Hi all (there are lots of us already)
I like the name June Jewels.
Just a bit of info on me as we are doing the get to know each other stuff. I’m Faye, I was 33 yesterday. I have been married to my husband for nearly 2 years, and have a 8 year old step daughter that we have every other weekend. Had WLE and sentinol biopsy. Came back clear thankfully. Got to have chemo because i’m young and i’m HER positive so need herceptin, then rads after that.
Had a chat today with the lady who talks to you about how you are feeling (can’t spell the word what they are called), and she wants to see me again next week!! Don’t know if that’s normal or if she thinks i’m going a bit loop the loop. Anyway I have a relaxation CD that I have to use to get some techniques so will let you know how that goes.
I’ve heard anything green is good to have in your diet. I have been having watercress, apple and grape smoothies - not as bad as they sound. A going to try spinach and something tomorrow.
Faye x
Hey all of you shining Jewels.
Interesting programme on Radio 4 about diet and cancer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01shstp/Food\_Programme\_Food\_Cancer\_and\_WellBeing/
I’m going to get the book - Hell, it can’t hurt can it? especially as you’re allowed red wine 
Hugs to all of you - x
Thanks Suffolk, going to have a listen now (anything with wine gets a thumbs up from me). I know a lot this stuff is psychological and I’m probably throwing pounds down the drain but anything that helps keeps a positive mental attitude and helps you feel like you are doing some good can’t be bad in my books x
Evening Jewels. I like the name too. I’ll see if I can change it.
I’m glad you’ve come on board 
You are all putting me to shame though. Since my diagnosis I’ve had a ‘s*d it all’ attitude and have been eating what I want and overindulging. Probably the reason my clothes don’t fit! I think I am in denial about chemo and as it seems a long way off . . . But Martha you’ve given me a kick up the bum and I’ll Start doing a list. Promise!
I used to take loads of supplements but stopped before my op as some effect your blood, apparently. I’ll look into starting again. On the plus side I haven’t had a cigarette since 10th March when I diagnosed. Just stopped and haven’t felt like one since.
I went back to work yesterday and have suffered today. My armpit is swollen up and my chest tight. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence but I was on a computer all day. Back in tomorrow so will take it easy. Luckily I work in a school so it’s half term next week 
My eldest is 18 today and has taken his Dad and Grandad to the pub!! So I’m off to put the kettle on and have a green tea
Have a good evening Jewels. Keep shining. Xx
Hey my Precious Jewels (love the new name)
Thanks for the link Suffolk - I’m going to have a listen. As far as I’m concerned, anything that makes me feel good has to be helping.
Emma - So glad I’ve given you a kick up the bum (virtually of course). I’m also going to try and get a few things on prescription from my doc. Just the little things to make the bowels stop/start, anti-acid tablets, corsadyl and Aveno cream. Not sure I will get it, but it’s worth a try. My doc likes me and has become used to my weekly lumpocondriact visits
Regarding your swelling Emma, get that checked out by your BCN. I had swelling in my bood and it was a slight build up of fluid. It may possibly be slight lymphodema, so please go get it checked. Even if you given them a call and explain, but they may want to see you. Take it easy
Wow, today must be a popular day for Birthdays - My OH was 33 today.
Take care
Martha xxx
I meant to add since we were on the topic of healthy eating. My mentor (business mentor) and extremely good friend sent me this link:
forksoverknives.com/how-i-went-from-cancer-patient-to-ironman-triathlete/
Very interesting read!
Hi Jewels (love the name)
Still thinking I’ll be here but found out today I have a pre-assessment tomorrow to decide where my line will go in, so I may be in May after all.
Faye, I just wanted to add re relaxation, that I would recommend the book “Full Catastrophe Living” by Jon Kabat-Zin. Lots of advice on meditation, and just reading it calmed me down hugely when I was in an enormous panic. I’ve also ordered “Love, medicine and miracles” by Dr Siegel which is all about how a positive outlook can influence your outcome with cancer. Got to be worth a look…
I’m going to try to eat a bit more healthily, until I feel too sick for anything except cake, that is ;-). Flaxseeds make me feel sick though! Green tea worth a try. Would appreciate all dietary tips!
Love,
Joan x
Hi Jewels (love the name)
Still thinking I’ll be here but found out today I have a pre-assessment tomorrow to decide where my line will go in, so I may be in May after all.
Faye, I just wanted to add re relaxation, that I would recommend the book “Full Catastrophe Living” by Jon Kabat-Zin. Lots of advice on meditation, and just reading it calmed me down hugely when I was in an enormous panic. I’ve also ordered “Love, medicine and miracles” by Dr Siegel which is all about how a positive outlook can influence your outcome with cancer. Got to be worth a look…
I’m going to try to eat a bit more healthily, until I feel too sick for anything except cake, that is ;-). Flaxseeds make me feel sick though! Green tea worth a try. Would appreciate all dietary tips!
Love,
Joan x
Hi Joan
I learnt to self meditate a few years ago and I’ve downloaded a free meditation apps to my iPhone which are also a great help.
Even if you ate at the tail end of May for chemo, you can still come here
Take care
Martha xx
Forgive my lack of techno knowledge. Is there a way of forming a ‘group’ on BCC so that we can ask to get notified of new posts just from our group, or do we need to do that through Facebook or something? It just would be easy to come in at the end of the day and see who’d posted on our thread without having to scroll through - or am I missing something obvious?! Also fun to have the ability for a communal ‘chat’!! (rolls eyes!) hugs x
Hi everyone, think I may be joining all you ladies soon too! Have had 2 x WLE ( no clear margins on first one)and ANC 2 of 19 nodes affected. Will be on chemo, rads then tamoxifen.
First WLE was beginning of Apr, 2nd one beginning of May so I feel like I’ve waited ages, in fact am still waiting for an appt to see oncologist but am assuming I’ll be starting chemo in June.
As one of the ladies has already said Im alternating between ‘bring it on’ and ‘I’ll just run away & hide!’(preferably somewhere nice and hot!)… It’s a scary thought (having chemo) and not somewhere Id ever envisaged I’d be but Im sure we’ll all get through it together and support each other. I’ve read through quite a lot of previous months threads and think this site is just great for moral support and advice from people all in the same boat.
maxie xx
Hey Suffolk - If you go to the first post but Emma (Melrose15), you will see a link saying ‘subscribe to this post’. If you click on that, you can select when you want to receive notifications. That is the only way.
Welcome to June Jewels Maxie - I think we are all a little scared of chemo, but we will all pull together and support each other. Emma is the only one who has her date. I will hopefully get mine tomorrow.
I hope you get your appointment soon.
Hugs
Martha xxx
Hi suffolklady - you can subscribe to a thread so you get notifications when someone posts something new on the thread. So if you want to subscribe to this thread, just go to the very first post (Search Results | Breast Cancer Now) and click “subscribe to this post” which you’ll find at the bottom of the post.
You can choose whether you want to get notifications immediately, daily or weekly.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes
Leah
Oops Martha - didn’t see you’d already replied about subscribing
Haha - No worries Leah xx
Morning Jewels (the name is great) and we are all precious after all
Our little group is growing and blossoming and I am sure we will help each other through what’s coming.
Martha - thanks for that recommended list from the February group. I think I came across it too when I was browsing through the threads. These are the little practical tips we need to know which we don’t necessarily get from the BC nurse (fantastic though mine is). I’ll have a read of the “Iron Man” link too, sounds intriguing. All the best for your oncology appointment today.
Lins – Welcome (Croeso!). If you’re in South Wales too, are you going to be treated at Velindre? If so, perhaps we’ll get to meet there?
Suffolk – thanks for link to radio programme, will give it a listen
I’ve got oncology appointment tomorrow - first one and I’m so nervous - am expecting to get a start date for chemo. I’ve known for a while that I’d be having chemo, but as it’s approaching I am feeling very apprehensive. Read and absorbed so much information, my head is spinning – maybe I’ve overdone it on that front?
Have had long hair since my teens (approaching 50 now), but took the plunge and had it trimmed to chin length on Saturday. May go for a pixie cut next – anyone else made any hair decisions yet?
Also, I’ve been advised by medical professionals and by former cancer patients not to work during chemo - I have a full-time office job. Anyone else had advice on that fromt?
Have a good day everyone
Fiona
xx
Duly subscribed! Thank you! Have a great day ladies. xxxx
Martha, good luck with your appointment today. Hope you get all the answers you want and a way forward. Fiona same for you tomorrow. xx
I had my shoulder length hair cut short last week and love it. Wish I’d done it sooner! Will have pixie cut after first chemo I think. With regards to work. I only went back Monday after my mx. I think I’ve over do it as my arm is achey and my chest feels swollen and tight. I’m right handed and had r mx and work in a school office. Am phoning the BCN this morning as not sure if this is ‘normal’. Has anyone else had a mx and ANC? How’s your recovery going? Don’t know about working through chemo. I’m hoping to play it by ear so to speak.
Suffolk. I’ll give the radio programme a listen. Might be the extra push I need to get my head out of the sand!!
Welcome to the new additions. Will have to start making a list x
Hi you will get through it. I was just finishing up mine this time last year and I have to say it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting thankfully. I hope you guys find it the same. I had 2 different types of breast cancer so had to have 2 different types of chemo. The first one FEC made me lose my hair but thankfully found out about Heather’s Hair - a chairy based real hair wig alternative. Basically it’s a real hair weave on a sweatband to wear under a hat or scarf giving the appearance of having hair. It can cut, dyed or styled just like your own hair. This was the single thing that kept me sane as everyone treated me ‘normally’ rather than as a victim. www.heathershair.co.uk The other thing I did was instead of always using the NHS white bandage to cover the picc line I cut up some winter tights and folded over the ends worked just as well and could match your outfit. Again looked more like a fashion trend than having a bandage round your arm. One of the most profound things I have read about this jounery is that others will take their queue from you. For me it was so important to be seen as me and not a ‘victim’ or ‘sufferer’. All the best on your journey, may it pass quickly.
Morning ladies
I just want to get dates so i can feel im regaining control again…now i know whats inevitable i just ant to get it started. Thanks for the lists Martha, love having a to do list even one as chilling as preparing for Chemo…Its one hurdle at a time isnt it, as i will then have rads and hormones for 5 yeras.
Hoping to go back to work for a half day next week just to see how i get on although its not 2 weeks since my op, i do feel really well, just a few ghost pains where my spaniels ear is now, and tightness in the shoulder.
Anyway, just marking my place as i reckon wwe will all be contributing adn sharing loads over the neext few weks. Onwards and upwards Jewels
dxx