Hi Dawn I hope you are feeling better this week I know how hard it is Ive been there and I thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel but believe me there is. I am now as you know finished treatment and I feel so well. I hope soon you will be able to say the same. I never thought I would be sitting here now saying this. The thing that kept me going was the hospital and the treatment I received it was fantastic I know I wouldnt have received such wonderful treatment had I still lived in Birmingham. I was treated as an individual and not just a number this being as the oncology dept here was moved to ST JOHNS Livingston from the Western General in Edinburgh so it is a very private little place there is no waiting I use to go at 10 oclock every 3 weeks and was out for 11 after having my coffee cream cake and also we had big tins of Cadbury Roses. I also had my BC nurse phone every day to see how I was. Dont get me wrong I am not knocking my hospital in Birmingham but is is such a big hospital I wouldnt have had such private treatment its called the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham. When I was first diagnosed here 1 week after moving here I thought god I want to go back for all my treatment in Birmingham as I had been with my doctor for 26 years and thought it would have been better to go back for treatment but my hubby talked me out of it and I am so glad now he did. My hubby originally comes from Broxburn your hubby will know it I originally come from Glasgow I do love my new house here now hated it at first because of the BC but now I am well and out and about I love the place. The people in this little village are so friendly I have loads of friends already its great so when you are well you and Sophie and Jack and hubby are all welcome to come for a meal here and spend a day with us. O I must tell you we went to Falkirk last week for a meal ita a lovely place called The Dutch Inn its fantastic I bet your family know it. Anyway I am off now to take doggy for a walk as he is sitting here nudgeing my leg to go so I will speak soon You Keep Well Love Linda xxxxx Jackxxx Sophiexxxx
Hi Linda
Yeah am doing lots better this week thanks, although a bit miserable this morning, although probably alot to do with having a little argument with hubby. But won’t bore you with that one …
Am glad your treatment has been so good in Scotland. Can’t really complain about mine, although first chemo session was not good as had 2 hour wait, cos some git had the cheek to call in sick … can u believe that!! But apart from that been ok. Don’t get as good treatment as you though, sounds like yours is amazing.
I will ask John if he knows Broxburn and the restaurant in Falkirk, although if it is new he might now, but will ask his sister as she lives in Falkirk still. Yeah when we do manage to make a visit up there, I will let you know. Don’t think will be this year as don’t finish chemo til November, and depends on how I am by the end. All ok for now, got third FEC next week and then onto Taxotere for 3 sessions and have read quite a few varied reports on here about taxotere and side effects. Got onc appointment tomorrow so got my pad with lots of questions for him, so I hope he knows whats coming …
Anyway, hope you enjoyed your dog walk - what dog have you got. I am a dog lover, but no way would I have one with these two muppets keeping me busy, a dog would be more work. Although my daughter loves all dogs, and my neighbours have a boxer called Henry and they love each other to pieces.
Speak soon and take care
Love
Dawn
xx
Hi Linda and Dawn
Linda, it is so nice to hear that you are pleased with all of your treatment and doing so well. It really gives everyone a big boost hearing good news. It must have been very hard on you moving and then struggling through BC and trying to settle down in your new home. One good thing (if there is a good thing that is) is right at the very beginning you were able to make some good friends, although not in the best of circumstances, but once going through something like that, friends that will always be there for you.
Dawn, how are you my invisible friend! You have been so good to me in the last couple of weeks and wish I could return it to you twofold. You make sure you ask all the questions in the world tomorrow, and if your not sure of the answers ask even more questions. I truly believe that if we understand exactly what is going on it helps us to deal with it even better. Gives us the determination and encouragement to fight it every inch of the way.
We too are dog lovers, but with our son it is very difficult. My hubby had a boxer called Jason, right character, then many years ago we had an Airedale, she was great but hated me, couldn’t go near her without her growling at me, but was a real softie with our son.
Anyway, will be thinking of you all the way tomorrow and hoping you get positive news.
My love
K
Hi Kelly Its so nice to hear from you I agree with you Dawn is one hellava lady I wish she had been on here when I was going through all my treatment she would have made my days a lot brighter.I also notice that as soon as someone comes on with a problem she is there giving her advice love and support she is such an asset to this site. Anyway I have finished treatment now 6 weeks ago I do have to take Arimadex for 5 years I do get a few aches and pains in my arms and legs but ita a small price to pay for my life. I do keep very positive about all this I dont think about BC coming back in my other breast all the new people I have met here in my new villiage say I am an inspitation to all so that gives me quite a boost. I am now starting to enjoy living here now I am out and about and getting to know my way around I do a lot of walking with my little Jack Russell hes called Ben and he is adorable very spoiled though but we dont care cause we love him so much. When I was ill and some days I use to just lie on the bed and he was always there on my down days. Ive had him all wet through crying and he would just sit and listen and never complained once. I also told him lots of things (hope he doesnt learn to speak) How far are you with your treatment I am hopeing to start a new job in the next 2 weeks a lady here got me a form for her factory its Burtons biscuits not what I am used to but I will give it a go its very good money When I lived in Birmingham I worked for the BBC at Pebble Mill for 20 years and then they knocked it down and moved to the city centre in Birmingham it was a fantastic job I met all the celebrites it was a great life. Its much more quieter living here but I am getting used to it now. I do miss all my old friends though but they will all come and visit me now as I didnt want anyone the last 9 months. I didnt want them to see me with a bald head and feeling quite miserable. I do hope you are well Let me know and You Take Care Love Linda xxxxx
Hi Linda
I am 3 years down the road, recently got my 3rd annual all clear. Started with WLE (E+) followed by radiotherapy with Zoladex and Tamoxifen. Everything was fine but when I finished the Zoladex 3 months after my ovaries started up again and I have never felt so ill in all my life. The tamoxifen was causing so many side effects I just stopped taking it. Cutting the story very short I ended up having my ovaries removed and went on Arimidex - BEST THING I EVER DID - apart from the usual joint aches and pains which are not too bad all is well. Do get menopausal symptoms, low moods, crying and then get fits of giggles and bundles of energy. My Dad at present also is very very ill, don’t know how much you know if you have read any other threads but it is hard knowing he is dying and I can’t spend as much time with him as I would like to. I love him to bits but have home commitments with a severely physically disabled son who is wheelchair bound. Life sucks sometimes but over the last few weeks of being on here I have been able to say exactly how I feel - the ladies here are amazing - I call them my “invisible friends” and would love you to join them if you would like to.
Take care, hope to speak to you real soon
Love K
Hi Dawn I wish you all the best for tomorrow You fire all the questions at them I never did that as I was very frightened of the answers. I use to wait till I came out and then ask my BC nurse whatever I wanted to know. I didnt even know what type of cancer mine was until after treatment.I am aware of it all now through reading posts on here.My little dog is a Jack Russell he is 4 and he is adorable we love him so much.He kept me going when I was sick also I am getting my exercise with him all this walking every day. I have also met loads of people here in the village through him which have now become friends. We have got 2 lovely clubs here in Fauldhouse the cricket club and the golf club we sometimes go round on a Saturday afternoon and have a meal the food is fantastic. I have put on a stone since being ill but I joined Scottish slimmers last monday and I lost 5 pouns this week so was very pleased. I will keep all the books for you just in case you need them. I never worried about my weight when I was ill but I feel it now. This diet is great I had chicken 2 potatoes cabbage and carrots last night then I had creme freche and strawberries it was lovely. I use to eat things like rice puddings tins of them when I was sick yet I have never eaten the stuff in my life its funny the things you fancy during chemo also magnum ice lollies some days I would eat 4 I hate them now and the rice pudding. I just want that stone off and I think my life will be complete again. I am quite a positive person and I dont think about BC coming back in my other breast as they have told me it could I am just gonna live live to the full and hope soon you will be joining me.Again I would just like to say you are an inspiration to us all. Good luck for tomorrow Love Linda Sophie xx Jack xxx and John of course xxx
Hi All
Linda - I am terrified of the ansas tomorrow, I have no idea what grade or size my cancer is in breast or liver, we were never told, and think we were so gobsmacked that didn’t even think or know to ask. Part of me really doesn’t want to know, but need to ask about liver ablation or resection to find out if option and might get second opinion if he says no. Probably find out what size it is tomorrow - god forbid, dreading that in case tells me bad … but keeping everything crossed we don’t get anything bad.
Your little dog sounds lovely, and they are such a comfort. My mum had a dog (well we all did until we moved away - lived in Yorkshire with her), we had a yorkie, but she was a tough cookie and big for a yorkie, lived til she was 16+. They are so good when you are sad, cos can just cuddle them and cry into their coats and they never ever judge you.
Must be great having finished your treatment and that you are all ok now as such. Taking drugs for x amount of years is not a prob, if you know it is helping keeping things at bay. Think I would take anything, if knew would let me survive for 15-20 years. Not sure what happens after chemo for me, think Herceptin, but probably find out more tomorrow as well.
Your old job sounds fab - must have been so good doing that sort of job. And you sound like you have a lovely calm life up there in Scotland. Lets hope I get to come up there soon and meet up with you.
Anyway, it is tea time for the muppets, Daddy just got home, so must dash and catch up with you all later.
Take care
Love
Dawn
x
Dawn just a quick cuddle for tomorrow I will be thinking about you all day I pray that all goes well for you fingers and legs crossed hope you have a good nights sleep love Linda xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPS KEEP YOUR CHIN UP
Dawn and Linda
Thinking of you both.
Dawn, be brave for tomorrow and get all the information and facts, that way you will know what you are facing and not worry about it. We all imagine that its so much worse than it actually is and I am sure that as you are such a courageous and positive person everything will be on your side.
My love to you and let us know asap.
God bless you both.
Love K
dawn, i pray you will get some good news tomorow, i will be praying hard for you sweetie
all my love
cee
Dawn I am sending you a big hug xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx