished too. I’m finally back on my healthy eating routine and all the hols.
Sandy did you change your diet after reading that anti-cancer book?
Have a lovely day ladies xx
Happy anniversary Kim. xx
Hi angels
Been up since 3am can’t Sleep again.Backache from neulasta has kicked in, oral thrush is back and generally crap.
My lymph node scar is also red,raised and beginning to be sore. Asked at rads and was also told its normalas its in the field of treatment and to just keep using aqeous cream. 4 down now 13 to go! Feeling for those with a long journey, and you angie having to move in, just going every day is wearing enough and it only takes me 20 mins to get there.
Judy- glad you’re Up and about. Don’t get doing too much now!
Can’t seem to get back to forum page to see what everyone else is doing. Someone said how to do this but I can’t Remember. So love to every one- Sandy hope se s aren’t Too bad.
Angie- enjoy your weekend at home.
Philomena- love to you and your family.
Debra- how you doing?
Hugs to everyone else xxx
Happy anniversary Kim- 33 yrs eh? No time off for good behaviour!!! Enjoy your weekend . Xxx
Judy - good to hear you are getting on okay, please take it easy though! I was only on paracetamol after my op - I wasn’t in pain just discomfort and paracetamols took that away. The hospital kept offering me lots more but I didn’t accept it - apart from when they took the drains out and I was advised to take some painkillers and gas & air so I did and didn’t feel that either! Hope your family are doing the lifting/carrying for you as you shouldn’t do that even if you do go for a walk, I did a short walk every day once I was home and it got a bit longer each day, I couldn’t sit and do nothing but I didn’t lift/carry as that is the bit that can cause most problems I was told.
Angie - have a great weekend at home
Lynn - I start rads the same day as you, 2 weeks later than I thought it was going to start so I’m with you on the just wanting it done and dusted now! I have 15 sessions, how many do you have?
Kim - Happy Anniversary hope you have a lovely weekend of celebration lined up.
Moira - have a great weekend in London, hope the weather doesn’t stop you doing anything you want to do.
Mel - sorry you are suffering SE’s, hope you can get them under control soonest.
Its raining here as forecast so no gardening for me - did lots yesterday when it was very very hot and got a bit more colour on my ‘fluffy head’, hopefully it will make the hair grow faster!
Have a good day Angels
Kate
x
Afternoon Ladies and thank you for your messages of encouragement for finishing chemo. What a day tuesday was. I told the oncologist that I’d had some chest discomfort which I thought was down to indigestion during the last cycle. She immediatly stopped the Herceptin for tues and I have a heart scan this monday. All being well I have the herceptin monday afternoon after the scan results.
I did however have the Docetaxol for which I am now suffering acutely. Tuesday was so hot in the unit and whilst having their infusion one person got really ill and took all the nurses attention just as an army of wasps decided to enter the fire door which was opened to give this poor bloke some air.
I have to laugh now but at the time there were about 10 of us playing bat the wasps to one another as each petrified cannulanated patient tried to run in panic only to reach the end of there infusion lines one by one with nowhere to go.
Anyway " IM ON THE PLATFORM" YAAAAAAAAAYY. Thank you for waiting everyone. Love you all to bits. xxxxxx
Mel, Debra - Hang on in there. Not long now.
Pauline - Can’t wait for a pint of larger and lime. I’m even going to raise a glass of your whiskey and iron bru just as soon as I get rid of this horrid mouth thing again.
Moira - Enjoy meeting up with your boy.
Kim - Happy anniversary celebrations this weekend.
Angie - Enjoy your weekend at home.
Carol - Enjoy your spa. Great idea.
Mel- A Yes I have made changes to my diet regarding the anticancer. You don’t need to buy the book though. Go to www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_cancer_prevention.htm the info on there is easier to understand and basically the same. Popcorn is great for a snack, low fat, and anticancer.
Judy - I thought about you all the time on Tuesday. Well done for getting home the same day. Take it easy sweetie.
Philomena - Great minds eh. I made Quince and blackberry jam last week. Hope youve caught up with some you time. xxx
Has anyone heard of High Import (Intensity Modulated and Partial Organ Radiotherapy) Trial. I have been asked if I will take part. The trial is to reduce tumour reoccurrance in WLE patients by targeting a higher dose of radiation to the tumour site and less radiation to healthy surrounding tissue. I have a meeting with a lady from the trial when I see the BC surgeon on Weds. I should get my surgery date then too.
Rozz, Amber, Lynn, Lori, Kate, and anyone else my Docetaxol reduced brain cells have missed, have a good weekend. Sandy.x
Hi angels I wrote a war and peace post. This afternoon before I went out and Internet failed gutted did not have time to redo. Here goes.
Happy anniversary Kim it my 33rd next year eighties brides eh!! Fashion was great then. I hate my wedding photos because of the dress. Lol
Angie have a great weekend at home.
Pauline enjoy the whiskey and urn bru although I prefer vodka lemonade or a red wine.
Judy take care not to over do it
Sandy welcome to platform not too long til side Effects subside
Mel and Debra not long to go hang on in there
Philomena Mel Roz lori moira any one else I have forgotten hope you all have a good week end take care Lynn x
Hi Spudgirl
Hope you are okay, I found I was allergic to the seethrough dressings when I had my mx. I recommend putting nothing on it as I put germolene on and it made it worse but through chemo I was reacting to all their seethrough dressings also but left the ‘reaction’ to the air and it cleared in a few days.
I agree with Angie, check with your nurse as if a chest infection you need antibiotics to help clear it so it doesn’t slow your recovery, if its something else they need to know so they can keep an eye on it or give you something to help.
Kate
x
Listened to the piece about tamoxifen on women’s hour on radio 4 on the listen again and guess what? The onc they interviewed is MY onc!!! Wow does this mean I’m being treated by a celebrity?
Mel xxx
Hi angiepops,
I found a link on the hormone therapies thread. Hope it works for you
Interesting ‘Womens Hour’ Radio 4 discussion about Tamoxifen today and the fact that women who are suffering from side effects should be offered support, worth a listen on the iplayer (its at the start of the programme) here’s the link bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039d4b6.
Best wishes
Janet
BCC Mod
Judy, at the hospital one of the nurses removed a second sticky they had used to hold my drain pipe in place as she could see the rash developing, when the main drain holding tape was removed 5 days after the op they decided to put in my notes that I’m allergic to the stuff as it was so bad! The main dressing on my boob was a different type and I wasn’t allergic to that. During chemo they used different stuff when they could but didn’t always have it so I allowed them to use what I was allergic to as I knew it would only be on for a few hours and that the affect for that would only take a couple of days to clear. The drain holding dressing took about 6 weeks to clear…they won’t be using that when I have reconstruction though!
Angie, I start rads 16th so your final week is my first week. I’m doing dentist and hygienist this week, first time after chemo so I’m expecting some damage to be noticed.
It’s raining and miserable here today but luckily I have Strictly from last night to watch!
Hope you are all okay and resting well(Judy!)
Kate
X
Hi everyone,
I hope you’ve all had a nice weekend.
I went to an open day yesterday at a local yoga institute. They do a recuperation class, which is very gentle for those who are recovering from illness or who have ME or chronic fatigue. It sounds like an ideal first step to getting my leg muscles working again so I’m hoping to start when I finish my rads. They’re going to contact me to let me know if there is a place available. Hopefully I can move on from that class to building up my fitness again and longer walks with the dog.
Thanks for the link to the anti-cancer diet Sandy. I’ll check that out. I got a charity bag through the door today for a charity called breast cancer partnership. I’d never heard of them before so I checked them out. They can send you out a survivors pack which has tips on what you can do to aid your recovery and try to prevent a recurrance. I’ve ordered one so I’ll let you know if it’s any good.
Caz I hope you enjoyed your spa weekend. What a good idea.
Judy I’m glad you’re doing well after the op.
Angie it was me who finishedchemo at the same time as you and I also have the horrible furry tongue back. I got some thrush tablets from the onc on Wednesday.
Pauline well done for the weight loss. You’re showing great willpower keeping up with the diet and exercise through treatment. Good on you
Sandy the wasp episode sounds like quite a memorable experience. Your description of it really made me chuckle.
I can’t go back to check posts on previous pages on my phone so I’m sorry if I’ve missed anyone. I hope all horrible SEs, burns and allergies fade quickly. Take care everyone. xx