I hope the heart scan goes ok tomorrow Sandy. xx
Any news on yours yet Philomena?
Thanks for the advice Angie, I don’t like going to the dentists at the best of times so I will certainly ask them to be extra kind to me! Hope your Monday has gone okay so far and you are settling back into your knitting !
Amber, I’m impressed you have enough hair to be thinking about dyeing it, I have about 3mm so don’t think I will be bothering the dye for quite some time! I did read that vegetable based dyes can be used first although in the ‘my new hair’ leaflet by the department of health it says semi permanent can be used if you are ‘distressed’ about the colour and can’t wait the 6 months to be able to use permanent colour…
Angie, just remembered you asked about getting a fringe, you can buy fringe hair pieces that you stick to your hat or scarf to make it look like you have hair…lots of places online sell them but I’m sure the wig shop in Inverness probably does too.
Kate
X
Hi Angels,
I’m back from the hygienist and she was very impressed, she said I seem to be doing a good job of cleaning my teeth and it doesn’t look like the chemo has done me much harm in my mouth. I have to see the dentist on Wed for a full check up but hopefully that will be quick and painless. Glad to be your reminder ladies!
I don’t have enough hair to colour yet but have found these coolblades.co.uk/indola-profession-color-style-mousse.html which are a mousse colour which washes out very quickly - I think I’ll be using these initially if my hair stays as grey/white as it looks at the moment! The leaflet I have does say these types of products are okay to use on early hair as they don’t last long - which to me means I could experiment with different colours, although not sure red would be my colour!
Judy - I had 2 drains in after my mx and they took one out on the 3rd day but left the other for another 2 days as it was still draining. When they did take it out within a few days I had a build up of fluid so albeit the drains aren’t particularly comfortable I’d keep them in as long as they will allow as I thought the build up of fluid was more uncomfortable and they drained it through a syringe. I had to have it drained twice and the cosmetic surgeon then filled the ‘void’ with steroids to stop it refilling with fluid which helped massively.
Angie - when I went to the headstrong session they put a fringe onto a hat for me to try, can also use them at the back of hats to make it look like you have hair under the hat. I think you can attach them to any headwear, they have a sticky strip but I guess you could use a velcro strip if you wanted to move it between head coverings.
Kate
x
Amber, Have you ordered red or are you going safe initially? :smileyhappy:
Philomena, my hair seemed to grow quite well the week before last (2mm) but then stopped again and I think there might be more falling out again! What are you putting on yours to make it grow or is it just going ‘topless’ and massaging? Hope you get your heart scan sorted soon, it seems to be ages since they said it was urgent, dread to think how long it would take if it wasn’t urgent! :smileysad:
It has rained all day again here and its so cold, I’m not on rads yet Philomena but feeling the cold, I have got a thick ‘hoodie’ on to keep warm. I was tempted to put the heating on but decided a jumper was cheaper! :smileyhappy:
Kate
x
Lynn, you have a lot more hair than me, mine wouldn’t show up in a photo it’s so short!
Judy, my second drain was in for 5 days and I was given one painkiller and gas and air and had no pain when they removed it. The syringing wasn’t bad at all, it was the discomfort that led to the syringing that was worse for me, it felt like I had a hot water bottle (filled with cold water) sloshing around my missing breast and under my arm…
Angie, Judy, I have the hot flushes but have cold spells too, I don’t seem to have any normal temperature time at the moment! Mine has been made worse by Tamoxifen but I’ve been having similar since surgery.
Carol, the spa break sounds lovely, hope it sees you through the next stage, think that’s rads for you isn’t it?
Hope everyone else is feeling okay
Kate
X
Lynn you have lots more hair than me too. mine started to grow then some dropped out again mainly at the front so I have a lovely receding hairline. I’m still doing chemo though so not expecting much yet.
Judy I had lots of fluid drained wirh syringe- didn’t feel it at all it was just a relief to get fluid out as that was uncomfortable.
Carol- your break sounds fab I’m very tempted for after rads.
Sandy good luck with scan and Philomena hope yours comes soon.
Day7 of rads for us today Angie. How’re you cooking? I’m bit pink and sore now. Whole boob aches which is annoying. Trying not to wear bra as advised- I think that’s why it aches- too much swinging free!
Other than that much easier than chemo.
My dad is here again to drive me back and forth and has now tidied half the garage,assembled a work bench and found all the tools he needs for doing jobs- I think he’s planning to stay! OH coping very well considering.
Oldest has gone back to uni leaving a trail of destruction behind him so that’s my job for today. Miss him already but its nice to tidy them out!
Love to everyone, sun shining here enjoy your day
Mel xxx
Well ive had my drain out, no problem, didn’t feel a thing, I’ve had a look at the scar and its bearable. The consultant said that 16 out of the 22 nodes were cancerous so I will have to have radiotherapy to the neck as well, hope that doesn’t mean a tattoo on the neck too.
Good evening Ladies
Philomena - Congratulations on reaching the final platform 
Judy - glad the removal of your drains wasn’t too traumatic
Mel - I hav the receding hairline and very short fluffy white /grey hair at the moment. I’m using the fast shampoo and it has definitely grown a bit. I must becoming a bit obsessed with hair growth as I’ve had 2 dreams recently where my hair has grown overnight…I wish
All going well with the rads although I’m a tad pink and feel a little tender. My scars are much more pronounced as well but like everyone else I’m using plenty of aqueous cream
Looking forward to meeting up with Moira on Friday
Hope everyone has a good night
Kim x
Evening Angels,
Philomena, congratulations on reaching the treatment finish line.
Angie, how big is the scarf you ar knitting if you needed more wool, is it for Dr Who?
Judy, glad you got the drains out and that it didn’t hurt. Fingers crossed for your continued recovery. Not so good news on the nodes but hopefully the chemo will have stopped it there and rads will do the rest!
My hair seems to have grown a millimetre in the past 24 hours…my head now looks a little grey rather than pink so hopefully the hair will start growing properly now. Amber, hope the mousse works well and you get the colour you want.
I have been out for lunch with my work colleagues today so am very tired tonight, it was good to see them and they seem to want me back so I was happy but tired when I left them. In theory I go back to work in 4 weeks which I’m now looking forward to but am a little apprehensive about how tired I will be, i was shattered after just 2 hours plus the drive today.
Keep up with the aqueous cream ladies, I will be joining you next week…
Kate
X
Evening Angels,
So many posts since I was last here!
Congratulations Philomena! Are you the first to finish?
Amber I had to laugh at the picture of you answering the door. The weather has turned rather chilly down here as well. Sitting here right now wearing bra, vest, sweatshirt and scarf as well as jeans and socks. OH naturally is in short-sleeved t-shirt…
Good to hear that the drain is out Judy and that you’ve been able to face the scar. Sounds like you could have lots of rads to come. Will that be Scarborough every day?
Lots of discussions about hair. You’ll all be pleased to know that mine is still stubble. Ever so slightly longer and more even stubble but still a long long way from any chance of hair dye.
Day 10 of rads so only five more for me. Starting to see a slight colour change - more pink and yes, the scars are looking more angry than at any time since the op back in March. Not yet uncomfortable but shouldn’t tempt fate.
Hope everything is ok with your scan, Sandie and you can get back to the treatment plan.
London was enjoyable but very tiring. Did lots of walking but lots of eating and drinking too. Baby son is coming up here next weekend with his girlfriend. Hopefully, they’ll take my mind off the possibly purple boob.
Looking forward to our meeting up on Friday Kim. My appt is 9.48 so hoping they’ll be reasonably on time and I’ll be with you by 10.15- 10.30.
Moira xxx
Hi everyone,
Well done for reaching the final platform Philomena. You go celebrate girl!
Judy I’m glad the drain removal was painless and that you’ve faced the scar. That’s a great step forward. Rads are definitely easier than chemo. You started with the hardest battle first.
It’s interesting that a few of us have lost hair at the front, creating a receding hair line. Mine did the same. It’s slowly starting to come backa bit now. I decided to go hatless for the first time yesterday for my trip to the hospital, which I thought was a safe start. I donned the hat again today as it is far too cold! Lol. Typical -all the heat and I stayed covered,then when I finally have enough hair coverage to brave the world the weather turns.
Regarding the indigestion I have a slightly different problem as a result of the chemo. I can’t seem to eat or drink anything without getting hiccoughs. Has anyone else experienced this? I’ve had them after each chemo for about a fortnight but they seem to be here to stay for a bit. A bit random I know
Moira I’m glad you enjoyed London.
Hi angels
Congrats Philomena on your arrival. Hope it all gets better from here on.
Judy-thanks for the image of me with one boob sticking through hole in bra- it made me laugh. Very bondage! Think I did something like this when I had cracked nipples feeding babies! Maybe cropped tops might work.
I was chatting to awoman waiting for a friend at the hospital yesterday. She lost her hair from chemo in 2011 and she had beautiful hair- shoulder length thick and shiny. She said it had grown back much thicker and stronger than it was before and she was on tamoxifen. She said she had cut it very often to begin with and it just kept getting thicker. Made me feel much more hopeful on the hair front. Mine however seems to be going again at the moment.
Day 8 of rads today. Boob is a bit pink and bit sore under arm otherwise fine so far. Nearly half way Angie!
Sandy hope ses not too bad, and scan went ok.
Love to you all- no sun here today looks like rain.
Mel xxx
JUdy- I’ve taken lansoprazole every day right through chemo. How long before you get addicted? Did your doctor say how long is too long? When I don’t Take them I get heartburn straight away!
Hi everyone
Guess what arrived In the post today…my first breast screening appointment ! whenI rang them to say I wouldn’t be attending as I am undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she said “Oh good, I’ll take you off the list” !!! I was so surprised by her response I just said ok and put the phone down. About 15 minutes later I rang back and asked to speak to the manager of the dept, I told her what had happened and she apologised profusely and assured me that she would speak to the person and arrange for her to undergo additional training. I also asked for details of the selection criteria used for calling people for routine breast screening as all my friends of my age had been screened within 6 months of their 50th birthday , including a couple who are 12 months younger than me. I was told that everyone should have an appointment before their 53rd birthday and there is no set selection process names are selected randomly. I suggested that this may not be the most effective process. She agreed and said they were looking at different ways of catching people earlier, I suggested it was logical to call people in age order…is it just me of has common sense gone out of the window.
I have read an interesting article in the October edition of Prima it suggests that caffeine hampers the growth of breast cancer cells and in a new study, women who were taking tamoxifen had less than half the normal risk of their cancer coming back if they also drank 2 - 3 cups of coffee a day as the caffeine may activate the tamoxifen and make it more effective. I may have to come off the decaf
The article also says that according to the American Institute of Cancer Research women who’ve had breast cancer are 25% less likely to experience a recurrence if they eat 12g of soya protein a day, that’s the equivalent of 400mls soya milk or 80g of soya mince…I will be asking the oncologist for her opinion when I see her on Monday, I’ll let you know what she says.
Sandie - good luck with the scan
Judy - thanks for the info about omeprozele, worth knowing as I’ve been advised to continue taking them with my arthritis medication.
How is everyone getting on with the tamoxifen? So far I have had no adverse SE’s , in fact the flushes aren’t as bad as normal !
Just realised this post is as long as war and peace
Kim x
Good for you Kim. I’m so pleased you challenged that telephone caller’s glib attitude. There’s a nice little piece in the Times today about one woman’s reasons for continuing to take tamoxifen and the best side effect of chemo being the thicker, glossier hair she now has three years on. Oh I wish…
Eleven down, four to go.
Hugs to everyone,
Moira xxx
Hi Angie I’m having 17 rads. Boob feels generally sore and a bit pink but not too bad. Went to bed when I got back today. I don’t travel far but still feeling v.tired. mouth is disgusting, can’t taste anything and sore. 8 down though…yeah!!
Mel xxx
Kim, I’m pleased you managed to have your say, hopefully it will help others in the future. I had been told that the age for breast screening had been lowered to 47 but it seems your area is still using 50 as the starting age. My sister is 49 but was called when she was 48.5 and got her clear results the day of my 2nd biopsy earlier this year!
Amber, Angie, my fluff was white until about 3 days ago and it has changed colour to grey or brown so I’m hopeful that it will remain this colour as it grows and I won’t need the mousse…or even more brown than grey! I now look like I have a short crew cut rather than a baldy or patchy cut!
Mel, is the ‘disgusting mouth’ a SE from rads or is it still chemo mouth?
We are travelling up ‘Norf’ again this weekend to do final clearance of my mother in laws house so our nephew can move in with his girlfriend and daughter. Not looking forward to the long drive but knowing its the last time for a good while feels good.
Hope everyone is managing to keep warm…tamoxifen has its uses!
Kate
X
Morning Angels,
Sorry my platform dancing has been postponed but ive had a heckic week since last chemo. Thankfully the heart scan was good. Very good actually with having 4x of each chemo and herceptin apparantly so im chuffed about that and I had my Herceptin on Tues. My appointment yesterday was to meet the surgeon who examined me. I have a choice of MX or WLE and he wants me to choose. Because I am HER2+ i have a higher risk of the tumor returning. They wouldn’t tell me how much though. If I have WLE I get to keep the breast but but may be looking at further surgery if they don’t get clear margins. After clear margins I have a choice of standard radiotherapy or Import High Trial rads. (Not so keen now because if the trial dosn’t work im at an even higher risk of a reoccurance).
He did say that if I go for the MX i won’t have to go for rads because chemo has worked so well but can have reconstruction but it depends on what he finds during the operation. So I have a lot of choices to think about.
Whilst the chemo before surgery has worked I feel so poorly after having the last docetaxol and herceptin. Ive actually lost 5lbs. Surgery is penciled in for the 26 Sept and I just hope I feel better for then. I have to go back next weds for my decision. I would welcome any of your thoughts on the matter ladies as youve have already had surgery.
Anyway the sun is shining here near Skeggy and no wind so feeling better but petrified. Thank you for your messages. Hopefully the se’s get better from now on.
Philomena - Congratulations on reaching the final platform. Can’t wait till we all leave the last station together for our meet up. Maybe we should give it a name. Any thoughts???
Mel - My mouth too is the pitts at the moment along with finger end and toe tingles. Head and stomach aches and nearly all my nails are peeling back. But you have Rads aswell. You really have a lot going on at the moment. Be really kind to yourself sweetie. x
Kim - I love coffee now as tea tastes so awful. I too have read that coffee is an anticancer if taken in moderation. Good call on the mamogram mama.
Kate - Take it easy up Norf.
Amber - Wow hair dye already. You go for it huni. Can’t wait.
Moira - Looking forward to thicker and healtheir hair.
Pauline - Good to hear from you and all is well.
Mel A - I too have hiccups but only after drinking cold fizzy drinks, Happens at the first mouthful. Bizzare never had it before.
Judy - Well done on having your drain out. The worst is over so a big well done. Just the zapping to go. x
To all on Rads. Best wishes and I hope the SE’s are minimal.
Debra, Lori and everyone else I haven’t mentioned this time. Thinking of you all. Lv & Hugs. Sandy.xx
Sandy
If I had the choice you had I would go for MX with immediate reconstruction and my reasoning would be that it reduces the risk of BC returning in that breast and also reduces the risk of further ops being required in a short space of time. I had a mx and temporary implant and now almost 6 months later I am so pleased I wasn’t really given a choice of Mx or Lumpectomy - it was discussed but the surgeon told me that for the best long term results he didn’t think the breast would be very good after the lumpectomy. I also know that if I’d had just lumpectomy they would probably have left behind a small third tumour that they didn’t know about until after the operation when doing the testing.
Its a hard decision but I’d recommend talking to your cosmetic surgeon before you make the decision so you know what reconstruction options you have.
Good luck!
Kate
x
Angie - I had heard that lots of people feel lost after all the treatment finishes, I think there is a forum for discussing it. I guess going back to work should help a little but there will be empty times ahead too. As you say we should all still be here to help.
Judy, fingers crossed your ct scan comes through quickly and shows no spread. I’m a little intrigued that the surgeon said the cancer was still in the breast and the nodes were cancerous - does that mean the chemo hasn’t killed it all or is it the cells are there but they are ‘dead’? I’m with you on wishing there was a way of knowing if chemo has worked, mine was ‘belts and braces’ so they aren’t going to do any checking after chemo and rads which makes me a little nervous.
Kate
x