Hello andrea20

Sorry you have received devastating news.  I was diagnosed just before xmas and have a 30 and 16yr old. I kept it quiet over xmas as didnt want to ruin it for them and waited till I had my results and plan so I could give them the full picture. Then I waited when my girls weren't too busy or working so they could spend some time with me and digest it, i was also stronger than when i had initially been told (I cried like a baby for days)   I felt being armed with the facts really helped. We had lots of tears but within aa hour it had settled down. Told them on the 4th jan and now I dont know why I was worried. They are amazing and I feel so much better for telling them. (Although still feel guilty for upsetting them !!!)  I have found telling people is really hard.   

They will want to know to support you ️

Lots of love

Thank you for your reply, I have also spent days crying like a baby, the news is so shocking and I am bereft of courage at the moment. I know it will be heartbreaking to tell them but like you say they will want to support me. I will find out this week when I'll see the oncologist, even typing that seem surreal, perhaps then when I have a date to begin I will summon the courage to break the news to them.

thank you so much for taking the time to reply

God bless you and keep you strong ️

Hi there, was thinking about you today?   Wierd I know lol

How did your visit to the oncologist go?  Do you have a plan of action yet?  Have you thought anymore about telling your kids?

I'm not a massive fan of these forums as I think they worry me more unless I want to know about peoples experience with something like chemo. I keep to the newly diagnosed bit as that's the bit I needed most.  I start chemo on thursday.  trying the cold cap

If you need anything. I'm here ️

Hello,

I went and saw my daughter yesterday, it was heartbreaking to see her face as I told her but I'm so pleased I went to her and was able to comfort and reassure her.....today I will go to my son and do the same...

I have an appointment on the 27th with the oncologist and hope to have a date soon for the chemo to start.

I am also considering the cold cap.....why not.....everything is worth a try.

I will be thinking of you on Thursday, may you have courage and strength ️
 

Thank you for corresponding.....it's good to talk to you xx

Hello.

Thought I would check in on you. How is it going?  How was your son when you told him?.  I can imagine your children have been amazing,  I know mine are. 

Do you have a plan in place?  I had my first chemo last Thursday and apart from a chesty cough come through it unscathed.  Coped with the cold cap ok but not sure the nurses knew how to put it on so not sure how successful it will be but to be honest now treatment has started and it's really sank in the enormity of what we are both going through it doesn't seem as important. 

Will be relieved to go back to work monday for some normality as everyone fussing is driving me potty. Lol

Hope you are coping and I'm always happy to talk.

All the best 

Stef xx

Hi Stef, 

thank you for your message, it made me laugh! 
so pleased you chemo went well and nothing awful happened....getting the first one out of the way must be a relief....my first chemo is tomorrow!

my children have both been brilliant...it's such a relief now they both know what's going on.

so your going back to work? Good for you, let me know how it goes....I can't go back because I'm a nurse and the risk of infection is too high.

so pleased you are doing ok

keep in tough

Andrea xx

Morning Andrea.

How are you coping after chemo?  Hope your not suffering with too many side effects. Which chemo did you have? I ended up spending the weekend in hospital with a temp!! Absolutely fine now but totally traumatised by the NHS's attempt at a sunday roast.

Did you attempt the cold cap?

I still have a full head of hair but have had a chuckle to myself as will no longer need a bikini wax .

Hope you are resting ️ ️

Big hugs  

Stef xxx

Hi Stef

So pleased to hear from you. Good to hear that you survived an NHS Sunday roast! 
So far so good after my first chemo, it was tiring at the time and the first couple of days I felt weary but now I feel okay. should have started the white blood count increasing injections yesterday but discovered I'd left them in the car for the last 5 days instead of the fridge! Whoops, won't do that again.....going to collect some more today so will start a day late. Cannot at this moment remember the chemo drugs I'm on but I'll check the paperwork later and let you know....they said I'd lose my hair as well but like you I did the cold cap and so far it's still on my head

my cancer is stage 3 ductal triple negative....

love the photo of you and is that your daughter ️ Nice to put a face to our conversations. 
hope you are resting too, be kind to yourself..

big hugs and

Andrea xxx

Oh that made me smile as I forgot to put mine in the fridge and had to get more!! What lovely mops of hair we both have, let's hope we dont end up looking like Waldo and statler from the muppets  

Yes that's my youngest Gabby, Studying politics and history at college. She is amazing, her nan has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour as well but she still manages to be my rock! What neck of the woods are you from? I'm in Somerset but actually from Nottingham. 

Xxxx

That makes me feel better! I wonder how many people forget that first box somewhere .....

im originally from Southend-on-Sea but now live in Norwich.

Sorry to hear Gabbys nan is unwell, that's a lot to take in for all your family, but I think you find humour a good medicine as I do...

my mop has been chopped, I had a pre chemo cut but I quite like it short....the photo was this summer in Corfu, standing outside the church I got married in in 1994, I lived in Corfu for just under 20 years.

Lovely picture of you and Gabby xx