Having a stressful day today. Had my pre chemo consultation by phone today. Went well with lots of information given about what to expect.  However, I did forget to mention about some niggling breast pain I've been having. They come and go, sometimes slightly shooting pain. Did phone breast care nurses last week, who said probably due to all the biopsies I had. They were done a few weeks ago, so wondered if pains would only start happening in the last week. So annoyed with myself, even had it written down. I know I can mention on Monday, but will now have to go through two more days of stress!!

Hi Pippin 24, I think every little niggling pain is a worry when you're in the position that we are, try not to worry hopefully the chemotherapy will start to work killing all of the harmful cancer cells,  hope everything goes well for you on Monday,   I'm anxious at the moment waiting for my PET scan results on Friday the 8th xx

That's me tonight/this morning Pippin up and down like a yo yo

I think a change of scenery us always good, we're thinking of having a few days away soon. Be sure to enjoy that sea air, nothing beats it  I live I Hertfordshire, not too far from the outskirts of London. How about yourself? It will be interesting to see how the docetaxel goes, is ti's the one they're changing you to? I start that one on cycle 4. I did manage a 2 1/2 mile walk again today, which was lovely. Just hoping the weather holds out for the rest of the week. Take care and keep in touch. Xx

Hi NGS, all went well, just hot flushes and going loo a lot. Got a silk bonnet to sleep in aswell to catch any hair strands so that feels a bit odd. It's a lot easier for them with picc in. 1 down 13 to go mate to try and shrink the little s.o.b.

Hi MadhatterC, I've slept a lot this evening, so not sure how tonight will go. I hope you manage to get some sleep. How did your PICCline and treatment go?

Yes was going to be 3 x EC then 3 x Docetaxel (T) but now it’s going to be 5 rounds of TC so the C part plus the Docetaxel…

I live in Surrey..and my parents are in jersey so hoping over there tonight!! Just have to be careful at the airport snd wear a mask but once there should be fine..walks on the beach and some home comforts and catching up with my brothers and nephews!!

yes hope the rain stays away so you can get out and about..definitely get the fresh air helped so much with all my symptons and mentally too!!

Hope you can drift back off to sleep again soon! My husband had to set the alarm for 1am as he has a random work call he couldn’t get out of! So we’re both wide awake!! 

Hope you’ve got some nice Easter plans..are you seeing your grandkids again soon? Xx

It went well huh, PICC properly took 30/45 minutes once they had finished the prep. They were lovely and other then the  local a to the area, there was no pain at all. Treatment was good. It was a flush and then the immunotherapy which was around 30 minutes. Then a flush and some anti nausan and some piriton I think. Then another flush and then the chemo drugs start with a flush in-between and at the end. Had quite a lot of lemon squash and tuna sandwich. (Also eat a whole box of cherry jaffa cakes #yum). Went to the loo a lot and watch a film. 

Just hoping I am not Constipated today as I don't think I went yesterday out of nerves and I normally go early hours of the morning. 

Sleep was a bit of a pain as I either went loo, got back to bed, got comfortable and then had a hot flush and it was a bit of a cycle going on. 

Got 2 of them look good, feel better class from home today, and hoping for a little walk, before little one breaks up from school for Easter and then my exit isn't so quick. 

When is round 3 hun?

Oh mate them plans sound lovely. Fingers crossed on the weather for you hun, and treat yourself to a Easter egg. 

Sounds like you had a lot going on during your treatment, you must have been exhausted. Hope you will manage to get plenty of rest, especially with the children being home from school. Do you have anyone to give you some support?  I have been just the same as you during the night. Waking up with hot flushes, then needing the loo. Although last night only once, that's a first! Haven't had the bad headache this time which is great. However, constipation has started, must be the meds I think. Think I'll start taking something for that today. Glad you're enjoying the classes. I don't have camera on PC, so unable to do them unfortunately. April will be a bit busier for me. Have my port being fitted on the 3rd, next chemo on 15th, then ct thorax scan at the end of the month. They want to check a couple of lung nodules they found on my lungs, which is a bit of a worry. I'm dreading the waiting game again for results. My 4th chemo will now be slightly delayed, due to it being a bank holiday. Will be changed to a different day and all further treatments will be on that day. It's a shame, the Monday's worked well for me. You take care and keep resting and feel free to chat anytime. Xx

Hi Jolamine 

am I right you had double mastectomy.  Did you have reconstruction as well ?   
im 2 weeks post surgery now and have expanders in place which will be filled in time once scars heal.  
id had two surgeries on right breast prior so surgeon worked hard to preserve my own nipples and skin.  I’ve had surgical bra with nipples cut out - yes very attractive - for first two weeks to apply pressure but not so much to cause necrosis 

at two week point dressings were removed and I can wear my own post surgery front fastening bra.  
it is still so uncomfortable though. I’m worried about swelling occurring that would stretch scars and lead to necrosis - I’m worried is this bra supportive enough.  Ideally I’d rather be braless as sure it would be more comfortable. 
think I’m just really struggling emotionally today so any advice / comment from someone whose been through the surgery is appreciated 

NG xx

Hi NGS,

Yes, I had a lumpectomy first time around, then a double mastectomy the following year. That was all 14 years ago now. Unfortunately, I wasn't a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to other non-cancer related surgery, so I remain flat. I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different occasions. I had some embarrassing situations when I first experimented with swimming prostheses. Some floated up around my mouth when I was in the water, whilst others fell to my waist and I felt like a running tap when I got out of the water. Fortunately, I've now got around these problems and go swimming twice a week, without such episodes.

It sounds as if your surgeon has done a good job to preserve your nipples, even though your post surgical bra with the cut outs sounds so attractive! There is a huge difference in the comfort of post surgical bras. I have been left with bi-lateral lymphoedema following surgery and have tried a number of them. There are a few around that are ok - it's trying to find them. I wore M & S total Support bras to start with. They are not specifically for post-mastectomy, but they give good support. I do get fed up with my "add-ons" at times and often find myself going braless these days.

So long as you have a reasonable support in your bra, and you haven't had too much swelling after your operation, chances are that you are unlikely to get necrosis. I hope that you continue to heal well and that it won't be too long before you can start getting your expanders filled. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi NGS,

Yes, I had a lumpectomy first time around, then a double mastectomy the following year. That was all 14 years ago now. Unfortunately, I wasn't a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to other non-cancer related surgery, so I remain flat. I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different occasions. I had some embarrassing situations when I first experimented with swimming prostheses. Some floated up around my mouth when I was in the water, whilst others fell to my waist and I felt like a running tap when I got out of the water. Fortunately, I've now got around these problems and go swimming twice a week, without such episodes.

It sounds as if your surgeon has done a good job to preserve your nipples, even though your post surgical bra with the cut outs sounds so attractive! There is a huge difference in the comfort of post surgical bras. I have been left with bi-lateral lymphoedema following surgery and have tried a number of them. There are a few around that are ok - it's trying to find them. I wore M & S total Support bras to start with. They are not specifically for post-mastectomy, but they give good support. I do get fed up with my "add-ons" at times and often find myself going braless these days.

So long as you have a reasonable support in your bra, and you haven't had too much swelling after your operation, chances are that you are unlikely to get necrosis. I hope that you continue to heal well and that it won't be too long before you can start getting your expanders filled. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx