Yeah I’ve just watched channel 4 Dispatches too (can you trust your surgeon) it was totally shocking…I would not give him space in a butcher’s shop. Those poor women my heart goes out to them, some did not even need the surgeries that were carried out!!
Mel hope your feeling ok after your recent trip to hospital…think you’ve had more than your share of visits fingers crossed for some plain sailing now!
Glad you got through the rads unscathed Judy, take it easy plenty time for exercise. My energy levels are all over the place at moment and still aching…shouldn’t complain tho as much better than I was :o)
Take care all Lori x
Afternoon Angels
Maybe it’s a good job I didn’t see the despatches programme at the moment as with every little twinge or pain I do think that that blood clot thing maybe coming back. Im sure its not as they have been checking really well and I have already had one check before centre parcs and I have another tomorrow with the last 60ml fill as they want to make sure everything is settled ready for the radiotherapy measure on Friday.
Judy - I’m still in a little pain and it seems to be coming from the node removal scar under my arm. I still don’t want to move my arm very much and I’m still on painkillers twice a day. It gets worse went I get warm and moist under there. Is this normal nearly a month after surgery? They say the scar looks ok. Also i’m so glad to hear you went through radiotherapy so well after surgery. It’s given me hope that it’s not going to be too bad for me and “Froobee” (my newly named boob which looks stunning by the way with only a little scar across the middle. Im so pleased). It looks better that my other one even without the last fill and ive decided on nipple surgery or tatoo which should cover well over half the scar when I have my permanent implant put in in six months time.
Centre Parcs was lovely and tiring and I missed you all as service on my phone was minimal in the chalet. I was quiet happy when they all went swiming without me as I could catch up with all your posts using the wi-fi in the dome.
One other strange thing for any of you wanting to go swiming again. I decided that I could indulge in a paddle at least so I did. Big mistake. The clorine has somehow made my big toenails ooze a strange liquid from the top and they feel really painful like their being pulled off again as in the case of chemo. Thought I was over all that.
Lori - I don’t have any aches or pains they all seem to have disapeared and I am on Tamoxifen too. Maybe it’s that and the Herceptin together that causes the aches. I restart mine in a weeks time after time off for surgery. I have 14 more to go. Daunting too as we don’t have the option of injections yet. But I’ll let you know how things go. Also my oncologist told me to watch out for vaginal bleed whilst on Tamoxifen and to let her know straight away so things can be checked out. I don’t think she expects me to have any further periods and wants to check up on anything untoward.
Amber - I glad your daughter is feeling a little better. Take it easy if you can.
Diggy - It’s good to hear your hair is growing. Mine too. Just don’t know what to do with it now. It’s very dark and straight. Before this it was very light brown and curly.
Mel - Must be great to have the line out. Onwards and upwards eh?
Lynn - I watched those young poppy girls singing on Sunday night. I cried when her dad came in and she wasn’t expecting him.
Kim - Pleased the transition to work is going well for you.
Mel A - How did your meeting with your boss go yesterday?
Have got to go now. Hope everyone I haven’t mentioned is ok. Lv n hugs. Sandy xxxxxxx.
Lori - Forgot to say im now 47yrs old with regard to the none returning periods.
Thanks Sandy It only happened once so far so I’ll see what happens. I’m 45 so would be nice for them not to return!
Im pleased to hear you are recovering well and soon to have your last fill. Think I have 450ml in my spacer, its a great shape too, my surgeon has done a great job. Im still to decide what type of reconstruction to have, I have two apointments on 10th Dec with two different surgeons as they both specislize in different reconstructions…thinking cap on!
Take it easy Lori xx
Evening Angels,
Its good to read that everyone is starting to feel a little more normal as the days pass by!
Rozz, I’m happy to do either type of room for April. If you want me to book one myself and pay for it on my credit card I’m fine with doing that now if that helps.
I’ve been to see my cosmetic consultant today about reconstruction. He was very happy with how my skin and implant had survived radiotherapy and said I can have a diep reconstruction assuming the ct scan shows good blood flow to the muscles. I can’t have the reconstruction until next September and he wants me to put some fat on my belly before then so they can be sure there is sufficient to give me a C cup! My other boob is E cup but there definitely isn’t enough for that so they are going to reduce that one at a subsequent op. My OH is very jealous of being told that I need to put some weight on…I thought I was fat but if i lost weight they may struggle to make a C cup!
Angie - I don’t wear a hat or wig at all now, unless its really cold and then I wear a normal hat outside rather than a chemo hat! In fact today a shopkeeper told me she loved my hair and wished she was brave enough to have hers cut this short! 
Kate
x
Hi angels
caz- I have no energy either, but it’s early days after chemo for me. I keep thinking I’ll do that tomorrow, then tomorrow comes and I just can’t. keep thinking i ought to be able to do more, but there we go. also sleeping badly.
I’m 52 and onc said it’s possible periods can restart on tamoxifen, although they stopped on chemo. I was still having them before dx. Hoping to never see them again! my eyelashes are growing back - yeh!!!
I’m trying to follow the healthy eating plan fron the Haven, which someone gave me. Finding 8 fruit and veg a day a challenge, but hoping it will help me to feel generally better, if not thinner.
Start tamoxifen tomorrow- not looking forward to it.
I think you’re all magnificent for getting through this. it isn’t till the end that you look back and think OMG did I really do that? We are amazing awesome angels and don’t forget it!
love Mel xxx
Hi everyone. I hope you’re all feeling fine and dandy today
I’ve had a pretty eventful week. My back to work interview went ok-ish, though I get the feeling management don’t fully understand the fatigue thing. I’m like you Caz, I can do so much and then I’ll have days where I’m fit for nothing. I am managing to do more now though. I’m going back for 2 mornings next week and building up from there. How did your meeting go Carol?
I had an appointment with the oncologist yesterday and found out after a nearly 2 hour wait that they had booked me into the wrong clinic so I had to go back today. Everything is fine and I’ll see my surgeon in January, then oncologist again in July. I mentioned not sleeping, as like some of you I’m awake every hour from about 12:30 onwards. Sometimes I’m too hot and sometimes uncomfortable. She mentioned taking tamoxifen in the evening instead of morning to see if that helps. I alsosaw my BCN, who thinks the stiff hips are still a side effect of chemo rather than tamoxifen.
Roz, thanks for sorting out the spa treatment. Would it please be possible for me to have mine around lunchtime- ish so I can get home and changed for the meal at 5pm. I’m happy to make the reservation once I have the full numbers. If you haven’t done already will you please let me know if you want me to book the meal and show. How’s your bad arm now Roz?
Amber - I hope your daughter is on the mend now.
Mel - well done for dodging incarceration again. Onwards and upwards now
How are you doing now Diggy? I hope things are getting easier for you at work.
Glad you enjoyed centre parks Sandy. Take it easy. I still get occasional stabbing pains in my chest now and my op was in Feb. The oncologist said that was normal as the nerves are resettling and that they usually last quite a few months.
Angie I’m glad work is going well for you. Are you feeling any better about life in general now?
Judy when you look back we’ve done amazingly well. I’m not sure if the numbness does wear off as I’m still very numb around my scar. Still at least it doesn’t hurt
All this talk of reconstruction is making me shudder. The thought of more treatment fills me with dread. I think my falsey willbe staying around for a bit.
xx
Amber how insensitive can people be, I have not worn a scarf, wig or scarf since my holiday I just thought this is me. Must admit not had any negative responses a couple of long stares I just stare back and smile f… K them x excuse the language x
Oh Amber how awful! The woman sounds like she has social difficulties herself. It’s hard enough when you are feeling self conscious, without having to deal with that sort of ignorance. Fortunately there are more nice people around who are more understanding. Big hugs to you. xx
Angie thanks for your comments. Unfortunately I also get less pay for going back on reduced hours so whilst I’m on half pay for being off sick I will only get paid for the hours I work when I go back. Not great before Christmas 
Still I can only do what I can do. I’ve been asked by my bcn if I’m interested in participating in a pilot/research scheme about returning to work after cancer. The woman who is doing it is going to send some info out to me in the post, which will explain what’s involved. I’ll keep you posted.
Have a nice weekend ladies xx
Mel - I’m up for the meal and comedy club too, if I need to send money to cover please let me know.
It’s another sunny day here, we have friends visiting for the night, arriving in next hour, who I haven’t seen since just after my first biopsies in feb so I’m sure there will be too much gossiping and alcohol for the men to cope with!
Off to wash my hair and get ready LOL!
Kate
X
Hi angels
Amber- so sorry you met a pillock. some people just don’t know when to shut up. sending a big hug.
Mel- I’m so in awe of you going back to teaching. I’m signed off til January when the money runs out, then I’ll have to see. Have you checked if you can claim ESA while your pay is reduced? i get it while I’m on half pay. It is not dependant on any other income. you just have to have paid NI contributions for 2 years.
On saturday I developed a sore lumpy itchy rash all over the cancer boob. It’s not getting any better. Don’t know if it’s a side effect or something else. tried antihistamine, didn’t help. Anyone else had this? seeing onc on wednesday so I can ask then.
i’m starting counselling as well next week- think i’ve gone a bit generally mad!!! i feel like everything is on hold as it takes me until dinnertime to get up, then I’m just knackered for the rest of the day.
love to all you wonderful angels
mel xxxx
Hi everyone. My first morning at work went well, though I just sat with the deputy head and discussed where she’s up to with the SEN kids. We’re going to carry on with this on Thursday. I had a headache when I came out though and slept this afternoon. However I do have a sore throat so some of the tiredness may be down to a bit of a bug. I’ve been getting headaches a lot lately though. Has anyone else noticed this?
Mel thanks for the advice re ESA. I’ll look into it. Occy health recommended no classroom duties for a few weeks, which should help reduce the initial tiredness a bit. I hope the rash goes soon. It must be very uncomfortable and you can’t always help but worry when you don’t know the cause.
Kate I’m glad work is going well for you.
Diggy I’m also taking time to notice the beautiful autumn colours. It’s amazing how a horrible illness can help you to appreciate the nice, simple things in life.
Thanks to all who have confirmed that they’re going yo thecomedy store for a meal and show. I’ll collate the numbers and double check with every one before I book.
Mel xx
Evening Angels,
Went to hospital to get Froobee filled with 500mls of saline on Wednsday. It took over 20 mins of pushing, digging and eventually, manipulation whilst using a scanner, to find the port in which to inject it into. I think my new found fear of needles came to the fore and I could only describe it as one of the most uncomfortable experiences ive had yet. Just one day off then on to a different hospital nearly an hour away for the radiotherapy scan and yet more needles for the mapping tattoo’s, one of which was very near the port and area bruised from the day before. Tommorrow back at the chemo suite for a blood test, Herceptin IV, and six hours thereafter to make sure I have no reaction.
All I can say Amber is the way I’m feeling now, it’s a good job i wasn’t there when that lady started poking you. Having said that, you should be proud of how you delt with it. And great news on the bone scan. x
Carol - I hope you and your dad had a great time at Chattsworth and all goes well with your return to work. Before BC I was self employed and because of it I now know I have to change my job from being a horse riding instructor for something less risky for me. I do have Business Admim qualifiations but who’s going to employ someone who’s had BC.
Mel - I hope you feel better soon. x
Diggy - Glad you met up with your family too. It’s a great tonic. I too appreciate the trees and sky and lots of things that before BC didn’t seem as quiet as beautiful as they do now.
Philomena - Can’t wait till we can meet up with you again and the other angels in April. It seems so long ago since we met in Wells. Hope you get to meet up with Rozz soon too.
Angie - Normal life. Forgotten what it was like. LOL
Must go as I feel a woe is me moment about to take hold. Going to watch a soap or too to make me feel better.
Have a good night angels. Hope we all have a good one. Sandy xxxx
Just got back from hospital and I can’t have the Herceptin due to low Neutrophils. I don’t know why as my last chemo was on Sept 3rd. Surely bloods should be back to normal now?
We are to try again next Thursday and I have to restart taking my temperature. Im just hoping that I don’t end up having the injections again.
Sorry to rant but I thought the days of fishing for a vein for blood tests and getting a line in was over. This feels never ending.
Lv n Hugs Angels. xxx
Sandy you’re really going through the mill at the moment aren’t you? I am sorry for you. Get your treatment out of the way and you will get a new job -bc or no bc. Change is always frightening - I was terrified of going back to a job I’ve done for 7 years, but you will get something and the treatment will end eventually. Big hugs. xx
Sandy- sending hugs and thinking of you. It will get better so hang on- it’s too hard to think of new ways forward for work when you’re in the middle of dealing with treatment crap- there’s plenty time for that afterwards. i’m trying not to think about work atm and just get better. look after yourself -:smileyfrustrated:things will improve.
love Mel xx
Thank you Mel, Mel, and diggy.
I’m beginning to feel better again. The pain seems to be getting less and I have started the “Getting fitter, feeling stronger” dvd. Which has shown me that i am just where I should be in terms of recovery by which excercises I can manage. I start my radiotherapy on Dec 2nd and hoping my neutrophils are ok for Thursdays Herceptin.
Ok ladies. Where are we all hiding? We need to get the ball rolling for meeting up. The Park Inn has said that we need to hurry as places are limited due to some football event that weekend and Im wondering whether we should go for something less complicated for us all. Maybe on the lines of a Premier Inn near or around Manchester for the same Saturday night with a pub nearby so we can have a meal and chat. We can all book ourselves in and that way no one person is responsible for everyone (so to speak). For me, it’s not too expensive and there will be easy accessible and ample car parking at the Premier Inn. Most of them have restrurants on site too. All we have to do is look forward to who turns up.
What do you think? I’m happy to start the ball rolling or i’m easy to follow the original plan too.
I’m so glad you’re starting to feel better. I’m happy to do whatever. I’m just looking forward to meeting up with you all. A pub and restaurant will be easier for talking and cheaper too.
Work’s going well now I’ve got over my initial nerves. I’m full of a cold at the moment though so I was tired by lunchtime today. Fortunately I’m only doing 3 mornings this week.
I hope everyone else is doing ok xx
Fab Angie. It’s quite liberating (though cold)going wig/hatless isn’t it?
Hi Angels,
Just been catching up with your posts and happy to fit in with the majority regarding booking as I said before I cant confirm either way at the moment as I don’t know when my reconstruction will be planned I hope to know by the end of the year.
Sandy good luck for Thursday hope you get your herceptin ok and are feeling bit better.
Philomena I too am still troubled with aches and pins n needles. Seems to be worse when I’ve been sitting and when I’m in bed, I hobble when I get out of bed everything feels so stiff. Still not sleeping right through either so don’t want to think about going back to work yet.
Had my first injection of herceptin today. Only tok about 2-3 mins to go in my thigh. Alot easier than the infusion as I have more fatty tissue than good veins that’s for sure!! They kept me in for 2 hours afterwards jusy to makr sure I wsd ok. I think in future it will just be half an hour to an hour so much better. Hope you get the option of switching if your on this.
Just s quick post tonight hope to catch up agsin soon with everyone.
Take care all love Lori x