To be honest I thought it sounded worse than just letting it fall out and same as Susan, don’t want to be in hospital longer than necessary each time. Interesting that it’s also not particularly effective with FEC, think that’s my decision made ? xx
I decided not to cold cap. I had my hair cut short before New Year and my roots needed doing so badly that I decided to let it fall out and then start again. I got my wig a couple of weeks ago and started wearing it so I am used to it now and so is everyone else. I’m day 8 and my hair has been growing (I know that will change) so today I got my OH to give me a buzz cut. I love it, so liberating. What I don’t love quite so much is that I am no longer dark but predominantly grey!! Greater than my parents ? I have always changed hairstyles frequently so am determined to embrace my new look and see it as an opportunity to try something new when my hair comes back…perhaps a blue rinse at this rate!!
Ali, it’s strange but I’m treating this like maternity leave. I don’t feel guilty sitting on the sofa with my feet up, I’ve been knitting, reading and all the things I enjoy.
Jo xx
I feel okay but just need to remember to keep taking pain killers every 4 hours to keep pain at the bare minimum.
Next for me is an appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday & will get an appointment with my GP on Thursday to get a sick line for work & ask him or her to look at my wound.
I asked my friend Gail if she would come with me to chose a whig & then we can go for lunch afterwards
Jo - did you get your wig through nhs?? How is it? We’re there a lot to choose from? I don’t know what to do xx
I hope Emily is ok xx
Gosh sounds like everyone is doing great! Saw my consultant today at the dressings clinic and he is very pleased how my mastectomy/implant is healing. He took one of the drains out as had ceased draining but the other is staying in until Friday as was still draining more than 50ml in 24 hour period (but not concerned). It’s the drain under my mesh where the implant sits. I’m glad the other one is out though because it was quite sore at the site area.
Thanks Strudel ? I’m on the rośe but having to try not to look at my drain as it’s be same colour ? Can anyone tell me what I will expect when I go to my results appointment post-mastectomy? Is this where they say if I need radiotherapy +/- chemo?
Well glad everyone’s back, Em, Sarah, Lexxy and Elizabeth, bit of a mixed bag of results today but at least you know what your next steps are.
Stru - hope your rads are ok tomorrow - had my first booster dose today - bit surprised about where it was targeted! Think my surgeon had a good burrow to remove the tumour - was expecting boosts over the scar but they only touch the end of it. Was surprised when they showed me the scan at the numerous marker clips placed during surgery! Breast quite pink and my poor nipple is looking bright red - bit like rudolphs nose!
Helena - hope your longer hours have been ok today.
Love Jane x
Emily that’s great news, I’m so pleased for you. I thought he was lovely too and very knowledgeable. We must have missed each other by seconds ? There was hardly anyone in there when we arrived.
I guess that’s the end of our BCN’s duties is it? I kind of missed having one of them there x
So I’ve gone off ordering some nail strengthener and dark polish and a water bottle to keep hydrated. I can see a lot of random parcels turning up over the next week as I see different tips about what I need.
Sarah, I did get my wig on the NHS. I got a voucher that covered a wig from a certain range. If I wanted anything from a more expensive range I had to make up the difference. The one I liked best was the one I tried on first and was from the NHS range. I can’t post a photo from my phone and I’m ticked up in bed at the minute. It looks good though and friends kept in commenting on my new hairdo. It’s short and straight as a pose to my natural curly mop. One of the dad’s at school asked me this morning what had happened to my hair, had it all fallen out!! I was stuck for words because I didn’t want to embarrass him by telling him the truth. He will be mortified when he realises, bless him.
I went wig shopping with a friend and made a day of it. I was given a list of salons but one in particular was recommended in Mancheater. We got coffee and biscuits and were well looked after. It was really professional and I got my wig cut and styled. We had a bloody good giggle as well!
Ask your BCN for advice on what is available. I also got one off the internet and was mortified that it was being made and sent from China. I had visions of something resembling a dead cat arriving by post. I haven’t worn it yet but it is actually ok and was fairly cheap.
Brilliant news Emily. How strange to offer mx now but I guess it’s a reasonable option for anyone not wanting rads. Did they offer mx originally? Anyway, great news that you’re not joining us Feb starters xx
Phew, Emily. I fell asleep on the sofa before you reappeared, so I’m glad it was nothing worse than cooking etc that delayed you.
Strudel, I really hope today goes well.
We’ve got pretty well the whole gamut going on here, from op plus rads, through plus chemo, to the backwards ones like me and Scotty with chemo first. It’s weird how quickly it seems normal to go through it. I’m pretty sure that this forum helps far beyond the superficial support outsiders might see.
Anyway, enough of musing, I am going to grab a long bath before anyone else is up.
See you all later,
Ali xxx
Hi Emma, it’s good to hear from you. I looked like I had been beaten and rolled in a carpet and chucked in a dumpster. I was purple, blue and yellow everywhere. I didn’t wash my hair for over a week, but I did cheat and used deoderant wipes from day one. I just did the bit in my armpit. No matter what your histology report comes up with, they will sort it, I knew that if it was in my nodes I would have to go in for another operation (and I really didn’t want to, especially as I was sick twice when I came round), but I would have done it. If you have to have chemo, we will all be bald together my darling. I hope you have a lovely day with your daughter.
Strudel - I’m with you on the weight issue, although I have a lot more than a couple of stones to lose. I’ve never been bothered about being fat - I’m healthy and use to be able to walk for miles, but since I’ve done my knee (they won’t replace it for another 10 years) I need to get the weight off to relieve the pain. I know we talked about it before, but maybe we should set up a fat thread and put down how much we have lost each week to encourage each other, whether it is on here or on FB. Good luck for your rads today.
Jane - I can’t believe you are nearly at the end of your treatment, I wish I was where you are now. Although, I’m not sure how I will feel once it has all finished, probably just burst in to tears. Hugs to you.
Helena - Good morning my lovely lady.
Hugs to everyone.
Susan
Good morning ladies … woo hoo Emily, fantastic news for you … I did chuckle at the side effect of your tamoxifen… crying … did it happen as soon as you swallowed it ?
Emma - lovely to hear from you … I wouldn’t worry about looking glamorous, I certainly didn’t … I used dry shampoo for a week ? But did attend to the armpits … couldn’t let that slip ?
I’ve had a really good cry this morning, still in shock I think about the chemo … I knew things were all going too well … now I’m really scared ???
Strudel, good luck today with your rads, report back later with how you have got on
Lexxy, how are you feeling about it all?
Everybody else, have a lovely day and I’m being honest when I say I’m not sure where everybody is up to as my brain is elsewhere
Sarah xxx
Susan - talking about weight ? I’ve got a good couple of stone to lose and the doctor said I wasn’t allowed to put any weight on and eat a Mediterranean diet ?? … it just isn’t me but I’m going to try so hard xxx
Holy moly macaroni - guess who’s got an appointment with the Chemo nurse tomorrow at 10am?
Sarah - I shall join you on the mediterranean diet - we shall book tickets and fly off somewhere nice :smileyhappy:
Good morning all!
Bless you Emma, I hope the visit from your daughter gives you a good pick me up today. I agree with dry shampoo and perhaps a bit of an armpit wipe. Otherwise just think of yourself as a hippy in training.
Good luck today Strudel, I hope it goes well.
Sarah, I’m not quite sure how I feel. I haven’t let myself cry or get upset about it, trying to think practically and make sure I have everything I need. I just keep thinking about how long it’s all going to take, suddenly I’m sad that I won’t be at work and that I’ll miss things and worrying that they won’t need me anymore. I’m sad about some of the comedy gigs we have tickets for that I probably won’t be able to go to and I’m pissed off that it’s another 6 months or so that I can’t help my stepmum look after my Dad. Well writing that down has brought on a few tears which is probably a good thing. I’m off to make myself vaguely outside appropriate and off to work to handover and speak to HR about what to do.
Huge hugs to everyone, hope it’s a good day all round x
Oh Susan that’s great news for you! I too need to join you guys on the diet, I’ve gone a bit nuts since I was diagnosed and I should have been doing the opposite and piling in the veg and good stuff instead of cheese and pastry ?
Good morning. Lexxy I can certainly relate to some of the things you are saying. Potentially I could be off work for up to a year & that is frustrating me. My mother is going out shopping this morning & I’m feeling upset that I can’t go with her to help
After yesterday’s op I’m feeling a bit wobbly on my feet. I slept okay last night and was even able to lie on my right side where the wound is. I’ve just done some simple arm exercises I have to do 4 times a day & I’m exhausted.
I’m taking it easy today. I’ve no other option as difficult as it might be for me to do so…
What time is you rads appointment today Strudel - cause I’m following you around the threads like a lost sheep. I start typing and by the time I have posted - you have already sneaked in :smileyvery-happy: