We sure are a creative bunch @story1 xx
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Morning all! Definitely feeling better about the “addition” of radio now I’ve got my head around it.
@story1 Had a scan on Thursday - ultrasound, I’ve not had an MRI at all - and it has reduced further to 13mm and most of that appeared to be the scout. They seemed really positive so next step is call with surgeon to make final plans on 4th and then surgery 13th. Am knee deep in book 4… should I take a break between this and 5 and go read the prequel? They really are fab - I’ve read a lot of different crime but there is something about the pace of yours which I really gel with.
@bellbert sorry to hear about your nails. I had this with both toenails and fingernail from Paclitaxel and I found this really hard. If you haven’t already, get gloves for washing up/cleaning etc and don’t be afraid to ask for antibiotic cream - I found fusidic acid helped and I slowed down on the poly balm a bit as was worried it wasn’t helping. They do dry out eventually, most of my fingers have lifted by a third/quarter so have just kept them short. They are finally starting to grow out slowly so it does get better. Just another joy to deal with! The worst are my toenails - going to see a podiatrist as have lost a number of them and I want to do everything I can to grow them back well.
Keep going ladies! Xxx
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Morning Kim @cridders , great to hear that there has been a reduction to 13mm, brilliant. Thank you for the tips on nails, I think I have some fusidic acid cream around , so going off to look 
The TCP has helped and the leaking fluid seems to have stopped for now. I did stop the Polybalm when the leaking started and haven’t gone back to it. Good luck with your meeting on 4th and surgery on 13th, it will be great to get that over and done with. Jane xxx
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Hello, oh dear, the non glamorous side of chemo they don’t tell you about! Everyone knows they could end up bald, but don’t know the eyebrows and eyelashes follow suit! Then you balloon right up and fart with every step! I bet you feel a bit better with no chemo this week, it really is a long haul isn’t it. At least we are all laughing about these side effects. I am rather liking having white hair, just wish it would thicken up - you can see right through it to my egg shaped head! xxx
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Every step @bellbert thank goodness for humour and laughter sure enough! Have a lovely week xx
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Thankyou very much I had a little cry yesterday meeting my best friend. I said i feel like a fraud now because I’m saying cancer free and like my head is making me fake side effects. Then as I talked to her it hit me that I really do have them and to be kinder to myself. I’m trying to rush being ‘better’. But my legs are buggered, my hips hurt, my knees keep going on me, I’m like an old wind up toy that looses momentum. (mum mentioned about getting a walking stick to help take the pressure off my legs) Got a little nerve damage under my arm which is painful. Finger tips and toes are still numb and tingly. Hot flushes are just wonderful things.
@bellbert Jane my nails are like yours, leaking fluid most of the time when I catch my nails slightly and put pressure on them. I had 2 good nails left and ended up banging one on a shelf and now thats lifted too. Makes me queasy the feeling of them lifting as Im using my hands. And picking things up/opening things is hard isnt it. But I have painted them again so I cant see the colours of them anymore. Ive been so embarrassed by them even tho I know its nothing Ive done to get them. Sorry to hear about your swollen limbs, hope they go down soon for you. Proper fried but as you said its getting any stray little cells that may have escaped isnt it. Aha managed 1 person, doing myself as a creepy Coraline doll. Slow and steady but really enjoying seeing it come together.
But apart from that… Aha the mind is a strange thing. Ahh yeah eyebrows and eyelashes have decided now is a good time to start leaving too
@emsd2025 hope your tummy is feeling better soon. I had the same during chemo. Lost a few dress sizes from a 14 to a size 10. I still dont eat properly tho and I know I should. But most foods really dont appeal to me any more. I think I have a chemo blocker on and really dont fancy some of the things I used to love. Sorry to hear about the new lumps, got everything crossed they are confirmed to be nothing. How many radiotherapy rounds will you have ?
@story1 thats fabby news about the MRI hope all goes well on Tuesday. I found it brill seeing the mammogram of it after the seed was placed, the before and after and not seeing anything there. Glad your starting to feel better body wise now your last round is done. Yay.
@cathie2 glad everything is starting to ease for you and your able to get out walking again. Not long now
@skye2 sorry for having problems with you bladder and nails also. Hope it starts to ease for you soon aswell.
@cridders sorry about the curv ball of radio. But happy your on the last stretch now to surgery. How have your toes been without nails ? Painful? I’m really surprised none of mine have actually come off yet. Glad your finger nails are starting to grow now.
Hope everyone else is doing ok. Break away has been booked. Were returning back to where we went just before I started chemo. But realising it won’t be the same with what I can do, or rather what I can’t do. Thinking about going to the zoo one day and using a mobility scooter to get around.
Xxxxx
Bit of colour popping through on my head too I think. Aha feel like I’ve been bald forever
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Brilliant news about scan @cridders !!! It’s the shrinking that’s the important thing, what’s left could be dead/scarring etc xxx the fact our amazing bodies have killed this stuff and cleared it boggles my mind xx I’m so bloody chuffed I’m keeping you all entertained with my messed up bat shit crazy criminal deviance!! You could break off anytime to read the prequel, they can all standalone as long as you’re enjoying them I don’t think it matters. It’s my way of escaping and making Kelly kick arse is so satisfying for me, she’s my hero x
I’ve got so many appointments coming up, got the injection of the tracer day before surgery, is this the one that hurts? @molly.m @dizzy3 pre op meeting with nurse 4th. Lots of Qs. Seed Tuesday. Bloods 4th. (Hope they can’t tell I’ve had a few glasses of wine- after 5 years of sobriety
).
Part of what’s driving my non-fiction book on cancer/chemo is what I see as a gap in the market and I’d love your opinions: I’m personally sick and tired of stuff being shoved down my throat of what I should have done (bought) to avoid it and what I should be doing (buying!) moving forward. As far as I can see, the business of cancer (influencers pushing supplements and slebs lecturing us) misses the point of what we really need, which is a community of pals who have gone or are going through it… for those dark moments when we just need to reach out (and obviously the gags about chemo arse)…
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Definately growth there now! It may be a bit patchy to start with, the front and widows peak ( the bits either side of the fringe) don’t have nearly as much growth as the crown and back, but I expect it will thicken up in time. The leg thing is so weird, I said it’s like trying to walk with a toddler holding on to each leg, extra heavy and not so stable. My knees tend to want to give way on stairs. The fluid seems to have stopped leaking since I have been using TCP on my nails - pouring it over, so it can go under a bit if it wants to and dabbing it all over the sides of the nails as well. Good idea on the mobility scooter, if it means you can do more and enjoy youself ( bet your little Missy will climb on your lap for a ride too :)) then brilliant idea. Hope you have a great time. Perhaps take some plasters with you, if the nails loosen further, put a plaster around them for a day ot two. xxx
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Hi Rachel, yes unfortunately the tracer injection is the one that hurts ( well it did me). I had 4 injections around my nipple, if it’s the same one - I had the metal particles one though, not the blue dye radio active one, but I guess they are similar. Wonder if Emla numbing cream, applied just over an hour before would help? You may be allowed a paracetamol or Ibruprofen beforehand as well, that would take the edge off the discomfort. I haven’t had a glass of wine yet, waiting until my birthday on 28th, when the family are coming to stay ( 2 days after radiotherapy CT scan and then the next day, first Zoledronic acid infusion and Phesgo leg injection - family arriving next day!). Love the idea of your ‘Cancer, what they don’t tell you’ book. I can imagine it being the recommended ‘go to’ book in the future. You can tell them how we all laugh together about the weird and horrible side effects, then perhaps it wont seem so daunting - all we got was a long list of horrible things we may develop! Good luck with all your appointments, you will soon be out the other side. Jane xxx
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That’s unfortunate re tracer injection @bellbert, I had mine with local anaesthetic same as biopsies, it didn’t hurt at all, in fact it was less uncomfortable. Had first zolendronic acid infusion couple weeks ago too, was ok xx
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Morning, that’s great to hear that the zolendronic infusion went well ( as the family arrive for my birthday the day after!). I didn’t get an anesthetic jab before my injections, I read someone on the forum asked to have them first and the surgeon replied ’ what would be the point in that - you would be having 8 injections instead of 4!’ I think he missed the point, the anaesthetic injections would be far less painful and would make the main injections painless ( must have been a male surgeon!). Mine was done at the end of my results meeting with my surgeon, who has just told me that it had spread into the lymph nodes and he would operate again ( SLNB) in a few days time. xx
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Hope everyone is doing well, I’m 3 weeks post last paclitacel chemo, my hands are increasingly numb and the peripheral neuropathy is casing a lot of pain in my legs - even co codamol doesn’t shift it, I’ve been prescribed amitriptyline to help the nerve pain but very grateful chemo ended early.
My surgery is next week - left mastectomy and full node clearance , I’m unsure how well I’ll be able to use my arm and when I can drive again, I feel on a real deadline to get as much done as possible before then - there is a lot of housework and paperwork that has built up while I’ve been floored by chemo , starting to feel a bit of energy coming back - despite the wobbly legs the mouth ulcers are healing and the nose bleeds have completely stopped so definite progress,
The steroid induced acne is clearing up , I got out my uk lash eyelash serum and used it on my lashes and brows today ,
I plan to try and buy a wig this week ( I have an nhs voucher for a shop in a nearby town), so I can have that before t drive post op. I don’t see myself wearing it much though - I’m sticking to hats in public I think
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The hair situation is depressing, even 3 weeks post chemo it is still falling out. It’s also changed texture and become frizzy/ wiry and tangles so easily now which means it comes out when brushing …
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Thanks Jane. I’ve got a preop meeting with nurse on 4th so I’ll ask her about numbing. @skye2 id prefer it not to hurt so I’m glad you had a positive experience x Getting a bit antsy with this lull before surgery, just waiting…
@anim4l good to hear from you! Is your op tomorrow? For some reason I thought 23rd/24th? As they brought it forward. Glad you’re feeling a bit better but not great news about the neuropathy xx you still have a lot of hair! It’s good to keep busy and get all those jobs done before surgery, I just want it over with now!
In all this joy and excitement I completely forgot it’s my 25th wedding anniversary in November! We now need to plan something special and we’ve got our eye on Thailand. Hubbie calling insurance today to see what they say and if we can book it now or have to wait until active treatment is over. Something awesome to look forward to. Weather in Phuket supposed to be great in November. We’re not usually laze on the beach all day people but after this we fancy the vibe and we went to Thailand back in 1999 before we got married and absolute loved it. It’s nice to have things to get excited about again xxx
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Oh I sympathise with the neuropathy, like you, I am finding it is getting slightly worse instead of better, like I expected. Numbness and tingling in all fingertips, but soles of my feet, more near the heels, started yesterday. My hair has thinned out more as well and nails getting worse, so you are not alone. Good that some things have improved though, so good to hear that everything else will probably start to improve shortly. I still have my wig on a stand, haven’t used it once, use hats, but I like having it around, just in case… I bought a nice wide brim jute hat for summer ( Amazon), wire in the brim, so you can adjust it and cotton lining in the head bit, now just waiting for better weather to wear it! Good luck with your op, exercises that they give you, as soon as you can do them, are the key to getting back the movement. xxx
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Morning Rachel, how wonderful to have something so amazing to look forward to! We had our 25th wedding anniversary 2 years ago, didn’t do much, but I got a nice emerald ring to mark the occasion :). Feel excited for you! Jane xxxx
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Nice!!!
Hi @anim4l, relate to so much you’ve said. Was given amitriptyline also to try help neuropathy fingers and feet (sometimes legs but not so much) but took it once and slept till lunchtime next day! Haven’t taken it again yet. Nose bleeds stopped thankfully, hair went months back when on EC, became sort of matted and impossible to manage as would comes out in handfuls, so had it cut very short till remainder came out. Now that paclitaxel/abraxane almost complete brows and lashes have gone as well. I haven’t even got NHS wig yet, had bought an inexpensive but well reviewed one on Amazon and it’s been brilliant, hairdresser trimmed it a little to suit, it helped me feel more confident. Very best wishes to you for your surgery and a strong steady recovery xx
@story1 im not even sure which one I had. I know it was radioactive because of the room I was in and the sign on the door. They told me at the my appointment it would be the blue dye one, but again I can’t see any trace of it on me and my wee didnt turn green like they said would probably happen. I also had mine done on the day of the op, it was on my boob and not near my ripple. It was just like any other injection which stung as it went in because it was cold. Also love the idea of your book. Your so right and its true, to have found all you lovely ladies and know were not alone in how were feeling and all the lovely symptoms were have collectively had. And as Jane says having a good laugh about it Oh wonderful that sound like a nice plan, and a thats one thing I need to look into for our holiday next year, insurance.
@bellbert thats the perfect way to describe it with the legs aha. They are heavy, and my hips feel like there robot legs attatched with bolts. Strange sensation and sore. Aha yes she probably will want to hitch a ride I’ just sad that Im really going to have to plan days out to make sure I have enough places to rest inbetween, rather than my usual get up and go. I love my walks on holidays. I’m glad your nails are getting better. I’ve been living in plasters for the past few weeks 
managed to have them off since my op which I’m glad about. Everytime one nail starts to get better another one kicks up a fuss aha.
@anim4l glad your doing well but sorry your having so much trouble with the neuropathy and pain. I do hope it clears for you soon or at least starts to ease. Did you have a nice half term with your daughter ? Gosh thats come round quick with your surgery. I hope all goes smoothly.
Strange new sensation aha when I dri know a cold drink I can feel the cold under my arm pit where I have the nerve damage from my op
Hope your all doing well xxxx
@cridders great news to hear that you have had further reduction. Absolutely brilliant. And glad that you are feeling better about radiotherapy. It makes it easier to deal with if we understand why we are putting our bodies through all this stuff!
@bellbert hope your nails are improving now. I have the heavy legs, it seems to be worse the first week of EC and then eases. Prepping for them again next week….
@molly.m We have lived this with you - no fraud found! Make sure you take your time and allow your body to recover, it has been through so much. It’s great you are getting some colour on your head now, is it getting curly? What a funny sensation you are having with cold drinks.
@story1 I bet that wine was nice to have – I’m waiting to have mine once this chemo is over. Good luck with all your appts. They are taking you closer to your surgery and what a milestone that will be! Great idea about the book. And what a lovely plan for your wedding anniversary and something to look forward to and plan as you recover from surgery. Fabulous!
@anim4l absolutely best of luck and lots of wishes for your surgery next week. Don’t push yourself to try and do everything before surgery. Keeping busy and occupied is good but don’t forget to conserve some energy for the surgery. Your priority is you. Glad to hear other things are now healing for you. I have a similar amount of hair loss to you.
I am seeing my breast care nurse on Thursday regarding prep for surgery. Last chemo (EC) is next Monday. Then appt following Thursday to see surgeon. Hoping they will give me a confirmed date, it looks like mid-April. Just want to get through Monday and get the last chemo done – bring it on!!!
Thinking of everyone with appts, treatment etc xxxx
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