Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[Lovewine]

Afternoon everyone, Joan, I think the small things that go wrong can set off a bit of a meltdown-they certainly do for me!! Hope the pudding is successful, how annoying too your prosthesis hasn't arrived yet . I can understand how you feel at returning to the workplace, I have been gradually increasing my workload over the last few weeks- these are all my existing pre cancer clients, but of course the ones I haven't seen since March want to know all the details of treatment etc! I know they are very kind and mean well, but doesn't help with trying to be "normal".
Rosie, one more day down now!.my O/H saw doctor today to discuss scan results, his gall stones are too large to be left, they are 25 ml each! So it's surgery for him, in about 6 weeks, so the hospital visits continue!!
Dad doesn't appear to be allowed home today either😥
Definitely tassimos all round I think!

[rosie14]

Good afternoon ladies here we go the start of another week! 8 more sessions to go!
Wildpurl,glad you managed to get in the garden we used to,have a bird feeder in the UK we also had a squirrel problem!
Hope the conference was beneficial!
Lovewine sorry that you are facing more stress with your dad hope he is able to come home soon and that his bed sores will heal quickly. Glad you both enjoyed the veggie curry!
Joan hope you manage to relax more this week and get that Christmas Pud made!

[joan47]

Bit of a meltdown this morning. First off, managed to boil the Xmas pudding dry, then the i-pad decided it didn't have an internet connection, although no problems with other devices. Minor problems in the overall scheme of things, but at the moment it seems it's not taking much to knock me off balance. I'm also getting really screwed up about a couple of work-related events I'm going to this week when I shall be meeting new people and people I haven' t met since diagnosis. And although my prothesis was supposed to come last Wednesday it hasn't, so I'm worrying about what to wear which is neither too baggy nor too fitting. I think that's all tieing in to my anxieties about getting back into work. 

Moan over. On to what I had planned to do today, respond to some of the posts over the last few days. 

Lovewine, your dad is certainly having a rough time, and what a worry all the uncertainty must be for you and your family.  I'm sorry that you are having such bad side effects, I would think if you didn't have neuropathy when you were having chemo it is more likely the result of Herceptin. Have you spoken to the medics about it? Good news about ytour husband's diagnosis, although with 6 gall stones it's no wonder he was in pain. With all those worries on your plate (and the ongoing anxieties about your son) you deserve all the Tassimos you can drink. 

Rosie, glad you managed to speak to your dad, even if only for a very short time, and that your son and family were able to visit him, I can understand that the anxieties about him, on top of being so far away from the family over the past very difficult months will have raised all sorts of questions in your mind about your future in Cyprus. Can you try and put it on the back burner for a while, at least until you are through with radiotherapy and not having to face that exhausting journey? 

Wildpurl, glad you managed to get your gardening done. I was quite pleased with my efforts in that direction on sunday, managed to get the last of the bulbs in and tidied up the worst of the dead bits. But then in the afternoon fell asleep on the sofa! Hope you enjoy your conference and that the chaos wasn't as bad as you feared. I can understand that the uncertain situation at work is destabilising, but it does sound as if there are some opportunities for you and you have some useful contacts. 

Cassie, your nephew's graduation ceremony sounds wonderful, and Gloucester is such a lovely cathedral. I don't think we were offered champagne at either of our daughters graduations!  It must have been such a poignant moment for all of you. 

TiJ, glad all went well with the port removal. I don't think it's surprising that you still felt like a patient. But I guess that feeling will fade as we all resume more of our normal activities. and it certainly sounds as if you have plenty to keep you busy. 

Hope everyone else is having a good day. 

[joan47]

Goodness, this board has been busy over the last few days. I've only had time to read, not post. Thinking of you all, especially those of you struggling with family worries, side effects of Herceptin, anxieties about work, and thinking about the future. Hope to respond in more detail tomorrow, when I have no external commitments and the only absolute must is to make the Xmas pudding.

[Lovewine]

Rosie, good you spoke to your dad , I visited mine this afternoon with my mum, took me an hour to get into the hospital car park because of heavy traffic, there is now doubt whether he is to come home tomorrow, doctors are deciding now whether to take the risk and operate, very stressful, also he has developed bed sores on his bottom so until the Red Cross Installs a special air mattress in his home he won't be let out!
Wildpurl, yes the veggie chilli was delicious! O/H had second helpings, quite an honour as he is a devout meat eater! I hope your conference goes ok for you tomorrow, sounds like it will be an interesting if not stressful day! I too have bird feeders all over my garden, I really enjoy watching the birds, although we have a sparrow hawk who swoops down daily, all the little sparrows, wrens etc shoot back into the shrubbery squealing in fright when it's around.

[Wildpurl]

Glad you were able to speak to your Dad, rosie, and let him know you will be seeing him very soon.
I love that chilli Lovewine and have just said to OH that I will cook it next Saturday!
Today I managed to weed and chip about half of the flower border I want to get tidied for winter, and it looks much better. We also put out the bird feeder today. This was a birthday present to me from OH a few years ago. When we first got it the squirrels used to come and stuff their faces and chase the birds off, so I bought a squirrel baffle. It was very amusing to see the squirrels trying to get past it but being unable to reach the food. Since then they haven't bothered us.
Tomorrow afternoon I am off to a conference in Shropshire with one of my team. As I have been out of the office since Thursday lunchtime I dread to think what chaos is awaiting me tomorrow morning. I know I have to hold two consultation meetings and have not yet been briefed on what to say, plus I have to go to my own consultation, none of this had been organised on Thursday so my Diary will be a mess I imagine. Oh well!

[rosie14]

Good evening Lovewine it is very difficult when our parents get frail. I know dad looked very much thinner in August that he was in April! My sister went to visit dad today and I arranged to phone him whilst she was there so,she could pass him the phone. She warned me he was very tired today and wouldn't be able,or,spake,for too long. I had about a minute. He said he had enjoyed seeing our youngest son and family yesterday and I told him it was less than 2 weeks now until we come and to hang on in there! I haven't spoken to my son yet he will skype me later.
Your veggie chilli sounds lovely my DH doesn't like chilli so we won't be trying that dish!
Kirstie hope you had a good break in Scotland.
Hope,the rest,of you have managed a relaxing weekend.

[Lovewine]

Rosie, not sure if my painful joints are post chemo problems or the herceptin, I think the herceptin has made them worse! I know chemo can cause something called neuropathy, damage to nerve ends, I think it eases over time, I hope so as at the moment I feel about 90! On the subject of ageing, have any of you developed lots more wrinkles? Obviously it's been a very stressful year, but I seemed to have aged in my face by about 5 years !! Sagging skin, jowls, chimp hair cheeks and lots of new wrinkles!!!!🐒🐵

[Lovewine]

Morning ladies, Rosie, you have a lot on your plate at the moment, it is very difficult to be so far away from family especially when things are not good, I think as Wildpurl says the daily rads don't help, I found it very debilitating and didn't have the fraction of the travelling or length of rads to contend with. My eldest son and DIL went to visit my dad in hospital too last night and both said how thin his ankles looked- we always view our parents as being like they were I think and not frail as they are now. It's very difficult.
Wildpurl, hope you accomplish what you need to do in the garden today! It's just brightening up here, started very misty and grey!
Rosie, can understand why you enjoy the Cyprus sunshine!
Cassie, lovely to hear from you, what a lovely day your nephews graduation sounds- I love graduations , all those young people going out Into the world full of hope and aspirations, before cynicism sets in!! You must have been so proud of him.
Tij, hope you enjoyed your lunch out, not long either before your son returns home next weekend.
Kirstie, hope your trip to Scotland helped, it's really nice to have some time away and do what you want to do for a change!
Jackie, am always thinking of you, hope your rads are going past quickly!
Lisa, hope work is going well for you and you have settled back in!
Joan, hope you have had a nice relaxing weekend after bedtime duties!
I have made the wonderful veggie chilli Wildpurl recommended( Jamie Oliver) it's become a big favourite in our house! Then picking mum up and visiting dad again!

[rosie14]

Thank you for your wise words Wildpurl maybe over the Christmas holiday we will get some time to think things through with the family?
Till then best foot forward and plod on!
Enjoy the garden!

[Wildpurl]

Morning rosie, the weather here is cold and bright so looking good for the garden.
I agree with you that uncertainty is more difficult to cope with in our current circumstances. Your situation is complex and I can see that there are no easy answers. The only thing I can suggest is that if you and DH can work out what situation you would ideally like to be in, say 1 year or 2 years from now, then you might be able to work out a plan to get yourselves there. Sometimes it is easier to look at the desired end state without thinking about what is possible or taking uncertainties into account, and at least get that clear in your mind and agreed. You and DH are both obviously very strong, capable and effective people, so if you knew you both wanted to achieve something I think you would be able to do it!
You must also be very worried about your Dad at the moment, at least there is not much longer to go before you can see him. It also sounds to me as though the journey to and from rads is taking nearly all your time and energy, which can't help.
Hope you and everyone else has a relaxing Sunday

[rosie14]

Forgot to say I had a message from my DIL yesterday to say that dad was pleased to see them and have a chat but got breathless and our son was upset when he left his grandad.😿

[rosie14]

Wildpurl it's very hard coping with uncertainty when we are fighting fit but it far more confusing when we have been through or continue our journey through the treatment. I am really resenting our business and how it holds us in Cyprus but I know that DH needs it because he has always been a workaholic! Without it he would sleep,all day and turn into a boring old man! Having cancer has really made me assess our situation and 4.5 hour flight every time we want to see family is not appealing! I am not a keen flyer and it has become more vulnerable with the present situation! We have a mortgage on our house here so have to earn to live. I love the climate here with the exception of the short winter as the houses aren't built for cooler weather with their tiled floors and lack of central heating! We do have a log burner and I think we will have to start it going any night soon! This constantly goes through my head every day DH and I have touched on it but never come up with a solution one week turns into the next. Our savings are tied up in the business.
Lovewine poor you with painful finger joints is this the Herceptin? No 12 hours a day is not a good idea now Lovewine to be working you need to be kind to yourself. Yesterday I walked the dog and after breakfast I cleaned the fridge and freezer out. Then we went shopping and by he afternoon my legs and neck were aching. Also had a headache but that could be due to the stormy weather around t the moment.
We went to eat at our local taverna last night and I had some more wine🍷White though not red! No more till Friday now.
Will be the last full week of rads tomorrow with just 4 days the following week. It feels like it has taken my life over as I get up at 5am and get home between 1.30 and 2 o'clock.
Hope it's good gardening weather today Wildpurl?
Cassie lovely to hear form you. Reading about your nephew loosing both his parents and then going on to get his degree is commendable and you must be so proud of him and I am glad you had a lovely day! Hope you manage to,find time to relax today before the next week rolls out!
We are meeting friends for a light lunch today at Tala Monastery. Sadly we don't need a shady bar anymore we need to sit in the sun to feel warm!
What ever you are doing today ladies have a good day! X

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

I am not finding much time these days to contribute to the thread what with work being so busy. Yesterday I went to my nephews graduation ceremony at Gloucester Cathedral it was so lovely to see all the graduates receive their degrees and prizes the sun came out too such a perfect day. We had canapés and champagne in the cathedral then I took my nephew and his partner and my younger daughter for lunch in the Quay area, it was just perfect. My nephew bless him does not have any parents he lost his mum when he was just 17 and then his dad, my older brother when he was 24, it brings a lump to my throat just typing it, I cannot imagine how hard things must have been for him.

Rosie the end of your RT is now in sight, what a relief that will be with all the travelling involved.

Wildpurl your ceremony at the Southbank sounds very prestigious I am glad you managed to meet up with some old and new colleagues, it sounds as if you have been having a busy but nice time.

Tij Glad things went smoothly with the port removal, very brave cycling I could not do it in London!  

Lovewine I hope your dad is getting better and able to return home soon.

I took the plunge and had my remaining pre chemo hair cut off today, it had served it purpose, but the Ken Dodd wispy look first thing in the morning had to go lol.

X Cassie

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, I have had to suspend my knitting at present due to my painful finger joints! Good luck tomorrow with the gardening!
Rosie, yes the extra worries about dads don't help do they, I am trying to build my workload up again each week, but I can't work as hard as I used to-12 hours some days!

[Wildpurl]

No, I can understand that must be in your mind a lot, rosie, and I'm sure must affect how you are feeling

[rosie14]

Good evening Wildpurl you have had a busy day today. I do hope the weather will be kind to you and you will get in the garden tomorrow!
I have decided I will not take full responsibility for teaching a class full time anymore and will take on more of a consultant role for the primary staff. I know my present state of mind is not helped by dad being so frail and me having to wait to get there!

[Wildpurl]

LOL you guys and your Tassimos! The hot chocolate ones do sound rather lovely though.

My eyelashes haven't fallen out so I think I have got away with tinting them! Today I have been to the gym, done laundry and housework and am working on a sweater I am knitting. I am still quite tired so planning a peaceful evening. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I hope to spend some time in the garden.

I don't feel like a cancer patient most of the time now, but occasionally I realise I don't feel as strong or as confident about something as I used to, and I also sometimes think it is not good to rush back to normal, and that I should be more aware of my situation and of how things have changed. After reading the article Lovewine posted I thought I was probably in rehabilitation now; before all the upheaval at work I was fairly settled back into my job with my reduced hours and happy that was the right thing for me. The changes have interrupted that a bit, and now I do feel quite lost and uncertain about what I would like to do and where I will end up.

Lovewine, I hope that your Satuday has not been too stressful with all the driving. Glad to hear your Dad is being allowed home.

Tlj, the port removal seems to have been very straighforward, which is great!

Rosie you are in limbo at the moment, going through radiotherapy but you know it's not for ever, waiting to be able to start Herceptin, but you don't know when; it must be very difficult for you to plan for returning to work or other aspects of normal life, plus you have the uncertainy about your Dad. I'm not surprised you are feeling that you don't know what is going on or what will happen. I think you might feel better once the rads are finished, as they take up so much of your time that you must find it difficult to fit anything else in.

Have you thought about what you want to do with respect to your involvement in the school once you have more time and are feeling well enough? My work had an Occupational Health expert call me before I went back to work after surgery and again when I was having chemo. She tlaked about how I was feeling and what my options were and proposed a phased return to work to build up my stamina. Maybe it would help you to think about those things and make a next steps plan?

[rosie14]

I had my hand on a pack Lovewine and put it back!!!!🍫

[Lovewine]

Rosie, I have also stocked up on tassimo caramels- my favourite too! Might buy the hot chocolate suchard ones too now it's cold!☕️

[Lovewine]

Tij, good your surgery went smoothly, have a lovely weekend, sounds a busy, but nice one! Husband has to see the g.p next week to discuss the scan results so not sure if it's surgery or medication yet! My dad is hopefully coming home on Monday, could have been today, but doctors wanted some special equipment installed at home first to help him move around easier, he is being monitored closely and the operations last week seem to have helped the circulation, any further surgery is not recommended due to the high risk of him having a stroke or another heart attack!
Rosie, how is your dad, stable I hope? What a worry hoping he will make it until you see him soon. Yes I am looking forward to an extra large glass of red wine tonight!🍷 O/H is doing fondue and crusty bread for supper to cheer me up as it's become one of my favourites!
Wildpurl, hope you are having a relaxing Saturday!
Thinking of everyone you!!😄

[rosie14]

Lovewine I have stocked up on some more caramel flavour Tassimo coffees as they are my favourite!😜
I am sorry you have to drive so far this weekend but at least your son will be socialising with his friends instead of mopping about at home!
I still feel like a cancer patient and will do until I have had my next surgery to,get these blessed tissue expanders out! Hope you find time to relax this evening with a little wine!🍷
Tlj glad all went well with your surgery and enjoy lunch with your friends tomorrow. I am sure you will be more nervous for your son with his exams than he will be I always was for my children!
Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend!

[Tlj63]

Morning ladies,
Rosie I hope you can have a relaxing weekend after your night out and I hope you are not finding the RT too exhausting and your skin is intact.
Lovewine, now I think about it the soles of my feet did feel weird/uncomfortable towards the end of my chemo. I assumed it was the chemo but it may have been the herceptin. They are fine now, so hopefully yours will improve too. I hope your son has a good weekend in London, hopefully his mates will cheer him up. I'm glad to hear your husband now has a diagnosis for his tummy troubles. Gallstones are so common but it can make you feel pretty unwell so I hope they manage to sort him out soon. Will they operate or are they going to try to dissolve them? Hope your Dad is on the mend too. Have they managed to restore the circulation to his leg?
Wildpurl, you deserve a relaxing weekend after your big night in London. It must be very stressful to be in a work environment where everyone is having to reapply for their jobs. But it is encouraging that the manager approached you. So hopefully, it will all workout.
Joan, are you having a well earned rest from the grandchildren this weekend? When does your prosthesis arrive?
Kirstie, hope you're having a good time in Scotland.
Cassie, I wish I could have seen the poppies. It looks so impressive on the TV, it must be very moving to see it for real. Whoever the artist is should really be congratulated.
My week seems to have flown by. I've been helping with the sorting for the school Christmas fair most mornings. My husband and I cycled to the hospital on Wednesday for my herceptin injection and then we stopped for lunch at one of our favourite bistros on the way home. It was a lovely day, almost normal! Then it was an early start on Thursday to be at the hospital for my port removal. All went well and I just have a small dressing. I'm finding it slightly worrying that I have got so used to being a patient now, I don't find it so stressful. In fact I quite enjoyed that wonderful calm feeling when you wake up in recovery and drift in and out of sleep. Beginning to understand why people become addicted to drugs, which is slightly scary!
This morning my younger son has a football match and then we are going to chill. Tomorrow it's hockey and then we are going to some friends for lunch. My older son seems to be happier, although not communicating much so hard to be sure. He has exams all next week, so I hope he doesn't get himself too stressed out and then he is coming home on Saturday. Can't wait to hear all his news in person.
Hope you all have a good weekend

[Lovewine]

Good morning everyone, Rosie, sounds a good night, well done for lasting until 10.30, not sure if I would! I can totally relate to your post I feel the same and more so just recently, feel very disconnected from everything and very grumpy with family, the added worry of dad and son isn't helping either! I felt fairly lucky with chemo etc, but have found on herceptin it comes with minor niggles- sore joints, particularly fingers and feet, sleeplessness, shouldn't moan as I know it's a very good drug!! But still as said before feel like a cancer patient in middle of treatment!!😔
Grumpy today too as both my " jobs to do" are in different 20 mile directions! Train at midday for son and 2.00 p.m for dad in hospital at other side of the county!! And a repeat performance Sunday, so no time really for my chores to be done before I return to work on Monday!! Let alone do anything relaxing.😩
Hope you other ladies have a nice weekend, hopefully will be a little less grumpy later, have had 2 tassimo coffees so far too and they usually work!

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies I made it to 10.30pm last night. We had a big storm with a deluge of rain which lasted about 5 mins and turned into a steadier rain that had stopped by the time we came out of the restaurant. Just as well as none of us had coats! It was a pleasant evening I was able or reconnect with school for a while. I am beginning to feel very strange about my whole existence who I am where I belong. I am also having very vivid dreams in a short space of sleeping time. For instance 2 days ago on the bus approaching Limassol there is a tunnel under the hills and I was dozing as we went into the tunnel,I was just about to say "there' s a power cut", as it suddenly went from sunlight to dark! Fortunately I stirred and realised we were in the tunnel!
Has anyone else experienced These strange feelings?
Oh I can hear big thunder again and see flashing in the sky we are in for another storm!
Hope your side effects wear off sure in the weekend Lovewine.
Glad the eyebrow tinting went well Wildpurl. I must remember to shave my legs this morning I don't get time in the week. I am wearing leggings in the day now so nobody can see my stubble!!!

[Wildpurl]

I'm another usually in bed by 10pm. Last night going to bed at midnight has had a big knock on effect on me today! The eyelashes haven't fallen out yet, fingers crossed. It is so great to have them tinted again, no more faffing with mascara in the morning!
Lovewine, I understand your concerns about your son but young people can be very resilient and he knows he has your support, I think he will get through it. My OH would have the same reaction, it is hard to understand why they can't empathise more, but it seems they can't.
Enjoy your two days off rosie, the thing I like most about my Fridays off is not having to get up at 6am, it is such a luxury. Not long to go now and you will have finished altogether.

[Lovewine]

Yes Rosie, I am hardly ever awake past 10.00 these days! Even worse since I started the herceptin! In fact my side effects are very sore soles of feet and aching muscles and joints, am hoping these will ease as time goes on! Enjoy your meal tonight and hopefully a lie in tomorrow and Sunday!😄

[rosie14]

Lovewine not sore yet a few funny tingling feelings I am just so glad I haven't got to get up at 5am tomorrow and Sunday!
Tonight going out for a business meal I have asked that we can go at 7pm because by 10 I will be useless! Tomorrow will be shopping and Sunday washing!
I am sorry your son is still not a happy bunny but it is a good sign that he is visiting friends! My DH would be exactly the same as yours they have no heart sometimes!
Hope you mange to do something for you in addition to being a taxi driver and visiting your dad!

[Lovewine]

Extend the cancer drugs fund past 2016 is the title!

[Lovewine]

Good afternoon all, what a great day Wildpurl, yes I agree, it is very encouraging to have been approached, you must feel heartened by it, what an achievement for you though to have reached so high in your career particularly as when you started it was so male dominated! Good for you. I think an easy day today is just what you need after all the travelling and excitement, I would love to have seen the poppies, what an incredible sight they must be, if you could get close to them that is!
Rosie, how are you getting on? Still not sore I hope, a week and a half left to do. Are you doing anything nice at the weekend? I think I will be visiting dad again and also running youngest son backwards and forwards to train station as he is visiting old uni mates in London for the weekend, he us very depressed and makes me worried as I am too well aware of the statics regarding young men with depression and worse, O/H is losing patience and thinks he should " buck his ideas up and snap out of it", if only it was that easy!
Anyway, have come across on other threads the on line petition to extend the cancer drug fund, government want to stop, I think in years to come who knows who will benefit from these drugs, I have just signed it myself, here is the link if others want to sign.http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/

[rosie14]

Good afternoon ladies!
Wildpurl I think you should be very encouraged by the manager approaching you yesterday! It sounds like you had a very busy day yesterday even managing to see the poppies! How opportunities have changed for females since we were at school! Hope your waxing appointment wasn't too woocha!!!!!
Lovewine hope you get to visit your dad today and find that all went well.
Joan hope the getting the grandchildren to bed week hasn't been too bad.
Tlj hope your surgery went well.
Jackie hope your rads are passing quickly!
Lisa hope you are ok.
Kirstie hope you are enjoying your time away. Cassie hope all is well with you.

[Wildpurl]

Morning everyone,
What a relief that your OHs problem is gallstones Lovewine! And rosie, that is great you will only have 9 left after today.

Yesterday was a very demanding day, we opened the redundancy process at work, I am now officially at risk and also had to support my team through the various announcements. I have found two new roles which I would be interested in and have applied for one of them, the other is not yet advertised but I have been approached directly by the manager who needs the role to see if I am interested, which is encouraging. Otherwise trying not to think about it too much.
In the afternoon I went up to London and attended the afternoon sessions of the daytime programme at the South Bank Centre, which was interesting. Then I made my way to the dinner venue via the Tower of London to see the poppies. I have a photo of those but not of me I am afraid!
The dinner was lovely, I met up with some old and new colleagues, including the UK Head of Engineering again, who I did not know was going to be there! The awards were most inspiring, some of the young women in particular are remarkable. I also learned that girls now achieve better results than boys when they study Science, Technology and Engineering subjects, which makes it all the more important that more are trained and recruited into these areas of work. The opportunities that young women have today are simply amazing compared to when I was young. I remember my brother in law (1st marriage) saying to me, when I had told him I was a scientist doing research for Philips, "a man would like to have that job". My answer was "if a man were as well qualified as I am then he could apply for it". The Princess Royal gave a great speech and was wearing a lovely sparkly jacket!
Afterwards I made my way home by train and finally got to bed at midnight. I am shattered this morning, was going to go swimming but think I need a rest. I am going to have my legs and eyebrows waxed though and....my eyelashes tinted! Hope they don't all fall out, I think they will be OK.

[Lovewine]

Yes Rosie, very relieved it is gallstones! 9 left! It has gone past quickly, maybe doesn't feel like it with the mammoth journeys! On the home strait now😀!

[rosie14]

Gosh Lovewine 6 large gallstones at least they have found out what is causing his problem and thankfully it's nothing too serious. I am not surprised you are exhausted!
Down to single figures after tomorrow 9 sessions left!

[Lovewine]

Hi ladies, glad you found the article useful, yes it should be recommended reading after treatment!
Well I made it to hubby's scan- he has 6 large gallstones ! So possible surgery in near future. I made it back in good time for herceptin nurse, she gave me the injection and stayed 2 hours, she was very nice and we chatted for a while, she did emails etc on her ipad, found it not quite so stingy this time too. She also took blood pressure, heart rate and temperature and filled in my book- felt so much like chemo days!
Dad had further procedure and now being monitored to see if blood flowing to foot any better in next few hours, am not going visiting tonight as he has had visitors all afternoon and I am exhausted too!

Wildpurl, have a great evening, am sure you will look very glamorous in your black dress, you will have to post pics if you can💃

Tij, hope your herceptin was ok too.
Joan, good luck with bedtimes!
Rosie, one more down, another closer to finishing!

[rosie14]

Lovewine hope you managed to get to scan with OH and back for your nurse. You will,be warn out with hospitals after you have visited your dad today. Hope you find him well and that the procedure was successful.
Wildpurl have a wonderful time I am sure you will look stunning in your black dress!

[joan47]

Lovewine, excellent article. It should be given to all of us when we finish treatment. Your day sounds quite a challenge, I hope all the news is good.

[Wildpurl]

That is a really excellent article Lovewine!
Sorry you are having a stressful time at the moment with your Dad, your OH and your Herceptin. Hope you can have some relaxing me time.
Oh dear rosie, sending hugs, I hope your Dad remains stable until you can see him
Joan, glad you were pleased with your fitting

Tomorrow's dinner is black tie, cocktail dress for women. I have a little black dress I shall be wearing. I think I shall also be wearing my wig, my real hair is just not elegant enough...

[Lovewine]

I know the feeling Rosie, feel a bit like that myself!! Tij, fingers crossed no side effects for either of us, specialist nurse rang and is coming to my house Aprox 1.00 p.m, so hoping I can go to O/H s scan with him at 9.40! What a day, then different hospital in evening to visit dad!

[Tlj63]

Lovewine, yes I have herceptin on oncology unit. I quite like going to say hello to everyone. I had to wait for 6 hours the first time, then 3 hours and after that just half an hour. Fortunately, I don't seem to feel any side effects. Some people complain of aches and pains, I really don't feel anything. My nails are pretty flakey though.
Hospital rang this morning and asked me if I could get to the hospital by 7am tomorrow so I could be first on the list. So it's an early start tomorrow, but hopefully that will mean I will be allowed home by the end of the day.
Hope you all have a good few days

[rosie14]

This looks like a very useful document Lovewine I will read it when I am feeling less crabby I feel very cross tonight with everyone and everything!!😁

[Lovewine]

Was just poking my nose around other threads and found this link, have just read it and found it very helpful.http://www.cancercounselling.org.uk/After%20the%20Treatment%20-%20Peter%20Harvey.pdf?openElement

[rosie14]

I sure do Lovewine and I empathise with you.😩 I do hope that the scan will prove that the blood is flowing in your dad' s leg. It's a bit late to ring after 6 tonight for an appointment tomorrow!

[Lovewine]

My sister has just texted me from hospital to let me know dad is having a scan now, to see if blood is flowing to leg after procedure, if it isn't it will mean a big op, a bypass which docs are trying to avoid as they don't think his heart is strong enough to cope. Feel stressed today worrying about dad, worrying something nasty will be on O/Hs scan tomorrow and herceptin at home tomorrow!! I rang the nurses in the end as hadn't heard, was told they ring after 6.00 tonight to arrange a time!!
Am sure you feel the same too rosie with your rads and stressed about your dad.

[rosie14]

Yes Lovewine they do I just hope,he keeps going until I get there though!
I have had 17 sessions 11 to go!😒

[Lovewine]

Hi Rosie, 8 steroids a day I suppose would mask the underlying problems, sometimes the drugs side effects outweigh the quality of life in some cases, I hope something can be balanced for him with drugs and side effects. My redness and itchiness didn't start until after my radiotherapy had finished- thought I had got off lightly!!

[rosie14]

Hi Lovewine my sister says she thinks the drugs dad is taking is masking the real situation for eg he is taking steroids 8 a day at the moment and we all know what's those are like!!!! As soon as he moves he gets out of breath.
Hope your dad's procedure was more successful today.
I am not sore yet using the powder each night they gave me but I can't believe I will get away with out some skin problem knowing my luck! I feel very tired in the evening and get aches in neck and legs.
Have a good evening!

[Lovewine]

Afternoon all, Kirstie, enjoy your trip to Scotland, am sure it will do you a lot of good having a break away from family!
Joan, hope you will be happy with your prosthesis, will it take long to arrive? Re: rads, I am still very itchy but not so sore and the itchy area seems to have shrunk, no broken skin though thankfully, my nails are flaky and hardly growing at all due to the herceptin apparently, I heard someone mention the body shop almond oil is very good for nails so may try and pick some up, good luck with grandchildrens bedtimes!! You will need a relaxing treat by the end of the week!
Rosie, how's things after speaking to your sister? I am waiting to hear if my dad's second procedure was partially successful, it was continuing today I think as they couldn't clear the artery enough yesterday? Are you getting sore yet?
Tij, hope your herceptin went ok today, I assume you have yours in your oncology unit and not at home, do you have to still wait for 2 hours?
Wildpurl, on a lighter note, but very important- what are you wearing to your function tomorrow night?!
Jackie, hope you are doing ok?
Lisa and cassie, expect you are busy with work! Hope you are ok too.

[rosie14]

Afternoon Joan glad all went well with your fitting and hope you won't have to wait too for your new shape!
Glad to hear your soreness and itching is improving I am dreading this happening!
Good luck with the bedtime duties I should think you will need another reflexology session afterwards by the sound of it!

[joan47]

Wildpurl, I was really pleased with my fitting session and looking forward to my prosthesis arriving. We'll see how I get on with it. Thanks for the suggestion about the nail strengthened? I have been using Sally Hansens hard as nails but so far no improvement. Enjoy your posh event, it sounds great.

Lovewine, hope all went well with your fathers second op and that he starts to feel better soon. Just when you thought you were escape ng a bit from the round of hospital appts you have certainly been pushed back into it this week. How is the soreness and itchiness doing? Mine seems to stabilised and the skin is starting to peel rather than blistering so am hoping it won't now get any worse. The Mepiplex dressings certainly seem to have helped and make me feel more comfortable even at night when not wearing a bra. My energy levels are fairly low though fluctuating. Had a very useful session with a dietician this morning though who looked at my diet and made some suggestions for changes which might help.

Off to reflexology this afternoon, which I love. Unfortunately the relaxing feeling will probably be short lived because we are going over to help my daughter get the children to bed tonight because her husband is away all week. While that may sound lovely they both hate going to bed and it often takes some hours before they settle. It's only for four days but by the end of the week I shall be shattered.

Kirstie, have a wonderful time in Scotland.

TiJ hope the surgery goes well on Thursday.

Rosie, you are more than halfway there. But it must still seem a long way to go before you're done. I'm sorry that you have nausea to cope with on the bus on top of all the other issues about the journey.