Hi Mickey,

I am so sorry to hear that you had another bad experience with the Oncologist and the Registrar. It is hard to believe that they could not put you in touch with anyone who has had a DIEP and radiotherapy. Well done for offering to do photos yourself for the future. 

I am glad to hear that you have already started Anastrozole and that it hasn't made your hot flushes any worse. Here's hoping that the side-effects don't get any more severe..There are a number of people on this forum who have had a DIEP flap op - it might be worth starting a new thread and asking if someone would be willing to send you some photos via private messaging.

I'm sure that you'll be glad to start reconstruction in a few weeks - I hope that it all goes well..

This time next week I should be retired. All seems to be going well so far. Hubby is finding his tremors getting worse and is having difficulty carrying cups of coffee or doing any fine movements with his hands - he's finding this hard to accept when he was always a keen DIYer.

Love & Hugs,

Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine,

Thank you for the reply and useful advice. I will keep you updated how I fare with the Radiotherapy.  I have another Oncologist apt on Monday now. That was set up to prescribe my Anastrozole, however, now that I have it anyway, I'm surprised they didn't cancel. It will be an opportunity for me to ask questions though. I've not been offered any bone scans or supplements yet for bone strength etc. I will ask about that. I can't remember if you were prescribed anything to help with that when you were taking letrozole? 

I expect it will feel very strange next week for you. I'm so pleased that the offer has gone through though. Another stage in life achieved. Sorry to hear that hubby's tremors are getting worse. I can understand that must be very difficult for him, especially when he was such a 'hands on - DIYer'. Can  anything be done to help with this? 

Sending love and hugs Mickey xx ️

HI Mickey,

I too am surprised that they haven't cancelled your Oncology appointment for Monday, but this gives you the opportunity to ask some questions. Wrie down all that you want to ask before you attend. I have had a few bone scans throughout the years, but was never given anything for my bone strength. As far as I know my bones are very strong and never gave any cause for concern on any of my scans.

Yes, it will feel very strange next week. The offer hasn't gone through yet. It is due to go through on Monday and the new people take over on Tuesday. I really don't quite believe that it is happening so soon. It is getting harder for hubby. They say that all the medication that he is already on is what they would prescribe for the Parkinson's, but that they cannot increase it any further. I am currently looking for a small trolley with big wheels which might help him to carry drinks and snacks through when watching television. If I can't find one I'll need to get one made for him.

I hope that all goes better for you on Monday than it did last time.

Love and hugs,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Just checking in to see if your offer completed on Monday? I hope you've managed to find a suitable trolley for hubby also. I'm so sorry to hear that there is no further prescribed medical intervention. 

I saw my actual Oncologist on Monday and she was more approachable fortunately. It kind of threw me though and I lost my thought process . Hubby had to tell her that the Anastrozole was causing me to be very forgetful . 

Love n hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

Thank you for thinking of me.  The offerr didn't complete on Monday, but all was finally settled yesterday. It seems very strange not to be in the surgery today, but I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life now.

I haven't managed to find a trolley yet, but should find something soon now that I have more time on my hands.

I am glad to hear that your Oncologist was more approachable on Monday, although I can understand why this threw you after your previous experiences. Did she have anything useful to say to you?

Love & hugs,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

That is fantastic news for you, but I can imagine that it will seem strange. Although change is one of the only constants in life, it still can throw us, even when a positive change. Like you say look forward to a new chapter in your life now.  Have you anything specific you want to spend time on now? 

Fingers crossed you'll find the perfect trolley for hubby soon.  

No, she confirmed that they don't give out the creams and so I have no idea why she told us they did at my previous appointment.  Positively,  she didn't say anything misleading this time . 

Have a great weekend Jolamine. 
love n hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

This may well be a recent cost-cutting exercise. I think that some clinics do still give out the creams, but if yours' doesn't, why not ask your GPs if they can prescribe something?

Have a good weekend.

Love and hugs,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thabk you for the suggestion, I did try that and GP was happy to prescribe E45. My chemist, however checked the radiotherapy guidelines and said not to use it as it has Lan (something I can't remember how to spell ) in it. She suggested Aveeno but GP came back and told me they're not allowed to prescribe that either anymore. Seems only cheap stuff can be prescribed now and I want to try the best for lessening the impact of my reconstructed flaps. 

Thanks so much for thinking of that though for me. 

Have a great weekend too - love n hugs Mickey xx ️