Anyone from East Kilbride/Glasgow area?

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HI Girls

How is everyone – hope you are all doing fine.

Sorry I’ve not been on this last week, but we’ve been down to Wales to stay with my mum for the week. I have to admit I was a wee bit stressed about going just in case I was ill ( yep I know they have Dr’s in Wales!) but thankfully I was fine. It was just great getting away – I think we all needed the break. John managed to get out fishing most days as he wasn’t worried about leaving me with the kids for the full day, and the kids had a fantastic time; hunting grass snakes most of the time – yuck! I even got my hair cut, I can’t believe how much it actually grew during my EPI chemo. It’s really thin on the crown, but the rest isn’t too bad. My sister used to be a hairdresser and was really surprised at how much how I actually had. My arm is now a lot better – I think the EPI is really hard on the veins, I think having the last 2 CMF’s in my other arm has given it a much needed break. The side-effects of the G-CSF injections have been so much easier this time as I think I was prepared for them.

Yvonne / Lynda – I’ve found the CMF so much easier than the EPI; hardly any side-effects just a sugar crazing!, when I asked why it was given in 2 doses (schedule A), I was told the quantity administered was too toxic to be given at one time - great!

Maggie – Glad your first chemo was OK – did you try the cold-cap?

Fiona, Pauline, Sheila, Carol, Annie, Sharon and everyone else – lots of hugs

Anyway I’d better go; need to get back to unpacking.

Hugs

Helen
xxx

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Hi all.

Still feeling ok after first chemo yesterday.

Helen, I didn’t go for the cold cap, to be honest my hair is not going to be any great loss. It’s horrible and now that Ive got an inch of grey coming in…I think Im going to just let it grow in grey when it starts to grow back.
I can’t believe how well I slept last night, but Im not going to be Blasé about it.

Up to my ears in Washings…so must press on
Have a wonderful days girls

Maggie xxxxxx

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Hi girls

Only 4 more zappings left!!

Maggie - Well done on first chemo, I wasn’t too bad all way through.

Girls I have sent my deposit off for the Young Womans Forum, it’s at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld, I have spoken to people who went to Thistle in Glasgow, but this hotel looks lovely, just had wee peek on web

hugs to all

Speak to you soon
Sharon xx

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Thanks Sharon…had a wee scare last night. Went for a walk with the dog about 6pm…only about 15mins. Got home…and started shivering…then got hot…then got a sore throat…temp went up to 43.1.
Phoned NHS.24 they were brilliant…not gonna believe this. SUNSTROKE !

Blimey…had to check temp all night long…went up and down like a yo yo. But this morning fine. Went to docs to get bloods taken…but Im sure it will be ok.

Slept all afternoon…first time that I can ever remember sleeping during the day.

But tickedy boo tonight.

Hope all you ladies are feeling GREAT tonight

Love and hugs

Maggie and the dug xxxxxxxxxx

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Hi Everyone,

Maggie, glad you are ok now after your scare! That was a pretty hi temp!! Hope you stay fine from now on.

Sharon, 4 left and counting!! Good for you, bet you can’t wait till it’s all finished. Just Herceptin to suffer!!

Pauline, how’s tricks? You must be nearly finished too. How did the scan go on Monday?

Helen, so good to hear you had a wee trip to Wales. Are the boys all set for School on Monday. You’ve got a new P1 and I’ve got a new 1st year!!! How is your arm now? Mine is still sore, I’m hopefully going to get some excersises on Monday.

Yvonne, good to hear you’re doing well. Hope you’re taking it easy.

Carol, good news about your mum. Can’t believe they still don’t know what’s wrong with her! Bet she’s just glad to be home.

Annie, what day’s your chemo? Hope your managing to stay nice and chilled before hand. I’m sure you’ll be fine but we’re here if you need any advice with Tax.

I’m on the iPhone and it’s decided to mix up all my text so apologies if there’s a big chunk at the end!! I can’t seem to get it back!!

So TaTa for now girls, hope you all have a nice weekend.

Hugs
Fiona xxxxx

Is anyone free to meet up during the wk 24th - 28th? Just thought I’d ask as it’s been ages. X

went to Beatson today as given appointment for nurse clinic, turns out it should have been an assesment done over the phone for Herceptin. Mix up along the way!! So a needless trip. Good job I was up that way at Maggies, went to nutrition class which was great.

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Hi Girls

How’s everyone. I have been up to much since we got home from Wales, just unpacking, washing and general tidying-up; not very exciting!. I did have an appointment at the Genetics clinic yesterday and am going to be tested for the BRCA1,2&3 genes, as 2/3 of my dad’s female cousins had BC in their 50’s and 3/4 of my Grandads sisters had it too. Fingers crossed the tests will come back clear.

Maggie – what a scare you had with your temperature – make sure you keep yourself covered up and covered in a high factor sun cream when you go out. Take it easy, you’ll probably find you’ll need alot more rest in the coming weeks. What did you decide about the job?

Sharon – have you had your last frying session? – Well done, you’re doing great. What’s next?

Fiona – My arm feels so much better, I’ve still got some cording and the veins feel hard, but at least I’ve got full mobility back now. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the kids going back to school – I got the uniforms down from the loft earlier, so will be sewing on name tags for the rest of the weekend. I still can’t believe that Kian is starting school, as he seems so young. I think I might have a few tears on Tuesday morning.

I also had some goodish news today, my sick pay was due to go down
to half pay from mid August, but my work have extended it by 8 weeks, which is great but would have been great if it had been longer!.

Anyway, I hope everyone else is doing great.

Have a good weekend.

Helen

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well thats the school uniforms getting sorted for Monday, I will really miss the boys when they go back, just gives me more thinking time.

Helen, glad you had a nice break, I was really upset when my youngest started school but you get there.

Maggie, cant believe you got sunstroke in Scotland!!! as long as you are ok now

Fiona, you seem to be sounding better, I would love to meet up that week, I am at the Beatson on the Friday, but any other day that week would be great.

Sharon, how is radiotherapy going, are you ok

everyone else, hope you have a lovely weekend xx

Carol xx

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Hi girls - everyhone sound quite upbeat just now.
Sharon - can’t believe thats end of your Rads - yu must be so pleased.
Maggie - still OK after chemo? Even although not much sun here make sure you use plenty sun cream- watch the head if you lose your hair.
Helen - so pleased you managed a week away. It’s great to get a break. Hope kids settle in to school.
Fiona - that week would be OK to meet up. Look forward to seeing you all. Last time it was just Yvonne and me!
Carol, Pauline, Yvonne, Annie - are you all OK
Love to you all
Sheila

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Hi guys
Busy wee forum these days. I love reading all the posts and worry if anyone is missing in action!!!
I’d love to meet up next week Fiona, starting Tax om Tue, be glad once it’s started. The anticipation is the worst isn’t it. I have been really, really sick today. Much worse than through chemo!! I love prawns and can’t take during chemo, so had a pack on Friday. Been throwing up massively all day, hence posting at this ungodly hour. Been shivering too. Hope I’m better for Monday! Still can’t get broadband on either my laptop on my desktop. Most irritating.
Maggie, what a temp you had! You have to be careful of the sun when on chemo, you become more photosensitive. I use factor 50, virtual sunblock. Still feeling OK
after your 1st course? I had very few problems, mostly tiredness, hopefully you’ll have an easy time too. Carol, any news on you mum? Too awful for you having 2 traumas to face. Nearly there Sharon eh? When do you start herceptrin? Did you get Herceptrin with Tax, like me? We’ll meet at Hairmyres for herceptin no doubt. I got the letter from DLA saying they are contacting my consultant. It’s a bloody disgrace. I contacted my MP, who was totally ignorant, and he’s in the cabinet!!! How ill do you have to be??? I don’t have any strenght left to challenge anything. Good news about getting full pay Helen! It comes as a shock when your income drops. Where do you work? Sounds like they are very decent. Oh Maggie, any news on the job?
I was contacted by Reed Employment Agency asking if I would llike to be considered for a job as a recruitment consultant! I’d love to just be back working part time, studying part time feeling well … Seems like an awful long way off. Sorry. Feeling a bit low, probably coz I have been soooo sick today.
Anyway a meet would be great. It would be a pleasure to meet you all.
Hugs and best wishes, Annie xxxxxxx

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Morning Lulu, Annie, Sheila, Carol, Helen, Fiona, Sharon, Pauline, Tracey, Jo and Yvonne (and anyone else Ive missed) xxxxx

Hope you are all well today, Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit poorly Annie, be careful with the crustations. Im totally allergic. Pleh !!

Im 4 days down the line from first chemo, and must say Im doing ok. Got one or two symptoms, strange jingly jangly feelings, bit nauseaus now and again…and tired tired tired…but ok. Thing that still bothers me the most is my scar pain…it’s stopping me from doing soooo much. My boob seems so hard and Ive got a funny big sinewy vein like thing bulging under my arm and it stops directly at my lymph scar…no idea what it is…just appeared the other night :frowning:

'part from that Im ok.

Im getting my wig fitted and cut next week. Then I must get over to the Maggie centre at some point, still not had much luck with getting financial assistance.

Has anyone any ideas where I might get some smaller cotton headscarves, Im not so keen on the long ones…searched all the shops in Glasgow and Braehead last week…and didn’t find one. Thought I might have got one in Urban Outfitters…but nope ! Got some pretty scarves in Monsoon but a tad pricey.

Ahh well…must go and try and do stuff today before the sleepy eyes syndrome starts (normally around 1pm).

Have a great day

Mags and the dug xxxxxxxxxx

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Hi all

Only 2 rads left!!! Thank god as my armpit is really sore.

Maggie - I got some in Primark, if you want I can give you some cotton ones I got from the Haven, after all I don’t need them anymore. P.S my temp went up a good few times but came back down again an hour or 2 later so never had to go to hospital.

Annie - hope your feeling better, I started Herceptin back in Jan, we won’t be on the same day I had mine on Monday there.

Meeting up would be good.

Hugs
Sharon x

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hiya all

sharon you must be so relieved you only have 2 more rads left… hope your armpit is feeling better soon… is it burnt with rads or just from having it in an awkward position during treatment?

maggie i got some nice scarves from h and m and some from george at asda…

i wonder if the sinewy thing your feeling is cording… its where the blood vessel gets really tight and either pops up on the surface or goes inside making a dimple… i had it in my arm following my first surgery and through my boob after the second… if it goes through your boob its called mondor’s disease… but its probably worthwhile running it past your BCN or doc.

Annie sorry you have been feeling so sick… and with all your worries too… i know what you mean about fighting to get what your due when you just dont have the strength or inclination… hope it all gets sorted out soon and you start feeling better.

hugs to all
Lulu x

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Hi Guys

Yah, got laptop working, downloaded acouple of films to watchthrough Herveptrin tomorrow. Such a relief, using my phone was fiddly. Feeling a lot better today. I was worried that my treatment might have to be postponed and it’s been put back because of my holiday etc. Getting rest of dental work on Thur, so it’s going to be a busy week.
Need to see Carol at Maggies as I now need to apply for Income Support (NEVER thought I would have to do that and feel vagualy ashamed) It’s the only option now though. Wish I was well enough to work as BeCogent also contacted me. I was working there at Christmas and it was one of the most pleasant working experiences of my life. Low pay, but they won the employer of the year last year because of the way they treat staff. Oh well, after chemo and rads I am sure I’ll be fir to work in a non stressful job p/t.
Maggie, I’ve got about 8 scarves that I have never used, bought them from the Haven. Please accept them. They are plain dyed cotton squares. Wasn’t it clever the way they made them so pretty at Maggies? Oh a couple of them are patterned. I just could tie them because of my restricted movement.
Will speak very soon, but I am dashing to finish my ironing (took a break to see if I coould get The Pink Lady a.k.a my Dell working! Also I am the only person who is hooked on Big Brother!! I tried to resist, I did, I did … I’m devastated HalfWit is gone. There is a truly Maciavellian, totally scheming bitch called Bea … fascinating stuff.

Thanks lassies for your messages. It’s great that we can have a moan or a rant without upsetting the family etc … Downloaded Mirrors and Mamma Mia. Hope they take my mind off Herceptrin (bit concerned about the heart effects … I know we ahve passed all teh checks and balances to get teh treatment, but I have been so breathless. It was because my bloods were so low latterly) NOW I am getting the achy joints. Och well, I can take 4 sessions.

Love to all, love reading your posts.

Maggie, Jack takes a handsome photo!!

Annie xxxx

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Hi All

Hope everyone is doing OK and had a good weekend.

We were away for the weekend, went down to Barnard Castle to stay with a friend, which was really nice. She has a wee girl the same age as Seren so it was lovely to see them toddling around together.

Having a quiet day today, just off the clean upstairs and then sew labels on school clothes for tomorrow – where did the summer go to?. Boys just gone swimming so making the most of the peace!

I won’t be able to make lunch next week – chemo on Tuesday and P1’s on half days for the next 4 weeks, but will definitely be at the next one.

I know I probably sound vain - but I’ve just changed my photo, so you can see how my hair survived with the cold-cap – I know it’s thin, but I’m really pleased with it. I just wish the new growth would grow back as quickly as my body hair!

Take care

Helen

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Wet day again - is that summer over.
All you Mums glad schools back.
Helen - you’re hair looks great. Cold cap worked for you.
Annie -Hope you get Benefit situation sorted - it’s such a disgrace we have to fight so hard for it. Dont you be going back to work too soon. It takes a long time for the tirdeness to go. I’m a fellow BB fan - like you tried not to watch but once you start… can’t stand Bea but she makes good viewing.
Sharon - is that Rads finished. Are you going to celebrate?
Maggie - glad you’re not too bad after 1st chemo. Tiredness is the worst. I just lie on settee and watch tele. No energy for anything else.
Love to everyone
Sheila

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Hi Guys

Got Herceprin today! Up all day, but another lady is going through Herceptrin and Tax so we kept good company all day. Did a lot of laughing. My white counts were too low according to my bloods on Friday, but were right back up there today so it was an infection that made me so ill. Still got the remnamnts. Won’t elaborate, but … cleared for Tax tomorrow.

Thanks Shiela, my BP was a bit high - for the first time in my life as far as I know, so the stress is really getting to me. You won’t know this, but in real life I am a laid back lass! I will be doing the Hairymyres trail for the next few months and would love to meet up. I love some of the E.K. shops, you can really pick up a bargain!

Helen, you look SMART!!! Your hair may have thinned but doesn’t look THIN. You have done so well on this wee adventure. Get as many breaks before Winter kicks in, as I am trying to do! Thank God for friends and rellies living in nice places!!!

How are you feeling now Maggie? Still holding up? Just be good to yourself and accept the tiredness. It seems to be a totally common denominator. Try to get soem professional advice about finances as the system is so frustrating and will neg you out. And it takes time, so try to see someone asap. Jack cool? My animals love me being tired, they just jump up and veg out with me!!!

Sharon, end of rads? How are you feeling now. We have shared many of the same symptoms, just my tumour responded unbelievably well to FEC, so they could remove the lump. Will need recon though because of it’s location. God know’s when I’ll get that done!

Fee, you ok, petal. Nearly there, so much chemo and now at an end. I am getting Tax tomorrow at 10am. I know I can depenmd on you for sage advice.

I know I will lose my thick wee short rug, but at least I think it will grow back. It’s the neuopathy I am concerned about as my feet are still a bit numb from FEC. OK no matter what I know I’ll get through it.

OK - Herceprin has vitrually no s/e, a wee passing headache and a short feeling of lightheadedness, quickly passed. So another fear laid to rest.

B/B Bea becons. - Shiela, have you notived that Bea has a hippy voice and a shrewlike hard one when the mask slips???

Lots of love, god bless

Annie xxx

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just a wee quickie cos its late and im off to bed but just wanted to say helen you look fantastic in your pic hunny.

Lxx

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Hi Everyone,

Had my Herceptin yesterday and everything went fine… blood pressure took a dive but I think it’s all stress…

Good luck Annie for Today!! make sure you take it nice and easy, the steroids will make you feel good for a couple of days and after that, that’s when most people feel their side effects…

Helen, your picture is great!!! what a difference not losing your hair makes. It will start to thicken soon…I hate not having hair!! mind you it’s good when having hot flushes and night sweats, if I had hair it would be soaking!! I start Tamoxifen today, not sure when to take it? some people say night time in case of side effects…
Hope your son enjoys his first day at school!! Aidan had a good day, bit overwhelming with 1200 other kids and there was a problem with the lunch payment cards so by the time he got lunch and sat down the bell went, so no lunch!! hopefully all will go well today.

Well done Sharon… end of Rads!! I go tomorrow for planning appointment… it will be good to meet up next week

Maggie, how ya doin? all well I hope? it’s good to get the first week over… you should start to pick up a wee bit from now on. Can you make meeting up for lunch next week? I’m going to Maggie’s centre on Fri morning 10.30am for nutrition day, If you feel like popping along just give them a phone there’s always spaces and it’s a good laugh.

Lulu, how’s the arm doing? still can’t straighten mine…!!!

Sheila, Lying on the sofa sounds good to me!! the weather is rubbish! looking forward to meeting next week…

Carol, is the house all quiet with the boys back at school? I enjoy having mine around too but I can get things done better when they’re not here…

Yvonne, how are things going with you? can you make lunch next week? be good to catch up again…

Pauline, been good chatting on FB hope you are feeling good…

well girls I’m off to silverburn… going to Tesco with a friend and a spot of lunch, I’m starting to feel good about not living in that 3 week cycle of chemo… although I have it with herceptin it won’t feel so bad if there are no side effects…

Lots of love and Hugs

Fiona xxx

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house is strange with boys back at school!!! I have had to make an appt with the docs tomorrow as I am having really bad joint pain, I started tamoxifin end of June and dont know if its that kicking in, but walking is a struggle, I feel about 80!!! hopefully doctor can reassure me and give something for the soreness, either that its old age kicking in at 42!!!

it would be really nice to meet up with you girls next week as you are all so very understanding, hopefully next week ill be a bit more mobile!!

take care everyone

Carol x

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WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!
That’s me finished rads, what a feeling I have right now, only herceptin left but that is no problem. Now I can concentrate on my holiday :slight_smile:

Girls just look at me, light at the end of the tunnel, you will all be there very soon, hang on in there.

I feel like shouting from the roof top just to let everyone know.

Annie, you will do fine with Tax and herceptin, your hair will grow back after you finish tax.

Carol - I know a few girls on Tamoxifen and they were told it was that. I also have bad bone pain but apparently for me that’s the chemo and the herceptin.

LuLu - liking the scarf

Helen - your hair looking FAB!!!

Girls there is not really any side effects with herceptin, it’s a doddle compared to nasty chemo, remember this drug only kills the bad cells not the good ones, and it’s a wonder drug.

Is there a date next week? I can’t do frid. hope to meet with you all.

Also got told today that that’s my Oncologist, Dr Yosef, retiring this week, such a nice man who knew an awful lot. I’ll miss him.

Hope to see you all next week.
Hugs Sharon xx