Strudel is this the correct forum?
A big week for lots of us then.
Emily and Jo, thinking of you both. And of everyone waiting for test results. I swear it’s the worst bit, impossible not to imagine the worst at times.
Emily, your OH sounds a bit like mine. He’s so keen not to google that I have had to go through the possible side effects line by line. Before that he thought I was being dramatic when I suggested getting a thermometer. It’s probably better than having one that reads too much, but really sometimes I’d welcome a happy medium.
Zena, glad you found the upbeat thread x
Strudel, you’re right. Chemo for me first thing tomorrow. And a CT scan on Wednesday. I’m almost looking forward to the chemo, at least we will be doing something active to treat this. Albeit my active participation will mostly be spent on my backside!
I’m currently playing the cancer card: being brought endless cups of tea, have a cashmere blanket with two cats on it and getting to choose what’s on the telly. (Football if you’re interested). All these are sources of pleasure. Irritatingly it’s exactly how I spent Sunday afternoons before I knew I had cancer. So not as much of an upside as I’d hoped.
Ali x
Emily T - not usually like me but yeah looks like I was lost for words ?? how brilliant you’ve been back in the saddle … do be careful though xx
I’ve been to see my babies today (grandsons) and I’ve had cuddles … yay!!! So missed cuddles from them …
What have we got on this week? I know about Emily but need to look back on everybody else …
Where are you silver with your list?? Lol xxxx
Should finally be starting chemo this week, PICC line pending I’m hoping that actually starting treatment will help to alleviate some of this stomach-churning anxiety Did others find that to be the case?
Ok well hi all. Yes I know Strudel so guessing it’s the right forum. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in November. I’m having chemo first, then surgery, radiotherapy and hormones after as I’m ER+. I was due to have my third FEC Tuesday but my bloods came back with low white blood cells do they have delayed it a week ?. I’ve lost my hair but actually quite enjoying the wigs and different hat combos. Still have my eyebrows though so not quite uncle fester just yet!
I’ve had some run trouble as a result of the FEC so hoping to have a PICC line put in soon. Otherwise I’m doing pretty good. Had an amazing Christmas and New Year! Drank s whole 2 glassses of wine last night ??? and of course copious amounts of water.
Strudel says you are a lovely group so I’m here to join in and help those who need it. Here’s to a healthy 2017!!!
This was meant to say vein trouble not run trouble! ?
Cake is a must you have to keep your strength up after all.
Ali good luck with your chemo. If I can help in any way bring 2 down. Let me know. Xxx
I had my op 24th November still awaiting oncologist type results…hopefully will be this week oncologist said she’ll call me as soon as she has them
Thanks, Charlo and welcome. I’m a bit nervous, partly because my pre-chemo chat is immediately before. At this they will ‘tell me how to prepare’!. Anyway sure it’ll be fine. Main thing is zapping the bugger (stolen phrase from Scotty). Also I have the best chemo bag ever. You’ll have to look back to Friday’s posts to find out about it.
It’s amazing that you and Strudel are real life friends. Obviously also a bit **bleep** (are we allowed to say **bleep** here? Sorry, if not). But good too.
Ali x
Ha, I see what you mean. That’s made me laugh, a lot. Unfortunately since I’ve been drinking litres of water to plump my veins it’s also made me come dangerously close to wetting myself.
Ali
Good luck tomorrow Ali. Laser guns at the ready. ZAP ZAP!! Finished having a wobbly. Hubby and I getting tetchy with each other. Definitely ready for treatment to start.
ladybowler
too true! Think we’re both fumbling our way through this and keep bumping into things if that makes any sense. Diagnosis came as a bolt out of the blue. Trying to locate a sturdy pair of big girl pants as we speak before settling down to Sherlock!
Dear ladies I was encouraged by several of you lovely ladies to join this thread before Christmas but I have been so busy worrying and stressing I found it hard to chat to you ladies… I had my op on 6th December to remove the tumour and waiting for results of my CT scan and bone scan… I am terrified… staging needs to be confined too. I saw oncologist last week who said I have Grade 3 cancer but only one lymph node involvement… I had 17 lymphs removed all clear except for that one!! Why can’t j feel positive about this?? My next appoint on 12 Jan to get the results… I should have a detailed plan of my chemo treatment to… I am still suffering from anxiety and it’s crippling me. I have a very large supportive family but I continue to torture myself… help xxxxx
once again I go awol for a day and miss several pages. Welcome to lots of new ladies - the club where nobody really wants to join, but, hey, we have some fun amongst the angst.
Big hugs Ann - we can’t solve your problems but we can tell you that everything you feel is normal - you will gradually find that, once you have a plan, you will have more good days than bad.
Emily - can’t believe you’ve been bouncing around on that pony! Bet it felt good though!
Good luck for your first chemo Ali tomorrow.
I have my radiotherapy planning appt on Wednesday, and I know in the big scheme of things it’s nothing to worry about so why am I feeling so churned up about life again. Not been in a good place today really, but hoping to have a better nights sleep and will get the tough pants on in the morning. Blaming everything on the Anastrozole at the moment - hot flushes, headaches and nausea - bit like being pregnant really!! Have an old friend visiting tomorrow, so lots of girlie chatting to look forward too.
night all.
jane X
Ali just remember at the prechemo chat they give you the worst case scenario. In my experience (so far) the fear of chemo was worse than the reality. I hope this is true for you too.
AnnCann, Me and Strudel have spoken about this a lot. No matter what they tell us we will never be satisfied. Even when it’s good news we worry. I have a very supportive unit also but unless they have been through it themselves, it’s difficult for them to understand. Since my treatment started, the worrying is better but I still have moments. Yesterday my daughters fish died and I burst into tears! You will feel better once you have results and a plan.
The hormone comments are very interesting. Seems I have more fun to come even after chemo, surgery and radiotheraphy. Do you know if those drugs are suitable for premenopausal women? I’m allergic to tamoxifen so they will need to find me another premenopausal hormone to take?
Good morning lovely ladies,
I had a horrible day yesterday - not cancer related. I was up at 4.30am with my dog who couldn’t put his leg down. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he ended up being taken by the pet ambulance and is now in hospital on a drip with antibiotics and painkillers. He has an infection in the same leg that he had his cruciate repaired nearly five years ago. He an 8 1/2 stone American Bulldog and it takes two people to lift him. He was crying in pain and looking for me to help him. I kept checking my phone through the night as I worried that they were going to ring and say he had passed away.
I’m not up-to-date with your comments but I hope everyone is o.k, and wish everyone going for their results and treatments the best of luck.
Lots of hugs
Susan
Emily - right there with you today … not sleeping, it’s a bloody nightmare and my appt isn’t until next Tuesday ? … I absolutely hate the appointment days, they make me so anxious …
I wish they could do the results over the phone so I know what I’m facing before I go in and I’ve already managed to get my head round it
Fed up with waiting xxxx
thank you Helena - just the radiology appt on Wednesday as saw the oncologist on 23rd December - he’s on HoIiday now so apparently will be planning where the “Ray’s” need to be fired remotely! Expecting ct scan but not sure whether they will mark me up or whether the oncologist has to let the radiographer know where to do this. Feels like a big step into the unknown again! Just worrying about my pathology report again, why I reread it last night I do t know. But although I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, and a small tumour at that, just noticed it says the tissue removed was 10 cm including DCIS, so will be troubling my BCN again tomorrow… I’m sure she is really fed up of hearing my voice!
Jane X
Emily
I’m right there with you today. I’m anxious about my results on Wednesday. I know I have at least 2 nodes involved and I’m terrified it’s spread. I am sleeping (it seems to be my only relief) but don’t want to get out of bed! My youngest two came and snuggled under the duvet with me this morning. I am so scared that I’m not going to be here for them. Big hugs and thinking if you.
Susan, so sorry to hear about your dog. Hope he’s feeling better today.
It’s been strange getting through Christmas and New Year and like you’ve said, back to reality. I just want to sleep through it and wake up and be ok rather than waking up to the though,“OMG I’ve got cancer.”
Hi all. So literally in the chair with cannula in and waiting for the EC.
Scotty -the PICC line is definitely the way to go. I won’t go into details but I’m a bit pin-cushiony right now, so I’m getting one for next time.
Susan, sorry to hear about your dog, he sounds lovely. I’ll be thinking about him.
Thanks for all the good wishes. Only drama was that I got here and they’d cancelled the appointment. Cue one v tight lipped discussion, with me pointing out that is already been bumped and had to chase them for timings etc. Anyway I got an apology and they found me a slot. Though my blood pressure is up quite high.
Ok enough from me for now. I have books to read and a gin and tonic to finish. (One of those statements is a lie).
Ali x