My first chemo is on Thursday 😕 feeling nervous xxx
Hi all, I initially had 7 weeks off work following diagnosis and through surgery. I then went back to work for 5 weeks part time but found it really difficult as someone else doing my job. I felt like a spare part. I finished last week and not planning to go back until after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We should not feel guilty we need to look after ourselves for a short while and then hopefully there will be plenty of time to redeem ourselves at work if that's what we still want to do.Xxx
I haven't worked since my first surgery in August. I did feel guilty then, but at the same time I wanted a full diagnosis and treatment plan before deciding what to do about work. I'm glad I'm off now - its hard to plan from day to day because I don't know how I'm going to feel and I would also be worried about infections etc. I was wondering if I would go back part-time when it comes time for rads (my work happens to be close to the hospital) - but its too early to say now. I need to deal with this first and be sure that I'm up to everything again. I wouldn't like to go back and then have to take time out again because of SE.
Glad to have the time out for now - have to look after ourselves xxx
Thanks Sam and you're right, going through this really does make you look at things differently. Unfortunately I'll need to return eventually but it's good to hear others are taking the time off too. I,m going to try to stop stressing about it, our recovery is far more important than any job xx
Hi MonicaB and Teffy, thanks for your good wishes for tomorrow. I had my pre-assessment today and all seems fine to go ahead. Like you say MonicaB, you want to keep it on track. I've got my hopes pinned on finishing chemo on 14th Jan although have been told to expect delays but hopefully we'll all keep on track as much as we can!! I hope everything goes to plan for you both too and that'll be us 2 down already!!
I've been on sick leave since my op mid August and having some guilty feelings about being off but to be honest I don't know if I could work during chemo and then there's the daily rads to come. I,m thinking it may be best to stay off till after treatment and ignore the guilty feelings. I'm never off sick, never had as much as a cold until now! What are other folks thoughts about working? Xxx
Hi flower75 - Good luck for FEC#2 tomorrow - I'm going for it the next day and I see its Teffy on Thur. I've also lost lots of hair over the last day or two. It was buzzed right down last week and no cold cap, so its just the ends that are going now - but they're going fast.
I had the pre-assessment today and the doc says that the white cell count? is low, but just above what it needs to be - so chemo should go ahead. I really want to keep it on track - so here's hoping that having today and tomorrow helps with that.
Good luck Janey - hope it all goes well for you. take care x
Hi Janey, I'm not using the cold cap but had 1st fec on 1st Oct and in for 2nd lot tomorrow. I have heard that having thick hair can help the success of the cold cap though so fingers crossed. I have very thick hair too but have lost loads over the last few days so don't think I'll have it much longer. Good luck and I really hope the cold cap works for you xxx
Thanks again gilly. Hope you enjoy your day too! X
Re hair, wigs and hats.
Just told OH i have been on forum this morning and he reminded me of my fringe!!! Completely forgot it!!!. Because i did lots of walking through chemo (still doing it) and weather cooler December January etc i wore a fringe (again purchased £5 ish from Headstrong) under a lovely selection of hats / turbans. Much more comfortable than a full wig when out walking in wind, nipping to shops etc. It just looked like my hair was tied back.
Hope you are all having a lovely day.
Gilly x
Thanks Gilly - its so encouraging to hear from you & good to hear the tips. Glad you are doing well. I'm going to check out the stick on eyebrows. Tracy mentioned some from blinkies website as well, sounds good.
Glad you are feeling ok Helenr51 - long may it continue. Keep us posted on the turban type hats when they arrive. I got some from a website in USA - lol - the lengths we are going to to look our best. They came from headcovers.com and are sooo comfortable. The only thing was that the courier sent me a separate bill for duty - not too much, but extra on the overall price. I wear the headcovers around the house, but so far haven't ventured out in public with them. I think I will though when I go for my next assessment which is tomorrow. I'm finding them much more comfortable to wear than the wig.
Thanks for the update Sarah - I'll have a look at the website. Hope u enjoyed strictly and xfactor last night
Morning Biddlybee - had to smile when you mentioned your eyebrows. Mine are fair too - hard to get the colour right!
xx
What's the website Helen, I'll have to have a look?. Yes I don't feel too bad either...long may it continue hey! X
Morning everyone.
Thanks gilly, hope you continue to do well.
Been trawling the net and simply wigs do the eyebrows, seem really cheap to. Might just order some to have at hand. Think it's a UK company so assuming delivery and payment might be a little easier than to America .
Sarah x
Morning Girls.
Hang on in there all of you, you are doing great. I am 12 months on from Chemo. Had FecT like many of you exactly this time last year. Eyebrows. I had semi permanent make up (tattoo) about three years ago so just had them colour boosted before Chemo but when i was having wig fittings with Headstrong (at The Christie, Manchester) some of the girls were having a new product of stick on eyebrows. I am in touch with some of the girls and the eyebrows were very successful, natural looking and make a huge difference to confidence. I think they were about £30 for the eyebrows and sufficient adhesive for about six months. I think these are possibly the product previously mentioned in this thread, available on the internet. I feel for you Girls with the upset tummy's 'cos i remember everything tasting strange. i used to buy myself quality tonic water and Elderflower Drinks, really refreshing. I would say that i found it helpful to keep up with friends / social life whilst on Chemo (where possible) and tried to walk each day as this really helped with sleeping at night, also downloaded a relax and sleep 30 min app on to my phone which was great when i couldn't sleep. I finished Chemo in Feb 2013, have since had planned mx and rads and am doing good. Sporting a funky new spiky hair do which is easy maintenance. (not so happy about having to get legs waxed again tho'..........). Take Care and look after yourselves Girls.
Gilly x
I found a brilliant site on Ebay for gorgeous pull on turban type hats. They come from Australia and are supposed to be ultra soft. The colours are beautiful and they look very modern and young. Looking forward to getting them though my hair is still hanging on 🙂
Hope the trip went well Lulu xx
have my 17yo on standby for the eyebrows, makeup is one of her fortes lol!
I love ginger beer and drink those Crabbies ones with rapsberry - yum yum!
Fingers crossed that the immodium does the trick Lulu and lets you get on with your day out. Hope you have a good nights sleep tonight.
Good idea on the ginger beer Galleygirl - I'll give that a go.
Hope your tum is settled Sarah - lol .
About the eyebrows - I'm not looking forward to them going (and so far they haven't). I'm not too good at makeup and drawing in eyebrows seems like a hard enough thing to get right. But I'm booked on a lgfb workshop, so hopefully they can help me. I have glasses with a rim/frame at the top and they give a bit of shape to my eyes. If I have to, I'll start wearing them out. Interesting what the nurse said about the temporary tattoo Sarah, I would be tempted by that - but would have to find out more. If the eyebrows come back soon enough, then maybe I can just wait it out.
It takes me a while to get to sleep now Tracy. I'm much more inactive now than I was before all this started. Sometimes I think that's why I don't feel as tired when I go to bed. I started out on a long walk this am, but I had to cut it short because I was feeling a bit funny and I didn't want to push it. My aim is to walk most days - so even if its shorter than norm, I'll try to do it - but I would like to be doing more.
best to all xx
Ahhh ginger beer! I will put it on list of 'things to try whilst on chemo!'. You see if I look at the positives I'm opening up to a world I never knew existed, ha!
I'm praying for you on the bus lulu, hope you have a lovely day out.
Tracy re the eyebrow situation, I was going to have mine temporary tattooed on, however the chemo nurse advised against it. She said 'usually' if they do come out (a lot of the time they don't), it's nearer the end then they obviously start growing back after treatment finished.
I'm still undecided, I am booked on the lgfb workshop next month which apparently shows you how to draw on your eyebrows or places like benefit will apparently do a template for you I've been told.
I'll be interested to hear other ideas. Sarah xx
Morning everyone. Great news Monica, hope you enjoy your weekend drac free!
I had the Friday feeling last night so had a couple of them flavoured ciders! Never drank cider for about 12 year, however thought it might be 'better' for me than wine or gin.
Went to a friends so a couple of them were trying my new wig on, so at least it's good for a laugh. Note to self though...never drinking cider again, only had two and was all gassed out. Wasn't fun for hubby in our bedroom last night-ha!!!
Hugs to you all sarah xx