Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[rosie14]

Tlj how lovely to hear from you and you are right we are able to do normal things again. How quickly we have forgotten how low we felt! Thank you for reminding us how far we have come!
You will love Paris have a wonderful time enjoy the culture!

[Tlj63]

Morning everyone. Reading this thread now is so different from a few months ago. We are all talking about going out and doing things as opposed to being fed up with sitting on a sofa. It's really encouraging.
My son is home. He drove me mad in the days before he came home because I was trying to give him last minute instructions and he wouldn't responed to my messages. Typical teenager! It was great to give him a hug when I picked him up from the airport. We are now all about to go out on a bike ride and have some lunch along the way.
Tomorrow we are going to Paris for a few days. I've never been to Paris so I'm really looking forward to it. Where we live is quite rural so it's great to feel the buzz of a city. We are taking the boys on a bus tour, a boat ride down the Seine, up the Effel tower and then to the Musee D'Orsay. So it will be culture overload.
Hope you all have a good few days with all your family visitors. We will probably all be moaning next week how knackered we are but at least we are living our lives and not just existing.

[rosie14]

Good morning Kirstie enjoy the pub tonight. I don't blame you not,going clubbing afterwards I hate being in crowds incase I get knocked.
It's good to know,that we all have our hair growing back even if it is the wrong colour. There was always going to be a chance that it wouldn't!
Wildpurl I think I will leave the pictures upside down . The annoying thing is they are not upside down in my gallery on the iPad!
Well done on your burst of energy Lovewine! I am going to finalise shopping list and plan itinerary for the week so,we don't waste any time.

[Lovewine]

Morning Kirstie and Wildpurl, Kirstie a night out at the pub sounds very nice indeed! As does a nice meal you are preparing Wildpurl! You do have nice menus! I can't bake either Kirstie, but the nigel slater banana and choc cake is so easy and very tasty!
I have walked my impatient doggies, hoovered car, washed outside of it and now having a tassimo! Must be having a real spurt of energy so making most of it! Rosie good news all is going to plan with daughter and family!! You must be very excited now. Love doggie photos, I don't know either how to rotate them!

[Kirstie77]

Morning Wildpurl, yes mine came through much lighter, I should of just left it alone - maybe I should add patient to me list of things to work in lol !

Rosie I struggled with that too it seems it doesn't work then and I wasn't just being silly ;0)

[Wildpurl]

Morning kirstie!
My hair grew back white at first but the roots are now darker so some colour is coming thank goodness

[Wildpurl]

I think you might have to rotate them in a photo app like picture gallery or online in Photobucket or Flickr, then save them and then upload them. Some applications can work out what the correct orientation of a photo is but the gallery here does not do that.

[Kirstie77]

Morning ladies, you all sound like you have very nice days planned, enjoy ! Though by the sounds of it you may all need an afternoon snooze Being awake so early.

I woke up at 1am and could get back to sleep so read until 3, then the dog needed the loo at 6.30 so I had to take him down must of been a night for it !

I wish I could bake I'm rubbish I would be more likely to make banana mush than cake ! Rosie you must be so excited to see you family have a fantastic evening.

I'm off out this evening to the pub, it's my sisters birthday soon she is going out out, clubbing after the pub closed but I will go home I'd be too frightened of getting knocked.

I was told that I could do what I liked with my hair which is why I tried the chemical one as I want to go from darker to blonde, I have since been told the reason we need to wait is because sometimes the hair goes a different colour - they tell me this now !!! Still lesson learnt ;0)

Have a fab day everyone I need to get a wriggle on and take my son to his guitar lesson x

[rosie14]

Have just put 2 more pictures of our dog in my gallery and they are upside down can't see how to rotate them any ideas?

[rosie14]

Good morning Wildpurl hope you enjoyed your breakfast. Pilates will be relaxing for you before you start your onslaught of cooking. I must say it all,sounds very mouth watering and I hope,those three males appreciate your efforts!

[rosie14]

Lovewine your books would give me nightmares!!! I am more of an easy read lass!
I agree it would be a good idea to swap book titles.
Have just had a message from my daughter to say that they all slept well and are just about to leave for the airport! Exciting!!!!! They are flying from Edinburgh as it was 600 pounds total, cheaper than from Newcastle. They are due to land in Paphos at 8.50pm our time tonight!
Have just brushed the patio and wiped the outside furniture down. Now I am exhausted and going to have a Tassimo!
Why is it that dogs think everything you eat you are willing to share with them and look at you with their big amber eyes. Our dog salivates when DH has crisps or she sees me with a yoghurt. It literally drips out of her mouth onto the floor!

[Wildpurl]

Morning rosie and Lovewine, sorry you both woke up so early. Thank you for the link to the hair dye, lovewine, I will take a look at that.
I am having a peaceful breakfast with OH before everyone else gets up, then I am going to Pilates. OH, FIL and OH's son are going to footy this afternoon, so I will be in charge of starting the coking for this evening. I have to make some more gingerbread, spicy roast potato and aubergines and a raita and I will also have to fry chicken joints for a baked chicken curry.
Enjoy your days off from radiotherapy and have relaxing days!

[Lovewine]

I think my dogs are wanting a piece of my biscuit Rosie- no chance! They have had their own " dentastix!", also waiting for the sign of me putting on my old jogging bottoms at side of bed signalling a walk is coming!
I love Victoria Hislops books particularly the island, her latest one is called the sunrise. We could actually include a book club in our forum too now! So I am going to download it and give my brain a rest from serial killers!! X

[rosie14]

Good morning Lovewine you certainly have some decisions to make! I should make the banana cake and then see how you feel about cleaning the car. We can get our car cleaned for 5 euros in and out here about 6 people attack it and it takes about 5 mins! So not worth doing ourselves. Are you dogs in anticipation of the chocolate biscuits or the prospect of a walk? I took our dog this morning as DH has to go and help with the football as they are 2 staff down.
I agree there is no way my hair is having a public viewing either until coloured!
I would definitely download Victoria Hislops book in fact I may well do that myself. Reading one set in France at the moment.

[Lovewine]

Morning Rosie, I also woke up at 5.00 am and can't go back to sleep!- how frustrating!! I was worrying about whether to wash/clean car inside and out or make a banana cake or do both!!! Decisions, decisions!
I am also being advised to have my " hair" cut to encourage growth but can't bear to do it after cultivating it for weeks, I think the advice is not to colour with chemical dyes for 6 months after chemo, but vegetable dye/ non chemical is ok, must say mine isn't going to have a public viewing until some colour put in it!
As for the herceptin, don't worry too much about it, it's just a minor irritation altho didn't feel like that yesterday when trying to get to rads and the loo at the same time!! I have been told the more you have the less side effects if any you will have!
Hope your lovely family arrive without too many "sick bugs!" And you all have a good week together.
Have returned to my bed until 7.00 a,m tassimo and choc biscuit in hand with 2 dogs welded to my rear end on anticipation! Going to decide whether to deviate from my usual crime fiction or download Victoria Hislops latest book which is set in Cyprus!!

[rosie14]

Gosh Lovewine I didn't realise that could happen with herceptin! I am just hoping now I don't have to start it until rads are out of the way! Yes week one is out of the way. Why is it I woke up just after 5am this morning. Tried to get back to sleep but started worrying about daughter and family that no one else gets George's bug!!! Also had 2 large glasses of wine last night with my meal out. It was lovely to catch up with our friends they are here for another month.
Lisa I hope you have a safe flight back and that you have enjoyed your holiday!
Jackie hope your son is less bored now and you are enjoying your holiday!
Tlj hope you are enjoying having your son at home.
Cassie hope you have a great trip to Cornwall and you manage to relax even for a short time.
Wildpurl hope FIL arrived safely and that he will provide a welcome distraction from your worries. Enjoy your weekend and your week off.
Kirstie hope you are ok and Tulmano hope you are feeling better.
On the hair front my son suggested I put the clippers over it to give it a cut to encourage the growth! Can't bring myself to do this after not having hair for several months! How long do we have to wait before we can allow the hairdresser to colour our hair again? I have a lovely hair dresser who is a Cypriot I have been going to her for 4 years! She usually cuts my hair, colours it uses a few hi lights and blow dries it all for 30 euros!
I am hoping to be able to go before Christmas I may just go keep putting my head scarf on until then to hide the lack of colour!!!
Have a great weekend all! X

[Lovewine]

I looked on colour chart and quite like the golden blonde or natural pale blonde, just need a bit more hair to colour!

[Lovewine]

http://www.danielfieldmailorder.co.uk
This is a link I found!

[Wildpurl]

Brilliant Lovewine, thank you for that, I will have a look

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, have been doing a bit of research into hair colour and " Daniel field" do a really good range that is safe for us to use, not tested on animals either, if you look on website there are loads of colours, am not sure but think boots may stock the range.

[Lovewine]

Evening everyone, first time today my skin is looking a little sunburnt!! I also thought I wasn't going to make it in today for rads as the herceptin I had yesterday gave me a very upset tummy so couldn't stray far from the toilet!! Thankfully it eased a little and made it without incident!!
Jackie, how lovely you are there and having a lovely time, try and relax and enjoy the weather as it's cold and wet here and of course with clocks going back on Saturday it will be dark at 5.00 p.m, oh joy!!
Wildpurl, hope your tesco shop went ok, have a lovely weekend with your family and enjoy the firework display, you can recharge your batteries next week and have a bit of time to spend doing things you like!
Rosie, first week done and dusted!! It will fly by, next week won't be too bad either with your family here too, must admit as an ardent animal lover I think I would have adopted many dogs if I lived over in Cyprus! Your dog looks a real character and as spoilt as my two!!
My O/H is working over the weekend so intend to catch up on boring chores- with daily hospital trips and work I just haven't had time to do anything, so must catch up!

[rosie14]

Glad your skin is still ok Lovewine I had to go to see the doctor today for a skin check. She said it was looking good so far! Finished week one thank goodness. DH will take me on Mon, Tues is bank holiday, Wed and Fri and we will tie those days in with visits for the family. I am just hoping they will all be well, George our 3 year old grandson was sick this morning his childminder's daughter has had a bug apparently!
Jackie glad you arrived safely and are happy with the villa. If you find yourself in Pahpos on Monday the pirate ship is sailing. It's a 3 hr cruise with a meal,and pirate entertainment. We are taking our 2 grandchildren. It leaves the harbour at 12 noon. There is also a big water park your side of the island. It's difficult to keep everybody happy on holiday! I am afraid there is a huge problem with stray cats and dogs on the island. There is a scheme to neuter the cats and several volunteers help catch them. There is also a cat feeding programme again operated by volunteers. The dogs are taken to rescue centres. Our dog was a recuse dog she was dumped with her sister and brothers in a sack in a banana plantation. Fortunately someone heard a whimper and they were rescued. They were hand reared by a foster family and then advertised for rehoming.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday!
Wildpurl make sure you have a relaxing weekend and get FIL out in the garden!!!!

[Wildpurl]

So pleased you are enjoying your villa and well deserved holiday Jackie! It's lovely to hear from you.

I am at work this morning and then off to Tescos for our weekly shop after which we meet my FIL at the airport. Saturday will be busy with gym, cooking, guests for dinner and going out to see the fireworks!

I have used the super drug hair effects twice now and I can't see any evidence of colour! I probably need something a bit stronger.

[Jackie09]

Good morning ladies from Cyprus!

We arrived! Bit of a stressful start, as we were late for my radio planning. The trip into Sheffield was worse than we anticipated, so we were late. As usual, the appointment was not as bad as I was imagining, but I think going away the same day definitely took my mind off it. I could only relax when we arrived at the airport! I drove there - it helps me feel "normal!" A bit of excitement, as Real Madrid were due to land there - and Oliver loves Ranaldo. Unfortunately, they put them on a coach on the Tarmac, so we didn't get to see them! We had to pick up the keys from Protarus, so had a late meal there. It was lovely to be back. We then drove around for a short while once in Aiya Theckla, looking for the villa - needle in a haystack springs to mind, as the street signs are really non-existent! Left turn after the sandwich shop sort of thing! Anyway the villa didn't disappoint and we are 20 yards or so from the water - which I could sit and look at all day long!
The only real downside is my hair during the day! I have bought a floppy hat, but as I'm the only one wearing headgear, that draws attention! I wonder if I went commando, I would get fewer looks! I have got a head towel thing, which looks like a turban, so maybe I will try that. At the beach yesterday, I saw a lady with an arm sleeve, and I wondered whether she had lymphodemia as a result of BC. A fellow kindred spirit I perhaps thought. Speaking of which, my arm looks swollen - but OH says not. The only other thing that makes me sad here (well apart from the last time I was here I didn't have a care in the world) are the stray animals. Two pitifully thin kittens joined us for lunch yesterday. Jason doesn't like cats, but as he was the only one with fish, he was chief supplier. One had a very poorly eye, and I wanted to take it to a vet - I might see if I can tempt it into a box and take it from there! So today, we are headed for the beach - Oliver is being quite difficult - everything is boring - so hopefully he might find a playmate. That in itself is a task, as he is so shy - it usually takes Jason to make friends for him! I will try to upload a picture of me view - but don't hold out much hope - I attempted the other day - but gave up in frustration! Jason has just come back from a morning swim so that's our cue to get going.
Sorry for going on a bit - I hope you don't think it indulgent of me - but sometimes writing on here is a bit like a diary entry for me! I hope you all have good days today. Love to all x x

[Kirstie77]

I'm not sure what reconstruction I want yet, I'm booked in for diep but I can change my mind if I like he said I'm booked in for the 24th January - I am thinking I may just go for silicone at that stage he will go under the muscle, but if I go for diep I won't need my muscle moving which is why he I'd it this way.

I saw the type I think you are talking about when I googled for a picture of mine - yours look so much more complicated !

[Lovewine]

Back in tomorrow at 9.00 a.m, good luck Rosie with yours! Keep smothering on the E45! Fingers crossed so far my skin isn't looking too bad! Not long now until your daughter arrives- hope that makes next week a little easier for you.

[rosie14]

Oh Kirstie those are much more compact than mine!!! Are you having silicone implants at a later date? My expanders will be taken out and new silicone implants put in!!!!

[Kirstie77]

Hi Rosie

http://www.concannonplasticsurgery.com/img/expander1.jpg

This is a link to the type I have x

[Kirstie77]

It does seem to be naturally darker now lol

[rosie14]

Lisa glad that you are having a relaxing time and recharging your batteries. It was lovely to meet you hope you enjoy the rest of your stay!
Oh Lovewine you had a long hospital day today too! The thing I hate is that there is no one I can talk to pass the time. I have found a little family of 4 kittens under a bush at the front of the hospital they must be about 4 weeks old . They are very sweet but they are very scared and I can't get very near to them or else they bolt under a piece of concrete.
I had a pain under my arm the first 2 days from holdings over my head but at least that feels more comfortable today! I use E45 lotion when I get home and the talcum powder they gave me at night . They have asked for water only in the morning so it's clean.
Kirstie I don't think you would be allowed to put a picture of your swelling it would be removed!!! My dangly bits are inside my skin and each one has a port on the end which feels and looks like a lump each side of my body.
Wildpurl one more day and your week off will start!
Tlj hope your son is safely at home now enjoy your time with him.
Have a good evening everyone!

[Lovewine]

Kirstie, before chemo I always used nice n easy, for years I have had the natural baby blonde one and that was quite blonde( in my photos before my wig that hair colour is from nice n easy!!) if you are more naturally darker I think you need a pre- lightened? Good luck!

[Kirstie77]

Rosie I think we have completely different expanders in, mine don't have any dangly bits mine has a self sealing cap inside which they will just inject into through the skin, yours don't sound pleasant at all, I asked he consultant when could I sleep on my side, he said a soon as. Liked, I keep trying up it is uncomfortable and I'm not sure if thats not helping with the swelling, I'd send you a pic if it wasn't so public lol x

[Kirstie77]

Thanks lovewine re the dye, I did "nice and easy" earlier today - I had one in the cupboard :0/ it went a reddish brown not good - I need to get it blonder...... Not sure what to do now lol

Glad you have managed to slow the work pace down, work life balance and all that ;0)

[Lovewine]

Kirstie, am going to dye my very short hair in the next few days, Wildpurl used superdrug special effects wash in dye which is safe to use, I bought some too, also holland and Barrett have vegetable based dye which is recommended too.
Tulamo, hope you are doing ok, not such bad weather today for your donkeys!!
Cassie, enjoy your deserved break in St Austell.

[Lovewine]

Hello everyone, I have had a long hospital day today, got there at 9.30 for rads and then had to wait until 12.00 for the herceptin jab up in the chemo unit, I love the nurses and staff there, but it was a reminder of what we went through during the spring/summer! Chatted to some ladies having Fec T and others on different chemo too, spent about an hour talking to a lovely lady having chemo for pain relief with life expectancy of 3 months, she had a very rare form of kidney cancer, she was very jolly and uplifting and I felt humbled listening to her. I then had to wait another 2 hours on the ward to make sure there was no reaction to herceptin, thankfully there wasn't!
Rosie, I rads tomorrow , then Monday and Tuesday, I know it feels like forever and for you it's so much worse with the long, boring journey and waiting about, but it has flown by I must say ! It will for you too, be over before you know it you see!!
Kirstie, you are so right in your new outlook to life, it certainly makes us change the way we see the world, I too was a workaholic due to running my own business , a terrible perfectionist too!! I got up at 5.00 a.m and worked some days until 7.00 p.m and used to fall asleep sitting upright on sofa with my glass of wine with exhaustion!! Really not good- I now still wake up early but make my coffee, return to bed and read until 7.00 a.m and have made a rule not to work past 5.00 p.m, it's hard but trying to stick to it!!
Wildpurl, hope you are ok? You are very tolerant putting up with people's petty issues when you have had all these worries, be kind to yourself.
Joan, hope your rads are going smoothly, I have noticed stiffness now in my shoulder and have been told to do the exercises from surgery so as not to stiffen up- apparently rads inflame nerve endings in the whole area causing aches and discomfort.
Tij, enjoy the time with your son !!
Lisa, glad you are having a lovely time
Hope Jackie is also in Cyprus now too!

[rolicarpit]

A quick hello to you all from Cyprus ... Having a very relaxing time.... Rosie it was lovely to meet you, think about you every day whenever I see a bus leave paphos I think about your monumental journey every day ... It will be over before you know it and next week will be a bit different with your daughter visiting. Hope everyone else is ok, will catch up on everyone's news and do a proper post soon ... Hugs to you wildpurl can see by scanning the posts you're having a tough time ... You are allowed , we've all been through so much and it catches us at different times and in different ways ... Take care everyone
Lisa

[rosie14]

Ah Kirstie mine are under the muscle maybe that's why they are so unbearable! Sleeping is a nightmare I have not long been able to sleep on my left side again and that's with stuffing a neck cushion, one you take on a plane, underneath my side. Did your surgeon leave the tubes with the magnet bit that he sticks the needle in to put the saline in dangling down your side? Inside that is!!! Mine did and they feel like very sore when you press or lie on them! I have just looked out the anti inflammatories that DH got me from the chemist when the cancer nurse advised me to use them for the discomfort. I never did because I ended up taking 6 weeks of antibiotics following surgery and didn't want to,take anything else at the time. I have now got to look them up on the internet to find out the dosage as the instructions are all in Greek!!!

[Kirstie77]

Radio therapy must be awful :0( xx that bus journey is horrendous Rosie it would be bad enough just to have rads let alone have to trek across the country to do it x

I have to say the expanders are not the best but I know if I want boobs at the end of it I have to lump it, they are uncomfortable especially the sleeping but mine are just under the skin not the muscle my consultant said that it should be more comfortable as he can go under the muscle next time x. I think everything combined Rosie I'm not surprised your fed up, I only have the expanders and the tamoxifen to deal with x

Enjoy the eyebrow wax I had mine done the other week and they look fab now x

[rosie14]

Lovewine does that mean 3 more after today? I have 24 left!!!!!! It's really getting me down now. We had a different driver on the bus today and he put a CD on loudly, Greek style, and proceeded to sing along with it ! I hate the scram to get on the 11am bus I have to wait outside by 10.45 and the driver didn't open up until,11.10. I was pacing up,and down and I can't stand still for long my right leg aches! Once on the bus it didn't leave until 11.30. The drivers collect bag fills of drugs to drop off Limassol and Paphos.
I asked the radiographer today if the radiotherapy could make the tissue expanders feel very tight and he said YES!!! I don't know about you Kirsty but I regret the day I had them in. I wonder if driving hasn't helped either?
Cassie sorry about your indigestion hope you can stabilise it soon.
Kirstie you will soon get a cleavage when the expanders are inflated!
I am with you and Wildpurl how life has to be enjoyed a little more with family and work needs to slow down. I just wish my DH would do the same!!! It's very difficult
When it's your own business and I am not pulling my weight!
Catch you all later just off to have my eyebrows waxed!

[Wildpurl]

Thank you for the cuddle, kirstie, much appreciated:)
Your list of changes is very interesting to think about. I too have started to make more time to see friends and family, which we often felt too busy to do previously. OH and I like to get on and get things done in the house and garden, while we enjoy that it can get stressful so I am trying to make sure we spend some time doing other/me things.
I think I have got to come up with a strategy at work for reducing the amount of energy I give to others as I just can't spare as much now as I used to be able to.

[Kirstie77]

Wildpurl - you are under so much stress at the moment I think I would have fallen apart sending you a massive cuddle, im thinking of you xxxx

Lovewine - thanks re my hair, it's now sprung into curls and is uncontrollable, people don't know what to say when they see it, it's quiet amusing x

Has anyone dyed their hair yet?

[Kirstie77]

Hi ladies

Just to join in on the being my old self discussion, I have kind of written my oldself off but in a positive way there are lots of good bits but there are fundamental areas that should change as I no longer feel they are the best way to live my life going forward, I used to be quite intolerant of people and very full on with work often staying late and going in early, I took my friends for granted and and coasted along with my husband. I wouldn't have realised that or done anything about it without the cancer. I would like to look like the old me but I have realised I won't, I liked my boobs and my hair and I'm 2 stone heavier which is really getting me down but I can fix that - we need gok wan to come and give us all a makeover ! I have had a good cry for the person I was but I celebrate the person I intend to be x

Does anyone know if Jackie got on holiday?

How is everyone feeling today ? I have to say driving yesterday and going into work was stupid, I was sore and had to come home at one, I think a combination of the driving and the heavy doors did me no favours I had a very swollen expander on one side, so lesson learnt - working at home today ! Still I had the slightest of cleavage due to the swelling lol small things make me smile - literally lol

Keep going everyone every day is another day closer - but goodness me its dragging on now isn't it x

[Wildpurl]

Morning all, wishing easy journeys and on time appointments to all those with radiotherapy appointments.
Talking of getting irritated with people, I am a manager so I often have members of my team moaning to me about their difficulties and problems. I sometimes have to make a huge effort not to say "you think that's a problem? Let me tell you about what is a real problem" But of course I don't because I know their problems are important to them. I do find it difficult though, when I'm stressed, to be patient with people who really don't have problems!

[Cassie86]

I know what you mean about stressful work I am an assistant practice manager and believe me its stressful, I have lists of things going through my head constantly and not much support, its difficult to complain though as I have been off so much this year. Indigestion seems to be another thing we have in common, I have not managed to stop the Lansoprazole that was prescribed for me while having chemo, if I try the acid reflux is unbearable.

[Lovewine]

Good luck Rosie for tomorrow!! I am on rad number 11- fingers crossed only 4 more to go! Hope you finished your chores! X

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, that's positive news today with regard to your worries, hope it's put your mind at rest somewhat, you have a nice weekend to look forward to and a nice week off, hope you find some good days out maybe too.
I agree with how we are feeling now- on the chemo and surgery and some of us radiotherapy treadmill I think our energy physically and mentally was taken up focusing on getting through it all, now we are almost cast adrift in a way and those fears and anxieties are back with a vengeance!! I feel very bad tempered with family members too, my mum rang earlier to see how onc appt went today and she said again the words which so annoy me " WE are on the last leg now!!" Poor mum means well I know , but WE!! It's me poisoned, cut up, radiated etc, etc!! End of rant!!!

[rosie14]

Lovewine good luck with your Herceptin tomorrow. You must be half way or over now with your rads? I find when I get off the bus in Paphos my legs won't work and I am one of the youngest on the bus!!!
I don't think things can ever be the same again it's a life changing situation to find oneself in.
Wildpurl we will all be rooting for you that the biopsy is clear and and it's part of the reconstruction,
Glad you have got things to look forward to next week enjoy your visitors and the fireworks.
I think you are absolutely right about feeling under threat again when things don't appear normal. Mt tissue expanders are giving me a bad time and I am hoping the radiotherapy isn't affecting them!!!!
Joan that's great that you would like to meet up too!
I must sign off as I have to put the washing up,away and make DH packed lunch for tomorrow. I have to get my clothes ready for the morning and get the mugs and bowls out ready for breakfast. Not very keen eating it at 5.20 am !!!
Good night all x

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

Sorry to hear some of you are feeling down still and not feeling if they will ever feel "normal" again, you will I would say I am at about 85% now still not sleeping well but that was a problem before, so may not be anything to do with Ca. I have finished RADS about 5 weeks ago now and I am sure the tiredness is only the extra travelling involved and not the treatment. Look forward to very sore chests though ladies just the last week and the first week after the treatment stops, my skin peeled off quite a bit, but was controled with aloe vera gel and some sponge pads that stick on. I worked through all of it, its nothing like as bad a chemo and its SE's.

My memory is really awful still, maybe a menopausal problem though !

Still witing for the result of my fine needle biopsy that was taken......

The McMillan nurses certainly can access a fast track to counsellors to help you through this difficult time.

Rosie I would be up for meeting up next year, I am in central London but am happy to travel, I think its a great idea, we should all be putting things behind us by then and feelinf a lot stonger.

Keep strong Ladies, I am having another massage tomorrow, I have just one left i my allowance X

[joan47]

Wildpurl. I think that is pretty spot on. And I think of all of us you were probably the one who kept most positive, or at least positive for more of the time. But to an extent we were all focused on coping with the treatment process in our different ways and now underlying worries are beginning to surface. I am very conscious that I am extremely irritable at the moment and flying off the handle at my long suffering husband for no very good reason. I hope you manage to enjoy your visitors and that it helps to distract you a bit.

Rosie, I'm up for a get together next July. I live about 15 miles south of Bristol but good access to M5 and M4. You have a busy weekend ahead of you. Hope your rads went well and the journey not too bad. Also that you are less uncomfortable from the expanders. Apart from tiredness the only side effect I have had so far was yesterday when I had a few brief sharp stabbing pains. I asked about it at my review and was told it isn't uncommon and due to the body sending increased blood to the area to deal with the rads and it stimulates the nerve endings around the scar.

Telamon, sorry you had such a rough time after your last chemo with side effects and your cold. Irritating about your Herceptin. You're right, you have to be pretty proactive to ensure things happen.

[Wildpurl]

Just add, that I think you are right, rosie, it's best not to look too far forward and to focus on things to look forward to in the short term. I did that all through chemo, but I think maybe I had started to look too far ahead again once I began to recover.

Lovewine, I had to smile at the thought of your collies forcing you out into the rain and wind. Dogs really seem to enjoy any weather!