This is the Hope course 
Try Insight Timer for free meditation. I used it alot when I couldn’t sleep or woke up then couldn’t sleep. If you can’t sleep play it twice and try using it before bed.x
Thanks for all the tips and kind words. Unfortunately yesterday I had some bad news which didn’t help things, I have befriended a lady locally who has been going through treatment (we have never met but chat regularly on line), she is only 41 and had finished treatment but found out yesterday that she has lung mets. She did have some issues on scan before beginning treatment so it wasn’t something out of the blue but still… it really shocked me and didn’t help with the demons at all. I am going to encourage her to get on this forum and I did some research yesterday and there are lots of chats going on with ladies in the same boat and I think it would be good for her. Haven’t heard from her at all today and don’t know how on earth to help apart from just be here I guess. Having to remind myself we are all different and it doesn’t mean it will be me next… sorry for being so doom and gloom lately… perhaps thats another SE of the Tamoxifen… it does wreck your hormones… going shopping later… that will help :smileytongue:
Kip
xx
Thanks Feenix - yes hoping for some bargains… Good news about the hooping… me too… I lost 3.5lbs last week so thats a plus.
I was thinking about Clare too, hope shes ok.
Kip
xx
Kip sorry to hear your friends news, it is what we all dread but Jean is right there are people ‘living with’ cancer nowadays. I’m sure your friend will come to you when she is ready, she probably needs to absorb the information first. I have no doubt you will be a great support to her.
My leg is sore from the physio but that is the norm, it’s an ongoing injury that I hoped had cleared up after resting it during chemo but it seems to be a weakness that came right back. I’m doing exercises to strengthen it and they seem to be working but it’s a long process!
I’m very envious of your weight loss Kip, I really need to stop making brownies! X
I’ve just been to the supermarket, with good intentions but came out with a bag of mini eggs! Another weakness of mine! ?
Ooooh mini eggs and digestives… All I could focus on in the shops was Easter Eggs
So sorry about your friend Kip
. I just want to send a very quick update. Unfortunately I’m spending another night in Critical Care. There have been some issues with low blood pressure since my op on Monday. Everything looks great but they need to get me off the drugs I currently need to keep myBP stable. I’ll send an update tomorrow xxx
Ahhh CDC… so good to hear from you. Glad all went well, just a minor blip with the old BP… you don’t like to take things the easy route though do you… I’m sure you’ll be out of that unit pretty sharpish… sending love
Kip
xx
Claire so lovely to hear from you, what a shame about your low bp but as Kip says it’s hopefully just a blip and you get home soon. I hope you are feeling ok in yourself and I’m looking forward to your next update x
Hi everyone,
Just been to lymphodema clinic… good news is my cording is gone… bad news is… I have mild lymphodema… now sporting a lovely support sleeve. I don’t have to wear it all the time just when exercising, walking or housework/gardening. She wants to stop it progressing so has told me some more exercises to do and dos and don’ts and have to go back in 3 months. She was impressed with the movement i have though. Actually felt quite teary when I left the clinic, seems I always go in positive and come out with something else but in teh scheme of things… a sleeve is nothing… and another positive… no bingo wing on that side when wearing it… lovely toned arm! Might wear the spare on the other side…:smileyvery-happy:
Oh Kip I’m so sorry to hear you have developed Lymphodema , but it is good that they have caught it early and you now know what to do to help it. I’m intrigued why you wear it when exercising, I thought exercise was good for it? I love that you’re looking for the silver lining with no bingo wings! Xx
Hi Michelle, apparently when exercising that it when your blood and lymph is flowing more so its important to wear the sleeve to stop it building up. I would imagine that if you don’t have lymphodema there its good to exercise to keep it flowing but the sleeve just helps stop a build up… I think!! She did say exercise is very good, especially yoga.
Hi all,
DaisyDi - thanks for the message and glad you’ve been following my progress. Don’t panic the lymphodema is nothing much. I had some cording after my ANC clearance which was why i was referred to the clinic, to get their advise. I have been massaging that and its pretty much gone. But the nurse took measurements of my arm and the affected side is on 8% bigger than the other, you can’t really tell but she wanted to get on top of it before it got worse (if it does at all). Its not painful or anything. I have a sleeve to wear as and when and exercises to do. Best thing to do is to keep up the exercises everyday…I know after surgery it can be painful, but take it easy and do them religiously. She said exercise is the best thing. I have good movement as I have been doing them all the time. Gentle stroking starting at the top of you arm and stroking upwards, then moving down a little bit and stroking upwards and slowly work your way down to the wrist. Don’t start at the wrist and work upwards (which is what I thought you had to do). You should do it gently just enough that the skin creases. Look after your arm, sun cream, wear gloves in the garden and washing up and if in doubt ask the nurses. I am sure you will be fine Daisy, its just another thing to worry about but, actually I’m glad they are sorting it now and keeping and eye on it. I have a friend who wears a sleeve every day and she is fine, compared to cancer and chemo a sleeve is nothing much.
Feenix - wow I didn’t know you could get covers… how cool is that. Thankfully I only need to wear it when I exercise or go for a walk. I’ve been wearing it for a few hours today to see how it feels and actually its fine. I’ll make sure I keep up the exercises and hopefully it will keep it at bay. At least its taken my mind off the aches and pains, the lymph nurse reckoned they are caused by the Tamoxifen!
Kip
xx
Thanks Optimisticmz… that sounds interesting… what does that involve? I don’t have much swelling at the moment so hopefully things will stay that way.
Kip
x
Thanks so much for your advice Kip. I will get stroking! I would have done if from the wrist too which is how I do my moisturiser. Maybe I should start at the top with that too. Glad they’ve caught it early so hopefully you will not suffer too much x
Kip I thought the same as you re massage. Every day I do it starting at the wrist and working up! So I’ll have to change that then! I have a friend who is a reflexologist and apparently there is a lot of evidence throwing that can help with lymphodema. Even it it doesn’t help it’s nice having someone massage your feet for an hour!
I’ve been like you Jean, obsessing about my arm at various times. I’m taking antibiotics to Nepal, just in case. What exercises have you been told to do on long haul flights? I’m stopping Tamoxifen a week before I fly because of the DT risk. I’m sure I’d be fine but it’s just something else to panic about! I’m glad your cording is better I’m sorry that it too you taking a tumble for it to improve!
I am out tonight at a fundraiser organised by my husbands work. It should be a good night but I feel so tired from my cold and life!
I hope everyone has a good weekend. Claire I hope you are feeling a little better every day. Xx
CDC I am glad that it went well now you are on the ward. The TV is fab isn’t it? I was offered a dressing gown too but took my own new one. I have a cold so am taking it easy now my treatment has finished. I think I relaxed as reached the light at the end of the tunnel so was more prone to germs at work.x
Just a quickie to say I’m finally home- exhausted but happy! Will catch up properly once i’m More with it xxx
Welcome Home Clare … I saw you lovely photo on FB relaxing in your chair… you look great!
Optimisticmz - my arm is 9% bigger to so as you say its only minor but best to keep on top of it before it gets bigger. I am wearing my sleeve whilst at home working and its ok, keeps my arm warm this weather.
Feenix - Only lost 1/2 llb this week… haven’t been out walking much though as its been cold and my stiff butt was playing up… I decided to rest it a bit and I think its helped. It feels like I have pulled a tendon (perhaps the hamstring looking online) and its pulling in my butt cheek, it doesn’t hurt when resting but after walking or bending with straight legs… boy it hurts. Ive done some hooping this morning and that doesn’t hurt it though, so hoping the rest will be sending it on its way. Still having stiff kneews and ankles in the night though but that seems to be par for the course for some on Tamoxifen… its bearable though so Ill carry on in the hope it fades with time.
Did anyone see the blood moon last night? Beautiful pink glow this morning…
Kip
xx