Hiya All and Happy Easter Saturday!
Poor Sharon. I am LONGING for chemo to end, so much so that I havent focused on what will follow. Don’t know if I will need Herceptin but I am HER2 pos, so might. I thought Herceptin was almost s/e free. You obviously have my luck! Are you sleeping? I didn’t sleep a full night for about 4 years with the damn shoulder. Became normal. Do the pain pills help? I got that combination too - the big pink smartie like things? I took them with dihyra-codeine? Took the edge off.
Hope they are giving you some relief, but it would be so much better if you know the cause. At least it wasn’t a clot! HAve they suggested physio? That really halped me (and my bro when he had a trapped nerve)
Fiona, how are you today pet? I cannot believe it took 8 hours! I am in and out within the hour, and thats with the preamble, chats etc. Took a bit longer yesterday as they couldn’t use the vein they had been using so they used the other hand. Left a bit of a bruise (I knocked it) but nothing too obvious - ‘I have just had chemo’ tell tale signs. I slap on arnica gel the second I’m home, great for bruising.Are you suffering any s/e? I have had none at all this time. Had toast for brekkie, a jar of mussels for lunch. Just this damned all consuming tiredness! I leave a summer duvet on my sofa as I need to nap all the time! I used to sleep like 4/5 hours a night!
Anyhow, I do hope you are getting through this with ease. Your attitude will see you through.
Fiona, honestly the loss of your hair, though naturally upsetting, is nothing like as bad as you will imagine. And the wigs are really natural looking. Glad you had such a lovley day. You’re right. Feeling normal is fantastic!
I wonder is any of you great gals could give me an idea of how long I can expect to be in hospital for the surgery? Think it might be lump, but with total ancillary lymph removal. As I haven’t seen any of the surgical team, the oncies can’t advise. Don’t know if they will use the same scar they used for the DNB, don’t know if they will take scar up to collerbone, don’t know if I will need recon (think I will as the lumph is situted at the top of my cleavage, on the visable part of the boob, don’t know if I will get removal and recon at same time (hope so, who needs more surgery?)I am one of these people who NEEDS to know everything - even worst case scenario. Makes me feel like a participant, not a bystander, does that make sence? I don’t really find the BC nurses too helpful at Hairmyres. Before my HER2 pos status was confirmed and I called to discuss the implication I was partonised and told ‘it just means that it doesn’t respond to hormone treatment’, I went off the handle and told her is actually is a separate basal type of sub cancer with it’s own special characteristics and behaviors and with a different prognosis. So I don’t go to them for advice. I go to the real experts, my fellow travllers and special sisters - you chappies!
Would love to meet you all soon as. Free all next week (I think) and this is the week when I normally feel best - get my jabs, seroids etc.
Get some jokes off to you later in the weekend. This is the 1st Easter weekand I have not gone away so am feeling a wee bit at a loose end. All the family are loaded with the cold and are terrified that they will knock me ill again!! They are coming in with their faces covered with scarves - look like terrorists!
Love to you all and hope that you enjoy the rest of the weekend, such beautiful weather! I am going to do my planters tomorrow. I overwintered some wee plants that can now go out. Still can’t dig (not got the strength anyway) but it’s ok to do this light stuff! I find gardening the most relaxing thing in the world, and am getting a greenhouse this year, once some money starts coming in. Will supply you all with home grown tomatos!!!
Sharon my pet, my thoughts are with you. It’s just so unfair that after all you have been through you are lumbered with such hellish pain. Will this put back your surgery? God I hope not! Honestly, if you can get those wheatbags they are soooo comforting. You can freeze them too, and 5 mins in the micro will give you a couple of hours of gentle moulded heat. You can put a drop of oil (lavender etc) on them too. I have had one for about 10 years - looks tatty now, but I have even taken it to work!! Please get a hold of one Great for your tum for period pains too. And for my wee cold feet!
Fiona - keep your lovely chin up! Hope you are finding the chemo bearable. Try ginger if you feel queasy, even a ginger snap and a hot cup of tea. Drink loads! Sleep well and let everyone take care of you. Don’t try to do too much. I did on the days when I felt great (and there are lots of them) pulling furniture out scbubbibg floors, and really it does take it out of you. So now I know my limits …
Love you all
See you soon?
Annnie xx