Breast Cancer Now Forum

Me again, hope you're both keeping cool in the heatwave? It's 36° here at 23.11, way too hot without air conditioning.    Stay safe Lisa and Lily xxx ... View more

Hi buddies Nice to see your post Lisa and I hope that you are feeling a bit better? I will have a good catch up over the weekend, but just wanted to check in to say HI Love Carole xx ... View more

Hi to you both, sorry i've been absent for a while, no particular reason but hope you're both doing ok. I don't know about you two, but lots of people I know have recently had Covid, son, D-I-L, friends, my sister and nephew, Mr P, and at the moment my ED and granddaughter have it.   All have managed to avoid it for the last 2 years but suddenly they've become infected.   I presume this is because all restrictions are now lifted so the bugs are getting around.   Some have felt very fluey too. Sherlock is slowly improving, but his last xray showed 2 abnormal vertebrae which an ordinary xray doesn't explain enough so on Friday he is off for a scan.   At least he is in less pain now, but still not lifting his tail and I must say it is a beautiful tail. Mr P and myself are planning a trip to Italy for 10 days, to see the places we didn't enjoy seeing before because it was too hot. So looking forward to that, but it will depend on whether Sherlock needs an operation or not. My sister has bowel problems, she is going for a colonoscopy next week so I'm keeping fingers crossed it won't be anything nasty. Not much news otherwise, Lily has Victor retired yet?   Have you?   Lisa the new job sounds busy, sorry to hear about your friend, hope she recovers well. Great news for your aunt. well that's about it for now, take care ladies, love Carole xx ... View more

Hi to you both Nice to hear from you Lily, sorry about your extra workload that you didn't ask for, employers really want their gold don't they?   I'm glad I don't have to worry about work. I didn't have a pearl present, but instead I am having my Mum and Nan's wedding ring (Mum had a thick ring made of the 2 bands) made into a bracelet. It should be ready soon. I would never have worn such a wide heavy ring but as a bracelet it will be good. Mr P returned from work last week with Covid, the tests he has been doing seem to switch from Positive to Negative to Positive again, so tomorrow he is going for a PCR test to be sure.   He has been fine, just has a cold and a slight cough. Vets here seem less expensive than in the UK, we don't have insurance but we pay a monthly fee to our vet which builds up if we don't need to see them, so like insurance I suppose. Today we had to take Sherlock because his behaviour has been different and he seems afraid to jump.  He used to jump onto my lap all the time, his tail is also hanging low which is usually a sign of a spinal problem.   He is only 8 months old, so tomorrow an xray should confirm if he is ok or not.  The vet thinks it might be stress, goodness knows what has upset him. I hope you had a great birthday, are you planning any holidays this year? YD has recovered from being knocked down by a car, and this week she is starting a new job at a Notary (solicitor).   It is only temporary at the moment until the summer.   This is to give her time to give notice on her existing teaching contract. Awful news about Ukraine & Russia, but I suppose it was expected. Take care and love to both of you xxx ... View more

Hi everyone, Lily it was good to read your post, I was beginning to get worried about you. Anyway all is well with you. Have you made a decision about retirement yet?  For travelling, we have to look on the bright side in the hope that we will learn to live with Covid, as we have with flu.   Personally I still wear a mask and handwash frequently, but I think that is just a sensible thing to do. Sorry to hear that one of your grandchildren has Covid, I hope not suffering too much? I think we are very lucky not to have caught it so far. Saturday before last our neighbours house caught fire, which brought back some very distressing memories. It seems it was an electrical fire, both neighbours were out at the time but were called to get back.   They have salvaged a few things but the house will have to be destroyed and rebuilt. The 2 kitties are adorable but we still need to introduce them to the dogs, Sherlock now weighs 7 kilos and Sykes 4 kilo. This week we celebrated our Pearl wedding anniversary.   Looking back I don't know where the years have gone. Well better crack on, stay safe and take care love Carole xx ... View more

Want to wish my fellow buddies a very Happy New Year for 2022..   Stay safe, wishing us all health and much happiness love Carole ... View more

Hi buddies Just popping in to wish you both a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and good tidings to all     ... View more

Hi Lisa and Lily How are you both doing? Is your work/life balance proving better?   I know how busy Christmas is for teachers Lily so I expect you are still very busy. Lily the kitten will be joined on Saturday with another kitten, this time a Norwegian Forest cat who will be 4 months old.   They will both be indoor cats although Mr P built an enclosed safe area for them to be able to go and get fresh air, watch the birds etc.  How was your family trip? Was your Mum and Uncle ok whilst you were away? Lisa I hope you've stayed away from Covid, how are your parents now? The death of Sarah Harding was so upsetting, it brought it all back didn't it?   I am also following the story of Tom Parker from The Wanted, diagnosed just over a year ago with an inoperable brain tumour. Purely because I've always liked their music.    Our trip to UK seemed a lifetime ago now, and so we have Christmas looming and Mr P is working, so apart from YD visiting me for a couple of days, I will be home alone, not looking forward to that. We will have our family Christmas Day on 19th. I'm having my booster jab next month, have you had yours yet girls? I'd better get away from the laptop or I will be here all day.   Take care love Carole x   ... View more

Hi ladies Hope you are both keeping well?   Any update on your Mum Lily? Here's hoping Victor is recovered now. How are you coping with it all? Lisa when do you start your new job?  Hope your Mum and Dad are doing nicely now? Not much news from me, all good here although weather has turned decidedly wintry now. Take care Love Carole xx ... View more

Hi both of you Just a quick post from me as we are busy unpacking and washing from our trip to UK.  It was wonderful to see them all again, and great as we did a spot of babysitting and took the littlies out to a soft play centre which they loved.  On Wednesday it was number 3 grandchild's birthday, so we spent the day trouping around Marwell Zoo near Southampton.   Most of the animals were hiding of course, isn't that what they do at zoos lol. Lisa I hope the job is going well, have you started yet?   Also hoping your Mum and Dad are recovering nicely after Covid. Lily sorry to hear Victor has been poorly but I'm pleased he is on the mend.   Sorry you have more to worry about with your Mum and you're right, the Carer should've looked after her.   I hate cleaning up other people's sickness episodes. The new cat, called Sherlock is arriving next week so Mr P is busy building a tree house for him. Here is a picture which I hope works. Love to you both xx ... View more

Nice to hear your news Lisa, any luck with the job interview you had? It's great that after such a long time life is beginning to get back to normal.   The kitten should be arriving around middle of September, when he will be 4 months old.   We are still hoping to get across the water for a visit early September, I'm keeping fingers crossed and hope that the farcical day 2 test will be abolished by then.   I've heard so much about rip off companies that take your money but don't do the test. We have 3rd vaccinations at the beginning of December.  Our weather is a mixed bunch, a few days of sunshine then cloud, rain and dank for the next few days.   The veg was doing well in the garden when it was sunny but not much going on now it's back to cloud.   When the sun does appear it is very hot, one day last week it was 44 degrees, in the shade on our terrace. Lily no news from you, hope all is good in the Lily family. Take care girls love Carole xxx ... View more

Oh wow, 2 posts to read and reply to. Firstly Lily, great news about your mammo being clear but still not so good about your brother's burns and your mum and her fall.  Must be a very stressful time with end of term jobs, dental problems, family and holidaying in staycation this year, but like you say being able to go anywhere is positive.  It sounds like it will be fun with your family and all the dogs. Lots of walking I think so better eat lots of cream cakes  😂 .  Will you be anywhere to fit in some sightseeing too?  I think UK is having good weather at the moment so hope it stays nice for your holiday.   Lisa are you relieved that you will be taking redundancy?   Yes it sounds like your CV will have a lot of good information on it. I've never stayed in one job for more than about 5 years so 25 is a big achievement. So sorry to hear your parents have had Covid.   Are they double vaccinated too?   That is the worry that even though vaccinated, people are still catching it.   I'm glad they're on the mend though. What a nuisance about your new car, it sounds super cool but not for breaking down.   Was it a private sale? Your camping trip also sounds like a lot of fun, we haven't been able to get away at all this year.   As the UK government keep changing the rules, we are not sure that we'll be able to get over for a visit in September.   Having to quarantine will be a problem as sister and children live 2 hours apart. I'm desperate to pick up all the things from my Mum, especially the photos.  So at the moment people from France have to quarantine, and even though double vaccinated of course they're not NHS vaccinations. We have an EU vaccination passport.  Watch this space.   My other exciting news is that in September we are picking up a Maine c o o n kitten.   We saw him last week at a month old, so the breeder gets him ready for us to pick up then.  I'm busy looking at Maine c o o n climbing frames and toys.   They are supposed to be dog like in nature and very people loving.  My only worry is how to keep our 2 dogs from terrifying him.  They chase our other ginger cat although he's not scared of them.   All for now, have a sunny week and stay safe xxx     ... View more

Hi buddies Gosh it's been a while since I posted, but anyway I'm pleased to say my PET scan and Oncologist appointment went well last week, the Onc was happy that every is ok as nothing showed up on the scan. Phew, a relief I can tell you. It's certainly been one of those years where cars, kitchen equipment, garden equipment, the swimming pool has a leak so apart from a couple of times in May when we had warm weather we used it a couple of times but haven't  been able to enjoy it this year.   We know where the leak is so that's something at least.   The strimmer had to be replaced, and last week I'd just started to mow the grass and the ride on mower broke down.   We're hoping this can be fixed as we can certainly do without more expense.   Just one thing after another!  And then there is the weather which has been absolutely dreadful. 2 days sunny then a week of rain and the humidity is incredible. Well I'd better get some housework motivation, I hope you are both well xxx ... View more

Oh Lily, what a tough time you are having. Your poor brother, it sounds awful, how is he doing now? Is there much damage to his house? I was horrified to hear about your son and I hope, mentally, he recovers from this ordeal. I imagine bank cards had to be told, and cancelled and will take some time to get back to normal.  Hugs, to you and all.  Well I'm 2 jabs done, but not planning to travel just yet. My hope is that by September we will be free to visit family in Hampshire and London. I've only seen them by video since February last year. I want to hug the baby girls so much, I fear they don't know who Nana is . My sister has some of mum's ashes for me and a few other bits mum wanted me to have. It will be a sad reunion when I see my sister. In other news I had my cardiology appointment today, he said my heart is good, but, beats very fast (isn't that contradictory? ), so has given me beta blockers to try and slow down the heart. I've taken readings tonight and it has definitely slowed down my pulse/heart rate, even to a tad too low. Tomorrow I will reduce the dose by cutting in half and will see. I'd rather take less than more. Next week is my PET scan  and Oncologist appointment. I'm confident the only thing that might show up is alcohol abuse to my liver 😆 . My tumour markers were 31.5, normal is 30 so not worth hardly a mention, but here they follow up any abnormalities, which is good. I’ve been having back ache a lot more than usual, and painful arms if I move them the wrong way, I've put this down to surgery.   Enjoy the rest of the week, much love Carole xxx ... View more

Just to update, Pet Scan is on 28 June and Oncologist 30 June  😑 ... View more

Hi Lily, my usual ca results are below 30 but this time they were 31.5 so above normal, but only slightly. However before I see the oncologist on 30 June, I need a PET scan, which I've never had before. After discussing this and googling, it seems to be a very accurate test for organs, cells and brain. It's also one of the most expensive tests so a good job we should be covered by our national insurance called securite sociale here. Yes Lily, it's difficult not to worry but I am trying to forget about it until the results. I miss my lovely cat, I asked for him to be cremated and I hope to put him with the ashes of my mum, when I eventually get them here in France. Not sure when that will be, but hoping to in September. It depends on the circumstances at that time with covid. I hope to visit the grandchildren especially as one  will be 4 then and I've missed every birthday so far. Veg is coming along but the high temperatures are not so good. We don't have any air pollution or light pollution as we're in rural land. Some plants are scorched. Lily hoping you're OK and not overloaded with work. All for now xxxx ... View more

Hi girls, sorry it's been a while, I don't know why but maybe since the weather became sunny I've been spending more time in the garden. Yesterday we reached 28 degrees at 7 pm.   Whilst I like the hotter weather I don't like the constant sweating every time I'm doing physical stuff. My last tumour marker was slightly raised, so I saw my GP yesterday and left it to her to phone an oncologist to find out what I should do.   It's the first time it has been slightly higher. I know that Nicky didn't think a lot about tumour markers, as many things can affect them.   I'm also waiting to see my Cardiologist as my rapid heart beat is causing me palpitations and it's a constant rapid beat not changeable. It could be because of my diabetes, which is very stable at the moment. Monday was a sad day for me, our 18 year old cat was put to sleep.   He was blind, deaf and had high blood pressure. He ate like a horse but didn't put any weight on so probably a thyroid problem too.   I had put off doing it in the hope that he would slip away in his sleep.   In the end it was peaceful but very upsetting. The veg is coming along, we've got courgettes, runner beans, petit pois peas, leeks, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and chillis.   It does take a lot of watering though. That's about it for my five minute break in between cleaning and gardening. Have a nice weekend both of you, love Carole x ... View more

Hi ladies, how are you both doing?   It will soon be half term for you Lily, do you have any plans?  My 2nd vaccine was good, no side effects at all and I am so pleased I am now fully vaccinated.   Good luck to your Little Chap with his exams, our eldest granddaughter is 17 years old today, boy doesn't time fly as you get older.   I think going automatic is a good idea, and if we exchange our 11 year old car it would definitely be for an automatic. We're not changing it though, at least not yet. Our weather has been changeable, one saturday in the last couple of weeks it was 28 degrees and very sunny so I turned the heating off. The next day down to 13 degrees so the heating went back on and has remained on since  🙄 . It has also been so wet, rain almost every day for about 5/6 weeks. I'm hoping to get over to the UK in September if all the quarantine restrictions have lifted, we have so many people to see in different counties. It's now 14 weeks since Mum passed, I miss her so much as we used to talk almost every day even if we did repeat conversations. I could never imagine my life without her, and here we are.   She's in my thoughts every day. I give myself some consolation by thinking at least she's not confused and lonely anymore. I wish her last 4 weeks had been better for her. The weather is pretty awful again today so I don't feel motivated to do much.   Take care love Carole xx ... View more

Hi girls Nice to hear your news Lisa, I totally agree with you about feeling the loss of Nicky, and yes I think Val passed around 7 years.   Both such lovely ladies and I can still remember the day I met Val at a nearby campsite.   Your Mum sounds as though she is having a difficult time medically and I hope they get to the bottom of it sooner than later.  It seems easy these days to blame stomach problems on IBS, but perhaps worrying about your brother, you and your Dad could be the cause?   Hope things work out for you in your job. Lily we'll look forward to hearing about your Staycations.   At the moment I still think it's the best bet, although they're saying on the news today that it has been proven that people with 2 vaccinations are pretty safe from catching covid.   What model is pup?  😂 I'm having my second vaccination tomorrow, I think it will be AZ as that is what we had first time.   Hoping I don't suffer too badly with side effects as I'm home alone at the moment.  I've bought a couple of ready meals just in case I feel rough. YD and Mr P drove all the way on a 10 hour round trip because YD was picking up a new Skoda Fabia from afar.   It's a beautiful car, a very bright metallic blue.   So proud of her.   ED had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago, she has suffered from woman problems and endometriosis for most of her adult life, so this was the final option.   She seems to be doing well and is doing a sponsored walk through May for breast cancer, so proud of her too, and donated some money. Apart from that, I have little news to talk about.  Our weather has been very changeable, we had 2 weeks of dry warm weather which was good for the morale, but last 3 days have been grey, wet and cold.  I even lit the fire yesterday as I felt so cold, 9 degrees at end of April is a first in the 13 years since we moved to the sunny (or not) SW. Have a good bank holiday weekend and hope the sun shines for you, love Carole xx PS the final Line of Duty reveals who H is, who do you think it is? ... View more

Hi Lily and Lisa Sorry I've not been around for a while, what with Mum's funeral (which I cried all the way through), the weather being good and doing lots of gardening, and watching a programme on Amazon Prime (membership on a trial period, I was intending to cancel) called This Is Us, I am totally addicted. I don't like to sit watching TV during the day, I try to keep busy but there is only so much gardening and housework you can do. Lily your mother's day treat, a roast dinner sounded very nice and I expect it surprised you too.  I agree when one of our children leaves the nest it takes a while to get used to.   I hope to visit the children in the UK at some time this year, I didn't get across last year at all and feel I've missed out on so much of the grandchildren. Sorry that your holiday was cancelled again. Lisa I'm pleased to hear from you and that all is well. As I said before my vegetable garden has helped to lose myself, so this year we are growing leeks, and courgettes from plants, runner beans, peas, carrots and hopefully some green veg from seeds.  I love seeing seeds turn into plants, especially edible ones.    As you've come out of lockdown, we have just gone back into one.   It's possible to go out for shopping and essentials, I go out as little as possible, to avoid coming into contact with people.   I've turned into a bit of a recluse, but that's my life, the same as usual when here alone. Travel beyond 10 kms is only possible for an essential reason.  A lot of people in France feel the president should have gone into a lock down 2 months ago, but he's a business man and hoping to be re-elected next year so the economy meant more to him than lives! Hope you can enjoy some freedom now, when is your 2nd vaccination Lily?   Mine should be in about a month.  Take care, much love Carole xxx ... View more