Hi Girlies

Patricia you make me laugh so much lol. Met with the Oncologist today, I've to have my bloods taken next thurs and chemo was supposed to be next day but we had tickets booked for the Ayr Races that day (alexandra burke is singing at it), nurse said fine and has booked me in for mon 21st, my big day, oh god it's going to be like a first day in a new job lol, I've to have FEC-T Chemo so Flurourcil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide & Taxotere (docetaxel). It all sounds so scary, the wigs havent arrived yet, but I've bought a new dress for the races lol so thats made up for it. Speak to you all soon. Enjoy your weekend everybody xx

Hi Colly,

LOL who needs a wig, I've now got this vision of you ( don't know what you look like but go with it, I've a vivid imagination) in a stunning dress with one of those big hats they wear at Ascot. Don't know what the protocol is at Ayr races but perhaps you could start a new trend! Nice to see that the hospital let you alter your start date.

I'm feeling slightly better today up to press, long may it continue.

Patricia x

Hi Patricia

Oh no I dont want to put on any weight, luckily im not over weight but dont really want to start buying new clothes, I bought a whole load in march to go to fuerteventura thats where i found the lump, john making me eat healthily lol but i went to mcdonalds this morn and had a bacon and egg mcmuffin and pancakes and syrup lol, i had a notion and nothing was going to stop me. Have a fabulous birthday, hope you have a lovely day. Best wishes Col x

Happy birthday Patricia.Hope you have a great day, lots to celebrate !!!

Hope you have a fab day too,Colly.Your maxi dress brought back memories. I was 16 when maxis were first in fashion and I had a black velvet maxi coat.With my long wavy auburn hair,my velvet coat,a size 12 and knee length black shiny boots with laces up the front that took 10 minutes to put on, I thought I was the bees knees !!!Ahhh Youth is wasted on the young.

Have a lovely weekend all you ladies out there, O.K , and you fellas too.

Rose xxx

hiya patrica

had to wish you a happy birthday. i hope you have a lovely time! you'll have to let us know what you got up to n how lovely it was.

so glad to hear you are feeling better already, thats great. it helps so much knowing we havent got to have anymore. 1 stage over! well its stage 2 really aint it. the fight for life! feel like im winning though, this funny old road where the med makes you feel worse than the illness. do feel better knowing every week they are finding new meds. shame the radio after op werent a bit earlier but it will help so many others.

im not feeling any better yet but know its just gonna take time. each day n all that, thats how i handle it. n you lucky ****** being able to put on weight or even eat! i cant wait to taste food n have my mouth not hurting would be bliss! im on the food milkshakes, do eat a bit each day though.

best go dylan hogs the laptop n us mere parents have to ask permission to use it. my times up though cos hes learing over me.been told!

take care everyone n have a great birthday . lots of love leonie xxx

+_H4ppy b1rthd4y!!!! <img class="emoticon" src="">www.cancerchat.org.uk/.../laugh.gif" border="0" alt="" />!!!!_ +h4v3 4 gr34t d4y

Hi to all you girlies and a Happy Birthday to Patricia!!

Doesn't the sun make you feel bit better. I even managed to go for a walk with Nigel and the dogs on Saturday didn't go far but the fresh air did me the world of good We were babyless as well Saturday night she went to stay at her nanny's with our second eldest and got to say completely missed them but was nice to be able to sit with feet up without feeling guilty!

Got to say the maxi dress is a must for my wardrobe as I'v put on quite a bit of weight with the treatment and think they look so stylish and cover up my multitude of sins as well as being so cool in the warm weather. I'm eating but struggling to be satisfied with the change in tastes and searching for something that I can say mmmm to!!

The day at the races sounds fab and something lovely to do just before your treatment starts hope you can back a winner!!!

I'm back at hospital for a top up of my Gemcitibine tomorrow just hope bloods are ok!! My eldest daughter who is 17 is going with me, she wants to be involved but think she will be bit shocked when she sees all the people having treatment Might do her good though coz she been in bit of denial. Had a bit of a weird week coz had chemo Monday and haven't really felt sick but had a really strange ache in top of my legs. Bit like a toothache but constant and made me really restless. Also been really tired I love my bed but on my terms!!!!

Anyway my kids hog the computer too and Msn is beckoning my daughter but she gets her kicks on there like I do on here.

Heres to us all and the start of a new week hope you are all keeping as well as you can.

Night

Love lou

hiya lou

glad to hear the sun cheered you up n you had nice weekend. i cant believe youve managed to put on weight too. do you not have any problems with your mouth? my legs started with pain at top but then went to all muscles. they even hurt when sitting or laying but not all the time. i hope yours feel better soon.

has anyone had problems with nose bleeds? ive had nose bleeds throughout treatment but this last weekend its been much worse. i had this long wet clot which with the runny nose came out, then so did the blood yet again that day. washing face n cleansing started it off, just the slightest touch. then that night when wiping wetness again out started the biggest clot ive seen but it hurt so i pushed it back up my nose. next morning it had dried a bit but could feel pressure in my sinus. the clots still there n its uncomfortable having this lump. darent touch my nose cos it starts again. dont want to go hospital cos this is 1st day where i feel better than the day before. will take up too much energy anyway n i have mother in law down on thurs n need energy levels up to cope.

its been quiet on here for few days. hope that means everyones enjoying themselves n feeling well. its amazing how 'normal' things make you feel so much better. just walking n watching the dogs play is lovely n makes you feel so much better inside. my dog misses me bless her n i miss her.cant go walking with her but can go sand dunes. walk about a min then sit down on a blanket n watch her play. shes a lurcher n legs it round dead fast. should of seen her face one day when a greyhound chased after her n caught her up! she werent expecting that at all. what dogs have you got?

how did you get on with benefit advise? hope they helped you. the money in my account was end of year tax credit. still waiting to hear from disability allowance.

hopefully i'll be more cheerfull over next few days n maybe even write something funny!

lots of love to you all. leonie xx

Hi Leoni & girls,

Been wig shopping again today, eventually after 3 visits to different shops I think I've found one, they only had it in brown, but I'm blonde so it's ordered in blonde and hopefully it will be nice, they are amazing right enough, they are so real looking. I've to get my bloods taken thurs and my chemo starts mon or tues, so I'm a bit behind some of you girlies. Leoni, maybe you should give hosp a wee phone as you don't want any pressure re nose bleeds, ive got all this to look forward too lol.

Took the maxi dress back I got for the races but got another one that isn't as fancy and that I'll get more wear out of, its more of a bood tube shape, just covers my scar where lymph nodes were removed but hey who cares if it slips down a bit. Weather is lovely up here in Scotland and has to get better as week goes on so thats something to look forward to.

Take care and phone the doc leoni, do as your told now lol

Colette x

Dear Lonie,

Thank you for posting on Cancer Chat. Our nurses were concerned to see that you are having bad nosebleeds. They would suggest you telephone your chemotherapy nurse or doctor just to let them know. Even if they are already aware that you have had nosebleeds during the course of your treatment, it is still important to tell them about the bleeds over the weekend as they can then advise you on what, if anything, you need to do.

With best wishes,

Jane

Cancer Chat Moderator

For information about cancer:

-Visit our patient information website, www.cancerhelp.org.uk, for clear, comprehensive information about cancer

-Call our specialist cancer information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 to ask any question about any aspect of cancer

hi anne

thanks for your message, i will call hospital 1st thing in the morning to let them know. jon spoke to our normal doctor yesterday about it n his advise wasnt very encouraging. he said to leave it alone n if its not better in 2 months then i might need it burning off! urh. luckily tues morning was last bleed. i did listen to colly n i will listen to you.

thanks again. leonie x

soo sorry jane! brain dead, shouldnt be left alone.

Hi Ladies,

Bet you all thought I'd got lost, no such luck I'm afraid. Unfortunately this is going to be a long one, sorry. Thank you for you kind birthday wishes. I had a cracking weekend. My eldest son and his ex wife and the kids came from Southport for the weekend and arrived on Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening my middle son came with his partner and their two kids. So Saturday evening I've got my three sons all watching (and shouting at) the England match in my lounge. In the dinning room I've got two granddaughters(aged 5 and 3) making a den under my dinning table using all my cushions and throws from my lounge. An 8 year old grandson playing my youngest sons electronic piano, which is also in the dinning room (he can't play but was having a whale of a time with the sound effects, eventually found some headphones for him LOL) and a 3 year old grandson playing with his cars and of course making all the noises that little boys make when playing. Both mothers have run away. One has gone to work (she works in a bar at the weekends) and the other has popped out to visit some friends . It was absolute mayhem but loved it, to have all three of my sons and four of my grandchildren under one roof is priceless and better than any presents !!

Sunday, thankfully was a little quieter. Was able to spend a bit of quality time with the grandchildren from Southport (whom I haven't been able to see a lot of lately because of the chemo etc.) So all in all the weekend was just what the doctor ordered as it really perked me up.

Monday I had to go the the hospital in Preston for a scan to be measured up and given my tattoos so they can line me up for when I have my radiotherapy at end of June. That went well enough. They did laugh when I mentioned the dolphin idea but had to admit that they were not that artistic LOL!! Wasn't too impressed by the route march through the hospital that my mother (who's 75) and I was sent on to get my parking permit sorted for when I start my treatment. (By the way forgot to mention have got a sore foot which started late Sunday evening.) Can now not remember way back so we decided to go outside and walk round on the road to where the car was parked. I spotted a short cut, sore foot remember, wasn't until we had reached to top of this slight incline that we realised that we where on the helipad, thank god there wasn't an emergency!!!

Then things went down hill fast! Had been feeling slightly nauseaous all day, fairly normal, as only had chemo week before. My mum want to visit this store on way home, fine. Got out of the car and suddenly felt ill, shivering, cold, teeth chattering, got what we wanted from the shop and straight back in car (mum driving). I'm now having hot sweats followed by shivers. Took my temp, 38.3 C, not good! Phoned the emergency number given as chemo unit have gone home. Told to pack a bag and get my self to the hospital (Blackburn). So yes girls, thats where I have been for the last two days, in hospital! Diagnoised with cellulitus. I was told that I had done the right thing and come in right away otherwise I could have been in a lot longer. I couldn't believe how quickly I became ill. Just so glad to be home.

Sorry it's been such a novel.

Love Patricia xxx

Hi Ladies,

Bet you all thought I'd got lost, no such luck I'm afraid. Unfortunately this is going to be a long one, sorry. Thank you for you kind birthday wishes. I had a cracking weekend. My eldest son and his ex wife and the kids came from Southport for the weekend and arrived on Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening my middle son came with his partner and their two kids. So Saturday evening I've got my three sons all watching (and shouting at) the England match in my lounge. In the dinning room I've got two granddaughters(aged 5 and 3) making a den under my dinning table using all my cushions and throws from my lounge. An 8 year old grandson playing my youngest sons electronic piano, which is also in the dinning room (he can't play but was having a whale of a time with the sound effects, eventually found some headphones for him LOL) and a 3 year old grandson playing with his cars and of course making all the noises that little boys make when playing. Both mothers have run away. One has gone to work (she works in a bar at the weekends) and the other has popped out to visit some friends . It was absolute mayhem but loved it, to have all three of my sons and four of my grandchildren under one roof is priceless and better than any presents !!

Sunday, thankfully was a little quieter. Was able to spend a bit of quality time with the grandchildren from Southport (whom I haven't been able to see a lot of lately because of the chemo etc.) So all in all the weekend was just what the doctor ordered as it really perked me up.

Monday I had to go the the hospital in Preston for a scan to be measured up and given my tattoos so they can line me up for when I have my radiotherapy at end of June. That went well enough. They did laugh when I mentioned the dolphin idea but had to admit that they were not that artistic LOL!! Wasn't too impressed by the route march through the hospital that my mother (who's 75) and I was sent on to get my parking permit sorted for when I start my treatment. (By the way forgot to mention have got a sore foot which started late Sunday evening.) Can now not remember way back so we decided to go outside and walk round on the road to where the car was parked. I spotted a short cut, sore foot remember, wasn't until we had reached to top of this slight incline that we realised that we where on the helipad, thank god there wasn't an emergency!!!

Then things went down hill fast! Had been feeling slightly nauseaous all day, fairly normal, as only had chemo week before. My mum want to visit this store on way home, fine. Got out of the car and suddenly felt ill, shivering, cold, teeth chattering, got what we wanted from the shop and straight back in car (mum driving). I'm now having hot sweats followed by shivers. Took my temp, 38.3 C, not good! Phoned the emergency number given as chemo unit have gone home. Told to pack a bag and get my self to the hospital (Blackburn). So yes girls, thats where I have been for the last two days, in hospital! Diagnoised with cellulitus. I was told that I had done the right thing and come in right away otherwise I could have been in a lot longer. I couldn't believe how quickly I became ill. Just so glad to be home.

Sorry it's been such a novel.

Love Patricia xxx

Hi Patricia

I di wonder where you were lol, keeping tabs on you i am, just thought you might still be celebrating. Glad to hear you had a fantastic time with all the family but not so good that you were in hospital, what is Cellulitis, take its nothing to do with cellulite lol? Hope your feeling better. Take Care. Col x

Hi Col,

Glad someone is watching out for me, lol. Wish I had been enjoying myself. Am now, being in my own bed, with own pillows and no noises is sheer bliss! Definantly sleep tonight. LOL

If you look at this website page it will explain cellulitus a lot better than I can.

www.bbc.co.uk/.../cellulitisinfection.shtml

Forgot to mention the nurse in hospital told me that we should make sure our skin is moisturised well as this helps to prevent cracks in skin and thus help stop infection.

Love

Patricia xx

hi patrica

been thinking of you lots. sorry you were ill after such a lovely time. bloody typical. at least it wont be able to happen in future now youve finished chemo.

your weekend sounds lovely. so glad you managed to enjoy it. i have mother in law here in about half an hour. down from brighton to sunny cornwall. too cold for me though with the wind. still hoping energy levels will pick up. shes lovely but very loud.

will write when more time. glad to have you back.

love leonie xx

Hi All

Not been on for few days. Had a top up of chemo Monday and wasn'texpecting tofeel as bad as I dis Tuesday was in bed all day feeling sick and dizzy and just generally rubbish. Wednesday was alittle better then Thursdy and today felt like a different woman so went out for lunch with my sister and mum and we took Betsy with us (my 10 month old) had a lovely time. My mum has just gone through an hysterectomy because she had cancer in her womb and last week had internal radiotherapy. She is 73 and since my dad died 4 1/2 years ago has slowly started losing her memory and she told me three times how wonderful the nurses were bless her. SHe couldn't have visitors and was in a lead lined room and hated it. You have tolaugh though she has a plastic implement and she said to me that its like something you would normally put batteries in I was shocked:shocked: Didn't know she knew what they were but the she is 73 perhaps shes got a secret stash!! She then told my partner it was like a rabbit!!!!! He couldn't stop giggling to himself! Bless her sge has been through it and all she wants to do is to help us and she can't!!

Anyway how are you lonie have them bleeds stopped You sound like all yor side affects are the worse ones with the sore mouth etc. I wish I hadn't put weight on but my appetite seems to have increased!?! however nothing I eat tastes right. Before all this I'd just started losing the baby weight now I look 4 months pregnant again!! How you got on with your mother inlaw has the extra help been handy and I hope your feeling bit better and the family are ok.

I'v sent my form of for DLA but filled it in on my own. My bc nurse has told me that if I'm declined we can appeal and A Macmillan nurse will help us cpmplete. The other benefit we have been declined for we are reapplying and putting my partners flat up for sale and because we are trying to sell it will be disregarded for 26wks. We'v seen it in black and white even though the department who deal with it have told us thats not the case. The welfare bloke has shown us evidence it is right!!

Patricia You sounded like you loved having all your loved ones round you on your birthday and had a really great time!! Such a shame your now feeling ill I hope youare feeling better and up and about soon. Do u find you have a sort of normal few days but then pay for it when you've over done it? It sometimes makes me hesitate to do nice things but we have to don't we otherwise it would be all hospitals and treatments etc.

the wig sounds nice Colly. I haven't sorted one yet but suppose I really ought to get on with it as its inevitable that now I'm not having cold cap its is going to start to fall out. You sound like your really impressed so think might go next week.

Amyway I'v droned on a bit but thats me done hope not bored you all

Love to you all Lou

Hi Lou & girls

lou you certainly havent bored me i love reading everybodies posts. You should look at the wigs, there are some fab ones out there. Well our day at the races was great, John had arranged a surprise for me, i thought it was just him and me, but my mum his mum my 2 girls and their boyfriends, my 3 best friends and 1 of their partners, so i was crying when i turned up and they all shouted 'surprise' think they were just trying to cheer me up before my chemo starts on wednesday, which im dreading. What do you think of the cold cap, have you not lost any hair at all? Im gettting FEC-T and was told no matter what i'd def lose my hair as its whatever is in the E that makes hair fall out, any advise?

Col x

hi colly n girls

ur partner sounds like a darling! what a lovely thing to do for you before you start. im glad you had good time, just what the doctor ordered.

i know you must be scared about starting, just remember why you are doing it. that lovely partner, those gorgeous girls n your friends n family will all be there for you. nows the time to be strong. the more possitive you are the better you will feel. mind over matter n all that. will be thinking of you n hoping you wont get many side affects. you can talk n ask us anything you like.just remember you are not alone.

i had blood test thurs(after talking to hospital about my nose) n found out my platelets were 44(were 128) n white cell are very low. so heres me, with mother in law down, unable to go out anywhere cos of risk of infection. had bbq planed n allsorts. mind you, can just muster the energy to go up n down stairs so going out wouldnt be on my list at mo.havent been out since food shopping n then i have to use the electric buggy to get around or it would wipe me out for few days. was so embarrassed the 1st time but that was weeks ago now. i used to crash a bit but now im even good at driving it!

had nose bleed this morning, then out starts to come my clot. tried pushing it back but it wouldnt go. thought here we go n id end up going hospital. so slowly pulled it out n it stopped! couldnt believe my luck. so much more comfortable now.

n as for help around the house, jons just got more to do bless him. mother in law doesnt do anything but play with charly. ive never let her help cos its her time n jons done the same. she goes home tomorrow. its been nice but too loud for me. n stressfull for jon. she spilt red wine on our new carpet, during england game, cor he wasnt a happy bunny at all. oh mum! everytime you come! he did appologise later.

anyway best go n let her talk my head off!

take care everyone. love leonie xxx

Hi Leonie, yes my partner John is amazing, so thoughtful and kind, just wants to do anything and everything to help me, he's been by myside at every appointment and will be coming along with my to get my chemo, he's very lucky he's in management so can take as much time off as he needs, poor boy has only ever had 1 day sick in 10 years and i come along and he's been off loads, but hey ho thats life.Well just thought id check in and say hi, hope everyone had a fab weekend. Col x

hi col

been thinking of you n hoping you are ok? post when you can to let us know. fingers crossed you are well. you got a good john like me to take care of you. hes been every app, scan n chemo(last 1 was 10 hours but is normally 7). was meant to have the other 2 treatments tomorrow but platelets are too low so hoping next week they will be fine.

love leonie xx

hi patrica

getting worried about you, are you still not well? i hope something else hasnt happened to you. i know you feel very unwell after an infection, just hope its not got worse. get in touch as soon as you can. thinking of you loads n wishing you well.

love leonie xxx

Hi Leonie

well thats 1st chemo session over, it only took 45 mins in total so very quick, its weird but i'm sitting here waiting for a side effect to happen and have had nothing, feel totally fine, bit of a surprise that they didnt tell me about and thats that i need to give myself an injection tomorrow, tho john will need to do it for me lol. Think a lot of people feel fine after chemo but its next day when they start to take steroids and anti sickness tabs. Hope everything goes well next week, keep posting.

Patricia are you ok, not like you not to leave a wee post or 2 x

Col x