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 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 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

Hi Lou

Wow! what and amazing woman you sound, I am drawing so much strength from these chats that I have hardly cried for nearly a week, I guess it may be the calm before the storm with the chemo and that but I am truly feeling a little more positive, I've decided not to go for the cold cap with the fec, whilst i realise it is extremely unlikely that i will have any future problems relating to my brain and cancer I figured what's the point I may aswell just take 6 months out and go for a new look.

I guess this way I get to experiment with lots of different styles and colours which is something I have never done before.

I'm lucky I have a very loving family who really couldnt care less what I look like as long as I'm well, so I owe it to them to do everything I can to get shut of this awful disease, well I'm feeling a little tired now as I've been to the hospital today to have my dressings removed and my back drained ....all was well and I don't go back for 2 weeks but it does take it out of me a little.

Lovely to meet you and keep intouch

Lots of Love Lee xx

hi lou n girls

im on a slow mend, platelets went up enough for treatment yesterday n im allowed out when up to it. nose bleeds stopped but still darent touch my nose. mouth feels much better though teeth cleaning is still sore. energy levels are up slightly, hoovered 2 rooms the other day! but legs n arms still dont like much at all, especially the legs.

had my 1st day out in weeks fri n went beach with charly n my dog. jon dropped me down there so only walked on beach but bloody tide was right out. charly was so happy as we splashed in the rockpools n casey was running about. walked down to the sea as casey was running in n out, charly wanted to run to it n was pulling my arm but by that time my legs were killing n obviously no bench in sight. luckily jon turned up then after finding parking space n i sat on our bag. it knackered me but was such a normal n lovely time. we (jon) made a sand pit for charly in the back garden but its massive, so much sand!

just got charly funding for 15 hours a week for 6 weeks n shes gonna sort out more for after that. its gonna help so much n charly gets to play with other kids. went to truro this morning for app with psychiatrist, got there only to find its not today. get home n hospital have phoned, only missed my app to sort out rads didnt i. see, i do need a loony doc! my mind is still so confussed, but mentally i feel so much stronger. hit a very low point after no 3 chemo, n thought id better learn how to cope through rest of it. thing is it takes so long to sort out app, then you start to feel better n it dont seem worth going. only had half hour with him so far n got app next week. im sure its the chemo that makes you so down, n of course all the side affects. til then i coped really well. but no new cell growth surely means seritonium (cant spell but mean happy brain chemicals) levels are reduced? in my case, felt like they dried up!

could do with a bit of advise if anyone understands it. had app last week with oncology doc n i asked him when i would get the all clear. he told me i wont get it. he said that after ops i should of been cancer free n i shouldnt of needed chemo etc but they give it you to give you the best chance. that i underdstand. but he said they dont do ct scan etc n even if there was a blood test n it shown upthere was a cancer cell, would you want to know that you could get liver cancer in 3 years?! what a question! so basically i just got to check n keep n eye on myself. it doesnt feel very comforting. im sure ive heard others say about 'all clear'. or is that certain types of cancer? mine is her2 stage 3 invasive. im hoping the yearly checks at bc clinic will make me more at ease with it all. or do i get an all clear from them if of course i am all clear? i just dont understand it. jon seemed to take it possitive, well youre cancer free now he said. but i waned a banner up on my house saying 'i beat cancer' n a party to celebrate. how do you celebrate when your on the look out every day.

anyway said enough, but still got so much in my head. maybe i'll get it down when im less confussed. patrica im so glad rads went well for you today n hope you stay well on them. you too shents, think you are a really nice person n best of luck with your treatment. i'll be back on soon to talk to you all.

lots of love, thinking of you all leonie xxx