Our Gang! Come chat!

[ladybowler]

rach

They will do measurements based on your oncologists report, they put a wire round your breast which helps them with the CT imaging, this will be removed at the end of the session.  The CT machine just goes back and forward over you, it doesnt touch you.  They will ask you to keep very still and any adjustments to your position they will do and will ask that you do not try to help them move you, they are very good at moving you even millimetres to get you in the right position before they do the CT scan.  .  The tattooes sting a tiny bit first of all I had three one on each side of my body by the breast and one bang smack in the middle of the breasts.  They reassured me the one on the left hand side was just for lining up.  It takes about 25 minutes all together, I think the worst of it was the slight sting of the tattoo but that is because i have never had one and didnt know what it would be like and also the having to keep completely still but apart from that it was really easy.  I laughed at haivng a tattoo at the age of 58 but they are so tiny you can hardly see them.

When you go for your first radiotherapy session it will take longer than they will do after that as they check your measurements again against the information in your file as they have to get you in the correct positon again, it will probably take about 25 minutes, whereas after that from beginning to end it will only be about 15 minutes that you are in the room max.

Let me know how you get on and if there is anything else I can help with you only have to ask.

Helena xxxx

[rach1b70]

Hi Helena

Yes it is part of the planning. My appointment is at 10am, so just beautifying myself as we speak 😜

Have no idea what to expect other than I am having the CT scan and getting my first ever tattoo !! Xx

[ladybowler]

rach

Sorry I had an early night last night so have only just seen your post.

I am assuming that the CT scan is part of your planning appointment for radiotherapy, is that correct.  Unfortunately I have only just seen your post so you might well have already gone, if not let me know and I can go through it with you.

Helena xxx

[Silverlady]

Hi Rach,

Good luck with your CT scan today.

I started my first chemo yesterday and feeling fine.

Helena has just finished her rads a month ago, so ask any questions and she will come along an d answer them.

[rach1b70]

Hi all

Thought I would come and join the gang. CT scan tomorrow, followed by 4 1/2 weeks of rads.

Don't know what to expect, but here goes.

Hoe all ok xxxx

[Silverlady]

Thanks Helena, it'll be good to get started and now that Lexxy & Sarah have had theirs and they are o.k. I'm not so nervous anymore.

[ladybowler]

Susan

Good luck for tomorrow xxxxx

[ladybowler]

Jo

Well so much for my list of who is doing what and at what stage, got that one wrong, doh 🙂  xx

[ladybowler]

Jane

Have you received you parcel yet xx

[EJM60]

Do you know what, there is always a smile on here! 😂
Jane xx

[Silverlady]

What a giggle - I thought you meant Jane & I thought we had missed Jane's birthday.

[Jo C]

Hi Helena, it was my birthday but I'm still plodding on with chemo 🙄 Not sure about rads yet but perhaps after axillary clearance. I've had a lovely birthday anyway 😊

[ladybowler]

Jane

Well I do like to be early in everything I do 🙂 No it was meant for Jo c xxx

[EJM60]

Not my birthday!  But will happily accept your birthday wishes in advance of my next birthday!! 

Jane xx

[ladybowler]

Jo C

I think I have go this right, you finished your radiotherapy today and I believe it is your birthday today as well.

Hope I have got it right otherwise i am going to look silly so:

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

and the bells are ringing for you for finishing your rads.

Helena xxx

[EJM60]

I've always been a bit slow!!! Have sent you a PM Susan!!! Xx

[Silverlady]

Jane - when you are ready, post on here and I will out my FB link on again.

[Silverlady]

Good morning Elizabeth, I have added you to the group.

It will only be me who can access you FB acccount unless you friend other people and I certainly won't mention it.

How lovely to receive the flowers and chocolates - you must feel so loved and quite fabulous.

Have a look on the group, it's a lot easier in there.

We just need Jane now.

[Elizabeth1]

Good morning everyone.

Silver lady  I have sent you a Facebook friend request. I'm happy to have you as a fb friend (as I am for any of the other ladies on here) just as long as no direct comments are made on my page about my BC. I don't quite know why I'm okay with some people knowing & yet at the minute don't want others to know...

Have a lovely Sunday everyone. I got a dozen red roses & chocolates through the post yesterday from my Fiance.

Normally Sundays would have been housework day for me - not any more. Just going to spend today resting & crocheting  xx

[Silverlady]

Jane - we just need you now. FB is totally private, Emma has done it and there is nothing about her showing at all. Once you've created an account click in the link below click on add friend. I will then add you as my friend and then to the group.

You and Elizabeth are the last two - and we are missing you.

[Silverlady]

Thanks Helena, I didn't want to intrude on anyone and you're more than welcome to post on mine.

[Silverlady]

I meant to add - I'm not sure about twitter, that's why it's easier for you to click on me. I will delete the post with my FB link once I've got you.

You're starting chemo with me on Thursday. Lexxy and Sarah start on Wednesday.

[ladybowler]

Susan

You are more than welcome to post on my fb page x

[Elizabeth1]

Good afternoon. After a week of appointments I finally managed an afternoon in bed today & it felt great. I got my whig yesterday & am delighted with it. Lady who fitted me said it definitely wouldn't come off in the wind. Glad to have it before my treatment starts on Thursday but I guess it will take a bit of time to get used to wearing it out in public once I do lose my hair

Silver lady yes i am on Facebook but I haven't made any comments on it about my illness as there are a lot of people on it who don't know. Would it be okay if I tried sending you a private message here to join Silver lady? I'm on Twitter @Elizabethh320 & because there are only a couple of people who know me personally on it I have a little pink ribbon beside my pic xx

[Silverlady]

I've added you to the group, have you received notification

[Em 67]

Lexxy I'm using an iPad 

[Em 67]

I've clicked on add friend on your Facebook page Susan. Sorry I am so thick about things like this. I want to avoid putting my full name on here if possible. I will explain my worries about fb when I'm in the private group

[Lexxy]

No problem Emma, we'll get it all locked down. Are you using a phone or tablet or a laptop?

[Silverlady]

Click on the link below and it will take you to my facebook. It will have a 'add friend' click on it and I will receive your request.

[Silverlady]

You can always come back on here and delete it after we've got you. The quickest way is to add a link to your facebook on here so I can get you straight away.

[Silverlady]

Emma - put your face book name on here and I will add you to my facebook and then I can add you to the group.  You can go into settings and tighten the security - Lexxy is probably better than me for that bit.  No one can find me unless I comment in a thread and I use my full name.

[Em 67]

Ah Strudel just read your post. Should have used a false name from the start. Oh well as long as can be kept just within this group that's ok. I know I sound paranoid too!

[Em 67]

I've set up a Facebook account but haven't the first idea what to do now! I can't seem to change my name on it . It's got my full name on the top which I don't mind for this group but I need it to be completely private other than that. Lexxy thank you for your offer of help. I think I may need it! I just want to join this group but be sure no one else can access me through Facebook 

[Lexxy]

Emma and Jane, I'll happily help where I can to get you setup on facebook, just let me know if you're struggling with it x

[ladybowler]

Jane

good luck with the counsellor today, I am sure you will get a lot out of the experience xxx

[Strudel]

Jane I'm paranoid about Facebook. You can register with a completely made up name and date of birth. You can change your name every 60 days. I've just changed my name to Strudel with my real surname. I don't want a Facebook profile which is why I haven't used my real first name so that people outside the group can't bother me!

[Emily T]

Thanks Jane. I did my breath holding for the CT scan but they didn't say anything else about what I would have to do for the radiotherapy!

You only have to have one of us asa friend then they can add you to the group. Just set all your privacy settings as tight as possible and people won't even be able to find you.

[Silverlady]

Hi Jane,

Yes you can use a different name and you can just use it to access our FB page. You don't have to put any private stuff on it. You have to put your date of birth, just to check you're older than 13 😀 You can then go into settings and make it more private.

Hope you have a good appointment today.

[EJM60]

Happy Saturday to you all!  

Emily - I'm here - slept all afternoon after my last radiotherapy yesterday - so have a headache after too much sleep!!  I did do the breath holding - my radiotherapy centre used a technique called deep inspiration breath hold, and it done via a computerised program, where they worked out 80% of my maximum breath hold.  I had to wear goggles in which I could see when I needed to hold my breath and a device like a snorkel moutpiece and a clip on my nose.  It sounds complicated but was fine - I quite liked the fact that I had a job to do.  If for any reason I was unable to hold my breath the machine would pause until I was in the correct hold again.  At the planning ct scan, apparently they can see if your heart or lungs will be affected by the radiotherapy.

re. Facebook - I'm like Scotty on this as have never been on Facebook due to working in a school - I sneak on my husbands if I ever need to access it.  Will have to investigate how to do it - can I use a pseudonym!!! Unfortunately I no longer have any children at home to guide me through it!

wI'll have to have a deeper read of all I missed yesterday, and will touch base later.  Have my first counselling appt today so feeling a bit apprehensive at the moment.

jane X 

[Silverlady]

Elizabeth - do you have facebook? Do you want to join us on there as well? If so, let me know your facebook name and we will add you

[Strudel]

Emma - hi. I hate Facebook but resurrected a dead account and I'm only using it for this thread.

Waiting for results is the utter pits but you sound better. X

[Silverlady]

Hi Emma,
Strudel has just joined and hers is very private. Scotty has just created an account as well. You had better join or we won't be happy. ❤️

I'm so pleased you've had a better day. Have a good night and see you in the morning.

[Em 67]

Just read four pages of posts to catch up on just one day! 

Ali that sounds unbelievable, I am so impressed with your calmness! I would have probably been beside myself! Hope it sorts itself out.

Emily I'm sorry to hear you're having a down day today hope things feel better tomorrow.

I'm not on Facebook but don't want to miss out on the group. I'll see if I can work out what to do tomorrow. I have always avoided it because of my job. If I can keep anonymous and private I'll do it.

Had a slightly better day today. Have done a bit less and rested more which seems to have done me some good. I spoke to my BCN who said my pathology results would be likely to be ready and discussed at multidisciplinary meeting on Wednesday. I will then get an appointment for a few days after. Need to try to put it to the back of my mind until then - easier said than done!

Interesting to read all the stuff about wigs and scarves. One of the good things about being behind everyone else is that I can learn so much from you beforehand. By the time I get to the chemo I will know where to get every kind of wig, scarf and hat from - brilliant!

will try and sort the FB thing in the morning

goodnight all xxx

[Silverlady]

I've received it Stru and I have added you to the group.

[Strudel]

Right I have tried. I've sent you a friends request Silver, I'll come through as Strudel if I've managed to change my name and Prudence if I haven't!

[Silverlady]

Stru - my facebook is locked down so that unless I appear on someone's else's thread you can't even search for me.

You can customise your facebook that even that one friend won't see anything.

[Lexxy]

You can just friend one person Stru and they can add you to the group x

[Strudel]

Hmm, so does this mean I can just join a thread? I joined Facebook to speak to 3 people who are hard to get hold of otherwise. I then changed my name to a nickname to stop the friends requests as it was embarrassing declining people. Basically, what I'm asking, is can I sneak onto the thread via one person or would I have to friend everyone individually?