Essex Girls!

Good to hear from you girls, I was beginning to worry!
I found that it was good to make the most of the ‘well’ days when on chemo, to have things to look forward to… and when your body tells you to take it easy, listen to it.
If I’m free and it’s ok with you all could I join you? Having said that it’ll depend where you’re going, I’d be coming from Leigh and need to get back for when my daughter gets home from school.
Take care.
Claire x

Hi,
Sharon glad to hear from you at last and you sound like you are doing really well for that treatment. Hope it improves even more after the last injection. Tracey I think you deserve to sit about. I always do what I feel like, I think your body tells you when it needs more rest. I slept like a log for days on the first one and felt like I was in a bubble. A bit like being drunk upstairs with a party going on in the distance. It will keep improving, promise.
Well I am up for another meet and feast. Will be interested to see whether Tracey and Sharon have to consider the menu a little more carefully this time. I was very envious of you on the last two times as that cheesecake looked so yum. I hate not being able to eat cheer up puddings for so much of each month. I am free on Monday, apart from a quick trip for blood tets in the morning, early on. Sorry I can’t manage Friday at all as my eldest daughter has taken the day off for us to go out together, and as we had to go and have her little dog put to sleep today, I don’t want to put her off. We both cried and I was supposed to be looking after her. Horrible thing to have to do but no choice at all.
If next Monday is no good, go ahead and I will catch you next time. I have more poisoning on Tuesday of next week and the week after. The 14th and 21st I think. Claire fab if you could come. We could meet about 11.30 perhaps or meet nearer to where you come into Chelmsford, but then you miss out on the yumm puddings!!
Bev was fine at workbut wishes she was still at home as long as it didn’t mean she was on chemo!! I think I need to hit her again for that!She has a day off each week so will join us sometimes if we make it the right day.It won’t work out for this one though. She is finding herself very tired at the end of the day.
Hugs and hope we can fix a date.
Lily x

hi ladies!

hope the chemo sessions are going ok. I used to find the first week was tough with nausea and tiredness,second week taste had completely gone and mouth was quite sore and third week just when you begin to feel " normal" again you are back for more!!! You will get through it I promise! I feel like I’m discovering new tastes all the time now-but chocolate-blrrr can’t stand the stuff anymore.Strangely I like creamy things now although I have an intolerance to milk cream and yoghurts-strange!!

Thought I would tell you I had my planning session at Southend for my rads. Claire,it was ok like you said. Mr Trask held my hand whilst they did the tattoo’s,I could have cuddled him.He treated my dad for lung cancer about 9 years ago too. My first of fifteen starts on 21st.I have been given a lovely smock top to put on each day-very fashionable!!

I’ve also booked into Rochelle house for my arm to be looked at.My lymphodema is quite bad at the moment,hopefully they will start massaging in that session.

Hope you all enjoy your get together Jen x

Hi Jen,
Oh yes the lovely yellow top, I remember it well!
Glad to hear the planning and tattoos went ok. Dr Trask is my consultant (I didn’t want Dr Robinson) he’s very kind isn’t he. When I saw him last week we spent half an hour talking, he never hurries you out if you need to talk. That’s why his clinics often run late, but no-one ever minds.
Sorry to hear about your lymphodema, it was one of the things I was worried might happen, fortunately so far so good. Hope they manage to get it under control for you.
Claire x

Hi all
Seem to be finally emerging from the fog! good description about being drunk upstairs Lily, sums it up well. Mouth is now starting to feel like sandpaper and can’t stop eating melon of any sort, lovely. Have felt a bit achy, especially my legs which hopefully is just the chemo. I’m so sorry to hear about your daughters dog Lily, they really are one of the family aren’t they. I bought mine amid all my goings on of the last year and don’t think I would be as sane as I am now without him. Not that I actually feel that sane at times, just blame it on the chemo brain. Monday would be okay for me, I don’t mind where we go, if you want to meet somewhere different to make it easier for Claire thats fine with me. Tomorrow one of my neighbours is making me lunch, she’s such a character and never fails to cheer, she is 85!!

Jen, glad to hear rads planning went well, why do you have to wear a smock? surely they don’t expect you to make the tea aswell!! Rads seems so far away to me at the moment, I will be glad to get there. Must be horrid having lymphodema, I have heard a lot about it and hope Rochelle can help with it. I am going there for reflexology to help with anxiety, they are very good.

Let me know if monday suits everyone, hopefully Sharon too.

hugs
Tracey xx

Hi,
anyone for Monday? Tracey and I are ok but can move it if another day suits others better.
Tracey glad you are coming out of it. Now forget it until just before the next. That is the tough bit going in again and again but once done the side efects just roill in and out and you just have to go with whatever it takes to minimise them or get more tablets raedy for the next. You need to rinse with Difflam mouthwash after evry meal if the mouth is starting. Pineapple and lollies are good too.I also find keeping bottles of water in the fridge and squirting little amounts in my mouth constantly see it off too. Skimum can you manage Monday, would be great to meet up?
Hi Jen so pleased to hear you sounding so much better and shaking off the final remnants of chemo side effects. I thought you lived in Chelmsford too and just worked in Southend, sorry about that. Mad chemo thinking. I can’t eat chocolate at the moment but hope it will come back to me. I keep thinking about eating Galaxy ripples but can’t. Will be thinking of you from the 21st with rads. Did you have to nag them in the end for your appointment? I would get the lymphoedema looked at as soon as possible if it is playing up. They told me your arm can get 3 x times too big, sounds really scarey and uncomfortable.
Hope we can fix a meet up for Monday, post if you can
Hoping you all feel better every day
Lily x

Hi everyone, Monday is good for me - just name a place and time,

I felt quite rough last nite and had a slight temp (37.7) so kept a close eye on that but it never amounted to 38 and feel so much better this morning and motivated to get going - don’t know how long this will last!!!

Just to have let everyone know my 7 yr old made me a wonderful cup of tea and breakfast on a tray yesterday which made me smmile all day when thinking about it.

Love sharon xx

hello

just a quickie to Sharon- a cup of tea and breakfast!! 7 years old !!! how lovely.I have a 7yr old girl and a 13 yr old boy and NEVER have I had that , how wonderful. Don’t get me wrong they have their moments but to start the day,yes I can see why you smiled all day : - )

best things come in little packages!!!

Jen x

ps if you feel like you need to call the unit - call even if your temp is not 38,I did a few times just to have a reassuring voice to talk too.

Hi Girls,
Yes monday is good for me. My 17 year old son gets home from college early and will be here when my daughter comes in from school so I won’t have to race home.
I don’t know Chelmsford very well but just let me know when and where and I’ll find it…hopefully!
Sharon at Southend you’d have been in having bloods done! Here you have to let them know if temp goes above 37.5 (used to be 38). Glad you’re feeling better this morning.
Claire x

Hi All,
Hope you have all been enjoying the lovely weather, it does make such a difference doesn’t it. Well the worst of the side effects seem to have passed for me, but do get very tired and have to give in to it. Hair is still firmly intact but is rank, really horrid hair. Are we still meeting up monday? shall we say, same time same place or different? Please could you let me know. Hope everyone is well and having a nice weekend.

Tracey xx

Hi,
Does Monday at 11.30 at the Fox and Raven sound ok ? Skimum and Tracey is that ok, Sharon is that any good? Anyone else like to join us please just post or turn up and look in one of the big rooms on the right for us. The Fox and Raven is in Chelmer Village in Barnes Mill road, postcode is CM2 6NL. Shout if you need more directions.
Hope you are all ok
Lily x

HI sounds good to me - see you there

love sharon xx

Hi,
Yes sounds good to me as well. I’ve googled it and the directions look pretty straightforward (famous last words!).
How will I recognise you all?
Love
Claire x

Hi,
brilliant glad that time is ok and we will probably be there until at least 2.30.- 3 , if the 11.30 is too early for anyone. How to recognise us hmmm. I will be wearing my black big hairband with a few straggly bits sticking out, Tracey has lots of blond hair, Sharon had dark hair ooh and we will all be talking about boobs!! If I remember I will bring a toy and put it on the table.
Looking forward to it already
Lily x

Hi girls,
just popped in to say hope you all have a brill day tomorrow. I’m sure you will have a lot of fun.
Dont forget the TOY Lily, spoil yourselves rotten and have a drink for me.

love Chris x

Hi Chris,
thanks and wish you could be there too. Hope you are feeling a bit better this week.
Lily x

Hi just wanted to say a very big thank you to Lily, Moonshine, skimum and a new face who came to join us for lunch today ( I believe it was kate??). we had a lovely afternoon and the time went so quickly. It is always nice to be able to put faces to names and makes it even more meaningful in terms of when I am typing. Lily, you still never gave us your number maybe next time and hope all goes well tomorrow.
Please don’t let me have a big meal and a dessert as I felt stuffed - mind you I still managed dinner tonite!!
skimum - you are a mindful of info nad a pleasure to meet.
hope you are all well sharon xx

Yes it was lovely to meet you all, and you’re right about the time flying Sharon…we sure can talk can’t we?? LOL.
Next time I’m definately having a dessert, even if that’s all I have, that cheesecake was gorgeous, and as I said very slimming!!!
Lily good luck for your next cycle.
Moonshine you’ve had such a terrible time, I can’t begin to imagine how hard it’s been. Sending (((((hugs))))).
Oh yes and I meant what I said about wig shopping.
Sharon that taxotere is nasty stuff, I think you’re doing brilliantly.
Look forward to next time.
Take care.
Love
Claire x

Thank you for your lovely company too girls! Eating and talking are very tiring, I am going to bed soon!
Lily, will be thinking of you tomorrow hope all goes smoothly and enjoy your big breakfast.
Kate, Sheila? sorry, not sure which one, it really is my chemo brain, it was lovely to meet you too.
Claire, it’s very encouraging to meet somebody who has finished their treatment, especially as you have the same brand as me! Thank you for my hugs xx must get myself to Southend to sort out wig or borrow yours if thats okay, will let you know.

Goodnight and take care
Tracey xx

PS - Sharon - you are a star, will phone you xxx