June 2018 Chemo Starters

[melina675]

Hey, kip I can feel your pain mate, I know how difficult is to stay calm and relax in hospital, but as a gamer, I prefer to keep my console with me in my room I know it's sound so weird but that's what I want to do instead of listing music and lying in a bed whole day I prefer logging to Ubisoft Store coupons and playing game which is helping to keep you distracted from the hospital atmosphere and keep you motivated.

[Kip]

Hi Reddi,  lovely to hear from you. Seems you have been so busy but glad all faring well.  As Feenix said it's coming up to mammo time for a lot of us... Just trying to keep calm and carry on.

Good luck with the job

Kip

[Feenix]

Hi Reddi

Great to hear from you.

Busy time for you with your parents but good they are doing as well as possible.

I hope the new job is ok and it fulfils all requirements.

Yes, we are getting into Mammogram time. Hopefully we will all ‘pass’.

I hope you’re doing ok in general.

hugs

feenix

[reddi]

Hi all,

Apologies for not replying earlier -- I was in the US visiting my parents in January and juggling caring responsibilities for them with my work. They are doing pretty well -- not great, but better than in the spring of 2019, which is better than any of us expected. Then once I got back to the UK, I had to jump through some Home Office loops in order to start a new part-time job, which I hope will help us build up some income stability and some savings, especially since we ate up all our savings paying the bills during that long treatment year (plus some). So it's been a bit busy.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. It sounds as though most of you have your mammograms coming up. Thinking of you as always, and hoping for the best results!

All best,

r.

[Feenix]

Hi Linda. Great to hear you’re doing ok. Fingers crossed those little areas heal as well.  Times flies by. My 2year mammogram is due in March. Xx

[Kip]

Hello Linda,  lovely to hear from you.  Glad you are doing well.  Its coming up to my 2 year anniversary soon so mammogram time in April.. Always a tense time but otherwise feeling OK. Still hot flushing like a demon tho. 

[Linda Corinne]

Not sure what happened to my message but as not on what's app thought I would say hi. How did your l.p. Go Clare? I am fine. Had annual check up in November and having mammogram in May as had one last May when had surgery again. So glad I did as now can forget about how I look as have practically healed now apart from a couple of places. Going to get measured soon as finished dads a year ago. Xx

[Kip]

Hi Reddi   I pop in now and then but as Feenix said we chat on WhatsApp.  How are you? Doesn't June 2018 seem a long while ago.. Yet still fresh in my mind. 

Happy New year too

Kip

[Feenix]

Hi reddi 

I was surprised when I got a notification from the thread. I didn’t have chemo but am in contact with the others from the surgery thread (via WhatsApp now). I do hope you’re doing well and wish you all the best for 2020. How’s your family doing ?

Feenix xx

[reddi]

Hi everyone! I'm not sure how many of us are still on the forums, but I wanted to wish you all a very happy new year. 

I think of you often and feel so grateful for having had your support. 

xoxo,

r.

[Kip]

Hello Reddi,  lovely to hear from you.   Glad things are a bit more settled for you.   Sounds like you are very busy so make sure you get that holiday.  I'm suffering with the Tamoxifen SEs still.  Aches and pains,  stiff joints hot flushes etc... Oh what fun but otherwise doing OK.   I've managed to lose a bit of weight but still 7lbs to go and it's so hard.. Everything is saggy and wobbbly...and thats not my clothes... I, like Feenix, need to stop the treats... But oh they are lovely

Kip

[Feenix]

Hi Reddi

Pleased you’re doing ok. Spending time with OH is a given but do hope family settled a bit more back home. Enjoy your walking holiday. Good luck with work and losing weight. It is hard...I’ve got at least 5kgs to get off. Maybe I should stop having treats 😂 

hugs xx

[reddi]

Hi all! Our thread has become mighty quiet -- and so, too, the May 2018 surgery thread where many of you started last year. I think Feenix said in the surgery thread that it seems we're all focusing elsewhere, which is good!

Still, I thought I'd share a little update on me. I've been home in London now since early June; no more transatlantic travel to care for my parents, at least for now, as none of us can afford the expense; plus, I want to be here, with my OH. I'm behind in finalizing their (very complicated) paperwork for benefits, but should get that wrapped next week. Mostly, I've been busy getting back to a full portfolio of freelance work, hoping to get enough clients underway to be able to build up another just-in-case cushion of cash and, fingers crossed, get a nice walking holiday this autumn before it turns too cold. 

I'm definitely still experiencing joint pain from the endocrine therapy. I'm focusing on diet and exercise right now, looking to cut inflammatory foods and increase weight-bearing exercise, and, per the oncologist's advice, taking paracetamol as needed.I'd like to lose about 10 to 15 pounds, so that my clothing fits like it did before chemo, too. It's slow-going. 

I hope everyone is well and settling into the new. Thank you all for being such great support through everything. xoxo

[Kip]

Ha ha Bosom appeal would be very apt 😂😂

[Michelle21]

I really must wear my glasses more often, Kip  I just read your previous message as’ the bosom appeal!’ 

Well done Shi and Kip for your fundraising. X

[Kip]

Thanks Shi,  the footie went really well, raised £900 which is brilliant.  Was very tiring day but so much fun

Kip

[Shi]

Hi kip 😘hope your football tournament went well yesterday 👍👍👍very well done to you both organising that, I bet everyone had a 😁😁time 👍chatsworth was brilliant so far we’ve raised over £3k for breast cancer care and breast cancer now 👍anything to help these amazing organisations that give us all such hope and support ❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Kip]

Thanks Shi, good luck with the walk.  My husband and I have organised a 5 a-side football tournament tomorrow to raise money for The Blossom Appeal which is raising money to help fund a purpose built Breast Care Unit at Ipswich Hospital.  It desperately needs one as its so fragmented at present, so dated and just not fit for purpose.   So today I have been baking cakes and biscuits, hubby is currently cutting the grass on two football pitches and then we have to organise a bbq!   Phew quite a weekend.

Kip

x

[Shi]

Red rose 😁😁🍾🍾🥂🥂congratulations you look stunning 😘😘 sending you both ❤️❤️On your new adventure of married life 😁Georgie gee you look stunning too and so pleased the wedding went well ❤️ Big ❤️❤️To all you amazing June ladies, look how far you’ve come now 😁😁👍👍👍so proud of you all 😁😁and if any of you are doing chatsworth bcc walk Saturday might see you there 👍💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Kip]

Morning everyone,

Georgiegee - what beautiful photos, you look lovely and get you completely on celebrating hair of any shape and form! 

Reddi - Hope things are doing ok with you and Mum is getting the help/care she needs.

I realised today that it was a year ago yesterday that I had my first chemo.   The vivid memories of walking into the unit in tears, the sounds, the smells, the fear.. all still with me..the lovely nurse sitting me down and explaining it all and my husband looking on as they inserted the first vile substance into my arm...omg hadn't realised just how much it is all still with me a year later.   Before chemo I bought a new drinks bottle to ensure I drank lots of water.. its still sitting in the cupboard, not been touched since last chemo but somehow can't bring myself to throw it away.. funny how things get you isn't it.  

Quite emotional thinking of it.. so must focus on how far I've come (and we've all come) since then.   Must be 11 days time since I braved the shave.. another emotional day too.   1 year on and the hair is wild! 

Sending big hugs to all my chemo buddies who got me through that.. thank you all.. 

Kip

xx

[Georgie Gee]

Here is a pic of my daughter and son in law on their big day..... love them so much!  They deserved to celebrate after the year we had with BC.  

[Michelle21]

Georgiegee you look beautiful too! I love the colour of your outfit and your hair looks great! I hope you had a lovely day! 

[Georgie Gee]

Love your wedding photo Red Rose!! 

As many if you know, my daughter was married June 1st, one week before.  

Here is a pic of me in my outfit..... not the best, but I will post another later.  Daughter and son in law flying back to the UK as I type from the honeymoon!  

I deliberately accessories my headwear to match my dress and jacket.  Wanted to just celebrate 'hair'...... I know you will all understand, and I love the way you did this too Red Rose!!  Royal Blue celebration!!

[reddi]

Now that I'm off my phone and on my computer, I can say that my so, so beautiful doesn't do you justice. I especially love the flowers in your hair and your rose-bud cheeks. Stunning. And the Mister is quite a dish, too.

[Michelle21]

How are you going Reddi? It sounds like things are tough with travelling too and from the states fitting in yours and your mums appointments. I hope you have her care sorted now and you are able to focus on yourself a bit more xx

[Michelle21]

Oh wow Redrose what a beautiful couple! Your hair looks great and your dress and flowers (love the red roses!) are stunning. I hope you both enjoyed your day, it’s been a long time coming.

Congratulations to you both x

[Kip]

Wow Mr n Mrs at last,  you look gorgeous and the short hair looks really nice.. 

[reddi]

Oh, so, so beautiful.

[RedRose]

[cdc1811]

Hi RedRose

Its a long time since I’ve checked the chemo threads but just wondering how everyone is getting on.  So sorry to hear the new of your mother in law.  What a shock! As you say she wanted you to be married so it’s good you are going ahead with the Wedding but obviously it will be so sad she’s not there.  Are you thinking of incorporating her memory in any way?  

I can hardly believe that you won’t get IVF because your partner already has children.  However well you get on and love your step-children I can understand you wanting your own child with your OH.  What insensitive timing too when you are having to deal with the cancer anniversary and making decisions about further surgery,  I’m sending a massive hug and thinking of you.  Clare 

[Shi]

Red rose 😘😘what a shock for you all, my 🙏🙏are with you all. Sorry to hear you are not qualified for funding, I know what a 🥊you are, aren’t you tempted to go to the national press with your story? Have you thought about incorporating her favourite flower in your bouquet? Just a thought. Sending big ❤️❤️Shi xx

[Kip]

Oh my dear Red Rose I don't know what to say,  just so sorry to hear about your loss, that's so sad.  I can imagine that planning the wedding feels bitter sweet but she woukd want you to do it so focus on that.  As for all the other rubbish coming your way at the moment... That is so tough but I'm sending big hugs to you... Thinking of you

Kip

[RedRose]

Hi ladies, just thought I would check in. Unfortunately this year being my year isn’t going to plan. My mother in law sadly passed away suddenly the day before mother’s day. Obviously the family is devastated. It’s 37 days today till the wedding and we put the planning etc on hold while we had the post mortum and funeral. I can’t believe she isn’t honing to be there. The wedding is going ahead because that’s what she would of wanted and we obviously want to be married to each other. It’s going to be a hard day though. With that, the various different appointments that keep coming through the door to speak about double mastectomy’s and having ovaries removed the anniversary of the cancer diagnosis and the fact I have been told that no ivf will be funded for myself as even though I don’t have children my other half does from a previous relationship so I don’t qualify because of him. It sucks. Sorry to post such a sad post but wanted you all to know not been ignoring you all. I hope your year is going well and will keep you inform of wedding. My hair not growing as fast as yours not had the first hair cut yet. Xx

[Shi]

Hi reddi how are you doing 😘😘hi to everyone hope you are all doing ok too ❤️❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[reddi]

@RedRose I think you must be about 8 weeks from the big day... !!! Hope things are coming together easily and beautifully.

[Shi]

Hi ladies 😁😁😁 don’t you just love the chemo curls 🙄if you want rid of the 80’s through back look (remember all the Demi wave perms etc of the 80’s when we were teenagers) then that L’Oréal hair serum, Aussie 3 minute miracle moisture and some straighter spray before straightening has tamed the frizz well 👍👍👍🤪🤪🤪🤪your hair is looking fab though anyway whatever you do with it 👍👍💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Kip]

[Kip]

Karen,  mines the same at the back..  Cultivating an 80s style mullet

[ktk]

Kip your hair looks fab!  Mine is so curly. I hadn’t realised it until the hairdresser showed me the back!  She took a photo. 

The roses SEs are just from Lidl or Aldi. Only about £3!!  Just chuck em in a vase!

[Shi]

Kip your hair looks fantastic ❤️It’s funny what oh’s come out with isn’t it on the hair journey 😁😂🤣😂🤣off anyone else they’d be getting a 🥊💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Michelle21]

Loving the pictures Ladies! X

[Kip]

Here's Judith chalmers... 

[Kip]

Hi Shi, I am rubbish at displaying flowers... so I'll be copying too!!

KTK - love the first hair cut.. its a good feeling isn't it to have a hair cut.. I think I may need No. 2 shortly.. mine is growing very wildly, tried blow drying last night to get it to sit down...hubby says I look like Judith Chalmers..not sure if thats a compliment or not.. cheeky monkey... I guess its an improvement on Philips Schofield and Tom Jones which were my look a few months ago!

Kip

xx

[Shi]

Ktk , your haircut looks amazing 😁and you are looking great 😁😁 those roses are very pretty, never thought of doing them like that before, think i’ll Nick that look for my home too 😘hope that’s ok, I’m not usually a copy cat. Hi kip 😁and hi to everyone else 💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[ktk]

My first haircut!!!

[Kip]

Hi K,  thats good to hear they thought all was ok... good news.   Hopefully I'll find out my forward plan when I go on 23rd April to see the Onc Nurse.  

Kip

x

[ktk]

Hi Kip. The Hope course sounds good. Might see if there is one locally. 

It’s been a year since I found my lump, and I had my follow up appointment with the surgical department. All is ok. Not sure how they would know if it wasn’t!!!  Anyway, the doctor confirmed that I would now have yearly mammograms, oncology consult and surgical consult. However, as of the first of April, they surgical team would only see you for one follow up appointment, so no more after the first year!

love to all Kxx

[Kip]

Hi KTK,

Lovely to hear from you and WOW.. good on you for the half stone and the exercise classes they sound excellent.  Im trying to exercise more but so stiff and achey it does prove problematic.  Its ok whilst I'm doing it but boy I stiffen up later.   This week on my Hope course we are discussing diet, exercise and self image.. so will be interesting to see what they suggest...its run by Macmillan so hopefully they have some classes or something.

Kip

xx

[ktk]

Hi everyone!  Long time no post, sorry!  I am also struggling to lose the two stone that I put on during treatment. My local cancer charity (Force in Exeter) has put me on a Pulse course at the local sports centre. After an initial assessment I go to the gym twice a week for a group session specifically for people recovering from various illnesses. I also attend a Pulse Pilates session. The best thing is that it includes three months free membership of the local sports centres, so I have been going to Zumba too. I am very slowly beginning to manage to do some exercise and feel so much better!

In addition I have started a low carb diet. Both OH and I have lost over half a stone so far 😁. 

Love to all. Karen XX 

[Kip]

Hello LJ, lovely to hear from you again.  Glad to hear you are moving forwards and back at work... it is tough isn't it.   Sorry to hear you are suffering from all the usual SEs too, although must say quite heartening to hear I'm not alone.   I'm trying to swim every week to see if that helps with the stiffness, only managed 2 weeks so far and only 20 lengths a time but as you said "Rome wasn't built in a day".   I;m struggling to lose any weight, put on 1.5 stone over treatment... and keep falling off the wagon when I try to be good.  Doesn't help when I ache so much and don't feel like moving much either.

Kip

x