Good Evening Judy,
I trust you are still up and about. After all it’s only miidnight. I’ve been really tired all evening what with my exciting day behind me but come bedtime and PING! Will someone switch off the steroid, please! Anyway the bum cream is for piles (can’t spell haemerroids - or maybe I can). I’ve got them because I alternate between complete bunged up constipation and complete squits. Not having any medical training myself, I would still hazzard a guess that your ‘prolapse’ has more in common with my piles than a prolapse. I got Anusol HC from the doc. Could have probably bought it over the counter but with a prescription it comes free and you don’t have to try and pronounce it politically correctly when hand over the script. Hope tomorrow goes well for you and that you stay ahead of the s/es.
Kim, I forgot to mention earlier that the lovely nurse who looked after me today has recently transferred over from Dewsbury. Sorry but your loss, our gain! Hoping to get her again for number 6. Not kong for your next one either. I’ve lost track since you took a few days off for the wedding and by the way how is your sister-in-law getting on?
Enough for one day. Off to do a sudoku to see if will bring the sleep fairies and if not it’s Dan Brown’s Inferno till the wee small hours. Strangely, the leading lady has something about her that almost all of us can relate to!
Sleep Well,
Moira xxx
Hiya moira, I’ve been in bed for the last hour but like you, at 1.11 - ping, wide awake. Just sat in the kitchen munching licorice. oh I know how you feel moira, I’ve had piles, and they’re not nice, or are they the icing on the cake of having chemo! That greasy cream is the pits when youve put too much on. The prolapse is definitely a prolapse, looking at photos I’ve googled, I think it’s as crap as having piles! Hows inferno, is it as good as the other dan brown books?
well I’ve cooled down now, got a bottle of water, gonna go back to bed and try and sleep… I’ve set my phone akarn at 8 and 4 to remind me to take steroids tomorrow… Don’t want to be up tomorrow night as well!
night moira, sleep well
Cycle 5 docetaxol cycle 2, day 1
well I’ve just taken my steroids and already I’ve got the lovely red beef tomato face going on, cycle 2 today of my favourite poison!
Hi Moira
Is the nurse called ******, she was the sister in charge at Dewsbury and was sent over to Pinderfields to ‘whip them into shape’ she is really lovely and has given me 2 of my cycles, she is really nice and also gets the cannula in first time :). My next cycle is on Tuesday. My stepsister had her first chemo last Friday and she is doing ok so far. I have also had the pile cream prescribed by my doctor, who would have thought that constipation could be so bad.
How is inferno? Is it as good as his others , a still have a kindle gift certificate to use, so may download it now that I’ve started reading again.
looks like it’s going to be another scorcher today so I’ll get my jobs done, nip to M&S for some nibbles as a couple of the girls are coming round tonight and then spend the afternoon catching the rays
Kim x
Cycle 5 Herceptin/DocTax day 10.
Just starting to feel a little better. Like some of you I have been more emotional this time and I have had to rely on OH (and my brother) to help me keep things in order. Still have 3 more to go though so there is light but feel it’s still a long way off and quiet daunting. But I am so happy for those having the last or finishing the cycle’s.
Lori - Absolutely well done. You totally deserve the Happy Dance. Rock it. Our first Dancing Angel. 
Mel - Are you back at home yet hun? Need to know youre good and one of our own has returned to the fold. XXX
Rozz - Great to hear from you and really glad you have your Mac now. For me Fec got progressively worse so I am preparing for the worst as time goes by on Herceptin and Docetaxcol.
Linda and Mel A - Thank you both. I am now using antihistamines and sudocrem. It’s, so reasurring when someone offers a solution.
Lynn - Wish your mum and family all the best for next Thursday.
Philomena - So sorry to hear about your brother in law and what a shock for your sister. Hopefully there is a site like this one to help guide him and your family through.
Judy and Moira - Hope the sleep fairy’s eventually sprinkled lots of sleep dust for you.
Hope you all have a good weekend and have lots of sun. Sandy. x
Self Employed, Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Kate, Lynn, Moira, thank you for your links and advice.
I have just telephoned the ESA claim line, and they have taken my claim.
What’s more, chemotherapy is on the list of treatments to tick, and they have backdated the claim to the start of chemo in April!
Moral dilemma: to complain or not, what would you do?
McMillan money advisor made ( 5 minute) visit to my home 6 weeks ago, and told me I would not be entitled to any benefits as not disabled enough, partner working, have savings. Did not mention ESA! How poor is that! Wages paid by charity and taxpayers! Did not even tell me that a cancer diagnosis means you’re officially long term disabled (not that its worth a scooby in terms of consolation prizes).
I am the sort of person who keeps schtum unless I can give 5 star feedback on e-bay or trip advisor (because I know how hard their ‘victims’ work). Eg: if you cant say something nice, say nothing. But I’m fair fizzing on this one.
What do you think, snitch or let it go?
Mel, how are you? xxx
Afternoon Angels,
have hit severe levels of fatigue today and can barely move…
feeling very odd! But felt I must reply to you Fecinora, it is indeed a dilemma? This cancer lark takes so much out of us in ever bl**dy way and people forget about the huge financial issues that go with this, it really is being kicked while your down. Whilst I support McMillan full heartedly, you may be the tip of the iceberg on these claims. If someone is giving the wrong advise, this can and does have a huge and devastating impact on people when they can least deal with it. I do think you should inform them of what has happened, to ensure it doesn’t happened to anyone else, and to ensure people get early advise. The person involved may need to have some retraining, but they cannot be allowed to continue giving rubbish advise. Sorry rant over…Gand sorry Fecinora that you had to struggle to get the appropriate advise.
hope all you Angels are all ok and dealing with these nastie s/e, feel I have really hit a wall, but love reading about the pets and there love of phones and glasses. We just have a guinea pig now, but my 14 month old grandson Luca is up there trying to get my glasses? Proberly why Im exhausted today.
onwards and upwards Angels, and congratulations Lori on the 1st of all our happy dances, I’ve done a happy clap for you xx
Fecinora
I would snitch as others might be led to believe they can’t claim if they can too in future. If the Macmillan people don’t know what they are doing then there’s no chance for the rest of us is there!
I had a similar problem with the NHS free prescription certificate, I saw a doctor about a week before my mastectomy due to having a chest infection and needing some anti-biotics, he didn’t mention I could get free prescriptions, it was only after leaving the hospital that I found out on this site that I was entitled to the certificate for the next 5 years. Its crazy that you have to find these things out by accident rather than a tick list of things you should be able to go through and either apply or at least know about.
Its sunny again here, my washing is dry, I feel fine and hope you all feel a bit better with a bit of sunshine around.
Mel - have you escaped hospital yet or at least got back to your local?
Kate
x
Hey Angels fecinora glad you got the claim sorted, I think Kate’s gone a wall I hope she’s ok. Took my mum home today she doing ok for 78.
We are off tomorrow for a few nights in Dornoch ( north east Scotland) do not think the weather has to be just as nice as it has been, we have all weather eventualities covered cloths wise so the break will do us good.
Hope you all have a s/e free weekend take care Lynn x
Good Afternoon Angels,
Well I managed four hours sleep last night between 2 and 6. Have mowed four lawns this morning and tidied the garden till younger daughter arrived with husband and three young children who proceeded to wreck the house while preventing grandad from watching the test match - Tom and Jerry is much more fun! Still, wouldn’t have it any other way
I only take one tiny 2mg steroid for three days after chemo. I really don’t know how I’d cope on six! Respect to all you Angels on the tax! Oh, and I still have rosy red cheeks - looks like I’ve had far to much vino while in reality I had two glasses a week ago. How my life has changed 
Judy, if you think it is a prolapse then you really should get to the docs. Don’t think it will get better on its own.
Judy and Kim, Inferno is keeping me going and that’s saying something cos at the moment my concentration is zilch. It’s a similar sort of chase around secret passages but set in Florence. I’m about half way through and waiting for it to all come together.
Kim, the nurse I had was called J*****. I’mnot sure it’s the one you’re talking about because she was so laid back and gentle that I couldn’t believe she would ever choose to whip anyone into shape. There was a sister there who I haven’t seen before.- blonde bob - she looked like she meant business but had a lovely smile the whole time.
Sandie, Sorry you are feeling down at the moment. Think it’s that just past the middle of treatment time when there’s still another mountain to get over. Sounds like you have good support though so grit your teeth, smile a bit and in a few days you’ll come through the cloud.
Philomena, you too having a hard time. What part of the cycle are you at? i’m finding days 4-9 the worst for feeling awful and after that it’s just a few days of walking uphill through jelly!
Fecinora, I say let MacMillan know because it just shouldn’t be happening. I volunteered At CAB for twelve years and because of numerous checks and double checks, the wrong information, if it had ever got out in the first place, would have been corrected by the following day. So for me it’s not just the advisor who is at fault but there checking procedures need overhauling to.
Pauline, just a little thankyou for telling us about Talika. I’ve used it religiously morning and evening and I still have a sprinkling of eyebrows and passable eyelashes and only one chemo to go - not a hair on my head though! It’s just about run out now so off into Leeds tomorrow to get some more.
Time to have a quick doze before thinking aboutt dinner,
Have good weekend, Angels,
Moira xxx
Well done lori on arriving at that happy place.
Moira you can mow my lawn if you’re Still awake.
I have done a great escape from Taunton hospital. Oh had to collect me with caravan on the back, so they told him to stop in the ambulance bay outside a and e while they loaded me, much to the disapproval of everyone waiting at the bus stops, who probably thought he was a bit mad. Then dash up m5 to waiting bed at QEin Birmingham. Its Still hospital but at least its closer and I get visitors! Infection still not identified and temp still 38 every day. More iv antibiotics and endless blood tests. Other than being a pin cushion I feel mostly alright. Onc says I won’t be out before Monday at earliest and may not be able to have cycle 5 next Friday, which will throw a spanner in the works for next attempt at a holiday in August.
Judy- I have a prolapse and if that’s what it is it definitely won’t Get better on own. This may be too much info but I use glycerol suppositories if I’m Constipated to - well -ease the way so no straining which will make prolapse worse.
Hope you all find the sleep fairies, because there’s none in here
Love to all mel xxx
Fecinora I would say something, but not as a complaint, just as something you found out that the advisor hadn’t known, that you’d like to share with them.
Evening Angels,
Fec-T cycle 5 Tax day 11
What a gorgeous day, who needs to go abroad when we have this weather!
Mel - how are you?
Go Lori, Go Lori! Well done, keep on dancing!
Lynn- hope your Mum is ok, enjoy your weekend away. Took the kids to Grannies Hielen Hame a coupe of years ago really enjoyed it.
Kim, enjoy your evening with your friends
Sandy, glad your feeling a bit better, the emotional stuff is so hard
Rozz, good to hear from you
Pauline, are you ok?
I seem to be getting a bit breathless quite easily now along with the fatigue but at least the emotional side of things have settled down
Mel A, Moira, Judy and everyone else, sending you sleep fairies and minimal s/e. Have a good weekend
xxxx
Mel, glad you’ve managed to get nearer home, got funny pics in my head visualising your oh with the caravan parked in the ambulance loading bay, take care xxx
Tax 2, day 8
Evening Angles - another glorious day 8) - aches and pains not too bad although still taking the strong PKs! Mouth completely gone with ulcers so can’t eat at the moment - won’t do me any harm though!!
Lori - massive well done, it’s amazing that we are all nearing the end - can just picture your happy dance - i must get a bottle of champers on ice for mine 
Lynn - enjoy your break and hope your mum is doing ok. I have a 2 night Groupon deal for Killin (near Aberfeldy) which I’m hoping to use next week
Moira - I’ve been using it as well, both lasted quite well but think the Tax is just too bad for the poor brows and lashes! Glad I used it though as def delayed the fallout!
Sandy - pls keep your spirits up, there is def light at the end - just look at Lori, you too will be there soon xx
Judy - a telling off now - get to the feckin doctors!! 
hope today went ok x
Philomena - hope you feel a bit better soon, some days you just feel like sh** but as we know it passes xx
Fecinora - I would def give the feedback, only way they can do something about it
Hope all Angels get a good nights sleep, take care all
Pauline xx
Mel - i took so long posting that I missed yours - well done on your escape, hope they find out whats wrong and chemo not delayed!
and yours Amber - Yea I’m fine , just been a bit lazy posting
xx
When I wondered where Kate was I meant Mel so sorry I mixed you up. (I don’t know how all you Angels manage to remember all the names and where we are all at must just be me or my chemo brain blame it on that anyway). So glad you are back in your local hospital. Lots of visitors this weekend :). Had the fan on all night again kept waking up thinking it was raining outside because of the noise. Have a good one ladies take care Lynn x
HI angels
No sleep fairies in the hospital last night! Still on the antibiotics,still have high temp.another beautiful day - I want out!! As temp is not coming down I’m Wondering if drs are barking up the wrong tree and its Not an infection at all- especially as they haven’t Found it. So I looked at side effect leaflet for lansoprazole which is the only med I’m still taking for chemo se. Guess what ? Fever is listed as an se- rare but there, so I’ve stopped taking it and will ask dr. Quite worried now that huge quantity of antibiotics do not seem to be reducing temp. At least I’m Not neutropenic!
Hope you all have a lovely sunny day today. I’m planning to go and sit in shade ouside with a cold drink and m daughter is coming to paint my nails. Great to have visitors. Also being reminded how lucky I am as everyone else on this bit of ward is terminal. We may have loads of s/e s but at least we can be treated.
Love mel xxx
Morning Angels, Mel, so glad you have managed to get closer to home and near the family. Let’s hope they soon find the the nasty bacteria responsible, interesting about the Lanzoprazole though. I know when I was in hospital for 3 days, the last thing you really get is any rest, hopefully you will be home soon.
Good luck Angels with the nasties. I still have the energy of a sloth but had my radiotherapy plan through this morning and my final day is 18th September… So happy that I finally have a date of finishing:) champagne will defo being going in the fridge today for the momentous day.
Looks like its going to be a real scorcher here today, have a good weekend Angels.
PS I would answer everyone individually but my chemo brain would proberly implode …xx
I went for second CMF yesterday but my temp was 37.5 coupled with a low blood count. Given two lots of antiibiotics. I have not felt unwell just very tired and depressed. CMF deferred until next week.
anyone else had this? I thought CMF was easier? In bed today I can’t face the world today.
Debra. xx
Hi Debra, hope your temp soon falls, and that you soon fel a bit brighter. I have realised that since finding my lump at the end of January that a day has not gone by without the big C rearing its ugly head each day! So thought I would put my positive head back on and think of all the positives to come of this! Difficult I know, but as many have said this group has certainly been one of them. Regardless of how you feel there is always someone here to give you comfort. Also I have always known what great familynamed friends I have, but never to the extent I have discovered over these last 6 months.
we are all so close now to the end of our treatment and that light at the end of the tunnel is big and bright and shining xx