Hi Sharon

I had a hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with early stage contained cancer of the womb, but during surgery they found masses on my ovaries, so it looks like it has spread. I am waiting to be called in to discuss the findings, and the treatment plan. 

C

Hi

I had a PICC line fitted before chemo (FEC) – I didn't know what to expect as I don't know anyone else who has had this procedure. Again I didn't have any problems with the actual procedure. The nurses were amazing and I could follow the line going in on a screen by the bed, but you don't feel a thing

I have to go to the hospital every week to have the dressing changed which is a bit of a bind but they are good at combining appointments when they can. You are not supposed to get it wet but I got a waterproof sleeve from my GP which helped. After a while I wondered if the PICC line was worth the hassle. I had to ask them to keep the end of it away from the crease of my elbow because I could feel it every time I bent my arm at work doing the hand tied bouquets. Then the stick strips would come off and I was allergic to some of the dressings! Also on a couple of occasions they took blood from my other arm instead of using the PICC line which was annoying (they weren't trained!).

But... a couple of months on and after  meeting with a friend I'm glad I had it done. My friend who had chemo without a PICC line said her veins are totally shot.

My PICC line care nurse told me to have a word with her if they want to take blood and she would do it through the line. They found some dressings that I'm not allergic to and now they stick the entry to the line on top of the plaster type dressing which stays there much better than on the skin so after trial and error … success... comfortable line, comfortable dressing, lcomfortable me!!

So... like all of this cancer journey there are ups and downs but keep going with it and if you're not happy with anything please speak to the nurses they are brilliant and they are there to help you and they will do their utmost to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. I thought I was being a nag and a pain but they never made me feel that way and in the end me and my nurse were having a bit of a laugh when she asked where I wanted the line 'stuck' this time. So don't worry everything will be fine if you have a PICC line (even if it is eventually!!!)

Jinny J x

hey

I see the surgeon tomorrow. I had an MRI on Sunday as well as my oncologist couldn’t feel my likpnanymore so needed to check it’s wherabouts and it’s size, it was very large to begin with and had reduced after just two chemo sessions.  I have had my chemo through a cannula and my veins are ok on one hand but have taken a beating on the other.

I haven’t felt sick or been sick through my whole chemo. The only thing is since the fourth one my appetite is rubbish I just don’t fancy anything. 

My mum had bc 17 years ago, and her hair came back curly, it’s straight now though. 

Let me know how you get in with your wig appointment.

wl

Hi 

that’s good news that it’s shrunk I’m sure your surgery will be pretty straight forward now :-) 

They struggled just to take blood so don’t think I can get out of it, I’m not looking forward to having it done as have to have the dressing changed every week. I hope I loose my appetite as since I found out I haven’t stopped eating I’m a comfort eater lol but glad you haven’t felt sick.

let me know how it goes tomorrow I will be thinking of you x

Hi C 

im very sorry to hear that :-(  i think the waiting is the worst I just kept myself busy. I had hysterectomy 8 years ago and was so worried that they would take my ovaries as I didn’t want to go into my menopause as I was only 38 but turns out if I would have had them removed I wouldn’t have got bc as mine was hormonal. Funny how life works out 

I hope your recovering well as I know it’s very hard after a hysterectomy and someone is  looking after you. Let me know how you get on and I really hope it’s good news for you.

sharon xx

Hi Sharon 

Unfortunately being stuck inside a small flat recuperating after a hysterectomy, gives you lots of time to think and dwell on the worst scenario. You can't really keep busy either. I am being well looked after by my son, he took a week off last week and comes after work. I have got a cleaner/personal help twice a week.

I have been through scans and hysteroscopys twice before for post menopausal bleeding. I just wish they had done a hysterectomy then, rather than waiting  until I had cancer. 

That's life though

C

so it went very well today.  MRI results are still not back, but the surgeon did an ultrasound and couldn’t find anything either, so we’ve got to wait for the MRI results for certain.  It’s opened up the option of a lumpectomy potentially,  so I need to make a decision as to whether I want lumpectomy or mastectomy.  And also immediate reconstruction which was not on the table before.  So all in all a good news day, have needed one of these for a while.

hope all is well

WL

I can really understand. I feel like I'm in fee frall. I cant believe it happened to be though I have liver cancer stage 4.  It sees incredible to Mr. I we t to Maggie's centre in Glasgow and had long chats with the counsellors there and they've been great to me. It's drop in. So good. They help put stuff in perspective. I think they have them all over. Good luck xx

Hi Shelia, let me know how you get on, I am having chemo weekly for 6 months, today was my 4th session and my veins don't want to play, it took 3 nurses 5 attempts to get a needle in for a cannula today and I am black and blue, I can't go on every week like this so I am going to ask a permanent one to be put in, there is one that goes under the skin and takes less looking after but I think it all comes down to price. Get them to talk  you through all three options and how you have to care for in at home, that is also important. I can have my weekly blood taken from it to so saving another vein in elbow recess giving up also. Oh well only 20 more to go. Keep smiling and good luck

Hi Sharon

Just reading up on people going through Chemo after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I too, was diagnosed in Spring this year after two misdiagnoses last year. It still came as a shock and after my operation and when they looked at the tumour they didn't think I would need chemo. My tumor was then sent to America for assesment with oncotype and they discovered it was highly likely to come back so I was then refered for chemo. Like you it was the worst shock and the fear of losing my hair was the worst. I'm using the paxman cold cap which is retaining some but I still have lost over 50% but can't be brave like you and shave it off even though I have a really nice wig. I don't know why I don't have the courage to wear it. I'm on round 3 and go in today. I feel they get worse as they go on which is so frustrating. Am looking forward to it all being over!!! Rock on 2020! x