Starting chemo in April 2012

[margietee]

Waving to all the April 2012 chemo bunnies. Almost five years on. Xxxx

[southpool]

I have just posted on the April 2015 thread & thought I'd post here for old times sake. Still all good friends 'speaking' every day in our closed Facebook group & meeting regularly.

S x

[sarabee2012]

It's been a long while since I checked in but we are having our third meet up this weekend after bc and treatment. To those of us on here who didn't move to Facebook am waving my paw at you and sending hugs xxx

[margietee]

Two years ago we were all coming to the end of chemo by this time of the year ... All together still and bunny buddies forever xxx

[southpool]

Thanks Sara12, you have summarised my thoughts exactly. My life is richer for meeting my Bunny friends. Two years ago I was terrified, but having the Bunnies with me every day made things much easier.

S xx

( mods please could you move to the monthly threads section. Thanks)

[sara12]

Just bumping this because I was thinking how scared we all were two years ago and how much this thread helped us through. Most of us have continued to keep in touch through Facebook and occasional meet-ups.  We're all just having our two-year checks and so far we're celebrating that we are all clear.  TBH I'd really rather not have had bc - but if there was a silver lining it was getting to know the funny, wise and feisty women in this group.

[margietee]

Yes definitely agree with you Pixie xxxx I still often think of some of the others who were with us on this journey ... Chrisp1e where are you? Xxx

[pesteringpixie]

Bump - because this was and still is the best thread! Nothing has come close to being this funny 🙂

[margietee]

Hi Ambarose. Looking forward to seeing you on FB. Good luck with your race for life and half marathon. I did the race for life at Guildford - wonderful atmosphere. Eight of our bunny group, including me, did the pink ribbon walk at Blenheim in May - it was truly amazing being together that day and we plan to make it an annual event. So pleased you are feeling better. Love, xxx

[Sameelee3]

Hi Sarah,
So glad to hear that you are well and back at work! That's brilliant. If you are in Cheltenham visiting your daughter and would like to meet for a coffee, you have my number. Take care,
Lee

[southpool]

Hi Ambarose
lovely to see you back & so glad you are feeling better. I am very impressed at you doing a half marathon! We are still all in contact on Facebook in a private group. If you want to join us find me ( the unusual name helps) & I can join you in.
take care
s x

[ambarose]

Hello all,
Just hopped in to say am now recovered from all the anxiety and depression and back at work which is great. So glad to see familiar faces on here and thanks for the waves and hugs etc. Am going to do the Race for Life in Newbuery on July 7th and then the Oxford half marathon in aid of Breast cancer on Oct 13th so if anyone else is doing either let me know and we can meet up!!
Sammelee -thanks for the texts and hope all well with teaching.
Margitee thanks for the waves. It was a real boost as have not been on site since January.

Love to all
Sarah

[margietee]

Waving to Amberose .... xxxx

[margietee]

Hi to anyone checking in here. Thinking of you. Xxx

[margietee]

Just putting this message up for all those people starting out on chemo now. A year ago I sat in the big chair for the first time, full of fear and trepidation. One year on and I am now really feeling like myself again. Still a few ongoing niggles after all that treatment, but I can honestly say I am doing OK.

So all of you just starting out, the end of treatment does become a reality and you CAN do it!

On May 11 a group of us from this thread are doing the Pink Ribbon Walk together. That can be you next year.

Good luck.

Love, margietee

[Sameelee3]

Hello to anyone logging in. April 2012 was a long time ago, but so much happened. I am breathing quietly again after a post mammogram scare; honestly thought I was going to have to go through the whole chemo process again. Thankfully not. But the worry never quite goes away, does it? The hair has grown back thick and glossy, and how interesting to see what my real colour is after all those years of ' nice and easy'. Sadly, its no longer chestnut brown! Life is different; still get down, and tired, but hey, it's better than chemo. Keeping in touch with all my bunny mates is an important part of my week, so am grateful to bcc for their company. Those missing members, you know where we are! Stay strong everyone! And warm thoughts to anyone beginning the ( cant say the J word) trip! Much love, Sameelee3.

[pesteringpixie]

Hopping in to say hello to Ambarose and Big M, can you see my bunny paw waving?
just had my 11th Herceptin and it feels like a really long haul. My heart isn't doing too good with it as my function is down ro 53% so foodness knows how i shall manage rhe 10mile walk in May dor BCC... Sall rely on laughter with the bunnies to get me round.

much love

Pixie

[southpool]

Hi

Am popping in from Mexico to say hi to Big M & Ambarose, but also to bump us up the forum for the new ladies who are starting chemo in April 2013. Can't believe it is a year since Pixie started the thread.

Love & virtual hugs
S x

[margietee]

Hi. I'm just popping in too to say hello to Big M, Ambarose and any others from the old warren who are still visiting here. Hope life is treating you Ok, or as well as it can given the constant worries etc that we all now live with. Can't believe I am now more than a year beyond surgery. This is going to be a big year of anniversaries of things we would rather forget but can't, but as we tick every anniversary off it is another achievement to be proud of. Fight the good fight with all your might .... that's what we've done.

Love to all. MarGietee xx

[libby12]

Just thought I would check in say big Hi to Big M and Ambarose. Hope Big M you are ok, I really enjoyed our evening in Birmingham , I would of text you but unfortunatley lost your number. Sending lots of love. XXXX

[southpool]

Chilling in Wales & wandered back into here. Hope you had a good meet up today & like Lee am thinking of you Ambarose & Big M.

virtual hugs
sx

[Sameelee3]

Went to see my onc yestday, then started googling aromatase inhibitors again, and habit brought me here. Nearly a year since my mx and I feel good! Apart from the 90 year old woman walk in the morning, and the swollen joints, of course! Today a small group of bunnies are meeting for lunch aNd I'm very excited to see them again. The warren was truly a special place and I will always be grateful for the friends I found here. Big M and Ambarose, we all miss you loads, so keep in touch.
Much love
sameelee
X

[Guest user]

Hi all,
Not sure why I'm checking in tonight. Perhaps I was just thinking of the warmth and safety of the warren and to read some of the voices that haven't migrated over to FB.
Loving you all
Vanns x

[Sameelee3]

Hi Sarah, hope you are ok. Text me if youwould like to join us when a few of us bunnies in the area meet up in Feb. would be good to see you.
X

[margietee]

Hi Bunnies

Mary I am so sorry you have to have more surgery but hopefully this will make all the difference to you. I will be thinking of you on Thursday. Let us know how you get on.

Ambarose, good luck with your phased return to work this week. Take it easy! Good to hear from you - hope you got the email I sent to you last week.

Christine (ChrisP1), we've not heard anything from you for ages and ages. Hope all is OK with you up in Glasgow.

Everyone else, bunny wave from me. Life seems very quiet now Christmas/New Year is behind us, but it has to be a case of onwards and upwards from here on in!

Love to all, Margie xxx

[Sameelee3]

Hi Mary, bad news that you need the op, but good news that it is so soon and that hopefully it will be sorted for good! Hope all goes well, and I will try to pop in before again to wish you luck. Hi to Sarah, at last! I was begining to get a bit worried about you, but it sounds as if you are definitely on the mend now. Did you get to go away on your planned holiday? I am starting my phased return tomorrow. in fact, it is so phased that I'm hardly teaching at all next week! I will do a lot of tidying up, I think. Regarding the fluffy face, I had been using depilatory cream, which worked ( used it twice ) but as my skin is hyper sensitive now, I have a nasty rash on my chin, so I wont be doing it again. Will probably go for threading next, but you have to let it get long enough to thread, presumably. Wouldnt it be great to wake up and be worry free!!!
Lots of love to all who still drop by here,
xxxxxx

[GMT]

Hi,
As so few of us were posting, I have joined the Facebook page but I will still look in here from time to time.
ive had a hair cut which does seem to have made my hair a bit more presentable but it feels very coarse as she used the clippers on me at the sides. Lots of frizz ease and all that sort of gunk helps a bit.
i had my furry face waxed last week of November and hardly any has grown back. I met someone who had chemo over a year ago and she too had had the furry face thing. She had hers waxed and it had not grown back. I'm now back to the normal amount I had before.( I think).. It took a while before I took the plunge as everyone ( who didn't have a furry face I may add!) told me it was fine, it was only obvious as my hair was so short, I'd probably always had it etc etc. I knew I hadn't but got sick of arguing and then thought id just give the waxing a go. Sore at first but was pleased with the results. So go for it ( waxing or threading) Sarsh.
So sorry you have got to have another op Mary, I can understand you being well hacked off. I'll be thinking of you next week.
My oh fell down the stairs and broke his wrist on 2nd Jan, so it's my turn to play nurse maid! Having said that he is very good and doesn't make a fuss. In fact I have to stop him doing stuff as doc told him the next 2 weeks are crucial if he is to avoid surgery.
Hope work goes ok for you next week Sarah, but don't push yourself too hard, just do what you can. I see a psychologist once a month and that is proving useful. Her specialism is cancer patients so I feel she gets where I'm coming from.
love to everyone,
Gaynor xxx

[southpool]

Amba that is good news you are feeling better, hopefully you will continue to improve. Before threading my cheeks particularly close to my ears were covered in fine White down, my face really did look furry. Threading got rid of it & has slowed the regrowth significantly so I would definitely recommend.

Big M that is rubbish needing another operation but hopefully it will do the trick & solve the problem. Fingers crossed the surgeon sees you first & you can come home the same day.

Love & virtual hugs
S x

[Guest user]

Hi all that are still logging on.

I went to the surgeon yesterday about the fluid on my back and - hell of hells, I have to have another operation to put it right. It is a general anaesthetic again and is happening next Thursday, just the day my husband goes on holiday for 6 days. My son will have to be in charge which is OK. It is day surgery and the doc has half promised to operate on me first.
Thanks to you Margie for your lovely message and to Vanns Campo and Lee as well. Hope I have not forgotten anyone.
love

Mary

[ambarose]

Hi Bunnies,
I am so sorry not to have been on for ages but I just could not even face reading the posts until today. I have been really depressed and anxious BUT it is improving and after 2 months off work i am now going to try a phased return from next week which I have been told consists of me doing as much or as little as I like.
I do not know why I could not read the forum but I can now so thank you to everyone for sending me good vibes etc and wishes.
Sammellee- thank you for the meet up in Cheltenham and glad to hear your surgery went well.
I wish you all a much better 2013 and will drop in from time to time. I hope the worst is behind me now. My GP has been great-hardly saw him when I was on chemo or rads but I see him a lot now!!!. Realy good book given to me by my daughter was the Cancer Survivors Companion.
Southpool- I too have a very furry face all down my cheeks-would that be suitable for threading?. Also I too have curly grey hair at the back and which is so thick on top it looks like coconut matting. In fact there is hair everywhere!!!
If I could get my wig on top of this i might be tempted to wear it!
Love and Hugs
Sarah

[Sameelee3]

Hi Big M , good to hear from you ... But I am so sorry that you are still having issues with your recon. I do think you will need to be more assertive with them... You shouldn't have to put up with the blood build up after everything else you have been through. You should be feeling more positive and in control, but this is holding you back and is unacceptable. Sorry, I went off on one a bit, but we have all been through so much horrible stuff, and you need a break! I do hope you get some answers.
I sighed when I read GMT's post. Yes, I too have pubic hair on my head. Not a good look just as I am about to go back to work. I blow the drier on to it while it's wet, and that helps straighten it a bit, but the back is really curly. I haven't had a proper cut yet, not sure it will help! Xxxxxx

[margietee]

Big M, GMT, great to hear from you both ... and where is Ambarose? Will contact you all separately over the next few days.

Calyco, welcome to the forum. We April bunnies have had a great time getting to know each other via the forum, but we have pretty well all moved on from it now for one reason or another. Some of us dip back in occasionally but I fear you won't get the full support you need from such sporadic postings. I hate to say this, but you might be better off taking a look at the May Buddies. They seem a great group and still seem to be posting a lot on here.

I may be jumping the gun here and you may find a whole stream of April Bunnies suddenly posting again, but whatever happens, I hope you get the support you need and send you very best wishes, hugs etc. I'm not on herceptin or I would keep in contact.

Love, Margieteexx

[Guest user]

Big M BIG WAVE to you - glad to see you back in the warren. I am going to send you a pm. Sorry to hear that you are still having bother with the fluid on your back - what a nightmare hope they get it sorted soon.

GMT I am with you when it comes to hair. I have got bl...............dy curls! I have always had straight hair - no wave at all and now I have got curls - what next! Hoping once the hair is longer it will straighten itself out.

Calyco - welcome to the Warren. I am not on Herceptin but I am sure the other bunnies who are also on it will give you feed back. This forum has been a life line for all of us and I hope you will find this too.

Hugs & kisses to all those not mentioned.

Love you all

Hilary xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Calyco]

I started my chemo in April 2012 but have only just discovered this thread. Hope I can still join in! I started herceptin treatment recently so would love to hear how those of you having the same treatment are coping. It really seems to slow me down and makes everything such an effort for the first few days.
Am worried about how I'm going to lose weight when I can't exercise much. I'm also struggling with a Hickman Line. I wish I'd had the brain to ask if I could have paid to have a Portacath as they seem easier to deal with.
I'm struggling to cope with the thought of 11 more months of treatment but as my treatment started 11 months ago I suppose I can say I'm half way through. At least what's to come shouldn't be as bad as the chemo.
Reading through other comments on the forum the herceptin treatment seems to get tougher as the cumulative effects build up. Luckily I don't seem to have the runny nose problem yet!
Would love to hear how others are getting on.
Calyco

[GMT]

Happy New Year to everyone, here's to a happier healthier 2013.
Having first hair trim tomorrow, I HATE MY HAIR! My hair before chemo was fairly wavy , curly that I straightened with blow drying and straighteners. My biggest fear that it would come back like grey pubic hair. Well I can tell you my worst fears have been realised, bad old lady perm doesnt come into it! My hair is as much a trial to me as when I was bald, in fact after chemo 4 I embraced my baldness. I can see I will have to live with v short hair for ever as I can't imagine what it will look like at 2 or 3 inches. Oh well I suppose I should be grateful I've got some!
Enough moaning, sorry you are still having problems Mary and I hope all is fine for you next week Libby.
love to everyone,
Gaynor xxx

[libby12]

Hi Mary good to hear from you and so sorry that you are still having problems, that must really get you down. Well I have a check up with my breast surgeon next week which I am dreading, still think they will find somthing else also have to have another mam. Anyway just hope all is ok. Love to Sammlee also hope 2013 is great for you. Lots of hugs Elainexxxx

[Guest user]

Hi everyone
We are certainly sparse these days! I am sure it is a good sign.

I still have awful problems with the aching reconstruction even though it has been in place now for ten months. Also the build-up of blood in my lower back on the surgery side. It has been drained three times but still keeps coming back. They do not seem to have a solution for me long term.

I will go back next week and be a bit more demanding as this is not a good way to be.

Have a great new year one and all and I wish you a healthy and peaceful 2013"

Love

Mary

[Sameelee3]

Well, all over for another year! Just want to say hi to anyone who visits here. FeeliNg much more normal, now. Well, the new normal....ie without any oestrogen in my body! Which is a bit different from the old one. Now on calcium because of thinning bones, very dry skin, aching joints, stiffness etc. But I am still here! With a new boob.
Missing all the old bunnies.....You know who you are! Take Care, stay well, and drop in every so often to update us all.
Much love, Sameelee.
Xxx

[sarabee2012]

Wishing all bunnies a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful day.
Hugs
Sarabee xxx

[margietee]

Thanks GMT. Been thinking of you. Will be in contact properly after Christmas.

Have a lovely Christmas bunnies, one and all, whateVer you are doing. What a long way we have all come. Lets all give thanks for that. Thinking of those poor people who are either getting diagnosis around now or who are undergoing chemotherapy now and suffering the effects over Christmas. Remember, there is life beyond Chemo, rads etc.

lots of love, Margie xxxxx

[GMT]

Happy Christmas everyone and here's to a happier and healthier New Year for us all.
Thank you for all support,
lots of love
Gaynor xxxxx

[southpool]

Just a quick post to wish all you fabulous bunnies a lovely Christmas & all the best for a great 2013. Thank you all for your love & support over the last 8 months.

Love & virtual hugs
S x

[Guest user]

Hi all, just checking in and hoping we are all ticking along.
Love to anyone who is down xx

[sarabee2012]

Feeling terrible today with the sweats and a headache that's lasted all day. I definitely feel more weak than I used! Hope everyone else is ok. Hugs Sarabee xxx

[Sameelee3]

Hi everyone, the thread is a bit sparse these days.....Am taking it as a sign that many of us are leading busy lives and no longer needing the support. If that 's not the case, keep posting bunnies, we are still here foryou. Evidence of my pathetic immune system: went in to school on Friday for the first time in a year, really, and now have a head cold! Great! Has anyone else found that they are more susceptible? In a way, it's good: need to build up some resistance, I suppose, and not too close to Christmas to stop me being able to taste food!
Breast recon has gone ok. Except that the new one is significantly bigger than the other one: fuller and higher, so I look lop sided. It doesn't bother me really, and I know it was bound to look different, but without a bra on, it looks odd. My surgeon said I can have the other breast lifted if I Woudl like to, but I am also considering prophylactic surgery on this side, so will wait a while to decide. It's a slow process all this isn't it?
Hope you are all having restful or busy weekends as required! Love , Sameelee. x

[southpool]

Hi Bunnies

Sarabee I will be seen by my onc every six months so have an appointment for Feb already. Will see the surgeon annually after a mammogram ( fat lot of use that is to me but hey ho), but am also seeing him about my risk reducing surgery. I was signed off by the radiotheraphy onc yesterday - woo hoo!

Update for angora bunnies - threading is fabulous. After getting my furry face threaded 4 weeks ago the regrowth was much finer & yesterday had it done again & it was much less painful. It definitely works much better than using cream. I went to Blink in Harvey Nicholls but there are equivalent brow bars in Debenham stores usually next to the Nails Inc section.

Thinking of all the bunnies down & hoping you are ok.

Now off into Liverpool Xmas shopping, suspect I need my head testing, but has to be done.

Love & virtual hugs.
S x

[libby12]

Hi Sarabee I am also seeing Surgeon in January then I think I am due to have a mammogram after that, which I am not looking forward to. I will be seen quite regulary as I am also on a trial.As Margie says it does depend on were you live. Have a good day Elainexx

[margietee]

Hi Sarabee

All my bc follow up is done by the surgeon and his team. I have an appt scheduled for March 8th and apparently will be called for a mammogram a couple of weeks before. I do see the oncology team every three months, but this is because of the clinical trial I'm on and not regular follow up - I'm seeing them next week for my first 3 month check up since starting the trial (REACT trial, same as GMT). As with everything else it seems it varies wherever you are.

Love, Margie xxx

[Guest user]

Hi Sarabee2012 Glad to hear that all went well at the Surgeon appointment. I am back to the surgeon next June as a follow up and discussion on reconstruction.

Big M big wave to you - please, please get in touch. Sara12 Big wave to you also.

Hugs & Kisses to all.

Hilary xxxx

[sarabee2012]

Hello all! Just back from my check up with the surgeon and all fine. Scarring is healing ok and nothing untoward mentioned but have got to go for a further check up in 6 months. Is anyone else seeing their surgeon still?
Hope everyone is well and hugs
Sarabee xxx