Evening Vals,I have just lost a great long post !!! 
I was away the wknd had fab time on sailing barge on R.Orwell for dads birthday.Was reading posts from monday onwards but never had time to post myself.Had girlie night in mon at eldest daughters with youngest G.Daughter,we walked Stanley the Beagle,then prepared chilli pasta then watched Les Mis.Was lovely evening but by weds had chilli bum Lost about 4lbs so was worth it.Tues my dear friend took me to lunch,expected to go pub,but ended up at Orsett Hall for lovely afternoon tea,paid for by her.She said she planned it for my 60th at xmas but obviously events took over.She is so lovely 
I fell asleep after dinner that night for 2hrs then 1.5 hrs later I went to bed,I am so suffering fatigue,also dry mouth still annoying and water tasting not sweet.It must be accumulation of chemo.
Went to allotment yest as got up with some energy,had cabbage and broccoli plants from sis to put in also courgettes and cues,so had to go.Was hot humid day,took it easy,sat and half laid on grass to weed between rows,sowed more beets and spring onion.Hubby rotovated bed for green stuff,so planted them.Then we spent next few hours bickering whilst he made a cage to cover the greens to keep pigeons and butterflies off.Bickering is what we do best.Neighbour gave me a flowerpot full of strawberries,told me to eat them whilst sitting under the tree reading my paper,(think he wanted to shut us up) 
Had call from hosp to go this morning for rads planning.Got there 9:30 all done by 9:50.Thought it would be scary going in the polo mint scanner but was fine.Tiny black dot tattoos,one on breastbone other on side of breast.Gave me start date 1st july finish on the fri,as I am on fastrack trial.
Linda well done for the up to date table,really useful,I will be on Letrozole for 5 yrs,to start when I start rads.Will have a DEXA scan at some point for bone density.
Kath love to sing along with your poems.xxxx
Annabelle good news for you.Hope you finish treatment soon.
Naughty bottoms still playing up for some of you,wattie Karen was reassuring for you that red is not such a worry,dark is.My friend had a fissure,took ages to clear up simply because of where it is.
My nails were very dry but improving,got half eyebrows and lashes.still use mascara and a little pencil on brows helps define them.
Wishing all of you well.Need to post before I lose it again!!Love and hugs Chris xxxx<3
I’ve updated the chart again.
Evening vals well I survived my first rads!
got given my own blue gown and blanket in a bag to carry with me each day I come. I’m having tomotherapy over here so lay down and they started to line me up with my tattoos. First you have a ct scan to make sure all lined up then the treatment. Well as karen says the hardest part is staying still and I wanted to cough as soon as I lay down. Had the ct then came out of the scanner and seemed to wait for ages then the radio people came in with the consultant and I said is that it and they said no there’s a problem!
Well you can imagine what immediately went through my head!!! They have seen something on the ct?! The problem was they couldn’t align me up properly. So much shifting and repositioning they tried again and thank god all was well.
No problems no pain but it was my first. I then went into see the nurse afterwards who again said no perfume, soap and perfume free shower gel and no deodorant. she then gave me a prescription for these two gel patches to keep in the fridge and put on my boob 2 hours before my treatment and keep on until I go to bed then put them back in the fridge. She says no cream nothing on boob just the gel patches, so I’ve got a box of them to collect tomorrow! We shall see how well they’ll work? Also to wear cotton next to my skin and no underwire bras.
im having 29 in total, 1 down and 28 to go! Last rads appt I have a meeting with consultant so will then be given my hormone therapy and discuss next mammogram I suppose?
I have the times for all my rads and the worst one is at 19.10 tomorrow evening so with my three hour round trip that’s me home at about 21.00. I’ll miss eastenders!!!
please keep me posted on rads treatment in uk as everywhere seems to be different and it’s , not just country but hospital to hospital.
virtual (((((hugs))))) to you all
night night karen xx
Hi,
My mouth/taste is the worst thing about TAX Linda. The dentist did warn me about lack of saliva causing tooth decay and he gave me both mouthwash, which is foul and some special toothpaste on prescription. My doctor prescribed a synthetic saliva spray, Glandosane, which would be very good if it didn’t make me fee so sick. The problem is purely psychological I fear. It is like spraying spit into your own mouth!!! I believe there is a peppermint version which I think might overcome the problem …
Tonight I bashed pork loins flat and rubbed with lemon, S&P, garlic and a little olive oil. Then I dipped them in egg and breadcrumbs anfor flash fried them in fry light. We ate them with Mediterranean couscous and a salad. It’s the first thing I’ve really enjoyed for over a month since chemo number 5
I’ve heard of the gel pillows and am going to investigate the ones Karen has too. My night sweats are really bad so anything that can helcaisson worth a punt.
Yvonne, hope you go on ok tomorrow. Your hair growth sounds fantastic. Mine is still very fine stubble but then, TAX5 put paid to every last bit of body hair. I went to an open day at Dr Kershaws and someone there gave me a couple of samples of Mythic Oil by L’Oreal. It’s really nice and I’ve been rubbing it into my scalp and what little hair I have every night. I’ve not seen it in any shops but you seem to be able toget it on line for about £12- 14 and few drops does go a long way. Maybe rescue oil would do the same thing 'though and I’ve got that from a pound shop. Use it on my scars. Hope the vet visit doesn’t mean a poorly Chicita?
Hope your bloods turn out OK Jo, my doctor’s going to be soooooo thrilled when I show her my rear tomorrow! It will no doubt result in yet more pills or potions to pop, rub or shove in one oriface or other ;-). Glad your mum is doing ok on her Letrozole. I didn’t realise she had BC too, I do hope she’s going on well.
Jackie, I’m a little apprehensive about the reaction of some of the students at our place when I return on Monday. We are a PRU and some of our darlings can be less than tactful! I really want to be brave and go back bald though. I think young people often have hang ups and questions about cancer that they may be afraid to ask. I hope, that if I can be boldly bald, they may be willing to talk to me and so some other good could come out of my situation. I have told the senior management team I would like my experience to be useful so will just have to wait and see.
Ohhhh! Gill, I am sorry your still so exhausted. I have no doubt I’ll be just the same. This morning I woke at 8, got up and had some breakfast then spent an hour messing with my new mobile (smart phones are too smart for me but that’s another story). By 10:00 I was so exhausted I decided to go and lie down for half an hour. I woke up at 2:45! I can’t believe I can sleep so much!!!
Loiuse, I’m glad Rads seem to be kind so far. Wattie, hope yours were ok too and Dyane, think you had your first today.
Sorry if I’ve missed out anyone and hope you all have a good restful sleep I’m trying to stay awake to say hello to my lad who’s driving up from Essex to soend the weekind at home.
Hugs to all MMM xx
Well done Karen X
Morning - forgot to mention!
nurse also said to drink a minimum of 1 litre of water a day and to massage my boob a few times a day too! Husbands eyes light up when told!!! Apparently it’s to keep it soft as sometimes they can garden during rads or get excess fluid build up.
enough said have a good day all xx
Hi all
Thank you for your words of encouragement , steroids taken and all geared up ready for round 3 of Tax , hope everyone having treatment of some kind goes well for you and those that are suffering those horrid side effects will ease.
Milly Molly I don’t yet have a date for wle but surgeon said on Friday that it has to be done with in 4-6 weeks of finishing chemo so I. guess it will be some time in August.
Annabelle x
Thanks Mandy for the info on the dry mouth problem. I’m afraid I would be like you with a mouth spray. I would heave instantly. I struggle to clean my back teeth without heaving, especially if there is too much foam, and as for mouthwash it is a real battle and I end up spitting it out before the full minute is up. This is psychological with me and is nothing to do with chemo. I’ve always hated “things” in my mouth that aren’t meant to be there, including certain textures of food. I know I’m odd. 
I’m pleased to say the dry mouth has almost gone now. It lasts a few days each cycle. Hopefully I have turned the bad week corner and can look forward to a good week before it all starts again.
Well done all you Rads girls, and good luck with your next round Annabelle. I hope we all have a good weekend.
Linda xxx
PS. Jo - I have never seen so many buttercups as I have this year. It reminds me so much of my childhood days.
Wattie, trying to imagine your boobs GARDENING!! I know you meant hardening really. 
Mandy and Linda, I have Glandosane on prescription. Believe me, never had a minty one, but did try the lemon flavoured one once - just as yukky!! If you don’t like the spray, you can buy a tube of Biotene (the first ‘e’ has a grave accent over it) from most pharmacies. It’s a jelly like substance which you spread around the inside of your mouth. It’s quite sweet though, so if you’re not into sweet tasting things, maybe better stick to the Glandosane.
Tup, too late, another one came off this morning!! And my thumbnails have finally succumbed!!
Hi Girls,Think dry mouth and horrid taste are subsiding today,thank goodness.Still susceptible to heart burn depending what I eat.Been in garden all day,between phone calls and texts,lovely family and friends around me.Have planted up hanging baskets and pots,a few more to do but the heavens opened,rain crashed down and the gnats started eating me,I’m surprised they still bite me considering what is in my blood.
I am so off many foods,hoping it will help weight to shift,I don’t fancy chocolate or crisps and never know what I want to drink.Fizzy stuff I have a job to get down,I can only sip it and I don’t fancy any squash even lemon.Sticking to tea,occasional coffee which is unusual for me,and water which is starting to taste right now.Hot apple tea is ok too,reminds me of Turkey.
Wattie Karen interesting to hear about rads,they did mention possible hardening and changing shape of breast,not that anyone I know that’s had it has reported any change.I was given names of deodorants we can use,but think I wont bother as not sweating under arms anymore.Think I read about drinking plenty as it makes you dry.The gel pads sound really interesting,aqueous was mentioned to me.Thanks for the reminder of no soap or perfume too.So glad I on Fastrack only got to go 5 times.28 times is a necessary evil.
Kath you are so handy to ask as you have so many ailments you know about most remedies.Multi talented lady.xxx
Linda so glad you have turned the corner for a while.xxx
Annabelle keep us posted on WLE xxxx
Mandy the pork loins sound good,will show hubby how to do them for us,he likes to do the cooking which is handy,except when I cook he seems to think I don’t know what to do(Who did it for years when kids were small and he was at work)bless him 
He is so good really,I rely on him heavily,even though we bicker.
Peaceful healing thoughts to all Valentines Love and hugs Chris xxxx<3
FEC 7 went according to plan. I took a lorazepan late last night and slept right through till 7.30, first good sleep for months but this morning I felt like I had a hangover. I took another happy pill at the same time as my Emend so by the time we got to the hospital I was wobbling and looked and sounded pissed LOL, The chemo nurse who was looking after me fetched a sister to insert the canula, so between listening to a relaxation tape, squeezing a stress ball and the happy pill I didn’t get stressed at all. AND she got it in first time phew…
If se’s are minimal I’ll have no.8 but I’ve already been warned to expect the worst ones yet so it looks like no. 7 was my last and I’m now in the carpark YAY!!! 
I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I’ll probably spend it in or on the bed, only problem is OH grinding and bashing the bottom of the boat which makes a hell of a din inside. Never mind, I can always go and sit in the car and read a book.
X Yvonne
Im home now ladies from the hospital… doped up on 200mg morphine and oral morpine every two hours… oncologist demanded a bone scan while I was in… docs told me that my oncologist will review the results with me so fingers crossed for good news… still in a lot of pain shoulder and breast pain but waiting for meds to kick in properly… sleeping a lot at the moment…
Thank you for all your kind wishes and thoughts both on here and FB …love to you all
p.s down side of all this happening is that hormone and rads are now on hold till results :-((
Evening Sandra,Hope they have good news for you,sorry to hear you in pain,hope all sorted soon.Love and Hugs (((()))) Chris xxxxx<3
Hi Vals
Linda thanks for adding my tamoxifen to the chart.
Chris as we both had 6 FEC I was hoping to get on your trial for rads. Wrong, Ive gone from the 5 weeks that I expected to 6!!
Mandy I think you will rock the bald look plus as you say it could be a good way to get the kids involved and talking about such issues. More power to you.
Annabell & Yvonne congrats on getting to the car park. I hope your SEs are minimal for this last cycle. Don’t worry Linda there is still plenty of space for you & anyone else who is coming up the rear.
Sandra excellent new that you’re home. Lets hope that nothing sinister shows up on your results.
Alison I hope the poo situation has eased.
Jo loved your FB photos of your son & dogs.
Kath like you I have very little in the way of hair, just a little ‘bum fluff’ lol.
Karen K well done on starting the fitness regime. I bet it feels great to start getting control of your life back .
Well girlies I have just got rid of the nausea and dizziness only to have a mouth full of razor blades revisit me - great!! At least this time I’m armed with Difflam, Steroid tablets, bonjella & pain killers … not that they really touch the pain to be honest. I’m glad I only got these for the last two cycles as I couldn’t go through this all the time. I suppose the upside is that as I’m doing the (500 cal) 5:2 diet it’s real easy at the min as I’m to sore to eat lol.
Hope everyone is doing well
Dyane
FEC 100 6/6, Day 11, Antrim Area Hospital
WARNING rant ahead:
So here I am doing my best to get fit to start rads on 1<sup>st</sup> July and what happens:
- combined cock-up at GP surgery / B**ts the chemist means I won’t be getting the specialist lymph-draining compression stockings for my recently developed elephant legs until Tuesday, more likely Wednesday. Chances of being able to walk a mile from the bus stop to onco treatment centre a few days later are now virtually non-existent
- and – the icing on the cake – I have just received a letter from the rads department changing not only the times but also the dates of appointments. Having been read the riot act about the importance of being well enough to commit to treatment without a break, they have now introduced a break into the treatment themselves by cancelling one altogether. Also reduced total number of treatments from 18 to 15.
What is going on?
Bad enough trying to organise 4 hour round trips on my own, feeling pretty rough … then they go and change it all….
Apologies for rant. Normal service to be resumed once I’ve calmed down.
Gill x
Sandra,
Very glad you are home, but sorry about all the pain. At least you are finally getting some sleep, but is it the right kind??? Who knows. Also sorry that rads and hormone tablet have been delayed!! If you’re anything like me, you will hate the fact that nothing seems to be happening to fight the b****r! It looks as though I will have to wait until my oncology appointment on 16th July (after bone scan, which is on Wednesday) before I start my tablets GRRRRRRRRRR!! 
Dyane, if I carry on the way I am, I’ll have no nails left either. I had a close up look at my head this morning. Although I can feel hair, it seems to be invisible to the naked eye. 
Bought some Johnsons Baby shampoo this morning as it was on offer in Tesco. Will use it on my head instead of Simple soap in the hope that its gentleness will encourage baby hairs to grow a bit.
I’m with you Kath, I know that I can feel hair, but no matter which glasses I put on or how I adjust the bathroom spotlight, I can’t actually see it!! Frustrating!! I have decided however that I will try to book an appointment to have all the wispy bits cut off and an sort of pixie cut, so that everything can grow in together.
As for booking a hair appointment, I am discovering that asking for my Rads appointments at about 11am was not a very good idea! No matter how early I get up, the time before the appointment seems to be frittered away in getting dressed, tidying the house and looking at the clock to see if it is time to go to the hospital. We then get home again between 1 and 2pm and I totally collapse for an hour or two – and that’s the productive part of the day gone completely. So I guess I’m just going to have to write off the Rads weeks like I wrote off the Chemo weeks! How on earth you Ladies who are returning to work can do it, I just don’t know!!!
Hugs to all XXXXX Louise
Gill you are entitled to rant. I love the way the hospital always stress the importance of their appointments to us but can change them nilly willy to suit themselves. To them cancer is an everyday occurence (that they have to work with, not live with it) for us it is a traumatic life changing scary situation. If the new appointment doesn’t suit YOU then change it because that’s what I’ll be doing if it doesn’t suit me. Like you I have a 4 hour round trip which I’ll do on my own, so I need it to coincide with the train times and if I travel after 0930 I’ll get a 3rd of my rail fair, so thats what I’ve requested (I also have a 20 mile round trip to the nearest train station to add to the mix). As I have 30 days of this, I can’t afford almost a £10 each day, so if I don’t get 11 or after theyll either have to provide transport or change it. Simples…
Kath I am lucky that I haven’t broken a nail since surgery. I do have naturally strong nails anyway. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been working or going to the gym lifting heavy weights, OR it could be the FEC - who knows. I found losing my eye lashes upsetting. Bad enough having no hair but no eye lashes/eye brows I can’t even get to grips with false ones (and I bought 2 different pairs to try lol).
Louise I think a wee pixie cut will suit you, let us know how it goes … at least you have got something to work with so the cold cap must have been worth the trouble.
Dyane
Rant away Gill, I don’t blame you. Did they give you any explanation for why they’ve reduced the number of fractions? I’ll be having 15 too.
I really feel for you ladies with long commutes to get to radiotherapy centres, never mind the radiotherapy you’ll be knackered from all the travelling, I’d be tempted to get a b&b near the hospital for some of the time to break it up a bit.
Glad you’re home from hospital Sandra, hope you slept well in your own bed. Keeping fingers crossed for good bone scan results for you, how frustrating that everything’s been put on hold.
I got my genetics appointment through, I was offered a date in July, but I couldn’t make it, so I’ll be going in August. Once I saw it in black and white that I have an appointment I had a bit of a wobble as to whether I really want to be tested, but I think it is better to know really, and I feel I ought to be tested for the sake of my sister and my son.
I think, all being well I should have a whole week without a visit to the hospital this coming week (touch wood), amazing!!
Hugs to all
Jo
x
Jo definitely get tested, forewarned is forearmned! I asked to be tested but was politely told no lol. I would rather know & be prepared & on the lookout, than find something late in the day when nothing can be done.
Good luck
Dyane