Morning!
If you have children please tell the school about your diagnosis. My boys are 12, 15 and 17. The older two have exams so I was worried how it would effect them. I spoke to each head of year and they in turn have spoken to my boys, reassuring them that they’re there if needed. Kids can be so cruel, through ignorance mainly, and if your child isn’t one to share their worries it can have an adverse effect on them.
Its reassuring they’re telling you what’s being said but sad that the school aren’t supportive. We need to be strong on so many levels and need all the support we can get. I work in a secondary school and know that the welfare of the students is of the upmost importance. A happy child makes a happy school!!
And I agree with Penny, if it persists its bullying and if you report it, it should be dealt with Confidentially. Doesnt matter that your child didnt speak to the teacher, you have on their behalf. Good luck and reassuring hugs all round xx
Kids can most definitely be cruel but also surprisingly supportive. My daughter has some good friends who are there for her and knock all the time to see if she needs company or I need a break. I haven’t heard about any negative comments made to my daughter yet, although one friend did say she has changed recently.
My daughter also snotty at the moment. Keeps coughing and sneezing around me and spreading her germs. All we can do is keep good hygiene going and not get too close I guess.
Penny and Zuzy - Good advice about eating out. I will definitely speak in more detail about this on my next check up - a week today. I have additional concerns as I work locally and am concerned parents may see me out and about and not be happy as I am unable to work. It is a fine balancing act. I definitely don’t want to feel like cancer is all I have in my life but I also don’t want to end up in hospital away from my family.
Is anyone planning to get away this summer despite the treatment?
A few strands of hair coming loose easily today - may be the start… ? I am all ready to go with a wig - I think they come with names - perhaps we could use those? Can’t believe I will be having my second treatment next week. Time is flying…
good morning ladies
how is everyone today, any SE to report, cant believe some of you are starting round 2 - keep crossing those dates off, there must be something so satisfying doing that
I feel rough, the cold has started I reckon, been back to bed to try and fend it off, very important this week as I found out I have pre chemo check (what does this entail ladies?) then talk of Monday next week for chemo to start, heart scan Thursday, couple of other bits so already week is getting booked up!, is it advisable to take someone to chemo talk or will I be ok on my own, my OH keeps having to take time off work and isnt paid when he does so dont want to waste his time
No more mentioned to my daughter at school, but will keep an eye on it. daughter (10) is very grown up for her age so I felt ok telling her the truth which I believe is only right, but its individual isnt it? we told her the truth although a little more simplistic, she understood and did finally ask quite a lot of questions this weekend which was nice, she painted my toe nails which was lovely, I now have tiny little flowers drawn on by hand lol. You are totally right that the kids can be so cruel to each other, at the moment I am just seeing how it goes.
The worst is coming from my ex and his wife who in her words “is sick of the c word” - ptftft I wish I could swap with her, my son recently (14) decided litteraly days before DX that he would move to his dads so there is still an awful lot of bridges still to be built here - talk about bad timing eh! , I feel like they are turning him away from me and just generally being horrible, just at the time when I want both children to be around me, the situation could not continue as it was, and his dad needs to take on board the role. so that has totally annoyed me. Could swing for his wife though and thats not like me, how could anyone be jealous of this ???
wigs - yes I agree we need names, cant promise orginal names like Anne Wiggeycome - that still makes me smile, I still dont know how I will feel when I need to come to use it. I make some craft items in a shop locally and one of the ladies is going to crochet me a hat which I am looking forward to
getting all my pink stuff ready for Sunday (race for life), we are going to be pink from head to foot at this rate, should be a good giggle but I sure I will be in tears at some stages (or more) reading everyones back notices ;(
well catch up with you lovely ladies later, must do a few jobs and daughter soon home from school so its chaos !
Karen
x
Hi Ladies, gosh such a lot to catch up on when haven’t been on for a day or two - it sounds like (fingers crossed) everyone is coping well with 1st rounds, long may it continue. Keep well and germ free.
Marie & Jane I went for my bloods today - drank loads of water before and used one of those hand warmers on my arm before going in - what a difference - they positively gushed!! Has given me hope for the FEC by injection.
One question I had for those that had it by injection - did they put a cannula in frst and inject into that or just straight into the vein, also was it on your hand or arm/inner elbow - just trying to get me head around it so I don’t freak out on Monday!!
Karen - I still have quite a bit of cording and have been booked in for physio on Thursday - I have found the exercices have helped although I have switched from the BCC leaflet to an NHS one I was given by the physio when I had my op, instead of walking up the wall you do the same excercises lying on your back using cushions as a support (lifting arm over head and hold for 10secs and lift arm up to side and above head (as if doing star jumps lying down) I get a little further each day and find it much more comfortable.
I also massage in E45 cream every morning and night and have been using BIO oil on my MX scar/wound (which still has quite a bit of glue to come off)
BadBambi - if like me you are worried about having your bloods done I really did find that drinking lots of water and using a heat pad made a massive difference. The nurse could get absolutely nothing on Friday from 2 attempts and today it was 1st time and no painful digging.
Loving the wig names - I’ve chosen 2 from the Wig lady even though I’m having cold cap as I’m expecting it not to work (ever the optomist!) someone told me of a brilliant scheme run by Trevor Sorbie where he (or one of his top guys) will cut and style your wig - its called mynewhair.org.uk - what a great idea. I’ve also booked in for a Look Good Feel Better session and bought some serum for my eyelashes and brows.
Penny my list for Boots is enormous, going to do and online grocery shop this weekend too in preperation - lots of ginger beer, tonic water and hula hoops!
Finally for any ladies who haven’t started yet (and for those who have but haven’t looked) there is a fantastic threat with top tips for chemo in the ‘Undergoing Treatment Chemotherapy’ thread the 1st post is the most comprehensive but worth reading it all the way through if you have the time (or energy) as lots of tips.
Love to you all.
Aly xx
PS: on the kids front it’s such a worry isn’t it - I have an 8 yr old (well 8 on saturday) and a 4 year old, I’ve sat down with the 8yr old and told her whats happening but I don’t think it will really sink in until I start the treatment, she’s always been quite reserved and keeps her worries to herself which in turn worries me but I think out kids are more resiliant to this than we ever imagine and as long as we are there for them we will get through it together. My 4 year old just see’s it as an opportunity to give me lots of cuddles and get well cards!
So glad the warming trick worked Aly!
I expect all the units do it a bit differently, but I had a line put into a vein on the back of my hand, a bit of saline run through, then the nurse had large syringes with the drugs already in them, and connected the syringe, one at a time, to a small tube that branched off the saline tube, and injected slowly into the flow. Then she ran more saline in to wash all the goodies in, and that was done. Little round plaster on the back of my hand. Felt a bit of a fraud!
Good luck for Monday
Jane x
Aly, cannula in he back of my hand then as JaneyW said.
me and OH hope to be going to France end of July all being well!
i have a poster from BCN that has all those excercises on but still feel like cricket ball under my armpit.
marie xxx
I’ve just lost (again!) a load of text I typed- so annoying- will do a shorter version.
Karen- my prechemo sessions consisted of a DVD- mainly dark warnings about neutropenia - necessary but an alarming start. I had a heart scan and would have had bloods but we got diverted by the problem of my wound which then led to a delay for further op. Posiibly because of this I came away feeling ill- informed although they did give me various leaflets to read. If I was you I would go with a checklist of questions but I think it is one you can do without OH- it is not one of those meetings I am sure we have all had where the world seems to drop away from under your feet. My chemo unit seems very caring but not always efficient.
Generally I don’t think I ask enough. Had a follow up with my oncologist this morning- waited two hours in waiting room and he dismissed me in 5 minutes. This may be because my SE so far have been pretty well managed so perhaps that’s good but like all of us I’m sure I am still feeling vulnerable. I expressed anxiety about future - he said they only look for secondaries if you have symtoms and the way they treat BC is to throw all the treatment upfront. I was worried about mammograms for futre as the one I had months ago did not pick up my cancer- he said that they should in future because after treatment I would have menopausal breast which are less dense. Trouble is I still feel unsettled- we just have to live with this though.
Aly- what serum did you get for eyelashes? Someone mentioned one to me but couldn’t give me the name.
Dodo- I would also love to get away for a bit this summer- have pretty much decided it shouldn’t be too far to travel- and not abroad- does week 3 seem a good bet? I am in week 2- hair starting to ‘prickle’.
Love to all
Thanks Marie and Janey-slow injections I can live with, like the ones I had with general anaesthetic. Only this time I’ll be able to watch all of it going in, unlike GA when I immediately fall asleep!
Karen sometimes taking a friend can help you remember all the stuff you forgot. I’m taking my list and pen and prepared to scribble away but I know I’m going to miss stuff.
OH all prepared to come with me. he works at home so not a huge problem but the work has to be done. Right now it’s all sitting on the kitchen table. Have a lovely evening I know what I’ll be doing!
Karen I am sorry to hear you’re ex’s partner is so negative. Just wear a smile shaped like the V sign. She’ll learn one day,maybe when she has BC who knows.
Stay well all!
Ha ‘wear a smile shaped like a V sign’ that is the best expression EVER Penny. hope mines administered the same as yours Jane and Marie I can just about cope with that and have much better ‘hand veins’.
Barbara the serum is called Talika LIPOCILS Eyelash Treatment Gel it was recommended on the chemo tips link, it’s not cheap but I’m pampering myself! I’ve also bought some silk pillowcases which apparently are really nice to sleep on with ‘chemo head’ feel like I spend my life (and a small fortune) on amazon at the moment :).
Just a quickie fellow Moon beams, I’ve just got back with my action plan…starting chemo next week (hooray!)
Please can you tell me anyone else have the CT Scan??
Great news marley pop. We’ll be in the same car on the Moonbeam roller coaster.
I had a CT scan and bone scan before my MX. But know this isnt always the case. Was scarey at the time waiting for yet more results but glad I had them.
Hi there Aly1971
Thank you for that, just a lot to take in today…but have spoken to a few and they had a CT scan too…
All a bit scary, the thought of having to wait for yet more results…Anyway, I’ve been told a lot of info today, about what to expect extra. I will be having Chemo first…and take it from there.
Anyone else have FEC-T Chemotherapy?
Evening Moonbeams
All had been going farely well with s.e’s with suffering only slight nausea, but last night my throat started to hurt when drinking.
It’s been really odd, not sore (as such) but feels like I have a sweet stuck in the throat/neck. Phoned hospital this morning to see if this is a usual s.e? They told me it’s probably swollen etc, and to keep checking temperature.
Has anyone else suffered this and if so how long does it last?
I’m on day 5 of my 1st session.
Sooz. X
Aly and Marleypop: budge up and make room for me in the car…I think there must be at least one other moonbeam starting next week. We’ll be the First Quarter Moonbeams. Nice to know one can be first, even towards the end of the month.
Sooz-take care and try to get some rest. That’s a bummer and hope you manage to shrink it! Thinking of you.
Dodo- do try to find a village pub if there are any villages near you- the “gastropubs” attract very definitely the older generation at lunchtime. Apart from the staff and the girlfriend of the chef I was the youngest by far when we went out the other day. So no fear of parents spotting me. Also-I have a feeling our appearances may change over the next few weeks so we may be able to go incognito without trying very hard. Good luck!
Hi marleypop
glad you’re getting going! I had a ct scan before my mx but haven’t had a bone scan. It was good because it showed no obvious spread but waiting for the results was scary
xx
Morning Moonies.
Quick question to those who have anc’s! When were you able to drive and go back to work? I tried yesterday, 4 weeks post op (right mx and anc) tomorrow and struggled 
xx
Hi Melrose, my Onc said I had to wait till I see the physio to be given the all clear which is Thursday and will be 4 weeks. Worth checking with your insurance that you are covered as sometimes they only cover after 6 weeks? I feel ready to drive but worry about my cording? Also our cars quite heavy a bit like driving a tank!
Morning Melrose I drove after four weeks but it was only to the hospital I think it depends which side I am a right mx ANC so Not gear change arm.
i haven’t driven since the 2nd may when I had chemo got this woozy feeling in my head if I move it too quick some times mostly at night anyone else have/ had this?
I had a ct scan because they nought I had something on one of my ribs when I had chest x-rray
Lovely sunny day here dogs going crazy running round outside.
Marie
Phew lots to catch up on…
Aly - Yes same as others have said. Cannula in hand and injections through tube attached not straight into vein.
Barbara - I was thinking along same lines as you for a holiday. Week 3 not too far away. Definitely in UK, have cancelled planned holiday to Menorca despite my onc suggesting it should be fine!
Jessie Bears Mummy - The pre chemo talk is just that. Lots of talk to make sure you know what is happening and why. They bombard you with all the possible side effects which is a bit scary, take bloods, bp and swabs. That’s it - I went on my own for same reason. OH doesn’t get paid if not at work.
Karen - Sorry your ex’s partner is being so horrible. How could anyone be like that in these circumstances?
Penny - Thanks for the pub tip - lots of villages locally so I will try that out.
Marleypop - Like Jan I had a CT scan but no bone scan. Think it is pretty routine to check no spread. Waiting for the results is tough though. I am also on FEC T and am having chemotherapy before surgery. It scares me a bit to have it this way round but I do understand their reasons. How are you feeling about it all?
Anyway my hair is definitely starting to come out. Just strands at the moment but groups of strands not just the odd one. Lots came out when I washed my hair this morning. I will have to get Wigfield ready to go if I want to go out on Saturday night…As if!!