Hi Nicola - I don’t know your Mum but please send her my very best wishes, and lots for you too!
Next month I am due to start chemo and radio at the same time, so am still ‘hairy’.
My wigs I am getting from Trendco and I saw some nice scarves on Ebay, if you have Ebay let me know and I will forward you the item number. They have things called Zandanas that are scarf shaped and you just tie them up at the back. They look a lot less fiddly.
Flora, I need to win a new fridge/freezer and washer dryer! Not much to ask for then eh! I won 3 tumble tryers a few years back in a Somerfield comp. I’ve won lots of holidays, money, TV’s, game consoles and other bits, am still holding out for a car! I could also do with a cleaner for a year come to think of it!
Hi All,
Daisy - day time tv can damage your health you know, you must get out more, going to the pub, eating a lot, talking a lot, going shopping is all much better! So inconvenient of your hubby to take the car! Comping is good though, and if you or Flora get any holidays you don’t want, please chuck them my way! I haven’t heard of anyone having chemo and rads together, I suppose at least it gets it all done with quicker! Does that mean that when you have chemo you go straight to rads after? I still have 12 rads to go and feel like I travel up and down the A12 in my sleep. They are going fine though and the staff there are just lovely.
Nicky, so pleased to hear your Mum is doing well. I wish I had the time to come and see her, but I have a lot going on at the moment so may have to catch up with her when she comes home. Monday I have got 3 appointments at 3 different hospitals!!! Please send her my best wishes.
Helen, hope chemo 2 was better for you and the first few days not like last time.
Well the weather seems to have turned for the better and is making me feel like I should be doing the garden/cleaning the car ect., whether I will give in to those feelings is another matter!
Hope you are all well and good,
Take care xxxx
Hope you are all well today, isn’t it good to have a bit of sunshine? I’ve been up and about and even let me ex-hubby take me & my daughter to Asda today and it was quite enjoyable (shows I’m not getting out much).
Glad to hear everyone seems to be doing ok at the moment. Glad to hear Julie’s scans were clear and she is out of bed. Nicola asked about hair loss. Nearly all of my hair went 4 days before my second treatment but I got 2 brilliant wigs from Michael Roberts / Studio Nine in Southend and a few scarves online. I felt better when I shaved mine as it was going thin and i felt out of control with the situation. Getting used to my new hair now but don’t tend to wear it indoors.
Hope Tracey and Sharon2 are enjoying their rads free weekend.
Lily200 thanks for the advice about breakfasts before the chemo, but I am usually worried about what I eat on chemo days because I know I am going ot throw it up later, so tend to eat really boring stuff!
Has anyone had any really odd cravings after chemo sessions? I was watching tv at about 9pm last night and had a real craving for cabbage or greens - how bizzarre is that?? In the end I gave in and had a huge slice of raw white cabbage with salad cream - it was divine but not something I would normally contemplate eating, last chemo session I fancied milk but I hate milk!! What is going on, it’s like being pregnant!
Keep well, take care and have a lovely weekend everyone
Helen x
Hi Moonshine - buggered if I know what I am doing with the rads & chemo! Who cares! As long as I am being poisoned and nuked in the right places at the right time…bring it on!
I see Prof D 9th March to discuss my appointments. Seemingly Prof S thought I could handle both. He must think I am bleedin’ Superwoman! He said 4 months of chemo, 1 every 21 days, but didn’t say how many rads. Not keen on two treatments in one day, but hey - ho. If I am a brave girl that will equal a super-dooper-mahoosive pressie from hubby! (who said this beastie is all doom & gloom).
Love to all, off now for a afternoon treat of Martini, I am having weird craving pre-chemo, and it will be a brave person who says I can’t have what I want!
Hi to all. Remember me?! Gosh, hard to find myself away this new look website… probably won’t find this message again! Anyway, update is that all going OK on the whole. I find if I am busy, I am focused so do’t dwell on the morbid stuff. Had some bloods and CT scan the other week, which were fine, thank God. My reconstructed boob is quite sore mind. Really tender. Mentioned it to Plastic Surgeon who blamed radiotherapy! The Prof didn’t seem too fussed either… Went to Mallorca for few days at half term - bliss. We are making up for not doing much last year and off to Cuba at Easter. Oh how we love credit cards… Anyway, hope you are all doing as well as can be expected. The journey continues… Rebecca xxxx
Hi,
great to talk to so many local people on here now. I went to the Essex fm wedding fayre today and it was really busy and baking hot. I enjoyed testing some wedding cakes and sweets as I wandered round. Not sure what kind of outfit I will get after watching very young, slim models in the Mother of the bride outfits. They were wearing tight long pencil skirts mostly, probably only get an arm in each one!LOL. Still I really enjoyed wandering around with them, thinking happy thoughts and about what a lovely day next year when she gets married.
Hi Rebecca nice to hear from you again. How is the teaching going, are you on a full timetable now? I am having it pretty easy for the rest of the school year it seems, unless things change. Sorry to hear you are tender, how long since you had it done? Fab that your checks were clear. I have mammos in April, not sure if Prof will ask for scans, as seeing Mr I for the next 2 appointments at London Rd instead of the hospital. I have booked a holiday in Turkey this summer and we might do something nera to home over Easter if I get organised. I quite like just lying around these days.Keep us posted how you are and love to see you if free when we meet.It will be an evening in the next fortnight and then a day during Easter hols, most likely. Daisy I did meet a lady who was having rads at the same time as me and the prof had put her on both together. She seemed to be coping ok but always had someone with her to drive. They seem to mostly give 15 rads in our area and start tablets at the same time as they take 3 weeks to protect you. So you are covered by the time you finish rads. I guess you will be finished much quicker this way. The rads usually run 15 working days in a row so not sure if you will have them on the very last 3 weeks or before, but I think they will all be together. Let us know which chemo regime he puts you on.Prof D will do exactly what he wants and ignore anyone else!! He has really high successs rates so you are in safe hands. Enjoy the last few weeks before they start the poisoning and you become a fussy eater. Helen sorry to hear you are sick and make sure you tell someone as they have a lot of expensive drugs but run through the cheap ones first! I was never sick but my friend Bev was and had 2 different types on the go each cycle. I got my wigs from Southend too, what a lovely shop and lady, but had the cold cap and never needed them. Tie shop have scarves and I got loads of hats etc in New LOok for £1 in the sales last year. Tracey you sound more chirpy so hope things are heading in the right direction. Glad to hear your skin is holding up but squeak quickly if you need my gel dressings. They are sealed, not my old ones!!LOL. Ignore the garden, etc the weeds will just come back no matter what. Can we fix a date for the week after next to meet early evening time? Nicola I really hope your Mum is turning the corner now, sounds like she has been through more than most already. Flora the 18th sounds like a good idea but need to check no school events that day first. I am having a chuckle thinking of you sitting in a superman blow up chair!! Sharon2 hope you have shaken that cough off at last and that skin is holding up from rads. Soon be cooked, boiled and basted and finished!
Hope to see you all soon
Lily x
haven’t posted for a while,now back at work and days seem to be quite full!
I saw the prof last week after I complained about seeing one of his side-kicks the week before.She spoke to me through the nurse and when I questioned some of my treatment she just said if that is what the prof wants! Anyway all sorted! I’m now on my 5th Herceptin all going well,ecg and echo showed my heart is still working.Monthly Zoladex are causing lovely hot flushes-great.Lymphodema is my biggest problem - but sleeve helps and due back to Rochelle house soon for MLD.
It will be a year on the 17th since my op,can’t believe how quick it’s gone! But just goes to show even with MX recon,chemo rads herceptin and Zoladex we can do it!!! I’ve even registered for Race for Life!
Everyone seems to be doing sooo well- good luck and best wishes.
Hi everyone,
I was wondering about a meet up next week? Flora suggested we could meet on the 18th instead of going to the support group at Rochelle house. Anyone think one week would be better than the other for them?
I had my 3 month check with the surgeon today. Bit disappointed that Mr I didn’t see me after being cancelled in Jan and Feb but he did send a younger and very good looking replacement. Hot flush!!!
It turned out to be the doc who did my surgery and he spent a very long time examining me. Very odd with my husband sitting next to me in a small room and no curtains round the bed. Anyway all is fine. He said he remembered my surgery because there was a famous doctor in the theatre that day who was overseeing my sentinel node biopsy. Shame I slept through and missed it then! I think I might have been a bit of a guinea pig for training or something. Next stop annual mammos in April.
Hi Jen, nice to hear from you. Well done for battling through the herceptin and so glad to hear your heart is ok with it so you can continue. It must take a lot of time out of your week though. Was it an older lady, Doc L who we are not so keen on? My anniversary for my op is april fools day! Hope they manage to help you with the lymphodeama, is it very uncomfortable? I think a lot of us on here are planning to do the Race for life, well walk in my case. Must sign up pretty soon.
Hi to everyone else and hope you are getting on ok.
When shall we meet?
Lily x
Hi everyone, 4 more rads to go!!! saw the prof today as I was worried about a lump on my rib but he looked at it and said “thats fat sharon I am not worried about it”. I also mentioned to him Lily about the keep fit class so he spoke into his dictaphone a message for manager of rochelle house.
About meeting up I think poss the week after as I know Julie (can;t think what her code name is!!) wiuld like to come and I said I would pick her up. If we made it the wednesday the group would be right quiet without us lot wouldn’t it.
Take care and speak soon. Lily did you get my text??
yoo-hoo - treatments permitting, count me in for any get together. Will know more on Monday.
So glad to hear everyone is doing so well, 4 rads to go Sharon2, how fab!
On something completely different, before I go and order my wigs & bits, has anyone got one of those hair stands they want to sell? I would rather give you ladies the money than the shop!
I am still at home resting, exercising and climbing the walls with boredom. Once chemo & rads get under way I will have something to moan about! ha ha.
Hi,
Sharon2, woops forgot to check phone and have to have it off in school or I can’t tell everyone else off for theirs. I laughed at what the prof said, I can just picture him saying that!LOL. Good job about reminding him about the classes as I don’t see him again until end of April now. Well done, rads nearly done. How is your skin holding up? Tracey hope your skin is holding up and things are improving. Sorry still chuckling about the Prof, what did you say to him? Daisy hope you are getting along now. Flora has offered so no need for a collection of them! Lots of luck with seeing the prof next week. I think you will like his weird sense of humour and he likes lively patients who give him a bit of banter.
Anyone got any preferences on evenings to meet if it is next week? Flora I can’t do Tuesday, sorry,
Hugs
Lily x
Flora - thanks for the offer, very good of you, cheers honey xxxxx
Keep me informed of the get together and I will pick it up then.
I am ok Lily, bored though. Hubby is off Friday so we are having a nice day together, lunch etc. Thought we might do a dummy run to Colchester, is there just the one hospital there? If not, give me a clue where it is.
Still without a washing machine, having a new one delivered, but not until the 16th as next week a vast majority of the road outside my house is being resurfaced and we won’t know when we can/cannot drive on it! So couldn’t book it just in case. Major pain!
Hello
Im back home! Got home at just gone 12 today. The surgery went well but Im now in lots of pain in my boob, under arm and my back and am very bruised. My boob feels like a rock and is very swollen. Nicola is typing this at the moment as its too painful! I would love to come out with you all so let me know what the plans are and thank you sharon for coming to see me. It was really lovely to see you and I hope your ribs are feeling better. I can’t wait to meet everybody and I hope you are all getting on ok with all your chemo and rads.
Best wishes,
Julie
x
Julie
Good to hear you are now home. Sorry you are still in pain but it is still early days yet considering what you have been through. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with the BCN if you have any concerns.
Daisy
Rads are at Essex County Hospital Lexden Road CO3 3NB. Quite easy to find and will take about 40 mins depending on traffic. With any luck you might have some of yours in school holidays. You never know you might even have chemo where you do not lose your hair.
Sharon & Tracey
Hope things improving for you Sharon and hope you are still ok Tracey. Only a few more now.
Helen
How are the cravings this week? Chemo does do that sometimes or is it the steroids, maybe the body telling you what it needs. Hope you are keeping well. When I had chemo I did want some of the things I wanted when pregnant eg black pudding! but could not eat milk chocolate only dark. Weird!!
I got my wig from Southend too they had such a good selection hidden away.
Hi Flora, thanks for the info. As I am having both treatments at once, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be NHS free come the summer break, but will just have to wait and see.
Hi,
hooray booked a holiday over Easter, a nice big house with rooms for all the family to join us. It has a heated outdoor pool, which there is not the slightest chance of me putting more than a toe in at this time of year but thought one of the kids might brave it. Oh I can guarantee my son will see it as a big challenge to go in. He went to see that tv show ‘beat the star’ being filmed yesterday and didn’t even tell me he was going. I phoned to pick him up from school (thought he was catching up on coursework.lol) and he was in Slough. Still can’t get used to the lack of important info that males pass on. trying to frighten him into starting revising but he is far too horizontal to be affected by deadlines. Girls are sooooo much easier.
I put a picture of the dog on, he is called Max.
Sharon you need to pick up village housewife life, or get hooked on daytime tv! I was bored to start with but picked up a new social life which I am very sad that I can’t keep up so easily now, with all you ladies.I used to go to afternoon films at the Odeon, hardly anyone there so no worry about catching anything when your neuts are low. Have a good time on Friday, the little lanes just down the road from the hospital are nice to look at. Check out the yummiest chocolate shop too. Pain about the washing machine. I read about the road closure and will have to check which way to go each Saturday when I bring BIL’s shopping round to him. My Mum’s is not so bad as I can go to Eves Corner instead. Julie ate least it is done now and hopefully every day will see some improvement and less pain. Eat lots of protein to heal it all inside and hope to meet you soon if you are up to it. Black pudding Flora, ohh yuk!!
Take care everyone
lily x
Not posted online for a few days as my social life is on the up - hooray!! Out to lunch a couple of days this week and had friends over etc. At this rate, I won’t want ot go back to work - ha!
I’ve been looking at the comments posted over the last few days and laughed at Sharon’s episode with the prof - brilliant! So glad to hear that Julie is out of hospital and doing well despite the pain, hope that eases for you soon. Sharon glad to hear you only have a few more rads to go…nearly there!
As for the cravings, well they seem to have stopped, still not fancying chocolate though, which is not like me.
Can someone let me know when are you all meeting up? I’d love to come along. Think I am free most lunchtimes next week.
Just wanted to say hi but underarm really painful and breast veryswollen, went back to ward tonight as back so swollen had to have lots of fluid drained off, needles were painful but at least my back feels a bit better… i
I hope everyone is well and would write more if was not so painful tonight. Would like to go for drink ,meal whatever you all chose, what day is it you are meeting please?