Hi to each and everyone of you don't you think that we are all quite amazing to be able to even be able to come on here and tell our stories I feel like I'v made so many new friends.

Anyway Leonie I'm so glad that you've managed to get some funding for nursery at least you know that Charley will be having a nice time whilst you gain some energy back. You really are having a rough time of it but how nie that you could get to the beach, I take it you live nearby to one. That must be lovely. As for having a looney doctor me too!! Just nice to be able to speak to someone who doesn't judge and you can say what you want about anything!!!!

Don't know bout you lot but I have all different feelings creep up on me when I least expect them. People who are close to you want to see you positive all the time and tell you how well you look and now i'v lost my hair how much it suits me but no matter what personally I just don't feel remotely like the same person. People say losing hair and putting weight on are least of worries but it does alter how I feel about myself and has affected my confidence.

Anyway each and everyone of you if I don't mention you by name doesn't mean I'm not acknowleding your messages but I do think about you all.We are all at different stages and will hopefully stick together through thick and thin.

Take care and hope you are all ok

love Lou

Well said Lou,

There are so many of us on this site now .Good luck and bless you all and the lovely people who care for us.

Rose xxx

Hi Leonie & girlies& Tony

Gosh Leonie you have had your hands full, glad your wee boy is doing well and fingers crossed for you that you guys have a quiet weekend with no mishaps. I'm feeling goo, go for 2nd chemo next wednesday, my hair is now coming out when brushing it, mostly from underneath at the back and most of the hair is dark so must be coming right form the roots as i dye my hair blonde (let the fun begin lol, also starting to lose my body hair from you know where). I don't fancy baldy patches all over my head, but here i go again but does it fall out in clumps or does it just come away gradually in my brush? as i dont fancy baldy patches, think that makes people look ill, if it continues just to thin then fine, im just so anti shaving it, i really am i know that sounds weird and i may have to but it frightens me lol. any advise? Col

Hey Col

My hair 'thinned' in the same way you describe - gradually coming out with brushing. Some hair absolutely refused to give up, though, so I ended up looking like Bobby Charlton for quite a while. After a couple more chemos, it had thinned to such an extent that I was just about bald.

I got a bic razor out just after the last chemo, and just gently shaved the remaining bits of hair off so that when my hair grew back it would all come in at the same time. I was like you - I didn't fancy the idea of getting it shaved off early on - I strangely felt quite loyal towards the bits of hair that had clung on for dear life! Daft, I know!

Just remember Colly - this is temporary. Your hair will grow back, so try not to get down about it. Its horrible at the time, I know, but it is temporary.

You're doing really well, and so's everyone else on here - despite our kids' mishaps!

Much love

shents

Colly,

I am sure you will get loads of advice and shaving your head gets people in so may different ways....one good positive position is, I have heard some ladies say that they felt liberated when they had shaved their head....obviously a different train of thought!

It always breaks my heart to hear you ladies talking about your hair and losing it as I know how important it is to you - me I love a skinhead, it takes me back to my late 70s and 80s youth when many of the girls shaved their heads.

Stay cool.

Much Love

Tony xx

oh shents, youve got such a way with words. you had me n jon laughing our heads off!

sorry to say col but i did get some clumps. i also had some stubborn little patches that refussed n still got them now. i went bald from front backwards, but still have hair round my neckline. i also have loads of new hairs that are about an inch long; like my dad on his bald patch! i used clippers on my head, but if i was you, i'd leave it about an inch long so it doesn't irritate. otherwise, love, just leave it till youre ready.

lots of love

leonie

Thanks Sinead, i know im being such a wally about it, weird how we worry more about our hair than the chemo. XX

Thanks to you also Tony x

hi Girls and Tony

I identify with the thinning of the hair Col and Sinead - I had a similar experience and hated it. Strangely though once it all went , I was left with a few strands here and there and got the scissors on it. Whilst I was moulting I had urges to brush and it would all come out in clumps. Body hair also came out first, lol. Once it was all out it was a relief to be honest.

Good on you all for being so strong - great website this - also I have a question wonder if anyway can answer. Period decided to reappear after not seeing it for months??!! It didn't feel nice - was used to it not coming.I had thought I wouldn't get it at all and once I start tamoxifen that should put me on the early menopause??? I am not due to start it yet - once all operations have been done will start it 4 weeks after that.

I try to keep up with the posts as best can - got daughter's friend coming round later for tea - hope the weather picks up before then.

Take care you all, Liz

Hi leonie thanks to you too, I didnt see your post last night re hair loss, think im going bonkers lol i will leave my hair at the mo as ive got a wedding on saturday, my roots need done, but hey ho prob look worse to me than others, my hair is coming out evenly all over when brushing, seems to be more from the back underneath, think john got a bit of a shock when he seen how much came out last night when i brushed it, ive got such thick hair, takes me 20 mins to half hour to dry it with hair drier.

Liz as far as im led to believe chemo can put stop your period but it can come back to normal when chemo is finished, not sure about the tamoxifen, give the breast nurse a wee phone, im curious myself now lol.

Have a good day xx

Hi Girls,

My doesn't time fly when your having fun! What with the radiotherapy and retail therapy the days seem to be flying past now. Got my new temporary denture a couple of weeks ago, yep can now smile again! Was meant to have an tooth pulled, psyched myself up to be told he has now decided to wait as he needs to talk to my oncologist first and also the infection issue. So he doctored the denture so I could wear it, yeah!!!! It felt so strange but have now got used to it. Also had a dentist appointment on Wednesday for a couple of fillings, OMG Fillings went fine, mouth at front completely numb, went home to wait for it to wear off. Later, panic set in when I realised I couldn't get my denture out, one of the fillings was protruding slightly, so back to the dentist. Sorted, now I can laugh about it Leonie - OMG, what an experience. Do hope your son Liam is well on his way to recovery. My poor mum had to put up with a lot when I was a kid (well to be truthful now as well!) I was always up at the hospital or doctors, lost count of the number of trees I fell out of, obviously didn't fall on my head, cause it didn't sink in that it wasn't a good idea. Remember being patched up by the security guard where my mum worked, I'd come off my bike and hobbled to where she worked covered in blood, 'I want me Mum' (sob, cry, snivel). I was about 12 or 13 and meant to be looking after my little sister, who had to be dragged along with me also crying that she didn't want to go as she was happy playing with her mate. The good old days

Shents - Love the hair!! I think your slightly ahead (no pun intended!) of me as mine is just peeking through. Unfortunately as my hairs natural colour is now grey/white it's difficult to see. Was having lunch the other day with my mum and on the next table was this most adorable baby with the cutiest smile and fluffiest hair, which I comented on saying 'thats what mine will look like soon' Think I'll have to nick your avatar as I'll look more like Oor Willie then. Used to love reading that in the Sunday Post along with The Broons (my Nan was from Scotland).

My radiotherapy's going okay, no side effects apart from the lovely square patch on my chest from the gel pad they place on you. Have been told that it does eventually disappear. Are you sure we're at different hospitals? After reading your blog I just can't believe it. I was meant to have my review meeting on Monday, only to be told that my Oncologist wasn't there and they hadn't sent anyone to cover! 'Your alright though aren't you, yeah, see you tomorrow' I do wonder what would have happened if I'd said no. Supposed to have one tomorrow, watch this space!

Lee - So glad to hear that you are coping a lot better. Can I ask where abouts you do you live as I noticed that you went to Manchester for you wig? I live in Burnley.

Well ladies can't sit and talk to you all day, off to Southport to see my son and grandchildren. Take care.

Patricia x

ps. meet up would be great, logistically don't know how, will have to give it some thought.

Hi Patricia, glad to see your back posting and that you are keeping well.

Had a wedding reception last night so prior to that I went for a shower, standing washing my hair, opened my eyes and if we had a cat, i swear it was in the shower with me lol, the amount of hair that is coming out is unbelievable, luckily it is coming out evenly all over, so no patches (yet), because my hair is so thick i have still got a good amount on top and sides, tho back a bit thinner, so my daughter hayley clipped it up in a nice butterfly clip, so saved at the last min as didnt fancy wearing my wig for the first time to a wedding, i need time to get used to it. Turned out to be a great night as all my cousins and partners were over from Donegal, so great night.

More questions ahead for you girlies now. I've had 1 chemo and been absolutely fine, no probs at all, was sick day after but once tabs sorted i was fine, felt tired one day but that was after 2 days shopping lol, but thats it, i feel brill, will this continue or am i counting my chickens? If i thought i was going to feel like this all the way through i'd be delighted and maybe i could get over the hair loss a bit better, all comments, good and bad gratefully received lol.

Oh and I bought a new car, brand new (first time ive had a brand new car) Fiat 500, dinky wee car, with road tax of £30 per year, cheap insurance and hardly uses any petrol, very nice.

Also whilst at wedding last night the photographer asked my daughter if she done modelling which she used to do as a child, anyway, he has offered to do a portfolio and put her in touch with some reputable agencies, so she's excited about that, tho my mum said to her 'remember hayley your a good girl, so if this works out remember and stay that way' hayley just laughs at my mum, as she thinks she's bonkers. anyway i'm sure there are 1000's of kids wanting to be models.

John been away this weekend to the Chester races, so looking forward to him coming back today, they've had lovely weather as have you guys down south, its been raining for days up here in Scotland, so can you send some sunshine my way please.

Enjoy the rest of the day, speak to you all soon, and it would be great for all of us to meet up one day, we should all post where we live and take it from there, im East Kilbride, near Glasgow, prob furthest away but i dont mind travelling, got loadsa relatives down south, some blackpool, some lake district, some bradford and a few scattered here and there.

Colette x

Hi Patricia, glad to see your back posting and that you are keeping well.

Had a wedding reception last night so prior to that I went for a shower, standing washing my hair, opened my eyes and if we had a cat, i swear it was in the shower with me lol, the amount of hair that is coming out is unbelievable, luckily it is coming out evenly all over, so no patches (yet), because my hair is so thick i have still got a good amount on top and sides, tho back a bit thinner, so my daughter hayley clipped it up in a nice butterfly clip, so saved at the last min as didnt fancy wearing my wig for the first time to a wedding, i need time to get used to it. Turned out to be a great night as all my cousins and partners were over from Donegal, so great night.

More questions ahead for you girlies now. I've had 1 chemo and been absolutely fine, no probs at all, was sick day after but once tabs sorted i was fine, felt tired one day but that was after 2 days shopping lol, but thats it, i feel brill, will this continue or am i counting my chickens? If i thought i was going to feel like this all the way through i'd be delighted and maybe i could get over the hair loss a bit better, all comments, good and bad gratefully received lol.

Oh and I bought a new car, brand new (first time ive had a brand new car) Fiat 500, dinky wee car, with road tax of £30 per year, cheap insurance and hardly uses any petrol, very nice.

Also whilst at wedding last night the photographer asked my daughter if she done modelling which she used to do as a child, anyway, he has offered to do a portfolio and put her in touch with some reputable agencies, so she's excited about that, tho my mum said to her 'remember hayley your a good girl, so if this works out remember and stay that way' hayley just laughs at my mum, as she thinks she's bonkers. anyway i'm sure there are 1000's of kids wanting to be models.

John been away this weekend to the Chester races, so looking forward to him coming back today, they've had lovely weather as have you guys down south, its been raining for days up here in Scotland, so can you send some sunshine my way please.

Enjoy the rest of the day, speak to you all soon, and it would be great for all of us to meet up one day, we should all post where we live and take it from there, im East Kilbride, near Glasgow, prob furthest away but i dont mind travelling, got loadsa relatives down south, some blackpool, some lake district, some bradford and a few scattered here and there.

Colette x

Hi Colette,

Hahaha, now that's what I call retail therapy!! Saw one of those Fiat 500 cars on the motorway yesterday on way back from hospital. First one I've seen in the flesh so to speak, they look cool. My oncologist laughed when we told him about our retail therapy after my radiotherapy everyday, although we don't go mad as it would cost me a fortune We've been going to the out of town shopping area near the hospital and doing a shop a day as well as lunch. Haven't had so much fun in years LOL. Trouble is we can't be too long as my youngest son, who's off from uni, has been co-opted in to look after my disabled dad so my mum can come with me has been giving us the third degree about why it's taking us so long, little white lies! My mums enjoying herself as well so thats a bonus. Right got to get ready to go for today's treatment, both kinds

Patricia x