Good grief we are keeping each other going, aren’t we? I’m finding it really helpful also as my hubbie works away during the week - even though we have constant email and phone contact it’s so great to be able to talk to you all, really theraputic. We’ll get each other through this.
I’m probably not having a recon. I did ask as soon as I was diagnosed and told I needed the mx but was told it wasn’t possible during the same op as my tumour was so big. I was only an A cup anyway and am not too disheartened by what I look like now. It would have been worse if I was any bigger.
Quite frankly the mx surgery was bad enough, it took me 6 weeks to heal and I had to have 2 drains, the second one for a seroma, which was horrible. I don’t think I could go through all that again so will probably stick for now. Imay change my mind in the future but for now it’s going to be the wonderful world of falsies!
I’m lucky enough to live near a BC Haven so will be going up there regularly when I need to delve into complementary therapies. I get 12 free one-to-one sessions, which is brilliant, but want to save them for when I’m feeling bad - at the moment I feel great but know I can only go down from here. I’m interested in trying acupressure and reiki so will let you know how I get on once I start.
Hi
Does anyone know where I can go to get mx bras. I live in Swindon and would rather be able to try on than get them off the net as I’m quite small a cup and always had problems getting regular bras never mind mx ones.
You may find Breast Cancer Care’s publication, ‘A confident choice’ helpful to read. It contains information about buying bras and clothing following breast surgery and has a list of specialist bra companies at the back, here’s the link:
Pheebster said to come over and join you ladies so I hope you don’t mind me jumping on your thread.
I am due to have my first FEC next Tues (28th) and am having 6 lots every 3 weeks.
It all of a sudden seems very close and I feel very disorganised!! Half term week and all!!
As I was starting to panick about how I will plan and fit in other things and how I will feel and whether I will get my wig before my hair falls off I thought I would pick some brains if I could although Pheebster has given me her answers to my questions but anyone else’s advice would be useful too.
What day post 1st FEC did you feel bad and when did you feel better.
When did your hair start to go.
Is it days 10-14 that you need to avoid ill people
Thanks for any help and hope you don’t mind me butting in, xxx
Glad everyone seems a bit more upbeat today - it’s strange how we have all got so dependent on this thread - I get up in the morning make tea, and then wonder how you are all feeling. Hannah - I have replied to you on the other thread.
Well, don’t know what happened to me yesterday but I felt sooo pants. Spent most of the day in bed, then got up (again) around 4. p.m. and decided I would make a roast dinner. Went into the fridge and found an opened bottle of chardonnay and thought…why not! So I had two small glasses while I cooked dinner and BANG…the old me came back within an hour! Seriously, I know the wine thing was just a coincidence, but I can’t believe I went from feeling like a pile of horse s**t to normal in such a short time.
Sickness tablets are all finished now and no nausea. I just keep having these terrible dreams of my hair falling out and they wake me up. I have managed to get some packing done today, done the washing and ironing and just stopped for a coffee break to chat to you all.
By the way - did any of you get given any complimantary therapies by your BCN? I’ve been given 4 aromotheraphy/massage vouchers to use. I’m saving them for when I feel I need to clear my head…maybe nearing the end of chemo and during rads.
Have a nice day ladies - at least the sun is shining (well, it is in Essex anyway)
Welcome Ostrich…none of us want to be here but we’re all getting on like a house on fire and you’re very welcome to join us!
My answers to your questions are (I’m Day 14 after 1st FEC of 6) so wil be having No. 2 when you have no.1 so we’ll be exactly 1 cycle apart which might be useful?
Felt fuzzy headed days 1 and 2 but otherwise not too bad, then was run over by the ‘bulldozer’ day 3. Felt like flu, really achey and tired, no energy with the sickness and nausea on top. Managed to get more Ondansetron Day 4, was able to go out into town Day 5 although didn’t walk very far as felt wobbly, felt better Day 6 then back to normal Day 7. I don’t know how much of this was down to me being incredibly nervous before I had the 1st one?
I’m starting to notice a few loose hairs now Day 14 but nothing major yet. I know some others have shaved already but I’m hoping to hang on until half term next week so I can go back to school runs the week after in Wiggy and no-one will notice! Hopefully they’ll just think I’ve had my hair done!
Yes, blood counts drop days 10 to 14 but can start day 7 so it’s best to avoid anyone who’s obviously ill, crowds etc. Also be aware if you get a temperature, even if you feel well, you must call the hospital due to possible risk of infection. I’m on day 14 now and haven’t noticed anything at all this last week, in fact I’ve felt very well.
Will be thinking of you, and will be with you in a bizarre kind of way next Tuesday. Eat well before you go, drink loads of water and be prepared to hang around and wait ages at the hospital which is by far the worst bit as it actually only takes about 40 mins to administer and the nurses stay with you and talk to you throughout so it’s not too bad. I’m going to go for a walk this time between appts to get some fresh air as I think this will help me.
Glad you came over Ostrich - I did answer you on your other thread, but just to add…
I agree with Bella…try and get loads of water down you whilst you are having your meds and eat before you go…that way if you need to throw up, you will have something to bring up (sorry…we are a bit basic on this thread!!!)
Take a strong sweet to suck to get rid of the metallic taste that hits the back of your throat and a nice towel if you are you doing the cold cap.
I also went for a good long walk with the dog after I got my drugs as I had energy coming out of my ears…that went on until Friday lunchtime (24 hrs later) when I finally zonked out.
I definitely feel better now the steroids are out of my system though…
Welcome to Ostrich. I am on Day 8 and also having 6FEC. I found I was absolutely wiped out days 2 to 5, but escaped sickness etc - the drugs seemed to work. Still feeling somewhat weary. Got up about 10.30 this morning having had a good read in bed (got up earlier and brought tea and cereal back to bed). Had bath, hair wash and did my exercises and came down stairs. Obviously had used too much energy as started to feel sick and shaky, anyway son made a cup of tea and I toasted a muffin with honey and that seems to have brought me round. Done a lot of chores on the computer ie the online grocery order and managed to put some bread in the bread maker. Going for a bite of lunch now, soup and fresh bread and watch some TV to relax. News of the wig visit later. Keep cheerful.
I’m a bit glum I’m afraid… it’s the Hair! day 16 and it’s going fast… scalp very sensitive…had it cut very very short yesterday at Toni and guy… not a buzz tho… a little bit of fringe so I can show that under my floopy beanie… but today have so many people feeling “sorry” for me… just as I thought :o( felt on the edge of tears all day… and that’s not me! hate the wig… even after hairdresser had a snip at it… so had a bash myself last night… still hate it! buffs arrived today… ummmmmm… still not me!
Lost me!
perhaps a bottle of wine will help!
O on a cheery note… I think my body does think I’m pregnant (well have something alien in me) have cravings! hot chocoloate too and would you believe… Cabbage! (not in the same mug!) LOL
Blimey, everyone’s been busy posting while I’ve been out and about today. Glad to see everyone doing well despite chemo’s best effort. Welcome to Ostrich, too, lovely to have you here. This thread has proved to be a lifeline, it’s so helpful being able to share how you feel with other ladies in the same position. I’m on FEC x 3, then Taxotere x 3.
For me, I felt rotten about 4 hours after the FEC, was sick but felt fine after that. i had a bit of nausea for two days afterwards, but i think that was thanks to the Ondansetron - I didn’t actually feel sick until I’d taken it for the first time. I didn’t really have a chance to have a proper ‘bulldozer’ kind of day because my son doesn’t give me the chance although I was tired but wired thanks to the steroids. Days 10 through 14 I went off to the Younger Women’s Forum in Reading which may not have been the most intelligent thing to do but I had a great time and didn’t find that I was any more tired then than I have been the rest of the time. My hair started to shed on day 15 after FEC and I shaved it off on Day 17 - not the best experience of my life but two days later I’m actually getting used to it.
My bald head had its first outting in public today. I took my son to preschool wearing my HK buff and got some odd looks from people on the street and some very peculiar stares from some of the mums at preschool. I was a bit cheesed off about this because they know I’m having chemo, but if anything it made me feel defiant. Defiant at the folks staring at me for being so insensitive, and defiant to cancer for putting me in a position where I feel tired and have to shave my hair off before it falls out.
As if to make up for the head shaving experience, the lovely wig lady at Northampton General rang to say my wig was in! I zoomed over this arvo and it’s fabulous, I want hair like that when mine grows back next year. She trimmed and styled it for me so it doesn’t look like a wiggy offering and I’m so pleased with it. That said, when I got home, I took it off and went back to being a baldie because it’s less bother.
How’s everyone doing now they’ve had most of the day to get through?
Oh Lorna, you posted while I was still typing, sorry that you’re facing the hair loss thing and that people are giving you that stupid ‘sorry for you’ look - tell them to get stuffed! I think the wine idea sounds fab, have a glass for me, will you, because I have none in. Cabbage and hot choc, I’m so glad not at the same time, although I suppose it would have the merit of being healthy and sinful at the same time!
Have been waiting for a start date for what seems like ages (only a week in real terms as first met the onc last Monday) and now it seems I have very little time left!!
I have brought some bits in prep from the “top tips for chemo” thread which I sadly printed off and typed up into headings. I have some buffs but I know what you mean Lorna, having tried them on I look weird - not me! I have also ordered a “bang” from Headcovers cos I look awful without a fringe and thought that at the very least if I dont get on with the wig I can wear headscarves/buffs with a fringe though I may end up looking like some strange “normal with hair” person who just prefers to have a scarf on.
Will also be thinking of you on Tuesday too then Bella!!
I have decided not to go for the cold cap I think! I have fine hair which falls out in handfuls every day anyhow (by rights I should be bald permanently) and is very fly away and not enough weight to sit properly unless short (which I hate). I have suffered from spots of alopaecia over the last 10 years and think that my hair probably wont hold up long anyhow. I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if the cold cap doesn’t work and would rather just accept the inevitable (I think!). Being positive I am hopeful from other threads I have read that I might end up with better, thicker, curly hair afterwards! What with my new super boob and eventually to be uplifted other boob I may be a new woman 6-12 months from now!!
Hi All.
My Name is Lloyd.
My Wife Janet is Starting Chemo on Thursday the 23rd of October.
We are a bit new to all the forum stuff, but have read all these Messages and am finding them very helpful.
Janet my wife is starting with 3 lots of FEC and then she will be on 3 lots of Taxotere.
She is a bit apprehensive about all this, which is quite understandable, but seeing all you going through this as well gives us a lot of strength.
By the way What does Bumped up mean.?
Thanks Cat :o) … Feeling better already! Thank you to everyone on here for being there! It’s hard to talk to “friends” as I keep insisting I don’t want them to feel sorry for me… if I told them I was upset today they would all be round with tissues (bless them) and then everyday after that… it’s just a blip and I will be OK by tomorrow I know that!
Really it’s not that scary Ostrich… the waiting and the unknown is the worst… it was like a 3 day hangover for me… then the “pregnant” bit for another 3 days… and I did have a bulldozer day on day 5… BUT I did have a glass of wine the night before if I rememeber rightly :o)… stupidly… then woke up and felt I had had 4 bottle of wine not 1 glass! so I WILL NOT DRINK a thing for at least a week next round!
We will all be “new” women come 6 months… can’t wait… who would of thought I’d be wishing my life away at 40… but I just can’t wait for the next 4 months to be OVER!
O thanks for the idea of “Bang” I am going to order one now :o)
Welcome Ostrich, Janjam and Lloyd,
wow cant believe how many of us there are on here. Well I’ve had another good day thankfully, have been a bit of a busy bee and tidied out my kitchen cupboards and had a bit of a reorganise.
Haven’t been brave enough to try a glass of wine yet, think I might give in tonight tho, think I’ve earned it after my busy day.
So nice to have this site to come to each day, can’t imagine not posting and seeing how everyone is now.
A friend of mine has mentioned a herbal remedy called thistle milk.
It is supposed to help your kidneys when having chemo.
Has anybody ever tried it.
Also I read an article in Saturdays papers about jeni Murray the Radio 4 presenter who has had to have 2 new hips after Chemo, does anybody know how this can be avoided.
Janjam
New hips??? Gawd!!! I don’t read enough!!! (Probably a good thing though!)
I have no answers for you Janjam but all I can say is (and this is true kettle calling pot black) - don’t look too much!!!
Re BC and life generally - there are so many things that can go wrong/we have done wrong etc that you’ll go mad! I might be wrong and hundreds of women have had to have new hips following chemo but in case I’m not - do you really need that additional worry??? Umm, drink more milk?
I haven’t chatted to you before or been on this thread more than a blink myself so please don’t take offence, but as I was wont to do when dear old Fiona Phillips sat on her sofa and told me that drinking wine could have led me to here, my thoughts are
"thanks for that… and then you fill in the gap with
a) kick in the teeth b) additional guilt c) additional worry d) scaremongering
Seriously though, please try not to worry, I know I haven’t read the article but there may be many reasons why that presenter needed 2 new hips that isn’t reported!!
Re the wine thing… the fact that I had a benign lump out 16 years ago increased my likelihood of BC. the fact that My sister and grandmother had BC increased my likelihood… wine may had increased my likelihood… but sure as hell helped me through the last 10 years of my life!
Re the Hips… (haven’t read the article) dealing too much with being a baldie is enough at the mo… BUT I’m studying Occupational therapy at Uni…and have worked on a Trauma and Orthopaedic ward… elective hip and knee replacements… so not knowing the whole story… replacements are usually due to Osteoarthritis… and again that can be in your genes… I’m LUCKY that my mother has that! :o) and has had two hip replacements! Yippy! LOL… but also it can be to do with Osteoporosis… which can be brought on by the menopause… which can be brought on by chemo? so perhaps that’s why?
Have a good day all…
I’m still hanging on to the few hairs I have… will be a hedgehog for a few more days!