June 2021 Chemo Starters

[hopeful1974]

@JessicaB wow - what a long journey for you. Sorry you have had to go private to get the op that you need and that you got Covid. I am keeping my fingers crossed for 1st December! Siân xxx

[Louise65]

A meet would be lovely I'm in Lincolnshire. Xx

[Fairie]

Hi Sian

Yes let’s! 
💕

[hopeful1974]

@Fairie so lovely to hear your news too. I’m glad you are doing ok. I live near Guildford in Surrey, so not a million miles from you. I’d love to meet up at some point. Shall we see who else is interested and we could then send a private message to each other to get contact details etc.? Xxx

[Fairie]

Hi Jess, Sian and Louise and any other friend who reads 

So lovely to hear all of your news. 💕💕💕

it’s one year today since I had my second mastectomy. The first was 16 years ago on Monday this week! Both primaries so completely different! 
I think I’m doing well.. have little moments of anxiety but these are becoming less over time.

my hair is curly too and I have looked like I’ve been plugged in to something!🤦🏻‍♀️
I’ve had it layered quite a bit now and that’s helped the bulk of curls!

My son gets married in June 2024 and sometimes I have moments of anxiety if I think about recurrence, but I quickly stop doing that to myself because it makes my so upset inside so I just settle myself and think positive thoughts and trust all will be well. It’s natural to take time to rebuild trust in one’s body and I know that from my first experience of bc so 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s going to take time again I remind myself. 

where are you all geographically ? I’m in High Wycombe Bucks. 
I’d love to meet up if it was doable 

love and continued healing to all 

Fairie xxx

[JessicaB]

Hi Folks

Congratulations on becoming a nanny and also for getting back to a bit of normal with a holidays...  We managed a lovely break near Ludlow at the beginning of October.  

My journey has been very elongated because of COVID and it took me from November to June (many battles, telephone calls and appointments) to find out that I cant have my diep flap surgery for at least another two years! And it has to be at Nottingham which is 1.5 hours away  And they wont even put you on the waiting list until you reached an appropriate BMI.  

So we considered going private.  Costs vary - from £18k to £35.... My parents are paying a huge chunk of it and we will find the rest.  So generous of them.  I was all set up for an op on 11th October and I got COVID having managed to avoid it all this time.  So I have a new op date of 1st December.  Send positive healing vibes to Lincolnshire! 

My hair has grown back super curly and I have no idea what to do with it!!! 

Lovely to hear all your news xxx

Jess

[hopeful1974]

Hi @Louise65 

So lovely to hear your news and huge congratulations on your grandson’s arrival! I can imagine how much joy he brings you. Wishing you all the best with the scan. Hopefully nothing to worry about and great that they are checking it out. 

I met up with Anabel a few weeks ago which was so lovely. We compared our hair regrowth - getting there but slower than we would like!

All is pretty good with me. We are in Crete right now having a week of eating well, sleep and a bit of exercise. The weather is good so topping up the vitamin d too! I am back at work for three days a week during term time which I am finding manageable so far. I was glad to have finished my targeted therapy at the beginning of August and am now just in the Tamoxifen for 10 years. I only have one annual check with my surgeon now which doesn’t seem like much. I do worry about recurrence but think that after a few years I will worry less. 

Hoping everyone else is doing well and sending you all lots of love.

 
Sian 😘 

[Louise65]

Hi ladies it's been so long thought I'd pop and see if anyone still about.

How are you all keeping? I'm currently waiting for a scan result as had lot new hip pain so they checking. 

Good news I became a nanny to a beautiful boy Max in June whenever I get up to see him he fills me with such joy. 

We had a lovely holiday last month in Skiathos most relaxing holiday I've ever had just what I needed to recharge. 

Anyway wishing anyone who reads this lots of love

Louise xx

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974  sorry for the late reply! Radiotherapy and being back at work are keeping me busy and I am knackered!

Do let me know when you are in Snowdon..I am about an hour away but can come there. If you direct message me I can send you my number.

if anyone else is free in the summer happy to meet somewhere more central too.

I hope you are doing well! You all in my thoughts and hope everyone is adjusting to the new normal.

lots of love

Anabel xx

[hopeful1974]

London would be great. We might be going to Snowdon and West Wales in the summer though so if Wales is better, we could do that. Xx

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974  I am in North Wales but can easily travel south ..could meet in London? Would that work? Xx

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots I would love that! I am in Surrey but prepared to travel. Whereabouts are you? 

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974 So pleased the surgery went well and you are not suffering with the menopausal symptoms due to surgery! That is fab news! 

Definitely onward and upwards! 
Not sure if this is the done thing or not but it would be lovely to meet up with you all somewhere that everyone can get too in the summer to have an afternoon tea..a bit of a celebration of how far we have come .

lots of love 

xx

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots thank you for posting this. It is wonderful to read and I am delighted that you have had such a good outcome. Clear margins are wonderful and a clear scan too. Fantastic news. I think it is normal for the anxiety to linger a bit after such things. I feel that I will still be processing it all for some time to come. 

You are right - I did have my ovaries and tubes removed and it all went really well. Very smooth, tiny scars as it was keyhole. I was warned that I might have a horrible time with surgical menopause but I’ve been fine, so a huge relief all round. 

Onwards and upwards as they say!!

Lots of love to all. xxxx

[Heels to walking boots]

Hi Sian, @hopeful1974  and everyone. Apologies for the late reply and update. I wasn't in the right head space for a while but i am glad to say that i am in a much better place.
The mastectomy all went well, and they took out 13 lymph nodes. I unfortunately got a bit of an infection but that was swiftly taken care of with a round of antibiotics. I got my results back 2 weeks after the op and they confirmed that i had more cancer in the breast but only 1 lymph node had cancer. i was a huge relief that they removed it. My margins are now clear (1mm i believe). However, we were still worried as i have a persistent cough and we were concerned that there may have been spread --with majority of lymph nodes being clear ..we knew that would be less likely but still worrying. So i had CT scan with contrast and last week got the news that they couldn't see anything that was a concern. Which was massive. So now feeling a lot better and ready for the round of radiotherapy (15 sessions) that will hopefully be starting soon. Along with starting exemestane and Zoledex injections with adjuvant drug called Abemaciclib (recommended following the Monarch E trial). Also with some infusion (not sure what it called) every six months.
So feeling much more hopefully although, i am very emotional and on edge but i am putting that down to holding my breath for nearly a year to get to this point so i am hoping it will pass.

@hopeful1974  have you had your op, if i am not mistaken and forgive if i have got wrong you were having something done with your ovaries?
@simplyeve  thank you for your note and it did help me feel much calmer to hear that you had such a good experience with the Dr . Did really put my mind at rest. I hope you had a lovely time in France welcoming in your second grandchild and now back in sunny Wales.

I hope everyone else is continuing to do well?!

Sending you all much love, you all always in my thoughts
Anabel
xxx

P.s if you follow breast cancer now on social media --my daughters are featured 🙂 

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots I was just wondering how it has all been going and whether they have now managed to get clear margins. Thinking of you and wishing you well. xxx

[simplyeve]

Hi @Heels to walking boots  (Annabel)

Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner, we are in France waiting for the birth of our second grandchild and I don't have regular access to the internet.

I know you attend Wrexham Maelor though I'm not sure if you are under [Mod note: Doctor's name redacted]. I myself was under [Mod note: Doctor's name redacted] and found him very good and very thorough, my cancer too was bigger than at first thought which is why I had my surgery before Chemo, they also did a sentinal node biopsy and I subsequently underwent an ANC before starting treatment, all done with [Mod note: Doctor's name redacted] so I can vouch for his thoroughness in wanting to ensure everything is removed.

Although I haven't seen [Mod note: Doctor's name redacted] personally I have talked to several ladies who have been treated by him and they have said they would be happy to recommend him,  I do hope this will give you some comfort before your op tomorrow and I wish you every success.  I will be back from France on the 22nd Feb, so if you feel you would like to talk to someone directly I am always available.  Message me directly and I will send you my mobile phone number if you would like it.

It is a very difficult time for you I'm sure but as you say the Mcmillan nurses at the Maelor are wonderfully supportive.

Good luck for tomorrow.

with love and hugs Yvonne. xxx

[Heels to walking boots]

Thank you @Louise65 @Flower123 @hopeful1974 for your kind messages.  
@Louise65  I am really sorry to her about your dog, very hard to lose a much loved companion I am sure. 
I am ready for the op tomorrow and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for all your support!

love Anabel xx💕💕

[Louise65]

@Heels to walking boots glad to hear op went well but sorry news wasn't what you wanted to hear. Wishing you well with next step.

I'm still on reduced hours at work and they are being great. Sadly last week I had to have my golden retriever put to sleep so its been really difficult as he was the most wonderful companion.

Hope everyone is OK.

Louise xx

[Flower123]

Hi Anabel,

Sorry to hear about what you have been through. Hope it all goes well for the next operation and glad the McMillan nurse was a good support for you and your husband . Will be thinking of you .

I to did not have clear margins and had to have a second operation 5 weeks after the chemo finished. I’m now on radiotherapy done seven have 13 to go ! 
Take care love and hugs 

Jennifer xx

[hopeful1974]

Dear Anabel @Heels to walking boots , I am sorry to hear what you have gone through. I had a mastectomy and my hospital was able to have the sentinel nodes analysed during the op, so were able to do the full node clearance there and then. I had cancer in one of my sentinel nodes and so they took out all 21 under that arm. None of the other had it in, which was a huge relief. If I had opted for a lumpectomy I would have had to have a second op as the cancer was larger than they thought and they only just managed to get clear margins with the mastectomy. I think you are doing absolutely the right thing. I wish you all the very best for your second op and pray for clear margins this time and no spread into further lymph nodes. Love, Siân 💕 💕 💕 

[Heels to walking boots]

HI All,

Thank you all for your kind messages before my op and apologies for taking soo long to send a message. 

Where to start...ok....the op went well and I was in and out in a day and I have been recovering well. Last week I was due to get the results from the biopsy of the margins and lymph node but my consultant had to move my appointment however, my oncology appointment went ahead. 

Unfortunately, the news was not what we were expecting, my margins were not clear and the cancer was found in the sentinel lymph node.  He did say the cancer was larger than expected and also that the type I have is difficult to asses in size as it does not have define boundaries . So chemo hadn't shrunk it as we were hoping. (I am still to have a more detailed discussion with the consultant on this) but that is what the oncologist said. As you can imagine this was a bit of a shock and a struggle to take in. Luckily we saw my lovely Macmillan nurse and talking with her we managed to get a date in for a mastectomy with the other consultant whilst mine is out, so that we could move quickly -which means i can go in this Friday for surgery.  This for me was all quite hard ..as i would have rather had my consultant doing the surgery just because i have built a trust with him not for any other reason. But i am very thankful for this consultant to step in so that i wouldn't have to wait.

Also, on a positive note I have been told this is not unusual so i am trying to remain positive, although have been struggling emotionally and my husband has taking this really hard. Which is heartbreaking. 

I still have lots of question as i have not really discussed in detail the surgery but hoping on Wednesday i get that detail.

Will keep you posted. 

I hope everyone else is doing well and i am thinking of you all. And all the positive news keeps me hopeful. 

Love

Anabel xx

[Louise65]

@Heels to walking boots all the best for surgery later today, let us know how you are.

Covid almost gone but radiotherapy side effect now not pleasant so will have to go to work braless!! 

I took the plunge today and booked holiday abroad in September so something else to look forward to just now need to shift weight. 

Hope everyone keeping well

Louise  xx 

[simplyeve]

@Heels to walking boots 

Just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow.  I had lumpectomy last March got clear margins first time, Mr Cochrane was my surgeon and was really lovely.  I was on morning list and was home by about 5.30 if I remember correctly.  Will be thinking of you tomorrow and yes please do let us know how it goes.  

Big hug

Yvonne xx

[Heels to walking boots]

Happy New Year everyone! I think it is still early enough to be able to say it ☺️ 
Congratulations @Louise65  such great news , I hope all goes well with the pregnancy for your daughter and I hope you are feeling a bit better after having Covid. @simplyeve not long now before grandchild number 2 arrives so wonderful to have that to look forward to ..time will fly by! 
It’s been a very quiet  time as we had to cancel festivities to keep out of Covid’s way to ensure no derailing of my operation. Which is now tomorrow eek. I will be having a lumpectomy and am very much looking forward to getting this out the way and removing what ever is left. Will be a relief to be honest although a little nervous. 
I will let you know how it goes.

I didn’t get to say it before but thanks to all for your support, advice and messages since we started in June ..it’s been such a great help and has kept me sane .

Sending you all much love 

Anabel xxx

[simplyeve]

@Louise65  such wonderful news a 👶, my daughter too was not particularly maternal, or so she thought, that is until Zach was born in 2019!  She is now expecting her second baby in the next 5 weeks and it is getting to be an anxious wait but so exciting,  I know you will have lots to look forward to in the coming months and not just your hair growing back!  I hope you are feeling better and recovering for your covid infection.  Also loved the photo of you with your daughter.

In relation to your radiotherapy my areolar (I had to have my nipple removed) did go darker, but has now lightened although has a darker edge, I mention this in case yours does the same, my breast muscle is also tender if I touch it as is my rib area underneath the breast so I think these things are quite normal. It's good to hear your treatment was bearable.

Please do keep us updated with news of your grandchild, there are some lovely baby items around and the sale times are great for finding bargains!!

with love Yvonne xx

[Flower123]

Let me start by say Congratulations 🎉 about the news of you going to be a nanny . So much for you to look forward to. 

Sorry to hear you have Covid hopefully you will be back up on your feet and feeling better in no time. Glad radiotherapy is over for you and you have not had to many side effects, will keep an eye on myself when I start in few weeks. 
love the picture of you both and yes so good to feel hair coming back .

Take care 

Jennifer xx

[Louise65]

Happy New Year to each of you I hope this year is kinder to everyone.

I've put a photo of myself and my daughter at my nieces recent wedding. NYE saw me go down with covid so spent weekend in bed, not how I wanted to start new year especially as I was due back in work tomorrow so now another week working from home. 

Radiotherapy side effects have not been too bad skin is good, nipple much darker and tender as is breast and discomfort right underneath where ribs are but that's all.

Fabulous bit of news though I'm going to be a nanny in June. My daughter bless her is terrified as not maternal and although wanted children wasn't planning any yet. 

 My hair is growing back quick now and finally getting eyebrows too (oh the simple things lol) 

Love to all

Louise xx

[Fairie]

I meant to also say that I’m continuing Herceptin every three weeks, 8 more times go to get to 18 rounds. Additionally I started taking Ibandronic acid after my mastectomy at the end of October. I will take this for three years. 
love to All x x x 🧚🏻‍♀️

[Fairie]

Thank you Yvonne❤️
Thank you too for your wise words and support. 
I wish everyone on this fab forum every best wish at whatever stage of their journey they are in too. 
love and healing to us all ❤️🥰

Fairie 🧚🏻‍♀️

[BabyBunting]

May this year be better you sheroes!! Xx

[simplyeve]

To all my lovely June Chemo ladies,

@hopeful1974, @Louise65, @Flower123, @Impatience, @Heels to walking boots @GonnaGetThruThis, @Mum2boys, @Fairie @Trowster @JessicaB 

I hope this message finds you all well and looking forward to a better year in 2022.  You have all been such great comfort and support this year and I hope we can continue our friendship over the coming years, sharing our news.  To those of you waiting for surgery I hope all goes well and you recover quickly, to those of you waiting for radiotherapy it really is nowhere near as hard as Chemo.  To those of you like myself who are continuing with our herceptin and perjeta for a little while longer it will go faster than we can imagine and anyone waiting for hormone tabs or Zometa infusions remember if you have any queries or worries we are here for you.  Here's to a healthy happy New Year, I'll be thinking of you all each and every one.

Apologies if I missed anyone out. 

Much love always and a big hug from me.  Yvonne xx

[hopeful1974]

@Louise65 

@Flower123 

@Impatience 

@simplyeve 

@GonnaGetThruThis 

@Mum2boys 

@Heels to walking boots 

@BabyBunting 

and everyone else,

Just wanted to wish you all a very happy new year! Yesterday was the anniversary of the day I found out I had cancer (one of the worst days of my life), and I spent it in London with my sister-in-law, my daughter and nieces. It felt wonderful! I am so grateful to be where I am now, having had so much treatment, and I am feeling cautiously optimistic about the future. 

Big hugs to you all and I hope we keep in touch next year. Love, Siân xxx

[Louise65]

@Flower123 

I will have a look at the meditation course if the time fits will give it a go. I'm back at work in Jan so may not be able to, I've enjoyed working from home since end Nov.

Regards to radiotherapy try not to worry the staff go through everything with you. I got practice breaths before it started and if you struggle they work with you.

I think part of my emotional struggle has been grieving for mum as it would of been her birthday Nov and its our 1st Xmas without her.

Happy Christmas everyone, thank you for all your support

Xxx

[Flower123]

Hello @Impatience @Thank you so much for the reply . Such a lot of information and tips for me to do and be prepared for . 
So glad you are feeling much better and you have finished chemo and radiotherapy. 

Merry Christmas 

Jennifer xxx

[Impatience]

Hi @Flower123 @and everyone else. 

I have had 15 sessions of radiotherapy on my chest and the lymph node pathways. I finished the sessions on the 17/11. I moisturised twice a day a week prior to my start date. I was left side but didn’t need to hold my breath. Not everyone does. However I did practice the breathing just in case and it is doable. 20 seconds is quicker than I imagined. 

I had no skin reaction during the sessions (I moisturised 4 x daily) during the treatment. However on my final day I got a burn like sensation in the armpit area. It was very red and itched like crazy. It lasted for about a week then went. During that time I wore really baggy tops and patted the skin gently to ease the itchy feeling. I also got the GP to prescribe me flamigel. The radiotherapy staff will give you some too if you ask. If your skin breaks out then ask for flamizene. I also ate lots of eggs which are good for skin and hair. 

I had my first IV of zoleranic acid in July with my 3rd EC. My next one is due January and I will have them every 6 months for 3 years. Can’t comment on side effects as it was in with the EC. 

My tumour was grade 2 but I had 14/22 positive lymph nodes. It is 13 weeks since my last chemo and 5 weeks since my last radio and I feel much much better so 🤞 you start to feel better too and are soon at the end of your treatment. 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Christmas. 

Imp xxx

[Flower123]

Thank you so much Yvonne that has been a great help and reassurance. 

Merry Christmas 

Jennifer xx

[simplyeve]

Hi @Flower123 

Jennifer just wanted to reassure you, like you I am having the Zometa infusions,  I am 63 and my tumour was grade 3 and had spread to the lymph nodes under my arm, I had my first one two weeks ago and like you I will be having them every 6 months for 3 years.  The infusion takes about 15 minutes in total, it can give you a flu like reaction, shivering and high temp, which unfortunately I was not aware of, but ask if you can take paracetamol beforehand, as I did suffer the side effects and ended up with a temp of 38.2 which delayed my phesgo treatment.  But it only lasted 48 hours and I just took myself off to bed and slept it off.  Having read up on it apparently the side effects lesson after the second treatment.

I also have had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which covered my armpit, whole breast and clavicle area, because they were treating my neck area I also had to have a chin strap made, it is nothing to worry about and did not cause me problems or discomfort but thought it would be better to mention so you are prepared.  Though it was my right side.  The sessions are over really quickly and the staff are really good at making sure you are comfortable and coping.  The best advice I can give you is to make sure you have cream to moisurise, I used Aveeno and was told I could apply it as much as I wanted/needed.  

Going daily means the treatment flies by.  Hope this helps.  Have a lovely Christmas and good luck with your treatment in the new year. 

Much love

Yvonne xx

[hopeful1974]

@Flower123 I can understand why your head was all over the place. I didn’t have radiotherapy so can’t help on that front, but sending you gentle hugs. xxx

[hopeful1974]

@Louise65I feel like that too from time to time. It just seems to hit me and then can last for a few days. It all still feels very raw and I know it will take time to move on. I think Covid has made it worse for me as I get anxiety around going out at the moment. I have had some lovely times lately with friends but sometimes forget what I’ve been through, overdo it physically and then have a bit of a crash. As Yvonne says, do keep in touch on here. Love, Siân xxx

[Flower123]

Hi Louise, so sorry to hear your news . Let’s hope now radiotherapy is finished and you will start to gain physically and I hope you find support emotionally.

Have you tried the meditation course with look good feel better . I did this last week and gained a lot from it ? 

We are all still on early stages of this journey and is going to take a long time for some of us  both physically and emotionally to move forward. 

I had my radiotherapy meeting and ended up in tears yesterday! Will be having 3 weeks of radio to my breast ,breastbone and neck as this is also were the lymph nodes pathway are but can’t be removed so want to give extra insurance for cancer not to grow there in future  . Then I will have a booster week just aimed at breast only , so 20 sessions in total. 
I will be having a bone scan on the 5th Jan and then see chemo consultant again as he does the iv infusion that I will have for 3 years every 6 months . This is due  to me being 50 and having grade 2/3 cancer in breast/ lymph nodes underarm .Also worried about holding breath so that heart doesn’t get touched as it is left breast. As you can imagine my head was all over the place last night . 
Anyone else had this amount of radiotherapy? or having iv infusion . I know it great that im having all this extra done but is working when you have a emotional mind .

Hugs to you all 

Jennifer xx

[simplyeve]

@Louise65 

Hi Louise so sorry to hear you have been struggling I fully understand how you feel, I too have found my emotions are extremely heightened and tears come frequently and often and sometimes for no apparent reason.  In terms of my physical strength it is coming back slowly and I do so hope that now you have finished your radiotherapy you will start to see some improvement after the next two weeks.  Please please keep moisturising your treatment area for a good two weeks more.  I had to have the area around my clavicle radiated and this was where I had the most dry sky and what actually looked like a physical burn, I am pleased to say 4 weeks on from my treatment the area is nearly back to normal but if it starts to feel itchy I simply start using the aveena cream again.

Sending you love, hugs and special Christmas wishes for you, now and over the coming year.  Please do stay in touch with the group and if you ever need/want to share a concern or anything else for that matter, you are more than welcome to message me privately.

Much love

Yvonne xx

[Louise65]

Hi ladies

I hope you're all keeping well and ready for xmas.

I haven't been on for sometime as have struggled both emotionally and physically. At times I've just wanted to hide away in bed. Today I finished my radiotherapy so that is the end of my treatment. The side effects of both have left me struggling with day to day life but hopefully in time things will improve.

@Mum2boys 

@Mai7 

@hopeful1974 

@Flower123 

@simplyeve 

@GonnaGetThruThis 

Sorry if I've missed anyone.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2023. 

Love Louise xx

[hopeful1974]

@simplyeve I’m so pleased to hear it is going smoothly and congratulations on being halfway through your injections. I will have my 9th one on 30/12. I don’t find them bad at all and have virtually no side effects, which is a relief. The portacath removal went well and it is a great relief to have it out! I am actually having a fourth dose of Pfizer as I had my first two doses back in Jan and April, my third one on 24/09 and so am now due my fourth! 

Love, Siân 😘 

[hopeful1974]

@Mum2boys I will keep everything crossed for you with regard to your scans. My sleep suffers whenever I am worried and I found that Nytol helped me. It is herbal and less strong than sleeping pills but it just helped me get off to sleep and I also took a tsp of it if I woke up. I used the Sleep and Calm Elixir. It was not addictive and I stopped taking it as soon as I stopped chemo. My sleep has been pretty good since. Just in case you need something to help! Sending lots of hugs. Siân xxx

[Mum2boys]

Hi everyone,

Just catching up with you all. My results came in last week from my surgery. They removed all the cancer and the margins were clear. They removed 13 lymph nodes (full clearance) but sadly 6 of them still contained cancer. So now I have to have a CT scan and bone scan again to ensure the cancer hasn't travelled. To say I'm gutted is an understatement! I hate the scans and waiting for results. I haven't slept well since I found out! I'm pretty nervous tbh. Providing they're clear, I start radiotherapy in the new year. I have an appointment with oncologist in January. 

I'm recovering okay from my operation but this week I noticed a big dent in my boob that they operated on - where the cancer was. And last night I noticed it was red around there too. So I'm calling the nurses in a mo as I'm worried it's cellulitis or something 🙄

@Flower123 I'm so pleased for you! You must be so relieved. Another course of treatment finished now. Yay! 

@Heels to walking boots I'm sorry you've got to wait for your surgery. A lumpectomy must mean though that your chemo was effective, so that's really good. I'm hoping this covid wave doesn't impact us too much either. Thinking of you 😘

@hopeful1974 I'm pleased your 6 month check up was good. Sorry that you need another operation though. Do you know when you have to have it? I think it's amazing you've completed the couch to 5k! Well done. I really hope I can do that soon when I've recovered fully. Great that you've got full movement in your arm. I'm doing the exercises too so I hope I'll be the same.

@GonnaGetThruThis I'm so pleased you're recovering nicely. And that is just the best news! So pleased for you. I hope your Seroma is okay. I had one after surgery too. It's still going down. Great that you only need 5 sessions. I'm really hoping for the same as the place I have to go for radiotherapy is at least an hour away and the traffic can be awful! 

@simplyeve I had my 3rd primary vaccine this week too. I had Pfizer for all 3 of mine. I will get a booster next year too. I had a letter offering mine. Everyone who was/is immuno compromised at the time they received their 1st or 2nd jabs gets a third apparently. I haven't heard of bisphosphonate before. I'm so sorry you had such a bad reaction though. Hope your niece's wedding goes well. Well done for losing a few pounds - I gained a stone with chemo and it's not budging at the moment!

Hope you're all keeping well. Thank you all for being there this year. It's been so nice to know there are others going through this with me. 

Lots of love to you all 

Bethany

[Flower123]

Hi Ladies,

just wanted to give you an update from my results this afternoon. They have removed it all and no cancer cell in extra margins ! So so pleased with this but did feel  mixed emotions  which they said is normal ! 
Plan now started Ansteozole tablets tonight for 10 years ( hormone therapy drug) Will start radiotherapy in the next 2/4 weeks oncology consultant will decide length of treatment at meeting. Then have bisphosphonate also .

Have a lovely evening 😘

[simplyeve]

Hello Ladies

I have been catching up with everyone's news and am feeling so lucky that I have finished most of my hospital treatments.

@hopeful1974  Sian you must be so pleased to be finally getting your Portacath out, it helps to bring our lives back to some normality I think, when we come to the end of something we've had to endure, like you Sian I am now on Phesgo injections and have a private nurse come to my home. She will come every three weeks and rings me the day before to let me know approximately what time she will be here.

I was a bit anxious at first, having someone in to my home, but Rosa is lovely, she has worked as a chemo nurse for 20 years and until last year worked in Clatterbridge so is very knowledgeable. I barely felt the injection yesterday unlike when I had my first two in hospital where even though they froze my leg it still hurt consideraby and as the policy is that she has to wait for half an hour to ensure I don't have any reaction I was able to talk to her and ask questions and get honest answers and she has also offered to find out a terminology my Onc used that I never got chance to ask about but has been concerning me, something I felt I could never ask the hospital nurses because they were so busy. Also as yesterday was my 9th targeted therapy treatment I am officially half way through them. 💪

@GonnaGetThruThis  such wonderful news for you🥂. I hope you don't have too many problems with your seroma, I had a drain in after my anc, but when it was removed did have a small fluid build up but it disappeared without me really noticing it, I hope yours is the same.

@Flower123  I am keeping all fingers and toes crossed for you getting the results you are hoping for today as well.🤞

@Heels to walking boots  Good luck with your op in the New Year.🍀 In relation to the Covid spread I will keep my fingers crossed for you too. I went for my booster on Sunday and as I was a cancer patient was told I needed a full dose rather than a booster and so had a full dose of Moderna and will be called back in 12 weeks for a booster dose so I will have had 4 vaccinations in total, my first two in May were the AstraZeneca vaccine so not sure if that made the difference.

Just as a matter of interest has anyone else had a Zometa Infusion (bisphosphonate) I have to have them every 6 months for 3 years and had my first one on the 7th December, unfortunately it gave me flu like symptoms and a temp of 38.2 which meant I was unable to have my Phesgo injetion when it was originally due on the 8th and had to take a PCR test (due to the temp) which of course was negative. I have since read that the first couple can make you react this way but then they seem to get better, still I have until June to gerd my loins ready for the next one😅.Between Zometa and Moderna I felt like I was back on Chemo as I slept round the clock for 36 hours after both of them but heigh ho, I'm off to my neice's wedding on Saturday and now have no worries about getting into my dress having lost a few pounds.

Well I think all that remain is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas🎄, stay safe and well everyone, and enjoy your time with your family and friends, as I think we have all learned this year it is the most precious gift we can be given. Stay safe and well.

Much love, hugs and thanks to each and everyone of you for your support and encouragement this year.xxx💓💓🤗🤗

[BabyBunting]

Same here on all fronts!

[Heels to walking boots]

@Flower123  Hope all goes well with your results will be thinking of you!

@GonnaGetThruThis fantastic news! Soo pleased best Christmas present! 

I am on tender hooks hoping that this covid wave does not impact my op which is after Christmas. 
Anyway am going to be positive and enjoy Christmas albeit a quiet one. 
I wish you all merry Christmas and hope you all continue to stay well 

xxx