Hi everyone, hope you all enjoy the weekend. Got my dad's 90th birthday party today, shame about the weather. 

Greeny80, hope you are feeling OK after your last treatment.

NGS, last treatment on Tuesday, that must be such a great feeling. Hope all goes well.

Carol, have a lovely weekend away. 

Xxx

Have a fab time at your Dad's 90th. Hope it is a gorgeous day/evening fiull of celebration. The weather has perked up a little here so i hope you've managed to enjoy some sunshine too.

I'm doing ok. Just going through the motions. Yesterday was probably the toughest day but it's all manageable still, just bad nausea, tiredness, achy etc...but you just have to go through the motions and let your body work through the side effects!...feeling a little brighter today and i can feel the nausea easing so hoping i'm over the worst! Just taken the dog out inbetween the showers and now back on the sofa!....My kids are off on a residential with school all next week so as much as i'll miss them it will be nice to have a very restful week! Let's see how much rest i end up doing!! Not very good at doing nothing!!

One more to go though so that's good!...saw my radiotherapist on Thursday and i start 3 weeks of radio on the 29th July. Sorry if i've already said that!!!!

NGS - yes good luck for your last treatment!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!! So nearly there!!!!

Carol - sorry i missed that you were away, where are you off to? Have fun!

Enjoy the festivities hits weekend Pippin and good luck for your next treatment too.

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend xx

xx

Gosh cancer really is the gift that keeps on giving isn't it!!! necrosis of the jaw does not sounds nice....but hopefully the ibandronic acid will work its magic.

Ah so nice to have gone for afternoon tea!! I need to start planning some nice things..life is for living after all! Ah hope you had a gorgeous afternoon!

xx

Hi Greeny 

yes a friend has been taking her out for me but she’s poorly herself now with an infection! I do have a waist belt that I can hook the lead to so if Liz is still poorly tomorrow I may take a little chance and just go around the block with Pebbles. Pebbles came for afternoon tea too lol xx

Oh isn’t it just!  Yes hopefully I won’t get too many or any side effects on the ibandronic acid. Will need to see how it goes. 

I had lumpectomy and 2 sentinel nodes removed for biopsy.  Am happy to say they came back clear so it hasn’t spread anywhere else. Long may it stay that way! xx

Thanks Carol, I thought my surgery might be only 3/4 weeks after chemo finishing and could maybe ok to go away mid September. However, it would seem by your time frame, surgery may not be that quick. May not be recovered enough to go away by September, so may need to rearrange. As far as I know I'll be having mastectomy and reconstruction. Waiting at the moment for an appointment with the surgeon, so don't know if the plan will change. It must be difficult not being able to walk your dog, hopefully the time will pass quickly. Xx

Hi Greeny80, I am still quite active, think I have got off lightly through chemo to be honest. How are you doing with nails and hair at the moment? Hope all is going well on that score. Will be great to get the info on the radiotherapy treatment  always good to know what to expect in advance. I'm sure the kids can wait to see you too, I'm sure they must have had a lovely time. Shame some of the children were poorly though. Enjoy the weekend and this beautiful weather. Xx

Morning everyone 

hope you are all enjoying the sunshine 

Pippin -  glad your treatment went well - just one more to go - it’s amazing to be saying that after such a journey isn’t it  -  I saw you asked about nails.  Weirdly my nails are the strongest they have ever been - maybe the poly balm but I’m not complaining 

really good to hear your still active.  It must make a difference.  I may have asked this before ( chemo brain ) are you having a single or double mastectomy.  

Carol - my mum and Dad have both been through radiotherapy and say the traveling to and from and setting up of equipment takes longer than the actual treatment.  They were just very tired.  But nothing like chemo I’m told 

I’m having zometa which is a bone infusion - sounds like the treatment you will have.  I will have them now every 6 months by IV for 3 years at least and I have to have regular dental check ups due to jaw challenges.  I had my first one in May and found sometimes when I first go to chew food my jaw is stiff but it does ease off quickly.  

greeny - one more for you too on the chemo front. Hope you’ve enjoyed the rest but bet you cannot wait for the children to return.  

so I’ve now completed chemo and my PICC line was also removed.  I felt very emotional.  I felt like I’d lost a supportive buffer around me to honest.  But I have a meeting today with oncologist and then I meet with surgeon on 2 nd July.  It feels a scary place being out on your own and not seeing the chemo team weekly.   I think the recovery is gonna take some time 

I had the last cold cap too. Woohoo I did it.   I have a covering albeit thin hair and it is already growing so quite pleased with that.  

wishing you all a lovely weekend XXX

Hi NGS

Woohoo!  That's great everything is done and PICC line removed too.  And well done on the cold cap.  It's an amazing feeling when your hair starts to grow back isn't it. I know what you mean re the chemo and missing the regular visits to the team.  I guess I'm being more gently weaned off, having immunotherapy still every 6 weeks, but I think I'll feel the same.  I also got my letter yesterday saying that they've pretty much discharged me back to my GP.  There won't be any more hospital follow-ups beyond normal mammograms etc once radiotherapy and immunotherapy have stopped.  Life will feel very strange, not going to the hospital every few weeks!  Thanks for the heads up re radiotherapy.  Others have said the same - it's more the actual going to the hospital every day that's the tiring bit, than the treatment itself.  Hopefully only being 9 days I'll cope not too badly!  

Have an amazing weekend and enjoy the sunshine! xx

Hi NGS, congratulations for getting through your chemo, it must feel amazing. Did you ring that bell? Glad to hear that your nails are good, mine are also fine, so it would seem that the polybalm does it's job. Also, I didn't lose my hair completely, always had a bit of fine hair. It has also started filling in before chemo has finished. Hair on legs never did stop growing, although slowed down I think. I've shaved them twice and still have a bit of stubble growing back! Good to hear that the cold cap was a success, makes it all worthwhile. As far as I know I'm having a single mastectomy and reconstruction, but haven't actually seen surgeon since January, so don't know if the plan will change. I have thought about asking for a double, but not sure if they'd be willing to do that. I just have this fear of it coming back in the other breast and having to go through it all again. They said they would be reducing the other breast anyway, so they match. I keep being told an appointment is being arranged to see the surgeon, but still haven't heard anything, might chase it up next week. I can understand your anxiety now that you won't be in contact with your chemo team on a regular basis. I'm sure you'll be given a contact number  in case you have any worries. I think most people probably feel the same. I hope all goes well with your oncologist appointment today and your meeting with the surgeon on the 2nd of July. Do you know when your surgery might be?

Hope you have a lovely weekend  xx

Hi NGS,

I'm sure that you're delighted to have reached the end of your chemo treatment. Isn't it strange how we all look forward to this stage, then start to worry about losing the support? This is a common feeling. Always remember that your specialist nurse is there for you, should you have any concerns and don't hesitate to contact her if you need to.

I hope that your visit to the oncologist today was worthwhile and that all goes well when you see your surgeon, on 2nd July. Your parents are right, most people find the regular travelling to and from radiotherapy is pretty taxing, but fortunately, it doesn't last for long.

I'm delighted to hear that the cold cap saved a little of your hair and that it has already started to grow back.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey everyone!

Just checking in! Sorry have been pretty quiet...it's been crazy with school stuff at the moment as it's my daughters last year at her school so she has so many leaving things going on and general end of term stuff so the admin is off the scale! She's got her formal/prom on Friday and she's so excited bless her! Can't believe how quickly they grow up...i'm not ready for it!!!!!!!

Anyway just wanted to check in with you guys. How are you all doing?

In answer to your question Pippin on nail and hair a bit like NGS  my nails are pretty good.  I have a faint line on two of my nails but nothing has changed since the first chemo....but otherwise they actually seem stronger than they were before!...and my hair is still hanging on in there. Rocking the Bill Bailey look, quite bald at the front and top of my head but i can just about get away with wearing a wide headband! Will go and get it cut a little shorter after chemo has finished! 

Can't believe next Tuesday is my last round!!!!!

How is everyone doing? 

@Carol1964 When does your radio start?

 Pippin24  any more news on a pre surgery appt? Hope you're still feeling ok after your last chemo round.

NGS  How did your Oncology appt go? Hope you're enjoying having your PICC line out...hope all goes well next week with the surgeon.

@Jolamine Hope you're doing ok too!

Take care ladies and enjoy the sunshine this week and hope you can find some nice shady spots too - it's gonna be hot!!! xx

Hey everyone!

Just checking in! Sorry have been pretty quiet...it's been crazy with school stuff at the moment as it's my daughters last year at her school so she has so many leaving things going on and general end of term stuff so the admin is off the scale! She's got her formal/prom on Friday and she's so excited bless her! Can't believe how quickly they grow up...i'm not ready for it!!!!!!!

Anyway just wanted to check in with you guys. How are you all doing?

In answer to your question Pippin on nail and hair a bit like NGS  my nails are pretty good.  I have a faint line on two of my nails but nothing has changed since the first chemo....but otherwise they actually seem stronger than they were before!...and my hair is still hanging on in there. Rocking the Bill Bailey look, quite bald at the front and top of my head but i can just about get away with wearing a wide headband! Will go and get it cut a little shorter after chemo has finished! 

Can't believe next Tuesday is my last round!!!!!

How is everyone doing? 

@Carol1964 When does your radio start?

 Pippin24  any more news on a pre surgery appt? Hope you're still feeling ok after your last chemo round.

NGS  How did your Oncology appt go? Hope you're enjoying having your PICC line out...hope all goes well next week with the surgeon.

@Jolamine Hope you're doing ok too!

Take care ladies and enjoy the sunshine this week and hope you can find some nice shady spots too - it's gonna be hot!!! xx

Hi Greeny80, sounds like you are pretty busy at the moment, Hope your daughter has a fabulous time at her prom. Good to hear that  things are going well with your hair and nails, my hair seems to be growing too. I bought some rice water protein shampoo and conditioner bars, which are apparently good for hair growth. Thought it was worth giving them a try! 

I contacted macmillan nurses yesterday, as getting a bit frustrated with regards to appointments. I was told on my last pre chemo telephone review, that the next one would be face to face. I haven't received an appointment and have now been told it will be the telephone review, which luckily I booked in case the other one didn't come through. I explained to macmillan that they also informed me on the 3rd of June that they would book me into the oncology clinic  to discuss results of lung ct, that didn't ever materialise. They've now said they will book me an appointment, so we shall see. I've also been told on the last two review phone calls that an appointment with the surgeon will be arranged. This has also not happened, they said yesterday that they'd send an email to the surgeon, so let's hope I hear something soon. 

Sorry for the moaning, it's just annoying when you are expecting appointments and they don't happen. Generally feeling pretty good. Saturday I needed a sofa day after my walk, as energy levels had dipped. Also had a few issues with upset stomach, but seems to have settled down now. Still be getting out for our walk, although it is more difficult in the heat. We're out by 8.30am, but you can still feel the heat at that time. It must be great knowing that next week is your last treatment. Only two weeks for me too! 

Wishing everyone a lovely day.. xx

Hi everyone.  Sorry for the delay!  Sounds like everyone is doing amazing and progressing well through treatment and planning to ring those bells!  I opted not to ring the bell at end of chemo as I still had immunotherapy to get through, so I will ring that bell on my last immunotherapy treatment, which at the moment is 21 November. 

I finally got the call today regarding radiotherapy.  I have my new patient consultation on 10th July and CT Scan and planning session on 12 July.  Might still be on track to start around 18th July or perhaps the week after, so hopefully I will be done with radiotherapy by early to mid August.  

I had my dentist appointments this week and had a little filling repair and a scale and polish, so once radiotherapy is done, I'm all set to start taking the ibandronic acid tablets (really don't want to, but I'll try them and see how I get on). 

Hope everyone is doing well and have made it out or are going to make it out to vote today lol.  Have a great weekend when it comes.  I'm off to Sussex this afternoon to see my Dad - it's been nearly 2 years since I last saw him. 

Carol xx

Hi Carol, I really can't wait to be finished with the chemo part of the treatment, next week. I feel that it is finally something that can be ticked of as completed. Hopefully will know the plan moving forward, by the end of the month. Good to hear that you have your appointments booked in and will hopefully be starting your radiotherapy on the 18th of July. We went for our usual walk this morning and popped in to vote on our way home. Hope you are feeling OK and have a lovely weekend  xx

Meant to say, enjoy Sussex and meeting up with your Dad. It will be lovely for you to see him after 2 years. Xx

Hi Carol,

Great you've got dates for radiotherapy. I've got my planning appt on the 18th July  and then start radio on the 29th July for 3 weeks. Do you know how many rounds of radio you're having?

I've also got my first Zoladex/ovarian suppresion injection on the 18th too. I'm weirdly feeeling quite chilled about the radiotherapy, hoping it will be a walk in the park after chemo..but i'm very nervous about the aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression pills and injections. Praying for mininal side effects!!!

Great you got all your dentist appts in and treatment sorted too. 

Hope you had a wonderful time with your dad, that must have been very emotional after 2 years!!

xx

Hi Greeny80

I have my planning appointment on the 12th and they think it will be at least 3 weeks before radiotherapy actually starts.  I will be having 9 rounds, so not too onerous.  How about you?  Apparently the standard used to be 25!! 

Like you, iIm feeling pretty ok about the radiotherapy itself.  I'm more concerned about the daily slog to the hospital!  I've requested afternoon appointments so I can work in the mornings and then just chill when I get home after treatment.  Have you been practising the breathing technique/breath holding we need to do?  

Good luck with the Zoladex/ovarian suppression injection.  Thankfully as mine was non-hormonal I don't have to do those - just the ibandronic acid tablets to protect my bones.

It was lovely to see dad and yes, very emotional after 2 years!  He's doing quite well for 92, but he does repeat himself a lot  and the telly was on a million decibels lol.  The drive tired me out a fair bit so am glad I did an overnight stop on the way down.  I did manage to get home in one go, even if it was a little slower than normal.  I'm just glad I was able to do it. 

Good luck for the 18th.  Let me know how it goes :) 

xx