My make over

This Photo was taken just as I started my radiotherapy. During my chemotherapy treatment there have been a few snaps taken of me with varying amounts of hair. I thought it would be a nice idea to have a nice photo of me without hair so arranged a makeover session with a company called www.theimagemill.co.uk 

Castleton & Breast Cancer Haven

On 25th June Castleton Primary School very kindly organised a Pink Day to raise money for Breast Cancer Haven, Leeds. A great effort was made by all and everyone got into the spirit of things by dressing up in pink, they all looked so good ......... maybe our school uniform should be pink! :) Each class organised something, from baking and selling buns with pink icing, selling ice - cream, to having a pink pamper and having their nails painted pink! Parents were invited into the schools community room and treated to a Pink Afternoon Tea which included freshly baked scones with strawberries and cream! Great fun was had by all and they raised a wonderful £248.21 Well Done Castleton. Thank you.

 

 

Race for life

A massive amount of thanks to everyone who sponsored my sister and I. Together with all your help we managed to raise over £350 for Cancer Research doing the race for life at Temple Newsam last Saturday.We had a great time, the atmosphere was brilliant and we completed the course in just under an hour. Thank you Michelle for joining me in the race for life.Thank you again to each and everyone of you who showed your support in sponsoring us, it was very much appreciated.

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Hooray! All done! cooked and roasted and ready for the summer!

Well I did it, I finally reached the end. I had my last treatment yesterday. It's hard to believe that it's all finished. It has been such a long journey and at times there has been some difficult hurdles to overcome but with Nick constantly by my side I feel sure that he has made this period in my life so much easier to deal with than if I had still been on my own. 

He is truly a very amazing person who's never ending love, huge amount of understanding and patience has kept me feeling so loved and cared for at a time when I have most needed it. I feel very honored to have him as my husband and appreciate all he does and has done for me especially over the last eight months. 

During this time Nick has not only continued with a full time job but has come home from work and done jobs around the house and helped to get meals. He has also studied for exams and used up most of his weekends working hard on our garden project and all the time taking care of me and never once complaining, Nick is positively remarkable! And I am a very lucky lady!

I have had so much care and support from so many people. The blogsite has really been a particularly great source of support for me and I appreciate very much the time and effort which people have taken to read my ramblings. I value all the messages that I have received from you all, it has been lovely to see how much people care and this has had a very positive effect on me and has undoubtedly helped me along the road to recovery. :)

Nearly there!

Radiotherapy is going well, I now have had 17 sessions and with only 3 more left to go the end is finally in sight! I am feeling extremely tired, a bit tender and sore and over the last couple of days have been feeling sick too. I find it quite difficult to concentrate for long to the point of only being able to read a couple of pages of a book at a time, even then it's difficult to then remember what I've just read. I am looking forward to next week, when the daily trips to the hospital will come to an end and I will be able to begin to get back to normal :)

Good News

I'm pleased to share my excellent news with everyone. Yesterday I had a phone call from the consultant at the hospital to tell me that they had received the radiologists report about my liver and it was such a relief to be told that what had shown up was benign. Only 7 more radiotherapy sessions left! Yey!! :)

Another day at the hospital

Another day, another appointment. I returned to hospital today for an appointment to see the consultant. The doctor examined me and said it all seems to be going fine! I mentioned that I had been worried about what he had said about my liver last time and that I thought that was why I was coming back to see him today. He said he had forgotten and that he still had not had the report back. So now we have to wait for him to get the report back but he says he doesn't think there is any need to worry as he feels sure it will be a cyst. So I am trying to keep my thoughts on a positive note.

I am now just over half way through my radiotherapy sessions having had my 11th one today, 9 more to go! Radiotherapy seems to be going well although I am just beginning to turn a little pinker and a little tender around the area of my treatment, the doctor has warned me that it will probably get worse and last for sometime after my treatment is finished. 

I have been taking the Tamoxifen for 2 weeks now and that all seems to be going ok too. I have only managed to forget one tablet, which the doctor said would be alright.

Radiotherapy Begins

I had my appointment at the hospital on Monday to discuss with the doctor medication called Tamoxifen which I shall be taking for the next five years and to have yet more blood taken. This was for a full blood count to see how I am after all my chemo. Well I'm guessing it will be good as I am feeling much better than I have done in the last few months.

Tuesday was the first day of radiotherapy and it was all explained about how it would all happen, I was given all my appointments for the full 20 sessions along with some cream to apply twice a day to help keep the skin moisturised. I think the first time for anything like this can always be a little bit daunting, I suppose it's a case of the unknown and also the thought of what it may be doing to your body, that's the worry! So here I am pictured above on machine number 5 which will be the machine for all my radiotherapy sessions.

Anyway after they'd positioned and shuffled me a fraction here and a fraction there, measured and called out numbers, I was asked to keep very still and they then went out of the room leaving me to wait for the machine to start and do it's thing. After a minute or two it then started up and then proceeded to move around me, pausing and then moving again. The whole time the radiographers are in a room where they can monitor you on cctv. It doesn't take very long and then they are back out and the session is finished and you can then leave.

The second session was Wednesday where I had also been booked in to see the doctor and wasn't sure about why I had been asked to see him. I thought perhaps there had been a mix up and that another doctor had already seen me on the Monday. He asked how I'd been and then I got a bit of a scare when he said " Do you remember you had a CT scan a couple of weeks ago? ........... Well that showed up something on your liver." Well you can imagine how I might be feeling at that point! He then went on to say that his thoughts are that it is a cyst, quite large but, that one in five people have them and they don't even know it. He said it's just that you've had this scan and it's picked it up and with the breast cancer they need to look into it, he said about him not being a radiographer but that he has seen this many times and feels sure that it's nothing to worry about that it will probably be a cyst. Still it doesn't stop you feeling somewhat concerned about things.

An appointment has been made for me to go back and see him on Wednesday 3rd June, so fingers crossed he will have good news. but for now I am trying to put any worries out of my mind, because I can't change anything.

I just want to get this all over with so I can try to put it all behind me, get back to normal and look forward to good times ahead. :) Which is what I feel pretty sure is the way it will happen. :)

So the countdown is on 3 lots of rads done, 17 to go! 

Radiotherapy Planning

I had my radiotherapy planning today. I didn't sleep so well last night as I was a little apprehensive about it all, again it's all about the unknown really. Anyway as it turned out it all went well and there was really no need to worry. So I am all measured and marked up complete with 3 tiny tattoo's ready to start treatment on the 19th May. 

Here is a picture of the kind of machine which was used today, it is called a simulator. Simulators are machines which look very much like the radiotherapy treatment machines but which actually take x-ray pictures or scans. The specialist can use the simulator to work out exactly where the treatment needs to be given. The measurements and pictures taken during the simulator sessions will then be worked on and processed by computers to calculate all the technical details to make sure the radiotherapy is given accurately to precisely the right place.

The end of chemo! Hooray!

It finally happened, the last chemo. I had the last one, number 6 last Thursday and I can tell you I am so glad that it's all over with. It has been an experience that became increasingly more difficult as I had each one. This last one proving to be the most troublesome. It is only today, a week later, that I can feel a little energy slowly coming back into my body. 

My eyes are sore they feel like they are constantly stinging, my nose is full of scabs and always running and is so sore, the veins in my arm hurt, my head hurts, my ribs hurt and my whole body aches. (sorry for moaning, enough of that!)

Anyway as I said, I can now feel my energy slowly increasing and that's a positive. I am now looking forward to starting to feel well again and I will. 

There are so many things I have to look forward to starting with our granddaughter Ellie's birthday coming up this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing her and little Max. I'm hoping by then I'll be feeling much stronger.

Nick has been a star husband, my rock, and I am so so lucky to have such a wonderful caring person by my side, giving me all the love and support which he has done and he never complains. I know that not everyone would have had the same degree of care and attention which Nick has given to me. I feel truly very lucky. :)

Catch Up

Hello to anyone who's still with me. 

I apologise for not posting recently but chemo number 5 wasn't very kind to me and left me feeling very tired and unlike any of the others I had a few days of feeling quite sick and not feeling too well at all. Even our anniversary passed us quietly by as I really didn't feel well enough or energetic enough to go anywhere or do anything special. 

It's been harder this time to get myself back up and running and already the time has come round for number 6 which will be my last one. Hooray!

It's becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything for long periods of time and my eyes are so sore that reading is quite a struggle for me. 

Yesterday I went for my pre assessment and for my bloods to be checked at the hospital. They had a bit of a job getting my blood as the veins have hardened and it was pretty painful. After a couple of attempts and a couple of nurses the third time was successful.

Tomorrow is chemo number 6, the last one! I'm a little worried that it may be painful as the drugs from the previous chemos have taken their toll on my veins which has caused them to harden and constrict. The good thing is that it is the last one and once I am starting to feel better I will be able to put it all behind me!

Radiotherapy planning is on the 5th May, again at St James then treatment will start 2 weeks later. 

I am so looking forward to being "normal" again. 

A New addition to the family!

Some of you will already of heard me talk about our beautiful grandaughter Ellie Mae. 

This morning brought the long awaited arrival of our gorgeous grandson Max Ross. He made his appearance at 4:25am and weighed in at 8lb 7oz.

Two Baldies Together!

As requested, 2 baldies together, side by side!

To Baldly go where other women have gone before!

Well it's finally happened and this is how I look! It's not so bad after all, although a bit chilly at times! You certainly know when there's a draft. It takes a bit of getting used to and so far have managed to go out twice in public with a naked head and have felt perfectly alright about it, although on both those occasions I have had the support of someone with me. As yet I have not ventured out alone with a naked head, I feel that will be a little harder to do. 

Dean and Sven want to paint my head like a Cadbury's Cream Egg!! I think I do a good impression of a Buddhist Monk and Nick wants to stamp a best before date on my head with the lion mark on it!

Anyone know a good hairdresser?

Well here I am again, sorry I haven't posted again recently but I've been a bit tired and have had little energy. I'm now feeling much better. Chemo number 4 went better than expected although when we arrived at the hospital last Thursday it was requested that my bloods were done again, as my count was down and I had got a cold so they just wanted to check me over. My chemo was supposed to start at 12:30. After some time they had the results and we were told that everything was alright and my chemo was to go ahead that day. So at 2:15 pm they got it started. I had been a bit worried as I mentioned before about my arm hurting but at the same time I felt glad that it was to go ahead. They managed to find another vein to go into and it wasn't so bad at all to which I was very relieved. 

As you can see from the photo I now haven't got very much hair left at all and it's difficult to know what to do with it these days! Any suggestions? I did think about a pony tail but can't find a bobble small enough! :)

Oops! the post is late!

Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while since I put a new post on here but to be honest I have been really tired and have found it quite difficult to concentrate long enough to write anything worth reading. 

What's been happening ?

Not a great deal really. Mostly I have been quite tired and although my mind hasn't wanted to rest, my body has needed to rest. It has been very frustrating at times to see that there are things that need to be done and to have the time to do them but lacking the strength and energy to complete the task or in some cases to even get started! 

As you will have read in my last post I wrote about the veins in my arm beginning to harden and that had caused me some pain. The problem with the arm increased even though I applied gel which was prescribed by the hospital and I tried to keep movement in my arm, stretching and turning as much as the pain would allow but by the second week it was really very sore and painful to touch. By the end of the second week everything had got on top of me really and the emotional side of it all got the better of me! I think it was an accumulation of everything, like not having the energy to do normal everyday things, added to that the constant soreness in my arm all heightened  by the accumulation of fatigue which all ended in tears. A few tissues later and big cuddles and comforting words from Nick and I was right as rain, once again feeling much better about it all.

My next chemo is on Thursday and I am a little apprehensive but that is only because of how my arm has been and how it was the last time. Perhaps it won't be so bad as there is still a couple of days for further improvement. 

Nick needed to work a few days in Andover which isn't too far from where my sister Sharon lives. We thought that would be a good opportunity to spend some more time together so that's just what we did. Sharon, who is now doing very well in her recovery and I, had a sofa each. It was nice to be able to yet again spend more time together and to give support to one another. Nick could travel each day between Sharon's and Andover and this meant that we didn't have to be all those miles away. :) Aaahhhhh 

As you can see from the picture I am still managing to hold on to some of my hair! The thing is that I am actually very bald on the top of my head and the photo is making me look better than I really do! The hair is really extremely thin and I am losing more each day now. I'm not sure how long it will last, maybe a week or ten days. We'll have to see. I am now feeling more positive about losing my hair and I am thinking it will all be ok. The truth is I don't really know exactly how I will feel until it happens but at the moment I feel fine :)

Third chemo done, halfway mark! To cool cap or not to cool cap?

Well after weeks of torment as to whether I should or should not carry on with the cap cooling treatment it was a very difficult decision to make. After much discussion with staff on the ward and weighing up all the outcomes, it wasn't until they put the cannula into my hand and started administering the saline drip that I finally decided not to carry on with it. The cool cap treatment is not pleasant but I don't regret giving it a go and had I had a better response with it would have been willing to suffer on with the treatment.

The last experience was more painful than the first time, this was because I had already lost a fair bit of hair. It had thinned quite a bit and I had a fairly wide parting which they had expressed slight concern over my head getting burnt with the cold cap. Since the second chemo and cap cooling treatment hair loss has been considerably more and the concern has been the greater risk of burns to my head and was advised that it would be very painful this time. 

They can't explain why some people have better success with the cap cooling treatment than others, it could be due to different hair types but for me sadly the end result was not looking great and rather than putting myself through it anymore, for what was beginning to look like a lost cause I made my decision and think now I chose the right one.

About a week after the second chemo I started to develop a tightness in the veins in my left arm which is where they administer the drugs, which is one of many of the side effects and as time went on there were occasions where it became quite uncomfortable. 

I didn't realise how painful this would be when they started administering chemo number three! At that point I was glad that I wasn't having the pain of the cold cap along with the pain in my arm. To help things they applied a warm pack to my arm and slowed the chemo down which helped. Again as the two previous occasions while the last bit of the second drug was being given I experienced the stinging of eyes and nose and the onset of a headache. The eyes and nose lasted for a short period of time but the headache stayed throughout the evening although not extreme.

In the photo, me in my cosy warm cap doing a good job of hiding a rapidly balding head and the red cold cap now sitting waiting for the next volunteer!!!

Keep tuning in for more updates and look out for future photos, maybe a picture of the new me!!!!

Recovery!

Hi bloggers and watcher's of bloggers, Ooooooh Arrrrrrrr!

What's been happening in my life? Well Friday I packed our things ready for our trip to Devizes in Wiltshire to spend a couple of days with my sister Sharon. Nick arrived home in the evening and it wasn't too long before he had the car packed and we were on our way. We stopped after a couple of hours for a drink and a bite to eat and arrived at my sisters at 11:15pm it wasn't long before we were in bed and fast asleep.

We had a lovely weekend and although I was quite tired it was nice to see that Sharon was doing well after her operation and was making a good recovery, what a trooper she is! I only wish I could have been more help to her. However I did manage to make a Sunday Roast for everyone, with the help of Nick and Andy, Sharon's husband. Sunday afternoon came far too quickly and it was soon time to have to gather all our belongings together and say our goodbyes. 

We set off for home with me driving and decided to take a break after a couple of hours. Once again on our way with Nick now in the driving seat, we notice that the battery light is flickering and then decides to stay on. After driving for about half an hour we manage to come off the motorway at Donnington Service Station just before the M1, where we called Green flag. We only had about 20 minutes to wait before being rescued. Our poor car was winched onto the back of the rescue vehicle. We climbed into the cab and were brought home to the door by a friendly Green flag man, who said we had done the right thing as we would not have made it home. 

Plans were made for me to take Nick's car into the garage while he took mine to get to work, but it wouldn't start so at the moment it's still sitting where the Green flag man left it!

I have been quite tired since I got back home. I've had an ear infection for which I've had antibiotics prescribed. Although I've now finished them it still feels like my head is under water. My veins in the arm in which they administer the chemo have started to become uncomfortable, I have a cough and my eyes are dry. Otherwise I am fine and I'm due back at the hospital tomorrow for bloods, ECG and pre assessment in preparation for chemo number 3 which I am due to have this Thursday.

A haven retreat

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of taking part in a retreat day at the breast cancer haven centre in Leeds. This consists of a full day of relaxation and meditation within a group of ladies all of whom are dealing with their own breast cancer.

The retreat day usually follows the introduction day which I already did with Cherrie at the end of January. The day after the introduction day I had an appointment at the hospital for my bloods and assessment, so missed the retreat day that followed. So I booked in for the next one. It made no difference, although most of the people there had already met the day before. I, along with a couple of other new ladies was made to feel just as much part of the group as all the rest. It was quite an emotional morning with each of the ladies introducing themselves and all telling their own stories. The great thing was that people felt like they were in an emotionally safe and relaxed environment with others that understood. Where they could express exactly what they felt and knew they were not going to be judged, but listened to by others with an understanding of how they may be feeling. A place where, for a while you don't have to be, "strong!" I had the opportunity to meet with an amazing group of ladies that day, each one with their own lives and stories, but all of them sharing something, ............ an understanding!

Before having breast cancer myself I thought that breast cancer was "breast cancer" and didn't realise or understand that there were so many different types. Since being diagnosed myself I now understand more about breast cancer and the different ways that it can effect each individual person, both physically and emotionally. Each persons breast cancer is as individual as they are, as is each persons treatment regime and everyone has to find a way to cope with it all the best way they can, some may find this easier than others. 

Having a good solid support network is essential. This may be a mixture of home, family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, breast care nurses, telephone support networks, Internet websites, blog sites (like this one, for me has been a fantastic part of my support) and of course breast cancer haven. We are so lucky to have one of these centres here in Leeds as this is only one of three in the whole of the country. Unfortunately for my sister Sharon, living in Wiltshire, breast cancer haven was not an option for her at a time when she could have benefited greatly from the kind of support that breast cancer haven give.

The Leeds haven was only opened in October 2008, lucky for me as I was diagnosed at the end of October 2008 and so have the benefit of being able to make full use of this brand new facility and all that it offers. www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk

How many hats should I Knit!

Well I decided the time has come to get out the knitting needles and knit myself a few hats. So far I have crocheted one hat and knitted three hats of different colours. 

It's worked out quite well, me having my treatment at this time of year. I mean while the weather is cold it's easier to look "normal" being able to wear hats to cover my now balding head!

Here in the picture you can see the three knitted hats I made, modeled by my three beautiful nieces from Norfolk.  

Nick and I went to Norfolk this weekend to visit family which was lovely. It was nice to have a change of scenery and lovely to see everyone. We had a really nice time and I felt really well looked after. 

Sharon my sister, prepares for a further operation!

As some of you may know my sister Sharon was diagnosed with Breast Cancer just over 3 years ago now. 

The picture on the left shows her 3 years ago as she herself was going through her chemotherapy treatment. Standing tall and proudly showing off her bald head.

Top right picture shows Sharon as she is now, hair all grown back with the same happy smile!

I wanted to write this post in support of my sister as she approaches yet another stage in her journey. Sharon is due to go into hospital tomorrow in preparation of her reconstruction surgery, which is to take place on Thursday 5th February. This will be major surgery that will take approximately 8 - 9 hours and about 8 weeks recovery. Sharon has had three years and a lot of thinking in making the decision to go ahead with the operation. 

I would very much appreciate you all in joining me to wish her well for her operation and recovery. Even if you don't personally know her, I'm sure that any messages will help her on her way. So please post your messages of support to my sister on here. Thank you. X

Oh! What a lovely surprise!

Eileen and Barry,

Thank you so much for the flowers, they are beautiful. As you can see they really did cheer me up! I think Disney appreciated them too! Can you see her trying to smell them?

Nick had also brought me some home so I put them all in together! Don't they look lovely!

I think I'm losing my hair! :(

As you all know, I have been increasingly losing my hair despite going through the awful cap cooling treatment. I must admit for first time since I started my treatment Saturday did put me on a bit of a downer! 

My hair has been coming out thick and fast since the last chemo. Still I decided to brave going into town with a big fluffy Russian style hat on, which covered my head pretty well. With Nick by my side we went in search of some hats. I managed to find a couple of nice ones that fit nicely. Also bought a wide head band but that didn't turn out to be wide enough! We went for some lunch but I felt that I couldn't take off my hat during that time so did feel a bit uncomfortable sitting in a restaurant eating my meal with a hat on. Unfortunately I had also forgot to bring my tablets with me so time was against us and by this time anyway I was feeling so tired that we decided to leave for home.

Saturday evening I felt even worse about my hair, I was beginning to feel I'd be better off without it as it was becoming so bad, everywhere I walked or sat I would leave hair behind, whenever I ate hair would end up in my food! I was worse than Disney (our little dog) even she doesn't shed nearly as much hair as that! In fact she hardly ever leaves hair. I'm worse than a dog!!

Being really worried about having to wash my hair, I decided "Right I'm going to wash my hair and if it all comes out, well that will be that and I will accept it!" So there it was, I washed my hair and as I did it was coming out in handfuls. Much more than it ever had and it just kept going. At which point I thought, "Well this is it, I'm going to come out bald!" Well it did stop coming out and once it dried, which didn't take very long at all, I started to feel better and have not yet decided what to do for the best. Since washing it after Saturday night The hair loss seems to have really slowed down now so maybe that's it? I really don't know and will take each day as it comes and if it all goes, then so be it!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, the photo's were taken soon after my hair had dried. Top left picture I look like a scarecrow! 

Top right picture is to show you what I can't see but I know everyone else can! (A resemblance to Eddie Windass from Coronation Street.) Unless I keep a hat on!

I have been extremely tired this time round, despite this we went to the White Rose Shopping Centre to buy a birthday present that I needed to get, which we did manage to do. 

After having laid on the sofa for the rest of the day after returning home, we then went to bed. I managed to get to sleep but woke at about 3am and then couldn't get back to sleep. Have slept this morning though for a couple of hours and am now feeling much better! 

By the way the snow looks lovely?  Glad I don't need to go out in it though! Happy to be in the warm today.

I hope I haven't made this post too long!

Round 2 Ding Ding!

Hi Peeps, well I've had my second chemo yesterday and all went well, again slight stinging in eyes and nose towards the end of the treatment being administered but not as much as last time.

Did the cold cap again, which was much worse this time but again after about 20 minutes the pain eased and numbness set in for the next 3 hours! The explanation they gave for it being more painful was that I have already lost so much hair as it has thinned so much there is closer contact with my scalp! The reason for so much hair loss already they said could be that my hair was so thick in the beginning that there wasn't such a close contact with the scalp. They said that it's possible that hair loss will now slow down and that we'll make a decision as to whether to carry on with the cold cap next assessment day which is 18th February. My feeling at the moment is that there won't be much worth saving but hey who knows I'm not giving up yet! What have I got to lose? Only my hair!

Once home after treatment I felt quite exhausted unlike last time. I think I was in bed by about 7 or 8 I'm not really sure. I slept really well through the night and woke at about 6am. I have felt very tired today and stayed in bed. Even though I haven't slept during the day I do feel more rested and looking forward to my dinner which Nick and Sven have just now finished making for us. So must go, keep those messages coming! :)

Breast Cancer Haven

Had a lovely day yesterday at the breast cancer haven in Leeds. 

It was an introduction day which ran from 10am - 4pm. You could take along a friend. My friend Cherrie was kind enough to come along with me which I felt very happy about, and I think I can say she had a lovely day too.

We were the first to arrive and after signing in were shown where we could wait and have a drink. When everyone had arrived we were led into the Rose Room where there were reclining chairs with blankets and foot cushions arranged in a circle. There were about ten of us in the group. (I couldn't reach my foot cushion ...... nothing new, I'm just made of short stuff!)

After being welcomed by Debbie and Anne we then took it in turns to introduce ourselves saying as much or as little as we wanted. Then it was time for a break and we were able to chat with others who were going through the same things. 

Back to the Rose Room and time to recline for some relaxation which was lovely. Next a talk and discussion by Morna about nutrition which was really good. 

After all that talk of food I think we were all glad it had come round to lunch time. We had a healthy lunch and more time for chatting.

The afternoon continued with Anne giving us an overview of the haven programme, all the individual therapies  and group classes that are on offer at Breast Cancer Haven and of how they could benefit you and .............. it's all free! 

Another break for refreshments and more chat followed by another session of relaxation, by this time I think most of us were so chilled we could easily have gone to sleep! ............... Actually I think there might have been a couple of ladies who did!

Thank you Cherrie and Haven for a lovely day!

Don't panic!

OH NO! Don't panic when all around you people are losing their heads! I'm only losing my hair!

Yes it has started, how far it will go is yet to be seen. 

It started last Thursday 15 days into my chemotherapy after washing my hair for only the 3rd time! It was very slight to begin, just a few strands really although more than you would expect under normal circumstances.

Hair loss has continued slowly until Sunday evening when it seemed to increase after gently combing my hair before bed.

This was the amount of hair which came out! 

At the moment I don't feel too worried as they did say that with the cap cooling treatment there would probably still be a thinning of the hair. Let's hope it doesn't thin too much more! 

To look at me at the moment you wouldn't be able to notice a difference but just in case, I am going today with my good friend Cherrie for a wig fitting appointment! Let's hope I won't ever need to wear it. 

Anyway more news later, need to get ready to go meet Cherrie in town. Apart from the wig fitting we have some retail therapy to do and a spot of lunch and a catch up, how lovely! :)

Sister's

In the photo ..................... me and my sister Sharon, three days before my diagnosis and three years since hers. We were both the same age, both had our surgery in the same month and both started chemotherapy in the same month. 

Sharon has been a great support to me over these last few months. She has shown an enormous strength since her diagnosis and continues to show great courage as she approaches reconstruction surgery in February this year.  

A few Lollie's later

Hello Bloggers, A few hours and lollie's later and the sore throat is being kept at bay, I have little ulcer's lining the inside of my bottom lip but hey, it's a small price to pay.

Had a fair bit of sleep through the night and I'm feeling so much better than yesterday! I've even done the ironing, whoo hoo! 

My other souper sister has also been to visit me with a pan of homemade soup, which I had for lunch and really enjoyed! So much so that I'm now going to have more of it for my tea! Yummy, thanks Michelle. X

Cat nappin'

Managed to have at least some sleep last night till about 4am then another couple this morning. Been feeling extremely tired today and in fact I didn't even bother to get dressed! Have really just laid on the sofa all day cat nappin'! 

Mouth and throat still sore with sores now developing inside my lips. Ice lolly stocks are slowly diminishing. 

Insomnia!

Hi all, I have now been without any sleep for about 40 hours! Funny thing is though is that I don't feel particularly tired! Just as if I've drank about 50 cans of Red Bull! My Chemo Nurse phoned today and said it was an effect from the steroids and anti-sickness tablets and that it should settle back in a couple of days!! Oh Joy, thank goodness for Ipod's. 

They are going to change the times I take them on the next cycle, hopefully that will improve the sleep problem. Have also started with a slightly sore throat and mouth which is another of the side effects but as yet isn't too bad and am soothing that with ice lollies and corsodyl mouthwash.

Went to have my scan today for lumps which appeared on my leg and arm after surgery and good news, their opinion is that they are not related and not harmful. They said they are called Lipomas, which is just a harmless fatty lump, results from doctors in a week. So that sounds good :) 

Dean and Nick are doing a can't cook, won't cook double act in the kitchen, I'm sure we're in for some wonderful culinary delight! Mmmmmm!

Ena Sharples?

Morning all, well the weekend is over and I'm still fine, still have a swimmy feeling in my head. Having had broken nights of sleep since day one. I decided to go for a walk along the canal yesterday with Nick and Disney (our little dog) as walking for 30 minutes is supposed to be good to help fatigue! Thought I might come back and be able to sleep! (Nick and Dizz both managed to fall asleep without too much trouble at all!

last night I laid awake for most of the night, not because I couldn't relax or anything like that just, eyes wide open and would not shut! Very Strange! The steroids were finished on Saturday but am still on with the anti-sickness tablets which finish today, although I still have some others I can take if and when needed, hopefully this won't be necessary though as I am determined not to feel sick. 

From red hats to hair nets this is all part of me trying desperately to keep my hair. I was allowed for the first time last night to wash my hair gently with a ph balanced shampoo but No hair dryer or straightener's allowed! Then just to make you feel extra glamorous you have to sleep in a hair net! Then you can only comb it once a day with a wide tooth comb! Still Nick still tells me I'm lovely!!! Hmmm! Lol! He's just wonderful really.

Well all hair seems present and correct, usual amount down the plug hole, but then even without cold cap I think you are expected to keep it until about the 2nd - 3rd week! So we shall see how successful it is, watch this space! :} 

Appointment at hospital for scan on leg and arm tomorrow after developing a lump on leg day after surgery and a further lump in upper arm on surgery side also. Probably nothing to worry about they just want to be thorough!

Thanks for all your posts, please keep posting it really is a great tonic for me to read. :}