Thanks for your messages Helsbels2 and Salbert. I have been referred to a local onc as better to do chemo locally in case of problems so am hoping to see them this week. Hopefully get a call tomorrow or will call them otherwise. I could go to Bristol initially then at home but decided against unless it takes more than 4 weeks. So fingers crossed and also for it to disappear completely as expected.x
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Everything crossed that it’s all speedy and resolved in no time at all.
My drain is out!! Pathology results on Friday. It’s another step closer and another tick off the list.
x
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Glad things are going to plan. Its good when things run smoothly. Ive recently started spitting the dummy out if things get changed. Still its made me stand my ground and get my way in the end.
Independence from the drain is another step in the right direction.
Hi Salbert
I honestly felt wretched when I had my drains in. Wasn’t allowed to shower, just awful. Such freedom!
Another step forward.
Thanks @entropy and @bigpickle It certainly is a good feeling to cast off that drain.
Yesterday threw me another curveball when my husband woke me at 5am to say I had better come and say goodbye to my 18 year old beloved cat, Stockton. He was lying on the living room floor semi-conscious. I picked him up and tried to give him some water but he couldn’t really drink. I took him upstairs and cuddled him on the bed, talking to him while waiting for the vets to open at 8:30. He died in my arms at 7:45am. Yesterday was awful because I loved the very bones of that old furball. I’d had him since he was a kitten and we’d gone through a lot together. I cried all day.
I awoke a few times in the night but I told myself every time, that he’d had his full life span and lived to a good age. The vet said it would have been a stroke or a blood clot and that if we could all choose, it would be the way we would like to go, surrounded by all our family, talking in soothing voices and telling us it was ok to go to sleep. (Not sure if he appreciated my singing Queen to him as he departed this world, but it’s a special song that I always sang to him.)
I realise today that this year has taught me a lot about how to cope in adverse circumstances and to do all you can to look on the bright side. I think I would have had a very different reaction a year ago.
So for today, RIP my little Sticky Stockton cat and I thank you for enriching my life for 18 years. How lucky was I.
Love to all,
Salbert
x
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So sorry to hear about Stockton. We lost one of ours about 3 weeks ago. He wandered further than he ever had and was unfortunately hit by a car. He was 15 1/2 years old. The folks involved took him to out of hours vets and as he was microchipped the vets were able to contact me. We still have his sister who is missing him, as are we. They are part of the family. It sounds that Stockton passed away peacefully and was loved and petted till the end.
Sending hugs xx
Oh no @salbert snd @bigpickle that made me cry. Its so hard when you lose a beloved pet. We have two cats who are 15, one is fit and well and still running up trees the other our big ginger tom is definitely old and a bit strange, he likes to sleep somrwhere quiet and has a bit of arthritis, but he seems happy enough. I dread the day when he goes. 
we dont take him to vets unless we have to as he gets so stressed he nearly has a heart attack. Big hugs to you both. Goodness what the universe is throwing at us! We will get through it older and wiser.
Penny
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I’m sat here stroking my lovely pooch. He has been a huge comfort through treatment, love him to bits. He helps to keep me going - and walking, in the rain today. I know one day I’ll lose him, but don’t like to dwell on such things as it’s heartbreaking. I hope he gets to a ripe old age for his breed meantime, like your cat. I also hope he has a peaceful end. Our pets know when they are loved, and they give so much back in return, and for that we are blessed. My deepest sympathy Salbert x
@salbert So sorry to hear about Stockton. What a week for you. Good news on the drain and 
for Friday’s appointment.
@entropy I also threw my toys out of the pram when changes were made. I wasnt cross with the nurses, I think it was the stress of dealing with constant uncertainty. Luckily there were very few disruptions to my plan in the end. But I did feel I needed to speak up.
Had my first radiotherapy of twenty today. Feeling shattered but I think that’s a combination of the build up to it, Phesgo injection yesterday and going to the gym (my 4th post chemo session, actually probably about my 4th ever🤣). But will see how things go. Any advice from the group on radiotherapy?
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@salbert @bigpickle
Your posts have made me cry so much! I am so sorry life is really unfair. @salbert I am sending you a big big virtual hug.
I have finally been adopted by my cat after feeding him for years. He knew my cat who I lost during the first lockdown. It was lymphoma cancer and she only survived 4 weeks after diagnostic. I thought at the time no more pets I won’t be able to cope. I am crying just thinking about her.
We need to remember the wonderful times we have had with them. No judgements, no bad words from them, just love.
My cat will get neutered on the 27th, for now he has had a first vaccine and a microchip. My surgery is on the 28th so my other half will have to nurse both of us! I told him timing was not great but he thinks we can manage…
Apart from that I had a call from my genetic consultant yesterday, telling me the lab could not find my test. I have to do another one, which means I won’t get results this week but well after my surgery! Right now I have just shut my work laptop and will start packing for We Out Here festival. Let’s see how I can cope with 3 no sleep nights!
I hope you all have a relaxing evening
Take care
Marion x
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Hi @Linda_Corinne sorry to hear you have joined our group and that this is a recurrence for you. I hope you have your dates to start soon. I cold capped with 12 weekly Paclitaxel and lost two small patches above my ears with some shedding. It was successful for me but others on the same regimen lost more. www.coldcap.com is always a good place to check out what is possible, you can check your chemo drug and the likely success rate as well as up to date information about increase in hair growth after cold capping. Are you having Sciencus for your home chemo, they come to me for my Herceptin injections. I’m at Velindre in Cardiff but it’s apparently cheaper for me to receive my treatment at home with a private company than drive 30 miles to Cardiff. Are you in Bristol? I’m just across the River Severn.
@salbert Fingers crossed for your results. I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, it’s not been a great year for you. Hopefully a new dog or cat will come into your life soon.
@helsbels2 I have a MUGA every 4 months and yes I would chase. I had to chase my Lymphoedema clinic and annual mammogram as the referral had gone missing. There are treating so many of us, it’s so easy to be missed. We all need to advocate for ourselves, I hope by chasing my ‘missed’ appointments I may have helped others missed of the list that month.
@norts wishing you luck with your radiotherapy. I would say to moisturise a lot. Your team will advise when and how. I used a product from Radiaderm which I won via Dr Liz O’Riordan on Instagram. It was a two part gel and cream, I had no redness or burning. Others have used Aveeno etc. My team said to use what works for you and not try something new just for radiotherapy as a red rash could be an allergy. Radiotherapy can be tiring so just be kind to yourself and rest when you need it.
Oh nearly forgot to say. My annual mammogram was clear 
Take care all 
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I’m not sure yet but I think the 1st 2 herceptin will be in hospital and the rest at home although I have been told the cold cap is better in hospital but then that’s not the case. No I’m in Devon but told by Bupa to go to Bristol. Thanks I’ll have a look at the link.x
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Wow that’s a trip from Devon to Bristol, I thought I had it bad travelling to Cardiff. If the cold cap machine is a Paxman I wonder how it could be different to hospital, unless they use another machine for home use.
Let us know how you get on.
@salbert
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Salbert. Pets are such a great comfort and companion for so many of us throughout our lives, inevitable that we will loose them but we don’t preempt the sadness until the time . Sending lots of hugs 
@naughty_boob thx and what actually is a MUGA and do the NHS offer them as well ?
My 15 days of radiotherapy went ok . 10 days after and the treated points feel very red itchy and prickly. Thank goodness they gave me medi honey as it’s so soothing . Also moisturising the area at lest x2 per day. Lungs feeling a little tight now but I expected it due to close proximity of my treatment . I’m sure I’ll start to recover in the weeks to come. Good luck with yours . Phesgo number 9/18 today; it sure is a slow process !
@marionse25
Good for you , shut the laptop and get to that festival - enjoy 
Just keep swimming ladies xx
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A MUGA scan uses radiation (its get injected into your blood stream) to access your heart function.
I found this for the RUH in Bath. Yes I have it on the NHS, some people get offered an Echocardiogram which uses ultrasound to assess the heart.
You lovely lot. What beautiful messages from you all. Thank you. It means so much to me. I just think this group is the most supportive and friendly place and I think everyone should have one, not just us special HER2 Crew.
@bigpickle That’s heartbreaking. I’m so sorry. Big hug back. Yes, they are part of the family and it hurts like hell.
@pennyp You also have elderly cats. They are just wonderful creatures, aren’t they. Such wonderful companions and little characters and the love they give makes the pain of losing them worth it.
@entropy This is so lovely to hear about all our pets and how much they are helping us through. Give your boy an extra squeeze from me for being such a great dog for you through this time. They really do help, don’t they.
@norts Thank you. Good luck with the radiotherapy. Please let us know how you go with it. Cheering you on. Well done on the gym thing. I’m in awe!! 
@marionse25 Thanks. I got your hug and am hugging you back. Well done on being adopted by a cat. I love that they are so independent and that we are the ones feeding them but that they are the ones who make the decision as to whether they shall live with us!! Mine used to frequently find second homes. So rude! It seems that even though you had plans for no more pets, the Universe had other plans for you. Gutted that your test results have gone missing. Get to that festival, dance your head off and don’t think about it for the weekend.
@naughty_boob Thanks for the good wishes for today’s results. I’ll keep you posted. I have a feeling that a dog or cat will find its way to us somehow. I’ve never been without an animal and the house isn’t right. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC TO HEAR YOUR ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM WAS CLEAR!!! 
@Linda_Corinne I hope that trip isn’t too long for you. I guess Devon is a big county so I hope you are the Bristol side. My cousin has just offered us a few days in Brixham at her cottage as it is available. I’m thinking I would be crazy not to take her up on the offer as it’s August!!
@helsbels2 Thank you so much for your hug. It means so much to have such understanding and sympathy over losing a fur baby. I’m going to order a lovely canvas of him later today. He deserves a place on the wall to honour his magnificence and fabulousness. Thanks for the update on radiotherapy. I’m interested to know what to expect. Medi honey is one for the list then. ‘Keep swimming, ladies’. I love that!
Whatever my pathology results are at 1:30pm today, I’m determined to be cool and accepting and grateful for everything. I’ll let you all know.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Salbert
xxx
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Hi norts, just done my final 19th radiotherapy today including 4 boosters. In my case I was ok and going to the gym for the first 3 weeks. Have been too knackered to contemplate it this week though, the final week it seems to have hit me, boob more itchy - for which they give hydrocortisone cream. They seemed to think my skin is not in too bad a condition though - been using Biafine ( French cream, specifically for RT, off Amazon for about £15, which has lasted beyond treatment, plenty left still).
Aim to arrive on time, but its pretty pointless being early as there is often a wait.
I went off on one when they wanted to cancel an appointment this week and make me come in next Monday instead of finishing today. I told them in that case that I wouldn’t be in Monday and lets just drop the last one, and I ment it. You gear yourself up for the end as you approach it, plus I’m having a meal out with friends tonight to celebrate- which would of been hollow if I had to go back still. They gave me an appointment rather than have me not turn up. Feels like I wouldn’t have another week in me, so its finished just as Im feeling at the end of my teather with it.
Quite spaced out and woosy today.
The boosts can take a bit longer as they assess pictures each time of clips that the surgeon leaves in to mark where the tumour was, if had a lumpectomy.
Its doable, it doesn’t seem like much, until the final week where resilience wanes.
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Well done @entropy, you’ve done it!! Woohoo!
As for me, there was no residual cancer and it’s all out. I can hardly believe it. 
Katherine Krupa is an angel on earth, I swear.
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By the way, my boob currently looks like a deflated football as they haven’t put much saline in yet. If you’d told me a year ago that I would be typing that sentence and yet feel so elated, I would have told you where to go!
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Wonderful news.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
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