Great news Millymolly 
A weekend in France sounds bliss!
I have antibacterial gel at the ready, thanks for the tip Kath!
xx
Hi ladies,
Just back from the Younger Women’s Forum in Bristol. It was so informative and I met some really amazing and inspirational young women - all of us, unfortunately, going through the same thing. It was a great experience and has given me a lot of hope. I met a lot of girls that have been through chemo and come out the other side and they all had one thing to say and that was that “you will get through it”. I know it’s going to be tough but they all said that it usually isn’t as bad as you think it’s going to be. Let’s hope so!!
My first appointment with the oncologist is on Wednesday. Scary times! But glad to be getting on with it now after all the waiting.
Best of luck and love to you all. Xx
GOOD LUCK tomorrow Karen, we will all be thinking of you - stay strong x x x
Sarah x
That’s great to hear, Blue Rose, and brilliant it has given you a lot of hope. Well worth going to it.
xxx
Glasd you enjoyed it Blue Rose. Good luck Karen. x
Good Luck today Karen!!! Will be thinking of you. Alison xx
Good luck Karen, hope today goes smoothly.
I’ve just been for my echo, which was fine, so it looks like it will be chemo next monday all being well (as long as the other half doesn’t give me his manky cold in the mean time).
Need to get booked to have my hair cut now and then I’ll be as prepared as I can be I think…
Jo
Thinking of you Karen! Hope all goes well xx
Karen1971 - hope it all goes well today. Do update us when you can.
poemsgalore - I live in Croydon which is easy to get to and from. I think you were suggesting some kind of get together when we Valentines are up to it. A great idea.
Angie x
Hello again everyone.
I was hoping to have had my appointment by now to have my Picc Line fitted ready to start my chemotherapy at the beginning of Feb.
My Oncology appointment was on the 17th Jan & was told not to go back to work on the 1st Feb as my chemotherapy should be close to start. Today i rang the department & theres nothing there about start date, neither for a Picc line fitting 
I got told that they will email the Day unit to see if they have an appointment allocated to me, also they gave me the phone number so i could call the unit too, but again nothing is there.
Next i got given the phone number of my Oncologist’s secretary, I gave her a call & told me that there had been a booking form put in at the Day unit, I told her id just rang them & they have no form for me to start. The secretary said she would now speak to the Oncologist to find out whats going on.
I will wait now til Thursday, if ive not heard anything i guess i will have to get back in contact with the secretary to find out whats going on.
So far my work place has been very good, i just need to let them know whats going on, also now i just want to get on with the chemotherapy.
Anyone else had any problems like this?
Thank you
Ness
Well that’s one down !! Everything ok so far !! Went for 8.30 had a long wait then started chemo at 11ish just through a Canula , my hands were cold so nurse advised me to wear gloves next time , easier to find vein on warm hands . My arm went cold so they got me a heat pad which was great , the red drug stung a bit more than the others & got a funny sensation in my nose & throat but still ok , nothing to worry about , I’m now back home 1pm snuggled on sofa & apart from feeling a bit spaced out I’m ok … I am trying not to sit around waiting for something to happen but we shall see ! Will keep u updated & thanks for all your lovely messages
Karen x
Well done Karen, hope you don’t get too bad side effects. The first of the Valentines to have chemo. You brave, brave lady. I’m starting to feel all shaky now, makes it all seem more real somehow. Take care.
Hugs Kath xxx
Thanks for posting Karen, will be thinking of you and hoping the side effects are minimal.
The 8th seems like a long way away at the moment and although I’m dreading it, I can’t wait to get on with it either!
Take good care of yourself
Elaine xx
Well done Karen! First one done- tick!! Hope your able to get lots of rest& hope you have a peaceful night, sending lots of positive thoughts your way!
Sarah xx
Karen,
Just think is a few weeks time you will be the first one to say ‘all done’!!! That’s got to be something to look forward to. And of course when we all read that - it will mean we only have one or two left to go ourselves.
I am glad it went well and I hope the side effects are bearable for you. Keep smiling
Alison
Very well dome Karen. My first session is on Friday so it’s reassuring to hear that it went ok for you.
Angie x
Well done Karen, and thanks for posting. Have a lovely evening curled up on the sofa. One down.
Thanks for the tip on warm hands. I shall wear my fleece gloves.
Good luck and take care xxx
To all those umming about the flu jab - my doctors advertised the flu jab for free for anyone in at risk groups. This includes us - as we will have an supressed immune system. It’s best to get it done before you start chemo as it can give a slight immune response. Of course if your immune system is down it may be lots worse. When I went to my doctors to get this done the nurse asked me why I get it free (I am relatively young and fit) and when I told her I had been diagnosed with breast cancer she immediately got the pnuemonia vaccination out too and I had that in the other arm. I suggest you all phone your doctors and ask for both - after all better safe than sorry!!!
PS - don’t expect to do much with your arms for a couple of days though - no weight lifting or similar activities
PPS - flu jab are incubated in egg white and not suitable for those allergic to eggs - pneumonia jab is fine
well after lots of phone calls and a brilliant BCN I have some dates, Thursday for the patient chat(!) and then I start my chemo on Monday 4th. It’s all very real now but I have to thank you all for all the snippets of advice which I have religiously made notes on- stuff for sore mouths sickness drug regimes etc. just praying I don’t get any signs of the cellulitis back again over the next few days , in fact i think I’ll just lock myself away somewhere!
well done Karen, I hope you’re doing good…
Ness- all I can say is keeping nagging and calling anyone you can, maybe your BCN can help like mine did?
Jan x
Well done Karen,
Hoping that you enjoy a restful evening. Will be looking at your updates & anymore tips you may have.
I have my gloves at the ready also!
x