Hi there ..

Well you've come to the right place ... you can say anything on here ...and it's o.k ...

I'm 64 too like the Beatles song ... so whichever way you go, do it your way ... if only we had a crystal ball a .. but you did it once ... this cancer just sits on our shoulder ... like an uninvited guest ... 

But weigh up everything .. listen to everyone .. but do what you think is right ... Chrissie x

Hi Jub,

I am so sorry to hear about the recurrence and spread of your breast cancer. It sounds as if you've been through the mill with your heart too. I am glad to hear that you've made a good recovery from that. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer too and know just how scary it can be. I had a lumpectomy first time around, followed by Tamoxifen. A year later I discovered another lump in the same breast and had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017.

Your chemo will not get rid of the Cancer, but it is likely to buy you extra time.

Trying to decide whether or not to have chemo is a difficult decision to make. All you can do is to discuss it with your oncologist. Ask for both sides of the coin. You will need to know the possible advantages of taking it versus the possible side-effects before you can weigh this all up. I was advised to have radiotherapy first time around, but, due to procedural errors, I never did. I can't say that I have ever regretted this stance. At the time my family were 'up in arms' with me' about this too. Your children have to accept that it's your body.

I sincerely hope that whatever you decide, it turns out to be the best decision for you.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for your reply Chrissie, sorry this is so late but just to say I have weighed everything up and decided I must try the ‘chemo’. My family are very relieved, I will see how it goes. I start on the 6th November.

Hope all is well with you 

Thank you 

Jub 

Hi Jub,

Don't worry about the delay, I'm only too aware of how time consuming all of your appointments can be at this stage.

I am glad to see that you have reached a decision about your chemo and hope that this will turn out to be the right decision for you, without causing any further heart problems. Have you tried  mindfullness? I attended clases on this and found that it tied in nicely with meditation and Tai Chi.

How many grandchildren do you have? I have 2 who are 7 and 11 and I hope to be here to see them go to university, get married, have children of their own, etc.

Have you had any start date for chemo yet?

I am thinking of you and praying for a successful outcome.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, so sorry it’s been nearly 3 weeks and I haven’t replied to you - as you say we get overtaken by all the appointments we receive. I have been here there and everywhere re hospital appointments as had to have cardio scans and consultations with cardiologists. Anyway all was sorted and they decided my heart ‘fit for chemo’!! I had my first infusions on Tuesday of this week - this was rather fraught as after I’d arrived at 10.00 to have my PICC line fitted,which took over an hour and then sitting waiting for my drips ( by this time 3.30) a very apologetic nurse announced that they didn’t have one of my medicines in pharmacy! So it looked like I was going home, without treatment. My thought bubble ‘it’s a sign!!’ only joking - they found an ampoule due to run out that day, (so at least I saved NHS £1000) hooked me up with another one and told me I’d have to go back for the chemo n cold cap next day. At least just for a couple of hours though. Didn’t get home till 7.30, luckily my friend was with me and we share the same sort of humour, so we had a giggle at the absurdity of it all. Next day cold cap, gritted teeth and chemotherapy. So 3 days on and apart from tiredness I feel fine. Next treatment 3 weeks away. I wish I could go into work but because it’s a Care Home the doctor said it’s too much of an infection risk. ️ 

I have 3 granddaughters ages 11, 7 and 9 months! Same as yours and my beautiful baby sunbeam born in this year of health problems a ray of sunshine. My daughter is 45 and mum to my first 2 granddaughters - my younger son and his partner didn’t seem to want children and then their beautiful baby was here!! Sad year turned into happy one.

Sorry Ive gone on and on - I hope you are ok Jolamine?  I have been trying mindfulness and a plant based diet. It’s amazing the recipes I’ve found on YouTube. I’m feeling more optimistic and I send all best wishes to you and thank you for your response to my messages. Take care and it would be lovely keep in touch.

All the very best to you

Jub xxx 

Hi Jub,

I am glad that your heart scan showed that your heart was 'fit for chemo.' They haven't wasted much time in getting you started and, I am glad to hear that you are coping well apart from the tiredness.

I can understand your anxiousness to get back to work, but you really do need to steer clear of any infection. It's great to hear about your younger son's baby and, how she changed the mood of the year. 

I hope that your chemo continues to go well.  How many are you having? The tiredness seems to come along with chemo, but should die down fter treatment.

Keep up your plant based diet and mindfullness classes.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx.

Hi bub.  ...

Sending you a big hug ... we don't know how brave we can be till our backs against the wall... got everything crossed for you ... there's lots in that same boxing ring .. so put them boxing gloves on and here's to kicking cancers butt ..  Chrissie