September Sunbeams 2014

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
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Me again - just spotted Nutty’s question - my Macmillan nurse said ordinary party jelly makes hair and nails grow, as does meat protein such as chicken, especially chicken soup made with cooking the bones for stock.

My hairdresser said that once the chemo is over and  there’s no risk of rubbing off the fragile hair and normal shampoos can be use once again, the hair will grow back quickest if blood supply is increased. She recommends lots of gentle circular massaging when washing and conditioning. My daughter had great success with Alpecin caffeine shampoo (they do a female version now) which really made it grow fast when she was desperate to grow out a bad home-dye job! Love Anna.

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Think so far I’ve been lucky with my fec not sure what dosage I’m on though. All went well yesterday managed to make and decorate the birthday cake. Woke up this morning with a slight headache lots of water today.
Being off work doesn’t help with the eating. The sofas too close to the kitchen in my house lol!
I’ve also had a period too wasn’t expecting that not, as long as normal so not all bad.
The party went well. Now I’m going to get some z’s. Bless him life carries on as normal for him.
Stay positive. Char x

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Nutty I read your post this morning and went shopping and am now sat here with of bowl of apple crumble and custard, you bugger lol, I’ve not eaten this in years!! It’s bloomin lovely!! And yes in a few days all will be well, and in a few months it will be even better!!!

Yep I agree this is my go to place, it keeps me sane (ish) and no matter how much love and support from family and friends they aren’t actually going through it, we are and that’s what makes this totes awesome, ( bit of Essex for you their), you’re all Amazeballs xxxx

Anna I got a couple of eyedrops but no help, read that antibiotic eyedrops are given for this but not sure I want to go down that route yet, rather save antibiotics for ‘just in case’ infection,
I agree that those of you with younger kids are brilliant, I only have to be taxi driver for daughter and today her boyfriend aswell, and that’s tiring enough lol!!
There are natural hair colours that some use, I think Holland and Barrett do some, I also used their synergistic hair formula tabs, so ironic that it took me years to get hair down my back then appeared at hairdressers to get cut in a bob, that’s my pic, my hairdresser was so confused why I was having 5 inches off the bottom after years of growing, ho hum!! Roll on Monday and getting Emend Anna!!

Glad the party went well Char, you’ve definitely earned a rest lol, chemo or no chemo!!!

Got more friends over tonight so going to have a nap now, eyes less stingee when closed, ?, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it!!!

Lots of love to you all Sunbeams xxx Sam

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Hi Beamies…all I do is lie ridged watching the Saturday morning cooking programmes! Managed to get daughters dad to have her this weekend which is a minor miracle in itself phew!!! Just immobile today…vein pain in chemo arm evident…we’ll see for next time…sorry about all the sickness but glad the soups going down…sorry about the stingy eyes…I want to make a crumble with the fruit that’s about to go off but I can’t be bothered!!! Love Rachael x 

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Hi Pam I’ve also been more headache this time…all the damn toxins!  Take the painkillers but if worried always take temperature first x

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I have real vein pain after second chemo and real swelling and bruising in crook of arm. Was told to use a heat pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel and to try to keep the arm straight as the instinct is to fold it into the body because of the pain. Have find this several evenings and it does really help.
Interesting to real you are all eating more - I have absolutely no appetite at all and have to force myself to eat. Enjoy soup ok and try to make sure I have several bowls a day. Am also really tired and go off to bed at ridiculous times! I’m going to find out what hair fibres are as feel there is a thin patch now at my fringe.
Hope you have a good evening Sunbeams and a SE-Fred Sunday. P xx

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Ah hope you feel better soon as for early nights I hear and read rest is important x I would be interested to hear about hair fibres not had chemo yet but due very soon and want to be fully prepared xx

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Whoo, what a day! Been out at a Choir Festival all day, singing and performing, now am absolutely pooped and vastly irritable. But it was worth it.

My very lovely friend who does hairdressing is coming over to see me on Tuesday and view my bald patch!! So I will ask her lots of questions about all things hair, now and in the future and see what she can suggest. I’ll let you all know if she has any pearls of wisdom.

Tried doing a bit of QI Gong last night…it was great, can recommend! Not at all vigorous, a bit like yoga without the painful bits, and very good for being mindful of yourself.

Don’t forget everyone, you should have access to free alternative therapies while on chemo…use them!! My partner is a reflexologist and it really does help so much, and Indian Head Massage is good for hair too (although I think maybe better in the growing back stage).

Made a terrible mistake and read the August thread through…shouldn’t have done it, set me worrying about Tax stage!!! OOOPs. Forgot the Golden Rule of one step at a time!!!

 

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Also meant to say: apple crumble is currently the food of the gods!!!

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Great KnackeredNess - look forward to hearing all about hair from your friend. P xx

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Herrl pals, try not to worry about the T stage - my good frined is on it and she says it’s not worse at all, just different. Thanks for the vein tips, am heating it with a hottie and trying to extend the arm. A

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So sorry that was the wierdest mis-type - Herri? Who is Herri? Herri Styles goes to South Africa?
Must have had too much crumble - yes it is food of the gods with instant packet mix custard. Oh god it’s good! Anna

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Good morning Sunbeams, weird weather or what!!!

Hi Sarahjane, a sad but warm welcome! Hope you find these threads as great as I do, when I was first told I was having chemo I read non stop, lol, all the April girls and all the May girls, so many tips and advice, it’s been so helpful, and this thread has been a huge support, so I hope you find them the same! It’s doable girl, after the initial shock you’ll be fine and dandy (ish), lol xxx

Hey Rachael glad you’ve got a weekend to relax and recoup, and I’m into the cooking shows and have got hooked on NCIS, I’m a bit in lust with Tony Dinozo and Gibbs ?,…

Hi PaulS, lots of tiredness about, it really does whack you out doesn’t it! I’ve heard lots of good stuff about the hair fibres… And I must have your appetite aswell as my own!!!

Glad to hear your still singing away Ness, in beautiful hats!! Good luck with the hair, I have a small patch left, lol, that my friend says looks like Italy on the back of my head, that’ll probably go with 3rd fec. I had a lovely massage at the wellness centre yesterday, I fell asleep, shocker!!!

Herri Anna, lol, Sith Ifrica made me laugh ?,

I’ve had a great, full on weekend, eaten too much, laughed a lot and had fun, so all good! I use E45 lotion to massage into both arms, it really worked on op arm with the cording so I tried it on the chemo arm where the veins are a tad tender and it’s great, my bc nurse recommended.

I’m still in bed and will be as long as poss, or until mum gets here this afternoon, ready to take me to 3rd cocktail tomorrow, have a super Sunday girls, much love xxx Sam

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I looked it up and hair fibres are sprayed on to hide thinning and bald patches. They attach to remaining hair and thicken the hairs and come in different colours to cover and hide white scalp. I think I might buy some. It washes off when you wash your hair so needs to be reapplied again.
Slept quite well last night and now lying in bed reading a book. Bit of a runny nose though temperature ok and blood sugar ok so not worried. This week I plan to eat lots of spinach and kale so bloods ok for chemo 3 next Monday. Had to be done again last time as they were so low. I do not want it postponed as I am desperate to get through this stage as I know you all are ladies.
My older sister responded badly to hearing I had BC and simply disappeared for weeks and weeks which was so hurtful. However we met yesterday for coffee and I got my lovely younger sister to come and it was actually ok. I think she has a pathological fear of illness and simply did not know that to say and is just inadequate in these situations. But I answered all her questions and as I looked and behaved the same she seemed reassured and my younger sister said I looked healthier than she did!
Have a good day Sunbeams. P xx

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Hi Pam! E45 has really stopped/helped with the vein pain/chording after surgery, just massaging it into the arms where it hurts,and also on the chemo arm, same thing!

Hair fibres are used by some who want to try and disguise little bald patches, not for us baldies, they spray on and sort of expand looking like hair, not long but enough to disguise the patch, they come in different colours, technology eh!!! Xxxx Sam

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Re massage I was told we couldn’t have massage as it might move the cancer cells round the vascular and lymphatic systems. What kind of massage Sampeds? I would love one! P xx

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Morning girls - after starting apple crumble cravings I’ve only just managed to eat mine - it was worth the wait, felt a bit odd eating apple crumble and custard in bed for breakfast - but it was lovely. Must be feeling better. I’m watching all the cooking program’s - love looking at the food even if I can’t face eating it at the moment.

Looking forward to hearing about all things hair KnackeredNess. Will stock up on jelly once chemo is done too - it’s amazing what you learn on here.

My chemo started with T - I’ve had two so far - I’ve felt sick for a few days and aches - but have felt better as the weeks have gone on - I’m really scared of changing to Fec - I guess it’s the unknown we are scared of.

Nothing much planned for the day- more chilling I guess . Take care everyone xx

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We overlapped PaulS lol, so glad you got some communication with older sis, and bonus looking healthier, lol, my skin looks great at the moment, quite ironic eh!! Enjoy your kale, I nutri bullet my vege and stuff, one drink and done, xxxx Sam

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Ooh and again lol PaulS, I had a full body massage, was lovely, I’ve had reflexology during chemo aswell, these are all provided free by the Helen Rollason charity at my hospital and recommended for health and well being during treatment, conflicting advice again eh, I feel fab and am going for acupuncture next week, got to get some freebies and positives where you can lol xxx

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My husband bought me a Nutribullet second hand from Gumtree but it was still in the original box and never used and it is great. Like you Sampeds making lots of healthy drinks with all the superfoods. P xx