HI, yes I have all the same feelings and mixed emotions. I am having my first chemo session today and am terrified. I was supposed to be going in at 8.30am but I got a call yesterday putting my appointment back to 11.30am as they haven't got approval yet even though I have already signed the consent form. I am praying that my chemo doesn't get delayed. 

It is really hard to stay positive but I am really trying. Good luck with everything, have you got a start date for your treatment? I found that the hardest bit, waiting for my appointment and praying nothing gets any worse whilst waiting. 

Hi SueBea

Urgh I'm not very clever I've just typed a message to you and did something wrong when sending and lost it, doh! I'll blame movement of the train! 

Thanks for your reply a d good to know we all have these mixed emotions. At the moment it feels like it's not me a d was someone else they were talking about. As I don't feel ill and haven't had any letters etc. I was diagnosed on Tuesday so early days still. Think they said chemo in about 4 weeks. 

Aww sorry your appointment has been moved, I hope they don't keep you waiting too long. Good luck for today, I'll be there soon needing some encouragement.

Mich x

Hi Rozza

Ha ha that's handy he's used to needles! I never thought I could but hey you get the courage from somewhere eh. I hope my neutrophils are good, was damn sore, back was so sore in the night I could hardly breathe or move but luckily pain killers helped.

Yeah sure is autumnal! Went out for dinner tonight walking in between the rain showers. It will be pretty when the sun is out and leaves fallen esp in the lon parks

Hope work is treating you well. 

Xx

Hi ladies,

I'm having my chemo as I type this, it's going ok so far. The nurse has upset me saying that EC is the worsed for hair loss so not really worth cold capping but I'm persevering anyway. I've no idea when I'm getting my lump measured so I don't know if the treatment is working.

I hope you ladies are all feeling well, I'm hating this weather. I should have gone to Spain last Sunday but hey ho! 

Stay warm, love to you all

Sue

Hey Sue, 

Oh my what a bundle of joy that nurse is! Ignore her and persavere, Rozza is proof that it is worth it!

How you doing otherwise? I'm not sure when I'm having another scan, I know they said I'll have a few throughout treatment. Maybe after the EC is finished. 

Sure is windy today! Gorgeous sunshine, I've just walked to Broadstairs now treating myself to cream tea nom nom! 

Hope you feel OK later today. 

Xx

Hi Mich

You said you went for a walk in Broadstairs, do you live in Kent? I'm in Essex which isn't a million miles away. 

Have you managed to keep your hair? I'll be thinking of you next week, let me know how you get on. I'm sure it will be better than last time.

Take care

Sue x

Hey Sue

Yeah I'm in Ramsgate so just down the coast further from you. Do love loving here esp in the summer. Today err not so warm!

My hair started to fall out last night, not in clumps though just a lot more when brushing it. Today my scalp is so sensitive and tingling. 

I've finally got my appointment for the port fitting on 21 Oct, so just in time for the following one. Rozza is your port out now? 

The pre assessment went OK and bloods fine. I need to get there half an hour earlier to take new bus anti sickness meds, so fingers crossed. 

How u feeling now after Monday? Any new side effects? 

Xx

Hiya Mich,

I'm a lot better this time, not so nauseous. Just some advice, don't keep brushing your hair. When your head starts to tingles that's when you have most hair loss. I've been using dry shampoo and patting it out of my hair. It seems to be working as after 3 sessions I still only need a wide headband when I go out. 

Sending positive thoughts your way xx

Hi Mich,

No it's not out yet, but they did say they would do it from end of September so I'm expecting a date soon. My port is quite prominent looking as I'm slim, so I'll be glad when it's gone, although it has been really beneficial for the treatments. Are they going to do yours on local or general anaesthetic? I had mine on general but everywhere seems to differ. 

I'm so tired this week! I think the effects of the steroids and the high from finishing have gone and now I'm now wiped from 'normal life' and 2 days in work! 

Sue I'm so glad the hair loss is stabilising x

Hey Ladies,

Ah thanks for the advice Sue, I have dry shampoo so will give that a go.  Glad to hear you are feeling better this time around. Hopefully that will be me next week :)

Hope they dont keep you waiting too long Rozza.  I was told it will be under sedation, but will wait and see when i get the letter confirming.

Aww sorry to hear its been a tough week Rozza, hope you have a relaxing weekend planned.  It sure has turned nippy now!

Have a good one ladies

xx

I’m in the same boat as you, triple negative but just had my third treatment. Unfortunately I have lost my hair, it was thin to start with so I made the decision to not even try the cold cap. I don’t know if it helps but I’m Kent based and just had my progress ultrasound, not seeing the consultant for another week or so though so hopefully they’ll book you in soon. Have you found anything to help with the headaches if you are getting any? 

Hi Mich,

I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. let me know how you get on.

I thought I had got off lightly with the chemo but the sickness has kicked in and my stomach is really up-set.

I hope Roz and Claire are doing well, keep in touch ladies and me know how you are both doing. It's a long road ahead but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Best wishes and positive thoughts to you all,

Sue

Hi Mich,

I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. let me know how you get on.

I thought I had got off lightly with the chemo but the sickness has kicked in and my stomach is really up-set.

I hope Roz and Claire are doing well, keep in touch ladies and me know how you are both doing. It's a long road ahead but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Best wishes and positive thoughts to you all,

Sue

Hi Sue

Ah thank you, doing well so far. I managed to wear the cold cap today as scalp is better. Was so painful last night had to take naproxen. Aww sorry to hear your stomach isn't great, I suffered badly with constipation last time they have given me some sachets. I'll prob have the opposite too!

Hope you are all well ladies and wishing you a good week. 

Xx 

Morning Ladies,

Mich, how are you doing today? I hope the side effects are manageable.

I have an appointment with the oncologist on 22nd October, I am not sure what is is for. I would feel a bit better when the lump gets measurered so that I know if it is working.

Stay dry,

Hugs to you all

Sue

Hello Sue,

How are you doing? Anymore coastal walks? 

I had many appointments with my oncologist throughout EC and taxol. She mainly wanted to check my reflexes and check how I was doing in case she needed to adjust any meds. I would think no measuring is a good sign! I think they will give you a scan if you ask for one to put your mind at rest. Just think you are nearly through EC! That's the first milestone :)

I went to a conference in London by breast cancer care. It was for younger women so I met others and learned a lot! They also told me of an app called BECCAnfor everyone, which is primarily tips for moving forwards after breast cancer, but there are lots of inspirational stories on there and tips for fatigue / diet / even what bra to buy if you have a mastectomy like me!

My port comes out on 24 October which will be good as I'm noticing it now it's not being used.

Roz x

Thanks Roz, I was wondering why I was seeing the Oncologist. Im still not sure if I'm having a lumpectomy or mastectomy, it depends on the result of the braca test. I have been feeling really scared today, it's the fear of the unknown.

I'm glad you are moving on now, enjoy life to the full.

The 24th is a long time to wait to have the port removed. You've come a long way and are now out the other side, it must be a strange but wonderful feeling.

Keep well,

Sue xxx

Hi Sue,

Yes it is a long wait, but I had to wait for my bloods to go back to normal and my breast surgeon is taking it out, and he's busy doing urgent operations so I'll let him off :) 

It's not easy and must feel strange not knowing which procedure you will have. I hope you won't have BRCA, but if you do, you will be in the best possible hands and there's so much support. We just have to follow a couple of extra steps and then go back to normal life again :)

Roz x

Hey ladies, 

I'm the same as you Sue, depending on my Brca result will depend on surgery, so I'm also waiting. At the moment I'm focusing on trying to be normal after dose 2. I'm actually venturing out the house today, going for lunch and mooch with friends in Canterbury. I do need to find a head band urgently now tho as Deff sporting a bald patch. 

Hope you are all well and have a lovely weekend despite the weather. Claire, hope you are having better weather than us. 

Xx

Hey Roz

That's great thanks for the advice, I've heard about the app, so I'll take a look. I have a book gift voucher too so may treat myself to a book on recipes and healthy eating. Ketogenic diet is meant to help with my migraines too. 

Glad you are doing well hun xx

Hi Sue

How you doing, good week? I've been OK much better this time so hope it lasts. Just the constipation is a right pain in the.... Lol! 

Is your next treatment tomorrow? I'm having my port fitted tomorrow and booked for a scan on Tuesday. Any more appointments for you? 

Hope you having a relaxing weekend. 

Xx

Hi Mich,

I'm glad you have coped better this time, I always feel rough the first week after chemo and recover after that. Try Fruit & Fibre, it works for me.

My next Chemo is Friday as I wanted to get the sessions back to Fridays, when is your next one? I have an appointment with the Oncologist tomorrow, just routine I think but I have loads of questions. I still haven't had any scans or the lump measured. 

The weather is rubbish today so no walks. 

Look after yourself,

Love Sue

Hi Sue,

How did your oncologist appointment go?  My scan was fine, they didn't say much but the tumours are shrinking so happy about that, whew!

I have my next one on Tuesday.  I coped better round 2 so fingers crossed the same for round 3.  Same as you feeling yuck for about a week but no being sick and A & E visits lol!

I now have my port, the worst was waiting all day to have it fitted as was so hungry and thirsty!  They were fitting 3 that day and I was the last.

[@Rozza]‍  How you doing?  Did they take your port out today?

Big hugs

xx