Happy sunday sparklers,
Day 17 I am feeling a lot more positive today, I am still losing my hair but getting used to loosing clumps, I think I will have it cut into a short bob tomorrow, I bought a hat yesterday and went christmas shopping. I have been outdoors for a walk today!no SE at the mo. I made contact with a local breast cancer charity called Crazy Hats, they called me back and invited me to coffee and to meet some of the volunteers.
Col123 and Lucypenney thank you for your kind words I can do this it is only hair! I hope you are both well, I am sending you both a virtual hug. 
x
Welcome Peppers mum, SuziSuz and other new members we are here to listen and help were we can. 
x
Fantastic advice from you all as usual you are all very supportive to each other and we are all very brave, a big hug I hope you are bearing up well today and the SE are managable.
Jellymould you have done so much this weekend be proud! 
Busy week this week, it is husbands birthday Tuesday I will cook a surprise meal and have a couple glasses of fizz, bloods Wednesday, wedding anniversary and 2nd FEC Thursday.
Keep sparkling my beautiful brave sparklers x x
Hi all.
was not superwoman yesterday only managed 20min walk with the dogs cold weather and black ice got me. Managed the pub at night for hour. But not done much today been a bit tired. Not had any antiemetics today so pleased about that.
Keep strong sparklers xxx
Thanks Col, will try my GP re my eyes as stuff from supermarket hasn’t helped. I’ve heard black / dark nailvarnish can help preserve nails when we start the T part of FEC-T, so its got to be worth a try. My nails at the moment are the best they’ve been for years - less work and more time spent on caring for them, it would be such a shame to lose them now! Keep the poems coming, they’re just great!
My hair just seems to be thinning still, I keep thinking there will be clumps on the pillow, but still just moulting like my dog in Spring! The hoover is working over time.
Had a good few days, lots of friends taking me out for coffee and cakes, I never thought I’d be worrying about putting weight on when I heard I had cancer.
Off for blood tests tomorrow before 2nd FEC on Wed, just trying to make the most of this week in case the next cycle hits my energy levels or makes me sick. I was so lucky last time, just trying to remember what I did and do the same again! Drink plenty of water eat little and often and take the tablets religiously - can’t think of anything else I did.
Good luck to everyone having chemo this week.
hi all. You all seem so positive, it’s great. And you all seem to know so much about your treatments! I don’t really know what I’m having. Three cycles of three syringes and then three cycles of an iv. Anyone know ??? am having my bloods done tomor, then first chemo on Wed. am so nervous and have no real idea of what to expect, but will waltz in there, head high, and crack jokes and make everyone laugh in my usual style. Just privately getting a bit teary and shaky as it all seem to be so real now! Am hoping when I get there on Wed, things will become much clearer and be explained more etc. re; side effects, handling things, what the drugs are etc. And tbh I haven’t read my pack properly, cos my sister in law stole it to be informed and keeps forgetting to bring it. Am grabbing it in the morning so should read through it all properly tomor and hopefully know more. Doh! I need a rocket up my arse! lol.
Hope you all doing ok. re: sickness Peppers Mum, from pregnancy experience, constantly nibbing digestive or ginger biccies has been a big help in the past for me. Maybe it’s worth a try if you haven’t already?
Suz
Suz, 
most of us were so scared too, & not sure what was going to happen, when you have your bloods done tomorrow, the chemo nurse should/will explain your treatment/side effects etc, the fear is the worst feeling, we are all here for you each of us are waiting for or have had our first treatment and ready or have had our second cycle. I am on Fec treatment I have my second cyle on Thursday , I have three drugs administered via a portacath, that was fine the cold cap was a strange feeling though. We have to remember that chemo is the medicine to whack the cancer, it is bearable & we are here for you.
Breast cancer care have a helpline, look on the home page for the number, they were/are fantastic, the lady I spoke with was so calm and had been through what we are going through now, she saved my saninty, she also offered me a peer counsellor, who rings me on an evening every couple of weeks you decide the time etc together, she spoke with me before my treatment and now calls me after my fec, she listens & offers valuable support. All the peer support people have been through a similar experience to us & are at least five years on. They are so inspirational give them a call if you think it will help you.
Love to you all sparklers my thoughts are with the people who are having their treatment this week.
Be brave & keep sparkling x x
Morning all,
Off for a wound check today but have to say it looks the best it ever has, so fingers crossed!
Hi Suzi, glad to see you made it. Its only natural to be scared and teary. I was terrified before my first treatment [I’m having EC, rather than FEC, as I have stomach problems already] What works for me is being is as informed as possible not sure the doctors and nurses agree when I start firing questions but hey, its my body and my life! I’ve got a lot of leaflets/information off this site which have been invaluable. The support from from fellow Sparklers helps too as it helps me feel ‘normal’ in this parallel universe I find myself in. If you want to chat you have my number and I’ll be in tonight after 8 [I’m going out for my tea early evening]. Feel free to ring if it helps. My advice for Wednesday is drink plenty of water starting on Tuesday. The side effects I had were thrush, bit of nausea and a dull head ache for a day or two after treatment. As others have said, take the tablets religiously and eat little and often, rather than big meals.
Welcome to all other new sparklers too. Just remember there is no such thing as a daft question. Ask away, someone on here will have gone through similar things and may have some good advice for you. Also look back at the threads for previous months so you can get some idea of how others have managed.
Glad you are feeling more positive Mummybear, the emotional ups and downs are tough. I watched a couple of christmassy films at the weekend and found myself sobbing my heart out even though they weren’t the best films! I’ve turned into a big softy lol
Peppersmum, I’m using Lanzaprosol for heartburn. Been on it a while due to Crohns and it seems to be working for chemo too in relation to heartburn.
Mags, don’t beat yourself up, just do what you can when you can. Thats what I’m trying to do. The weather doesn’t help though when its cold wet and miserable.
Dealbeach, I’d been told about someone who went off chocolate when they had chemo. Was really looking forward to that as I’m a bit of a chocoholic. I’ve not gone off anything foodwise yet! And I’m getting the same coffee and cake trips. Think my friends are trying to feed me up. By the time I’m finished I’ll look like a big bald buddha 
Going for coffee and cake after hospital today too!
Keep strong and carry on sparkling!
Shazza xx
Hello all!
Just sat waiting for nurse to come and change my picc dressing. She’s 2 hours late! #tuts#
Shazza - hope it goes well at hospital today and you enjoy your coffee and cake! I went off chocolate for 1st 2 weeks which was realy odd for me as I’m a right sweet tooth but its come back this week and I’m munching on a kitkat as we speak!
Lucy - i know what you mean about pressure on oh’s. Mine has been brilliant looking after our little boy when I went into hospital post first fec. It must be really hard on them too. Mine’s not the sort of bloke to talk about how he feels though. Hope you had a lovely weekend with him.
Mags - I think making it to the pub ranks pretty high on an achievements list in the middle of chemo!
Mummybear - I didnt know about the peer support. Sounds interesting. Crazy hats sounds good too. Have ounds like you’ve got a busy week! Hope the hubby enjoys his birthday, Happy Anniversary, and good luck with round 2!
curlytop - welldone on little SE’s although I’m with you on the waterworks front. I’ve had a few tears about my hair this week. Its getting to me a bit. Does you good to have a blub now and then - better than keeping it in.
dealbeach - hope you sort your eyes out and good luck for wed.
hello to Suzisuz - poor you with bloody tonsilitus! You must think give me a break. 5 kids in the house!! blimey! I’ve only got one and he’s also 5. He’s been brilliant up to now, really taking it all in his stride. He was upset when I went into hospital as ive never been away before but we’re trying to play things down and trying to keep things for him as nornal as posdible. I got the mummys lump book too and I used some ideas from it as its good but I didnt like some bits like ‘mummy’s sad, daddy’s worried, they worry it might come back,etc’. Everybody finds different things useful though so its worth a look. Mine knows I’ve got a poorly boobie and the doctors are giving me strong medicine which can make me sick and my hsir’s going to fall out. He’s quite excited about ghe hair loss thing. I bought him a cheap wig so he can play at being a rock star in it! I think little kids help you to take your mind off the whole bc business which can only be a good thing. I think there’s a danger sometimes that it can consume your whole life. Good luck with the chemo.
Peppers mum - Little anc often for sickness. I was so ill i couldnt even kerp water down. Once it settled, I found milk was better for me and ribena rather than plain water, sucking mints, nibbling on arrowroot biscuits, I actually craved salty things once i was esting again so crisps for me!!! Also having something to hand in the middle of the night too just to try and settle a gurgling tummy.
Good luck and love to all other sparklers this week.
Love, Col xxx
Hi sparlers keep shining and and be brave has always!!!
I have my wig fitting tomorrow at 9am via Mcmillan Northampton hospital red or blonde???
Thank you Col where do you live in oxfordxhire I pass there every couple of weeks, on a Sunday, fancy a coffee?
mummybear x x
Thx Col. Great idea about the cheap wig, I might get some for my 3 littlest, apprently Primarni ! doing em for £1.
Thx Col. Great idea about the cheap wig, I might get some for my 3 littlest, apprently Primarni ! doing em for £1.
Hi all
thanks Shazza and mummy bear and Col for your comments. It’s sooooooo nice to feel supported! I have a sneaky feeling you lot might just get me through this in one piece! lol
Will let you all know how Wed goes … gonna enjoy my final two ‘sleeps’ chilling away from the horrendous rain in from of the fire. (with several bottles of water to keep guzzling as advised! lol)
TTFN
You’re all brill thanks
Can i be a sparkler please? I start my chemo in Thursday.
Hi Faith4 and welcome, sorry you have to join us but hope you gets lots of support from reading previous messages and sharing your experiences too. I find it helps to know I’m not the only one feeling like I do.
I’ve been on a bit of a spree on Amazon. Managed to to get eyebrow stencil [£1], semi permanent eyebrow pencil [£3.75] and a wig stand [£4] bit cheaper than some of the places I’ve seen and all seem ok. Arrived really quickly too, withn a couple of days. Not my usual xmas purchases of choice, but couldn’t see them in Boots 3 for 2 offers. Thought someone might find them helpful at some point in the future. The eyebrow pencil is supposed to last a couple of days so hopefully I wont be rubbing it off everytime I touch by eyes/forehead.
Been to the pub for my tea tonight. Had fish and chips, which is the first real meal I’ve had in a couple of weeks. Seem to be coping with it ok and it was lovely!
Keep strong and carry on sparkling!
Shazza xx
Welcome faith4 you are a sparkler we are all here for you, any questions pls ask. We can listen and advice if we can !!
Shazza wig stand I am impressed! So organised!!
Keep sparkling! Nite nite to you all x x:)
welcome faith, you will get great support on this group and we are all doing the journey with you. hugs xxxx
Thank you. I have posted in the recurrence forum but briefly I have a recurrence in the inter mammary lymph nodes (behind breast bone) found during reconstruction surgery last month. Mastectomy and radiotherapy in 2009. Been on hormone therapy since then so it is a shock to say the least especially when my axillary nodes were clear. Anyway this chemo lark is scaring me so I am so happy to belong to this group. Thanks for the welcome and Shazza, I’m off on ebay tomorrow. Haven’t had my wig fitting yet but got the hats etc.
hi you sparkley people
to all of you who’s hair is falling out , does yoru head hurt? as mine is killing me , even though i shaved down to a grade 1 before it statred my head is soo sensative , i even hurts to lie on it 
stay strong and shine sparkley
sarahmartin1970.blogspot.com
Good afternoon sparklers,
Day 18
I went to the oncology wig lady today, I was very lucky as my hair fell out in big clumps this morning and I had a really big bald patch on the top of my head, I pinned it up to cover it up, I went to look at wigs, however after trying on a couple of wigs and discussing the cold cap etc & the dread of more hair falling out in clumps again, I was brave & had all my hair shaved off there was bald patches all over my head.
I am now the owner of a fabulous long brunette wig I have been wearing it for six hour, it looks amazing & is very comfortable. I love it!!! I also ordered a short blonde bob wig to arrive in three weeks. Debbie was so helpful, when my eyebrows/eyelashes fall out she will help me with my make up. (Angel)
A big thank you to my fellow sparklers, I have been sad & a little down you offered me support & encouragement, I am now ready to face my second FEC on Thursday. You are all so brave keep on shining brightly
I hope you are all feeling the best you can today and not suffering too many SEs
SLM272 I asked about the strange feeling from my head today, the wig lady explained was was the chemo drugs, that made you feel that way. Ask your nurse for advice. X x
Welcome Faith.
I went to see my onc today and for once he wasn’t late,
It’s usually about 90 minutes that he likes to make me wait,
He’s very touchy feely and he had a good old grope,
But he said the lump is going so that gives me eternal hope.
He also gave me new pills that should stop me being sick,
And if he’s wrong again I’ll be giving him a big kick,
It’s round 2 for me on Monday and ‘bring it on’ I say,
And then there’s Xmas shopping - oh thank god for e-bay!!!
Col123 I love these you are so clever , you should put all these in a book and get it on amazon lol , xx
keep sparkling xxx