Hi Colly and Sarah. My lowest moment was when i lost my hair, eyebrows eyelashes etc but now i look back and realise my hair loss was one of my defining moments. I tried the wigs but like you say they can get itchy, i wore a lot of scarves, cheap ones from Primark or off the market and didn't tie them too elaborately - that can look a bit like 'I've got cancer' A lot of people thought I was just wearing scarves as a fashion accessory and had no idea that I was having chemo or had no hair. Have a look at my album called My Hair Journey in these photos only one picture is of my real hair, even the black hair is a wig (a £7.99 party wig at that!!) As for the cost of chemo chic, well as I said I bought all my stuff from cheap shops at no more than £2 for a scarf, which meant I could have lots to match all my outfits. I know you say you can't afford make up, but have you heard of Look Good Feel Better? It's a national charity supported by the cosmetics industry, they run workshops at most hospitals and you get to have a complete makeover and experiment with loads of products. they hlep you to make the most of your new look and at the end of the day you take home about £400 worth of cosmetics all free! This photo is me after my makeover,

I had no eyebrows and only one or two lashes but felt like a million dollars. That was the only time I wore my scarf plaited round my head but I still think I looked great and I know I felt wonderful. We all need a confidence boost, so have an experiement at Chemo Chic and try a few things out, you might be surprised and like me find that you quite like your new look!! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me as this is a real passion of mine - I've been there, I know how it feels but I know that I overcame it too. Hope it helps and lots of love xx

[[]]

You should enter that photo into a contest!

Hello

As you have probably guessed by now, I am having a really hard time at the moment

Sara.... I do know how you feel honey, no matter what anybody tells me, I feel like a total freak, my hair is short (I know I'm lucky to still have hair) I have two horrible scars on my chest where my breasts should be, one side i have a dent and the other side is swollen and the hospital keeps fobbing me off...... I got so low that the doctor has sent me for counciling.... I've only been twice, but they made me realise that I am allowed to give myself a break...

Allow yourself to cry Sara, allow yourself to feel sorry for yourself.... you have been through so much and it's taken a toll on your mind and spirit as well as your body.

Breast cancer seems to take away our femininity, and we seem to spend all the time trying to find a way to feel feminine.......... the most feminine thing we can do is sit and cry,.... let it all out and things will seem a little better... only a little better at first...... but better none the less...... crying is the most girliest thing we can do..... You don't always have to be strong..... run a nice hot bath, put some lovely bubbles in, light a few candles, go and soak and cry your eyes out for what you have lost.... it works.... trust me, I've spent alot of time in the bath recently.

I am having a lot of personal problems at the moment which I will explain when I understand them myself

I am at the hospital tomorrow and this time i am going to get some answers...... if this was my daughter this was happening to, and 12 weeks after a double masectomy she suddenly got a swelling on one side, and the doctors said, we dont think it's anything to worry about and we don't think it's worth scanning and then sent her home... I would hit the roof and demand answers........ So why cant I do this for myself...... So tomorrow I hit the roof and demand answers

I am worth it too

I will come back and let you all know what they say

Hello to everybody else............ sorry I've not been around much, but I will be from now on

Love caz xxx

Dinky,

Absolutely stunning...I just looked at the facebook gallery and you look great...As an ex skinhead, I have a thing for ladies with shaved heads which some may think is a bit weird but hey each to their own. Those wigs are amazing too! My hair as a bloke has started to fall out although not so you would notice and I would love to know what to do...I tried a baseball cap on the other day but it just didn't look right so will have a look about...I cant see me wearing a wig.

Lee,

I love your photo, never got round to telling you that but I have now x

Leonie,

Yes I am certain I would be most offended if you all met up and didn't invite me along too...I live in Matlock but now I have a new sporty motorbike will make the excuse to go anywhere for a bit of a trip!

Caroline,

You really are struggling darling...imagine us all around you giving you a big group hug soaking up all our energy and making you feel better...make sure you comeon here and talk more so we can try and help you through this.

Much Love to all you stunning ladies out there...

Tony xxx

Hi Everyone

Firstly I would like to say I am glad we have heard from you Caroline, I was so worried as you have not been on for a while and you always use to post on here. I am so sorry you are going through a bad time I know you have not had it easy, if there is anything I can do please let me know as we are all here for you to rant at if that is what you feel like doing. PLEASE let us know how you get on tomorrow. Like Tony has said imagine we are all giving you a VERY BIG HUG.

Tony glad to see you are writing on here again, I was getting a little worried about you, how are things going I do miss our chats lol.

Dinky you look fab in your photo the scarf really suits you, I would never of been brave enough to put a picture on here as I was really down when I lost my hair, eyebrows etc but now they are all coming back as I finished Chemo in October but I do understand how we all feel when we have lost it as it is what we think makes us as a woman.

Well I have had to contact my breast nurse today as over the weekend I was really down just crying for no reason, I think now that my treatment has finished it has finally hit me and what with my marriage break-up during my treatment it was like I have had a double wammy so I think it may be time to speak to somebody, wish I had done it sooner really. Just sitting here I could cry and I know they say it's a good thing to do but how much can you do it but not feel any better. I will let you know how I get on as it might help a few other's who knows.

Well take care everyone and speak to you soon

Love to you all

Littlesis

love the photo very chemo chic

Hi Dinky

You look amazing in the photo an insperation to every one.

Thanks for sharing it

Luckyus

hi rose n ladies

im so pleased to hear your heart is ok n you dont need to see the specialist now. thats just great news. i was so sad when i read you didnt think you would be here at christmas, you just make sure you have the best one ever. lots of love to you.

i still have most side affects unfortunately. doctor thinks they wont go til i finish treatment now. i didnt realise that herceptin stops you from healing. my legs are much better than on chemo but still hurt. i get about though. its my arms that stop me now. right one from meds n left from op n fluid build up. ive got lymphadema in my op boob which is really sore n swollen but it goes round to my shoulder blade. got to go back to the nurse n get it massaged. trial nurse told me i have 3 treatments left n then i can start healing. cant wait for my nose to heal along with the rest of my body.

i went to see my bc nurse today as i didnt get any answers from the doctor(he said pain was from chemo). she is so good at her job n told me what was wrong n what to do. i told her about my wonky boobs n there was a lady doing fittings n i got a new boob today! im so chuffed with it. the first time with even boobs. sorry caz, i dont mean to be insensitive. i hope you got some answers today n they can start to make you feel better.

hope all you ladies are doing well. littlesis i hope you get your app soon, i think its time for someone to give you a hand. then you can go on your 2 holidays n show that rat of a husband you dont need him in your life. survivor you look so good in your pic. didnt look half as good when i went to mine but felt heaps better. tony, let us know when you are feeling well enough next year. lots of love to you.

love leonie xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi all been catching upon u all

dizzy love the pics i too have mucked about with fun wigs scarfs and more make up but dnot look as good as u pics fab u have inspired me to do hair journey album to i think it will be something to look back on when this is over to see how far we come xxxx

Littlesis u have had so much to contend with but the girls are right conselling will help u see light and give u new start please remember we are all here for u xxxxbig massive hugxx

rose- so glad u feeling bit better have fantastic xmasxxx

lonie so sorry u having all these side affects hope u get all the help u need thinking of u xxx

caz so glad to hear from u like everyone eles was worried hope u got some answers xxxxxx

sara how u doing ?xxx

tony hope all well with u xxx

to everyone eles thinkin of u

i had my 5th chemo of 6 on monday feel bit rubbish today but dertermined to get organised for xmas cant wait for it to be over and say good riddance to 2010!!! my eldest comes back from liverpool at week end (weather permitting_)so looking forward to seeing her want them all to have fab xmas after all we have been thru xxx love and hugs to all xxxxxxxxxx