Hi Margaret, glad to hear Friday went ok and that you are getting to grips with the new routine, good luck with the pills and injections. As you have probably seen I have been chatting with Flora recently and, like you, she had her first chemo session last week so perhaps you could compare notes?

I totally agree that you come across some really lovely people during this process, both on here and in person. It can be a very lonely slog so chatting to others who understand anything and everything is a real help.  

My shoulder op is due late sept/early oct so I have a month or so to hopefully see off the radiotherapy effects first.

Sorry to hear about your soggy bathroom floor, especially as it had only just been done.Had a little rain today but I can't see any signs of water so ... fingers crossed.

Take care and look after yourself.  Sue x

Hi, Margaret, I am not very good on this site and spent ages yesterday trying to find you!!  I do hope that your chemo goes well and you don't have too many side effects.  When I left hospital and had to have 28 daily injections in my stomach I was terrified but they said they didnt have anyone to do it for me.

Just wanted to wish you all the best, I will be thinking of you. x

Hi Pauline, thanks for that. I didn't really give the self administered injections a chance, just thought, yuk I can't stick a needle in myself! There was so very much going on at the time, and so much information! But I guess there is time for me to change my mind. It is just so awful to have to put things on hold not knowing when the nurse will get here and every day for a week.  I am hoping to resume as normal a life as I can, so I am see the 'do it yourself' advantage!  

Luckily I feel fine today, and hope it continues. They did say the effects of fec t were culmative, so I shall just see how it goes.

thanks for the chat, xx Margaret

Hi Margaret,

just to wish you well for your second treatment tomorrow. Hope all goes well.

Love,

Flora xxx

Hi Flora, that's no. 2 out of the way! Feel ok, much the same as I did the last time.  Wouldn't recommend anyone having an app on a Friday pm though, as everyone seemed a tad too eager to get away for the weekend! They forgot me for 45 mins, so I had to wait for a further 45 mins for the pills to take effect, and then pushed the chemo through in 25 mins which hurt my arm a bit, but they said it was ok. They didn't take my bp, or temperature, fill my book in even change the pillow from the last lady and whipped the cannula out so fast that it bled quite badly .  So although they were still pleasant and friendly, I did feel as if I was being pushed out a bit.  My next app is another Friday at 2pm and I wonder if it will be the same.  But it's done now, onwards and upwards!!

Hope you are also ok and the hair styling went well.  Have you been out in it yet? I was a bit worried, but it is so like my own that after the first couple of times I felt quite confident.  

Keep well, love and hugs -Margaret xx

When I was having chemo, I told myself after session 2, I would have 3 and be half way through, and no 4 was nearly there, and no 5 was the penaltimate one.  Mind over matter helps you get to the end, I think.  Funny thing is now, the 6 sessions of chemo seemed to go very fast.

People have probably already told you this, but look after yourself.  I am nearly 3 years since diagnosis now, and feeling pretty good.  I will be glad though when the 5 years are up on the Tamoxifen, I am hot one moment and cold the next, and my hubby has to take the mood swings, but a little price to pay to be here today.

Thinking of you both at this time.

Diane xxx

Oh dear, Friday appointments don't sound ideal, I hope the next one is better. I have a livid bruise on the back of my hand after an axilliary nurse removed the canula , as the other nurses were so pushed. I felt sorry for her as she was so afraid of hurting me. Had she just got on with it, i probably wouldn't have ended up with the back of my hand a livid purple and black but she was so nervous. i couldn't watch!!! 

Have been out in the wig but can't say that it's comfortable. Don't think i've got the hang of putting it on properly yet, it hurts my ears!! Small complaint I know , i just need to practise and stop being a wimp! 

Had the hair shaved off, loving not finding hair everywhere, especially my mouth!!! Been wearing lovely, soft bandanas too. 

Hope these next few weeks are good for you. Take care.

love,

Flora

Hi Flora and Diane, thank for your replies.

the wig does take some getting used to, but felt 100% better with my head shaved, it took the soreness away immediately and while I was dreading it as you know the decision had been taken and there was no going back!  I find mine quite comfortable if I can get it in the right place, which is not as easy as it sounds. It seems just an eighth of an inch out and it gives me a headache, but I have a lot of time to practise so will get it right!

hope you are feeling well after your second session, we are getting to be 'old hands' now ha ha.

take care

love xx

Margaret

Hi Margaret, sorry to hear you were rather rushed through your Friday session and also that your wig takes a bit of adjusting but, as you say, it will take a little time for you to get used to all this new stuff. Same goes to Flora and the auxilary nurse, ouch. Your tale reminds me of after my shoulder op in Dec. They were preparing to discharge me and a trainee nurse was asked to take out my canula but she had not noticed that the blood pressure cuff was still on my arm so as she took it out a geyser of blood shot up in the air and across the waiting room, much to the bemusement of the other patients & relatives! Another nurse rushed over to sort it out (and had a quiet word with the trainee) and it was all quite funny in a slightly gory way! I have my repeat shoulder assessment on the 24th but no op date as yet. Just want to get it over with now. However, I was a tad optimistic about my radiotherapy symptoms calming down as they have come back with a vengence, I have never been so glad to see the end of a working week! Still, at least it's now the weekend and after some rain earlier is a lovely afternoon. Take care of yourselves.  Sue x