Have ordered a few pre tied ones of eBay and Amazon for the hair turbans and bandannas and have an appointment with the wig man on 6th July so I’m pushing it with time wise. Have told the step daughter and step son that I may come back with a mermaid ?♀️ wig or a pirate scarf or be wandering around like Gi Jane to which they was obviously upset as it’s a physical change they can see but they have watched the video based for kids that explains what happens and what to expect when someone you love has cancer. My step daughter said you will still be beautiful to us ?. I totally understand the tears before the brave the shave and trying on the hair covers, was growing mine for the wedding but now is all coming off. It’s a big thing for a lady. Hair, brows and my eyelashes especially. Leg, underarms not so much, won’t it be lovely not to shave wax explicate! Xx
Thanks for that ktk I have inbrufen and paracetamol and some liquid morphine left from the ivf proceedings and may have some codine in the house from other half slipping a disk. Will obviously ask the chemo nurses first if it happens to be painfull. They were sceptical about me taking anything before the hystroscope on the 16th as will be close to second round of chemo as they don’t want me to mask infection and effect the ibs. To be honest taking that many drugs now a bit of pain relief can’t hurt. Will see how I feel, but thank you so very much for your advice and the warning they don’t tell you these things xx
How local is everyone to each other? I feel for you kip. Locality and age wise it’s the same for me. The all tend to be very much older when I went. I’m Nottinghamshire btw. Xx
Sunny Devon!
One more thing to chew you ladies ears about, how are your partners/OH feeling and getting though this? Thinking my fiancé is ok but it’s a lot for him to take on board. I know it’s not him going through it with his own body but he sees a the physical changes in me as well as the mental ones and the challenges we face on our daily struggles. Any forums or help lines for them? Also if any of you do feel isolated or stressed, I may not be local to you or going though the exact experience as your journey but I am always happy to lend an ear or a virtual shoulder on here or social media if you need to vent, scream, cry, laugh etc. I am a big advocate in talking about things. Strong isn’t bottling it up to me it’s being able to have those moments where you can let it all out and feel the release from it all. Only then can I get my mind in perspective and deal with what has happened and what’s happening now and all the things to come. I know I am rambling (I often do) I am lucky to have a great group of girl friends and my family and fiancé to ramble to but I am aware others don’t or feel that they can’t quite understand as it’s not them going though it if you know what I mean ? xx
Hello Ladies,
CDC - the scarf tying sounds like a good thing, glad you found some headwear you liked too, I am still alternating with wig, hats, scarfs and baldness… still hard to accept sometimes especially when I remember its going to be this way for sometime. I really miss brushing my hair, its weird! The stubble is gradually coming out so that by cycle 2 I will be virtually completely bald. Unforunatly leg hair and underarm still in tact, down below is thinning though! Eyebrows and eyelashes still there though!! The hair is definately a big issue, even more than dealing wit the sickness, pains, sore mouths etc. Its so hard to explain to people, they always say “oh well it will grow back” and I think “yeah and you’re not the one having to look at a bald head”… I guess in the scheme of things it isn’t a massive deal… yet it really is.
I was thinking about you all and your bone pains from the injections and remembered that a lot of ladies on other threads said to have a bath in Epsom Salts as this really helps the aches… might be worth a try… I have some in the cupboard just in case… one of the many things I stocked up on!!
Mouth Ulcers - my oncologist said use salt water, or try cordysl (but its quite strong so maybe water it down). A friend of mine who has been down this road said she got Difflam from hospital so may be worth asking the help line?
Anyone found that after chemo their scars are more irritated? Not sure if its related or just my bra rubbing?
Just to fill in details for those new ladies… I am 47, married, 2 children, 15 and 13. I found my lump in March, diagnosed April 11 (after biopsy, mammogram and ultrasound) Grade 2 ductal invasive 30mm. I had masectomy May 16 no reconstruction and SNB. 3 Nodes found cancerous. Now having FEC-T x 6, possible removal of nodes, rads and then hormones. I am pre-menopausal (I think?) so not sure whether it will be Tamoxofen or something else or for how long.
Well glad to hear that everyone is getting on ok and not suffering too much, I’m getting mind set ready for Monday for Cycle 2… fingers crossed all goes ok, have blood test tomorrow so hoping that’s all fine.
Enjoy the sunshine whereever you are… Factor 50 everyone!
Take care Kip xxx
Ooh… just remembered… I have been given a website called www.Rip Rap.org.uk which is specifically for older children with parents with cancer… its an interactive website which deals with feelings etc. I know some of you have younger ones and this might not be good for them but Macmillan advised it for my 13 year old daughter, haven’t looked yet myself but could be helpful? I think for younger ones there are lots of books… especially “Mummys lump” which is good.
Oh wow CDC, thats such a good cause. I know of a young chap who took his own life and his family were not aware either… its so sad. My OH is not good at showing emotions, he is very practical and is running the household amazingly but when it comes to just giving a hug or having a cry I don’t think he will let his guard down for fear of what may come out… a lot of this stems from his childhood too. Its difficult sometimes coz all I want/need is a hug (I’m a very huggy person!) and he finds it difficult to do that, just says “stiff upper lip and carry on”… I guess we are not al the same but it does cause some friction sometimes. I think he talks to ladies at work about things and his mates so I guess its coming out somewhere just not to me. On the otherhand as I have mentioned before my 15 year old son is like me and hugs all the time, sits with me when I am crying and is very good at listening and being there… just hope I am not emotionally dumping on him… he has a girlfriend who is his support I think so it seems to work. I do wonder how men deal with cancer… can’t imagine them joining something like this, which is really said isn’t it.
Hello everyone,
After a lot of diagnostic hoops, I appear to be starting neoadjuvant chemo this afternoon – FEC 3 cycles, then T + Herceptin/Perjeta 5 cycles, then surgery tba, then radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
My Dx, age 46 (very nearly 47 at this point, with referral from GP on 3 April and Dx on 2 May) is bilaterial breast cancer – left breast lesion 15mm mucinous type IDC ER+ (8), PR+ (4), HER2-; 2 areas of microcalcifications in right breast also cancerous, one is IDC NST ER+ (8), PR+ (6), HER2+, the other DCIS/LCIS labelled “pre-invasive”, with the MRI measuring the combined size of the two areas as 63mm. (I think of the left lump as the “good” one, as it was what I felt, and got me to the GP; right stuff isn’t palpable or visible on US, the stealth bugger.) Had bilateral SLNB last week, which brought some good news: 0/4 on left and 0/5 on right. Super sore, but they think I’ve healed enough to get the FEC going. Awaiting genetics test, the results of which, along with response to chemo, will guide decision on lumpectomy and/or mastecomy come… January? And pluralized, as required.
Given we’re almost in July, I might straddle the June starters and the July starters threads. But I wanted to send a huge Thank-You to all the Junebugs as reading through all your posts over the past days has been enormously, enormously helpful. I feel really prepared and grateful because of everything you’ve shared.
Many hugs,
r.
Welcome Reddi, sorry that you find yourself on here but you are more than welcome to join our dicussions, rants and laughs! As you wil have seen we are all managing with the chemo so far, good days and bad… but mostly I think… more good than bad… post anything you like on here, someone will always answer or direct you to the right place. Regarding your surgery, I think most of us had surgery prior to chemo, but some are also having surgery after too, if you go onto May surgeries you will find us on that thread too, we have had a combination of surgeries between us, so you may find that useful. Hope your chemo goes ok today, I have my 2nd FEC on Monday, so seems we are having the same type. Biggest tip… drinks loads today, day of chemo and the following day… helps to flush toxins through and keep mouth moist. Take care, Kip xx
Hi Linda
I’m in West Somerset and it is stunningly beautiful in this wonderful sunshine. Day 17 post chemo so feeling great and hopefully going for a Somerset cream tea this afternoon with my OH. (Cream first of course)!
Jacq x
@Jacqb I am in Taunton Deane. Which hospital are you having treatment at? I am one cycle ahead of you I think. I have spoken to someone through a friend whos having same chemo and op as me who lives near me in Devon and came across someone else in Devon but you are the first in Somerset. I am on the May thread but go on April too as I started 2nd May so am ahead of most people on there.
Hi Linda
I’m having treatment at Musgrove Park in the Beacon Center. Started very end of May so I check in on both May and June threads. Round three on Wednesday, I’m on the Rosco trial so will have surgery after four rounds and possibly four FEC after that. It would be great to not need the extra chemo but that is the point of this trial. Either way I am looking forward to the break in treatment, it somehow seems more manageable this way. Hope all is going well with your treatment.
Jacq x
Welcome ladies, you are from my neck of the woods! I was treated in the Beacon centre at Musgrove back in 2015, they are amazing an I couldn’t have been better looked after Xx
Thank you Jobey68
I have every confidence in the Beacon Center, it really is first class. ?
Hello Kip, im a new June member and also at Ipswich Hospital. Im having weekly chemo up there at present on a Monday and bloods on a Saturday. I bought a wig from the centre in readiness for losing my hair. And have ordered another one from Frobishers in town. One for Tescos one for the pub ha ha!! Good luck with your treatment x
Hi all,
It has been hard to think about my babies and how I will be as a mother to them. But reading a the responses possibly I’ve been overthinking it- sometimes I find that I just can’t think straight because of the constant uncertainty that cancer has interjected into my life!!! If you haven’t guessed I like some element of order in my life!!!
So when the ‘cancer worry fog’ cleared temporarily from my head have noticed that I take more joy from the little things that my toddlers do. Even the things that previously annoyed me. Conversely if there are things that annoy me such as work issues, family flapping or people wasting my time, I’ve gone from being the Queen of non confruntational diplomatic negotiations, to Judge Judy as I hold no prisoners and tell them exactly what I want and what will happen… I love it!!! Perversely this horrific diagnosis is teaching me things about myself that I thought I knew and there are days where I feel more in touch with my life than ever before.
I’m currently sitting in my garden on my sun lounger in my nighty and I’ve cried, watched how to tie headscarves tutorials on you tube, listening to birds, rubbing my eyes as I’ve forgot to take my hay fever tablets and girding myself for the day so that I am as happy as I can be for myself and family especially my beautiful babies. I am a Pollyanna normally and It’s a sunny day in June and I have the chance to enjoy it with friends and family.
I call my cancer a spiteful bxxch and so far she’s robbed my breast, going to rob my hair and due to lymphedema is now stopping me from wearing my wedding rings??. I know that there is much more to come but I’ve dealt with spiteful b’s before they don’t like it when you are happy and living life despite their best efforts to destroy you.
So I am going to try my hardest to kill this spiteful b dead!!!
Cdc1811- thank you my lovely, your response has given me a boost.
Morning ladies, yet another beautiful day dawns, don’t know about you but I think I’m coping better tha I would if it were the depths of November and I hardly saw daylight.
I live in and am am being treated in Swindon so far. When it comes to radiotherapy I shall have to go Oxford.
Not sure if I’ve said about my diagnosis before but it was picked up at my routine screening and was too small to feel, even the consultant could only find it by ultrasound. That was my third screening even though I’m only 53 - Swindon is part of the national trial looking at the benefits of starting routine screening at 47 and continuing through to 70. I consider myself fortunate. The biopsy shows I’m moderately ER+ and HER2+. The WLE removed the 12mm lump plus clear margins and and an SNB showed I’m node negative so I believe I am in a good place to beat this pig of a disease.
LJ
I’m beyond excited today as there’s a new branch of Lakeland just outside Cirencester only 15 mins away in the car - picture me doing a happy dance!!! Popping off there in a mo followed by the garden centre. We’ve neglected the garden since all this started but as my energy levels have picked up this wweek I find myself itching for colourful flowers in pots and cutting flowers in one of the veg beds.
It’s weird really - being freed from the daily commute (3 hours total) and the daily politics of the office (working from home) - I’ve got so much time to think of creative things, I’m bubbling over with Ideas!
i realise the next cycle might not treat me as well as this one, so I’m making hay while the sun shines!
LJ
Good Morning Ladies,
Another lovely day in sunny South London. Yesterday ended up being a really long day. I was in work by 7.30 (an early commute means a seat on the train). I normally leave 2.30/3 but we’re so busy I ended up staying later then that as due to a track fire there were no trains. My daughter, son in law (who’d come from dentist at Guys) and myself ended up having to find a pub till 7, then train when they were running again, and shopping. My husband came to pick me up and we all ended up going to another pub for a carvery. Home by about 10.30. It’s longest, busiest day I’ve had since I started chemo and I was surprisingly not knackered.
Today I may tackle the grass in the back garden, I keep looking and thinking, nah I’ll leave it a few more days. I think someone needs to finally bite the bullet this weekend and get it done.
I’ve got a little bit of shedding of my hair despite the cold cap, mainly near my ears which might have something to do with my glasses. Only noticeable to me (although my hair is fine, there’s lots of it) so for now I’ll leave it alone and see how it goes over the next couple of weeks
Have a good day all and enjoy the football.
Sally