Zombie's journey with breast cancer

[IamtheZombie]

The thread that Val started has now been moved to General Health. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2016081-Zombie-needs-her-limbs-holding?msgid=46439734

Please keep posting there if you wish.

As most of you know, I'm having my second mastectomy on Thursday. I will almost certainly need to have more chemotherapy.

This is my thread for those who wish to walk beside me on my journey.

I am very glad that you have good people around you. That must make a huge difference. What nice neighbours and friends you have.

Hi Zombie, just wanted to send you and let you know that I am lurking and wishing you well.
Your day with your friends sounds awesome.

Sending you all best wishes for the coming week Zombie

Another one here thinking about you as you face the coming week

Here's hoping you had a good weekend, was going to say relaxing but it doesn't seem to be your thing !

Love and good wishes for this week Zomb

Evening all.

Well, today was just as busy as anticipated. Left home just before 8.00am, had a MaccyD breakfast and reported for pre-chemo assessment on time.

I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know from the general presentation but I did get the chance to have a good nosey through my diagnostic notes. I'm really glad to see that most of my favourite chemo nurses are still there. I got to say hello to a few of them and they all remembered me. Oops...

I also learned that they plan to start Herceptin on either cycle 2 or 3 of the Docetaxel. Also that I will need to take a 10 day course of antibiotics between days 6/7 and 15/16 of each Docetaxel cycle. Those are the days I will be EXTREMELY susceptible to infection as Tax really wipes out the bone marrow.

Tomorrow is another early start as I have my MRI at 9.15am. No MaccyD though as I can't eat or drink for 4 hours before the scan.

I'm waiting for an appointment for my echocardiogram. I also need to see my GP this week if possible and make the appointment for my pre-chemo bloods on Friday, 13th June.

Looks like I'm going to be a very busy girl!

Oh my god Zombie, you must have a huge diary to write all your apts down ! And how on earth will you keep track of all the different medicines you will be taking on all those different days ! I got confused just reading about it. And of course you have to be so careful to do exactly as you are supposed to. It must be a very difficult time for you. Good luck with scan tomorrow ( well today now )

Thinking of you love

Zombie, you just about need a personal assistant to keep that lot straight!

Hope the MRI has gone well and you can have a nice lunch to make up for missing a MaccyD's breakfast.

Zombies ideal appointment book...

Evening!

Thanks for the good wishes.

The MRI went well. It is as noisy as they say! I was a bit surprised at the range of noises it makes. There was 'vehicle reversing' noise, 'angry chickens' noise and 'machine gun' noise to name but three. Because they were scanning my liver the images had to be taken after I had breathed out. To ensure this they placed a monitor on my chest and a couple of other pads and strapped it all securely in place. I told them I didn't need a straight jacket. Hardest bit was at the end after they had injected the contrast. I had to exhale and then not inhale for about 20 seconds. Had to do that 3 times in quick succession. Then there was 3 minute wait and I had to do it one final time.

I found a diamond ring in the locker which I gave to the radiographers. Hope they can track down the owner.

Best news is that I was finished in time to make it to MaccyD just before they stopped serving breakfast!!

I then popped into town for a bit of shopping. Have had a nap and dinner will be ready soon.

Glad you got MaccyD's! Xx

Hello Zombie darling - another thing we have in common, a McDonalds breakfast is one of my favourite things ever! Sausage McMuffin with egg and hash browns. Yum.

My dad says the MRI machine gives him a massive headache, it is so noisy.

Glad to hear you sounding in good spirits.xxxx

Cyber hugs!

Cancer is bloody time consuming.

Wow Zombie I'm an oldie who returned to find her account blocked because of some other matter so now on a NC.

Ive read your thread and wish you lots of love. You may not know it but you are spreading love, hope and humour in equal amounts during your shitty wank badger journey.

You are amazing.

Good news about the breakfast
Well done on getting through two hectic days, sleep tight tonight

I'm liking "cosmic hugs"!

Evening!

Love and thanks to all of you. Again.

I managed to get an emergency appointment with my GP this morning. I've had a couple of tender lymph nodes in my neck. Mr. Dube felt them last Friday and said to mention at pre-chemo assessment. Chemo nurse said have GP check it out.

GP prescribed a 5 day course of antibiotics to knock any possible infection on the head. I took the first one at lunchtime today. I appear to have provoked the possible infection into a raging monster! Gum is swelling, lymph nodes ache and right ear is throbbing. I hope it's a last gasp stand by the nasty germs and by tomorrow morning the antibiotic will be moving in for the kill. I'll add co-codamol to my bedtime meds cocktail so I sleep well tonight.

Echocardiogram appointment has arrived for next Thursday at 9.00am. Phlebotomist appointment booked for next Friday at 11.00. Now I just need to book a haircut for that day as well.

I've had to accept that I've been pushing myself too hard. I'm only 6 weeks post major surgery and I really need to slow down and give my body a chance to heal and recover. So, other than probably needing to go to the breast clinic on Friday morning to have Serena drained again I'm not doing anything but rest for the next few days.

I quite agree you should be taking it a bit easier, but you are always so cheerful I think we have all forgotten its only recent,y you had your surgery ! I hope the anti b,s work quickly and the infection goes. Never rains but it pours eh. Have a good nights sleep and try not to do too much tomorrow.

Zombie please, please take it easy and rest.

My mum is currently in hospital due to a really bad infection [cellulitis or something like that] and while she probably would of gotten it anyway that fact that she tried to do too much post op hasn't helped her cause.

Hope the anti b's are kicking in about not and any infection is swiftly kicked up the ass before it takes hold.

Take care x

Glad to hear that you are having a few days rest, Zombie!

Morning!

I had an excellent night's sleep. Amoxycillin seems to be starting to work. Symptoms subsiding and really only a dull ache in my ear yet to disappear. Fingers crossed that will be gone by tonight.

It's a gorgeous morning. Plan for today is to just enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

Sorry to hear about the infection, hope it gets zapped soon.

I prescribe a few days lounging in the garden.

Glad to hear the lurgy is under control. Take it easy and make the most of the fickle British weather.

My experience of an MRI (head) was similar to the din in the bin from Shooting Stars

See from about 6.30