Breast cancer

Evening all,

Camilla sorry you’ve been having a rough time. I have a porta cath fitted to the top right of my chest. I had a local anaesthetic so i didn’t feel a thing while they inserted it, infact i don't remember much at all, i was in and out of consciousness!! Once the anaesthetic wore off later that day it did feel a little uncomfortable for a few hours. To have the chemo they push a needle through the centre of the porta cath (a small disk with a tube going into a vein), this feels like a scratch/push and doesn't really hurt, but you can have some cream to numb the area before if you need it. They then attach a plug thingy to it which allows you to have your bloods taken from it aswell as chemo through it. Because it's under the skin you can't see it in most people although you can see mine because i haven't much flesh to cover it apparently!! you're not restricted in any way with it ie. you can swim etc. I’m glad I have it and would recommend it. Do you have a choice whether to have a hickman line or a porta cath. I didn't really have a choice so i know very little about the other methods.

Kev you make me laugh, keep it up. Glad I’m gonna lose the 3 kilo’s I’ve gained since starting chemo!!

Paula I just love your attitude and you’re not a wimp, stomach injections everyday…ouch!! Simply Red are playing near me this summer, but my husband said I’d better not book anymore concerts in case I was too unwell (this was earlier on this year and we didn’t know how chemo would be -we didn't want to book events that i couldn't make). You’ll have such a fab time wish i was going.

Jean I too long for September and like you I viewed the x4 epi’s as the halfway mark. My glass is always half full, I’ve always been like that which has definitely helped me through this nightmare!! Christmas will be great this year because I got told my lump was cancer last xmas eve!! I had 13 people for xmas day and nobody knew how to talk normally to me. I think they thought i was going to break down every 2 minutes.. but i'm much stronger than that. And with severals glasses of wine i was determined to have a lovely day for my kids..and i did :-) So glad your fingers are improving.

Stef when you look forward at how many chemo’s are ahead it seems like the end is such a long way off, but like you said the 3 you’ve had seems to have gone quickly..it’ll be over before you know it, hang in there. Did you make it to Rivington today? I’m going on that Martin Lewis website next to look for some discount vouchers for another night out :-)

Blossom it takes ages before your armpit feels ok…well I say ok but the numbness is still there!

Laila your Persillade sounds delicious…yummy!! What a pain that they are making claiming for anything difficult…typical!!

Bigfub I’m so sorry that you and your wife are going through this horrid time and boy have you both gone through it. You sound like you’re doing a fab job supporting your wife. I wish you both all my best wishes and big hugs. Please keep in touch x

David Gray and the Sugababes were excellent. I was really lucky they didn't clash with chemo...phew!
Sorry i've written loads but there are so many of of us!!
Take care Chelle x

Hello All
How are you, I have quickly read a few posts but not all, i have a lot of catchin up to do.
It has been a rollercoaster of a few weeks. My partner finally turned up on the Thursday evening after spendin time with a 'girl in Wolverhampton!!!', needless to say, it has been a hard few weeks, but i dont know whether I am a mug or what but i have taken him back and giving him one more chance. We have our first session of counselling through Positive Action for Cancer on Wednesday evening, we also watched My Breasts could be Killing Me this afternoon and I do think it has made him think about what he has done to me, how I am feeling etc, although I had to keep turning it off as it upset me so much. Chrissi I did see you, keep strong, I have read a few of your posts. Through his stupidity he has now been suspended without pay from work and faces the sack, we will find out on Wednesday. Perhaps the counselling will bring out why he ran away and felt the need to spend the time with another woman. I will keep you informed.

I have my first appointment with Oncology on Thursday and I am so scared, I really do not know what to expect. Before that though I have an appointemt with the Cancer Information Centre who are helping me fill in the form for DLA, which they do think I have a good chance of getting, if not I will take the advice given on here and appeal.

Jean, you dont waffle, you inspire me with your positive attitude.

I am still having pain under my arm from the lymph node removal after six weeks, is this normal? I also keep forgetting to do my exercises, I have to be stricter with myself.

I am going to spend this evening reading through all posts.

Love to all.

Jo

x

Hi everyone

I’ve been reading all your posts and catching up with what I’ve missed.

Well where do I start………………………Last Monday I had a good long chat with a chap at the Macmillan Benefits Helpline who’s been advising me on benefits, etc. Since March I’ve been on Job Seekers Allowance due to redundancy, but now I can’t continue with that as I’m not well enough to work so I’ve been trying to find out what I can claim instead. I am gobsmacked that the only benefit I’m entitled to (apart from Council Tax Benefit) is the old Incapacity Benefit, now renamed as Employment & Support Allowance. I am NOT entitled to DLA as I’ve not lived with breast cancer officially for more than 3 months!!!!!!!! I can reapply for it in 10 weeks time if I’m still ill (their words not mine!)

I’ve not had a great week hence why I’ve not been around. After my marathon session on the phone last Monday, I decided to come clean with the job centre when I went to sign on and so signed off JSA and completed the application form for Employment & Support Allowance, hopefully it will continue to pay with no breaks in payment. For the first 13 weeks it’s paid at the same rate as JSA (£64.30 per week) then after 13 weeks’ the payment increases to £95.15 per week. By the time I got home I wasn’t feeling too well – my cough and cold had gotten worse and then I passed out several times so was feeling very sorry for myself.

This cough and cold has progressively got worse over last week and I ended up in A&E on Friday night as I had a temperature and rang the Oncology Ward for advice and they wanted me in for blood tests. I was in A&E for 4 hours and had ECG, Blood Tests and Chest X Ray but the staff were more concerned that I was showing signs of Swine Flu than the affect an infection could have on me whilst on chemo!! Eventually they decided I didn’t have swine flu (I did keep telling them that) and plumped for mild pneumonia so they pumped me with IV antibiotics and then sent me home with another 7 days worth of strong antibiotics. Thankfully am starting to feel much better now and hope to be well enough for Chemo round 2 next Wednesday,

Sadly on Sunday my hair started falling out. I’m picking it up from everywhere. I’m dreading having to wash it today it could all go!! I’ve always had a very thick head of hair and to see it so thin and see my head through what hair I’ve got is most odd. I’m tempted to ring my hairdresser to get her to just shave it off and be done with it, but I’ve not got my wig yet!! I’ve tried on a few wigs and now am waiting for Kylie and Millie (the 2 wigs I’ve narrowed it down to) to come in to the hospital so I can try them, but it takes about 2 weeks for them to get from the supplier to the hospital, Think I’ll ring the hospital today to see if I can go to the supplier’s place as it’s close to where I live and easier to get to than the hospital at least then I’ll get the wig sooner, At what point did you shave your hair off?

Oh one thing that the Macmillan Benefits chap told me was they can negotiate reduced rates on gas and electricity due to our illness. I’m with Npower and pay £55 a month for duel fuel, Macmillan and negotiate to reduce this to £19.50 a month and write off any arrears you may currently be in and any arrears you will be in after 12 months. This is great as it frees up a bit of cash in the bank account!! Also, it’s worth talking to your Water Board about going on their Water Sure tariff. This basically is for anyone who needs to use more water than “normal”. The only thing I can see if that you need to be on a water metre to qualify. Macmillan couldn’t negotiate this but they put me on to it and Severn Trent Water have sent me the application form which you need to complete and attach a GP’s medical certificate with your illness on a declaration from your GP or Consultant why our illness means we need more water (mine said that due to the day and night sweats, side affect of chemo – there is an increased need to wash both body and clothes). Will wait and see if I get accepted. This means again, that you pay a set amount each month for your water/sewage and if you go over your limit it’s written off at no extra charge to you. Worth a go!!

Jean – how are you hands and feet now?

Chrissi – echoing what everyone else has said. Welcome and stay strong J

Hope everyone else is doing well

Much love