Bah humbug! Love it Lesley :0)
I bought my Christmas tree yesterday :0)
Was over the water for wig and don’t fancy venturing there this weekend so it’s chilling in the car xxx. Love the sound of Wilma, need to get mine named xxx
Love the reindeer picture too.
Just had my weekly visit from the district nurse team to check and flush my PICC line.
In regards to wigs Lesley I was told that it would cost me £70.00 on the NHS unless I was on any form of benefit, and no talk of a voucher to be used privately.
Hope everything is okay with the bloods and good luck to all this week ? x
No I don’t qualify either so I bought one from a local wig shop just in case cold capping fails.
I am on Emend from the start and they worked for me too so will tell onc tomorrow at my appointment that they are a must - feeling spoilt ?
I think Rabbit asked about Simply wigs before - I’ll post in Dec as well as I think she is a Dec starter.
But Simply Wigs for me - fab - ordered Friday and delivered today and its my fave to date!!
Loving the colours
Oh my, I stepped away for a few days and came back to laugh, cry, nod in recognition and lose an hour catching up. So much to read. You have all been busy!
Poppy, welcome and do talk side effects with your oncologist. They asked me to keep a note as it happened and when I went back that was really useful because I was able to pinpoint what happened when rather than rely on my less than brilliant memory which has merged it all into one. We are adjusting my medication a wee bit to see what happens this time. I also quite liked that looking back on my notes, I had proof that things improved! That was really useful when I was having a tough day.
Lesley62, I really hope your pre-chemo assessment/check went well. I had mine too this morning and was surprised how anxious I felt. All was okay, but I was convinced that my sniffly nose and flushed cheeks meant I had an infection. Turns out I had a sniffly nose and red cheeks! Do let us know how you got on and are feeling now.
Otter65, your words about friends and family resonated. My husband has been brilliant, but I can see he is overwhelmed, sometimes angry and often frightened, especially when he is trying not to show it. I really hope you can garner support separately and together. I try to remind myself that we are both on a rollercoaster in different ways and are unlikely to be in the same place emotionally. One of the reasons I love being here, apart from the giggles and support, is that it allows me to offload with women who know, really know what this feels like. My husband doesn’t have that although he told me today a man at work told him his wife too had breast cancer and that sounds like a really unusual conversation for both of them! Know you have always got friends and support here, whenever you need it. And Shi, I hear you with friends - such unexpected responses in both directions, but the thing I find most hard are the few people who don’t say anything and don’t acknowledge what has happened. I prefer even the clumsy, but well-intentioned comments to the silence and avoidance.
Mamadeaco, I am having my second chemo on Thursday afternoon and will be thinking of you lots. I was very anxious and apprehensive before my first cycle but everyone was so lovely and kind to me. It really was surprising how much more manageable the experience of being given chemo was. And remember when it is over, we are all here to walk alongside you in the days that follow. Final thought - water, water, water. Everyone says it. I think everyone may be right!
Loving seeing the wigs - I am shedding hair everywhere and managed to completely block the shower this morning. I need some glossy pretend hair!
Love to all - wishing you a happy Tuesday. xx
Pat my nurse is great, so patient focused… but having worked in the trust I can say this … they will have been told not to endorse anything in any way, shape or form without checking first. It’s just the culture unfortunately.
But she’s sensible and having met the unit manager I don’t think it will be a problem.
As for the clarityn, I would just either ring the unit and ask them or check with your GP?? But if you have gone thru the first round and nothing flagged on your checks I would have thought you would be ok.
It’s all over the internet so I can’t imagine its a problem.
Having checked Dr Goggle isnt bringing anything back.
But for tamoxifen patients some anti histamines can interact but Clarityn/Loratadine isnt one of them
Sorry if I have worried anyone unduly 
Lesley 62, just seen your update. Brilliant that it sounds like you are good to go. Fingers crossed for a silent phone this evening.
I had my pre-chemo check this morning and it seems I am too, so looks like we will both be open for drugs this week.
hi AnnaKarenina - all ok this morning, just hoping the phone doesnt ring tonight.
I also spoke to my nurse about support for the supporters … she confirmed it was very hit and miss. They try to do their bit when relatives come in for with people for appointments, but if people are avoiding that what can they do?? She said they sign post MacMillian and the tumour specific charities for support but it’s not great.
She also said that she has witnessed some really cruel and silly comments and reactions from patient’s OH in appointments. She says it makes her wince inside and try not to react, but to dig a little to find out what is really going on … but they have limited time with people. I was the second person in this morning and they were already running 30 mins late.
It’s so hard on everyone, partners, children, parents - everyone needs bigs hugs and mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows!
xx
Hi ladies my veins went a bit sore in chemo arm, they can only go at the one arm because I’ve already had operation, this was after 2nd fec, I use a heat pad at home and I’ve got one of those hand gripper exercise things, this got me through to fec 3 and I’m due to go onto t next week, the veins have been sore and tight again but daily use of heat pad and hand gripper is easing things again and I’ve got a week to hopefully get it ok for bloods and chemo next week, just a few tips of you wanted to avoid a port or a pic ???
shi xx
My onc told me to not overdo green tea while on chemo and definitely a no to matcha powder green tea while on chemo, go steady lovely want the chemo to do it’s job. Your wig looks great by the way. The Mcmillan shops at your hospitals have loads of wigs too that you can purchase for a donation. You can get a voucher for wig from shop you have to pay a certain amount if you don’t qualify for free, but still you can get £50 towards a wig from nhs as the voucher is £120 and you have to pay £70 for it so £50 is what you actually get from nhs as they hand you the £120 voucher, that you’ve paid £70 for ???still £50 is £50 and very kind of them to give us anything towards a wig so very grateful nhs if you read this. ???shi xx
Annakaranena you are welcome about thieves oil recipe, I thought I’d put it on Nov thread for you all a while back? Chemo brain can’t remember. 
Shi xx
I was the match powder queen since diagnosis in June but had to stop 2 weeks before chemo, I can’t wait to get back on it after rads and my normal green tea too. Also rosehip tea as that’s another one that’s good for bc but have had to stop while chemo and rads. ??shi xx
Shi, I am willing to bet you probably did post the Thieve’s Oil recipe and it is me not seeing it or not remembering seeing it. I have dispatched daughter to H&B so I can concoct away tonight!
Thanks for telling me about your port JC1262. It sounds do-able, even if I am the biggest wuss in the world. I am just back from my pre-assessment appointment and they were immensely kind, informative and reassuring. It will be a local with sedation and dissolvable sitches both of which probably make it a bit easier. Only challenge will be if my blood count has dropped as it is scheduled for day 7 post-chemo. No point in second guessing though.
Wishing you all a good evening and see you again tomorrow. xx
Hi Lesley, thatvwig looks fab! Ive had fecx3 so far and have also had trouble with veins. When they saw me at pre chemo appointment they said I had good veins but I think my veins must have heard what was coming and said “nope you ain’t putting that **bleep**e in here” and made things difficult on actual chemo day. Fec1 cannulated in hand but then couldn’t get good return so ended up having expert use crease of elbow vein. Fec2 cannulated in side of forearm but again they weren’t happy with the return so after trying to cannulated another vein gave up and again used crease of elbow. Fec3 again used forearm and actually managed to use it for chemo hoorah!
So I’ll also join you ladies in a vein dance ?? ?♂️???♂️
Lesley, mine seem to start with the hand and work their way up the arm, elbow crease is last resort. I couldn’t see the vein they used on the forearm but the nurse obviously could! They keep asking if the can use the other arm… er no that would be surgery arm!
i usually drink loads all the time but increase it day before, day of and day after chemo. Seems like you’ll be good to go Thursday, yay for you! Good luck ???
After my trip out yesterday - I took the plunge and posted a baldy picture up for the #givingtuesday #givepink
to raise some money for BCC … and now I am on the BCC instagram story!! fame at last for all the wrong reasons!!
You’ve got to laugh!!
I’ve raised £50 so far and FB are matching donations upto £200
Lesley, i don’t do fab or instagram so also not sure how to check it out
Lesley I don’t do instagram either but I bet you look fab ?
Just been on twitter and I think I’ve found you, love the Wendy road trip pic. ? x
This forum is the first social media I’ve ever done! Never really been interested before. Might have to join the modern world now! ?