January chemo starters ?

[Starfire9]

Hi Ladies,

I hope you are all ok?

I finished Rads yesterday 21 in total and I have an appointment with the allergy specialist tomorrow to have a skin test for Anastrozole. I am allergic to Macrogol 3350 and 6000 following Chemo which is one of the compounds found in Anastrozole and also in Tax. Since the chemo has made me post menopausal I am trying these first before alternatives. Thankfully I won’t need Tamoxifen as it didn’t suit me and made me experience numbness etc. They have found a brand of Anastrozole that has Macrogol 400 and 600 in it so this is the one I will be tested on and if all alright I will have to take me first tablet in a hospital to see if I’m okay. Wish me luck. What a palava. 🤺

Lots of love to all xxxx

[Michelle21]

Thanks Paloma and Dealdoh x

[Dealdoh]

Hi Michelle,  I haven’t been in your particular situation but I wish you well for the best possible outcome tomorrow xx

[Paloma]

Hi Michelle

I didn't have any cysts show up on my CT scan, but I just want to wish you the best of luck for tomorrow and send you a hug xx

[Michelle21]

Hello, I am after your opinions again as you all have a few months on me. I had my CT results today, they say they have found what looks to be 2 cysts. One on my liver and one on my ovary. They are going to ultrasound me tomorrow. Although the Onc said she was optimistic that they are cysts it needs to be confirmed. I’m so scared this is more cancer. Has anyone else had cysts found on a CT?
The good thing is I’ll find out tomorrow but I feel like I’m back at the dark days of diagnosis again. Xx

[Dealdoh]

How have you found the rads Fel?  I finished mine a week yesterday and all well so far apart from a bit of itchingx

[Shi]

Rosie 😘😘😘well done you amazing lady ❤️❤️❤️Thank you very much for putting me on your t-shirt too 😘😘 fel 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻Club Tropicana for you too darling after Friday, whoop whooop 😁😁 Aliand just to focus you a bit, mr hardy is waiting for you in club Tropicana because he wants you as his leading lady when he’s the next 007, it looks like it’s going to be him who replaces Daniel 🤫🤫🤫💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Fel70]

Thanks Rosie for including me on you T-shirt makes me feel very special.  Had rad 15 today 3 boosters and I'm finished on Friday.

[Aliand]

Oh my Rosie, now I do feel like a moaning mini ! Does exercise make it any worse ?

[RosieH]

Hi Aliand...I had major joint pains absolutely everywhere!! I took a Tramadol, 2 Paracetamol and a Naproxen to do that run Sunday!!! 

Ive started taken a Naproxen at breakfast and I think it’s helping!!!

Shi and Fel this is for you because you missed it...

Xxx

[Shi]

Moomoo hope you’ve had a lovely weekend ❤️❤️Aliand some special hot pink glitter hotpants on the way for you lovely to go with your new hair which is returning lovely now 👍👍hope everyone of the amazing jan 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️Doing well and enjoying this 🌞🌞🌞💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Aliand]

I’ll mention it on Friday when I see my onc again for 2nd dose.
Biopsy Thursday first

[Shocked]

Alaind - that sucks, my Onc mentioned that Zoladex can be tough, hope you get something to help,  big hugs xx 

[Paloma]

Aliand, big hugs. Can they give you something to conterract that? I seem to remember my oncologist mentioning it when she talked about it? Xx

[Dealdoh]

Sent you a hug Aliand x

[Shi]

Aliand 😘😘😘keep 💪💪💪I know you are a 🤺🤺🤺🤺🤺speak to your team and let them know how it’s making you feel 😘😘😘💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Aliand]

This Zoladex has aged me at least 20 years. Everything aches and my hands are painful and I’ve no strength in them. The though of being like this for 2 years isn’t very enticing ! Yet I’ll do anything to increase my chances of bing here for my kids.

[Paloma]

Hi, my post from yesterday doesn't seem to have worked

Anyway, Amy, sorry you have to wait longer... and Moomoo have a nice time away!

Shocked, I am the same, can't get into any of my jeans etc so wearing stretchy, baggy stuff xxx

[Shocked]

Have a great break moomoo the weather is fab for you as well xx

Amy hope this week flies for you - waiting for results is rubbish xx

[moomoo123]

Thanks for comments and support as ever xx feeling better today scan done promptly and off on weekend break to celebrate end of treatment . Sun is shining today ! Xx

[amyjb]

Just for the record, nothing exciting is happening today, I get my results next week - yes another whole week of waiting 😕

[Shi]

Amy and moomoo ❤️❤️❤️❤️For tomorrow beautiful 💪💪💪🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️Shocked, I was like that for a few weeks too, your teams become your security blanket don’t they, it’ll be ok the more you get your strength back up, you’ll be fine just pace yourself and do things in your own time, there are no hard and fast rules😘😘😘dealdoh 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣that made me laugh, have you found the club Tropicana thread that spiderwoman setvup for finishers of active treatment 👍👍 Rosie any more lovely puppy photos yet? ❤️❤️❤️To all you brilliant jan girls your blooming fantastic and always remember that 💕💕💕✨✨✨✨Shi xx

[Dealdoh]

Shi, I will be joining Club Tropicana Thread.  Saw this sign in Peterborough and wondered if you were touting for members?

Good luck Amyjb - hope all goes well.  Still haven’t got nasal hair but at least my nose doesn’t drip anymore.  My head hair is coming back but my eyebrow hair has continued to falll out and I have about three left on each side. 

Big hugs for you moomoo and sorry you were feeling low today but yes it does feel so good when you realise that actually day by day you are physically getting a little stronger.   I have started back playing badminton and got on my bike and cycled into town today, the first time since my surgery back in November.  It felt great.

[Shocked]

Aww Moomoo big hugs -  it hits you once you finish active treatment doesn't it - weirdly I miss the control and safety of seeing the experts so regularly, as I write that I think I'm mad (obviously I don't miss the treatment) but its scary being on your own to deal with what happened - obviously you have friends and family around you but its not quite the same is it?

Amy good luck tomorrow lovely - let us know how you get on.

[RosieH]

Hi Moomoo

big big huge hug xxxx

[moomoo123]

Hi there been busy having meltdowns last few days ....yes I'm emotional too because finished rads and started tamoxifen too. Still sinking in finished active treatment....what a slog it's been and like you have all said it's kind of sad because you realise there's a long way to go before we will feel fully physically and emotionally well ......kind of sadness amongst the happiness. Crying on and off all time ( changing antidepressants because clash with tamoxifen too)Though today has been a good day and feeling more positive as have just realised how much better I am walking round park compared to a month ago when I really struggled with breathlessness and back pain post chemo. So there is light at the end of this tunnel! And we will get there when we are ready! ( for those on rads my skins just bit sore and was bit tired bit it all went fine its easy after chemo!)Scan tomorrow to follow up something from previous scan...hopefuly will be ok! Trying not to think had all treatment even if it isn't!
You have all reassured me I'm normal in view of how you all feeling too. I think everyone gets fed up of me and my cancer issues at home....so it's nice to get it off chest( forgive the pun) on here xx
Paloma glad your lump is ok Amy good luck tomorrow. And shocked weight loss that's fantastic.ive put almost 2 stone on! ....will be on that weight loss mission too.....after my weekend off first ... xx

[RosieH]

Hi Amy, good luck tomorrow with the results, let us know how it goes.

Fel...I’m trying to plot where we all are and the bast place to meet. Can you PM me your postcode and do you drive? Xxx

[Jencat]

Hi amy, I'm from the Oct thread. I've had a couple of PET scans and CT scans-I'm not sure,but I think a PET scan is a bit more detailed than a CT scan

[Shi]

Dealdoh are you joining the club Tropicana thread??? Fel well done getting you hands on some red dot lush, it’ll work well it was a brilliant find by mishy18 who told us Oct girls. Rosie and all of you beautiful January ladies, keep 💪💪💪💪my darlings and be so very proud of how far you all are along now and all the beautiful support and love you give each other, you are amazing ❤️❤️❤️💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[amyjb]

Hi Rosie, the PET scan is a bit like a CT scan, not sure exactly what the difference is, I'm not one for questions, I'm all "yes doctor, of course doctor, whatever you say doctor".  They are looking for residual disease in my lymph nodes, hopefully none!!

Same here Shocked, you can't even see my regrowth yet!  I'm still hairfree everywhere else as well, although I think my leg hair is starting to sprout.  I would quite like my nose hair back, it's funny what you take for granted when it's not there anymore 😂

I had yesterday off work as I felt I needed a proper rest, and I spent a lot of it in bed which was nice, but I was still tired today. I'll be pleased to get my energy levels back to what they were pre-chemo 😥

[Shocked]

Rosie - I always feel better with my best wig and slap on and I'll be wearing my wigs for quite some time yet - my hair curremtly has a look of leopard print - I'm not kidding I have litlle black patches across my head its growing so unevenly - is that normal - maybe I should just embrace the look.. 

I'm getting the same emotions grateful to be here one moment then and absolute cow the next - I'm blaming the hormones (even though I've always been a bit of a grumpy mare)

[RosieH]

Best cancer line ever...I’ve put some slap on and my best wig 😆😆😆made me chuckle Shocked.

Aliand I seem to have a selection of mini breakdowns evenly spread between elated to be alive and grumpy cow...

it was so lovely meeting Dealdoh...makes it even more important to meet all the rest of you x

Amy I might have missed a chunk...I know you’ve had the PET scan and you’re waiting for the plan but what exactly is the PET scan and why have you had to have it?

Day 5 of Tamoxifen and I’m doing ok, def more flushes but they are shorter I think xx

[Shocked]

Paloma - I've got loads to lose and only just started but have to do something or buy a complete new wardrobe as nothing fits and I can't live in stretchy clothes forever (thank god for jeggings and oversized tops), plus I've no excuse as I've finished active treatment.

[Shi]

Aliand darling, you rant, meltdown and do what you need to do, we are all here for you 👭👭👭you are not that far off now this next bit will go quickly, and before you know it you’ll be on rads, trust me, the 💩 that is chemo is done, things will go quickly now, honest 😘😘😘fel, you are doing great especially having that long round trip to rads, keep trying to air your skin, it’ll help too. Dealdoh 🛎🛎🛎🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻Well done, see you in club Tropicana, sequin hot pants waiting for your membership 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Paloma]

Well done losing weight Shocked. I'm still putting on and my tummy seems to have got bigger since starting the Tamoxifen, though it may have nothing to do with that

[Shocked]

Aliand maybe you’re more level headed than me and you’ll get away with having a meltdown and your a long way down the road of your treatment 😘😘😘

I’ve put my slap on and best wig today and sorted some physio plus I’ve lost a bit of the weight I put on during chemo - nowhere near what I need to but it’s a start - positive steps and all that 🙂

[Aliand]

I'm not literally having the breakdown yet - it's just being behind you all I can see what's coming, it's actually a benefit as when I cracked between my last 2 chemo's I thought - oh well this is normal everyone else has been through it. So I'm expecting another as I come to the end, but I've a lone way to go yet, SNB next week, then Mx & recon then radio, as the song goes

"The road is looooong, with a many a treatment to come" LOL

[Michelle21]

Thanks Aliand x

[Paloma]

Aliand, hope you're ok....I know what everyone means about the roller coaster effect! I got good news yesterday, I had a lump appear in my armpit last week but the consultant checked it for me and says it is just fluid that would normally drain away via the lymph nodes but is hanging around as I had a clearance. I am on day 11 of rads and it's not been too bad so far. Been using Aveeno x

[Aliand]

Sitting here waiting for my breakdown ! It would be much easier if I could just book it in like an outpatient appointment - it’s bound to come when I have the least time for it !

So great that some of you are now coming to the end of active treatment. Whoo hoo

Michelle I think rads comes about 6 weeks after surgery.

Keep bopping on the beach people x

[Fel70]

Hi Ladies,

Waiting for taxi for rad 10 feeling ok so far but scar a bit sore even though I am lathering on E45 and Aloe Vera.  Managed to get some of the Lush shampoo bar on the internet through the Lush site so it's now back in stock if anyone is still needing some.

[Dealdoh]

Well rads done and dusted - what am I going to do with my days now (apart from hanging out at club Tropicana)?

I have found rads to be fine for anyone worried about it.  Slightly tired one day when I didn’t drink enough and some discolouration of the skin (about the size of my hand). I am just using aqueous cream to moisturise and it seems to be doing the trick at the moment.  Have had a few stabbing pains round the mx site but they have only lasted a couple of seconds.

One thing I have noticed over the last couple of days is that my face gets really flushed, I am putting this down to the anastrazole though.

Hair is coming through - bum fluff as I like to call it.  

[Shocked]

Thanks all for the support you lot are amazing and it’s always good to know I’m not losing the plot and some of this stuff is normal xxx Rosie glad to hear your feeling a bit better. I’m feeling more positive too - finally fitted in a little sleep between the flushes and my hair appears to be making an appearance a very patchy appearance but I’m grateful at this point for anything.

[Michelle21]

Hi Rosie glad to hear you are feeling better. It is an emotional rollercoaster. I watched a couple of Victoria Derbyshires videos today and she gets upset about the end of chemo and the end of rads. I can’t wait to be the end of chemo, but will probably cry then too! 4 down now so starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Can you tell me how long it has been for you between surgery and starting rads? I know this can change but I’m trying to get a timeline in my head. Wishing you well x

[amyjb]

Hi Rosie, I haven't even started rads!  Everything is up in the air until I get the results of my PET scan I had last week.  So by Friday next week I'll have my plan sorted which should include rads.  It's great you're not experiencing any SE's from the Tamoxifen, hope that continues 👍

[RosieH]

Again thank you ladies, it’s so much easier when you know you’re not the only one feeling a bit...unusual!!!

im def going to see what they do at our local centre, the LGFB course there was brilliant. 

Dealdoh that’s amazing last Rads now...mine starts on the 4th, 3 days into Tamoxifen now and feeling ok no obvious SE in fact physically I feel a little better. 

Amy is that you done with Rads too? Xxx

[Shi]

🥊🥊🥊🤼‍♀️🤼‍♀️🤼‍♀️🤼‍♀️🤺🤺🤺🤺keep focused and pace yourselves ladies, you’ve done so amazing, keep being kind to yourselves and not over doing it, dealdoh that’s great your on last rads already tomorrow 👍👍👍👍wonderful news, keep creaming afterwards, I’m still slapping it on a couple of times a day as your skin can still be dry for a while after finishing. Join us in club Tropicana, glitter hotpants ready and waiting 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻love to everyone I’ve your bus on the horizon on its way to club Tropicana now, dealdoh used her James Bond seat and it parachuting over to club Tropicana tomorrow 😘💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[amyjb]

Exactly Dealdoh, that's what I've been like - want to hurry up and get back to normal, guilty if I sit and frustrated when I do too much and end up feeling like cr*p!  Yay last rads 👍

[Dealdoh]

I think that is very true Rosie, and I don’t think any of us realised that getting over it would be as hard as going through it.  We have had to fight on both a physical and mental front and to me, the chemo was a more physical battle, although mental strength was also required but now, the fight is more mental, although there is the physical aftermath to deal with.  I find myself thinking that now the chemo is over, I should be getting back to how I was before and I am impatient to do so.  I feel guilty if I sit and then get frustrated when I push myself but can’t manage to do stuff.  I haven’t felt particularly emotional/tearful (yet) just pretty bolshy and p***ed off.

On the up side, last rad session tomorrow.

[Jencat]

Hi Rosie, I'm from the Oct thread and finished rads last Tuesday. Felt really emotional when I finished-had a cry in the changing room afterwards and it wouldn't take much for me to have a cry now! It wasn't so much because it was the end of rads, but the end of treatment and all the rubbish inbetween! We have so much to deal with physically, but mentally it's just as difficult.

My YD and I went to a couple of workshops run by Macmillan on Thursday-aromatherapy and energy boosts and found them really enjoyable and calming, it's definitely worth finding out what your hospital have to offer.

I've also booked myself to have some counselling in a few weeks (also with Macmillan) as I think I'm going to find it difficult to go back to 'normality' and returning to work xx