Hi MOOnshadow,

Welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason you've joined us.

It is good to hear that the cancer hasn't spread. Treatment is not pleasant, but you will get through it. It is also a worrying wait to find out if treatment has worked. I've got my fingers crossed that it will have done the job for you.

No matter how bad we think we are, there will always be people who are worse off and it is always humbling to see this.

I hope that all goes well for you.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine

Hi MOOnshadow,

Try not to worry about people's reaction to your mask. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had a double mastectomy the second time around. I then developed Lymphoedema in both arms. I now have to wear elastic compression sleeves by day and by night. I also attend a Lymphoedema clinic for 2 weeks out of every 12 weeks.

When I attend this clinic A nurse massages lymph into the main channels and then applies 5 layers of compression bandaging. She does this twice a week for these 2 weeks. My bandaging is from shoulders to fingertips on both arms, leaving me looking like the Michelin Man. I get some of the most peculiar looks and questions from the general public, but I don't worry about them.

For so many years cancer has been spoken about in whispers, if at all. I feel that it is time for those of us who have it to make others more aware of the condition and, by wearing these weird and wonderful contraptions,it is an excellent way to do this.

You will find that if you continue to wear your mask people will eventually get used to you wearing it. I am happy to answer any questions with a bit of humour. If you reply too seriously that you have cancer, you will be faced by some very embarrassed people.

I am glad to hear that you have already found it useful to read the stories of other people on here who have the same type of cancer. Yes, it is sad to find that so many are younger than you, but that makes you more fortunate not to have contracted it until you were 65. I find that it helps to try and find the positives where possible.

I am hoping and praying that your treatment works for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi...I think it's the fact it's a mask and with the chemo bottle round my neck that when you walk into a shop in these dreadful times of terror that they are on their guard and react on their faces before they have time to think. Hence the cancer explanation. Idon't want to scare people. 

All the best to you :)

Hi MOOnshadow,

I suppose that this is understandable in this day and age.

Do you live in a highly populated area or a rural area? I cannot see how you could overcome this in an urban seting, but people might get used to you in a more rural setting.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

Yes, an urban setting. What I've taken to doing is keeping my nose and mouth down my high zipped coat and it seems more acceptable !

Thanks anyway :)

Hi,

You are probably best to do what you are doing, with your nose and mouth down your zipped jacket. I sincerely hope that this is equally effective in keeping the germs at bay.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx