Id been talking to @fluffy888 about it hun but hers is quite painful. Mine is just a bit tender at times but have the 4 indentations. I’m keeping my eye on it though. Take care. Xx
I haven’t had a facial but I did have full body aromatherapy massage a month or so after finishing radiotherapy, I was still on Herceptin. It was recommended by a nurse for my well being. I was lucky to find a therapist who worked at a local hospice so was well aware dealing with people with a cancer diagnosis and the treatment it involved.
I know Dr Liz O’Riordan has touched on this as many people have been told they can’t have facials or massages as they trigger your lymph nodes and some will say they aren’t insured. I was told by the lymphoedema nurse that walking and breathing can trigger lymph nodes. You will have to ring around or look at Facebook/websites and mention your diagnosis to see if they will treat you.
I hope you can find someone who is lovely and you have a pamper, you deserve it.
2 Likes
Thank you, @naughty_boob. I have one more chemo but i could pop in and try to make an appointment with one or two places around here for mid Dacember.
Readimg about cording- my op is in January-I haven’t even started thinking about those side effects!!
The steroids seem to be working and the colitis is calming down, thank goodness. I don’t want to be admitted for that- can you imagine the embarrassment if they couldn’t find me an ensuite…!!
Xx
2 Likes
Hi,
I just wanted to ask if anyone else was suffering with muscle pain now their chemo has finished? I had my last chemo 3 weeks ago and my muscles are so painful, I am struggling to get up stairs, put boots on and can only walk a short distance although I am pushing myself to do a bit more.
I have spoken to the hospital who say this can be the case as it is cumulative, I also had my bloods taken which were normal.
I didn’t suffer like this during treatment and I’m finding it debilitating and I’m not being able to move on like I thought I would.
I start my radiotherapy on Monday too. Has anyone else suffered similar issues?
Happy weekend everyone 
1 Like
@debi1 that’s how mine look but on the other side of my arm so when I pull sleeves up or sort socks in the washing etc it pulls on my veins. You look like you’ve got a few more veins affected than me though. I’ve only got 2 going into a Y shape up my forearm. I can feel it a bit further up when I put a coat on or stretch might arm but haven’t bothered looking to see. At this point I’m just like, yep that’s another side effect! 
@alisona1 I’ve tried talking to him. I’ve got upset as well a few times but it’s just pointless. He didn’t come yesterday for my last radiotherapy. Maybe he just doesn’t get it. He’s not a bad person, just pretty useless as support. It’s always me that’s been there and kept everyone together and ok.
@angieb1 I think it would’ve been easier if I lived alone and then I wouldn’t be sitting wondering why I didn’t matter as much. It’s been quite upsetting if I’m honest and made this year a lot worse but it’s just tough I suppose. I had some muscle aches on the fronts of my thighs and back of my calves. I didn’t know if it was because I was starting to get more active after treatment or was off chemo ending.
Well I had my last radiotherapy yesterday. My mum can with me and I had the radiotherapy at the hospital I work in so a few friends from work came down and brought some flowers. My son was going to come, but he woke up absolutely loaded with cold on Thursday and has spent the last few days in bed. I rang the bell and had a bit of a cry.
Has anyone else had joint pain off all this treatment? My thumb joints are so sore trying to grip things and my knees feel stiff. Think i just feel old! x
1 Like
Hi Fluffy
I feel so sad for you. I’m single but one of my sons lives with me. If i were still married, i know my ex husband would have been useless.
My siblings aren’t that supportive- no chocolates or flowers…very few phone calls. Some people just haven’t got empathy.
My mum is still alive but has dementia and i know she would have been pestering me every day, checking up on me, wanting to visit.
I just wanted to say how sorry I am and i hope you can find your supportive crowd- we definitely need some love and care to get through this.
Xx
2 Likes
@alisona1 I also start radiotherapy on Monday. I’ve been absolutely shattered since finishing chemo and very emotional. I went out for a walk today and it was too much, just felt so tired and legs ached. Hope it all goes well on Monday xx
1 Like
@cf640 thank you for your kind message. So sorry to hear about your mum. That must be so tough to go through.
I think some people can’t cope with it all and bury their heads in the sand. Others, like you say, have no empathy. Sometimes people don’t know how bad things are until they’ve experienced it themselves. I have both my children at home but they’re only 11 & 16. I’m just so grateful I’ve got them both, they keep me going.
We definitely need love and care to get through of all of this. Hope everyone is doing ok. It’s a been tough year for us all. 
xx
3 Likes
@fluffy888 my husband is either super supportive or annoying
We had words the other day about things that needing cleaning around the house and I was a bit snappy in fairness but his reply was along the lines of “he’s been doing way more than usual the last few months”
I snapped and said “yes because I’ve been having chemo then radio! 
”
I exactly been putting our feet up for the hell of it
Anyways I think this is one of the things I need to my head round post active treatment
@cf640 my siblings have been kind but some of my mom friends have really let me down. I’m distancing myself from a couple of them as they have been downright shit. It’s a real eye opener
@alisona1 I had heavy achy muscles and racing heart for weeks past final chemo
I even raised with my onco & he said it was all normal (feel like all the crappy side effects are “normal”)
It was probably about 8 weeks later I felt less leggy & heart not always racing
@kerrylou1 my bald spots have filled in so fast. I’m sporting a very short bob which I has done yesterday & my hair looks thicker
My hairdresser advices against a fringe as it’s too thin in the area but it does look so much better. It’s not my usual hair style at all but needs must
All my kids were like wow, we’ve never seen your hair so short ! 
@debi1 hope the radio is going well
My last one was such a let down, a Monday delayed and kids ar school / hubby at work
My next Zolodex is Monday & hope my joints don’t ache as much
And so far Letrozole seems what I expected it to be but manageable
Happy sat all xxx
3 Likes
Did forget to add that I’m waking up with a numb hand tingling fingers on my surgery side
It’s been happening every morning since radio ended 2 weeks ago
another thing to ask and prob be told “it’s normal”
3 Likes
Hi ladies 
A week into radio almost, feeling the pinch and stretching for all I’m worth! Aching legs definitely- only just made it back to the car on Friday. Feet still like blocks of ice then pins and needles, then blocks of ice again. Hair looks like an unkempt old man, but at least it’s starting to fill out - length between 1-3cm, more grey than I care to acknowledge. Merest glimmerings of the promise of eyebrow growth, but nothing through yet.
I’m forever grateful for this forum because I suppose only we can ever really ‘get it’. But it shows so many of us will be reevaluating friendships etc, or otherwise certainly seeing some people in a very changed light.
I’ve a number of these too and it will certainly be changing their priority in my life going forward, one or two frankly can go to hell. Time to evaluate I suppose, and time to stop sharing and being so damn honest about sharing all my thoughts and feelings with a couple of people in particular, who I’m clearly not as important to them as they are (were) to me. I almost want to start the new year, if I have any interaction with them, telling them that I feel just fine and life is a bowl of cherries. I will never lay myself so open and vulnerable again, to be basically shat on emotionally. (I’m going to add that this is not my partner, I am fortunate, and I’m truly sorry for any of you who find yourselves less than supported in this area).
This year has been shit and we’ve laughed at the warrior status we are supposed to feel, but at this point in the journey I’m beginning to feel the toughness of some armour plating and I’m stocking my weapons to use selectively from my castle, where no one gets entry unless they deserve to be there. Got to look after ourselves 
Enjoy the rest of the weekend all xx
6 Likes
Im so excited 
for your bald spots filling in!
How long did it take to see anything post chemo?
I’m only 9 days out but mine was dose dense AC so not sure if this makes a diff as so harsh on hair! I know not to expect any yet but sick of it still falling out when I wash. I have do little now that two days after washing its awful. Glad of woolly hats.
Been out tonight for a big family dinner for my oldest 16th and had x2 glasses of wine. First in a while x
Thanks for things to expect post radio
1 Like
Thank you @ldm … I’ve had a good cry today and feel better for it, hope all goes well for you too xx
1 Like
@alisona1 I finished my chemo almost 4 weeks ago and like you I have been getting muscle pain since. Legs are worst especially thighs. Seems to be quite common though.
Hope your radiotherapy goes ok and muscles start to feel better soon. x
@fluffy888 you do matter and you’re doing great getting through all this without much support. Hope you do manage to find some good support. As a lot of people on here have said it definitely lets you see who your real friends are and who is there for you.
Well done on finishing your radiotherapy. X
@kerrylou1 I lost the lot 2 weeks into my 3 x 3 weekly EC, then about 4 weeks into my 9 x weekly paclitaxel it started to come through slowly about 4 hairs per square inch. 2 weeks since chemo finished and I’m getting a small even covering which feels about 50% of usual coverage (difficult to estimate what’s normal for my fine hair as I’ve not had short hair before), but the sides feel hair rather than scalp when I run my hands over, top is more sparse.
Not going to be chosen for the Timotei advert anytime soon but the growth has definitely speeded up since chemo finished. I’m expecting an Action Man style covering by Christmas. I hope you notice a reasonable growth starting to come through soon for you 
I was always hoping for a Play Doh Barber Shop style growth - turn the handle and it comes through 
1 Like
Hello sending everyone good wishes 
. I can’t believe its December! I had my 3rd EC last week and really struggling with effects but only one to go!
Reading comments about loved ones and support has resonated with me too. I have been so lucky with support I’ve received but also have some people I would have said I was very close too struggle to be there. I am sure they care but find it hard to communicate and understand. It can be a lonely journey at times and having this lovely group is such a supportxx
My hair has really taken a hit coming out in great handfuls despite the cold capping and have little hair on top now & straggly bits at the sides 
. Your comment about playdough hair made me laugh out loud @pipspops so if you manage to figure it out let me know!
2 Likes
Ha ha, who’d have thought eh? Remembering how the hair came out, maybe I’ll wait…… . But the memories of a much loved toy!
4 Likes
thanks for making me laugh
1 Like
Made me laugh too!
My hair is growing back (still just a light covering) but it’s definitely not the same colour it was (no surprise there really😂) - I guess coming back as it was before - brown with blond highlights was a bit ambitious at 50!!
Interesting to read people’s posts on support - my family have been amazing, but ive had people I’ve been friends with for over 20 years who have either text me once when I first told them or visited me a few times early on and then got bored. I no longer class these people as friends, they live within walking distance of my house and can’t be bothered. Whereas other people have been amazing x
3 Likes