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  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello jenn-uk

    I was wondering how you
    are up there in Scotland. We have not heard from you since you posted
    on December 7th and I replied on December 8th
    giving what help I could. I remember you were having scans today so I
    am posting to ask how you got on. I know you have a big day on
    December 16th as well.

    I do hope you are
    viewing as Michael has popped in with some useful information about
    chemotherapy drugs. Please have a look at it as he has pointed out
    that you can take Xeloda (capecitabine) for as long as it is working.
    I seem to remember you posted that you have been told that you have
    used up all your chemotherapy drugs. It looks as though you may have
    been given wrong information.

    I have just read that
    Xeloda is an oral drug that works similarly to 5-fluorouracil (F) and
    is generally well tolerated. It is also advantageous that you can
    take it in tablet form.

    It can be used either
    alone or in combination with other drugs in patients whose cancer has
    spread. I have also been reading about the common combinations used
    in chemotherapy. They are as follows.

    FEC (5-fluorouracil,
    epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) for 6 cycles.

    FECT (T=four cycles of
    docetaxel (Taxotere)). 3 to 4 cycles of FEC followed by 3 to 4 cycles
    of docetaxel.

    CAF (A=doxorubicin
    (Adriamycin)) for 4 or 5 cycles.

    There are other
    combinations and the oncologist will work out what is best for the
    patient. It can get confusing because sometimes the letter used is
    the one for the generic drug and sometimes it is for the brand name.

    I hope this helps.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943

    Hello everyone

    I am just popping in to wish everyone a good weekend.

    The thread has gone dead so I suppose everyone is busy doing Christmas shopping.

    To Jackpot (Gill), I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday December 13th when you are due to finish chemo.

    To apandy (Anne), I hope all goes well on December 18th when you start docetaxel (Taxotere). Keep looking forward to January 29th when chemo ends.

    To bigleggy (Sandra), I was wondering what has happened to you.

    To Hero1967, susaninicking (Susan), Carolben, adagio, linali (Lindsay), peterandliz, chatterbox2012 (Michael), InspiredbyDolce (Debra) and Jenn-uk, thinking of you all and hoping you will post.

    Best wishes.

    Sylvia

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello everyone

    I have been reading
    some of the other threads and have detected a certain concern about
    what chemotherapy drugs are being given and women comparing what
    drugs they are being given to what other women are being given. We
    have to remember we are all individuals and have to trust our
    oncologists that the drugs that they have decided on are the ones
    they think are best for us. There are a small group of drugs in
    common use but they are used in different combinations and if anyone
    has concerns about the choice, it seems to me common sense to talk to
    their oncologist.

    The drugs belong to
    different groups and are used in combination to have the maximum
    effect.

    Here are some of the
    groups.

    Cytoxan
    (cyclophosphamide) belongs to the group known as alkylating agents.

    Efudex, Ffuf
    (5fluoroucil) belongs to the group known as anti-metabolites,
    methotrexate also belongs to this group.

    Taxotere (docetaxel),
    Taxol (paclitaxel) belongs to the group known as antimitotics.

    Adriamycin
    (doxorubicin) and I suppose Ellence (epirubicin) belong to the group
    known as Topoisomerase inhibitors.

    Paraplatin (cisplatin,
    carboplatin) these are platinum derivatives.

    All these drugs act in
    different ways and if you want further information about how the drug
    works and what the specific side effects are, you can find them on a
    chart in the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. The chart is very
    easy to read.

    Yesterday I posted some
    of the combinations patients are given. I posted:

    FEC

    FECT

    CAF

    Others are:

    Epi-CMF. This means
    three or four cycles of epirubicin or epirubicin followed by three or
    four cycles of CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5fluorouacil).

    ACT (Four cycles of
    Adriamycin = doxorubicin, followed by T = four cycles of a taxane).
    This could be Taxotere (docetaxel) or Taxol (paclitaxel).

    TAC a taxane combined
    with Adriamycin = doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for six cycles.

    AC four cycles of
    Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide.

    Apparently there are
    other combinations. If you want to learn more, a good book is
    Understanding Breast Cancer by Professor Mike Dixon in the Family
    Doctor series of books.

    I hope this will help
    you. When you are told you need chemotherapy and are given the drugs
    to be used, if I were you I would ask any questions of concern and
    why a particular combination is being given. I had EC followed by a
    taxane. This was epirubicin which I was told was difficult and known
    as the red devil. I would imagine that doxorubicin is the same. I
    have read that doxorubicin is difficult on the heart. As for the
    taxane, I had docetaxel, Taxotere, and I asked my oncologist why I
    was having docetaxel rather than paclitaxel, Taxol, and was told it
    was because it was not as harsh on the heart.

    I hope everyone is
    fine. It looks as though in the UK we are building up for some more
    rough weather.

    Best wishes.

    Sylvia

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141


    hi Sylvia


    I was interested to read about the new care oncology clinic opening in London, it does give some hope to people who've run out of options with regards to regular treatment, what I don't understand is if treatment they give using everyday drugs could be so affective and are so low cost why arnt they used in regular cancer clinics in the first place were they could possibly prevent some people from getting to stage IV in the first place.


    It's also good to know that treatment will be so low cost that it will be available to all and not just to people who can afford private health costs


    Also the suggestions on how to keep dementia at bay is pretty much how to keep all illness at bay isn't it, my diet has slipped a bit of late as I'm finding it hard to stomach vegetables while my taste buds have deserted me


    Are you looking forward to Xmas? I love Xmas and have got both my sons coming for Xmas dinner so really looking forward to that, I was interested to know that you prefer to donate to charity than give presents, I love the whole Xmas shopping thing and giving gifts, though I must admit there's probably more gifts under the tree for the dog than anyone else haha


    Well three days left to my final chemo, I can't believe how fast it's gone, just hoping my bloods hold up and don't cause any delays, I've got my appt to get my tattoos done in clatterbridge on tha 7th jan but I havnt got a date when rads are going to start but I think it'll be about the third week in January and I've been told i will have three weeks of rads and two weeks of boosters so that will take to the end of feb, at least I can see an end to this now


    Take care


    Jackpot (gill)

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Jackpot (Gill)

    It was nice to hear from you. I was
    glad to read that your thought processes were exactly the same as
    mine. If these cheap drugs are so effective one does wonder why they
    are not used on a regular basis in regular cancer clinics. They are
    probably not as nasty as the regular chemotherapy drugs. They do have
    side effects needless to say.

    I do agree also that the suggestions to
    keep dementia at bay will probably help to keep all degenerative
    illnesses at bay.

    I can understand that you may not feel
    like eating vegetables while having taste buds affected. All you can
    do is do your best. You are nearly there now.

    I do hope all will go well with the
    marking out on January 7th. I also had three weeks of
    radiotherapy with boosters. When I asked about the boosters I was
    told they would be integrated into the daily treatment and would not
    be separate sessions after the normal radiotherapy. You might like to
    check that out. The radiotherapy will go quickly because you have to
    go in every day. Patients seem to find it easier than chemotherapy
    but it is still harsh treatment on the body and you will need to
    rest. You may find that radiotherapy makes you feel tired more easily
    and your skin may look red and feel sore. I was fortunate not to have
    any of these problems and found the most tiring was going to the
    hospital each day. You should be advised about keeping the area dry
    and what to use in the way of creams. I was told not to use Dove soap
    during treatment because it has metal in it. I used aqueous cream.
    You may get a slight cough because when radiotherapy is given to the
    breast a small part of the lung underneath receives some of the
    radiotherapy and can result in irritation causing a slight cough. I
    hope everything will be explained to you before you receive
    treatment.

    Let us know how things go on Wednesday.

    I can understand that Christmas is an
    exciting time for you and I do hope you will have a lovely time with
    your two sons. It looks as though your dog is going to have a good
    time.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141


    hi Sylvia


    I will be asking about the boosters being integrated in with the daily sessions, if this is the case it was not explained very well but I do hope your right as that will shorten it too three weeks instead of the five I'm expecting....


    They did say to expect tiredness during radiotherapy but it shouldn't be as bad as chemo...after chemo I'm thinking radiotherapy is going to be a walk in the park, I've got a couple of tubes of aloe vera from holland and Barrett as I remember reading somewhere that it was the most effective cream to use during radiotherapy so hopefully that will do the trick and stop any burns


    I didn't know that about dove soap containing metal, I used to use that till my friend who makes her own soap started sending me a regular supply,


    They havnt mentioned yet anything about radiotherapy causing a cough I hope it doesn't as I've had a cough on and off through taxotere because they said it takes the lining off your throat and lungs and that hasn't been very pleasant so I could do without another one,


    I'm really looking forward to Xmas now and to spending the day with my sons though I think the most excited right now is bailey (the dog) as he knows exactly were his gifts are under the tree and keeps checking on them, it's like having another child in the house....I do love him so much though he's my little rock right the way through this never leaving my side.....here's a pic of him


    image


    Take care


    Jackpot (gill)

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Jackpot (Gill)

    It was nice to hear from you. I do hope
    by now you have finished your last session of chemotherapy and that
    it means you will not be feeling too bad for Christmas to which I
    know you are so looking forward.

    Let us know whether you have three
    weeks or five weeks of radiotherapy.

    You are right to keep some tubes of
    aloe vera for your radiotherapy as I am sure they will be useful.
    There is nothing wrong with Dove soap and I find it is perhaps the
    best soap on the market. I use the extra sensitive non-perfumed Dove
    soap and really like it. It was just that for my three weeks of
    radiotherapy I was told not to use it because of the metal.

    Thank you for the photograph of your
    dog. I know there are a lot of animal lovers on the thread. I am so
    glad to know that you have found your dog very supportive during your
    cancer journey. They do say you can rely on your pets more than
    humans. Dogs are very perceptive I think and can pick up on anything
    going wrong with their owners. There is a school of thought that says
    dogs can sniff out cancer in humans.

    I do hope you will be able to relax now
    and enjoy yourself until your appointment on January 7th.
    You will find it quite interesting seeing a prototype of the machine
    that will be used during radiotherapy and witnessing how they map out
    the tattoos in preparation for the treatment.

    sending you best wishes.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello apandy (Anne)

    I am just popping in to say that I hope
    you were able to start your docetaxel (Taxotere) today and that all
    has gone well.

    Thinking of you.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello susaninicking (Susan)

    I am just popping to say that I hope
    all went well on December 5th and 17th with the
    removal of your port. I hope you are enjoying life post-treatment and
    imagine you are busy with Christmas preparations.

    Thinking of you.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello JennUK

    I hope all went well with your scans on
    December 12th and with the staging on December 16th.

    Thinking of you.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello everyone

    I thought you might be interested in
    the very detailed article that was in the Good Health section of the
    Daily Mail on Tuesday December 17th by Chloe Lambert.

    The first heading starts off

    It's not just rotting teeth and obesity
    you're risking...

    From dementia to liver damage the real
    toll of too much SUGAR.

    I was horrified to read that the
    average British adult will consume the equivalent of 32 teaspoons of
    sugar on Christmas Day alone, according to the British Heart
    Foundation. Apparently the UK guidelines recommend that we should
    have no more than 50 grms or around 10 teaspoons of sugar a day. Even
    that figure horrified me and I would not want to be eating 10
    teaspoons of sugar a day. All the breast cancer patients know that
    cancer cells love sugar and that we should all stay away from it.

    The article states that sugar not only
    rots your teeth but that in recent months the experts are saying that
    it is SUGAR NOT FAT that we can blame for our obesity epidemic.

    I was interested to read that
    scientists claim that sugar is not only harmful because of the
    calories it contains but also because it alters crucial processes and
    hormone levels in the body.

    According to Dr Mark Vanderpump who is
    an endocrinologist at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust in London,
    most of us may be able to get away with an occasional sugar binge,
    there is quite a large population in the UK who are on the borderline
    of diabetes and a bit of pressure may tip them over the edge.

    There is mention of the very addictive
    nature of sugar.

    One London cardiologist thinks sugar
    should be regulated like alcohol because it shares four
    characteristics. It is toxic, unavoidable, capable of abuse, has a
    negative impact on society.

    This is perhaps the worst time to be
    talking about how bad sugar is for us and then again it might be the
    best time. We, on this thread, know sugar is bad for us and that
    cancer cells thrive on it, so, at this festive time, go easy on the
    mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, brandy butter etc. I
    feel lucky that I do not like any of these things. When I study the
    aisles in my local supermarket, I wonder how we can fight the
    prevalence of sugar in our society.

    There is a lot more in this article and
    I shall post bits of it gradually but here are some of the main
    headlines.

    Energy boost? No, you will feel sleepy.

    It can trigger heart attacks.

    You'll need the loo more often.

    It may cause dementia.

    Sugar is as bad as booze for livers.

    It will make your gurgling tummy worse.

    A sweet tooth will age you.

    The link for this is:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2524962/From-dementia-liver-damage-real-toll-sugar-diet.html

    Try to read this and tell me what you
    think. The thread needs to be interactive to work.

    Thinking of you all.

    Sylvia

  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 121

    image

    I seem to have lost my e mail notifications to this thread, but just dropped in to catch up and say Merry Christmas ladies. I'm sad about some of the new struggles here, but also happy for those of you finishing JACKPOT! 

    I just finished a year and 4 days with BC on Monday when I had the stitches removed from my port removal operation. Relief. Happiness. Here's a picture of that moment with my beloved family doctor. 

    image

    He kind of looks like he's stabbing me which maybe he has wanted to do at times! 

    Also, above is a photo of a calendar my friend made for me at the beginning of my chemo. I have LOVED this thing. It was so overwhelming to see it empty at first and now is such a thing of sticker beauty! 

    Hang in there everyone and happy holidays! 

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141

    hi Sylvia

    That's my final chemo done....so glad to put them behind me hopefully for good...everything went smoothly and the even put it through faster so I wasn't there that long either...both my lovely boys came with me today which was nice

    The only downside to today was they have said ive got to have a brain scan after Xmas to rule out anything nasty after my collapse....I won't get the results till mid jan and they've told me I can't drive till I've had the results I don't think that's going to happen though I've got so much to do and I need my car to do it, I'm 99% certain it was my blood pressure.....I was interested to know is sugar that does more damage than fat and somewhat relieved because I'm finding it easier to resist sugar than fat but I have replaced fat with extra virgin olive oil were I can

    Hi Anne just wondering how you got on with your first tax?

    Thanx Susan....how happy do you look in that pic it's been a long old road hasn't it but its finally over...the sticker calendar is a great idea by the way

    Sylvia here's a pic of me and my boys after finishing chemo 

    image

    Take care

    Jackpot (gill)

  • apandy
    apandy Member Posts: 54

    Hi Sylvia.

    Yes I had the first Docetaxel today and all seems to be well.  There are no obvious side effects at the moment but I have been quite thirsty and have a dry mouth. It's interesting that I don't have the zonked feeling I had after FEC, from the cyclophosphamide, I think. Also no sign of nausea. 

    I am off to bed now, having taken a Nytol to help me sleep.  The next few days will be the real test, and seeing how I cope with all the steroids and other drugs, with their associated side effects.

    I hope your last chemo went well, Jackpot.  Wasn't it today, too?

    Hugs and best wishes to all,

    Anne x

    Edited to add: sorry I just saw some later posts which I missed  when I wrote this. Great photos Jackpot!

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Susan

    It was so nice to hear
    from you and to know that everything is now behind you. That is a
    good way to start the New Year. I thought the kicking cancer calendar
    was very beautiful and artistic. What a kind gesture that was.

    I was truly amazed when
    I saw the photograph of you with your GP. He looks a really nice man.
    I just cannot imagine that happening in my GP surgery. It is all very
    formal and I do not think they like to be challenged or asked too
    many questions. I think all they want to do is diagnose something and
    dish out a pill. It is nothing like it used to be when you had a
    regular family doctor who knew the family in detail and delivered the
    children as well. It is all very impersonal and bureaucratic now.
    Life seems to have gone that way in the UK.

    Please try to keep in
    touch on the thread as we need cheerful encouraging people like you
    to motivate us.

    Have a good Christmas
    and a healthy, happy New Year.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Jackpot (Gill)

    Congratulations on
    having successfully finished your chemotherapy journey. I was so glad
    to know that everything went smoothly and glad to know that you had
    the support of your two sons during the treatment.

    Try not to worry about
    having to have a brain scan after Christmas. The one thing we all
    know with this breast cancer is to deal with one thing at a time. It
    is best for them to vigilant. I think it is also not unusual to pass
    out during chemotherapy and a lot of the time it is due to low blood
    pressure.

    I was glad to know you
    had read the information about the bad effects of sugar. When I post
    information it is always more interesting to have some feedback. We
    all know or have read and been told that cancer cells feed on sugar,
    so we have to be vigilant and just to try to do everything in
    moderation. Cancer is a complicated disease and there are multiple
    risk factors and probably multiple causes. We cannot really think
    there is just one cause. There is no doubt that sugar is too much in
    evidence in our lifestyle and that too much of it can result in being
    overweight and obese, and that is another contributory factor to
    cancer.

    We all know that we
    need to eat in moderation, keep physically active, and a simple walk
    is good enough, avoid smoking and smokers, drink alcohol in
    moderation, if that is what you think is having a good time, and
    avoid negative stress and negative people.

    As for fat, we need
    some in our diet but again we need a mixture and in moderation.

    I loved the photographs
    of you with your two sons. We need more of this on the thread.

    I hope you will have a
    very good Christmas and be fighting fit for when you begin
    radiotherapy.

    Keep posting, keep
    happy, keep smiling.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Anne

    Nice to hear from you.
    Congratulations on getting through your first dose of docetaxel
    (Taxotere). Remember to drink as much water or warm drinks as you
    can. It is so very important as you know. Keep your mouth moist.
    Pineapple in its own juice is very refreshing. Let us know how you
    get on over the next week and how the medications given for the first
    few days affect you. Make sure you get plenty of rest.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943

    Hello everyone

    I am just popping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    To Gill, I hope you are feeling OK after your last chemo.

    To Anne, I hope you are feeling OK after your first Taxotere.

    To Sandra, I have no idea what is happening to you but hope you are OK and the same goes for Hero1967 in Wales.

    Have a good Christmas in Germany, Susan.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Carolben in South Africa and the same to adagio in Canada.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Lindsay in Ireland and the same to peterandliz in Norfolk, Michael in Northern Ireland and JennUK in Scotland.

    To all out American friends and especially InspiredbyDolce (Debra), Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Take care everyone.

    Sylvia

  • apandy
    apandy Member Posts: 54

    I'm not feeling so good now as the aches and pains start to kick in.  They started last night, the end of Day 4. I also feel rather weak and food has no taste.  It's a pyjama day for me.  I hope I'm ok for Xmas.

    Anne

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141

    hi Sylvia

    It's tax #6 day 4 so aches and pains kicking in now but hopeful for them easing for Xmas day and praying for taste buds but I can't see them returning in time 

    I've got both my boys coming for Xmas day, really looking forward to that but luckily I'm not doing the cooking, don't think I could cope with that, 

    I'm not too worried about the brain scan, I know they are probably being over cautious but it was something I wasn't even thinking about till it was mentioned in my onc appt and now im thinking about it...but I'm going to try and forget about it till the new year 

    Hope you have a lovely Xmas 

    Take care

    Jackpot (gill)

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141

    hi anne

    I hope your feeling a little better.... and the aches are easing from the first tax which is most definitely the worst....the pains of tax #2 #3 were only a third of the first.... don't hesitate to ask for extra pain meds if you need them...and watch the temp I had a lot of spikes with my temp on tax #1 

    It doesn't seem no time I was taking the same advice from people and now here's me dishing it out...that's how fast it goes....it'll be over before you know it 

    Enjoy your pj day I've had a few of them over the last few weeks 

    Have a lovely Xmas 

    Take care

    Jackpot (gill)

  • apandy
    apandy Member Posts: 54

    Hi Gill

    It's encouraging to learn that the first tax is the worst. I don't think I could bear this getting worse.  I've been taking my temperature regularly, and it is normal up to now.  Have a great Christmas,

    Anne x

  • chatterbox2012
    chatterbox2012 Member Posts: 270

    Hi

    I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!

    Jenn, I wish you the best. As far as I am aware, if you lack confidence in a doctor you can always ask to change. Janette told me that one can ask for your case to be referred to the Royal Marsden, if only for an opinion rather than having to go and see them.

    Michael

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello apandy (Anne)

    I was so sorry to read
    that you are not feeling so good and that you have started to have
    problems with aches and pains.

    I do hope they will
    improve soon and that you will be able to enjoy Christmas. Everyone
    seems to say that the first week after chemotherapy is the worst and
    in addition you have started on a new drug, Taxotere. It is strange
    how everyone reacts differently to these drugs. Some find that it is
    epirubicin (Ellence) or doxorubicin (Adriamycin) that are the most
    difficult and others find the taxanes, docetaxel (Taxotere) or
    paclitaxel (Taxol) are the most challenging. All we can do is to take
    anything on offer that helps to alleviate side effects. I know that
    my friend who lives in this complex had a further dose of
    chemotherapy on December 18th and she has been feeling off
    colour as well. She is being treated for metastases to the spine and
    is on various chemotherapy drugs. She is not TNBC and is HER2+. She
    is feeling slightly better today and well enough to go to relatives
    for Christmas.

    It is definitely true
    that feeling weak goes with the treatment and somehow we have to get
    through it. The metallic taste you get is very unpleasant. I found
    mashed potatoes very welcome when I had the metallic taste. You are
    right to relax in pyjamas. Try to rest and sleep as much as you can
    and keep drinking water or decaffeinated hot drinks.

    Thinking of you, Anne
    and wishing you well. Hang on to the date of January 29th
    when your chemotherapy journey will come to an end.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Jackpot (Gill)

    Hang in there and do
    your best to deal with the aches and pains. Are you taking anything
    for these? It looks as though you and Anne are suffering from the
    same side effects. Let us hope things will be better by Christmas
    Day, which will mark a week since the chemotherapy treatment. I hope
    the taste buds will have improved by Christmas. I think the metallic
    taste that seems to be common comes and goes. Eat or drink anything
    that refreshes the mouth.

    It will be nice for you
    to have Christmas dinner cooked for you. It is probably not something
    you would want to be doing this year. I found that during
    chemotherapy I did not like most smells, especially cooking smells.

    What is happening with
    your niece at the moment?

    The weather here is
    absolutely awful with high winds and pelting rain. It is definitely a
    time for staying indoors. It is supposed to be calm again for
    Christmas Day, but this weather is really messing up people's travel
    arrangements. My brother who lives in Exmouth is driving as I type to
    the home of one of his daughters in Berkshire. It is a long drive and
    I shall be glad to know that he has arrived safely.

    I have recently found
    out that a cousin of mine, living in France, died last week of motor
    neurone disease. That is one awful disease that destroys all your
    quality of life.

    Enjoy Christmas with
    your two boys.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello jenn-uk (Jenn)

    I was sorry to hear
    that you were having surgery today to find and remove the new tumour.
    We are all thinking of you and hoping all will go well and that you
    will be back home for Christmas and that you can put the surgery
    behind you.

    I do hope you will have
    a good path report and that you will get the post surgery that you
    need and that will be most beneficial to you.

    I was glad to know that
    you trust your surgeon as that is so important. You need to know you
    are in good hands. The oncologist seems to be an issue, especially if
    you feel you cannot trust him/her.

    I think all of us who
    have gone through treatment or are going through treatment can really
    sympathise with how you feel about this disease and I am sure we all
    get sick and tired of it. We would all want to be able to put it
    behind us and be confident that we have gone through the gruelling
    treatment, got rid of it all and can forget it. Unfortunately we all
    know that with cancer this cannot be done, because it can always rear
    its ugly head again. we can get on with a more or less normal life
    but just keep a watch on our bodies for anything that is abnormal for
    us.

    I can imagine how
    tiring it must be to have to redo everything over again, but all the
    women on these threads doing just that shows us that we can do
    whatever we have to do, and keep claiming back a normal life.

    We all know how wearing
    chemotherapy is, especially when it has to be done a second time, but
    the women on these threads prove that it can be done. At least the
    second time round you know what to expect.

    You must fight to get
    chemotherapy if it is going to help and I cannot understand your
    oncologist's attitude to this. If it were me, I think I would be
    insisting on chemotherapy and radiotherapy to improve the odds of the
    cancer not coming back.

    I agree with Michael
    about getting more advice and a second opinion from a hospital such
    as the Royal Marsden.

    Wishing you a speedy
    recovery and a good Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Michael

    Thank you for popping
    in with that helpful information for Jenn.

    I do hope all is well
    with you and that you will have a good Christmas whatever you are
    doing. Look after yourself and I hope the New Year will be a healthy
    and happy one for you.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia

  • Jackpot
    Jackpot Member Posts: 141

    hi Sylvia

    The aches and pains seem to be easing a little today..I've been taking co-codemol and ibruprofen and they have been helping...I seem to be able to taste a little today as well so that good,

    My Neice is waiting to have her stem cells removed and then have high dose chemo whilst she remains in isolation for four weeks, I believe this is happening on January 2nd all being well 

    Sorry to hear the weathers bad there, it's wet but calm here in liverpool so not to bad, going out shortly to get a few last minute bits....

    I hope your brother arrives safely at his daughters home, it certainly doesn't sound like weather to be driving in and I'm sorry to hear about your cousin passing from motor neurone disease that's such a shame right before Xmas 

    Take care

    Jackpot (gill) 

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943


    Hello Gill

    I was glad to know the
    aches and pains are easing today. It is useful to know you are taking
    co-codemol and ibuprofen. They are supposed to be very effective. It
    is really good news that your taste buds are a bit better today as
    well.

    I do hope all will go
    well with your niece on January 2nd. It must be so hard
    waiting for all this to happen.

    It is still raining
    here and the wind is relentless. I shall be so glad when it returns
    to calm.

    Thank you for your kind
    words about my cousin.

    Fond thoughts.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,943

    image

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the fine men and women on this thread.

    From Sylvia