Welcome to everyone starting chemo in January.. we are now the "" January Jems""

[Windysarah]

Hi all,
Sorry to hear about your latest diagnosis Jan. Like you say it's a double whammy and probably something you could've done without 😞
I am doing the Race for Life in Ipswich on June 15th, walking/running 5k to try and raise funds for Cancer Research. I'm going to try and run rather than walk but considering I ended up in hospital with an infection after my first week of training a couple of weeks ago, I may have to take it a bit easier!! I know you have all probably been inundated with donation requests before and since diagnosis but if any of you would like to give to the cause that is so close to all our hearts then please pm me and I will forward you the link.  Any donation, however small will be greatly appreciated.
Hope you are all keeping well and getting over the fatigue from all the treatment.
X

[Janan8]

Hi Ladies, 

Haven't been on here for ages but it's good to catch up with all your posts.  My hair is also coming through in an interesting way - I look like I've seen a ghost when I get up in the morning as it sticks straight up! I'm very tempted to cut it off again, but am curious as to what it will do next as it's curling and is a completely different colour. This year has been full on so far, had a scare also and it was also scar tissue which was a relief and at least I have been thoroughly checked over.  However I was diagnosed with Systemic Sclerosis in January which was a double whammy.  Obviously this is something that was probably underlying before BC but given the timing of the symptoms which came on as soon as I finished chemo & radio, I'm sure it was triggered by treatment, although noone will confirm that.  It's something I guess I'll have to live with but am hoping that symptoms will improve with time rather than the reverse.  Worst thing for me is the constant fatigue which I'm struggling to keep at bay and also not knowing whether something that's happening in my body is as a result of treatment, early menopause or the sclerosis.  Maybe it's best not to know sometimes!!  Hope you are all keeping well and big hugs to you all. Janxx

[rhondacat]

Happy Easter girls, hope you all had a fun time. It's so nice to hear from you all, and finding out what stage of treatments your all at. Irenee and Chris I hope your appts with surgeons regarding your reconstructions go well, and you can get started soon..Sorry to hear Joyce you've been struggling mentally and physically, hope things improve soon. Morwenna I'm sure whatever type of recon you choose it will be right for you, good luck with everything, Caroline yay Herceptin is finished, sorry your implant didn't work. Sarah my implant side feels hard and very unnatural too and stands straight out, my pointer one, but I'm happy enough with it, I feel it's better than having nothing there, I'm more than happy with my reduction lifted up one , it looks 30 years younger, shame I don't LOL both nice sized D cups. Still got underarm cording issues, and joint pain from letrozole Femara, but other than that enjoying life to the Max and working hard in my business. Smiles and Hugs to all you brave girls. keep us updated please... xoxo Rhonda

[Curleychris]

Happy Easter to all January Jem's. Haven't been on here for a while. Hope all are keeping well. I see my Surgeon next Thursday so will talk about recon. Also completed Herceptin so feel things are improving.

[Irenee]

Hi everyone....How nice to hear from you Joyce, but sorry that you are suffering a bit mentally. I know what you mean about hair like a privet hedge and the floppy boob. lol.  Just come back from a mammogram today. I was surprised I was sent for one as at Christmas I was told not to go back for a year. I too have a weight problem but I have been dieting and have lost a few pounds. I think the anti-depressant tablets I were on made me put on weight. Sorry to hear you had a bad time when you had your breast reduction...I am in good health at the moment so I do worry about putting myself through the whole reconstruction thing.

Good luck with your job and I think it's wise to get counselling....I know I should have done when I was having treatment.  Hope all you other ladies keep going in the right direction and wishing you all a very Happy Easter. Irenee xxx

[Airlinelady]

Hello Ladies, just thought I would check in too as it's been some time.  I am doing okay physically apart from still lumpy on reconstructed boob, joint pains, still 1.5 stone overweight, hair looks like a privet hedge, libido almost completely disappeared thanks to Letrozole and still have trouble sleeping sometimes and when I look in the mirror I see someone 20 years older, so mentally, as you can tell, I am not great.  I will seek counselling as I have had a couple of panic attacks and still get scared sometimes that cancer will come back... somewhere.... On a positive note, I am back to work on the 1st May and am atleast aware that I have issues that need talking though.

I am really glad that things are going generally okay for you ladies.  I have one DD floppy boob and a pert C which was created like a breast reduction and it looks and feels nice, but I am years away from having the other one reduced to match, just can't face it as I had such a hard time (had to go into Theatre twice in 14 hours, due to a large Haematoma).

Keep smiling all you lovely ladies and keep well and happy!  Joyce xx

[Caroline60]

Hi Sarah, the last few were pretty rough. The nails, runny nose, fatigue and feeling generally rotten. Disturbed sleep as well. 

[Windysarah]

Hi Caroline,

I've been feeling pretty pants in this the 2nd week after my 17th infusion. Sore throat and chills and fatigue. I know it may be just a flu like bug but remembered you saying about how you were bad since the 14th. Would you say side effects got worse the later on you got? One more for more on the 25th. Can't wait!

[Caroline60]

Hi Irene, My implant has gone wonky. Its moved alot. The fatigue is pretty awful. Hopefully this will now cease given Iv had my last Herceptin. I hope you ladies are all doing great. 

Best Wishes

Caroline xx

[Irenee]

Hi Caroline...glad you have finished with the Herceptin .... you can start to build up some strength now hopefully.  What happened with the implant?....Know what you mean about being breast free....It would solve a few problems.  Hope everyone is ok. Hugs Irenee xx 

[Caroline60]

Dear Ladies, I hope you are all doing well. I have just had my last Herceptin - its been really difficult since my 14th infusion. Lots of side effects and fatigue. I am now moving on to thinking what my breasts and what surgery I will have. Iv had an implant that did not work. So Im thinking going with no breasts. 

Take care

Caroline

[Irenee]

Hi Morwenna,  I too am dithering about what type of reconstruction to have...I will have to have them both done as I am so lopsided...just want it all to be over and done with...but then I think will I regret having it done as some women are not happy with their reconstructions. Anyway going to put it to the back of my mind until May.  Hugs Irenee xxxx

[Morwenna]

Implant probably isn't an option due to my having had radiation, but it isn't something I'm at all interested in anyway, for reasons you describe and more ...

I know somebody who had an implant 20 odd years ago, and she was never happy with it, so last year had the opportunity to convert to a TRAM free flap recon instead, and she is delighted with the result!

If I have recon it'll be DIEP/TRAM most likely. What I'm dithering over is whether to have the second mastectomy (prophylactic) and double reconstruction, or maybe even just go flat

I feel quite sure I will develop cancer in the other breast, if its not indeed already there! I don't trust imaging as most of my tumour was not visible on mammo/ultrasound. I think I have several factors that put me at high risk for a second primary 😞

[Windysarah]

Hi Morwenna,
I have an implant on my right side and although the op was fine and I recovered well I still find it very unnatural. It sits very pert and is quite different to my natural boob because of this. It does like fine under clothes though. Just thought I'd say as I'm starting to wonder if the other op where they take muscle etc from elsewhere on your body might have made a more natural feeling boob. This op has a much longer recovery time though of course.
Good luck trying to decide!!! X

[Morwenna]

Hi Irenee,
Have you decided what type of reconstruction you will have?
I'm due for my initial consult with a plastics surgeon in May, and I have at least four options as far as I have established. I'm so dithering between them.
I keep thinking I've decided on "a", and then the next day "b" feels like the way I want to go .......... mind you, I'm just the same with choosing from a menu in a restaurant! Is there any hope for me??? 😜

[Irenee]

Hi everyone...Great to hear form you Yvonne....so  pleased you are doing well. It's been ages since you posted.  The holiday sounded fab. Rhonda, hope you got to wear your swimsuit and show off your figure.

I have to go for a mammogram soon (just routine) and next week my daughter has a mammogram. Hopefully  after mine I can have my reconstruction.  Enjoy the sunshine girls and keep well. Irenee xx

[rhondacat]

It's great yo hear from everyone to catch up on where everyone is at , so happy that the acupuncture is helping Yvonne and you can crotchet away again. Thanks Irenee, I had a fantastic holiday it was only 6 days but I thoroughly enjoyed shopping, eating and drinking lots of yummy cocktails lol now back to work and the real world.. Stay well, happy and enjoy life everyone. Please do check in now and then with updates on how you's are going.
Hugs and smiles Rhonda xx

[chicita]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been here for ages as I really don't like the new site but as I keep getting copies of your posts I thought I'd better reply.

I'm doing REALLY well, got totally discharged by the oncologist yesterday so I don't have any more check-ups apart from the annual mammo 

I've suffered a lot with periferal neoropathy in my hands and feet, to the extent that I couldn't hold a cup or a knife and fork or walk very far. My lovely BCN referred me for a course of acupuncture which has had amazing results. I'd always thought of acupuncture as "mumbo jumbo" but have definitely changed my opinion. While I'll probably have PN to a certain degree for a few more years I can now use my hands again, in fact I'm crocheting like mad again, and my feet are tolerable.

Take care & stay well,

X Yvonne

[Irenee]

Hi Sarah....Nice to know you are doing fine. You are near the end of treatment and have a job you love (so envious of that one)..always wanted work not to be a drag.  Enjoy your holidays. Hugs Irenee xxx

[Windysarah]

Good to hear your catch ups ladies. I only checked a couple of days and thought maybe I should write and see if anyone was still out there. Then I forgot...!

Glad your scares turned out ok, what a worrying time. Glad your husband is on the mend Irenee.

I am coming to the end of the herceptin treatment, 2 to go which is great. I have though been started on a heart drug as the herceptin has slowed my pump rate too much?? This will stop when treatment is stopped though.

I have started a new job, Design Studio Manager/Bookkeeper and I love it!!

We have a couple of holidays coming up so all in all I'm happy and looking forward to Summer.

Stay well ladies. Xx

[Irenee]

Have a great time Rhonda. Let us know how you got on when you come back.  You made me laugh about your reconstruction booby...think of us when you are downing those cocktails. Hugs Irenee xxxx

[rhondacat]

Hi Irenee &Rose so great to hear from you both, sorry Irenee your hubby has been unwell, I do hope he gets better soon, not long to you both get your reconstructions, Good luck with this & I hope they turn out great, as much as I am happy with mine it is still very hard and stands straight out, I have to be carefull hugging people that I don't stab them with it hahaha just cuddle on my squishy one. I still have the underarm cording issue that just doesn't seem to improve no matter how much I excercise it. I know exactly how you would have felt Rose waiting for those results such a sickening feeling so glad you got good results like me, I get the lymphodemia in my shoulder blade going down to behind my under arm and wear a sexy constrictive after surgery bra to bed 🙂 each night. This has helped a bit. It's great your back at work again, and getting on with all the things you enjoy. Thanks for getting back to me girls it was great yo hear how you both are going. I'm off to Bali Indonesia tomorrow for 6 days woohooo can't wait cocktails in the pool here I come.. hugs Rhonda xoxo

[Morwenna]

Well, hello from Canada!

Rhonda, I've just got past a huge scare too! Feb 23, I found was felt like a lemon pip near my mastectomy scar. It was under the skin, and felt like it was adhered to the muscle beneath. Very small, size of a small pea maybe?

Panicked, I showed it to my doc who assured me that it didn't feel like a malignancy to her, but "we don't ignore these things", so a couple of days later I had an ultrasound. The radiology doc said HE didn't feel it LOOKED like a malignancy, but he agreed it felt like a nodule, and the only way to tell for sure was to biopsy. So I had that March 12, and just got the result two days ago ...... Scar tissue!

I am very relieved!

I have started my breast cancer survivors dragon boat training "Sistership Calgary", and its going to be so much fun. To play with all these ladies, some of whom are many years out and still really fit and well is a great encouragement too!

I do have mild/moderate lymphedema in my forearm now, and have to wear a glove and sleeve more or less fulltime, which is a pain, but I'm back to full time work, and if the past 4 weeks of being scared witless hadn't worn me down so much, I'd say I wad feeling great. I soon will be again.

I have an appointment in May with a plastics surgeon to discuss reconstruction, but I'm frustrated that my hematologist won't let me stop warfarin yet (for my blood clots over a year ago now!!) He says I still have too many risk factors going on! I'm hoping to change his mind if I'm still fit and well when I next see him in 4 months!

Went bowling last night with a bunch of local "survivors", and I still sing with my singing sisters. Competition first weekend of May.

I've never had so many women in my life, and never felt so loved and blessed! It's an ill wind .... as they say!!!

Stay well everyone!

Rose xxxx

[Irenee]

Hi Rhonda, How great to hear from you and I am so pleased things turned out well after that awful scare.   I can imagine how you felt.  I am envious that you have curls...mine has a slight wave but I keep it short....it's so much easier to deal with. I haven't had reconstruction yet as my husband has been poorly. He has had a gastric ulcer and has been in hospital but is doing fine now. I have an appointment in April to discuss reconstruction. All in all I am feeling well and happy...so pleased all is well for you and wishing all the other Jems health and happiness.  Irenee xxx

[rhondacat]

Hiello all you beautiful Jems, just wondered if any of you ever come back to see if any of us have been on here, would love to know how you are all doing. I had a big scare last week new lump in my good boob, ultrasound Biopsy... Waiting for results is just so scary as you all know, results back yesterday confirmed a 12mm fat lobule... Thank God for that I can breath again... Other than that all is good and I'm enjoying life again, had my first haircut that was exciting they cut out all my curls I looked like a poodle LOL I now like it really short... Hugs to you all. Hope we all remain cancer FREE xoxo

[Caroline60]

Hi ladies, thank you for the supportive posts. Im feeling much better now. Its week no 2 so side effects are starting to abate. 

[Curleychris]

Hi windy Sarah I am at same point as you and can't wait for the 4th of April when I will have my last Herceptin.
Hope your ok Caroline. Wishing you all a better year than last Rhonda, Irennee, Morwena and all January Jems 2013 thankyou for letting me join your group.

[Irenee]

I can only echo what Rhonda and Sarah have said Caroline.....hope you feel better soon. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2014. xxxx  Irenee

[rhondacat]

Sorry to hear Caroline your not going to well with the Herceptin, I'm with you Windysarah I hope it's the best healthiest New Year for all of us, tomorrow is 1 yr since I started Chemo, what a year it's been... Thank God it's over... Hugs Rhonda xoxo

[Windysarah]

Sorry to hear you're suffering Caroline. I was just going to say good riddance to 2013, glad it's over but should remember that some of us are still undergoing treatment. I believe I've just had Herceptin No 14, am feeling ok at mo but will be glad when it's all done. Hope your last four are kind to you. Xx Happy New Year Jems, let's make it the healthiest ever!!

[Caroline60]

Hope all you lovely ladies are moving on. 

Herceptin no 14 on Friday past was pretty hard. Im pooped and just weary. Also fell on to the road yesterday - felt really weak. Hubby and a local picked me up. Feeling better today - had walk in countryside. Laying on the sofa now. Sleepy but cant sleep. This bloody treatment is so **bleep**. RANT OVER. 

[rhondacat]

Good luck Pie314, hope your treatment goes well with minimal side effects, the time does pass, here we all are from last Jan, all with great results & once again enjoying life, you can do this. MERRY XMAS JEMS
PS great news Morwenna , amazing how we sleep when we are not worrying, first time in ages I'm off sleeping tablets & sleep most nights 🙂 xoxo

[Pie314]

Thanks all. I realised my mistake as soon as I'd posted but couldn't delete for some reason. I've found the right thread now! Blimey what will I be like when chemo brain kicks in?!?!?!

[June_BCC]

Hello Pie314

Here is a link to the thread Morwenna mentioned about starting chemo in Jan 2014.

http://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/Jan-2014-New-Year-Newbies/td-p/...

With best wishes

June, moderator

[Morwenna]

Hi Pie!
While you are most welcome to post here, this thread was started a year ago, so there is probably another with people who are starting in January 2014.

Chemo is manageable, but unpleasant to varying degrees. We have all come through it and are out the other side. Although each of us seems to react with some differences, you will find it helpful to connect with others at the same stage as yourself, I'm sure!

Good luck with your treatments! xx

[Pie314]

Hi all. I have just had a letter confirming I will start chemo on the 8th Jan. deep breath...here we go! 😕

[Curleychris]

Happy Christmas to all January Jem's. Wishing you all a peaceful and healthy time and everything good for 2014.

[Windysarah]

Well done Morwenna and Irenee!! Nice to have that comfort before Christmas. All my tests and appts have gone well too so I'm more than pleased. Here's to a healthy 2014. Xxx

[Morwenna]

Ps, they're going to repeat the CT in a year anyway, so I'm happy about that too!!

[Morwenna]

Just had a CT chest to check my "indeterminate" lung nodule. Hasn't changed one iota since this time last year, so pretty positive it is b9! This has been worrying me more than I'd realised, I think, because I slept really quite well last night!!!

Merry Christmas everyone, and a happy and HEALTHY new year!

[rhondacat]

Merry Xmas Irenee, & all you beautiful Jems, hope this Xmas is a lot happier for all of us than last year & we all have a happy healthy New Year.. Can't wait to say goodbye to this one, didn't like 2013 very much...
Cheers everyone. hugs Rhonda xoxo

[Irenee]

Thanks Rhonda...Have a lovely Christmas. xxx  Best Wishes to all Jems.

[rhondacat]

Wow that's beautiful, so pleased for you Irenee, such great news. xoxo Rhonda

[Irenee]

Haunted Houses

My husband complained of the pictures

'Haunted Houses'...the nurse declared

On the walls of my Breast Clinic

I used to gaze at them in despair.

Now a year on I felt much stronger,

But old fears within me burned

I gripped my husbands hand tightly

What if the cancers returned?

My turn now and the nurse smiled politely

And once more I face my fear.....

A ray of sun fell on those haunted houses

'You're fine...we will see you next year!'

Irenee

[rhondacat]

Hi Girls, hope your all doing OK I am getting very busy now as summer is approaching in my swimwear shop, if anyone wants to have a look I have a Facebook page ... SUNTIQUE please like me... Yay Morwenna getting a Gold in Hawaii how exciting. Curleychris I have finished reconstruction and so pleased I did, it is different than my other boob, but in bathers & low neck lines etc they look normal & good. Good luck Irenee with your in Jan hope it all hoes well. I am watching my brother in law in late stages of lung cancer now, Cancer surely does suck big time.... Keeping you all in my thoughts, hugs Rhonda xoxo

[Irenee]

Hi all, I am hoping to go for reconstruction in January if all is well with mammogram. I am also triple neg. so I am not on follow up treatment. Well done for your group getiing a gold in the singing contest Morwenna.  One of my friends has recently been dx in her other breast after having a mx 7 years ago, We can only live each day to the full no one knows what is round the corner. Irenee xx

[Curleychris]

PS I have been going into work since August but have only agreed to do 2 days until Herceptin is completed then gradually increase. I find it exhausting but at the same time helpful. Don't push yourself to quickly. hope your Employer's are sympathetic.

[Curleychris]

Hi Morwena,
It's strange how we can feel so vulnerable when we hear about someone having mets or dying but I think it's because we realise just how vulnerable we are and that it could be me. I wanted both breast removing at diagnosis but was told it wasn't necessary although being triple + I could have a recurrence in the opposite breast scary stuff. Hope all goes well for you in January.

[Morwenna]

Hi everyone, and welcome Curleychris!

I have an appointment with a plastics surgeon in January to discuss possible reconstruction. I had a left mastectomy last December, (followed by 24 weeks of chemo, and 16 rads) and my plan/hope is to have a prophylactic right mastectomy and bilateral DIEP or TRAM reconstructions.
My concern is my blood clotting history may make microsurgery problematic, so if recon is not possible, I will consider the proph. Mx anyway, and at least be symmetrical.
I had a right mammo and u/s in June, which was negative, but I'm distrustful of imaging as most of my original, (>8cm!!) tumour did not show on mammo/ultrasound!

My next anxiety-inducing test is a CT lung to look at an "indeterminate" nodule previously identified! Most of the time, I am feeling very good, and my chorus just won gold in our singing contest in Hawaii!!, but when, as this week, I hear of one of my "BC contemporaries" dying, or being diagnosed with mets or recurrence, I realize how vulnerable I still feel!

I'm due to start a phased return to work next week. Mixed feelings about that: a little anxious, and will miss being mistress of my own time in many ways, but I think it will be good for me, on the whole!

I wasn't on any follow-on treatment, being triple negative.

[Curleychris]

Good to see that others are getting good news re mammograms scary time for us all following a BC diagnosis.

How many have had reconstruction from the January jem's?

I hope and pray we all continue to recover and gain strength from each other.