Maggie - glad the planning appt went OK - you’ll soon have the 15 sessions knocked off. You’re right about side effects, DVT or arthritis, OMG talk about being between a rock and hard place! Hope your boob isn’t as sore today - pass the painkillers! Still not got a date yet for planning appt but prescription’s ready for Tamoxifen - not looking forward to this. Do you think I’ll go into menopause overnight!!!
Leesha - hope the sun’s shining with you, it’s cracking the flags here (lovely Lancashire).
Kinden - hope you had a better night’s sleep last night. You’ll be able to tackle anything with a good night’s sleep under yer belt!
Take care folks
Claire xxx
Leesha
Hope you had a good day off and made the most of it. It’s good that you’re so positive about the chemo I’m not sure how I would be to losing my hair but hey if its a means to a good ending it’s worth it.
I’m not too bad with tablets had my first arimidex today no side effects yet but it is only the 1st day hopefully I will be lucky and not get any of the wondeful long list of side effects it says on the paper in the box!!! The chewable calcium tabs don’t taste too good really chalky but I guess in 5 yrs time I will have come to love them.
Claire
Yes I’m not too bad today I’ve taken on board that my muscle is just going to take some time to return to normal otherwise I’m ok although a little weary wonder if I should have taken more tyime off after the op I only had 2 days and have been working since then. Hope you get on ok with tamoxifen I’m sure you’ll be ok I think all the hormone treatments have hot flushes as a side effect but not eceryone gets them and anyway I’m already used to them.
Kinden
Hope you’re feeling a bit better today keep smiling it does get better when do you get your results or have you already had them?
By the way girls I am a grandma again my son and his wife had another little boy last friday 6lb 15oz named Oliver. In all I have now got 7 grandchildren 4 from my kids and 3 from my OH. I sincerely hope there’s no more as Xmas is getting very expensive!.
Look after yourselves and speak to you soon
Maggiexx
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I had 6.5hrs uninterupted sleep last night and felt good this am.
I met the onc for 1st time today, only it wasn’t the main man as he’s on hols, and the guy I saw was rather abrupt to say the least.The 4th complete stranger man to grope what remains of my right breast in as many weeks! But my BCN is lovely, and so are the chemo nurses I’ve met today. I’m having a PICC line put in on Tuesday then immediately the chemo starts. Scared but glad it’s happening so soon.
Maggie
congrats on the new addition. I hope I make it to being a grandmother, my girls are 4 and 2.
Claire and Leeshe
Hope you had a good day today.
Thanks girls
Kinden
x
Maggie - congrats thats a lot of xmas presents!!! but must be nice to hold the baby and be able to hand back!! My girls are 15 and 12 so i hope i’ve got a way to go before becoming a grandma!!
Claire - weather getting better (glos)
Went to work at clients yesterday (im an accountant not anything else that might seem to imply…) only managed 2 hours before yawning took over and i realised ive got used to having a siesta every afternoon. MIght have to take a pillow to work when im out!! cant believe how tires i was - in fact have woken up this morning with headache & still feel tired So couldn’t have had the good nights sleep I thought Id had. Oh well catch up later…
My oldest girl os off for her final selection weekend - OH has to take her to Nottingham (usually I do all the ferrying around for horseball (in case your wondering its like rugby on horseback)) we find out this weekend if she gets selected for the GB team - if so it means every weekend in Nott for the next month (oh Joy the things we do timing couldnt have been worse) then she goes to Portugal at the end July. Before all this I would have been planning to go out and watch - but think it falls badly with chemo sessions - plus yr advised not to get too much hot sun!! so might have to misss it.
Anyway - hope all have a good weekend mine will be lazy & quiet I hope with only one daughter around.
Leesha
Congratulations Maggie! 7 grandchildren, that is one heck of a christmas present list! I’ve got two grandchildren, Ryan (from OH) is nearly 14 months old and Oliver (snap!) from my daughter is one next month. We’re having Ryan Sunday/Monday - he’s just started walking so everything within reach will have to be moved - not set up anymore to have toddlers in the house (so much easier when they’re babes in arms, at least you know where they are!!!) very out of practice and everything seems a potential hazard . . . . . Took my first tamoxifen last night - so far so good!!! Hope it goes OK for you with the arimidex/calcium tablets. I don’t know how you’ve managed with only a couple of days off from work since your op, especially with the problem you’re having with the muscle. I’m still signed off from work and not scheduled to go back until 1st Aug - I didn’t ask for all this time off so I’m assuming my GP knows how much time is needed to recover (though I do have a physical job in medical records dept at local hosp - some of the sets of case notes are huge and take a lot of manhandling) Perhaps your body is telling you it needs a rest?
Leesha - horseball, that’s a new one on me - sounds quite rough and tumble though! Hope you do manage to relax over the weekend and catch up on the afternoon siestas - it’s when we’re sleeping the body is mending.
Kinden - hope all goes well for you on Tuesday. Let us know how you get on - will be thinking about you.
Take care
Claire xxx
Hi girls
Hope you’re all enjoying the weekend and the lovely weather. I’ve done such a lot today as I hadn’t touched any housework for 6 weeks so thought it was time I did.
Kinden
Some docs are very inconsiderate to us women and our problems but I think the BCN’s are brilliant & supportive. Good luck for tuesday I hope your OH is supportive as having 2 little ones is tiring enough without the chemo.
Leesha
I took a pillow to work to rest my arm on not to sleep on mind you I often felt i could have done!
Horseball I’ve never heard of that I hope it isn’t too rough fotr the horses like rugby is for the players. Good luck to your daughter and even though the timing is’t right I’m sure you’ll cope.
Claire Glad the tamoxifen is going ok. Arimidex is still going well so far. I’ll probably take somwe time off when I have the rads as they said I’ll probably feel very tired by the middle of week 2. My OH said what’s new as I fall asleep most of the time anyway!
Our grandchildren are 14,12,8,7,2 & 1 week it’s nice to have them and look after them, tiring but very enjoyable ,but its also nice when they go back home to their mum and dad too!
Well enjoy the rest of your weekend girls
Maggie
xx
Thanks Maggie
A pillow sounds a good idea - Im actually on a high these past 2 days the tiredness seems to have gone the arm feels better. So need to make the most of this. Am actually quite cheerful.
Unfortunately my daughter didn’t get selected this time - but shes ok she did her best and got to the last 9. Horseball is great not too rough - we all play including OH.
Hope yr weekend went well
Leesha
Hi Leesha
Sorry your daughter didn’t get through but to get in the last 9 was brilliant. I can’t even rifde a bike let alone a horse so I’d be no good I’ve no snse of balance!! and itt’s not because I’m under the influence either.
Glad you’re feeling better though, it does help to get you feeling more like the norm if you’re not so tired and the stringy arm and sunburn sensation isn’t as bad. My stringy feeling has almost gone now I’ve still got the numb feeling in my arm and its a tingly cold feel now rather than sunburn so I think it must be improving. In fact I’m fine the hormone tablets have as predicted affected my joints I now have a nagging knee joint to keep me occupied but that is a small price to pay and bearable.
I had a lovely weekend I spent sunday with the family and my new little grandson who is absolutely gorgeous and oh so good but then I’m prejudiced!!
take care
Maggiexx
HI All - back again just had appoint with oncologist confirming starting chemo - no hanging about go in friday!!!
will be followed with radiation and just in case thats not enough a year of herceptin and five year tamoxifen - I get the whole package. So my next year or so is mapped out then with three weekly visits to cheltenham hospital. No im ok with it - well as ok as you can be before having started something not quite knowing how you are going to react. Am lucky though do have a good support network of friends & family - although could do with OH being a bit more - I think he thinks its all ok cos surgery over and they hope its all gone and this is all now backup. Men!!!
Anyway thats my bit over - how you all doing.
Leesha
Hi Leesha
My it all happens so fast once they get going doesn’t it but I’m sure you’ll be fine positive thinking and if you’re getting herceptin without having to fight for it you’re lucky as many PCT’S don’t give it out as it’s too expensive.Typical of your OH to be so matter of fact but then that’s men for you but if it was happening to them it would be a different story!
I’m fine, going on my hols for a week to the Peak District tomorrow can’t wait for a rest. Once I’m back it’s straight on to the radiotherapy and I’ve got a bone scan booked in too as at my old age of 57 the arimidex can affect my joints so they want to check what state they’re already in!!! Luckily my OH is very supportive if not a bit too supportive at times if you know what I mean.
Anyway you take care and I’ll get back to you when I return from my hol to se how you’re doing on the chemo. Good Luck sure you’ll be ok.
Maggie xx
Hi
Leesha, it does all happen fast, but that’s probably just as well as we’d worry ourselves sick if we had to wait longer.
I had my PICC line in no worries last Tuesday, although it was a bit odd being awake for what was, albeit very minor, a surgical procedure. I had my first FEC straight away, and although it has been no picnic as I was very nauseous, dizzy and felt in a fog, it was ok and although I am still tired, I feel ok about going for the next one on 24th. I had the line cleaned this Weds and it feels much better now as the nurse has got rid of all the dried blood around it and fixed the hanging out bit higher up my arm.
OH is mostly supportive, but is being difficult about my parents visiting and yesterday agreed on my behalf for me to take our 2 girls (age 4 and 2) and babysit for a friend’s 3 children (5,3 and 9mths) for a coouple of hours in the early evening. And he’s going away for 2 days next week for pleasure! Anyway, moan moan!
Maggie have a lovey holiday, hope the weather’s good and not too hot.
Hope everyone’s ok.
Kinden
x
Hi I’m back from my holiday and had a lovely restful time and am now ready to start my rads on monday.
Leesha - Hope you are getting on ok with your chemo and it’s not causing too many side effects.
Kinden - You seem to be in the thick of yours but glad you’re coping ok and hope it continues that way.
Take Care both
Maggie xx
Maggie - glad hols went well - Ive had dose 1 and apart from tired and slightly nauseous for 3 days have been well By this weekend Ive got back to feeling normal. SO am glad about that. Not looking forward to the next one but its a necessary ‘evil’ The worst bit was the waiting. I had an appoint at 10am didnt see doc till12 cos her clinic running late. Then didnt get my treatment till 7pm!!! got back home at 9.30!!! No wonder i slept all of the next day. from what i hear that is normal not a one off. So was not a happy bunny. I can go away into cheltenham and they will call me when ready p but how can yr head be into shopping ect when yr waiting for something like chemo?
Linden - thanks for yr thoughts cant be easy with such young children at least mine are able to be helpful (not always) Im on FEC too the foggy brain for nearly a week i didnt like - i found i could only work in the morning cos byu 2pm i couldnt string a coherent sentance together!!! Take care best of luck with No 2 mines on 4th July
well folks looks like the hair is starting to fall out - slowly thinning - feel like i’ve been to the hairdressers and had it thinned. Not that anyone cept me would notice. Got mega thick hair - so at least it saves dosh on cuts. not handfuls yet just significant amount when you run yr hands through it. Oh well best go shopping tomorrow for scarf ot hat just in case.
nut cant believe how well i feel at moment - maybe thats to lull me into a false sense of security - ie being normal!!! at least till next friday - cant believe its going to clash with kids summer show (horses) on the sunday. hopeing il be ok to go watch.
how you all doing?
Leesha
HI Girls
Maggie - good luck with the rads, hope it all goes well for you.
Leesha - I can’t believe they made you wait so late for your treatment, but at least you had it on the day you expected. I admire you greatly for working, I haven’t worked since the day before my op. I just couldn’t cope with it. My hair is falling out really slowly. It is quite thin now, but still looks like I’ve got hair. Had 2nd FEC on Tuesday and have definately felt worse this time. Had prescribing chemo nurse round to see me yesterday evening, she gave me another 3 loads of drugs to cope with the nausea. pain in my windpipe etc. I’m also absolutely freezing; my family are in t shirts and I have 2 jumpers on! Temperature is ok though. She says it could be due to tiredness. My 2 year old not is sleeping well just now. However, it’s good to effectively be 1/3 down in treatments. Are you having 3 FEC and 3 Taxotere too? Really hope you can get to the horse show.
Hugs
Kinden
x
Leesha & Kinden
Hi both, sorry to hear about the hair I’ve heard and know it’s true in 2 cases of people i kinow who have had chemo that if you had straight hair before it often grows back curly don’t know whether that would make you happy or not! Kinden you certainly seem to be suffering at the moment I do hope you start feeling bettter soon,
Leesha glad you’re feeling well at the moment and hope you get to see the show.
I’ve just had the first week of rads and all’s well so far.
Take Care both
Maggie x
HI both
Kinden - hope you manage to get some sleep - i cant imagine coping with 2 year old as well as treatment - its hard enough when u 100%.
Work wise - its easier being self employed - i can do a bit then rest set my own agenda - clients just have to fit in.
Ive been on a mission this week - cant believe how good i feel. Even did some gardening yesterday and i hate gardening!!!
Managed to do more with the horses too - even wheeling muck to the muck heap - a strange thing to enjoy but…
Mind you on SUnday decided to burn some rubbish by muck heap…found a nice flat peice of ground perfect…Not…it was not in fact solid! Iended up knee deep in sticking wet manure!!! managed to rescue my boot (now in bin)…did think this is what its like in quick sand…then thought hope i dont get infection - must be at lowest point for immune system!!.. however looks like i got a tough one sofar…Ended up washing myself off fully clothed in the horse wash!!..Only for my youngest to tell me “dad doesnt burn the rubbish there” !!! Neither will i now…got to laugh about it i stank!!!
OH is back fromScotland now - im glad hell be around for next friday. Told him hair starting to thin out…Im sure hes in a different world to me - he said you havent had treatment yet!!! maybe he was half asleep he did drive through the night to get home - ill let him off this time.
Im on 6 FEC - and i will be glad to get no 2 out way as you say its a third of the way.
Maggie - glad the rads are going well - is it every day? bet its tiring going to hospital even more reg.
Love to all - hang in there Kinden catch zzzz’s when you can
Leesha
Leesha
You’re a scream I bet it was a funny sight you in all your muck even though you probably didn’t think so at the time! You have to watch out though as you are lucky you didn’t get any infection and you’ve enough to cope with at present. I think you and kinden are doing really well in keeping positive & cheerful throughout your chemo.
I have the rads every day mon-friday for 3 weeks I’m now on week 2 but finding it tiring with all the travelling and waiting mind you I’m going straight from work so it’s probably my own fault. I’m also getting a bit breathless but they say that’s more likely to the arimidex than the radiotherapy but I’m seeing the oncologist again tomorrow so she can check me out but it’s nothing compared to what you and kinden are going through and I’m fine really.
Well hope all continues to go well with your treatment
Maggie
x
hi maggie - i know youre right re the infection - I just never really gave it a thought until that moment! But felt so good in past 2 weeks that I could put the cancer to the back of my mind. However as the hair now thinning nicely and 2nd session nearing its back there again in front.
Went to see a client today who commented how nice my hair was looking!!! - I was naughty - said its great what cancer can do for the hairstyle without the cost of going to the hairdressers!!! should have seen her face drop!!! we had a laugh (good job i know her well!!!) Its at the point where it feels like its been thinned professionally - any more and it will have to be shaved off. I have really thick hair - so eventhough loads has come out its not patchy. But give it another week i reckon.
I’ve a friend whos on rads now - and says the travelling & waiting is the worst cos its tiring. How far do you have to travel? We have to go to Chelteham - so about 35 miles each way. Plus we now have lovely roadworks on the way in - I travelled to glos on sat to do some shopping - a journey which usually takes 30 mins took 2.5 hours!!! I could have gone shopping in London in that time!!!
Kinden - not heard from you lately hope your ok thinking of you
Leesha
Hi Leesha
Glad you’re ok and that you’re still looking good despite losing hair you never know being bald might suit you! I have about an hours journey from work to Wolverhampton each day for the rads I usually end up waiting for half an hour to get seen and then after the treatment which only takes 15 mins its about an hour back home as it’s usually the rush hour but still I’m hoping this week will be my last unless they say I need a booster treatment but I’m sure I won’t positive thinking and all that. I really haven’t fared too badly so have no complaints. Hope your treatment continues to go well.
Kinden hope all is well with you
.
Valkyrie Haven’t heard from you in a long time hope your rads went well and that you’re ok.
Maggie