Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Vanns and Sara12 for words of support. I'm feeling a bit brighter today and have just had facetime with 2 of my grandsons which is always a bright spot in the day. Sara I'm so sorry that you have a raft of other things to deal with, as if the cancer and chemo isn't enough. And Vanns thanks for the heads up about the ref to Optrex on the tips thread. I'll scroll through and find what it says. Christine, hope your scalp gets sorted soon. I'm having a quiet day today. OH gone out, busy busy, and I'm about to vegetate in front of a DVD. What can we do to lure the missing bunnies back? I'm sure they are all out there and will join in again soon. Shame the revamp of the forum came at this critical time when we are all just getting going, but the timing of such things is never going to be great for everyone and as an ex-comms manager for another charity I understand the reasons why they needed to do the revamp. It'll all be sorted soon and, like our cancers, will become a distant memory in time - though I think the cancer memories will linger longer that the forum probs. But not forever. Have a peaceful weekend bunnies everywhere. Love, margieteexx ... View more

Hi bunnies who are still with us (come back all the others, the warren is cold without you!) Well, this afternoon I've been feeling like a real chemo victim bunny, but then I read pixie's wonderful posting and I am back now realising that there is light at the end of the tnnel. Pixie, you are amazing and we love you so much. Your story has had me in hysterics - and my husband, who says he loves you too!!!! I bet you weren't so amused while it was going on, but what a saga!!!! Go try the titanium out in JL. I wonder what'll happen there. Loved the bit bout the NVQ - well, loved all of it. Thank you thank you thank you for making me feel so much better. So why have I been so down? FEC2 on Wednesday. Yesterday OK except for very watery sore eyes and a badly bruised bunny paw where the cannula was ... today I'm just about totally bald, even the stubble has gone and it all got to me. Bald chemo victim. Phoned the chemo nurse - the watery sore eyes are a recognised SE of the F drug, she said to get something from the doc or the pharmacy that contained no meds but would soothe the eyes - doc said everything had meds but ask the pharmacy. OH went to pharmacist. She said the same and suggested going to the optician. By this time it was 5.15 and I said to leave it till tomorrow. Watery eyed chemo victim. Paw keeps looming into my line of vision - bruising still there and no veins showing at all. Convinced it won't mend. Tears. Weeping. Most crying since all this started with the first discovery of the LUMP in December..... It'll pass. By Monday I know I'll be on the mend. Just bracing myself for more feeling sorry for myself over the weekend. And by comparison to other bunnies my SEs are so minimal. I feel pathetic. So, you can see why your post was so important pixie! Oh and thanks to spacehopper - you are right, my grandchildren ARE WONDERFUL and so are my sons and their lovely wives .... Lots of love to everyone in the warren. Come back soon missing bunnies. We need each other. Love, margieteexxx ... View more

Welcome Spacehopper ... your pic is almost a bunny!!! Loved the comment about the David Walliams sketch - that's just how I felt before mine came off. For a laugh, look back to my posting at the start of this week when I described comments from my grandchildren when I went to see them on Sunday without my hair - pirate Granny. ... View more

Hi everyone. I tried doing a posting on Tuesday night but it never appeared so I hope this one gets on .... Well, the chemo cat came out of her corner yesterday and leapt on this perky bunny yesterday afternoon for FEC2. She was a bit of a pain while the red E was going in, kept scratching away at my little bunny paw, but the brave little bunny fought her off and the rest of the infusion of lovely sparkly get well soon carrot juice went in fine. Chemo cat is back in the corner awaiting the next session!!! Once again, I'm being really fortunate so far and other than being very tired I'm OK. Last time I was totally fine on the Thursday and the SEs I did have (luckily for me all pretty minimal) kicked in on the Thursday night on through to about the following Tuesday. We'll see what happens. Went to see the surgeon today for a quick follow up - he's happy with everything and the fat necrosis I mentioned in an earlier post requires no treatment. It should eventually sort iiself out. Sarah12 hope you're feeling a bit better today. Elaine, hope your FEC2 goes OK today. Hope all others having chemo this week, first and second timers alike, that it you have an OK time. Vanns, good that you are getting sicky meds sorted. Loved your idea about having hair shaved off for charity - I keep telling people that's the only reason why I've gone bald..... I answered the door to the postman yesterday without thinking about my egghead - he was a bit surprised!!!!! Sharon, my scalp was really sore every time I touched my scalp when I was at your stage. SO much better when it's all gone. I've just had a delivery of bits from heads4hats including a couple of caps (rain forest baker boy and white polka dots) which I am REALLY pleased with. Their zandanas are OK but I think my heads perhaps a bit on the large side for them so they will be for garden use! I mae it to the gym on Tuesday and wore a regular baseball cap but went commando for my zumba class and got very supportive comments from everyone. Natalie, I'm enjoying Sainsbury's old Jamaica ginger ale lo-cal for stimulating the tastebuds, also pure apple juice half and half with sparkling water is refreshing. Hope the forum continues to sort itself out ... I'm missing the quick link to saved discussions. It's a bit of a palaver to get into our fav thread at the moment. Wasn't it terrible without it for those few days! Love to everyone (come back soon chief bunny pixie). margieteexx ... View more

Gadget-gal, the lemony flutter cuticle butter sounds gorgeous. Note to self to look out for it next time I'm passing a lush store. mteex ... View more

Hi bunnies everywhere in the warren and jumping around outside the warren in today's sunshine ... First, Repunzal - we all feel for you. It's not so bad once it's all gone though, honest, .... even tho I felt strong and ready to have my hair off, I still sobbed all through my hubby clipping mine off. He said afterwards he didn't know whether to stop for a while or just carry on regardless. He carried on which was the best thing. This weekend we went to see one of our sons, his wife and two grandsons. Our 3 year old grandson was waiting for us at the window. He was beside himself with excitement as we walked up the path because "Granny's wearing a pirate's hat". He thought my scarf was fantastic and insisted I wear a pirate's eye patch for the rest of the day and carried his sword (made of foam). Then when I took the scarf off he said I looked like Grandad! Then I demonstrated my wig .... both grandsons thought that was hilarious, especially when I took it off - the younger one (15 months) was trying to take his own hair off. Honest Repunzal pal (and everyone else), you'll be OK and it WILL grow back (and good for you Rep for the running). Sarah12 - really sorry to hear you have the additional prob of alopecia. More about hair loss - Someone asked when hair started to come out - mine started day 11 after FEC1, just a few hairs at a time then by day 15 it was handfulls. The big clip was on day 16. Underarm hairs, leg hairs, eyelashes and you know where hairs all thinning and I think the little hairs up the nose have gone too cos my nose is running a lot even tho I haven't got a cold. Appetite - mine has been huge right from day 1. At this rate I'll have ballooned by the time this is over. Fish and chips - don't normally have them very often but bring 'em on right now!!!! Nails and cuticles - very weak, dry, flaky. I'm using E45 handcream and my Leighton Denny bio serum. Advice from LGFB - don't buff your nails during chemo. They'll be thinned already and you don't want to make them any thinner. Red lump on boob - this developed over the weekend (day 17) right next to my lumpectomy scar. Popped in to hosp this morning and the surgeon took a look at it. He says it is 'fat necrosis'. Sounds delightful. Apparently it's a bit of damage to the fatty tissue in the boob at time of surgery and the fatty tissue is now dying off and causing an irritation on the surface. Pain in chest - yes, I've got this all round my chest. Was in the back only when I saw the onc last week and she's referred me for a CT scan but thinks it's muscular in my case. So, I'm all set for FEC 2 on Wednesday. Anyone else having it Wednesday????? Pixie - how's it going? And everyone else - thinking of you all. We're in it to win it (shame it's not a lottery win!!!!). Love, margieteexx ... View more

Pixie how's it going. I'm worrying for you cos you've not posted for a wee while. Margieteex ... View more

Hi bunnies. Well, I'm sitting here getting used to the feeling of being bald. My hair started coming out, just a few at a time, on Sunday and by last night it was coming out in handfulls. I woke up to find what looked like a small animal bunched up on my pillow this morning. Couldn't stand another night of trying to sleep in a cloud of hair and thinking I was breathing it all into my lungs as I tried to sleep, so I finally took the plunge and got my hubby to get the clippers out. I sobbed my way through it - cried more than at any other time since I first felt my bc at Christmas, but it's done now and doesn't feel as bad as I thought it would. I had my onc checkup this week prior to next wednesday's FEC2 .... all fine, except when I mentioned I had some pain in my mid upper back, right hand side, and also some soreness still around the left underarm (site of sentinel node removal) she decided to refer me back to the surgeon regarding the underarm and for a full body CT scan regarding the back pain. On both she said she is certain there's nothing nasty lurking but that it would be wise to check things out. Both appts should be in the next couple of weeks. The other main thing in my onc appt was that I asked her about milk thistle. She definitely knew what I was talking about and said categorically NO NO NO to it. The main reason being that it can disguise things in the pre chemo blood test so they wouldn't have a clear picture of what's going on in my body. Pixie, I love the analogy of sparkly stuff. Better than my 'good medicine' idea, so now I am preparing myself to being sparkled on wednesday. So pleased things have been OK for you. Hope everyone else is doing OK. I know there are lots of other things I'd planned to respond to but my chemo brain doesn't hold information any more .... especially now the cold can get to it via my bald head! Have a great weekend everyone. love, margieteexx ... View more

Well done pixie, vanns, littlechick but so sorry to hear abt the sickness littlechick. Gadgetgal that's great that the tumour has shrunk. Just waiting for my sister to arrive for an overnight stay. I'll be back when she's gone to report on my onc mtg yesterday. All set for FEC2 next Wed. Good luck everyone. Margieteex ... View more

Thanks Sarah b and yes, defo wishing you luck for your appt. Has anyone just seen the interview on BBC breakfast about the book of photos of the chemo journey of photographer Gemma Levine? I'm going to try and get a copy today. Will review it for fellow bunnies! mteex ... View more

Hi little chick, pixie and others starting out this week. It is scary, no doubt about that, but you'll honestly feel so relieved once you've got this first one out of the way. I'm up for my second next week and am trying to brainwash myself away from thinking of this as poison but rather as medicine to make me better, ie thinking of it as good stuff going in not nasty bad stuff. It's sort of helping. Elaine and I have been so lucky with small side effects - I feel almost embarrassed that mine have all been slight, almost as if I don't deserve a place in the warren cos I haven't been bad. I feel so fortunate but realise it may not be so good next time or the time after. We'll see. So good luck to everyone and remember it's not poison going in, but good medicine. Positive thinking .... Love and virtual hugs, Margieteex ... View more

Hi bunnies. Welcome to our latest arrivals, good luck to those starting out this week (including pixie for portacath fitting) .... and good luck too to those who are already starting their second cycle this week. Isn't it amazing how far we've come already. gadget gal, hope you are feeling a whole load better. I've been warned that if there's any sign of infection it is straight in for intravenous antibiotics so wasn't surprised when you said that's what you've got. Hope you are allowed home soon (maybe there already). Elaine, how did the gym session go? I know there are other comments I'd intended to make to other people but unless you do it straight away it gets lost in the mists of time. Well, it's 12 days since my feccing FEC1 and yesterday I noticed a few hairs came away quite easily when I ran my fingers through it. Today there are more coming away more freely than yesterday ... so I've been practising my scarf tying (learnt at Headstrong session) and have actually got my wig out of the box for the first time since buying it 10 days ago. I think whichever bunny it is that went commando at the weekend was great. I REALLY hope I feel OK about doing the same. Like others I've had an itchy head and have had a couple of sores on my scalp too which I rubbed E45 cream into. I bought some aloe vera shampoo and conditioner at the weekend, but it doesn't seem I'm going to be using it much - until it grows back when this treatment is done. Also bought aloe vera toothpaste which is good and aloe vera mouthwash - I can't stand Corsodyl - the smell makes me nauseous, let alone the taste of it in my mouth. Not tried the new stuff as yet as my mouth is fine at the mo - it was sore for a week after FEC1. Got milk thistle too - will ask my onc on Wednesda if he's happy for me to use it. Can't see any reason why not myself. Wiiiiiind - yes! and hiccups. I found the thread about wind - some of the stories are very amusing. Oh and for the inevitable constipation I found good old fashioned syrup of figs (now called califig or something) worked!!!! Love to bunnies everywhere. margieeexx ... View more

Hi pixie. Just a quickie reply about being sickie. I had intravenous anti sick and was told to take my tabs for 3-4 days irrespective of whether or not I felt sick, then to take 'as needed'. I started to feel queasy on the Friday and sat after Wed chemo and the queasiness lasted about a week. Perhaps without the tabs this would have become more- who knows, I wasn't hanging around to find out! And of course we know some poor bunnies have had heaps of sickness. Seems we are all different. When does your portacath go in? Your mother is hilarious. Margieteex ... View more

Gosh we bunnies jump around so much and are so active in our thread that sometimes its hard to keep up! Repunzel somehow I missed your recent posting about sickness etc. Just read it and am weeping FOR you. You poor, poor bunny. I SO hope its getting better and that you have spoken to your chemo team about it. Don't give up. You must beat this b****r along with the rest of us. Let us know how its going. Battery running flat - reminds me of those ads a decade or so ago of bunnies hopping around and their batteries going flat! Anyway means I must go now. Love to everyone - Vanns, great news. Margieteex ... View more

Morning bunnies. Hope you like my bunny pic! Shame I couldn't find a Zumba bunny pic!!!! Sharon - never, ever feel you have to apologise for any down moments. We all have them and when it helps to put it down on the thread then that's the way to go. Sames goes for us all. Well done to you, and to Tracy and Lee, for getting the first one out of he way - Tracy I was so sorry to hear you had so much sickness. Hope it's getting better. I had my Headstart session yesterday which was interesting. I think I could do a passable scarf tie now and also found it useful to try on different styles of headgear. I'm not very good at being the centre of attention in a beauty/style type session but I'm pleased I did it. Just wish I could do a headdress like you gadget-gal. Fantastic. Stunning in fact. Vanns - I am staggered your new BCN said no exercise, no hair cutting etc etc - what is she on? Doesn't she realise taking control of ourselves is all part of getting through this and also how exercise makes for more positive thinking? My zumba session yesterday was so much more tame than I usually am and I had to stand a few dances out, but the benefit it gave me in terms of how I felt about myself was amazing, not to mention that fact that if we do things that we would normally do it helps to make us feel a bit more - well - normal! Also the support from all my friends in the class and at the gym generally is a wonderful tonic. Keep at it everyone. Lots of love, hugs etc etc etc etc. margieteexxxx ... View more

Loving the bunny pic idea. My hubby says I should opt for a rabbit stew pic (apologies to any veggies). He always has had an off the wall approach. I won't do what he suggests but will hop to it tmrw and find a suitable pic. I definitely think all who aimed to start in April MUST stay with us. We are all bonded to one another now. Sara I'm so sorry about your delay. Been thinking all day about everyone going through it today. I can't believe it is a week since I started. I actually made it to zumba this morning. I was a bit of a tame bunny doing it but at least I was there and what a tonic it was. BCN saying no to exercise? She's MAD. Margieteex ... View more

Huge welcome to recent joiners and good luck, hugs, everything to those starting this week. Once you have one under your belt It honestly doesn't feel so scary. So pleased pixie now has an April start date - as our founder member our thread wouldn't be the same without you and you def don't strike me as a mayfly!! Thinking of everyone. Margieteex ... View more

Hiya Tracy I think anything that cools the mouth is good, cooler the better tho. The woman next to me on Wed had a home made lolly that looked good. Then she got a small frozen block in a bag out - not sure what these are called but they are available for kids in all supermarkets, but completely thawed. My hosp offers to put frozen things in their fridge but this neighbour of mine hadn't taken up the offer. I'd say be self sufficient with really hard frozen stuff, whatever takes your fancy. Easy with cool bags, ice blocks, thermos. Pixie, my bloods can either be taken at hosp regular blood sucking dept on Monday before Wed chemo or at my GP Monday morning. Blood results get to chemo nurses Tuesday and I assume if too low they would phone to postpone. Like you I'm really hoping to stick to every three weeks. Sadly I think my hard won Olympics tickets may not be used by me but I'm hoping I manage to get to my events on Aug 3 - last chemo should be July 25. See, already the endis in sight!!! Keep at it bunnies. Back tomorrow I'm sure!! Margieteex ... View more

Sameelee, I'd give the ice cubes a go from the first session. I did and have had no mouth soreness. Whether or not I would have done without the icecubes is another matter but at least it made me feel I was doing something to help myself be in control of something. And the chilled water was comforting. The only thing I felt of the drugs going in was that my forearm started to feel cold a few mins after the red drug started going in. The nurse was expecting this and brought me an electric arm wrap which was warm and also comforting. Red wee was entertaining! Didnt last long tho. I had a really quiet day yesterday catching up on i-player and today am feeling much more my normal self. onwards! Happy bunny sunday one and all. Margieteex ... View more

Sharon, can't remember if you are one of the FEC girls. If so, one of the three fec drugs is prone to give sore mouth probs and I was advised to take in ice cubes to suck while this drug was going in. Hubby put ice cubes in a thermos and they stayed solid. You either need a wide top thermos or stainless interior for ease of getting them out when needed. we had a second flask of iced water which I found a great advantage. Margieteex ... View more