Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi I finished chemo in June.  I cold capped every time.  Had 3x FEC and 3xT.  If you are going to lose hair it usually happens just before the second treatment.  I kept most of my hair, probably about 60/70% and it was well worth it for me as like you losing my hair was a very big deal.  Just make sure the cap is tight and look after your hair gently.  Good luck x ... View more

Im not 100% sure but I think it is to measure the radiation to make sure the dose is correct ... View more

Think your message did go through Susie x ... View more

Love that boat Sonia.  I'm not taking sleeping pills but then Im not sleeping properly either and am not sure about going down that road.  I think once we have moved mum hopefully my mind will settle down a bit.  I am thinking of starting the Loratadine again as I have read that it can help with general aches and pains and I always have itchy skin from one thing or another.  Edinbird I always have to have my feet out of bed but they are not burning so much since I have had the acupressure treatment.  I spend all night taking the quilt off and then putting it back on and I get up exhausted! Nice to hear from you Ocean.  Hope your skin starts to heal soon.  I still have a very small bit on the underside of my boob but it happened weeks after rads and I think it was a different bra just irritating the skin and then it all blistered.  Ive just left it alone and it is getting better. ... View more

Hi Susie yes I was thinking of a picture board.  We already have a very small one and some random pics but a bigger one might be a good idea.  She was 88 this year so not a bad guess!  I did start a photo album/life story when she first went into care but I found it too upsetting.  May dig it out and try to continue.  Hope you are feeling ok x MBJ good to hear from you and lets hope the drugs do the trick.  I bet your garden will look amazing once your hubby has finished with it. Hope everyone has a great weekend xxx ... View more

Well done Susie for finishing chemo.  Hopefully in a few weeks you will feel normalish again.    Regarding rads yes the pen does get on your bras so dont wear white but it wasnt a problem with my black ones.  I used to put the Aloe Vera gel on straight after treatment when the skin was hot as I had a long journey home.  That gets on everything too! Well I have done the deed and paid the holding fee for mum's new care home.  Social services have at last served the 28 day notice so she will be moving on 11th October.  They are going to put in new carpet which we can choose and I am now out searching for nice things and plants etc. to put in there.  I feel really excited.  The manager said they will definitely get her into the lounge but even when she isnt she will have a nice environment to be in with windows that open and fresh air.  I feel so relieved that we are doing this.  One of the staff at the old care home said yesterday that she knows their voices and they remember her when she was walking around but to be honest they have had a lot of new staff lately and I am sure the staff at the new home are just as nice.  We both really feel that this is right.  What with the treatment I had and this decision about mum I feel I have had a large weight lifted off my shoulders.  I can almost walk at normal pace now ... View more

Thats what we think Maryln.  They are miffed as they probably have never had anyone moved before but I must say that over the years the people that have been confined to their rooms have been end of life and that is fair enough.  We insist that my mum is not end of life, her vital signs are all very healthy but we argue that she needs social stimulation even if she is not contributing.  They cannot pop in and see her all the time as they just dont have the staffing levels to do that.  Now I think her comments have made us more determined.  It is all very sad but could be easily remedied.  My sister really flew at her and said it was their fault as they had not given us a downstairs room after she broke her hip and that was 2 years ago, after which she fell down the stairs.  Even the paramedics said she should be downstairs but they have just resisted us all the time.  Makes me so angry.  Also my poor mum has had to be in a room with 2 people receiving end of life care and that really really upset me at the time.  Also the poor relatives .... ... View more

Had a very tearful day again at the carehome.  One of the carers said my mum was like a member of the family and that we shouldnt move her.  She said she was happy and she thinks we are making the wrong decision.  Not what we wanted to hear but we said that we wouldnt be moving her if they had accommodated our wishes after she fell down the stairs and gave us a downstairs room but we could not bear the though of her in that room for the rest of her life.  Her argument was that mum doesnt know where her room is and was content.  I said that she was completely isolated and she argued that they are always popping in to see her.  Ive now told my sister that I cant do it next week as I cant cope with the emotional side of it all so we will wait for her to get back from holiday.  The manager and the carer said this has never happened before to them and they feel they have known her for 5 years and wanted to finish the job.  It has made me feel so bad but it has made my sister more angry and adamant that the move is right.  Ive said to them that I really dont want to move her but not once have they offered for her to have the next available room downstairs.  So I know it is not the best decision but it may be the right one. A breast care nurse has finally got back to me and told me that the Professor (my surgeon) has written out a request for a DEXA scan so at least that is being done.  Also went to the dentist today and it seems that chemo has not done any damage to my teeth other than a fractured filling which I am leaving for now until I know I will have to have the broken teeth out which depends on the DEXA scan so a little progress is being made.  She also said my mammogram will be roughly a year from diagnosis so I may even have that before my next oncology appt at the end of November as my diagnosis was in October. Speak later x ... View more

Great news Sonia.  Enjoy your evening x ... View more

Rosina great if you can get a day off.  It will make so much difference.  The massage etc. is a local lady in the village.  Its not free but she is quite reasonable.  My feet feel totally different lot lighter and I feel much better already.  Also the manager of the new care home has just rang me and they are going to keep the room for us so we just have to organise when we can move her.  The social worker was not in today but the manager is really on our side and quoting all sorts of safeguarding issues so hopefully I will be able to move her next week even though my sister is on holiday but they will help.  I feel so relieved and am hoping for a much better nights sleep.  Also not sure if it is a coincidence but I havent had any hot flushes today. Took my tablet just before my treatment.  When she was doing parts of my toes I could feel it in my head. Very strange. ... View more

Wow Susie cant believe that has come around already.  Nearly over ... ... View more

Just got back.  I had mainly massage and acupressure on my feet and toes as they were still numb.  They do feel much better but could have laid there all day!  Mum isnt really aware of whats going on but sometimes she is.  That's our point that on her good days she is still so isolated.  Social services didnt ring me until yesterday morning and wanted to meet at 11 so dont think care home knew.  We've decided that I will try to move mum next week and pay an extra 3 weeks.  Just want this done now.  I might try some reiki next time.  Ive never had anything like this done before but if it makes me feel better I will go with it.  Speak to you later x ... View more

My left eyebrow is a bit like that Susie.  I am really cross in that Social services came out today and agreed we need to move mum but then the care home have said they want 28 days notice so we may now lose the room even though we told them we had found somewhere a week ago.  When we went this morning at 11 they had left mum in bed and everyone else was downstairs having a party.  We could barely get in the room for equipment and all 3 of us had to stand round the bed trying to speak to my mum.  How can you give notice if you havent got a room anyway.  I am so annoyed and also feel really low and tearful but I think it is mainly due to lack of sleep and stress.  Have my holistic treatment tomorrow morning whatever that might be so hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. ... View more

Just thought Susie it must be your wedding anniversary which is why you're out and about.  Hope you have a fabulous time tonight.  Happy Anniversary xxx ... View more

Rosina I am super irritable too.  Dont think a working environment would be great for me at the moment.  My sister has told me so many times that my toenails are revolting, yeh they are but dont you think I know!!!!! Anyway last night I went back at her and she said she was only joking!  So I cant take jokes anymore when it is chemo themed.  Spoke to a bc nurse today about my bone scan and said that if my appt isnt until end of Nov I probably would have been on hormones for about 6 months before anyone checks and I dont think its good enough.  She is going to ask my bc Professor if he will write a request out.  Also been trying to chase Social services about a visit to my mum so we can move her and neither person dealing with her are in today.  Also my own bc nurse wasnt in today, nor was she the last time I phoned so I am super grumpy ...... ... View more

Hi Susie, Ive had so many different rashes I am now trying to think about the chemo one.  I was put on Loratadine (antihistamine)  to help with itching and you can get that from any pharmacy.  Every time I stop it I revert back to being itchy so I am still taking it.  Hopefully wont need it after this box.  I have had so many creams I cant remember what was for what.  Some were steroid creams which I didnt like using, there was a doublebase cream and an antibiotic cream when my ankle was really red, there was a 1% and 2% something then there was Rosina's recommendation for a little pot of something else( calendular or something like that).  Sorry not being much help.  If it is itchy I would definitely get antihistamines ... View more

Edinbird sorry about your takeaway.  I just cooked a lovely steak and really enjoyed it.  Have Indian tomorrow .... Lovely pics Susie.  My garden is shameful this year.  Just cant be bothered ... View more

Happy Anniversary Maryln xxxx ... View more

Big harvest moon last night Sunset before giant moon ... View more

I know Susie, its an awful lot.  My mum worked all her life and ok she gets a decent pension but it goes straight on her care.  Ive been awake all night worrying again!  If it was for the long term we couldnt do it but it will make us happy to be able to spend some quality time with her. Implausible you naughty girl! ... View more