Hi Sam

Nice reading from you after a while, I know the journey is tough and the accumulation of drugs just leaves body more vulnerable, this week am better no more chect pain, but just general body pain , am finishing chemotherapy next week friday , ah is a like a dream, I remember the very first day I met oncologist as I signed the consent form for chemotherapy, the side effects on the form, I came out with red eyes, a bit of trembled,  first chemotherapy didn't sleep at mine place, had to go to friend as I wasnt sure them side effects mentioned gonna happened over the night, but God has been so faithful, our strength, protection. Mine were 15 so far 13done .

You are right Sam I was thinking same thing double mastectomy although only right sided is affected, I better take off both and reduce the reoccurring.  I know I dont have a boy friend ha ha so will be one of challenging to someone new who didn't know your journey but that less matters, if God has one for me truly he will come in whether I have breasts or not.

Glad you visited Brighton,  one of my best friend stays there although I haven't been able to visit her.i heard its beautiful. 

Iam thinking of going to Wigan when kids breaks from school, before surgery just need a good relaxation, away from home, meet people ,laugh and eat together so I have a friend in Wigan.

My niece is not yet here, meant to come from Africa but I understand she wont be able to . As for now I just trust God who will bring people in my path as I go for surgery,  to stay with my baby and help me a few days until am able. Iam thankful to where am  (away from home land) where indeed only God is a help eiiish, none of my people to stand with me physically,  ha ha sometimes I break down remembering my mum but I have to stay strong. 

Yea will come back with a feed back from surgeon next week.

Have a great day, my regards to family 

You are in my thoughts each day.

God bless

Nel

Nel

Its your final chemo today!!!   Yay, well done and congratulations getting through a rather challenging time...you've done the hard part (so I'm told!).  Please do celebrate.

A real shame your niece wasn't able to come over, will she be able to come over at a later date (be good if she can be there whilst you're surgery is happening).

I had appointment with surgeon Tues when was supposed to find out date, it was a shambles...they've changed their mind re when to do reconstruction which was a total surprise and still don't know things they need to in order to progress the surgery so now time is pressing as it will shortly be a month since last chemo....its quite disappointing.  I'm finding the battles re surgery almost comparable to the challenge that is chemo unfortunately.

Am still trying to get of the chest infection I had pre Christmas and am now on 2nd course of (different) antibiotics, think the infection is far too comfy in my body!

Hope you're as well as you can be.

Sam X

Hi Sam 

Nice hearing from you, bern thinking about you,.Sbout upon surgery so dont know yet about the dates and what to do? Are you looking for reconstruction same  time of surgery?

I met my surgeon yesterday,  out of options,  we agreed for single mastectomy,  no reconstruction until I finish radiotherapy.i just get off this hamster out of my body first then those things will follow. ,I did add my wish for double mastectomy but Surgeon didn't really think is a good idea, unless they suspect something  ,before surgery will go fo for scan again.

So the date is 21st, according to our agreement,  will go home same day, will be in hospital by 7am and the later will be going home.

It sounded good.the hamster hasn't gone all just reduced am hoping it's dead.

I can imagining how you feel Sam but stress yourself less, are things can really control,  look at me with Hickman line until now just carry it like sammy but I just say thank you Lord,.

And chest infection even me, it's been 6weeks now since i started,  had course of antibiotic +IV they have at A&E  but still minor remains. I tried to buy essential oils for diffusion, in the night is quiet just day time. Can't wait day it will clear .

Yes my niece should be coming by next month before surgery date.hope things will work for us, was checking tickets from my place oh my goodness £1000 plus, so much am like oh oh oh oh eish Meghan can donate something lol.

Yey yey my last one yes, it's a great day to remember,  worthy celebration,  it hasn't been easy but here we are, glory to Jesus.

I praise God.

Otherwise have a blessed day, weekend, month constantly in my thoughts n prayers Sam

Hugs n kisses 

Nel

Hi ladies

Glad you've both got to end of chemo, I had my second yesterday and I can honestly say I preferred the lobectomy! Wishing you both the best of luck with your forthcoming surgery xxx

Hi Varmint 

Thanks alot, wishing you well as you carry on with chemotherapy,  let it be fair with you to the end.

God bless

Nel

Nel

I do hope your surgery went well on Tuesday, let me know how you're getting on, hope it went super well and the pain is ideally non-existent.  Bye, bye hamster....not nice knowing you!  Actually re-reading your note I think the surgery is maybe 21st Feb??

Hi, to answer your question have no option but delayed reconstruction as am having radiography, which is what I want as don't want to be in hospital for too long or have an operation that lasts for ages and takes longer to recover from.

Reconstruction will be c 6 months after surgery and will be DIEP (so get a tummy tuck thrown in for free!  Always a sliver lining eh?).  Date of surgery is 6th Feb.

Am now on third course of antibiotics for my chest infection...they really get attached to you don't they?  I would have thought you'd have to be clear before operation so as not to add additional risk?  Mine had better clear off soon!

Good your niece is coming over, my sister is over from Taiwan so will be slowly killing me through her lack of nursing skills.

Am enjoying a "normal" life as chemo leaves system so have a 2 weeks of fun before surgery.  Went into London with sister last night and had a good laugh and will be resuming bike rides & gym as chest is getting better...as well as trying to fit in some work!  How's your work Nel?  Are you still working and are work being good about time off for surgery?

Keep well

Sam X

Kez

Good to hear from you.

I have to say I did have to look up lobectomy...sounds fun!!  How did that go?  I can't imagine what they do or how much of the lung they remove...how are you feeling after that?

And now you're on chemo eh?  Well do bear in mind that I was just fine on my first lot and a lot of people (as I am sure you are /will) deal with it well.  Not sure which one you'll be on or for how long but hope its kind to you and sorts out the naughty cancer.

As you can see Nel sports her short hair really well and if I say so I don't look too shoddy but you may be on one where you get to keep yer Barnet...and in this weather I envy you...with chemo/hormone tablet driven tropical flushes its hat on/hat off, like the hokey-Cokey for your head.

Good luck

Sam X

Hi Sam good luck with the surgery, personally for me it was the easy part! They had to do the open thoracotomy because of the size of the tumour and they took the bottom lobe of lung (luckily it was right side and you have an extra one) which was all tumour apparently so I won't miss it! Now sport a lovely 8" scar which I call my shark bite I was out of hospital in 3days and although initially I thought I'd been run over by a bus the recovery was quick and soon forgotten - chemo however is not so nice. On a nasty combination of cisplatin and vinorelbine which besides the horrendous nausea heartburn sickness etc is leaving me with hearing loss too! Had 2 of 4 cycles so far and it is a struggle not to call it quits! Next week should be my "good" week so see how it goes!

Hope the chest infection clears quickly and you have a very speedy recovery from op, keep up the good work x

Take care

Nel

Hi, so am all set for surgery, bought some stuff to make myself a little more comfortable (bra, pillow etc.). Have been enjoying life by having lots of appointments this week & last, pre op, plastic surgeon, physio, post op care with BCN,,,its never ending and am sure you'll be having the same over the next few weeks if you haven't had the joy already.  Got my softie today, not 100% sure its the right size but time will tell.

So there's a chance my op could be 13th but no one seems to know now what date it will be...you'd like to think someone would deign to tell me at some point!!

My hair, eyebrows & eyelashes have definitely started growing back though am still sporting false eyelashes (not quite drag queen style but close!) and drawing in eyebrows, just have some stubble to follow now so they look more realistic.  How's yours?

Make the most of pre surgery "freedom" and hopefully the gradual return of your tastebuds (mine are getting there).

What I like is that everyone tells me that the op is not as bad as they expected...I think it will be a breeze vs what we've gone through this far.

Sam X