Lorraine, I second holding your head high as you’ve been through a lot to get where you are. But, I do agree with getting used to the looks. I found when I went to the cancer unit in my local hospital I was acutely aware of people looking at me where I was oblivious elsewhere. I put it down to being a very real reminder that it was a cancer unit and was perhaps making things all to real for those people waiting to have tests. Now I’m having rads at the Marsden, everyone there has cancer so no one bats an eyelid!
Hawkeye, I agree about getting into the routine. The only thing to look forward to is which members of staff I’m having as it seems to be different every day!
Sunflower, yea to being halfway through and even better a day working at home. I’ll be halfway on Friday - where is the time going, it seems to be flying by
AG sounds like you have quite bad swelling if your measurements have changed? My breast has definitely swollen but more along the lines of post op swelling. It’s pink now and the scar tissue was quite sore today and getting harder. But on the whole all good. Hope the team can sort things out for you
welcome Lorraine hope you are finding the forum helpful. You know you are not alone when you come on here.
The oncologist isn’t concerned about the swelling from a side effect point of view but there was concern that my breast would be changing shape etc with the swelling so obviously there could be a problem with me getting correct coverage. The radiographers had checked with planning and all ok so good news.
That’s number 9 session done & dusted today Feelibg pleased that I haven’t needed the Aloe Vera gel yet, although I feel very tired today Early night for me ?
Gosh Judi, can’t believe you’ve only 1 left! Hopefully everything carries on holding up ok. I had herceptin this week too on Wednesday. That was a day, local hospital in the morning for the injection and then the Marsden for rads later in the afternoon. I’ve just had my 9th herceptin so half way through the course. I tend to ache most of the time anyway so not sure if things get worse just after the injection. I do get headaches and a head rush like I’ve had too much caffeine on the day and then a dodgy tummy for a few days but other than that seem to be ok
Eileen and sparkle, nearly 1 week down - yeah! It’s amazing how quickly it all passes. I had to laugh at the thought of a young man grappling with boobs and poppers or was it poppers and boobs!
Sunflower, like you I’ve just had no 10. They took me in early yesterday and today which was great. The scar tissue under my skin (so not the scar itself) is starting to get quite hard and was giving me a few painful stings yesterday. I’m about as pink as they would expect me to be but they couldn’t predict how I would end up. The lady did say my bra looked as though it was a little too tight based on the mark it had left on my skin which might cause problems. So I think I might try going bra-less a bit to see if that helps
Enjoy the weekend off, hope we get some sunshine to enjoy
Hello ladies. Just a quick post to let you know I’m still in the land of the living, if you can call Kettering Hospital living!! Rushed in on Sunday with terrible abdo pains and no blood pressure. Turned out to be loss of blood supply to the bowel. Today was allowed a small ice-cream, heavenly. Slowly improving and looking like I might be able to avoid surgery and the delight of a temp stoma. At least I’ve forgotten about the BC for a bit.lol. Touch wood might be out next week but my poor veins, none working left in my arms at the moment.
OH doing an amazing job keeping my business going and coming to see me. ??xx Francine
Francine so sorry to hear you have been so ill. Hope you start to feel better very soon. OH sounds like a good support to you. They really are amazing wouldn’t have coped without mine.
Nebsminty, Sparkle, Eileen, Judi and Sunflower glad all going well for you. Hawkeye hope your wound is holding up.
Had 6/15 last night. Swelling hasn’t got any worse which is good. So far I have either been in on time or gone in early which is a bonus.
Next session is this evening and then can enjoy the weekend. Hope the weather stays good for us all. The sunshine makes such a difference.
No 10 session done today My breast is very pink now & Im getting twinges from the WLE scar when I bend over. I hope I don’t have to go bra less, I’d definitely have to work at home everyday. Really glad it’s Friday & we have the weekend off from traveling to & from the hospital Hope the weather is kind to us all.
Eileen728 I had a similar experience, I went to the hospital cafe & the chap, who’s been undoing & doing my poppas & moving me about for the treatment, was in there eating his lunch I felt embarrassed, but I don’t suppose they give it a second thought.
Nebsminty Yes We are nearly done ?
Francine Hope you are feeling better soon x
Well ladies I am officially convening an extraordinary meeting of the Snivel Club. Needs must! For the uninitiated, the club’s motto is ‘I’m fed up of being positive all the time, just let me have a good snivel’. Anything which demands a good snivel, sore and manky boobs, constant nerve wrenching waiting for results, insensitive med staff and of course dodgy bowels now (especially having to wear a nappy like a baby) qualifies for snotty noses and then copious choccie (not me of course, have to make do with a digestive biscuit, bliss) Being the master of innappropriate howlers, such as the tumour mayo sarnie, I am happy to report that I have just texted my OH to say that I fancy a bowel of porridge!! It’s chaos on the ward tonight, agency nurses don’t know where anything is, beds are being moved around like some intricate dance (having to keep the non mixed sex bays correct) and phones ringing incessantly. Looks like another sleep deprived night in Kettering GH. still I have a made a very close friend, who keeps me company, Cathy Catheter. She goes everywhere with me, so thoughtful. Signing out. Xxx Francine
Hi Chief Sniveller, can I come to the extraordinary meeting too please as I could do with a good weep?
Today
I have a severe case of manflu, runny nose and all
monthly hormonal blues have set in
my radiated boob is shedding skin and my armpit now has little blisters which are sore
I went on a training course this morning and HATED it. Course itself was good but I absolutely loathed one of the attendees and it spoiled the course for me
having just looked at my finances, it seems I’m going to have to find myself a job rather more quickly than I had planned. Which is a problem as I don’t feel nearly well enough to jobhunt yet
But (and just call me Pollyanna here :)) at least I’m not in hospital or suffering any serious physical distress and have no friends called Cathy Catheter or Simon Syringe. Poor you, hope you feel better soon
Hi Sharon.
Of course, i vote you are entitled to a good snivel! You looking for HR work again! Wish you lived nearer me, I’m desperate for someone good to help me in the business! Your skills would be so valuable. Fortunately, we are a very BC friendly company, lol. Dotty Drip is driving me mad, beeps as soon as you move your arm and can’t be stopped unless a nurse comes. Unlikely with tonights staffing level. Night night all xx
Ah Sue, so sorry. I lost my two 12 yr old cats a few years ago and I was devastated, since I’d had them since kittens. I still carry their tags in my purse and miss them still. Sending hugs from chaotic Kettering! Xx Francine
Thank you everyone for making me feel welcome. It’s put a smile on my face to finally be able to share & read the reality of treatment and not keep it all in. ?
Thanks Cheryl, hope your Mum is doing OK? Must be hard for both of you to have such massive traumas going on at the same time.
SueBee so sorry to hear about your beloved cat. I lost one of mine this time last year at 15 yrs old and was heartbroken but I still have his brother Dollop to cuddle and adore.
Francine I hope you got some sleep last night and today is better for you. I’ve looked at all the horrible things you and everyone else are having to deal with and decided that I really have no right to be snivelling so have decided to get over myself and keep my snivels confined to wiping my snotty nose (3rd cold in 4 months, harumph!)
Woohoo congratulations Judi. Radiotherapy is a bit of an emotional jolt isn’t it, think most of us felt wobbly at the end of it but hey, you’re done now and just the Herceptin to get through (that’s a might big ‘just’ though!)
Hope you’re going to reward yourself with some sort of treat to mark the end of this stage. New shoes perhaps? There’s no situation that can’t be improved by the purchase of a new pair of shoes In the meantime, I’m handing you a slice of virtual cake, and it’s your favourite.
Unfortunately, hopes of my release were somewhat premature!! Still in but am pleased to say that to ensure I don’t miss my bone scan, previously booked for tomorrow, they are going to transport me to Leicester to have it. Whoopee day out! Perhaps I could escape en route and leg it back home. At least I won’t be set behind again. However, having had a problem with the blood supply to my bowel, I’m not sure if they will want to reconsider the Anastrazole anyway. Sat in the Chapel here today for some quiet time and had a bit of a snivel but think that’s probably allowed!! XxFrancine
Sorry forgot to ask if anyone is interested in meeting up and going to the BCC Carol Concert on 30 Nov in Knightsbridge? I’ve heard it’s lovely. Tickets won’t be on sale until 18 Aug. We could all book in to a hotel and enjoy a bit of shopping!!! Francine. X
Session 11 done today As it was a 4:15 appointment I was in the office until 3pm Lots of filing done, in the hopes that I’ll be able to find the paperwork when I need it again! I’ll be working at home tomorrow, as my appointment is at 2pm Also the electrician is coming to wire up our new hot tub Feeling Excited awe treated ourselves when we got our PPI money Today I thought the technician who took me through said “Keep walking” I thought cheeky She had actually said “Good weekend?” Anyone losing their hearing??? ???
Session 12 went ok yesterday The Waiting room was very busy at 3:45, I got called through at 4:15. First time I’ve been delayed. After my treatment session today I’ll be seeing the BCN, not sure why? Will let you know later how I get on Have a good day everyone xx
and even better a day working at home. I’ll be halfway on Friday - where is the time going, it seems to be flying by
In the meantime, I’m handing you a slice of virtual cake, and it’s your favourite.