Cancer Support Thread 95 - No googling allowed 😊

[LemonDrizzle10]

New thread - we need to stick together!

Re microblading - can you contact a few local practitioners and see if they do a reduced rate? You are unlikely to be able to have the top up required after 6 weeks or so, and some offer a reduced rate “cost” - so won’t charge for their time?

I have a friend who does it so I just paid her material costs and she reduced it further as I can’t have a top up. I understand she had done this once or twice previously for clients who were under going chemotherapy also.

That’s a lovely friend @Littlecaf The person who did mine will top up when I’m ready, even if after treatment. I like how it looks having had a scar on one brow and may well keep up with it afterwards.

Was that Karen Betts? They included my top up for when ever needed it basically no limit.

@EachandEveryone yes it was Karen Betts. I’ve been really impressed with the service - and the brows! A couple of friends who already have had theirs done are going to switch to her having seen mine.

I wish she did an introduce a friend discount I’m sure they used to.

Morning all. How we doing?

I’ve just had a call from the hospital to discuss my MRI results and have another ultrasound. I questioned with the lady i spoke to whether this was to discuss the MRI I had in august (my diagnostic one) she said yes she also said it would be best for me to come in to discuss.

I suspect this is the “you’ve got breast cancer” appointment which had I not had the insurance and had I not been a private patient I would only now be getting the news. My MRI was the 21 august. 8 weeks ago.

I did point out to her that I had the results the same day and that I have started treatment. She seemed confused

I have to go for bloods today anyway and have a clinic appointment with my oncologist so will mention this to him and work out what’s going on.

Morning. I hope your appointments today go well.

I am on the edge of chemo - I’m going out today for dh for a nice meal. Pre-assessment first thing tomorrow, then picc line and first chemo on Weds. the pre-assessment and chemo unit is about half an hour’s drive away and the picc line place is an hour’s drive. Thank goodness my dh’s work is flexible. The chemo unit’s bloods machine is broken apparently, so I won’t be able to have same day bloods until it’s mended as all
bloods get sent to a neighbouring hospital. This means I’ll have to go the day beforehand, so is a lot of driving. Hopefully I’ll be able to drive myself for the bloods one.
a bit nervous but we need to get on with this stage.

I had a lovely visit from an acquaintance who has had the exact same regime at the same place. She was reassuring and matter of fact. People really can be wonderful!

I'm still waiting to get on to the starting blocks!
Had another biopsy on my leftie at my local hospital with the radiography clinical lead.
He told me before we began that I was an interesting case. Not what you want to hear!!

However, he eventually found the area to biopsy, as he did he punched the air and told the nurse that he deserves a gold medal because he beat the professors in Cambridge who could not find it with an MRI.

So while I'm very happy for my radiologist, I was left feeling as if I'm a puzzle to be solved.

Luckily he was very gracious and it was obvious it wasn't only about coming out on top!

So I'm hopeful that my op might go ahead on two weeks 🤞

Don't think I could take another postponement.

If it had to be delayed again I think I'll just give up on the whole feckin thing and take my chances.

@drivinmecrazy keep going. Once they have all the info they need they can get going with surgery. It’s so frustrating having to wait.

I'm waiting on an op date - had my pre-op last week and was told it would be within 2 weeks, and the surgeon also said "by the end of the month". I presumably just have to sit and wait, I guess there's no gain to ringing his office and seeing if I'm any closer to a date.

I have this ridiculous fear that they've forgotten me!

I've just done a Cancer Hair Care online workshop about headscarves, wigs, lashes and brows, and I can highly highly recommend.

@frostyfingers hopefully soon - I'm
impatient so would probs be ringing to ask when I would hear.

@BatshitCrazyWoman that sounds really good. I’ve my first chemo tomorrow and will try cold capping but it’s no guarantee. I’ll
lose the rest of my face and body hair so will check in on it when I’m ready.

random question - do people feel they need to have a picc line cover?

Dancing Yes, for range of reasons you probably need PICC covers, waterproof for showering obviously, also soft covers to keep the line from flopping about and pulling or catching.

A v Goldilocks situation developed for me; too big/small, bit sweaty and sticky, slithered off, flipping expensive. The quest became a displacement activity. Anna Bandana, cheap as chips, was my answer.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic I have cold capped, but still lost maybe 80% of my hair 😥 That's EC for you, and I'm on a dose dense regime. Even my oncologist said it's tough. Still have eyelashes and brows (which were never great). Barely have to shave my legs now (looking for a silver lining!). I've got my last of four EC on Friday, then on to paclitaxel which will apparently be 'easier' ...

Have an MRI and ultrasound tomorrow to see how things are going - will get the results on Friday after chemo.

Thinking of those who are still waiting for treatment to begin.

Good luck for your chemo today @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic

Thanks @GrannyGoggles and @BatshitCrazyWoman mine is pax first then ec - will be ironic if I cold cap through all 12 pax and then the ec takes me out. We will see what I can manage - I know everyone is different.

@BatshitCrazyWoman fingers crossed there has been a good result for you so far.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic best of luck today with your chemo. Sending good cibes your way xxx

@BatshitCrazyWoman in on EC 4/4 today. Also about 80% my hair has gone with the cold cap. Then the first week of nov we move to paclitaxil.

im anxious about today but it will be fine. My bloods were way up this time. No scraping through the levels. Literally wbc back up to pre chemo level. How strange.

All the best today @ememem84 I’m chasing my pace setters, guided by our oracle @GrannyGoggles

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic we got this. 💪🏻💪🏻

Saw this today

Good luck today @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic & @ememem84 . I've just had my surgery date for next week so they hadn't forgotten me!

I'm supposed to be going to a party this weekend with about 100 people - is that sensible ahead of surgery with the chance of catching a cold or something or am I being ridiculous? I'll ask the hospital as they've got to call me again but I'm so worried about jeopardising my treatment.

EC chemo 4/4. Completed it mate.

so happy. I’m just waiting for the cold cap to do its thing. But the drugs are done. So so happy.

@ememem84 Wonderful! That's that done then!🎉

That's great @ememem84 . Hope you're feeling okay?

Thanks team. I’m feeling super wired. And hungry. But have had dinner (butter pasta and cheese……!) and am in my jammies. On couch with dd - we’re watching tv until it’s her bedtime then we’re going to bed!

@ememem84 Well done, what a relief - your dinner sounds great. Have a good evening and I hope you get a good sleep.