Hi
After being 100% positive and upbeat since my diagnosis in December, I couldn’t believe the change in me yeserday which coincided with the change of season and the clocks going forward. I love the sun and cannot come to terms that I can’t even go outdoors without making sure I am wearing a hat and am totally covered in sun cream, let alone not being able to sit out in it. Apparently this applies even to sitting in the conservatory.
I started chemo in Feb and didn’t mind wrapping up in a walking coat and woolly hat during the day, but spring/summer is for going out wearing as little as possible and not even thinking about it!! I’ve never worn a hat in my life until now and hate it!! Unfortunately I went on the trial and signed myself up for an extra 10 weeks chemo so don’t finish until July.
Sorry to moan about something which might seem trivial to most people, but any ideas on how to enjoy the nice weather without locking myself in the attic, which is what I threatened to do yesterday!
Mind you, tomorrow I’ll probs be back to my usual bouncy, cheerful self, I think its helped already just writing this down!
Happy days
Val
Hi Val
You sound completely normal to me - I also was diagnosed in December and started chemo in Feb - 3rd of 6 yesterday so half way through for me and I do feel for you with your longer haul. I too love the nice weather and wearing less clothes - I think we can be a bit more conspicuous in Winter by wrapping up - but we have the spring and summer to look forward to so I say - go out in it, where as little as possible but be safe. Slap the higher factor sun screen on and even on the baldy head which can then turn a lovely shade to match the rest of your body.
I too have been really positive and upbeat since diagnoses but also have had the odd down day - I think it hits harder when you have a smiley face most of the time - outwardly at least -and then wham the demons creep in - albeit for a short period of time - we are bound to be like this - but you do sound as I feel and just want to enjoy the things in life that make up our usual lifestyle.
So - I’ll think of you as the weather improves - out enjoying that sunshine in a safe way - we just have to learn to adapt I suppose - but to be honest - I don’t want to adapt - I just want my old life back please.
Lots of lovely luck to you
Janey x
nobody has bothered to tell me that you can’t sit in the sun? I am a total sun worshipper! I knew that it’s not adviseable to go to a hot climate and lie on the beach, which is why I had a week in Tenerife before my first FEC but I am not prepared to shut myself indoors if we get some decent weather this spring!!! I am banking on there being enough sunshine to lift my spirits as I am happiest when the sun is out. I hate being cooped indoors with no fresh air either. It is true, if a person is usually happy and smiley and upbeat, people notice a LOT more if they are down, as it is a big difference - for the person themself AND for those who observe their mood and behaviour.
HI
Nobody told me that you couldn’t sit in the sun, I was told to make sure that I had at least sun factor 15 on and make sure that my head is covered. I’m not going to shut myself away when the sun is out life is too short. I usually find that when the weather is sunny people smile more.
Hi there
I too was not told that couldn’t sit out in the sun. The onlyadvice I was given was to wear a high factor sun cream and to watch the baldy head in the sun!!
Sunday was the first really nice spring day we had - having had right mastectomy and full aux clearance last Nov, followed by 4 x fec, 20 rads sessions and about to start 4 x tax tomorrow - I went out in a sleeveless vest and trousers, had rubbed sun cream on my arms and head (quite difficult cos I have 5mm of hair now - so went for the ‘gel’ look lol - and had a fantastic time. I honestly feel that bc has robbed me of enough, it isn’t taking away my enjoyment of the spring/summer time!!
take care
Margaret x
I haven’t started my E-CMF yet but nobody’s said anything about avoiding the sun, I was only told not to travel abroad during treatment in case I get an infection or anything that needs hospital treatment. Maybe it’s been too cold for any of them to think about summer. I wore shorts for the first time yesterday, too breezy today though, and my daughter has been saying how lucky I am to be able to lie in the sun every day as I won’t be working for a while! Not that I’m a sunbather, more of a long-walk-in-the-sun type. Just hope it doesn’t rain all summer! Lyn xx
Hi palomino
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/chemotherapy_07_web_0.pdf (page 12) gives some advice on going on holiday with chemo which may be relevant to your question.
Hope this helps
Ann
i went through EPI / CMF last summer and really didn’t want to sit in the sun and I am a HUGE sun worshipper. On the very odd occasioan i did sit out in it I went under a huge umbrella. This year is totally different - i cant wait to sunbathe but i will take care and use high factors etc
if you feel like going in the sun I would say to do it in small measures with high protection and see how you feel. I hope you all enjoy the summer - anyway - who said we were going to have any sun!!!