Hi Andrea

Hope you have avoided most side effects from the chemo.

Thought I would check in with you before the return of dreaded chemo brain tomorrow.  It seems so unfair seeing I almost feel normal and have spent the week almost forgetting I have cancer!   

I have grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma ER+  HER-   I am on the ROSOE trial which means I have 4 x chemo then surgery and if no more cancer cells will have 20 x radiotherapy, if still signs of cancer after surgery then 4 more chemo then radiotherapy   and finally hormone treatment for 5 years!   I was lucky to find my tumour before it had spread to my lymph nodes but it is 5cm so chemo was necessary. 

Gosh! Must of been lovely living in Corfu! How come you came back? I spent a few years living in the USA after marrying a GI in my teenage years but it wasn't as glamorous as it sounds lol. 

Have you been able to see your son and daughter much? How are you filling your days? I try and cycle everyday and training to do a tough mudder in july!!! Should be a laugh, all my kids, stepkids and grandkids are raising money in my honour, bless them. If I'm not feeling well I can run with the 3year old

Enjoy your week and hope you're  starting to feel normal again.

Stef xxx

Hi Stef 

good to hear from you. How have you been following your first chemo, did you have any weird side effects? Do you have to do the home injections to boost the white blood count? I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

I also have grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma but mine is triple negative which requires 6x chemo, surgery, radiotherapy. The surgery will depend on the results of the genetic testing. As far as we know I am the first person in our family history with CA so hoping the genetics will come up negative.

ive had a couple of bad nights but otherwise not feeling too bad, yesterday and today I've felt pretty good, my next treatment is Friday 21st so another week to go

your family sound fantastic, so do you! A tough mudder.....my friend did it last year and loved it, she is from the West Country, Yeovil to be precise....it looks like great fun.

corfu was amazing, I had a wonderful life there but sadly lost my husband in 2009 so moved back to the Uk with my children to give them more opportunity, it was the beginning of the Greek financial crisis and would have been to difficult alone there as a single mum.

im impressed by you fitness regime, you put me to shame , I've been watching far too much day time telly ! ! 
I will have to get walking ....

you take care and let me know how things are going

Andrea xx

Happy valentine's lovely

Hope you have been relaxing all week. 

I had no weird side effects. Drank plenty, cleaned my teeth after every meal and used mouthwash often so kept the obvious side effects at bay. My liver did not like the chemo and my ALT emzymes went up to 476 but have settled down a little and Yes I injected myself and start again this Sunday and did remember to put them in the fridge this time lol  

Had my second chemo yesterday with reduced epirubicin to help my liver. Managed the cold cap but was left with a headache which lasted all day. The thought of putting it on again is very unappealing although my girls find the hat very amusing lol. 

Sorry about your husband. How very sad!! It must of been s massive decision to come back to blighty! I was due to get married on the 4th of july but have decided to postpone the large wedding we had planned till next year.  Very difficult decision but cant get my head round all the organising needed. 

I'm sorry you had a couple of bad nights  I've been very fortunate and slept like a log most nights   but im glad you are coming out the other side. 

I have meetings in Yeovil job centre occassionally so i know it well. 

Whether the tough mudder will be fun, il let you know, but cant wait to see all the grandchildren get stuck in                  

stay healthy and strong for round 2 on the 21st, will be thinking of you 

Big hugs

Stef x

Hi Stef, your correspondence always makes me smile, a big thank you for that

Today lots of my hair fell out in handfuls, it came as a bit of a shock, although there's no guarantee with the cold cap of course.....it fell out all over so just thinner , no bald patches.....yet!

sorry you had to reschedule your wedding day but completely understand why, having all this treatment is enough to contend with right now I'm sure......bonus will be something amazing to look forward to when it's all over ️
Look forward to hearing from you again soon

take care and keep smiling 

Andrea x

Morning Andrea

Thought I would pop by and wish you good treatment today   try and enjoy your cocktail.

Sorry about the hair, fingers crossed it doesnt get any worse, so far I haven't lost any but it is still early days.  Are you cold capping today? 

I've had a good week this week and have recovered from the chemo quite well, actually out for ladies that lunch today and back to work monday.  The Joy's!!! Lol

All the best!

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with throat cancer, and only told friends and my two elder sisters. I will not tell my Mum until I am certain of my prognosis, which I have been told looks good. I know my mum will struggle with the news, so I’m happy that she doesn’t know until I have more news.

I hope this helps you, and remember to think of yourself, as well as others.

Steve.

Hi Steve, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, have you been given a treatment plan yet? I can understand you not wanting to upset your mum, I hope you are getting the support you need from your sisters and friends. I am sure when you feel the time is right you will tell your mum as well.....as a mum myself I would want to be able to support my children if they were going through anything like this. I guess it depends on your mum, possibly her age and other factors, but only you can answer that.

hoping for the very best outcome for you in your treatment and prognosis

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

Yes, it’s a unique situation in that my mum is a very fit and able 83 yr old but was diagnosed a few years ago with bipolar. We have been told if she has a further nervous breakdown (had post natal depression and other breakdowns many years ago) that she may not be able to come out of it. Therefore, I am keen to keep this from her as long as I can to prevent the risk of her reacting to this. I’m fit and taking this on 100%, so confident I can crack it. I will of course come clean if I show any signs of treatment.

I hope your situation runs as smoothly as possible, and you’re living life as usual as soon as you can.

i have found talking to all my friends very, very useful. I even managed to meet up with a friend of a friend who had a similar diagnosis and learnt a hell of a lot from them (from patient perspective).

I have had ultrasounds, CT, MRI, PET scans, and both tonsils removed Wednesday, so well on my way.

...its good to talk!

Regards and best wishes,

Steve.

Hi Steve, totally understand why you'd want to protect your mum more stress and anxiety. It sounds like you have wonderful friends and that the care you are being given is swift and thorough.

my treatments is going well so far, had my second chemo today, two down and four to go....then surgery and radiotherapy. So far no complaints, the staff and oncology unit are fantastic, the Big C is amazing, and the surgeon is a friend so I know I'm in good hands!

all the best to you & keep talking

Andrea