Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[Wildpurl]

Evening all, well done on completing radiotherapy joan, you have a lot planned over the next week, I am sure you will enjoy meeting up with people. Gosh I'm not sure I could have let people play with my softie, but I guess we all deal with these things in our own way.

Today I went to an internal conference on system architecture and by a stroke of luck met the UK Head of Engineering who was also attending. I have arranged to have a telephone call with him on Thursday, to be followed by a face to face meeting. Better crack on with my CV/presentation tomorrow so I can show it to him!

I'm tired this evening and so glad I have reduced my working hours. I'm sure I will recover much better with a three day weekend!

You are getting through those rads rosie, and how nice that the lady you met is able to give you a lift every day, that must help you a lot.

[rosie14]

Joan well done for getting to the end of rads without too much in the way of side effects! I couldn't be like the woman you met today Joan I prefer to be discrete about it!
Glad your OH is fully recovered now!

[joan47]

Had last radiotherapy today- hooray. Rather red and sore under boob but have been given gel and some amazing sticky foam pads which you make slits in along the length so it fits your shape. Sounds a bit Blue Peterish but it makes it more comfortable to wear a bra. Met an amazing woman today who is really putting two fingers up to cancer. Yesterday she was wearing a poppy in a hairband around her very bald head. She had also had a henna tattoo on the back. She also spoke about people playing catch with her softie at a family BBQ! I have tried to stay light hearted when talking to most people but I certainly could not have done that.

Tomorrow I have a shiatsu massage booked. Not had this before but hope it is relaxing. In the afternoon taking sister in law to garden centre. Thursday off to Gloucestershire to have lunch with old college friend who is there on holiday, Friday friend to coffee then grandchildren collecting. Saturday theatre. Hopefully no time to miss being a patient or ponder about the future. Yesterday I even managed to do some work!

Rosie, hope your radiotherapy going well. Great about the lift; pity about the music on the bus and the persistent religious gentleman. Also that the rads are making your expanders even more uncomfortable.,

TiJ, I'm sorry to hear your son is a bit low on returning to school, it must be so hard trying to support him. It sounds as if he is coping with the work though, which must indicate that he is not feeling completely overwhelmed. Commiserations about the hair.

Jackie, how are the rads going? Have you managed to sort out some counselling? Sorry you are losing nails on top of everything else. My last finger nail came off yesterday. What do your new ones look like? The ones on my right hand aren't too bad, they just look as if I bite them but the ones on my left hand are hideous. OH is fine now thanks.

Wildpurl, hope your second day at work went well. Sounds as if you are taking very positive steps to find yourself a new role. Hope they bear fruit soon.

Cassie and Lovewine, your joint pain sounds pretty grim. Chemo casts a long shadow, doesn't it. Lovewine, hope you are having a lovely holiday. I hope you conformed to Northern custom and had chips with your curry, as well as rice or maybe that is just my brother's strange tastes.

[rosie14]

Hi Tlj glad you got your son back to school safely. If the staff are happy with his progress he should be too. It's a big thing for him to leave the security of the home at a relatively young age and I think from what you have said he is coping with it very well. You would feel terrible if he was upset every night. So take heart the first term will soon be over!
I have been taking Letrozola for 2 months and my appetitive seems to have increased. I have put on 2 or 3 lbs since my surgery but I did lose 7lbs.
Hope the cricket training went well!

[Tlj63]

Gosh, it's taken me ages to catch up with all your posts and now I can't remember what everyone has been up to without going back through it again. However, I get the general impression that everyone is busy getting on with their lives physically even if the mental effects are taking their time to recover.
I am very envious of all of you talking about hair dye. I still look like Wayne Rooney pre his hair transplant. My hair seems to be growing painfully slowly. I'll be lucky to reveal my new look by Christmas at this rate!
I took my son back to school at the weekend and attended his first parents evening. He seems to be getting on fine, although emotionally I think he is a little low. I think he is finding it all quite tough. He's at a very academic school and I think he's finding it hard not being regarded as one of the clever kids anymore. It's hard trying to buoy him up from a distance.
Other son starts indoor cricket training tonight, so the taxiing continues.
Has anyone put on weight since starting herceptin or tamoxifen? My tummy seems to be getting bigger and bigger! I'm trying to watch what I eat but seem to be forever hungry.

[rosie14]

Good afternoon ladies!
Wildpurl,glad you didn't find work too bad yesterday and hope today was just as reasonable!
Jackie hope rads have started ok I have had 11 to date 17 to go ! DH said I looked pale last night! I was on the way to bed at 9.40pm getting up,at 5 am is not much fun. Yes the lady I have met is kindly picking me up and dropping me off which has made a huge difference.
You are wise to focus on planning things to do it gets us through the dark times.
Kirstie hope your inflations went well. The radiotherapy has tightened my expanders and they continue to be extremely uncomfortable!
The drivers cd's were as bad as they have been today and sounded like snake charming music!!!
Lovewine hope you are enjoying life in Yorkshire.

[Jackie09]

Morning ladies,

Just a quick post before rads today - it's not like us not to be top if the board for posts, so I'm doing my bit LOL

Rosie - how lovely you have met someone to travel with - that always makes things easier and less onerous. Is she going to give you a lift everyday? Yes we were lucky with the weather, and the timings of the clocks. We went to limmasol one year and it was dark by 5 o'clock! Will watch deal on Friday to see your friend - hope he does well!
Kirstie - hope work is going okay and your expanders aren't too uncomfortable, although after what Rosie has been through I suspect they are 😞
Lovewine - have a great week away - you just missed the spectacle if the goths descending for Halloween! Isn't there a very famous fish and chip shop there?
Wildpurl - I'm going to be like you and concentrate on planning nice things to look forward to, instead of letting it take over my thoughts - easier said than done. I think from reading on other sites too, that our feelings of worry are very common and natural when we have come to the end of our treatments. I hope work isn't too bad and don't forget to blow your own trumpet when compiling your CV!
Tulamo - please don't negate your own worries in comparison to others. All of our moans and gripes are important to us, so don't feel bad for expressing them. How are the donks?
Joan - how is OH? Over his sickness I hope. I'm now down to 7 nails, and if the broken ones are anything to go by, I'll be left with 2 intact! Are you still on grandchild duty?
Nearly out of time - will post when get back, so don't miss anyone out! Wish me luck. Love to all x x

[Wildpurl]

Glad you have arrived and are having a nice dinner Lovewine!
It's good you had a lift to Paphos from the lady you met on the bus, rosie
My day at work was not too bad, I have been networking to let people know I am looking for another role, and have started work on a summary of what I have done over the last couple of years, that I can use in discussions.
Now watching TV

[rosie14]

Glad you arrived safely Lovewine and that you have established yourself in the local pub! Enjoy your curry and wine! 😜

[Lovewine]

Evening all, no internet in cottage but am in pub opposite having chicken curry and wine!
Cassie, I am very interested in your joint pain, I have been suffering with it since chemo ended/ the mornings are awful, can hardly move, pain also in knees and back and legs! I thought maybe a menopause issue but not sure now- I know chemo can cause muscle and joint pain for quite a while.
Rosie, I sympathise with your bible man! When I was having rads I had a lady also with breast cancer talk to me and she was Jehovah's Witness and kept trying to convert me every day and gave me pamphlets to read! I tried to change the subject but never worked!
Take care everyone, am going to eat my curry now! X

[rosie14]

Good afternoon Cassie good to hear that all went well with your hair dye and hopefully you will get your aches and pains sorted out.
Hope everyone else's day is going ok. I have just had my lunch got home at 2pm today but had a lift in and out of Paphos with the lady I met on the bus. This made life much easier, only the bus journey to cope with!
After my radiotherapy I was trying to send an email to my sister on my phone when an elderly gentleman started to talk to me about the Christian attitude of the staff and how he loved the Bible to read and he asked me if I had one to read. I said I did then he offered me one of his buns. I moved on as soon as it was polite to!
The weather here is much better today sunny and 24 although it was cool this morning. Yesterday was horrid cloudy all day and some rain.

[Cassie86]

Morning Ladies,

It has taken me quite a while to catch up on the thread, you have all been busy. I can report no problems with the hair dye, I coloured it yesterday the patch test was fine the plaster had more inpact on my skin, inside the elbow as directed! One less thing to worry about, my colour is mid brown Nice and easy permanent, so no bleach involved, still feels odd throwing half away though, yet I needed all + before, maybe in a years time I will be back there again. I have been to see the GP because I seem to be having lots of aches and pains in my feet hands and knees, I can hardly walk when I first get up in the morning and feel 90 when walking downstairs for the first time in the morning, I have to get some blood tests taken and see if they show up anything. I think its really difficult as we never really know is this a side effect or something else? Muscle pain is a side effect but this is joint pain, in the knees and not sure about the other. I wondered if I may need some supplements vitamin D may be low as I have not been able to go in the sun much with the treatment, we will see. The GP seemed about 15, forgot to give me the prescription and I got a call from the receptionist as soon as I got home to let me know, it will have to wait until I can get up there, not much good when walking is difficult.

I hope you all have a good day and don't get too wet, the weather is not looking very cheerful today

[rosie14]

Have a lovely relaxing time Lovewine! X

[Lovewine]

Morning everyone, Rosie, a new week begins- at least you have someone to talk too on the bus, hope the week goes quickly!
Kirstie, good luck with expanders, hope you will not be uncomfortable after being inflated.
Wild purl, hope work goes ok after your week off! Think of the nice treats you have planned!
Jackie, bet you have settled back into the routine now after cyprus😟 I love the pic of your dog on sofa-just what mine do!! Your view looked lovely too from villa!!
Have a good week everyone!
Am not sure how good internet access is buried in the high cliffs of robinhoods bay!! But will try and catch up with your news if possible! X

[Wildpurl]

Lovewine I completely agree with the need to clean, do laundry etc before going on holiday. I am the same, but why as you say? Can't stop myself...
Have a lovely break, you really deserve it.
Well done on the hair colour! Maybe I will give it a try. I think it is peroxide you have to be careful with, but after 3 months plus it is obviously OK!

[rosie14]

Our internet was running very very slow this morning So here I am again!
Kirstie you should be ok to drive after a fill you may need to take a pain killer for a couple of days. My tissue expanders have gone really tight again today!
Lovewine have a great break glad your hair colour worked out ok.
I missed your post Wildpurl during the internet connectivity problem this morning! I know just how you feel after a week off enjoying life. I have thenSunday feeling today that the early morning get ups and rads start all over again- not even half way through yet!
Glad you have some things to look forward to it will be lovely to meet up.with your daughter.
The dog is being very demanding and wanting her supper so best go and attend to her.

[Lovewine]

Have also dyed my hair( what bit I have!!) am quite impressed, have used the naturtint in light blonde and it's a really nice colour. Will definitely use it again.

[Lovewine]

Morning ladies, I am off to North Yorkshire tomorrow until Friday- so frantically changing bed, hoovering, washing etc etc!! Why do we feel the need to do all these things before we go away - even for 5 days!?
Rosie, good your daughter arrived home safely if not rather late! Hope your week of rads flies past- another week closer to finishing! Hope you enjoy your break next week, it will be very well deserved and hopefully relaxing. Know what you mean about being cold though, I hate being cold, though at the moment I seem to be having hot flushes again! ( am not ER+) so not sure why!!as not taking tamoxifen, think it's a side effect from herceptin maybe.

Jackie, what a lovely time you had, how exciting about four in a bed, will look out for that episode in Cyprus, there is always an awkward person on the programme moaning about dust! Counselling sounds a good thing to go for, it will really help you I'm sure. I have been thinking about it too, I feel quite unable to move on, I know it was only last week I finished rads, but seem stuck in the worry mode now. I gave oncologist appt booked for January and was given the dreaded blood test form saying pre chemo blood tests urgent!! To take in January, am fretting already about it- what if it comes back etc, although I don't feel that it has gone away yet! Apparently there is a group run by either Macmillan or breast care that do a course" moving forward", I feel I certainly need to do that..as others have said, advances in treatment are getting better all of the time, please take some small comfort in that, ( I am not on tamoxifen as am HER2+) .
Cassie, I love lobster too and crab, a treat is definitely in order! Small
children are hard work aren't they, but a joy, sounds like your babysitting was smooth! Enjoy rest of the day!

Wildpurl, hope the Sunday blues dissipate soon! You have some nice events to look forward to, enjoy your time off and hopefully can reduce your hours soon.
Tij, hope you are ok , always hard saying goodbye to children.
Kirstie, what are your plans today, hope you have a nice Sunday whatever you are doing?
Lisa, you too, hope you are getting on ok being back at work and not too overloaded?
Joan, you must be nearly finished rads now?
Tulamo, hope you are ok- and your lovely donkeys!

[Kirstie77]

Ps a meet up sounds good, and sorry Rosie I missed the table comment x we ditched the table idea and will make do with what we have x

[Kirstie77]

Morning ladies !

Rosie hurray for finding a bus companion, anything to break that awful journey up must be good.

Love wine I hope you are enjoying your holiday, I hope you have the confidence to ditch the wig especially with the use of a hat, mine is really curly too ! I have heard Joan that it is only temporary, I hope my hair knows that ;0)

Cassis how did you get on with the patch test, I think you will be fine mine was going blonde and I think that's the issue, I did fine this which is supposed to be good and safe

http://www.essentialslondon.com/product/453.aspx

I hope everyone has a nice relaxing Sunday, I have work and my first fill of the expanders so not sure what to expect, I'm going alone so hope I will be okay to drive home.

X

[rosie14]

Jackie glad you enjoyed Cyprus you made it just before the weather is turning its 20 degrees today and cloudy we have had light rain!!! I am not impressed feels cold in the house!
Don't worry about your cat there are kind people that feed them and cats always know where to go! How exciting you met somebody from Four in a bed I think several of us watch this! We know Wayne on Deal or No,Deal his game is on Friday. He lived in Cyprus for a short while and 2 of his children came to our school. Jake the boy was in my class. Wayne is known as Pirate Pat he is an entertainer mainly for children!
Hope rad started well for you Jackie and you were able to get your arm up. You are wise to take all the treatment offered to you to keep this horrid disease under control. Remember medicines and cures are changing live in hope. My mother lived with cancer over 20 years and she died 27 years ago think how knowledge and treatment has changed since then!
It was me that suggested a meet up maybe at the start of the summer holiday when we will be in the UK . I am very happy for you to coordinate it. I am happy to get a train to anywhere!

[Wildpurl]

Morning everyone, glad your daughter and family got home safely, rosie, albeit very late!
My daughter was at a conference in Columbia for the last few days, yesterday she had a layover in Dallas and I hope she is back this morning. She won a photo competition at the conference and has made lots of new friends, so I think she had a good time. I think I will use one of my free Fridays to go up and see her, as I owe her a birthday present and would like to have lunch with her and catch up.
Jackie, I enjoyed your photos, the pool looks great and your dog is lovely. I'm glad you had such a lovely holiday and that you are thinking of going back next year. I too struggle with getting the right balance between living life to the full in the moment and fears of what may happen in the longer term, and indeed I think we probably all do at times. I think that counselling will help and is well worth trying.

I have the glooms a bit today as my week off ends tomorrow and although I enjoy work, I'm not looking forward to going back to all the stress. I am going to try not to worry too much, though. I thought it might cheer me up to think of things I am looking forward to in the short term. Working part time is high on the list! So glad I haven't got to struggle with full time working until Christmas. Meeting up with my daughter, having lunch with my favourite aunt next Sunday, and planning to go to a Christmas ballet or Carol concert with my son and daughter next month. So that's quite a lot of nice things!

[Jackie09]

Just managed to post some pictures of the dog - one is upside down though?

[Jackie09]

Not sure what happened there - the post below was from a few days ago? I mustn't have pressed something. Just about to get up - wish I was back in cyprus drinking my tea looking at the sea! Off to newcastle today to drop my mum back home and to pick the dog up. Have lovely Sundays x x

[Jackie09]

Good morning ladies,

Wildpurl, that is wonderful news re your results - so very happy for you. This disease brings with it so little, that good news needs to be celebrated to the max! Is it this week you are off? I hope you're having a relaxing time. I'm with you re not coping with any "extra" worries or pressure. I'm not sure whether it's because I've been in someone else's hands for so long or not being at work for so long, I've forgotten how to manage it all. When you described your OH the other day - it was my OH to a tee. Mine is very practical and logical and isn't driven by his emotions, but he tries his best at all times!
So we're back to reality once more! Had a lovely time and were totally spoilt. I had forgotten really just how much I love that part of Cyprus and can't recommend it enough - particularly Konnos Bay. The weather was very kind to us (even treated to a magnificent thunder/lightening storm with HUGE hail stones one night, although I was worried about the animals!) One cat in particular we grew very fond of. One day, we gave her a big piece of ham, and she ran off with it. We followed her and got talking to a resident. He said she had 5 kittens to look after :(. He also said that a Russian lady feeds about 11 of them daily. So one the last day, I stocked up on food and we went looking for her. We couldn't find her so we took the food to the Russian lady, who was quite bemused by us. When we got back to the villa - there she was! Luckily we had a special tin of mackerel to give her. It was very sad leaving her, but I know she has survived this long, and I hope she "knows" of the Russian lady! We are now thinking of staying out there for 3 weeks in the summer and have been on the hunt for places to stay! On the way out, OH sat on a different isle and got talking to another passenger. He runs a pub with rooms to rent - and guess what he had just filmed? FOUR in a bed!!! I was so excited to talk to him! He has invited us to stay with him if the programme doesn't put us off! He said the group had a very picky lady who gave everyone very low scores for cleanliness!

So today I start rads, before which I have a physio appointment. My latest news has made me re-think my attitude to treatment and I feel grateful for everything I can get - so haven't been as worried about it (probably because there are no needles involved!). There is a support centre close to the hospital, and I am going to go to see if I can access counselling. Since the onc told me my outlook, I cry several times a day with the enormity of it all. I can't even kiss my little boy good night without welling up and on holiday, seeing other families and older people made me cry without even realising! Which is no way to live. So hopefully counselling will help me to be in the present and stop focusing on what might happen. I am determined that this (insert the worst swear words you can think of) disease will not rule our lives.
Lovewine - well done for completing your rads! I know what you mean about the safety net of treatment and not sure now I will feel in 3 wks time. Are you on tamoxifen? I've nearly finished my first box and am anxious I won't be able to find the brand I want - that will be one of today's jobs! I think someone mentioned on an earlier post a meet-up? I think that's a great idea and wouldn't mind coordinating that.
Joan - I hope your husband's bout of sickness is short lived and you don't catch it. I just wanted to say that your posts make me smile so much - I'm still thinking of the "both barrels" now!
Tlj - I hope you enjoyed your trip. We went to Paris in February and loved it, although it was quite cold. We got soaked waiting to go into the Louvre, but that was pre-wig days so wasn't too traumatic!
Cassie - your trip to Cornwall sounded very exciting and glad you enjoyed it. Hope work today isn't too bad.
Kirstie - I'm sorry to hear about your husband. It's shattering when someone who we hoped we could count on let's us down. Even before all of this, my OH was a firm believer in "you're only here once". We all deserve to be the happiest we can be at all times. So my advice would be to base any future decisions on what is going to make you most happy.
Rosie - hope you're rads are going well and they are not impacting too much on your precious family time x x

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies daughter and family got home safely at 2.30am due to the A1 being closed!!!! DH went to play his keyboard for and hour when we got back from the airport and some of the tunes he was playing were making me feel even more low. When he came downstairs we couldn't be bothered to go out so we stayed at home and had toast and marmite with a cup of tea!!! DH started working so I went to bed at 10pm read for a bit and then slept fitfully waiting for messages to say they had landed and were at home!
I finally woke at 5.37 and it is raining here' good for the reservoirs not my mood. It also feels very much cooler. It won't be long until we light the wood burner! The inside of the house is down to 20 degrees which feels cold to us with all our tiled floors! The next 3 months will challenge me because I don't like being cold. We still get many sunny days during our winter but the sun is only on our very small back patio so the front of the house and the pool have very little sun now until March when the sun is higher!
At least we had some lovely weather whilst the family were here so I must be thankful for that!
Joan my dad has just spent a further week in a care home as his bathroom has been done to give him a higher toilet and wash basin and the bath has been removed and a large shower with seat has been installed. My sister not too sure how he will cope though as he continues to be very short of breath and finds it very difficulty to do anything for himself. He did tell her the other day that he was fit for the scrap heap! She is going to see how he gets on this week. He has careers going in morning and night but we are wondering if he should be having 24/7 now. It is a lot for my sister to cope with as she is still teaching part time and she gave up her car several years ago and catches trains and buses everywhere as her husband works shifts. They went to Barcelona for 3 days whilst dad was in the care home and had an attempted break in whilst away! Her only daughter has just taken a contract abroad for 2 years and isn't finding it very easy so my sister isn't in a very good state emotionally! Her daughter will be home for Christmas. I am hoping dad will make Christmas as I am stuck here for the next 26 days!!!
I think DH is going to take Friday and Monday off and he will take me in on these days and we will stay in Kyrenia for the last time this year! I checked to see if they have availability and they do, just got to sort the dog out, we can't take her over to the North!
My hair has a very tight curl on top the rest of it looks wavy which it always has been!
Good luck with the last 2 rads hope,your blistering doesn't get worse!
I think you deserve a couple of days at a health spa of for it Joan infact I wish we could all join you!!'m
Lovewine you will find your break far more enjoyable this time without coming back to results or surgery! Glad you have for some warm clothes. Have a relaxing time!
Wildpurl thanks for big hugs needed them last night! It's always worse when the family come here and leave I find it easier to leave them at their house and make our way in hire car to airport! Enjoy your last day Wildpurl you are sounding far more relaxed now.
Cassie I don't blame you splashing out on lobster we need to treat ourselves! Glad your baby sitting went well. I agree Cassie you are always on alert with small children our dogs manners were not as good as your cats she is a really greedy girl and stole bread from George on 2 occasions and drank SIL's tea from his mug!!!! She enjoyed all the extra stroking and ball games though and Imthink she and I will be very tired this week!
Tlj I guess you son must be going back to school this weekend so I do empathise with you! Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful half term. I can see that you and I are going to be wishing Christmas here!
Lisa hope being back at work isn't too bad! Jackie hope you are feeling refreshed after your holiday. Kirtsie hope you are ok did you manage to find a dining room table in the end?
Hope you all have a relaxing Sunday! X

[Cassie86]

Evening Ladies,

We all went out for  lovely meal last night and I splashed out a bit on some lobster, my daughter and her friend then went out later to a fancy dress function in a club, the little girl I was babysitting for was an angel and did not wake until 8.20am this morning. We have all been out for lunch today and our visitors have now returned home to Kent and the house feels empty, I think it always does when you have had a young child around, it's as if you are on alert mode all the time, then they go home and all is calm again. Bless the little one she kept blowing kisses to my cat, he was a little bemused at first with her crawling at high speed after him, but they remained on friendly terms thankfully, I must admit I was impressed with the cats manners, he can be a bit skittish at the best of times.

I have put the spot test on for the Nice and Easy hair dye the 48 hours will be up tomorrow, lets see how it goes, it's now been 3 months since my last chemo and I have had one dye at the hairdressers which was OK, my hair is thickening up but I will continue to trim the thinner longer wispy bits for a couple more weeks then get it cut again, I must admit I do resent paying full price for such a tiny bit of hair to be styled.

[Wildpurl]

Sending you big hugs, rosie, I hate saying goodbye to people at airports, especially after having a lovely time together, I've done it so often, I really empathise with your feeling sad. I hope you find some nice music and have a pleasant evening, it is a good idea to go out I think.

Joan, my hair is naturally curly, I used to straighten it and will do again, but need to wait a bit longer I think as the heat might be more than it can take at the moment. My hairdresser did say that it would be curlier to start with and then when it was completely back to normal it would relax a bit. It is VERY curly at the moment!

A course on astronomy sounds very interesting. I think OH has the app, I remember him showing me the constellations on his iPod touch.

Glad you got your cardigan Lovewine, the snood sounds very cosy.

[Lovewine]

Hi everyone, Rosie, I hope you found some live music and managed to enjoy it, it's so hard saying good bye to family I know how you feel, but at least it's not months until you see them again- are you seeing your sons and daughter altogether at Christmas?
Joan, my O/H did a course on astronomy and has a massive telescope, which is really detailed- I love looking at the app of the night sky, it's really fascinating, regarding hair, I think it mostly grows back curly, so you are very lucky yours is coming back straight- must look very chic! My boob is quite red and sore too, also very itchy. Must say that awful time waiting for sentinel node results couldn't have been worse during our last stay in whitby, same goes for you too- seems like we were on very similar time frame for treatment.
Wildpurl, sounds like a lovely walk you had and the weather has been glorious here again.
I bought my cream cardigan and a very fetching woollen " snood" so hopefully will be warm next week!

[joan47]

Rosie, it must have been awful saying goodbye to your family; I think you're very sensible to be going out this evening rather than feeling sad in the house. But from your accounts it is clear you have had a lovely week and perhaps helped to make the radiotherapy go more quickly. Glad you have found someone to talk to on the bus. You haven't said anything recently about how your father is doing. Hope that means he is no worse.

Lovewine, have a great holiday in Whitby. This time you should be able to enjoy it without all the anxiety you had before. I was in exactly the same situation in March, went on a pre booked family holiday the day after my sentinel node biopsy, which the surgeon said looked suspicious. Good idea to use it as an opportunity to do without the wig. Hope your son returns from Rome less distressed about the ending of his relationship.

Apart from Lovewine and Wildpurl, has anyone else had their hair come in curly? Does it start like that or come in initially straight and then go curly. Mine at the moment mine is completely straight and although I wish it was longer and thicker I really rather like it. But wondering if it is only temporary.

Cassie, hope the babysitting went well.

Spent most of my day doing an introductory course on astronomy. The first hour was a real struggle -and I nearly gave up after the first part,p. glad I stayed though, once we got onto finding stars and galaxies using computer software it was more intelligible. Although it felt a bit like train spotting I think I shall download the app on my I-pad and have a go in the back garden sometime. Only two more rads to go now, the time has really flown by. Rather red and slightly blistered under the boob; hoping that doesn't get much worse. I haven't got anything celebratory planned for the end of treatment. Wildpurls post though has made me think that What I would really like would be a couple of days at a spa being pampered. But wonder whether I would feel rather self conscious when I am still so evidently a cancer patient.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.

[rosie14]

Evening all we have just got back from airport feeling very sad😒
They will be sat on plane waiting to take off at 6.30pm. I will feel better tomorrow once I know they are home safely. They have a 2 hr drive from Edinburgh to Newcastle once they land.
Well done Wildpurl on your 4 hr walk yesterday I just about managed it round the mini golf!
Glad you have managed to sleep later this week. I managed to sleep until 5.55 this morning instead of having to get up at 5.00am.
We had a meze for lunch so,don't need much to eat tonight. We are going down to the Coral Bay strip to see if we can find some live music. Can't stand the thought of spending a lonely Saturday evening in the house!
Have a good evening everyone!

[Wildpurl]

Morning all, rosie you are doing well, only 19 rads to go and it's good you have met another English lady on the bus, too. Enjoy your break from it all over the weekend! I'm sure you will feel flat when your family has gone but it really isn't long till Christmas when you will see them again.
Lovewine, your cottage sounds lovely and this time you will be able to relax and enjoy it. A cable cardigan sounds just the thing!

OH and I walked to RHS Wisley yesterday, which is about a 4 mile round trip. I am an RHS member so we often walk there and visit the gardens. It was a lovely day and I really enjoyed the walk. We visited the Wisley vegetable plot for some inspiration and also saw photographs from the Garden Photograph of the year which were on display. Some beautiful photos!
As I relax while on holiday I start to sleep later, so today I have had to force myself to get up earlier so I can get to the gym on time. It will be a dreadful shock to the system going back to work on Monday and getting up at 6 am, but at least it is only for four days.

Cassie, I hope your babysitting went OK! And hope everyone enjoys their weekends.

[rosie14]

Lovewine you will need that cable knit cardigan in Yorkshire! Oh I don't want to damage the new hair after being without for so long! Will just have to keep covered until the safe time.

[Lovewine]

Morning everyone, Rosie, I think it's a worry with hair dye of damaging the new hair which is more likely to break/fall out after harsh chemicals!! Have a nice meal today, you will feel very deflated this evening I'm sure....but on positive note only 19 rads to do, it will fly past!!
Cassie, hope your evening was event free with babysitting duties!
Wildpurl, hope you managed a walk yesterday?
Have a good weekend everyone, I am off to purchase some new wellies(dog walking and beach walks!) and a nice, cream cable knit cardigan I have my eye on!!!

[rosie14]

Here's hoping the holiday in Rome will help your poor son to start to heal from his hurt Lovewine!
I wonder if they will start the Christmas songs today now it's November. We are saved from that thank goodness until December!
Have a wonderful time in your cosy warm cottage and enjoy it on this occasion with the past worries behind you! You need a rest after all the stress with your son.
Cassie hope you got on okay with baby sitting and the little girl slept!
Can I ask you ladies we are all anxious about hair colouring what is the risk?
Have a good weekend all. Jackie hope you enjoyed your holiday and found it relaxing. The weather is starting to cool down now and we are having some storms and much needed rain. When the rain comes it comes as a sudden heavy short downpour at the moment.
It's lovely to be sat here with a cup of tea instead of being on a bus on the way to Nicosia! Only 19 more to go!!!!!!
Not sure what we are doing today probably take them out for a good lunch as they have to be at the airport for 4.30pm.😢

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

I have dyed my hair with permanent dye but went to the hairdressers for a diluted dye which went well, about 7 weeks ago, it now needs doing again my hair grows like grass thankfully, I will let you know how I get on with the home dye, I will do the patch test though, I don't usually bother but I am worried since all the treatment, just in case, I am not taking any chances.

I am babysitting for one of my daughters friends tonight the little girl is 13 months, wish me luck.

[Lovewine]

Hi Rosie, airport farewells are always tearful and hard, but the time flies past as we know this year! I haven't yet heard the Christmas songs thankfully, although " home base" have real Christmas trees on sale!
Good you have managed to do nice things around hospital trips- how dull it will be for you and your lovely dog next week! My son has probably just arrived in Rome- lucky thing, he is still lovesick though.
We are going to North Yorkshire on Monday, until Friday, staying in a cosy, warm, cottage we stayed in earlier this year just after my diagnosis and sentinel node biopsy- we drove back on the morning of my appt with surgeon to see if I had infected lymph nodes, the worry that weekend waiting was awful, but the break had been booked pre- cancer and was with eldest son and daughter-in-law!! I hardly appreciated anything as was out of my mind either worry, as were the others! We are staying at robinhoods bay, about 3 miles from whitby, the hill up from one end to the other of the village is unbelievably steep, so hoping my legs will make it!!

Jackie, really hope you had a restful holiday and managed to put your worries to the back of your mind for a while, not easy though.

[rosie14]

Hope your son got to Rome safely Lovewine. As Wildpurl said being somewhere you aren't known will help build your confidence without the wig. When are you going to Yorkshire?
I went out to dinner last night and the grandchildren said to me why have you got your hair on tonight?!!! They are so used to seeing me with a headscarf!
Hope your shopping trip to Tesco wasn't too bad or too expensive Wildpurl they haven't started plying the Christmas music yet have they?
There is another Englsih lady on the bus now so I have someone to talk with she doesn't live far from me and is going to pick me up.on Monday morning. The bus was an hour late leaving the oncology centre today! DH picked me up,with the family and we went to the shady beach bar for lunch!!! Then on to the mini golf. Tissue expanders gone very tight think it was the bending down to get ball out of hole. I left the last few for the others to retrieve for me!
Not looking forward to the airport farewell tomorrow. The dog will be very lonely
she has enjoyed extra ball games and stealing George's bread!
Lovewine you are right I must concentrate on next time I see them it will be Christmas!

[Lovewine]

Hi ladies, could I double check with you all about hair dye? Have any of you used permanent dye? I know you have Kirstie and things didn't go to plan? Holland and Barrett do naturtint but not sure if it's safe for us to use?

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, my hair is also quite curly too! Not a flattering look for me. Enjoy your day, more a nice walk than tescos I suspect! It's very mild here today and dry, so a walk will be lovely!
Rosie, not surprised you are tired, you have had a very hectic week! Enjoy your last day and just think when you see them again it will be Christmas and rads will be finished!!😃

[Wildpurl]

I find it more relaxing and comfortable to go without my wig now Lovewine, and it is also good for your scalp. Being away is a good opportunity to get more used to it. I am still wearing my wig to work, but I actually have quite a lot of curly hair now, so I don't need to wear it any more, it is just vanity as I don't like my curls. I have another trim in four weeks and I am hoping it can be cut into more of a style and maybe blow dried after that and I will stop wearing the wig then.
Today we are going shopping at Tescos as the visitors have eaten us out of house and home LOL. Then a nice walk I think 🙂
Enjoy your last full day with your family rosie and everyone else hope you have a good day

[Lovewine]

Morning all, taking son to train station this morning to travel to Luton airport for his Rome trip! I am considering doing what wild purl did on her trip to Wales and leaving wiggy at home- not brave enough to leave off for work yet but as I don't know anyone in Whitby/robinhoods bay thought I would try! Also when wearing woolly hat it won't be easy when removing not to yank wiggy off with hat- which may cause strange looks at the bar😄!

[rosie14]

Glad to hear that your husband is feeling better Joan.
Tlj glad you had a fantastic time in Paris!
Lovewine glad to hear you seem to be avoiding the burns.
Wildpurl glad you enjoyed your pampering!
I can't believe I am on the last full,day of the family's visit tomorrow. Have loved it but been very tiring!
Went to a soft play in the Paphos Mall this afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon crazy golf.
Hope all are well catch you all after family have gone, Feeling very tired!

[Wildpurl]

Evening all, my treatments were very relaxing and apparently I look years younger since my facial 😉
Enjoyed it all anyway. OH and I are now having a peaceful evening with just the two of us. FIL has arrived home safely and is tucking into a fish supper. I think he enjoyed his stay. He had not been eating well for the last few months, which is understandable, but seemed to have a hearty appetite while here, I take that as a good sign.

[Lovewine]

Afternoon all, Joan, hope you managed to catch up on your sleep and husband is feeling better, I too am impressed at an early morning visit, when my husband had a really bad episode with his gall bladder/ acid reflux 2 years ago, I thought he was having a heart attack one winters night, doctor wouldn't come out, so had to load him Into car in agony and drive in appalling snow and ice at 3.00 a.m to emergency hospital an hour away!! Pretty appalling. Am not a natural nurse either!!
Tij, your trip away sounds like you had great time, my two sons when small were also very adventurous with their food which is really nice to see in children.
Kirstie, I agree with being a lady of leisure- think that's what I prefer too!
Rosie, how's it going for you? Rads are well under way now, hope you are not getting too sore and are enjoying your last few days with your family , Wildpurl, hope you enjoyed your treatments today, cassie, hope you are not too tired from working hard!
Lisa, good that you are feeling a little more upbeat, think we are all entitled to be grumpy!
I feel quite tired today, think it's the build up of rads now, even though they are finished I was told it gets worse before you feel better!- oh joy!

[Wildpurl]

Morning all. Sorry to hear about your broken night Joan, but glad nothing serious wrong with Husband and that he is now recovering. I'm quite impressed a home visit in the middle of the night was offered.

Tlj, glad you enjoyed your trip to Paris but then what's not to like!
I am having a leisurely morning, OH is threatening to do some housework so I may feel obliged to do some myself but at the moment I am planning to get on with my knitting.
Hope everyone else has relaxing days

[joan47]

Interesting night. I decided to ring NHS direct for advice. Their assessor decided I needed to speak to a GP who decided we needed a home visit. Husband stopped vomiting about 12 so I phoned to cancel but they advised to go ahead with the assessment. doctor arrived at 4. 30. Very thorough. Clearly there was something in his symptoms which flagged up need for concern but he was pretty sure it was a stomach bug. Husband much better this morning and insisting he is ok to drive me to radiology (tho won't come into hospital obviously) he also had quite a bit of sleep. I had two hours! Guess what I will be doing this afternoon!

[Tlj63]

Morning ladies, I'm back from Paris. We had a great time. We walked and walked, something I couldn't have done 6 weeks ago. We didn't make it to Versailles, but I'm sure we will be back in France soon and it is on our to do list. Felt really proud of my boys, every time we went into a restaurant they impressed the waiters with their menu choices. They were willing to try anything, which makes it so much easier when choosing somewhere to eat.
Kirstie, I feel for you re your relationship issues. It must be really hard when you need your husband to be your rock and he isn't quite getting it. However, I think lots of partners find this situation very hard to cope with. Ironically, my husband fell apart a bit when I had just finished my chemo. I think he had been holding it together whilst I was at my worst and once he could see me recovering, he relaxed and then felt very low. I know someone else who's husband has left her in the middle of chemo. He just couldn't cope. Needless to say her children were really upset. Your husband sounds like the typical british male that is trying to hide his emotions, but it's coming over as being uncaring.
Wildpurl , hope you have a fun last few days off. You must be on a high after your good news.
Joan, hope your husband is feeling better and you didn't have to take on the Florence nightingale role last night. You deserve a restful day today.
Rosie, thinking of you on the bus today. Hope all goes to plan and there are no hold ups.
Lovewine, Cassie and anyone else I may have forgotten , hope you all have good days.
I'm going to the hospital today for a pre op assessment. I'm going to have the port of my expandable implant removed in a couple of weeks. I'm so glad I dont work, or I would be really stressed about the amount of time off one needs keep going to endless hospital appointments.

[Kirstie77]

Morning Joan, I hope you managed to get some sleep and your hubby is feeling better.

It's opened my eyes to a lot things the cancer business that's for sure x

Right that's me off to work again, I'm much more suited to being a lady of leisure !

Enjoy your day ladies x

[joan47]

Had lovely afternoon with granddaughter though had to retire to the sofa after she left this evening. Husband took her home but almost as soon as he returned started vomiting so I have been up and down the stairs all evening, making sympathetic noises and listening to his groans and now staying up a bit later than usual in case. Hopefully it's nothing serious and not something that Katy might catch. It may be the return of his labyrinthitis. The only thing he ate differently from me today was a ham sandwich from Pret a Manger so doubt it's food poisoning. We shall see. Hopefully we shall both get some sleep.