@dianne3 My meeting with my boss went well. We’ve decided on a WFH set-up with very flexible hours and to keep things as close to my current job role as possible. This will keep me in the loop and in 6 months I can return to running my team on restricted duties. I was working towards promotion before the cancer crap and my boss has assured me that this is just on hold for now 
So, a good outcome and one less thing to worry about now. Xxx
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@toad very pleased for you, it does take the pressure off when you have an understanding employer and at the end of the day you didn’t plan this 
. I turned 60 last year and since then everything seems to have fallen apart. My husband and I had talked about retirement We had a plan in place and this has messed up those plans. That being said my husband is retiring at Christmas and I’m going to continue through till April and see how I feel then because I feel like I can’t make a decision at this moment in time. I don’t want to retire because of cancer even though it does play a big part in the planning. I’ve agreed to have weekly touch points with my Director during treatment and to work when I can. Not quite sure how they deal with the whole fit note side of things, do they issue a fit note that says you can work with adaptations, guess I will find that out. Hope you have a good weekend, we are off to Pontefract in my husband’s convertible with the wind blowing through my hair, thought I would give it a final blast before it starts to fall out 
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@dianne3 I love that you’re going on a drive in a convertible to feel the wind blowing through your hair 
You make sure that roof stays down, even if it pisses it down!
This cancer crap really buggers up career plans doesn’t it! 
Enjoy your drive and keep smiling. I’m all for finding the very limited positives and holding on to them in a very tight stranglehold 
xx
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You can get a fit note with a phased return, or adaptations inc reduced hours. You can also get multiple shorter notes as it is all one condition.
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Im doing OK thanks. Nausea is soooo grim. A steady 6 out of 10 id say. I managed a 7 hour shift followed by a nap. Its so much about trying to live a new normal and navigate what can and cant work. Grateful for the ok bits. Trying to keep things fun still for the kids too.
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@toad It didn’t piss down thank goodness and it was lovely to blow away all the negativity. When do you start your treatment? I’m Monday 18th, PICC line fitting on Thursday 14th. Going to order a cover for the PICC line for when I shower. Ordered some head coverings and a wig today from TEMU just out of curiosity, not expecting much but you never know:grin:. Getting my hair cut short on Saturday 16th in preparation and going to try the cold cap to see how I get on xxx
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@dianne3 It must have been wonderful to have that time out on the road, blowing away the negativity 
I start my treatment on 26th. Had a portacath fitted yesterday which wasn’t much fun, but it means no more syringe type injections which is a real bonus as I’m very needle phobic. They gave me happy drugs to get me through the portacath procedure
TEMU can offer some good surprises. Hopefully your purchases will be awesome.
Good luck with the PICC line xxx
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@outdoorsy haven’t you got meds for nausea? You do not have to feel sick. I have a real thing about nausea and I had a right concoction to take each cycle, which I took religiously xx
Yes. Im on 4 different ones.
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@sunshine-smile it’s BHCOLLECTIONSS on Etsy. I’ve ordered a couple of wraps from her and like them. Will defo get more - like you I want to have a few different styles and colours! I’m glad you have your date for starting, how do you feel about it? I remember when I had my date it was scary, made it real but also felt sort of eager to just get it started if that makes sense? Like the sooner it starts, the quicker it ends.
@toad yeah, that’s how I’m trying to look on it. I never would have cut all my hair off at any other point so as it grows back in this will allow me the opportunity to see how maybe a pixie cut or something would look on me - again, trying to focus on the upside of things
@outdoorsy the nausea is no joke. Thankfully for me I’ve not had any today, it was just a couple of days of it so fingers crossed you’ll be similar. Make sure to take all the anti-sickness meds - day three I was determined to not have to take all three types and think I caused myself to feel worse instead of just taking them all. For me, I get random moments of like light headedness but otherwise I’ve been fine which I’m very grateful for. I’m impressed you managed a 7 hour shift! Yeah, that’s the thing just now is trying to figure out what feels ok, what’s doable etc and adapt this new normal. How old are your children?
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@louise15 yeah I’m feeling quite apprehensive! After I met with the oncologist I felt sick all day, definitely made it feel real! I’ve mostly been okay since then, I’ve gone back to it not feeling real for a week or two.
@toad I’m starting on 26th too. I asked about having a port or PICC line, but oncologist said they like to try and start with a cannula, so we’ll see how that goes. Luckily I have good veins for now! I’m having the same drugs as you EC-T, but slightly different regime - 4 x EC and 4 x Paclitaxel all every 14 days.
Kids are 14 and 17.
@sunshine-smile I’m firmly in the ‘forget about it til it happens’ phase. It’s a few weeks until 26th and I intend to enjoy that time as much as possible before it all becomes real again. We can swap stories on 26th and throughout our treatment
For me, the port is a bit of a God send. Although I had my usual fight or flight reaction when it got put in, it should mean that throughout the treatment I won’t run away or punch anyone the needle used to access it doesn’t look like a typical medical syringe and that’s where my phobia is rooted, so we’re all hopeful that it will make the whole process a lot easier on everyone.
Good luck for 26th. Please reach out if you need to vent or if you have any worries. I’m sure I’ll have the same worries and although we can’t fix them, sometimes it’s just nice to worry alongside someone else going through the same shit
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Hey @toad, I’m not usually like that but I keep thinking this will be my last ‘normal’ stress free week before appointments next week and then the chemo starting the week after - all I’ve been doing is online shopping so need to find something to amuse myself with for a week .
Yes it will be so good to have someone at exactly the same stage to compare, but understand that everyone seems to react so differently. What area are you in? I’m Kent/London way. My next steps after my initial visit next week is wig shopping, that will be interesting.
I can’t even imagine going through this whole process with a needle phobia so I really feel for you. I’m glad the port will make it all a bit more straightforward - we’ve got enough to be worrying about.
How are those of you who have already started feeling? Hope the heat isn’t making it worse for you xx
@scubacat how are you at this stage?
Hope it went ok, I’m newly diagnosed, starting chemo in September
@outdoorsy Thanks for asking. Having a hard time with stomach upper and lower abdomen. Called the rapid response team for advice and was called in for a check. They were great and I’m hoping it settles down. Just feel quite tired but adjusting to the fact that things are going to be different for a while. Once I know how my body will react hopefully it will help me adjust more. Still have my hair but it is very early days yet. My daughter is going to help me plan for possibly a wig, eyebrows, so it was quite a funny convo the other day. Chemo brain def kicking in as I ordered a polo shirt in a way too small size and I’m usually very careful checking etc. Hope you are ok and once again thanks for asking. I don’t post much on forums tbh so may go quiet for a while.
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@sunshine-smile I’m in Hampshire. Had my echocardiogram today and that should be the last in-hospital appointment now until chemo. I’ve still got phone appointments with the geneticist and chemo nurse though.
I’ve been doing a lot of online shopping too and some random stuff has been purchased!
I hope your initial visit goes well and wig shopping will definitely be interesting. Are you taking someone with you for feedback on styles? Xxx
@toad yes I’ll be taking my mum and my husband if he wants to come! Definitely not something I think I could do on my own!
I had a video call with the genetics team, well one doctor at Guys. She was really lovely and then called me back once my results were back - nothing noted which was great news. Are you still waiting for results?
Enjoy not having anymore trips to the hospital for a couple of weeks, it will be nice whilst it lasts xx
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@sunshine-smile I’m making the most of having no hospital trips until 26th. It feels like the calm before the storm
When you go wig shopping you should do a catwalk style show for your Mum (& hubby if he joins you)
I have the BRCA1 gene mutation and it was during my first high risk screening that my breast cancer was detected. My daughter recently had her test and it came back negative 
there were a lot of happy tears! I’m assuming my phone appointment with the genetics team is just another follow up.
Xxxxx
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