New to this site (which is just brilliant at giving straightforward advice) and new at posting stuff. It’s helpful reading about what others are going through and all the various questions and concerns. I’m due to start chemo in early February after a mastectomy and removal of my lymph nodes. It is weird how my underarm can be numb and yet sensitive/painful at the same time! Just waiting for the appointment at the Royal Marsden and checking out scarves and wigs on the Internet in the meantime. Do I go plain or animal print? Hmmm…
Hi Ladies, hope you are all doing well today.
Welcome aboard Angie - not sure an animal print wig would suit you, but hey ho, each to their own! 
I rang the BCN for my surgery results today and it is good news and bad news. 3 lymph nodes were taken and all 3 are clear, the lump was removed with clear margins, and there is no vascular involvement. Brilliant news!! (IDC grade 3)
However, it seems there is some DCIS still in there, and like the IDC it is grade 3. This will have to be treated, and exactly how it is treated will be down to my surgeon who I see next Wednesday. Should I be worried? Has this happened to any of you lovely ladies?
Welcome Angie
Sorry you have found yourself in this place none of us want to be in, but another member to the Valentines is a bonus for the rest of us. Royal Marsden heh, I’ve heard that is one of the best breast cancer centres in the country, although my own (Nottingham City Hospital Breast Institute) is pretty special too.
Animal print every time for me, brings out the tigress in me grrrrowl. Just joking, I’m a pussy cat really, only I haven’t done any purring lately.
Louise, phew, thought I’d completely lost my marbles there. Wearing pretty earrings will make a difference when we’re bald. I’ve just got gold sleepers in as my hands are fumbly enough as it is. Make sure you wear a comfy pair that look nice, as when you get chemo fingers you might have trouble changing them.
Sarah, you’ve got me blushing now. I must admit, it does seem apt for our situation at the moment, thank you for the praise, but don’t give me too much or I’ll get big headed.
Bought myself a couple of beanie hats from Tesco. I too have been looking online Angie, but I don’t want to have to set up an account with somewhere I probably won’t use again, and the ones on Amazon are a bit limited.
Hope you all have a good weekend, but I’m sure I’ll be back on here before Monday. I’m addicted.
Hi Yankee!
Sorry for the delay - have been in hospital getting my new boobs! Out now and lounging around watching loads of TV.
I’m not sure if you need to cut your hair any shorter. I wished I hadn’t cut mine so short! What chemo are you having? A few ladies I met who had just FEC (no TAX) didn’t even cut their hair shorter! It was still halfway down their backs and worked well. I cut mine short as my onc saiit that the cold cap wouldn’t work for me so I was expecting to lose it all. I did lose ALOT! But hung onto enough to get away with a hair do shortly after my final chemo.
If your hair is thick, add an extra 15 mins onto your wearing time before they administer the chemo.
GOOD LUCK! So glad you all have each other. My June group was so supportive and we met up after chemo which was lovely.
Big hugs. X
Lola65. I think an animal print wig would be a big talking point!
Thank you for the welcome poemsgalore! I look forward to seeing how well us Valentine babes progress.
I’m just looking on the Internet for websites that do hats with hair attached - just looking now at headcovers.com.
Last time, on FEC, I had my hair shaved off - my hair grew back very soft and curly and now over 2 years later is back as it’s always been, neck/shoulder length, thick & straight with a slight wave.
I had a wig which I hated after wearing it out for a while -it was itchy, and I chose a style which was too short at the back, so I was constantly pulling at the back and round the ears, afraid my baldness would show.
Scarves definitely don’t suit me, and I wore a soft hat indoors. Anyway, I’ll be having TcH treatment soon, will lose hair again, so I am making sure I get the right headgear this time!
I think that a hat with hair attached would be good to get, and/or a wig which is like my present length and style.
I will still have head shaved, because I wouldn’t want a mixture of ‘old’ and ‘new’ hair -would rather have completely new hair growth.
I would appreciate any tips on good skin makeup, to make my face look as ‘bright’ as possible, because I really need to feel confident about the way I’ll look, during and after this treatment.
www.randrconfidence.com have some really pretty headscarfs and hats& accessories for them too e.g corsages although probably cheaper to make your own.
Sarah x
Hi Jenanne,
Sounds like you’re a bit of an expert (sorry you’re having to go through it all again) and presume you’ve heard of Look Good Feel Better? Definitely worth booking onto for some goof make-up tips and wonderful goody bag. There’s usually a bit of a waiting list.
I’ve written a few of my beauty tips here: B is for… Beauty Tips During Chemo | Chemo For Beginners - an A to Z of all things "C"
x
HaloB and Sandytoes - glad of your help! I want to be able to carry on going to my local pub and I was thinking it would be difficult for me if I was feeling ‘down’ about the way I looked - and I enjoy going there. I want to be able to enjoy this year as much as poss. without any hair/makeup problems!
Jen xx
Just looked at Sandytoe’s site - info on skin products and makeup is appreciated.
Hi hope I can join you too.
I was Diagnosed with BC last thurs and found out today that it is invasive ductal stage 3 and I am booked in for a mastectomy on tues followed by chemo and possibly radio to follow later on.
I found it reassuring how many of you were discussing cutting your long hair short before chemo as that seems to be the route that I am considering too.
lets fight this, I refuse to let cancer win!
Welcome to AngieK and Mrspiggy16, sorry you needed to join, but glad you are here!
Jenanne- I thought Headcover.com had the best selection on the net, but when I went to order they seemed to be a US firm, and didn’t say anything about shipping to the UK (if of course, you are in the UK – never know for sure just talking with you on the weB!) The only UK site I have been able to find that does a fringe of hair for under hats was bohemiaheadwear.co.uk
Sandytoes - congrats on your new additions! and thanks for your advice about holding off on cutting my hair any more. I am on FECx4 and TAX x2, I would think the latter would be the real risk, but at least by the time I get to that it might be more like Spring weather!
Lola65 - I have lobular cancer, so am different from your ductual for starters; but that said, in the path report after my second operation there was mention of some LCIS having been found in the margins of the second excision and the surgeon didn’t seem to think that any more surgery was necessary. I am assuming that the idea is that the chemo will clean these up. I also noticed when reading some of the US cancer websites, that they referred to DCIS as “pre-cancerous”, don’t know if that is the same in UK. Obviously you should check about your situation with your consultant, but I wouldn’t get too worked up about it beforehand. Easy to say!
And finally For those of you with small children - I was reading some of the other threads to see whaat lay ahead of us all, and on the October Pumpkins came across what I thought was a briliant idea. The lady bought all sorts of glitter and stars and things and sat down with her daughter and made a card for each chemo session. At the point that I have read to so far, she has had her first chemo session and the next day she and her daughter tore Number One up into little pieces. I don’t even have kids, but I thought I might do the same!
Love to all and goodnight, Louise
Yankee, headcovers.com DO ship to the UK… you click on ‘customer service’,click on ‘ordering information’, scroll down to blue coloured section ‘international shipments’. I loved the hats and fringes.
Thanks Jenanne – so glad I didn’t order second best from somewhere else as Headcovers.com seemed to have all the things I wanted most – not, of course, that I really want any of them at all!! Cheers, Louise
Elago No letter yet but expect I will get something in the post next week. Sorry to hear you had a bad day today and hope tomorrow is a beter day for you
HaloB I have Acrylics and asked my Onc and BCN if I had to take them off during chemo, they both said no. They said if I did start having problems with my nails I could take them off or they would just fall off.
Glad that you are feeling good now that dates and appointments are coming through .Onwards and upwards
Sandytoes Glad to hear that you are out of hospital. Your Chemo for beginners blog is amazing and I directed some of my family and close friends to it so they could understand chemo without being terrified.
Lola65 I had IDC stage 2 and when I had my WLE they discovered intermediate DCIS in the lump too. They managed to get it out all at once with clear margins thankfully. I hope that you dont have to have another op Fingers crossed for you.
Hi Valentines,
I did put a post on this thread a while back, but my post disappeared!! I think it was when there was two threads that were combined together…so I will post again.
I’m 39yrs, I had a grade 3, 4.4cm tumour. I’ve had a WLE with clear margins, and 2/11 node involvement, so had clearance.
All surgery was thankfully straightforward and I’m pretty much on the mend.
I start chemo 4xfec 4xT on Weds 30th Jan. Eeeeeek, very anxious.
When I was diagnosed in November, I cut my lovely thick long hair off into a short crop. I don’t plan on using the cold cap as I get the impression from others it only delays the inevitable and seeing as I’m having 8 blasts I thought when the time comes, I will get the razor out.
I’m er+, HER2+ and Pr+ so will be having the full monty, Herceptin, Tamoxofen. Also 4 weeks of RADS.
Currently not working as not practical to be working at the moment, in my line of work. Hoping to return after RADS towards the end of the year… I’m single, and live alone. Lots of friends calling in and supporting me. I will be stopping with parents during treatment, who live down the road from me. So I will be flitting between my house and theirs according to how I’m feeling.
Its a long long journey, but I’m confident I will get though it, and I’m determined to keep smiling as much as I can and not let the C get the better of my good humour!
I hope I can add a bit of sunshine to the Valentines group.
Debbie X
Yesterday had the flu jab & my haircut short neither went that well !! Not sure on the hair although everyone said it was gorgeous & now I’ve got the chills yet burning up I didn’t think you reacted to the flu jab but obviously I have !
This morning feeling rubbish & I got a letter my first chemo is onTuesday !! Cue for big fat tear to plop ! Sooner I start sooner I finish I suppose … Just hope this temperature thing goes away … At least I only have to suffer my crap hair cut for a short while longer !!
I know I start on 29th Jan but still would like to remain a valentine I’m sure you will all allow me a few days !!
Hope ur all having a nice weekend
Karen xx
Welcome aboard Mrspiggy and Tittlemouse. My word, this group is growing!
Thank you Yankee and Funkilala for your comments on the DCIS that showed up in my post-op path report. I spoke again to my BCN who assured me that in 9 out of 10 cases when this is found within the removed IDC there will be none left behind in the breast. In case I am the unlucky 1 out of 10, as a precautionary measure, it will have to be treated and my surgeon will decide exactly how to do this. It will either be by a cavity shave (small op) or an extra week of radiotherapy added on to my normal rads when they will target the exact area and blast it.
Meanwhile, she told me to go away and celebrate the fact the surgeon removed all the invasive rubbish with good clear margins, and there is no node involvement. Phew!!!
Karen - sorry to hear you reacted to the flu jab. I hope it clears up before Tuesday - and I wish you every bit of luck for then!
Mrspiggy - mine is also grade 3 ductal, but I escaped a mastectomy. Good luck with yours on Tuesday.
Tittlemouse - I suppose in a way you are lucky that there are so many things they can throw at you to get rid of the disease. I’m HER2 positive, so will have Herceptin, but negative for the hormone receptors. Good luck next Wednesday.
I hope we all manage to enjoy our weekend! xxxx
Hi Everyone,
Karen- sorry to hear you didn’t get on well with the flu jab, I had mine yesterday aswell and had a splitting headache by evening time- don’t normally get headaches either!. Good luck for your first chemo, bless you, at least you’ll be able to start ticking them off even though you would rather not be in this position. Wipe that big fat tear away and give your beautiful daughter a big cuddle, I’m sure that will make you feel better!!
Im sure it won’t be long before we all have our dates and have had our first lot of chemo, hopefully all we will be thinking about then is reaching the end rather than the anxiety/ anticipation around when we will start!
Im going out with my OH tonight for a meal and a few wines, children staying overnight with Grandparents, looking forward to a lie in tomorro!
Hope you all have a restful weekend and do something to make you smile!
Sarah xx
I have just been reading up on avoiding Lymphodema and wish I hadn’t bothered! It has depressed me even more - even those of us with only 3 or 4 nodes removed have some risk of it, and it seems this is a forever thing. It’s not so much the Lymphodema that is depressing as the things we are supposed to avoid to lower the risk. Yukki yuk. Hot tubs, steam rooms, hot baths, cuticle treatment when having manicures. All the nice things in life!