Hello my name is Heather I have just been diagnosed with brest cancer last week for the first time (and last I hope) Both my sisters have had cancer,one died seven month ago Im a bit scared of what to expect with the chemo. Can anyone tell me how soon after the treatment do you start to feel ill? How soon do you lose your hair?
Had my second chemo this morning which went very well. Heather its understandable that you feel unsure about how chemo will be for you. Actually having the chemo itself is fine for me. It doesnt hurt or make you feel bad immediately. Hopefully like Jean you will feel almost as good as normal. Like i said i had mine earlier today and im already feeling alittle sick and after tomorrow i will probably sleep for a few days!! Im also diabetic and the chemo/steroids raise my sugar levels so i think thats why i get so sleepy on it (hopefully you wont be like me). Good luck for Thursday we all shall be thinking of you. Let us know how it goes.
Hows your hair looking Jean? Hope your head shave and chemo both went well for you. The upside is having fun with new headwear....cool!!
Hi Marmalade, how did your sis get on with her plastic surgeon?? Can i uncross my fingers yet?? Hope thoses new boobs are on order! Good luck for your sister tommorrow with her routine check up. Also want to say 'how are you?' I feel like im always asking and sending best wishes to your sis!! Well i havent forgotten you. Hope you are ok and lifes treating you well.
I may not post for a couple of days depending on how im feeling. Take care everyone and i'll be back Big hugs and best wishes Chelle x x
Hope the chemo was not too bad and you are getting used to the wig.
I did buy a wig and I found it looked very weird at first and could only be worn with a hat. The bit at the top of my head seemed to stick up.I don't think I could have had it on correctly as after a few attempts and really yanking it down at the back it started to look normal. Mine also has two plastic bits on the sides and you have to make sure that these line up with the temples. I have been lucky enough not to need it yet and it is now happily living at the back of the cupboard....the best £200 I have ever spent!!!!!
I am having FEC chemo at Kingston. I go in for the forth session on Thurs which is two thirds done....yippee!!!!I suffered terribly with sickness at the start but am now on some super tablets. Although this treatment does make me very ill I really consider myself lucky in that I do not have children to care about and I am able to have the luxury of just turning the sofa into a bed and staying there. It is a luxury and hearing about you trying to juggle school runs and other people working makes me realise how fortunate I am and how inspirational other people are.
I too am like you and don't have any children, unless you count my husband!!!!! I think that coping with cancer and all it brings is hard to cope with let alone having children to look after aswell, I admire greatly those of us that do.
Ive just orderd a wig and a couple of bandanas, but im quietly hoping that I don't need them, I don't think I'll be so lucky, its one of the small prices that we have to pay in exchange for our lives, well thats the way i see it anyway.
Chelle hope you don't feel too porley today, take things easy.
Marmalade, no I didn't go for an extra long walk but i'm hoping to go again soon it was such a good day. You'll be able to do it WHEN you get your boston terrier!!!!! go on you know you want to!!
Jean, hope you are feeling ok after yesterday & that the headshave went ok!
Marian, hope Thursday isn't too bad for you..only two more to go after that!! Hope you've got another great box set to watch.. My sis bought me Brothers & Sisters season 1 the other week, which I can thoroughly recommend!
Heather, be thinking of you tomorrow!
Chelle, hope you're not feeling too sick and that the next few days of sleep make you feel better for the weekend!
Thanks for asking after me.. Bit of a down day actually..think I mentioned a while back me & my partner split up last year. He & I were together 6yrs & some days it really hits hard that we're not together. Just sitting here thinking, cheer up you miserable cow.. Bet you won't ask again.. :-) Anyway, enough of my moans..onwards & upwards! You are the guys coping with so much, it really does put things in perspective.
My sis was a little disappointed when she went to see her plastic surgeon as it looks like she will prob have it done on the NHS, which she has absolutely no problem with, but it probably won't be done as quickly as she wanted. Also, she has to make a decision about the procedure, as she could have less invasive surgery on the right one when it's removed & reconstructed, but her surgeon thinks that the more invasive way would make them match better, so it would mean more scarring at the front and two scars instead of one on her back. It's not just the scars that bother her, but the numbness around them. She's got a while to make up her mind though. Hopefully her check up later is just routine. I read an article about a new drug a little while ago which she is going to ask him about, so will see if that can be of any help or not.
Sending good vibes and good wishes to everyone on this thread!!!
Chins up ladies.. ( That's collective chins..not that we've all got double chins :-D )
It took me so long to write my post, as I kept getting interrupted ( work..how dare they :-D ) that yours came in and I didn't see it. So just wanted to say will keep my fingers crossed for your hair (my sis kept hers) and hope it all goes ok for you tomorrow!!
You're right about the Boston Terrier..I DO want to, but we shall see.. :-)
Heather, Lorraine and Marian..Will be thinking of you all tomorrow.
I don't know how any of you cope with work and school runs. My children all all grown up and I don't work. However I used to look after my 2 wee granddaughters, aged 3 and 4 on Wed and Fri afternoons, but had to give that up. That really upset me, as I have done it practically since they were born. However, their Mum, my daughter in law, brings them round every Wed and Sat to visit us, which is fantastic. My son works shifts so Helen is a really good daughter in law, as she works part time as well.
Sorry to hear that your sister was a wee bit disappointed with her news, Marmalade and hope that she gets things sorted out soon, to her satisafaction. The numbing on the scars is a bit of s b------.
Six years is a long time to be with someone so don't feel guilty about being down at times. Everyone has feelings!!! You don't have to have cancer to feel down sometimes, you know! Just go with the flow. Time is a great healer.
Chelle, so sorry to hear you have been feeling sick. Obviously having to cope with diabetes doesn't help either. Hope you get over the sicky feeling soon and you're not too tired.
I had my chemo at noon yesterday and the hair came off at 2 o'clock. Played around with Wilma (my wig) and a few bandanas. I actually like Wilma. Kept her on for 5 hours yesterday and then wore a bandana in the evening. Bandana this morning and Wilma will make her appearance at lunchtime! I am a devil for giving inanimate objects names. When I had a drain in after the second op he was called Dennis!
So far I am pleased to say that I feel fine. Early days yet, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
As always, thinking of you all at these difficult times.
Oh Marmalade, im really sad that you're having a down day. It sounds like you need a big hug (what about the man who works opposite you)!!! Maybe not after giving you a strange look for laughing the other day!! Please don't feel bad about telling any of us when your feeling down. I've noticed the people around me always back-track with their grumbles because they feel they can't mention their moans and groans infront of me, but their problems and gripes are just as important as mine..and so are yours! Hope you feel better soon. He must of been mad letting you go. It sounds like Heathers right...boston terrier...ummm??!! Sorry that your sister has been disappointed, knowing she has to wait longer for her boobs. It seems like its a big decision heading her way also with reconstruction. I wish her all the luck
Jean its great that you're still feeling ok. Im hanging in there, although im knackered!! My 16 year old son needs picking up from a college interview so im tapping away on here trying to keep awake...would be awful if i fell alseep and left him there!! It sounds like you have a great daughter in law and fab grandchildren and wilma too!! What a nice idea giving them names...i must do that.
Heather its a good idea to get the wig ordered early even if you find you don't need it (hopefully not), because if you didnt get one you just know your hair will fall out and you would have nothing....what a nightmare that would be!!
Marian youre sooo lucky that you didnt need a wig but like ive said to heather you know if you didnt get it you would of needed it!! I know what you mean about the bit at the top sticking up!! I am getting better with putting it on now but it still looks better with a hat!! Sorry the chemo makes you feel so bad, its fab that the end is in sight though.
Anyway i had better pick that son of mine up before i nod off!! Love Michelle x x
Thanks for the kind words!! We've known each other 15yrs, so it's been hard, but I've spent so many months dwelling on everything, that I MUST stop, so if I bring it up again, just tell me to shut up.. :-)
Jean, hope you stay feeling fine..my fingers are crossed for you too and I hope that Wilma behaves herself this afternoon..it's a bit blowy out there, so tell her to behave!
Chelle, the guy who works opposite me is actually really nice, but unfortunately he is well & truly spoken for.. Don't feel like even looking elsewhere for the forseeable, but they say it often happens when your not expecting it, so who knows and don't they say supermarkets are the new pick up place..so Tesco, here I come.. Or dog walking? Hmmm, maybe you & Heather are right.. :-D
My sis is still very upbeat about everything..she just really wanted a new pair for the summer, but I'm hoping it won't be too long for her. He said they're going to put the inflatable ones in, so they can be adjusted if needs be after they've settled. She said she had visions of being able to pump them up extra big when she wants to make an impact.. :-)
Well, better go & do some work.. I do occasionally, honest!
Hi All What a rollercoaster ride were are going through and my god how well do you all support each other. Tomorrow is a big day for a few of us and fingers crossed it goes well. Marian I find it hard to believe that you are more than half way through your chemo and after your 4th only 2 to go. I remember that feeling. Michelle that will be you soon! Funny how time flies by when your having fun lol.
Still a bit up and down most of the time I am ok its just when I waken in the mornings its the first thing that pops into my head. I have been doing the practical stuff looking into retirement due to ill health. Going to see someone about what benefits i am due. Should have done this first time round. It looks like I will get a lump sum from my work. (fingers crossed)
The sun is out so I am off to get dressed and go for a strole! Hope you are all having a good day and I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Lots of love
Lorraine xxxxx
Marmalade keep your chin up who needs men anyway!!!!
