Good morning all 

 Greeny80  Yes, still feeling ok after radio.  Still no soreness or 'sunburn' effect.  Just a little itchy around the nipple area, but nothing to write home about.  I do get the odd twinge or stabbing pain, but it's random and isn't constant so not an issue at all.  It twinges less if I don't wear a bra (which they advise) but there are obvious occasions when one has to!  I could just imagine wobbling in to the office yesterday lol.  Jersey sounds amazing, I've always fancied going.  Another one to add to the bucket list. Aw that's great you have a best friend in Derbyshire. Whereabouts is she? I'm in a village between Alfreton and Chesterfield (though much closer to Alfreton!). 

 Pippin24  That's great news you've been able to book your flights. Definitely something to look forward to.  And glad the stitches in your foot are out.  How did you get on yesterday with the zolendronic acid infusion?  I'm wondering why the majority seem to be on zolendronic and I'll be on ibandronic acid! Really hoping my consultant allows me to go down the infusion route rather than daily tablets.  Good luck with the MRI on Monday.  They are my most hated things, a very close second to chemo!  I will let you know how Moving Forward goes.  I thought it was one session, but it's two.  So I'm there 9th September and 16th September.  Means taking 2 days leave (apparently Breast Cancer Now will write to your employer as it should be counted as "hospital appointment" time, but mine have given me so much time off when they didn't need to, I thought I'd use my own time for this!).  Plus it means I don't have to go back to work in the afternoon lol.  I had my confirmation email on Monday and there will be a couple of online tasks to do before the sessions, but it doesn't sound like anything too onerous. 

 NGS  How are you feeling?  I know you said you were having a few low days too.  Hope you're having better ones just now.  I'm feeling a little less lonely and I think going into the office yesterday helped.  

Hope everyone is doing ok.  The weather has changed here and it's much cooler (better for sleeping at nigh and for dog walking, but not so nice to look at and can't sit in the garden at lunchtime!). 

Have a good week everyone.

Carol xx

Hi everyone, went to my slimming world group this morning. Now at the lower end of my target, which I'm pleased about. Can go away and not worry to much about what I'm eating.  I want to weigh the same for surgery, as when I went to see the surgeons. Feeling really rubbish today, I'm shivery and ache a lot after having the Zoledronic acid and phesgo. My ball and socket joints at top of legs have been aching for a few weeks now, but is far worse today. I know phesgo can cause aches, but I didn't have it when first starting on this. So it is a little bit concerning, I get worried that cancer has spread. Not going to mention it to anyone until after my surgery, as I don't want them to delay my surgery. Walked into town after group and struggled to nake it home. Typical, on the one day hubby not around.

Hi Greeny80, so pleased that you have now finished radiotherapy and don't have too many issues. Glad to hear you are away in Jersey with your family. I'm sure it's just what you need to recharge your batteries. Xx

Hi Carol, definitely not liking the after effects of the Zoledronic acid, but can't complain as I've had a pretty easy time up until now. Pleased you're now booked into your moving forward course, I think it's something I would be interested in. I've felt fine through treatment, but concerned how I will feel when everything stops. I think you feel safe when you're on treatment and there's always someone to chat to, if you have any worries. Would love to hear how the course goes. Xx

Hi NGS, hope your recovery is going well and you're feeling OK. Did you have any side effects after your Zoledronic acid infusion?

Xx

Hi Pippin 

just a quick reply - will reply in length bit later but parents are here 

what you are feeling will be related to Zoledronic infusion.  I ended up in hospital as combined mine with a round of docetaxel and I couldn't even stand the pain in my bones was so severe and I was shivery and flu like.  
Im certain this is what you are experiencing so please don't dwell too much on the cancer 

xxx

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some reassurance. They had suggested I have the Zoledronic acid on the same day as the phesgo, to save me an extra trip to the hospital. Definitely won't be doing that again, I felt about 80 when I walked home from town this morning lol! I am feeling a bit better this afternoon, thank goodness. Xx

Have a lovely time with your parents. Xx

Goodness Pippin24  the side effects of zoledronic acid sound painful!  I'm even more concerned to start Ibandronic Acid now!  But so glad to hear the pain subsided later in the day.  How often do you have to have the infusion? And yes, will keep you all posted as to how the Moving Forward course goes. 

I'm feeling pretty tired today and my left boob is really itchy!  Am hoping that's all part of the effects of radiotherapy.  I'm due my telephone review with the radiotherapy team today, so I have a few questions for them which I hope they can answer and lay any concerns to rest. 

I am so looking forward to the long weekend.  Not planning much, just some pottering about and then on Monday a walk with friends and doggies followed by lunch in a dog friendly cafe. Other than that, rest and relaxation.  Hoping the weather improves (it's been pretty windy here and there's been a chill in the wind which has made it feel a little autumnal.  I've noticed from weather apps that the summer looks to be returning next week for us (hopefully!).  Not quite ready to give in to autumn yet! 

Hope everyone is doing ok and looking forward to the weekend. 

Carol xx

Hi Carol, feeling ok today and went out for a walk this morning. I had the phesgo along with the zoledronic acid, so this probably didn't help. They suggested having it the same day, to avoid an extra trip to the hospital. Definitely wouldn't do that again! The infusions are only every 6 months, so not too bad. When do you start the Ibandronic acid tablets? Side effects may be different when in tablet form. It's good that you have the review, so that you can ask the questions that you need to. Apparently the tiredness is a known side effect of radiotherapy, I've heard a lot of people mention it. Enjoy the long weekend and meeting up with your friends. Be sure to get plenty of rest, take care. Xx

Hi Pippin, Glad you're feeling better today.  I am supposed to have started the Ibandronic Acid tablets already, but I've delayed it until I'm fully recovered from radiotherapy, as it advises not to start two new things at once, in case of side effects and them being able to identify the cause.  I am hoping to have infusions instead of tablets as the tablet regime is a nightmare.  Can't eat or drink 6 hours before taking them then can't eat or drink or take any other medication for 1 hour after taking them.  I take other meds which also need a gap between taking them and eating and I feel so sick at the moment if I don't eat within about an hour of getting up.  Also with the Ibandronic tablets I can't lie down for an hour after taking them either, so I couldn't even take them, then go back to bed!  All this is sort of manageable at home (except I fear I will forget to take my regular meds if I can't retain my current routine - I'm so forgetful at the moment!) but would be a nightmare if/when I go on holiday!  I will speak to my consultant next week about having them as infusions (his registrar did mention it is an option when we spoke 6 weeks ago) and hopefully I can go down that route.  I think it's the same schedule, about every 6 months.  It would be so much easier to manage!  I'm not sure why the option wasn't offered at the outset, but hopefully I'll find that out next week too, if the answer is "no" to infusions. 

Very fed up with it all now.  Just want to get back to normal and get my life back!  I'm already approaching 61 so I don't have too many years that I can afford to lose many more ! xx

It makes sense not to start two new things at the same time, think our bodies are going through enough. That sounds like a right performance with the tablets, hope you manage to swap to infusions. How ofter do the tablets have to be taken? I set the alarm on my phone for tablets, or I would definitely miss them. My head is all over the place at the moment. Things I mean to put in the fridge, I suddenly find in a cupboard lol! We are similar ages, I'm 62 in October, so this all does get a bit tiring. I was hoping to be finished treatment before end of 2024, but not sure that will happen. Would have been nice to start 2025 with treatment finished. Stay strong, you've got this. Xx

Hi jolamine 

did you take letrazole after your mastectomy ?   I have suddenly come out in itchy rash around my scars.  Not a septic rash;  no temperature etc.  but only thing different is I started  letrazole last Tuesday.  

really do not want a trip to a and e on bank holiday Monday 

xx