**SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

Hi lynne

I know that feeling well I have a fan on for my face and a hot water bottle for my feet do you find that by the end of the day your all cold and that it is time for bed. Great to hear your fingers are better. How are your achy thighs and arms my thighs are so much better as is my arms.The LD flap was great I have a scar under my new boob that you can’t see but has faded really well you wouldn’t know I had a scar at the front of my boob it’s all gone the back one is taking the longest to fade I have had no trouble at all with the scars the chemo made them quite tight but just kept moisturising them the radiotherapy has done the same but is easing every day and it doesn’t stop me doing anything and I can sleep on that side no bother. How are you getting on with the implant? Nails are hanging on in there ther is a lot of new growth on the nail bed, hair is coming in thick and fast eyelashes all there but not a hair to be seen on my eyebrowsI have gosh eyebrow serum which I put on every night but still nothing. 

Anne xx

Hi Lumpy

I know exactly how you feel about the anxiety, it seems mad that we are having treatment that can make us feel really unwell but I have found it reassuring reading how other people have coped and come out the other side.

I am trying to be positive about not using the cold cap but not looking forward to loosing my hair, silly to be so hung up on this. 

I have been listening to audiobooks in bed at night which I find helps me dose off.

Hope all goes well on Tuesday for you.

keep posting

Gillie

Hi Anne, have you tried Rapid Brow? I used it and I am going to have to think about getting my eyebrows tamed soon! 

I didn't use anything for my lashes as I have a touch of blepharitis but they are coming back quite well. I would love more hair on my head but I think it's getting there. It took a long time to fall out so maybe I just need to find some patience!  It's coming back quite grey but hair is hair! 

Yes, some evenings I start to feel like a chill and that signals bed time.

My surgery scars bothered me a bit for about 3 weeks after RT but have settled down again. They are almost invisible and don't concern me at all from an appearance point of view. I do tend to wear padded bras now so that the one nipple situation isn't too obvious!

To be honest I am delighted with my new size and shape as I had always wanted a reduction, this is just not the way I would ever have wanted to go about it!  It's a silver lining that I cling to!

My aches have changed to joint pain, I get very stiff if I sit for any length of time.  I think that is now down to the Tamoxifen. My thighs and arms feel ok, pretty much back to normal and I have started lifting my little 2kg weights again.

Fatigue is still an issue but it is improving. My heart rate has normalised and I am feeling reasonably confident about my 5k walk on October 9th for Action Cancer. 

I really struggled with agreeing to have chemotherapy as my lymph nodes were clear and my CT scan was clear but I have to say I am glad I did it. I now know that I have done everything I can.  There were some really difficult times and there were times I didn't think I would be able to continue, but those days passed like every other day passes.

Lynne xx

Hi Lynne,

I also struggled with the idea of chemo as all my lymph nodes were clear…but I’m also so thankful that I did it now as I know I’ve done all I can to beat my cancer.

I really worried about losing my hair too Gilliebean I did one round of cold cap but was losing hair so didn’t continue as it added too much time on to my chemo. I managed the loss better than I thought it would and was proactive at cutting it short then clippering it to a #2 after that as it was uncomfortable. Thankfully we all find the strength to cope somehow. 

I’m not on Tamoxifen and I also get sore and stiff if I’m sitting too long as well. I think our bodies do change for quite some time after chemo, we just need to keep listening to them I also know when it’s bedtime now 
denise x

I want to wish you all the best for tomorrow.  Unexpectedly I met an old friend today who has had chemo.  He says it is doable but advises to take any help offered.  He says that a positive attitude helped him through.  He said the anxiety about what to expect was worse than the treatment itself.  He said the staff were so kind and supportive. I found this so reassuring.  I very much hope that you will find lovely people looking after you.  All the best for tomorrow. Take care

I hope you are ok! If you ever need to talk I am always hear with open ears. Its tough and I am scared to start tomorrow. x

Definitely take any help offered. Good to have support. I always got worried  before chemo but staff were so helpful and the actual treatment was always a bit of an anti Climax... In a good way... All very straight forward. Good luck to all the new starters. You've got this.

What are peoples thoughts on isolating etc? I am scared to even see any one whilst on treatment :(

Thank you Karen. That's so good to hear. I hope you're not suffering too badly from the side effects. xx

Hi Anne

I’m glad that you are doing well. I’m doing well. I’m off on holidays tomorrow for 8 days which I’m really looking forward to.

Take care

Daisy53 xx