Hi Rosemary,
Count me in - I'm definitely up for that and happy to meet up wherever & whenever suits everybody best. Also happy to help organising if anything needs doing
xx
Sharon
Hi all
Hope you're all OK and busy enjoying yourselves?
SueBee I wish you could come over and see us all, but I think we'd all enjoy it if we could come to you instead as I'm sure you've got much better weather than we're having at the moment, here it is positively gothic! Sort of constant rain/grey skies.
Started my new job three weeks ago and....left it one week ago! It turned out to be quite different to how it had been sold to me and I'm even more resolute now about not spending time on things that make me unhappy so decided to get out quickly. Shame really but better to move quickly than to leave it a few months I think so I've spent a happy week sorting out the garden and getting out and about. Have some other opportunities in the pipeline so will wait and see what comes up next.
I think some of our lovely Marchers are planning to organise a get-together for us all and it would be so so great to meet you all in real life so I hope we can put something together.
Would love to hear from you all as I'm endlessly nosy and often wonder what you're all up to
love to you all
xx
Sharon
Hi Rosemary, lovely to hear from you. Not the same organisation sadly, wouldn't that be great, just think of all the chatting we could have done under pretence of work emails! Have you started your new role already? Hope it turns out to be something you enjoy, sure you'll be a star at it
Still up for a London meet up if and when we can find a date that suits everybody.
xx
Sharon
Hi all
Ouch Beryl, squished foob sounds painful so hope it's OK again now? Don't know how you're standing the achy joints though, would drive me to tears I think.
I've had a lovely few weeks off and been out and about with some friends to catch up with all the exhibitions (Underwear one at the V&A was pretty good and the Vogue Covers one at the National Portrait Gallery was fab, albeit quite expensive) but now it's time to head back to work. Start a new job in a fortnight for a national charity who support disabled and other vulnerable people so I'm sort of looking forward to the challenge of it, but a bit daunted as it's going to be busy with a fair amount of travelling. Ah well, just no pleasing me is there, I was moaning about the last one being a bit dull and now I'm anxious about having too much to do!
Back to the hospital on Tuesday for the oncologist check (they postponed the original appointment as they are a bit deluged with people and I'm not an urgent case, thank heavens). Then I can forget about it for another six months, yay!
Hope you're all doing OK
xx
Sharon
Hi Folks
A meet up sounds good but I can't help b ut think that it would be too expensive for me . Last trip to london on the train was 'ouch' on the bank account.
Last week I had an accident, nothing much but the excruciating pain took me to A&E and the Breast care team. Why - I tripped on a very uneven drain cover and fell flat, full on onto my foob. Instant extreme pain and that side is still not working properly, no driving etc.
I was in Birmingham with my daughter attempting to buy an outfit for her wedding. Did have success there but my tumble meant I couldn't get the shoes/ bag etc.
Today I have found the shoes, bag still to be found. Hooray!!
The volunteer work sounds really good, quite envious of keeping busy that way. Hope all ther problems are over.
Did I tell you all since I have been on Arimidix most of my pains and deterioration have stopped, however I think my hands are beyond improvement. Positive is that the pain has stopped
Hope you are all well and your lives are returning to the BCless normal
Beryl xx
Hi Cheryl, it's good to hear from you and the volunteer job sounds really great, so pleased something positive has come out of it for you as you've been through the mill this last few years. Love and loss is always hard to deal with never mind our own health problems on top of it all.
I'm definitely up for a meet up in London as it's easy for me (although I'd travel to meet you all as you're all worth it!). To me this last couple of years has been a bit surreal, almost can't believe all the bereavements/ cancer actually happened so I'm longing to talk to you all to hear your experiences.
Love to you all
x
Sharon
Morning everyone, it's been a while since i posted, life just overtaken me a little and like a number of you, significant change. I finish work t the end of June but placed on gardening leave from mid March. I was quite cross as I hate getting something for nothing but I didn't have the energy or the will to beg/complain. At my exit interview my boss was grumbling about the work to be done and how they would cope without me and i lost the plot. Cut a long story short from the 12/4 I am doing 2 days a week from home which I am content about....and from the 18/4 I start a volunteer role with MacMillan helping the volunteer manager recruit volunteers for the new cancer centre in Brighton, am very excited about that and pleased to be able to repay the support given to me and my parents last year. Feb saw the 6 month anniversary of my mums death and its 5 months this week since my dad died. All the practicalities sorted but still can't quite believe I won't see or speak to them again. MS wise all going ok, consultant doesn't want to see me again till November so that's okay with me. It was good to catch up with all your goings on, it seems like life changes for everyone are the order of the day. Sorry to hear about your cat Sharon, they do so become part of the family.
rosemary and I were wondering about whether a meet up could/would be possible? Perhaps London for lunch and ??. What do people think? I am happy to coordinate dates and suggestions if you think it would work. Anyway wishing you all a good day and a nice weekend when it arrives. Cheryl X X X
Hi All
Sharon, I'm on 6 month check ups, next one due in August, I did have a ate but it has been cancelled.
Ladies I must tell you about my consultant. He has raised agreat deal of money in all sorts of ways and there is now a seperate breast care unit at the hospital. The aim is that once you are referred yoyu go there in the morning and spend the day having tests. By the end of the day you know what is what and if treatment is needed
It saves the awful walking around a hospital in a state of shock trying to find places and having to wait a week before the next set of results are out.
Apparently it is the first in the country, possibly inEurope
Me I have been busy with wedding stuff, I have now trialled the 3 different cakes for the tiers. The biggest problem is what am I going to wear - everyone else is kitted out but I just can't find the right dress. Some of it i think is to do with body image!!
I am also growing the fowers and the house is full of seedlings, just hope they don't die on me when I put them in the ground
Antway gardening is a great way of getting rid of stresse.
Just an after word - Airimidex is working well, I feel much better, my brain isn't fuzzy. I think the damage has been done to my fingers but I have very little pain in joints or hands now.
Doc said it was very expensive but it is now on my notes that I cannot be taken off it unless I have a doctor consultation first. He said it's all about my quality of life - Hooray - he listened
Hi lovely ladies
Great news SueBee, you must be so relieved! Lovely to hear from you too Pandorra and Eileen.
I was checking my diary earlier today and realised that I have another appointment soon, with the Oncologists I think. I'm not entirely sure why I need to see them as I didn't have chemo and didn't take the anti-hormone drugs either but I'll be pleased to be checked again as my axillary lymph nodes are still swollen which is slightly worrying as they've been like that for five or six months now. Sigh. Anyone else having these 6 monthly check ups or do you just have annual mammograms?
Love to all
xx
Sharon
Oh so good to hear from you Sharon, but so sorry about your beloved kitkat. It takes awhile to get over losing a precious part of your life, I still talk to my Ollie who went to rainbow bridge nearly 3 years sgo. Good news on your health, aside from dodgy sinuses, and well done on resigning. You don't need to be in an unhappy environment with what you have been through, so if you are looking for something else wish you good luck. Hope you have a good easter, the weather doesn't seem to be too great, but whatever the weather we can eat choccy eggs. Keep in touch. Lol xxxxxxxxxxx
Hope everyone else is ok, lol xxxxxxxxx
HI ladies,
It's so good to hear all your news. Sorry I've been AWOL, life has been 'interesting' for a little while now and idiot that I am, I got a bit caught up in all the nonsense stuff and I'm only just coming out the other side.
I had to have my adored kitkat put to sleep two weeks ago which just about broke my heart. He was 16.5 years old so had a pretty good run but I do miss him. And I've resigned as well (*high fives you Rosemary*) and finish on 1st April. The job was lovely but then one of my colleagues went nuts for a while because he didn't get a promotion he thought he deserved and made my working life miserable (along with everyone else's). Sigh. There are few things quite so nasty as an inadequate but ambitious male colleague so I decided to get out as the environment is toxic now. And, truth be told, the job itself is more than a little boring, it was always the environment that was appealing.
On the positive side, I had a great time in Seville and my health seems good (I even put on my big girl pants and went to the GP to get my dodgy sinuses sorted out so will be be to-ing and fro-ing at yet another hospital soon)
Love to you all
xx
Sharon
Hi ladies. Hope everyone is ok. Where's our Sharon? Great news for good mamogram results, we certainly still go through it don't we. My hands are so painful, once I get them moving there is some improvement but lost a great deal of strength. Still massaging the scar area as get sharp pains and aches on and off, seems it takes some time on the healing process and definitely still slightly bigger than other one. Hope you sort the business fluffs, yes you need your time now, enjoy. Anyone booked holiday yet? Booked a boat again on the Broads as we both find it so tranquil and fun. Be good if we get some sun though. Hope you all enjoy easter, and those lovely eggs! Thinking of you all and send xxxxxxxx and hugs xxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi everyone
Long time no chat.
You may have seen elsewhere but I have had grave problems with Anastrozole. GP has now put me on Arimidix (the brand). Have been taking it for 10 days now and pain is definitely subsiding if not the mobility
Only on it for a months trial so hoping I can continue but do realise that it is more expensive than other generic brands.
Hope you are all gettng along Ok and the ups and downs of love life is smoothing out.
Beryl xx
Hi Pandora
I'm so pleased I am not alone. My fingers and hands are dreadful. The 3 fingers on each side ie middle, ring and little are agony and swollen. I can wake up in the night with pain. They lack manoeuvrability and I cannot untwist jars,bottles (even wine ones) , carry mugs in one hand or carry a vase with one hand.
I find it very difficult.
I have been told it could be the anastrozole and if the symptons haven't eased in 6 months will be referred to the oncologist for a change in medication.
To be honest they are deteriorating weekly!
Not said this before to people
Beryl
Results back from mammogram this morning and all fine. Phew! Had to wait 13 days though and they sent it second class. Wish they realised how anxious it makes us. Your thumbs etc sounds rough Pandorra - do hope you are feeling better. My husband had cortisone injection for his frozen shoulder - didn't hurt and it seems to have done the trick. Though I'm sure you'd rather it got better by itself. Love to all xxx
Hi ladies, hope everyone is doing ok. Good for you Eileen, do what you feel is right, let us know when you get your results. Sending hugs Francine, it will get better. I know it's not easy when it seems you don't get a let up. My days are so different with this anastrozole, just start feeling better and then it decides to remind me it's around. Thought my fingers were getting brtter, but last few days have been awful. Thumbs are evil and can't even turn taps let alone do anything else. My doctor has suggested cortisol injections if no improvement, but I know it's not the answer. Oh well, there's people far worse off I know, but I still think we have some right to moan. Also, had acid reflux, hiatus hernia, for 30 years and last 4 weeks really playing up. Already had 7 endoscopies in the past, so hope it settles down. Sorry about the frog Sharon, suppose kissing won't change anything then. Great news for Seville, hope you enjoy.
To all you special, wonderful ladies I send you lol and xxxxxx
Morning lovely ladies 🙂
Cheryl I'm so pleased to hear you are moving on from your job, it didn't sound like a great place to be anymore and life is way too short to be unhappy. Hope you've got lots of exciting plans (not least a bit of a holiday ) and I'm living proof that sometimes change, even traumatic change, can lead to better things.
So sorry to hear some of you are having these awful anti-hormone side effects, they sound miserable. Large doses of lemon tart/chocolate on a regular schedule plus a truckload of painkillers is my recommendation. Are any of the wonderful charities (BCC, The Haven, MacMillan) able to offer any practical advice and support?
Sadly I think my Prince is turning out to be more of a frog. That might be a bit unkind, it's just that I think he is a fundamentally unhappy person and I find myself feeling responsible for making him happy which is never a good basis for a relationship. This whole cancer thing has really focused my priorities and the main one is being happy myself; if I'm going to be with someone I want it to be because he makes me happy rather than being 'generous' enough to share his own unhappiness by pulling me down into it!
Everything else is going well, job still fantastic and I'm off to Seville for a little holiday next month with a dear friend and looking forward to that.
Love to you all, hope you're all taking very good care of yourselves
xx
Sharon
Good dayto you all
Francine - it never seems to stop for you. You must surely be due for some good news!1
Thanks about sympathies, this thing with my fingers is a known side effect of Anastrozole i'm afraid but fingers are deteriorating. Bad back is an on-going thing which I think is aggravated by the drug. Really bad today.
Washer broke down last week - opened it up and was greeted by clouds of grey smelly smoke - it has now become a saga and should eventually have a replacement on Monday. Piles of washing everywhere!!
Even resorted to buying extra knickers LOL
Also having a new mattress except back won't let me go underneath bed to sort out.
Good thing I now take life as it comes.
i agree Eileen (ex-teacher here) there is more to life than teaching and a big world outside the classroom.
It is quite a hard adjustment though. Even now we make a point of being away when the school year begins, and of course holidays can be child free
Hoope Sharon is still enjoying her new fella.
Oh yes, I am off to London next Friday (quite an adventure for us) I am meeting up with my friend from France, who I stayed with when I was recuperating last year and we are off to the Royal Academy to look at garden paintings - we are both avid gardeners
Hoope you all continue to enjoy the life we have been granted and Francine, I hope your lives turn around soon
Love Beryl xx
Hi all
I agree Pandora the hot flushes do ease off BUT my fingers are so bad. They are always swollen, lack flexibilty and quite painful.
The hospital appointment was a check up with a doctor not a BCN. He really pummelled me and under my arm was very uncomfortable for a couple of days, so was my foob.
Anyway I am to have a dexa scan - my back is bad as well -and back in 6 months. If fingers do not improve will have to see oncologist for a change from anastrozole to a different aromatase inhibitor
He was pleased with the way my foob has settled in though
Just seems that time does help
Love to all
beryl x
Hi Chez and suehoneybee, chez it will feel strange after such a long time, but I am sure you will fulfil your days. Enjoy. Hope you are doing ok. Sue, I had the burning pain and was told all part of healing and sure enough it does go. I still have tingles and I do try to massage the scar area daily. Let us know how you get on with your experiment. I think our Sharon has found love , so pleased for her but we could do with an update couldn't we. Wishes and love xxxxxxx
Hi francine, many thanks, think we are all on the 1 year trek and we have all done so well. We have shown strength, courage and when we have sat with our tears we have mustered through. Now, we carry on wiser because I for one have picked up mañy grateful tips, advice and I thank all you wonderful ladies for your friendship and support. Stick with the anastrozole, I was going through a rough time , hot flushes, horrible joint pain in fingers, actually felt crap and was feeling very down, but in the last couple of weeks seems to be easing up. Fingers nowhere near as bad and not so mzny flushes. I have never been a good sleeper but I find that if I read in bed, it seems to help. So, let's carry on and always here for one another. Hug, wishes and xxxxxxx
Hi everyone, really pleased to hear your news.
sharon , fab news, really,pleased for you. Valentine's Day here you come. Pandora that is great news, year one done. Francine, what resilience you have shown, keep,up the yoga am sure it will help and you will be crawling through the water before you know it.
i have my finish date at work, last working day 10/3 so I am about to enter a new chapter, Sad after 36 years to be leaving but excited about new opportunities....love and hugs to all X X X X x
Hi lovely ladies hope everyone feeling good. Cant believe that this time last year I was getting ready for my op. On Friday I received all clear results from my mammogram so feel much relief. Sharon so pleased for you, enjoy. To all others, sending hugs and best wishes. Let's continue our special bonding and always here for one another. Xxxxxx
Hi Marchers
What excellent news Sharon - I wish you happiness.- made me smile and feel happy inside
Last week I had a letter from the hospital with an appointment for Monday 25th. I'm not sure if it is a check up or something else as I wasn't expecting anything.
Find out soon enough.
Hope Francine and others are going on OK. Often think of you all.
Berylxx
Morning ladies
Just checking in really to see if everyone is OK but hopefully you're all getting on with life and not on this site quite so regularly. All is good for me, no health problems at all, job is still wonderful and I've sort of stumbled across a lovely guy who is rapidly becoming someone special. So I'm happy and cheerful (and STILL can't quite believe I've been lucky enough to come through what I always imagined would be a trauma and be happier the other side of it!)
Hope 2016 is being kind to you all
xx
Sharon
Hi there
This is the first time I have looked in with my NEW YEAR greetings only I have been really sick.
I know I had the flu jab but am fairly sure that I have had flu. It started Sunday after Christmas and I still have no energy or voice and a cough. Wondering if my immune system isn't that good!!
Anyway folks 2014/2015 are well and truly behind us now and 2016 has to be a hell of a year for us all, time to kick up our legs and party in our ways across the country.
just remember though we are always here to support and boost us as i am sure we will have low times.
Next couple of weeks are tricky for me - January `17th 2014 Mum died; 25th January her birthday; 13th January 2015 had the mastectomy;,and the long slow process of healing began. So all those annivesaries are coming up again.
Then again on the 15th my baby daughter will be 30 Aaagh
We are having a family do on 24th for everything bad and good but mostly good
Wishing you all well
Lots of love and happy thoughts from Beryl xx
Happy New Year ladies, hope you all had a good start to the year and that the rest is better still
love to all
xx
Sharon
Happy new year all you lovely ladies. Thinking of you all and send hugs to Jill. 1 year on where has the time gone. Well, sorry we know where our time has gone but we just get on with it. Lots of love and xxxxxxx
Jilly, best of luck to you, not an easy month by the sounds of it, love and hugs X X x
dear marchers, thank you so much, where would,I have been without you all....thank you love and hugs and let's see the new year in by recognising what we have achieved, acknowledging what we have dealt with .....here's to a better year. X X X X x