Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi, sorry everyone I seem to be having trouble getting on the site. Even my search does not take me straight to the right place any more. So annoying to keep changing when the very thing you want. to post, becomes the things that becomes difficult. Carole I hope they can give you some advice regarding your hand, to help. I don't know a lot about insurance but new for old actually means that here I am told. Never had to claim it, so might not be as simple as I think. I hope they are becoming more helpful to you.  Nicky you have made me think about holidays again with your lovely trip to Tuscany. I have heard so much about the region but have not explored that area at all so far. The tooth story was awful, yuk! Just pleased to hear it is done and all went well. I think we forget how dangerous this type of thing can be. You did well to sort out the timing and to nip a holiday in too. You really deserved a nice break. We are off to Turkey as long as there are no warnings not to. I am kicking myself for deciding to try turkey again but will have to hope that it does not become difficult for travelling as its such a beautiful place and we have always received such a warm welcome. I think they have some of the best hotels in Europe too, always very grand with marble everything!! We have been told there are a few rainy days in October but it has still been 30C so hoping for some relaxing in the sun and doing nothing much at all. I do want to visit Perge but not sure how easy that will be from where we are staying so might have to leave it for now. I hope your bloods were/are ok for your latest chemo. How long before they review the effectiveness of it? You sound like you are feeling well and I do feel that is not only good to enjoy but a sign that things are fairly settled. Fingers crossed this is good for you again. Lisa how are you? We love to hear what you have been up to when you have time to post. Always keeping an eye on you xx. Well work is manic and I really need a break. A lot of changes have not always gone my way but I am still happy with a path of good pay and reduced responsibility so I can get home early and do more with the family. Or just slouch on the sofa and watch tv. Did anyone watch the capture? I downloaded it along with Temple from sky. I love both of them but I am trying not to watch it back to back so it finishes. Also enjoyed Riviera (end was not up to scratch though) and was morbidly fascinated and shocked by Chernobyl. I think everyone should see that series to realise the utter size of the problem and extreme destruction when it goes wrong. Fascinated to watch celebrity x factor too. What are you all glued to at the mo? Love Lily xxx ... View more

Hello everyone, are you fed up of the rain yet? I am just taking a raincoat or umbrella every day and seem to need it. I can't cope with a jumper all day but a t shirt isn't always enough, very changeable weather down here. When I logged on I was reading about you having the hangover from hell Nicky. Then noticed it had been reverse ordered and that was in 2009 after New Year's Eve. How much has passed in all these years we have been fortunate to have. Sometimes good to remember what we have had.  Well I did look at Thomas Cook but they didn't have a hotel I liked, where I wanted to be so that was fortunate. They say holidays will be much more expensive because TC have gone but its often cheaper after a very hot summer in the UK so maybe that will even it out a bit for us. Work is very very busy and weekends are not long enough so I can't wait to be sitting on a sun lounger listening to the sea and feeling the warmth of the sun. Bliss.  Well hope to catch up with you all soon. Hugs Lily xxx ... View more

Hi everyone, glad to have you back again.  Nicky I read your post in trepidation not knowing how it would end, so I have some small idea of how worried you were, but only as long as it took me to reach the end!! What an idiot! Competence is something we may have taken for granted a little over the years but surely we deserve to have high paid consultants who do their job efficiently. I am not at all surprised you were upset and didn't get to ask the questions you planned to. It must have been very upsetting and you must tell the twit so when you go back, to make him think next time and check more thoroughly. After that I am very relieved and pleased for you that he was completely wrong! You know I was always obsessed with my tumour markers and always had them done. I hope your onc will inspire you a bit more, next time you see him. Can't believe you and Carole's little gc are 2 now. Its such a cute age apart from teeth!! Our tiny is settling a bit more after being moved to reflux formula and sleeping more, just not in long slots yet. He is gaining weight nicely having started off quite small. Their oldest has just started school, so she can snooze if he nods off. With only one baby in the family we are all fighting for cuddles every visit. He has a very sweet face and enormous dark eyes like big sis. Well I didn't get offered any thing in the job stakes but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I love the chase of a new job, especially interviewing  but then think about how much extra work I have to do! I can retire any time I like now but keeping going will push my small pension up significantly. Plus the state pension starts so late that I think as long as I am happy and feel I have something to offer students I would keep working. Then there's me being available for mum  24/7 has to be seriously considered!!!  So I am not unhappy at staying how I am as a I have a senior level salary, long holidays and no extra work. When I thought about it, it seemed a good result. People who got roles, took on huge amounts of work for a small amount so ha ha. I feel really busy this week without anything else to do. We are having a break near Antalya, as Victor told me to go as far south as I could manage to get longer daylight hours and warmer weather. It looks amazing views and a big hotel with lots of restaurants, pools and bars to enjoy.  Carole hope you are starting to heal but I think it takes some time sadly. Also best wishes to Mr Nicky. I have persuaded Victor to chop down a huge laurel bush and have been planting lots of nice flowering plants. The bed is huge without the green giant and its one of the best positioned ones we have. Trouble is having to keep watering them until they settle in. I am pleased with it though. Did anyone watch last night of the proms? I sang, bobbed and whistled in all the right places. What a friendly conductor this time. Take care all love Lily xxx ... View more

Hello everyone at last!!! I have been unable to get into the site. It authentication error and would not let me in no matter what I tried. So frustrating. Its done the same again today so I came in through the breast cancer care website, pretended to change my profile and then went to forum and I'm in.  Perhaps somebody could report the problem as the lack of posts imply that I am not the only one locked out. Carole you were ok in France! I am so sorry to hear about your accident with the dogs and I know broken ribs are very painful as well as slow to heal. It must be difficult to sleep and do everything, on your own. Poor you. I hope you are able to manage the pain and struggle through until somebody gets back to help.   Nicky I have been trying to ask how your latest CT went which added to my annoyance at not getting in the site. What are the latest results from this chemo? I hope they have been effective in making a difference, especially as you gave up your lovely hair by taking this chemo. I guess you will either be happy to continue or will be changing depending on the results. I hope to hear from you when you get the chance. Hugs.  Lisa I can't look back at your posts, so will just say I hope the job is going well as I know the social life is always fab :). As Carole says, I hope dad and mum are ok too.  Back to work argggh. The pace went from fun at home to totally manic at work. All I can say is, the week goes by fast. I am battling to keep on track but the in pile is going at a faster rate than the out pile. The 3 new cancer dx of people around me (not actual family) are unsettling and one is a child so upsetting, especially when you have a fairly good knowledge of what  is involved. Mum is battling through nicely and appreciating me. Its lovely but I am prepared for the weather to change suddenly! We have booked a holiday in October to catch the end of the summer sun. If we are lucky that is. I plan to just sit in a big all inclusive hotel and do absolutely nothing unless I fancy a swim. Just feel that's what I need to get some more energy. New baby is absolutely gorgeous but being a little terror for his parents who are on their knees. I go over there when I can to do the late evening slot and the girls all help each other out so much. I am very envious I never had a sister to share that part of my life with. Well better buzz off. Hope everyone manages to get on the site soon love Lily xx ... View more

Hi everyone, how are you all on this extremely hot weekend? I am enjoying it very much but know some people find it difficult. This includes baby who is struggling to sleep and in the early difficult days when there is not much between short sleeps and crying. She is rather frazzled and comes in for a sleep sometimes while I look after them. It must be really annoying that he doesn't shout here! I remember it well.  Nicky are you coping ok with the heat. I cannot imagine anyone standing to wear a wig in this heat! Sweat would be dripping down your head. Of course we understand you wanting a break from BC chat and thinking about other stuff but always here when you do need an ear to listen or a shout. Really good news that your bloods have held up. Hope you haven't jinxed yourself saying that though. Please keep me up to date with the CT latest results when they are in. Fingers crossed as always for some decent results from this regime. I think you did quite well on this one last time? Good luck with your hair and I hope it can grow back and cover gaps quickly. I never lost my eyebrows so most likely the cold cap protected them. This is a good time for eyebrow products and stencils so I hope you found something that is not too tricky and you like to draw them on.  Really annoyed me that I still had hairy legs, just not reasonable sometimes!  Have you been out and about or is the heat keeping you in. I think the mornings would be nice before the sun gets too hot. Any news on the girls and their problems. I can't look back but remember both had upsetting incidents. Mine is looking happy and going out far too much so I hope he has managed to weather his issues, rather than putting his head in the sand.  Carole have you managed to make a claim for all your ruined electrical products? Or are they saying it was a natural disaster the ….  Lisa I hope dad continues to improve after his terrible illness and take them to the cleaners with a medical claim company. I have appointed a firm to try to gain some help with mum's increased care bills after her accident. Its worth a try. They seem to think it is a good claim, we will see. Better buzz off now. The hols are sliding away a bit too fast. I have had news of 2 cancer dx very quickly, which has been upsetting. One is original little chap's dad and the other a child. Not one of ours but with contact. It was un-nerving to have 2 within days but trying to help all I can and rally the troops and take a little of the scare out, when I can.  On a cheerier note I am enjoying Deep Water which I downloaded. Lots of bed action but fortunately they don't make you watch much. Victor says good grief every time there is another twist in the tale ha ha. Hugs and good luck this week Nick. Lily xxx ... View more

Hi everyone, it seems a busy time on here and a lot of things happening that we could do without! Firstly thank you for your good wishes for our little chap, he is a really cute baby with the same enormous eyes as his mum and sister. Everyone who sees her goes on about her beautiful eyes and seems he will be the same. Ed had a slightly rocky start and despite the extra time in hospital has decided to switch to bottles. They are both very happy and he loves it, so that's the important thing. I think small baby boys tend to be a bit like piglets to catch up, which can be tough for some mums!! They both look really well and are settling back into normal life with one extra. Big sister has accepted that she has a brother now but has had some big emotional swings in the last week or two, keeping them busy reassuring her and keeping her routine. Settling well now. Lisa I was so sorry to hear about your dad. That is such a serious illness and there must be some sort of compensation for it. Look it up as there have been others in the past or ring one of the no fee no win claim companies. Have you been tested to check you are clear if you have an infection? I hope he is on the mend now.  Nicky I hope your blood counts are staying high enough to keep your doses on time. How are you feeling on this regime after a few rounds? Did you manage to keep more hair as hoped? Hope that was the case. No weather for hot wigs is it? Nightmare. The long list of robberies you spoke of! Its terrible isn't it. Son's equipment had a tracker and the police refused to help them get it back. Thankfully he is back on track and even working nights so I just have to pray nothing else happens to unsettle him. They bought him a new vehicle with updated security so hopefully that might help and he often has a big security man with him. Hoping your daughter gets a job somewhere she can be happy and feel valued too.  Carole the lightning strike sounds so scary. It must have hit your home to do that. I hope your insurance pays out but we lost our holiday due to lightning so I know it can be tricky if a natural event. They wriggle out of everything they can!! As you say, the main thing is that everyone is safe. Thank you son is doing ok so far but I still keep an eye on him. Do your wild tomatoes taste and look like regular ones or are they different? Sound lovely. What didn't sound lovely, was the amount of blood they took from you, yuk! That is a lot in one go. I hope they can sort out the palpitations. I have never experienced that but imagine its very unsettling. Sorry to hear about your friend with BC too. Is it a good dx as far as these things can be? She is lucky to have you to offer support, as you understand well how it affects you.  We are going to the Cotswolds for a few days before I go back to work, so will find somewhere and whizz off. Its been a stressful time with one of our little chaps having a horrible face wound and needing an operation to repair it. That has to be high on the stress levels, handing over a 5 year old. I stayed in hospital with yd and we managed to convince him it was all fine right up to the second he slipped off to sleep. They were excellent as he is scared of needles so they gassed him instead and he went off in a strawberry flavoured dream without a single stab. Its looking brilliant already. I get all the worst jobs and was nominated to try to get the bandages off which were cemented on the wound! Very difficult but we did it. He has had so many presents his brother thinks it might be worth getting injured !! Then my uncle with dementia overdosed on paracetamol and I had to take him in and we were there a very long time. I felt really bad as I bought them and so busy with everything else and the baby I didn't think about what he might do. He never has before but he did this time!! Not sure I have had 2 days sleep in a row tbh, so need a bit of a rest. Take care. Lily xx  ... View more

Hi Nick, sorry I realised I forgot to mention your daughters. It is such a worry isn't it. Being robbed is so personal and can be damaging to your peace of mind. The whole side of his work van was cut open in broad daylight and everything stolen including all his personal stuff, so he had to tell his boss everything was gone. The equipment is worth huge amounts and its not the first time its happened to him. It just hit him really badly, so upsetting to see him affected so much. He took himself to the gp who offered antidepressant (he turned down), a fortnight off (which he took) and there are tablets to prevent panic attacks but he is not allowed to have them due to his asthma, as the tablets can bring on attacks. I think he was ready to give up work altogether but his boss was very kind and spent a lot of time telling him how much they appreciated his hard work, all wanted him to stay and said that he was not to worry about the cost of replacing everything. He also got a pay rise so that was brilliant to head him back on the right path. Looking stronger each day but being sent back to the same place every time, which is not so good!!! I have everything crossed that nothing else happens.  He has had to cover the cost of all his personal items and as you say cancel everything you have as fast as possible. He didn't know how long they had his cards before he found it.  It was ok but you never know what else could happen when they get things. What a worry for you to have ED having problems too. Will she stay there or look for something else. Its so difficult when you like most of your job and it just shouldn't happen. How are they both? Lily x ... View more

Hi everyone, good to see the thread is working normally and easy to post. Did anyone else have trouble posting? The weather is so strange this year and so varied across the country. We were planning to head up to Yorkshire this month but will postpone it. So sad to see all the damage to towns and homes, on the news. How is your area Lisa? I know you have previously had  bad damage from swollen rivers locally and the whole bridge down from memory? Terrible for locals. Meanwhile Carole is cooking hot this year! Are you managing to save your plants? It takes a lot of energy to keep watering. Do you have hosepipe bans in hot weather? Hope your daughter continues to improve. We have a new little chap. We are all fairly surprised as we had all guessed a girl except his dad, who thinks he is the bees knees. He is a footy fan so is already dreaming of him playing for the team! He was not very big,6lb 9oz so well under the average these days, but considered a reasonable size for babies of our generation. It was quite a long wait as labour was erratic and didn't establish for quite a while so she was pleased when she went in for a check and was well on the way so they kept her in. He has been called Albie, which I thought was a nice mix of trendy but familiar. They are both well but shattered after a long spell of little or no sleep. They have had to stay in but all is well. Lily xx ... View more

Hi, I had trouble posting today so maybe that's why it is quiet on here. I got in and could read it fine but just got a strange screen each time I tried to post and an odd format. Anyway here at last. Lisa how was your Edinburgh trip? I haven't been there since a child and would like to go back some time. The journey puts me off a bit as a long way. Could fly but not sure if the airport is conveniently situated for a visit, anyone know? Weight gain grrr the scourge of our lives, so annoying to have to even think about it let alone do something about it. How are you getting on? Nicky I hope your bloods are strong enough to have all the doses you are supposed to have. I hated the thought of you having toothache. Bloody not fair to have that as well. You know how Lisa and I feel about the D !!!! Typical to have a wedding with all the photos and seeing people when you probably just want to get on with it. Some people can be too persistent with their questions. I have lost track and am not sure if you have been to it yet, hope it goes/went well and was not too tiring for you. I don't know a lot about Poole, would you recommend a visit? Hope you are generally feeling ok and managing to get lots of goo days in and staying strong. Keep eating lots of eggs and protein xx. Carole how is your hand now? Hope the steroids are having a positive effect and not disturbing other things like your blood results. One of my students has a gadget in her arm so she just waves a little receiver across the skin to find her sugar levels with no needles at all. Really nice for her as she is young, so type one and puberty can be a very unsettled time. She is very matter of fact and grown up about it all. Well have you had any more rain? We have floods up North and bridges down and floods. It looks incredible on the tv as our weather might as well be another country in comparison. So sad to see people lose homes. or have them wrecked. I hope you are ok Lisa, as I haven't seen them mention your area but know floods are possible  in your area when water levels rise. Carole how is your daughter? I hope she is recovering well now. We are still waiting for the baby which is due any time. I have had  a lot of worry with my son who was robbed at work and has been badly affected by it. He has been home, signed off by the dr but is just going back to work in the last few days. Going ok so far but I can't relax quite yet as he has a lot going on at one time. Work were brilliant which has made a big difference and they gave him a rise. Great timing for a boost. Love Lily xx   ... View more

Hi everyone, how are you managing in all the heat? Trying to sleep has been terrible and I just n kept the fan going all night on the worst days. Victor had his birthday on the very very hot day and we had planned to go to the coast but decided to stay home instead and everyone came round. The littles all enjoyed the paddling pools and chasing their uncle round the garden with buckets of water. Ed is suffering terribly with the heat and unable to sleep, turn over, heartburn, all the usual things at the end of a pregnancy. She looks really beautiful when she is pregnant but won't believe me. Although they say everything is fine she gets sent into hospital after every midwife appointment due to the very large size of the bump, which is not measuring how they want. It worries me when they do but the hospital check everything and say baby's fine. She's being sent in again on Monday which will be about her 7th scan. As they don't want to know the sex this is always tricky in case they accidentally say while measuring and checking. I hate it when they are actually in labour but I'm very excited about when it is here. I have said it is a girl. We will see.  Carole I was sorry to hear about your daughter having pneumonia. My son had it in the summer when he was a teenager in both lungs at the same time and had a stay in hospital. They were very slow to dx it and I had to be rea;;y persistent as his temp was 39.5 and I knew it was something serious. He responded well to iv antibiotics. I hope she picks up very soon. I read that pneumonia can develop from peanuts if you choke and a bit goes the wrong way as there's something in peanut/peanut oil that in some way helps it develop. Not sure how true that is but when it appears in the middle of summer you have to wonder how. Did they pick it up on x ray? Both his lungs were packed with it and he just dodged intensive care. I wish her a speedy recovery, must be dreadful in this heat, poor thing. Nicky how are you coping in this heat? It must make the side effects  worse and harder to ignore. Lisa how has it been with you? Lily xxx ... View more

Hi just a quick reply to Nicky. Very relieved to hear your treatments are going ahead as planned and that all is ok. The bloody hair!! I am really sorry to hear that as it was always one of the things that most upset me, so I am feeling for you. Well done for battling back with the wide headbands, they were my choice too as wigs are so very hot, especially this summer. A terrible year for people in wigs. Will catch up more another day love Lily x ... View more

Hi Buddies, how are you all? Carole I am very very close to your age, so I watched it too but can't actually remember it at all. Hope its not too uncomfortable with the next heat wave. Must be difficult with the animals too. Hope your daughter is picking up. You would not get antibiotics here just in case!! They are really strict on trying to stop super resistant bug by reducing their use. Well that would be if you could get to see a dr of course. My daughter's surgery has all telephone interviews first. You get a time the dr rings you back and then decides from the conversation if you are allowed an appointment. Very frustrating at times. I feel this could be quite dangerous for somebody who did not understand how to dx themselves. Nicky yes I too hope all is going well. I have been concerned that your bloods can stay high enough after the early problem. Keep me posted how you are getting on. Hopefully you are managing some lovely days out rather than unwell. Hugs and keep that chin up that has battled through so much c... Lisa well Love Island is my guilty pleasure too although I seem to be getting bored this series quicker than usual. A lot of game players I think. I downloaded Chernobyl to watch, which was terrible at the very start but very moving, shocking and gripping as it got going. Then we have just watched the 2 series of Riviera, which I loved, apart from the ending. We have not finished school yet down here, with some schools going to Wednesday. We finish Tuesday and then I can relax and wait for baby to arrive. Hoping to have quite a lot of holiday to enjoy the new arrival. Hope you have a good trip to Edinburgh. S was there earlier this year to run the marathon but we didn't have time with work commitments to watch. Well better buzz off as I have 3 gs staying overnight, so there are bodies everywhere. Its been a lovely evening and one by one the littles nodded off watching tv. Biggy is still half awake. Take care, Lily xx ... View more

Hi, I just saw your post. You could do without another worry that's for sure. First if you are worried you will eat more and put on weight, can you buy things ahead to help with this. Maybe have a tub of chopped up salad or veg sticks so they are ready when you feel hungry. Try not to buy favourite goodies, although if you are worried they may be comforting. Difficult but try to get a reasonable balance. Hopefully if a weak dose they will do some good but not make you feel starving. Good luck with that treatment. Am I right in thinking you have had quite a few chest x rays in the last few years? When they were looking at rib pain? So you have had clear ones with pain and I hope it will be the same this time. Although having something they can improve would be the best. Good luck and talk here whenever you need to xx Nicky how are you getting on with the next doses? Hope you are managing to tolerate the next one better. How is you little gs these days? Must be growing up fast and so lovely to have around.  Lisa just pop in when you like. We all love it when you are busy and having fun. Love Lily xx ... View more

Hi, sorry I seem to have read posts and forgotten to come back and reply! Peacock I am so jealous of your sun as I would like to have seen more this year. Its warm but often cloudy. Well in the hours I can be outside anyway. Lovely pictures, ahh. You are good at testing out the tech. Typical of the family to leave you to sort a grumpy old cat who bites!! No doubt because it hurts but take care, after last time. Maybe distract the at with something nice to eat so he learns there is something good too. Job front is not clear but it would take pages to explain. Bit of  a hash with no clear division of roles still and all I can say is I have no idea what I should be doing any more. Will see what happens as we go on to the new term. Lisa how are you? Hope you are getting stuck into your new responsibilities and enjoying the power!! Nicky I am sorry to hear that the chemo is a bit worse than last time. Do you think you were any more focused last time on things like resting or eating to fight back? We chatted a lot then about what foods to eat. Might be worth looking back if you can to remind yourself of any changes? We always said chemo was affected by your mood, so perhaps you are still getting back into your stride after this disappointing return to treatments? It has to take time to take it on board and build up to positive mood. You always sound upbeat but I know these things sit in the back of your mind and are hard to ignore. Hugs. The trip away sounded a lovely break. Where did you go? It was our wedding anniversary and we went to the coast. There is something about the sea air that always makes me feel like I can breathe twice as easily. Yes heading for every teacher's fav time of year, the summer hols. New baby is due in less than a month. She has had so many check because she keeps moving up and down on the growth chart and they don't like change. All checked every time and they say no problems. Its about 5lbs now they say. I am always scared for the girls, actually being in labour but very excited about a new member of the family as there will be nobody at home, all in school from September. Better finish off here and send hugs. Lily xxx ... View more

Hi, how are you all? Nicky that's great to hear the big improvement in your blood counts and I hope you can use diet to keep them at an acceptable level, so you can stay on track. I wonder if the body adapts to these things as well over time, so counts pick up faster as the immune system works to help you. The hair was always difficult for me when it was going or predicting it going. I think once its happened you can relax more as you know what you are dealing with. Is it looking like hairbands will cover any thinning? Mine grew back curly and darker, rather than straggly, but sadly the curly bit vanished. Another lady told me she went completely grey, strange how it affects different people rather than doing the same to everyone. How are you getting on with nausea/ We always felt that our mental state or any illness had a big effect on the level of the side effects. I have caught a summer cold which is annoying but seems wide spread down here so keep away from bugs. Are you managing to have a lot of good days in between to do things you want? Well keep me up to date with how the treatment is going and when they do scans. I have my fingers crossed as always for some good results. Carole how is the temperature with you? Has the very hot spell passed? Its so mixed here, hot and sunny then disappears but never cool, just cloudy. Everyone seems very tanned but I seem to be out on the cloudy days so still pale, especially my legs annoyingly. I'm going to the coast for a weekend so maybe some sun. I have been to a physio fr exercises to do to support my internal organs, so trying to keep doing them. Then back to the consultant but they say any op can make it a lot worse so as I feel ok I will probably just do nothing for now, unless advised otherwise. I hardly notice it.  So that's lucky really.  Are you growing lots this year? Lisa how are things with you? You always have so many lovely things planned, I am sure you are busy out and about. Better buzz off love Lily xxx  ... View more

Hi buddies, how are you? Lisa so annoying when the post goes, what were you going to tell us? Must seem quiet after so many trips and exciting events. At least you can have a rest I guess. Carole yes weird weather again this year. Sorry to hear about the stiff hands. I think rainy weather makes joints hurt much more. Is it arthritis do you think? Oh getting older brings some treats doesn't it? I am sure my finger joints are getting fatter and stiffer too, boooo. ED is looking like a model who swallowed a football!  Literally a huge defined bump. She is a sun worshipper so probably coping well with being hot, so far.The threatened c section is off the table now after the midwife managed to get it completely wrong and scans say actually coming head first and placenta is clear so it could come any time it likes instead of a set date. No hols booked for us now until we know. Not too long to go and they say it is already 4lbs so baking nicely. Your wild veg sound fun, do they taste better do you think? Hope your hands ease up a bit, so horrible when you have aching joints. Nicky did you have neuts trouble last time you took this regime? You are taking it very well and as you say a bit of an unexpected break to enjoy. How do you feel in yourself. If it is tough on the blood counts you may have to put more foods in your diet to help it out the natural way. I think anaemia is always a concern too.  I hope the next dose goes in as expected and bloods can cope with it better. A new oncologist can be good or bad, let us know how you get on. Your lovely hair again, that's the part that got to me. You sound fairly ok, I hope it is ok with you . I always had big hairbands and found people liked them! I am so jealous that you saw Elton. I would love to. Looked at tickets for O2 and even up in the gods a seat was £475 so pretty pricey. Maybe Cardiff was cheaper? Better buzz off. All ok with me, just applied for something at work so hoping I might be successful this time as its more my field. Will let you know love Lily xx ... View more

Hi, all a bit quiet on here so hope everyone enjoying the sun coming out again after a rainy week. Mostly I wanted to ask how you are getting on Nicky. I feel sure you will have had a couple of blasts of the nuclear gunk, so hoping your side effects are reasonable, as when you had these drugs previously. Always a low point going back in but if the side effects are manageable, it makes it a bit easier, especially on a 2 dose treatment with a short repeat time. So hoping you are getting lots of nice days in between to get out and do everything you want to. It should be a bit easier than in the winter months when everybody is sniffy.  Keep me posted how you are. Hugs. Lily xxx ... View more

Hello, I am wondering whether we met as I live in Chelmsford and was in a group that all met up. We often used to meet in the Fox and Raven for meals. We meet up less often these days as our group is rather diminished. Sorry I don't recognise your Bc name to know if we met you. I was dx in 2008 with primary bc but I have been discharged since chemo. Anyway, so sorry to hear you have it back, how are you getting on? Lily x ... View more

Hello everyone, another weekend over sadly. How good would it be if the days at home were longer? Carole I think we are going to have another erratic year of weather from how it has gone so far. My daughter was so lucky to have a hot sunny day to get married. It wasn't very good in Italy either although when you are walking a lot its nice to be out of the sun. I find it hard to decide what to wear to work each day and whether to take a coat, so mainly in layers with an umbrella in my bag. It sounds like you have had more sun than us.  Sounds like Spain was the same for Nicky, I wore a light jumper several times too. Did I mention the homemade lasagne I had? I could probably eat just that one dish for the rest of my life it was so lovely.  Answering your questions - 25,000 people visit the Vatican each day and 35,000 to the Colosseum so it can be up to 4 hours in the queue unless you get there very early or buy skip the queue tickets like we did. They cost a lot more but you go in a t the time you buy for through a different entrance. With some you get extra things like a guide or access to areas that others cannot go in. It depends what deal you pay for. It was definitely worth doing that. Yes they have a real vibe or atmosphere which is hard to describe. I like the fact that you can stand and touch the huge boulders and pillars of the structures. You can't even  imagine who else was there before you over such a long period of time. We had a guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum. I don't think you could even hazard a guess at the massive area of the forum without one to explain it. Really worth a tour guide. Ed is getting on ok, looks a big bump but still very glam. She says people are always rubbing her tummy! The scans are next week to find out how things are but it is still breech and has been right through, maybe because of the placental position. Yes lovely pics from you Lisa. I didn't even know we could put them on here! You are all so clever with the tech. I have never been to Florida but love the white sand and long clear beaches.  Are you tanned from your holiday? Was it last year you had a more rain on your holiday there? Ha ha to global warming, seems more like global raining this year.  Nick, how are you getting on? Hopefully you have a couple of doses in now, battling the c cells. I always felt like its cr.. to go in for the chemo but the positive is that you can feel you are actually doing something about it, that is going to help.  I hope your bloods stay high enough to keep up a regular pattern of doses and that side effects are minimal. Get lots of protein in to repair all the good bits and I think we said nuts to keep neuts high. Any news on tumour markers as they can sometimes be useful to help track treatments? In between are you managing to get out and about to have nice days or trips out? I love garden centres now as much as clothes shops! They seem to be very good for coffee and cake, or lunch so make a nice trip out. Well better buzz off. Just seen the wedding photos which were really lovely apart from my side on shots, hmmm rather wider than I thought! Love to all. Lily xxx ... View more

Hi everyone. You needn't have worried about scaring me, I was having my own flight disaster. Had an amazing holiday and got to do things I had really wanted to tick off my wish list, like sitting in the Sistine chapel and going into the arena of the Colosseum. I re-visited the Trevi fountain and we spent hours looking over the huge Roman Forum area, even climbed to the top of the castle to admire the view. I spent every evening trying to get my feet to recover as really bad pain. Its still not right and I think I have done something to the big tendon under the arch of the foot. Head in the sand hoping it will repair itself ha ha. Time will tell but horrible pins and needles in my foot. Worth it though and had a lovely time but very very busy. Flight home was delayed hours as we missed our slot after a medical emergency on the plane as it flew over. It should have turned straight back but somebody had to be resuscitated and all the people were kept on the flight until the person was taken off. Must have been horrible and they had no time to clean up what had come out of the person and we flew like that eventually with rows of seats shut. This caused chaos as people had booked certain seats and were just stuck wherever they could fit them. The captain spent most of the flight trying to pacify a passenger and everybody with connections missed their flights as 2 hours late. Other staff very upset and so the whole routine of service went out the window just as everybody needed food and drink after the unexpected wait, mostly sitting on the plane. Worryingly they were unable to replace the medical equipment used in time so no oxygen etc left if anybody on our flight had a crisis. I was just glad to be back though as spent the whole time trying to arrange things as car park ran out and pre-paid and the dog had been left. All ended well but Victor not keen on another trip for a while!!!! Lisa I don't like the sound of the storm. Were you ok? I can't remember if you fly happily or not. What a lovely long break after the wedding. Thanks for lovely snap of mum and dad and congratulations to them for their upcoming celebration. Carole has the sun go to you yet? Rome was cloudy mostly but its not a bad thing when lots to do. How are the little ones getting on? Our next is well on its way but is breech at the moment so lots of extra checks.  Nicky I think you made a very wise choice. I haven't commented as its was out of my pay grade to compare regimes and the most important thing is that YOU believe in it and its the one you want. You have such strong knowledge about your own condition as well as the drugs. I do know it works by stopping the cancer cells from dividing so they can't grow and it has been very successful. Fingers crossed it gives you some good stability or better. I can see you have to be very careful about infections and that babies live vaccines and the nasal flu spray are somethings to take great care about to keep you well. At this time of year hopefully you have a long run before your little gs needs more jabs and flu is a long way off. How were your side effects on this one? Its quick to administer I think but a 3 weeker? Hoping for the very best for you on this one xx Holiday sounded lovely. Lily xxx   ... View more