Anyone due to start their chemo July 2014

[Slyolddog]

Cath - big congrats on your new grandchild.  Like Wendy my grandchildren are pretty much what's kept me going over the last year, especially with the youngest being born 2 days before my ANC. They're also what keeps me focused on wanting to live a long life. That may sound like I've discounted my own children and I certainly haven't but I just want a chance not to do the things I did wrong with my own children with my granchildren, if that makes sense.  Anyway, you will love your new grandchild with all your heart and soul and also find out that grandchildren are very tiring!!! So pleased when mine go home, despite the love.

I had my first annual check up today with a member of the surgical team. She was a bit surpised that I hadn't had my first post treatment mammogram yet so she worted it while I was there, it will be next Friday, and they say the results will come through in 4 weeks. My boob has started hurting already! Todays appointment went fine and I go back in 6 months to see them again, which I thought was a bit quick but didn't think to ask why.

Flossie - well done for doing the midnight walk. I would like to give this a go next year, I may rope in my daughter and some friends for support. Can't give any advice re the menopause though, like Cath I wnet through that in my early forties so I'm all done. I think the medication I'm on now has reawakened the hot flushes a little but not as bad as they were. To be honest I'd love to be back having periods, no matter how much of an inconvenience they were it was preferable to be post menopausal and all the negatives that brings.

hbunny - with you on the alcohol causing hot flushes. (Said the lady with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc by her side!) While it sometimes makes things worse it's a bit hit and miss so sometimes I take the risk. Red is worse than white, which is a shame seeing as red is better for you.I really hope you get your dry eyes sorted soon, have you been using any eye drops as an interim measure?

Well, I have my husbands paperwork to do, tomorrow is my day off and I need to do the VAT before Sunday. And clean. And shop. And iron. But it's a day off! Have a great weekend ladies. XX

[WP23]

oh dear chemo brain still hanging in there.

Congratulations Cath on your grandchild to be!!!!! lol

Wendy x

[CathC]

JuSt - my scar tissue def has become more swollen and tender too. I think that's what the onc was afraid of and why he did the biopsy. While I hated having to go through all that again, I was reassured to be told it was only scar tissue. Still waiting my mammogram apt - at this point I just want it over and done with.

Have you tried your hairdresser for style and colour advice? I'm glad I choose to colour again, at least for now, it makes me feel more like me to see it coloured and straight - even if there isn't much of a fringe. lol

I intend to stick with the natural dye and natural shampoos & deodorants. Makes me feel as if I'm doing something to stay healthy.

hbunny - as you say, no news is good news, but you'd think 2 weeks was plenty of time for results. Here's hoping they arrive soon.

Good luck with the acupuncture (and your undernourished yin. - does that mean that your yang is well-nourished? lol)

Thanks for all the congrats on the impending grandchild. We're still super excited. A new baby for Christmas. Whoo-hoo!

Hope all the July ladies are doing well.

Hugs

Cath

[JuSt]

Hbunny,

good luck for your mammogram results too.  Do let us know how the acupuncture goes.  How does the treatment feel?  Do you know if it's supposed to be any good for insomnia? Hope your symptoms continue to improve x

[WP23]

Hbunny

Congratulations, a beautiful grandchild to look forward to. My grandchildren have really kept me going over the past year, they are such a joy x

Wendy x

[hbunny]

Hi flossy, I've got my fingers crossed for good results for you, I'm also awaiting mammogram results, 2 weeks today, no news good news im assuming.  Anyway forced menopause absolutely, dry eyes, certainly, hot flushes, yes but better over the last couple of weeks, since I gave up alcohol completely, just a sniff and im awake all night.  Still have painful joints, x-Ray came back normal and visited an acupuncturist last night, who suggested all the above symptoms can be due to a rapid drop in eastrogen levels.  So we are up for rebalancing my "undernourished yin" lol.  Hoping for good results so will keep you all informed.

Love to all hbunny

[JuSt]

Cath - what wonderful news! Can we call you Granny Cath yet? lol. Seriously, it really is amazing where that last year went isn't it? This year has to be better for all of us, but especially those who get to hear great news like yours x

Flossie - good luck with your mammogram results and well done on doing the Midnight Walk. Hope they manages to sort out your dry eyes soon. I've not had a period for a year (yaay - there are some 'advantages' to having had cancer!) but not really had problems, apart from relatively minor temp changes - hope you're not having too many problems. x

Wendy - good to hear your hubby's op went well. Hope the renovation is going ok. We were supposed to be getting an extension done last year but it got put off for obvious reasons and we've still not managed to get anything sorted for it happening this year - still waiting for a visit from the builder! It really needs doing but I have to say I don't feel as stressed out by it as I did last year (well, most of the time!). Am sure we'll get there with the work one day - probs need another extension by then as I also have an addiction to house mags. x

Gill - glad your mammogram was normal - I remember expecting to feel relieved or delighted when chemo was over but didn't so guess that's a common feeling when we reach these 'positive' milestones. x

Karen - one day of C25K is one day more than I've managed so well done! I keep intending to 'get fitter' but have just scoffed three lovely butter & raisin cookies! Have definitely been eating more rubbish lately so need to try to eat healthier as my clothes are feeling a bit tighter. Still....got to have some treats eh? Glad your arm not too bad. I've also got to have a CT scan (probs August) and know I won't be looking forward to having that canula in again. Still, trying not to think about it yet x

Slydog - glad to hear your dad had a lovely send off. My scar tissue is also more swollen and tender than it was (seems to have got worse last couple of months) - onc had a look and thinks it's just thickening from the radiotherapy but I'll be glad to get (hopefully) reassurance from first mammo (although not looking forward to the squeezing!). x

My hair definitely needs a cut again as it's doing the grow out at the sides and go mad at the back chemo curl bit, although still not much sign of a fringe! Can't decide whether to colour it or not as I'm a bit fed up with the grey now but also can't face going back to the constant upkeep and would really like to have some sort of style to go with a colour rather than just colour 'this'.

Anyway ladies, hope you're all keeping well. Hugs to all,

Julie x

[CathC]

Wendy - glad to hear your check-up went well, and that hubby has his first op over him. Wishing him tons of luck for the 9th.

Flossie - Whoo-hoo! Go you (and your daughter) doing the Midnight Walk.

I'm sorry you're still suffering from dry eyes. Here's hoping they find out the cause and get it sorted for you.

I went through early menopause when I was 40 so was well passed it when I started chemo. Maybe one of the other ladies can chime in with some help and advice. I'm assuming a 'forced' menopause might be slightly different to a natural one.

Here's hoping the symptoms aren't too bad.

keeping my fingers crossed that your mammogram comes back all clear.

I've had one bit of good news, and it's got nothing to do with cancer... I'm going to be a grandmother in Nov. *Does happy dance.*

This will be our first grandchild and it's really given me a lift, something to look forward to.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year I couldn't see any future for myself, now I have a beautiful grandchild to look forward to.

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[Candyflossie]

Hi Wendy and Everyone else,

Have been really looking forward to Thursday for my mammogram and I was having so many mixed feelings, hubby accompanied me but he was not allowed in. But, they say 2 weeks for results, as they have 2 specialists analysing the pictures in minute detail separate from each other to make sure no changes. So if I don't hear anything this week it must be good news, as the radiographer said that if there is anything worrying they will contact me straight away, otherwise roughly 2weeks for report. Fingers crossed now.

The radiographer herself said that her husband was going through cancer, so I felt her genuine empathy.

Great to hear Gill that your results came back good,  I truly wish that all of us will never have to go through this experience again, I feel ripped off of a number of things, but not dwelling on it as it will not help me get over it.

Last night I did it !!! My daughter and I walked the 7.5 miles Midnight Walk for St Helena Hospice in Colchester, in memory of my neighbour Allison (she was diagnosed a few months before me with terminal pancreatic cancer and died a cople of months after finishing her chemo). I saw a lady that was possibly a chemo patient herself doing the walk and I was so moved and impressed... I could not have walked up the stairs during chemo, let alone a long exausting route. 

Anyway, exams are in full swing, only 3 left after half term then hopefully teenage depression and stress will go away 

You are right about not wanting to talk about cancer anymore, but it feels soothing that we can still get the support on the forum. I too think that I had a bad dream and often it does not feel real that I went through it for nearly a year.

Started to take Nourkrin for my hair and also had blood tests as I may have an underactive hypothiroid. The GP wants to rule this out before more in depth examination for my very dry eyes.The dry eyes started in 2011 out of the blue, but this year they have got worse.

Not sure I asked this before, but anyone going through menopause due to chemo? Any advice? 

Love Flossie xx

[WP23]

Hi ladies

I haven't posted for a while but I have been logging on regularly to read posts.

Slyolddog - I'm pleased your dad's funeral went well, "the last post", always brings a tear to the eye.
Hopefully you will get your mammogram appointment soon, it seems a distant memory since I had mine in March. I have seen the surgeon for my last 3 month check last week and all is well :):):) now on 6 monthly checks with surgeon and still having regular echocardiogram following Herceptin which was completed on 13th April.
The house renovation has been at a standstill for a week as we are waiting for the roofer to turn up!!! tradesmen are a nightmare and it is really hard trying to co-ordinate plumbers, joiners, electricians.............. BUT, we will get there, eventually lol.
Thanks for enquiring about Hubby, he had his first op on Tuesday last week and it went well, he has his brachytherapy operation on 9th June, he needs to stay in hospital overnight so we are going to have a couple of days over in Newcastle, hopefully he will recover well from the op.
I cant stop buying house mags, but I have got lots of ideas from them that we are going to incorporate into the house.
Im with you re hair - no problems with hair everywhere else growing at a rapid rate but hair on head is very slow going!!! lol

Gill - Pleased you got good result from your mammogram, I must say I was very relieved when I got mine, it did take half an hour to open the envelope though!!! and then I cried with relief 🙂
Barbados sounds lovely, just the rest you need after what has been a very long and almost surreal year.
Gardening is a passion of mine but it is very time consuming and takes a lot of energy, our new house only has a tiny garden so will be much easier to manage, I will miss my current garden though, and that is the biggest compromise of our move x

Karen - I have also recently found out that another lady at work has breast cancer!! it just feels that we are constantly surrounded by it all of the time, either on the television, work, friends............ maybe it is that cancer is talked about more openly, which has to be a good thing as it isn't that long ago it was a very taboo subject.

Cath - go you with the spikey hair, that's what I do with mine, my hubby calls me a rock chick!!!!! sweet lol:) but it feels so much better than the chemo curl, I just hate that.
You are right this site has been such a god send and I have recommended it to my colleague at work, so much has happened in the past 13 months that sometimes I feel like it has been happening to someone else too, it is very strange. x

Flossie - how did your mammogram go on Thursday?
It is true that we should enjoy every single day, I spend a lot more time with my grandchildren now, I just want to see every step of their development and cherish it.
Glad to hear you are getting fit, that is something that I keep putting off, so many other things to do!! I would like to do the midnight walk or something similar, I do find myself buying anything that supports breast cancer (tickled pink in Asda....) there were even gardens at the Chelsea Flower show that were highlighting BC x

Hbunny - how are you getting on with dry eyes, trigger thumb? I must admit I have a few aches and pains and very sore knee and feet but I just cant face another doctor/hospital appointment. I have had acupuncture for my shoulder though and that was very good, maybe worth thinking about x

Anyway lots of jobs await, enjoy the bank holiday ladies x

Love to all

Wendy x

[CathC]

Karen, it must be a teenager thing. My youngest is more than laid back about his exams. It's infuriating.

Sorry to hear about the mum in your son's class. Seems like cancer is everywhere these days, or are we just more aware of it?

It does seem surreal to know we've been through all we have in the last year. Sometimes it feels like it's happened to someone else, not me.

It's a kinda limbo situation now, no sign of disease, but still waiting for tests etc to confirm. I guess it's always going to be at the back of our mind.

Good job we have this site, where we can moan/cry/laugh to our heart's content.

Gill, so glad you enjoyed your holiday - it sounds fantastic. And I'm delighted to hear your mammogram came back clear.

I took another step yesterday and went out for the first time without any head covering. My lovely sis-in-law straightened my hair and spiked it up for me. She even managed to give me a miniscule fringe. LOl

Everyone loved it, but I spend the evening feeling like a gremlin, waiting for the rain to strike and turn me back into a curly bap. LOL

Have to say, though, seeing my hair straight and freshly coloured, I actually looked like me for the first time in a very long time.

Enjoy the long weekend, ladies.

Hugs

Cath

[lilac55]

Hi everyone .

I agree with you all that this forum has been such a wonderful support.It is hard for people to understand the experience we have been through unless have been there themselves.At times I felt so alone even surrounded by friends and family.In some ways looking back over the year I can't believe it happened but one quick look in mirror  chemo hair style!

Barbados ,we had a lovely relaxing week of eating,drinking and lying in the sun( and wind).just what we needed.since being home have been attacking the garden as became a jungle whilst away.

Had mammogram result on Wednesday,all normal.Thought I would feel relieved or delighted but didn't?

Slyolddog your dads funeral sounded very special.HOPE now you will be able grieve for your lose but remember the happy times.It is strange when both parents have died.such a big gap in your family.hug x

HOPE everyone is able to enjoy this bank holiday weekend.Look after yourselves.love Gill xx

[Karen2609]

Hi Ladies

Slyolddog, I'm so glad your Dad's send off went well. Such an emotional time, especially as you had to wait so long, sending you lots of love and hugs.

My arm is not looking too bad but I dread needing another blood test. The exam stress is not too bad, my daughter is remarkably laid back about them, seems a little too laid back to me but we will see come results day. As for the C25k - I've done day 1......


Cath, I know what you mean about not wanting to talk about cancer too much at home. I feel like everyone has had enough of it, but that's why this forum is so good. Even if we no longer post as often we are still here for each other. Although I'm still waiting for results sometimes it doesn't feel real anymore, can't believe I went through chemo and surgery, even though the very obvious physical effects are still there.

The reality was all bought back to me with a bump this week. Another mum from my youngest son's class has just been diagnosed and gone through surgery. Last I heard she was still waiting for results, I was in exactly the same position this time last year so my heart really goes out to her.

Hope everyone enjoys the Bank Holiday weekend

Hugs, Karen x

[CathC]

Hi Karen - I'm glad to hear your cough seems to be getting better. I totally understand what you mean about being ok until you get the results. Definitely do get out and enjoy yourself as much as possible.

Here's hoping the results come through soon, waiting is torture.

Slyolddog - I'm so glad your dad had a good send off. It sounds very emotional. And The Last Post could bring tears to a stone.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with a still tender boob. I think the scar tissue is here to stay and I have to learn how to check this 'new boob'

How is work going for you? Are you still finding yourself getting tired easily?

This site has been a Godsend. I don't talk about my cancer with anyone at home. I don't want to dwell on it, and I don't want them treating me any differently. Here I can moan/ask questions/be uplifted/disheartened etc to my heart's content and I know you will all understand.

Hugs to all

Cath

[Slyolddog]

Afternoon ladies

Dad had a wonderful send off on Friday, as he had been in the army the hearse arrived with the Union Jack draped over the coffin and the last post was played after the service. If any of you have been to funerals where they play this you'll know how it makes you feel. Notwithstanding the emotional upset involved I have to say all in all it was a very good send off and dad would have been pleased with it. It's a shame that as we get older these tend to be the main events where you get to see all your relatives, and I'm quite lucky that the majority of mine are lovely.

 Cath - like you I'm still waiting for a date for my first post surgery mammogram. I'm hoping it comes through before my annual check with thew surgical team but as that's on the 28th it's looking highly unlikely. I'm not looking forward to it at all, it feels like I've got a lot of scar tissue there and it's still quite tender. I just want to know when it's going to be so I can get it done.

Karen - how's the arm now? I think my chemo arm is starting to look a little better now, although it still looks 'quilted' when I turn my hand over it's not as bad as before. They'd definitely struggle to find a good vein in my hand though. How's the exam stress coming along??   Have you started on your C25K yet?

Flossie - you're really going for it fitness wise aren't you? I was doing well on the treadmill but have to admit I'd dropped off a bit the last couple of weeks. I'm going to get back to it though and up the speed. My ahir is thicker than before but with a slight curl and quite fluffy too. I hate it being short, long hair shouldn't be what makes you feel womanly but in my case it certainly helps. Don't seem to have problems growing hair anywhere else though!

hbunny - have you got your x-ray results yet? Glad to see you've referred someone to this site, it has been an absolute must for me. No matter how well meaning friends and family are they don't know what you're going through physically or emotionally like the ladies on here do. Knowing that someone is 4 years post stage 4 is also reassuring.

Wendy - how's the renovating coming along? And more importantly how's your husband. I'm an almost obsessive buyer of house magazines, I love the ideas they give you. I really should try to wean myself off but then I think why should I, it's not a hobby but it is my weakness.

I hope everyone is feeling well and enjoying the afternoon sunshine, even when it comes with high winds. Back to work tomorrow.   XX

[Karen2609]

Hi Hbunny, I should have known better really than assume the hospital would have been efficient enough to organise both appointments! Strangely I had been suffering quite badly from dry eyes before bc but they seem to have improved recently. Hope you manage to get something sorted with your eyes, thumb and wrist soon.
Good to hear from you Flossie, my eldest has just started her GCSE's so we have lots of exam stress at the moment too. My eyebrows are not great either so I'm still filling them in (when I can be bothered).
Hi Cath, I'm not doing too badly waiting for the results. My cough is not so bad but just a bit worried that while investigating that they will find something else. Just trying to tell myself that until I get results I'm ok, things may change afterwards so I should try and enjoy the next couple of weeks. I don't know if that makes sense but it seems to be helping.

I have also been looking at pictures from yesterday's Moonwalk, and if all is well next year would be quite keen on getting involved. I have received so much support since being diagnosed that I would like to give something back.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend, Karen x

[CathC]

Karen - nope, no date for my mammogram yet. They did say at my last visit to the hospital that they wouldn't send an appointment before my year was up, so would only be expecting the letter sometime this month.

How are you doing, waiting for your results, is the time dragging? Or are you able to put it out of your mind?

hbunny - yeah,  my boob feels different too - harder, and yes, just like it's had an uplift. It's all the internal scaring at wound site that's still tender. Makes it very hard to check my boobs because it doesn't feel like my boob anymore. 😞

Good luck with the eye appointment. I'm thinking I'll have to make some kind of appointment about my dry mouth and lack of taste. It's getting beyond a joke now. I have an appointment with my dental hygienist in June so I shall ask her about it.

Hi Flossie, so glad things are going well for you at the moment.

Congrats on becoming an aunt again. I became a grand-aunt for the second time last Monday. (Yes, my sister had her children very young. lol)

Our youngest is also in 6th form and starting his A levels next week. I'm not sure how stressed he is about them, he's very laid back - irritatingly so.

Here's hoping they both get the results they need.

Sorry, no tips for eyebrow regrowth - mine grew back thick and bushy and very long! But I'm with you on the hair growing upwards instead of downwards. lol. But hey, we've got hair. I'm not gonna complain about that.

Good luck on getting fit, and I think doing the midnight walk and/or race for life would be fantastic.

Cancer really has changed most of us, and for the better in some ways.

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[Candyflossie]

Hello July ladies,

Wow, so many threads since last time I've been on the site. I am glad to hear that most of you seem to be doing well and going through follow-ups, I have just had my mammogram letter, it's booked for the 21st May. Nearly a year since my surgery, it feels so distant, but definitely changed me , I cherrish each day and don't worry so much about little things, I've learned to enjoy my family time more and more.

I became an aunt for the third time last week, my only sister had a little girl and she is lovely, we may go and visit them for christening mid June, they live in Transylvania.

Our son is going through exams, he is in 6th form, so very stressful time for him, but we are encouraging him to relax, he is putting so much pressure on himself to try and get into Oxford.

Glad to hear about your hair growth, I am absolutely obsessed with it, I am not sure it is as thick as it used to be, so have decided to take Nourkrin, anyone else doing the same? Mine isn't curly, but more like fuzzy and no real shape, and yes, it does grow out rather than down at the sides... can't wait for more growth, don't like it short at all.

My eyebrows and eyelashes grew back quickly but eyebrows not very thick, so still have to use my eyebrow pencil. Any tips for eyebrows growth?

Not watched the Lisa Lynch programme, what channel was it on?

Anyway, focused on getting really fit at the moment, gym and swimming as much as I can fit around work and home/family, but I am keen on doing the midnight walk and maybe race for life, just feel like it's so important, I didn't use to feel like this before.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones and enjoy each day 

Love, Flossie xxx

[hbunny]

 Hi Karen.  Not sure about efficient hospital, the x-Ray was a drop in, so they didn't have to coordinate.  Next up is eye appt for the dry eyes and will have to do something about the trigger thumb and painful other wrist, just keep putting it off hoping it will go away!

I haven't been discharged yet either have an appt to discuss results in July, soon sure your appt will be along soon, maybe they could do with a prod!

Love to all.  Xxx. Hbunny

[hbunny]

Cath, sorry to say boob wasn't sore beforehand but being squeezed so tightly was painful.  It feels quite different since rads almost like it's had an uplift.  It was fine after though, no lasting effects.

Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely summer afternoon.   Hugs back bunny xx

[Karen2609]

Hi Ladies

Have you got a date for your mammogram yet Cath? I'm wondering if I haven't got one as haven't been discharged by surgeon yet, who knows and every area seems to do things differently. Hope you are well.

Hbunny, I remember this time last year I was having blood tests all the time and it didn't feel like a big deal now I get really anxious about them. I suppose we had bigger things on our minds then and our veins hadn't yet been ravaged by chemo.

Hope the wait isn't too long for you, at least you got x-Ray and mammogram done on the same day, I bet not all hospitals would be that efficient ! I do hope the lady you referred to this site has got some support from it. I met a couple of ladies with stage 4 whilst going through chemo who I still think about all the time, one is only 33.

I've just read Lisa Lynch's book which probably wasn't a good idea whilst waiting for results so am going to download something light and heartwarming now.

Stay well July ladies x

[CathC]

hbunny - bet you're glad to have your first mammogram over. Was your boob sore before the scan or did the scan hurt it? I ask because my boob is still tender and the thought of the mammogram...*Shudder*

Really hoping the two weeks fly by until you get your results.

Hugs

Cath

[hbunny]

Oh Karen just the thought of blood tests makes my knees go weak.  Don't forget the lots of water before hand ladies to make the blood flow easier!  Glad the scan went well and hope the wait isn't too painful. 

I had x-ray of thumb and first mammogram yesterday, both fine but surprised how painful the boob was, now got 2 weeks wait for results.  Here we go again comes to mind, although determined not to worry about it.

Whist waiting between appts I got chatting to a lady who was 4 years out of treatment following stage 4.  She had done really well but hit a brick wall emotionally and was waiting for a therapy appt.  I pointed her in the direction of this site as she had not heard of it and im sure she will benefit as we all have from being in it together.  

Hope everyone is having a good day.  Xx hbunny

[CathC]

Karen, glad the scan went well, but ugh to the sore veins. I so don't miss that part of treatment.

Here's hoping the time passes quickly while you wait for your results.

Hugs

Cath

[Karen2609]

Hi July ladies and thank you for the good wishes for my scan.

Cath and Hbunny my hair is definitely getting curlier as it gets longer but unfortunately its not a good look. I'm torn between getting it cut so it looks a bit tidier or hanging on until it gets past the inbetween stage. I don't know about you but at the moment the top and sides seem to be growing out rather than down!
Seems the 9th May is an anniversary for a few of us, it was the date of my mastectomy, I've not heard anything about a mammogram yet.
Hope you don't have to wait too long for your X-ray, Hbunny.

Slyolddog, sorry to hear about you losing your mum so young. It must have been very hard for you. Hope you are starting to recover from the weekend now, at least with grandchildren you get to give them back and have a well deserved break.

Wendy, good luck with the renovations this is definitely the right time of year to get them done, hope they don't take too long.

Well I've got the scan part over with now and no one mentioned the second blood test so I'm glad I didn't bother. I'd forgotten they need to put a cannula in for the dye so it was a case of hunt for a vein again. My arm looks awful now, all bruised and a big lump where the vein is. I'd also forgotten the dye makes you feel like you've wee'd yourself when it's going round. Just have to wait now.

Hugs to all, Karen x

[CathC]

Karen, good luck with the scan today.

Slyolddog - losing your mum just before your wedding must have been so hard. I'm not sure what I would have done without my parents help in those first early years with my children.

Glad you enjoyed the grandchildren, but take time now to recover. lol

Wendy - good luck with the house renovating.

hbunny - looks like we were both diagnosed on the same day. Good luck for your mammogram - I haven't received an appointment yet, but I know I'm not looking forward to it as boob is still tender.

When is your x-ray for your thumb/wrist? I hope they find out what's wrong.

Like you, my hair seems to be getting more curly the longer it grows. I've a good head of hair now, but still no fringe.

So nice to hear from so many of the July ladies.

Stay well.

Hugs

Cath

[hbunny]

Hi ladies, Karen I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, do hope everything goes well but understand how nervous this scan must be making you.  Hope everyone else is doing well.  I've just got through first anniversary of diagnosis like many of us on 9th May and got first mammogram on Wednesday, not looking forward to that, also going for x-Ray on thumb/wrist re the bone pain, which ain't getting any better, but convinced it will wear itself out eventually.

Hair is getting more curly the longer it gets, even the fringe is nearly there but its curlying up to nothing.

Wendy you sound busy, an exciting time with a new house, I hope it gives you new energy.

Onwards and upwards.  Xxx hbunny 

[WP23]

Hi Karen

We are doing well thanks, renovating our new house!:)

I really hope that your scan goes well and your results are ok. There is really no reason why results should take that long these days. Really bad making people wait that long.

Hope everyone is doing well xx

[Slyolddog]

Karen, good luck for tomorrow. I'll keep everything crossed for you as will everyone else I'm sure. 3 weeks is going to feel like a long time to wait, maybe the results will come sooner. I'm not going to give any advice in the wait, we all know what it's like and I'm sure you'll find things to keep your mind off things at least some of the time.

Cath, you were very lucky with your mum, sadly mine passed away 6 months before I got married and then my dad moved back to Lincoln. The girls are lovely but I'm still knackered!!

[CathC]

Slyolddog, have you recovered from having your granddaughters staying over?

My mum was brilliant when my boys were young. She would take them for the odd night so hubs and I could catch up on our sleep - our youngest suffered terribly from colic.

I hope I'm able to do the same for my own grandkids when they come along.

Karen, I'm not surprised you're anxious about the scan results. Getting that first diagnoses of bc knocks the confidence right out of you.

Good luck with your scan tomorrow. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers while you wait for the results.

Hugs to all the July ladies

Cath

[Karen2609]

Hi Ladies,

Gill, hope you have a wonderful time in Barbados you deserve it. I bet it will be amazing.

Wendy, hope things are ok with you and that your husband is doing well.

Cath, lovely to hear such positivity from you, I'm going to try and take a leaf out of your book!

Slyolddog, hope you have caught up on your sleep after having granddaughters over. I wish I'd thought of asking for me time when mine were younger.

Feeling a bit anxious at the moment as scan is tomorrow, I don't think the cough is anything to worry about but am scared they will find something else. Want to try and enjoy next three weeks before results in case they are not as good as everyone seems to think. I never used to be such a pessimist, was sure my lump was nothing to worry about until diagnosis.

Take care all, enjoy the sunshine xx

[Slyolddog]

Absolutely know what you mean Cath, while I wouldn't go so far as to be quite so positive I would say the whole experience has toughened me. I think it's madee a more giving person as well, I'm now a firm believer in giving others a hand up.

Got the granddaughters staying over tonight so not expecting too much sleep. My son and his wife need some 'me' time. We never had that luxury when ours were small, but apparently it's all the rage now!!

Glad to see the weathers finally picking up. Have a lovely Sunday everyone. Xx

[CathC]

Oooh, Gill, Barbados! I'm sooo envious. I hope you enjoy every minute of it - you deserve it.

Well, it's one year today since I was diagnosed. In some ways it's been the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't take life for granted any more, and I no longer care what people think of me - so liberating.

Saying that, I'm still glad to be on this side of the year.

Onwards and upward, huh ladies?

Hugs to all

Cath

[WP23]

Hi Gill

Have a brilliant trip you deserve it 🙂

Wendy x

[lilac55]

Hi July ladies.

I am off to Barbados in the morning.All packed with 30 and 50 protection sunscreen (don't usually. Use any!) Antibiotic cover from GP just in case.Can't wait to feel Sun on my skin and swim in warm sea.bliss.

HOPE everyone keeping well as lot of first anniversaries occurring.

Will raise a glass of champagne to you all as leave UK

Love and hugs Gill X

[CathC]

Karen - are the blood tests because you're on hormone treatment?

It's also a year this week from my diagnoses (9th) Scary how quickly that year has gone, and yet how vividly I remember the doc telling me the news!

Wendy, So glad you had a good trip, and the weather stayed nice for you.

I haven't thought about risk reducing surgery, although I admit the fear of reoccurrence is always at the back of my mind. Let us know what your breast nurse says when you ask about it?

Couldn't  watch the Lisa Lynch programme. I'm an ostrich - I like to bury my head in the sand.

I guess we're all worried about reoccurrence. I wonder if that will ever leave us, or will we have to learn to cope with it?

The rain has finally eased here, and the sun has poked its head out. Looks like it's going to be a nice May bank holiday.

Enjoy everyone.

Hugs

Cath

[WP23]

I agree Karen, recurrence is unfortunately at the forefront of my mind more than ever recently x

[Karen2609]

Glad I watched the C word and definitely going to download the book now. Very, very sad especially with the news of Rebecca Ellison this weekend.

I don't know about anyone else, and certainly don't admit it to family and friends but the thought of recurrence and how I would cope is never far from mind.

Love to all, Karen x

[WP23]

oooh and I was sat on the same spot on Brighton beach last week!!!!! very weird

[WP23]

Just watched the C Word with hubby, I was doing really well until 15 mins before the end!! then lost it, so sad 😞

Need to think positive thoughts x

[Slyolddog]

Just watched the C Word, its amazing how many shut doors it opened for feelings I'd blocked out of my mind. It's so sad how many young women are affected. It looks like she was the same age as Rio Ferdinands wife when she died. Very, very sad.

I'm glad to see you enjoyed your trip Wendy, pity you didn't bring the warm weather home with you. I hope you're both well refreshed and ready to get hubby better. So sorry to hear about your friends recurrence, its what we all dread. I've personally not considered risk reducing surgery and I'm not sure when it would be advised.

Have a good week everyone, lets hope we see some sun soon. Xx

[Karen2609]

Hi Wendy, I'm glad you and your husband had a great trip, you both deserved it but seems to have gone really quickly.

So sorry to hear about your friend, I have also been thinking about risk reducing surgery since one of our fellow July ladies, I think it was Clare, mentioned it. It has never been talked about by my surgeon but plan to ask him about it when I next see him.

Got my tissues ready, just need to get rid of husband and kids as I don't want company while watching the Lisa Lynch programme. I'm considering downloading the book too but think I'd better see how tonight goes first. I've read a few books about women dealing with bc but up until now they've all had a 'happy' ending,

Hope everyone enjoys the extra day off tomorrow

Karen x

[WP23]

Slyolddog

So sorry to hear about your dad x

Such a long time before you can say your final farewell.

Well done on going to work with no wig, hope your colour went well.

Wendy x

[WP23]

Hi July ladies

What awful news about Rio Ferdinand's wife, so young and 3 little ones, really brings it home doesn't it?

I am also going to watch Sheridan Smith in the BBC 1 drama tonight Karen, with a box of tissues at my side.

Myself and hubby had a wonderful trip around uk and fabulous weather, but we come home to freezing temperatures!!! Also sad news that a friend has had recurrence in same breast and is going to have mastectomy
:(. Has anyone thought seriously about having risk reducing surgery?? I have been thinking about it more and more recently and I am going to speak to breast nurse and surgeon about it this month.

I have been reading all of the posts over the past couple of weeks and cant reply to them all but I have been thinking about everyone.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Karen2609]

Guess what Cath, I got my scan date through with another blood test form... Grrr. I'm going to be a rebel and not have it, the test last week was for the scan and my onc ticked all the boxes so it's being tested for everything. Left hand, right hand comes to mind.
Bit of a poignant weekend, it's a year this week since my mastectomy and then the heartbreaking news about Rio Ferdinand's wife. So young and those poor children. I also feel compelled to watch The C word drama tonight, don't know how I'll feel after that.

Hugs to all, Karen x

[CathC]

Glad to hear the blood test went okay, Karen.

May it be a looooong time till the next one. lol

Hugs

Cath

[Karen2609]

Blood test went ok thanks JuSt and Cath. Had to try 2 veins as first one started ok but stopped after a trickle so they tried a vein in my wrist which was fine. Hoping that's the last one I'll have to have for a while!

[CathC]

Karen, I'm with JuSt, good luck with the blood test - we forget so quickly how much angst they used to cause.

Just like good weeks and bad weeks.

How far we've moved on. Our lack of fringe pale in comparison.

Hugs all

Cath

[JuSt]

I'm with you all on the fringe business! I've already had three trims to the rest of my hair but still not much sign of a fringe...sigh.  

Good luck with the blood test Karen - amazing how we almost forget about things like vein problems until they are needed again.  Hope it's all over quickly and painlessly.

Love to all

x

[Karen2609]

And hopefully in 6 months time we will all have lovely shiny fringes!! Lol