Happy New Year everyone! We’re all slowly reaching the end of this rather lousy road and 2019 should gradually turn into a much happier year for all of us.
We also had a nice, relatively quiet Christmas. Loads of food (I had to be weighed today, as it was chemo day - oh dear!), lots of chatting with family and too little movement, so pretty much just the usual :smileyvery-happy:
I have two EC sessions left, but as I have a 3-week gap between each, I won’t finish chemo until 13 Feb. Then I get 6 weeks “off” before surgery and eventually radiotherapy. Should all be done by mid/late May. Roll on the summer!
Am feeling very dopey right now after chemo, but am trying not to go to sleep, as that tends to mess up my night. As for eye lashes, mine look like they might be trying to regrow, but I suppose the EC session today will stop that pretty quickly :smileyfrustrated:How lovely, Jacqs, that your hair is starting to regrow, even it’s a bit flimsy. I’m sure it will take a bit of time for our hair to regain strength - maybe ask your hairdresser about shaving it again, or check the other treads to see if anyone has posted anything useful on this?
Aley, I really hope you’re starting to feel a bit better.
MamaTony, good luck with the surgery - I’ll be thinking of you. It will definitively be a good feeling to get rid of whatever is left of that blasted tumour. And you get a flat tummy as well - I’m jealous! My surgery will apparently be very minor, basically just scraping out dead cancer cells. No tummy tuck on offer :smileysad:so I am starting a new regime of daily Pilates to get that under control, or at least, that’s the aim. Let’s see whether I stick to this! :smileywink:
Hello all and Happy New Year! Just enjoyed reading all your updates ice not been on for a while making sure I had good xmas and getting ready for the last T which was on time in 27.12! All done great news…thought this would be a breeze but still so hard to get through the first 8 days!
I’m with you all on the hot flushes driving me crazy had to move into spare room as my man has got a terrible cold trying to avoid trip to A and E on my last session! Its so hard not being complacent now!
Anyway I’m counting down days and hoping the SE’s stop soon as normal.
My little lumps have completely gone now and seeing surgeon next week to get ready for my last bit of surgery on 23.01…really weird moving onto next stages oncologist been in touch to book me in for rads planning on 08.02 I’m in unchartered territory again so need to do some reading again me thinks!
Oh by the way my thumb nail is hanging off I’m so hoping no more go they’re all hurting again! Another casualty …
Re hair regrowth mine is going big guns I took advice at look good feel better and have been putting rose water on it daily and almond oil once a week…not sure if this is reason but its certainly helps with itching it started as white fuzz which is normal I would leave it and let it grow now I have had something called Grow Gorgeous recommended which I’m starting once out of cycle…
Final thought does anyone else feel weird not starting a new year at work I so want to go back but know its best I dont…!!! Agggggh want normal life back…hopefully start a return after rads!
Much love all xxxx???
So sorry to hear you’ve struggled with your EC ?. I hope you feel “normal” soon.
I had my last THP on 27th Dec and I was told that I’d have surgery 6 weeks later. I have an appointment tomorrow with my consultant where I will be given my date, I’m guessing early Feb for me. I then have an oncology appointment on 28th Feb to discuss my radiotherapy.
Did anybody on here so 3 x FEC and then 3 x THP? I have been so ill with the THP compared to the FEC.
TMI but…I’m worrying I could be pregnant which I know is bizarre but today I realised the contraceptive implant in my arm expired back in June. My periods stayed normal through my FEC but stopped in October (if I remember rightly) and now I’m stressing that this constant nausea is morning sickness and not an SE as I was told by my oncologist that THP is kinder than FEC.
Am I losing my mind or could I be? I know the only way is to do a test but I just needed to write it|say it out loud.
I’ve not been on for a while but thought I’d pop in to see how everyone is.
Cat - I think a pregnancy test is in order as it could be possible and you need to know one way or the other.
Lack of hair growth is bothering me now. My last FEC chemo was 22 Nov and whilst there are definitely more hairs on my head it’s taking forever to grow. Might look at some of those suggestions.
I had my surgery on 21 Dec so just 4 weeks from chemo finishing. I ended up having a LICAP flap where the lump was removed with margins and fat from under my arm used to fill the gap. It did leave me with a long scar back under my arm towards my back but it’s healing well.
I went back yesterday to get my results but they’re not back from the lab. Really hoping I don’t need more chemo as it will be T if I do. I’ve felt great these last few days now my scar is healing and I’ve had energy again I guess as the chemo drugs are out of my system.
My main achievement today was to walk to the bus, get on the right one :smileyvery-happy:, collapse into the chair in the chemo ward and, after a visit to my oncologist, get home again, slowly! Then lunch and a nap - lovely :smileywink:
My oncologist told me that I should have surgery within 4-6 weeks of finishing chemo, which is great - can’t wait to get the rest of that bugger out of my system! Rads apparently start after a similar gap, but I may need 3-5 weeks of daily doses, depending on what they find during surgery. And for those treatments I will need to go in to Guy’s every day! Well, at least I know what I will be doing in April/May, how exciting NOT. :smileysad:Still, it will probably feel like a walk in the park compared with chemo.
Pulapula: I’m so pleased that you are recovering well from surgery and hopefully you won’t need to have any more chemo now.
CarGarland: I agree, one way or another you need to know, so be brave and do the test. :heart:
Well, I wasn’t expecting the results I got today! And not in a good way…Turns out I also have pre-cancerous cells (DCIS) which didn’t show up on scans previously. So I am booked in for more surgery this Friday. Hopefully I can keep my nipple but I might loose it depending how widespread the cells are…I was also very happy with the cosmetic results from my surgery on 21 Dec so it’s disappointing. Oh well, another scar to add to my collection. I’m also now a bit worried that these things can avoid detection - apparently it’s because my breast tissue is very dense…
And I am also back with my oncologist next Friday to start chemo again - 4 x T cycles this time, so that takes me through to early April. And then I’ll have a course of rads too :-(. Feeling sorry for myself - can you tell…
Oh Paula, I’m so sorry to hear this news. That’s just so devastating for you and I’m not surprised you’re feeling like that. Sending all my love sweetheart xxxx
So sorry to hear about your results Pulapula … that must have been quite a shock … the extra surgery and chemo is just ??? You can get through this ?? It is so worrying when they ‘miss’ things … makes you doubt the care you are getting. Sending big hugs Good luck for Friday xx
I think you have every right to feel sorry for yourself, Pulapula. What a shock that must have been. I’m so sorry you’ve got to deal with yet more surgery and chemo. It’s just lousy. However, I also think that you seem to be dealing with this with incredible inner strength. At least they found the cells before they could turn into anything really nasty and they can get rid of them.
Sorry to hear this Pulapula, sounds like they’ve caught it early…? had my second ‘T’ yesterday. So far ok, I’ve lost my eyebrows & eyelashes and look puffy in the face- no wonder I put on 3kg over Christmas ? hope you’re all having a good weekend ?
PulaPula - good luck with your surgery today. Let us know how you’ve got on when u can. I’m thinking of you today.
Aley - glad you’re getting thru the T regime. I’m the same with the bloat and weight.
I’m meant to have my last Paclitaxel tmoz. I was looking forward to ringing the bell but it’s been deferred for now. I have chemo rash only face and numbness/tingling in my fingers still so they’ve said I can’t have it. I’m seeing the consultant on Weds and he’s gonna tell me about my radiotherapy treatment next and im hoping he might say I don’t need this next Paclitaxel dose.
Hope everyone is doing as well as possible. Sending love xxx
Looking in the mirror is not always easy at the moment, I agree. I’ve also put on weight over the past few months (not to mention Christmas), plus I’ve got virtually no hair, stubbles instead of eye lashes, thinning eye brows, and despite extra daytime naps - dark rings under my eyes. Just lovely :smileyfrustrated:The other day I came across a photo of myself on holiday a couple of years ago: I had beautiful, long hair and looked “normal”, hey-ho. I try to tell myself that it’s only for a few more weeks and then hopefully my hair will start to grow back and I can try to rebuild the old me, if that’s possible, although I’ve still got surgery and rads to contend with. I suppose in some ways there will always be the “me” pre- and post cancer. It’s not going to be a worse version of myself or my life (I hope :smileytongue:), but a different one it certainly will be.
I treated myself to a facial today and rather weirdly my skin is actually better than it was pre-cancer. Either my skin likes the chemo (???) or it’s the lack of work-related stress.
Little Pixie: I’m sorry your treatment has been postponed. It’s so frustrating when that happens, but I suppose it’s better they don’t give us chemo if our bodies aren’t up to it.
Hi GabyF
Yes it’s a grim sight when I look in the mirror so I avoid it if possible! Second ‘T’ has left me feeling emotionally quite down…anyone else experience this? Maybe it’s because it feels like such a long haul…Hope all you lovely ladies are doing ?? xx
Gaby, the Moving Forward course sounds great - unfortunately there isn’t one near me in Newcastle ? There might be something similar tho so will look into it - sounds like just what I need. I’ve been so focussed on taking one stage at a time, I think it will hit me once it has all finished - coming to terms with the new me, like many of you I’ve put on weight, and also the constant scare of it coming back! We have all been through so much ??I’m planning on going back to work two weeks after radiotherapy although it will just be part time for 3 days - not sure how realistic this is.
Aley, hope you are feeling brighter this week. I always seem to have a wobble a few days after treatment - the darker thoughts would creep in and it seemed that this nightmare would never end! Blamed it on the steroids but it’s probaly natural to feel that way ?.
ALittlePixie, hope your chemo rash has gone now and you can have your last treatment (or even better you don’t need need it and now you have finished and rang the bell ??)
I had my planning appointment for radiotherapy on Wednesday and so now have 4 tattoo dots ? First session is on the 24th January - hospital is an hour away so I’m not looking forward to driving every day. Hoping to drive myself (OH will take me to the first one) … will see how I get on.
Hope you are all doing well … sending lots of love Lisa xx
I’m having 15 sessions. Will hopefully be ok driving ?. I’m going to take someone with me for company just in case. Will be careful I promise ?
I’m sure your employer will just be pleased to have you back ? I went into work last week to discuss starting back. Was a bit nervous going in as I’m not feeling the most confident at the moment. I’ve also not seen anyone for 6 months (only a few people know why I’ve been off!). One person commented ‘you look different’ not sure if it was the wig, lack of eyebrows or weight ? just the sort of comment I needed ?
Ahh how lovely to get some rescue kittens (need photos please ?) they will definitely keep you busy too.
Pulapula, big hugs for Thursday ?? Really hope your results comes back all clear … will be thinking of you and keeping everything crossed xx
Jencat, I have warned work that it depends how I feel after radiotherapy ? Part of me wants to go back ASAP as I want things to get back to ‘normal’ however I also don’t want to rush things. I’m 43 - how long was it before you felt ok to go back? xx
Thanks Jencat - will speak to rads staff on Thursday see what they think. I work in an office and it is 3 weeks of rads so hopefully will be ok ? Hope you have a lovely Sunday ? the sun is shining here so going to try and drag my 3 girls for a walk … got no chance with the teenager ? xx
We had a lovely time with the kittens yesterday - nothing like little furry balls rushing about and mewing to put a smile on teenage faces! :smileyhappy:We will be able to take them home in 3 weeks, so I’m getting ready for mayhem!
Pulapula: glad your surgery went well (I’m impressed you managed an evening out the following day, well done!) and fingers crossed for the results.
Jencat: I’m a nursery teacher (and manager). Your advice about a phased return and the potential for getting bumped by children is very sensible. We have babies and children up to the age of 4 at nursery and I will definitively need to consider energy levels and my physical strength when planning my return. I will probably just do 2-3 days, then gradually up it, though I will not be returning fulltime - I had already cut back my hours before cancer due to exhaustion/stress. About the Moving Forward course, do email Angela. I’m sure she can book you in for the June course at Guy’s. Not sure why they haven’t advertised it online yet.
Lisa: hope you enjoyed your walk. OH and I went to the park this morning. No interest at all from our two kids :smileywink:though our son did actually end up going there with his friends to play table tennis - going for a walk with your parents is “boring” and probably not very cool! :smileylol:
?? It is so worrying when they ‘miss’ things … makes you doubt the care you are getting. Sending big hugs