Just a short note to say “Hi” to everyone on this thread,
Just a short note to say “Hi” to everyone on this thread,
Just a short note to say “Hi” to everyone on this thread,
Hope you are feeling better, Sandra - it sounds like an awful situation with your chest - I really hope they can do something about it soon. You should not be left in such discomfort. Thinking of you.
Rivka - I’m in a similar situation to you as I’ve got a scan tomorrow too. Had rads 6 weeks ago from in my armpit up to my neck - still quite uncomfortable and heavy and my lymphodema’s playing up again too.Need scan to check state of lymph mets - idealy disappeared - please God! The letter from the hospital made me laugh because it says don’t eat for 4 hours before scan and drink 1 pint of fluid 1 hour before - alcohol is not suitable! And there was me getting the vodka bottle out ready! Your post was funny too. I like your black humour. You will be on our minds tomorrow too.
Love too to Claire and Kelly with your chemos. Good idea, Kelly, to have a hols. to look forward to. Best wishes to Tina, Scaryfox, Debs and Margaret.Hope I’ve not missed anyone.
Love Sarahxx
Best of luck tomorrow Sarah will be thinking of you. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for results x
Hi All
Rivka will be thinking of you today and wish you all the best for your treatment.
When I read what you are going through I feel like a hypochondriac as I am in early stages of my secondaries.
Hope Scary, Tina and Kelly are feeling a little better now.
I have had a bad chest infection and have only today finished my antibiotics. Unfortunately winter time usually means three or four antibiotics for me as my infections are real little b… and take ages to go. Anyway seeing Onc tomorrow - don’t know whether he will want me to have another week off or what as I still have the hacking cough. It will only be cycle two and I am anxious to get all this treatment behind me.
Love to Sarah, Debs, Sandra and Lyn (should have put you in alphabetical order!!!) and anyone else I have missed.
Margaret PS I have not forgot about new treatment. Unfortunately relative is in USA at present time with a family illness.
Hi Everyone.
Isn’t it brilliant how everyone supports each other. I get so excited and reassured when I know people have read my notes and replied - lovely.
Sandra - hope you are feeling better. have you got your happy pills yet??? It is very difficult when you can’t sleep - sometimes I wait until my head is nodding before I go to bed hoping to get to sleep, but all of a sudden you wake up!!!
Rivka - hope today went well. I am on a triple negative trial TNT.
Claire - glad you are doing OK and hope the prunes work fast - so uncomfortable when you can’t go!
Sarah - sorry to hear that the rads is still causing so much discomfort - let me know how you get on the the scan. I have been told that the lymph node lumps may not totally disappear due to scar tissue etc.
Margit - I am only on my fourth chemo and desperate to finish. I hope your cold gets better soon and you start your second cycle soon.
Love to you all.
Kelly
Went to the clinic today and for once the news was reasonable - not good but better than usual. Although I have raised tumour markers and liver enzymes that indicate something sinister, I don’t have any large metastastes in liver or lungs. They now think it’s something to do with my gall bladder as well. Felt perversely proud when they said I was a “complex and difficult” case. Isn’t that sad but anything that makes you feel better…Yet more tests booked and chemo to start after that as well as having bisphonates. With such a full diary I don’t know how I will cope! I realise that although I’m still a passenger on the cancer Titanic the iceberg seems to have receded just a little bit on the horizon. Thanks for all your messages of support. I read them in the waiting room and they gave me strength.
Hi ladies,
Rivka, well done on being “complex & difficult!”, no point in the oncs becoming bored, is there?! I’m pleased you were pleased with your results, we have to grab any bit of good news that’s on offer.
Margaret,how did your onc app go yesterday? Hoping your chest infection is better.
Sarah, what news after your app yesterday?
I’ve nothing, news wise to add, hoping to get GP app today, will let you know.
To everyone else on this thread, hope you are as well as is possible, have a good day and I’ll speak to you soon,
Sandra x
Hi Sandra, Tina, Kelly and all!
Not much news “my end”. Had CT scan on Mon.My onc.is away today, so seeing him tomorrow with the results. My mind is running riot, of course, you’ve all been there, imagining the worst! It was good, Rikva, that you had your results straight away and at least you didn’t have any horrendous news. Hope you’re OK Claire - are you having weekly chemo? Scaryfox, Margaret and Debs - how are you all?
All the best,
Sarahx
How’s everyone doing? My chemo is every 3 weeks, next step is shaving my head next week, enjoying my last few days of hair!!! The SE’s on Abraxane are very different to those of FEC, had hardly any nausea but the bone aches are something else, my hot water bottle has been my constant companion for the last week!!
On a positive note I part arranged a Pink Halloween Party in Manchester on Sunday with proceeds going to BCC and I’m pleased to announce we raised #2,500 AMAZING, everyone was so generous on the evening it exceeded our wildest expectations, I felt a little spaced out but managed to go for a couple of hours and I’m so glad I did.
Just signed up for LOVE FILM for the next couple of months, keep me entertained over the forthcoming winter months.
Sending hugs to all
Claire x
Hi all
Hope all is going well for you all.
Went to see my Onc yesterday and as expected he has delayed my second cycle to next week provided the infection in my throat clears up. At the moment there is no sign of it waning. Chemo sister told me this morning if I am still feeling unwell on Monday to call her and she would speak to Onc about delaying yet another week. Apart from the fact that I hope the infection does go I really want to get on with the chemo as I am beginning to feel there is a very dark cloud over my head. I am sure you have all been there!! Anyway I intend to become an expert on all television programmes for the next few days! Sorry don’t mean to moan but I am feeling a bit low today.
Had my first Counselling session today - I think long term this will be good for me but at the moment I have a lot of issues that I need to get out. The Counseller did say my feelings are quite natural which I am sure they are.
Anyway off to watch Desperate Housewives. Someone elses problems.
Love Margaret
Hi ladies
I posted on here Monday night from my phone but no sign of it- must be yet another lost in cyber space!?! Anyway just checking in to see how sarahs onc appt went today. Hope the scan results were good + you are ok x
rikva great news about your scan results. Onwards + upwards now x
margaret- really sorry to hear you are still poorly and chemo is delayed. You sound really fed up + I hope thongs start to improve 4u soon x
claire I have pm’ed you. Hope you’re feeling better by the day+ are nott too anxious about the iminent hair loss x
scaryfox- how are things with you? Hope you are ok x
Kelly, debs+ anyone else I’ve missed, hope you are feeling well + happy as can be 
x
I’m ok half way through rads now + the skin mets are responding well. Massive improvement in the look + feel of the rash thank god. Onc was delighted on Monday which was very reassuring. Skin getting a bit sore as such a high dose on a large area but who cares if it’s working 
! Felt less sick this week too- think I wasn’t drinking enough last wk.
Love to you all
tina x
FantastiC news about the fundraising. It really must have taken it out of you to organise and also go on the night. Attagirl!
Re: counselling. I was initially dx in June 09 and informed (erroneously as it turned out) with mets in my lungs. Presented with this double whammy I felt utterly paralysed with fear and fury. After two months of feeling like a rabbit in the headlights I went to see a Macmillan counsellor. She was brilliant. Practical, sympathetic without being cloying and capable of sharing the black humour which I like so many quickly adopted. With her I could share the inevitable frustrations of those who were trying to help me without feeling disloyal and she helped me to see monstrous thoughts in perspective. Above all else I knew she was not just counselling me as a psychologist but also passing on those tips and tactics of those who had before me embarked on this ghastly cancer cruise. So go for it, don’t censor anything and express all.
Don’t worry if you don’t find the right person immediately. I had one session before with this dreadful women who kept lecturing me on eating properly and sleeping well. Poor thing she didn’t have a clue. Eating well on chemo? Sleeping well with secondaries dx? Hope she’s changed jobs.
Run out of space. Though saga continues as quite unwell. Bore you later with that!
o
Hi all!
Thanks, Tina and others who posted before, enquiring about my scan.
Well, saw the onc.today, feeling terrible and it was (mostly)good news! There is no sign of any lymph mets, and there were several, apart from a small area which he thinks is scar tissue. But(there’s always one!) he did say there were a couple of “shadows” on the right lung near the radiated site, which he thought were too “fluffy” to be tumours, which are usually more solid and rounder:he thinks it’s damage from the rads. So, excellent news in the main, just a couple of things they will be keeping an eye on. I felt pretty numb after it all,as I’ve just been through 9 months of chemo., scans and rads - very odd! Still, it did work, so that gives hope to everyone having rads here. Really well done, Claire on organising your charity do! It’s amazing how strong we All are, sometimes. Trying my best not to worry as I could worry for Wales or even Britain, if it was an Olympic sport! My car (L reg!) spectacularly failed its MOT so I have to look for another one asap -more money out and v. annoying! Love to you all,
Sarah xx
Hi all,
Sarah,So pleased for you, what fantastic news, it’s this sort of news that gives us all a boost, so thanks for that!
Tina,You too have some fantastic news, it’s so good to read! Have you had your referal re Iscador yet? One of the other threads said to Google DCA & cancer, which I did and it made for an interesting read. I read the Cancer Research UK site,including the comments and I’m going to speak to my GP about Iscador & DCA…if I can ever get an app!Have a read and let me know what you think.
Margaret, Hoping your throat infection is at last getting better? Don’t ever worry about moaning, that’s what great about being able to post on here, we all know the feeling and can sympathise, albeight only virtually. i hope you are feeling a bit brighter today. When is your next counselling session? I go to a support group at my hospital, which is run by Maacmillan & find it a help. They also do one to one sessions which I am holding in reserve!
Claire, I’m in awe!! I can barely organise myself, let alone a fund raiser…and what a successs it was, well done you!! Are you getting a wig, or are you going the scarf route? I got a wig, but never felt comfortable in it and ended up using scarves in various ways. My hair hasn’t come out this time, it’s now about 1.5 inches long and I was pleased not to lose it again.
I’m feeling much better these last couple of days, even my breathing feels slightly improved, so much so that we have booked to go to Brighton for a few days from Sunday. I can’t wait!!!
I hope you all have a good weekend. S/Fox, Kelly, Debs,Rivka, and anyone else I’ve missed, hope you are all as well as is possible.
Sandra x
Morning all,
Well I am feeling a lot brighter today - at long last my throat infection seems to be moving - keeping my fingers crossed that I can get on with cycle 2 on Wednesday. Seeing the Chemo sister and Onc on Tuesday evening. If blood test ok it will be full steam ahead.
Well ladies what great news.
Sarah how nice to have a new worry ie what car to get. Incidentally if you have not already applied do go
for DLA because that gives perks ie no car tax and indeed if you get high rate mobility and are of working age you can apply for a motability car - they are great - I have had one now for three years.
Sandra hope you have a wonderful time in Brighton. Takes me back to my childhood - I used to go with my family there for a day outing as we lived in South London at the time and it was only about an hour away.
Claire what can I say except how impressed am I. Thinking of others at a time like this is just incredible.
Rivka you are so right about Counselling went this week and am going for my second session on Monday. I am finding it very useful. You are so right about the help you need in dealing with all the well wishers. Don’t I now sound ungrateful. I really am not and I appreciate everything.
I had been invited for Christmas to Chester where my brother lives or to Holland where my niece and family live. I have now been told that they are all coming to London for Christmas and so we can have a big family Christmas this year. I am really looking forward to that.
Anyway hope all have a good weekend Scaryfox, Kelly Debs and anyone else.
Finally, thanks for your continued support. I really appreciate this.
Margaret xx
hi ladies
just checking in to see how everyone is doing? This thread seems to have gone very quiet!!
Hope you are all well
i had a tummy bug at the wkend but fine now. Starting boosters tomorrow so coming tiwards the end of my rads. Just praying it’s zapped all the little ba**ards into oblivion! Permanently!
Take care
tina xx
Hi all,
Haven’t forgotten you just been feeling so exhausted, and such sore tingly fingers it’s difficult to type! Claire, how are you doing with the Abraxane? Do you have hand and foot trouble too? My feet are ok mostly but monday one went completely dead and when i stood up i fell over, am really bruised now! Still having some skin problems too though nowhere near as severe as with the Taxol. Not sure if they’re down to the Abraxane or Avastin or both. I haven’t had any of the bone ache you mentioned, though am also addicted to my hot water bottle, helps me sleep! Very impressed by your arranging the party, well done.
My hair hasn’t fallen out completely yet… I shaved it pretty short but just seems to be shedding slowly. Due for weekly chemo no. 5 on Thursday.
Tina, i hope the rads have done the job for you too!
Margaret glad your throat is getting better. Have you tried Manuka honey? I’ve been eating it and is very soothing for my sore mouth (have had some ulcers and stuff) - it is a natural antiseptic/antibiotic. I mix it in tea or soya yogurt which is lovely.
Sarah, great news… really pleased for you.
Hi to everyone else… hope all doing ok xxx
Hello All
Scaryfox I’m doing ok on the Abraxane (only had 1 cycle so far)my legs did feel a bit ‘jelly like’ at about day 4 or 5 weird sensation like I couldn’t feel them? I also had a rash develop close to my recurrence site around the same time but after lashings of aquaeous cream that settled down. The stomach and bone cramps for me were the worst though, not experienced pain like even when I was on the FEC.
I’m enjoying my ‘good week’ as I’m in for cycle 2 next Wednesday so trying to get out and about whilst I feel up to it. I shaved my head on Monday, I’d had 2 sleepless nights prior with the stabbing pains all over my scalp (when I turned over in bed felt like screaming it was that bad)anyways didn’t find it too traumatic (2nd time round and all)but does take some getting used to, that said I’ve still got an even coverage but I guess after next week it will have mostly gone.
Hope everyone is doing ok.
Claire x
Hi all.
Hope you are all doing well.
Tina pleased your tummy bug has cleared up and that the boosters work.
Scaryfox good luck today. Be thinking of you. Don’t worry about your hair when it comes back I found mine was the best it can be.
Claire hope your s.e. soon settle. I think these are worse that this awful disease.
Unfortunately I still have my hacking cough - my chest and throat infection have cleared up - however my onc has delayed cycle 2 for yet another week. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can resume next week. The problem is that if it keeps getting postponed it will mean that I will be in the middle of a cycle all over Christmas. My family are coming from far and wide and as guest of honour I want to be able to enjoy my time with them.
Incidentally I tried to post last night but after I had typed my thread the site collapsed. Don’t know what happened.
Anyway hope everyone who I haven’t mentioned are doing ok.
Margaret xx