Calling all triple negative breast cancer patients in the UK
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Hello Gill,
I was just reading the Active Topics and I came across one that really caught my attention, so I started reading the posts. The title of the thread is Neuropathy Reactivated by COVID Booster in the forum Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After — Regimens, side effects, and support from others going through chemo. It was only created on April 26th this year and is only a couple of pages. I would be very interested to know what you think about it.
Please have a read and I think anybody looking should have a read.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Gill,
I just want to let you know that I am feeling concerned about the silence from Mary and I have sent her a PM to find out whether everything is alright. I do hope I shall hear from her.
I have reread the thread about the Covid vaccines and neuropathy.
It all reminded me of 2017 when I had a flu jab after twelve years and how it set off lymphoedema in my right arm and hand which I had had mildly shortly after finishing my breast cancer treatment in 2006. the pharmacist explained that the flu injection which was done in my left arm had probably caused a load of antibodies to flood system. I had to restart therapy at the hospital, but not for long. If a flu vaccine can do this with lymphoedema, I can see no reason why a vaccine for Covid may not start something off with neuropathy.
The neuropathy has seemed a lot worse lately, mainly stiffness and numbness.
It makes me wonder about all these vaccines and what they are actually doing to our bodies. It seems that there are problems with the traditional vaccines, such as AstraZeneca, and with the RNA vaccines such as Pfizer and now Moderna.
I would appreciate your comments.
Love and best wishes.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Sylvia,
I'll take a look at the neuropathy/covid booster thread and do some research. It would be very serious if any kind of connection between covid boosters and the reactivation of neuropathy were to be found. Would it also affect diabetes induced neuropathy?
I'll get back to you tomorrow or Wednesday.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello Gill,
Thank you for that. I am also concerned about Covid and the reactivation of dormant breast cancer cells, particularly in the lungs.
I shall try to do some research as well.
I was also wondering about neuropathy stemming from the feet. I think all the problems of my cousin in London and his serious infection problems stems from infections in the feet. He was always having problems from lack of care. For a long time he was going to one of the big London hospitals for special treatment. He is now having problems with toes. he has three appointments this coming week for this and I am wondering what the outcome will be.
Take care of yourself and Michael.
Love
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello helenlouise,
I do recall when your triple negative morphed into HER2, I thought you mentioned that it was only at a very low level - or perhaps I just imagined that. Even so, I'd hoped that it was enough to mean that the treatment would stave off the cancer for longer than it did, or even permanently. Interesting that it didn't show up at all on one test. So, I have everything crossed once more for your latest treatment. Your consultants must be fascinated by your case, probably a real challenge for them.
If you ever find out how to find your favourites on here, please let me in on the secret. I have yet to work out how to stay signed in.
Good luck and keep us all posted.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello adagio,
Both you and helenlouise seem to accept these setbacks with such grace. You put my own health issues into perspective somewhat.
I'm pleased that you are still able to do the things you enjoy in life, albeit at a slower pace. Our health services here, (unless you live in London), sound as though they're in the same poor state as yours. Surely our Governments could see this situation coming decades ago? The shortage of doctors and nurses isn't new here, the NHS has never employed sufficient staff. What has changed, is the tsunami of clinical staff suddenly leaving - this includes doctors and nurses in all ages groups, the very experienced to the more recently qualified. Wages have always been an issue, but now people are leaving because they can no longer cope with the workload, the very long hours or the stress of not being able to do their best for their patients.
You are in my thoughts adagio.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello Sylvia,
I've been trying to respond to your last post, but time hasn't been on my side lately.
I read lillyishere's post regarding the impact of her covid booster on her post chemotherapy neuropathy. Whilst I cannot find any evidence to suggest that this is an issue, the poster's experience is important. I wonder if she has reported it? There may well be others who have experienced an increase in numbness/tingling after vaccination, but haven't made the connection or haven't considered reporting it. I'll be interested to see if anyone else on the thread comes forward.
On the same thread, a regular poster has reported that a recent study has indicated that severe covid disease could produce factors which may reawaken dormant breast cells. This has possible implications for breast cancer patients, the risk of severe coronavirus increasing pulmonary metastasis is also mentioned. Time will tell if this is indeed the case. My dose of covid wasn't anything like severe, however, nearly a month later, I'm as tired as I was in the year after chemotherapy. I'm also breathless and my entire body aches. It would be interesting to know if covid has worse aftereffects on chemotherapy patients than the general population. Perhaps someone will drop in if they have had similar experiences.
Like you, I hope Mary will call in again soon.
Wishing you and Raymond a peaceful week.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello Gill,
Thank you for your latest post. It is difficult to know what to believe about the after effects of vaccines as well as the after effects of the coronavirus. There seems to be all different kinds of different and personal effects. People can only express what they experience. It does seem to be that both the vaccines and the actual virus cause clots in the lungs and that this is serious. My own aunt has been in and out of hospital in the past month or so after being taken in with serious breathing problems. She did have Covid but fairly mild but she has been unwell after all three vaccinations, especially the booster. She is back home now and is on anticoagulants and steroids.
From what I have been hearing lately in interviews with doctors etc. they seem to be saying what I have thought from the beginning in all of this, which is that the vaccines and the virus undermine your immune system. That is the similarity with cancer.
I remember mentioning to you about reading on the post that severe Covid disease could produce factors which may reawaken dormant breast cancer cells which cause metastasis to the lung.
It is hard to remember all the different information.
I do hope that your tiredness, breathlessness and body aches will disappear in time. I would think that if you have had chemotherapy fairly recently you would be in a very vulnerable state if you have Covid. I am not sure how long the after effects of chemotherapy last. It could well be that cancer and the treatment affects your state of health for the rest of your life. I do know that my blood pressure, although it is not high, is not as good as it was before cancer and the treatment.
I am regularly reading the Active Topics now, and keeping an eye on the thread entitled Neuropathy Reactivated by COVID Booster in the forum Chemotherapy – Before, During and After. I am also looking at the one about Covid. I shall try to fine the exact title and get back to you.
I do hope we shall hear from Mary. I know she gets very busy.
Let us hope we get more information about Covid and the vaccines. I think that a lot of information is being covered up.
That is about all for now. Take care and look after yourself.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Gill,
I have just been having a quick look at the Active Topics. A thread that looks interesting is Vaccine booster in the forum All things COVID-19 or coronavirus – A place to discuss the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on you and the ones you love.
I shall have a look to see if I can find any more.
I still feel there are too many forums and threads and it makes it very long-winded.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello everyone,
This last week has been a rough one for me after my first 2nd round dose of chemo. I've tried to keep up with nutrition using vitamins and Ensure, because I have a serious lack of interest in food. Smell and texture have been excruciating and have greatly dampened my desire to eat. I've lightly flavored my water (thanks Gill, for that reminder) to stay hydrated.
I'm happy to have no infusions until the middle of May to give my body a chance to bounce back.
I met with my doctor yesterday, who said that all of my numbers looked good and that there was no need for a white blood cell booster! That was good news.
I've had concerns about the COVID vaccines and boosters. However, I've gotten 2 vaccines and a booster. I'm not in a hurry to get any further shots right now because of my reaction to the others. I got fevers and mild symptoms with the shots and was "down for the count" for the entire day following the shots. I'm not willing to have another day like that, especially now.
I will keep in contact as much as I can during this second round. It's difficult on some days to remain vertical and able to concentrate. I couldn't even read--which is highly unusual for me. I'll do the best I can.
Thank you for your support! I truly appreciate it!
Love, Sue
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Hello Sylvia,
I have a strong feeling that we shall find, in the post covid months and years, that many of us are left with serious health deficits, some life-changing. As yet, the evidence points to these long term health conditions being the results of severe covid disease. I'm grateful to have been offered the vaccine and would do the same again. Even so, I do sometimes wonder if there might be issues that have yet to come to light. The lockdowns have had an impact on our immune systems and it's possible that the vaccine has suppressed them even more. It's too early to be sure of anything yet. Very few under twelves were vaccinated, but their immunity has been affected by being kept away from other children for months on end.
I regularly read the thread for people to comment on the impact of covid on their treatment, it was on my 'favourites', but of course disappeared when the new site was installed. Most posters are from America and Canada and it's very clear that the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of breast cancer patients hasn't suffered nearly as much as in England. Covid merely exposed the cash deprived NHS as it really is. I strongly believe in a free health service, but everyone has to play their part. Unfortunately, the black economy, tax evasion and tax avoidance see all too common. We need to put an end to non-dom tax avoidance and offshore Investments in tax havens. This won't happen under a Conservative Government.
I hope there is some improvement in your Aunt's health soon. She does seem to have been seriously unwell for some time.
Wishing you both a restful weekend.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello Sue,
It's very good news about your white cell count. Your body is doing extremely well - though I'm sure it doesn't feel like that. The side effects are so difficult to live with, and not being able to eat anything is one of the worst. I can't remember the taste now, but even a mouthful of most foods made me gag. I used to send my husband out to find whatever food I felt I might be able to eat that day. He'd rush back, present me with whatever I'd asked for, only to be told that I couldn't face it. I often ended up eating rice and peas with mint sauce. The mint sauce made it palatable I think. Ensure seems to be working for you, but you probably need some bulk as well, rice might help. I also managed to eat cold chicken in small quantities to keep the oncologist happy.
I was exhausted during the last 3 chemotherapy cycles and slept a lot of the time, it doesn't surprise me that you can barely stand at times. I also lost interest in reading, listening to radio dramas, stories, even the news. Just let your body get on with it. Chemotherapy makes a lot if us feel that we are no longer in control, but it will pass. Surgery is a walk in the park compared to chemotherapy.
The worst will soon be over.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Thanks Gill!
Your words are very helpful.
I often can't eat what I've asked for. Thankfully, my husband is extremely understanding and patient. Texture and smell have been huge issues, along with the taste. Chicken has been difficult because of the texture--not something I can explain though.
We continue to search for things I can/want to eat...
Thanks! Love, Sue
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You're welcome Sue. Lucky we both have understanding husbands!
Love,
Gill xxx
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hello all,
it appears to me once you go to community then to active topics and open an active topic you then get to see your favourites in the left hand vertical banner.
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Now on to try an work out how to clear up my profile...
all is well here. we are about to have federal election and it will interesting to see if our current leader can remain in. I am not much for politics and know the swings and turns of both our major parties. it will be interesting to see what happens. all eyes are on the war in Ukraine which is as shocking as it is frightening. people at risk here are now getting a fourth 'booster' shot. i think they are trying to downplay it as ANOTHER COVID injection. i will be ready for mine mid month. i have noticed that quite a few people are getting ill with other maladies. some suggesting it because lockdown has weakened our immune systems and there is also talk of a new covid flu cross!
PS. Adagio so sorry to read you had stroke. how terribly scary
PS. had first does of Kadcyla and all is going well. chest a bit more painful but i hope that is the chemo giving the cancer cells trouble.
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Hello Gill,
I do agree with you about having an NHS service that is based on the principle of free at the point of service, but I think free was used rather carelessly back in 1945 and 1948. it was overwhelmed at that time and there was a rush for free false teeth and spectacles and medication, so some kind of charge had to be introduced, and Labour was kicked out in 1951 and the Conservatives were brought in. There is terrible waste in the NHS and this has to be remedied. I have seen so many people over the years that waste medication by insisting on collecting repeat prescriptions that they do not use. There are also too many people not turning up for appointments. I am not very optimistic about the NHS recovering.
The Conservatives do not care about the NHS and they have been in power so often that social systems do not have a chance. In 1945 the doctors did not want the NHS and consented in the end only on the condition that they were allowed to keep their private patients.
We shall never get any fairness or justice in this country until the Conservative party disappears. Labour also needs to improve its act.
Of course I agree with you about the black economy, non-dom tax avoidance and offshore investments being terminated.
It is difficult to know what to say about Covid and the vaccines. I think the vaccines were brought in too quickly without enough research. There seems to be problems with all three vaccines, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna. There have been deaths from both the coronavirus and the vaccines. From what I have heard you are supposed to stop a vaccine if you get 1 death per million and with these vaccines there have been apparently 50 or more deaths per million. I did watch a couple of interviews with people whose spouses had died quite soon after the vaccine. They were not the very elderly and had not been in poor health. The government is ignoring these people and we are not seeing much coverage about the harm of the vaccines. I suppose we shall have to make our own decisions. I would like to see quick and useful information coming out to the public. Wanting to wait 75 years before publishing as Pfizer wanted to do is unacceptable. I also think it is about time those police reports came out about breaking lock down rules, not to mention the never-appearing Sue Gray report. Is it all going to be covered up while the establishment pursues Keir Starmer.
I do not know what will happen with my aunt. I do not like the sound of clots in her lungs and it looks as though both Covid and the vaccines can cause this.
I do hope you are feeling a lot better and that you and Michael will have a pleasant weekend.
Thinking of you.
Love and best wishes.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Sue,
I think Gill has said it all.
Chemotherapy is the most difficult part of the cancer journey and it is a long and slow journey with ups and downs.
Do what you can in the way of eating. I think we all find our own way of doing this. The taxanes seem to cause a metallic taste in your mouth.
Keep looking forward and just do your best.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello helenlouise,
I'll have another try with the favourites. I should look at my profile too.
We've just had local elections in half of the UK. The Conservative Government is putting considerable spin on their almost 500 seat loss. The Greens have made huge gains, it seems that people here are waking up to the environmental crisis.
The Ukraine situation is frightening, Russia is close enough to us to send some fairly devastating weapons our way if they feel so inclined. We just have to hope that Putin's days are numbered and someone with a sense of proportion and decency takes over.
I haven't been offered a fourth vaccination yet, but I should have some natural immunity after my recent dose of covid. As you're vulnerable, it might make sense to have another vaccination rather than take any risks. My own experience with covid was a bit like an ordinary cold, runny nose, cough, sore throat and tiredness. Michael's immediate symptoms were worse, with a headache, very persistent cough and muscle pain, in addition to the symptoms I had. However, Michael was back to normal within about 10 days, while I'm left with an aching body, tiredness and occasional palpitations. I think (hope) the drop in immunity that's causing an increase in other minor illnesses is the result of lockdowns. I wouldn't be at all surprised if covid and seasonal flu joined ranks this year - that piece of news hadn't reached me until I read your comment.
Good luck with Kadcyla, pleased that the first treatment went well. I'll be thinking about all of those cancer cells getting what they deserve.
Love,
Gill X
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Hello HelenLouise,
I shall be interested to know the results of your Federal election. Ours all seem to be about kicking out the incumbent rather than voting in a new party. I am not impressed with our government and the opposition is too tame.
It seems as though everything has gone rather quiet about the next booster shot which is the fourth vaccination. I have my doubts as to whether it will really do any good. The few people I know that have had it have not been given a choice. It seems you have to take what they have available at the time. Some have had Pfizer and others Moderna. Raymond and I have not had this booster so far and will probably not have it. There is information slowly leaking out about nasty side effects. Clots seem to be the main thing but I do not think we are being told the whole truth about Covid or the vaccine. I just think that they both undermine the immune system.
I have heard that there is something going on in South Africa with yet another variant of Omicron.
I do hope you will make good progress with your trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla). Like I said to Sue, just keep looking forward.
Keep well and take care.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Sylvia,
Although I wasn't born until 1955, I remember how overused the NHS was right from those very early years. There was an epidemic of tonsil and adenoid removal in young children - I was a victim, aged just four. Free dentistry for children should be a good thing, but resulted in many children having almost every tooth in their head filled and you'll recall the number of children wearing a pair of NHS glasses in primary school. They came in two shades of plastic, pink for girls and blue for boys. I missed out on the glasses and remember feeling a bit left out. The rush on false teeth was very obvious as middle aged and elderly people suddenly transformed their appearance with a mouthful of perfect teeth and bright pink gums and at mealtimes complained of certain foods 'getting under their plate'. I had an aged neighbour who thought nothing of taking his teeth out in public. Happy days!
The NHS was never organised properly in the first place. Hospital consultants were allowed to build up their own departments and power by performing unnecessary surgeries and treatments. Patients never thought to question a doctor and if they did, they were given short shrift. Then along came all the overpaid managers and administrators who now far exceed clinical staff. It's very difficult to see how the NHS can be 'cured'. Privatisation isn't the answer as many people would be unable to pay for expensive health insurance. I don't have any ideas at all.
I don't regret being vaccinated, it was rushed out to stem deaths and serious illness and also to protect an overwhelmed NHS. Pfizer and other manufacturers should now release the facts as they are known - so far. Prosecutions were waived for drug companies. They rarely admit liability in any case. All information should be in the public domain by now, not releasing it causes suspicion and breaks our trust.
I find the Starmer 'beergate' reports worrying. If he is given a fixed penalty notice he'll probably resign. Johnson may then opt for a quick General Election while Labour is in turmoil. The Establishment funded press are hyping 'beergate' up out of all proportion. It was definitely not a party. I shall spend the rest of the day searching for good news and rise above what's happening in the banana republic of Great Britain.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Love,
Gill xxx
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Hello everyone,
I want to alert you to a data protection issue on the website. Earlier today serenitystat on the 'Steam Room for Anger' thread, posted an interesting message about the lack security on the site. This is the reason why all photographs have been taken down. Serenitystat explains it much better than I could, I'd advise you to read her comment.
Take care everyone.
Gill X
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Hello Gill,
I found what you had to say about the NHS very interesting.
I agree that privatisation of the health care system is not fair or desirable but the present NHS is beyond repair so I do not know where we are going. The country is overpopulated and should not be treating non-citizens ot encouraging all these people to come and live here. I was listening to an interview yesterday in which someone from Migration Watch was saying that we have at least 7 million extra people come here in the last ten years. This overloads the NHS and all our social infrastructure. The Government does not seem to care.
I think that Keir Starmer will probably end up resigning but, if that happens, Boris Johnson will definitely have to resign many times over! If there was any decency his party would have kicked him out.
Where, oh where, is the police report that never seems to come, along with the Sue Gray report? There is always an excuse. The Sue Gray report should have come out straight-away. The next excuse was the war, then the opening of Parliament and I suppose, next, it will be the Platinum Jubilee.
I have been watching Mark Steyn on GB News at 8pm Monday to Thursday, as he seems to be the only person covering all the problems with the vaccinations and he interviews people whose family members have died from the vaccinations.
You are right about the Establishment-funded press hyping it up about Keir Starmer. Our newspapers are not worth reading.
Thank you for the information about data protection on this website. I shall have a look at it. There seems to be in general a clampdown on free speech and people getting cancelled. I just wonder where we are going.
There is no sign of Mary so perhaps she has just grown tired of posting.
Wishing you all the best.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Gill,
Thank you for that information about security leaks. I have just read some of the latest posts and I am not very happy about all this.
What do you think we should do with reference to our own thread? Do you think it is time to bale out of this forum?
Remember what I said recently. If your Government knows all about you it is a dictatorship. If you know all about your Government it is a democracy.
Love and best wishes.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hi, Sylvia and Gill, Sue, and Kath and Helenlouise
I have been quite remiss in checking in here the past week, especially. I have made a little progress with my small remodeling job, although the progress is only on my end, in that I have finally decided on most of the myriad decisions one has to do just for this job I am having done. In hindsight, I should have gotten an expert to help me pull things together because I am afraid I finally made my decisions out of desperation. I was desperate to be done, now I think with dread of when the workmen are finally here, making dust fly and hopefully I'll like the result and I hope it's not awful. My contractor is getting married in a couple of weeks so I really don't know what happens next. It's been almost 2 years since I started this process, I was more energetic then, at times I'm sorry I started this project.
I am very glad to see that Helenlouise and Kath came back to check in, I read that Kath is as busy as ever and Helen has the greatest fortitude of anyone on this thread, since it seems she is dealing with another problem with her scar. Helenlouise, I wish you the best of luck with your next steps.
Sue, I hope today is a good day for you, this process of treatment is so difficult. I hope you have found something you like to eat, you don't want to lose too much weight. I got very thin, and I did lose a lot of muscle, though I didn't realize it at the time.
Gill and Sylvia, I always find it interesting when you converse about the NHS, and the difference in quality between the time it started and now. I don't want to comment on it any more since I don't know enough to do so. Can a UK citizen buy private health insurance and then go to a hospital or only to certain hospitals? Can a person Pay cash for services? If it's like our hospitals, very few people would be able to afford to pay cash for anything there. I wonder if Bill Gates has Health Insurance?
I have a Oncology Check-up coming up in a couple of weeks. For the past years since diagnosis, I have been seen twice a year, I have a mammogram in the fall and a Breast MRI in the Spring before these visits. I will have a new Doc, number 4 since all this started. Today I noticed that nobody had called to set up an MRI. I called, and indeed I am supposed to have an MRI, and also a Vitamin D blood test. Since this all started in February of 2014, it will be Year number 8. I wonder how long they will do these tests, and see me regularly? Sylvia, I think you were dropped off the regular schedule after 10 years so I assume I will be as well. I am a little surprised that they still order the MRI, since that is an expensive test. Perhaps because I complained years ago about only having the annual Mammogram, since that test didn't pick up my original tumor.
For a weather report, we are having record-setting heat this week, my dog and I both find it awful. Especially this time of year, since I would like to be outside doing chores and planting flowers.
Now I'm going to try to post this, and I hope it all goes well. I notice the site is still apologizing for the mess it is in, I wonder what's taking so long to fix it.
I'll talk you soon,
Love, Mary
PS Sylvia, I have no idea if the trip to New Zealand/Australia is happening, I haven't heard a word. I'm not holding my breath!
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Hello Mary,
Thank you for your post. It sounds as though you are having a stressful time with your small remodelling job. What exactly are you doing? I can understand how you are dreading the work actually being done. I do hope that you will be happy with the end result. I do hope there will be no delay periods once it gets started. I would find that really stressful. Two years seems a long time to have been going through all that.
It is good to have our group coming together again but I do not like the format of the forum as a whole and find it too slow and not at all relaxing. I do not like what I have been reading about breaches of security and lack of action by bc.org. It is not acceptable.
It is true that HelenLouise is very strong and determined. She has been through so much.
As for Kath, she is very busy and I do hope she will be able to pop in to give us more information about these vaccines and the flu jabs. I think a lot of information has been withheld from us. There was some kind of information yesterday about monkeys and human embryos being used in the process. Did you ever see a film called Soylent Green? I have made up my mind that I am not having any more corona vaccines or flu vaccines. I just do not trust the companies! AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna all seem to be causing clots and goodness knows what else, as well as deaths. They were brought out in too much of a hurry.
You asked about the NHS here. It is in a terrible state.
It is possible to buy private insurance if you can afford it. One of the most well known is BUPA. I think if you have a medical problem, you still have to go through your GP and be referred to a consultant and you can say that you wan to go private. I suppose there is nothing to stop you doing this through a private GP if you can find one. Ordinary State GPs can say the NHS does not provide a certain procedure but they can refer you to a private consultant, especially if you do not want to wait. Things are so bad here that, my understanding is, there is a waiting list even to go privately. Emergencies are dealt with by the NHS.
I think everything has changed for the worse since I had my breast cancer treatment.
I think that in the US you get much more detailed treatment than here, but I suppose your insurance agent has to approve any treatment. My after standard treatment appointments were very basic. It was a question of feeling breasts and lymph nodes and looking for all to be smooth. For the first five years I alternated between the oncologist and the breast cancer surgeon. It was every three months for the first couple of years and then every six months. After the five years the breast cancer surgeon told me I was ready to be discharged from her, but that I would continue with the oncologist. I stayed the oncologist for five more years and she then told me I was ready to be discharged. I think most patients were discharged after five years. I think my oncologist may have kept me on because I was triple negative.
I was entitled to have mammograms if I wanted. When I was discharged after the ten years I was told that, if I wanted mammograms, I would have to go to a mobile unit. I have not been at all.
What is going on with post treatment visits now, I do not know.
Because of the pandemic, there are longer and longer waiting lists in addition to neglect of the NHS before this, that I think there will be many deaths from cancer due to early diagnosis being missed.
I sometimes get the impression that in the US treatment and drugs may be overdone, but that is my own personal opinion.
I do not envy you your record setting heat. I find that I prefer cooler weather. We are short on rain here. We have some planting to do but the soil is far too dry.
Take care of yourself, Mary, and try to have a bit of relaxation.
Love and best wishes.
Sylvia xxxx
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hi Sylvia
The house I live in was built about 1980. Some of the flooring I'm replacing is original carpeting, 42 years old. If it was only flooring it would be easy, but im redoing both upstairs bathrooms, one has nonfunctional shower. And having painting throughout.. And the contractor that will do it came highly recommended but is slow as molasses to get here and do anything, dunno if he's distracted by his love life.
(Warning! Rant following!) I am also dismayed by our government, they took great advantage of Covid, and used that crisis to take over most everything. In their wake is an enormous debt, runaway inflation, skyrocketing fuel and food prices, open borders with thousands of people arriving daily, a crime wave, its just incredible how messed up things have become . Our President seems senile, and only reads a teleprompter when speaking. We have a mostly complicit media, who spout the daily talking points of the administration. I am in a rural area, farmers are paying a fortune for fertilizer or letting the field lay. I am paying much higher prices for energy, the dream of green energy throughout the land is easier said than done. The main proponents are billionaires flying around in private planes, who have no idea what is needed to buy fuel for trucks, tractors, bulldozers not to mention planes that fly the masses. I feel worlds removed from simpler days, and I suppose I am hoping for a miracle to turn things around, and at the same time it's probably not going to happen.
Or I could stop watching the news!
My appointment is set for a Breast MRI with a Vit. D test, and the following week will be my Oncologist appointment.
I read a bit of an article the other day, a large percentage of this country are on anti-depressants. I agree with you, I think drugs are over-prescribed here.
I am going to buy some flowers today, and fill my pots, and 1 bed needs some perennials that can take harsh summer sun.
Talk later, love
Mary
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Sylvia,
Ranting on this thread inspired me to get on the phone with my contractor and try to pin him down on a date, he remains elusive but I feel better and have a loose plan of a month-ish. Which is ridiculous, a year and a half later.
Onward! The idea of being in a plant nursery sounds relaxing.
Later, Mary
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Hello Everyone,
I've had a very difficult week. Last weekend, I had so many sores in my mouth that I could not eat. Then the fevers started. By Monday, my blood pressure was so low, I could not remain vertical for any significant amount of time. I was admitted to the hospital for neutropenic fevers. I was released on Friday.
I feel much better and have significantly more energy. I tried the "magic mouthwash" and though it numbed my mouth, the taste of it made me gag. Once I had the WBC booster, the sores started to disappear as my numbers rose. On Monday, the WBC number was 0.8, which you all know is extremely low. It rose quickly with the booster.
If my numbers all look good, I'll do infusion #2 of this second round on Wednesday. That's a bit scary to me. I told the doc that I'm really nervous about it. He says that he'll give me the WBC booster automatically this time so that my numbers don't fall so low again. I asked him why he didn't do that the last time and he said that my blood work after 1 week still showed a normal WBC number. Apparently, it dropped drastically after that check-up.
I'm going to soldier on. I'm just wanting to get through this and be done with chemo so that I can do what comes next. The oncologist says that hopefully, they'll just need to scrape out the dead cancer cells, which is fine with me. But this week, when I was in the hospital, I had to cancel an appointment with my breast surgeon for my update appointment. So we'll have to wait to see what she says for a few weeks.
Take care and stay safe! Thank you for your support through all of this.
Love, Sue
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Hello Mary,
I did enjoy reading your posts and your rant. Everything you said about your country can be said about ours. Everything is in a total mess and the government does not really seem concerned. Our Prime Minister is not senile yet but he is totally superficial, does not have clue about everyday life and is busy trying to play the Great Statesman in Ukraine.
I am sorry you are having such a difficult time with your contractor.
I hope you have gone to a garden centre for a bit of enjoyment.
I shall try to write more during the weekend.
Lots of love.
Sylvia xxxx
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