Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Georgie    My picc line was fitted the same day as my first treatment, it was painless and hasn't given me any grief since then, sleeping is fine, no issues there and I was also given a cover for the shower which works just fine with no movement restrictions.  You'll soon forget it's there!  Picc covers are a great idea as they make it look 'less medical'.   Like you I still find it uncomfortable sleeping on the same side as surgery, glad I'm not the only one!   F x ... View more

Hello ladies   So I made it to day 12 before the shedding began, I thought I'd get a tingly scalp beforehand to warn me of the imminent loss but no, I have (had) very thick wavy hair so wary of shedding I'd been avoiding the brush and comb and just running my fingers through it in the morning before going to work but yesterday a quick run through left my hand looking like it had a thick coating of long fur lol. Of course morbid curiosity had me do that a few times throughout the day and the loss was great each time, panic stations! As soon as I got home I asked my daughter to shave it that very evening, as I'd lost so much that day I was worried about what would greet me in the morning, having bald bits or scraggly hair would have distressed me no end cos my hair has always been my crowning glory and the envy of the rest of my family. I have to say that was THE BEST decision for me, going from a full(ish) head of hair to bald wasn't upsetting at all, I had expected tears but there were none, from any of us. I think that's because it was my decision to take control and 'brave the shave', of course it's been less than 24hrs so that may yet change haha.  I have a bamboo wig cap and that makes the headgear that I'd bought in preparation comfy to wear, no rubbing or chafing, I don't know how I feel about wearing a wig yet but I guess it's early days.   Local hospital and I are practically on first name terms now as my temperature is high on an almost daily basis but so far no overnight stays or antibiotics have been required so perhaps I'm a naturally hot person, it's just so annoying and time consuming to have to go there all the time even though I know it's necessary....   SE's have been pretty sparse the past few days and as my second round is next week, I'm hoping I'll be feeling ok until then, it's nice to have good days 😎   Chin up everyone and keep posting, it's so good to know we're not alone in this   Fran x ... View more

All tests came back 'normal' last night so was discharged home, antibiotics not required altho they have referred me to an ambulatory clinic, just waiting for them to contact me with details, like i don't have enough bloomin commitments thanks to the BCC! 1st chemo was 1st Aug so I was expecting to feel more like myself by now but everyday seems to bring something new trying to drag me down, today it's sore throat, mouth ulcers and a pounding heart if I try and do anything, will this never end??? Actually sod that, I'm out for a meal with friends tomorrow and expecting a good old laugh, the SEs can do one for an evening lol Early night tonight, clean bedding on the bed, can't wait haha, it's the little things.... Georgie how's yr temp today? Fran x ... View more

Everything is ok, going home now to my own bed yay, work tomorrow boo. Georgie I hope you're ok xx ... View more

Still in a&e, blood taken, just got to wait an hour or so for results. Georgie a high temp can be a cause for concern and you may need blood tests too to rule out anything more serious, please do say something tomorrow when you speak to someone. Fatigue is the worst, I started chemo the day before you Georgie so we're practically going thru this together, chin up lovely 😋 Fran ... View more

Today the fatigue arrived, oh boy! Currently sitting in a&e as my temp was 38, I hope it's not going to be a long wait, I just want to go home and go to bed. Fran ... View more

Hello ladies. Yesterday I had my picc fitted, no problems there as apparently I have large veins and then my first EC a couple of hours later and so far so good, slight nausea but barely noticeable it certainly hasn't curbed my appetite, the meds seem to be doing their thing. I am trying not to feel smug though as I'm aware it's only been a day lol. I suspect I could be in for a rubbish weekend but I'll carry on taking it a day at a time and see what happens. The chemo centre experience was grand, lovely staff and patients, I was only there a few short hours and I think the volunteers came round with a trolley of drinks and snacks at least three times! My nurse said I was very calm and well prepared for a first timer (I didn't know what to expect so hadn't brought anything with me, just my lovely daughter) but from what I could see everyone there appeared to be relaxed; a few slept and there was lots of chatting and laughter among others, altogether it was not an unpleasant experience. Still peeing a bit pink tho! Lots of hugs and luck to all of you. Keep posting, it's great to hear how you're all doing. Fran x ... View more

Hi Georgie Gee, good luck for next week, here's hoping it's not too horrific!  See you on the next thread 😁   Keep strong everyone 💪💪💪 this too shall pass!   Fran x ... View more

It's been a wee while so I thought I'd drop by again and wave hello to all you July ladies, keep it up girls, it's a means to an end and doesn't last forever, at least that's what I'm telling myself and I haven't even started yet! All systems go day for me is 1st Aug so I guess I'll be lurking on the next thread too....   So, yesterday was the pre chemo talk & tour, thankfully no surprises as I was wary of an 'omg I hadn't thought of that' moment, lots of light reading to take home to while away an hour or three though haha.  The chemo nurse was lovely and was able to reassure me about a couple of the possible se's I was concerned about - thanks to a careless driver I currently have a stoma caused by constipation arising from complications so reading that constipation could occur had me a little bit frazzled not to mention the other end of the scale, believe me having the trots when you poo into a bag is not delightful!!! The nurse reassured me that they were aware and could give me 'stuff' in advance to combat either, phew! Now that concern has been alleviated I can just relax and go with the flow 😂   Ta for the travel insurance info Karen942, no1 daughter wants to take me to Morocco next year for my birthday so it's good to know it won't break the bank 👌 Sorry to hear your 50th wasn't a big affair but 60 is the new 50 doncha know so get planning hehe   I'm glad my daughters are all grown up now (youngest was 21on Tues) and seem to be taking everything in their stride but I have to say that the comments from those of you with younger children make me feel that they are a testament to their mums and you should all be very proud of your youngsters 😊   35 degrees today and my hair has been wet for most of it, I'm "almost" looking forward to having a cooler head; online purchases have been turning up so I have a variety of pretty headgear sitting on the side, I'm fairly sure I'll come to loathe them!   Dutchie I hope your first treatment went ok, did you try the cold cap? How was it?   Ice cream retention? I'm using that at work tomorrow lol. Mind you it's so bloomin' hot out there it's a race to eat it before it's just a creamy puddle in my lap, albeit an enjoyable race haha.    Working/driving after treatment, coping with fatigue and other se's..... all tips gratefully received cos I'm planning to take as little time off as possible (I only get paid when I work unfortunately).  ....and obviously I'd like things to remain as normal as I can, I know I know, optimistic right?   I talk a lot, seems that doesn't change when I type lol.   Keep cool ladies, I'll check in again after my first round altho it's possible <sarcastic voice> that I may not be so chipper next time 🙃   Fran x   Ps sorry for waffling on a bit ... View more

Hello ladies, I'm Fran in South Herts. Have just read all 6 pages of this thread(!) and have to say it's marvellous that everyone is so upbeat, everything I've read has been informative and helpful. I was diagnosed at the beginning of May and although I've now had my surgery it was delayed a couple of times after the MRI picked up two further areas that had to be investigated, secondary cancer in the breast and also in the lymph nodes so on 12 June I lost a few pounds, bye bye right boob, and some lymph nodes, thankfully ct & bone scan shows no spread. I saw my oncologist today (I think I fell in love a little bit hehe) and he tells me I'm due to start EC T chemo in the next couple of weeks, I think he was a little alarmed that I wasn't stressing over what's coming but it's gonna come whether I stress or not right? I told him that I knew I was in the right hands and was just along for the ride. Knowing how all you lovely ladies are doing is definitely going to help me deal with stuff I may not want to burden my daughters with. I've decided not to opt for the cold cap even though I too will probably look like Daniel Craig and anyway I've always fancied swanning around in a variety of different hats, and it's just another (perfectly valid) excuse to go shopping 😁. I'll lurk on here reading about all your experiences and will post again with my own experiences when my journey has begun. In the meantime I'll be sunbathing like mad until then hehe Good luck lovelies F x ... View more