You’ve got your name! Fab! To me you will be the triple A’s now and I’ll be imagining wee duracell bunnies fighting their way through chemo. Good luck girls!
Hi Ladies
Welcome Lori and Victoria and thanks to our supporters from previous months - it really does help
We’ve got a great bunch of AAA’s now (love the bunny analogy:) - just a shame that we all have to be here!
Zuzy - I think we had someone due to start on 2nd April - Amber maybe?
Deborah - yes we sound quite similar, I expect I’ll start around mid April which will be 6 weeks after 2nd Op - will be interesting to see what cochtail (mmm) we both get!
I’m away for weekend to beautiful Glencoe in the scottish highalnds so probabaly wont post for a few days but looking forward to catching up when I get back. I’m assuming there is not a smartphone app for this site as haven’t seen anything?
take care, Pauline (44, Glasgow) xx
Hi, I think I will probably be a AAA! I had a right mx on the 4th February, have recovered well, except the seroma underneath that is really annoying! I am seeing my oncologist for the first time on Monday 18th!
I have been told no nodes were infected after a SNB (with my mx), so surgeon says chemo is preventative due to my age (I am 32 today!)
I am quite philosophical about the whole thing and suprisingly keeping strong! Love reading this forum to learn about everyones trip and all the different cancers and permutations, I think it will be nice for us to support each other!
I may start in March not sure, but I suppose I can still be part of your group (if u don’t mind!)
I am dreading the chemo and losing my hair (I will look awful with no hair!) and worried about my 5 year old and how she will cope during the chemo! I just want to get on with it now so that I can finish!
I have been signed off work and they have been very understanding up to now, I am pretty sure that will continue, but can’t see it forver, feeling guilty that I cannot work! Hope you are all coping well!
lots of love x x x
Hi Ladies,
Sarah41 - Happy Birthday for today…if its any consolation I have a pathalogical fear of losing my hair too…when we saw the surgeon and found out I was to have chemo…my Mum said to me as we walked across the car park…“Some women really suit shaved heads”…to which I dissolved into laughter and said…“I wont be one of them”…!! 
I have been tentatively following your post for the Awesome April’s…following my appointment with ONC today…I think I will be starting my chemo (TC x 4 with herceptin for 12 months) sometime mid April…I have asked them to delay it until after my nieces 18th and we are also trying to squeeze in a week away before it all starts…diagnosed 23rd January with small (13mm) IDC ER7+ PR- HER2+++ following biopsy etc, WLE & SNB on 7th Feb with further surgery on 22nd for Re Ex of 29mm DCIS, originally thought I’d escaped the dreaded chemo since BCN said possibility of just Rads and Tamoxifen…however due to HER2+++ and subsiquent need for Herceptin I have to have 4 rounds of chemo…I have been offered the ‘choice’ but as I said to him today there is no choice…if they recommend it and it improves my chances of kicking cancers butt…I will do whatever is necessary…!!
I am hoping due to the regime they have given me I wont have too many side effects (fingers well and truly crossed…!!) I’ve also opted to go for the cold cap (at this stage) if my hair starts to come out in clumps and end up patchy I will be taking the clippers to my head…I’m sure I’ll really struggle when the time comes, but I’d rather have control of my hair loss than it have control of me…!!
I’m fortunate in that I have been working from home since my diagnosis…partly because the unit we were working from was closing down and partly due to my diagnosis…I want to let my treatment have as little impact as I can on my working life and fit it in as and when I can (I have great and very understanding bosses…all three of them…!!) I will just listen to my body and rest when I need to…!!
Still have a smile…intend to keep it that way…today is Friday which means vodka tonight
Take care everyone
Love and (gentle…for those of you have just had surgery) virtual hugs
Laura xx
Hi
Just wanted to wish all the AAAs a lovely weekend. May it be full of splendid and enjoyable distractions… And a bit of sun would be good too, if possible
Wendy x
Just read the article as posted by maggie, sorry, but I have to say what a load of old codswollop!! If you have any uncertainties, ask onco or chemo nurses when you meet them. If you really are worried about drinking or using cows milk, there are lots of non dairy milk around which will give you the needed calcium for a healthy diet. Goats milk, soya milk, hazlenut milk, almond milk, and others. I’ve tried some of these, but still use full fat cows milk. This is the second article about breast cancer issues in the Mail, the other one was codswollop too. Read the February Valentines thread to find it and our comments on it, and on whether or not to use cows milk. By the way, I asked my chemo nurse if I could use probiotic drinks and live yoghurts, she said yes, but check for yourself if unsure. Eat well, and take care.
Kath xxx
Hello Sarah, happy birthday for today. how are you recoverying after surgery? Its good news that you’ve got no positive nodes.
Hey Laura, you’re mum sounds a bit like mine. When I told her I needed breast surgery, she said that at my age (45) what did it matter about my boobs! (I’m sure she was trying to make me feel better).
x
Hi there AAA’s just popping in from the 2012 April Bunnies thread ( Southpool, Gaynor, Vanns etc) to say hello and wish you all luck. Don’t pop back often now, which is clearly healthy! Just a word about pro- biotics ; best not take them. I got so desperate to have my digestive system working while on FEC, that I took an actiMel. Not a good idea, as the healthy bacteria in the drinKs multiply too much in a chemo affected gut. Also, don’t worry about health scares; eat sensibly and healthily, but do stock up on top grade green tea. If you can drink it, that is; a far cry from Iron Brew and whiskey? Maybe youcould do a comparqtive study?
Promise not to stalk you often, but you have all my very best wishes for what is to come. Its not easy, but it is doable, and losing your hair s not nearly as bad as you think; the wigs are fantastic, scarves can look stunning in the summer, and it does grow back again. It s a year of your life, which sounds horrific, but each stage in the treatment offers a new challenge.
You all sound amazing, so might popback occasionally to see how you are doing. ( don’t miss this damned auto- correct!!)
Love, Sameelee3
Xxx
Hi everyone,
i would like to join your group too please as I’m hoping (never thought I’d say that!) my chemo will start in April. I was diagnosed dec 18th with IDC grade 2 25mm tumour and affected lymph nodes. ER+++ PR+++ Her2 -.Had WLE and ANC jan 17th. Found out it was grade 3 aggressive 49 mm tumour and 9/15 positive lymph nodes. Got clear margins round the lump however the surgeon found another dodgy bit which tested positive for cancer. Went back for a re excision on feb 14 this other bit is also grade 3 and there are lots more areas too so now I’m having an Mx on thurs 21st march and chemo is to start 2weeks later ( providing wound has closed up and no infection). The only prob I’m having is that surgery is at one hospital and I asked the oncologist/consultants and surgeons that I be transferred to another hospital for chemo and rads (various reasons-one being they offer the cold cap and another is I work there) back in december and I STILL have not been referred so various consultants ( my boss) and the gp are now involved to make sure it is in place by the time I have my op next week.
Im also 46 married with an amazing OH and 2 potty rescue dogs from abroad
which areas of the country are we all in?
Lots of love and positive thoughts to everyone
LS XXX
Hi Awesome Angels . I’m another April 2012 chemo bunny. Loving your name and the comment someone made about triple A Duracell bunnies! As others have said, this chemo lark is doable and if it kicks cancer’s butt into touch then it is worth doing. I couldn’t have envisaged being one year on but here I am, booked to do the BCC Pink Ribbon Walk with 7 of my bunny friends in a few weeks time. Couldn’t have imagined that a year ago! My bit of wisdom is to remember to laugh. Chemo has its dark moments so you hv to filter them with laughter. The support from others going through it at the same time is invaluable and like us april 2012 buns you will make friends for life. Share laughs about the horrors of losing your hair (not as bad as you imagine), share tips and enjoy each others company. Keep clear of google and don’t believe what you read in the Daily Mail!!! Check out BCC’s headscarf workshops and be sure also to book yourself on a Look Good Feel Better workshop - you are allowed to google that! Lots of beauty tips and an amazing goody bag to take home. irresistible. Love and virtual hugs to you all. Margietee xxx
Laura, please don’t worry about hair loss. If cold cap fails, most hospitals will give you a voucher and a list of hairdressers local to you that accept these vouchers so you can have a free wig, or a greatly reduced one. You might have to have your hair a bit shorter with CC though. Most of the February Valentines have gone with this optiion (I’m one of the few that haven’t) and are very happy with their wig.
Kath xxx
Hi to all the Duracell Bunnies
Welcome to Littlescoot and Victoria, we’re all in this together to support and encourage each other and have a bit of banter along the way.
Zuzy, think I might be first on the rollercoaster, start my chemo 2nd April so will keep you all posted
Pauline, hope you’re having a fab time in Glencoe, must be great to get away for a few days and chill
Sarah41 & Laura, my biggest dread is losing my hair too as unlike Jessie J, we do not have the choice, I feel my identity is being taken away and Iam not in control
Kath, popped into the Feb valentines, your poems are amazing you should get them published at the end of this journey, they’re so inspiring.
just going to top up my wine, Saturday night in with Ant n Dec for me lol
have a great weekend xx
Thanks Shona, most of them are ‘old odes’ but I’ve been given a lot of inspiration from these forums.
Hi everyone
Hope you’ve all had a good weekend - if you’re not posting here then hopefully everyone is out doing “normal” things (despite the grotty weather)! Going back to see my surgeon tomorrow morning at Stoke Mandeville to find out if I have clear margin (so many fingers crossed) and what the deal is with how many nodes they took out. A bit worried about swelling around and under my armpit and quite painful down to my elbow and beyond. All seemed to be going really well until I upped my excercises after week 1. Anyone else had similar issues? Although I did pull my drain out on day 2 and had to have it removed a day early 
Nicki xx
Good luck for tomorrow Nicki x
Hello Nicki, good luck for tomorrow, hope the margins are clear. I’m waiting for my results too this Friday (I had WLE and ANC on 7 Feb, and further excision on 7 March).
I’ve still got a lot of numbness AND hyper sensitivity in my underarm and down to my elbow, I’ve been doing the exercises so have got a good bit of movement back but have a way to go yet. The cording was pretty bad at first (I’m guessing that’s what it was) and I found it painful even to straighten my elbow. Its only in the last week that that’s got a bit easier. I asked for and got a referral to the physio, and its been great - just having someone to talk through specifically about my arm and motivate me with the exercises. She told me last week that she’s been reading up about lympodoema too, so its been great.
The point about me rambline on about my own arm, is to say can you ask your BCN for a pysio referral?
Deborah
Good luck Nicki, hope all goeS well xx
Hi AAA’s
I just sent you all a little message - but then lost it all when trying to post it aaarrrggghhhhh!!!
The short version is that I hope you are all doing well - sorry but I just can’t redo the whole thing.
I’m due to have my MX with recon tomorrow and so far my hospital bag is half packed full of chocolate and wine gums … well I’m due to stay in for a week so thought I would need supplies! I’m not sure why but I feel incredibly strong and not too emotional about losing my boob - odd really. (terrified of losing my hair tho!)
I love reading all your posts - stay positive - this time next year we will all be able to right on other posts to say WE DID IT!!!
Victoria x x x
Best of luck for today Victoria. Thinking of you and sending you virtual hugs xxx
ls xxx
Thinking of you, Nikki and Victoria - hope all goes well today.
Wendy x