Hi All
Thanks for all your kind words.
Yes Debs I did find it liberating. Went out this morning with the wig on, then later with the scarf. Felt much better with the scarf. early days thou.
Karen all the best for your next treatment , hope the SE are not to bad.
Margaret xxxx
Well, Chemo delayed until next Thursday. The dreaded white blood count not up to scratch 
I’m not too fussed, it’s just the inconvenience and it puts all my other arrangements out of sync.
Oh well, at least I can enjoy this weekend.
Hope everyone else is ok.
Karen
Morning all. Karen, poor you, I dread having any of my chemo delayed. Because of the date i started, my 18 weeks is finished 3days before Christmas, so if I have to put back a week it will mean I am not 100% over the Christmas week, and I am SO looking forward to Christmas as the date that I can start to put it all behind me.
Haven’t worn the wig out yet, feels false and strange, but I must force myself to go for it. I know i was very self-conscious the first couple of times with a scarf but am fine now.
Going up the allotment this morning, and have put suncream on my head, 'cos it’s sunny! Of course the scalp is much paler than the rest of me, so maybe it will even it up a bit.
Margaret, glad you are feeling better with your hair gone, I quite like it now, definitely liberating, almost feel like I could have it this way by choice. If it wasn’t such a label of cancer that is.
Enjoy the sun everybody,
X
Rusty
Karen - how annoying your treatment is delayed, though as you say it gives you an extra week of feeling reasonable. It’s difficult enough trying to plan your life around appointments, then having to rejig everything.
Big hug
Lilac x
Hi All
Not posted for a few days but had appt. today to have picc line put in ready for fec3 tomorrow. Well, it took 3 hours, 4 attempts, had to have gas and air because I got in such a tiswas as I’m not good with needles, didn’t look but could still feel the tries. In the end they had to bring the portable ultrasound machine in and use that to find a good vein. Am now so glad that that is the last time I will need to have needle put in and so fed up getting told that all my good veins are in my left arm. Still feeling like my heart is racing at times but not sure if this is normal or just me still in a bit of a state over it. My elder daughter rang, back at uni and missing her so much already, so gots lots of sympathy. Can cope with the chemo, hair falling out, tiredness, sickness, mouth ulcers, the drain from the lymph surgery but even the feel of someone putting a needle in my arm turns me into a mental wreck and makes me feel such a wimp.
Karen, can understand what a pain it is to have treatment delayed. At the moment my last session is on 30th November so would be upset if a delay meant treatment in December. I know I will still be feeling the side effects in December but just so nice to know chemo will be over by then. Found it great to read all the posts that rads is a walk in the park compared to chemo as I’m due this after.
Hugs to all those having chemo this week, may all side effects be short lasting,
Ali.
x
Oh my goodness Ali! I had a groshong line fitted into my chest and it was nothing like that. I was sedated, not put out, and it was just so relaxed and no problem at all. I couldn’t have a PICC line as they said I didn’t have any decent veins in my arm. I think that experience would have traumatised me forever!! I hardly know I have the line in as it’s no bother at all.
My treatment is now due to end on 12th November - provided it doesn’t get delayed again - so hopefully I too will be feeling ‘normal’ for Christmas.
I have 20 rads to do when chemo finishes. Does anyone know how soon after chemo they tend to start the rad treament?
Karen
Hi All,
This time round i’ve been so much more active than the first session, so hoping that this continues- Feel well enough to work but as i’m a pharmacist i’m not aloud! We are moving house in the next few weeks so that is keeping me busy but decided to postpone my wedding from May to Nov, was abit upset about it but wasn’t sure when al my operation would be done with a reconstruction. Went for my complementary massage yesterday at breast clinic which is nice and relaxing. Lilac like you when it hits me its hard and I am having my first counselling session today. As I feel quite positive I’m a bit anxious about going and coming out upset, but I know that I need to do it for the long term benefit. Also went to get some antisickness drugs to start before treatment as i’m sick for three days, really hope that this is third time lucky and that’s stop.
My Liver enzyme are all over the place so they are thinking of changing my 6FEC to 3FEC and 3 Tax.
Ali, Hope all goes ok this today for FEC 3.
Karen, Think its a couple of weeks after chemo they start rads.
Rusty, I had to buy a cotton cap from bohemia fashions to wear under my wig as it itches all the time. I had one period 2 weeks into treatment awaiting the next! Really looking forward to my LGFB Nov 1st.Where are you getting your wigs styled? Think mine needs a trim!
Love Emma xx
Hi All
Karen Sry your treatment is delayed . I am going today to get my bloods checked today and hope to have second EC tomorrow.
All the best to you all.
Margaret xx
Hi all
Emma my usual hairdresser cut my wig but to be honest I am not very happy with it. Someone has since told me that you should only use a razor on a synthetic wig, but she used normal scissors on the fringe and it looks a bit chopped.
I will try to smooth it out, but if it doesn’t work I am not sure what I will do, can’t exactly wait for it to grow out! 
Wish I had gone to the nearest one from the Trevor Sorbie website mynewhair.org/Home.aspx
They are all trained through the Trevor Sorbie salons and do it for free, have you heard about them?
Hope you find somebody
X
Rusty
Oh and my hair is definitely falling out again! It is so short you can hardly tell it is coming out but i am getting progressively more bald. Has nearly gone completely on the top and sides, not such good look, makes my ears look big! Oh well, that’s one question answered.
Feeling very down today, I am sure it is to do with having chemo hanging over me for tomorrow. I have just read back a couple of pages and noticed that you were really low the day before your last chemo Lilac, I guess it is not too strange really is it? No one looks forward to feeling crap, but usually you don’t know it’s coming.
X
Fec3 done, halfway now. Much better having the picc line as not come home with a sore hand, wish I had done this at the beginning. Got told what’s left of my hair will fall out this cycle. Has anyone else found this? About 90% of my hair on my head fell out day 15-17 of first fec but nothing much with fec2. Not enough left not to wear hats when out and had it cut short but not as brave as some of you ladies so haven’t got the rest shaved off.
Karen - asked about time re rads and got told they usually start them 20-28 days after last chemo, but depends on the waiting list at each hospital and how well we are! I’m due to see my onc before next fec so will pester him then about timings and post you any info i learn.
Rusty - will be thinking of you tomorrow, sending you good thoughts and big hugs
Ali.
x
Gosh Ali you had a day of it the other day having that PICC line put in! Sounds like it was worth it though. I think I’d like one of those - I’ve never been too bad with needles but I’m sick of the sight of them now and I’ve still got 4 FEC to go!
Been feeling quite low the last few days - very tired and I went down with a cold at the weekend but it seems to be on its way out now and I have a bit more energy. I found days 5-8 were the worst for tiredness during the first cycle. I have a pathetic bit of hair still left on my head and have started wearing my deep burgundy wig when I go out - feels a bit strange but everybody who has seen me is still in one piece!
On the issue of radiotherapy - my consultant told me they would probably start it about a month after the chemo is finished.
I’m due to have last FEC on Dec 13th if all goes to plan - can’t wait!
Love and good wishes to all,
Amanda
Well, FEC4 second attempt tomorrow. Went for bloods today and really hope all is ok for it to go ahead in the morning. I feel like I need to get this one out of the way to begin to feel more positive about things again. Had a couple of low weeks emotionally and I really don’t like feeling that way - it’s not like me at all.
Onwards and upwards I say!
Hope everyone else is doing ok and the SE’s are managable.
Karen
All the best for today, Karen. Will you be getting a white blood cell boosting injection?
Emma - Hope your counselling session was worthwhile. I went for bereavement counselling when I lost my cousin and best friend in a car crash and I remember feeling completely drained after each session. But it was well worth it - it stopped me from slipping into depression and gave me the opportunity to say things that I couldn’t burden family and friends with. I’m hoping that the counselling next week will do the same for me.
Lilac x
So far se’s with FEC3 much less than with 2 which for me was far worse than 1. Kept a chemo diary so was expecting to feel really bad tonight but just a bit of indigestion and stomach ache. Managing to sleep ok which I found hard after the first 2 so perhaps that helps. Only change is that this time to help with sickness have changed from lorazepam to diazepam. No depression and tears so far so this must suit me better. Have been told the rest of my hair will fall out with this one but I’m only losing the longer dark hair and there is this short under layer which I think is growing. It is a very pale blonde, the colour I used to be as a kid, weird!
Hope everything went ok today for you Karen.
Hugs to all
Ali.
x
YAY! FEC4 went ahead! but I woke up with a stinker of a cold and I was a bit worried for a time that they wouldn’t go ahead with it again. However, my bloods were ok this time and they checked my temperature and it was ok to do it.
Have been told to expect to feel a little worse this time round because of the cold, but hey ho, just have to get on with it don’t we.
Two to go
Hope everyone else is coping well.
Karen
Good for you Karen, I know I was so down just before the last FEC, you had that next chemo looming feeling extended, I can understand why it got to you.
Hope se’s ok this time, FEC 3 has so far been much milder.
Ali, what hair I’ve got is blonde baby hair too, soo soft!
X
Rusty
Hello all
Well I took the plunge yesterday and shaved my head! I think it has made me feel better. I had such a pathetic bit of hair left, every time I looked in the mirror I felt miserable whereas now at least I get a laugh! I’m getting used to wearing my wig. A neighbour saw me in it yesterday and said he liked my ‘new hair cut’ and I honestly think he thought it was a hair cut, not a wig!
Karen, I hope your cold is not too bad. I’ve just had one and it made me feel quite tired, but I seem to have managed to fight the worst of it off.
I’m hoping for a good week before I get zapped with FEC number 3, which is scheduled for October 11th.
Love to all,
Amanda
Hi Julianne
Well done for joining us skinheads! I too felt so much better once I had shaved my head. The hair I had left made me look ill. I am actually loving the skinhead look, takes half the time to get ready! I do notice the cold alot more though and the heat from the spot lights in our kitchen! LOL! I have a long real hair wig which I used for my wedding but to be honest with you I find life so much easier and feel far less stressed when I go naked! I am however going to look at short wigs next week cuz when I go bak to work I will need something. Can’t keep sticking my long one on cuz 1) it irritates me and 2) its very messy all that glue and I just can’t be arsed! So I am going to look for a short synthetic number that I can just plonk on my head for work. I don’t think people will take to kindly to a skin head nurse! Once my hair grows back though I am going to keep it very short - I am really enjoying short hair. Iosing my hair has opened my eyes and my excitement for trying tons of different styles and colours! Going pink first!.
Take care
xxxx
Hey Bird - did I miss the wedding photo’s?