STARTING CHEMO IN AUGUST 2011

[slinky]

Hi ladies, i am getting there for 3. so exited i could pee myself! Kim, do u think u r gainjng weight on toxifen? no hot flushes for me. but feeling a bit sorry for myself.
girls is not going to be long xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi Girls
Have been to the first session of "moving on" today 8 girls in the group. Today was just an induction. We will now have 6 more sessions.
Think it will be interesting they are going to cover a lot, confidence building, emotional issues, managing stress, fear of reccurrence and lots more. So well worth getting on to one of these courses if you can.

Looking forward to meeting you all Saturday. OH seems to think journey will take about 3 hours. I think less, (but what do I know?)
Anyway hope to be with you mid afternoon.
Valpp

[Guest user]

Hello all

I'm BACK!!!!!!

Sorry to have worried anyone, have been a very busy bunny, recently went back to work and am being given tons of new projects to deal with as well as trying to balance family life and all that that entails!!

Just to let you all know that I am doing really well, and have been give NED from my rather dozy oncologist (well at least until my next Mammo in June)

Heart is good, liver scan is still pending and the pain in my shoulder is due to Zoladex buggering up the tendons!!

I am really looking forward to meeting all of you on Saturday. Should i aim to be in the hotel for about 3ish??? its only a ten minute journey for me and hubby is dropping me off and then collecting me whenever i feel like it after the meal..yippeeee freedom!!!

I hope you are all doing well

Love as always

Sarah xxxxx

[rubythursday]

Hi Ladies - I should be there around 3 - 4ish as well, how will we recognise each other (apart from the ridiculously short hair in my case and probably some others!)

Am having a really rough time at the moment with SE's from my oopherectomy so some wine and afternoon tea would go down well, as long as the room is nice and cold to cope with my million hot flushes a day!!!!

Ruby (Miranda)x

[Guest user]

Hi Val

I will already be there like Heather so if were not in the bar propping it up let us know your there.

Think most people are aiming for 3 - 4 arrival so afternnoon tea would be nice or something stronger if preferred.

xxx Ducky

[tigerpig]

Yea txt as soon as you get there,dont want you hanging around on your own(unless you want to be on your own)
Have a safe journey hun x

[kinsse]

Evening girls

Is the plan for saturday that we are meeting in the afternoon, as I aim to get there about 3 or 4, depends on traffic. Keep meaning to check if there are any football matches on. (or shall I text you Heather when I get there?)

Val

[tigerpig]

Ducky-LOL just have the zimmer frame handy!!!

[Guest user]

Hi Pavlina

Only side effect I am experiencing on Tamoxifen is the hot flushes seem to be more frequent.

Not long now girls.

Heather looking forward to the cabaret!!!!!!!!!

xxx Kim (Ducky)

[tigerpig]

Afternoon Troops,

Hope our Mavis has made it to warwick safe and sound.Iam packing my things tonight ready for our trip tomorrow,Ducky is also travelling tomorrow.Iam sooo excited,seems such along time ago we started to plan this and all of a sudden its here.

I will put everyones mobile into my phone,anyone wanting to contact me via mobile are most welcome.

Hope you all have a safe trip.Heather x

[supertrouper]

How exciting! Mavis is the first one to be setting off. Only two more sleeps until I get to meet you all for the first time. I have butterflies in my stomach when I think about it!

Getting ready to go to work now - beginning to get back into the swing of things although I am still very fatigued in the evenings. Finger nails have nearly grown out the horrible groves - looking forward to being able to shape and polish them instead of keeping them incredibly short in case they catch on anything.

Still looking for the perfect swim wear to take on my holidays, I don't want something frumpy looking. I got one of ebay that Ducky recommended but I do need at least two more. Anyone got any ideas of where I should be looking?

Must go now, hope every one has a lovely day full of "Qi" 🙂

[sivam]

Hi BWF's,
All packed,well nearly!!ready to tow this van for the first time this year,left a full freezer for son and lunching grandaughter.the weather here is o so wet and miserable hate towing in the rain but at least it is not windy.Really looking forward to seeing you but am now only able to use a mobile phone.See you Saturday:0)
Love and Light xxMavis

[slinky]

Hi Ladies,

Been really busy this week. started back at work full time and coming home really tired... I have also starter going to theatre rehearsals. We are doing copacobana in October. it is great dancing and singing... life pretty much back to norm.. as ST said Sarah is coming on sat for a meal with us. she had the all clear today and she is very happy( of course)
Heather, I am glad u liked the LGFB , I was nearly not going to go, but my friend pleaded with me and now I am happy I went.
does anyone have any SE on Tamoxifen?

anyway I am so looking forward to see you and hug you all... xxxxx

[supertrouper]

Congrats on your weight loss Val - especially as you had been for a pub meal during the week.

I have looked for a "moving on" course near me but nearest is Manchester and it is during the week when I am working!

Only 3 more sleeps before we meet up - I bought a hair colourant tonight but haven't used it yet. My hair is the colour of mud at the moment.

Day three of the horrible cough - it's interrupting not just OH's sleep but my own now. Found one of my digital thermometers and took my temperature and found my self back in chemo land in my head! I have three digital thermometers as I keep losing them! Didn't we say we were going to have a ceremonial dumping of them? I might bring one with me on Saturday!

[tigerpig]

Evening Ladies,
Well done val on weight loss,so easy to put it on,harder to get it off.Your meeting sounds interesting,must find out if they do anything like that in my area.

Have been to my yoga class this evening and felt really chilled,but then got back and had the dog looking sad eyed at me,so ended up taking her out in monsoon weather,both got soaked!But i do love her.

Not long now girls!!! H x

[Guest user]

Afternoon girls, weather here is very cold, wet and windy. Managed to get out with the dog early this morning before the rain started.
Joined slimming world last week and went for my first weigh in this morning. Lost 3 1/2 lbs,taking into account that we went out with friends this week for a pub meal, I am pleased with that. Still a long way to go.
Tomorrow I am going for the first meeting of "moving on". Looking forward to that nice to get out and mix with other girls.
Valpp

[tigerpig]

Morning troops,
Had a fantastic time at LGFB session yesterday,met some lovely ladies and got a brill goodie bag.

Damp and wet here this morning,got a friend comming in abit for tea and a good old gossip.Will put the world to right between us.

Love to you all Heather x

[supertrouper]

Good morning everyone x

Looks like it's going to be another day with heavy showers so a good day to be getting on with stuff!

I have heard from Sarah and she is coming on Saturday!

I am going to pot up some tomato plants this morning and make a start on clearing out a cupboard before going to work at 12.

Hope everyone has a great day.

[supertrouper]

Sarah has added me as a friend on facebook and I have sent her a message. I am not concerned now as I can see she is very active on facebook and she didn't post that often on here during the past three months.

I have my appointment for my 3 month review which is in July but suspect that I will have to have a mammogram and bone density scan before that. I found it hard to believe my Oncologist when she said all those months ago, that it would be a full year before I started to get my life back. I believe her now!

Hope you are all getting in the mood for celebrating on Saturday night!

[rubythursday]

Hi Ladies - dont worry too much about Sarah she is very active on facebook and Pavlina has already posted something on her profile to see if she is going to join us on Saturday night. If anyone else wants to add me on facebook then pm me 🙂 xx

[Guest user]

morning girls
Heather - LGFB is fantastic, I don't wear a lot of make-up but it was great fun for a few hours and met a lot of nice people.

Confirming what everyone else is saying Sarah we would so love to hear from you.

Have just got back from having reflexology and feel so relaxed.

Val pp

[supertrouper]

Heather - I am sorry to say that I did look a little over the top with my make over when I went to the LGFB back in August. I never wear lipstick or rouge so when I caught sight of myself in a window I was quite shocked! I wiped most of it off when I got back to the car! I found the cleansing and moisturising routines very good and I have tried to stick to that.

Only four more sleeps till we meet up. I have put in a friends request on Sarah's facebook - will see if she responds.

Physiotherapy for me this morning - more work done on the cording in my left arm. Still more work to do and have to go back in two weeks. Got my first 3 month review appointment through for July with the breast care nurses. Not sure what happens at those meetings, does anyone know?

Day off "paid" work today - helping at local charity shop this afternoon that raises money for St Catherine's hospice. I really enjoy my three hours there and usually manage to find a bargain buy!

Sun shining here at the moment but dark rain clouds in the sky - Funeral procession left from two houses down from me this morning.

Not the best view out of my bedroom window first thing (9am) in the morning.

[tigerpig]

Annie,
Morroco how lovely,have a fab time iam quite envious.

Just getting ready to leave for my LGFB session,hope i dont come back looking like a drag queen.

Love to you all Heather x

[jiggyjoo]

Hi Jan,

Yes,do p.m. me - would love to hear from you and talk 'France'!

x

[BrainyBlonde]

I am sorry I am not able to meet with you all either. I hope you have a great time. We have a rather poignant anniversary and family gathering on Sunday.

Jiggyjoo - I would love to hear more about your French experience. Do you mind if I pm you about it?

Best wishes
Jan

[jiggyjoo]

Morning everyone,

Just popped in to wish you all a great week-end meet up. I am quite
envious and wish I could have joined up with you all.

Enjoy! x

[kinsse]

morning all

Sarah is on facebook as I've seen her posts and I know Miranda 'speaks' to her on there, I havne't got her as a friend so can't contact her.

[supertrouper]

Hi ladies, hope we hear from Sarah soon. I did some investigations and she hasn't posted onto the forum since March 2nd when she commented on needing heart scans and problems with her liver. Do any of you have any other way of contacting her?

reading this back to myself just now has really bothered me........Sarah, please get in touch soon.

[Guest user]

Annie

Have a lovely time in Morroco. Glad the August ladies were of some help to you with our posting. I am getting quite excited about meeting everyone as we have all shared so much during the last eight months.

xx Ducky

[AnnieK68]

Hi Ladies,

Just popping in to say I hope you have a great weekend at your get together - I think I'm almost excited as you as I'm going to Morocco for a much needed holiday! It was booked in the dark, dark chemo days back in November, when I read your posts about finishing chemo - thanks to you, it gave me faith that there was light at the end of the tunnel!

Have a great time

Axx

[sivam]

Hi Girls,
a hectic weekend,surprise 80 birthday celebration for my lovely brother,could almost feel the presence of my parents and their feeling of pride at such a giant gathering of all their Progeny,I have 2 brothers so the gathering included all children and grandchildren,nephews,nieces and even a great grandchild scattered in there somewhere it was great,enough people to organise a Grand National sweep,didnt win though.Sunday yet another 80 surprise party for daughters MIL complete with Grannogram(a very good male voice choir)it was worth it to see the expression on her face.
Now having eaten and drank so much am definately now on the straight and narrow path of a low carb regime at least till Thurs when we go to Warwick.
ST,I am monitoring my cough it was dreadfull on Zentiva Letrozole,diminished on my gift of 1 month Femara and now on day 6 of Mylan Letrozole and it is still only a shadow of 2 months ago.
Arm movements still a problem much worse when Seroma is tense like now,not due for drainage till end of month,am going to press for a steroid injection into the Seroma.I am longing for a proper prosthesis when I am flat,sick of looking like Mrs Doubtfire and constantly adjusting this softie.
Sarah I do hope you can join us on Saturday,it would be lovely to see the baby of the group who seemed to suffer the most and kept bouncing back,when the gruop gave this giant cry of relief.
Better get back to emptying my house contents into the caravan including my electric blanket and a shed load of nutritional supplements and medication just in case.
Love and Light xxMavis

[supertrouper]

Not heard from Sarah - I have sent her a PM but no reply so far.

Started with a bit of a dry cough this weekend - this would have sent me into a panic when I was on chemo - just annoying me at the moment. Going shopping now so will look for something to ease it.

Only 5 more sleeps until Saturday!!!

[Guest user]

morning ST - did you have any luck contacting Twinkle (Sarah) as I know she intended coming for the meal, she wasn't staying overnight as she lives fairly close. Perhaps she will see this and get in touch.
Val pp

[supertrouper]

Hi Cackles I struggle to take off jumpers too. If you do it the same way (cross arms in front). Also reaching behind my back to fasten my bra. I get the tightness across the chest but not the sensation of my whole body swelling.

Starting a Tesco diet tomorrow. I have signed up for three months and printed out my menu and shopping list for tomorrow. Right now I am munching on cheese and biscuits in bed! Must make sure there are no crumbs before I turn the lights off.

[Cackles]

Comparison time-anybody else have these problems.
I feel as if my arms go up quite well and then I try to take off a tee shirt or jumper. My arms don't seem to function properly they get very sore and caught up. I assume the bilateral mastectomy doesn't help. Both arms are equal in many ways and my reach is improving...I just can't undresss quickly or without discomfort. Doing a bra up at the back is also hard. IS THIS NORMAL?
I also feel as if my whole body swells up sometimes. I get so tight and uncomfortable across the chest.
Another problem is now trigger finger in my left thumb.....I suppose from the letrozole. No steroid needle is going near it, I would rather have surgery or just keep taping it still.
Moaning worries over.
cackles

[supertrouper]

Holding hand up<----
Yes I too have a sore area on my ribs just below my mx scar - I thought it was down to radiation treatments. I still can't get my left arm above my head! Another physiotherapy session booked for Tuesday morning....sometimes I feel that I am permanently damaged goods.

I too think I need to go on a diet before I go on holiday in less than 5 weeks time. My weight dropped after chemotherapy stopped and then gradually returned to how it was before dx and is now a few pounds higher than what I consider my "fighting" weight to be. Easter didn't help so need to get a grip again and do something rather than just eat whatever I fancy!

[Guest user]

Hi Valk - will be interested to hear how you get on with the sainsbury diet. I joined slimming world on wednesday, so its only been a few days. It seems to take a lot of advance planning to make sure you have all the ingredients for the recipes. Did a big shop in sainsbury on thursday thought I had everything I would need. But have had to go out twice for extras.
Val pp

[kinsse]

Hi Ducky

Yes I find my ribs are sore, mentioned it at my check up. I assumed it was from the radiotherapy.

We were in somerset over easter, had a lovely walk up on the Quantocks.

Just been to buy a new set of scales and I've signed up for Sainsburys diets starting today

Looking forward to seeing everyone on saturday

Valk

[Guest user]

Hi Cackles

Yes I think you must have been the only one awake!!!!
Good morning all lovely sunny day in Zummerset. Had nice day yesterday and went on the steam train from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster very lovely.

Off to Wookey Hole caves this afternoon and B B Q this evening trying to show our young french girl around a bit before she goes back on Wednesday. Then I can relax and just wind down for Saturday.

Just a quick medical question which we don't seem to be asking so much lately does anyone still find their ribs are still a bit tender after the radiotheraphy seems to be the one up nearest to the MX scar???????

xxx Ducky

[Cackles]

I have just driven my lovely husband back from a dinner party which contained eight friends of thirty five years. Lots of old photos of the men with hair and women with waists, plus sixties music in the background. Now, as the sober driver (having had coffee plus plus while the rest downed wine and port) I am awake and going slowly loopy. My husband threw an old carbon monoxide monitor out of the car onto the garden, because it was annoying him. (He was changing it for an elderly friend.) It iis bleeping at regular intervals and driving me insane. OH is snoring happily but even that roar doesn't drown out the high pitched regular squeak. Sore head or not, he is going to be sent out at first light to find and de alarm the D ...thing.
I hope I am the only BWF awake.
Zzzz well
Cackles

[slinky]

How great, the time is upon us very soon. Great idea for the group photo... my OH is bringing me and he is going to pick me up on sunday.. ... as for the clothes , i have wadrobe full of clothes from size 6-12. i have gone up two sizes since last july and worried i will put on sone more because Tamoxifen... i have read the thead about it on here ... how is your se's on Tamox
ifen? xx

[Guest user]

Looking forward to a group photo.

xxx Ducky

[supertrouper]

Evening Ladies

I have just come back from a Mind Body and Spirit event in Manchester and am relaxed and peaceful and full of ideas about Taoism that I want to take further!

One week today and we will all be together! I think I have everyone's contact numbers apart from Ruby.

I shall send out the details that I have got very soon by PM in here. I will also follow that up with an individual text message to each of you. Ruby, I don't have your mobile number so if you want to PM it to me I can add it to the rest.

As for what to wear - I think I will be wearing black pants, some kind of top and a jacket. I will be wearing jeans and boots to travel in. I am also bringing my camera and hope to get lots of great photographs.

[rubythursday]

Worked out the hotel Best Western Falstaff right? I have moved my booking there so wont be in a different hotel from you all now 🙂 Ruby.xx

[rubythursday]

Hello Ladies,

Looking forward to our meet up next week - it will only be me coming now, Hubby is going to stay home and look after dogs and chickens.

Looking forward to meeting you all soon in the flesh - well in my case quite a lot of it! Can someone remind me what hotel it is we are meeting in I honestly cant remember and am staying in a different one!

Ruby.xx

[tigerpig]

Cackles- thank god your posting again, not like you not to post regular,have been worried about you,nice to have you back.Heather x

[Cackles]

Evening girls....
.Heather .........what to wear?? Less fat around my body might be best. I cheat and just wear black trousers, jumper and a jacket. My legs and waist don't look good in a dress any more.
Valpp I am yet to dye my hair. I will take great interest in the results your courage has resulted in. I am now use to the old lady look from Monday to Friday, but will perhaps wig up again tonight for a friend's dinner party.
BBB I understand your friend's cheese cutter feeling. Mine is still there after my elective bilateral. It is less sharp now but has its moments
Mavis I am so glad the X-ray was ok. What a rotten worry all this is. Don't stop the essays I like them. We took half the house to Scotland and inevitably brought back two thirds unworn and in need of ironing..,
Slinky we will rate the results of the LGFB on Saturday!!!!
Super trouper how lovely to have a reason to eat chip butties. I can donate the lard if you are short.
Ducky what a wonderful London holiday you have enjoyed.
See you all soon
Cackles

[tigerpig]

Good for you ST.

Have spent alovely day shopping for clothes with my daughter,i have nothing to wear(even though i have a wardrobe full of clothes)Got a few bits and bobs,but have come to the conclusion that i need a new body!!Get it in my head what i want,yet when i try on the said clothes they look nothin like i thought they would.
ST would a black bin bag tied in the middle class as smart but casual?I cant surely be the only one worried about what to wear for our meet up?Mind due after a couple of glasses of plonk i won't care what ive got on.So excited,this time next week!!

Love to you all Heather x

[supertrouper]

Bit annoyed tonight - started watching the Horizon programme about beating cancer and OH made some comments about the costs of the cyber knife and the Da vinci operating system. When I asked what he would rather the tax on his pay and petrol went on he flippantly said that he would rather it was spent on educating his grandchildren. I am sorry to say that I had to spend the next 5 minutes re-assembling the remote control for the tv because I threw it across the room. He thinks I should be "over" this because I am "okay" - but I feel I am looking to the future for all of us. Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to live in the shadow of cancer but I will always have an interest in the break through discoveries that cancer research brings about.

Yes I am probably too tired from being back at work and hypersensitive to anything about cancer. BUT why doesn't he know that?

[Guest user]

evening girls
not long now till 21st. had first hospital appointment today and all is well.HOORAY x million. Next appointment is in 2 months.
I did ask about taking the low dose aspirin that has been talked about in the papers re cancer, but was advised not to as there is still a lot of research to be done before they can give advice on this.

Was very pleased with the way my hair turned out after having it dyed at hairdressers, but now keep looking at it and can see a pinky tinge, hoping it will fade a bit. Also hair is now very curly which I really dislike, but its hair so I must be thankful.
Am feeling so much like my oldself, I think a lot of it is putting all medications in the bin. Also have put the wig away in a drawer so that I dont see it every day when I wake up.
I joined slimming world this week am determined to lose the weight I put on during chemo.

Hope you all have a good week-end.
Valpp