How Becky. I am a teacher too! I was diagnosed at Easter and thought I would go back after the hols, before I had surgery in May. Well, I taught one lesson and thought no way!! School has been very supportive. I did go back for a couple of weeks between surgery and chemo, which was fine. I’ve been told I can’t be in school until chemo is over, then I have rads so that will take me up to Christmas. I am looking to book a holiday for January, so maybe I’ll go back at Feb half term or even Easter. Money will be tight, but I am enjoying being stress free!!
Today I booked my LGFB session for the end of August, and LifeKitchen for September. I hope I am well enough to go fly fishing again on Sunday. Check out Flyfishingforlife to see if it happens in your area.
Kx
Hi K
I’m chemo first then surgery and rad. I’ve been told the same about not being in school whilst on chemo - all those pesky germs from pubescent teenagers! Ha!
I was hoping I’d be able to go back between ending chemo and having the surgery. Was it too much? I do worry about being out of the classroom for such a long time. Feels really odd that I won’t be going back in September.
I actually went for a run yesterday for the first time in months! Well, I say run…it was a walk/Jog but it’s a start and I’m going again this morning.
Fly fishing? Is that actual fly fishing or something else?
I need to book on some of these courses.
I’m having my middle 2 grandchildren today (I have 5 in total) and we are off to the beach for the day.
Hope all you ladies are ok.
Becky x
Thought I check in again…been a while again seems to be a trend for me.
Stayed in hospital for 4 days after being diagnosed as neutropenic (I am on EC chemo…is that the red ones I think so? and then have 1 white in chemo. In my 5th session my chemo changes to biological which I think is stronger.) Whilst in hospital I stayed on a ward with two lovely ladies who had different cancers to me but we talked loads, had a good laugh and a couple of tears but it was so nice to talk to others.
I went back to hospital on Thursday for 2nd chemo and visited one of the ladies who was still there and the other lady had been discharged but I am planning to visit her next week.
Hair is gone so for me cold cap did not work…started thinning on day 15 after 1 st Chemo so went back down to the barbers who shave it all off…I now keep it trim with husbands beard trimmer but he is desperate to get a wet bic shave on it ? so no cold cap for me on Thursday 2nd…just hope I keep my thin pitiful eyebrow so I have some to draw over and my lashes. I did try a scarf last week for one day but I found people’s reactions towards me awkward but without a scarf I mainly got ignored…so I am embracing the baldness ? and my kids keep telling me not to be embarrassed which make me strong ( in some ways for such little people they Have grown up so much…the eldest had her beautiful locks cut into a lopsided bob which looks amazing…can we post pics on here? not worked out how UK do it
Oops pressed post too quick anyways just wanted to say 2nd chemo going well. 1 day in, no se’s and feel better than 1st chemo, not at all spaced out this time. I have some injections now to take from day 5 to boost white blood cells so hopefully no more neutropenic episodes…but lucilky I must have caught it early as being neutropenic for me was just like having a cold and being in hospital for it…I think I got away very lightly. Anyways take care all XX
Has any one altered their diet to fight this?
I’m trying to eat healthy and I’m told cutting out sugar is helpful.
I’m having fruit and veg smoothie each morning and of course have cut out wine (which is a great loss to me! Ha).
Becky xx
Re school, i was fine with the younger kids but it was my year group I couldn’t cope with. I felt I was letting them down. I did go to their prom (which I had organised anyway!). It was the day after I lost my hair so nowhere to hide !! Becky, you shouldn’t be put back in the classroom full time. You are can negotiate your return and your timetable. Also returning won’t effect your sick pay as it is calculated over the duration of your illness.
Re diet I did cut out sugar and white carbs to begin with but as my appetite has changed I find the odd ice cream creeping in! In general I am eating loads better and drinking less alcohol. The latter also linked to less stress from not being at school.
The fishing is real fly fishing and fantastic. I love it. Do check out what is available in your area. Your BCN should be able to point you in the right direction.
Well I survived the cruise despite the drs saying they didn’t want me to travel with no real issues . Managed to get a septic finger from a jab off a staple which I guess proves we have a low immunity but it cleared up after 3 or 4 days.
Norway was beautiful and very tranquil which provided a very chilled out week. I wore my wig every day nobody knew I was going through chemo so we had a non cancer week which was great and I forgot about it for much of the time??
Not sure I will get away again now until after the new year so it was worth the risk…
Hope you are all doing well , preparing for round three on Friday , back to the merry go round of appointments this week.
Hair has now all gone and I am happier with the uniform all over baldieness , not something I ever thought I would say but there it is ?
Hi Becky and ladies
Re diet as I was originally dx 2 half years ago I did Alter my diet slightly! I had always eaten plenty of veg and fruit and I exercised! I did love sweets and alcohol though and that was something I didn’t really stop just cut down on! Now I eat very little sweets and sugar and very rarely eat processed food and try and follow Scott baptie and slimming world meals not so much for los My weight but eating healthily!
I try to walk at least 10000 steps a day which I don’t always achieve and I drink loads less but not cut out completely as I firmly believe everything in moderation and I also want to enjoy life!
After dx I took lots of supplements including aspirin, turkey tail, Adcal, omega 3, turmeric, flaxseed, chia seeds and yet 2half years later I get a new primary!!
I think mine is deffo gene based even though I’ve had 15 tested and their all negative! You do what you can to reduce the risk! But you still need to enjoy life
Have s good week ladies I’m off for my 2nd Chemo so next week I’ll be on the chemo bed ?
Klairee??sorry your scalp is having a breakout, phone your unit to see what they suggest darling. Have you got a silk pillowcase? I found that helped be more gentle on scalp and I also used the beauty despite cancer scalp care kit and that worked for me, but please ring your unit, it will know what to suggest for you ??they have seen it all before beautiful and are there to help you navigate through everything ??shi xx
I had a really red and flaky scalp and have been using Weleda hair tonic , it cleared it up in no time and makes it feel lovely and cool in this heat. It’s a natural product with rosemary so is gentle on your head.
Hi Klairee I use E45 shower emollient and then lotion after. I also have some Moo Juice that I was given. I love my bald head and it is so much cooler in this weather. Could it be shaving rash? I needed to shave for a week or so but now I don’t. I’ll proba shave when it starts to grow until I can I think there is decent coverage, but I will keep it really short for a while. Maybe dye it funky colours! Xx
Hi Ladies,
Our mood swings are so unpredictable! I was low yesterday just having to go to the hospital for bloods. I suppose it makes me realise that it is really happening to me and round 2 this Friday. As I’ve been well and having 3 weeks between each I often feel like there’s nothing wrong and pretend a is normal. Hair has begun to fall out from yesterday too. Had a little week this morning but onwards and upwards! Off to Liverpool for the day/night with friends so that’s a nice distraction.
Hope you all have a good day.
Becky x
Hi klairee how have you got on this morning darling ??also don’t forget the someone ladies key you service on here, the bccf can put you in touch with someone who can listen if you don’t want to share everything on here darling, the ???Is everywhere for you if you need it, you don’t ever have to feel alone ??shi xx
Can I interest any of you in a game to help us combat chemo brain??? It’s on this forum in the coffee lounge /chat and games section and is called word association again. I’ve been trying to play but it only gets s very occasional other visitor and it’s not much fun playing against yourself
