Hi NGS, Carol and Greeny80, thanks for your replies, feeling pretty down at the moment. I only have a bit of a croaky throat, slight runny nose and infrequent tickly cough. I only contacted then in case I should have a preventative anti biotic. BCN suggested covid test, so I could tell pre op I had tested negative! Maybe I shouldn't have bothered, they don't even test prior to op and I'll probably be better by next week. After all the uncertainty over the phesgo, then told I can have it, that too is now on hold! Have no idea now when surgery will be and it's been nearly 3 months since I finished chemo. Also my daughter got married in Las Vegas on Sunday, haven't had the heart to tell her yet. We are meant to be having a big family meal out on Saturday to celebrate, not sure I will make it. Anyway it is what it is, so I just need to get my positive head back on. How is everyone doing?

Hi Pippin,

I am so sorry to hear that Covid has caused surgery and your injection to be cancelled, when you'd finally got the go ahead. I am glad to hear that Covid hasn't hit you too hard, but can understand how disappointed you feel, when you were so close to getting your operation over and done with. I do hope that you can manage to participate in your daughter's wedding celebrations at the weekend.

Here's hoping that it won't be too long again, before your surgery is re-scheduled.

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine, better news today as now covid free, so will be able to join in all celebrations. Spoke to chemo unit today and I can go ahead with phesgo, which I'm really pleased about. Surgery has now been booked in for 15th October, so only delayed by a week, so not too bad. Just going to relax now and get my head back in a good place, ready for surgery. How are you doing at the moment? Xx

Ah that's great news Pippin...all working out in the end and you get to enjoy the wedding celebrations! Good luck for the 15th, will be thinking of you. xx

Thanks Greeny, feel so much better about it all now. Just need to chill out, relax and get in the zone. So happy they only delayed it by a week and that I can also have the phesgo today. Over the moon that I can also join in the celebrations at the weekend. How did you get on today? Xx

Fantastic news.  So pleased you can celebrate with your family and a weeks delay for op is nothing in the scheme of things.  
so happy for you 

xxx 

Thanks NGS, I feel a lot happier and relaxed today. How are you doing at the moment?

Is anyone else not receiving notifications of posts on this thread? I'm not getting any, only seeing people's messages if I take a look!

Hi Pippin,

I am delighted to hear that you are now Covid free and will be able to join in the family celebrations at the weekend. It's good that you can still have your injection and that your date for surgery hasn't been postponed for too long. 

We are planning a family reunion this weekend too as it is our Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday. Our daughter and son-in-law are coming down to join us and we are looking forward to having all of the family together. Unfortunately, we don't manage that as often as we'd like, due to living at opposite ends of the country.

I hope that you have a great time.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, many congratulations on your Golden Wedding Anniversary, that's amazing. Lovely that you will be getting together with your family to celebrate. Hope you have a wonderful day. Xxx

Hello Pippin24, 

Sorry to hear you are not receiving notifications of posts on this thread. Have a look at our forum help on How do I change my email notifications? You will find in there instructions on how to select to receive notifications for threads you are following (and how to turn these off too when you no longer wish to follow a thread). 

I hope it all works fine for you now but don't hesitate to let us know if you are still experiencing issues.

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello Pippin24, 

Sorry to hear you are not receiving notifications of posts on this thread. Have a look at our forum help on How do I change my email notifications? You will find in there instructions on how to select to receive notifications for threads you are following (and how to turn these off too when you no longer wish to follow a thread). 

I hope it all works fine for you now but don't hesitate to let us know if you are still experiencing issues.

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thanks very much Lucie xx

Hi Pippin24   So glad you're covid negative now and you can enjoy the family celebrations at the weekend.  And only a short delay on your op too, which is great news.  

Greeny80 How did the port removal go on Monday?  Does it feel good to no longer have it? 

Jolamine  Happy golden wedding anniversary!  Enjoy your day celebrating with family. 

NGS  How are you? 

I went to a woodcraft workshop yesterday with work - had a great time making a wooden plaque using paints and stencils.  I did notice I don't have the dexterity in my fingers as well as I used to and found the fiddly bits extra fiddly!  But I got there in the end and am hoping over time, that dexterity will improve.  I also have my first PT session at the gym at lunch time today to try to start building up strength and flexibility again after so many months on the sofa.  That will be interesting lol. 

Hope everybody is keeping well. 

Carol xx

Hi Carol, sound like you are doing really well. The wood workshop you went on yesterday must have been fun. Is the dexterity thing due to chemo? Was the pt session arranged for you, or is it something you organised yourself? I got back out for my morning walk today, which felt really good. Also had my phesgo injection last night, which was all fine. Take care. Xx

Hi Pippin.  Unfortunately, yes, the dexterity thing is due to chemo.  I used to be able to do really intricate things, but I do struggle now.  It's not a hindrance on a daily basis, but it is noticeable when I want to do things like the workshop yesterday.   Re the PT session, it's something I have organised myself.  I am not the sort of person who enjoys exercise and will find any excuse to not do it lol. The only exercise I enjoy is walking the dog (but I am a fair weather walker!) and swimming.  I'm not allowed to swim until at least 4 weeks after my last immunotherapy treatment, mainly due to risk of infection and allergic reactions (especially as I've been so sensitive to treatment so far). I thought if I got myself a PT for 3 months, then it would get me back into the habit and I'm rather hoping the addiction I got to exercise about 14 years ago will return!! 

That's great you're all good after your phesgo injection.  Not long now to the next stage of your treatment and one step closer to "normality".  xx

Hopefully Carol your dexterity will improve over time. Well done to you for organising the exercise sessions yourself. I've never enjoyed going to the gym, although have given it a try years ago. I too am loving the walking, but it was too hot to do when away. I swapped it for a half hour swim every day, which is a first for me on holiday. Would love to hear how you get on a the gym, maybe you'll really enjoy it! Xx

Hey everyone! 

how are we all? 

how were the golden wedding anniversary celebrations?

Carol how was the PT session?

Pippin - are you feeling ok ahead of your op on the 15th? How were the family celebrations? Hope you had a lovely time 

I had my port removed on Monday, some stitches which are a little sore but otherwise it was pretty painless and easy! Had a load of bloods done and have scans next week then seeing my oncologist on the 5th November! I had my monthly Zoladex injection today and the nurse was so brutal! She was like oh my gosh i hate these needles they’re so big and then shoved it in so hard!!!! At least there was no messing around!!!!!

anyway just wanted to say hello! Hope you’re all ok! Xx

Hi Greeny80, went and had my pre op bloods today, then went and bought a variety of post op bras. Getting a bit nervous now and will just be glad to get it over with. Had thought they were going to reduce healthy boob in the same operation, but not sure now. I was given that impression at consultation, but a letter states that it will be a second phase, so will have to wait and see. I wonder if you might be able to answer a question for me. When I went to initial pre op assessment, they said I could shower on morning of op as usual, but don't put on creams or deodorant. They did follow up phone call this week,due to the delay and this time wad told not to use soap in the shower. I find this strange, as Ii would be rinsing off the soap. I totally understand about creams and deodorant after a shower. Can you tell me what you were told to do prior to surgery. Pleased to hear having your port removed wasn't too bad, you must be pleased to have it gone. Sorry to hear the nurse was a bit rough when giving your injection, hope you don't have any discomfort from it tomorrow. Hope all goes well with your scan and bloods and let us know how appointment goes on the 5th November. Xx 

Everyone I know was told to use octenisan to wash with before surgery but I don't know about breast surgery. I guess residue might be left under the skin fold.

Morning all.  Greeny80 that injection sounds awful!  Thank goodness it's only once a month.  Maybe the next nurse will be more gentle?  I find differences in skills at finding a vein for cannulas varies so much amongst the chemo nurses.  But just one more immunotherapy to go and I'm done (apart from the Zoledronic Acid every 6 months).   PT session went well thanks, he's being very gentle with me and I'm appalled at how inflexible and unfit I've become over the past year.  Still, am trying to think positively that at least I'm now doing something about it.  I need to get the weight in check again too as that's creeping up! 

Pippin24 I hope you enjoyed the family celebrations at the weekend.  Good luck with your op next week if we don't speak before.  Hope you get the soap issue sorted!  I was the same re creams and deodorants, but don't recall being told not to use soap, but then my operation was different to yours.  Maybe the BCNs can help?

I have a fairly quiet weekend lined up this week as it was immunotherapy yesterday and I'm always a bit tired after that for a couple of days.  But I do need to go to Pets at Home otherwise Pebbles, my dog, will think she's living with Old Mother Hubbard! 

Hope everyone is doing ok and have a lovely weekend, whatever you have planned 

Carol xx

Hi Lynn, thank you so much for your reply. I wasn't given any wash at my pre op assessment, they just said to shower as normal, but not to use any creams or deodorant. I then had a pre op assessment phone call, due to my surgery being delayed  this time I was told just use water and no soap. I found this strange, as you do rinse the soap off. This morning, I phoned the pre op assessment phone number that I was given. They've said I can use soap without any fragrance, which I do have fortunately. X̌x