Well done getting back to K & C, instead of Maidstone they were trying to get me there, too! Mine are from 23rd May to 13th June, all at 1.30.
T is definitely mush harder than FEC in all ways, it’s been a long and difficult four months for sure! It does seem to be that rads are easier, I’m seeing Dr M on the 3rd May, and I will be raising some questions, especially about a couple of possible ‘permanent’ ones mentioned in the booklet I was given that caught my eye. I want some stats on how likely they are to happen!
I hope that everything is going ok for you Amanda.
We are all getting there!
I had my radio planning appointment yesterday. I am not a happy bunny. I was told over the phone when I spoke to someone that they could do taxiderm stickers for the markers so I didn’t have to have the tattoos. Got there and they said that because on left side (heart side) they wanted to me to do the new breath hold technique. They hadn’t a cue about the stickers for marks instead of tattoos as no one had bothered putting it on my notes that I was against the tattoos. He um’d and er’d and said he had to talk to his boss.
Came back and said its either breath hold to help protect heart and tattoos or sticker marks and no breath hold as they weren’t willing to do it without the tattoos. I had to make the decision there and then
Talk about put on the spot. I was dead against them but what he said wasn’t exactly a choice. You can’t not protect your heart. Went ahead as he said they were tiny. Pin prick size. Looked after and more the size of a thick marker pen. They are so big. I drove the hour home crying. Pulled myself together enough to get the kids to bed and then was in the shower for an hour crying my eyes out and trying to get them to go smaller in case excess ink or to fade a bit or anything seeing they had just been done. Obviously it was futile. I am so so upset I let them push me into it. The mark in between my cleavage is in such a place/size that it now rules out so many necklines for my wedding dress for next year. I am so upset. It is ruining everything. Feel like I want to cancel the wedding and just go to the registry office in a polo neck jumper. I can’t wear any of my bikinis as all three marks show massively when I put them on.
One of the people in there did say something about them being able to be removed after so my plan is to call the bc clinic Monday (tried today but couldn’t get a call back) and tell them to book me in for a removal of them for as soon as the radio is over. I can’t even look at myself in the mirror anymore. Can’t get changed in front of anyone or without getting upset. Don’t feel like me anymore. Need to loose weight too thanks to the chemo. My body doesn’t feel like mine anymore.
Sorry about the long rant. Feeling rather depressed at the moment and can’t seem to lift myself out of it.
Has anyone else been told they can have the tattoos removed?
Thank you Gillian. I don’t recall reading that.
You have made me feel a million times better! I was worried I was going to be stuck with them especially after they came out so much bigger than the guy said they would. You say it hurt, not that I mind that at all, but in what way? Who do I have to talk to to get it organised?
Yes thanks Tina I am feeling more settled now. Had the busiest weekend ever which has taken my mind off things. Went to a wedding fair today and to the local St. Georges day parade to watch my eldest with the scouts. He looked so smart. And my youngest has got 2 trophies this week for his tennis!
The wedding fair certainly helped get my mind back on the wedding and off other things. Can’t believe it is 361 days away now. It snuck up on us getting under a year! We have so much left to start looking at organising. Plan to focus on that for now and keep my mind occupied.
As for private health care. Nope not me. Have to rely on nhs.
Yes finished on 1st April, same as Tina. Had my ct planning scan already. I start rads 5th May and finish 25th May.
How are your rads going Gillian?
Xxx
Hey guys, sorry not been around. As you know I finally got back on chemo, and these weekly ones really do build up on you. The sickness is extreme but luckily no real joint pain just tingling in fingers.
My hair is growing back, fine wisps underarms and very fine on the bald bits on head. Though also getting a spotty scalp!
All I can type now, but good to see you are all getting through treatment x
Oh Tina. If it’s not one of us its the other! Can you speak to the onc team to get things sped up? Tell them you are worried about the delay.
I have already had the planning scan and start on the 5th May which is lucky for me as will be done before the half term holidays and won’t be having to drag over and hour away.
That’s great Gillian! Last radio! That’s gone quickly.
What is the QV cream? Not heard of it before.
I have used aquasious cream before now. Been plastering it on my hands and putting on cotton gloves at night. So far it seems to have worked to keep my nails and stop my hands from being dry and cracked.
I agree with Nadz. You definitely deserve to treat yourself to something nice to do tomorrow!
Congratulations getting through that step. Xx
Hi Tina,
I have had recon area feeling hard and uncomfortable for a couple of days. Feels tight where nodes were taken out also. Can’t say I have achy legs or a headache though.
I do have a nasty cough mind, a lot of congestion and feeling tired but that is probably due to the cough.
Be interesting to hear what others have experienced.
I am starting to wonder if to ring docs. Trying not to be a hypercondriac!
Hi Vicky… Fed up of moaning lol… To myself! As I’m on own for while again. Bloody toe still throbbing no sign of infection though. Still getting funny headache at back of head… Needless to say worrying myself **bleep**less and overthinking!!! That it’s something more sinister, mainly after reading minimal risks from cold capping…
On a positive note, my hair is looking better after my visit to hairdresser and I’m going into work phased this week! Day off tomorrow, advised every other morning but I’ll see how I feel!? Off Wednesday for my CT scan and off Friday for physio. Still, work will take my mind off the demon thoughts I’m having!!!
How are you? Xxx
Hi everyone, been hovering around trying to keep up to speed with your news, but haven’t felt at all well for the last week. It was the usual culprits in terms of side effects plus a bit of shortness or breath and the fatigue was horrendous! Glad it was my last as I would not have wanted to go again! Slowly improving now, and a a sunny day pottering in the garden today was very nice, felt almost human again!
Ive got a mild infection under my big toe at the moment, too! It was due to an injury I picked up before chemo but it probably needed the attention of a podiatrist before but I couldn’t go because of the chemo so I’ll be asking the onc when I have an appointment with her on Tuesday if she is ok for me to go and get it sorted out! Cleaned it fairly thoroughly and dripped tea tree oil into it for now.
It doesn’t just stop when the chemo stops, does it! Oh well, just got to keep on and at it haven’t we, it’s still tough and emotional though!
Good luck starting back to work tomorrow Tina. You will love it. Bit of ‘normality’ back!
Amamda sorry to hear about your toe but good news on the last chemo front!
No it does never stop but it is slowly getting better for us again.
I start rads Thursday. Dreading the upheaval in the next 3 weeks and not being able to get back to have tea with my family at all during the weeks. Friday 13th is going to be a nightmare as I have to do the rads, get back and then leave to take the boys up to their dad. We usually leave at 4 but don’t think we will until at least 6:15. It’ll be a nightmare! Can’t even swop as I have to go up for my niece and nephews birthday party too. Oh well we must carry on regardless! Be glad when the 25th comes and it’s the last one.
Is anyone elses scalp really dry? Mine is really dry and itchy. I have about an 1-2inches worth of regrowth so good but need to stop my head itching now! Any ideas?
Good luck on Thursday, Vicky, it is going to be exhausting just doing all the travelling each day! It’s bad that you’re family meals are going to be buggered up, too. My rads (starting May 23rd and ending June 13th) are all at 1.30, not too bad a time and I will be able to avoid commuter traffic as well. Did they if you have to undress your top half for each rads?
I am massaging this into my hair and scalp, then putting on any scarf turban I don’t mind getting a bit of oil on.
I wash my head/hair when I shower with baby shampoo and I do use a wee bit of conditioner, too and just a gentle rinse. I want to keep the new hair as soft and flexible as possible (I didn’t cold cap and its currently about 1cm all over and lots of it) The conditioner is another way of helping your scalp as well.
Thanks Amanda! I will give it a try.
Yeah when you go for rads you have to undress top half each time. That in itself sucks. 15 days of undressing in front of strangers. I hate that the most. Feels degrading having to do that especially seeing all of the people I seem to be being treated by are men! Where are the ladies in this specialism!
My rads are that time so after work. I am halfway there that way and can hopefully avoid the time off thing. I am out of sick pay and on statutory now. I can’t afford to be off anymore so unless I have to be because it would put me at risk then I will be in, any pain and all.
Xx
That’s great to hear Tina! Will you be carrying on throughout Rads? I haven’t been told there is any reason why people shouldn’t if they feel they can. Xx
How come Tina? I don’t understand why. I have to do 15 sessions. I couldn’t afford not to work. I am hundreds of pounds down his month just thanks to the chickenpox going around the school. I can’t afford any more time off and just get statutory.