Hi,

I am sorry to butt into your discussion but just wanted to wish you all well.

You all seem like tough cookies and am touched, truly.

I am currently waiting, I have my breast clinic appointment on 27th oct and really nervous, not eating or sleeping much to be honest but then I don't eat much anyway lol.

Really don't know what to expect with this appointment just that I will probably be having an ultrasound as I'm only 24.

The reason I went to the GP was because I have bloody nipple discharge and a rather deep dimple. I can't help but think the worst but do understand there are benign causes for this out there. Just glad my GP took me seriously.

Do you mind if I ask how you ladies felt at this stage? Am I insane or am I being normal?

Best wishes everyone

Kylie xxx

No Kylie,

You are not insane..... first let me say you are very sensible to see your doctors immediately.... you would be surprised how many think they are too young so don't bother.

I know this is a very scarey thing to try and come to terms with... and the waiting is the hardest bit.... If I had to discribe how I felt when I was waiting for appointments and tests then I think the only word I could come up with is....LOST... Very emotional and scared to death.... but I now know that all these feelings are perfectly normal.

If you are worried about what to expect, why not ring up your breast clinic and ask them.... they are normaly really good and have no problem explaining what you should expect.

When my doctor refered me to our local breast clinic, I was examined by a lady doctor, then I had to have a mammogram and an ultrasound scan..... I would suggest you take somebody with you... maybe your partner / Mum / friend just for a bit of moral support.... but I have to say that the breast care unit and all it's staff were brilliant and really did well to calm all my fears.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to come here and ask, there is always somebody who has been in the situation you are in and able to offer help and advice.... we are all here for each other.

Take care honey... and try not to imagine the worst (easier said than done)

Love Caz xxx

Lol we are crossing over with the questions lol I hate how my eyes look too, I've normally very long and thick lashes and everyone comments on my eyes, now they look bald, I'm not liking it x

Hi Colly

The only thing I can suggest is waterproof eyeliner on your bottom lash area, but it is so difficult I often look at myself in the mirror and laughingly say to myself ...you cant make a pigs ear into a silk purse but there is no harm in trying, my head itches sometimes when I put on my wig as I too have little tufts of hair growing through so I slap a load of E45 onto my head then the hair net, then the wig and it doesnt itch anymore, I cant live without my wig I just feel so ugly without it.

Im so glad to hear you are feeling better, your definitely my inspiration .

lee xxxx

I just wear my little skip cap from monsoon, it's been my life line lol, do you not feel as though your wig is going to fall off? I had it on one night and a friend came up and put her arms round my neck to give me a hug and my wig moved lol. I'm prob just not used to it, I don't wear a net under it, oh I just want my hair to grow back, it's what's holding me back. How long do you think it will take to grow to a decent length? X

Patricia.

What a horrible thing to happen.... just when you thought you were going to get a break.

We all talk about the not knowing being the hardest thing to cope with....... but I think maybe in this case, the knowing is worse..... it must be a nightmare for you both.... after you going through it all... and seeing the way you struggled with everything.....

And I don't care how old our children are.... they are still our babies.

I am praying so hard that it is nothing major

Please let us know how you get on

Love Caz xxx

Mine moves too, but then all my family and friends know its a wig so I dont really care, as for the million dollar question ...how long before it grows back...well I reckon around 4 months before its a nice short hairstyle that you can wear out, judging by other people I know, ive heard sea kelp helps but not sure how long after chemo before you can start taking supplements.

Listen hun weve come this far whatever happens now will only be an improvement and just remember you will have those lovely long dark eyelashes back before I do lol so hang on in there cos I think your a star xxxx

Lee xx

hi girls

patricia thinking of you love hugs prayers xx sending u all positive vibes can think ofxxx

colly and lee know what u say about looks and wigs i have really nice wig but my head gets really itchy think i try that cap like u said dont know if i missed it colly but how did endoscopy go hope all ok .

caz hope u all ok

love to all xxxxnina xxx

Hi Patricia and the rest of the gang

Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you, Patricia. This is a worrying time. You've been through the mill, and now this big worry. Let us know how he gets on tomorrow - and you of course - it will be very difficult being there again - especially under these circumstances.

I also just wanted to chip in on the hair-lessness discussion! It is now about 4 months since my last chemo and my hair is fab. It is a charoal grey, slight curl, and incredibly thick and soft. I'm even tempted to keep it this way! Lots of people have commented - 'It takes years off you' etc. (Must have looked a right sight before!)

Seriously though, within a couple of months, I started feeling a lot less bald and almost chic!

Re eyebrows and eyelashes - they grew back really quickly, and once they were back, I felt much more human. I do remember my eyes feeling very gritty and watery - and that's just because the eyelashes weren't there doing their job as little windscreen wipers! I also found that I had a permanently runny nose from lack of nasal hair! But again, this grew back in really quick too. As for my legs - well they're like Kielder Forest again!

I hope this helps. All these things you're having to put up with are all temporary, and whilst they are awful at the time, at least you know that you WILL start feeling normal again a short time after the treatment stops.

Hang on in there, girls.

Much love

Shents x

Thanks lee you always say the right things, mwah. Nina appointment cancelled as oncologist said to try the tablets first and to be honest the pain is away now, so we're thinking it has just been chemo that's caused the lining to thin which in turn causes the terrible heartburn etc x

Shents thanks that's good news and normally my hair grows very quickly, it is coming through and is brown, yeah think youre right re eyelashes and nose hair, my leg hair is coming back just now, still nothing down below lol x

Hi all,

Patricia, stay strong, some time we find strength when we don't think we have any left. the fear of not knowing is often worse than the outcome. Once you know - you can start on the road to putting things right again. I wish you both well and lots of love and hugs.

Thanks ladies for your tips in regards to the wigs, I WILL be buying an undercap of somesort. I have thought about practicing with false eyelashes before mine fall out, but i also wear glasses and always have had 'dry' eyes. Contact lenses are the best for me as they seem to protect the eye - but not good with chemo i should imagine. However, I do think glasses will help prevent with wind grit and dust and hide those hairless eyes. If you go to Boots and look around the nail care/eyelash curler type counters, you will find a 24hr black or brown felt tip style eyeliner. Tiny dots along the eyelash line - leave to dry and then put on a normal pencil eyeliner in a slightly lighter colour, you'd be amazed at the result. Being very similar to a felt tip in design it is easy to use - you really won't need much practice and it washes off reasonably easily., but is waterproof. Stand a foot from the mirror and see how good it looks. If you're really brave - draw the lower eyelashes with tiny lines very short ones but plenty of them - ive seen this done and it looks great- im just not that steady with my hand and havent managed to achieve it - sstill a few weeks to practice i guess.

Lee, I was suprised to see how you felt without your wig, I think the picture you have is just gorgeous and i really do mean that. i don't look that good even with hair and eyelashes. Some of us are just blessed with those lovely features that look good no matter what. Your picture has inspired me to learn more about makeup and confidence - i want to look at least as half as good as you during my chemo and recovery.

shents, you have given me hope with eyelash growth, i thought maybe as they were the last to go they would three times as long to grow back. I have heard other ladies say how much better their hair is after chemo in terms of thickness and length - but only once the growth becomes established. it is nice to hear from someone who can verify that! Yes we can cover naked head with wigs and things, but how do you hide the eyes? Tony did you lose your hair and eyelashes too?

Caroline Colly Rose and Nina how are you all doing ? keep smiling, you have also been such an inspiriation to me.

Love sara xxxx

Hi all,

Patricia, stay strong, some time we find strength when we don't think we have any left. the fear of not knowing is often worse than the outcome. Once you know - you can start on the road to putting things right again. I wish you both well and lots of love and hugs.

Thanks ladies for your tips in regards to the wigs, I WILL be buying an undercap of somesort. I have thought about practicing with false eyelashes before mine fall out, but i also wear glasses and always have had 'dry' eyes. Contact lenses are the best for me as they seem to protect the eye - but not good with chemo i should imagine. However, I do think glasses will help prevent with wind grit and dust and hide those hairless eyes. If you go to Boots and look around the nail care/eyelash curler type counters, you will find a 24hr black or brown felt tip style eyeliner. Tiny dots along the eyelash line - leave to dry and then put on a normal pencil eyeliner in a slightly lighter colour, you'd be amazed at the result. Being very similar to a felt tip in design it is easy to use - you really won't need much practice and it washes off reasonably easily., but is waterproof. Stand a foot from the mirror and see how good it looks. If you're really brave - draw the lower eyelashes with tiny lines very short ones but plenty of them - ive seen this done and it looks great- im just not that steady with my hand and havent managed to achieve it - sstill a few weeks to practice i guess.

Lee, I was suprised to see how you felt without your wig, I think the picture you have is just gorgeous and i really do mean that. i don't look that good even with hair and eyelashes. Some of us are just blessed with those lovely features that look good no matter what. Your picture has inspired me to learn more about makeup and confidence - i want to look at least as half as good as you during my chemo and recovery.

shents, you have given me hope with eyelash growth, i thought maybe as they were the last to go they would three times as long to grow back. I have heard other ladies say how much better their hair is after chemo in terms of thickness and length - but only once the growth becomes established. it is nice to hear from someone who can verify that! Yes we can cover naked head with wigs and things, but how do you hide the eyes? Tony did you lose your hair and eyelashes too?

Caroline Colly Rose and Nina how are you all doing ? keep smiling, you have also been such an inspiriation to me.

Love sara xxxx

bless u sara

the anticipation is almost as bad as real thing . we are all different but some things it seems are the same , the thing with the eyes mine r same its nightmare as try wear more make up to distract from bald head hey ho . fact chemo is rubbish but we have to do it so we have to cope as the girls say hopefully all sid eaffects r transient. i too have got stand by false eyelashesbut luckily still have them at present , funny how we all chat from different parts country xx great to speak to u all xxxx u are so special thanks xxx

love hugs xxxnina xxxxx

Bless you Sara

what a lovely thing to say, I guess with a bit...no change that...with a lot of make-up I guess I dont look too bad, for me its the night time when everything comes off I just feel so low, however Tuesday is coming and I just cant wait for it to be over then hopefully I will be able to inspire you guys with a full recovery.

Colly you said your hand was the same as mine is now, what happened when you went for your last chemo did they use a different vein ?

Lots of love

Lee xxx

Hello all my lovely friends, I wonder if someone can tell me how the NHS wig thing works. I have a wig place attached mnt Vernon Hosp where i see the chemo nurse on the 3rd and have made an appointment to call in. The lady was lovely - i told her i had seen a wig almost identical to my own hair - only better - and she is going to try and source it. She did say in her email however, that i need a referal letter from who ever is treating me, although I do have the health exemption certificate. So who do I ask for a referral? The chemo nurse, the surgeon or the oncologist or can my breast care nurse do this for me? If I have to pay then so be it, but ideally I would like a change of wig too and paying for two wigs really will break the bank right now.

Also ladies- please if you have any unwanted wigs, remember the WIGBANK who offer a fantasitc service. i was thinking of starting a new thread dedicated purely to tips on coping and looking good from wigs to hair dye to false lashes and so on. So many of you have had such great ideas and tips - let's set up something we can all access in one space?

have a lovely weekend all, speak to you very soon

Lots of love,

sara

hi sara

not sure if wig thing works differently in different areas(i live in west sussex ) but mine was arranged thru the orthotics dept at the hospital i did need a referall but i asked my gp who faxed aletter then she(the wig lady ) had direct line to the wig shop i used and sent a voucher worth £120 and i paid the diffence i also got 2 wigs but they vary in price so much and u also dnot pay the vat i didnt think it was too bad ,obviously it depends on what u pick. the girls in shop were fab we had a laugh (and bit of a cry when hair actual fell out ) they even cut wig to make it bit more indivual for me.

regards the make up thing do u have a look good feel better workshops in your area i havent done it yet but they are free and run by in certain hospitals they give u loads free samples and teach u tips have a look online i think u register and then just go to local one i am goin to look into it also ask your nurse i keep u posted how it goes my friend did it and said it was fantastic dnot know if other ladies have done it

hope all goes well love and hugs nina xxxxxxxx

Hi Folk.

My partner went through the wig issue. She found it so tough emotionally she went completely the other direction! Ended up buying a black bob and an electric blue one too. They came in at a staggering £7.99 each from the fancy dress department!!. She ended up buying scarves to mix and match with the wigs and her clothes. One new scarf here one there all colours and types (About £2.00 each). Cowboy hat, baseball hat and other bits and bobs. Used them as an accessory rather than a starting point. All from 2nd hand shops and the odd market stall. Everyone is different but it worked for her and she pulled it off with some style. I was and still am so very proud of her.

The "Look Good Feel Better" is worth doing. She did that too. Walked out looking and feeling a million dollars, holding a nice bag of goodies worth over £300 at High street prices. On a side issue, I took a photo as she came out, she entered it in an "Ask Jeeves" on line contest and won a pink phone Double happy!

Which ever way you go it will be right for you. She is out the other side now and complaining about the cost of haircuts! (She has had two since chemo ended!)

With a strength of feeling I wish you well, which ever route you choose to take.

RD

Hi lee my veins had practically disappeared all together and nurse was going to use one on my wrist which I didn't fancy, but we just steeped my hand in hot water and eventually a vein came up. Good luck! X