Dear Karen – as an Oldie, who gets a flu jab every year, I don’t think that you should worry about your reaction. The nurse in our surgery always tells us that it may cause flu-like symptoms for a day or two. Plus, I know that my body is telling me that it is sick of being messed with at the moment, so it is probably just scolding you for yet another jab. Hope it will clear up soon, if it hasn’t already. Happy weekend everybody. I finally took down the Christmas tree today. Couldn’t bear to do it before as I kept thinking it might be my last Christmas; but by now having it up was getting a little embarassing!!! Love all, Louise
Hi all
re flu jabs, I can confirm what Louise says, not that it needs confirmation. I’ve been having flu jabs for several years now, due to lung disease etc. Nurse always says about possibility of flu symptoms. Never had any, but boy, is my arm sore for a week afterwards.
My lovely daughter in law Nicola had a cancer scare last week. Found herself at the breast clinic as she’d been having pains in her breasts and felt lumps. Glad to say, after a mammogram and scan she was given the all clear. They think it was down to hormones. Glad she went to have it checked out though. My son insisted, bad enough his mum having breast problems without his wife joining in!!
Debbie, glad you found us, welcome. Karen, good luck for 29th. Think you will be the first of the Valentines to start the journey.
Hugs to all of you.
Kath xxx
Hello Valentines. Just seen the Les Mis film but strangely unmoved (unlike weeping husband). However, seeing Anne Hathaway’s pixie haircut made me more pro a short cut before chemo starts next month. I have an appointment at the hospital on Monday so I’ll have a better idea of what chemo plan is recommended. But I have to leave the house at 08.30. Yes - 08.30. Since my mastectomy I have often stayed in bed until 10.30!
Hi all,
I had a good day today, this morning we took my son sledging for the first time, which was so much fun and let me forget about all this for a couple of hours.
This afternoon I went and got sorted with a wig. The woman selling them was so helpful, she’s a breast cancer veteran herself so really understood. She spent ages with me making sure we got a style and colour that I was happy with. I’m pleased with the one I’ve ended up with, and I’m amazed how good it looks, and it was quite good fun trying them all on and choosing something. I plan to book in to get my hair cut short next week, if I hate it I’ve now got a back up plan with the wig!! I’m going to order some scarves too though I think.
Good luck for the 29th Karen, at least you have a date now rather than just wondering, sorry you had such a bad day, hope the flu jab effects wear off quickly.
Jo
Morning Valentines. A beautiful if chilly morning in South London. Off to my brother’s for lunch today. He’s a (testicular) cancer survivor and his partner is a chef so I’ll get support and a lovely lunch all in one. Been reading lots of stuff before my chemo plan appointment tomorrow. What’s your experience of how they set out benefits vs side effects?
Angie x
Welcome Angie - sorry you have to be here but we’ll be very glad to lend a hand or a hug on the road when you need it. My arm is numb in places and sore in others (sort of burning sensation). Had ANC on 9th Jan and still keep swelling up. Have had seroma drained twice and will have to have it done again when I go to clinic on Tuesday I think. Not hurting but v hard cos my arm wont go down to my side making sleeping uncomfortable.
Poemsgalore - loved the poem. We’ll all be here next year but hopefully will have all moved on and gained a bit more confidence.
Lola - Not had quite the same dx as you but following WEB and ANC (SNB was 2/2 +ve) my other nodes and margins were all clear but they found a tubular cancer in the other breast. It was horrible news but now I’ve got over the shock I’m glad they found it early. They’re going to WEB and SNB that side next week. I’m pi**ed off because it means more surgery and possible delay to chemo but in the long run it’s not going to have any effect on my treatment plan and at least the bast**d BC will be gone. Good luck and keep us posted.
jenanne - sorry you’re going through it again. I’m worried about make up when my hair goes. Not going to try cold cap as a cold head makes me feel sick. Do you have to put make up on your bald head or blend it in like you do at your jaw line. Will look into ‘Look Good Feel Better’ for ideas, thanks Sandytoes.
Mrspiggy16 - hope you are coping. It’s such a shock. It made me feel numb and although I sound very practical and confident when I talk to my non BC friends my head is bursting with panic that I don’t want to burden people with. Some of the threads on this site are fantastic for letting you show real feelings that you may not want to show to those close to you.
Ooops, this has turned into a bit of an epic but I lost the thread for a while and want to catch up with you all.
Good luck and courage for all waiting for results and appointments.
Hugs,
M x
Edit : I need to read on as I’ve just realised I’ve posted after only reading half the thread!
Epic Part 2
Karen - Good luck on Tuesday. My 4th op might make me a late Valentine but as we’ve started to get to know each other I’m sure they’ll keep us! Sorry you don’t like your hair cut. Want to have mine cropped but am waiting for a date for onc so dont want to jump the gun.
Am a bit worried - no one’s mentioned a flue jab to me. Am 52 should I ask?
Angie - I have a pre op at 8:30 so will really have to get my skates on tomorrow. Not worked since my dx in November (had 3 ops so far and is easier school to get regular supply than me keep bobbing in and out but am worried about long term work) and like you have been a bit on the tardy side in the mornings! Good luck tomorrow.
Jo, how did you find someone to talk wigs with. Think I’m thinking to far ahead as my surgery’s not over yet and nobody seems to have a plan for me.
M x
MM_M I too am checking tomorrow on having a flu jab. I usually get one in the Autumn, but m/x etc. put it out of my mind. I go for TcH on Thursday, and altho’ left it a bit late, I think I will still be able to have jab. On chemotherapy we are so vulnerable to infection, so I hope I can get this. Re. makeup - I need help myself on this, particularly facial skin cover. I would like to get a good sheer tint for face that hasn’t got ‘foundation’ in it. Chemo can make you look weird, so all makeup tips welcome!!
Angie Re. chemotherapy side effects…the number/degree of the side effects varies so much between individuals and the type of chemo. The whole thing is worth it tho’ to get rid of the BigC, only you probably won’t think it at the time going thru’ treatment! Before I start my new (2nd time) chemo I will get stuff together in advance to deal with side effects. E.g. constipation tablets, hat/wig etc ready, Nystatin (in case of mouth thrush), mouthwash for sore mouth, make sure I take all prescribed tablets (particularly anti-sickness ones) on time, thermometer to take my temperature. I intend to do as much walking as I can, although fatigue seems unavoidable for everybody. I wasn’t aware on my 1st chemo (FECx6) that it’s possible to have a pulmonary embolism from this (I did). I don’t want to scare you, just to let you know that walking/moving around as much as poss. can ward this off. Forewarned is forearmed! Just monitor the way you feel and always check any worry with medical team. You think you will never feel better, but after treatment you DO! Energy, etc slowly comes back and you feel good.
Hi All - and welcome to everyone that has joined since I was last on. I am sorry you also have to be here, but seeing as we are all in the same boat we can all move forward together.
As there are so many posts I cannot respond to them all - but many others already have. But one does stand out for me - PURPLE NAILS!!! zx (dog typing)
So I haven’t been on for a while. I have been really busy at work trying to hand over all my projects and responsibilities. I finished work on Thursday for a year. It was then that it all hit and I had a couple of days of feeling sorry for myself. One of those days was my birthday - so I had a lot of friends and family here cheering me back up with lovely food, company and pressies. I am now back to normal (whatever that is).
So the other reason I haven’t been on here is my new puppy - and the best birthday pressie ever (except the eternity ring my husband bought me). He is also the reason I am now up. He woke up at 4 this morning, hungry and playful. I got him out to play and at 5 gave up any idea of getting any more sleep. He is now out for the count next to me on the bean bag. But I cannot me mad at him as he’s so gorgeous (he’s an 8 week old cockbcvx er spaniel).
I have now got my start dates. #
@}N B} (more dog typing)
I have my heart scan on Thurdays this week, go to see the chemo ward on Friday and start chemo on 8th. I am having 6 FEC a short break followed by radio and tamoxifen. It’s good to have a start date, but very very real now.
I have this week off work and am going to enjoy my time with Laity (dog) before it all gets going.
In a way I can’t wait - but then I would rather not too.
Lets get this started - Alison
millymolly_m - When I went for my oncologist appointment and signed the consent for chemo the chemo nurses gave me a £90 voucher to put towards a wig from one of their approved suppliers. The lady I went to was on that list and had set up the business after she was diagnosed as she felt that support in that area was poor when she was going through it all. She was brilliant.
I have the flu jab annually through work, but none of my oncology team would know that I don’t think and it’s not been mentioned to me at all.
Jo
This thread is just so good for picking up helpful bits , I know most things to avoid lymphodema but not about hot tubs & saunas so thanks for that , plus I never even gave it a thought about putting my foundation on without a hair line , it actually made me laugh!
Im on antibiotics got an infection , just off to see bcn to see if I can proceed with chemo tomorrow I will be devastated if I can’t start , perfect scars on Thursday , flu jab Friday then boom infection but gp reckons its just a coincidence , I’m not sure myself altho I hope it is because if I’m this poorly after a little flu jab then god help me when I go hardcore !!
Thanks to everyone who has wished me well for tomorrow will keep u posted , hi to everyone new hope u find it great support, milllyMolly if you work in a school I don’t blame you taking time off children are little germ machines as u will know & Happy birthday Alison I loved both of your presents !!
as for the hair still don’t like it which infact is great because I’m now actually looking forward to it falling out !! Just need to get my skates on & get a wig & some scarves !! Was thinking of treating myself to a Gucci or Chanel with the excuse that I need to feel good however after seeing the price i will stick to top shop ! As I intend to have a scarf/ hat burning ceremony when this is all over & done with
Hello Valentines,
millymolly_m Sorry to hear you’ve needed draining. I have been very swollen and bruised following my radical mx and ANC on 2 January but my surgeon has decided to see how the swelling goes. It has reduced a lot by itself thankfully But let’s see what she says on Wednesday.
i start chemo on Friday 1 February for 18 weeks. I will also be given Herceptin over 12 months as I am HER2 positive. This seems to be good news as it increases the ‘cure’ rate. May go for the chop on Thursday! Like you Karen1971 I need to organise scarves/hats/a wig pretty sharpish!
Only one day this week completely hospital free. What shall I do with myself tomorrow?
Angie x
Good afternoon Valentines. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
Millymolly - poor you, 4 ops is a lot to go through. I will be thinking of you next week.
Cucumber - your puppy sounds wonderful. My beautiful dog had skin cancer last year. She had a lump successfully removed from her neck, so she knows what I’m going through!
Karen - if you want Gucci, then have Guicci. Go for it girl! I have my fingers crossed your chemo can go ahead.
I am starting to get paranoid about this avoiding infection thing. Had the flu jab last autumn along with the pneumonia one and was fine. No side effects at all and so glad it is over and done with. Just the dentist to face on Thursday as I know I will have to have an extraction. Why oh why didn’t I have it done when the dentist first told me there was a low grade infection in there!! It doesn’t hurt, that’s why, but now I know it must be done and I will have to suffer a gap for quite some time as there may not be enough time to get a replacement tooth before chemo starts.
I have always been a forward planner, so I too will be getting a little medical bag ready - and not just things for side effects but also stuff for cuts and grazes. New towels just for my use, too. I may ask the nurse what they give you in the little goodie bag before starting chemo.
Make-up never occured to me either. I rarely wear any to be honest, but if chemo makes me look anything like I did immediately after my op with all that blue dye stuff I will need some. I looked like I’d had a heart attack I was so grey with blue lips! Thankfully it didn’t last long. Still have the rather fetching bue nipple though!
xxx
Good luck to Karen and AngieK (and any other of you Ladies whom I have missed), who are starting chemo this week. As soon as you feel strong enough, we need full reports! I start on the 6th and am alternately elated and terrified! Tomorrow is my pre-assessmet – which I almost missed because I misunderstood the pile of letters that all arrived last week in one envelope. Thank goodness I called the Clinic because if I had missed it, the whole process would have been derailed!
On one of the other threads I have been reading, they decided to tell each other where they lived. I wondered if any of you would be willing to do that – as I thought it would be quite interesting to know. In that thread there was one lady in Cyprus (whose doctors wouldn’t even tell her what drugs were in her chemotherapy) and one in western Canada. I live in rural Test Valley in Hampshire and am being treated at University Hospital Southampton – which has been absolutely brilliant, so far. I’m just so glad this horrid disease struck me here and not when we lived in the West Indies, when getting treatment would have meant leaving my husband to finish his contract and coming home to Britain to impose on one of his siblings while I went through it all. Thank goodness for small mercies. With love to all you brave Ladies – Louise
Hi all and welcome to new members!
Haven’t read everything in detail yet as been mainly sulking about whats ahead but think I’m done with that now!
Have been gathering goodies for “chemo caddy”, playing with new hats and scarves and trying to think of some fun things to do when I’m having a “good” day.
Karen, hugs to you and best of luck if you go ahead tomorrow! Also I think that once a Valentine always a Valentine so even if your start date falls a few before or a few after, what is after all a very short month, we are still all in this together!
I have had a flu jab and a pneumonia jab in the last couple of weeks, flu jab gave me a headache and mild aches and pains and the pneumonia jab “just” gave me a sore arm. My oncologist had to look up whether they were recommended and it turned out that they were. If you are not sure might be best to ring GP to ask if you can’t speak to ONC as they may be able to give advice.
Alison. a belated Happy Birthday! What great presents 
I’m sure your puppy will bring you lots of joy! I have a black Lab, it’s a great reason to get togged up and go for a walk and she never leaves my side at home, where ever I am, she is always snoozing nearby.
Lola, I was terribly paranoid about infections but when I looked up how to avoid them it was all just common sense advice. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom / before preparing food or eating / after being outside, don’t share towels, reheat food properly, store food properly and a hundred other things that you probably already do every day. The way I understood it, is that if you don’t risk infections normally, then carry on, but if you are unlucky enough to get an infection, don’t ignore it, make sure you see a doctor straight away as you will need antibiotics to fight it and the sooner you do this the more effective they are.
On thinking about whether there is any benefits to chemo, (apart from the obvious that it may save having to go through this again!) I’m afraid I could only come up with two! 1. No need to Wax / Shave / Pluck for a while and 2. No bad hair days for a while :-/ Sorry I couldn’t think of anything better! I’m just focussing on how good it’s going to feel when it stops and hoping that it’s not going to be as bad as I imagine.
Will try and read all posts in detail later as just skimmed through before posting but for some reason I have a picture of purple fingernails and animal prints wigs in my head!!
Hugs to you all and good luck to anyone with appointments looming!
Elaine x
P.S. My scar has been really itching today, probably means it’s healing still but has anyone got any tips on how to scratch without drawing attention?!!
Millimolly, sorry to hear you are still having problems. Hope it doesn’t hold your chemo up. Definitely get your flu jab done before it starts, it’s not an age thing when you’re heading for chemo. Good luck for your FOURTH surgery.
Jenanne I’ve only ever had Nyastin on prescription, but buy one from chemist called Daktarin.
Alison, Had to read your post twice as when I got to the bit about “ He woke up at 4 this morning, hungry and playful.” I thought you were talking about OH. Lucky girl getting a new eternity ring. Glad you enjoyed your birthday.
Louise, to start things off, I live in Long Eaton. It’s on the border between Notts and Derby.
Elaine, I also keep a little bottle of anti bacterial hand gel in my caddy, in case I can’t get to the wash basin.
Well, Thursday is the day I go to look round the chemo unit and chat to the nurses. There will be about six of us. I hope they give me my date then. I want to know as it is my birthday on 16th (62) but that’s on a Saturday I think, so shouldn’t fall on a treatment day.
Good luck to all those starting this week and those having surgery.
Hugs Kath xxx
I have a date… I have a date…I have a date… It doesn’t say when the chemo is starting but I have an appointment with the Onc on Thurs Feb 14th. I’ve been told that chemo is always on a Thursday and that you usually have your first dose the week after your consultation. So fingers crossed for first session on 21st.
If thats the case I don’t think I’ll be due another until after Easter. We’ve got a trip to France booked from Maunday Thursday until the following Wednesday. We’re taking our car and staying with friends. Do you think I’ll be allowed to go? or do you have to stay in the country while you’re haveing chemo?
Thanks to all of yuo who replied to me by name. This thread is getting so big that’ll be very hard soon. Tghink I might make notes to try to keep up with you all 
.
I presume we can post personally to each other regarding exact locations/hospitals and so on to maintain privacy of docs etc? Not sure how to do it …
M x
WOW millymolly Feb 14th that makes you a REAL Valentine. Congrats. You deserve something good to happen after all you’ve been through.
Hugs Kath xxx
Ha! Ha! so it does Kath. Thank you. x
Brilliant news Millymolly, and defo a real Valentine. I hope you make it to France - did you manage to get travel insurance? Hope so - sounds like a brill thing to do.
xxx