Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[rosie14]

Good morning everyone!
I got out of bed at 5.19 due to being woken up by DH snoring. The dog hadn't
emptied her food bowl last night and there were ants crawling in it so that was my first task of the day! We just had a 2 min rain shower! I left my washing out but it will soon dry when the sun rises.
Wildpurl I hope you enjoy your day out today. We haven't got much planned today. The children will all skype daughter this morning and sons in the evening.
My sister has spoken to dad's consultant in the hospital and there are 2 possible options for his symptoms. The first is to do with bone marrow and the second he could have a form of cancer. Obviously they are not going to do any invasive tests at his age thank goodness. If his anaemia doesn't improve it will be a form of cancer! My mother died at 63 with cancer and here's me in my late 50's with cancer. So to have it at 93 is hardly surprising. I don't think the consultant mentioned the c word to dad! Anyway he is still in Shrewsbury hospital. I do wonder the longer he is in will he ever go back home again? At least he is not paying nursing home bills which are horrendous! It cost him a thousand pounds a week when my sister went away and that was without the medical care aid at that point which he would now need. He has a McCarthy and Stone apartment and has managed to look after himself up until now. He has a cleaner and Wiltshire farm foods delivered. There is a ring and ride service that will pick up and take residents to a centre in town where they can play scrabble and have lunch. My sister lives 15 mins away, but she works in the school on dad's road so she has been able to keep an eye on him.
Do hope all of you enjoy the rest of the weekend whatever you are doing!

[Lovewine]

Yes Rosie, very rewarding! Hope you get a good nights sleep! And not be in too much discomfort.

[rosie14]

I think a smaller chest would be far more comfortable Lovewine!
I did have a brandy and diet coke pre dinner drink then a glass of Rose with the meal,with some water! It sounds like you had a very satisfying day at the brick a brac shops with your son!

[Lovewine]

Evening everyone, poor you Rosie, sounds very uncomfortable with the inflatables, I have only ever been a 34 A / B , so never had much bust, can't really imagine what it is like to be without a larger bust you were used too, maybe a smaller chest would be more comfortable! I would definitely have a brandy pre dinner you certainly deserve one! And yes I buy large sacks of dry dog food from pet shop too! Enjoy your evening.
Wildpurl, hope cardigan gets finished and enjoy your trip out tomorrow..
I had a lovely day with my son, found some bargains too-a very nice , signed oil painting of Kingston on Thames, a vintage Turkish rug for £5.00, my son bought a fabulous leather chesterfield sofa for £120.00 in oxblood red- a real find!! Think I could get hooked on the charity shops/ bric a brac hunting, it's very satisfying when find a bargain!

[rosie14]

Hopefully in 2 days it won't be as bad Wildpurl. I feel like I have 2 tractor tyres at full inflation attached to my chest. You are right it was bad before and now it's worse. Think I shall have a brandy and diet coke pre dinner with a glass of chilled something to go with the meal. Just put one of my dresses on and there's not much upstairs to fill it out even with my softies! I used to be 38 DD. it's very weird wearing clothes pre mastectomy! I don't want to be that big again in fact if these inflations continue to be so awful I may go for a smallish chest!
Hope everybody has had a good day.

[Wildpurl]

I am sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable Rosie, I can't think of anything else to suggest that might help. I am aware of a slightly uncomfortable feeling of pressure after every inflation, it usually wears off after 2 or 3 days, but I know that you were not very comfortable before the inflation. I just hope that as you heal everything settles down for you.

My legs are like jelly now after the gym so the only reasonable course of action is to get on with my knitting!

[rosie14]

Hi Wildpurl yes I wear a crop top at night. I have to say I feel pretty lousy today the pressure is awful and DH sent me out of the supermarket to sit in the car as he said I looked as if I was going to die. Nearly did when I got back to the car had to sit with the door open. Fortunately there were some moments of cloud and shade! Hope you get your cardigan finished!
Lovewine we purchased a large bag of dried food, some cans of wet food, a pick and mix selection of biscuits and and chewy knot bone!

[Lovewine]

Morning everyone, happy birthday tulamo! 🎂🍷 I was about to suggest the same as Rosie in trying to get a suitable babysitter for your little one! Enjoy your day whatever you do! You were up very early so hope you went back to sleep for a few more hours!
Rosie, I quite enjoy going to our local pet supermarket, particularly weak when it comes to resisting dog toys particularly the squeaky ducks!! How sad is that, used to go to Dorothy Perkins and next for the same retail experience now it's pet shop!!!! Have a nice meal this evening even if it's work related and good luck with the inflatables!!
Wildpurl, hope you have a good day and finish your cardigan, you may even be able to wear it tomorrow!
Jos, hope you are ok today and you Jackie? Cassie, Lisa, Louise, Nellie, tij, Booksandwine , Joan have an enjoyable day today.

[Wildpurl]

Morning all and happy birthday Tulamo, I see you were up very early again! That's a good idea about the colour, I have been thinking of colouring my real hair and might have a look at the H&B products. It makes all the difference if you feel good about your hair doesn't it?

Glad your heart scan was normal although what a palaver about the appointment time, and fancy not even telling you the result.

Rosie do you wear a sleep bra, I do this for a while after every inflation and it helps while everything gets settled. It might help your back?

Have a nice relaxing day and enjoy your dinner this evening.

I hope you have fun today scouring bric a brac shops for nice things you can rescue Lovewine

I am off to the gym shortly, then have a bit of gardening to finish and then it is housework day. I am on the last button band of the cardigan so very hopeful I will finish it today, exciting or what?

Hope everyone enjoys their days

[rosie14]

Good morning everyone and a very happy birthday to you tulamo! I don't blame you wanting to do something normal with your hair and I think you took every precaution!
Do hope you enjoy your meal out with OH and son. Do you have any family or a close friend that could baby sit your son so that you and OH could relax more. I can see that your sisters are not local! I take my hat off to you managing all this and a young child and really hope someone is able to offer you help and support with your youngster!
I am to,have a heart trace which takes about half an hour I haven't booked it yet I must do that. Not too keen on the whole tissue expander thing! Now they have been slightly inflated the pressure feels heavier and my back aches didn't have a very comfortable night!
How annoying they got your appointment time wrong and blamed you it's just that sort of thing that makes you want to shout and scream! Glad everything is well with your heart that is one advantage of being younger! I would have done the same and opened the envelope if they didn't tell you the result!
Washing curtains Lovewine I only wish I had half of your and Wildpurl's energy you are always both so busy. My body is still very weak despite everyone telling me how well I look. I think because my eyebrows are back and my eyelashes the face looks more normal!
Hope everyone has a good weekend, we are going to Pet shop this morning in Paphos to stock up on dog food and biscuits, then I will brave it round the supermarket again, this afternoon DH has a meeting and tonight we are taking the secondary head out to dinner to iron out a few initial hitches re time tabling etc!

[tulamo]

Morning ladies,

Today is my birthday decided earlier this week I couldnt face it looking like a rather sad scarecrow so despite all the cold cap blurb I got an organic vegetable base hair dyebfrom H&B and it worked a treat looks really natural and no adverse reactions (did do a skin allergy test day before). So feel much more like my old self. 

Still have slightly yukky mouth so although going for meal later with OH and son not expecting it to be great, not that relaxing anyway with a toddler in tow who isn't interested in food !

Jos you sound like you're in a lot of discomfort I didnt get seromas from any of my surgeries but know all about the shooting pains they can be really intense, I dont think any painkillers really help with it anyway. Unfortunately I found the taxotere appears to have homed in on my poor damaged nerves in my reconstruction and had lots of pain for about 10 days after treatment. Hopefully your pains will settle quite quickly and you dont have chemo to aggravate them.

I really know how you feel about your sister , my younger sister lives in California I havent seen her for over 5 years  visits are lovely but then they have to leave. Definitely going to see her next year when all this is over. My other lovely sister lives over 250 miles away near Portsmouth so I only see her about 4 times a year if I had my way they would both live no more than 10 minutes away I miss them.

Rosie what a day you've had, I think after waiting for results the next worst thing is getting told different things by medical people.  Its really scary when one consultant pretty much trashes what another has said who are you supposed to trust ? On the plus side at least you have lift off with your inflatables !

Are they sending you for a heart scan now ? I had one earlier this week its just an ultrasound takes less than 10 minutes.

I had to ring breast nurse to check if it had been arranged she told me 9.30 Wednesday, I didnt get a letter from hospital turned up to be told by sonographer I should have been there for 9.15 , said sorry was told 9.30 and can't drop my son off at nursery til 9.00 so couldnt have made 9.15 anyway. She made big thing about fitting me in I saw my file on her desk it clearly said 9.30 and next day  my appointment letter arrived in post (really useful

- not)it said 9.30, felt like going back and asking her where she got her time from. To be fair think she is the first snotty medical person I have encountered so far everyone else has been lovely.

She didnt say anything about the test, hey I'm just the patient, so opened the letter she gave me with the report in and everything was normal so should start herceptin this Thursday round 5 of chemo.

Looks like I have done something weird whilst typing this so am signing off before I lose the whole thing.

Best wishes toeveryone for a good weekend

[Lovewine]

Oh what a stressful day Rosie!! Talk about getting things moving- seems to be all at once!! I am getting worried that my herceptin hasn't started yet either. Have a restful evening and maybe a quiet weekend!
Jos, sorry to hear of your problems, I have a seroma under my arm from lymph biopsy surgery in march, it's not sore and doctors have just said leave it to drain on it's own, did have it drained about 6 weeks ago but it filled up again about a week later! All the best for Tuesday, yes impatient patient sums it up doesn't it, I am itching to get on with things and find it really hard to slow down. I also can't take codeine or Tramadol as very sick too!
Knitting is coming along nicely, havnt done much today though as been busy washing curtains !!
Wildpurl, I would definitely take out yearly membership, am sure you would get a lot of use out of it, I am thinking of joining myself maybe next spring too. Well done for doing your gardening jobs!

[rosie14]

We had take way Wildpurl as the dog had been by herself for most of the day from 6.15am till 5.30pm! A neighbour did come in and walk her a couple of times. Plan to eat out tomorrow! I think I will be in bed early tonight.

[Wildpurl]

Oh my goodness Rosie what a day!!!
The doctor you saw sounds very scary but I guess she is trying to do the best for you. I had Letrozole last year for 7 months and it was fine, I think the calcium tablets are just a precaution.

It is amazing when they do the inflations isn't it? I felt so much happier when I could see some cleavage.

Maybe you and DH deserve a nice meal this evening after such a stressful day.

[rosie14]

Evening everyone indeed it has been a long day! When we got to the oncology centre in Nicosia I saw a doctor who put the fear of God into me. When she found out the surgeon was going to inflate my tissue expanders the same time as radiotherapy she said that couldn't happen and he must complete the inflations first!!!!! She consulted my notes and said was I taking herceptin I told her I had a problem with my heart after the first 4 rounds. Then she asked me if I was taking Letrozolo, to which I replied no-she promptly wrote me a prescription I have to take it for 5 years starting tomorrow, along with calcium tablets because it can lead to bone problems!!! She called the oncologist that had dealt with me and we had to go to the chemo dept and wait to see him. I now need to go for a heart trace and fax it to him to see if I can now have herceptin! The doctor had told me I must do,all these things as I had an aggressive cancer and was high risk!!! Well by now I was on the sulky step! DH suggested we stopped at Limassol on way back to see if we could speak to surgeon about it . Fortunately he was in his clinic and agreed to see us. He said I know I know and threw his hands up and said she had phoned him. He said come on we start now and phoned for the receptionist to bring saline!!! Well I wasn't ready for that! He injected the saline in both sides and to be honest It's no,more pressure than I am having. I can see a rise in the chest though and a cleavage appearing!!!! He is going to do 2 more next Friday and the Friday after and then I will go for the CT planning followed by the mark appointment and commence radiotherapy. He said after radiotherapy we can do,3 more inflations bit I shall see how it looks!! Well that's my day another case of not being able to control the situation!
Lovewine did you start your knitting? Enjoy your day with son tomorrow browsing bric a brac shops and hope weather will be kind to you on Sunday for you garden walk!
Jos I am not surprised you are impatient I hope the prescribe a pain killer to help you!
Wildpurl I would definitely take out the annual membership as you enjoy you NT visits so much!

[Wildpurl]

Ouch jos, that doesn't sound nice. I went through a phase of having sharp pains as the damaged nerves began to recover and come to life again. It wore off after a few weeks, but I hope they can sort you out some pain relief in the meantime.

I think we can all empathise with the Impatient Patient!

I have managed to complete two gardening tasks I have wanted to get done for weeks and am now resting. Lovewine, on Sunday we are finally going to Clandon Park which we had planned to visit last week. Then we have one more week of our month's membership and we are planning a day at Petworth the following weekend. I am really enjoying our visits and very tempted to take out a year's membership as there are still lots of places I'd like to see. I think it is also good that it makes us go out and do something new every weekend.

[jos]

Hello All

Quick update as typing one handed.  10 days post op and really sharp nerve pain down arm.  Ouch. Also large seroma.  Just seen nurse who says all normal and they dont want to touch seroma until op next tuesday.  Codeine and Tramadol make me sick so just waiting to talk to GP about alternatives.  Was doing well up to this point.

Hope you are all ok.  Quite envious to think of gardening, pilates and shopping.

The Impatient Patient.

x 

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, hope pilates went well! Good luck with the gardening, have you any plans visiting NT places this weekend? I am off with eldest son tomorrow to have a look around bric a brac shops for furniture to " do up" and then on Sunday hole to walk around Harlestone woods in neighbouring northants, it is part of princess Diana's ancestral home and a lovely place to walk around.

[Wildpurl]

Morning Lovewine, it is overcast here too but quite pleasantly autumnal. It sounds as though you are recovering very well and those mundane things like shopping on your own and buying light bulbs are such a great sign of normality I think!

I'm off to Pilates shortly, then pottering in the garden today. Hope everyone has a good day.

[Lovewine]

Morning all, Rosie, good luck with the early start and long day, will be very tiring! Hope all goes well.
Another grey, overcast day today, walked my dogs and now going to venture on my first trip out alone to nearest town for some boring essential items such and light bulbs and batteries and maybe some paint for furniture revamping!
Hope everyone is ok, Jackie hope you are not too sore.

[Lovewine]

Evening everyone, thanks Joan for info, didn't realise it was as long as that to start radiotherapy!
Rosie, sounds like your dad is in good hands even though a suitable bed or a diagnosis isn't available right now,maybe by the weekend you will have more information, very frustrating and worrying for you.
Wildpurl. My wool arrived this morning , very impressed with website, wool arrived in a beautiful decorative bag which I am using as a knitting bag and came in less than 24 hours! Website I used is called -love knitting.com, highly recommend it!
Jos, good you are feeling less stressed today, I always find my walk every day does help and makes me see things slightly calmer!!- although not always!
Lisa, nice to know radiotherapy is not too bad, it's another unknown thing to face again!
Best to everyone x

[Wildpurl]

I have to take Tamoxifen for 2 years Rosie and then switch to an aromatase inhibitor for eight years.
Sorry to hear about your Dad waiting for a bed although I am sure he will be well looked after, it must be frustrating for you not to be able to get more involved. It sounds like you had a busy morning, I bet you enjoyed it even though you were tired afterwards.

Lovewine, I really like Sirdar Click, that will make a lovely sweater or cardigan. Hope it arrives soon.

We have done the weekly shop today and now are home waiting for dinner to cook, I am tired but seem to be managing four working days OK, on holiday tomorrow and lots of gardening to do. I still enjoy the simple fact of being able to do the supermarket shop every week now

[rosie14]

Still no diagnosis on dad he is still in Shrewsbury Hospital can't transfer to Ludlow as there are no beds and he is not well enough to go home.

[joan47]

Lovewine. I don't have any firm info about radiotherapy yet, may find out something when see oncologist on Monday. But the leaflet I was given suggests a minimum of 6 weeks after surgery but having looked at some of the radiotherapy threads it is clear that people often have to wait for longer and that practice varies between hospitals.

[rosie14]

Have you got to take it for 5 or 10 years Wildpurl?

[Wildpurl]

Lisa I had some discomfort in my legs and ankles after my final chemo. It has not been really painful and was more noticeable in the morning. It has gradually faded and I am not really noticing it now. I have been on Tamoxifen now for 20 days.

[rosie14]

Jos glad you are feeling calmer and enjoyed a walk this morning! Radiotherapy and inflating the tissue expanders. Then more surgery to replace tissue expanders with implants. Hope your day continues to be more positive.

[jos]

Good morning all.

I'm feeling much calmer this morning and have just had a lovely walk with a friend to start the day.

Rosie - more hospital appointments?  What is happening next?  Yes, i have been to NZ twice to visit my sister but the next trip will be the first with my daughter.  Actually I think I might lock my sis in the loft and hide her passport - we don't want her to leave!

Lisa - good luck with the Tamoxifen.  I'll be interested to hear how you get on.  I am starting on 1st October - the day I also return to work.

Joan - sorry that other areas were identified.  It is a constant worry isn't it - what else might be lurking that we don't yet know about.  Barcelona sounds wonderful and thanks for the insurance tip.

Have a good day everyone.

x

[rolicarpit]

I know it's easy to say but radiotherapy was quite pleasant in comparison to chemo and surgery but I still felt anxious to start with and again was much better once it had started and yes hated all the waiting, feel like I've spent most of this year waiting for something or other lol

[rosie14]

Joan that does sound like a good deal especially as it is irrespective of medical conditions! Joan I can understand your anxiety but it is good news that the other 2 areas were zapped by the chemo. Remember also we will now be kept an eye on every few months so that should give us a safety net!
Goodness Lovewine be careful with the 3 dogs don't get falling over them! Hope your wool arrives and you can get your needles clicking!
I had to rescue a little Russian girl who didn't know where she was going and a Chinese boy. Managed to get them safely to their respective classes.
Talking about aching joints, my right leg gets very achy and if I have been sat down too long it won't work immediately and I have to stand still until it will let me walk on it!

[Lovewine]

No I haven't yet, not very patient in the waiting game we are all in!

[rolicarpit]

Hi Lovewine ... Yes the scan was at the radiotherapy suite at LRI....all very painless, have you got a date yet?

[Lovewine]

Hi Joan, seeing we are at a similar point in treatment could you give me an idea of rough time scale when radiotherapy starts after surgery? Would be nice also to squeeze a short break in somewhere!!

[Lovewine]

Hi Lisa, am trying very hard not to sneak back to work!! Not easy though for a control freak like me!
Nigel slater cake sounds really nice, I am not much of a cook but find his recipes successful even for a non baker like me!! His banana and chocolate cake recipe is really easy and delicious.i think you are wise not to go into work as before you know it you will be at full speed again! When they do the c.t scan is at the radiotherapy unit at the royal infirmary? Also regarding joint pain, i am not on tamoxifen but have found my joints ache particularly in morning and my back aches if sat still for a time, have read other posts further along than us and think it's very common, I think tamoxifen does exaspiate the aches though!!

[rosie14]

Hi Lisa yes that would be great to meet for coffee in October there is a beach bar called The Deck Next door to Alexander the Great! We live in Peyia which is 20 mins from Paphos. We are towards the Akamas Peninsular a conservation area with turtle hatching beaches and banana plantations!
Glad your gin is progressing well when will it be ready? The local gin in Cyprus is cheap and you get at least a double, it's not usually measured just poured out of the bottle into the glass along with some ice cubes. I think it may be different in hotels though!

[joan47]

Jos, glad you are feeling somewhat calmer today and hope you get some reassurance from your medical team. The issue with my results is that in addition to the two lumps that had shown up on scans when they removed that tissue they found two other areas. Both smaller and zapped by the chemo but my anxiety is if those weren't spotted before are there more elsewhere in the breast.

It sounds as if you are going to get a really good cosmetic result from the procedure next week.

In terms of travel insurance we are currently trying to arrange this for our trip to Barcelona in October when I expect to be between surgery and radiotherapy. The company we are likely to go with is called MIA. they have quoted us around £160 for the two of us for a week which was a good deal less than we expected especially since I have a blood clot and a couple of other medical issues. The woman I spoke to on the phone was very helpful. She said that their approach is just to decide whether or not they will insure you and then the premium is the same irrespective of the medical condition. We have tried a couple of other companies on line but didn't find the web sites very easy to use.

[Lovewine]

Morning everyone, babysitting sons collie too today so had 3 collies to run ragged today!!
Rosie, an easy day sounds nice, particularly with all the travelling you are going to be doing! It's nice to be involved though with your school and all the little ones!!- but tiring I would imagine! Enjoy your day. X
Jos, hope things are not as daunting today after a nights sleep, hope you can maybe speak to nurse in next few days.
Wildpurl, am hoping my wool arrives today as quite excited to get needles clicking!
Jackie, hope you are recovering well?
Joan, how are you today? Hope you are feeling better.
Have a good day everyone!

[rolicarpit]

Morning all,

Jos nice to hear from you but sorry that you have been having a rough time, I would definitely look into that hol to NZ next year, I think we will all be glad to see the back of 2014 and a holiday like that would be a great thing to look forward to.

Lovewine, you sound like you are doing well, your right the radiotherapy CT scan is to get the tattoos in the right place and guides the physicists to work out the angles for the beam etc I think. Are you still taking it easy or have you snuck (not sure that's a word!) back to work? I am looking after my gin very lovingly, giving it a little shake every day until it goes away in a dark place for a few months before consumption.

Rosie... Can't believe you've been in and out of work already today! I am having total break from work at the moment, although I am finding it hard ... Students went back yesterday ... New students, new staff, new building bound to be a bit chaotic and I'm desperate to be there but got one more week before returning properly, trying to be good to myself. Maybe we could meet for a coffee when we come over in Oct ... That would be exciting, I presume you don't live too far from the hotel if you go to hairdressers near it?

Hope everyone else is doing ok, Wildpurl I ended up picking a load more damsons from a hidden tree in the depths of our garden (it's a bit overgrown at the back) the freezer is now bulging, plus like you got lots of windfall apples and pears, although did make a nice Nigel slater pear and hazelnut cake thing yesterday ... I don't bake really so was quite surprised it tasted ok.

Joan hope you are feeling better and your cold goes away.

Jackie, good that you have the surgery over with and hope you are back home and recovering.

Tulamo - your post made me laugh, I think I qualify to join the circus too, think I'm going to go for a nice handlebar moustache !

Before I go ... Just a quick question.... Does anyone else have sore joints, I've been on tamoxifen now for a week but I think was experiencing this just before I started it so don't think it's that but my knees, hips, wrists and ankles are very sore, particularly in the morning ... Any thoughts ?

Hope everyone else is well and have a good day all

Lisa

[rosie14]

Good Morning all!
I expect some of you are just getting up! I have been into school to help out with getting the correct children into their classes with their new teachers exhausted now and managed to get a lift home! Going to have an easy day!
Just had a call,form the cancer nurse and she said tomorrow's appointment will be to meet the doctor and for her to explain the procedure. Then another appointment will be made for the the planning meeting! More travelling !!!
Jos glad to hear that you ex partner is still really a supportive friend. Maybe when he has sorted some of his own problems out things could be different? A trip to NZ sounds just what you need to be planning Jos, have you been before?

[jos]

Hi Wildpurl

Yes, there would be less cancer in the nodes than previously as it did not show up on the MRI which it had before and, yes, it is good that it wasn't present in others.  I am calming down a bit now and trying to be rational. 

As for the relationship, I don't think it was really down to the cancer (although I'm sure it didn't help).  He has some health and other problems himself and needed to take a step back.  As you say, never a good time.  At least I still have him as a really great and very supportive friend.

Hope you are doing well.

x

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, my wool is sirdar click chunky in blossom !! Am going to try and knit a cardigan and brush up on some forgotten skills! I love pale blue, hope you get a bit of wear out of it before chunky knitwear is needed!

[Wildpurl]

Joan, mango and crab salad sounds gorgeous! Sorry you have a cold, I hope it passes quickly

[Wildpurl]

Good evening everyone,
Jos it is good to hear from you but I am sorry to hear about the breakup of your relationship, not great timing for you although I suppose there is never a good time for these things. Do you feel that coping with the cancer and treatment put extra stress on you both and may have been a factor? I know that while I was having chemo there was definitely more tension between me and OH.

I can understand your concern about the lymph nodes, but perhaps there is less cancer there than previously, and it's positive that it had not spread to other lymph nodes. I think some more information would probably help put your mind at rest. It's good that your surgery went well and that your second procedure is scheduled, it sounds as though you will get a good cosmetic result.

I think a trip to New Zealand next year is a great idea, I am quite envious, my ex husband is a New Zealander and we visited a few times, I loved it and would very much like to visit again.

Lovewine, my cardigan is a very pale blue cotton. If I can finish it this weekend I might wear it once or twice this season, which would be good! What wool did you get, chunky is lovely for winter wear. I also have downy hair on my cheeks but it is blonde so does not show luckily. I have read that it disappears after a while.

Rosie, at last a radiotherapy appointment, how exciting! Pity it is so early though.

Tulamo, I hope you are feeling better now and glad the puppy is OK!
The schools went back this week round here, my drive to work has much more traffic since Monday. Still, only tomorrow to go and then another three day weekend!

[Lovewine]

If you have a Macmillan centre within your hospital which I have just pick up a form or look on Macmillan website for grant details or maybe ask breast care nurse- they send cheque really quickly too!!

[jos]

Gosh, no, I've never heard of that from Macmillan - will check it out, thanks for the tip.

x

[Lovewine]

Yes the waiting is awful, makes us all very anxious, sympathise with divorce costs! Macmillan cancer charity offer great advice on insurance too! Incidentally have you applied to macmillan for a grant, this is available to everyone who is being treated for cancer as one off payment to help with expenses etc, regardless of job situation etc, I applied and wAs very pleasantly surprised to have a cheque very quickly for £380.00, my breast care nurse filled in medical parts and only took a week for cheque to arrive!! Being self employed I am not entitled to any state sick pay or benefits so it was a real help!

[jos]

Thats quite a long wait Lovewine.  I hate all the waiting and anxiety it brings.

I was supposed to have gone to NZ this summer but hope to go next year instead if I can afford the increased insurance premiums post-cancer! (and haven't spent too much in legal fees on my divorce!).

x

[Lovewine]

Jos. I get my results on September 15 th. Must say the surgeon ability and skill continues to amaze me, what they can do now is incredible, even from 2/3 years ago things have massively moved forward. My friends had a general surgeon for their mastectomys , now we have specialist breast surgeons and all these different techniques! At least you have your sister here for support for a couple of weeks , although you will miss her ime sure when she returns to New Zealand, am sure you mentioned ages ago you were hoping to go and visit her next year? Something to look forward to is what's needed.

[Lovewine]

Joan, hope it's not an allergy related to the crab you had for lunch, hope you feel better soon.

[jos]

Lovewine - when are you getting your results?

Joan - my sister is still with me but returns to NZ on 18th.  Ex partner wasn't living with me but 50 miles away which wasn't ideal anyway. He is still supportive but not physically here much at the moment due to some fairly heavy problems of his own. I am busy lining up lots of things with friends post-18th.  Of course, I have my 7 year old with me a lot of the time.  My second op is a LICAP flap reconstruction where they move a bit of tissue/fat across from chest wall to "fill the gap".  I will have all my scars down my side and on my back but the breast will be scar-free.  Amazing really.  I will have 6 weeks of radiotherapy in Oct/nov - more than I'd been told originally.  How were your results?  What are your concerns? 

Sorry, so out of touch and too many pages of posts to catch up fully.  I have been thinking of all of you though.

x