Hi,
well I got talked into a drive in his car, but back safely, phewww. he was actually pretty good for a learner in a different car for the first time. Lorraine, you can reassure your son I am making him buy the car for himself, out of his life savings. So we are off to the bdg society very soon to reimburse my account. Yes he is always telling me about kids in his year being given £12000 for their 17th birthdays to get a car!! Bad luck he has a £550 old car first go and had to buy it himself. We are covering the insurance, which was a deal I struck in exchange for him not having a moped or motorbike.Anyway he seems very happy and I would be really cross with him if he expected more. I have to say I am feeling very indulgent at the moment but his 3 sisters would soon tick me off if I gave him more than they had. They remember how much extra they got each birthday, the lot and remind me. Are your boys like that? What did you do on your trips, sightseeing? I am sorry to hear your sister lost so much of her liver, can you manage ok with 40% left? That sounds like a big op to recover from and I will be thinking of her and wishing her well as she gets back on her feet. Tell her chemo will be a doddle after that sort of surgery. Poor thing.
Lisa, so you must have been up to something if you have been blushing. Wink, wink! Even more suspicious if your Dad is keeping an eye on him!!! The plot thickens. 6days off thats brilliant. Do you have plans to go anywhere? Or is this to start the decorating? have a gret time whatever you do. Fish and chips straight off the boat, yum.
Hi to everyone else. oh I won the red nose competition at school by guessing the person hidden was Graham Norton and won £22 and also won 4 tickets for legoland in the local paper after my daughter sent both mine and her names in. I think I ought to get a lottery ticket this week before this lucky faze passes.
Love
Lily x
Lily get those lottery tickets on - sounds like you are having a run of good luck, long may it last. Hope you enjoyed you car experience.
Lorraine, good wishes to your sister and hope she picks up very soon.
My neck really sore so need to find a better lying on position but at the moment Im much more positive and cheery, think its when the sun does shine makes things seem lighter (still cant get out of bed mind).
My days off will be a catch up on lots of paper work and sorting things out, decorating my back bedroom, had all the bits for ages so dad will be helping. Planning some little surprises and gifts for parents and hopefully a bit of chilling - always goes fast, was hoping to get away but no such luck, have to take hols before end of March so - its a hard life but…
Hope everyone else doing okay and Angie them plans are going well - have you been to the holistic thing yet? Hope you get a Cumbrian day like today for your wedding.
xxx Nite all xxx
hi everyone
what a beautiful day! had a day at botanical gardens birmingham, lovely. and only an orange tango, no cake! (not until later anyway)
was planning to go and see sis, but her daughter said she wasnt too good and needed her sleep, so will have to wait. in answer to your question lily, i am not sure about the effects of losing so much of her liver, but evidently it can grow back. she needs to get some strength back though, because she is so thin, (not like me at all).
and yes lily, my sons do watch what each other recieves for birthdays, letting me know if theyre not happy. but it usually equals out most times. i like you am feeling more indulgent, but need to curb the spending because im spending willy nilly at the moment.
lisaf
hope you ok
everyone else hope you enjoying this wonderful weather, at least we can sit out in it this year.
take care everyonex
Hello,
just back from another practice with the learner driver and feeling thankful as usual to have got home without any major incident. I am not cut out for being an amateur driving instructor, much too jumpy. Yesterday he was shocked when I said ‘how much petrol have you got?’ as he had completely forgotten to check when it arrived. The joys of youth! They are trying to push me along into more hours teaching at work and I am digging my heels in a bit. I took on another 7 hours, about 2 weeks ago and I am still settling into having just 1 hour break each day. I really hate sounding weedy and pathetic but I am also determined not to run myself into the ground. I came in today after this extra class and sat down and fell asleep before I said a word to anyone, so I know I am at my limit. Trouble is other people don’t realise or don’t want to know how tired you get after chemo and rads. It got uncomfortable the other day when it was a friend trying to give me more work so she didn’t have to have it. I didn’t really know what to say as it was shoot me or shoot her, so just said nothing at all and just looked at her. Not sure what she read from it but I didn’t know what to say. I have been called to a meeting tomorrow so will see what that is about and maybe gauge what is going on. Hope this will all settle nicely with a timetable I can cope with. Happy days!!
On a more cheerful note, Lorraine it was a lovely day to go to the gardens. I have not been there myself, is it a big place? Hope you can get to see your sister very soon and that she is a little brighter soon. Lisa is your neck still sore from the red patch you had after rads or something else? Hope it feels better soon. Yes I will get some tickets but I don’t expect my luck will run to the big win. What are the surprises and gifts you have planned for the family? What fun doing all those nice things and seeing their faces. Hope the decorating goes well, what colour have you picked?
Finishing here, so hugs everyone, whether chatting or not at present
Lily x
hiya Lily, sounds like the driving going well.
My pain is in the back of my neck on the bone but my arm and fingers are cramping a bit and aching but I think this is the lymphodema and too much typing, back, not sure.
Does anyone else still get lots of aches and lumps and bumps around scars, how do you know what is tissue and what isnt. Got so many lumps and bumps and uncomfie in bra and cramp in my hand which I had at the start - could be down to working too much thou. Lily know what you mean re work, my boss admitted I hit the ground running when back and have been working extra hours but gonna try and stop and relax a bit more and not worth being ill over, I think they just think after your treatment you are back to “normal”.
Treats, well its mam and dads ruby wedding and dad’s 60th - mam wants to take him to see yes god Cliff Richard and the Shadows but dad said too much, so mam thinks Ive booked them for Newcastle and I’ll get them accommodation for Anniversary, when in fact Ive put too and booked the tickets for dublin, Ive got them 2 nights stay and evening meal and got my brother to pay for flights!!! Theyve been there for me so much and know they cant afford much cos always given everything to us, so Ive made them buy a fire and surround and boiler with some of my money, they have a really really old type that cant get surrounds or anything for and then when they are on holiday Im hopefully going to replace there kitchen cupboard doors as a surprise for when they get back - its soooo nice being able to do things for others and see their faces. Back to mine, my bedroom I love, living room was chemo enhanced so very in your face so want a grown up bathroom but its very small and tooo much choice , I usually know what I want and go for it but its more final than wallpaper and coverings!!!
Well better go, last day at work tomorrow till 30th March, catch up time here I come, could be a long day tomorrow.
Nite all xxxx
Hi all
Well, I’m back after my very hectic week, and another year older!
Everything for my YD’s 18th went perfectly so all the stress was worth it (I think!) She had a lovely day last Thurs then we all went to London for a lovely meal and stayed overnight. She loved her presents from us and we didn’t have to spend the Saturday returning or exchanging them all 
Sunday was a perfect Spring day and she had loads of friends and family at her party over lunchtime. It all got a bit emotional for her at the end which was really sad for me but it was in private with me, not infront of everyone. I guess we’re all at that stage right now - damn these ‘anniversaries’. Just about recovered on Monday, and cleared up, in time for my birthday on Tuesday. OH and I had the day off and went to Kingston for a bit of retail therapy for me. That wasn’t too successful but, as one of my friends at work said - look on it as a scoping exercise! However we did have a lovely lunch by the river and were able to sit outside in the sun. We had a tapas at home type meal in the evening with our 2 D’s and a cake that my ED had bought. So, this is why there’s been no word from me for a week! Plus back at work in between all these things. I’ve had to ask for this afternoon off as I’m still really busy as I’m now finishing up the sorting out for my parents 50th at the end of the month and still have some things to get. At least the sun is shining and we can all (I hope, wherever you are) can enjoy it.
I’ve read all of your posts but as there were so many I may forget anything I’ve been asked or not but should be able to keep on top of it now.
Lily - Ha! I hated driving with my YD last year - scarey or what! Especially the 1st few times when I thought she could do things when she couldn’t! You may need your hair dyed again soon if it goes grey overnight. Hope you sort out your hours, it is so difficult when you must look ‘well’ and recovered but it takes a long time to get over the effects of chemo etc. Let alone emotional issues that are all around us lot this time of the year. Dig those heels in and look after No 1! Glad b’day was good for little un, it’s so nice to treat others isn’t it? Same goes for Lisa - wow, your Mum and Dad will love everything you’re doing and it will give you so much pleasure. Back to your lucky wins, Lily, Legoland was one of THE places you need to go to when you’re staying down here in a few weeks. Assuming Little un is with you? It’s a great place for his age plus it’s not bad for parents etc as well. However it is pricey so you’ve saved yourselves a fortune! Make sure you bring them!
Lisa - sounds like you’re going great guns but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the time out in a few weeks - make sure you’re treating yourself as well as everyone else. And keep an eye on anything you’re not happy with. I ache all the time and I’m sure it’s the medication and lack of ovaries etc that causes it. How are you doing with hot flushes etc? Hope they’re not too bad.
Lorraine - nice that you are out and about so much but sorry to hear about your sister. Hope she starts feeling better soon even if it means she has to start chemo. We all know how bad that is don’t we?
I’m sorry but I can’t remember many of the other comments and updates so I’ll have to look back again later but I hope Angie, Bev, Julia and Kirsty are all OK and enjoying life as we know it!
Take care all and should now be able to update more often.
Nicky xx
ps scan time starts next week - arghhhh, not looking forward to those at all!
Hi,
belated birthday beatings (secondary school ritual!) Nicky and glad both your and your daughter’s birthdays were so nice. You have to have a few tears every now and again I think. Good luck starting yukky scans next week and hope the veins are plumped with cake and wine ready!! I have first annual mammos the week before my hols. I also asked about genetics, just a casual comment and have been sent an appointment to a genetics clinic chat with the nurse. Found out today that I have another relative who died younger with Bc on same side, 2 sisters so that landed on me like a rock! Anyway going for a chat and will take it from there. Nicky I have my fingers crossed the whole time we are driving and ban him from going over 45mph while I am in the car. I am supposed to get him in the car tonight so he can drive back. Yikes. Yes little chap is coming on hols with us but got to be careful as there is a swimming pool there. He fell over running today and has scraped all his nose and top lip, poor old thing. She had to take him to a toy shop to stop him howling, so he has got that one sussed! I was very pleased with the legoland tickets, glad to hear it is good there. Everything crossed for you for positive news from next week’s tests.
Lisa I am glad you mentioned lumps as I keep checking myself and the radiated boob and area around it is sort of lumpy now. I am really not sure now what should be there and what is scar tissue. I have been a bit spooked by a slight pulling under the arm but only occasionally. So not sure if to do with carrying books and reaching up to write on the board, or something to worry about. As it goes I am ignoring it. As hubby said you only saw an expert 2 weeks ago and he checked everything. Hope to be more chilled out after the mammos!!Paranoia is a blink away some days!
Must fly, coursework to mark and have not even started and scary car drive too before bedtime.
Hugs
Lily x
hi everyone
glad you had a great birthday nicky, and hope everything goes well with the scans. lily, some people can be insensitive to others and it can make you feel mad, because im sure youd help them if they were recovering, but stick to your guns and they will respect you for it eventually.
lisaf i know what you mean about aches and pains, my arm and shoulder were quite swollen with the lymphodema, so ive been doing more excercises and now its more painful than before, and swelling hasnt improved. i also wake up at night with pins and needles in hands from the secondaries in spine.(well thats what the onc says is causing it. i also know what you mean about treating others, its very theraputic but i need to curb spending a little.
everyone have a great day tommorow. x
hiya all
Nicky hope you had some lovely birthdays, its emotional but so much fun too.
Im already trying to keep emotions at bay, brother and his wife are due there 2nd bump in 3/4 weeks, soooo happy fr them but sooo emotional at same time. Will have to just hold it togehter, as couldnt be happier for them.
Lots os aches and pains and lily, occassional pulling under arm too and boy Lou arms ache like mad after exercising and sleeve makes it feel so heavy.
But hey, ho, gots lots of good things planned this year, dont nvolve sun but!! Letter today from hospital about trying again for scan and how I want to proceed so goign to call tomorrow about other otpions.
Well come on here to try and be positive, so heres to a good weekend, no work till 30th, mind worked till 6.30pm tonight. Lovely weekend to all xxx
Hi All,
Lorraine hope your sister is improving and I am very jealous of the visit to the botanical gardens sounds like my kind of day out.
Lily oh I remember those days with my son and daughter truly scary good luck! regarding the lumps and bumps I too have a very large hard lump where the cancer was removed and have been told it is due to scar tissue and fluid (still makes me feel uncomfortable mentally when I feel it) and I still have a build up of discomfort during the day according to how much I have use my arm but just getting on with life as normal but taking a bit more care. I too get tired but I think it is more down to the lack of quality sleep due to the tamoxifen, either covers off due to being hot or turning the electric blanket back on due to being freezing cold and this goes on all night. Still I must be getting use to it as I seem to be accepting that is how life is now and if it keeps me safe well so be it.
Lisa sorry to hear you are suffering with neck pain. I bought a really good DVD from the Haven Trust that is called The Lebed Method focus on Healing through exercise and movement and it shows how to assist with clearing the lymphatics and then goes on to gentle exercises. This may help you so may be worth looking at.
Nicky glad you enjoyed all the birthdays and good luck with the scans next week!
Love to Angie and hope you are feeling o.k.
have a lovely weekend everyone!
Bev x
Thanks Bev, just got some dvd’s from Haven.
Well off to bed, disovered new chocolate bar and my mouth is achin, got some thortons chocolate from new range, couldnt resist trying chocolate with chilli, mouth burnng but lush xxxd Have a fab weekend
hope you around angie as we have a hen night to plan xx
Woohooo. I *may* have working broadband by Monday so hope tp catch up with you all then. In the meantime be good OR be happy 
Angie
Hi Ladies
Thanks for the congrats for my birthday - another year older and another year wiser - or so they reckon! I’m still charging around like mad but have now moved onto my Mum and Dad’s 50th celebrations for next Saturday. Just finishing up buying 50 small/relevant gifts for them to unwrap, luckily I’ve not had to get them all but it’s taken time to get the right things. Then they’ll have a big lucky dip to do which should be fun. I bought a dress to go for my YD’s 18th meal which will now be brought out again for next Sat eve and then the following week for dinner at some friends so I’m getting my money’s worth.
We have a lovely frosty start to today here in sunny Ampshire so I’ll go for a walk in an hour or so and then dragging OH off to Reading where they have a great shopping centre to try out my retail therapy ‘skills’ and see what I can find. Then looking forward to Mothers Day tomorrow where I get spoilt again - it’s a tough life but somebody has to do it! I just have an ultrasound next week but this will show immediately what’s going on with my breast lump, so a bit scarey for me as I tend to ask them what can they see! Week after is CT and then week after is oncs appt - THAT’S when I will be nervous!
I hope all the aches and pains and scar bits are doing OK. Scar tissue is so difficult to judge and you end up poking and prodding yourself until you imagine there’s something there! I keep feeling along my original lumpectomy scar to see if I can feel the lump (which by the way I didn’t notice last year before dx) as that’s where it is meant to be. Even when I had my last ultrasound they couldn’t determine all that was BC and all that was scar tissue, just hope they can’t see any BC now
Take care all, have a lovely weekend, enjoy the weather as it’s meant to be closing in again next week.
Nicky x
hi everyone
bevvy
yes the botanical gardens were lovely, we now have the yearly ticket so will probably be are most visited place this year, got to get your moneys worth!
nicky 08
like the sound of the lucky dip, will they open them all at once or over the day? tell us some of the things youve included if there not too naughty. dont want the oldies getting too excited!
lily 2000
the things us mums do, putting our life in our childrens hands, you must trust him. perhaps you could ask doctor for some valium.
angie
cant wait to hear what youve been up to.
lisaf
dont know if i like your taste in choccy that type would definetly be safe in the cupboard.
how did you get the dvd, from haven? wouldnt mind having a look.
everyone have a great weekend, hope the sun stays out. x
Hi,
just dropped in for a quick ‘how are you all?’. Will try to post more tomorrow, if I can get to a computer!!!
Lily x
hiya all just a quick pop in.
Nicky - we twin on something, whenever special friends birthdays always do 21, 30 pressies but cant repeat some of them on heere!!!
Lorraine, ordered on Haven breast cancer site, no charge but might make donation, dvd not working till tomorrow but then will try, some of them have relaxation and tai chi sections which gonna try.
Hope everyone has nice weekend, been on own but had nice time and determined to catch up anh have nice week off - got cossie so albeit it looks shite gonna try a swim as love swimming, aint looking after arm as should but looks worse since wearing sleeve xxx
Hi
Hope you’re all chilling out over the weekend - boy did I need it! Everything has been so manic for the last few months. OH and I did go in for some retail therapy - well, I did. I got a lovely top from Ted Baker (get me!) and a lovely white leather bag for summer (well, I can only dream) - all part of my birthday shopping that didn’t happen on my birthday! Also some more boring bits like new teapot and black work trousers! Then into the garden later to plant some bulbs I’ve had for a month or more but not got round to planting. It was so nice being outside in the sun, even if a bit chilly.
Lorraine and Lisa - I can repeat on here what we’ve got my Mum and Dad - after all they are in their 70’s so wouldn’t want to cause a major health scare on their big day! We’ve tried to get presents that have memories for us eg Thunderbirds, holidays, world/UK events or that are tied in to the ‘usual’ anniversary years like Silver, Ruby China etc. A very odd collection but they met through their love of cricket so there is a theme running through it all and some silly bits like Virgin Atlantic keyrings with an annoying take off sound (totally realistic you can imagine). This is a double whammy for my Dad as he hated/hates Virgin as he worked for BA for years plus he’s always been annoyed by any of these tinny little sounds! Events include 1st test tube baby - you guessed it - a test tube and a jelly baby, 1st moon landing - some flying saucer sweets and some astronaut ‘food’ from (Hawkins Bazaar). Anniversary years include a leather cricket ball from me ie Leather plus it was the year I was born, A tin of curry for the Ruby year (ruby Murray, Curry), Pearl lightbulbs for Pearl, China mugs (with their honeymoon photo on) for China. All in all it should be great fun and we will do the ‘dip’ in 2 parts. 1 at lunchtime when we meet up with some other relatives and the other part before we sit down for our evening meal out. Having said that it’s been a bit of a nightmare getting some bits - ebay has done very well out of us! I want to do the same thing for my ED’s 21st later this year but do 21 things beginning with G which is her initial - better start now!
Enough of my silliness! Hope you are all OK and definitely get swimming Lisa, especially as you love it. For me there’s just way too much water involved so I generally don’t swim!
I’ve got my 5th massage tomorrow afternoon - they have been bliss, my tension is easing but still can feel all the aching muscles down my back and across my shoulders, not as bad as they were though.
Have a great day all, treat your Mum’s if you are able and enjoy the lovely weather if you have it.
Nicky xx
Nicky sounds like a fab collection, its sooo nice doing things fo others.
Hope everyoneone okay, I even bawled at dancing on ice tonight. Looking forward to a week off work xxx
Hi ladies sorry not been here for quite some time but my laptop is knackerd no money to repair it it or buy a new one!
Ive missed loads 11 pages or there abouts havnt got time to read it all yet as Im quickly using my sons pc while he is out.He borrowed my laptop but I can never usualy use his pc cos hes always here! Will kick him out for a few hours tomorrow so I can catch up.
Lily Eventualy the rad burns eased but was climbing the walls for a couple of weeks.Yes Im on tabs Tamoxifen and have had 2 lots of herceptin so far due my next lot on Friday so thats more bloody needles.
Take care all of you and I will post again tomorrow when I have caught up
Hi,
well I had a lovely day, after a poor start when my son failed to make the traditional once a year tea in bed for Mothers Day. You need girls for things like that! He ate some chinese food that he is apparently allergic to and has been feeling very poorly so got up at lunchtime. He is apparently getting me the new James Bond film when it is released tomorrow, as we are both big fans. YD spent the whole day with me and arrived with a big bouquet, so had fun arranging that and chatting all day. MD brought a new make up bag and a set of photos of little chap’s birthday, in a frame. ED brought me a selection of nice jewellery in assorted shades to match outfits. So was rather spoilt today and they did most of the work for the family dinner tonight. It was take turns to move your elbows with a full house as it was also my future son in laws birthday today. My mUm came in too so was able to spoil her too. Hope you other Mums and those with Mums managed to see them today and have a nice visit.
Soulgirl, oooh I can still feel the burn if I think about rads! Did you think you were going to catch fire? I expected to see smoke coming out my jumper some days. Good luck with the next herceptin, mine is hormone sensitive so managed to escape that one. Hope the veins are co-operating. Lisa, how did the skating make you cry? I have to admit I cried watching the Jade Goody wedding on sky, which I only got round to this morning and then heard the sad news. Poor little boys too. I want to go swimming as I know I am getting fatter on tamoxifen, can you bully me into it please? Have a great week off. I have to wait but get 2 weeks off school very soon. Nicky - shopping sounds great and always so therapeutic!! What brilliant ideas for pressies, never thought of that. Wish I was on your pressie list! I am an ebayer particularly when little chap wants something we can’t find, like a pink panther toy. I am struggling with your posting as you seem to be having the most fuss of all of us - how did you manage that? Shopping and a massage!! Lucky thing. Now the birthdays are over I think you have all youe appointments lined up, so everything crossed as always for you x. Angie hope you are back on-line soon. What have you been up to? Hope the tiredness is starting to fade a bit so you can do more. Julia what is the latest on your treatment? Hope they have come up with something acceptable to you. Bev hope you are keeping well. lorraine did you manage to get out to enjoy the lovely weather this weekend?
Love
Lily x x