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 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

hi glad you are ok. that was quick 45 mins! yeah it shocked me the injection, another bloody needle. didnt have my last 1 n look what happened to white cells! so think its a good thing, worth the extra needle. hope youre a lucky 1 with side affects, loads of people dont get many. cheering you on.

love leonie xx

Thanks babe, hopefully all will be well, thats john back in so i'll go and see what he's making for dinner lol take care x

Hi Girls,

No I haven't fallen of the face of the world, just had a hectic few days. Thank you for you concern.

After my unplanned hospital visit and being let out on Wednesday last week, things seem to have been manic round here. I did manage to rest on Thursday but Friday had a dentist appointment in the morning (if you remember I broke my denture, you can all stop sniggering now! LOL) he wanted to pull one of my teeth. No way, not after what I've been through already this week, managed to put this off until Monday 28th June. Friday afternoon went out with a friend shopping, didn't get home till 7.30 p.m. her husband was beginning to think we had got lost.

Saturday was spent doing a mini spring clean on my house (ex mother-in-law coming for visit along with my ex sister-in-law from London whom I get on with extremely well, sister-in-law that is not mother-in-law LOL). My youngest son, bless him, couldn't understand why I'm behaving like a possesed mad women with a duster and hoover! He kept asking whether the Queen was coming, which the answer was basically YES!! Now at least I don't have to worry whilst I'm having my radiotherapy as my house is now spotless!!

Anyway 'The Queen' and sister-in-law arrived at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday morning and we had Christmas, yes you've read that correctly. Usually I visit mother-in-law (who lives in Birmingham) between Xmas and New Year to do my Postman Pat bit but unfortunately was otherwise engaged this year (operations). I've done Xmas in February before now but never June. Anyway had a lovely couple of days with them.

Tuesday, watched the tennis and did a mountain of ironing. Wednesday called in at work to wish someone well who was retiring, came home and watched the football and did another mountain of ironing. Tomorrow, need to find homes for these xmas presents and watch the tennis (love Wimbledon).

Lou Sorry to hear about your mum, both of you going throught treatment at same time must be hard. She sounds like a laugh, obviously been to one or two Ann Summers parties

I agree, we've got to have some fun and treats, we deserve it with the s***t thats happening. I have found that I am better if I try to pace myself. I tried to plan activities for my third week when my immune system is on the up and tried to have a rest day after a busy day or two. It seemed to help. Not quite sure what happened recently, just unluckly I guess.

Col So glad you had a lovely time at the races and what a lovely surprise.

So that's one tick on the calendar and believe me it won't be long until your making that last tick, glad to here it's going okay at present, hope it stays like that. Yep, they don't mention the injection, managed to get the district nurses and my sister (who is a nurse) to do mine, just couldn't face doing it myself. Routing for you all the way and as Leonie says ask anything you like even if you think it's something small.

Leonie Hope your feeling better, you sound like you've been in the wars also. I'm fine now just counting down now til the start of the rads next week, into the unknown again. Have heard it can make you very tired. Spoke to my BC Nurse who said some people can get tired during and others are fine during but get tired after treatment has finished, lot of help that was!! Shouldn't complain she's lovely really.

Well that's me up to date and hopefully back to normal.

Love Patricia x

Hi Girls,

No I haven't fallen of the face of the world, just had a hectic few days. Thank you for you concern.

After my unplanned hospital visit and being let out on Wednesday last week, things seem to have been manic round here. I did manage to rest on Thursday but Friday had a dentist appointment in the morning (if you remember I broke my denture, you can all stop sniggering now! LOL) he wanted to pull one of my teeth. No way, not after what I've been through already this week, managed to put this off until Monday 28th June. Friday afternoon went out with a friend shopping, didn't get home till 7.30 p.m. her husband was beginning to think we had got lost.

Saturday was spent doing a mini spring clean on my house (ex mother-in-law coming for visit along with my ex sister-in-law from London whom I get on with extremely well, sister-in-law that is not mother-in-law LOL). My youngest son, bless him, couldn't understand why I'm behaving like a possesed mad women with a duster and hoover! He kept asking whether the Queen was coming, which the answer was basically YES!! Now at least I don't have to worry whilst I'm having my radiotherapy as my house is now spotless!!

Anyway 'The Queen' and sister-in-law arrived at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday morning and we had Christmas, yes you've read that correctly. Usually I visit mother-in-law (who lives in Birmingham) between Xmas and New Year to do my Postman Pat bit but unfortunately was otherwise engaged this year (operations). I've done Xmas in February before now but never June. Anyway had a lovely couple of days with them.

Tuesday, watched the tennis and did a mountain of ironing. Wednesday called in at work to wish someone well who was retiring, came home and watched the football and did another mountain of ironing. Tomorrow, need to find homes for these xmas presents and watch the tennis (love Wimbledon).

Lou Sorry to hear about your mum, both of you going throught treatment at same time must be hard. She sounds like a laugh, obviously been to one or two Ann Summers parties

I agree, we've got to have some fun and treats, we deserve it with the s***t thats happening. I have found that I am better if I try to pace myself. I tried to plan activities for my third week when my immune system is on the up and tried to have a rest day after a busy day or two. It seemed to help. Not quite sure what happened recently, just unluckly I guess.

Col So glad you had a lovely time at the races and what a lovely surprise.

So that's one tick on the calendar and believe me it won't be long until your making that last tick, glad to here it's going okay at present, hope it stays like that. Yep, they don't mention the injection, managed to get the district nurses and my sister (who is a nurse) to do mine, just couldn't face doing it myself. Routing for you all the way and as Leonie says ask anything you like even if you think it's something small.

Leonie Hope your feeling better, you sound like you've been in the wars also. I'm fine now just counting down now til the start of the rads next week, into the unknown again. Have heard it can make you very tired. Spoke to my BC Nurse who said some people can get tired during and others are fine during but get tired after treatment has finished, lot of help that was!! Shouldn't complain she's lovely really.

Well that's me up to date and hopefully back to normal.

Love Patricia x

Hi patricia glad to hear you've had a couple of fab days with family and friends.

Obviously I've been a bit too cocky lol had my first chemo yest, felt totally fine, woke up this morn feeling seedy, took anti sickness tabs, waited a bit, tried to eat toast (i dont usually eat first thing) took steroids, ten mins later sick as a dog, that was at 9, just been sick again and had a case of the runs, not soo nice, please tell me this soon settles down, i hate being sick. Col x

Hi Col,

Sorry your not so good. I was sick after my first chemo but that was during the evening. Managed to get the steroids down and keep them down the next morning. Have they given you any back up sickness pills? As you haven't managed to keep the steroids down I would try the back up pills, give the chemo unit a ring and ask them for advice. Keep drinking the fluids though, hard I know but the last thing you want now is to get dehydrated. Anything ginger flavour seemed to help me a little with the nausea, ginger ale, ginger biscuits, ginger marmarlade (rapidly going of them myself LOL). Chin up it should get better and the pills do work if you can keep them down.

Love Patricia x

Great advice from Patricia there, Colly - she's absolutely right about keeping the chemo nurses posted with how you're feeling/sickness etc. They can give you other anti-sickness drugs for this time and adjust them accordingly for next time. Don't be frightened to give them or your breast nurse a call.

Just keep focused. You've managed to tick one chemo off the list, so well done you. I can tell you, that when all the chemos are done and out of your system, it feels GREAT, so keep going!

shents

Hi Shents,

How ya doing? I hear you had a great time on holiday, if not a little eventful!

I agree with you when you have your last chemo and you walk out of the unit, it's like a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders and the feeling is wonderful.

I start my rads on Tuesday 29th June for 3 weeks. By all accounts it's a lot easier than the chemo. When do you start yours and do you have far to travel? I have about a forty minute each way car journey, my mum has offered to take me (a lot better than the estimated two and a half hours by the hospital transport, no wonder people get tired!)

Love Patricia x

Hi gals

thanks for the advice, i did ring the unit earlier and nurse said because i was sick about half an hour after taking the tabs, some of it would be absorbed, so just to take next lot as normal and see how i go, i think its cause i cant eat in morning, she did say even to take a glass of milk before steroids to line my stomach, so i'll try that and see how it goes. Just the injection to get when joh comes home at lunch time, that'll be a laugh, it better not be sore or he's sacked lol. Keep you posted. Col x

Hi Patricia

I'm exactly the same day as you to start radio for 3 weeks. The hospital is about 40 mins away, and I've plenty family and friends who have offered to help with transport. There's also a local charity that provide door to door free transport, but I'd rather leave them to the people without help and who live further away. The hospital covers a huge rural area. What a great service that charity provides.

I'll be finished on 20th July - more sparkles on that day, a few weeks to recover, then back to work in Sept. Time then, I think, to try and put it all behind me and move on - funnily enough, that's the very subject I've chosen to write about in the blog today. Nice to hear you've been reading it, and yes we had a great hol - just what we all needed!

Good luck for Tuesday, Patricia - and Colly - well done for sorting out stuff with your nurses - in a few days you'll start to pick up, so just dig in there.

Best wishes

shents

Hi Shents,

Good luck for tomorrow. More of into the unknown, don't know about you but will be glad to get the first one over and be able to start ticking that calendar!

Patricia x

Thanks Patricia - and good luck to you too - I'll also be glad to start putting a tick in all those boxes! I'm playing in a cricket match a couple of hours afterwards (crazy planning on my part - I will be knackered) Life is so good when you can see that finishing post though, and I seem to be saying yes to everything!

Wonderful advice for Lee - I would agree with you on all points. Keep posting, Lee - we're all here to help you

shents x

Hi girls

Sorry not been on for ages but last week was a good week and three of my children were on two different shows so I was running back and forth to different theatres- that kept me busy!!

Oliver my only boy is having few problems at school and I've been so stressed about it. He's had such alot to deal with for a 7 year old what with the pssing of his daddy, accepting my new partner who he now calls daddy and now all this!!!!! he's not very good at communicating and lashes out when frustrated or angry. We've got a meeting at a support centre near us to discuss all the children (well not the baby because shes oblivious) but think they all need some councilling and help. School are being amazingly supportive too. Me and my oldest, 17 just keep rowing all the time and feel shes more bothered about her boyfriend and his family than she is us bit selfish but am I being selfish expecting her to be here giving Nigel a hand when I'm bad!!?? Alic is on school residential this week and missing her like crazy and poor Betsy has chicken pox!!

I had the second lot of my new chemo yesterday and lst week my hair was coming out so much that my sister got the shears out and did it with no guard it needs a bic on it now to make it smooth because there is a bit of stubble. I haven't gone for the wig and so far everyones said I'v been really creative with my bandanas accesorizing them with flowers. brooches and tying scarves rond them too!!! Still don't feel good though but still new so suppose will get use to it.

I walked the race for Life on 20 June. there were about 30 of us and all had my name on there back it was very emotional and then afterwards my boys football teems mums and dads presented me with a beautiful footbal charm for my pandora and £140 to treat myself I was completely overwhelmed and couldn't stop crying how lovely was that!!!

Colly- How lovely of John to surprise you like that at the races. You must have had a lovely time did you win? So sorry I didn't reply to you question about the cold cap. It did work for me with the FEC had only minimal hair loss so it was worth it but now has you will have read its now gone with my new chemo drug.

Leonie Hope you ar ok and nose bleeds under control you really are suffering from the side effects try to take it has easy as you can I know easier said than done! Must have been nice for you to have little help with the children from your mum in law. Please keep in touch and let us know how your doing keep strong and fighting!

Patricia Glad your loads better Patricia and hope the Rad doesn't course you any problems. Did you get your denture done. I've git a loose cap but dentist can't pull it out in case it cracks. Can you imagine when it does fall out naturally coz it will I'll looklike Pirate LLou with bandana and no tooth all thats missing is the parrot!!

LeeHi Lee and welcome to OUR CLUB but sorry you have had to join us and hope you can get support and strength from us. The crying thing is normal and like some of the others I've done lots of shouting and can't control it. The hair thing is such a big hurdle to get over and I like you did worry and I suppose most of us woman are concerend about how we look. I,ve got to say that when I'v got ready I still do my make up but probably wear a little more during the day than I normally would people do say that I look good. I don't quite feel complete as I said before but its just a matter of getting us to it . You are a lovely looking lady and there are some great wigs aroung but it looks like you might be alittle like me and quite creative and you can do so many things with the scarves etc. get some of youy girly friends around and have a play and you know scarves are very Sex and The City!!!!! Keep strong and on your down days pour it out on her!!

Go Girls

Take care

Love always Lou

Hi Lou glad your back lol, not so good about your boy, did you say that his dad died? sorry I didnt realise babe. As for your big girl shes at an awkward age, at 17 your boyfriends family always come first lol, its hard if you do need her help with the younger kids but you also want her to have a life, its a hard one that, i dunno what id do, prob better shes out and happy than in with her face like fizz lol, my girls are older 20 and 22 they both work full time but the youngest is going to take time off in july as john is taking his son to turkey, i was supposed to go but think i'll give it a miss and have a great holiday when this is all over. I really admire you girls who cope with this and have small kids, i only have myself to deal with and thats hard enough. Was a bit sick last thurs, day after 1st chemo but been fine apart from heart burn, just bored as everyone is at work and im trying to amuse myself. Im not going to go down the cold cap route, adds too much time onto the chemo and i just want in and out again, i'll just stick to the wig and my nice hats from monsoon, scarves just dont suit me but the skip hats do lol, everyone is different. The races were fun, we won a few pounds here and there but we weren't betting big money just a fiver here and there. Keep your chin up babe. Chat soon. Col x