Dear Cressida
I am so sorry to read this, please pass on sincere condolences from all of us here at BCC to QueenDrama’s family and friends at this very sad news
Take care
Lucy BCC
Shocked and saddened to read this news. I wasn’t aware of QD’s secondary diagnosis. Her family and friends must be devastated and my heart goes out to them. A solemn reminder of the uncertainty and indiscriminate nature of this awful disease and although I feel sad and deflated at QD’s passing, I also feel grateful to have had the opportunity of sharing one of the most difficult times in my life on this forum with her and the many others who continue to fight on xxx
What shocking and distressing news. She seemed a very vibrant person. Very saddened by this tragic loss.
So, so sorry to hear about QD. She had such a lively spirit and added greatly to the gaiety of the Christmas Crackers.
Cressida, that was a lovely tribute to her xx
As the second anniversary of starting chemo has approached, I keep remembering - with a shudder - that awful Chemo Christmas of 2012, and the months of torture that followed. It was all so horrible, but made much more bearable by the friendship and support here on the Christmas Crackers thread. You were all fabulous - thank you!
I’m fine now - TOUCH WOOD - apart from the horrible side effects of Letrozole, which makes my bones ache, and generally makes me feel about 90. It keeps coming into my head that these oestrogen-killing drugs are the EXACT OPPOSITE of HRT, and I get quite cross when I read about women saying how much better HRT makes them feel, and thinking that I am taking a drug designed to have exactly the opposite effect. I was on Tamoxifen at first, but had to switch, as it basically turned me into a psychotic witch. And that was on a good day.
I’m very mindful that the cancer may come back at any time, and living my life accordingly.
Love to you all xxx
I’ll be popping in here on Christmas Day to raise a glass to QD and all the crackers form 2012/3.
Xxx
Thanks for you thoughts Lucy.
And hello to a few old crackers. I am sure QD would be happy to get us talking again.
The first time I met her she dragged me all over Birmingham searching for coffee with soy milk. I was in the middle of Oxycontin withdrawal and my joints were agony. As soon as she realised she took to carrying my bag for me. She then made me laugh till I cried by telling me all about her exploding mingy boob (it exploded over her teenage son). Several non dairy coffees later (and a few cakes) we were friends.
Even when stuck in hospital knowing that the chemo was not working she was teaching the doctors how to speak properly (she is a voice coach) and joining me in a ridiculous text conversation regarding me having Johnny Depp in my basement (she loves Johnny Depp). No good asking to visit him now - I released him in her honour.
I always think of you lot at this time of year - you know I came here because I was back in chemo and really didn’t think I could do it again. Turned out I couldn’t get all the way through, but I would not have made half way without the fabulous support here.
I can report that I am still NED. I am also back at work 3 days a week. I am very slowly getting less knackered and less in pain. Who knows how it will turn out but I suggest living like QD - make a joke out of the worst things and direct your own production of Annie. I believe that Maire already has the wig.
Love to all,
Cress, xxx
If anyone wants details of QD’s funeral on 6th Jan in Birmingham, please pm me. We always welcomed people into this club so we should also say goodbye. I know you prob can’t come, but please make a note of the date and raise a glass for our friend, xxx
:smileysad:
I am shocked and stunned to read of the untimely passing of one of the Christmas Crackers of 2012. QD was an inspiration to us all I think with her attitude to life and BC in particular. I don’t come on here often and was unaware of her new diagnosis. My heart goes out to her family - so hard to lose someone so close and even worse at Christmas. Rest in pease QD.
Glad to hear that others of the group are getting on with their lives as I am, though always mindful that things can change at any moment so am grateful for every day. Bless you all - may you stay healthy.
B.
Merry Christmas everyone, I hope 2015 brings you good health and happiness xx
As I raise my glass today, I will toast you all but my thoughts especially for QD and her family as well as SPO whose fight continues xxx
Love and Best Wishes
Michelle
Merry Christmas to all the crackers of 2012. It had been a rocky road and I spy some bumps ahead but here’s to us all and especially QD and those with recurrences or spread.
I will raise a glass or 5 to you all.
Cressida could you let me know the whereabouts of qd’s funeral. I won’t make it but would like to send a card if possible.
Xxx
Yes, got my results very promptly and all ok but I just have no faith in them. The doctor said that ultrasound wasn’t useful unless there was a genuine area of concern. I think I’m going to try the broken record technique and keep asking for an ultrasound. I am even toying with the idea of a double mastectomy as my sister has now had a recurrance after 16 years! I’d rather not have the constant worry and stress.
Anyway glad to hear you got all clear BC!
Hi everyone , I know it’s been a long time , I’m back at work full time and I’m a single mum to a gorgeous 5 yr old with a mortgage to keep , so I don’t seem to find time to breathe some days , I’m so shocked and saddened about QD , she helped me through some dodgy times on here as you all did , she made me see things clear and calmed me down , also made me laugh , my thoughts keep coming back to QD, so awful it really is . I’ve had 3 lots of fat necrosis since diagnosis and having a what they think is the same removed on 25 th feb , I’ve had it ultrasound but not biopsy , so I’ll be glad to get that done , I’m glad you had your clear mammograms , but I’m the same with not believing and wish they did ultrasound as routine , maybe it’s just my other paranoid self talking , I will try and be better at popping in from now and again and catch up more , lots of love Lisa xxx
Wow it took me ages to find our thread - which I suppose is a good thing, as it means we’re all getting on with our lives, but I miss the Crackers! I just logged in to do the password change they required, so it seemed like a good time to say hello again.
I’m well (touch wood) and enjoying life - recently taken up cycling again after many years, because we’re now living near to the Thames towpath in north Kingston, so I can ride for miles on the towpath, or in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, without having to go on the road, which is wonderful.
Still struggling with the side effects of Letrozole, mainly aching bones and tiredness, but now the cycling is making me aching and tired in a rather more productive way!
Hope you’re all well, too.
Caroline xxx
Hi shellebelle , glad your doing well apart from the side effects of tamoxifen , I didn’t want to post on here as I didn’t want to scare anyone , but I’ve had a new recurrence , I’ve just finished my chemo , so I’m actually on a new thread , chemo aug 2014 , it’s not any easier the 2nd time round , Lv and hugs to you and anyone that pops in , hope you all had a good Xmas and wish you a happy new yr xxx
Oh no, I’m so sorry to read your news Lisalouw. Having to face chemo again must have been awful, so I hope you had and are still getting all the support you need now your chemo is finished. Fingers crossed this time round you will be rid of the evil “C” for good. I’m sure if any of the other Crackers stop by, they will also want to wish you all the very best too. Once a Cracker…always a Cracker!!! xxx
Thank you shellebelle , it means a lot , the crackers got me through some dark times the first time round and we even managed to laugh and rant at our horrible situation , it was such a shock though, also could not use cold cap this time so bald at mo which is a novelty I don’t want to repeat , also opted for double mastectomy , my choice , I’d only just got my hair to where I could put it up in a bun too , grrr , god dam cancer , very frustrating , nice to hear from you though xxx
So good to hear from the Crackers of 2012. I intended to post on Christmas Day as I too was thinking of you all and will do every year as I pop my ‘cracker’ bauble on the tree. So sorry to hear if your recurrence Lisalou. Having a double mastectomy must’ve been really tough. I hope the op was successful and you are not in any pain. Hope too you are managing to endure the chemo
I have been a bit of a rebel and chucked the Tamoxifen after 2 years due to bone and nerve pain. That was 5 months ago. Sadly still flushing away and aches are ever present but luckily all scans are clear so far. Very puzzling. It seems the loss of oestrogen has hit me hard.
Hair also continues to thin despite stopping the pills. Woes aside I’m glad to be here and thankful for the support and laughs that got us all through those chemo days and nights three years ago. Good luck Crackers. Xxx
Thank you Cybele please keep holding me in the light as sometimes it’s so scary it takes my breath away , glad you doing well and nice to hear from you , Marie lovely to hear from you too , sorry you having problems with the tamoxifen , hope you start to feel better soon now you stopped taking them , I’m just getting over a horrible cold , had my last chemo and got a lymph clearance on 20 th jan , my sentinel was positive , so please keep your fingers crossed for me for good results , my head is like a fizzy peach at mo which is new to me as didn’t lose all hair last time so hoping it will start to grow back soon xxx
Hello Crackers,
Good to see the thread running but very sad to hear of QD’s death, such a short time time after secondary diagnosis too.
I’m obviously still here and currently NED on CT scans, after a second run of aggressive treatment. Tumour activity was picked up in liver & lungs again in Dec 14, cut out surgically. That’s a rarely used solution for sbc, justified by my onc owing to few tumours in peripheral locations, stable for 2 years in rest of body.
It’s taken me nearly a year to rebuild strength and learn to cope with Letrazole aches and I had to give up my job in the end. Otherwise all’s well and I’m looking forward to the next few months, being well enough to do things.
Sorry to hear Lisalou you’ve been on chemo again. Hope it’s done a good job for you. I honestly don’t know whether I’ll ever be prepared to do it again, so glad I have other drug choices for now.
Marie, there are other anti-oestrogen drugs you could try. I hear some oncs will prescribe post menopausal ones like Letrazole, in conjunction with Zoladex injections to shut ovaries down. But I agree with Cybele, anything anti-oestrogenic is awful, opposite of HRT.
Wishing you all well and hope to be checking in again at Christmas… Sarah x
Just popping in to wish you all well this December. I’ve remained stable on maintenance treatment this year and am heading for scans in Jan with fingers crossed.
Sarah x