Hi Nel

Good to hear you're doing well.

Happy to report that seroma seems to be settling, leak significantly better and doesn't seem quite as annoying, either that or am just getting use to it!

Am hoping that as its such a nice day down south that the queue for the supermarket is small later on, to be fair its not that bad here as its a small supermarket and there's a large one out of town where most people go.  My highlight of the week was, after 3 weeks of trying, to get a delivery slot next Sunday so am planning carefully for that one, Adrian will also be availing himself of that one (which means it will cost a fortune!).

Crikey angel of death levels eh?  I do believe that, given my chemo was sometime ago and have no other health conditions that, should I get the dreaded disease, I'd be fine, are you on immunity suppressing medication?  Hope not but there are stories of people in the same boat who have pulled through after contracting cv.  All the same stay safe!

My chemo finished end Dec so wasn't impacted by potential delays, the only thing that's been impacted so far re cancer treatment is the biphosphonate 6 monthly infusion (mends bones that are depleted during hormone tablet taking) and that's due to start July.

So glad the neck lump was nothing, that must have been worrying but good that they managed to get you in for a scan.

All good here, I haven't had to kill any daft people whilst on my daily exercise, come close a few times though.  Do you have anywhere nice where you can walk to? I am lucky in that I live near a wood but it seems that alot of people from the town also (not surprisingly) do the same so try to take the less popular paths and go out at lunchtime...seems to improve my chances of social distancing, thankfully.

I've started doing some stretch type classes on line, they're ok, just gets a bit challenging when I need to use right arm! I fit it in after my post surgery arm exercises.

Its so lovely to see all the daffodils & tulips out, am glad that mid chemo treatment that I managed to plant quite a few bulbs in my garden, am seeing the benefit now...good times.

Do you find that you still get very tired? When am sitting on sofa in the evening I can hardly keep my eyes open and if am watching TV manage to miss at least a part of everything I watch!  Am now recording everything so can watch the missed bits!

Its a real shame that you can't get to your place of worship, especially at this time of year, I hope you can do something online instead. 

So Happy Easter to you. Your family.  Enjoy the celebration...and not too many choccys!!

Love Sam X

Nel

Hope you're ok.  All good here, just been out on the bike, early doors so to avoid the main part of the day when the idiots are out in larger numbers! My arm was the least of my aching challenges...its great getting old isn't it?

So I start radiotherapy on Thursday, how exciting eh? last of the treatments...its like when Indiana Jones is closing in on his treasure!  I've got all the moisturiser/gel gubbins that I could ever want.  Life otherwise, not surprisingly, is very quiet, that said am still managing to fill my days very unproductively (!!), today is productive as the house really needs a good clean.  Am lucky to have a garden so may sort out some of that tomorrow (though weeding did hurt arm last time I did it).

I do hope you're able to do things you want/need - like work!  As well as looking after your daughter, it must be a real juggling act and challenge at the moment and I hope that you're doing ok with all of this.

Let me know how you are some time.

Sam X

Hi Sam

Thanks for emailing me infact last time I did reply but noticed didn't go through, the wifi on on n off. Glad also to notice that you are doing well and all set for radiotherapy, praise God.This is what we are looking for because in as much as those Angel of death is out there ,we also need our treatment carrying on it's not fair just to let us be on bench 

I have appointment next week for radiotherapy as well but dont know dates of commencement. I also failed to turn up for ct scan as I didn't have to take my girl to hospital and also noone to leave with so the radiography rescheduled it,will have it in 6 weeks time.

What beautiful summer. So lovely ,I went out today to town but not shops just wanted ATM came back feeling good with a good distance of walking, we did enjoy it really otherwise i do not go anywhere except garden and now i got something to do, planting vegetables and watering them.  Anyway my days are always busy as i should also help daughter with school homework . Not much idol time which is good.

Am glad your arm is behaving now ,mysle am ok very ok, the only aches I have is when I change clothes ,when the operated area is cold it brings discomfort feelings otherwise. 2 week ago I managed carrying 55" tv from lounge to upstairs and mount it on table with no problem, my daughter said "mum you are super mum,waw" this encouraged me that things are ok at moment and all fluids are gone the area is normal and soft.

Hope Adrian is doing well, pass my regards please.

Otherwise am so happy we clicked ,we are good friends, always have a thought of each other,ah God bless you Sam together we will triumph, thrive. 

Have good weekend 

Nel

Nel
Hi, how did your rads meeting go?  Do you have a date to start yet?
I hope the place you have treatment isn't too far away, I'm lucky that the lovely Adrian gives me a lift every day and its only a 20 min car ride.
Today was day 3 of rads and feel ok so far, more tired than previously and may be getting a little sore (not sure though!).  The treatment is quite dull as your sat very still in a machine for ages while they get you lined up and measured and write all over you, the actual delivery of radiotherapy takes probably 5 mins at most in total but is interspersed with scans to check your innards aren't being fried (or something like that!), apparently it gets quicker, currently takes 30ish mins from start to finish (dressed at both ends!).I'm having 3 zaps, not sure if you know how many you're having.
The most annoying thing is feeling tired & consequently a little under the weather on top of arm/seroma still playing up and aches and pains of hormone tablets...but nothing that I can't take in my stride!
Despite being a little physically challenges am still managing daily walk or, as I did earlier, a short bike ride which is keeping me sane(ish!).
I'm both worried & impressed at the same time at your moving a huge TV by yourself - don't overdo it as you may get lymphodema which we really want to avoid.
So Nel, we're hurtling towards the end of this cancer nonsense, let's just hope that the other nonsense in the world currently gets someway sorted so we can try & get back to some level of normality eh? I'm not sure I remember too much about work, shame eh..not!
Hope it turns a bit warmer for you soon, I'm loving the cooler weather though it would be nice to sit in the garden (without hat, gloves, scarf!). And in terms of temperature top tip for you if you get cold hands, I've found the room I get rads in really cool (it may be that they need to keep the machine cold as they do with MRIs) so am taking a pair of gloves  to keep hands warm.

Hope all is well with family
Sam X
 

Hi Sam

Very glad to hear you are doing well and treatment is going on well.bless Adrian for such unstoppable love,care and kindness, mmmmmmm Sam you seem to have a beautiful secret to keep Adrian happy lol?  Adrian is caught in good hands  am so happy for you guys keep it up.this is love everyone else is looking for.God bless him.

How many sessions you are having? Sam if I tell you my story might be disappointed but please do not. Do you know 30th ,the day of my appointment,  I went to hospital doctor wasn't there ,at reception they said to me she is going to call me, didn't call.next day I had to follow through breast nurse,she checked in system appointment wasn't in, doctors list wasn't there yet got a letter in my hands and even before my key worker spoke to me even before letter came confirming it,I was a bit confused but I just prayed. 

I have calling following up only today I got letter for phone appointment on 18th,I don't know after that appointment how long I will wait for radiotherapy, only God knows. I felt so left out but had to breath in knowing that stress cant help me by any means it will only harm me.

Lock down is doing well so far, me and my daughter loving each other like never before,she is good girl, always understanding and we keep busy with school lessons online. 

Exercising in the garden with very rare outing but daily in the garden.

Yea that's from here.

Wish you well to the very end, please share with me which cream did you buy?

God bless much appreciated for having a thought of each other every time,you are caring. 

Nelxxx

Nel

Ha!  Don't get too carried away with praising Adrian, the drives to hospital can be challenging when drivers in front of us don't do as they're told by my chauffeur...he can be a right pain in the bum and gets very worked up by other drivers. And I could actually drive myself (did when went to the other hospital am being treated at for monthly injection) but it makes him feel like he's helping!

That is absolutely **** that no one was there when you turned up for your appointment, how annoying and also disappointing for you.  You're right though to deal with it in a calm manner, not the time to rant & rave I agree. Let's hope they are suitably apologetic when you see them (and let's hope you do!) on the 18th.  And am not sure which side you're having rads but breathing in, if its the left side you're having blitzed, will serve you well during the treatment!!

Am so glad you & the small you are doing so well together, lots aren't doing quite as well...a few of my friends are struggling.  You are obviously a very strong family unit.

I ended up using R1 R2 gels, they're expensive (£70), you may be able to get on prescription but I hear its a bit hit & miss as to whether doctors will prescribe due to the cost (mine wouldn't) but hear that aveeno is a very good alternative along with aloe Vera kept in fridge to cool any heat that builds up.  I think the patch being treated is a little pink and sore and definitely feels tighter but otherwise all still fine over a third of the way through treatment.  The area where I may end up in A&E is my keeping nearly head butting the rads machine when getting in and getting in position...I am so clumsy.

Do ask your doctor on the 18th as to what they recommend and then also check with radiologists exactly what area you need to be moisturising (the radiologists told me a different area to the doctor at consent form signing meeting).  I apply moisturiser stuff 3-4 times a day following rads and think that keeping it well moisturised is doing its stuff.  And don't forget to ask about whether you need to do your back - I was told to as the rads go all the way through, your daughter can help with the back, am lucky that mobility is very good so can reach myself.

Am glad I get a long weekend off rads this one as meant I could have a lie in this morning and rest my weary joints, bones and chest!  Not a long list at all...ha!

Let me know how you get on on the 18th.

Have a good one Nel & little Nel

Sam X

Nel

HI, hope your doing well, you've hopefully finished radiotherapy by now?

I'm good, still recovering post radiotherapy so have a lovely red armpit and am very tired though am able (as I force myself!) to get out walking and on the bike for some short trips out. Even managed an outing to some gardens near me which was lovely to get somewhere different (now places like this are open) but definitely needed big nap when got home...was very happy to have a picnic, especially as I didn't have to prepare it! And that is despite it raining (only lightly) all the time I was out...typical.

So am still moisturising like a mad woman and trying to stay in situations where my chest can be free of a bra...its bliss.  My hair is ridiculous, it has no style whatso ever having grown back from being bald and I actually cut the back of it (where it has a load of new curls...was straight pre chemo) so I think it looks a little better but luckily I can only see the front, probably just as well.

Is your daughter back at school yet?  Either way hope she's home schooling you well!

How are you getting on with not being able to physically get to your place of worship?  Are you able to do this on-line, do hope so as know how important your faith is to you and also what a great support it has been for you.

Hope your rads wasn't as dull as mine (chemo was soooo fun in comparison), no doubt due to blummin' cv and also hope you've been able to meet up with friends & family too.

Sam X

Hi Sam

Good to hear from you and that you are doing well despite the tiredness, enjoy the freedom Sam, let mind be free that we are no longer cancer patients, I wonder some people when they are free, still wait for it ,one forum even asked how long does it come back? I laughed and said oh Lord that's us ,we are free yet living like we still have it still.

About myself Sam ,first let me apologise haven't been in touch every time want to reply wouldn't allow me so today had to reset my password.glad am here now.

Well I have finished yet, a bit long story but God is always good, never make a mistake, when doctor called on 18th May,discussed all the side effects and plan,I asked when am commensing treatment, he answered me 4 weeks from 18th, I said listen am not going to accept this, lather would translate it another way because my friends who were operated after me have finished yet same hospital, I have completed 3months so either I turn your offer down or do me as soon as possible.  He now apologises oh looks you were missing in system because truly were supposed to be done by now, 2 hours later he called to give me appointment for ct scan then with 2 weeks I started it will finish on 24th. What a hell on earth ? Was raged didn't care who was talking to honestly. 

So low on way to it, it takes me a couple of hours as it it in Birmingham and I live out skate of it.

Bless you

Nel

Part2

My daughter is fine but in Liverpool, hadboone helping when I go for treatment so my friend took her but it's a trauma to her,daily crying on call mum mum need to come back home, I miss you so so much and I love you,ah so sad but for a while let it be like that so can make my treatment .

She might come next week so can go back to school to finish reception class.

About worship, yes Sam we do online, zoom app is very good we see each other so every evening we meet up for prayers then Sunday for services, only thing we missed is physical contacts otherwise prayers are on fire.

This weekend am going on one of my best friend to have barbecue, looking forward really.

Yea that all about here.

Hope Adrian is fine, great him for me and extend to your mum, sister and all friends. It's so good to know each other.

God bless and have lovely week

Nell