Ah Sandy you don’t need that kind of stress. I think it would be wise to have the herceptin at end of rads to have to attend two different hospitals is a bit much!
The nurses at the unit I attend have carried my herceptin treatment into my Chemo book. I must admit I do feel very fortunate with all the treatment I have had and also very sorry to hear about some of the things you and others have experienced. I hope they work things out for you soon.
Lori x
Congrats Amber on your hair cut. I popped in to see my hair dresser today but my hair is too short to need cutting yet. I am on Herceptin and still getting side effects. On a phased return to work but expected to be back full time after Christmas. Lots of pain in neck and shoulders, like when on tax. Oncologist says I am normal. I stopped taking letrozole due to see and now I am starting on another hormone suppressant (can’t remember name and can’t climb stairs to check!). Will monitor any new she’s. I nail using nail varnish to cover my rotting nails! Oh Rozz so sorry to hear about the lympodema.
Hope the weather not too bad up north. Just a bit windy here in the south west.
Take care,
Diggy Wiggy xxx
Hi Angels just catching up with all your posts. Amber sorry your oh is away for Christmas, and sandy your still suffering hope you feel better soon. Think this must be the weekend for haircuts, I am going on Saturday for a tidy up does not really need cut as such just the neck hairs need trimmed and fluffy bits at my ears. I’m just back from my sisters in Warwickshire yesterday had a lovely few days. Off to Drymen for an overnight on Saturday with my daughter my friends and their daughters for our Christmas party night hope I have the energy. I have had real problems with my heel especially first thing can hardly put weight on it but eases off as the day goes on ?? Falling apart at the seams, can’t imagine feeling really fit again. Found writing my Christmas cards very emotional tears were blinding me as I wrote extra notes, thank you’s for friends and families support this year. X
Good morning Angels,
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while but I’ve been on holiday and it was lovely! We went to Cyprus and walked loads, 5 miles every other day, slept lots and just chilled in the warm sun. Pity we had to come home really!
Reading your posts about tamoxifen and waking through the night…I take menoforce sage tablets and it reduces the hot flushes, doesn’t take them away but it does reduce them. I stopped taking it for a few days a couple of weeks ago and suffered with ‘hotter’ hot flushes so started it again and they went back to being just hot flushes that throwing the quilt onto my OH for a few minutes is enough to cool down and go back to sleep. Unfortunately they are not available on prescription.
For our meet up, either of the meal options works for me. Should I be booking something or paying someone money?
Kate
X
Oh Angie, just what you don’t need eh. My 3 teenagers joined us last week after they got too much for the ex. I put mine to work. Chris painted the bathroom, De helps with the horses, Washing etc. Wes has A levels and work so he’s hardly around but he has to be tidy.
You are soooooooo entitled to a meltdown and unless you say it as it is they aren’t going to know how you are feeling. I used to shut up and put up. Not any more, and now I see the benifit of explaining quietly and slowly how Im feeling. Sometimes they just don’t get that it you have been through the worst time of your life unless you write it down or draw diragrams for them. For us its worked and I really do thank God for when they help out now. I really hope things settle down for you especially for Christmas. Lv n Hugs Sandy. xxx
Kate - It’s really good to hear you have had a good holiday. I think Rozz has already booked some rooms for us.
Lynn - How did the Christmas party go. Im with you on the xmas card thing in that I have even more good people to write one for now. I can’t wait to start feeling a little fitter now either.
Carol - Thanks for letting me know that E45 cream is ok.
Diggy - Hope your phased back to work is going ok.
Amber - So sorry your OH not around at xmas but lovely that you have your sister and kids. Still haven’t got the decos out yet. Maybe today.
Off for my daily fry up. Hope everyone else is good and getting in the christian spirit of things. xxxx
Hi girls hope you are all good. weekend was fab all mums and daughters from the mother and toddlers. I got my first hair cut really a trim round my ears and fluffy bits from my neck hairdresser did not take anything from me. She was so quick . Old friends and family makes you realise what is important though. Got my daughter to help me put a photo on Facebook now every one knows what I look like was a big step, but pleased I did it are any if you on FB I would like to add you as friends but I would need your surnames to do that only if you would like. Take care Lynn x
Hi girls
Kim- sounds like you had a great time- could do with a bit of sun.
Amber- building AND xmas? hope it’s all done in time. Enjoy the nativity.
Sandy- it’s good to know teenagers have their uses! my eldest will be back next week for the holiday. really looking forward to seeing him.
Lori- You had a chemo book???
Angie- 2 dogs and 3 babies would send anyone into meltdown! It’s hard to say NO to family but you have to look after yourself first. hope it’s all resolved soon.
sounds like it’s haircut time for lots of you- mines not there yet but growing. Seems to be developing a sort of tufty look- am wondering if it’s going curly. Haven’t tried to do anything about the colour, it seems to be getting darker as it comes through but mostly grey. Wig is out a lot, good in cold weather.
I managed to see my GP (like getting an appt with God) to get some help with ses of tamoxifen and general support. I was hoping to have less tablets to take but oh well! I’ve gone back on lansoprazole for indigestion for now, increased anti depressant i was already on as apparently it helps with hot flushes and have got sleeping tablets to take when I can’t cope with lack of sleep any more! hopefully this will get me through the 3 mnth ‘settling’ time on tamoxifen.
getting lots of arm/ shoulder pain on surgery side, much worse than it was. Don’t think there’s any swelling, but not sure what’s going on. Anyone else having this? maybe it’s just using it more as I tryto do normal activities again.
I’m trying to lose some weight- just by eating healthily- and I’ve lost about 5 lbs. It’s very slow going and there’s a long long way to go.
i know some of you have asked but is there anything i’m supposed to be doing for our meet up? and what were the dates again…
Oh Angie. Poor you. Police? Really??? You really shouldn’t have to put up with any more emotional turmoiI. I hope things improve for you soon sweetie.
Amber - How i giggled. The fry up I was refering to was the Rads. Lol. Every time the machine makes that buzzing noise I now think of sausage, egg, and bacon and Im starving when I finally get home. You also kicked started me into getting a few prezzies wrapped for xmas and OH and I have used the rads trip to Lincoln to go xmas shopping.
Lynn - Love your hair in your pickie. What a lovely colour. Mine still looks like it’s shaved but I will update my picture soon.
Mel A - Im sure the BP is nothing to worry about. I was told that any number of things can happen to us ladies post chemo for up to six months or more. Mine is still low white cell count although they said it would slowly get better. It is, but in very small incriments. It is high enough now for me to restart the herceptin (just) but they are going to wait until after Rads and this is my last week. yaaayyyy.
I do seem to see a light at the end of the tunnel now but daren’t rejoice just in case it’s whipped away again.
Mel - I hope it’s not frozen shoulder I have read about that. I really hope it resolves it’self soon.
Rozz - I see my oncologist in Feb too. I have just started having broken sleep too and I don’t know whether it’s Tamoxifen kicking in or the Rads. I suppose i’ll soon find out.
Got to go. I hope everyone else is good and looking forward to Christmas. Lv & Hugs Sandy. xxxxxx
hi all you awesome angels
Rozz- glad you’re getting to grips with the lymphoedema. My son is in his 4th year doing physics.
Angie- oh no not what you needed at all. You’re right to take your time before making any drastic decisions- time to put yourself first?
My arm and shoulder is definitely improving now I’ve stepped up the exercises. I’m using the dvd in the moving forward folder.
That’s the good bit now for the bad-- I am soooo depressed. I’m just weeping all over the place and have turned into one big knot of anxiety. I’m not worrying about me and the cancer coming back, i seem to have transferred it to oh and children, so I keep thinking what’s the next awful thing that’s going to happen? My mum died of cancer last year, I got cancer this year- I’m so scared of what might be to come. I feel like I’ve got through all that crap and now I’ve just fallen off the edge of a cliff emotionally. i know you can be depressed at the end of treatment, plus this started 2 weeks into tamoxifen. I’ve been to GP who has increased anti depressants but they’ll take a few weeks to kick in. I hope they work because I can’t cope with feeling like this. I’m dreading xmas and I feel really bad that I’m not just full of joy having finished chemo. This is the worst I’ve felt through the whole thing- I could understand if I’d just been diagnosed.I’m 6 weeks post chemo, has anyone else felt like this? sorry to winge but I’m rock bottom just now.
love Mel xxx
Morning Angels not posted for a while but I have been reading yours. Angie and Judy I’m sorry to hear you are both having family problems, it probably does not make it any easier for you but I think this is not an isolated problem just ask your friends about their families , there is a problem in most families what is it they say you can choose your friends not your family. My husband did not speak to his dad for 10 years before he died. Mel sorry to hear you are so down just now. Does your council / McMillan run any talking therapies or excercise classes for people recovering from cancer. I’ve been going to a can move class and have found it therapeutic. Macmillian also run talking classes in some of the local library’s. There is also independent charities we have cancer support Scotland who offer massage and relaxation. Google cancer support in your area. Hope you find something soon that helps you. Hope all you other Angels are doing ok. Not heard from some of you for a while, probably all too busy at this time of year. Hope you all enjoy it the best you can. Take care Lynn x
Hi everyone
Angie I agree - we are awesome. We’ve all just got through what has probably been the toughest year of our lives. If we can survive8 that we can survive anything. I know what the nurse means about changing as a person. I’ve changed. I’ve become more sentimental in many ways, but tougher at work. I’m making sure I get my breaks and I’m doing an hour a day less than I used to. I’ve figured that if I don’t look after me no-one else will. I’m also taking more care over my appearance now - I still wear make-up every day, which I never used to and I dress more smartly. There’s nought like chemo to make you image conscious I suppose 
I am sorry to hear about your family troubles though Angie and Judy. I wonder if some of the tension could also be related to the stress of this year as it isn’t easy to see your loved ones suffer and our own fears and anxieties are probably just as painful for our families. It’s just a thought.
I really do hope things work themselves out for you both.
Mel - keep your chin up. You’ve had it rougher than most of us this year. It’s bound to take its toll. You will come through it - 1 step at a time eh?
Love to all
Mel xx
Oh no Angie, hope you are okay and that things have settled down now. Hopefully 2014 will be a better year for you whatever you decide to do.
I have one more days work tomorrow before a week off for Xmas and it can’t come soon enough…I’m shattered with all this work! I’ve also had my eyes tested and now have to wear glasses for both long and short distances whereas 18 months ago when they were tested I had 20/20 vision so chemo and tamoxifen haven’t done my eyes any good! Hope no one else is having the same problems.
Hope everyone is okay and looking forward to a peaceful and happy christmas
Kate
x
Oh good grief, I responded to Angie’s post and then my page refreshed and I got all the others showing that everyone isn’t alright and looking forward to Christmas!
Mel - I hope you can get some help locally, you have been through a lot so take any help they will offer. I feel more emotional now 4 months post chemo than I have all the way through the year! I think its just everything coming to the surface and me starting to worry about my 1 year check up.
Judy - hope your christmas isn’t too tense and you manage to keep the peace for the time you need to.
For us this christmas is going to be hard as my OH has no family left now so I think he will feel it this time of year. We are off to my family for the weekend this weekend which will be fun but tiring so I’m looking forward to a rest on Monday or Tuesday when I’ve done the last few bits of food shopping.
Thinking of you all
Kate
x
Hi all
Angie-sorry you’re on a downward spiral too. I think we’re bound to change going through what we’ve been through. I don’t think there’s a way back- just a new normal to find.
Kim- sorry you’re feeling emotional too- when is your 1 year check up?
lynn- haven’t found any exercise or talking groups locally yet, but I’m taking up any help that’s offered. I’m having counselling at the hospital and I’m going to do the peer support through bcc. I would like to do some exercise in a support group, I just walk on my own at the moment. Can’t find anywhere offering massage or stuff like that in the area either- other than just private places. I’m lucky to have great support from family and friends though.
Still feeling terrible and just trying not to be on my own too much. I’ve explained to the kids and they’re being great. Eldest is doing all the cooking. At least everyone will be around at xmas. my xmas tree has now stood in the front window for 4 days with no decorations on it. the neighbours will be talking!!
love to you all xxxx
Lucky you Judy. I was told I had to wait 6 months after rads before I could have a stick on prosthesis 
Having said that I’m happier with my normal prosthesis since I got some bras that fit properly.
Nearly at the end of my first full week at work. I’m absolutely shattered and had to leave early today. Hopefully it will be an easier day tomorrow as we break up for Christmas. I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year. I’m going to a panto on Saturday, which I’m looking forward to.
Philomena I’m glad you had a good break.
Judy I hope the eye thing turns out to be nothing. It’s quite worrying that both you and Kate have noticed some deterioration since chemo.
I hope you’re all winding down on the work front now. Have a nice weekend ladies xx
yeh let’s hear it for the tufty club! I wondered if this would mean it’s going to be curly? was dead straight before.
Caz-you’re doing so well to work 3 days a week and paint for your exhibition. You deserve a rest over xmas!
We should have an angels xmas party online if anyone has time on xmas day. We are angels after all!
sandy- are you out there?
love Mel xxx
Mel - what a great idea!
Carol - you’re doing great returning to work for 3 days. If you aren’t ready for full time yet see if you can ease back a bit. I’m glad you will be seeing family and friends over the Christmas period, though I wouldn’t worry about spending time with your friends families on Christmas day. I’m sure they wouldn’t invite you if they didn’t want you there. Have anice restful time.
Judy we’re off to see **bleep** Whittington today with Pudsey the dancing dog. I’m looking forward to it. We’re going to have a meal first, then look around the Christmas markets before going to the theatre. Did you enjoy Cinderella?
Angie - I hope things are settling down for you a bit at home. You deserve a nice Christmas. Xx
On the boob ( or non-boob) front I was a bit fed up yesterday because as I’ve started to lose a bit of weight the top part of my chest seems to be dipping in a bit, which makes it more apparent that my boob isn’t there -just as I’d got used to wearing my old clothes again. I guess my necklines will have to creep higher still Has anyone else noticed this and is it a problem when you’ve had a reconstruction?
Have a nice weekend everyone.
Mel xx
Afternoon Angels,
Ive finally had time to catch up on your posts and reply. I finished radiotherapy yesterday. Most of it has gone without incident even though the driving to and from has taken most of my day away. I even battled through the day of high winds and then got back to sit with my mum and dad who live very close to the sea in Skegness and who were worried about the sea coming over. My skin is chargrilled but has held up well. I just have a circle of skin breaking down right under my arm but I can’t feel it as it’s numb te he…every cloud eh? I have been told it should start to get better after about 7-10 days.
Philomena - Thanks for texting. It was lovely to hear from you. I hadn’t even had the time to even turn the computer on before leaving every day and getting all my other jobs done. Were looking at the middle of May to return to lovely Wells. Fancy a night on the Albatros? LOL. xxx
I’m pleased that most angels are having a break over Christmas and not working. Chance to have a wind down and regroup.
Mel - It’s a good idea for us all to have a online party count me in. What time should we all try to congregate? Mel I hope that we all feel better soon especially for the new year. I too am finding the good days ok and the bad days just horrible. I have a friend of mine who has just reached the 5yr anniversary mammogram and is all clear. She has told me that time will fly and slowly the bad days will get fewer and fewer and it’s the first yearly check after treatment that is the most important mentally. Once were over that we should start to relax a little more.
Judy - I know my eyes are worse and I will go for that eye test after Christmas when I have time. It’s good that they have made an appointment for you to get it checked at the hospital although I’m sure it will just routine. Get that dress on and feel good. My kids asked me what I wanted for xmas (they both work weekends and I usually say “oh don’t worry sweeties”). This year I dragged them into Top Shop and showed them a top i really loved and guess what? The’ve got me some jeans to go with it!!! How many xmases have I missed out?
Mel A - Now you can take it easy and recharge. Enjoy that Panto. And you too Judy.
Good to hear from you Angie, Kate, Lynn, and Caz, and anyone else ive missed. Have a great weekend Awesome April Angels. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Really enjoyed seeing ‘Richard’(bleep) Whittington today.
:-)We were in stitches all the way through it. We went with friends and all went for a meal first. It was a lovely day.
Sandy - yay! Rads done at last! I’m so pleased for you. How long are you on herceptin for now?
I’m glad work is going ok for you too Roz. Tamoxifen is awful for interfering with sleep isn’t it? I hope your arm is starting to get better with the sleeve.
Angie I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better at the mo. Have a lovely break. Xx