March 2016 chemotherapy starters?

[SusieQ]

It's been a long year. Happy Christmas everyone and best wishes to everyone for 2017. 😘🎉

[Lynniepinns]

Merry Christmas ladies, thinking of you all and hoping you are having a good day. Xx

[Shelly212]

Hi All,

Just started the 'Moving Forward'course run by Breast Cancer Care and have to say finding it really useful. In addition, meeting up with some of the people I met on the chemo suite and a number I didn't has also been enlightening and en-riching. If you haven't been invited to one of these, ask your breast care nurses if they are available in your area! 

PS It's sclerosis or hardening of the weins I have from chemo, not cording and it has improved a little!

[Platinum]

Hi Ladies,

Just dropped back in to congratulate you on coming so far.  Can't quite believe where the time has gone. I've had a post treatment "holistic" meeting with my specialist nurse and been told I am now in the vulnerable phase between treatment finishing (except for herceptin injections - yippee!) and getting back to "normal" (which has shifted from before diagnosis "normal") and I must be very cautious about going back to work full-on too soon as I may not be able to cope.  Find this a bit scary as I am used to being in control.

Good luck to you all, remember to look after yourselves, lots of love Mary

[Shelly212]

All these things they don't tell you about! I do think the chemo nurses in the unit I went to need some education about this. No one has advised me what to do about it just said it's a side effect of chemo and my GP hasn't a clue!. I'm going to go to one of the Maggie's Centers to see if I can get some help there! 

[Warcol]

Hi Shelly
Yes I have both cording and phlebitis! BCN or consultant not bothered by it but told me to keep exercising it! Then if no better in 6 weeks to talk to GP about it! X TBH mine is getting easier the more exercising I do and I don't have to take pain relief any more! Xx

[Shelly212]

Has any body got an issue with 'cording' in their chemo arm. I went to the chemo suite 4 weeks ago as I was expereinceing some pain in my chemo arm. (Had soem during chemo but it had then resolved). Nurse just said to come back of it goes red. Four weeks on I have pain, tightness and lumps and no-one at the hospital seems to be bothered. I had EC-T. 

[Amylou]

Thanks for the tip Shelly I'll check it out xx

[Shelly212]

Wow, looks great! I've been using Nioxin shampoo and conditiner and do think it's helped thicken up my hair. You can get it from Amazon but I think it;s cheaper from Live Better with Cancer website.

x

[Amylou]

This is without toppik

[Amylou]

[Amylou]

I've figured it out. Thanks colista. Xx

[Amylou]

[Warcol]

Amy
If ur using a mobile or tablet scroll down to the very bottom and click full site when u reply you should then be able to insert a pic xx Colista x

[Amylou]

Well guys I've done it! I've braved the outside world naked! No wig no hat! Found a little product called toppik to cover my thining patches and it works amazingly! Wish I could figure out how to post a pic to show you all. Xx

[Loolyboo]

Hi ladies
It's so lovely to hear that we are all coming to the end of our treatment, starting to feel better & gaining more energy 😊
My last chemo was on 6th July & I'm pleased to announce that I had to use my hair drier this morning (1st time since March this year) to dry my hair before putting my wig on, towel rub didn't quite suffice, it took all of 10 seconds eeeeeeek! 😆
Helen, not been offered the trial but I'm seeing my oncologist next week so if he mentions it I will update here.
Loolyboo xxx

[helen1971]

Evening fellow March 2016 ladies.

Hope you are all doing well and recovering nicely from chemo. Pleased to report my hair and eyebrows are doing well although still not brave enough to ditch the wig!!!

Has anyone been asked to take part in a clinical trial taking aspirin? My oncologist has offered it to me but it is possible I may be given just a placebo only. My concern is that at the end of the 5 years they will tell me that aspirin definately works only to then be told I've been on the placebo and therefore effectively "wasted" 5 years.

I know I would be helping future breast cancer patients by doing the trial but obviously I also want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence.

Any thoughts??

Thank
Helen xx

[Kim555pink]

Collista, check out our photos on the Jan 2916 thread and you'll see our hair coming along nicely now 🙂 I still wear my wig but it's a short one and I'm noticing my natural grey hair peeping out under it!! I'm hoping I can last another 4 weeks to get it cut and coloured during half term then it's wigless for me!!
Hope all you March starters are doing well 😊 Xxx

[Warcol]

[Warcol]

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to get drained so I'll get my toe checked out there xx I'll post a pic of my hair too as I feel its taking forever to grow back but everyone tells me it's really coming on....I'm so impatient I'm praying it gets a little longer in time for Christmas lol xx

[Amylou]

Wow very brave SusieQ and Warcol I still put a hat on to answer the door lol. I start radio tomorrow (hopefully) they delayed it a week because wounds not healed.
Defo get your toe checked out, I had to see GP few weeks ago for sleeping tablets and he told me to give my body a year to get over the effects of chemo! Xx

[daffodil]

I am also easily tired since our chemo, although i have also had 2 operations over the summer so not sure whether i am tired due to chemo or the ops. My nails are also still very delicate - I am keeping them short and have lots of nail strenghthener and nail varnish on in the hope of keepng them. I also often still have a slightly dodgy tummy and a few of those spots on my hand i used to get in the third week. I thought I might still be tired now and with low immunity but I am surprised by how many other side effects are still ongoing. In a way it is a comfort to hear i am not the only one but I hope we can all be back to normal asap.

 Aileen x

[Warcol]

It must be a common theme! This weekend I went out without hat, wig or scarf and it felt great! Still get tired and I'm losing fingernails left right and centre! My big toe is killing me but I think it's
More to do with the nail not the toe? Not sure whether I should go the GP with it as I can only wear one pair of shoes at the moment xx Colista x

[SusieQ]

Hi Amylou, I'm with you on the knackered point. Yesterday I went to meet friends in London and today barely left the sofa!  I'm due to start radiotherapy in a couple of weeks and I'm told that also make you tired. Hair still not growing as quickly as I would like but Friday was the first day I went out without a wig or scarf on. How brave was I!!

[Amylou]

Hi guys just thought I'd check on how everyone was doing post chemo. Relieved to see that I'm not the only one with slow hair growth! I've got what can only be described as male pattern baldness! But thankfully do have most of my eye lashes and browns back. Is anyone still feeling knackered? Don't know if to blame this on chemo or Zoladex or both. Xx

[Shelly212]

I had it done by a really good practioner called Bev White,  http://www.beverleywhite.co.uk and Bev uses microblading technique - people can't believe they aren't real! She's based in Rossendale Lancashire but is also working once a month at  Expert Aesthetics in Alderley Edge Cheshire 🙂 x

[SusieQ]

Thanks Shelley.
Semi permanent eyebrows - hadn't given it thought but defo going to look into this xx💐

[Shelly212]

I'm the same as you, loss of sensation in toes and balls of feet but am able to drive. For some reason I seem to notice it more when I'm in bed. I understand it can take months but not sire how many. I do think it's improving in teeny tiny increments. I guess the people who would have more answers finshed chemo way ahead of us! 

Eyebrows on their way back but treated myself to semi-permanent eyebrows and once I got used to them have decided it's the best thing I have ever done!

Eyelashes coming back but someone I met who finished chemo 14 months ago said her lashes came back, then went again before coming back permanently so if this happens - don't panic! 🙂

[SusieQ]

anyone suffering from lack of sensation/tingling feeling in feet and fingers?

its 8 weeks since last chemo and I hoped this would have lessened by now. Haven't driven at all since surgery but I'm getting frustrated having to rely on hubby. Should I drive? Last time I drove I did have a couple of "s**t is my foot on the pedal moments" because I couldn't feel properly.  Would Like to hear from anyone whose been through this. How long does it last?

[SusieQ]

No sign of eyelashes/brows, but will have to shave legs - not fair!!!

[Warcol]

Hi ladies there seems to be a pattern re hair! I had my last chemo on 18th July and on the back my hair is growing really well but on top it's a fuzz! My eyelashes are very small and I have about 5 hairs where my eyebrows were! I've started using watermans grow me so I'll let you know of the progress xx

[Lynniepinns]

Hello ladies, talking of hair (have variable baby chick like fuzz on head) does anyone have any progress with eyebrows or eyelashes yet?  Starting to worry they will not come back and strangely more concerned about my eyebrows than my head!!  Hope everyone is doing well, finished radiotherapy yesterday and celebrating at legoland later (!) x

[helen1971]

Thanks for the reassurance ladies x

[Jembossable]

If it's thick on the back, the top will follow soon. Trust me! X

[SusieQ]

Now in my 9th week since last chemo and my hair is quite thick at the back, but what concerns me it is quite thin on top! There's no real length to it. I hoped after this amount of time I'd be brave enough to stop wearing wig/scarf.
Appointment for oncologist not till 21/09 so still waiting to find out about radiotherapy.
By Christmas should have hair and nails!!!!

[Jembossable]

My regrowth is just at a point where I'm not self conscious and I had my last chemo the 15th June. Give it time. It'll be back and once it starts there's no stopping it xx

[helen1971]

Hello fellow March 2016 starters.

I'm now 7 weeks since last chemo and I'm concerned about my lack of hair regrowth. It's doing OK at the back and sides but is still very thin and patchy on the top and front.

How is everyone else finding it?

Thanks
Helen

[daffodil]

Thanks loobylou. It is great to here people who have found it not so bad. Congratulations on being finished - must feel good. Aileen x

[Loolyboo]

Hi Aileen
I had my last radiotherapy yday (20 in total) was advised by my team to use just E45 cream & my skin has held up very well, just a little pink - aside from the daily commute, it really is a walk in the park after chemo 😊
Loolyboo xxx

[daffodil]

Thanks AmyLou. I will go look for the september rads thread now. xx

[Amylou]

Hi daffodil looks like you'll be joining me for September rads... Theres a thread been stated for it. Just had a quick read up on how everyone's doing on here, nice to see everyone moving on with treatment and life after chemo. Take care guys. Xx

[daffodil]

Hi everyone.

I'm just home from the hospital again. It was my third op this year (investigation in Feb, Lumpetomy and node clearance 6 weeks ago and back today as the margins on the lumpectomy weren't sufficient so they had to take a bit more!). Glad thats over with - hopefully my last op for some time. Although the surgeon did allow me to go my family holiday to Italy in between so not all bad. Just radiotherapy to come in a few weeks and then all done - can't wait to put the whole thing behind me.

How is everyone else doing?

Aileen x

[Warcol]

Way to go Mary!
I've had my op today and they've decided to keep me I overnight so I'm taking advantage of the peace and quiet lol
WLE ANC and Hickman removal will see surgeon in the morning!
Only downside is its blooming sweltering in here
Love to everyone xx Colista xx

[SusieQ]

Good for you Mary 😀

Thanks for the Asda tip will defo check them out.

off to post op review tomora and hopefully learn what action next (expecting radiotherapy).

stay well 💐❤️Xx

[Loolyboo]

Hi Mary
Great news 😃 I'm 14 rads down with just 6 to go, eeeek! Currently sat waiting for my 5th Herceptin injection & thought I'd have a check up on this forum, great to hear from you and here's hoping this year will all soon become a distant memory for all of us 💕
Loolyboo xxx

[Shelly212]

Wow Mary - way to go! 🙂

x

[Platinum]

Hi March starters,

Cannot believe it is now August!  Hope you are all progressing OK.

For me, chemo & radio now done, Hormone tablets started & Herceptin injections ongoing. It was a good feeling coming out of last meeting with Oncologist to book next appointment "in 3 months".

Re bras:  try ASDA soft/comfort bras (I remove the padding).  I have found them really comfortable for radio & post radiotherapy.  They are also cheap at £6 each! Radiotherapy gave some "hot spots" & as a result the scar where lymph nodes removed became infected.  2 weeks of antibiotics have sorted it. Have had an ultrasound & been told node is enlarged but not cancer, and to have another scan in 3 moths.

Again, hoping you are all OK;

love to all, Mary xx

[Shelly212]

With you there re hair Suzie Q! Nails lifting and badly stained but wearing polish and keeping them really short and trying to save them! 🙂 

[SusieQ]

Last chemp end of June waiting patiently for hair to grow. Now nails are popping off!!!💅😪

[Shelly212]

Hi Dafodil, thanks for that, had expander replaced last Wednesay, still quite sore and got post-op check tomorrow. Some days it feels like this is a never ending ride! X