Starting chemo in June

[Guest user]

Hi - Got pathology results today , got clear margins , tumour was down to 8cm from 10cm with 9 out of 24 nodes with evidence of cancer, however tumour resembled a sponge with chemo holes in it...so the best news i could have hoped for ... i had prepared for worse ..:(

However i asked him his opinion on the fact that i had got the all clear the year before , to the point i was dismissed as being a touch paranoid . On examination of my notes etc and consultation with another consultant he told me straight out that i had a 3cm cancerous tumour in Jan 2010 in his opinion. Every gut instinct had told me then i had cancer and they dismissed me . He is going to fight it for me.......

Sandytoes - Firstly jealous much as i have no eyebrows etc.... I am sending u the most genuine Lorna hugs and cuddles and admiration ... u are human and we all have these wobbles ,U have had a hellava journey,x i cried the whole of Sunday as i had convinced myself i would be getting bad news. This shit is a bitch and we do not deserve it , who does , i have realised i am not unique and that it actually CAN HAPPEN TO ME , it sucks . I was having a wobble last week and i bubbled to my OH that i almost wished i had been a bitch and said what i thought about folk , as being what i term "good" ob doesn't matter as i still got cancer.

Away to try and sleep....totally hyper xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi Sandytoes

Sorry to hear you are having a bad time at the moment - I do know what you mean about being given info in bits and drabs, I have always found that my surgeon has given me a more optimistic view as opposed to my ONC (a lovely man but always seeming to be giving me bad news).

It probably is the fact that you have been at home without family distractions that has given you time to mull things over, and I think sometimes the enormity of it all just gets a bit too much to cope with. As worthks says tomorrow is another day and I would say think of some more treats to add to your list!!

xxx

[Guest user]

PS Katie - you had immediate recon didn't you? What type did you have? I know that recons can be affected by the rads and am really concerned as really happy with mine at the moment!!

[Guest user]

Thanks Katie,

It's such a rollercoaster isn't it? I feel so positive and strong most of the time and then have monumental meltdowns!! There have been alot of tears today. But tomorrow I will probably feel absolutely fine.

I also had periods all the way through chemo until my last one which didn't turn up and then started getting the dreaded hot flushes too. My oncologist is sending through my Tamoxifen prescription this week so they'll probably get worse. Gulp! Although the sooner I start the sooner I'll finish it is the way I'm looking at it!

Vascular invasion is when the tumour has developed its own little blood supply which means the cells can escape into your blood system and escape round your body. My nurse told me it meant a worse prognosis than lymph node involvment when she was making me feel better that I had positive nodes...but is now backtracking over that!!

My hair is very thin!! I have to wear half head scarves as I'm really grey on top (have a patch of greys - but in the most obvious area! So annoying!) and my hair's so thin - but still have fringe poking out the front and curls out the back and sides, so I'm hoping it looks like a headwear choice...! Well, maybe the lack of eyebrows and eyelashes gave me more of a cancer look - but so pleased they are returning. I've been using Nioxin (as apparently it's what Kylie used..!) and usual hair serum etc again but haven't got the GHDs or hairdryer out yet. Can't wait until I have enough hair growth to dye it and also to have a proper style! I've been looking at a programme called "hair in recovery" that do subsidised hair extensions for chemo patients. Might work to thicken my hair out a bit...but then I probably can't be bothered with the upkeep! I'm a bit of a tomboy at heart and prefer to be as low maintenance as possible! How was yours by the end?

Good luck with the rads! I'll let you know how the Tamoxifen goes and you let us know any tips for rads.

And not long until your holiday!! That is VERY exciting. We've booked a few trips for next year and I can't wait! This year has been cr*p!

x

[worthks]

Oh Sandytoes, I so know how you feel and can only send you bug hugs.
I was also told at first after my biopsy it was DCIS and no cancer but needed a masectomy as it was pre cancerous. Had the op, got the path results to be told it was breast cancer and needed chemo but no rads as tumour was not close enough to chest wall. Then my onc advsed me to have rads due to lymph node incolvement, stage 3, size of lump (5cm). I think because of our age, the docs just didnt think it was the worse case scenario at first??
Nothing wrong with having a good cry and letting it all out. Tomorrow is another day and you have got the worst part out the way now.
Whats vascular invasion as thats never been mentioned to me?
You must try and think of all the positives - the monsters are now gone, rads will be a precaution to stop them ever returning and you are on herceptin to ensure this too. I am on tamoxifen but dont start till after rads. Have your periods completely stopped as I have continued to have mine until last chemo seemed to stop them completelty.
There is so much you can do nowadays regarding fertility - I lost 4 babies before I got my 2 gorgeous girls and I also thought I would never have kids but miracles do happen.
Hows your hair doing? are you using products on your hair yet or ghds?
I start rads tomorrow - feeling a bit nervous but want to get on with it now.
anyone got any advise for me for tomorrow? creams etc?
Love to you all
kate x

[Guest user]

Hi Katie, I'm doing OK - arm where I had the full clearance is still really sore and I had temporary expanders put in behind my muscles, so that's sore too. But getting there. When do you start your rads?

Lorna - you OK? Thanks for your reply about being weak and knackered. I just can't believe how quickly I get out of breath. It's embarrassing!

Pam - hope you've managed to have a nice few days before hospital tomorrow and on Thurs. Will be thinking about you. It's not nearly as bad as chemo!!

Are any of the June ladies going to be taking Tamoxifen? If so, when do you start...?

I'm having a bit of a wobble at the moment - mainly down to the way that my hospital team have dealt with me. At the initial diagnosis I was told I had a small lump, no vascular invasion and no lymph node involvment (there were enlarged nodes on the ultrasound but they said they were probably down to an infection...?!). I was told this was all really positive as lymph node involvement meant a worse prognosis and vascular invasion also meant a worse prognosis and that I would just need surgery and radiotherapy. Since then the bad news has come in dribs and drabs. It wasn't until I swapped surgeons that I found out I had 3 lumps, the biggest being about 9cm. Then I had an ultrasound on my lymph nodes to find out they were cancerous. So chemo would be on the cards and a 75% chance I would be left infertile. At this point my BCN told me that at least I didn't have vascular invasion. Guess what? My path report following surgery says I do have vascular invasion. I just wish they'd been honest and upfront with me at the start as each time I get more bad news I get really upset and scared again because the "positives" that they gave me that I've been clinging on to then turn out not to be the case. I mean, why tell someone who's tested positive for cancer and has enlarged lymph nodes that it's probably nothing?? Better to at least prepare them that it could be cancerous, but that's what chemo's for!

Grrrr....

Anyway - it makes no difference to what was in there from the start and how we deal with it - there have just been so many ups and downs. I think it's worse as I've been staying with family since my operation and today was my first day at home on my own and I've spent most of it in tears.

Eyebrows and eyelashes coming on in leaps and bounds though. Have booked myself in for an eyebrow-shape and eyelash tint in a couple of weeks time. I usually pluck my eyebrows myself, but thought I would treat myself - and probably get a better result. Has anyone heard anything about not dying eyelashes after chemo like you're not meant to dye head hair...?

x

[worthks]

Hi all,
Lorna and sandy toes, how r u recovering. This week should be when u start to get back to normal.r your surgeons happy with how it all went.
Nooshka I was so relieved when you posted your post. Everything you said about your legs and arms is what I have. I can't walk up the stairs or do the simplest of things without it hurting. I can't remember the last time I held my baby without being in pain. I feel so frustrated as I start rads on weds and thought I would be feeling fine by now.
Thanks for the response Jane, so helpful to know it will go. I don't need a walking stick it's more when I walk up stairs or bend down or lift up it's painful. I guess we just grit our teeth an bare it then.
Pinkypam good luck for Thursday.
Lots of love to everyone
Katie x

[Guest user]

God lorna you could be describing myself at the moment.I hate the way i feel sometimes and before it was easy to blame it on the drugs but now i have to admit it is just me.Will have to think about perhaps doing something about it soon before everyone moves out but like yourself am not really into sharing my emotions especially as that was my job for twenty years so i feel i should be able to help myself. I even struggle to remember what life was like before BC and cant remember what it feels like to be confident only angry and sometimes bitter and often sad but doing my best to hide it all.Pam

[Guest user]

I soo know what u mean about our feelings. If i am not all happy chappy i get asked "whats wrong with u" ? FFS , i can't be singing bloody KUM BA YAH and clapping my hands all the time....wee exagiration there.lol

I am fine then out of the blue i am a bitch to my OH , then im crying . I sometimes think i need to speak to some one but it is really not in my nature , i can normally cope with stuff , saying that never had invasive BC before ??
When i am ok(which is most of the time ) i speak to friends and want them to visit etc , but when i am down i tend to put folk off as i take it i dont want them to see me as weak. Its crazy. People see me as this strong and funny person who simply copes ..... if only they knew what goes on in my head at times...

But Hey Ho and on we go ..

The best of luck ( u wont need it ) on Thurs .

xxxx

[Guest user]

Cheers lorna
Op is on thursday in on wednesday for pre op checks.I have totally tried to put it out of my mind but forced to think about it as have to get things ready.Have also found myself feeling very angry at everyone at the mommenr.Dont know if its the stress of the op or something deeper that needs talked about perhaps thru counselling but it must be dealt with and banished.Will see how i feel after op.Glad you are feeling good and good luck with surgeon tommorow pam

[Guest user]

Pam the thought of the op was worse than the reality , i think i am doing well , will see when i see my surgeon tomorrow.

When is yours?

xx

[Guest user]

Hi girls
Not much happening here but i have had much more energy and have managed to do much more with the kids on their school holidays.Also hubby whisked me away to old course hotel in st andrews for a pre op break.It was great to chill out but all the eating and drinking has negsated my weight loss so back to counting points tomorrow.
Have put off thinking about op but woke up this morning in a bit of a panic about it all but as there is nothing i can do about it i suppose will just have to suck it up and get on with it.
Lorna and sandytoes- how are you tboth doing.hope you are both recovering well.
Everyone else due chemo this week good luck and trust me it is now 4 weeks since my final chemo and i feel great so things do get better .
Pam

[Guest user]

The title changes when I logged in, so I look like a spy.
Ninja. I'm starting rads this week, and the supraclavicular whasnames are being blasted too. Mine are still in place after anc. I'll let you know how it goes along, of you like? x

[Guest user]

Thank you so much for that, I really appreciate it. I will try a bit more patience.... This too will pass!! Aaahhhh x

[Alto]

Hi Nooshka,

Yes, I had exactly what you describe. It's sometimes referred to as Taxotere induced myopathy - i.e. muscle weakness caused by the Tax. Unfortunately it affects a small percentage of us (about 5% I believe) really badly. I could barely get up stairs and my arms ached dreadfully when I tried to type and I couldn't peel potatoes 🙂

I had it after each Tax dose. Not too bad with the first (although I had serious bone aches as well as I had Neulasta) but it got worse each time and by the third was crippling. I also had really serious fluid retention in my lower body caused largely by the steroids.

I had my last Tax on May 4th. After that dose I had to get myself a walking stick (constantly switching which side I used it on as my arms ached so much!). The combination of myopathy and fluid retention made it almost impossible to walk and I seriously considered applying for a blue badge as I couldn't do anything if I had to walk any distance.

I started rads at the beginning of June and by about the third week I didn't need the stick any more.

I finished rads on the 28th of June. Four weeks after that (late July, about 8 weeks after the end of chemo), we went on holiday to Les Deux Alpes. I was by no means back to what I would consider my normal fitness but I did loads of swimming and managed several walks of about three hours each, riding up the mountain on a ski lift or gondola and walking down with the aid of walking poles. I got out of breath quickly and my ankles were swollen by the end of the day but I was astonished by how much I could do. My husband was flabbergasted, considering what I'd been like only a few weeks before!

A few weeks after chemo I was really worried that the fluid and weakness would never go, but they did - it just took longer than I expected.

I now feel pretty much normal, although I still get tired more quickly than previously.

Keep your feet raised up high as much as you can, get yourself a stick if you need it and give it time. It WILL sort itself out!

Jane xxx

[Guest user]

Hello June Ladies,

Sorry to 'butt in' .... I started chemo at the same time as most of you and posted a couple of things at the start of my 'journey' but haven't posted since, I do however, read your chat often and it keeps me amused and almost sane!

I have a question, and I'm wondering if anyone can help. I am just over 3 weeks after last tax ( I had 3 FEC 3 tax) and I am in pain! My muscles in my legs and arms are aching and have been since last tax, I feel like I have run a marathon the day before, everyday. I know everyone talks about chemo fatigue but I am not tired, my arm s and legs hurt every time I move, and my muscles are so stiff. I was a fit, 38 yr old on dx and now I would lose a race with my 90 yr old great granny! I literally struggle to tie my shoe laces because I can't reach my feet!

I know you all have various horrible things going on with your bodies, but has anyone else had this kind of pain? I went to see my GP, ( couldn't face another hospital trip) and he looked at me and said you've just finished chemo what do you expect.... I wanted to shout, I know I finished bl###y chemo but I can hardly move, please tell me when it goes away!

Any support much appreciated xxx
Nooshka

[Ninja]

Lymph node removal (ANC) comes in three flavours; level 1, 2 and 3.

Level 1 is just in the axilla.
level 2 includes (I think) the ones round the pectoral muscles.

I had level 3 which means the axillary ones, then the ones in the pectoral muscles and the next layer just above somewhere.

They would have preferred to take out the nodes under my clavicle and in my neck, too but it would have been difficult and mutilating, so I'll have extra rads pointed at those instead.

Rexi - I had not heard of seromas a month ago!

My arm is still swollen but they say it is post-op swelling and temporary. Once the lymph vessels left behind get trained up to carry the fluid that the nodes removed used to store, it should go down.

They found 7 recognisable nodes in me, Rexi, and a mass of fibrous tissue that used to be nodes that had dead cancer cells in them. Of the 7, one had a 0.5mm tumour and the other 6 were clear.

But the branches of lymph nodes are not in a strict hierarchy, therefore they cannot be confident that the ones higher up from those 6 nodes are clear.

[Guest user]

Hi BB!

The bit of fatty tissue I refered to is in the armpit round to the chest just under your muscle but still close to the armpit. You have more nodes under your chest wall and under your collar bone, but these aren't normally part of a full axillary clearance.

This is how my surgeon explained it to me anyway! on my report it describes the dimensions of the bit of tissue they took out containing my lymph nodes - 10cm long.

X

[Guest user]

Hi Rexi!!

So last chemo in a couple of weeks? YEAH!

Yes, complete pathological response is when all of the cancer cells are dead. Was just hoping and knew it wasn't likely! And I know it's great compared to what I had at the start!

The number of lymph nodes in a full clearance varies from person to person. I think they just whip out the bit of fatty tissue that they sit in. It can be anything from 8ish up to late 20s I think. They then check each node and will report how many still have cancer and also if there was scarring in any of the other nodes (ie evidence that there was cancer that is now gone).

Don't worry - op much easier than chemo. The clearance arm is a bit painful and stiff, but you have to do these exercises so you get it fully functioning before you can have rads. I've also had expandable implants put behind my chest muscles, so that's a bit sore - but ok.

X

[BerthaB]

hi girls,

Also following your discussions on Surgery I am in on 1st Dec for mine. Same questions as Rexi and more.

One main question .. in addition to the removel of the Monster I am in for full node clearance. What does this mean exactly every lymph node you have or just the ones in the chest or just the ones on the right where I have the Monster... should have asked the surgeon but already asked 29 questions and this was not on the list till afterwards.

Final Chemo on the 27th next week.. can't wait...
BerthaB.

[Rexi]

Sandytoes, lorna and ninja,
Its a bit futuristic for me ( op in about 6 weeks), but uberinteresting to follow your post op discussions. I did not even know that something called seroma exists. I hope I wont get one either. Sounds scary and painful.
Ninja, has your arm stopped swelling after the draining?

Sandytoes, shrinkage down to 2cm is great! Considering it didn't show up during chemo, the result is so much better, right? It also proves that although the ultrasound doesn't show shrinkage, it still happens!
What do you mean with complete pathological response? Does that mean- no bad cells in sight?

Do they check each node they take out? How many nodes do they take? Sandytoes - 14. Lorna, ninja? Is the recovery worse with more nodes removed?

Lorna, things will get better. Soon you ll be plucking away extra eyebrows, wishing some were invisible 🙂

Am coming out of tax3 - day5. I have slept ridiculous amounts this time, and feeling better for it - deffo took the easy route this week and did not try to push myself, just sat back, slept and let them ( hubby, children, au pair ) get on with it. Deffo better than the last two - although I have now been inside the house for 3 consecutive days - but -- who cares? I ll be out tomorrow, the day after, ... No rush 🙂

[Guest user]

Relax , i too still get very breathless with any exertion, we are hoping for too much too soon .x

I would say that was a fantastic responce !!! U done good girl , remember where u were at the beginning , massive reduction . I hope i get a similar result .

I have no visible eyebrows but can feel short eyelashes. I can truly say i look the worst now , things can only get better from here .

I have ran out of tramadol so hope this pain dies down overnight as dont think paracetomol will cut it ....eeeeek. I may have to resort to brandy.....lol

xxx

[Ninja]

"part of me was hoping I'd have a complete patholological response..."

My Oncy said that would be very rare.

I've been drained and it all feels much better now; still tight but not so stretched.

My brows re-appeared all at once a week ago - had to pluck them!

I'm getting tired very, very easily.

[Guest user]

Hi Lorna,

Not sure as my skin's not hard, but pain getting sorer. I saw my surgeon yesterday who said that it's normal for the pain to get worse about a week later and peak on day 14 and then get better. Something to do with the healing process. I'd been a bit smug at the beginning as was able to do all of the exercises no problem and had no pain at all - but struggling with alot of the exercises now.

Got my path report yesterday - lump had shrunk to 2cm and only 1 of 14 nodes showing live cancer cells (so good job I went for full clearance in the end). Not sure how good that is.... I was a bit teary even though it's shrunk loads. I guess part of me was hoping I'd have a complete patholological response...

On the upside, I think some of my eyebrows are making an appearance!

Also - Lorna, do you get out of breath easily? I get so out of breath just walking upstairs. My husband keeps pointing out that I've been through 4 months of chemo and just had major surgery - but of course I've convinced myself that it's something much more sinister.

x

[Guest user]

Sandytoes- Hope all went well with surgeon ,

Pain across MX seems to be going backwards , brick hard skin and arm really sore. Do u think this is normal , only 8 days post op . I am trying to do exercises but can;t do them all . I expected to be bouncing by now , hopefully will be soon ...

🙂

[Guest user]

Lorna, my pain is getting worse too. Doesn't sound quite as bad as yours, but also have a feeling of sunburn rubbing against clothes - even when I'm not wearing any. I was feeling a bit cocky at first - was doing the exercises with no problems and apart from a bit of numbness had no pain. HOWEVER, when they kick you out of hospital and give you paracetamol instead of morphone the exercises suddenly became a bit more difficult.

Am seeing my surgeon this evening so will get her to have a prod around and also to let me know if the pain is normal. Bit worried about having dressings off and also finding out results of my path report. Might also have the fluid drained. I didn't have drains in so have quite alot of fluid - enough to fill a C cup bra and it feels quite soft and bosomy so will miss it when it goes...!!

I'm onto week 2 exercises now (get me!) not as easy as week 1...

x

[Ninja]

I just use Body Shop butter as it's what I've got in to moisturise after a shower.

Apart from the ever-growing seroma and arm swelling (which is not an insubstantial problem), I'm feeling better each day.

[Guest user]

Thanx Ninja - I will try massaging gently - Do u use anything in particular .

It has been like a comedy sketch trying to get showered and dressed today ....... "things can only get better " TUNE !!!!!

XXX

[Ninja]

Lorna:"the most horrendous kinda nerve pains shooting down my arm. Really took my breath away. Do u think this is the nerves knitting together ? Scar and under arm are brick hard and numb , no redness etc so no infection. Slightly swollen"

I asked the same question about those nerve shooting feelings and was told that it is not them healing, but simply complaining about being cut during surgery.
They DO stop! The worst ones lasted only a short time. The 100 wasps feeling also lessens. Moisturised massaging really helps.

The numbness may be permanent, sadly, but I believe that it can improve over time.

My arm is also swollen and getting worse...grrr

[Guest user]

Hi- Woke up this morning , tried to get up and had the most horrendous kinda nerve pains shooting down my arm. Really took my breath away. Do u think this is the nerves knitting together ? Scar and under arm are brick hard and numb , no redness etc so no infection. Slightly swollen , mmm start of a seroma?? when is it usual to develop one post surgery ...
Arm is not as mobile and scared to do exercises , will wait till painkillers have built up .
I was hoping to venture into that big wide world today as well......i believe there is people who do that , lol. It feels like i have been indoors for a lifetime .

Oh happy days ...xxx

[supertrouper]

Hi everyone - back to normal here. Actually managed to get out and do some shopping! Good six hours sleep last night and woke up feeling great. Still fell asleep on the sofa this afternoon for an hour but managed some washing, shopping, and listed stuff on ebay to try and tweak our struggling finances.

I am following everyone's post op posts. I will be there in December and like to know what to expect. Hope everyone continues to improve.

[Ninja]

Hi Folks, glad to hear how well folk are doing. My armpit is getting better in leaps and bounds and doesn't look quite as 'excavated' as it seemed at the beginning but it's still as numb as Numb Jack McNumb.

My seroma is huuuge and feels like all my stitches will burst. Seeing surgeon on Friday...

[Guest user]

Hiya - My bingo wings are throbbing , across scar is a bit swollen , ademitis i think. More achey today than yesterday, i just keep taking the tablets!!! No seroma though , so all good . Scared to take the tape off at the scar as i feel like it's holding me together...

On the whole i have been suprised at how straight forward it's been , hopefully stays that way. I see surgeon next Tuesday

xxx

[Guest user]

Lorna - how's the armpit now? OK? Mine's sore - but OK. Go back to see my surgeon tomorrow.

Did you lose all of your eyelashes and eyebrows? And have they started growing back yet? I have nada. Keep checking daily!! And have been using Rapidlash and Revitalash.

x

[supertrouper]

I too am on day 7 post TAX #2 with another 2 to go. Side effects haven't been as bad as they were with TAX #1 but still suffered from aches, pains, numb patches, furry mouth, tingly fingers and sore feet. Seem to be climbing out of the pit now. 14 days until chemo 7/8 and light at the end of the tunnel!

[Guest user]

Lindylou - Imagine ....never again !!!! Its 5 weeks since my last tax and i feel like me again , its a distant memory .

Well i have a bra on today with the softie they gave me and i look normal, u wouldn't know which one is missing , so onwards and upwards .

Lorna xxx

[Guest user]

Day 7 Last Tax - Rubbish weekend, been in bed for most of it with aches, pains, numb face, furry mouth, tears, tingly fingers and toes and general ugh..... (well i don't need to tell you all). Sorry fed up and wishing the days away. Soooooooooooo glad it was the last one, wishing now I had a break before my rads start but the're starting on exactly the same day my chemo would have been due......

Sandytoes and Lorna - pleased to hear you are both bearing up well and in good spirits.

BerthaB - glad you enjoyed the wedding..... Nothing better than a good old belly laugh, that is definitey worth the aches for afterwards.

Anyone planning a big New Years Eve party? I can't wait to say goodbye to 2011 ..

Xx

[Guest user]

Ho Girls - Home and well , sorest bit is axilla pain , but even that is ok with the meds, must do the exercises . The scar looks like a man boob as he has left enough skin for the reconstruction , lovely .... but gremlin has been eliminated !!!!

Another bit over

xxxxxx

[BerthaB]

Hi Girls.

Lorna. Glad to hear your op went well on Friday and hope your out and recovering at home now.

Rexi Excellent news for you !!!

Went to my counsins wedding this weekend.... had a great time. Wilma the wig was worn throughout the weekend and I was treated like a "normal" person for a bit...felt good....

Painfull peeling feet were forgotten with some help of some pain stuff and the speaches were so funny had some "too much laughing pain" ... lovely pain to have..

Hugs,
J.

[Guest user]

Ha!! That must have been a fun dream, Lorna. Glad you're ok. I'm popping the painkillers too. No pain. Just feel like I've got a clamp around my chest.

Have you been doing your exercises??

X

[Guest user]

Lorna - great to hear you are well.How long will you be in for?Look after yourself you too Sandytoes .Thinking of you both .pam

[Guest user]

Hi guys I am feeling really well. I keep taking all painkillers offered though, so feel great. Sandy glad u are well too!!!!! Rexi amazing news, u must be pleased. Hoya to everyone else. When I woke up from op I told staff I had just won the x factor.....pmsl. They were all in stitches at me

See ya xxxxxxx

[Guest user]

I opted to stay in tonight, but am being discharged in the morning. So 2 nights for me.

Weird looking at my boobs though... But glad it's all out.

Hope Lorna's OK. No word on here or on Facebook yet.

X

[worthks]

such amazing news rexi, couldnt ask for better news at this stage, over the moon for you.

sandytoes, hope you are ok. i was in for 4 nights and so i am guessing you are still there. i found the nights the hardest to sleep and couldnt lay on either side, so ask for sleeping pills if you can.

Lorna, I am thinking of you too and hope you are as comfortable as possible.

I was up and about and more or less back to normal after a couple of weeks so your both be fine very soon!
so I am day 8 of my last tax and have to admit still so achy, sore and breathless - my legs just dont belong to me - someone tell me when i will be back to my normal energetic 31 yr old self running after my kids and not having to stop to get my breath back every 2 minutes!!

lots of love to you all
katie x

[Guest user]

WOW Rexi !! I bet you were gobsmacked .... That is such great news :-). Well done you.

Full lymph node clearance has been a pain (literally) for me and still having physio, but will get there, just been too impatient I think.

If you are able to drink Rexi, have a large glass for me - can't stop smiling for you 🙂

Xx

[Rexi]

Sandytoes - hope you have been given some proper food by now. So glad its gone well! No drains - that must mean its all gone swimmingly? How long do you have to stay in hospital for? Are you already up and walking? Drugged up and no pain?

Lorna - thinking of you today!

Pinkypam - i shaved my head weekly till about i started Tax. Not since and my hair is growing evenly back. the first week or so it seemed quite zitty and maybe a bit itchy - i suppose it was the hair coming through, but that stopped and now if have an even salt&pepper fur on my head. strange - i am getting hot now under the wig and buffs - sort of like an insulation layer.

BB - what decision needs to be done regarding your op?

Supertrouper - Tum to Tit - probably a huge operation - but on the other side - free tummy tuck!! sounds like the silver lining..

I had a surgeon appointment yesterday and they did another ultrasound ( every 2 chemos). They found the metal marker they put in after the 2nd chemo, but they could no longer find the tumour!! it seem to have gone - disappeared - disintegrated ... 3cm gremlin - gone! out of the 3 big ( >2cm each) cancer invaded lymph nodes, only one is still visible at about 3mm.
I am still a bit gobsmacked that this is true and i am a bit scared getting too happy about it, just in case i get a curve ball somehow.

Still have to have the last chemos, op and radiotherapy of course, however the lumpectomy should now be very small, the bigger issue will be the lymph nodes removal. The surgeon then started to discuss more with himself how many lymph nodes should be taken out, but he sort of convinced himself that the safest way is still to take all of them out - because there is no proof that taking just a few is good enough - specially because of the TNBC. And i don't really want to prove or disprove the statistics. Am bit worried about my arm functioning after - i am left handed and the nodes need to come out from the left, too.
Ah - and the gene test results are due in 3 weeks - that might still change everything.

Rexi xxx

[Guest user]

Sandytoes - so good to read your contended post from last night, well done girl.

Pinkypam - i haven't shaved my head, very little hair there though, just bits of fluff which Hubby trimmed, still thinking about it though now that the last chemo is behind me so that it grows back evenly. Did you shave, sorry I can't remember, wondered if that could be it - mines been fine, I just rub baby oil in every night.

Sending love to Lorna for today xx

[Guest user]

Quick question - my head is sooooo itchy has anyone else had this above if so what did you do .
Pam

[Guest user]

Hi sandytoes - how are you feeling this morning? Hope you are ok.My op is 2 weeks today but trying not too think about it too much yet.Back feeling much better thanks and hoping to get in some exercise this week.When are you hoping to get home cos its much nicer recovering in your own bed.
It is 3 weeks ago today since my last chemo so woke up this morning expecting a full head of hair luscious eyelashes and weighing. A stone less ha ha.But seriously hoping to get more back to my old energetic self soon so will keep you all posted
Lorna- still thinking of you
Pam

[Guest user]

Pam, hope you're doing a bit better? When 's your op poked for?

BB and ST. It'll be good to have it all done with by Christmas...although it'll have to be early or online shopping for BB though as you won't be able to carry your shopping!

And Katie - only 6-7 weeks until your hol! Amazing!

X