ahh bless you Jackie!!!
bet that made you feel really good!
Love Lou xxxx
Hi Lou, Pat and all-thought I would just have a quick check before bed-taken a wee tablet tonight as I don’t want another like last night, and like you Pat I have been having panic attacks, where I literally feel as if my stomach is going into spasm and I can’t breathe-horrible!
Also heading for Accessorize to look at hats-younger daughter had vouchers and very generously said I could use them so will let you know if I have more luck.
Also started knitting one, though whether it will be wearable remains to be seen- but at least it is keeping me occupied!
Sleep well everyone,
Lyn xxxx
Hi ladies, how are we all doing today? Lyn, Accessorize have some lovely hats. I bought a couple of fleece material hats from a lovely lady on Ebay - she makes them herself and makes a smaller than average ladies size which fits me perfectly. I hadn’t thought of knitting one but I’ve gots loads of wool and more than enough time on my hands so that’s a thought. What do you take for the panics, I seem to have gone downhill since just before my 2nd chemo and every day since then has been a real struggle. Thankfully, my daughter is with me and she keeps me up and out to make sure I don’t get too down. One good thing is that it hasn’t affected my sleep too much, hope you had a decent nights sleep. The taste thing is driving me nuts too, everything tastes exactly the same! But I’ve tried sucking on pieces of pineapple, which helps and just bought some ice lollys which are spose to be good so watch this space. Sorry to be moaning so much, I’ll stop now. Lou, hope the new meds are helping you, apparently there are so many so there’s bound to be one that helps. Loved the story Jackie. All the best to everyone, lots of love and hugs, Pat x
hi everyone do you mind if i join in the chat ?
i start my chemo on the 29th jan with 3 x fec and then 3x taxotere followed by herceptin radiotherapy and tamoxifan . i have no worries with the chemo except the feeling of being sick and being sick , i hate that ! lol
ive had a left masectomy and after all my treatment i have decided to have a right breast removal and reconstruction at the same time
ive got great family support but they cant really understand unless they are going thru it or have been thru it so thats why this site is sooooooooooo great x i just have to say everyone is so supportive and so positive and to be honest thats hard to come about as soon as you tell people you have cancer , they immediately think your gonna fall apart and go into a deep depression . i know theres nothin good about cancer but im gonna fight it and im gonna stay as positive as i can x
melissa
xx
Hi Melissa and welcome! I am sure we would all agree that life would be an awful lot harder without the support here. There is only so much you want to burden your family and friends with and you are right unless you are going through it they don’t really understand. You do need to speak about it but at the same time you need some normality and light relief!
Pat, I haven’t taken anything for the panics and I haven’t actually mentioned it to my GP, who if I did I am sure would suggest something as she has been so supportive so far(even phoned me at home on Monday night for half an hour, which I thought was above and beyond the call of duty!) If I can I sometimes take myself out for a walk or a swim(though that might stop next week!) as I am a firm believer in the benefits of exercise ( I would need to - I teach it lol!) Get the endorphins working!! But equally I know that if you are feeling rotten that might be a non-starter. Do you have a cancer support centre near? We have CLAN in Aberdeen which I went along to last time and got some visualisation therapy, which was bril for helping you to relax and I got a cd to take home to use. Might be worth while asking your BCN what is available in your area and if it’s there go for it-I don’t believe in suffering in silence!
Take care, Love and hugz, Lyn xx
Hi Lyn,Pat and Melissa,
Hope everyone is having a reasonable day today? HOORAY! the new ant-sickie pills work, but i soon know about it when they wear off.
Pat, i totally agree with everything tasting the same -BLAND.The whole of my mouth feels rough and such a foul taste,but atleast i can get some food down now, toast gets a bit ‘samey’ after a while!
Made a friend laugh earlier, told her i used to have to get up 10mins earlier each day to put my contact lenses in, now its’s lenses,boob,and soon to be wig and or hat! at this rate,i’ll be up at dawn every day! Be shattered before i’ve started!
Anyway, best go, small child hobbling about - jumped out of a tree on the way home from school and landed on a brick and twisted his ankle? How, i ask myself??? best go and attend!
Love to you ladies,
Lou xxxx
Hi Melissa,
If you have a look at the front of the forums page you should be able to see a thread that is ‘sticky’ called Top tips to help get you through chemo - if you have a read through these posts you may well find some useful tips to help you with the sickness you are suffering. (it’s in the undergoing treatment - chemotherapy forum)
Hope this helps
Jo, Facilitator
Morning everyone and welcome to Melissa!
Hope everyone is feeling ok and coping.
Lou I’m so glad the new anti-sickie pills are working for you chuck, gives us ‘newbies’ (due to start soon) a bit o confidence to know something CAN be done if the dreaded sickness strikes!
Can I just ask did you get your new sickness pills from your GP or your Onc? Sorry if this sounds a daft question but I want to be well prepared 
Also have you heard of a 3 month pre-paid prescription and where u get one from?
I have a busy few days before my chemo nex Wed so hopefully will take my mind off it a bit. Sister coming over tomorrow, buy some hats on Sunday and dummy run to chemo hosp, old friend I havn’t seen for ages coming over on Mon, hair chopping day on Tues and then the THE BIG DAY !!!
Have to go and take some more ‘gloop’ as I have my body scan today.
Have a good Friday everyone and will post again later.
Take care and much love
Sue x
Hi Sue,
When i had my chemo, all my meds were ready for me to take home.Unfortunately, the anti-sickie pills didn’t work, so i rang onc and they wanted me in to see they’re dr,but couldn’t as had to be somewhere else.I rang my GP, and he wrote a prescription for me which obviuosly i had to pay for. The prepaid presc i have heard of, my mum did that - i think you ask at the hospital/onc unit - i’m sure if they don’t know they’ll point you in the right direction.
You sound like you’ve got some nice things to look foward to over the next few days, time will pass so quickly for you.
Goodluck with the scan today, i’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ve had my haircut shorter than normal (short anyway) and just waiting to find it a thing of the past. My OH thinks it funny that i will probably have less hair than him!!!
Anyway, of to do some jobs while i’m feeling up to it,
Love to all,
Lou xxx
Hi all, Hope everyones doing well. Sue, you’ve got loads packed into the next few days and I’m sure you’ll find it helps, have fun with the hats especially. I bought a yearly prepaid prescription as I have 4 -6 prescriptions a year (for asthma medication) and I had been advised that I would have quite a few chemo-related prescriptions. I did mine online thru direct debit and so far I’ve had nearly £78 worth of prescriptions and I’m only on chemo 2. Definitely worth buying one I’d say. I believe in some parts of the UK prescriptions are free anyway - is it Scotland or Wales? It’s good to save a bit of money where we can anyway. Lou, glad you’re feeling better, it’s lovely when that nausea feeling actually goes - heaven. I can’t remember, are you trying the cold cap? I think hair can come out anytime from 1st chemo onwards. My son shaved my (well, a number 1) on Sunday and the bits that are left don’t seem to want to come out. And I still have full eyebrows and eyelashes. Elsewhere bodyhair almost all gone. It’s interesting how peoples bodies react differently to the same chemicals. Well I felt pretty c**p this morning, mouth now swollen sore and full of mouth ulcers so I don’t think I could feel much worse. Got myself up, put some slap on and a nice hat and went out for a long walk. It certainly helps and I agree with you Lyn, exercise of any kind helps produce those endorphins and lighten the mood. I found myself in a big sports superstore - decathlon - and bought myself a sweat top and pants. Now whether I’m actually gonna do any physical exercise while wearing them, I can’t say but they’re very pretty and on sale too so I really couldn’t not have bought them, could I?! All the best to everyone, have a good Friday and love and hugs to all, Pat x
Afternoon Pat,
I feel heaps better today thanks, well,i don’t feel quite some much like i’ve just been ten rounds with Mike Tyson anyway! I haven’t tried the cold cap, although it was offered- felt a bit unsure about having something so cold on the old head?- ice-cream always gives me a headache so will probably give it a miss.If you’ve read my other posts if my hair does come out it will be a sort of relief - ANYTHING to get rid of this awful colour! LOL
Oh you poor thing, you’ve got the sore mouth ect ect. I thinks mine healing a bit now, but all the skin on the palate has become very rough and loads of ulcers.
Good for you going for a walk today, it does make you feel good doesn’t it! I used to run 2/3 times a week (with the dog!) and it made me feel fab, just can’t do it though at the mo.
Good on ya for treating yourself!! very much deserved i’m sure. Well, i’d better go, house looks like a pigsty,no energy to do anything but onwards and upwards!!!
Hugs to all,
Lou xx
Evening all! Hope you’re all well and coping with your different stages of treatment. Woke up this morning with 2 mouth ulcers - so the rot has started! Daughters have driven me mad all day ringing to check that I haven’t set foot outside the door, as they reckon these are my lowest immune days just starting. Went to hospital yesterday and saw the top surgeon, who reckons that he wouldn’t recommend a skin graft on my back wound at the moment. Don’t know if I’m pleased or not with that outcome - I think if I have to have these dressings on for much longer (nearly 2 months now!) there won’t be any skin left to do a graft on. Soooooo sore. Therefore, he said that he won’t have to see me for a few weeks, so - me thinking I was being clever - went outside to the clinic reception and promptly cancelled my next appointment. Got up this morning and realised that I’ve cancelled my appointment with the head oncologist. How pleased will he be with me ? Bet that time slots gone now, and can’t do anything about it until Monday. Then to top my day off nicely, I just ran my hands through my hair, and got a fistful of … no, not dollars … but blonde curls! Nurse in chemo unit said that she would refer me to the ‘wig lady’ - and that was almost 2 weeks ago, and I’ve still heard nothing. Should it take this long? And I’ve now decided that I hate my wig that I bought from a website. Somebody say something funny - please, nothing kind, 'cos I’m just about on the edge of a massive waterfall here! Having too many of these ‘poor me’ moments lately. x Jacq x
Hi All, Jacq, sorry you’re having a rotten time, trying to think of something funny… Well, if you’ve read my earlier posts you’ll know I had a mouse. Well it was caught, disposed of etc and then last night we had another FOUR!!! All teeny tiny little babies that my OH was able to catch under a bowl and let go outside. I was minding my own business watching Casualty and one just strolled out into the hallway. The noise I made should have had everyone else in the house running to my aid, not one came! They just left me to it until I made OH sort it out! Then, this morning I was again minding my own business getting ready to go out and one strolled towards me, my heart must be strong because it’s taking a pounding! So, we have a nest of babies somewhere unless they’re coming via the back garden I have to search every inch of the flat. At least my panic attacks had to take a back seat while dealing with the mice, there’s a positive in there somewhere! Right, as for Oncology appt, ring as early as you can in the morning and ask for appt to be reinstated, it was a misunderstanding and these appts aren’t easily dismissed. I work in outpatients in NHS and it shouldn’t be a problem to get appt reinstated. At the end of the day, you NEED the appt and they know that. Also, chase up wig referral as you should def have heard by now. Isn’t it horrible when your hair leaves you like that? Since getting my son to shave my head with the clippers, all the stubbly bits that were left are still there, strange as I thought it’d all just come out. And eyebrows still hanging on too. Must say it’s nice not to have to worry about washing, rinsing, conditioning and then drying - I just wash head with body wash, and pat dry! Having said that, I think losing my hair has been the hardest thing yet which seems ridiculous when you think of having 2 lots of surgery, chemo etc. I think the psychological side of all this is easily as hard, for me anyway, as the physical bits. Which website did you buy wig from, is it too late for it to be sent back? I bought one on Ebay and I haven’t attempted to wear it since losing my hair, but the hats I have do feel very secure and no one bats an eyelid when I’m out, it’s just wanting to appear normal isn’t it? Just to blend in. Well, now going downstairs to see if any of my new little furry friends have made an appearance. Hope everyone else is doing okay and enjoying their weekend. Weather isn’t great but had a nice brisk walk to the shops and that helps blow the cobwebs away. Seeing physio tomorrow about cording in my arm, it actually feels a bit swollen so am a bit concerned that might be start of lymphodoema, will let you know how I get on tomorrow. Any Celebrity BB fans on here? Sad I know, but the Jungle one kept me going after my surgery and I must admit I’m hooked on this latest one. I really like Ulrika and think she’s not as bad as she’s been made out to be in press. And what about Coolio… Ah well, keep well everyone, love and big hugs to all, Pat x
hi Jackie
Ahh, bless you… you sound so fed up xxx It’s funny how our emotions play us around, one minute fine, then next were an emotional mess.BUt we are allowed to feel like that,and if a good cry is what helps then so be it. The hair thing is a trauma. I made/make light of it but again, like you, it’s starting to concern me.It’s all about looking and or feeling the same as the next person. My OH is in buisness with his parents. We had a staff meal at Christmas - it would have been the first time i had really seen any of them and was desperate to look feminine for a change i.e: no loose tops/fleeces/joggers. I bought a lovely top and smart trousers - great until i realised that my left falsie, was not only a lot smaller than the other side but i couldn’t get it even - one being higher than the other! By the time poor OH was out the bath i was in bits - tears and tantrums everywhere. He helped me in the end but i felt so self concious all night. Hair is the same, we just don’t want people to look for whatever reason. Chase the appt for the wig lady, i’ve learnt to make a real nusiance of myself these days over stuff like that and you will get that appt back as Pat says, ring first thing in the morning and i’m sure it will be fine!
Hi Pat, you made me chuckle with you furry friend story!!! theyre not shy at all are they? If you fancy a real scream you MUST watch Mouse Hunt with Lee Evans in!! It’s the funniest film ever - Jackie, me thinks you would enjoy it very much too - tickle the old ribs that would!
I used to work in a dental surgery, which had been converted from a barn - we had furry friend problems - little blighters had so many places to get in from outside. I went out one morning to make coffee ( i had to walk thru a surgery to get to the kitchen) and one dropped down from the ceiling tiles and started walking along the shelf!!! How i didn’t scream i’ll never know, but a quick exit was made - minus the coffee!
Our dog Tillie, is rather partial to frogs. We went camping down in Devon for a few days and on the last day (as usual) it POORED with rain, so had to pack the tent away wet. On getting home, we had to put the tent up to dry it out and out jumped a frog!!!. We left the little hopper in the garden, promptly forgot and the poor thing was chased by the dog, eventually becoming an ex-frog by the time i realised what she was doing!
I too enjoyed celebrity jungle thingy but BB can’t get into - i usually watch BB nobody in the summer though-m y latest craze is Jeremy Kyle - very sad i know but have it on series link so i don’t miss it! Watching them, makes my life seem very simple!
Anyway Jackie, sending you a big hug, remember poor me moments are allowed,and nobodies counting how many you have, it’s an important part of the healing process.
Pat, Hope all goes well with the physio tomorrow,i’m sure that will help enormously.
Much love to all,
Lou xxxx
Hi Lou, I love Lee Evans so will look that one out! My OH caught another of the babies and let it go outside - my daughter seems to think they’ll find their way back!!! I can’t imagine what our dog Millie would do if she came across a frog, she really is absolutely mental which is compulsory in my house at the mo! I’ve had to laugh otherwise I just will cry and cry! I’ve just spent the last 2 hours shredding papers - yes, this is what its come to. I’ve been meaning to sort out loads of mail - junk and otherwise since before xmas but never got round to it. Found loads of useful stuff I needed in the process so it was worth doing, but pretty mind-numbing. I’m bit worried as my hand is a bit swollen and my BCN did refer me to onc physio in November - I’ll be so upset if this could have been prevented. I went outside to put a bag full of paper in the bin and shock horror realised I had nothing on my head! I would have been mortified if I’d seen my neighbour! On a positive note, I do feel more comfortable with bald head tho not enough to go out in public. I will see my work colleagues tomorrow after my physio appt and am a bit nervous as it’s the first time since hair went, and last time I saw them I didn’t feel too bad and still had hair. Oh well, they’re a great bunch and they tell me I look great regardless. I think I need to give myself a good talking too, usually works a treat! I went thru a Jeremy Kyle phase too and Tricia and its tru that when you see some of the people on there and their stories it makes you feel quite sane and normal. For pure fantasy, I watch Jerry Springer - who can forget the guy who married his horse!!! It just makes me crack up. Well tummy tells me its time to eat and son is cooking - yippee! Hope everyone else is doing good, having a nice weekend and chilling. As always, big love and hugs to all, Pat x
Damn, just typed bundles and lost the bloody lot! GRRRRRRR! Start again - Hi Pat and Lou, thank you so much for your kind words of support. You’re both really lovely ladies, d’ya know that?! Anyway asked district nurse this morning if it was safe to go out and mingle, and she said yes, fresh air will do you good. Well, as I saw her out the door, I was out of that car park before she even had her key in the ignition! SHOPPING! The answer to all our problems! Spent a good couple of hours in TKmaxx and bought two lovely floaty tops and a beautiful black with brown trim 20’s style felt cloche hat - really gorgeous - don’t give a toss what’s going on under it! I absolutely love that shop! Thanks for your tips on the cancelled appointment and wig lady, I shall be very forceful on that 'phone tomorrow. That’s why I can’t stand it when this weepy stuff washes over me, I’ve always been such a strong, outspoken person, people often quake when they see me coming if I’ve got that look in my eyes (heart of gold though, honest!), just can’t suffer fools! Don’t think my wig is too bad today, just had one of those days yesterday - I’m sure you know them well! Mice … lord, I remember having one in the kitchen once, stayed awake all night! Little blighter kept popping out as if to wave, his days were numbered though. Re: all these reality shows, I absolutely … sad to say … LOVE THEM! Dancing on Ice has just started so I’ll be off in a mo.! I bet that’s not Melinda’s own hair either! I know what you mean about Jeremy Kyle though, can’t stand the show, but have to have a quick peek at the moron of the day. Where do they find these ‘people’? Gonna search out that film on Sky, it’s often on but I’ve never watched it, and I love Lee Evans. Well, thanks so much for cheering me up. Love and hugs to you, x Jackie x
Your welcome Jackie, were here whenever you need us xxx
You MUST watch that film! we went to Cardiff in September, (before dx,and with plenty of hair and two boobs!! LOL) and saw Lee Evans,i laughed so much i thought i would burst!
Oh well, tillie dogs’ gone to bed now, no frogs in the garden yet, and besides it’s way passed her bedtime - Oh is playing some flippin awful game on the Xbox ( i played earlier, but i was only there making up numbers and to make him look good - i’m awful at stuff like that!). Off to read for a bit and drink a cuppa, i think sleep may evade me tonite,
I like TK maxx to, great to get in there and have a good rummage!
I know what you mean about being outspoken, i’ve always been a bit soft until recently but the second lot of bloody cancer saw to that - no more the wallflower am i! Go get em’ tomorrow Jackie,and have a good day everyone else, catch you all Monday,
Lots a love, Lou-Lou xxx
off to meet the chemo nurse and sign my permission forms in readiness for first TAC treatment on wednesday. I am also meeting the wig lady, who sounds lovely, but she worried me when she said (over the phone) that I might like a 'pixie# look, as ‘lot’s of ladies seem to like it’…aarrrrrrrrrggghhh, 1: i am NOT ‘lots of ladies’, I am ME, please treat me as such…2: I am almost 6ft tall and built like a bomb shelter…no-one, ever, in my life, has used the term ‘pixie’ in reference to me!!..oh well, here we go…
Lol, Narnia! Don’t dare let them give you anything that might send you away with the fairies! I’ve alway had blonde curls which people love - but which have been the bane of my life. Hence have gone for a swingy, sleek pageboy bob - something I’ve always hankered after. Go with whatever you fancy - might as well have some fun while we can get it! Good luck. x Jacq x
Morning lovely ladies, how are you this ‘beautiful’ winter’s morn? Poked my head out of door, and that’s my brisk walk for the day! Took your advice and have already done my forceful 'phoning - got appointment reinstated - phew, and spoke to the chemo nurse, who said the wig lady definitely knows about me, it’s just that they’re so busy at the moment. How dare all these people get sick at the same time as me? Methinks it’s tablet time … strange how most people get the sickness and I’ve just had intermittent headaches, still at least 2 paracetamols swiftly get rid of 'em. Hope all’s well with you all, x Jacq x