Best Of
Re: UPDATED: RENAMED: Gardening, 'all shapes and sizes, hints, tips and pics' thread!
@Anneb @Sunshinedaff @Chilali1531 @NanaBubbles
Hi Ali. I am sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time and thank goodness you have been feeling better lately. The myelogramme sounds pretty unpleasant, but if it helps to keep you well, it will be worth it. Haha, that tart tatin sounds delicious and I doubt that I would be able to resist it if it found its way onto my table. My Mum used to sprinkle her Yorkshire curd tarts with cinnamon. It has taken me two weeks to lose 3 pounds and I think I need to try a bit harder☹️. It is over 30c here today which I think is some kind of record for this time of year. Love your park - you live in a really lovely area.
Good afternoon Margy. How lovely to have all the family around you again. It must have been exhausting but lots of fun too. I do hope that you will be able to get together at Christmas. Your garden looks wonderful - you have all been so busy and it’s definitely been worth it. Spring is such a lovely time of year when everything starts to grow again. Our Winters are relatively mild and we rarely see any snow. The last time we did, everyone rushed out of their houses to take photographs, it was so funny.😂. Mary and I have been loving the cricket. We have had tours by the West Indies, Pakistan and as you know, Australia are here now. All of the matches have been at either Southampton or Manchester as both have hotels within their grounds. The players have been isolated in a secure bubble within the grounds and have not been allowed to leave. This means that they have been cooped up for a month or more which must have been pretty testing for young men touring England. Their efforts have been really appreciated and the cricket has been wonderful.
Here is a pic from our lovely balcony adorned with flowers from a very special friend.
Hi Michele. Your Scottish sojourn sounds wonderful. I think we need to have some pleasure and relaxation at times like this and I bet you are feeling refreshed and happy. We can’t really leave the Island to see family as we would have to fly and then self isolate on return and it is just not worth the risk/trouble. Fortunately, local hotels are offering Autumn deals for locals and Mary and I are checking some of them out. We are also looking forward to the joys of eating out and as the Island is relatively free of the virus, we feel safe to do so. The cinnamon apple crisps sound lovely and not too naughty. I think we will be giving them a go. I wonder what it is about men and steam trains. Has Geoff been to Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales? The old Station Master’s house on the platform is available to rent and a friend of mine goes there every year. There are a couple of steam trains pass through most days and here is one.
Good afternoon Lou. What a lovely day to go to Falmouth. It will be tough for you all not having Hannah at home but I am sure she will settle in well and that you will be frequent visitors.
My friend Gary has a lovely cat called Joey. I don’t know what he is but he has a kind of pug face and he is very sociable and good company. Gary has recently put a little water feature into his garden and Joey is taking full advantage during the hot weather. Here are a couple of pics.
Love to you all.
Rob xxxx
RobertA
Re: Why can't I get rid of this cough
This must be so debilitating for you.
Potentially this could be scarring of the lung tissue which can lead to irritation and subsequent cough.
Not what you need to hear but this symptom could be with you indefinitely. Perhaps speak to the Consultant and ask for an alternative remedy for this as sounds like the anti histamines are not working for you
Best wishes
Liz 💕
LizzyB73
Re: Why can't I get rid of this cough
Hello,
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and also how you have been suffering with these symptoms and yet not being able to find any relief or help for them.
I am not able to advise you, or provide you with any knowledgeable answer.
I can only suggest contacting the oncologist or doctor to see if further investigations can be done to locate the source of it. I would have hoped the doctors could say something about the uticaria. Perhaps some different medication may help that?
I understand seeing doctors in the current climate may be difficult, but even a telephone consultation would be better than none. I would persist in contacting them until you are successful in speaking to someone.
Maybe someone else on here will have some insight for you, hopefully they will get in touch.
Lou x
LouiseJ
Re: Hello and welcome!
I’m Jackie and was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2013. I wanted exactly this kind of place to exist when I was first diagnosed but just couldn’t find anything online that was like this: the right mix for me of being informative but as upbeat and positive as possible. I’m thus delighted Live Better With and its community has since been established and am keen to support it where I can.
I was asked if I’d take up a roll of, ‘Cancer Expert’ and while I’m not sure I’m really expert in anything (!) I do have some insight into the world of cancer through my own experiences and through writing my blog and subsequent book: Tea & Chemo. I’m happy to help where I can. I will leave you with this for now: if you’ve just been diagnosed, hang on in there! The waiting and the not-knowing are, in my humble opinion, the worst. Once you get a treatment plan and get started on your treatments, it can all feel slightly less terrifying
Big hugs to all x
Re: Seroma
Hi @RUTHDUIGNAN
Thank you for getting in touch.
You are doing the right thing by placing warm towels on the area to help absorb the excess fluid, which in most cases reabsorbs naturally.
As Lou mentioned, sometimes radiotherapy may have to be delayed as a result but fingers crossed for you.
My best wishes
Liz 💕💕
LizzyB73
Remission
Just wanted to let everyone know.. I’m in remission..I am healed by the grace of God
Gregory
Trent333
Re: Thickening shampoos/conditioners and eye lash serums
Hi Mrs T,
I lost all my hair during chemo as I didn’t have the cold cap. I was recommended by other patients to use a shampoo and conditioner called “Mane and Tail” ( sold in Boots and Superdrug cost about £6 each). Apparently it is an American product originally created for grooming horses, but is safe to use on humans! A peculiar thought, I know but I found it really worked well. I will send you a before and after pic so you can see the thickness and growth. Regarding your eyelashes, I am using a serum called “RapidLash”, again from Boots. This is a bit more expensive at around £40. My lashes fell out after chemo treatment had finished but they are growing back now. Well done on getting through the chemo, hope you find something that helps.
Afer Chemo ... 5th March 2020
Latest pic .... 10th July 2020.
I haven’t been to the hairdressers yet, and yes it is greyer and curlier than before but I am getting used to it !
take care and all the best,
Sue x
SueEvaM
Re: Vaginal dryness
Hi @Belle39
After chemo I had vaginal dryness. It was extremely painful all the time not just during intimacy. I was advised to use Replens MD which solved the problem for me.
I hope this helps you.
Best wishes
Kate
Re: Vaginal dryness
Hello @Belle39 ,
I have also had virginal dryness since I've been on oestrogen-suppressing hormone treatment and I have found the YES range or products (https://www.yesyesyes.org/) very good. All natural and easy to use discretely. Sex isn't perhaps as spontaneous as before but using these products which I read about in a breast cancer book has certainly meant that I could have sex and intimacy without pain. Hoping this might help.
Warm wishes.😊
Jan12
Re: Side effects of Letrozole
Hi,
There are many of us here familiar with Letrozole and the side effects taking it produces.
The aches and pains in joints and your body are very common.
I was on Letrozole for about a year, prior to that it was Tamoxifen.
I found it very difficult to be honest. I didn't realise fully that it was the meds either for a while. But I spoke to my oncologist who suggested I change to another one and see if things improve.
I began Exemastane last September, so far, things have slowly improved, as in not as bad as they had been. I still have horrendous aches and pains, just less.
How long have you been on the meds now? I would suggest you speak with your oncologist and explain how things are. There may be an alternative suitable for you.
I have been learning to do life 'little and often' not all in one blitz. I try and rest my feet and legs as much as I am able, with them raised off the ground. Unfortunately I don't have a magic remedy to suggest. I take pain meds, to cope with the pain, sometimes it doesn't always work. As much as resting I do also try to keep moving each day. Getting up off the chair, or out of the car for example, is becoming a little easier. I don't have to brace myself as much as I did previously, except if I am in the same position for a long while then I do.
I am not sure whether I am sounding helpful or not! I am sorry.
I guess many of us are just trying to live with it, knowing the alternative might have been worse. But it is frustrating when quality of life has been diminished, that is when I have to find a new way through it.
You are in the right place here, to find support, and understanding of your situation. Welcome to the community.
Hope to chat with you soon,
Lou x
LouiseJ