You’re very organised Mai, I’m afraid Christmas isn’t on my radar yet. That said, I generally do it in a bulk Amazon order and avoid the crowds anyway.
I’ve just been checking other threads for tips on aching and hot flushes.
The aching can last for months ? but Claritin really helps (active ingredient loratadine).???
For the hot flushes use sage tablets or sage tea ?. It’s safe and should be effective fairly quickly. It can stop being as effective after a while but a break resets it.
Another great one for menopausal symptoms generally is the ladycare magnet. I know, strange name but effective for 70% of people. It can take a few weeks to take effect. The sage should work until then.
My amazing mum has just got back from taking my son to school to school and picking up the loratadine. Gold star award ?
I’ve been looking at the ladycare magenet it sounds really good I think coats around £35 from boots. I was thinking perhaps trying it out if tamoxafen causes hot flushes. I’m getting a bit nervous about the tamoxafen some of the reviews don’t sound very present I’m just hoping I’ll be one of the lucky ones who don’t suffer so badly on it??? Have any of you already started them? I know I’ll be taking some kind of hormone tablet for 10 years that has been mentioned but I don’t know when and Havant had anything discussed as yet ??? I’m guessing after radiotherapy and surgery?
MJK - love your emojis, really sums it up. I don’t have a lot of hair yet and head has been freezing. I have been keeping the wig on in the evening although it does get a bit itchy. Probably, needs a wash?
Although when can I do it if I’m always wearing it. May have to resort to the ventilated cheese grater air cupboard drying method!
Can’t help with tips for menopausal hot flush symptoms as never found a solution myself (went through surgical menopause three years ago) the symptoms were easing though but have got worse on chemo so may improve once these toxic drugs are out of the system
I am looking forward to being off full time in the run up to Christmas. Have worked so far throughout chemo just self certificating any sick days but looking to get signed off now. Do most people do this through GP?
I didn’t get an official sick note. I had my oncologist write a letter on headed paper from the hospital stating that I woukd be starting 18 weeks of treatment from what ever the date was. Saying that I am fit for work if able however may need time off. Can’t remember the exact words it sounded a lot better and more professional.
My work asked for this so would cover me dipping in and out if I chose. A sick note signing you off from a doctor means if on a good day you wanted to work you couldn’t due to insurance or legal reasons if you wish to work while signed off the doctor has to re issue a fit for work.
I’m not sure now chemotherapy has ended what I’ll need for surgery, radiotherapy etc - I suppose I need to have a conversation with my boss?
The problem is none of the surgical team have given me an idea of recovery time they have not even given me a guess. I have no idea?? Weeks, month, longer??? I suppose it’s indevidual and depends on how we each recover.
Hi Rosie. I organised a telephone appointment with GP. So I don’t have to go in and wait. There is no way I could work . He signed me off from May to the summer hols. And now from sept to Nov. He is happy to keep doing this until I am well enough for phased return. Husband is adamant I won’t be back til after Christmas. I have an agency chap doing my job at the moment so it is really the last thing on my mind.
Ah, that’s better.
WolfEE, I’m going to pick up the Ladycare magnet later and will let you all know how I get on. I will be starting Tamoxifen at the same time as radiotherapy (28th September). I’ll have all the symptoms in one go but will hopefully be feeling better by Christmas. I’m hoping to get the flushes under control before I start.
Rosie, after a good soggy doggy shake ???the wig would dry overnight in the airing cupboard on the grater. ??. Sometimes it’s the daft things that work. ? It’s good that you get a break from work in the run up to Christmas, much needed recovery time. Chat to your manager about what you need to sign off. A copy of my hospital letter did for me.
I spoke to my manager who is going to push for me to be on light duties for the January term. She’s fab.
Fit notes - I have had one from 5 days after surgery. Hospital didn’t do one when I was released but it was a weekend and no senior staff to issue one. My GP has been great and I just phoned up and spoke to them on phone, just went in to collect it. She gave me a fit note for 18 weeks when I started chemo so I didn’t need to think about it running out. I now have one for 3 months from when I saw her 6Sept. It just says “Breast cancer chemo completed, under specialist review”. What this means is the Oncologist wrote to GP prior to each chemo cycle to advise not fit for work and what treatment I was to receive. They seem to be in touch electronically, so she issues the fit note not the Oncologist.
I looked at the Ladymagnet but some reviews weren’t great. Have to say the night hot flushes have reduced now I finished chemo. I am also sleeping better now but hate the 6.30am school alarm!
My son has a sore throat and blocked nose, not too bad but keeping him dosed up on meds to clear it up. I have no signs of cold but my legs have felt like lead for 4 days. I stopped taking hay fever Clarityn. Felt rough last night, struggled to climb stairs, and we have 3 floors in the house so took paracetamol and hay fever meds and woke up this morning without the heavy legs. Will carry on taking them every day, they are anti inflammatory anyway so should have just stuck with them.
Yesterday would have been my chemo day if I was still on it, felt strange not to go to hospital but good too!
Hope the side effects pass quickly for those who have had treatment this week.
Mai, I only have a front door bell and a whistle, will give it a go but will drive my husband crazy as he is working from home and editing a music video!! Will be in the dog house ?
You ladies have been busy! I’ve just had 2nd part of moving forward course this morning. Felt it was much better than last week, exercise , holistic treatments, and about moving on from treatment and diagnosis. Also had a tour of the new maggis centre. Mai was it you who said your area didn’t offer the course? Maggis do a similar course if you have one in your area? Xx
Ok. Either the paracetamol has worn off or the pains are just late to the party. This is new. I always get shoulder pain but now I got throbbing lower back.
What’s that about?
Hi ?Ladies. Day nine from last chemo and finally I’m eating a meal ( pasta nom nom).
Yesterday was a sad day as the genetic team phoned me with my results, braca 2 so my future operation has now been totally changed to bilateral mastectomy and overies removed ?
On the plus side it’s all free and now my daughters will take the tests as they are at 50% risk of having the gene also as are my sisters.
Still trying to come to terms with it all as you know guys , it’s been tough enough dealing and coping with the chemo ! Thank goodness that part is now over ?
How amazing are we all to cope with all the side effects imaginable. Going to get out there tomorrow and stuff my face with barbecue spare ribs and down one pint of strawberry milkshake ??
I am seeing the surgeon next week but there are so many options I will listen to them first and decide which way is the best way forward for me as I’m supposed to have radiotherapy after my op which means reconstruction may have to wait. Anyone else in this wonderful group know how this all works with the ops and the radiation?
hope you all have a fab weekend and do absolutely everything you can possibly manage to do without too much pain. Massive hugs ??
Hi kala. Sending hugs.
That’s taken a while to get your genetic results and I’m sure it’s a shock at this late stage.
I am BRCA1 and with my mums history was kinda expecting it. I too am having bilateral mastectomy and ovary removal and feel really positive that I am doing everything I can to prevent it returning.
I have boys but my sister is waiting for the test.
I know it’s a lot to take in. Personally I wanted bilateral mastectomy just because I’m paranoid so having positive genetic test meant it was not going to be a problem.
Sorry I have no advice about rads.
You are not alone in this x x x
Kala, firstly enjoy that pasta day 9 is such a joyful day when things are improving. so sorry you’ve had confirmation of the braca gene. My genes are still inconclusive I have tested negative for braca (I knew this I was tested about 15 years ago) I am awaiting results for other types but I think I will come back negative they have suggested they check criteria for adding me in2 a rear disease database that may or may not at some point help identify something. It could all be down 2 bad luck but the history in my family is so strong with breast and ovarian cancer all at early age (mostly under age 40) and hasn’t skipped any generations. Myself, my mum, my mums mum and sisters, then their mum before.
Regarding radiation. I’ve been told it is best waiting a year after radiation for reconstruction it is because of the risk of the skin not healing and also for a much better cosmetic result. The radiation could destort any reconstruction done prior. I will have mastectomy and lymph nodes removed of cancer side and they will for a tissue expander under the skin that after radiation is pumped up bit by bit to keep shape in chest wall and stretch skin in preparation for reconstruction. I don’t know at this stage what kind of reconstruction I’ll have but I will have all options discussed etc before the time comes. When I have recon a year later at this point I’ll have the other breast removed and reconstructed in the same operation.
Treehouse, I suffered terrible lower back pain that I couldn’t believe it was chemo related (I had also so far been lucky not experiencing bad aches throughout) however, after my last white blood cell injection the back and leg pain both disappeared as quick as it come I was amazed I was worried I was going 2 have moths of problems with a dodgy back so I guess it was chemo related but at times it was taking my breath if I’d been told it was broken at the time I wouldn’t have been surprises.
I was taking lots of paracetamol and using ibeoohen gel and deep heat it helped for a short while. Xx
I’m a bit behind everyone getting on2 the courses I’m only just attending the look good feel better course next Thursday. While I’m there I will as about the moving on and see if I can get myself signed up.
It really must be a weird feeling on chemo day not setting off for the hospital a nice feeling though.
Big hugs Kala, sad to hear you’re braca2 positive. At least they know in time to change the surgery.
I had surgery first and decided against immediate reconstruction. After surgery the surgeon said it was a good call as I need radiotherapy to the neck, chest and armpit. An implant would have failed. I guess it depends on the extent of radiotherapy needed, your surgeon should be able to advise you.
Kala, sorry to hear your gene results. I do believe it is positive as you get better aftercare with followup checks and annual Mri, so I hear from others on another forum I am on.
Mai7, yes the stretcher thing goes in during the op before radiotherapy. They will be putting mine in during the same operation that I have mastectomy ad lymph nodes taken out. Radiotherapy afterwards
Husband just came aback from work with a huge bouquet of lowers, card and cake from work colleagues (we work at the same place)
I burst into tears ?. Can’t believe even after 5 months people can be bothered to reach out and say they care.
Totally overwhelmed
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