Just to say high Rachy.
I’d say I’d meet you for coffee in Newbury or Winchester but I’ve had loads of appointments lately as had reactions to chemo and drugs at last operation so don’t know what I’m doing or when I’m free! I’m hoping to get a bit more inf tomorrow when I have an appointment with my Onc so will get back to you then.
To keep my mind busy I’ve become an avid (and yet bad!) player at world wide scrabble on facebook…
Thinking of you
Katie
Katie, You have had a time of it. I have been reading your other threads. i hope you get better news today from the onc and no more allergic reactions. Thanks for taking the time to reply when you have so much to contend with in your own life at the moment.
Rachyxx
Hi Rachy, Don’t let the depression wear you down. Please send me a private message at any time. I don’t work and sometimes I am even up on my computer in the wee small hours of the morning! You are not alone. Your husband sounds as if he is really worried and doesn’t know how he can help. A common reaction from many men. But try not to bottle things up Rachy. I have found that sometimes you need to say how you feel OUT LOUD and this can even take the form of an email. I was scared of dying but once I had dsaid it out loud a few times I realised I just needed to SAY IT. Once you have voiced your fears you may find you actually feel you are able to cope better. You need to be kind to yourself too and rest because your body needs it.I hope you keep posting because we worry that you are trying to do this all on your own. And you are not on your own Rachy. Much love Val XX
Hi Rachy, Just checking to see if you are okay. The sun is shining up here again which is lovely and the birds are busy on the feeders as usual. I feel rather tired this morning but not surprised by that because I was up late fox-watching! Hope you have a better day tody. Don’t be upset though if you are still a bit low because there are loads of people that are feeling a bit fragile on this site and you are not alone. Love Val XX
Hi Val, I saw a different doctor today and she was alot more helpful. She is liasing with the mental health team and has already rung me to let me know that she has done this.She is also going to speak to the BCN as had little or no support from them. Sorry to say it is raining again here !! Jusr started as came back from town. I did actually go out, didn’t want to but made the effort. I am signed off for another 10 days. OH v quiet at the moment as has alot of work stress. Glad I am out of that for a while.
Rach xxx
Hi Rach, That sounds good. hope you get some feedback soon If you do not hear back from anyone soon, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to give them a nudge! I am sorry your OH is suffering stress at work. You will have to keep an eye on him too. Glad to hear that you are signed off for another 10 days and pleased to hear you managed to get out of the house for a wee while. I have just been diddling around in the kitchen. I like cooking and baking (Not doing very much of either though while on chemo) and chucked out spices that are out of date as I bought some new ones last week. I am just trying to avoid the paper work I REALLY should be dealing with instead of faffing around. Now on lapop…avoiding it again! Love Val XX
Hello, I am new to writing on the forum but have been reading all of your comments for quite a while. I had a lumpectomy and node removal May 2008, had chemo and finished radiotherapy in January this year. I went back to work in February and was given reduced work, but in June a member of staff was sacked and I was given their workload, increasing mine by double. I did tell them i was finding it hard going, but it has really got to me now, my confidence is just about non-existent, memory the same, cry a hell of a lot. Went on anti D’s in June after a colonoscopy, but cant seem to cope, went back to docs on Monday and changed my anti d’s to fluroxtine, am off work for 2 weeks. He says going to see about a counsellor and like some of you my BCN was never much cop. do any of you over examine yourselves? is this normal? When does thinking about what happened ever go away? Sorry to be a moaning minnie but nice to talk to others that have had the treatment
I do over examnine myself sometimes and at times of stress I do it even more. There are alot of us struggling after treatment isn’t there? I don’t think my feelings of fear about bc will ever go away but in time I hope to learn to live with them without causing my life to be totally disrupted by them. I too have chemo brain. I read an article on here about it and it sums up just how I feel. Have a read of it Salga. I think chemo brain is vastly underresearched and not taken seriously by the medics. The article is from the US so ahead of us no doubt with chemo brain research.
R
When will brest cancer not be the first thing i think of when i wake up and stop being in every thought i have. I’m a year from having the all clear and i’m getting on with my life very well and wouldn’t say i’m depressed but i just can’t stop thinking of it.x
Hi all
Just wanted to mention the live chat service to you as it gives you the chance to talk to others in a similar situation to yourself.
Live chat is BCC’s online service where you can talk to others in real time. It is facilitated by an experienced moderator and a specialist nurse who are on hand to point you to sources of help and information.
The weekly session runs from 9-10 pm on Thursdays. If you would like further information please go to the following link:-
breastcancercare.org.uk/community/live-chat/
I hope you will find this helpful.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Hiya Rach, thank you so much for your advice on the ‘chemo brain’ website, it has answered a lot of questions, not going doolally after all lol.I am going to start making notes (if I remember)and see if it helps me any, already go walking for about an hour every nite with my sister so getting the exercise. I live alone so cant ask anyone where I put things so post its will be a good idea. Thank you again, love reading your comments you are a very wise and lovely person
Just to say hi Rachy. Hope you’re coping this weekend. Docs and tests and meeting with Onc next week then should have my schedule sorted…
Catch up with you soon/
Katie
x x x x
hello everyone, I have been away all weekend at my sister’s in London for her birthday. Had quite a wild time of it. I feel ok at the moment. I hope your meeting with onc and tests go well for you Katie.
Rachy xx
Hi Rachy, Just wondered how you were keeping since your weekend away? I am still feeling tired but feeling better thabn I was a month ago. My cousin is on a cruise on the Queen Mary 2 which arrived in the Firth of Forth yesterday so we met them off the boat and had a meal in Edinburgh. Oh how I would have loved to sneak on board for a peek at the luxury on the cruise liner. Hope you are coping okay and are still be kind to yourself. Have you had any help from your GP or anyone? Much love, Val X
Hi val, I have had a quiet week and got signed off for another 2 weeks. I am supposed to be seeing a psychiatrist but no appointment date as yet.I have rung up a few times last week but nothing as yet.
Sounds lovely for your cousin on that cruise !! I hope you feel less tired soon. Thanks for kkeping in touch, val especially as you are unwell yourself.
rachy xx
Hi Rachy, Good to hear from you and glad you have an appointment coming up. I am pleased that you are still looking after yourself and having a break from work for a wee while. Sometimes you need to stand back and have a break from all the stress. I remember it well. I miss my friends from work but it is great to be away from all the stress. Keep looking after yourself. I hope your OH is coping and that you are looking after him too. Love Val X
Hi Rachy and everyone
Find myself in almost the same place as you at the beginning of this thread. Finished rads July after chemo etc. now on Tamoxifen. Went straight back to work feeling really positive, since then I feel as if I have hit a brick wall, I cant function properly, I cry all the time and feel a complete failure. Not gone to work today seeing GP at 10 this morning. Feel so lost and mixed up. Cant afford to give up work but cant face going.
I have joined a walking support group which helps a bit but then I slip back into this awful place.
Lynn
Hi Lynn, sorry to hear that you are having such a ough time just now. Hope the GP was helpful this morning. It sounds as if you do need some time off from work though. That’s what Rachy did. Will you not get help moneywise to help you through all this. Can you ask if you are entitled to anything. There is help ouit there, the Citizen’s advice Bureaux, the Breast care Nurse could perhaps point you in the right direction. Also have you a Maggie Centre near you or Mc Millan Nurses? I got help and didn’t know I would be entitled to anything at that time. Ler us know how you got on this morning. Love Val (Scottishlass)
hello Lynn, I hope your appointment went well for you today at the doctors. The after treatment bit and trying to carry on as normal is impossible for many of us to do. I had worries about money but my sanity was rapidly going so had to go sick in the end. What i will do next is still a question I havn’t got the answer to yet. The support out there for us who have finished treatment is woefully inadequate and is largely ignored. I think this needs addressing by the medics and charities alike.
take care
Rachy xx
Whenever I have to confront my fears and anxieties, I just break down and cry and don’t stop. This is how it is tonight.
R