Nooo @alig1961 don’t feel bad. Honestly I was ‘playing’ goal shooter and pretty much stood still with my hands up to get the ball. Every time I moved, everything resisted!!! Of course you’re not bouncing back… this is accumulative and takes it’s toll + the psychology around it all and the pressure to ‘get back’ does add a burden to it all. I went for a walk with my friend the other day with a v slight incline and I thought I was going to faint/melt during it. Everything feels clunky and exhausting so you are NOT ALONE!!! Just be nice to yourself… give yourself 2024 ‘off’ from real life and take baby steps. We’ve been through sooooo much, we have to take it easy getting back to whatever our new life is going to be.
I’ve just got back from an M&S specialist bra fitting and although the lady was lovely and helpful, just seeing myself in all those mirrors was soooo upsetting. I looked old and worn out - cried all the way back to the car and then proper howled in the car all the way home. I know I can’t go back to who I was but honestly, I couldn’t have looked any worse today. I know I now need to be nice to myself … why is is so hard to be kind to ourselves and give ourselves lots of time to get over this?? Going to watch Netflix this afternoon with tea and some sort of treat… give it time, give it time, give it time, repeat, repeat… xx
Yes - tingling, hot type fingers and toes… it is getting less and I don’t really notice it that much so I’m presuming it’s easing. Again, this will take time too… sigh, time !!! x
@alig1961 I’m interested you said that about your legs as I’m getting exactly the same. After the last couple of chemotherapy sessions I was very fatigued and couldn’t walk far at all, and even got breathless, with weak legs going upstairs!!. This didn’t really resolve before the next session. I’m now 26 days after my last chemo and definitely stronger. I can walk on the flat ok but even a slight incline, or stairs makes my legs ache and feel weak as if I’ve walked up 1000 steps. It is improving though, I can make it upstairs with out stopping half way up now!
@alig1961 it’s flipping tough and we are all different. Whilst I went to yoga on Wednesday which seemed ok we are working in the house and I had to go up and downstairs carrying stuff - I have to say after 2 trips I am exhausted and that’s 22 days post chemo- I thought I’d be a bit better than that. I’ve had to sit down for tea and cake . Couldn’t interview for Superwoman today.
@donna I’m sorry to learn about bra fitting - it’s just horrid. Be kind to yourself - repeat - be kind to yourself.
Maybe it’s one of those days - I feel quite fragile today and had to think hard to do what would be normal things today.
Btw my finger nails ache for the first time in the last week …. And they’ve gone slightly dodgy when they’ve been the best they’ve ever been.
Thanks everyone!! Defo get the cake … it came today what a beast!!
@alig1961 and @pat please don’t feel bad … I’m exactly the same … even tiding my little boys toys away last Sunday absolutely shattered me, it does make me worry as well but we will get there it’ll just take time! @donna_51 explained it perfectly … I feel clunky and exhausted doing the slightest thing!
Thanks for the advice about the yoga & Pilates @nicd … I’ll had a Google for my local classes … pretty shocked at the cost of them but I found one yoga place that I thought was reasonable for a beginners course of 6 weeks … so definitely ear marking that for after surgery! I defo like the meditation aspect of it
@ljlj my oncologist said the same … not sure they would start again and to wait and see … seems like my oncologist mantra to be honest which is annoying cos I don’t fancy going through this again!!
Personally I haven’t had my covid jab … not really intended to either but will have flu jab! I’ve got it on my list of questions to ask my nurse on the 6th!
I’ve not really drunk throughout … apart from had quite a few glasses of wine at my dads funeral other that I think I drank on two on occasions again red wine … and I enjoyed every sip!! although I had an appointment with occupational health at work on Tuesday and he was quite judgy about that … also gave me so very unwelcomed advise about my weight… nearly told him to sod off as he’s not my doctor!! I did complain to my manager!!
I’ve managed to decorate the house tiday, whilst I’m still on my steroids , with all the Halloween bits … first time doing it again in years and first time for my little boy, and although I was pooped after well worth it to see his little face when he got home from nursery and I even think the big two teens liked it as well which made me happy! And got me in the mood for half term!
Anyway I’m rabbiting on hope you all have a fab weekend/ half term and for those with kiddies/ grandkiddies have some spooky fun
Here’s a video of the cake … unfortunately i not only have to share (I am defo having the biggest bit ) but i have to wait for my partner to get back from work tomorrow oh well it will taste even better I’m sure having to wait!!
Sorry to hear that you felt so down today @donna_51 but in a way it’s another kind of milestone ticked off & bloody shop mirrors & lighting are never flattering at the best of times. Hope your afternoon treat helped to perk you up.
@charlie22 that cake looks absolutely divine, you’ve better willpower than me holding out until tomorrow.
Stick one finger up at the OH worker as you enjoy it!
Hi @pat. Can I ask if you were given the antibiotics ciproflixacin to take. I’ve just been doing a bit of research and I think I’m suffering with the side effects of the antibiotics rather than the chemo.
Hi all, just catching up on the messages. Although I’ve enjoyed a bit more normality this week I have noticed my muscles/body really aching now. I suspect this is now menopause related but am going to ask the Oncologist at my next appointment. We’ve managed a bit of as walk yesterday along the sea front while we’re away but I needed a sit down and a rest (in a coffee shop obviously ) I too find a slight incline or steps hard going. I found work ok but I’m mostly sat in my bum. However, was out of breath with the short walk from the tram stop and up the stairs into our office.
@alig1961 no I’ve not had any antibiotics prescribed. I hope you get sorted out soon. It’s so difficult to know what is causing side effects when we’ve been filled with so much toxic stuff!!
Morning ladies, hope everyone had a good weekend. I had a phone call with my cancer support worker yesterday who told me that my surgery next month (single mastectomy) will be a day surgery, all being well, followed up by district nurse and I won’t be staying in overnight. I seem to think I read that a few of you here had the same? Just wondering how you all got on, if the same happened to you? Thanks
Morning, I had single mastectomy and lymph node clearance. I was admitted at midday, by 9.30 pm I was at home. I was given the choice to stay in overnight, but I wanted to get home ASAP.
I had a negative pressure dressing, so no drains. Had to sleep sitting up for a few days, get a V shaped pillow.
Didn’t have much pain, took paracetamol when needed.
I found recovery from the op much easier than chemo.
Use a heart shaped cushion, it really helped me. And do the exercises as soon as you can. Ring the BCN team if you have any concerns.
I had some swelling after the dressing was removed, but found out they forgot to tell me to wear the softie all day to help prevent swelling. So make sure you ask them for all post op guidelines.
@jojoh my experiences were the same as @tealady and 100% agree with everything mentioned. I did however request to stay in overnight but didn’t really need to. The drain was the most annoying thing - it’s the size of a wine bottle that you take everywhere and they normally give you a little bag for it. I kept that for a week and couldnt wait to get rid of it but it was just an inconvenience that’s all. Xx
I had mastectomy, node removal and reconstruction - about 4.5 hours. I just said I would prefer to stay for one night to check everything before going home. I know what I’m like and would have been trying to do stuff at home . I think you just ask if that’s what you would like - they can only say no and you haven’t lost anything. I have to say I was sat having tea and biscuits 30 mins after coming around and felt pretty good but we are all different.
I just went for my preop assessment. Very well organised. The thing that made me very happy was that the nurse said ‘well you obviously didn’t lose you hair with the chemo’! She was astonished when I said it was a wig That made me very happy. I think I’d better go for cake to celebrate!
@jojoh you’ll be fine. I had masectomy and full node removal and was up and about that evening (no drain though) and off out 2 days later in the car watching my son at athletics. I felt a bit sore and more paranoid that someone would knock into me than in any sort of pain. Honestly - it is NOTHING to chemo… just take it easy, eat cake, be kind to yourself and you’ll be fab.
@pat brilliant… you must look great!! Keep wearing that wig forever with cake now!!
I’ve just got back from 4 nights in a beach hut with my family - lots of sand and dog hair and too much maleness but bloody hell did it feel gooooooooodddd to get away. I didn’t realise how much I needed a change of scene and I felt soooooo much lighter these last few days. The bubbles to celebrate and red wine also helped me feel good - it reminded me of good times. I know life isn’t a holiday but wow, we all need to plan some time away to breathe and just celebrate feeling alive. I dipped my toes in the sea and although it was bone chillingly cold, it felt great… no more chemo, only radio and medication left… life can be good again!!!
Hope everyone doing ok … @charlie22 I know you had lots going on this week so hope you’re getting through it all. Happy weekend team June/team cake xxxx
. Couldn’t interview for Superwoman today.
but I found one yoga place that I thought was reasonable for a beginners course of 6 weeks … so definitely ear marking that for after surgery! I defo like the meditation aspect of it 
which is annoying cos I don’t fancy going through this again!!
I did complain to my manager!!
, with all the Halloween bits … first time doing it again in years and first time for my little boy, and although I was pooped after well worth it to see his little face when he got home from nursery 
I’m sooooo tempted
) I too find a slight incline or steps hard going. I found work ok but I’m mostly sat in my bum. However, was out of breath with the short walk from the tram stop and up the stairs into our office.
