Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend. How are you all doing at the moment? I'm starting my radiotherapy on Wednesday and will be so pleased to get it out of the way. My tummy wound is healing, albeit it slowly, hoping it will be healed by Christmas. Now all Christmas shopping is finished, thinking of starting the wrapping today. I usually have everyone to me at Christmas, but having a break this year and going to my daughter's. It will make a lovely change for me. What are you all doing over the festive period?

HI Pippin,

I am glad to hear that your wound is finally beginning to heal, albeit slowly. I had everyone to us for Christmas and New Year, but have now decided that it's time for the younger members of the family to pick up the cudgel. We are going to my son and his family, which we are looking forward to,

It'll be great to get to your radiotherapy, at long last and I hope that it all goes well.

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Greeny, radiotherapy is going well, I tend to get to the hospreally early, regardless of appointment times as travelling is easier. I told them I don't mind sitting an reading for an hour, but always get called in really quickly. My daughter took me today and we were home by 9.30am, after 3 hour round trip. We had a good old chat about spending Christmas together, so feel quite uplifted. I did get an irritating rash between my boobs in the first few days, but changed creams and it seems a bit better. I finish on Christmas Eve.

Finally sorted my meds after talking to pharmacist, who then needed to talk to Dr. Not sure why I couldn't just talk to the Dr last week  but at least it's sorted. 

No news on breast scan, but not too worried as BCN did give me some reassurance. She said it's very unlikely to be anything to worry about, as it's a reconstruction and all breast tissue was removed. 

I do need to contact oncology  as they mentioned at my appointment on 7th Nov that I needed to have a bone scan. I've heard nothing since, but get fed up having to keep phoning up about stuff.

How amazing that you're going Canada for Christmas, I sure this will give you a boost. The change of scenery will certainly do you the world of good. 

It's such a shame having your husband's job situation hanging over you. Especially when you're not sure whether he'll  even get paid for his current work. You really don't need this on top of everything else you had to go through this year. Fingers crossed, there's a new job on the horizon. 

I will also be glad to get this year over with and look forward to a better year next year.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and  happier and healthier New Year to you too xx

Hi Pippin,

Sorry, I seem to have missed your post for some reason. I hope that your weekend improved after you wrote this. It certainly sounds like a very frustrating day. After reading the rest of this thread and your replies to Greeny, it sounds as if you've managed to find a way around things, with the help of your breast care nurse. It is reassuring that she doesn't think that there will be anything amiss with your breast, but I'm glad to hear that a scan is being arranged nonetheless. 

I'm glad to hear that the new cream is helping with your rash and that you've finally got your new dose of Venlafaxine sorted - here's hoping that you'll feel better with this! Have you managed to get out for a walk yet? This will probably make the biggest difference to your emotions, when you do. You must be beginning to feel shattered with all the travelling to radiotherapy. Still, I'm glad to hear that it's going ok. I wonder if your care team are waiting until after your radiotherapy finishes before you have your bone scan?

I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my grandchildren too.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, I sometimes miss posts too, notifications don't always seem to show. I'm feeling much better now thanks and radiothrrapy going well. I phoned the chemo unit today to enquire about the bone scan, but apparently no request for bone scan showing, so obviously been forgotten. They've scheduled a phone call with oncology for 23rd December, so I can discuss it. Happy with that, as I didn't want to have to try and fit it in while on radiotherapy.

Hope your husband is doing ok, I know how difficult it is waiting for results. Good luck with your tilt test on the 18th, let me how it goes. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas. Xx

Hi Greeny,

I'm sorry to hear about the dodgy tummy and nausea. Here's hoping that you get a few weeks relief before you're due your next injection.

I'm delighted to hear that you are all off to Canada for Christmas and hope that you have a wonderful time. I'm sorry to hear that hubby is still job searching and that you're now worrying about the company going into liquidation. It truly never rains , but it pours! -  fortunately, there's not much more of this year left for you and here's hoping that it'll be onwards and upwards for 2025!

Jolamine xx

Hi Greeny, totally missed out about how you are feeling, so sorry. It's a shame that the abemaciclib upsets your tummy and makes you nauseous, can't they give you some anti sickness medication to take alongside it? So annoying that the zoaldex makes ir worse, ow long do you have to have these injections for? Really hope it doesn't affect your time away and that you have a wonderful time. Xx

HI all

Sorry for the radio silence.  Work has really picked up and I don't get 5 minutes to myself these days!  I have a quick break between meetings so thought I'd drop on to say hello. 

Greeny80  Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly on your meds.  Hope they can come up with something to help.  And that's amazing you're off to Canada!  Pack your thermals, it will be chilly lol. 

Pippin24  Goodness what a time you've been having too.  Glad the new creams are helping with the radiotherapy rash.  Not long to go now.  It is exhausting though going through to the hospital every day, especially with such a long journey and on the M25.  Urgh.  I remember it well. 

I went radical yesterday and got my hair coloured for the first time since chemo started and ended.  My whole skin tone seems to have changed, so instead of going light, I've gone red and chocolate brown!  It was a bit of a shock when I first saw it (only had it done yesterday) but am gradually getting used to it.  It's quite radical lol but I love it.  Better than looking at the grey ...  

I'm looking forward to heading to Sussex for Christmas to see the family.  I didn't see them last year as I was too poorly to travel.  We are going horse racing on Boxing Day - a tradition we haven't done in a few years!  So I've got myself some fleece lined leggings in preparation of being very, very cold (though probably not as cold as you Greeny80 !  

Not much else to report really.  Just enjoying getting back to normal, getting my strength back and feeling fitter all the time.  I have my first Christmas party tomorrow evening that I'm very much looking forward to.  There are 14 of us going out for dinner and (hopefully!) a dance.  I'm looking forward to getting dressed up.  I'll be driving, so no alcohol, but it will be fun regardless. 

I hope everyone is doing ok and looking forward to Christmas. 

Carol xx

Hi Carol, it's sounds like you have settled back into a normal routine really well. That's so great to hear! Your hair sounds fab, I can't wait to get back to putting a colour on mine again, maybe in the new year. How long have you waited before doing it? It's great that you're feeling fitter and now getting your strength back. Hopefully we'll all have a better and healthier year next year. Have a great tome at your Christmas party tomorrow, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Enjoy Christmas in Sussex with all the family and the horse racing on Boxing day too xx

Thanks Pippin.  It's so good to feel relatively 'normal' again!  Though I have to say, if I stay up much after 9pm, I do struggle!!  I'm hoping that will get better as time goes on (and as we move into lighter evenings etc).  

My last chemo was in March, so I guess I waited about 9 months before I had my hair coloured.  The recommendation is at least 6 months.  I was a bit nervous, but it's all ok.  Though my pillow case is covered in red and brown dye!  That's in the wash with the rest of the bedding as we speak, so I'm hoping it comes out ...  

I am looking forward to getting all dressed up tonight.  I can't remember the last time I did that.  I won't be drinking though as I'll be driving, but just being out with friends and celebrating a Christmas I wasn't sure I'd see, will be amazing.  Shame I have a 3pm meeting to put a damper on today's excitement lol. 

Enjoy your weekend and I'm sure we will all speak again before Christmas. But if not, have a wonderful time and here's to a happy and healthy 2025 for us all!

I can feel all the positively coming through when reading uourpist, which is amazing. Thanks for info on hair dye, think I'll give I a little while longer. Have a fab time tonight! Xx

Hi Pippin,

Hubby has a host of medical problems - Quadruple by-pass 30 years ago, strokes, TIAs, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, Bowen's Disease, Heart Failure, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Vascular Dementia to name but a few. His Dementia is progressing faster than we anticipated and he doesn't seem too worried about the wait - I think that I'm more concerned than he is! He has also had problems with continuous infections for the past year and is due to have surgery to try and remedy this shortly.

I'm glad to hear that you have a scheduled phone call with oncology for 23rd December and I hope that you can get things sorted out then.

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Pippin,

Hubby has a host of medical problems - Quadruple by-pass 30 years ago, strokes, TIAs, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, Bowen's Disease, Heart Failure, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Vascular Dementia to name but a few. His Dementia is progressing faster than we anticipated and he doesn't seem too worried about the wait - I think that I'm more concerned than he is! He has also had problems with continuous infections for the past year and is due to have surgery to try and remedy this shortly.

I'm glad to hear that you have a scheduled phone call with oncology for 23rd December and I hope that you can get things sorted out then.

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, sorry to hear how many issues your husband is having to deal with, it must be so difficult for you both. I hope things improve in the coming year. Xx

Thanks Pippin.

Jolamine xx