Morning all, well back at the desk and getting on with work. Funny how you soon get back into the stride.
CDC - I can well imagine the worries are creeping in for your operation but you’ll get there and this is the final piece of the jigsaw and you can heal up and move forward knowing you’ve done all you can. Good to hear you have the weight gain for you operation too, I have plenty around my hips, tummy, bottom well everywhere really and am going to try to take that into control now the new year is here… although I still have a shed load of chocolate to get through too.
Fab you are getting on well with Tamoxifen too, just the knees. It will be intersting to see if it improves when you are off them for a couple of weeks… let me know. My stiff limbs are still a nuisance but slightly less so now, just the lower back which aches (see below for possible reason though) and I get the sweating during the night.
I finally got to watch and participate in the Breast Exercise DVD given to me by my hospital. Its really quite good, it was made by Ipswich Hospital Macmillan unit and is aimed at getting movement and flexibiiity back. I did most of it today, its very slow to begin with and you build up as you go but had some great exercises that really feel like they will get my arms and shoulders moving. Made me realise that my hip and back pain is probably down to posture as they point out that once you have had breast surgery you naturally arch forward to protect that area and you shoulders dip and hunch causing stiffness. I need to work on the video and to buy a small pilates ball as some exercises use those. SOme use the resistance bands and that seems like a good thing too.
Michelle - I like your thinking that if you say your fine enough you may just believe it… Im trying that too, not always successfully and I too spend times awake with wandering mind. I would love a whole nights sleep for once, but hot sweats and aches don’t allow that any more. But mustn’t moan as on the whole I sleep ok.
Your DVD sounds good Kip, I think I have quite good movement and flexibility inmy arm until I stretch it above my head, it really feels quite stiff then. I should make more of an effort to stretch it.
I seem fine on Tamoxifen too, no aches just lots of hot flushes.
Jane it sounds like you are doing well, I’m impressed your nurse will come to your work to give your herceptin, that must be really handy for you sonyou can keep working. I hope the remainder of your rads go well.
Mum and dad went home today, lovely to see them but good to have our home back! Hoping to get back in to a routine at last xx
Wow Jane… thats great that the nurse will come to your work for you… wonderful! Glad to hear you are fairing well too, its good to be back at work isn’t it. After I finished my Rads (19th Dec) I haven’t really found I have been too tired, not got sore either although I do have a couple of red patches but they don’t hurt.
Michelle - glad the Tamoxifen is suiting you fairly well. Those sweats are awful though aren’t they. I’m not convinced its the Tamox only causing my aches as it seems to be a SE of the docetaxol chemo for some people too. Perhaps its a bit of both. Last night I had restless right leg all night long and achy feet… perhaps its some sort of neuropathy thing… who knows… just hope it passes. I have been looking up swimming timetables to see if I can get myself motivated to go swimming, thinkign I need to stretch all these muscles. After my work out yesterday with the DVD I am a bit stiff today, so still stretching.
Kip I get the restless feeling in my feet some nights- it’s definitely neuropathy related in my case. I’ve been referred to the pain specialist at the Marsden so it will be interesting to hear any suggestions. I find if I keep off my feet for a couple of days then I can walk pretty normally for the next day or two . I think I’m just going to have to plan my days carefully if I know there will be a lot of walking involved. Still hoping that over time the sensation will comeback properly.
Janie, I’m glad your transition back to work is going well. Only a few more days and you’ll have finished your rads! Great news.
Michelle it’s brilliant you’re getting on with your training. Thanks for your reassuring words with regards to surgery. I’m feeling somewhat calmer today and talking to the surgeon on Monday should also help.
Hi Linda not too long to go now. Hope you’re enjoying planning a holiday. Any ideas where you’d like to go!
How are you doing Jean? Have you managed any more walks? It’s a glorious day here and I managed a little walk around the grounds of the hotel where my OH and I spent the last 2 nights.
CDC - thats really interesting because I find if I haven’t done too much walking my legs, feet and knees don’t suffer at nighttimes as much… but otherwise they are so restless and achey, my feet sometimes feel like I’ve walked 40,0000 steps and I haven’t done a single one… perhaps it is neuropathy from the chemo… whatever it is I hope it slings its hook soon!!
You both talking about neuropathy has made me think, yesterday my feet were really sore to walk on. I had been for a run but only a short one. I’ve been lucky I haven’t had many chemo related SE’s but do have a bit of neuropathy in my feet. Do you know if it is aggravated by exercise or helped? I know exercise helps most things but I’m wondering if the pounding of running might make it worse? I really hope not, I’m loving being back running. I guess I’ll have to just see how it goes. Chemo really is the gift that keep on giving! X
Yes hope you had a wonderful birthday Feenix ?. Glad to read you are getting the list writing going again… And starting to feel less tired and getting the ribs sorted. I have a small pilates ball coming today as lots of the exercises on my dvd use one to assist with movement… Watch this space I’ll report on its helpfullness
Well done Linda not long now! Egypt sounds exciting, I’ve bever been but would love to see the pyramids!
How is the wii fit going Jean? I’ve never done yoga but keep thinking I should sign up for a class, it is supposed to be great for improving flexibility which I could really do with! I hope the exercising has continued to lift your mood. I googled the wooden rower as I’d never heard of them and you’re right they do look great which solves the usual problem with exercise equipment of where to store it!
CDC good idea having a much deserved break away with your OH. I hope you feel refreshed from it.
We went for a walk this morning with our fellow trekkers. We haven’t met any of them before although coincidently I knew one couple as their daughter and mine were in school together. Generally I think the group are fundraisers rather than people who have been through cancer however I did chat to one lady who confided in me that she’d had BC a year ago. She was quite surprised when I said me too! It was really nice sharing our stories. We walked 7 miles and it wasn’t particularly hilly but I do feel tired now. I really need to work on my stamina but an easy afternoon today I think! I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend xx
Good to hear everyone is starting to make inroads into the next stages of this journey, whether training for a trek, preparing for next surgery or making those lists… it all matters…its the next step forward! I’ve started a healthy eating plan this week (well yesterday actually)… trying not to listen to the biscuit tin calling me. I really need to shift this extra weight, can’t be helping my achy joints. I have been using the hopsital exercise DVD doing a couple of sections a day, its really quite good, very gentle and now I have my pilates ball I can do all the exercises. Its basically just for shoulders, chest and neck, to loosen, stretch and release the tightness, but seems to help. Some of the exercisees are similar to the ones I was given after surgery, like walking the finger tips up the wall but they have been pushed further by facing the wall with the pilates ball under your outstretched palm and then you roll the ball up so that it moves down your arm and you do this up and also out to the side at an angle and it really gives it another dimesion… sorry not explained very well but seems to help. Lots of other little exercises to do which only take a few minutes at a time. I have even managed to hula hoop and do some arm exercises at the same time! One is called “painting the wall” and reminds me of the film Karate Kid (not sure any of you remember it)… where you extend your arm out in front and basically move it like you are painting up and down, flexing the hands… really helps my tight forearm!
Feenix you were right I have my lyphomdeam appt on 18th Jan so still another 10 days, will be glad for an expert to take a look and tell we whats what. Its still sore when I reach forward and I get a funny twanging feeling around my elbow, although I don’t this its very swollen. How are you doing? Hows the ribs?
I also managed to get the same brand of Tamoxifen this month so will see if that helps sticking to the same one…so far its not too bad, just the aches (not sure if its that though) and hot sweats during the night but am sleeping pretty well I think, well not any worse than before anyway.
Hope everyone is getting back into the swing after xmas.
I just had to come on and talk to people who understand or maybe don’t maybe it’s just me! I’ve just completely embarrassed myself. I was out running in the park and went past a man who I often see and say good morning to. He asked me “new haircut?” To which I replied “yes long story but I had bc last year” I then said “I really just want it to grow because I feel I stand out” I don’t feel like I stand out I don’t know why I said that but realising that I ’d probably made him feel bad I followed with “all good now though” and then I jogged on. I feel such an idiot, why do I feel the need to tell absolutely everyone I have had bc? He is not the first random person I have told but he is the most embarrassing because I will see him again. I’m sure it was the last thing he wanted to hear out on his morning walk.
Good for you Kip starting your healthy eating/fitness regime. I am back exercising but am really struggling to eat less. I weigh the most I have done in 2 years but have lost 1lb in the last 7 days so I will persevere. I did laugh at your karate kid reference, I thought the same as soon as you said painting the wall!
Jean I do have another appointment booked with the counsellor next week, I think I will make that my last. Partly because I do feel mentally better than I was but also I see the trainee and I’m just not sure how good he is! I think I’ll do the moving forward course in Feb, although will have to miss a week because of the trek but the next one isn’t until April and I just feel ready for it. Do you keep in contact with any of the ladies you met there? Have you been out walking at all? It’s beautiful here today but a bit fresh! Lists definitely rule! I’m back writing lists too. I find it helps to motivate me to get things done and as both the girls are now back at uni the house is very quiet so I have to keep busy otherwise we know what happens, those worry gremlins creep in! Also I think when you are at home as opposed to work you have to be disciplined to get things done, so lists are a winner here! My favourite list is one I wrote on my phone last year and is nothing to do with housework it is of all the places I want to go on holiday and it feels good to start ticking them off!
CDC how did your appointment go with the surgeon go? The Facebook group you’ve found sounds very useful, it’s always good to hear of other people’s experiences isn’t it? Even though ours may be different it all helps with the preparation. I’m sure it will go well for you as they are so experienced at the Marsden.
Well I’m slightly over my embarrassing outburst of earlier, any advice gladly received perhaps I need to sew a zip on my mouth and padlock it!
Have a good day everyone xx
Sorry me again! Re healthy eating I’ve recently bought a cook book called Bosh. I hate the title and it’s a vegan book which I’m not but I like to eat a lot of veggie food and there are some really tasty recipes in there. Just thought I’d mention it! X
I’m always telling people too Michelle. I understand the embarrassment issue- I’ve felt the same. Posted on my daughter’s Year Group about my upsoming op earlier this week and not a single person said anything (apart from those who know me in person) so I then felt very foolish. However, I’ve given myself a taking too - I firmly believe openness and honesty around taking about cancer can only be beneficial in the long run. I still believed there is a stigma about discussing the big C even though one in two people will sadly be diagnosed with some form in their lifetime. We are breaking down barriers!! Cxx
Hi Michelle, don’t worry I’ve been there and done that too! I think we probably all have. I was in our local bakers with a headscarf on and could see the ladies looking at me (side glances you get the picture) and I just blurted out …" oh I’ve got BC" and whipped off my scarf to reveal a bald head. Don’t know why i did it, just had to do something, they didn’t know what to say… well one did. she then told me how her sister in law had died from it!! Cheered me up no end…:smileyvery-happy: I wouldn’t worry, we never know whats going on in other peoples lives, who knows he may know someone who has just been diagnosed and was thinking… “wow she’s been there and look at her now”… there’s no guide book of how do deal with all of this is there.
Glad you got the Karate Kid reference too… always makes me smile… just need to catch a fly with chopsticks now.
CDC - how are you? Have you had the appt with the hosptial yet? My friend is having her tummy diep right now… she was very excited last night!!
Thanks Kip and CDC, it’s good to know I’m not alone in blurting it out and feeling foolish afterwards. It’s true there is a stigma attached, sometimes I feel like I have been ‘contaminated.’ We tend to only hear about the bad news stories but there are a lot of people walking around who have been ‘cured’ of cancer, we just don’t hear about them. I love the thought that we are breaking down barriers, warriors marching on!
Juliewulie, I sent you a pm before Christmas did you receive it? X
Hi Again I forgot to say appointment at Marsden went well and was very reassuring to meet my other surgeon and then the head of the whole department popped in to say hi- Ms Fiona McNeill- she’s considered one of the best breast surgeons best in the country! . Kind of her to come and talk to me though she won’t be doing the op herself. So hope the op goes well for your friend Kip. I’m hoping I can turn my nerves to excitement in the next couple of days!! Xx
Glad your appointment went well, how fantastic that the top surgeon popped in to say hello! I’m not sure I would ever get excited about surgery but hopefully you won’t be too nervous.
Your previous post has been playing on my mind. I keep thinking how sad it is that no one from your daughters class acknowledged your situation. I had something similar with my choir. You may remember we did a fundraiser for the cancer centre I’ve been going to and I put a Facebook post on our site with a link to my JustGiving page which has ‘my story’ on it. The people I sit with already know but not one other member has said anything to me. They are mostly women and many quite mature is it really that people don’t know what to say? Are they embarrassed? Is it easier to ignore it? Maybe they think we don’t want to talk about it? I really don’t know. I do find it interesting what I have learnt about human nature over the last 10 months. I was talking to my youngest daughter last week about this and she told me in her RS A Level she wrote an essay on all people being narcissists!
On a more positive note lots of people have surprised me with their kindness and actually when someone is kind to me I appreciate it so much more.
Juliewulie I have just resent the pm, ignore the Christmas reference! X
