Starting chemo in September???

[Jo43]

Omw!! where did all the post come from??.... dont you just hate that about this forum.... you reply and post and suddenly there are more posts and it looks like I"m ignoring you all 😞 I,m not honestly!! lol I just need to learn to type faster. xx

[Jo43]

Evening Stars 🙂

Welcome Pip , looks like you will be up with gold63 and I on friday.

Nikki hope you have found some relief today and feeling more comfortable after your drainage.

Barb , thanks for doing the list 🙂   Anc 2/20 when you next update it, thanks hun. 

Sam , I have a slow cooker and bulk cooking is so easy. I have made a combination of dishes , some my own recipes and others I have simply cheated and used cook in sauces.

OH and kids have never had any complaints about the jars  I just usually add a little extra to them.

I would"nt be without my slow cooker ... great for cooking for alot of mouths. We are a family of 4 and I can easily make double lot in one go. 

Been busy making some soups for myself too, just incase Im unable to stomach our usual meals.

Had my assessment this afternoon, ready for friday and had a slight wobble on entry to the chemo unit.I got over whelmed with how many people of all ages and sex there was in one room and all the bleeping machines..... had to have a little silent pep talk to myself to get a grip.

Good luck to anyone up for a dunking tomorrow, 

love to you all. xxx

[Barbarella63]

Meant to also say beam67 kids are crap sometimes! Xxxxx

[Barbarella63]

Hope Avonlady ok bless her! Am hoping she's knack erred and gone to bed and we will hear from her tomorrow! Good luck Rach andhevg123 up tomorrow hope you guys get on ok! hazey85 great news about the eye rows you will love them! Mine took a good 2 weeks to heal well enough to not look scabby lol worst part was not being allowed to get them wet for a week so no hair washing!! Take your sunglasses when you go as you're not supposed to expose them to UV takes the colour out! Don't panic if when they start healing it looks like they haven't worked for some reason the colour seems to disappear then back it comes! Also they are scarily dark at first but they will fade by up to 30% I'm going back on Saturday for my free touch up its been 5 weeks since they were done they look great! There's a couple of tiny bits missing so,I guess that's why you get a touch up you may have to wait till after your chemo for that but they will be good enough to see you through it! Nikki glad you've got some relief at last! Sam, don't know about the little man stabbing but I've got jogers nipple without the nipple!, bizarre! Welcome to bonnellie hope your results are good, everyone on here is brill and will help you through the rough times! Keep me posted girls on your updates and ill amend the list as necessary, don't forget if you want me to email you a copy to keep just PM me with your email details xxxxxxx Barbs

[Barbarella63]

Updated list






NME/DIAG. DATE/TMNT. NUMBER. LOCATION

Avonlady/no details. 28/8. No details

Rachels/WLE gde3 ER/PR/HER2- 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Reading

HEvg123/MX/ANC(3/?). 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Kent coast

Jo43/WLE/ANC(2/?). 30/8 FEC-T. #1. Bucks

Gold63/MX. 30/8 no details. #1. No details

PTB/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. Wrexham

Tracey46/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Ally51/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

hg12/no details. 4/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Beam67/WLE gde3. 6/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Barbarella63/MX ANC(2/16)gde2 ER+PR/HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Lincoln

Frenchfancy/MX/ANC(8/22)gde3 ER/PR+HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Chester

Pips64/no details. 30/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Cinderssarah/WLE/ANC(1/16). No date yet.

NIkki49/MX/ANC(0/11). ". ". Fareham

Hazey85/MX/ANC(24/43)gde3 ER/PR/HER2+. ". ". Warwicks

Elma55/MX/ANC(12/15)gde3ER/PR/HER2- ". ". Chichester

Bonnie8862/MX/ANC(14/16)gde3HER2+\ER/PR- ". ". Gatwick

Samjs/WLE. ". ". Northants

Sarahsomething/MX/ANC. ". ". Berkshire

Jinxy12. Kent

Bonellie/MX/ANC(4/7)gde2 ER+|HER2? ". ". Unknown

Austigirl/MX. No other details

Thebatman. No other details

[Guest user]

Hi Beam, my son is 23 and although he was very good when I was first diagnosed, and around the time of my mastectomy, he then seemed to totally forget or ignore it and we even had a row where he said I was over reacting to it! I was really upset, but talking to my counsellor she said it was an experience she had heard before, especially for the older teen early twenties age group, when they just seem to want to ignore it so everything is 'normal' for them and they don't have to worry about it. I don't know if this is more common with boys, but certainly my son is not particularly good at expressing his feelings, so it made sense to me. Don't feel guilty, whatever, just take good care of yourself.

[Hazey_85]

Blimey Nikki I bet you feel better after that , lets hope you can catch up on those much needed Zzz's now.

Thanks chezzap will be trying that one too.

Beam67- yes I feel guilty everyday that I'm not going to be able to give my little one the full attention she needs and most of the care will be in my husbands hands as well as everything else he has to do, but she wont know any different or remember this so i have to be all me me me right now so that im around to watch her grow up. must be difficult when your children are older and watching you go through it. they're maybe being typical lads and not knowing how to express what they feel or know what to do but you do need to be a bit selfish as hard as it may be and focus on kicking this cancers ass, your boys may be burying their head in the sand a little as a way of coping but until the chemo starts and you physically look and feel unwell they may surprise you how they react. Hugs.

Xx

[Guest user]

Evening Stars, hope you are all ok, especially Avonlady after today's event. Incidentally love and hugs to Rachels and HEvg123 for tomorrow. Hopefully you can all let us know how things went when you feel up to it.
Great to hear you are enjoying yourself Sam,that's what's needed, and well done again for raising all that money. You really are a star! Sorry I can't help you with your boob problem because as you're probably aware I haven't had surgery yet but I really hope you ladies will still be on hand when I do.
Answer to Beam67. I did feel guilty when I was first diagnosed because this just turns your whole world upside down and all the plans you have made get thrown out of the window and it's very easy to start blaming yourself because what is happening to you obviously has an impact on everyone else close to you. We like to think that we are going to get support from those around us but some are not as good as others at giving it, but that is not your fault. One thing to remember though is that this actually is all about you and however hard it is you have to try and put yourself first. It's the only way you will have the strength to tackle what lies ahead. I'm sure your boys love you very much and this just might be the only way they can handle things at the moment. Not always easy for boys to understand this situation. Give them time. Not sure my son would have been any different when he was their age. Take care.
Thanks Chezzap for that drink tip. The shandy sounds a good idea too. Yet another item for the shopping list. Where can I buy it.
Love and hugs to all . xx

[BonEllie]

Thank you for your lovely welcome.

Beam67, I don't think I feel guilty but I do worry people around me will get fed up of me and the cancer.

I suppose to us it just totally takes over our lives and that's just the way it is.  I can't physcially move without being reminded of it and I've visited hospital more times in the last few weeks than I had in my entire life up to now (including visiting other people who were ill). 

I live alone so I don't have to deal with family members living with me but I can imagine that they can find it very difficult to cope with but you have no reason to feel guilty!!  Take care and keep strong.

[Bonnie8862]

Hi beam67

It's tough isn't it with kids of a certain age. I am not sure if it gets really real until they see external signs . Myn have been brilliant but I went in for a mx and ANC and they visited in hospital and one does work at a hospital but I think we all have ways of dealing with the news and they might just need time to get used to things . Perhaps chat to your BCN or there is a PDF download leaflet on this site about your relationships with people around you. I'm sure they love the bones of you and will sort through it with you. Love and hugs

[chezzap]

hi stars just a good one to have in is the drink laimon fresh its really refreshing when you have sore mouth and settles nausea too

 highly recommend it

I even make a shandy with it with non alcoholic beer on week three when wanna get bloods up cos brewers yeast is good for wbc so am told lol

Barb are you on that naughty step yet!!! ha ha

[Nikki49]

Evening stars,

Hazey - what a relief he drained 320mls I can now put my arm by my side, it's still very sore feels like a bad sun burn but hopefully I'll get some decent sleep tonight, fingers crossed it doesn't fill up again.

Samjs - re the boob stabbing demon, I've had an mx now but I did feel something like that once or twice near the cancer site not nipple though, I did wonder at the time if it was all in my head, maybe you should mention it to cs.

I had my pre chemo dentist check up today and thankfully all good just need to see hygienist.

Good luck to Raches & Hevg123 - I'll be thinking of you both xx

Avonlady - hope all's well xx

Take care everyone xx

[Guest user]

Hello stars, and thank you so much for posting all the comments, I really appreciated the Who's Who list, I will have to print myself a copy because I think I have chemo brain already and the treatment doesn't start until the 6th.

Question - do any of you ever feel guilty for having cancer?  I don't even know if that is the right word, but I hate the effect it is already having on my relationship with my two sons (16 and 20), who are not interested in anything about it at all and have taken to being even more lazy than usual - school and uni holidays are to blame perhaps.  I know I am more tetchy than usual, especially after receiving the call from the BCN yesterday confirming my pre-chemo appointment next Tues, then the real thing next Friday. Apparently according to my sons, it's all me me me, but I can't seem to help but be affected!  

By the way, I will be attending the oncology unit in Cheltenham.   Thanks for listening!

[Hazey_85]

Hi stars

Welcome BonEllie just echoing what the other stars say that we are all in the same boat together so will be here to support you as much as we can in this rollercoaster ride.

Samjs- that's brilliant how much you've raised well done, I'm exhausted just reading your posts, glad it's fun things you've been busy with though. Sorry I can't help you on boob stabbing demon as I had mx, hoping it settles soon though.

Nikki49- how did you get on with having seroma drained?? I don't think I can handle the cold capping and not being in control of it will or won't fall out so think I'm gonna go for the shaved head Jesse j look ha ha no way I'll pull it off like her though I'll be more matt Lucas.

Avonlady- hope you got on ok today , big hugs. Let us know how you're doing when you can.

Barbs- thank you for putting together the list, have also stolen a few things off your chemo shopping list too as I'm going this Saturday to stock up. Had my patch test for eyebrows today so hoping to get them done early next week- how long did it take yours to heal??

So I saw my onc today and i'll be sharing the same cocktail as some of you the delicious FEC-T 8 cycles in total with herceptin and tamoxifen thrown in for good measure. Either start next week or week after but have to have an ECHO heart scan first and either picc line or portacath fitted. So bone scan tomorrow and hopefully that'll be it for scans for a bit.

Good luck to Rachels and HEvg123 for tomorrow sending big hugs and hoping first one goes smoothly, let us know how you get on if you feel up to it.

Elma55- hope you got on ok with your results today, was thinking about you.

Take care all stars
Xx

[samjs]

Hi stars,

Welcome BonEllie, we are a growing group and  all need and offer support. So feel free to  moan, cry and  hug whenver you need. x

Well I wanted a restful day but with 3 family bdays today it was shopping and visiting. Tomorrow will be calmer with only 1 bday and a meal out so at least I won't have to cook.

Wondered if anyone else has this- In the evenings when I have no bra and pjs on I get pains in my boob near nipple and cancer site. Feels like I have a little man inside me stabbing me with needles- only just had this as I had been sleeping in a sports bra.

Ps: Had two more cheques arrive today for the fundraising and the total is now: £1025

Sam xx

[Guest user]

Just a thought . Re eyes drops. If you don't like putting drops in your eyes, like me because I'm a big baby when it comes to anything going near your eyes (can't even put eyeliner on), there is a product available called Eye Logic Spray (formerly Clarymist) which you actually spray on to closed eyes. I kid you not! It's very good for sore, dry eyes. Not much cop for infections though so its back to the eye drops for that. Sorry. Can't put eyeliner on and I'm just about to embark on six sessions of chemo. I think I need help. Lol. xx

[Bonnie8862]

Welcome Bon Ellie .

I have three English cocker spaniels and I think a few other stars have dogs too . They are a great comfort to me and give me a reason to get out of bed and walk them !

All the best

Pauline

[Nikki49]

Welcome Bon Ellie, ditto everything that PTB has said. Barbarella63 has very kindly offered to keep a list of us all, diagnosis, chemo cocktail, start date & your location (think that's everything), if you'd like to be included pm her your details.
Take care xx

[Guest user]

Welcome BonEllie to the Stars where alongside your family and friends you will find us ready and waiting with all the support we can give to help you through this tough time. Best wishes to you. x

[BonEllie]

Hiya I think I'll be starting my chemo in September so looks like I'll be a September Star.  I was diagnosed end of June, had mastectomy and SNB 25th July results of biopsy showed 4 of the 7 nodes had cancer cells in them so had to have a clearance of the remaining nodes on the 22nd  August.  Got to have chemo followed by Radio.

 Diagnosis was IDC, grade 2, HER2 indeterminate (got to wait for results from biopsy on lymph nodes) Oestrogen +

Struggling emotionally as unfortunately a really close friend passed away unexpectedly just before my cancer diagnosis, they would have been the person I would have turned to for emotional and practical support.  I haven't had time to grieve properly for them and am having to deal with this.  

However I do have a supportive family and friends so will get through this.

A little bit about me.  I've just turned 53,  live on my own aside from Bonnie and Ellie my two lovely Labradors.  Work as a secretary but been off sick since the diagnosis.  

[Guest user]

Good morning Stars. Thanks Barbs for the list, can't believe there are 23 of us already. Useful tips list as well. I will add them to mine. Think someone might have already mentioned it but silk pillowcases can be a real comfort when we are all doing our Matt Lucas impression. I'm gonna have nothing left in my bank account if this carries on! Does anyone know what time Avonladys appt. is. I can't stop thinking about her. If you get chance to read this AL before you go remember I'm holding your hand along with everyone else I'm sure. Just realised Frenchfancy my location does not appear on our list but I am in Wrexham area, so not too far from you. Seems like we are a well scattered bunch. Three of us then on the 3rd, Tracey and Ally. I'm in at 1.30. Actually feel a bit wobbly while I'm typing this. I think reality is beginning to dawn. There are not many days to wait now. Must stay strong. Think that will have to be my mantra. Love and hugs to all x

[Bonnie8862]

Morning stars good luck to everyone with scan results due today and onc appts along with chemo starting fingers crossed all goes better than expected . God knows we need good news - I phoned and told him this morning !!

Got phone call and my onc appt is on Monday 2nd and chemo start shortly after that so I really hope to be a sept star ..plus I want to get my herceptin started.

I also had ideas about trying cold cap but with lymph nodes involved for me will need to talk to onc on Monday as I need chemo to get to my head ..

Have a good day everyone x x

[Barbarella63]

Frenchfancy its you and me together girl! Go us😀 I'm in at 2 on the 9th how about you? So far I have got.......
Lemon and ginger tea (doesn't taste anything like tea Sam)
Ginger biscuits
Pineapple and ginger ice lollies
In ear thermometer
Toothbrush sanitizer
Thrush cream
Mouthwash
Wig
Blender for days I don't feel like eating figured I could whizz some smoothies and drink them instead
Laxatives
Antibacterial hand wash

Need to get

Seabands
Baby toothbrush
Gaviscon
Eyedrops

Can't think of anything else? Have I missed anything do you think? Bloody expensive having cancer!!!

Sam I'm thinking of making a load of chicken soup incase I don't want much, figured if I wanted proper food I'd let someone else cook it for me (well gotta pull the cancer card sometimes!) I've found another hat site it's called surf dome.com not as cheap as annabandanna but has a HUGE selection of hats maybe worth a look! I've not ordered any scarves but think ill get some sleep caps and a big slouchy beanie hat, I really dread being bald I think the thought of that and the risk of getting lymphodeama has taken over from the initial cancer horror! I am paranoid that my arm is swollen even when it looks ok but it feels a little tight! God this cancer lark is gonna age me by about 50 years ill have to have a facelift at the end of it lol

[Barbarella63]

If anyone wants an email copy PM me with you address, I think it's slightly clearer on email everything's a bit squished on here and I can't get the spacing any better!

[Barbarella63]

Doh..sent the old one

Try again


NME/DIAG. DATE/TMNT. NUMBER. LOCATION

Avonlady/no details. 28/8. No details

Rachels/WLE gde3 ER/PR/HER2- 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Reading

HEvg123/MX/ANC(3/?). 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Kent coast

Jo43/WLE/ANC(2/?). 30/8 FEC-T. #1. Bucks

Gold63/MX. 30/8 no details. #1. No details

PTB/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Tracey46/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Ally51/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

hg12/no details. 4/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Beam67/WLE gde3. 6/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Barbarella63/MX ANC(2/16)gde2 ER+PR/HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Lincoln

Frenchfancy/MX/ANC(8/22)gde3 ER/PR+HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Chester

Pips64/no details. 30/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Cinderssarah/WLE/ANC(1/16). No date yet.

NIkki49/MX/ANC(0/11). ". ". Fareham

Hazey85/MX/ANC(24/43)gde3 ER/PR/HER2+. ". ". Warwicks

Elma55/MX/ANC(12/15)gde3ER/PR/HER2- ". ". Chichester

Bonnie8862/MX/ANC(14/16)gde3HER2+\ER/PR- ". ". Gatwick

Samjs/WLE. ". ". Northants

Sarahsomething/MX/ANC. ". ". Berkshire

Jinxy12. Kent

Austigirl/MX. No other details

Thebatman. No other details

[Barbarella63]

Slightly updated list

NME/DIAG. DATE/TMNT. NUMBER. LOCATION

Avonlady/no details. 28/8. No details

Rachels/WLE gde3 ER/PR/HER2- 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Reading

HEvg123/MX/ANC(3/?). 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Kent coast

Jo43/WLE/ANC(2/?). 30/8 FEC-T. #1. Bucks

Gold63/MX. 30/8 no details. #1. No details

PTB/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Tracey46/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

Ally51/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

hg12/no details. 4/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Beam67/WLE gde3. 6/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Barbarella63/MX ANC(2/16)gde2 ER+PR/HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Lincoln

Frenchfancy/MX/ANC(8/22)gde3 ER/PR+HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Chester

Cinderssarah/WLE/ANC(1/16). No date yet.

NIkki49/MX/ANC(0/11). ". ". Fareham

Hazey85/MX/ANC(24/43)gde3 ER/PR/HER2+. ". ". Warwicks

Elma55/MX/ANC(12/15)gde3ER/PR/HER2- ". ". Chichester

Bonnie8862/MX/ANC(14/16)gde3HER2+\ER/PR- ". ". Gatwick

Samjs/WLE. ". ". Northants

Sarahsomething/MX/ANC. ". ". Berkshire

Jinxy12. Kent

Austigirl/MX. No other details

Thebatman. No other details

[spikeyred]

Morning stars, just popping in from the amazing Augusts to wish avonlady good luck for today. Hope all goes smoothly today and your side effects are kind to you. Try and drink as much water today and for the next couple , it really can help. Karen xx

[samjs]

Morning Stars,

Still shattered after the Strawberry tea but another busy day as 3 family birthdays today. A lady off this site actually came to the tea yetserday, she finished her treatemnt a while ago but I had chatted on her to her as she lives locally to me. It was so lovely to meet her and her husband and she even won a raffle prize.

Good luck Avon Lady  for you first sessions.  Starting to feel real now my onc appointment is less than a week away. Need to go shopping at teh weekend to  stock up on supplies- manage dto get lemon and ginger tea from home bargains for 99P not sure I will like it as I don't drink tea- do these teas actually taste of tea?

Gold63 are you a potty mouth then?  ha ha

Hazey and Jo- really know I should do some bulk cooking (6 in our house) but at the mo I can't be bothered. Maybe my onc appointment on Monday  will kick my arse into gear!!! What are good things to cook that freeze well?

Sam xx

[Nikki49]

Sam - fantastic result for your strawberry tea, well done you x
PTB - I agree with you, if my cocktail is fec t I won't bother with cold cap either, thanks for the info x
Elma - that made me laugh, fancy setting the alarms off hehe
Avonlady - will be thinking of you today xx
Pips64 - welcome to the stars x
Gold63 - thanks I would be interested to know what the cold cap is like, what a relief that the odd glass of wine is ok phew! :-). My seroma has been more than a nuisance it's been really quite painful, i haven't slept for days and its making feel ill as well as quite tearful hoping that after having it drained today that it doesn't come back.

Take care x

[gold63]

Hi Nikki49

I will be trying cold cap - my first chemo session is this coming Friday so I will let you know.

I have been told by my onc that odd glass of wine is fine. We all need to use any 'normal' window we have though this process and make the most of them.

Suffered with seroma myself - quite a nusiance, but it has cleared up now.

I saw my dentist today for a pre chemo check up (his wife had BC a few years ago so he knows what we are all going through) he advised to carrying on having check ups - I am going 3 monthly - you can have treatment but it will need to be planned around chemo sessions. Key is to keep a clean mouth! (no more swearing for me for a few months then!)

x

[frenchfancy]

Hi fellow Stars,

Thanks so much to Barbs for getting this list sorted. I’ve been trying to check in regularly but find I’m losing track of some of us already. This does not bode well for the coming months. I have a terrible memory at the best of times.

For Avonlady, Rachels, Hevg123, Jo43 and Gold 63 who get this show on the road this week, really hope you can rest a little easier without all the stress after your first session. I think this is probably the one we all worry about the most. Also hoping the se’s are few and manageable for everyone.

For those of us waiting for results, appointments and start dates, I hope you get the good news you are waiting for and don’t have to wait too long for everything else. The waiting is one of the worst parts of all this. Hate it! L  

Starting to think about all the stuff we still need to do around the house/prep for treatments but finding it hard to get motivated. I know time is going to run out soon so I know I have to at some point. I have a list as long as both arms but it’s going to have to wait a few days longer as managed to get a few days booked for short break before this really takes a hold of everything. Will probably spend most of it prioritising for when we get back but a change of scenery will hopefully allow us to put things into perspective a bit. Am also going to have a good look at all the suggestions/tips to help us get through these next few months as smoothly as possible.

Can I just give a big shout out to Sam as well? Congratulations & a fantastic job on your Strawberry Tea. J Well done you!! 

Anyway, time for bed now as early start tomorrow.

Goodnight Stars everywhere. Stay strong and shine as brightly as you like!!!

[pips64]

Can I b e added to stars . .. Tnbc 3 fec 3 tax .. start Friday 30th

[tracey46]

you can update mine im starting 3/9 i am having 3 lots of fec and 3 lots of tax xx

[Barbarella63]

Well here it is so far.......hope it bloody works

NME/DIAG. DATE/TMNT. NUMBER. LOCATION

Avonlady/no details. 28/8. #1 No details

Rachels/WLE gde3 ER/PR/HER2- 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Reading

HEvg123/MX/ANC(3/?). 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Kent coast

Jo43/WLE/ANC(2/?). 30/8 FEC-T. #1. Bucks

Gold63/MX. 30/8 no details. #1. No details

PTB/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Tracey46/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

Ally51/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details

hg12/no details. 4/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Beam67/WLE gde3. 6/9 FEC-T. #1. No details

Barbarella63/MX ANC(2/16)gde2 ER+PR/HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Lincoln

Frenchfancy/MX/ANC(8/22)gde3 ER/PR+HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Chester

Cinderssarah/WLE/ANC(1/16). No date yet.

NIkki49/MX/ANC(0/11). ". ". Fareham

Hazey85/MX/ANC(24/43)gde3 ER/PR/HER2+. ". ". Warwicks

Elma55/MX/ANC(12/15)gde3ER/PR/HER2- ". ". Chichester

Bonnie8862/MX/ANC(14/16)gde3HER2+\ER/PR- ". ". Gatwick

Samjs/WLE. ". ". Northants

Sarahsomething/MX/ANC. ". ". Berkshire

Jinxy12. Kent

Austigirl/MX. No other details

Thebatman. No other details



S

[elma55]

Thinking of all the Stars who start their first round of chemo this week, and those who have Onc or scan appointments - will be rooting for you!

Thanks Nikki - yes that sudden warm feeling sent me into a momentary panic too, as did the alarm when the scan sensors picked up the hospital locker key which I'd accidentally left in my gown pocket! 

Samjs - fantastic result, don't know how you do it with everything else that's going on for you at the moment!

[Guest user]

Hi there Stars. Hope you are enjoying your glass of wine Nikki, I'm trying to be good and not have one . Still taking the diazapam at the moment so probably not the best idea! Don't need an excuse to fall over. I did that yesterday walking the dog! Well done Sam for raising all that lovely money. You certainly do deserve a very large glass of vino. So chemo starts for the Stars tomorrow. Good luck and best wishes Avonlady. You know we will all be thinking of you, and anyone else who is in the firing line for something tomorrow. Feel really guilty that I'm not in the kitchen organising meals for the freezer but I do have a son who has said if you don't feel like cooking for us then I will do it for you. Bless him . Regarding cold cap my oncologist said even if you manage to keep your hair through FEC if you are following it with Taxotere it will fall out regardless. This is my treatment course so I'm not going to bother. Hence wig already bought and order for AnnaBandana about to be placed. Had my dental check up today. Everything is ok, just a clean and polish, but he wants to see me again after chemo has finished and before my op. He did say if you have a healthy mouth to start with that will help but it won't necessarily prevent mouth ulcers. Great! Good to see we have some useful help and tips coming in. Hopefully they will help to make the next few months a bit more bearable. Now we just need to get the laughter started. Don't know how easy that will be when we all feel like s**t but I'm sure we'll all have a damn good try. Keep strong, ladies, keep smiling . Love and hugs to all. x

[Guest user]

Anyone else wear contact lenses? My optician advised me to wear my glasses for the chemo and a few days afterwards, and to keep a supply of comfort drops as apparently chemo can dry your eyes and make them feel scratchy. Just thought the might be useful to share

[Barbarella63]

Just to let you all know its Avonlady first up tomorrow eek so GOOD LUCK GIRL!!! Elma55 and Hazey85 have their ONC appointments tomorrow and on 29th we have Hevg123 and Rachel5 followed by Jo43 and Gold63 on Friday with Cinderssarah having ONC appt on Friday too ,hope I got everyone. If not PM me and I'll add you to the list, I've not finished getting to grips with it yet but working on it! Avonlady try and check in tomorrow so we know you're ok 😊 and Sam well done you're bloody brilliant raising all that dosh xxxxxxxBarbs

[Jo43]

gold63 and myself are up on Friday Nikki49 , 9am and 2pm

Well done Sam thats a great amount raised, enjoy your well deserved glass of vino.

Hazey , I too have been bulk cooking for the 5000 lol , have another lot in the slow cooker as we speak..... wonder if we will be this organised each cycle of treatment 😕 

Yes ladies , get your teeth checked well before start date if possible . Chemo can be very hard on your teeth and gums my dentist told me...... he has just finished is chemo and has returned to work part-time.

another tip from maisies is freeze pieces of tinned or fresh pinapple chunks .......great to suck on when mouth is sore and have nausea.

I believe most ladies have needed to ask for the Emend ( anti sickness)  as it isnt standard to get this particular 1 .... One of the masies referred to it as the Rolls Royce of anti sickness meds.

Sarah your Bra stuffing comment made me giggle . 

Love to all

xx

[Guest user]

Hi everyone,
I think I might be first up, as I have my chemo on Thursday, 1.30. FEC, so I'll let you know how it goes. I do plan to try the cold cap, so can also report back on that. I have been keeping myself busy the last few days, making sure we are well stocked up here and the house is clean (live with my 23 year old son, so probably don't need to explain more!) mainly I feel ok, and as prepared as I can be, but still have moments of sheer panic! Good luck to Jo and Gold for Friday, hope all goes well for us all!

[samjs]

Will have to catch up tomorrow ladies as I am shattered after the Strawberry Tea. It was very well attended and we raised £868 for Breast Cancer Care with more money to be collected. I'm off for a glass of wine. xxx

[Nikki49]

Good afternoon stars x

Elma - will be thinking of you at onc appointment tomoz, I'd be interested to hear what he says about the cold cap.

Has anyone else got any info on this?

Re the tips I've also been told of a product called Xylotene for mouth ulcers from a company called sweet cures, head scarves etc from hannabandana, and a lot of mentions of gaviscon & Imodium lol. Oh and get a decent thermometer as you need to take your temp a couple of times a day.

PTB - yeah I was disappointed in the no alcohol comment too, best make the most of that now then, right where's the cork screw 😉

Hazey - will be thinking of you at onc tomorrow, have you thought about cold cap?

I had my ct scan today, was quite difficult to get my arm into position due to seroma and I had 2 codeine on board!!
You rotten lot nobody told me about that funny warm feeling you get in the nether regions when they put the solutions in your arm - I thought for a minute I'd wet myself lol

I am having seroma drained tomorrow (nobody available to do it today! Don't they realise i havent slept for days - the way I'm feeling is give me the needle I'll do it myself)

I've been told you can't go to the dentist whilst on chemo, so I'm off to the dentist tomoz for a pre-chemo check up.

Seeing onc next Monday to discover my cocktail of choice & learn start date. Who's up first & when?

Right that's my news for now, take care xxx

Ps Sam hope the strawberry tea went well x

[Guest user]

oh god, dont start me on bras. I had a right side MX. I'm a B cup and with my seroma my softie is too big, even with most of the stuffing taken out. I've been wearing these seamless bras from MandCo http://www.mandco.com/non-wired-bras/seamfree-bra-top/invt/2030136black&bklist=icat,5,10,10028,10028... and if i take out the cup from my remaining side and keep it in on my MX side, it sort of works ok. But I'm finding it all a faff. It's like a craft make-and-do sesssion every morning. Can't wait to get a proper prothesis.

and hi other September Stars, I'm still waiting for my chemo start dates but it will be this month. I'm 41, married, had my MX and ANC 3 weeks ago, waiting for bone scan and CT results now. I'm in Berkshire. I don't have kids so I can spend most of my day stuffing things in and out of my bra. 

[Hazey_85]

Hi Stars

Hope we are all going ok today.
Those are great posts about those chemo tips thanks ptb and Nikki- how's your seroma now??

I too am cooking for the 5000 in preparation to give my oh a bit of a break, the freezer has never looked so full.

Seeing the onc tomorrow so should find out what cocktail of chemo i'll be getting and when it's time for blast off. Also have my bone scan Thursday oh what a lovely week we'll be having.

Jo43- I'm thinking hygiene will be a hard one for me too as my little one loves to share everything (half chewed food, dirt, slugs etc) whether you want it or not. I may have to go into quarantine lol. Let us know how you get on at pre-chemo appt tomorrow hope all goes smoothly.

Good luck to all other Stars this week with your onc appts, scan results and those who are starting the chemo journey, keep us posted on how you're all doing.

Samjs- hope your strawberry tea is going well sounds wonderful.

Love to all
Xxx

[elma55]

Hi Bonnie, just read your post. We have a few things in common (apart from the obvious) - I had ct and bone scans earlier this month (results tomorrow), live in West Sussex (near Chichester), and have an undrained seroma which is just starting to wane (not that painful but restrictive).  Good luck with your scans this week!  Elma xx

[Guest user]

Response from the Maisie's so far on tips for chemo (Chezzap, Rollercoaster and Pennycrow) .
Lots of water, sea bands, ginger biscuits, decent mouthwash, ice lollies, best anti sickness pills (Emend is top one) and a good book.
If anything else comes in I'll update later. xx

[gold63]

I am trying to busy myself - taxi service for the kids etc  Even going into work tomorrow..anything to keep negative thoughts at bay.

I have been told the anticipation of treatment is worse than treatment itself.

I am in 9 in the morning, so hopefully no time to think (or buy a plane ticket and escape!)

Let me know your time and will send hand holding vibes over.

Good luck to us all!

xx

[Jo43]

Thanks for the good wishes ladies 🙂

Nikki ... great advice thankyou ..... dont think teenage son knows much about hygiene lol I"ve been working on that for 14yrs with him lol

Bonnie, I live in Buckinghamshire, not far from you at all , we used to live in sussex for many years , but moved here 8-9yrs ago.

It would be great to meet as our journey unfolds. Got my 1st cycle this friday , so I"ll keep everyone posted and we can plan a catch up around a good day 🙂

xxx

[Jo43]

Welcome to the group gold63 🙂

You and me both this friday hun ..... I"m ok at the moment, just having moments of feeling shakie

If its possible to image hand holding.....I"ll be right there with you. 

What time you up for yours??

Keep busy if you can , thats what I'm trying to do.

Much love 

Jo x

[Guest user]

Thanks Nikki, that's a great help. Shame about the alcohol though! Certainly won't be afraid to ask for help from any source and whilst I understand the meaning behind "don't be a hero", I like to think we all are! x