I’ve been pondering whether or not to share this, but actually I need your support please. My younger sister, who had breast cancer 13 years ago and was hugely supportive of me last summer (it was she who recommended the hula hoops!), has been diagnosed with a new primary in the same breast. She has a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction at the end of this month. I feel like the ceiling has fallen in. It seems so unfair for her. I have my last Herceptin due 2 days earlier, and the whole family was on countdown to end of hospitals for a bit. Funnily enough I’m weepy for her in a way I never was for myself. It seems there’s no end to all this rubbish.
So sorry to hear that Jane. It must be devastating for your family to have to deal with this so close to the end of your treatment and of course it will reinforce your silent worries about recurrence too. Is there a genetic link or is it just terrible luck? Try to remember that this doesn’t mean it will come back for you, and as my surgeon told me - it isn’t a recurrence in the breast you need to be worried about. That they can deal with - fingers crossed that when your sister has her surgery that will be the end of treatment for you both and you can both move on - together. Thinking of you and sending you my love. x
Oh bummer Janey, I too think it’s worse when it’s someone else, not you going through it. Especially family. Keep positive as Rachel says and Karen said " all our paths are different " sending hugs xxx
Thank you ladies for your encouragement. I do agree that in some ways it’s harder to watch chemo in someone you love than to do it. I certainly found it very hard to look after her when she had chemo before.
It doesn’t seem to be genetic, but you’re right, it’s hard not to overthink it all.
Thank you again for your support, good wishes and love. What would I do without you lot?
So sorry you are going through this Jane. Will she need further treatment after surgery this time ? Take care of yourself too.
Morning ladies, hope you’re all ok. I had a lovely lunch with Aly yesterday and am looking forward to meeting you all in Sept. We need to decide what to do on Saturday… Have a good weekend xxx
It is very quiet on here. Perhaps on summer holidays ? We are planning on a couple of short breaks soon but hoping to go to the US later in the year.
We should perhaps make a meeting point and time for the Saturday maybe late afternoon to allow for travel ? The hotel is not in the city so we would need to stay there or travel into Oxford ? Parking in Oxford is a bit of a nightmare but there are buses. Any thoughts ?
Hope you are all well and enjoying the weather . Xx
Quiet is probably good, thinking of this time last year!
I spent time with my sister this week and she seems to be in quite a good frame of mind. Chemo seems unlikely, so we’re praying that she’ll just need the surgery.
On another tack entirely, I’ve been making cooling neck ties, profits to my local chemo unit. They really do have a cooling effect in hot weather or hot flushes. If any of you would be interested please pm me.
Love to you all
Jane X
Sept meetup-Why don’t we meet at the station and share taxis?
Penny, I am driving there. Happy to come and pick some of you up at the station though. x
I’ll be driving too, so add me to the list of ‘taxi drivers’.
Hi ladies. Finally got on here!
Janey, I am sorry to hear about your sisters diagnosis but pleased to hear she won’t have to have chemo. Still a horrible time and such a worry.
Great to hear how well you are all doing despite some minor hiccups.
So looking forward to meeting everyone in September.
I am going on a one day course in August called ACT which has been set up by my clinical shrink. It’s about acceptance of what’s happened. Be interesting to see if it helps.
The weather has been very hot here recently which is lovely but not so easy for those of us on Tamoxifen etc. I regularly run my wrists under the cold tap to cool myself down.
I have now got 6 weeks off for summer. Not going far as still recovering financially! Going to enjoy the rest and recuperation.
Have a lovely weekend ladies
Love Rachel xx
Now that sounds like a plan Zuzy. I might just join you…
Woo hoo Rachel’s back in the house lol xxxx
Thanks Marie! It’s great to be back. Have missed the forum. Was so pleased when I finally managed to reset log in. I have set it up to keep me logged in on iPad.
Xx
Yeah great to see you back on Rachel. x
That’s what I do Rachel memory ain’t wat it used to be lol x
Hi again. I received one of Janes neck ties in the post this morning! Thanks so much Jane ( will pay you in September when we meet as arranged) . It is fabulous at cooling me during a hot flush. I can totally recommend.
A thousand thank yous
Xx
Yes good to see you back here Rachel. And Namaste too, really hope you will be able to come in September. I will look into booking my train ticket shortly. Aly, when do we need to pay for room ?
I think I should get one of June’s cooling things too- do you put it in the fridge ? On hot flushes , does anyone else experience a throbbing full sensation in t the head with them ? My friend who went into menopause naturally says it is likely the blood rushing up but I don’t much like the strange symptoms in my head and the stiff neck (probably tension).
I am going to get involved in a Macmillan project about getting active after treatment. The only exercise I am enjoying is walking. Have tried pilates and yoga but am bit reluctant. Laziness I think ! Used to run but now have arthritic knee. Any suggestions for getting fit ?
hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather.x
I’m so glad the neck tie was helpful Rachel!
I’m celebrating the end of my Herceptin - had the last one on Monday. Seems strange not to have the next 3 weekly appointment in the diary after chemo then H. So we’re back in the US to celebrate our freedom.
I’ve asked the chemo unit who are selling the neck ties if they’d be willing to post them out if any of you want one before I get home.
My sister had her mastectomy yesterday, and apparently the surgeon was happy with how it had gone. She had a scan that was negative, but the final decision about chemo won’t be made until the axillary nodes are studied.
Jane x