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. :}

Little Red Riding Hood! 1st chemo done Yey!

Hello to all fellow blog watchers. Well my 1st chemo is done and I am feeling surprisingly well. Had some stinging and burning sensation in the eyes and nose and a slight headache towards the end of the drugs being administrated but otherwise no other immediate side effects apart from the bright orange wee! 

The cold cap treatment which lasts three and a half hours is pretty awful especially in the first 15-25 minutes, it is quite painful to begin with but after a while it does ease although not a pleasant experience, I was happier when it was over.

Anyway we finally left the hospital after having been there for five and a half hours. I have had something to eat and feel fine although I am now feeling generally very tired but it has been a long day. I have been given an array of tablets to take which starts tonight. Feeling very positive about things.

The calm before the storm

Hi to you all, just thought I would start this blog as a means for people to follow my progress during my treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2008. I am about to start Chemotherapy on Thursday 8th 2009. I will do my best to keep this blog up to date and will try to answer any questions if I can and will be happy to receive messages of support.