The operation

Hi jacks

All chemo patients are given a NHS voucher for a free wig, unfortunately its for the basic wig so lots just go get one to use for everyday and buy a better one for evening wear, I have bought mine and as I don't think I will be using any wig for everyday I have not bothered to go get the free one.  You get the NHS voucher from the oncologist or the chemo unit.  If your wig fitting is before then then it would be ok because they normally have to order in what colour style you want anyway, most people wait until they shave to have the last fitting as then it makes sure of a good fit.  you could then get your NHS voucher when you either go oncology or chemo. 

I thought everyone has to have a heart echocardiogram before chemo as chemo can damage your heart and the like to firstly make sure your heart is healthy and secondly it gives them a comparison when you get another one mid way or after chemo.

sending hugs.

I think we must have crossed posts Joanne. 

You’ve only just had you’re second surgery so I’m sure there’s plenty of time for them to organise your scans etc if you need them. 

I am just sort of glad I pushed to see somebody otherwise I would still be here wondering what happens next. 

My BCN from the other hospital spoke to me yesterday about the cold cap. I haven’t looked into it in much detail but may take a look and see what I can find out on here. 

My friend is coming with me on Wednesday to the wig shop, she’s honest and that’s all I ask. 

Bali may still be possible but if I’m honest I think the chances of going are slipping away. The onco said it’s not about whether we can get your treatment done, it’s will you be able or want to travel that far straight afterwards. It’s a really long flight, well 2 actually, I’m not giving up yet as it’s not the holiday it’s seeing my sister in law and giving her the surprise of her life that spurs me on. 

Re the hot flushes, I had a total hysterectomy 6 years ago and have never really suffered so I’m not sure if once I start taking the tablets anything will change. Jeez I hope I don’t have to add that to my list going forward, I won’t have Tamoxifen, I will have Letrozole as I’m post menopausal. 

Hope you managed to get out of your pj’s and enjoyed your walk xx

Hi Ali

Oh ok I will ask next time I go re the voucher. This shop takes the voucher off the wig you eventually buy so might be worth asking. 

The choices seem endless, synthetic, real hair, custom made. I think I might be there all day!!

Maybe now I’ve accepted the chemo route I will get called in for the echo and bone density scan. I had read that they do the bone density before and then check a while later, plus I’m having Zoledronic Acid with my chemo which is for the bones so they must need a base line. 

So much to take in isn’t it. 

Hope you get a better nights sleep tonight. Xxxx

Hi ladies,

Early night for me I'm shattered. Think the 4 days of hubby being back at work have taken their toll. Whilst Libby easy to look after really but obviously constant things to do like making lunch, playing games, etc etc. 

Nothing to report other than my results appt letter arrived so Fri 19th is the day it all kicks off again for me. Felt a bit troubled all day with letter landing but hey its 2 weeks away so may as well enjoy the days till then. 

Hope everyone gets a good sleep. Weekend so no appointments for any of us so hopefully we can shove BC in a box somewhere till Monday and do some nice things with our families. 

Take care everyone xxx

Bless you JammyR, sounds like you’re ready for the weekend to. Enjoy chilling out and sharing chores etc with your husband while he’s around. 

Why do appointment letters hurt so much?? We know they’re coming but they still hit us like a brick :-(

Trying to think of something to do over the weekend, will probably just go for a walk.

Have a good weekend everyone xXx

Wow what a lot of posts on my journey back home. 

General gists picked up:

Leo, glad you went gp, hopefully whatever is annoying you will now be knocked firmly on the head.

Jacks, when i went back to hospital as lenny had grown suddenly from my earlier in the year check, the consultant said he had no idea why i was even there as notes from the previous visit where not there apparently, or i assume referral letter from gp. Remember i also had to chase up info after post op, so sadly doesn't surprise me they didn't get fully notified at the BCU. Thank goodness you had reason to prod them, although it shouldn't have had to be the case. Like we have nothing else to worry about in life as it is.

Bigguy, i think the nhs use special paper for appointment letters and the such, so they have full face slapping effect.

Those of you discussing new hair, tricky decisions to make, hadn't heard of the headband hair before, sounds good. No matter our treatment paths I'm sure most of us when first dx with bc had thoughts of the possibilty of having to lose hair. 

Have a good weekend all

Lots going on dear Froggy Friends

 as  the NHS has moved to recyclable paper. It is made from elephant dung. The largest and poo-ist animal known to mankind. In fact we have a picture of zebra painted on elephant dung paper  so I should know. Other animal poo dung paper is available and I feel sure if you put in a personal request to Mr J Hunt - think that's how you spell it other initial sounds are available - he will ensure you get the right paper. Of course Terry May could come round and hold our hands to say she is sorry. She's good at that one. Thank the lord for irony and sarcasm. I do occasionally use this, you may have noticed.

I actually HATE the letters after the meetings. I can be heard screaming 'WTF he didn't say that or that's not what the plan was'. My hubby goes with me and 99% of the time agrees with me  - well regarding this stuff!!!! Anything else we just agree to disagree

Well JammyR hope you are 'Rolling in the Deep'. And I'm now on the hunt for a choccy pen as grandson Zippy is back at the end of Feb. That will be such fun. His mommies will go mad. YEAH

Ali - hope life is being kind to you today. And that sleep did not evade you. Hope cannula man was a cutie. Arm in warm water. I'd be a puddle on the floor. I keep moaning that all these flushes and sweating should mean I'm lighter. I AM NOT. Sorry for the shouting especially if you feel delicate. Instead somehow I've put on 5lbs. GRRRRRRRRRRRR. Think it's the no walking. I try to walk for 1hr most days.

Jacks - thanks for info regarding Letrozole. I kept asking so what do you think you will give me. Avoidance tactics were in full swing from docs. As I too am post menopausal (though the amount of hot flushes belies that) I'm guessing that be my poison ...... whoops meds. Be positive Bali High will greet you - South Pacific for the young ones. How did shhhhhh V   E     T go??? Hope the said cat can't spell?

If I've not mentioned all I have read so so sorry or if I've missed a frog sorry again. Hope this weekend you can switch off and just leave BC behind

Tomorrow is lunch with youngest to celebrate her 29th. How the *********** did my baby girl get that old!! Today shop visit required as I need to wrap her parcels but I shall leave that until afternoon. Hopefully by then it will be quiet and I wont bumped into people I know.

Win or lose

sink or swim

one thing is cerrtain

we'll never give in

Take care

Leolady xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lol leo, I'm sure irony and sarcasm are my middle names......

Had to have a little cry this morning, on return from seeing my mother, i ordered my grandmothers death certificate, which arrived in the post this morning,  to see what her exact cause  of death was, also will help with the old family tree i compiled years ago. Felt so sad for the woman i never met, my mum, which trust me little love has been lost between us for more than 30 yrs, for losing her mum at such a young age, and of course because its hitting far to close to home, not only did she have bc, but it had spread all over including her kidneys, know treatments have changed dramticaly since the 50s, but boy oh boy.

I'm not shring this to make any of you worry that a similar outcome may occur to any of us, we are lucky we live in this day and age, research and science has come on a long way, but makes me wonder if i had known this more years ago then i may have been more vigilant and certainly no matter what journey is ahead, I'll be taking any treatments thrown at me if it means i could beat it.

And on a lighter note

JollyG

Thanks for the frogs

I have a mother from hell as well, so believe me I hate needing to ask a single question of her. It is always poor me you've got x,y or z. Though when I said my eldest had epilepsy she announced 'That's a mental thing so it wont be our side of the family'!!!!!!!!

How in the last 61 yrs I have not been up for manslaughter I don't know. 

But as you say knowledge of family can so help and no you wont upset me. We all are happy to read a rant. And equally as you say we are lucky to live now. My ma in law died at 62 due to heart issues. But now she'd be full of meds, stents and heart by passes. Just like her son!

Well rainy afternoon. But got out for the wrapping paper before it set in.

NOW ......... whilst eating lunch I watched BBC2 and darts. EXCITING. How my expectations are diving to an all time low.

Leolady xxxxxxx

LeoLady, if sarcasm & irony were banned, I’d be mute!! 

If NHS paper is made of poo, is that why thier letters always make us feel like s**t??? Sorry everyone but it’s not live tv so thought it might be ok to swear.

Having a lovely day so far, hope everyone else is to. Waiting for my eldest to come home from 1st day at new weekend job then going out for quick coffee. 

xXx