Friends needed please!!!!

Oh Jacq!!! LOL!!!
the things we do! I am due to to FEC no.3 on the 20th- yippeeee, can’t wait-NOT!!! 3down, 3 to go then 12 months Tamoxifen and Herceptin,mmmmm, haven’t been told much about them but watch this space!!!
Your stories had me in fits!!! what a picture i got in my head of you! glad to see you are also a jolly camper - we do the tent thing normally, no luxury of a loo inside just good old pyjamas and wellies ( which can on occaisons be very dangerous when under the influence and in a bit of a hurry!) for that quick jaunt across the campsite! - i have been known to get knotted in the guylines, me thinks that is another story! You’ve really brightened my day Jacq,
catch you ladies later,
Hugz, Lou xxx

Lol!!! Oh Jacq, I’ve got the most vivid images in my head now. No, not quite glued to loo, just got things going which was such a relief. I felt like I’d never poo again!!! Apologies everyone, I will not discuss it anymore. Suffice to say, I will be taking Movicol regularly to ensure this never happens again. Physio went well, she got rid of a little ‘cord’ and arm should be okay, just need to get the redness and slight swelling looked at my onc - physio is sure it’s not lymphodoema. Jacq, your head must be shrinking! I’ve noticed that the hat I wear all the time does fall down more over my eyes now. Onc never said chemo would shrink my head…lol. Gill, lots of best wishes for PICC line tomorrow, and chemo on Friday. Just think of Trevor Sorbie getting his hands on your head, he’ll do wonders with the wig, he really is good. Nicky, hope you are feeling okay today, really glad about the dog not needing op too, they’re like children aren’t they and such a worry when they get ill. Glad you got omeprazole and other meds, much better to be prepared. The list of meds I’ve got on repeat is a mile long. Lou, you’ll be fine for your next chemo, I’m sure. I always get a bit jittery a few days before, I hate that the few days prior to chemo I feel almost normal, and then we’re back on the rollercoaster again. Still, I tick each one off in my diary and when I have next weeks one, I’ll only have 2 left. Seems ages ago that I was just starting but time is moving on. Lou, if you need to, just surgically remove OH from computer! I agree about the wig as well, I just felt so abnormal with it, yet I look so abnormal without it - to other people that is. Yesterday when I had lots of people in and out I just breezed around hatless and although you could see that the first second I opened the front door the person there did a bit of a double-take, but it’s so liberating not giving a fig about what I look like, as long as I’m comfortable. Lyn, vibrating mascaras!!! I wish I’d been there, the 70 yr old sounds a scream. Hope everyone else is doing okay. I’ve just had some barbecue chicken and rice and it’s heaven to taste what I’m eating. Will see how everyone’s doing later, love and big hugs Pat x

Me again, just meant to say Lou, I’m really glad you started this thread, it really is a joy and there’s nowhere else that I could discuss my ‘problems’ in the way that we all are able to do here. Pat x

Hi everyone
I could’nt sleep at all last night which means I’ve slept most of today. I hope that that doesn’t mean I won’t sleep again tonight!
Thats 3 of my epi done and although i have 4 cycles of cmf with 2 doses each cycle it is supposed to be “kinder”. My chemo nurse has put a big smiley face next to my next appt as it will be my last epi.
Bloods were good and my liver has gone back to normal - good news for alcohol, but not just yet. My taste buds are going on strike already. Coffee is definitely off the menu again.
The lookgood feel better sessions sound great. I have one booked but not until the end of April. My hair should be on the way back by then. The bit of hair that has come back so far is pure silver. In a bloke it would be distinguished.
Glad to hear that things have been moving Pat. I started senna pre Chemo so hope that it will be enough.
Gill hope that all goes well with the PICC. I was offered one initially but chickened out. Now I’ve asked about one again they reckon that the veins around my elbow aren’t good enough so i have to keep going on with multiple attempts at getting cannula in each time.
I hope that everyone has a good evening and good day tomorrow.
Nicky x

Phew glad to hear things are better in the toilet department Pat, don’t worry bout me, I’m used to talking about bowels so makes me feel right at home! I agree it worth taking something regulary, at night to influence the next day’s activity! ie take 1 sachet if you have been, 2 if you haven’t then night 2 increase if you haven’t been that day etc! Might take a bit of jiggling to find out what your regular dose needs to be though.
I guess I would be pleased to see any hair come back Nicky but I may be a little miffed if I have to colour my hair when it reappears!
OH half late back tonight so I’m going to settle for some supper now. Hoping I will get some free time tomorrow, PICC line appointment is at 9.15 but the want me to stay around to monitor me for 3 hours! then I have Consultant review at 2 so I must charge up my Ipod and find a good book as I think I’m there for the day,honestly they must think we haven’t got anything better to do and I have, I must get to Asda, no food left in the house after teenage son left near fridge!
G x

Hi Lou Pat Jacqui Nicky & Gill,
Just checked in on all the posts and soooo good to hear from everyone-I need my regular fix of this site!Definitely makes the whole situation less isolating!
Took an old friend into a clinic today and the fact that he has only about 6 months to live with no further treatment makes you feel really humble-for all our problems there is always someone worse off…and that’s the best you will get from me tonight!!
Glad things got moving for you Pat-preventative measures needed methinks!
So far hair is hanging on…just wondering when I will know if the cold cap is working-don’t want the discomfort of 4 hours at -5 degrees if it’s a waste of time. Something to discuss with with onc nurse on Friday!
Highlight of today…getting dressed this morning and yell from OH-dash throught to lounge-he has one cat under his arm, trying frantically to get hold of other one who is trying to catch tiny bird which had been taken in by first cat-chase both cats outside while OH rescues bird-amazingly not dead with shock and releases it outside to fly off…good deed for today! Well there has to be some excitement??
On that note, am off for an early night with a good book…what was that about excitement?
hugz to all,
Lyn xx

Hi Pat,
No,Thankyou all for becoming friends with me without any of us ever meeting each other xx How odd is it really,that we are women who share one thing in common - this bloody awful disease but can share so many ‘intimate’ problems with each other - some of which i would never discuss with people i know more closely.Thanx again for sharing your experiences with me, without any of you i don’t know what i would have done.Lyn, i’m so sorry to hear about your friend,there isn’t anything i can say i am thinking about him, and pray one day that this will never have to happen to anyone again.
For friends i have, for people i have yet to meet, for others who have to suffer and for families that have to live with all of this,
we are with you xxx
Anyway, that’s me for tonite, got my serious head on, sorry for the philosophy, sending you all massive hugs tonite,back tomorrow,
loads a love, Lou xxxx

Aaaah, bless all you little loves. I feel the same about you all too. You were there in my ‘hour of need’ and feel really close to all of you. You’re all LOVELY!

So sad to hear about your friend Lyn, there but for the grace of God … well, who knows?, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, one step at a time eh? Hope you all have a great day. xx Jacq xx

Thanks lovely ladies for those words. Well up here in the wild NE of Scotland we are still getting loads of snow-a lot even by our standards. This weekend is midterm for our schools and with 2 in-service days next week the kids will have been off school for 2 weeks!!
I have to drive back into Aberdeen tomorrow for my bloods and pre chemo check-up so hope roads are ok-not confident driving in the snow. Awfully pretty for a while but fed up with it now as can’t get out for walks.
Have felt today that I might be taking a cold so hope that doesn’t stop next treatment on Monday? Want to keep things on schedule.
Hope everyone feeling well today?
Love and hugz,
Lyn xxx

I have posted this for new user Jill
Jo, Facilitator

Hello Ladies

I am new to Forums and don’t even know if i am in the right place, but no doubt you will keep me right.

I have just been to Oncology today to discuss my future treatment for breast cancer. I have already had the lumpectomy and start my chemo treatment on 23 Feb 2009. Very anxious about it all. I am in the North West of England. If anyone can advise if I am in the right place for friends and chats, please let me know.

Love Jill

Hi all and a big welcome to Jill. You’re certainly in the right place for chats and advice.
Well I’m a very proud god mother today. My 11 yr old god daughter does Irish dancing and has been competing in the All Ireland competition - the equivalent of the world championships - and she’s come first in her event. She did qualify for the worlds at easter but her team isn’t going this year as it’s in the USA and too expensive. She has now offered me her wig which looks a bit like a poodle. I’m going to stay with them next week and may suprise her by putting it on. She’s been quite anxious for me to lose my hair so that I can join her in the wig dept!
Lyn, I’m so sorry about your friend.The same has just happened to a friend of mine too, but they are trying a new trial drug on him.
It is great to be able to chat to everyone who is in the same boat and understands what you’re going through. Much as everyone else tries to help it’s not the same.
Hugs to you all
Nickyx

Good evening everyone and big hello to Jill,
Welcome Jill,
Wea have been posting here since the end of Dec 08 - you are certainly in the right place for chats, info and anything else you need - have you read all our other previous posts?? some very funny and others very helpful.We are always here when you need us xxx
Many congrats Nicky to your God daughter - how proud must you be?
Lyn, drive carefully tomorrow and goodluck for bloods ect.Our snow has gone now, chilly today but considerably warmer than it has been in the good old south.
Hi Jacq, hope you ok today? I have slept most of today, felt so completely knackered! nodded off at about 12 and woke at 4!!! i did feel better though - even the dog looke refreshed!!!lol!
Pat??you still sorting the eagles???
Big Hugz, off for a cuppa,
Back Friday, though may check back in later (depends wether all that sleep deprives me later!!)
Lou xx

Hi Gill
Hope the picc line went well today??
Love Lou xx

Hi all and welcome Jill. Just jump right in! I’m the quiet, placid one. (The others are a bit rough.) Just taken the rubbish out and it’s snowing again and it’s flipping settled as well.

Got the dreaded clinic tomorrow - two appointments for two different doctors within an hour of each other, oncologist first then the back bloke (alright then, surgeon (aka butcher)). Some bugger had better see me tomorrow! Lyn, I’ve also got blood tests on the other side of the building before my 3rd chemo on Monday.

Sister dearest rang me last night, and when I told her I was fine and eating like a horse 'cos had no feeling of nausea and everything still tasted lovely, she said “Oh dear, you still haven’t lost any weight yet then?”. Believe me I’ve tried so hard over the years, but have now come to the conclusion - sadly - that I despise her. Silly me hadn’t realised that a diet was on my list of priorities at the moment.

I’m sure my mum brought the wrong baby back from the hospital, no way can I be related to that! Anyway just bought a new 'phone with caller display function, so that’s brought her and her kind and thoughtful phone calls to an end.

Lou, you lucky moo - all that kip! Will you still sleep tonight? I’d be bouncing all night if that was me. Well I’m off to beddybyes now, I won’t need any rocking tonight! Love and hugs to all of ya, xx Jacq. xx

Hi Jill, welcome, I’m pretty new to this gang too but they seem like a good bunch!
Nicky
Wow your godaughter has done well eh? I love the godaughter relationship, mine are 19 and 21, the 19 year old Meg is back from Uni at the mo and has voluntered to take the clippers to my hair. I had cut shorter in Jan but now its really dropping the longer bits are ending up in my food, most off putting!
Jackie
Sounds like you may need to take your sister off the Xmas card list! I reckon a little of what we fancy will do us good, lets to the diet thing next year! Am I right i thinking you have problems with a wound? Have you seen a “wound care nurse specialist”? they sometimes have more to offer than Dr’s. Hope your day goes smoothly
Lou
thanks for the enquiry about the PICC, it went in fairly easily on 2nd attempt, 1st vein was a dead end! Felt pretty weird as it went in as I could feel a bit of pressure in vein up arm!
Now just feels tender in the inner elbow where it is sited, hopefully they will redress it today as I’m sure some of the discomfort is the dressing! At least that should be the last needling for a while.

Off for 2nd FEC this afternoon, hubby was offered chance to go while a chum looked after our 10 year old twin daughters as it is an inset day today, but he suggested he looked after our 2 and her 3 while she came with me! He’s not that comfortable in hospitals, and to be honest she’ll be better company! Hope it goes a smoothly as last time. My crew are all off to france for half term tonight, snowboarding! Have warned hubby I won’t be much good to come and get them if he breaks something! I plan to keep the fire burning and park on the sofa for some quality DVD action!

Hope you all have a good day

Gill x ( with a G!)

Morning All!
Well thats me knackered! got dresssed and i’m pooped!Thomas home today on inset day, he’s busy playing and i’m catching up with Jeremy Kyle ( how sad is that!) Hope all goes well today with the 2nd FEC Gill, my turn for no.3 next friday, assuming antibiotics have done theyre stuff.
Hi Jacq!i love caller display on the phone, means you can be really selective who you speak to!! Hubbie has his own ringtone so i always know it’s him, everyone else gets announced! My mum’s decided she’s going to ring me everyday at the mo, bearing in mind we haven’t spoken in 2 years!!! she keeps saying she wants to see me, but i’ve built a small barrier around me, and i won’t let her see Thomas for sometime as he has had no contact either-he’s dealing with enough as it is. Fill your face Jacq, eat what u want, diets are WAY down the priority list- for me to eat and keep food down is some kind of miracle so enjoy what u like! Yep, still slept last night, can’t believe it really having slept all day! must have needed it!
Well,gonna park my rather large backside on the couch,catch up again later, loads a love,
Lou x

Hi everyone, I just typed loads and lost it all so here we go again. Hi Jill, you’re very welcome here. Jacq’s right, we’re a bit rough and ready but very loveable, take no notice of her - placid! you must be joking!!! All joking aside, it’s a great thread that Lou started and you can get loads of advice, laughs, moan away to your hearts content, whatever, it’s all here. The ladies are great and a really friendly, supportive bunch. Have you checked the ‘Top tips for chemo’ thread as that’s really useful. Jacq, O Placid One! hope appts went well and that they didn’t forget you this time. How’s the back doing? Lyn I’m so sorry about your friend, he’s lucky to have you as a friend, I send him all the best. I hope the car journey was okay for your bloods, the snow is so pretty to look at but a real nuisance when you have to try and get about in it. Nicky, you must be bursting with pride, I would be, what an achievement, methinks she takes after her godmother?! Gill, glad they got PICC in ok, hope it goes well today, at least you won’t feel so much like a pin cushion. They say that my veins are very small but good. Hopefully they’ll hold out for the next 3 chemos anyway. Lou, are you awake?! I’m like you I could sleep for England at the moment, and apparently radiotherapy is even more tiring. I discussed my plans to maybe go back to work part-time when I’ve started the radio but she said I should see how it goes as the fatigue can be quite bad. I work in the same hospital that I have my treatment so I had visions of having my 5 minute treatment each day then trotting upstairs to office, even if it’s on for a few hours. That’s what I’m aiming for but I’ll play it by ear, just want a bit of normaility back. The old tastebuds are well and truly back so must go and find something to munch1 Will check in later, have a great day ladies, love and hugs Pat x

Hi all, and welcome Jill! Yes this is a brill thread so hope you find it useful.
Jacqui and Gill-hope your apps went ok today? My review went well and Danny my onc nurse seemed to think that as I hadn’t had too many side effects with the first he didn’t anticipate any further problems apart from tiredness and from what you are saying Lou I will be prepared for that. I have to use the Gelclair as soon as my mouth gets sore next time and he is organising a presc for the constipation, so will let you know Pat how I get on with it-have to use it from day 1 this time. Have to phone in on Monday to get the results of my bloods before we set off which is good as if there are any probs it won’t mean a wasted trip. He also said that it looked like the cold cap is working as no sign of hair loss, so will gave it a go again on Monday.
No more snow overnight so roads were clear today which was just as well as the temp was minus 7 driving in! The countryside is beautiful but would really like a thaw to get out walking again.
Well off to get some food on-like you Jacqui no loss of appetite, so no weight loss-you’ve got to have some enjoyment in life!!
Take care all and have as nice a weekend as you can,
Love and hugz,
Lyn xx

Posted on behalf of new user Jill

Lucy

Wow ladies. Thanks for being so welcoming, you all sound brilliant and sooo positive and mad. I am having some good days and some not good days - I guess thats the way it will go for awhile now. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I went to oncology to discuss my treatment. I am to have 4 cycles of chemo and then radio - can’t even remember what the next stage of the treatment is, A drug of some sort.

I woke up during the early hours (2am actually), when panic set it and that was my sleep for the night. Woke up my hubby making a cuppa at 6am. The dogs thought it was great and expected to get taken out - er no!
How did you all get through the nights before you started your treatment. Mentioned to the nurse that a couple of glasses of the old vino relaxed me slightly, but she didn’t seem to keen on that.

Well hubby is calling me for my tea, (not that I can eat very much - appetite seems to have disappeared) and will come back to my new friends later.
Thanks for being there.

Love Jill xx

Hi Jill, lovely to hear from you. Glad appr went okay, it’s very daunting at the start, isn’t it? The treatment after rads may be a hormone treatment like Tamoxifen, or perhaps Herceptin depending on your dx. I find the anticipation of the treatment musch more worrying than when it actually starts. At least when it starts you feel like somethings being done, and there is so much support as regards SE of chemo, the anti-sickness meds on the whole work really well, and if something isn’t quite right for you, they change it to something that may be better. Hopefully once your treatment starts, you’ll be able to sleep better, but if you don’t, tell your onc and they’ll help you. I think there are times around chemo cycle when it’s best to avoid alcohol, someone else will know I’m sure. I know day of chemo and 24 hrs after my chemo nurse advises me to drink at least 2 litres of liquid, to help everything flush through. I tend to be able to sleep anytime, anywhere!!! Ah, another dog owner - what variety do you have? I have a gorgeous 5 yr old black lab (see pic) called Millie, mad as a hatter so she fits in well in our household! Yes, I guess we are all a bit mad, it helps I think! What chemo are you having, you’ll be starting quite soon, won’t you? Do visit us often and let us know how you’re getting on, we’re all in this together and we’ll all get through it, hopefully with a lot of laughter along the way! And yes, your emotions will be all over the place - I liken it to a rollercoaster, and even when I feel happy tears are never far away, it’s just how it is sometimes and I just go with the flow now. Will check in later, hope everyone else is okay, love and hugs, Pat x