Anyone due to start their chemo July 2014

[sugar8]

We were all delighted Cath. Even Baxter who saw me running /walking by. It felt good.
Sitting in the sun is also fun ... Make the most of it when you can.

Take care
love
Clare

[CathC]

Whoo-hoo! Go you, Clare! That's fantastic.

Bet your son was delighted you joined in the 5k with him.

I've done little more that sit outside in the sun with my computer today. Yes. Sun! *Does happy dance*

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

Happy Belated also ... guess what I did an unplanned 5k park run with my son Today. woopee!
I was only going to cheer him on then got the urge to take part. did it in 42 minutes and feeling good so far. Marathon here I come .LOL

take care
Clare

[sugar8]

hi hbunny sorry to hear bout your dad. hope he is recovering some more today . BIG hug. Sisters can be bummers. 😉 . but bet you will make up soon .
Thanks for offering to send me the address.

love
Clare

[CathC]

Hi hbunny,

Lovely to hear from you and that you're doing well. Congrats on the positive mammo results.

Hadn't heard of sulfer crystals, but I do like the idea of no grey hairs. lol

ETA: Just read your next post. I'm so sorry to hear your dad isn't doing well. I also have a sister I don't get on with. Maybe we can do a swap? lol

Keeping you and your dad in my thoughts. *Hugs*

Clare - belated congrats on your 60th. I hit the big 50 in Feb. 

Lucky you not having much grey hair. I've gone grey all around my fringe and sides - gotta love Naturtint dye. lol

Hugs to all the July ladies.

[hbunny]

Hi Claire, unfortunately  get mine from America, however it arrives quicker than Royal Mail!  Will dig out the address for you, however thinking about it I still have pathetic eye brows as well so it hasn't worked there!  Had a scary call this even re dad who is now in a care home, it seems we nearly lost him earlier today, can't get hold of my sister 3 hours away as she blocked my number on her phone after a scrap, so feeling rather miserable tonight, he does seem to have perked up a bit though, so just keeping me on my toes.  Anyone want a spare sister?

Hope every one has a warm and sunny weekend.  Xx hbunny

[sugar8]

Thanks for tip re sulphur crystals hunny bunny. Never hear of it. Do you get at health shop?
Must try for my eyebrows. Hair thick as ever and not much grey considering I turned 60 in April .lol.

Cath hope you don't have to wait too long for results. Shame bout the sore boob squeeze but we'll worth it for peace of mind.

take care all
love
Clare

[hbunny]

Hey all you lovely ladies. I feel really bad not having posted for ages, bit have been checking up on you all, I blame work going bonkers! Anyway congrats to all those positive mamogramm results. Mine also came back good - woo hoo, something else not to worry about till next year. Cathy I was told 2 week, actually took 5, so don't expect too much - wheels grind ever slower in the NHS.

Lovely to see everyone having fab holidays and doing what is important ie enjoying life. It's making me feel like I've got it wrong as I don't feel like I have a moment to myself right now, think I could just do with some sun.

I did notice a while back some posts about thin hair, mine is as thick as ever now and no gray - not bragging but I'm wondering if it's because I've been taking sulfer crystals for months now (high grade MSM) which h has been reported to turn hair back to nature colour and mack thicker, all get many other benefits - might be worth trying.

Anyway back to work. Have a lovely weekend everyone and l try not to be a stranger. Bunny xx

[CathC]

Thanks Clare.

Mammo went okay, bit sore on the operated boob, but nothing major. Results should be out in a couple of weeks. Going to try and put it out of my mind until then.

More rain here today 😞

Hope all the other July ladies are doing well.

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

Good luck Cath. Sunshine in Norfolk but chilly. What's new eh?
happy summer July ladies

[CathC]

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@sugar8 wrote:
hi Cath. Thurs 14th July or weds 13th? well good luck and wish you all the best with your app.
love
Clare

---

D'oh! Thursday 14th. Can't blame chemo brain on that one. lol

We actually have sunshine here today, and it's supposed to last all day! *does happy dance*

Luckily I have an early appointment so I should have the rest of the day to enjoy it.

Hope the sun is shinning on all the July ladies.

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

hi Cath. Thurs 14th July or weds 13th? well good luck and wish you all the best with your app.
love
Clare

[CathC]

Norfolk sounds lovely. Hope you have a great time, Clare.

I received my Mammo appointment - Thurs 13th. Relived that I haven't slipped through the cracks this year.

Hope all the July ladies are doing well.

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

LOL Cath. You are right!! I sleep in the draught of an open window and that helps immensely. I have learned the art of dealing with feeling cold then hot in a short space of time .
I am in Norfolk for a couple of weeks enjoying our lovely Summer and so chilled that I actually did some gardening!! Must be getting old.

Regards all July ladies
love
Clare

[CathC]

---

@sugar8 wrote:
:-). A medal would have been nice Cath . yeah can't wait to stop taking the Letrozole in early Feb 2019. Hope it's what causing the flushes !!!
hugs
Clare

---

Never thought of Letrozole. D'oh!

I was putting your hot flushes down to the menopause. Keep forgetting a lot of you ladies are on medication that causes all kinds of side effects. Who knew there would be a plus side to TNBC. lol

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[sugar8]

:-). A medal would have been nice Cath . yeah can't wait to stop taking the Letrozole in early Feb 2019. Hope it's what causing the flushes !!!
hugs
Clare

[CathC]

---

@sugar8 wrote:
hi Cath thanks. I been in the NHS for 41 yrs. 7 in nursing the rest in midwifery. enjoyed every bit of it.

Summer is hiding away somewhere . I change my clothes from warm to cool most days as can't find anything comfy to wear because of the changeable weather. A real bummer and the hot flushes makes it even harder.
I tried bowling yesterday and I am now pretty useless. kept scoring 0. lol. Well reality of my weaker self has now sunk in.
take care
Clare

---

41 years! You definitely do deserve a rest - or at the very least a medal!

I hear you re changing clothes constantly. One minute its wet and muggy, next it's freezing. I've had to put the heating on a couple of times last week it got that cold! Crazy weather.

Least you have your hot flushes to keep you warm. rofl. (don't worry, they do pass eventually.)

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

hi Cath thanks. I been in the NHS for 41 yrs. 7 in nursing the rest in midwifery. enjoyed every bit of it.

Summer is hiding away somewhere . I change my clothes from warm to cool most days as can't find anything comfy to wear because of the changeable weather. A real bummer and the hot flushes makes it even harder.
I tried bowling yesterday and I am now pretty useless. kept scoring 0. lol. Well reality of my weaker self has now sunk in.
take care
Clare

[CathC]

Hi Clare - Good advice re the Letrozole. I'm not taking it (or anything) but I'm sure some of the other July ladies will find the info useful.

Gill congratulations on the upcoming 40-year anniversary. That's some accomplishment.

Just think of all the ladies and babies you must have helped. Awesome.

You, too, Clare.  You both do a fantastic job and don't get paid nearly enough for it.

It's raining again here this morning. 😞

Someone send some sun, please!

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

I know what you mean Gill. So much updating too. I too am getting to that stage but I think it's easier working on the community to survive longer 😉 ????

[lilac55]

 Hi Clare .I am thinking of retiring now probably next year  . I too love my job but guidelines ect keeping changing ,pregnancy and child birth is becoming more medical . I give 110% but feel the time is coming to step away.Difficult decision in November I will be 40 years qualified as a midwife 

Gill x

[sugar8]

lol Cath. I agree bout the sun. My Gp gave me Vit D tablets 3 times a week.
Girls if you are on Letrozole have you Vit D checked and increase calcium intake to reduce risks of osteoporosis.
I ALSO agree with you bout my job. I like people and esp helping them to feel better.

Take care
love
Clare

[CathC]

Gill - I, too, have stopped washing my hair as much and I try not to use any harsh products on it.

If you're worried about it, I'd definitely use your wig for your daughter's wedding. You want to be enjoying the day, not stressing over your hair.

Fingers crossed for your bone scan.

Clare - can the doc give you anything for your Vit D? Because if you're waiting for the sun, you might never get any. lol

I can't see you ever retiring. You seem to love your job, which is fab. There's something to be said for feeling useful.

Just remember to take as much 'me' time as you need. Although, I think we all know that now.

I'm so fed up with the rain. Where's the sun. *Stamps foot*

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[sugar8]

Also Cath just saw your message after posting. I am already officially retired at 55 but work with the NHSP as a bank worker. A bit like agency hourly paid worker.
worked and gradually reduced my hours.During my illness I got no sick pay because I was not a contracted midwife. My luck.... Hardly took sick leave while I was contracted by the Trust . Anyway now that I am 60 I am trying to wind down and relax but finding it difficult to cut off 😉 being the workaholic I am.
My team leader wants me to help the team for a bit longer so it might be next year after all. We shall see.

hugs
Clare

[sugar8]

hi Gill.
hope Dexascan is fine. My son said to take Biotin tablets which I am doing to encourage my eyebrows to grow. I am also using a growth serum on my eyebrows twice daily. It appears to be working.

BTW Cath. 4got to say that my Vit D remains low.

love
Clare

[lilac55]

Hi everyone.

Please to see you are back in touch Cath .I have asked about my hair to BN ,oncologist ect and told chemo affects everyone differently .I am using special hair products and only wash twice a week as advised by hairdresser.Used to wash daily with panten 2in 1

My son gets married in October so thinking about resorting to wearing my wig.

I have recently had a bone density scan cos of my recent fractured wrist.Am expecting it to be ok .

Where is the sunshine ???think it has brexit.

Anyway ladies need cup of tea,and still lying in bed so time to move

Take care .

Hugs Gill x

[CathC]

---

@sugar8 wrote:
Hi Cath woohoo you are back . Good to hear from you. Great news re your bone density scan and I just can't believe that you are still waiting for your mammogram esp as you are self examining. Have you contacted your BC nurse?
BTW I meant retirement in August. end of Aug to be exact. Freudian error eh? lol
well keep well
love
Clare

---

Hiya Clare,

I'm not too worried about my mammo yet. If I remember correctly my last one was July time (they had forgotten about me :-() So I'll wait till the end of July before I do any shouting. I'm just nervous, I guess, because I've moved from the hospital where I had all my treatment to a hospital closer to me where I don't know any of the BC nurses - well, except the one I met last year.

Is your retirement this August, or next?  Are you looking forward to it, and have you any plans? 

Yup, I'm nosey. lol

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

Hi Cath woohoo you are back . Good to hear from you. Great news re your bone density scan and I just can't believe that you are still waiting for your mammogram esp as you are self examining. Have you contacted your BC nurse?
BTW I meant retirement in August. end of Aug to be exact. Freudian error eh? lol
well keep well
love
Clare

[CathC]

---

@sugar8 wrote:
hi Karen ,slyolddog and Gill. Good to hear from you again. Yeah I am worried that Cath haven't touched base . Hope she's ok.
Gill Bali sounds like a lovely place to be and family catch up even better. Sorry about your hair. Guess what I wore my wig this week as I couldn't be bothered to do my hair. It was so much easier to get ready. lol.

yes Karen doing he walk is very brave. I looked at the cancer fundraising walks and chickened out. Maybe next year.

Well take care all

love
Clare

---

Hi Clare

I didn't see your post until I'd posted mine. LOL

I had a computer free weekend, so only answering posts today.

Hugs

Cath

[CathC]

Clare - how are the Vit D levels now?

As for the self-assessment clinic...I wrote that wrong. I meant to say Self directed aftercare (SDA) Yup, the two are nothing alike. I blame it on a blonde moment. lol

Basically, SDA is what people with TN BC use after we finish treatment and are happy to do our own breast exams. We don't have any further medication to take, so we don't have any more appointments.

Just read your later post - Congrats on your retirement decision. Time to start enjoying life.

Karen - I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin. Wishing her the best with her treatment.

Glad to hear your scar is starting to fade, and good luck with the diet and Shine Walk. (Is that a cancer charity walk?)

Hi Slyolddog, good to hear from you. Good to hear from so many July ladies.

Gill - so glad you enjoyed your holiday - even the travelling, which I knew you were worried about.

Would have loved to see Rod Steward - soooo jealous!

I know your hair not growing back as thick must be upsetting, but you have the right attitude. It's a small price to pay to be alive.

Have you chatted to your Breast Care nurse? Maybe there's something you can do to help thicken it?

I'm still waiting to hear about my mammogram appointment. I did have my bone density x-ray and it's pretty good news. No major changes, except for my hip. Whoo-hoo!

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[sugar8]

hi Karen ,slyolddog and Gill. Good to hear from you again. Yeah I am worried that Cath haven't touched base . Hope she's ok.
Gill Bali sounds like a lovely place to be and family catch up even better. Sorry about your hair. Guess what I wore my wig this week as I couldn't be bothered to do my hair. It was so much easier to get ready. lol.

yes Karen doing he walk is very brave. I looked at the cancer fundraising walks and chickened out. Maybe next year.

Well take care all

love
Clare

[lilac55]

What is the shine walk?

[lilac55]

 Hi everyone.I too have been looking on posts and assumed everyone was busy living life .

Oh Karen sorry to hear about your cousin .HOPE they can operate and treat her successfully .I find it always knocks me back to my own journey .

Bio oil is good but scars do take months to resolve .it's like a reminder though all the time .Even though generally I am well my hair has never grown back to its thick state . I have very thin covering and can see my scalp which is brown. From the sun ,.I hate it as constant reminder but tell myself at least I am alive but doesn't really help .hate seeing self in photos .

I have had wonderful holiday in Bali and catching up with Claire and Ben Even the 24 hour journey each way wasn't too bad .And Rod Stewart was brilliant and going to be a sir .

Cath is usually our constant blogger so hope all is well .

Wishing every a good week .look after yourselves.

Hugs Gill

[Slyolddog]

Sorry Karen, I should have said cousin not friend. I'm an idiot! X

[Slyolddog]

Hi Clare, that's so weird you writing today because I was wondering exactly the same. I tend to assume that all is good when there are less posts.

Karen I'm sorry that your recovery is going slowly. Well done for signing up for the Shine Walk, its such a good cause. I started sponsoring Macmillan when I was diagnosed and they have some fairly adventurous ways of raising money. A trek in Costa Rica looked appealing until I read the itinerary! I'm so sorry to hear your friend has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, and at such a young age. I can't help thinking that modern living and materials play a part in the rise of cancer. 😕

[sugar8]

Oh Karen. What difficult news to have to cope with. so sorry and hoping that your cousin recovers quickly from the journey she now has to take.
I use the bio at less twice daily. I was told by the rep at my last conference that it's 50% massaging and 50% bio oil so I am trying to be diligent.
I also read that it takes about 6 months to a year for the scars to fade so I am being patient.
Re the abdomen support my plastic Dr said I could stop using after 3 months. I am still getting numbness in some areas.

Well I am cheering you on for your diet. I have managed to get near my goal. .... Thanks mostly to Baxter my dog companion. He loves walking 😉

I also started Jazzercise and getting my physical self back. Re emotional I think that will take a bit longer to
happen. I also think that I am going to stop working in Feb and accept my retirement status. LOL.

Take Care Karen X x

[Karen2609]

Hi Clare

How are you doing? My abdominal scar is fading very slowly and is fairly bumpy still. I must admit I'm not using the bio oil as much as I should be which probably doesn't help. Starting back on the 5:2 diet this week as I can't seem to shift the weight I put on in hospital.
I've signed up with my Mum and daughters to do the Shine Walk in September so am getting lots of walking in.
Unfortunately this is continuing to be a pretty bad year, my cousin has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer. She is only a year older than me and has always had a fairly healthy lifestyle.
Hope everyone else is well and enjoying life x

[sugar8]

hi July ladies. Where is everyone gone? I suppose that's good news and everyone is well and getting on with life?
love
Clare

[sugar8]

wow Gill. so jealous. Have a fab time and girl spend the money while you can.I don't think twice anymore if opportunities come I don't hesitate like I used too. Like cath said can't take the money with you.

Yes Csth. The good weather is a bonus and enjoy the outdoors.Hope you get mammogram done soon.What's the self assessment clinch about?

BTW my tests were fine except for my Vit D which remains low. . I am feeling much less tired now so maybe it was because of my travelling.
Karen is all ok? Has your abdominal scar faded and how long did you have to wear the abdo support for?

have fun July ladies
love
Clare

[CathC]

Hi Gill - yeah, my mamo was a month or two later than all you ladies last year - think they forgot about me  😞 This year I'll be going through my self-assessment clinic at my local hospital, so just hoping I don't fall through the cracks again.

Whoo-hoo on your 2-week leave. Sounds like you have a lot planned - Rod Steward AND Bali. Sooo envious of both!

Hope you have a great time with your daugher and son-in-law. You're just right about spending your money, because you can't take it with you.

Safe flight.

Weather is still absolutely gorgeous here. I’m sitting outside with my laptop, enjoying every minute of it.

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[lilac55]

Wow lots of positive mammogram results.brilliant .Cath I think you were month later than us all last year but I would contact them and book your appt .

Julie it will be lovely once work completed but I always find it disrupts the whole house with mess and dust everywhere!!!

Cornwall has been having amazing weather which means lots of watering needs in the garden and my water butts nearly empty.

In 15 minutes I am on annual leave for 2 weeks .Seeing Rod Stewart in concert on Tuesday then on Wednesday Dave and I fly to Bali to meet up with our daughter Claire and her hubby Ben.It will be 6 months since we have seen them .I have rented a small villa for us for a week .It takes us over 24 hours to get there but will be worth it .I keep sending my savings just in case I don't make old age and then no regrets.

Just thought breakfast outside everyday in bali.bliss

Now only 7 minutes to go so time to walk the dogs.

Enjoy the weekend

Hugs Gill xx

[CathC]

Julie - sounds like a lot of work planned on the re-vamp. I'm jealous. I would love a kitchen-diner.

Flossie - congrats on the mamo results. Whoo-hoo! I'm still waiting on my mamo appointment, but I know I was a lot later than you ladies last year, so not panicking yet. lol

Your mother and daughter lunch on the patio sounds lovely. I have breakfast outside every chance I get, which isn't very often, although this last week has been amazing weather-wise.

Slyolddog, I'm so glad you had a good time on holidays, although running after youngest sounds like a job on its own.

And YAY for another good result. Agreed, would have been better to have before you went on hols, but thankfully, it was worth waiting for.

Clare - hope the blood tests went OK. How long before you get results?

As for me, I had such a blast at the Blues festival. I loved the band hubs dragged me to see, which is surprising, as I'm not a big fan of the Blues, but this was more rock blues than blues blues, if you know what I mean. lol

We've been blessed with gorgeous weather at the minute, although I know England hasn't been so lucky.

Here's hoping all the July ladies are now basking in the sunshine.

Hugs

Cath

[sugar8]

Hi Gill and July ladies. I bet Blood tests will be fine doing them tomorrow. My Vit was low so taking tablets so hope it is improved. My Blood sugar was slightly impaired so hope that also improved as I stopped the stating and BP tabs which can both affect BS. We shall see.

The BH was relaxing. Shame bout the rain today.
Karen how is your abdominal scar feeling. Mine feels numb in places still . I am still massaging with bio oil. good stuff.

Cath how was your show?
Wendy any more travel this year and Flossie good to see you keeping in touch.

Well ladies hope you are fine
love
Clare

[Slyolddog]

Hi Ladies

I agree that it's good to see that our results are coming back clear. I got back from Florida Sunday morning and the hospital letter was the first one I opened, results are 'satisfactory' which is the best they can say.  I would rather have had that news before I went but its good to come back to. Holiday was fab although at times like herding cats because people either stood and asked what we were doing or the youngest would be running off at break neck speed in the opposite direction, which was quite interesting when you were queuing and had to leap barriers. Pesky little monkey. I have come back knackered though and still slightly jet lagged, slept 12 hours straight Sunday night waking at 11.30 am Monday morning. I think I may have been a bit tired! I am finding the temperature today difficult to say the least, struggled to cope with low 30's in the US but struggling more to cope with mid teens here.

And its pouring down!

Have a good week everyone, here's to better weather.

[Candyflossie]

Hi All,

Gill, I'm with you there, I love having breakfast in the sun, but nobody else likes eating alfresco, so Saturday morning I dragged my little one on the patio and enjoyed some relaxing mother daughter time with a great breakfast.

It's good to see our results coming back clear, my mammogram result just arrived Saturday morning, really happy 

Enjoy summer it's nearly here 

Love and hugs,

Flossie xx

[JuSt]

Hi Ladies,

Clare - good luck with your bloods.  As Gill says, I'm sure lots of us still feel very tired - I know I can feel ok one minute but then it can just come over me suddenly & I feel absolutely floored! Good to get checked out though - wishing you positive results very soon x

Gill - hope you are enjoying your days off.  Our re-vamp is mainly a single rear extension that has needed doing for quite some time now, got put off in 2014 because of the obvious and is finally due to happen again - yaay! It is to replace a very leaking conservatory, we are also knocking through to make a kitchen-diner, have had to have the roof re-felted & tiled last week and will need to have some work done in the garden after. I'm not relishing the mess & noise of builders being in all the time but am really looking forward to enjoying my house more when it's done.  Hopefully, it won't be too long before I too can enjoy breakfast in the garden 🙂 x

Cath - hope you enjoyed your lunch with the Blues - am sure I could cope with pretty much any sort of music if a meal out was involved lol x

Hope everyone else is doing good,

Julie

x

[CathC]

Hi Julie,

I hope the rain has eased and you're now enjoying a sunny bank holiday weekend.

And good luck with the work on your house. Here's hoping it doesn't take too long, but it will be worth it in the end.

Wendy - yeah, the scan results took far too long. I've no idea why, but it really isn't good enough. We spend half our life waiting on results.!! Ghrr.

Keeping busy is good, but remember to make time for yourself too.

Clare, good luck with the blood tests.

I'm with Gill, I think our bodies just take longer to recover now. But here's hoping the results don't take too long.

Gill, enjoy your couple of days off. And definitely enjoy your time with your grandchildren - breakfast in the garden sounds just what the doctor ordered.

Hubs and I are going out today for lunch and to listen to the Blues - I don't particularly like the Blues but hubs does and hey, a free meal. lol

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugs

Cath

[lilac55]

 Hi everyone, 

HOPE you are all managing to enjoy this bank holiday and this beautiful weather . I worked yesterday so looking forward to next 2 days off.

Great news Cath scan all clear but unacceptable wait .

Clare I think our bodies now need more recovery time when travelling/  busy life. Work or play '. Well mine does anyway .I recently had bloods done cos exhausted but all normal .

Julie are you doing the re vamp ? What are you doing ?

Time to hit the sunshine before grandchildren arrive  . Breakfast in the garden I think .

Hugs Gill 

[sugar8]

Hi Julie. It's always great to have your house revamped. Gives one a good feeling. Yes got over jet lag but still feeling very tired and falling asleep so having some blood tests on the 1st June.

Hope everyone is well
love
Clare

[JuSt]

Hi Clare, doing pretty well thanks & a bit of sunny weather always goes down a treat with me.  Busy having work done on our house at the moment so think I'll be ready for a holiday when it's all done! Hope you are well too and that your jet lag has gone now.

wishing all the July ladies a lovely bank holiday weekend,

Julie x