Starting Chemo in December.2012

[Cressida]

Regarding hair colour - when I wanted to colour mine (8 months post FEC-T but only 2 months post GemCarbo) I was told no way until at least 6 months. However, one if the hairdressers at my salon has had special training in chemo hair and she said it was OK to use certain wash in wash out colours. She used Wella Fresh Colour and I had it done bright red. This was fab. First, I wanted to honour my friend Keri, who wanted to colour hers but it kept falling out. Second, my hair grew back much darker than it's usual dark blond and I have been used to various highlights in it for years, so I didn't like the mono dark brown mop that kept looking at me. Hair is great, but I wanted to be a bit frivolous after the serious sh*t that is cancer and mess about with my hair, just because I can. The colour lasts for 2 - 3 weeks depending how much you wash it. 3 weeks later you can still see the red in mine. Also it makes your hair really shiney. You don't have to have bright red, but why not? It does come off onto pillows and towels but that comes out in a normal wash. You can't buy it in the shops, but hairdressers can order it - it costs about £8. You use it like shampoo, I am not sure how many washes are in one bottle - I will let you know. Go for it - put a vibrant colour in your hair, just because you can.

[Wendy56]

There is a website 'cancerhaircare' which is really useful. Not sure but think it is run by Lister hospital.

wendy x x

[hamley]

My chemo nurse said not to put a colour on for 6 months, but I think some people put henna or other natural colours on virtually straight away (I'm not recommending that, I have an appointment booked for October). A problem with henna is that it goes orange on grey hair. That's me out then! I'm sure on this website somewhere it says you can colour after a minimum of 3, but preferably after 6 months.

[SP0]

Bordercollies - re H&B hair colour - my hairdresser won't touch colour until at least a year after chemo, but I know I've seen others on this site talking about the Holland & Barratt products, happy with the results. Can't remember which thread unfortunately, but might be worth having a search around. Sarah.x

[Border_Collies]

Superchick what part of Kent are you from? I too am a Kentish Maid or is it a Maid of Kent? I never know which it is. I'm in the Chelsfield area.

[Border_Collies]

Lisalouw so sorry to hear about your mum and your journey through this must have been a nightmare with a 3 year old to deal with. Poor you. If you are only 3 weeks post chemo then it is still early days. The oncs don't start counting "post chemo" until 3 weeks after last infusion. Things do get better.
Mandy sorry you are still in melt down mode but last rads soon.
Wendy marvellous news regarding your tumour and you daughter seems to have a very positive attitude.
Cress - what is a "granny fanny?" I'm intrigued!!!!
Hamley you must be over the moon about your clear borders and your poor husband has obviously been so worried about you, bless him.
Bought a hair colour from Holland and Barrett to try and get the grey regrowth to match my blonde hair. However, when I read that it contained peroxide I chickened out. Will hav to speak to my hairdresser methinks.

[SP0]

My menopause kicked in well & truly weeks ago, before I finished chemo (I'm 43). I'm asking every medical person I have contact with for help and then am going to explore benefits of herbal solutions (black cohosh, red clover etc) versus risk of triggering oestrogen.

Cress, I laughed 'til I cried at your 'granny fanny'! I too finally realised I have one this weekend as my OH & I tried to resume normal activies post-chemo. The difference is dramatic and upset me greatly. I talked it through with my BC nurse, she gave me the Macmillan booklet on cancer and sexuality (accessible online), which recommends various internal moisturisers, I bought Replens, yet to try it. My onc says it's ok for me to have local oestrogen based internal creams etc, because I've just started tamoxifen, but my GP wasn't prepared to prescribe it without direct advice from the onc, as it's unusual. Honestly, if this cancer crap isn't bad enough without this too.

Reading about everyone's surgeries and scars makes me think how brave you all are. Talking with Onc & GP, looks increasingly like its a good idea for me to have the WLE.

Sarah.x

[mandyp]

Cress - Emotional help loads - but after another meltdown today at the radiology unit and with my therapist, and a doctor as i mentioned the bone / joint pain to the rads team I think they all think I'm a basket case.
Physical - no not really - everyone around me including husband and 3 children (although they are all under 10 and I have only told them good things!) think that now chemo is finished that I'm fine! Great!!!! NOT!
Think I might be going into menopause too as am having hot flushes.... nearly whipped my mop of a wig off in M & S today!!! having said that am almost ready to go wigless all the time..... hair is very grey.
Anyway last rads tomorrow. Need to drop 2 dress sizes... any ideas anyone?
Love to all
xx

[Wendy56]

Lisalouw - my daughter will be referred to a Breast surgeon as she has more or less decided on bilateral Mx with immediate recon she is 30 found out the news on honeymoon.

Cress I live near Peterborough

Hamley I keep peeping but not looked full on in mirror but I have no dressing to hide things

i have had appointment with surgeon tonight he is sill very unhappy with right side and still thinks he will not be able to expand due to rads damage from 14 years so eventually might mean surgery with LD flap very bruised and stiff on left but all normal. My good news is that tumour that was 48mm was non existent and all that was left after 4 tax was scar tissue and the markers so BS and onc very happy and me of course.

Love to all we are nearly there.

Wendy x x x

[hamley]

Cress, great news! I'm so pleased for you. Thanks again for your advice, it's really good to get info from someone who has been there and done it and someone who's not covering their bum for fear of being sued. Personal experience makes so much difference.
Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear your YDs results. I'm glad she has you and her sister to support her through what's ahead of her though.
Lisalou, I hope your Mum feels better soon so she can look after you in return. I really don't know how you ladies with children cope, I find it difficult just to cope with myself making a fuss.
On the subject of menopause, I'm finding that the docs aren't keen to say anything other than hot flushes and it might be the chemo, but that's about it. My hot flushes seem to have lightened up, I hope that doesn't mean I'll get my periods back because I could do without that minor but nasty little inconvenience at my age.
I had my BS appointment today and they've told me the spread of DCIS hasn't gone to the edges, so that's great news. My OH cried in the car on the way home. I hadn't realised how worried he was. The doc reassured me about my scar and she said it's pretty average for an mx scar and there's nothing they can't put right at a later date even if I don't decide to go for a recon. Relief!! I've got my prosthesis, it's sooooooo much more of a match than my softie and makes me feel more confident.
My onc appointment is tomorrow, Tam is on the cards.
I live in Oswestry on the Welsh border, but my Mum lives in Watford if it makes a location any easier I can stay overnight with her (whether she wants me to or not!). We seem to come from the length and breadth of Britain between us.

[QueenDrama]

hi to all!
Cress- fab news
Mandy - so sorry bout the dire news but forewarned etc.
Hamley - i hope youre feeling better
Im from Birmingham so could get most places.

QD

[Cressida]

Hello again (again)

Lolly - when will you know about your heart? Hope you are recovering from chemo now.

Supachick - nice to see you again. How long do you have to wait before you can try with the frozen embryos? How fab would it be if a baby came after all this sh*t. And now you know you cannot pass on BRCA.

Mandy - your bones sound like mine. I have terrible trouble in the mornings. I can hardly walk. It is getting worse. Have you had any help from anyone?

Sarah - glad you can pause and rest and wait to make the decision about surgery. Sometimes it helps to just forget about a major decision. Force it from your mind by distracting yourself with nice things. A holiday if possible. Then the decision often makes itself when you return to it - good luck.

Lisalouw - not sure what treatments you have left to do, but the genetic tests take ages, so I would ask to be referred for the test. It took about 8 weeks to get my initial appointment and then it takes about 6 weeks to get the result. So if you wait until you are ready then you will have to wait ages afterwards. I was still having treatment and I didn't want the result during chemo as I felt I could not cope if it were positive - I had the test but they agreed to delay giving me the result until I was ready to receive it. They were fine about this and thought it was a good idea. So that could be what you need to say to your Onc. Refer me - I will delay the result if I need to. Hope your sore boob is better soon. Good job it is numb.

xxxxx

[Cressida]

Hello again,

QD (and supachick and Sarah) nails - mine kept flaking and peeling months after taxotere. The ridges grew out completly after about 6 months, but my nails are still fragile. I keep them short or they just catch on things and break. I also have some toe nails like claws. Nice. Toe nails grow much more slowly. Tax really is the gift that keeps on giving. As for the bum, QD, it was a tax side effect too. I literally treated it as nappy rash and that saw it off. If it is the same, it should go as the tax leaves your system. Otherwise, I guess you will need to let go of any shreds of dignity you have held onto, and show it to a doc.

Sand - re dropping out of trial - stuff the greater good. You have to do what is right for you. People say rads is the easy bit, and maybe it is compared to chemo, but it is still serious stuff and I wouldn't do it if it wasn't needed. Def don't feel guilty.

Hamley - glad you have faced the scar. Best to look it in it's eyes and make sure it knows you are not intimidated. I have seen girls who can't look months later. Then it becomes massive. Whip off the dressing and look ASAP. Well done. Mine goes right under armpit and heads around the back, so that must be "normal". It also has a kink in the middle. Together with the Hickman line scar and the lymph surgery, I have a kind of bemused, winking face looking at me in the mirror. I also could not wear my summer clothes. I must have been a bit of an old tart as they are very low cut. If you get a nice vest with a pretty wide lacey band across the top (M&S have some) then you can wear it under low cut tops so that the lace covers the cleavage. It looks OK. You can get Mx bras with the same effect, but I don't like them. Might be good on a hot day though, if we ever get another.....

That's a long enough post, I'll be back....

[Cressida]

Afternoon ladies,

I am soooo tired. I am still taking serious pain killers as I am addicted to the things, but I am weaning myself off. The combination of the pain killers and the general aftermath of cancer treatment means I am constantly knackered and fall asleep whenever I get the opportunity. So I don't know why I didn't set my alarm this morning, knowing I had an appiontment, but I didn't. I overslept, probably because I finally relaxed after my negative result.

I made it (just) to see the woman about my menopause, but she wasn't the right person. I just need to find out who the right person is. The cancer docs think their job ends when they get you through treatment alive. I have athritis and a granny fanny, and I did not have them before. I assume chemo has brought on menopause and these things are related to that. Everyone agrees it is not right at my age (or any age, I would have thought) but no-one seeme to think it is their job to try and do something. I seem to be having a bit of a stream of conciousness rant. I know many of you say you feel like grannies too. Anybody found a professional who believes it is their job to try and help with this bit? Or are you all expected to put up with it?

Rant over. I am going to do some seperate posts to people I wanted to reply to, x

[lolly123]

hi
Cress so happy for you, the news is great.
Wendy sorry about your Daughter, thats just so sad, hope she is ok (silly thing to say) cant think of anything to add sorry.
Lisalouw, sorry to hear about your mum, hope she makes a speedy recovery, i dont know how youve coped with a three year old, i have a 4 year old Grandson and he wears me out, but at least i can hand him back when i get tired.
sending luv and hugs to who ever needs them ((())) xxxx
lolly
xx

[Lisalouw]

Cress, yeah!!! That's brilliant news, I've not had my test yet , they keep telling me they don't rush with the appointments, but I just want to get it out of the way x
wendy, so sorry to hear about your daughter , you must be devastated , what happens now , how old is your daughter x
I used cold cap but lost about 75%, most from top and sides which is very very thin , buts it's hair so I can't complain , which are now fluffy and grey on top and deep red brown at back, not a good look , it's still shedding now , I also used simple shampoo and conditioner , I don't want to change to anything else until I'm sure it's stopped shedding , so I've been wearing hats all the time , not good at wk end when it was warm , it's raining now though , I have a wig I can wear and it doesn't look too bad but it means wrapping my hair up in a wig cap and I'm still having hot flushes so it's too warm , how's everyone's eyelashes and eyebrows coming on , love to everyone , I'm trying slowly to catch up with posts xxx

[Lisalouw]

Morning ladies , sorry not posted I've had to go back home my mum poorly again, hernia and gall stones, so I thought she needed some rest , but I'm so tired , my legs like lead , looking after an hyperactive 3 yr old who won't do as he's told and keeps running off while getting over chemo is hard work, any tips ladies to make him listen would be greatly appreciated . I'm hoping to go back to my mum and dads in a few days where I can get abit of rest when my mum recovered , I've now got a dodgy eye , still tingly toes and now a blood blister on my good boob near my nipple , think it was the new bra, one of those genie all in one ones , think the material has rubbed and I can't feel my nipples very well after my reduction , I've put a dressing on it and it doesn't look inflamed , I'm off to chemo unit tomorrow for complemetary therapy so ill ask if someone will check it there , I think I expected to be jumping up and down and feeling great 3 wks after chemo , not feeling drained and low , silly me xxx
im going to catch up with your posts later , I've forgot what I've read and I darnt scroll forward in case this disappears , I'm doing this on my phone , no comp here xx

[Cressida]

Much as I hate to threaten the profits of the people who make FAST, I feel I must chip in and say that I did not use anything like that post cold cap and my hair still grew quick and thick once it started. I used Simple shampoo all through chemo. A few weeks after chemo I tried my old shampoo (an expensive salon product) and my hair started falling out again immediately. I went back to simple and it stopped shedding. Once my baldy bits started to fill in the growth was rapid. I can't say that FAST won't help - I just wanted to say that I did not need it. It is quite expensive. Cancer is expensive enough.

[Guest user]

Cress great news, and Wendy, as others have said, prewarned is prearmed. Hamley, the 'dog ear' was from the MX, seemingly it was because the lymph nodes were hard to get at, like you my scar goes a long way and right up under my arm. I had my op early Nov and through using Bio oil and massaging in small circles along scar, (as insructed by BC nurse), scar is now just slightly pink and well healed, and skin has loosened a lot over scar, which was very tight to begin with, plus I have total movement in arm and back to bowling, and that's not bad as each bowl weighs around 3lbs!, and all this within 6 months. QD, thanks for that, guilt now in its place in bin!! Have also ordered FAST shampoo and conditioner, hope it works. Appointment Thursday for Herceptin - can't believe it's 6 weeks since last chemo!! Toes still tingling, nails hurting, but still there, muscles in legs front and back aching, but sun has been shining so what the hell!! Been looking at post surgery swimsuits etc - how come all clothing with pockets is so damn expensive, isn't it bad enough we've had this godawful disease without people cashing in on it, I think it's disgusting!! I'm from Somerset, so Bristol/Bath my closest towns. xx

[Cressida]

Wendy - so sorry. Sometimes I think that cancer is some kind of hideous lottery. One where you don't even get to chose whether to play or not. All the prizes are sh*t. Some are more sh*t than others.

Massive hug, xxx

[Border_Collies]

SP I cold capped too and I actually shed much more hair post chemo. At 7 weeks post chemo the shedding just stopped. Fortunately while all this shedding was going on I was also getting plenty of regrowth so the end result is a bit odd but I do have plenty of hair. The FAST shampoo really seems to work on me so hope you get the same result.

[Border_Collies]

Cressida wonderful news for you but so sorry to hear your daughter's news Wendy - not the best but Mandy is right in that she can take preventative measures now she knows.
Good luck for your results tomorrow Hamley - you sound like the walking wounded so take good care of yourself.
I'm two weeks past rads and life if becoming more normal but do get really knackered by late afternoon. Hope everyone else is coping with their side effects.

[SP0]

Gosh, what a rollercoaster all round. Cress, wonderful news for you. Wendy, that must be so hard.
QD - I too have split / lifting nails where the chemo lines are.
BorderCollies - thanks for FAST info, I cold capped too & kept most of it, but my hair's been thinning fast in the last week (6 weeks since chemo).
Marie - hope the sunshine comes your way soon, and if not, take heart, we have rain coming to the south for the rest of the week from tomorrow!
Lolly - glad you had a wonderful birthday and are starting to feel more comfortable.

Cress - thank you for your thoughts and suggested questions. I managed something along those lines. It seems I can delay for a bit and have been offered another ultra-sound end May, 6 weeks after the last one, so that might provide some inspiration either way.

[mandyp]

Hi All
Cress, that/s great.
Wendy, I;m so sorry - that's not great apart from the fact your daughter can take preventative measures now she has the information.
I'm still waiting for my apt at the geneology centre.
Hope all the other crackers are doing ok - Hamley, sounds like you are taking a bit of a pounding. Make sure that you rest lots and look after yourself.
I'm coming to the end of my rads. Only 2 more to go. And i have to say that i am jiggered. my bones ache and I feel about 90!
Live in East Yorkshire btw. 3 hours on a train to Kings X. Am flexible on location xxxx

[Wendy56]

News not good she has my brca1. I am gutted.

This is hard. X

[supachick]

Sorry for the typos! Am on my phone and have my fingers bandaged where my fingernails are falling off from chemo!!- the gift that keeps on giving!

[supachick]

CressCresses that's great news!! I was a bit disappointed when I got my negative result almost wanting a reason, although obviously now I'm glad that no further intervention will be needed and for my little frozen embryos!! I get my results from lumpectomy on thurs/ hopefully they've got it all and nodes ok so will start rads in June.
Hope all the crackers have been able to enjoy the bank hols and grab some sunshine!
liikong forwerd to your belated Xmas party- I'm from Kent so London would probably be the closest but open to offers!
Xx

[hamley]

I've sent off for some FAST shampoo too. I read about it ages ago and promptly forgot.
The sun's been fab today, it makes the world seem like a better place.
Wendy and Cress, I hope your news today is good.
Lolly, poo for no same day results, it's horrible when these things get dragged out.
Sand, was your 'dog ear' from a recon or the mx?
I've got my appointment with my BS tomorrow for the results of my mx and to see where we go from here. I'm having a great deal of difficulty with my exercises because my mx scar under my arm seems to be 'anchored' at one point and I'm not making any progress with arm movement. Thanks Cress for the advice again, I removed my own dressing (very brave for a wuss like me) and had a good look and a good cry. My OH says 'well it can only get better with time'. He's right, but my scar is hideous and much longer than I thought; I didn't realise that it would go all the way under my armpit, nearly to my back.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with my onc to discuss rads. This seems like it's never going to end. I think I'll be on Tam shortly, oh the joys of SEs!
I've tried on all my Summer clothes on today, all of them either show my softie or don't fit anymore so I'm currently still wearing Winter clothes. BooHoo. I'm getting really good at feeling sorry for myself, it's all the practice that's making me so talented!!

[Cressida]

I DO NOT HAVE BRCA

She told me straight away, and I promptly burst into tears. The relief that I don't have to start planning more surgery was overwhelming. I can handle the concept that I am just unlucky and there is no particular reason why I got cancer. I just couldn't handle the idea that I could be genetically disposed to get it back and, therefore, would need to act to try and stop it by lopping off my remaining breast and whipping out my ovaries. So sorry to anyone who needs more surgery, I have just had enough.

I feel like I can make plans.

I want to think about our get together. Where do you all live? I don't mean post your addresses, I mean what is the nearest large town/city?

Wendy - what is your news? I have been thinking about your daughter today, x

[QueenDrama]

Cress & Wendy- whats the news? Fingers toes and eyes crossed!!
Border Collies - ta for the info
Sand- you do what you want to do! Its your life. Put guilt where it belongs - in the bin!
Maire- are you sunbathing?

QD x

[Guest user]

Good luck for to-day Cressida, everything crossed for you!! Not been on for a while, started rads last week, but didn't fare too well, skin really tightened after only two sessions, and made extra skin under my arm seem more prominent, (this was a 'leftover' from MX which I have to have removed at some point, it's quite prominent and feels like a ping pong ball! BC nurse said I may have to see plastic surgeon, as it's seemingly not your common and garden 'dog ear'! trust me to be different!) Anyhow, spoke to trials nurse and although I can't help feeling guilty, have decided I am going to drop out of trial - hope I'm doing the right thing, but she did say that I wouldn't have had rads in the normal circumstances, only as I opted for trial. Hoping that bowls and sunshine will do me more good mentally. I was also quite weepy after rads, think it was all a bit much too soon after chemo. Still on Herceptin and been taking Lerazatole for just over two weeks now. I read through some of the posts last night and lots seems to have been going on whilst I've been off line. Will comment at a later date, meanwhile good luck to those still going through the mill. x

[Border_Collies]

QD - FAST shampoo and conditioner was mentioned in the Daily Mail earlier this year. It is a shampoo which is supposed to make you hair grow twice as fast as normal, but you must use it with the FAST conditioner.
I cold capped and have only started to use it when I felt that my hair had stabilised and wasn't shedding any more. I have masses of new hair growing under the old hair which I managed to keep and it is quite long already as I've only been using the shampoo about 3 weeks. It could of course be my imagination coupled with wishful thinking but my hair does seem to be growing really fast. You can buy it on Amazon.
Maire maybe FAST shampoo would help thicken your hair?

[Wendy56]

Cress will be thinking of you my youngest daughter should get hers tomorrow the waiting is the pits. Would be so lovely for you both to be negative.

i have just had bi lat Mx because of the lovely BRCA 1 so I know wouldn't wish it on anybody.


Hugs

Wendy x x

[Border_Collies]

Will be thinking of you tomorrow Cress - sure hope the result is negative. Everything's crossed!

[Mindy63]

Good Luck Cressida. It must be time you had some good news.

[Cressida]

Hi ladies,

Anyone up late or early, please cross your fingers for me. Tomorrow morning I get my genetics results. If I am negative I feel like I can move on. If I am positive then the nightmare begins again. The idea of more surgery fills me with dread. Might take a left over pill, so I can get to sleep and not think about it all night.

xxxxx

[Mindy63]

You could never upset me Cressida. If I had my Pollyanna demeanour 'on' I'd say at least it's not too hot for my hat and wig ensemble!
Qd-Fingers crossed for sun tomorrow.
I'm keeping careful watch on my nails. They have little lines/ridges across them but not torn as yet.

[QueenDrama]

hi all

Maire - just had the forecast on and sunshine is coming your way tomorrow!!! Njoy
Border Collies - well done on completing the journey! what is FAST shampoo?

My nails have started to crack split and lift from the nail beds. its horrid and my nether regions are all spotty . Cress - did you say you had a sort of nappy rash at one point? thats what it looks like! Horrid!

My washing machine is on overtime as my daughter has just returned from a silver duke of edinburgh expedition. the house smells sort of earthy/damp tenty!!! mmmmm nice (not!)
QD

[Cressida]

I also wanted to say Hi to Coyotegi - hope you are feeling better. You do not need to be perky and shiney and positive to be here. We are here for a whinge as well as a laugh. Please don't hide away if you feel fed up. I have posted some pretty depressing stuff and people are still talking to me. How are you now? xxx

[Cressida]

Now I have upset Maire, I thought I had better balance my karma by trying to be more thoughtful where others are concerned.

Sarah - I was thinking more about your decision tomorrow. I would want to ask these questions:

• Is there any rush? Can I delay and rest and decide in a few months time?
• Do you think there is possible benefit apart from psychological? Might it slow or reduce spread?
• Have you done this before for secondary girls like me? How often? What result?
• What other treatments are you considering for me apart from/beyond surgery? Will surgery impact on these in any way (delay them?)?
• What would you do? If I were your sister/daughter/wife?
• How many actual operations do you think I would need before it is "finished"?
• Can I see pictures of the kind of result I might get from this surgery?

I wish you luck in deciding. It has to be your decision, right for you. Listen to advice, but make up your own mind. Lots of luck, xxxx

[Mindy63]

True!
Still cold and grey today. That applies to both the weather and me.

[Cressida]

Oh Maire - I am so sorry - but it is soooo nice and sunny. And it's a bank hol weekend. I feel I like I havn't seen the sun for about 3 years. That's not helping, is it?

At least you don't have to worry about your skin being over sensitive to the sun.

[Mindy63]

Please, please, please send some of that English sun up to bloody freezing Scotland!

[Border_Collies]

Maire - glad to hear the hair is coming through. I'm sure it will thicken up soon.
Hamley - hope the after effects of the op are improving.
Cressida - glad the holiday did you good and you are feeling more yourself.
LisaL - hope things work out on the money front - must be very worrying for you.
I had my last appointment with the chemo onc on Friday and she says she doesn't need to see me again. She was very impressed with my radiated skin so the aloe vera has certainly done it's job. No redness or soreness at all. Have an appointment on 30th May with radiotherapy onc, presumably for discharge then on 5th June it's back to see my surgeon whom I haven't seen since the November WLE op. I will apparently be seeing her every three months for at least a year then every six months with yearly mammograms. So effecttively I'm done.
Last week took my dogs for a five mile walk for four consecutive days and then crashed for two days with fatigue. Limbs felt like lead. Mentioned this to onc who said that allthough I'm nearly eight weeks post chemo in their eyes post chemo doesn't start until three weeks after the last chemo so I'm really only 5 weeks post. She said this this would explain my still extremely dry mouth and eyes and said they would probably go on for at least another month and if not gone by then to go back and see her. As far as fatigue is concerned I was told it's due to muscle wasteage over the chemo months and that I shouldn't let the fatigue stop me. The only way to get fit again was to keep on keeping on. It's nice to get confirmation that you are doing the right thing.
Hair is growing really fast now and all the thin bits have filled in nicely and the shedding has more or less stopped. Just the odd hair comes out when I brush so it is beginning to stabilise (Thank you God!) Now washing it more frequently in FAST shampoo and conditioner and that seems to be working too as the regrowth is thick. My own hair is very blonde and it's difficult to tell if the regrowth is blonde or grey but either way it blends in and I can always opt for the dye bottle!
Hope anyone that I've missed is doing well. Wrote a long post on here last night, pressed post, and the whole lot disappered into cyberspace. So annoying and I hadn't the energy or the inclination to type it all again just then. Was feeling tired as my daughter and her husband and two dogs had been down for the day, plus my son and his other half and their dog (six dogs in total with mine - all border collies) but it was and a wonderful family day. I appreciate how lucky I am as I have the best kids in the world who'd do anything for us as we'd do anything for them.
Enjoy the sunshine everybody - it's going to be a warm bank holiday, at least it is down here in the south.

[lolly123]

hi ,
what a lovely wekend we are having it is good to sit in the sun for a change, i had a great Birthday, was spoilt rotten by both Family & freinds.
I am feeling so much better with this last FEC still get tired and NOT counting the days to my next FEC as i havent got to do it again WHOOP WHOOP, just Rads now starting on the 20th May.
I am feeling a lot better on the Piles front, went to doctors in the end, she made me feel relaxed and i wasnt embarased at all, got some gel and have to go back in two weeks time to see how i am getting on.
I have another appointment to have an ECG as still get short of breath and ONC wants to see that the FEC hasnt caused any damage to my heart i go tomorrow at 12 so will keep you all posted.
Marie, my hair is growing like yours Grey at front and brown every where else, not thats there is a lot there at moment, but slowly coming through.
Cybele, glad you are getting back to your swiming
QD good luck with what ever you decide to do on the 23rd
Cress Glad you had a good holiday, sorry you had to go to Keris's Funeral, so sad , she sounded VERY popular.
Sorry to all of you who are still going through operations and SE but hopefully we will be through this soon.

Luv and hugs Lolly
x

[Cressida]

Hi ladies,

Hamley - I think the chances of fluid collection would be higher after Mx than WLE. You have had both of course, within a fairly short time, so your poor body has to try and cope with healing the Mx when it is still trying to recover from the WLE. And you have had chemo, so everything is knackered. I felt very tight after Mx and had to have seroma drained. They are reluctant to drain unless it is "really bad". Of course, we have no idea when we have reached "really bad". I did ask my BCN if she could line up some women, showing seromas from "quite mild" to "OMG, that's really bad". She did not see the funny side, but she did ask the surgeon to see me, and he drained it and it was a relief. I think if it hurts, and it bothers you, then demand they examine you - piont out you have not done this before and you want them to assess how bad it is.

Have to go and enjoy sunshine and Vit D,

More gentle hugs, xxxx

[SP0]

Thanks for helpful comments re surgery all. Currently thinking I won't put myself through it, but have another discussion with onc on Tues before deciding. Sarah.x

[QueenDrama]

SP - i think Cress made some very good points. After the events at my school yesterday I say enjoy every day . Do what you want to do. Dont let anyone bully you. Life can be taken in a split second. Personally if surgery wasnt life saving i wouldnt do it. I d enjoy the summer.
Today Ive been to the Art GAllery with the French teacher from school. Normality!!!except that my favourite painting "Charity" by Bouguereau is "being rested" so is in the stores!!!! Luckily I managed to find a postcard version.
Hi Coytoegi what is Anastrozol? whats its purpose in life?
Hi Ham - hope the fluid build up can be dealt with
HI Maire - thanks for saying bout cold flushes. i thoughti was heading for an infection but it appears not thankfully
Hi Cybele- lovely image in my head of your peacock!

QD

[Cressida]

Hi Sarah,

I am with Cybele regarding not having more surgery unless I really need it. The only question is - do you really need it? You say the main reason is psychological - would you feel significantly better to know most of the original lump has gone? I had to accept a Mx because it was my best chance of getting rid of cancer. I still hate it though. I feel mutilated and ugly and I have suffered pain and complications that have made my life significantly more difficult. These problems are far from resolved 8 months later. Your op involves recon, so you may end up happy with the result, although you should look at pictures of what you are likely to end up with before you decide. You also might sail through with no complications, infections, lymphoedema etc. There is no way to predict it. It's a risk/benefit equation.

You are in the position of knowing that there is no evidence that it will help you have a better chance regarding surviving cancer. Is there some possible benefit being suggested? Not everything has research evidence to back it up. I accepted further chemo becasue my Onc believed it would improve my chances despite the lack of research evidence. I could understand the logic of her argument and took a leap in the dark. Is it being suggested to you that they think it might improve your chances, even though they can't show you trial based evidence? I find it surprising, and not really credible, they would offer the procedure for absolutly no benefit. If the benefit is purely based on their belief that it will make you feel better, then you need to try and decide whether it actually will or not. This is something only you can know. Are you desperate to get of rid of it? Or do you feel that the horse has bolted and and shutting the stable door is not worth the effort?

Personally, if secondaries had been confirmed, and surgery could not stop them, then I would enjoy my summer. You never know when they will ask you to consider some new type of chemo/rads that has a good chance of helping you. When that happens you will have to put up with the side effects. If, however, you can't imagine being able to relax and enjoy summer unless the original lump has been removed then you should look into surgery.

I am sorry this is such a ramble. I only hope it helps you think about it. I wish you luck and strength making your decision. It can only be your decision. Much love, xxxx

[Guest user]

so sorry just read through after posting and realised how selfish it sounds. hugs to all still on chemo, it does finish in the end, big highlight of this week was realising that i didnt have to go to hospital for more chemo.hugs also to those had rads, hopefully not long to go.